Chapter 1: We Own The Night
Chapter Text
Anything that rings a bell belongs to JK Rowling
A/N: Hello! This is the second story in the Ky Thornton Series - which is a Harry/OC love story. For this to make the most sense, you should read the first story, Phoenix Accession (PA) first.
However, this first chapter is written without major spoilers from the first story, so you can get an idea if you enjoy the writing style/OC enough to invest the time in reading PA. I think PA is worth a read, but I am of course biased and I understand that people may not have time for it, so I also have a summary of PA at the end of this chapter - but only read that if you don’t mind PA being completely spoiled of course.
Anyway, enough of my rambling.
Hopefully happy reading!
Kalina
Harry sprung up, his wand, which he had been holding whilst asleep all through summer, shot out, poised with a spell at the feeling of someone hovering over him in the dark room.
“Shhhhh!” He didn’t need to be told twice as he was rendered speechless by his classmate, Ky Thornton, straddling his stomach, her hand over his mouth, “It’s me, Ky!”
Maybe this was a dream, maybe he should just let dream Ky do whatever she wants to him.
What the heck was he thinking??? There was a Dark Lord out for his head and he was behaving like a horny teenager… well, technically he was just that but… he let out a gasp as Ky seemed to be wriggling in her seat which was definitely not helping his situation. “Where is your light switch?”
“I’ll get it!” He growled, holding her steady and flicking on his bed side lamp, the warm glow painting her skin olive, finding the few bronze strands in her dark unruly hair, the grey in her eyes subdued so they looked like dark swirls instead. Her front teeth found her bottom lip as she stared right back at him, and Harry just remembered that he hadn’t brushed his hair in days, and he had gone to bed wearing a tattered Dudder’s hand me down…and oh Godric…he must have morning breath.
“Hello.” She whispered, simply, and he swallowed, scared to speak. And then suddenly, as if his brain only just woke up, he realised how incredibly stupid he was being. His right wrist, which her dainty fingers were clasped around, twisted, pointing his wand at her, and with a blink her coyness disappeared, replaced with annoyance, “Seriously? You want to stun me, again?”
“I don’t want to. I just…oh actually, it must be you if you knew that I stunned you last year.”
“Oh, what you thought Voldemort knicked some of my hair for polyjuice and figured the best way to kill you was to straddle you to death?”
Harry was glad for the dim light of his lamp, so she couldn’t see him blush at her words, she had no idea how close she was to making him pass out from lack of blood to the brain, he needed her to move.
She sniggered, “You think Voldey’s ever had sex before?”
“What!” She will actually be the death of him.
“Oh shhh! We can’t wake up your family. All this talk of Voldemort seducing you, makes you think right?”
He let out a cross between a choke and a laugh, “Who said anything about seducing? Is that what’s happening here?”
Her large grey eyes ran circles in her sockets, her right hand clutching her chest, leaning her right shoulder forward in an elaborate show of offence. Godric he missed her antics, “All that’s happening here Mr Potter, is one friend trying to wish another friend, a very Happy Birthday.”
And with that, she twisted around and he swallowed a groan, positive she was moving about on him on purpose now. When she turned back, she held one tiny cupcake, with a single candle. She let out a gasp, “Oh no, I forgot matches.”
He straightened up at the sad look on her face, lifting his knees so as to not dismantle her, surprised his body even knew how to correct for such a thing, but then realising this action moved her from his stomach down onto…
They were both silent…and still…
He closed his eyes, swallowing, trying to calm down his situation which was surely…surely… very evident even through his pyjama bottoms…Merlin what in the seven hells was happening ?
“Do you have any?” Her voice broke the silence, and he opened his eyes to guage her expression. She didn’t look uncomfortable, and didn’t make to move either, doing a good job of pretending that this was perfectly normal, and he took a leaf out of her book.
“What?”
“Matches?”
“No…. Why would I?”
“Maybe you started smoking because of the stress. I wouldn’t blame you. You almost died a month ago.”
“Are you seriously hoping that I’ve started a life threatening habit just so you can light a candle?”
“I didn’t say I hoped you started smoking. I said I wouldn’t blame you. Though Voldemort would seeing as he seems quite determined to murder you personally, he’d be really pissed if you offed yourself by natural causes. Ooooh actually, that’s an idea?”
“I’m not chain smoking myself to death to spite Voldemort. Also, I kind of hate that I understand your crazy logic.”
“Sure. It feels like you really hate it right now.”
His mouth dropped open at the tease, “Am I dreaming?”
“Oh Harry, let’s not pretend this is how your dreams about me go.”
The lightness from his face dropped in an instant at her words, he knew she meant it as a jest, but it reminded him of what he really dreamed of… Cedric being murdered… Cedric… the boy Harry shepherded to his early grave.
“Harry…I was just joking.” She jumped off him and he leaned forward automatically, damn, what was wrong with him… a beautiful girl he had feelings for flirts with him whilst straddling him and he can’t stop thinking about murdered school mates and dark lords… “Sorry.”
“No!” He whispered, standing up, “I…I…” He took in her face, unusually embarrassed… his hands found his forehead, he almost wished Voldemort was here to do him in. “We should… probably talk about…last term?”
Her eyes widened, and he realised this was not what she wanted to do. Just then though he heard a noise on the landing and he felt his expression mimick hers.
If the Dursleys caught him with a girl in his room, they’d assume the worst and kill him. Not because they cared if he ruined his life by being ‘irresponsible’, more so that they’d have another mouth to feed if he did get someone knocked up.
Oh why does he keep thinking about having sex with Ky Thornton!
“Drink this!” Before he could respond, Ky shoved a little green bottle to his lips, he downed it due to the overly expectant look in her eyes.
He serioulsy needed to learn how to say no to her!
There was a curt knock, and before he could say a thing Ky dropped to the floor, hidden by the bed, as the door opened, and his aunt stuck her head in, “Why is your light on!”
Harry opened his mouth, not sure what he would say but suddenly, he felt like throwing up, and he dashed to the bathroom next to his room, just reaching the toilet before he upchucked his stomach’s contents into it.
After two more rounds of puking, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his aunt was glaring at him in the doorframe.
Was she seriously angry at him for being sick?
He stood and she stepped back quickly, “Go to your room. I cannot catch anything, Vernon and I have dinner plans with the Polkiss’ tonight, as you very well know.”
How rude of him to get sick, he rolled his eyes, and crossed the landing, “ Do not leave your room until you are feeling better, Dudders has his wrestling meet next week and I won’t have you ruining it! I’ll leave your food outside, and here!” She shoved a bucket into his stomach, “Clean it out yourself when you’re done with it.”
And with that she turned on her heel, and walked off.
Harry felt another wave of nausea come over him as he entered his room. Ky was stood near the door… had she been listening in?
“Drink this!” She pushed another bottle at his lips.
“Ky… I’m not really able to-”
“Drink!” She hissed quietly, and he sighed, drinking the bitter liquid… just realising his sickness started precisely when she made him down whatever…
“You made me sick!” He whispered at her, and she had a manic gleam in her eyes.
“It was so fast! I’ve been helping the Twins with one of their new inventions. How much did you throw up? On a scale of one to ten, would you say the experience was so bad that you wouldn’t want to repeat it? Because they need people to opt into this.”
“I’m sorry, do I look like a pathetic cowardly balding git to you? I won’t be experimented on like a rat!”
Her brows knitted together in confusion, and then she laughed, “Oh…that was funny! Pettigrew! Sassy Harry is my favourite Harry.”
He glowered at her as he made his way to his bed again, quite sure it was diluted by the fact that his ears were pinking up by her saying ‘favourite Harry’, and he was pretty sure the knots he had in his tummy now had nothing to do with that potion she gave him. He just registered something, and his glare became more concentrated again.
“So you’ve been in contact with the Twins, then?”
She shrugged, glancing about his room which Harry just realised he hadn’t cleaned in a while, his clothes strewn on the floor, newspapers littering the bed. He just noticed he didn’t have any socks on, since they were all dirty, and he suddenly became very conscious that she was able to see his bare feet. Oh shit…he just threw up…his breath!
“They’ve called me a few times.” She turned around, “Where’s Hedwig?”
“Wasting her time sending a letter to Hermione and Ron.” Ky cocked an eyebrow at that, and he swallowed, now properly awake and a good distance from her and her…distractive bits, to feel a swell of anger unfurl within him. They were all keeping him in the dark!
“So-”
“We should go. We’ve been too long as is.”
“Go? What?”
“Why’d you think I’m here?”
He blanched…was Ky taking him to the Burrow? That made no sense… he hadn’t heard from her since they left Hogwarts but he really doubted anybody would entrust her with this??? After all she was also underage, and perhaps not as in danger as him, but far from safe.
She rolled her whole head in exaggerated annoyance, “Your…Petunia Dursey…” She glared at the door, and Harry was sure she had heard at least some of the conversation with his aunt, “Thinks you’re sick, and possibly contagious, and not going to be checking on you all day. Which means we can embrace the teenage tradition of sneaking out, and,” She smirked, “Having some fun.”
He let out a breathy chuckle at the look she gave him at the last phrase, “I don’t know whether you remember, there’s sort of a Dark Lord after me. I can’t sneak out.”
“So, what you like sit in your room, all day?”
“No, I go for walks.”
“And, nothing’s happened right? You think Voldey doesn’t have your home address? Look, you’ve looked at the newspapers.” She gestured to the mess on his bed, “Dude’s all covert and flying under the radar. He doesn’t want to make a move yet. What are the chances the one day you sneak out, he finds us. Just trust me, okay? I have a plan.” She said confidently.
Harry’s right leg shook in agitation… this would be so reckless… but why shouldn’t he go off and have a day with Ky? It’s not like anybody cared to to keep him informed, and she did have a point, if he wasn’t meant to leave the house, Sirius would have told him so, and they’re probably just as likely to find him in the park he visits nearby than wherever Ky has planned for him… and why was he sitting around being a good little boy??? Respecting the wishes of people who were keeping him in the dark!
“Look, just give me twenty-four hours. Where we pretend to be like painfully normal. We won’t talk about any of it. We’ll even pick out aliases! Give ourselves really boring names like you can be…Tom, or Dick, what a change for you.” She chuckled softly, pleased with her joke.
He licked his lips, just about coming to a decision, “Why are you doing this?”
Sincerity shone on her cheeks and it made her all the more beautiful, “Because it’s your birthday, Harry. And I want to spend it with you.”
Something in his tummy purred in satisfaction at her words, and he knew, even though it was stupid, and reckless… there was no way that he was saying no to that offer.
-x-x-x-
Six hours later Harry found himself looking down at her glowing face.
"You sure?"
"If not you, then who?”
He shook his head, she was right. He gripped it tightly, and swung hard, watching the lights shoot halfway up the machine as the hammer struck the platform. He ignored her laughter, "We should play that can knocking game, at least it involves some sort of skill. Not silly hammer games…anyway I'm pretty sure these things are rigged to not hit the top…”
As he said it, the next guy proved him wrong, as he banged the hammer down and the machine lit up with the sounds of his success echoing through the Fair… Harry watched in embarrassment as the man handed a huge teddy bear to his date. Harry turned to leave, when the booth operator stopped him, "Here's your prize mate. My advice, you want to keep a lass like that, best hit the gym."
Harry walked away as Ky’s laughter grew more manic, and tossed the one-eyed midget bear consolation prize in the air. She caught it deftly, skipping ahead of him, hustling some other poor sod for cheaper candy floss.
After they snuck out of the house under his invisibility cloak, Ky led him to a fancy black car driven by a chaffeur named ‘Gustavo’. In the car, Ky gave him brown contact lenses, and used a hair potion to change his unruly jet black to thick brunette locks that covered his scar quite well. He said he looked a bit like Hermione’s brother, which amused them both. She of course used a hair potion to dye her hair bright blue, and after he pointed out that wasn’t exactly blending in, she turned it blonde, and threw on some emerald green contact lenses that she claimed she ‘worked better than he did.’
They stopped for breakfast, and then ‘bressert’ because Ky wanted a full English, as well as pancakes, and then drove for about an hour to this picturesque, seaside village. Ky said she didn’t even know there was a Fair on, it was a happy coincedence.
Harry was having the best birthday of his life, and he thought that might even be the case if he had normal celebrations to begin with. They went on all the amusement rides twice, and was just working their way down the games booths.
Ky ran back, smiling up at him, "I got it for free."
"How proud you should feel for stealing from a hardworking man."
She rolled her eyes, "It's not my fault people can't say no to this face, Potter.”
Harry stole a bit of her candy floss, not enjoying how true that statement was.
“Care for a photo, young lady?”
She nodded profusely, dragging Harry in front of the man with the polaroid, swinging his hand she was holding over her shoulder, and leaning into his side. He grinned nervously, enjoying the way her scent mixed with the seabreeze. He made to push his glasses up on his nose to ready himself for the photo, frowned in confusion at the absence of the frames, and then relaxed into a look of comprehension as he realised he was in contacts for the day. This sequence of facial expressions made her laugh heartily, and he chuckled too, scratching the back of his neck.
Merlin she was gorgeous.
She handed the man five pounds, and beamed at the picture, remaining comfortably at his side, neither of them moving. He took in the photo, which successfully captured the atmosphere of the day, all carefree chuckles and physical affection. A wave of sadness rolled over him, as it sunk in that they were in disguise because he was being hunted by a Dark Lord.
Their first photo together and they couldn’t even look like each other….
“You don’t like it?” Her voice was small, and he realised he had been frowning and shook his head.
“No…No it’s not that.” His shoulders dipped as her face fell, “Ky.” He squeezed her right arm, which he was still holding, “I like it very much. I just…wish you looked like you.”
She tilted her head in thought, “I don’t know. I kinda like that we look different. It’s like our little secret. Dick and Jane’s first da…adventure.”
He laughed, “You are so not a Jane.”
She giggled, “Funny, because you are such a Dick.”
He playfully bumped her for the tease, walking down the path, manouvering them through the crowd…still with his right arm around her shoulders, “So, what are Dick’s hobbies?”
“Dick likes to collect coins. He inherited the hobby from his great uncle who taught him how to fish.”
“He’ll never go hungry.” Harry chuckled.
“And Jane?” She enquired.
He glanced to the clear skies, not as good on the fly as she was, “She likes horseriding. She goes every Saturday with her older sister, who is also her best friend.”
“I like that for Jane.” She smiled, “What’s her feeling about walks on the beach?”
He glanced to the nearby coast she had been eyeing, which was unusually desserted due to the Fair, “She likes them, only if they’re long.”
She laughed, pulling him off to the sea. Harry enjoyed when Ky did that, because she’d always hold his hand for a bit longer after her dragging, and he wasn’t sure if it was intentional, or just Ky being Ky, but he liked that they really couldn’t seem to keep their hands off each other today.
Her hair fluttered wildly in the wind which got rowdier the closer they got to the water. He enjoyed watching the now dark blonde locks dance about, and had the urge to grab them, and he felt that beast in his tummy purr at the thought.
“Oh, come this way!” She pulled him away from the water, towards some nearby rocks, and he just realised they were all alone on the sand here. “Do you trust me?”
He swallowed, and nodded.
She threw something at him and he caught it on reflex, “Put this on.” And she twirled around before he could process what she said and flung her shirt off.
Harry’s eyes popped open, processing her black bra and the slender arch of her back and he spun around, realising she must have expected him to do so immediately.
He registered she had thrown him a white formal shirt, and he shrugged his tee off and changed with difficulty as his fingers were trembling, as he was trying to not imagine what her movements meant… that was the sound of her jeans zip, that sound was her jumping out of them… she was practically naked behind him…
“Okay, come on! We’ll be late!” She again grabbed him and pulled him onwards, and he took in what she was wearing. A short green dress that made her eyes sparkle, and he made a note to wear more of that shade himself, but he doubted he could ever do the colour justice like she did.
“Ky…” He looked hesitantly at the large ship they were approaching near the pier.
“Oh, you’ve been doing so well! Please, just a few more hours of blind faith and zero questions?”
He sighed, was he really going to board a ship with this girl???
She glanced up at him, her eyes large, biting her bottom lip and he just realised…
“Have you…do you use this look on me when you want me to do what you want?”
She gasped, again play acting offence, “Harry, how could you think such a… Does it work?”
He nudged her playfully at her audacity, “Come on Jane. Let’s go fishing.”
-x-x-x-
Harry watched as Ky swung her newly blonde locks wildly, mouthing the lyrics to the song she obviously liked, her face flushed and hands flinging all over. Turns out the ship wasn’t leaving port, and was just the venue for a private concert that Ky managed to sneak them into by charming the bouncer.
He sipped his coke and laughed as she hit the guy next to her in the eye. The bloke turned around angrily but stopped when he saw her apologetic grin. Harry knew exactly how the guy felt… a constant conflict between strangling or hugging. Just then someone shoved into him, and he looked down to find light blue eyes smiling up at him. It was a girl that seemed to be their age, she had jet black hair like his…well, like how his used to be. She blushed prettily, "I'm sorry!"
"It's OK." He looked away; an awkward silence present paradoxical to the loud music around them. He was pushed closer to her, her face grew redder.
"Lost Prophets…"
"Huh?"
She stared shocked at his confusion and pointed at the band. Oh, the band. Oh crap…she must think he was an idiot.
"It's hard to say, their style has changed so much. I prefer their last album."
She smiled at this and he breathed a sigh of relief, glad that Dudley’s radio sometimes filtered into his room and recalled a DJ saying something like that once.
“So do you go to St Andrews?"
He nodded to such a small degree; he bet she didn't even know he moved his head. Another awkward silence…Harry looked behind him to see Ky deep in conversation with the boy that bumped into her. He looked at least eighteen…how long did he turn around for? She was jabbering about something, and the bloke was just watching her lips move, the idiot. She was an even bigger idiot for talking to the arse in the first place.
Harry’s head whipped around when someone shouted, "There they are!"
A man with a clipboard was pointing straight at them, a boy that looked weirdly similiar to Harry peering into the crowd, and he felt a familiar hand grab his wrist and didn't have to be urged to run, five hulking security men made it quite voluntary.
Fifteen minutes later and quite a stretch down the beach Harry bent over, trying to catch his breath. They were on a deserted pier, a long way away from the ship.
"I thought those were just aliases! We snuck in pretending to be actual people! That exist!"
She laughed and twirled like a psychotic princess, the lunar light shining off her smooth skin that was on display.
"It's not my fault! I didn't think those two would actually show up! I mean they're celebrities and that was just a school concert. Well, it was for some of the most prestigious boarding schools in the UK and they did manage to bag a few good artists…if anyone is to blame it's the security guy. Who doesn't know what Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe look like?"
"Evidently you…you look nothing like her."
She laughed at that, "It was the only names I managed to scan off his list. And stop complaining, it's not like you didn't have fun. I'm not sure if I should be alone with you here…I've heard stories about you St. Andrews boys."
Harry tried to fight his blush, "What was I supposed to say…I go to a school for witchcraft and wizardry."
"You might as well have; she wouldn't have heard a thing. It's more believable than her 'accidentally' bumping into you."
"Oh, and you accidentally bumped into GI Joe back there."
"What? Yes. And what? GI Joe? What century are you from Potter?"
He was about to answer when she clasped her hand over his mouth,
"Shhhh… do you hear that!"
He listened intently, zoning in for footsteps or whispers, his hand on his wand. But all he could hear was the sound of singing wafting from the ship they were just chased off. She then smiled blissfully and dropped down onto the pier. He hurried forward, making sure her legs didn't reach the water.
"Be careful…sharks and stuff…"
"Shhh. Just listen." She patted the place next to her and he sat down as well, crossing his legs, irrationally feeling as if they would reach the water if left to hang.
"When we are together
It's the time of our lives
We can do whatever, be whoever we like
Spend the weekend dancing
'Cause we sleep when we die
Don't have to worry about nothing
We own the night
We own the night
We own the night
We own the night…."
He didn’t know when it happened, but Ky had leaned her head against his chest. He stopped listening to the song, all his other senses overpowering his sense of hearing. He could smell her shampoo, always fruity but never one that he could place; he could feel her soft breathing and her warmth. He looked down, seeing the familiar dark halo shining up at him, the strange blonde finally gone. And for the first time in weeks…he felt calm.
It must be the ocean, its gentle waves lapping the sand, or the moon, bright and throwing everything into illumination…but if he was honest with himself, he knew what it was…
"I missed you."
The words tumbled out of his mouth. His intention was to ask her what was going on in the Wizarding world, a question that she managed to evade all day. He was at a loss as to where that had come from. His heart pounded as his words seemed to hang in the air.
Ky turned and looked up at him, her fake green eyes sincere,
"I missed you too."
His heart soared at her words, but then quickly plummeted. He felt like jumping into this ice-cold water. He practically forced her to say it by declaring it in the first place. He gulped…searching for a change of topic. "How are Hermione and Ron?"
Ky shrugged, her shoulder nudging his. "OK, I guess." She then went back to laying her head on his chest. His traitor heart definitely gave him away as it beat at an unnatural pace. Yet they sat there for what felt like ages, the froth of the ocean spaying his face along with wild strands of her hair…feeling like they really did own the night.
-x-x-x-
He climbed in and turned to help her, but she swatted his hand away, stubbornly clambering in by herself and then letting his invisibility cloak fall to the floor. He rolled his eyes, picking it up, they had just snuck back into Privet Drive. It was four in the morning… she said it was too late to head back home and he agreed, there was no way he was letting her drive around with a practical stranger at this time of night.
Harry crossed to his dresser, finding a shirt that actually belonged to him, sniffing it discretely, his aunt would do his laundry sporadically, and he wasn’t sure if this was clean.
“What are you hiding over there?”
He flicked the shirt at her, shushing her as she caught it.
“I hope it’s-”
He hushed her again and she rolled her eyes. She pulled the shirt over her head. It hung on her like a dress, considerably tighter in certain physiological areas. She pulled her hands into the sleeves, shimmied a bit and Harry saw something green fall into a heap at her feet. She kicked it out, and he realised it was the dress she was wearing. How on earth did she do that? She jumped onto his bed,
"What do you think you're doing?" His voice squeaked in shock.
"Horse riding."
"What?"
"What's that saying about asking stupid question, warranting stupid answers?"
"The question is not stupid. Why are you in my bed?"
"To sleep…that is the intention of a bed, is it not?” He glared at her as she smirked, Godric she was such a flirt.
She ducked into the covers.
"We can't share a bed!" He whispered loudly at her.
"Why not?"
Why not? Was she serious? Yes they shared a bed in the hospital wing last term but they both knew Madam Pomfrey was just around the corner. Did she honestly not see why it wasn't normal for two unsupervised heterosexual teenagers of differing sexes to share a bed? She must not think of him like that at all….
She rolled her eyes and grabbed a pillow and duvet and tossed it on the floor next to her, "Fine, be a prude. But just remember you asked for the back ache yourself." She flipped over and snuggled up under the thin blanket that Harry often opted for in Summer, leaving him gaping at her audaciousness.
Minutes later he shot up, short of breath, gasping. The jet of green still shining in his mind's eye. Stormy grey was looking down at him…how could he forget about the nightmares?
They only plagued him every night.
Ky slipped off the bed and dropped to the floor quickly. She pulled the duvet and rested her head on his pillow, laying an arm gently around his waist, her face pressed to his back. Harry was too shocked to say a word; his bemusement didn't last long as sleep claimed him.
For the first time that month he had a peaceful sleep…the only nightmare that graced him was when he opened his eyes…all trace of Ky gone.
A/N: Thank you for reading! I had fun writing that - I was having a chat with a friend who had a ‘friends to lovers’ situation with her current boyfriend and she was telling me how before they got together there was a lot of innocent physical touch, which I played a lot with in this chapter. As always, feedback is appreciated if you have it!
*****Spoilers for Phoenix Accession ahead*****
This is the second story of the Ky Thornton Series, Gemini Queen. The first story is Phoenix Accession, and I highly reccommend you read that one for this to make sense, though if you really wish to skip the first story, below are notes that could catch you up.
This story is set in the world of Order of the Phoenix, and with the return of Lord Voldemort Ky experiences what it truly means to be a Dumbledore. With the Dark Lord at large again, her brothers dedicate all their time to the Order, whilst Snape has to deal with the complexity of playing double agent when this time around, the child he wishes to protect, is one that he adores, rather than loathes - could this affect his ability to effectively lie to Voldemort? Especially now that rejoining the death eaters means he has to associate with the likes of Bastian Blishwick, the man who almost killed Ky at the end of Phoenix Accession.
Following the events of Phoenix Accession, where Ky is almost sexually assaulted by Bastian Blishwick, the men in her life are overcome with a thirst for revenge. Her brothers are determined to capture him, whilst Harry grows exceedingly protective of her. Ky, however, is trying to figure out what is the best way for her to deal with aftermath of her assault.
However, her greatest challenge remains overcoming the guilt she feels surrounding the death of Cedric Diggory, whom she had a brief romance with at the end of Phoenix Accession.
After saving her life in Phoenix Accession, Theodore Nott and Ky become fast, albeit secret, friends. In her interactions with Nott, she finds herself befriending other Snakes as well, like Daphne Greengrass and Draco Malfoy, and learns a lot about the dynamics down in the Snake Pit, which would serve useful for her in the future.
Hermione and Ky's friendship is as strong as steel at the end of Phoenix Accession, but the brainy Gryffindor struggles to be supportive to her two temperamental best friends - Harry and Ky, who both unfairly give her the short end of the stick when they are overcome with their frustrations.
Ky feels isolated from her family, whilst Harry feels distanced from Dumbledore, and this has profounds effects on their general disposition. However, at the end of Phoenix Accession, their friendship definitely took on a different flavour, and they both clearly see each other in a different light - they just need to figure out if they wish to fan those flames in Gemini Queen, or douse them back into darkness.
Chapter 2: Chapter Two: Unexpected guests
Chapter Text
Anything that rings a bell belongs to JK Rowling
Fondina - wand holster
Ky turned the corner as she drank her hair potion, changing back to blonde and narrowing her eyes as the car was not where she expected it to be. Gustavo was meant to wait for her where he had dropped them off yesterday, but in his place was a tall blonde instead.
She heaved a sigh.
Well fuck.
She turned down the street, annoyed at being caught and made her way towards a park she spotted yesterday. She walked to the middle of it and turned around, icy blue met stormy grey in a battle beyond words. The woman’s usually perfect complexion was blotched and ruddy, her flowing golden locks up in a messy pony and her face was naked, bare for the world to see.
Her future sister-in law, Agnes ‘Nessie’ McQueen, glared at Ky; with ire she didn't even know she could muster…. And Ky returned the look with interest. "So, where's the car?”
"There is no car!" The words came out through clenched teeth. “I dismissed ‘your’ driver.”
“And how did you get here?"
"I walked! Five streets."
So that's what she's so pissed about. The pampered socialite had to walk, boohoo. "What? Do you want a gold medal?"
She blanched; this was getting boring quickly. Ky turned and started to walk away; but a hand stopped her.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Your car…I don't know why you parked it so far away, but I'd rather endure the walk than have to stand here any longer. I, unlike you, don't unleash my inner bitch just because of a few steps."
Maybe Ky was jumping the gun, Nessie didn't unleash…yet. But Ky knew her, she complained if she had to walk from her apartment to the grocer next door. But when she shopped for hours, her feet were immune to pain.
"You think I'm angry because I had to walk a few streets!"
Ky spared her a glance, preparing for the avalanche of complaints that was about to tumble onto her head. Nessie could get a PhD in nagging.
Ky sighed, "Did you break a nail as well?"
That seemed to have done it. She snarled…. she actually snarled. That surprised Ky.
"Like I care that I had to walk a few streets! After the day you put me through, it's the highlight of my morning! I wake up to find you gone! Not a note, not a message! Nothing! I go spare! Luckily the doorman saw you get a cab last night, and he recognised the company. Then I had to bribe a bunch of people to find out who was your driver, who then informed me that he took you to JFK. The Airport for a red eye flight! Then I had to coerce more people as to find out where you flew out to!!! London! A six-and-a-half-hour flight from New York! Telling nobody! And then…." Nessie squeezed her eyes shut, hands balled into fists as if to give her strength not to strangle Ky, “I get here, and I find out you're not in London.You hired a luxury car service! It's much harder getting details from luxury car drivers than it is from cabbies!"
Ky knew that, hence the decision. Nessie wasn't finished though, "Luckily I have more than just money in my arsenal, and I had to call in some favours, but I managed to find out that you were driven to some village like five hours from London.” It was actually three. “I drive there and of course you're not there either! I asked about a hundred people, which is about the population of the place, and nobody seemed to have seen you. Luckily a man said that there was a couple, strangers, they don't get that that much in those parts. A pretty lass by the name of Ky that he treated to a cotton candy. Her boyfriend didn't seem too impressed by that. Boyfriend! Thankfully he overheard you refer to him as Potter. Of course, I didn't know how to find him! And they all don't know where you went, you weren’t staying at their one village inn. So, I drove all the way back to London. I was this close to calling your brother."
Oh yeah, let's pretend that the reason she didn't want to call Linus was that she was trying to protect Ky from his wrath. Nessie wasn't over though, "Luckily an old friend from Boarding School, Mary, was able to help.”
Convenient that this Mary doesn't know Linus, so the story could never get back to him.
“Her husband Richard is a detective in Surrey, he told me I made the silliest mistake."
Ky looked at her…did she want her to guess? She continued, apparently not.
"I asked the limo company for the last place they took you, not the first."
So that's how she found her, “OK…and again…where’s the car?"
Nessie screamed. Actually screamed. It was a proper, full on, high pitched, no pillow to block out sound, skriek. It echoed through the silent park.
"Oh great, the cops will probably be here-"
"You are completely insufferable! You're a selfish, spiteful, spoiled child who doesn't care about anybody but herself!"
"That's kind of redundant…seeing as you already called me selfish."
Slap
It was a proper one too. Ky’s head turned and everything. Wow. A bitch slap. That was…different. Ky looked up at her brother’s fiancée, her face frozen in shock, her hand hovering in the air, "Oh my God…oh my God. Oh my god Ky."
It was bound to happen eventually. Ky wondered how far she’d have to push Nessie to get her to attempt to strangle her. She turned around, ”Ky, I am so-"
"Don't apologise; I'll respect you less for it."
Ky continued walking towards the exit, but then she stopped. Catching the sound. Sobbing. She turned around. Godric she was wailing.
This is just like Nessie, the drama queen.
"Stop, I won't tell Linus you slapped me. I should, but I won't. You can tell him whatever the hell you want, tell him I flew the coop, tell him I slapped you first, tell him I had sex with Harry and I'm pregnant with his love child. I don't care."
"I DON'T CARE THAT HE KNOWS I SLAPPED YOU!" And the melodrama continues, she was heaving, struggling to catch her breath, "Do you know how hard this pass month has been!”
"Look, you're not my favourite person either-"
"I miss him too. He didn't just leave you, he left me as well!”
Ky looked at her blankly, what did she know of abandonment? What did she know of loss? She didn't have every person that wheedled their way into her heart, turn their back on her. She wasn't dumped in New York with nobody to talk to but her least favourite person…wait…
Nessie took a step towards her, "I don't know what's going on. I don't know why Linus and Lenzo had to leave, all he said was that they were needed in your world, and he had to go. That I had to look after you. I knew it must have been a desperate time if he had no choice but to put us together. The night before you arrived I just sat in the lounge crying. Wept like a spoiled little brat because I knew the next few weeks would be horrid. Because you would be horrid. You would fight and prank and annoy and just destroy all my plans just like you always do. And worst of all, you would take him away. Like you always do. And then you came….and nothing. Nothing at all. Linus went away alright, but he left us both alone this time, not just me. And you didn't say a word. You didn't fight. You didn't annoy. You didn't destroy. You just stayed in your room. And now this…WHAT'S WRONG!"
Ky looked at her tear-stained face which was almost blue at the rate she was gasping out words, "I'm sure Linus explained to you, an evil-"
"NOT WITH THAT, WITH YOU! WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?” She ran forward, grabbing Ky around her shoulders and shaking her, "What happened? Tell me! Just tell me so I can-"
"NOTHING HAPPENED!"
Nothing happened.
Everything was OK.
Flashes of empty grey eyes.
Shit.
Ky turned and walked away, quickly.
Green light.
Shit.
Distraction. Distraction. How could she increase the specificity of ageing potion? She could use more seeds than-
Ky stopped; her ears pricked. Dawn was breaking and the park was still fairly dark, but aside from birds chirping she could hear something else… whimpering?
She turned quickly and collided with Nessie. She clasped her hand over her mouth and shoved her behind a nearby tree, simultaneously sinking to the ground. Ky looked through the bush to the left of them and spotted a set of legs.
A man.
Long, bulky legs. Cargo pants. She craned her neck, so that she could see all of him.
The man wore a vest so thin he rather should have gone bare chested. He had long hair that stuck to his skin as if he'd never washed it. The whimpering was coming from a small figure at his feet. His hulking body was blocking it from view though.
It wasn't his towering figure that scared her; it was the presence of a wand in his left hand. He was a wizard! And judging by the scars that raged across his back, he wasn't someone to cross. He was behaving in a peculiar manner, circling the figure as if it were prey.
She narrowed her eyes, the figure on the floor just coming into view as the wizard moved…it was a little boy. He was a tiny thing, dressed in what appeared to be rags. Probably a homeless kid…. what was a wizard threatening a little homeless boy for?
Ky touched her fondina…. she wasn't allowed to use magic in the holidays and if she did and they traced it, her brothers will know that she was in England. And she’d probably get into some sort of trouble with the Ministry. But what's worst, letting this kid come to harm, or getting in trouble?
She made her decision instantly.
She looked at Nessie, trying to relay what she couldn't speak out loud with just her eyes. Ky let go of her mouth and pointed to the ground and then a halting sign. She dug in her bag looking for what she needed.
She glanced at Nessie again, her eyes averted to the heavens for help. Ky felt hot breath on her neck, knowing full well what was behind her. Nessie looked two seconds away from fainting.
"Well…well…. we-"
Ky didn't let him get the next word out. She pushed hard on the ground with her palms, channelling all the force into her up-swinging feet. It collided with a hard chest which barely moved an inch.
She knew he wouldn't budge though; her intention was to distract him by forcing him to concentrate on strengthening his core, leaving his extremities weak. She grabbed his left wrist, forcing it back; she heard a snap and something light fall to the floor - she managed to disarm him. He swung with his right fist, and she jumped back out of reach, swinging her left leg to the desired destination - his jaw.
She fell back hard onto the floor, the force of the kick helping gravity pull her down. She looked up to see bared jagged yellow teeth, a face with no eyebrows and tiny pupils in wide dull blue eyes. She didn't need the sniffling of his nose to know what he was, he spat out some blood, baring his blood-stained teeth as he leaned towards her. He stopped suddenly, just as Ky reached for her wand. It was evident things were not going to go to her plan- sneak attack, disarm and run for their lives.
The werewolve’s eyes widened slightly, and he let out a snarl, swinging around.
Ky froze, completely surprised…an impossible image presented to her.
As the werewolf turned around, Nessie was hanging off his back. No…. she was hanging off something that was plunged into his back, her thin legs catching every part of flesh she could, screaming like a banshee.
Ky quickly dug into her bag, finding what she was looking for. She came prepared if Harry and she had warranted unwanted guests.
Ky screamed at Nessie, "Let go!”
She didn't need telling twice and fell to the ground next to the petrified boy, a long silver blade dripping with blood in her hands.
Ky threw both the bottles of potion at the man, one at each knee and ducked over her and the boy, hearing the thunderous explosions. She looked back, the man lying on the floor, his legs a bloody mess but still there.
Fuck…were werewolves that strong…if that was a normal wizard he would have nothing but stumps there.
Ky ignored his swearing and snarling, pulled the two to their feet and ran as fast as she could. She flung her wand out and waited, hoping that this would work…
A/N: Thank you for reading! Well now you know what Ky got up to over the summer! I’m curious to hear what are your first impressions of Agnes?
Chapter 3: Chapter Three: The Stranger That I Always Knew
Chapter Text
Anything that rings a bell belongs to JK Rowling
Italian to English Translations
“Principessa”- “Princess”
“Nonno” - “Grandfather”
All Ky knew was what Harry told her he did when he ran away two years ago, so she could be wrong. Her doubt disappeared as a large purple bus emerged out of nowhere, and she didn't let the pimply conductor finish his welcome as she pulled Nessie and the homeless boy on.
This didn't seem like odd behaviour to the commuters, they must get their fair share of strange folk on the Knight Bus. Ky stuffed some coins in the hand of the conductor who was ogling Nessie. She sighed, directing her little group to the back.
Nessie headed for an empty table, but before she could take it, she fell to the floor, throwing up. The boy slumped onto the scratchy seat, pale faced and sweaty…just staring ahead.
The conductor, who had followed them, magicked the floor clean and helped Nessie to her feet. He looked like he wanted to ask a thousand questions, but Ky cut across him, “Are you scratched? Are you bleeding?" She looked to Nessie and then the boy, the latter still blank faced.
Nessie snapped to attention, feeling her body for injuries as Ky started checking the boy, he wasn’t hurt; Nessie shook her head in the negative. Ky let out a breath she didn't realise she had been holding. She wasn’t sure what effect werewolf scratches had when they were not in their transformed state, if any.
Ky turned to the conductor who was observing them with much interest. "Leaky cauldron."
It seemed she would copy Harry's getaway completely. The conductor left, and returned a few moments later with three steaming mugs of cocoa. Ky sipped hers, feeling the rush leave her body. Nessie accepted a mug, but leaned over and held it to the petrified boy who had not acknowledged the man who had been wafting the drink in front of his face. She gently nudged him; the boy snapped out of his fright with a look of horror. He ignored the drink and jumped onto Nessie’s lap instead, hugging her and crying for dear life. She hesitated for a second and then started patting his back soothingly as Ky relieved her of the hot drink and dismissed the nosy staff member.
"Where did you get a knife?"
She looked at her over the boy’s trembling shoulders; he couldn't be older than eight, he was so tiny. "I was walking. Alone. At five in the morning. I mean Surrey is safer than New York, but I didn’t want to tempt fate. What was that man? Was he a wizard….is that what other-"
"Why were you walking?”
"Once I found out where you were Richard insisted on waiting till morning to fetch you. He told me to try and get some sleep, that we couldn’t exactly just show up at someone’s house at midnight, especially, well, he wasn’t exactly doing official police business searching for you, technically you aren’t officially missing. But…I couldn’t go to sleep, they only live a few streets away. What was that man?”
"Werewolf." They both sat in silence for a little while as she let that sink in. Nessie, distracted by consoling the kid, and Ky, by drinking her cocoa.
Ky just registered a pang in her right foot, and she took off her shoe, it was swollen. Must have been the impact when she hit his jaw. A delicate bloodied hand touched her injury gently; and Ky gave Nessie a surprised look that went unnoticed by the blonde. "I don't think it's fractured…probably soft tissue damage from the impact."
"Oh? Am I missing something, when did you get a medical degree?"
She spared Ky a withering glance, “I’m first aid trained because I volunteer at an old age home on Fridays, and you know that."
No, Ky knew she said she volunteered at an old age home every Friday, but just like all the other loaded little heiresses she just handed over some cash to come across as Princess Diana for the masses. Ky dug out a bottle from her bag and handed it to Nessie. She looked at it sceptically.
"It's like hand sanitiser, only more effective. Just rub some on your hands will you…. you’re getting blood on my feet."
Ky still couldn't digest what she saw. Nessie, pampered little princess Nessie, Nessie who has barely had to do a thing in her life…. stabbed someone. Even if the person was a crazy werewolf but still…
"I told you to stay. Do you not understand what this means?” Ky raised her hand in the halt gesture again.
"If I stayed, you'd probably be dead."
"I had a plan."
"Sure, you did."
"I did OK. And I'm the one that got us out of there so stop looking so chuffed with yourself."
"Why is it so hard for you to just say-"
"Thank you."
They both looked at the little boy now seated in between them. He finally seemed to have snapped out of his trance. He had coffee coloured eyes and black hair. Well, she thought it was black…she couldn't make out with all the dirt; he did stink like a sewer, his clothes hanging off him. Nessie smiled down at him in response, she then offered him the rest of her mug of cocoa, saying she was full. He gulped it down in seconds. Ky stared out the window, trying to make sense of it all.
Was it just coincidence that a werewolf roamed so near to Harry? He wasn't a death eater; no signature mask, black get up and most importantly no dark mark. Should she write to somebody? She supposed she’d rather just wait to tell them in person when Nessie rats her out. It was just a coincidence after all, if he wanted Harry why would he even stop for this little boy? If he was a Death Eater, he'd keep his eye on the prize.
"Leaky Cauldron miss…?" The conductor smiled, waiting for a response. Ky ignored him.
"Thank you. Come on…. you too Kid." She gestured at the two of them to follow her and they got off.
"Oh, this is London!”
"Yes…so where to?" Ky gave her future sister-in-law a defeated look. She knew she’d phone Linus and tell him all about her selfish little escapade and Godric knows which vein he'll burst. Nessie walked past Ky towards the pub.
"That's the Leaky Cauldron." Ky stated astonished.
"Isn't this the place you said you wanted to go to?"
"Well, I don't want to go here, I just didn't know where else to go." Nessie didn't listen, pulling the little boy in through the door.
"It's a pub."
Ky raised her left brow at her, "Does Miss McQueen think she's too high and mighty for a pub?"
She rolled her eyes, "It doesn't look like a pub on the outside…well… not to me."
"Then why'd you even walk in?"
It was her turn to ignore Ky. Tom the Barman scurried up to them. Nessie gave her beauty pageant smile and the poor man nearly tripped over his feet. He bowed, "Welcome to the Leaky Cauldron Miss…"
"Queen." Nessie smiled down at him, lingering on his badge, "Tom, is there anywhere we can dine…more privately." She leaned forward conspiratorially, "The stares…" she finished, shyly gesturing at the room. And it was true, a group of wizards who looked as raggedy as the kid were licking their lips at her. Even bare faced and in sweats, the blonde looked like she had climbed out of a magazine. Tom nodded fervently and led them to a private parlour at the back.
Nessie turned to him before they sat, "May we please have your works - bacon, eggs, sausages, croissants…everything. Four portions. And a chocolate milkshake for my friend, and a cup of coffee for myself please."
Tom glowed up at her, he spared a glance at Ky, "And for my lady’s little sister."
Ky bristled at him, stopping the snarl from emitting, "Chocolate milkshake."
Little sister!
Nessie sat down and Ky stared at her, the Kid was munching on a bowl of peanuts on the table.
“What’s going on?”
“I thought it was obvious Ky, I’m buying you breakfast.”
“You know what I mean.”
She sighed, “Why does everything have to be hidden messages and agendas with you. Why can’t I just treat you to breakfast?”
“Why aren’t you calling Linus and Lenzo?”
Tom brought in the food and Nessie passed the Kid two plates and he tucked in with gusto. Ky picked at a piece of bacon, and Nessie sipped at her coffee, “Is that what you want me to do?"
"That's what you want to do?"
"And how is it that you know what I want Ky?"
"Because I know you and telling on me is exactly what you would do."
A steely glint flashed in her eye, "Is that so…" She sipped her coffee, "Why did you leave?"
Ky stared at her over the mountain of frothy cream on her drink, this must be the strangest conversation they have ever had, and for one thing they haven't started screaming at each other yet. She sighed, why lie. It was bound to come up when Linus found out.
"It was Harry's birthday."
She looked confused for a second and then, "Oh Potter, your boyfriend!“
"He isn't my boyfriend." Ky snapped quickly, drinking more of her milkshake to hide her face, ”He is a friend. A good friend."
"Must be if you travelled across the Atlantic to spend time with him." Ky knew what Nessie was getting at without even looking at her face.
"He really isn't my boyfriend…Harry doesn't have many people to celebrate with and…" It must be the near-death experience making her chatty… "And I remember promising myself sometime last year that I wouldn't let him have another crappy birthday…I'm bad with dates…and planning. Hence the last-minute evacuation and I knew I couldn't tell you because you'd stop me or worse, tell Linus and he'll not only stop me but move me further away from here."
"Oh yes, because you know me so well." Yet another steely glint crossed her ice blue eyes, she leaned forward, "So what did you get him?"
“Nothing. I told you I remembered late. I just managed to grab him a cupcake from a convenience store at the airport when I landed…"
"That's considerate of you. Did he have a nice time?"
Ky looked at her, she was being so odd. "I guess…I think he did."
She nodded thoughtfully, "That's good." They ate in silence for a while and then she looked up again… "Does that sort of thing happen often in your world?"
Ky didn't need to ask what she meant by that, knowing it could only mean the random werewolf attack, "No…well it didn't use to…I guess things are different now…"
"Is that why Linus has left?" She asked quietly.
"Didn't he tell you?"
"All he told me was that he had to leave for a few weeks, stay in London and I couldn't come with. That I had to look after you in New York and that he would be with Lenzo. I, of course asked him why, he said that it was something important…that he wouldn't leave if it wasn't and that I shouldn't worry, and he'll be alright…Is this what he's doing? Fighting werewolves…"
Ky picked at her eggs…she didn't know what he was doing. He made sure of that.
“Please?”
Ky stared at the flat screen TV that occupied most of the wall. It was strange how just a year ago she couldn't go a day without turning on this magic box…yet it's been months since she has even seen one. She could see Linus' reflection on the shiny surface, his face unusually stoic.
Who was she kidding, when did his face look anything but these days. It was as if it would crack if he smiled, his lips in a smooth line never again to be hoisted up at the corners…
"Ky?"
She sighed and pressed the power button, the room flickered with colour. She felt the sofa go down next to her, jostling her slightly. She didn't turn around, staring at the chiselled man in the magic box. With a small click it turned black, and the room was dark once more.
"I was watching that."
"No, you weren't, you hate reality TV. Ky?"
"Why are you pretending that this is a question? You know it isn't, I know it isn't. Yet you still ask."
She felt a warm hand at her shoulder, "I know it isn't a question Ky. It is a plea."
She finally turned around and looked into his midnight blue eyes, for once his expression wasn't severe - it was sincere.
"I don't want you fighting my battles."
The warm hand grew heavy as it swung Ky around and pulled her to her feet. Linus loomed over her, the fire in his eyes burning from depths she didn't know he had, "Don't you dare say that. This is no battle of yours, do you hear me. I don't want you thinking that! You WILL stay here, Ky. You WILL stay here."
Ky pushed his hand off her, "NOT my battle! That is MY world Linus! MINE! The one I live in and the one I want to protect. The one I LOVE!"
"Then let me protect it, Principessa! Let me go and protect the things you love so the things I love are safe! Just please…stay."
He was pretending. Pretending that the reason he and Len were going to London to help Nonno with the Dark Lord’s resurrection was to ensure the world Ky lived in was safe again. Well, she was sure part of it was that. But she was no fool, the fire that burned in Linus was not one of bravery and determination…it was the ugly blue flames of revenge.
"You will stay here. You will not leave this apartment. You will play nice with Agnes. Len and I will get you when we're done."
"You mean when he is done." The feeling of hatred that Linus emitted whenever Ky brought up Bastian Blishwick, the man that attacked her numerous times last year, sparked in the air.
"Linus, we have to go." Ky didn't turn away from his ice-cold blue, even as Len’s warm hands wrapped around her and kissed her head. "Be good Principessa."
Linus turned to Len, nodding. She could see Nessie standing at the doorway, in her periphery, sniffling. Damn cry-baby. Ky watched their suited backs walk away; the grey one stopped at the door. Hovering on his next step.
In moments Linus turned around, and Ky felt warmth encompass her. She hugged him back fiercely,
"Be good Ky."
And then they were gone.
Ky stared at the empty door that held her life in its frame just a moment ago. Her heart was beating a rhythm of melancholy, not at the fact that her brothers were gone. No. she lifted her hand slowly to her hair, feeling the damp saline reminder of her brother's tears.
Bastian Blishwick may have attacked Ky, but it was Linus that he had broken.
That was the day they had left her in New York. The very first day of the summer vacation. Sent her as far away from everything that mattered. Nonno didn't stop them either. Neither did Sev or Minnie or Mona or Fil…and Ky knew why…things were different now.
It's never been more unsafe being Albus Dumbledore's granddaughter. They thought she couldn't handle it…that she was weak…that she would get in the way…that she couldn't help.
Ky knew when Harry had asked about Ron and Mi that they had done the same to him…ridiculous. He of all people should be kept in the loop.
She looked at Nessie, who was chewing her bottom lip waiting for an answer,
"Not werewolves…I don't know…." Ky hesitated on how much she should tell her…. how much can she handle? Linus didn't tell her because he knew she couldn't take it…telling her will just frighten her, right?
"Stop!" Ky sat upright, shocked at the outburst, "Stop looking at me like that! Stop it! Stop looking at me like he did. I can handle it! I can handle the truth! I am not some weak little child that needs to be protected! I am not weak!"
And for once…Ky knew exactly how Nessie felt…she was right. She deserved the truth and shame on Linus for not telling her. "You should worry. I don't know the details, but I know that those two are helping my grandfather. You know who is?"
"The headmaster of the school you attend."
"Yes. And the most powerful wizard in the world…it's not consensus though…what do you know of magic?"
She leaned forward, placing her mug aside, "I know that that's what you, Linus and Len can do. I know that's why you're at school, to learn how to use it. I know that you use a wand to perform it but when Linus first showed me, he didn't need one."
Ky observed Nessie, her expression houghtful, recounting what she could. It seems Linus had told her the absolute bare necessities, "And what do you think of magic?”
She looked confused for a second and then smiled, "At first I was shocked…but then…I always knew there was something different about him…something magical…stop looking like that…I'm serious…you will appreciate one day the type of man your brother is. He has been a better father to you than most that have chosen the path rather than have it thrust upon them." Nessie’s eyes dropped to the rough wooden table, and Ky remembered that her dad passed away just a year ago and she let her have her moment. The kid was still eating, he had moved on to his second plate. "Anyway…I think magic is great…it let Linus finally come to terms with himself."
Ky nodded, understanding what she meant. How can you know who you are if you don’t know what you are. "Well magic isn't always good. Wait…no…magic is magic. You get good people, and you get bad people…last year the most evil wizard known to our world came back…. from the dead so to speak."
"So, what…is Linus in a war or something? Like in an army! Against this person…oh gosh…"
"Calm down. There's no war. Yet at least. This dark wizard hasn't come out in the open, only a few people know that he is alive."
She let that sink in and nodded, "Element of surprise…false sense of security…I see."
Ky gave her an appraising look, she wasn’t as slow as she thought, "Yes…I don't know the specifics," Another pang of anger assaulted her at this confession, "But I do know that they're probably helping with this."
She nodded, her face considerably paler than before. "That's why you've been so different lately. All cooped up in your room…you're worried about them?”
Worried about the boys fighting death eaters? No. Nonno would have ensured that they were well trained if he asked them to join the battle. Ky had faith in her grandfather, and her brothers. But nothing blunted the sword in a fight like emotions, the strongest of them all was revenge. Nessie's blue eyes were shining at her, waiting for an answer. "Yeah. So that's why they jetted me out to New York…too far away to be of assistance."
"More like too far away to be in danger Ky."
She glared at her, "I'm not some incompetent little girl!"
"I know that…Linus just wants to keep you safe; he wants to protect you."
"I don't need protection, I can help them, and I'm not weak!" Ky shouted at her.
"I know that! Of course, you're not weak! You've never been weak! Not in my eyes at least. I think from everyone I know how capable you are." She glared at her, probably internally recounting all the pranks Ky subjected her to. The glare melted, "I look at you and I see a little devil with an angel’s face…. Linus looks at you and he sees a three-year-old that he used to tuck into bed, a four-year-old that said she was pregnant because she married Teddy in a ceremony they performed in the living room, 'and you know the baby in the carriage comes after marriage Linus'"
Ky drank her milkshake, hiding the shock that Nessie knew all that. That Linus had let her in on their childhood. That she actually remembered the anectdotes. Nessie continued quietly, "He's always going to look at you that way, believe me. Just like he'll always look at me and see…"She shook her head, a broken expression on her face, her bottom lip trembling, fixated on the salt and pepper so as to not make eye contact, "Do you know how hard it is to be engaged to a man that tells you nothing. That keeps everything bottled away inside…all the poisonous, dangerous emotions that just eat at his insides and destroy him from within. Do you know how many times Linus has screamed at me? None. How many times he lets me pay the bill? Never. How many times he started a fight with me? Not once.”
Ky looked at her, utterly confused, "You're upset because you don't have a dysfunctional relationship?"
Her face burned with emotion, "I'm upset that I don't have a relationship where my partner looks at me as an equal. He looks at me and he sees a defenceless little rose that needs a Thorn to protect her. I understand why you dislike me. I must seem such a bitch. I must seem a gold-digging whore that takes advantage of your brother. Who just spends his money and shouts at him and wants it her way all the time. The truth is that your brother wouldn't let me spend a dime in his presence. I shout at him because I want him to shout back. To talk back! To tell me anything of importance. Do you know how long it took for him to talk about your parents and life before he met me! And then I only got the basic details as if reading an article in some newspaper…. the only time he would ever speak with any sort of emotion and let me in just a bit was when it was about you…or Len. I keep telling myself in time things will change, that he'll let down his guard just a little, that he'll let me in just a little."
"He loves you."
She looked at Ky bitterly, "And I love him. But you will learn…actually I hope you never do…that sometimes love is just not enough."
"So, what…are you going to call off the wedding?" After all the time it took for her to come to terms with it!
"You would like that…."She looked at Ky, gauging her reaction.
"Does it matter what I would like?"
"It always matters. What you like, what you hate, what you feel. Don't think he never takes any of that into consideration."
"So, what, now it's my fault? Are you jealous or something?"
She laughed a watery laugh, "In the beginning I was insanely jealous. But then…I grew up. I saw the beauty in the sacrifice. The difficulty he must have endured keeping you three together. The amount of patience and determination it must take to pull through the darkness…and I fell in love with him for that. It's quite ironic that the reason that I fell hopelessly in love, hates me."
She looked at Ky, who sighed at the sobfest… "I don't hate you. I mean, I don't like you…"And suddenly it hit her like a ton of bricks. Ky stared at her in shock…. "I don't know you."
She smiled through the tears, "No Ky. You do not know me. You think you do, but you do not. You're not entirely wrong about some things that's you've concocted in that demented head of yours, but it's as if you've just frozen those first thoughts. I could change, I could have found the cure for AIDS and solved world hunger…you wouldn't see it. You would just see me the way I was when we first met…not the way I am now."
Ky looked at her, messy haired and red face, tear stains down her cheeks but still managing to look like a runway model. The Nessie she first met would never leave the house without make up. The Nessie she first met would never walk alone in the street at four in the morning; the Nessie she first met would never have the guts to stab a werewolf. "When….?"
"Did I change?" She rolled her eyes at Ky, "It didn't happen overnight. I grew up Ky. I was bound to eventually. Death makes you open your eyes to a whole lot of things. It made me see that…that Linus deserved better. That I deserved better. My father wasn't a father. He was a bank balance; he was Chanel and Burberry, Gucci, and Versace. He was holidays in Paris and Venice and parties that had chocolate fountains as high as this ceiling. And I was fine with it. I had anything and everything. I was happy. And then Linus came around and he gave me anything and everything. Chanel, Burberry, Gucci, and Versace. Trips to places I didn't even know existed. Yet I was not happy …Bitterness and jealousy made me ugly. I was bitter that Linus wouldn't…wouldn't give himself to me. He wouldn't give his problems and his weakness and his sorrows, and I was jealous that I would never be his number one priority. That it would always be you. And then I realized that I shouldn't be his number one priority. Seeing the way the three of you are together made me realise how wrong I was for being OK with what my father gave to me. That he should have prioritised me after my mother died, the way Linus prioritised you! That I wanted more…that I needed more. I asked my father for more…do you know what I got. A Porsche.” She looked away, "He died leaving me everything and nothing at the same time. I don't want to be Linus' number one priority…it should be you. I just want…"She looked down at her, "I just want a chance. I need a chance."
Ky met her icy blue gaze that leaked warmth and tenderness. She knew what Nessie was asking. She was right…the first day Ky met her she judged her, forged an impression in her brain and held everything to that afterwards. They spent time together, but Ky never saw her…never bothered to. She always felt like she knew what she would be like. Looking at her now…Nessie was nothing Ky thought she was. She was asking for the same thing Ky spent so much time looking for…she was asking for a chance to be a family.
"I won't give you a chance." Nessie turned her face away, hurt, "You don't need me to give you a chance." She looked back at her, "Take it. Don't ask. Take it!" That made all the difference in the world. Life won't give you chances; you pry them from its clenched fist.
"I've been trying all summer…to talk to you; you would just shut me out."
"Then you should have tried harder. You say you've grown up Nessie, well it's time to woman up. You know what you want. Take it."
She looked at her confused… "Does this mean you'll…you'll be more open to us forming a better relationship?”
Ky rolled her eyes at her and leaned forward, "Don't ask me psychobabble like that. We already have a better relationship genius. I'm here, aren't I? We're talking, aren't we? And do you know why? You took your chance; you pried it from Life's vice grip, and you plunged a knife into a werewolf's back to save me. You womanned up. You made me see that you're not a complete bimbo. Now it's time to take your chance with Linus."
"I don't know how. I've tried…he just doesn't talk to me about these things."
"Have you not been listening to me? If you came up to me and said, 'Ky I've changed, I'm not a nagging little twat anymore', do you think I would listen. No! I would have shut the door on your face…again. But you slapped me when I deserved it, and I deserved it quite often with you. And you stabbed a freaking werewolf to save me. Your words mean nothing to me, your actions on the other hand."
"Then what should I do to prove to Linus that I can be his equal? That I can handle being his partner in every essence of the word."
"I have an idea…you won't like it though…"
"I'll do it." She stood and started attempting to carry the boy that had drifted off to sleep at some stage.
"What are you doing?"
Nessie smirked at her, "Acting. We Thorntons are not one of words but of actions. So come on. Lead the way."
Ky shook her head at her, "We Thorntons?" She stopped…the question nagging her for a while now. She had to ask. "How come you never asked?"
"What?" She turned, struggling to stand upright with the boy in her arms.
"I'm wearing his shirt…I slept over at his house…"
She laughed, giving her Harry’s-shirt-yesterday’s-jeans combo a once over, "You may not know me Ky, but I know you. You did not have sex with that boy last night…best we keep that whole slept over at his house a secret for a while though…until you're thirty and hopefully Linus mellows out a bit."
Ky nodded emphatically…it was strange talking like this with her.
But some things in life can't be done without becoming friends at the end of it, and kicking a seven-foot werewolf's ass is one of them.
Chapter 4: Breaking into Black Manor
Chapter Text
Disclaimer: Anything that’s familiar doesn’t belong to me.
"Ouch."
Ky turned and hissed at her, "Shhhh!"
"You dropped something on my foot! And why the hell is it so dark and oh my god! Oh my God! Oh my God! Something is crawling up my back Ky; something is crawling up my BACK!"
"Stop it! This is an invisibility cloak not a silencing cloak! They can still hear you!"
Nessie didn't seem to hear what Ky said though; she was too busy wriggling and the cloak slipped off them but Ky grabbed it quickly. It was one that they purchased from Diagon Alley, and it felt completely different to Harry’s. It was probably a knock off that would wear out in one use and her squirming definitely didn't help the situation!
Ky looked down the long dark corridor, it was still empty. Thank heavens. She squinted at the door, that should lead to the kitchens. She grabbed Nessie’s hand so they could get under the cloak again, but she dropped it out of shock, a deafening sound assaulting her ears.
"A MUGGLE! A FILTHY DISGUSTING MUGGLE! GET OUT! OUT! HOW DARE YOU BESMIRCH THIS GREAT AND NOBLE HOUSE OF BLACK WITH YOUR SICKENING BLOOD! WITH YOUR INFERIORITY! WITH YOUR UGLINESS-"
They were frozen in shock for a second, staring up at the portrait that hung to their right, of a grey-haired positively livid woman. The last part seemed to snap Nessie out of it, and she straightened up defiantly,
"How dare you call me ugly you fat COW! And the only thing disgusting here is your taste in clothes! And the only thing inferior is your gruesome FACE! Ky, get me into that painting I'm going to-"
Though, Ky didn't hear what Nessie was going to do with her new found backbone because she just caught a bright light in her periphery. She quickly pushed Nessie to the ground, and felt the spell whiz past. She disarmed the attacker and quickly pulled up a shield charm, about four curses bouncing off it.
"STOP! STOP! STOP!" Suddenly there was a shadow over them, "It’s Ky! And my fiancée."
"How do you know for sure boy, they could be imposters…how the bleeding hell did they get in here in the first place, step aside boy, it's best we deal with this quickly."
"You better put that wand down or they'll start calling you No-eyes Moody." That was Len!
"You ungrateful little bastard."
"You sick twisted moron, that's my sister."
"She's an imposter-"
There was a crash and then another. Suddenly everything went quiet as a door creaked open,
"What is going on over here?" The too familiar voice sent a chill down her spine as she saw the silver beard shine in the darkness. Ky smiled innocently up at her grandfather, and he looked down at her, frowning, "Kyrianna…."
“Surprise…"She said weakly.
But with a whizzing sound everything went black.
-x-x-x-
"And then I'll mount it on the wall with the other ugly face-"
"Len stop…she's awake."
Ky looked around, Linus' face coming into view. She sat up, and then she felt something poky at her neck. She followed the wand up to the owner, it was Nonno.
"How many sugars do you take in your tea?"
Ky looked at him, "I don't drink tea…"He swiftly put his wand down; but she pointed hers at him in turn, giving him a calculating look,
"How many sugars do you take in your tea?"
His face softened, "Six…"
"Nonno! I thought we had a talk about that, there might be a cure for Diabetes in this world, but it does not mean you should get the disease!"
She heard a throat clearing and looked to the source. It was a sandy haired man, with hazel-green eyes. He smiled awkwardly and mumbled, "I just thought you were deviating from the topic a bit…."
Ky smiled up at him, "That's a nice watch."
"This." He looked down at his wrist and smiled in confusion at her, “It’s pretty banged up, but I got it on my seventeenth. It was actually a-"
"I do believe you're deviating from the topic, Moony." Ky looked at the owner of the voice. It was the man that saved her life last year. Harry's godfather. He looked better, not so skeletal. Sirius Black was frowning down at her inspection of him, but another gruff voice cut in,
"So, we find out that it's who you lot think it was, but it doesn't explain how she got in here in the first place." Mad Eye looked to Sirius Black, “It’s under the Fidelius Charm. I thought it was impossible to break through these defences."
"It is." He was still staring at Ky.
"Then how did you get in here you little rat."
"Stop speaking to her like that, she may be a little rat, but she is my sister." Linus finally seemed to find his voice. He glared at Ky, but she stopped him before he could speak further.
"Where's Nessie?" Ky hadn't heard a thing from her; she looked around and couldn't find her. "Where is she?"
Linus looked confused for a moment and then replied in a small voice, "She's upstairs-"
"Enough of this nonsense! How did you get into this house you little mongrel?"
"Say please and maybe I'll consider answering you." She smirked at Mad Eye, he wasn't in the mood for games though and he snarled at her, stepping forward threateningly.
"Like I need your compliance. I've made men twice your height and three times your weight fess up-"
"And with half the brain capacity, I'm sure." He growled at her, but a snicker broke through the room. Ky looked around to find the coolest girl she’s ever seen. She had bright bubblegum pink hair and was vivaciously pretty. She winked at her, and she returned it. She stood, brushing off Len's hand of assistance and headed for the door. A big black man stepped in her way. She looked up at him contemplating how to get past this hurdle, he looked down warily. "I'm afraid I can't let you through miss." He boomed down at her.
"I swear I'm 21 sir, I left my ID in the car." He looked at her utterly perplexed, she then shot a jelly leg jinx at him, which he deflected with ease, but in doing so he stepped out of guard position, and she pulled the door open quickly.
Hands snaked around her waist, and she was tossed over a back, she bit the shoulder hard and was satisfied to hear her brother, Lenzo swear.
"How did you get in here Ky!"
"How did I get in where?" She looked at Linus, seeing him in inverse as she was still hanging over Len’s back.
Linus looked frustrated at her, "This is not a joke! This is serious business Kyrianna! If the defences on this place are down, we have to relocate. Everybody in this house will be in danger. Why can't you just be mature for five seconds and tell me how the bleeding hell did you get in here!"
"You're so smart and important, you figure it out! What do I know; I'm just a little girl!"
"I CAN NOT BELIEVE YOU WOULD JEOPARDISE THE LIVES OF ALL THESE PEOPLE JUST TO PROVE SOME SILLY POINT!" He took a deep breath, "Of all the stupid selfish things you've done, this has got to be the worst. And to drag Agnes in here as well-"
"She didn't drag me here Linus. I came on my own." Nessie walked in, looking daggers at Linus. Her face quickly crumpled into one of terror though, and Ky saw the spell make its way towards her. She lurched forward but it was useless, Len's grip was like steel. Though the spell bounced harmlessly off the large protrego charm that appeared in front of the blonde.
"Will you stop trying to harm my family Mad Eye." It was Nonno. He walked quietly in after Agnes, "Miss McQueen, do come inside. Have a seat." He pulled out a chair and she took it, still in shock. He then turned to Ky, no smile. "Kyrianna. How did you get here?"
She could ignore Len and Linus, and annoy all the others, but not Nonno. She sighed, "I didn't break down any defences.” She gave Linus an icy glare, "I wouldn't attempt to harm anybody." She looked back at Nonno, "Kinky…"
"What?" Sirius Black cut in, voicing everybody's confusion.
"Kinky." Nonno said quietly. With a crack, there she was. The house elf looked around quickly; spotting Ky in her compromising situation. A moment later Len uttered a swear word and she was falling to the floor. She made contact but there was no pain as proof, just a soft pillowy feeling. Kinky was in front of her in an instant. "Miss Ky? Is you alright?"
"Are you alright Kinks."
"I is fine Miss Ky but how are you."
"I am fine Kinks. Are instead of is remember…and am instead of is…"
She turned and rolled her eyes at Ky, "Miss Ky am in no position to be correcting Kinky's grammar."
Ky shook her head, how she longed for the days when the elf feared she would beat her and withheld her sass.
"Kinky?"
She turned quickly, noticing Nonno and bowed low, "Mr Headmaster."
He smiled down at her, "How did you get into this house, Kinky."
"I are apparating inside Mr Headmaster."
"You cannot apparate into this house, elf."
Ky glared at Sirius Black, "Her name is Kinky. It would do you well to remember that." He looked at her, his look of shock changing to amusement quickly.
"He is right though." The sandy haired man next to him declared, "It's not possible to apparate in this house. This house is-"
"Is unplottable. I know. And under the fedelius charm, I guess. That means only the secret keeper could have let me in. At least that's what you think. "Sirius Black cocked his right eyebrow at Ky, and he then sighed.
"Kreature." He whispered the name and with a crack an old house elf appeared, he had a snout like nose and was muttering curses and swears under his breath. He stopped when his eyes found Kinky. Kinky in turn let out a squeak and ducked behind Ky, a knife whizzing past her head.
Ky shot up, about to let all hell loose on the crazy elf when Black spoke again, “Kreature, stop."
The elf froze but he didn't stay silent. "-dare enter this most noble house of Black…show her disgraced face here…does not belong….my mistress would be so ashamed…."
Nonno looked down at Ky, "So Kinky is Kreature's daughter? How did you find that out?"
"Is Kreature’s what?" Sirius burst out. Ky ignored him though, looking only at her grandfather.
"From the beginning Kyrianna.”
"I knew that Linus and Lenzo were helping you. I knew that you can't use Hogwarts for a meeting ground for whatever this is, it's too risky. I started thinking who would be in this Force you collected, obviously the Weasleys. But it would be way too dangerous making a family home the headquarters. Aside from Minnie and Sev, there was only one other person that I knew would join, judging from the scene in the hospital wing at the start of summer." She looked back at Sirius Black, “I did some research and found out that he was the last Black, and I read about this house in Gamp’s diary, so I figured it belonged to him now. From the diary I knew the amount of protective spells and enchantments this house has on it. You wouldn't have to put much more, and I guessed you'd place a Fedelius charm for much needed extra protection. I knew I couldn't take down those defences, nor did I want to.” She added defensively, she wanted to prove a point, not put anybody in danger. “So I had to somehow get through all of that.”
"So, you researched the history of the house elves of Black manor?” Lenzo’s face was scrunched in disbelief.
"No. I’d love to claim that cleverness, but it was luck. I was going to just do some normal research on its standard defences, a glitch in the system I could take advantage of, but I had no resources. I actually missed the Hogwarts library. And that's when I called Kinky to help me. To get a book on the House of Black for me. When she started crying…I soon found out I had actually found the chink in the armour.” Ky stopped long enough to throw a look of disdain at Kreature, “Will you tell him to shut up, if he threatens her one more time, I can't be held responsible for my actions."
Sirius cocked his right eyebrow at Ky but a moment later he muttered, “Kreature, shut up." The death threats ceased, and Kinks finally stopped quivering behind her.
He turned back to Ky, "What you're saying is not possible. Kreature is the last Black house elf. He never had any children. The name will die with him."
"Well, Kinky's existence debates that fact."
"What do you mean?"
"It seems that all those years in the dog pound have had an effect on your common knowledge, Black." Ky whipped around, recognising the drawl coming from the door.
"Sensei!"
Sev looked at Ky, his face unchanging, and his black eyes cold, "I show up late and everything falls to pieces." He turned to Nonno, "I can only see one solution."
He whipped out his wand and pointed it at Kinky. Ky quickly stood in front of her, he rolled his eyes, “There is no time for childish games Bane. Step aside. Now!"
"The only way a spell is getting to her is if it goes through me first." Ky looked fiercely into his black orbs.
"In that case-"He struck his arm down quickly; she was in such shock she couldn't even retaliate. Ky heard many shouts but there was no pain…just ropes around her ankles and wrists. She wriggled out of reaction, trying to get them off and then she fell down, face forward…yet again there was no impact. Someone lifted her up.
“Severus, Don't-"
It was Nonno, but Ky already saw Sev raise his arm to cast, already performing the wand movements.
"Sensei NO!" Ky screamed but the light already left his wand. All she could see was green light. Green light. Green light, empty grey eyes…pale face, red eyes…green light.
"Kinky, dodge." It wasn't Ky who had said it, and just as the deep voice of Sirius Black spoke, with a crack Kinky was gone.
Sev's wand flew out of his hand and Sirius Black caught it with ease. Ky never saw his eyes glow with such fury before; he took a step forward but stopped on command.
"Stop this at once.” Nonno’s voice was unbending.
Another crack, Kinky returned, in front of Ky once more. She was shaking like a leaf, but she clicked her fingers and Ky’s ropes vanished.
Nobody moved…nobody said a word.
Sev and Sirius Black looked like it took them their all not to strike each other. Sev turned and stormed out of the room, banging the door behind him. Nonno turned back to Ky, "Kyrianna, Severus’ actions may have been drastic, but it is in the right direction. It is not safe for people to have easy access to this house. Kinky is a liability."
"She wouldn't bring anybody bad into this house!"
"She brought you didn't she you little mongrel." Ky glowered at Mad Eye.
"I'm not bad."
"Just mad." The childish quip by the crazy auror surprised Ky, but she turned to her grandfather, knowing he was her best chance of protecting Kinks.
“I know it was wrong and I accept any and all punishment for my behaviour today. Just don't hurt her, please."
Kinky was her friend. Somewhere along the lines last year, she had sworn her loyalty to Ky, and somewhere along the lines last year, she had done the same for the elf. She wasn't her house elf, but she came when she called and when she was so caught up in distracting herself with potions and experiments, when Harry and her got into that fight, she was the one that brought her food and hot chocolate. Sometimes she would just sit in Ky’s lab and knit, looking up only when something exploded. If it wasn't for Kinks, Ky wouldn’t even be here. Did Nonno forget that she saved her life? That she was the one that brought her to him when she was broken beyond repair. That it was she that sat by her bedside so often after that.
"Please.” She didn't care that this was begging, she didn't care that this was weak.
Nonno sighed, shaking his head, “Of course, I will not hurt her Kyrianna. I mean her no harm. She is a liability though. We'd have to obliviate her and then send her away…into hiding…house elves are magical creatures though. Memory charms do not work the same way that they do on wizards. Where we can pick and choose what memories to alter or obscure in a wizard’s mind, the natural magic that House Elves have allow them to recover from these alterations in time. Something we cannot risk. And if you found out the connection between Kreature and Kinky, someone else can."
"Are you saying that the only solution is if you wipe out her memory of this situation and all things related...to wipe out her memory of me…” Ky stared into twinkling blue eyes. She’d take that if that was the only option. She’d take that if that meant that Kinks will be OK. As long as she was safe.
"I'm saying that the only option that works out in favour of Kinky is if we wipe out her memory, entirely Kyrianna.”
Ky shook her head aggressively at that, no, that wasn’t right. Especially after everything Kinks told her, nobody deserves their identity stolen. Nobody! "She wouldn't bring anybody here. She wouldn't. I'll tell her not to, I'll order her to do so."
"The power you have over her is not a binding magic Kyrianna. She feels some sort of favour towards you, but the magic that binds you is not ironclad like the one between Kreature and Sirius. She doesn't have to do what you ask; she chooses to do as you ask. And that choice is what makes her such a liability. I'm sorry Kyrianna…this is the only way."
Ky suddenly felt ashamed and stupid…so so stupid. Why did she ever get Kinky involved in this mess? Linus was right…she was selfish…. she didn't think. She looked at the elf, knowing she understood just what Nonno said. Ky couldn’t even look her in the eye.
"There is one other option."
They all turned to the deep voice. It was Sirius Black. He was looking at Ky, a frown on his face, a look of deep sorrow in his eyes.
Nonno spoke up, "I know what you are thinking Sirius but that is a risk as well. Her loyalty lies with you by blood, but we cannot be certain. There is too much we do not know."
Ky looked at Sirius, realising what he meant to do. She rushed to Nonno, "And nothing that cannot be found out if we just ask. Kinky told me everything. You wonder if her loyalty is solely to the Blacks, whether she may be bound by blood to her mother's family? That by that bond people from that family can also make their way into this house. The truth is…there are only two people that have that kind of control over Kinky." Ky looked back at Kinks, and she nodded her head slowly, “And they are Sirius Black…and Harry Potter."
A/N: Thank you for reading :) Feedback will always be appreciated!
Chapter 5: Flying Glass Breaking Hearts
Chapter Text
Disclaimer: Anything that’s familiar doesn’t belong to me.
"Harry…" The sandy haired man whispered in confusion.
Sirius shook his head, "No…No, that's not possible, the Potters’ didn't have a House elf."
"When you knew them, maybe. But they did when Mr Potter was a child. That was Kinky's mother…."Ky smiled, thinking of how much Mi would have enjoyed this conversation, "Harry's great grandmother, Eleanor, and Kinky's mother, Slinky, were very close. She was more than just a House Elf to her. She was a friend. Slinky wasn't like other house elves…"Ky looked at Kinky and she beamed up at her, "She was an elf before her time. She had aspirations, and dreams. She wanted to learn to read and write."
"And play the piano." Kinky squeaked up, Ky smiled down at her.
"All those things. And she did. Eleanor made sure of it. When Charlus, Harry's grandfather, was two years old-"
"Wait…I know this story. I know this." Sirius said, muttering to himself. "Mr Potter told it to us… About the fire…and the house elf. The house elf that saved his life."
"Grindelwald's men set fire to the Potter’s house as the Potters’ were aurors. Only Charlus was home though. Slinky saved his life that day. She died, taking two of Grindelwald's men with her. What the Potters didn't know was that Slinky had a child, Kinky. She was kept a secret because of the father…Kreature. Don't ask, I have no idea how that happened and it's really anybody's guess, but Slinky didn't want Kinky to grow up being a Black House elf."
"Kinky's head is not going on any walls says mama." Kinky said with gusto.
"She knew if Kreature found out, he and his mistress more importantly, would take Kinky away. That's why she sent Kinky to work at Hogwarts."
Mad Eye cut in, "Fine, so we see that the House Elf belongs to Black and Potter, but it still doesn't solve our problem. She's a Hogwarts elf, and the way you rule that castle, she's practically a free elf. Her allegiance changes from headmaster to headmaster, and as we can see, students as well. They serve the castle and all its inhabitants. That means she can bring anyone in here if she pleases."
"That's only because she hasn't been bound to her rightful family." Nonno turned to Sirius, "Her father's family. That would mean you would have to take responsibility for her Sirius. Make her a Black house elf."
"NO! Kinky would rather die than serve the Blacks. Mamma would hate I." She shouted.
Ky wanted to scream, this was so far from the plan. Ky had the urge to grab Kinky and disappear…nothing was working out!
"Kinky's head won't be mounted on walls!” The elf persisted.
"Of course not, Kinks. I won't let that happen."
Ky looked to Sirius, pleading with him. His grey eyes averted from hers, but he sighed, “Fine! Elf…Kinky. Come here."
She looked at Ky and she nodded her on. He was Harry's godfather, he saved her last year; he has to be a good person… she hoped.
"I, Sirius Black the third…" he took a deep breath, shot a quick glance to the sandy-haired man who nodded him on, "In the proud name of my father, Orion Black, first born son of Arcturus Black the third, and my mother, Walburga Black” He spat the name out like venom, "Hereby claim ownership of this House Elf, Kinky, bound by blood. She is to comply to any and all my needs and commands without question." He waved his wand in an intricate pattern, and Kinky bowed to him. He turned to Nonno, "If that is all Dumbledore, I'd like to leave before you force me to do anything else in the name of the people I so despise." He walked towards the door, and Ky jumped up and grabbed his hand.
He looked shocked at the contact, "Thank You." She meant it. He ensured Kinks’ safety, She’ll be forever grateful to him for that. He nodded awkwardly at the contact, and walked away.
Nonno followed him, but stopped at the doorway, and turning to Ky, "Oh and Kyrianna. There will be no more underage magic performed in this house. As you are probably aware, there are more underage wizards and witches here than yourself, and whilst Black Manor is unplottable and in our safekeeping, in addition to its own ancient magic that allowed the children of the Black line to perform spells when at home without having to be disturbed by the Ministry, a cumulation of underage magic might just be a scream loud enough for the Ministry to hear. Plus, rules are there for a reason, you should adhere to them." And with one last disappointed look, he turned and walked away.
"I still don't get it." The pink haired lady said, "Aren't house elves bound to a family by blood? Wouldn’t she automatically serve Sirius?”
Ky had done her research, "That's usually the case, but the house elves under the care…or should I say abuse, of most pureblood families, have only allegiance to that family. It's normal for their race to have children with a brother or sister, actually that is what's favoured to ensure the loyalties are never split. What Kreature and Slinky did was akin to Romeo and Juliet…scratch that, Muggle reference. Anyway, Kinky's loyalty will be split between two old and powerful pureblood families, and of course to a third which she had given away herself, her allegiance to Hogwarts. This ability to bestow her loyalties by herself is proof that the splitting of allegiance is detrimental to unwavering loyalty. But this would be rectified by Sirius claiming ownership of her." Ky looked down at Kinks, and she smiled sadly at her, and walked to the pantry.
Ky felt terrible. She slumped down in a chair, ignoring the stares. Nessie patted her hand sympathetically; she knew how she felt about Kinky. This didn't go unnoticed by Linus. He stared at the act; mouth open slightly.
"Still doesn't give this mongrel the right to be here." Ky glowered at the old Auror.
"I did you a favour. It would have been very easy for one of Voldemort's supporters to have found the link between Kinky and Kreature. It’s Voldemort’s own prejudices that have evaded him from finding the perfect way to attack you whilst your guards down, he didn't even consider house elves. Anyway, it won't even be an option now. Your gratitude is so appreciated."
He snarled at her, and then started wheezing, was he laughing?
Linus cut in, "What are you doing here?" He said it quietly, a gravelly texture to his voice. He was so silent through this whole thing, something that was normal for Len but quite extraordinary for him. His question wasn't pointed at Ky though, but at Nessie. She blushed slightly, all eyes on her.
"I…We…" She looked at Ky and she nodded her on, "We came to help."
"With what?" Lenzo cut in and Ky turned to him.
"What else? With the small issue of the resurrection of the evilest dark wizard known to the magic community since ever."
"But you're a muggle." Lenzo said… awkward at pointing out the obvious.
"Phone Voldemort, tell him he has a new supporter who wants to join him. Free for a spot of muggle bashing on Saturday night-"
"You know I didn't mean it like that Ky. I meant that-"
"Don't placate her Len. You don't owe her an explanation." Linus stood and turned to the room at large, "I'm sorry for the trouble, it won't be happening again. I'll escort these two back home." He placed his hand on Nessie’s arm, and she shoved it off.
"Did you not just hear what I said?" She looked at him with the ire that she had learnt to muster with ease these days.
"And did you not just hear what I said. We're leaving." His eyes were a darker blue than Ky had ever seen them.
"You may leave, but Ky and I are staying." She sat back down.
Linus rounded on Ky, "What's going on?"
"You heard Nessie. We're staying."
"You were not invited.” Growled Mad-Eye.
Ky glared at the old Auror. "Invitations are overrated."
"Ky, may I ask how you got to this house."
Ky looked at Lenzo, it was a testament to how angry beyond words Linus must be that Len was asking the pragmatic questions. "I thought we've been through this already. With Kinky."
"Kinky fetched you from New York? I'm no expert at this but I don't think House Elf magic works from such a distance."
Ky shrugged, "We took a plane from New York."
"And you reached London and sent for Kinky straight away."
His penetrating hazel eyes didn't need to observe her; she would tell him the truth either way.
"Not exactly."
"What do you mean not exactly?" Linus cut in, voice rising slightly. "What happened EXACTLY Ky. From the beginning!"
"Well, there were planes involved…"
"Planes? Plural?"
Nessie shot up from her chair, advancing quickly on Linus, "Yes Linus. Planes. A plane that Ky got on and a plane that I got on. The reason is irrelevant why this occurred, but the fact is Ky, and I, are in London to help fight Lord Voldemort.”
“I find the reasons quite relevant Agnes. Are you saying you let my sister get on a plane unsupervised!”
“Yes, I LET your sister get on a plane unsupervised. I gave her the ticket and told her, ‘there you go Ky, fly six and a half hours to London. On your own. Oh, and here’s some cash just in case anybody tries to rob you, don’t want them getting angry that you have no money on you and doing you in!’”
Wow, Ky didn’t know Nessie had that level of sarcasm in her. She felt weirdly proud. Linus wasn’t impressed, “You mean to tell me she travelled all the way on her own to London. You didn’t even know!”
“Linus we both know that when Ky gets an idea in her head there’s no stopping her.” Len said, defending Nessie.
"Thanks."
He looked gravely at his sister, "That wasn't a compliment, Ky."
She rolled her eyes, "Look Linus…Lenzo. I ran away from New York." She was here, no reason to hide it. "A week ago. I came to London. Nessie didn't know anything." Ky looked at Linus. He didn't seem to hear a word she said though, his face was flashing scarlet.
"A WEEK! She has been here a week!"
"Nessie came after me…she was with me the whole time Linus!" This didn't seem to placate him; it seemed to do the complete opposite!
"I cannot believe this! I CANNOT believe this. You've lied to me, this whole week. You…you…"He was breathing heavily, "WHAT PART OF LONDON IS NOT SAFE DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND!"
Ky was beyond words. Linus never spoke to Nessie like that…. Linus never spoke to her like that. Linus never spoke like that.
Len grabbed his shoulder, "Lin-"
He shrugged him off, advancing on Nessie. Her bottom lip was trembling but her eyes were determined.
"You didn't take her back. You let her stay here for a week. With nobody to protect her. There are people….so many people… she could have been killed!"
"I was there to protect her Linus!"
"What good would you do? Huh! What good would you do against these bastards! Last year she was nearly…they nearly…. they would do the same to you!"
Ky walked forward, raging. Who was this man! He was not her brother.
"She's not some useless little ninny Linus! She took down a werewolf, when's the last time you did that!” The words tumbled out before her brain could stop it. Linus stopped advancing on Nessie. He didn't move a muscle. He turned his icy glare on Ky….
"Werewolf…." He spoke the word so softly she lip read it. He turned back to Nessie, and she stood her ground.
"Yes, a werewolf Linus."
"What did he look like?" It was the sandy haired man.
"He looked…wild. Matted long brown hair and clothes that seems to have never been washed and he had a load of scars on his back, and he had dull blue eyes and no eyebrows which is just weird. He was hulking, big guy with a penchant for attacking little homeless kids."
The man looked like he wasn't mentally here anymore, he whispered, "Fenrir Greyback…."
Was Ky’s hearing diminishing or were all these people just whispering to screw with her?
"Fenrir Greyback! The most notoriously psychotic werewolf attacked you. And you didn't tell me?"
Nessie's resolve seemed to melt a bit at the hurt in his voice, "Linus, Ky said he's not a death eater. That it was OK to tell you when we saw you. I wanted to tell you, but it didn't seem like news that should be said over the phone…."
There was a crack, and shards of glass flew everywhere. Lenzo covered Ky with his body, this was a tell-tale sign Linus was close to the edge, he was losing control of his magic, something he never did. Ky looked up, blood oozing from Nessie's right cheek, she hadn’t blocked the unintentionally broken glass like they all had.
"I trusted you. I trusted you to keep her safe, to keep you both safe. And you let her-"
"Linus just let me-"
"Get out."
Ky scurried from behind Lenzo, "Linus wait-"
Nessie looked horrified…she backed away; Linus didn't stop her. She turned for the door. He didn't stop her. She pulled it open. He didn't stop her.
Ky looked at him. The words failing her.
"Linus…."
"Congratulations Ky. The wedding is off; you got what you always wanted. As always." He stormed out of the room.
Ky stopped trying to comprehend and ran after Nessie, flying out the door and ignoring Len’s calls. She ducked pass the mass of red heads in the corridor and ran for the front door. She grabbed the knob, but for the second time today a hand curled around her waist and pulled her over a back whispering,
"Where do you think you're going?"
-x-x-x-
Ky bit down hard and whimpered, hurting her teeth on bone.
"Why are you so damn skinny Potter?"
"And why are you so barbaric Thornton."
She made to kick him in the nads, and he grabbed her leg before she could, "Nah uh…that's not happening again." She growled; she didn't have time for this.
"Put me DOWN, Scarhead."
The next second, Ky went crashing to the floor, her butt hitting the cold tiles harshly, "Slytherin's Snake! What the hell Potter!"
"I only did what my lady asked." Harry looked down at her, a mocking dapper look on his face. She ignored the sudden warmth across her face and stood quickly. She turned back to the door to find Lenzo stood in front of it.
"Don't. Stay. I mean it." And then he left. Ky went for the door anyway; a soft feminine hand stopped her this time.
"You really ought to listen to your brothers." Ky glanced to the familiar chocolate orbs. How long had it been? Six weeks…she pulled Mi into a tight hug, burying her face in her bushy locks.
"You seem awfully happy for someone who didn't reply to any of my letters."
Ky smiled at her, "Letters Shmetters, you don't need it in ink to know how much I miss you, Mi."
“Merlin, do you have to be such a girl." Ky looked at the familiar red-haired boy, who looked more lanky than usual.
She hooked her arm in his and smiled up at him, "I am a girl Ronald, what's your excuse?"
"Haha very funny."
"Princess!" She heard The Twins and launched onto their necks, hanging between them, causing them to chuckle.
"We hear you stirred up quite the cauldron of calamity-"
"and it bubbles with trouble."
"Start from the beginning, leave out no part,"
"If you do, on your face we shall-"
"BOYS!" Mrs Weasley scolded as she came down the stairs.
"What mother…I was going to say draw art. Whatever were you thinking?"
"Oh, that's just filthy mum, get your mind out of the sewer."
The Weasley shook her head and gave Ky a light hug, then looked down at her disapprovingly, "I'm happy to see you Ky, even if the circumstances are…well, anyway, you lot get back upstairs, the meeting will take a tidy bit longer than I had hoped. I don't know when they expect me to cook, really-“ She walked off, muttering to herself.
-x-x-x-
"First dementors and now werewolves…remind me never to take a stroll in your neighbourhood Harry."
Mi sighed at Ron, the four of them sat in the room the boys were sharing. The twins left after she explained how she got here, finding the explosions in their bedroom more exciting. Ky was filling them in about the werewolf, saying that she had ‘popped’ by Harry’s to wish him happy birthday and not elaborating further.
"Honestly Ronald, be more serious, it's not Harry's neighbourhood that is dangerous, it's Harry."
"Thanks a lot Hermione."
She blushed at him, "You know what I mean. Look we assume that the dementors were sent to try and get you expelled, that's what you said Dumbledore was insinuating in your trial-"
"I still can't believe you got expelled. And they nearly locked you up. I miss all the fun parts."
"Yeah, it was a right laugh," Harry shook his head at her as Mi continued,
"So, this Fenrir Greyback was sent to what…attack Harry? I doubt he would be able to get to you, there's protection on your house. He wouldn't be able to get in."
"I thought this was just one of Harry's unlucky coincidences, you said Greyback had no mark."
"Voldemort wouldn't give a werewolf his mark Ron. It's not his style. Neither is it his style to send a werewolf to kill Harry. He wouldn't want to accredit their race with such an achievement." Ky traced pattens on her jeans as Mi spoke.
"Still doesn't explain why they would even try. Werewolf or wizard, they wouldn't have gotten in."
Harry and she glanced at each other. A mere hour and a half before the attack they weren't in the house. If Fenrir wasn't distracted by the kid, he might have gotten to them in time.
The kid’s name was Eddy, he was a homeless orphan, sleeping rough in the park when Greyback found him. Nessie’s friend, the detective Richard, was going to help them place him in an orphanage… but when he and his wife, Mary, met the boy, the connection was instant. They had been planning on having children in the next few years, but meeting Eddy moved their timeline up, and they were currently in the process of formally adopting him.
Harry sighed, "I guess that's that then. It was a coincidence."
"Or he was trying to win Voldemort’s favour by offing you for him. He did smell slightly of stale whiskey. Maybe he had a little bit of liquid courage and decided to do something stupid."
"That could be true." Mi agreed with Ky, "Anyway, all's well in the end. Harry didn't get expelled.” She beamed at him.
"And he didn't get his soul sucked by dementors or his head bitten off by a werewolf.” Ron added.
"Yes.” She said simply. "But more importantly, he didn't get expelled."
Ron looked at Ky and she burst out laughing at his expression.
Harry and Ky made eye contact. She didn't know how he knew that she didn't want anybody else knowing about their adventure. She guessed they wouldn't understand. They'd make it seem like something that it was not. She didn't feel like explaining such things.
The door creaked open, and a layer of red hair flowed out.
"Mum’s calling you lot for dinner." Ginny lingered on Ky for a second, offered her a small smile of greeting, and then exitted.
-x-x-x-
"Nessie!" Ky walked towards the head of blonde quickly, "I would hug you, but my brain might shut down out of shock at the action. I see Linus finally came around."
She shook her head sadly, and then cracked a small smile, "I am part of the Order now though."
Mad Eye's voice grumbled from the table, "Absolute madness. Dumbledore is barking."
"He is right though Mad Eye." The sandy haired man said, "It's just as good as death eaters to discriminate against muggles. We can't be too picky on help."
"Plus, she is his family." The pink haired girl added.
"And it's not like she is going to go on missions. And it's her neck to stick out." The tall black man boomed from his place next to Mad Eye.
Ky smiled at Nessie. Spending a week with this new Nessie was eye opening. It was like watching a deer learn to walk, or a baby bird fly. She asked a lot of question, and Ky answered what she could. What she couldn’t, Nessie would read up more in books she purchased from Diagon Alley.
Nessie grinned back, "I'm going to be shadowing Molly for now. And I have a few contacts through my father, so I'll keep my ear out for things that normal muggles won't find useful."
"And learning some much needed self-defence from the master himself." Ky looked over at Lenzo as he walked in. "We can't have you using rusty moves, Wolf Slayer." He lost his smirk when their eyes met, he nodded at the door, and Ky walked out with him.
"Len-"
"Don't. I'll respect you less for the fake apology…. how can you be so irresponsible, Ky? I know you like to fool around, but never with something as serious as this. What were you thinking; you know how dangerous things are."
"I took precautions-"
"Changing your hair colour isn't taking precautions, Ky." He looked down at her severely, "And involving Agnes in this."
"I didn't involve her, she wanted to help. She's family."
His eyes narrowed a fraction at her words, "You were helping by staying in New York, where Linus and I wouldn't have to worry about you. So, we could have our heads in the game here. You had no right to take these risks, to barge in here.”
"I had every right to.” She tilted her head up defiantly, crossing her arms, “This is my fight as much as yours Lenzo. Family sticks together. I'm not a little girl anymore."
"I know that. I do…yet you still act like one.” She tightened the fold of her arms, almost to comfort herself at his harsh words, “Look what this stunt has caused, Kinky almost died and Linus has called off the engagement."
She averted her eyes, she knew all of this, and she felt awful, but couldn't they see that her place was here with them, helping and being useful!
"Look…I have to go find Linus. And no, you can't come. Just stay here, OK?"Ky nodded, the stench of disappointment reeking off him, making her take a step backwards. She felt a teardrop on her hand, and she wiped it off quickly, as Lenzo left.
Ky heard footsteps on the staircase and she steeled herself for more reprimanding. It was Sirius Black. He stopped when he saw her, an awkward expression forming on his aristocratic features. Ky thought he looked mid-thirties, yet something about him just didn't seem…. mature. He looked at the door to the kitchen quickly, as if hoping it would open up and pull him in. He hovered, and she wondered whether he saw her moment of vulnerability after her brother left and felt like he needed to address it; Ky saved him the trouble and turned to head back to Mi and the others.
"It's not your fault.” Ky stopped, Sirius waited a moment or two, and then continued, "I overheard what Lenzo said, it's not your fault Linus called off his engagement."
Ky knew he was just trying to make her feel better, "I got Nessie involved."
"That fiancée of his was involved once she agreed to marry him. He is blaming you because it's much harder than the alternative. Much harder than the truth."
"And that is?"
"To blame himself." Ky turned back around, but avoided his grey eyes…they were too familiar. It looked like his eyes. She looked at his hair instead. It was chin length and had a slight wave to it, very dark.
”You don't like your house elf."
He chuckled darkly at this, the simple gesture exposing his boyish features hidden under all the pain and wrinkles, “What gave me away?”
“He is a right lunatic. I don’t blame you. Though Kinky isn’t like him.”
He shrugged, “Doesn’t matter, I’ll use her about as much as I use Kreature. Mind you, she’d probably do more work than Kreature around here.” She nodded; she was still coming to terms with Kinks not being around back home. He walked forward and opened the door to the kitchen, he hesitated, waiting for her to go through first. She didn't so he walked on.
Ky waited in the corridor. She didn't feel like faking happiness right now. She was exhausted from doing just that. The front door opened, she spotted the greasy hair before she saw the black eyes.
She spun around, heading for dinner, she’d take fake happiness over seeing his face right now.
"Wait."
She turned, her fists clenched, she was furious. "How could you…."
She glared at Sev, he looked older. Much older than his years. He had lost weight, and his face was lined. He returned the anger, "How could I Bane, how could you?"
"I didn't try killing a friend."
He didn't apologise, he didn't even look sorry, "It was necessary at the time. She was a great liability. She could have brought anybody in here."
"Did you forget who she is? What she did for me? She saved my life…she brought me back when I thought it wasn’t an option."
"I am aware of that fact Bane. And it is irrelevant. As I said before, she was a liability."
Ky shook her head at him, how could he be so cruel. He sighed, "I came to tell you that your grandfather is gone. So are your brothers. They’re doing work for the Order. You're to stay. But, it doesn't really matter what I say though does it. I could tell you not to leave, to not wander, to be good, it all doesn't matter. So, I won't." He turned around.
"Are you going too?"
"Yes."
"Ok." She said it quietly, he didn't turn around again and just walked out of the house.
The kitchen door creaked open, and a mass of curls peeked out, "Ky?"
She took a deep breath and painted a smile on her face. This is what she wanted after all. To be here. To help the Order. It didn't matter that everyone was angry. It was irrelevant.
Ky turned and walked in after Mi, into the room full of people, feeling utterly alone.
A/N: Man, she sure does make some crazy decisions, but her heart is in the right place. I think everyone’s communication is a bit awful here, but I think her Guardians failed to understand just how reckless it will make her by keeping her ‘chained’ up all Summer. It’s sort of what leads to Sirius’ ending in canon. Anyway, thank you for reading! Feedback is always appreciated :)
Chapter 6: Touchdown
Chapter Text
Disclaimer: Anything that’s familiar doesn’t belong to me.
Harry crept out of the bedroom, his scar had been hurting him, and he struggled to get to sleep. He wished he was at the Burrow, where he could at least go out for a fly. He glanced down the stairs, to the room Ky, Ginny and Hermione were sharing.
He had assumed Ky was staying at Hogwarts this summer, and had been surprised to find that she had caught a trans-atlantic flight to see him on his birthday. He knew it wasn’t just for that purpose, she had been plotting her escape for a while, and empathised with her greatly at being kept out of the loop, but he could get why her brothers were upset… if Bastian Blishwick found her practically alone in Diagon Alley…
His ears pricked as he heard a sound from downstairs, and he looked over the landing with a frown. Everybody should be in bed, Mrs Weasley was a bit neurotic about making sure that they were did so that they wouldn’t wake up Mrs Black, and inadvertently, the whole house.
Curious, he quickly walked the single flight of stairs, and noticed the noise was coming from the Drawing Room, catching a sliver of light slipping through the ajar door. He opened it quietly, the room lit solely by a portable lamp which sat on the coffee table in the centre, and he found Ky lounging on the large black leather couch next to it, reading.
He stared at her for a bit, so engrossed in the novel she didn’t realise she was no longer alone. Her hair was up, something he realised she did when she slept, he wondered whether it was annoying to have such long hair when asleep. He had now shared a bed with Ky twice, and both times enjoyed having her soft, sweet scented strands surround him, and didn’t mind at all that there was no escaping them.
She stretched her neck this way and that, uncomfortable, and then turned to grab a scatter cushion from a neighbouring sofa, spotting him.
“Hello, Dick.” And smile.
Harry had to cross the room to hide his face in the spaces that her lamplight didn’t reach, enjoying that they now had an inside joke.
“Having trouble sleeping, Jane?”
He picked a cushion from the other sofa, and held it out to her, and she leaned forward and he rolled his eyes at her laziness, and walked over to insert it between her and the arm of the couch, the back of his hand grazing her neck as he did so. He just noticed she wasn’t wearing her locket, but perhaps she took it off for bed. She was in grey shorts and a white tee, her preferred sleep apparel.
“I don’t know if I’d call it trouble, more a… desire to not be at the mercy of my subconscious.”
Harry was surprised at her words, being plagued by dreams himself, he hoped the same wasn’t happening to her. She pulled her legs up into her chest, and he realised she meant for him to sit next to her, so he did.
“Is subconscious Ky being mean?”
“She is a notorious bitch.” She smirked, the book now closed and balanced on her knees which were just below her chin. Harry just realised how compact she was, and that amused him for some reason. Despite her being one of the shortest girls in their year, her personality made her feel so much taller and there was something to be said about seeing her like this, folded into herself.
“Oh I don’t know, I think I quite like her. Conscious Ky on the other hand…”
She kicked him playfully at that, her bare left foot nudging his thigh, and, he on reflex, grabbed it.
Harry was currenly holding Ky’s foot.
This was extremely weird.
But he didn’t let go.
He glanced up at her and noticed that she was no longer smiling, but she didn’t look angry.
Before he could think what to do next, she stretched out her legs and lay them on his lap, “That’s better.”
He stared ahead, glad she was only getting his profile, his hands resting on her leg… Harry didn’t know why this didn’t freak him out, instead it felt very natural, like they’d been sitting on a sofa together like this for a lifetime.
“I heard Lenzo popped by today. Did you speak to him?”
Her foot which had been shaking slighlty in his lap lay still at his question. She remained silent, and he glanced to his right and found her unsmiling face, a sad shake of her head receiving an automatic stroke of her leg for comfort. The act almost felt like petting Crookshanks, well, a hairless Crookshanks, comfort given and received by the singular action.
“Do you think I’m selfish?”
He hadn’t been prepared for the question, and perhaps this is why she was up so late. He leaned his head back on the sofa, not breaking eye contact, “I don’t think you’re selfish, I think you’re very important to many people, and perhaps you underestimate that. People just want to keep you safe.”
She cocked a brow at him, diluting her troubled look, “Isn’t that a bit hypocritical coming from you?”
He grinned, “Hey, I may have voiced my anger at being kept out of the loop, but I didn’t act on it.”
“So you think they’re right, do you?” Her eyes turned stormy in a blink and Harry felt her leg tense, “You think it’s okay to lock me in the highest tower as far away as they can-”
“That’s a tad dramatic.” Harry kept his voice light but this clearly didn’t work to appease her temper.
“You’re calling me dramatic. Mi says you shouted at them all night when you got back.”
“I didn’t shout all night.” Annoyed that this was turning on him somehow, wasn’t he just trying to be a good friend and check in how she was doing??? “Also, I had cause for it.”
“Oh and I don’t?” He didn’t like how her neck cricked as she said that.
“I didn’t say you didn’t.” He whispered, glancing at the door, they were getting a bit loud, “I mean, obviously I had more cause. I mean I was the one that say Voldemort return - HEY!” She had rolled her eyes at his last statement. “What was that for?”
“Nothing, I just think it’s funny you call me dramatic when you won’t stop harping on about being the one that was there that night.”
His mouth gaped open, “I do not harp on about that. I barely speak about it, considering how much I actually think about it.”
Blink.
Her expression swung to concern, but for some reason, this didn’t annoy him, “Is that why you’re up?”
He sighed, wanting to lean his neck further back on the couch but choosing not to because that would break eye contact, “I guess. I don’t sleep very well these days.”
Her eyes offered sympathies her lips didn’t speak, and he appreciated her for it, “Are you scared?”
He reflected on that. “Wouldn’t you be?”
“I mean I’m scared right now, and it’s not even me he is hunting for.”
“You’re scared now?” His hand was petting her leg once more, unconsciously.
She leaned forward and the action had his hand ascend her leg, and he straightened up in response to hear her next words better, keeping her feet steady on him, but she didn’t speak, she just nodded.
“Has somebody told you something? Is there reason to believe he is after you?”
“Oh, I’m not worried about me.”
It was clear what that meant, and Harry felt his body breakout in contrasting waves of shivers and heat.
She was worried about him.
And he liked that, Godric did he like that.
Her eyes lowered and Harry could tell she was staring at his lips, which he had just moistened, his body preparing for things his mind was yet to process.
“Oh.” He jumped up at the voice and Ky’s feet swung to the floor. It was Remus. “Sorry, we thought everyone was in bed.” His face was pink, and Sirius followed him in, a bottle of whiskey in his hand, shutting the door behind them. His godfather took in the situation swiftly, his eyes eventually settled on Ky.
“As they should be.” Harry was surprised at the look Sirius was giving her, it had a hostile edge to it, almost chiding, and he protectively stepped to the right, closer to her.
But as usual, Ky didn’t need defending, she jumped onto her feet, “That’s my queue. Now that these old people have crashed, this party has become a tad boring.”
She had her usual teasing lilt on so neither of them took any offence as she sauntered out the door, offering Harry a small wink before she closed it behind her.
He straightened up, clearing his throat, and heading for the door, “Well, I’ll get to bed too then.”
“No, no.” Sirius said, motioning for Harry to re-take a seat as he settled into an armchair by the fire, lighting it with a flick of his wand as Remus settled into another one, “Stay. Have a drink.”
“No!” Remus said severely before Harry could respond.
His godfather rolled his eyes, “He might as well have his first try of firewhiskey under supervision, rather than getting toasted with Ron at the back of the quidditch pitch and taking the front door into the castle rather than the secret passage through the dungeons.” He smirked, “We had detention for two weeks. I think McGonagall boxed my ears that night.”
“That was Lily. She didn’t like you attempting to use her head as a coaster when she caught us.”
Harry couldn’t help but smile, he loved hearing about his parents.
Sirius laughed weakly at the memory, and Remus sighed, giving Harry a measured look, “Fine. But just a finger.”
Harry didn’t understand what that meant, but Sirius’ grin broadened as he poured a bit of alcohol for Harry and floated it over to him. He hesitantly took it.
“Danahagh. Scottish. They’re the best at firewhiskey, found a few bottles in the kitchen. My father only drank that stuff.” His voice darkened as he muttered the last bits into his glass.
“Only if you want to, Harry.” Remus offered an understanding smile, but Harry, who had never much cared for alcohol, quite enjoyed being a part of whatever this was, and tipped the tiny contents of the drink down his throat, and sputtered, and coughed and Sirius barked out a laugh.
“Oh no, it’s genetic!”
“Here have some water.” Remus had conjured him a glass and Harry’s face was red, partially from embarassment and partially from choking, and he chugged the water down appreciatively.
He gave a small burp, and the men looked at him in amusemement. “Sorry, what do you meany by it’s genetic?”
“Your dad was a lightweight.” Sirius snorted, “Flower made me dilute everything he drank on their wedding night.” He tilted his head at Harry, “You’re welcome.”
“What?” Harry laughed, confused.
“Well… you were a honeymoon baby.”
“What!” Harry was not expecting this level of information.
“Yup!” Sirius laughed, pouring himself more whiskey, “And you’d find in time alchohol affects, you know, certain processes.”
Harry groaned, not wanting to think about his parents having sex and Remus chided his friend.
“Sorry,” the sandy haired man looked to Harry, “We’ve been indulging most of the night down in the kitchens with Dung, he just left. It’s made Padfoot here waggy tongued.”
This only made Sirius laugh harder, “Waggy tongued. I forgot Flower used to call it that.”
“Flower?”
“Oh…Lily.” Sirius’ laughter simmered to a smile, looking down at his glass, “Nickname. Much nicer than hers for me; mutt.”
Harry laughed along with them, “You and my mum were close?”
Sirius gawked, “Your dad and your mum only got together because of me.”
“That is not true.” Remus shook his head, “You tell this story wrong. Your mum and dad got together because of me. Lily and I were both prefects-”
Sirius grumbled, “And that probably set them back like a year. You kept blaming us for your being late for duty, and she loathed tardiness.”
“Yeah?” Harry was leaning forward as Sirius spoke. He had heard a bit about his dad, seeing as they were both his dad’s friends, but little to nothing of his mum. “Was she, sort of like, Hermione? I mean,” He suddenly felt awkward, looking at the fire to avoid eye contact, “I heard she was smart, I don’t know much else.”
Remus spoke first, “She was brilliant. The teachers loved her.”
“Everyone loved her.” Sirius added, “And I’ll deny if it ever comes up in the afterlife, but she was the most charming person in any room, even with me in it.” Harry looked up and saw Sirius’ eyes go misty, “She was a sister to me. I didn’t realise at the time.” He cleared his throat, and downed the rest of his drink, “So, you and Ky. What’s going on there?”
Harry blinked multiple times, caught completely off-guard by the change of topic.
“Padfoot.” Remus chided.
“What? Can’t a Godfather take an interest in the life of his Godson, outside of mortal peril.”
“That’s perfectly fine, but Harry should bring things up, not you.”
“What things?” Sirius responded, all faux innocence, “I’m just asking about his friend. Right?”
Harry suddenly very much wanted to have left when Ky did.
“Oh. You’re more than friends?”
“No!” Harry shifted in his chair, scratching the back of his neck, “Well…”
“Ohhh!” Sirius let out and Remus scolded him by throwing a cushion at his head.
“No, we are friends.” Harry quickly confirmed, “I just, we sort of, things have been a bit different, recently. I don’t know.”
“Would you like to talk about that?”
“So have you kissed?”
“No!” Giving one answer to both questions.
“Good.” Sirius added, “She’s a bad influence.”
Harry and Remus gawkwed at the man.
“You’re calling someone a bad influence?”
“You don’t like Ky?”
“I like her. A lot actually. I just think, this whole jumping on a plane business is a bit reckless.”
“You’re calling someone reckless.”
“Okay, Moony, you want to take this outside.” Sirius added, annoyed but evidently joking.
“She’s not reckless. Okay, a bit.” Harry added, knowing that was ridiculous to even say, “But her heart’s always in the right place. I understand how it feels being cooped up and left in the dark.” Yes, he may have agreed she was being dramatic, but he wasn’t going to let anybody think Ky was a bad influence on him, when she actually made his life so much better. “She’s just a bit impulsive, and it was the best birthday I’ve ever had.”
“What?” Sirius’ brows furrowed and Remus sat forward.
Shit.
“You can’t tell her brothers. Sirius, Remus, please, you can’t tell anybody else.”
“Did Ky spend your birthday with you?” Sirius’ voice was low.
“Not possible, I watched him on his birthday and you were in your room all day, I heard Petunia saying you were up all night vomitting. I felt awful, what terrible timing to be sick.” Remus’ look of concern made Harry feel guiltier if possible.
Harry had completely forgotten that whilst he and Ky had snuck out, he would have been watched, which is probably good that they took all those precautions.
“Or maybe perfect timing.” His godfather walked to the fire, aggitated, “So you pretended to be sick and snuck out whilst an evil dark lord is on the hunt for you?”
Harry didn’t like the summary of his actions, it made him seem stupid, and reckless, “We didn’t go far.” This, afterall, was a matter of perspective, so wasn’t really a lie, “And we took precautions. We were in disguise, we had our wands.”
“Harry.” Remus sobered up with disappointment, “That was terribly dangerous. Merlin, I think Sirius actually is right about Ky.”
“No.” Harry shot up, quite annoyed now, “She’s probably the only reason I stayed put for as long as I did, I was going spare when she showed up. And it was nice, just being normal, for one day. I needed that. I know I must sound like a right idiot-”
“Nobody is saying that.” Remus stepped towards him, imploringly, “I understand. We both do.” He glanced at Sirius, who was quiet, “And I am sorry that we contributed to you feeling so awful all summer, even if the reasons were just. We know that you understand the danger that you are in.”
“That you’re both in.” Sirius added, taking a seat, but this time, where Ky was sat, “Come, sit. We need to talk.”
“Padfoot.” Remus said, seriously, but Sirius ignored him
Harry fell back in the chair, curious at his Godfather’s change in behaviour… did he know something about Ky?
“Look, that man from last year. Bastian Blishwick.” Harry felt ice roll down his spine at the name, and his hands balled into fists, “He attacked Ky three times last year. Some people think it’s just coincidence-”
“Nobody thinks it’s a coinidence, Sirius, we just don’t think he is after Ky specifically, it was always just a matter of wrong place, wrong time. I don’t blame Linus and Lenzo for being paranoid, but you?”
“You didn’t find the girl.” Sirius spat, and Harry had almost forgotten that it was his godfather that helped save Ky last year. Sirius sighed, “Look, I really don’t want you to leave here thinking we’re forbidding you, or we don’t like her.” He smiled, “I can tell she’s very special.” He leaned towards Harry, “Ky went through something very traumatising last year, and from what I hear, she’s not been speaking about it much. And I don’t want to darken your rose tinted glasses, I just, also think, as your godfather, it’s my duty to… advise caution.”
“What?”
“The physical stuff might be a bit of a challenge for Ky.”
“I’ve not done anything.” Harry said, defensively, just realising he had been stroking her leg for minutes… but she put her feet in his lap first… but he grabbed her foot… he was always finding excuses to touch her, and good Godric, maybe she hated that!
“Of course not.” Sirius leaned forward, grabbing the back of Harry’s neck affectionately, “I wasn’t say that at all. I’m sure you’ve been a complete gentleman. Harry?”
“I didn’t think about that.” He held his forehead, for once it hurt but not because of his scar, “How could I not think about that.”
“Shhh, you’ve not doing anything wrong. I just think it’s worth keeping that in mind. It might be good if, and I’m not saying you two are doing anything, but if you are, she initiates things. Does that make sense?”
Harry nodded, feeling selfish for not thinking of this before. Sirius ruffled his hair affectionately, “Look, you should get to bed. This room is sound proof but we don’t want Molly wandering in to check up on you lot and sounding the alarm.”
He nodded, bidding them goodnight, and sneaking back to his room, more restless than he was before his night time stroll.
-x-x-x-
Ky pulled out the box and left it to the side. She did the same to the next two, laying it next to each other on stable ground. There was a layer of thick dust covering it like a blanket. The door opened behind her; she didn't bother turning, it was probably Mi.
"Molly is looking for you. You should be at dinner. "She turned to the deep male voice. It was Sirius Black. She went back to the box and started unpacking it.
"Let me rephrase that. It's dinner time. Go eat."
She sighed, "Serious isn't a good colour on you."
"How does Black look?"
Ky chuckled, "That ever work on any girls? Ever?"
"Nope, never."
"So, what was your standard pick up line?"
He smiled at her. She waited. He just continued smiling.
"Well, what was it?"
He pointed at his cheeks.
"Really?" She laughed at him.
"Worked every time." He bent down and picked up a bag, "You really shouldn't be working down here alone. This house is crawling with traps just waiting to be sprung on the unsuspecting."
"Lucky I'm the suspecting type. Anyway, it's a potion lab, mostly just ingredients down here."
"That's like saying, it's a venomous tentacular, and it won't bite. Most of these could be poisonous. Go upstairs, Ky."
"I know what's poisonous and what's not. Everything in these boxes are good to go, I just need to sort them out. I can't believe you grew up with a potions lab."
He shook his head, "All manors had one. I was never allowed in though. I never minded. Potions not really my thing. But of course, since it was restricted, I always used to sneak down here." He sighed. From what Mi had told her, this was his house, but he was banished from the family at a young age so being back here must be complete torture for him.
"What was your thing?"
He smiled at her; it was amazing how much age the simple gesture took off him, "Nothing I could tell an impressionable young lady like yourself."
He pulled out another bag and wrinkled his nose at it; it smelled worse than Doxy venom. Ky pulled the bag from him and placed it in another box, "Sniff that too much and you might get high."
He chuckled, "Seems you're not as impressionable as I thought you were."
She smirked, "I prefer doing the impressing."
"Oh, I see that." He smirked to himself.
"Explain?"
"Nothing."
"I'll throw Glissan Powder in your hair…it won't grow back…." She sang ominously.
"Woah, not the locks, they're the money maker." He played backing away and started fiddling with another bag, deeming it worthy and tossing it into the box. "My godson." She looked up at him. Harry and Ky have barely spoken since the day she got here, aside from their brief interaction last night. Turns out there was very little beating up bad guys and a lot of cleaning cobwebs involved in helping the Order. Mrs Weasley had them elbow deep in dirt and grime most of the day so that they were too exhausted to talk much.
"What about him?"
"That's who I see you're impressing." Ok…so this conversation was on a fast track to Awkwardsville. He turned his back to her and fiddled with another bag, "You don't have to say anything. And don't worry, it's not obvious. I just pay a lot of attention to Harry. I just want..." He turned around as she started fiddling in her box, "I just want you guys to play it safe." He looked like he wanted to say more but stopped.
What did he think was going on? Did Harry tell him something? Play it safe? What was that about? Did he think he walked in on something last night? Well… he might have if he was a minute later. Merlin, she had to fight the confusing urge to climb into his lab and kiss all his troubles away when she reflected just how much she did worry about him… did care for him…
Sirius tossed another bag in the box and made for the stairs; Ky didn't hear the door click close though. She turned around and he hovered on the top step, the meeting of their eyes seemed to egg him on, and he let out what he was thinking, "You're more impressionable than you think…remember that Ky. You may not be a little girl but you're not a woman either…don't rush things." And with those bizarre words, he was gone.
There was only one thing this meant…Urgh Potter!
-x-x-x-
"Finally! I'm starving."
"I've told you like a gajillion times Mi, don't wait for me to eat." Ky took her seat next to Mi and kicked Ron under the table as a greeting. Harry smiled at her, and she glared back at him. He looked confused. Like hell he was, he obviously has been sharing too much with his Godfather. Ron grabbed Ky’s leg and pulled it; she nearly fell off her seat.
"Will you two stop that and eat." Ky looked up at Nessie, as she loaded her plate with potatoes. She eyed them sceptically.
Nessie joining the Order was a very devisive topic, but Nonno’s word was final. He apparently spoke to her after Linus’ and her argument the day they arrived, comforting her and accepting her offer for help under many precautions. For one thing she wasn't allowed to leave the house, and if she did it had to be with a fully qualified witch or wizard. She was in charge of keeping track of muggle news, reading about twenty papers daily, keeping an eye out for anything that may seem unimportant to magical folk, and compiling a daily report for Nonno. She also helped with cooking and cleaning during the day, under the supervision of Mrs Weasley of course. She was limited in what she could do seeing as the house was magical, so it was hard for a muggle to work the kitchen, which considering Nessie’s culinary skills, was a blessing to them all.
Ky had barely spoken to her brothers, but neither of them were happy with this new arrangement.
"Did you make this?" Ky glanced at the chicken, wasn't Sunday roast aiming a little too high a little too early for a woman who barely knew how to boil water just last week.
Nessie sat down next to her, and Tonks poked her violet streaked head from her other side, "It’s really good, Ky."
Like Ky was going to take her word for it. Nessie and Tonks formed an unusual friendship, and she was sure she would say the same if Mi had tried her best but served up undercooked meat for dinner.
Ky nibbled a bit, and was surprised that it didn't taste bad, a little dry but very good for a first attempt.
"It's edible."
"It's better than edible, it's delicious.”She rolled her eyes at Ron. Nessie could have served him hot water and called it soup and he would have lapped it up greedily. A combination of a love for food and pretty ladies probably had him salivating so much he couldn't even feel the dryness in the chicken.
"It is good, Agnes!" Mi chimed.
"Well, I had help from Molly…I can't work the stove without magic, but the marinade was all me."
"Well certain things need to be done with the hands, which is where the flavour is found, not in the wand." Ky looked up at the familiar voice and leaped out of her seat.
"Minnie!" She hugged her tightly.
Every day she would look up as Order members stopped by, hoping it was one of them. Her family.
Linus visited once but just for a moment, to relay a message to Sirius. He completely ignored Nessie's existence and looked at Ky, noted that she was well and rushed back out. Other than that, none of her family visited. Not Nonno, not Len, Not Sev, Not Minnie.
Minnie observed her from head to toe, "You've gotten…taller." She tutted to herself. "We'll have to take you shopping." Ky laughed. Minnie and her sly moves. Ky didn't get that much taller, but her clothes were getting considerably tighter in certain womanly areas.
"Where have you been?" Apparently her arrival last week missed her by a day.
"Like I'll tell you. We have a lot to talk about Lassie." Oh, it seems she has recovered from their little reunion. She didn't bother taking her aside and started letting her have it right there in the kitchen. Ky smiled through the whole tirade; she did miss her. She finished off with something about 'more reckless than Potter and Weasley and flying car.' She never said anything about disappointed though and thank Helga for that, Ky didn’t think she could take more of that. She led her to the table and sat her down. Somethings never changed.
Ky returned to her seat, and her smile faltered.
Her heart started beating fast and her palms felt sweaty. She was feeling dizzy, the faces around her were fading in and out.
"Ky?" She registered the mane of bushy brown coming in and out of focus. Something was not right. She grasped the tablecloth, breathing heavily. Something wet fell on her lap and a trickle spread down from it. Her head felt heavy.
"Li…Linus…." She heard a chair move next to her as she felt her head drop backwards.
Someone was holding her up, a warm hand rested around her waist. She heard hurried footsteps around her, giving up the fight to keep her head up, and let it drop back onto something warm. Something warm which thudded a familiar rhythm.
She then heard a scream.
"LINUS!"
She sprang away from Harry and looked around. That was Nessie. Everyone fled into the entrance hall. She rushed passed and saw the most horrific scene.
Linus was kneeling at the doorway, breathing heavily, blood soaking through his white shirt. A drop of sweat made its way down his jaw line and his breath came out in rasps.
Ky couldn't move, she couldn't breathe, she couldn't think.
All she could see was blinding red.
It was as if her whole body had shut down.
It restarted in an instant as he made a choking sound and fell forward.
She dropped to her knees, supporting Linus. Nessie was already at work, dabbing at his wound with Wound Cleaning Potion. It was a deep cut across his left shoulder coming down across his pecs. There was also a very dazed look in his eyes, and she remembered how she was feeling a few moments before.
She touched his head lightly, she moved her hands as gently as she could through the scalp and then she found it… blood.
Her brother had a head injury.
Ky dug into the Potion Aid Kit and fumbled through it, simultaneously keeping one eye on Linus. She saw his face droop forward and she slapped him hard, he jerked up. She finally found the Wide eye potion and shoved it down his throat.
Mrs Weasley handed Nessie Blood Replenishing Potion and Ky was just about to knock it out of her hand before she made him drink it, but Nessie handed it back to Mrs Weasley.
"Ky just gave him a Wide Eye potion, it reacts with the Blood Replenishing potion. We have to wait a few minutes for the Wide Eye to leave his system."
She said all this whilst dabbing what smelt like Essence of dittany and burn healing paste to try to seal off the wound. She clearly had been reading on magical first aid.
Blood was still spilling forth though, and he lost what little colour he had. His lips were progressing towards blue quickly…
Nessie pushed the cloth into Ky’s hand, and she continued dabbing at his wound. She was back in seconds, a long steel contraption with a bag of blood hanging from it. She lifted his forearm and felt around for a vein, finding it she performed all the necessary procedures to carry out a blood transfusion, her muggle first aid training kicking in.
Ky applied some of the Essence of dittany to the head wound. She heard a familiar voice telling people to move aside and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Madam Pomfrey. She looked at the blood transfusion contraption and Nessie filled her in,
"He has lost a lot of blood, but we couldn't give him the replenishing potion because we gave him the wide eye potion because we didn't want him unconscious because he has a head wound." She said all this as someone levitated Linus onto a stretcher, rushing alongside Madam Pomfrey.
They reached a doorway and the matron turned around, "You did good miss. Now please, I need to work." And she shut the door in Nessie's face.
Nessie turned and looked at Ky, her eyes out of focus. "I’ll send word to Lenzo and the Professor." And she shot up the staircase.
A wave of awareness hit Ky; the adrenaline stopped staving it off.
She realised the corridor had emptied save for one other person, who placed his hand into her bloodied one.
Ky turned to Harry and he pulled her face to his chest, his familiar thud calming her down. The warmth blanketing her cold face and the shed tears soaking up in his shirt. She felt his hands gently brush through her hair. Each stroke hypnotising her, her breathing slowed to normal, along with her heart rate. She closed her eyes, but she could still see…Linus’ pale face… purple lips… and scarlet.
Scarlet everywhere.
Linus always felt indestructible to Ky, like some sort of superhero. She’s never seen him like that, so hurt…so broken.
She unclenched her fists from Harry's shirt, blood stains all down the front now. She looked up at him, not knowing what to say.
She was not this afraid even when Blishwick attacked her…this was Linus. Linus who was always one step ahead of everyone. Linus who picked up spells and jinxes the way other people observed the colour of clothing.
She continued to stare into his shiny emerald, and he stared right back; there was this unreadable expression on his face. Ky wonder what he was seeing in her. He wasn't smiling but his expression wasn't one of sadness.
"Ky, Harry, you're a mess, why don't you go up and change. I'll tell you if anything happens. I'll call you down once Madam Pomfrey updates us. Go." Neither of them turned to her when Mi spoke.
Without looking away Ky responded, “OK."
She only broke the stare when she walked past him.
She didn't look back to see if he followed, the loss of contact made her heartbeat quicken. Her thoughts raged; she may not have been that afraid when Blishwick attacked her…but she did feel that way once before…
Ky thought back to June and the premonition she had, the gripping horror that froze her to the bone at what she saw. The terror as she ran to them…as she ran to him.
She had blocked out these thoughts for a month. She had closed off her heart and her head to them. She had distracted herself with everything and anything this summer…just to not to think about it…to never go back there.
She ensured she never dreamed by tiring herself out completely. Her days started at 6am and didn’t end till 2am, too exhausted to function…to remember.
Yet this one feeling brought it all back.
She stopped outside his room, her hands trembling, her heart racing, and her breath coming out in gasps.
Everything just raged inside her head… grey eyes…cold empty grey eyes…she felt a warm hand on her own…the trembling stopped.
She turned around quickly and saw them.
Green eyes…alive with colour, with life and intensity…
And then the raging stopped.
Vanished.
Silence.
Calmness.
She pulled hard on the hand that was wrapped around her own and his body jerked to her, and she leapt forward.
Their lips crashed into each other, lapping at every fibre hungrily, but also gently, anchoring them together.
Tickling sensations like foam erupted all over her body, though they didn't make her laugh. It didn't even make her smile.
It made her hungrier, greedy for all these sensations…the feeling of his slender fingers tracing its way up her arm. His natural scent that filtered through her nose and made every receptor on her body stand to command. The taste of his soft lips that she was getting drunk off. The sweet sound of his beating heart and the sight…the sight of the emerald storm that raged between them as green met grey and stood their ground, not daring to move away yet at the same time surrendering.
Her heart was beating faster than ever, and her breath…what breath?
Harry had taken it away….
A/N: So that was a long time coming! I hope you enjoyed that - what do you think of their first kiss :) ?
Chapter 7: Seeking Sapphires
Chapter Text
Disclaimer: Anything that’s familiar doesn’t belong to me.
"Ky?" She heard Mi's voice, and pulled back.
Harry had done the same, and just like that there was sound. The rustling of the nearby curtain in the room, the ticking of his watch, the footsteps coming up the stairs…and then there was Mi.
She looked baffled, taking them both in, framed in the doorway of the boys' room.
"You can go-"
Ky didn't wait for her to finish and launched herself down the stairs.
This was a horrible time to get lost in the moment.
She took the steps two at a time and Mi hurried next to her, "Why haven't you changed your shirt? You were up there for an hour." Ky hovered for a fraction of a second before placing her foot down on the next step…an hour. She got lost in an hour…that was an hour…impossible…
Ky barged through the room and ran to the bed. His gorgeous blue orbs hidden from her; his usual chastising expression blank.
"He's OK, Kyrianna." It was Nonno. She didn't look away, feeling that if she did, Linus would wake up and she’d miss it.
Len's voice floated from behind her, "It missed all major arteries, but it did nick his left internal mammary artery…that's why he lost so much blood, but Madam Pomfrey was able to fix it. It's his head injury that will take time to heal, and the effects of the Cruciatus curse… a few days maybe. Nothing permanent though."
"You won't tell me how this happened." It wasn't really a question; they never told them anything the Order did.
Nobody answered. She sat down, staring at his light purple lips.
Ky felt a delicate feminine hand clasp around her own and for the second time today she anchored herself to another soul, as she laid her head against Nessie's shoulder…
-x-x-x-
The thud of his back against the door added to the irregular thumping of his chest. His fingers trembled slightly as they touched his lips which were warm and smooth, as if somewhere along the lines hers became his…Harry felt the warm carpet as he slowly lowered himself to the floor.
Everything was suddenly cold. His head felt heavy and his eyes hazy…what just happened? And what the hell was up with his heart. He felt the door nudge his back and he hastened to his feet, "Oh, sorry mate, didn't realise…why were you sitting by the door."
Harry looked at the confused face of his best friend, "Er…I…I dropped my wand, I was bending to pick it up."
Sometimes he was grateful that Ron wasn't as observant as Hermione. The redhead shrugged and walked to his bed.
"Fucked up about Linus. What did you think happened? I saw him and Len practising duelling before you got here. Mate…it was something else. They really are Dumbledore's great grandsons. Of course, Flitwick and McGonagall should take most of the credit since they mentored them but there are definitely some ‘genes’ at play. Of course, Ky has her fair share as well."
Harry didn't need a reminder of how good Ky's genes were, experiencing her beneficial genetics just five minutes ago.
He sat on the bed, the fresh memories pulling more than emotions up. He didn't have to fight off the red on his face because Ron was lying spread eagle on the bed, looking up at the ceiling.
"Must have been some duel. Wonder which death eater it was. I hope the other guy is worse off. I hope it was Malfoy."
Harry made a noise of consent, still trying to arrange his thoughts. His heart still hadn’t settled to the right pace yet.
There was a small knock on the door, and he quickly got to his feet…but it was only Hermione. What was Harry thinking! When did Ky ever knock on doors.
"Linus is stable. He just lost a lot of blood and has a head injury, but nothing that time and Madam Pomfrey's hands can't heal."
He nodded; he was sure Ky must be relieved. She's probably down there right now, trying to irritate him awake. Or maybe she wasn't handling this at all…she wasn't as strong as she liked to think that she was, and not even half as strong as she pretends to be…
Harry sat back down, fighting the urge to run downstairs and barge into something that surely is a family affair.
"Ky seems OK. You know her though; her way of coping is not coping. Agnes was amazing, wasn't she? She's been making such progress!”
"Oh, you don't have to convince me about Agnes' many amazing attributes that she contributes to the Order."
He didn't have to look to see Hermione roll her eyes at Ron. So, Ky was OK. Well as OK as she can be…
Harry threw the covers over himself, helping him fight off the urge to go downstairs and check on her myself.
-x-x-x-
Harry heard a creak outside and he threw the duvet off. Hermione had left hours ago and the only sound that filled the room was Ron's snores and his bare feet as they padded across the floor. He threw open the door, "Ky…"
"Shhhh." Len gestured to his hands with his head, but he didn't have to. Harry could pick out that head of hair anywhere. He hurried towards the stairs,
"She's asleep." He whispered. Harry nodded, feeling like an idiot for reacting like one. Of course, he was carrying her because she was asleep, not because she was hurt in anyway.
His heart still didn't calm to its normal pace. He turned and made his way back to his bed, wondering whether it ever would, or if Ky had changed its rhythm forever.
-x-x-x-
Harry looked up as the door opened and swallowed his disappointment. It had been three days.
Three long days since he last spoke to Ky.
He caught a glimpse of her when the door to the sick room was opened for a moment yesterday, but that was about it. He couldn't go in there; it would have been different if she was alone, but Agnes never left Linus' side either.
"Harry, is everything OK?"
He looked at Hermione; he hadn't realised she was staring at him as they cleaned out Black Manor’s main living room. He tossed a stunned Cornish pixie that he had picked out of the curtain into the rubbish.
"Yeah, why?"
Why did Hermione have to be so perceptive? She bit her bottom lip and threw a pixie at the bin, missing by an inch. She stared at the drapes as if they had the answers to all life's questions.
"Everything OK with you?"
She looked at him and the expression on her face told him that her answer wouldn't be positive. "Well…yes. With me…everything is ok."
"But?"
"It's Ky."
"Did she say something?" There it was, that horrible erratic beating.
"No, that's the problem." She left the drapes, tossing a wary glance at Ginny and Ron as they cleaned the corner cupboard and moved closer. "Has she…I know you two…spoke about stuff last year…has she spoke…" She hesitated for a moment, "Has she spoken about Cedric to you?"
That did it. That put a stop to the erratic beating. Actually, the whole organ stopped functioning for a moment there. "No…why?"
Hermione looked at him in utter confusion, shocked that he wasn't seeing something that was obviously supposed to be apparent…and then he was mentally kicking myself in the gut.
Godric.
"Harry?"
He could tell his face didn't look good by the look on hers.
"Excuse me." He shot out the door and into the bathroom, leaning against the cold tiled wall.
Shit. Shit, Shit, Shit! Shit!
How did he not think of that!
Damnit.
He sat down on the closed toilet.
It was barely two months. Barely. And here he was thinking about what…confessing his feelings to the girl who liked the guy whose death he was responsible for???
Fuck.
He ran his hands through his hair…but she kissed him, right? She kissed him…He scratched at the tingling scar as a voice at the back of his mind echoed the truth….
She only kissed you because you were there…if you hadn’t led him to his death… he would be the one…
Harry banged his fist against the wall as images of Ky kissing Cedric assaulted his eyes, but it was nothing to the pain that echoed from his scar. He pulled his hair until it hurt, diverting the pain from his scar …waiting for it to subside like it usually did. But it didn’t…it just echoed from elsewhere…
-x-x-x-
Ky sprung up, the book in her lap clanking to the floor, echoing in the night. She looked around quickly trying to figure out who she had disturbed; her eyes fell on the still body. She wish it had woken him up. She looked to her side; Nessie was fast asleep; she was exhausted and needed the rest. Madam Pomfrey did say it’ll take a few days for Linus’ body to recover from the stress. She guessed she was just impatient. She scratched at her forehead, and that’s when she realised what had woken her.
-x-x-x-
Ky hovered over his still body. She placed his knee onto the bed, and he instantly turned, sticking a wand in his face, before he could breathe a word she covered his mouth with his hand. She didn't bother with pushing the wand out of her face and jumped over him, scooting in between him and the wall. She pulled some blankets over herself and then grabbed his hand and pulled it around her waist, holding it there, and faced the wall. For a few seconds there was nothing, and then she felt hot breath at her ear,
"What are you doing?"
"It worked the last time, didn't it? Or do you prefer the nightmares?" She remembered how soundlessly he had slept on his birthday, but once she had snuck out of his arms, he began thrashing around and mumbling. It could have been pure coincidence… or it could be something…
"That time was different…"
Ky knew that. Most importantly they hadn't snogged for an hour, a matter still unaddressed... well it's not like they had much opportunity to do so, what with his cleaning mission and her taking care of Linus.
Plus, she was kind of avoiding it; then again, he wasn't exactly cornering her, poking around for answers.
They were less likely to get caught back at the Dursleys’, but the chances were not very high over here either. Mi would think she was sleeping downstairs next to Linus, and Nessie would assume that she went upstairs to sleep. Ron couldn't see her from his bed, and she will leave well before he wakes up.
She didn’t know what Harry’s big deal was; he should just shut up and make the most of a good night’s sleep. He barely had them, they all heard him muttering in discomfort the last few days, and tonight, somehow, she felt it.
Ky was just being a decent friend.
"Stop thinking Potter and just sleep."
He opened his mouth, and she elbowed him in the gut, "Sleep!"
It had been minutes before she heard his breathing even out, and his hesitant hand became tighter at her waist. She touched his slender fingers with her own…yes…that was it…
She was just being a decent friend.
-x-x-x-
She brushed dark hair off Linus’ forehead. It was strange seeing his face so expressionless. There was no look of chastisement. His brows were not furrowed. She ran a finger around his mouth, trying to find the laugh lines…they used to be so prominent. Ky heard the door open, and I knew who it must have been without her floral scented trademark.
"I do miss long hot soaks."
Ky turned to the statuesque blonde who took her usual place at the armchair to Linus' right. She had just managed to coax her into having a shower; she was only gone five minutes.
Agnes never left her brother’s side. Even after everything he had said, and then not said to her, she was still here. Her hair was damp, and she ran a towel through it. She had the makings of bags under her eyes, and it was a testament to her good genes that they didn't show up any earlier because she was long past sleep deprivation. Nessie opened the large tome she had retrieved from the Black Manor Library on healing potions. Ky had to ensure it didn't have any anti-muggle jinxes on it, knowing the Blacks. It got the all-clear.
"Heard from Lenzo?"
Nessie’s sapphire blue eyes turned duller than they were before, her face was set in a constant frown. She didn't have to feign happiness here, to appear strong. Not amongst family. "No. Not from the Professor either, or Severus Snape or Minerva McGonagall. I think Len should be coming back soon though."
Ky nodded. The stress headache that plagued her every day became such a constant that she didn't know what normal felt like anymore. She placed her hand over Linus’, and Nessie placed hers onto Ky’s.
She looked at Nessie and she continued, "I know…about what happened to you last year. The Professor filled me in recently…I just want you to know, I'm here." She was silent for a few more moments. Ky thought she would be angry when she found out about Blishwick, knowing that she kept that hidden from her. It would have explained why Linus was trying to keep them so far away, and why he behaved the way he did when he found out she had runaway. “They will forgive you. We might not have thought our decision through properly about coming here, but I don’t regret it. We just have to have faith.” She had a determined look in her eyes as she turned to Linus and nodded resolutely, “They’ll come around.”
Ky nodded, knowing that she was trying to convince more than just her. The door creaked open again, and head of bright yellow poked through. Nessie rose quickly,
“Dora you’re back!” She quickly rose and enclosed her in a tight hug. Tonks smiled at Ky, and she nodded the friendly auror a greeting.
“I just need to write it down. If you’re back, Diggle should be too. Let me just go check.” Nessie left the room to document Tonk’s arrival. She had taken it upon herself to be something of a secretary for the Order. She was always around and available, even if it was just to greet members with a cup of tea or relay a message. Or like in Tonks’ case, a warm hug. She worked hard on being useful, in any way she could be.
"He is a right looker, ain't he?"
Ky smirked at her, "Fancy yourself a Thornton, Tonks?"
She smiled, "I do believe the position is already filled."
"He’s not the only Thornton available?"
Ky laughed as Tonks bit her bottom lip to hide the blush. She had seen Len flirting with her a while black.
"Your brother is a notorious flirt."
"That he is. He only flirts with A-grade stuff though."
She laughed, "Am I a piece of meat then?"
"Best know your place woman!" She laughed and the door opened again. It wasn't Nessie though, but Remus. They hadn't seen him for days. He stopped when he saw them there,
"Oh. My apologies. I didn't know anybody was-"
"It's cool. We're just talking about Tonks being A-grade meat."
He sported a confused look and Tonks playfully slapped her arm. He walked in nevertheless, closing the door behind him.
"I just thought I'd drop by to see how Linus is fairing."
Ky’s smile dropped quickly, and Remus looked apologetic, unintentionally reminding her about her unconscious brother in the room.
"Here."
She looked up, Remus held a slab of chocolate out for her. She took it, "You know that's very prejudiced."
He frowned at her, "What is?"
"Just because I'm a girl I like chocolate." She took a big bite.
He smiled at her, "Do you not like chocolate?"
"Of course I do. What kind of girl doesn't like chocolate?"
"I don't." They both looked at Tonks in shock.
"What! No! And I thought you were so cool."
She laughed and shook her head, "I'm allergic to cocoa."
Remus and Ky looked at each other. "I think that might be the saddest thing I have ever heard. And I am a werewolf."
Ky nodded in agreement and patted Tonks sympathetically. She shrugged, "Well at least I had perfect skin as a kid."
"Err maybe that's because you could make your skin perfect?" Remus laughed at Ky, and Tonks slapped him playfully on the arm.
"Listen I don't need to make my skin anything. I'm A-grade meat. Did you not hear?"
"What a lie! I heard you went a whole term in school with tanned skin."
"I was twelve! And it's only because I had a crush on Andy Brown, and he said he was into girls with a darker side. How was I supposed to know he meant personality wise?"
"Well for one thing, he wore more black and had more piercings than Stubby Boardman."
"I can't believe he married Jasmine Dawson. She literally threw up rainbows one time." She looked at Ky and she laughed at her expression.
Remus shook his head, "Bit of sour grapes Dora."
"What? No. I got over Andy quick and easy."
"Plus, there is the fact that he was a seventh year, and you were a firstie."
Ky looked shocked at Tonks for a second and she puffed her chest out and shot Remus a glare, "Age is but a number Old Man. Plus do you not understand, I am A-grade meat."
He rolled his eyes at her as the door opened. Nessie walked in with a tray of food. Tonks quickly looked to get the heat off her. "Diggles in?"
"No." Nessie placed the tray down. She handed Remus and Tonks a cup. She gave Ky her hot chocolate and sat down next to Linus, staring at him, as if she could wake him if she just concentrated hard enough.
-x-x-x-
"Here Miss Ky." She looked down at the familiar voice and let out a squeal. Ky hadn't seen Kinks in weeks; she was just about to ask Sirius to summon her before she left for school.
"Kinks!" She stopped dusting out the old cauldron and ran to her. She smiled up at her and then put on her 'scolding' face.
"This is no happy meeting Miss Ky. I is coming here to give you this." Ky looked down at what she was waving at her, and she burst out laughing.
"What on earth are you doing with my bra Kinks." She grabbed the black object from her, still laughing.
"This am no joke! No joke! Kinky find this when she is cleaning the boys’ room, under the Potter boy’s bed. What am bra doing under Potter boy’s bed? What am Ky's bra doing under Potter boy’s bed?" She wagged her little finger at her.
How did Ky forget her bra?
For the past three days she would sneak into Harry's bed after spending the day tending to Linus. Once Harry fell asleep, she would slip out of her bra. It was the one item of clothing she could not fall asleep wearing. And Harry's hands never travelled… so there was no harm setting the girls free for the night.
This morning, however, the twins had surprise apparated into the room. Luckily, they decided to leave the invisibility cloak out just in case and she ducked under it and snuck out. She must have forgotten to grab this.
Ky gasped down at her and held her hand to her chest, "Why Kinky, it almost sounds like you're accusing me of something that's too perverse for my innocent little mind to comprehend."
She stared up at her straight faced, "If Ky am innocent, Kinky are a giant." She turned to the shiny cauldron, "Oh and looks at that…Kinky is no giant." Ky laughed, sassy Kinky was her favourite.
"Look Kinks, it's nothing you need to worry about. And it's definitely nothing you need to be getting others to worry about, comprendé?" She continued to stare sternly up at her; Ky rolled her eyes at her.
“Harry’s been having trouble; I’ve just been helping him deal with it in a totally above-board way…even though it's under the sheets. Trust me Kinks. "She looked at the elf sincerely and Kinks finally lessened the glare.
"Just be carefuls Miss Ky." And with a crack she was gone. Ky shouted into the emptiness, "Hey, where's my goodbye hug?"
Two seconds later she got just what she asked for as a blur of brown jumped on her, squeezing her tightly. Mi let go, her face aglow. Ky laughed back at her, "And where are you off to?"
"What?" She asked, too happy to be confused.
"Goodbye hug? Never mind…what's up?"
She held out a letter for Ky and she took it. It was the annual School Letter. Ky read through it quickly and then looked at her best friend, "Big fan of Wilbert Slinkhard? His is the only new book this year. Aside from the Standard but then again, you've always been crazy for Miran…." Ky stared at the shiny ‘P’-badge that she held out. "Mi did you make a badge to show the world how much you like Peanut Butter And Jelly, more commonly referred to now as P-BAJ. Because if you did, that is brilliant! I know the simple treat doesn't get enough credit. This is a better cause than your whole House Elf thing. I think you'll definitely get more people to join as well."
She looked at her wide eyed and Ky burst out laughing, and hugged her tightly, attempting to lift her off her feet but failing dismally, "If it was anyone else, I would be saying condolences but since it's you, CONGRATS! Prefect!"
"I just can't believe it!"
"Well, that's absolute crazy talk, who'd you think would get it? Bobby with her constant chattering in each class or Parvati with those ridiculous contraptions she's always putting in her hair."
She laughed, "For someone who likes breaking the rules so much you sure don't like them breaking the rules."
"I don't like breaking the rules, it's just something I happen to be good at. And its only cool when it’s for fun things, not when it's for insipid things like those lot."
Uncertaintly descended on her friend’s face, "I kind of thought it would be you. Our results are so similar; I mean we were a few marks away from each other for most subjects."
Ky burst out laughing, "Seriously! You beat me at everything except Potions. And I get about a hundred detentions a year…maybe even more AND, you're absolutely perfect for the position Mi! Now stop blushing like a bimbo, I'll only allow it when you're made Head Girl in two years from now. Now come on, you need to tell your parents, let’s get Hedwig.”
Ky hooked her arm into Hermione’s and rushed up the stairs. They were almost at the boys’ room, but then Ky shouted that she would join them in just a second and ran back down. She spotted her target in the kitchens, "Hey Fatty."
Nessie spun around, offence painting her pretty features that quickly turned to annoyance, "That wasn't funny then and it's not funny now!” She looked down at her body self-consciously, "I haven't been able to work out…am I really…"
"Oh, shut up Nessie, I can physically feel myself liking your scrawny butt less and less as we speak."
"I'm not scrawny Ky!"
Ky swatted her words away, "How's Linus?"
Her face fell, "The same."
"Don't worry, he'll come around. He'll never miss my first day back at school." Ky said it with conviction, any hint of pessimism felt like disloyalty to her brother, "Anyway, I have come here with need of your expertise. I want to throw a party for Mi!”
Mrs Weasley rushed in, mopping up tears on her apron, "Did you hear? Ronnie has been made a prefect!"
Nessie rushed to her, "Oh that's wonderful news Molly, just fabulous! Is that why you want to arrange a party? For Hermione and Ron?"
"Oh, that's my exact thought" Mrs Weasley said glowing at Ky, she turned to Nessie, "We best leave for Diagon Alley now, I've got quite a bit on my list."
Ginny walked in, and Mrs Weasley rounded on her, "Oh Ginny dear, help Ky with the party whilst we're shopping. Oh, a Prefect…" Mrs Weasley said, grabbing her cloak. Nessie grabbed her coat and turned to Ky, uncomfortably close.
"Personal space Nessie-"
"Are you OK?" She whispered to her.
Ky looked back at her, trying to figure out what she was talking about. When realisation dawned on her, she smiled, "Hell yes, I never expected the badge, and it would not have been a happy surprise. The biggest joke would be making me a prefect; Nonno is funny but not deranged. Anyway, Mi is a much worthier candidate, I wouldn't have it any other way." Nessie smiled and rubbed Ky’s arm, and then she walked out with Mrs Weasley.
Ky turned to her favourite redhead.
"You make the banner; I'll send the invites." And with that said, Ginny turned and stormed out.
Ky let her go; she was all for staying out of each other's way.
Another thought however had her rush out the door. If Ron was made prefect, then Harry…
She barged through the door and Harry sprung up off the bed. She closed the door behind her and walked towards him, he was all flustered, as if lying on one’s bed was a crime.
After his surprise disappeared, a funny expression crossed his face. His eyes darkened, his lips parted and his nostrils flared.
He shook his head ever so slightly, muttering something inaudibly, and when she reached the bed, he yanked her by the waist and Ky fell forward, her on him.
She didn't make a sound…this Harry was different.
He wasn't all contemplative and intense like he had been these past few days. Sometimes Ky could feel his head buzzing with questions as he stared at the back of her own as they slept and sometimes, she felt like he wanted to say something but then…he stopped himself. He never brought up the kiss, actually he never brought anything up…they just lay there…in silence, and then sleep.
Ky looked down at him, all lines of worry that was on his face disappeared. He gave her a crooked, teasing smile and turned them over.
She fell lightly on the bed, but she didn't emit a sound, her mouth enamoured with much more interesting things. Her body completely arched into his, this kiss somehow different to the last one, which had been a sensation overdrive. But this one, by Godric, she just wanted to feel him. It was when his hands were ascending up steadily, playing across her ribs when she heard the footsteps.
He didn't seem to hear them, so Ky turned him over and stood up. He looked confused for a second, but his senses kicked in and he jumped up.
She walked out just as Ron entered. She congratulated him about being made prefect and walked down the stairs thinking 'Who the heck did I just kiss, because it wasn't Harry Potter!’
She walked into the room she shared with the girls and went to the window where Mi was tying a note to Hedwig.
"Hey you." She petted the bird dreamily, still lost in thought. She pecked her hand affectionately and flew off.
They must have looked like idiots, staring out the window with dreamy smiles as the owl became a spot in the distance.
"So, I made out with Harry."
She sighed, "I wondered when you were going to tell me."
"You're less surprised than I thought you would have been?" Ky leaned her head against the window frame, still facing forward, looking off in the distance.
Hermione copied her stance, "Well you were not very secretive were you, and I practically walked in on you."
"No, it was Ron that practically walked in on us."
"No, it was me…when I called you the day Linus got injured." She stopped for a second, "You guys made out again didn't you!"
"A few minutes ago…"
She sighed again.
“What's with all the sighing?"
"Well, you're telling me you made out with him, and on more than one occasion. You didn't say anything about dating."
"Because there is nothing to say about dating…"
"You're not serious."
"Oh, come now Mi, I thought a year of friendship would have taught you better. It was just a few snogs."
"It was your first kiss."
"That it was." Ky smiled, "It was his too, right?"
She shrugged, "I think so, I think he would have said if he kissed someone before. He hasn’t really had much time for dating."
"Well, I wouldn't have known because his flying skills take a back seat to his kissing skills."
She laughed, "And since when were you such an expert on smooching?"
"Believe me, I may not have any experience in the matter, but it's like tasting chocolate for the first time. You don't have to taste all the other sweets to know that it's the best, when you know…you know."
She chuckled, "Well I knew this was coming. I mean honestly, I expected it to happen last year but then Cedric came along…."She stopped abruptly. Ky didn't have to look at her to know her face was set in horror. They never spoke of him…she brought it up once after it happened, and Ky ignored her, so she knew better than to ask again. She slammed all the emotions that wanted to come up back in its box and pushed it into the corner. She took a few deep breaths as Hermione mumbled next to her.
"So, Harry hasn't asked you out? He just kissed you? That's not like him.” Ky appreciated her avoiding the subject of dead ex… whatever he was to her.
"Harry gets that we can't date. If we date the world will implode. I mean can you imagine us…together? The amount of trouble we respectively get into will combine to form the epitome of catastrophe. I mean the fact that he never brought it up means that he gets it…we don't like each other like that. What I do like is how nice it feels when he kisses me, makes me forget all the crap going on like worrying about Linus and where's Len and if Sev is OK and Nonno…and everyone."
It was true, those few moments when their lips met were bliss. It was as if everything else was background music, his lips setting the tempo that her own too readily followed. There was no talking, no complication. If he wanted more, he would have found her after the first kiss, sat her down and told her so. But he didn't. And Ky was fine with that. This was just another distraction. A very pleasant one at that. She didn't want to spoil it by questioning things that didn't need questioning.
“So, let me get this straight - you don’t want to date Harry?”
Ky opened her mouth to protest and shut it quickly. Why was Mi doing this? Her face was heating up - she didn’t want to think about things - she just wanted to do. Harry seemed perfectly fine with this so why did they have to talk about it.
She turned, making for the exit, not liking the direction this conversation was going.
"OK I can't do this!" She raised an eyebrow at Hermione, turning to face her.
"Well lucky I'm not asking you to do anything…unless you want to…borrow him…?"
"What! No Ky, I mean I can't watch you do this."
Hermione stared at her with hands on her hips, a determined glint in her eye. Well, Ky was equally determined to avoid this conversation, “I don't like that pose! No Mi, you were supposed to only use that on Ron, we had a deal, now stop." She tugged her hands off her hips and tickled her sides and she swatted Ky away, the laughter unwillingly falling off her lips.
She breathed to regain composure and Ky smiled, proud to have successfully distracted her from her line of questioning. She quietened down, her face still ruddy and then looked at her. Suddenly her bottom lip trembled and there were tears in her eyes. She sniffed and Ky stared at her in shock. Hermione then lurched herself at her and bawled into her shoulder.
"Mi! What's going on? What happened?" She tugged at her hair forcing her to look back at her. She was trying hard to regain her composure, her breathing erratic and face red.
"I'm being so silly, sorry, I'm sorry."
"Did something happen? Is something wrong?"
"Yes, Ky something happened! Something is wrong!" She shouted at her angrily.
This conversation was giving Ky whiplash. She returned her friends anger with shock, "What! What happened? Did somebody do something? Speak Mi!"
"It's you! You're what's wrong! You!"
Ky looked at her, the random outburst leaving her speechless. She mopped up her tears and composed herself, fire still in her eyes. "Cedric is dead."
She let out a breath and shook her head, turning to the door. Not only did she fail to distract her, Mi had managed to go straight to the source of her problem. She pulled her back though, and grabbed her shoulders, “Cedric is dead!"
Ky tried getting passed her, but she wouldn't let her. She knew she couldn’t do this right now. Flashes of green flicked in her head; they were whizzing like disco lights. "CEDRIC IS DEAD!"
"I KNOW THAT!"
"NO! YOU DON'T! You won't even mention his name. You don't want to talk about it. You didn't want to talk about it last term but I could understand that because it was still early. You just needed time. But it's been six weeks, and you still can't even say his name. You did so much to get here, to be here and now that you are here, all you do is spend time alone. Either in that lab you're cleaning out or in the library! You…you're pushing everyone away! All you do is do. You're constantly keeping yourself busy, you're not giving yourself time to think! To deal with what happened!”
"Just stop ok, Mi, just stop.” Her voice was small and alien to her own ears.
"No, I can't! I'm so worried Ky! I don't want anything bad to happen, you need to deal with this otherwise it's going to eat you up from the inside. You need to talk about him. You liked him; it's OK to feel the way you do!”
Ky took a deep breath and tried to slow her heart down, "Mi…please just stop. Now. Please."
She let go of her shoulders, "I just want to help."
"Then just drop it. Please!” Her face fell at the desperate note in her voice. She pushed past her friend and exited the room, trying to clear her head of the ghosts Mi’s questions were bringing forth, haunting her conscience.
A/N: Sigh, Ky running away from her problems, but it's a lot to unpack I guess! Feedback will be so appreciated :) Thank you for reading!
Chapter 8: Of Dark lords and Death eaters
Chapter Text
Disclaimer: Anything that’s familiar doesn’t belong to me.
It was strange what a kiss could do. It was just the connection of one's lips with another’s, tactile stimulation at its finest. Stimulation…that was it, wasn't it? The mere action had everything beating faster, working faster, processing faster - from the inside.
From the bubble that formed around you.
But the outside….Everything disappeared.
There was no Dark Lord. No Death Eaters. No Dursleys. No Diggory.
Nothing.
Just skin.
Skin and flesh.
Ky had left the bubble when Ron had interrupted, taking all sensation with her.
It was amazing that five minutes ago all Harry could do was mope that Ron had made prefect but now…all he saw was grey. Beautiful, large, trusting, bold grey that was like a black hole that consumed him whole. And he didn't care. He just wanted to float around in her universe.
Harry stopped on the landing, hand frozen against the slightly ajar door by the sound of his name falling off the very same lips that had him breaking into prose.
"Harry gets that we can't date. If we date the world will implode. I mean can you imagine us…together? The amount of trouble we respectively get into combined to form the epitome of catastrophe. I mean the fact that he never brought it up means that he gets it…. we don't like each other like that. What I do like is how nice it feels when he kisses me, makes me forget all the crap going on like worrying about Linus and where's Len and if Sev is OK and Nonno….and everyone."
We don't like each other like that?
We don't?
No…she doesn’t.
She wasn't the one standing on the other side of a door feeling as if their heart leapt out of their chest and was melting into an amorphous goop.
Oh damn.
He was so stupid.
It was purely physical for her, no emotions. And why would there be? The boy she preferred had died a matter of weeks ago and what was he trying to do? What the fuck was he going to do? Tell her that he liked her. How stupid did that sound! Cedric died weeks ago, and it was all Harry’s fault, and here he was kissing his…Ky.
His Ky…
Harry felt the anger boil in his veins at that, his Ky! It would always be his Ky, wouldn’t it! All this time in his heart he felt like she was his Ky, but she wasn’t. Fuck, it was his fault Cedric was dead, and this is how he honoured his memory. Trying to ask the girl that he liked out?
And what would happen if he did ask Ky out? What kind of fucked up boyfriend would Harry even make! He couldn't sleep with the nightmares that haunted him; there was a dark lord after him, not to mention the trouble that surrounded him annually. Harry had practically snapped Hermione and Ron’s heads off more times than he can count these past few weeks - can he really be the kind of boyfriend that Ky deserves?
Of course not…it’s why she didn’t want that. Why she didn’t want him…
Harry turned and dashed down the stairs, evading the train smash that was about to ensue while he was running on a kissing high.
He entered his bedroom, catching sight of the shock of red hair. Fuck! Harry shut the door before Ron turned around, needing to be alone.
He stormed across the landing and entered the bathroom, and pushed the door shut behind him but there was no comforting slam that followed.
Harry turned around and froze - confronted with just who he had been running from.
Ky stood there, her chest rising and falling so rapidly, seemingly suffocated by the shirt that she long since outgrew. Her face was flushed, and she was biting her bottom lip.
"Ky I can't-"
Click.
She shut the door.
He stopped speaking.
Their eyes clicked into place.
Her all-consuming greys that wasn't demanding like the last time. It was pleading. It was begging entrance. She needed him to be her universe to get lost in. She needed to run away into their bubble.
And just like the last time everything disappeared.
No Death Eaters. No Dark Lord. No Diggory.
Ky launched herself at Harry and he grabbed her just as desperately back. He fell back onto something that when he left the bubble, he would realise was the toilet seat. But for now, it was a throne. And on his lap was a queen.
Her lips were on his and his hands were everywhere. He wanted to feel all of her. The more he felt, the more of himself disappeared. His hands shook, but he clutched her round ass as she wrapped her strong, slender legs around his waist - banishing all thoughts of Diggory. He chased away the death eaters by moving his lips roughly against hers, enjoying how soft they were against his chapped ones, how she didn’t care as she nipped at him.
Ky pulled away and Harry let out a growl that quickly became a moan when he saw that the constraining shirt was removed. He looked up into her eyes, dancing with passion, as she reached behind her back, unclasping her bra, and with a blink a storm waged in those grey depths as she rid herself of the garment. The tempest spoke of hurt and guilt and pain, but it was the trust that Harry saw in them that had him reach up and hesitantly touch soft skin that was quickly coaxed to attention.
Godric, how did they get hard that quickly…
When Harry left the bubble, he would wonder how on Earth his hand kept so steady, but the soft moan Ky let out and the way her neck tasted gave him confidence enough. He felt her hands slide up his back and her core move against his own, and he felt like he could burst at any moment as he felt her heat at his own.
But with a click the bubble popped….
"Fuck."
Harry heard the swear from the familiar voice and Ky quickly made to turn around.
"No don't turn around." He grabbed her and pulled her against his chest; making sure only her naked back was exposed. "Not you! You turn around!"
Harry shouted at his godfather, who was turned to the door, turned back to them, and then turned to the door again.
"Make up your bloody mind!"
Harry grabbed Ky’s shirt, as she sorted out her bra. His hands trembled as he tried to help her get it back on.
She let out a sigh of relief and a smile when she was fully dressed again. He looked at her as she just continued smiling. He looked down at the point where her legs wrapped around his waist and with an ‘ohhh’ of understanding she quickly jumped off.
"You can look now." Harry stood, looking down at his trousers and his face flushed redder if possible, and quickly sat back down uncomfortably as Sirius turned to them.
His face shone scarlet, and he was staring pointedly at Harry as if Ky wasn't even in the room.
"Don't you knock?" Godric trust Ky to say that, now of all times.
Sirius still didn't look at her and directed the answer to him instead.
"I did! For quite some bloody time too."
"Oh. Then why did you come in if you saw it was occupied?"
And there she goes.
Sirius' face went a shade redder if possible, "There was no response. And aside from the fact that this is my house, and you are two underage teenagers, if I didn't come in and shut the door as quickly as I could your brother Lenzo who happened to be out in the corridor at that very moment would have seen you…you …”
“Oh…thanks then!” Ky walked towards the door. Sirius finally conceded to her existence by grabbing her arm and immediately let go of it.
"Don't leave now, not after I just entered. Is this the first time you were doing…” He let out a relieved breath, “This is the first time you're doing this!” He seemed to be looking to the Heavens for guidance, "OK. I'll check if the coast is clear and then you walk out quickly." He poked his head out and then nodded to Ky who flounced out.
Harry got up to follow her but the door closed in his face. "Not so fast. You wait right here." Sirius then frowned down at him, and then averted his eyes, “Just… go sit back down."
Harry did as instucted, hoping that his situation would calm down rapidly without Ky in the room. So much for Sirius being like a cool big brotherly sort. He sighed and looked in the mirror muttering to himself. Was he giving himself a pep talk?
"You can do this. You've been there a billion times before. It has been a while, a long while, but you remember. Do you remember? I do remember! I remember what it's like not to hear-"
"Sirius?" Harry might have completely lost him there. He quickly turned to him, taking a deep breath and sitting on the edge of the bathtub.
"The feelings…you…feelings. Well, it isn't really feelings, is it? It's more of a reaction an erection isn't it…"
"Oh Godric, no." It was Harry’s turn to look up at the ceiling; they were not going to have The Talk, were they?
NO.
"No no, it's fine Harry. It's normal to have these erections. I mean feelings, these feelings. As an erection. I mean as a teenager. Fuck…"He growled at the end.
Harry quickly stood, this awkward situation calming down his Situation down below instantly. "I know about…about that stuff. I…” He didn't know what to say. He stared at the white fluffy towel near the sink. "I'm sorry."
"What! No! Don't be sorry!"
Harry whipped back around, confused. "I shouldn't be sorry for what just happened?" Did his godfather not just see him with his hands on Albus Dumbledore's granddaughter's chest.
"No, no you should."
He stared in confusion at Sirius’ grey eyes. He noticed Harry’s confusion and buried his face in his hand. He looked up after a few moments, "Look, what you two were up to wasn't right. You should feel sorry. But it's not wrong. You shouldn't feel ashamed."
Well, that made total sense.
Sirius let out a growl. "Ok I get that you're not getting what I'm trying to get at so I'm going to get Moony-"
"No! Sirius, look I get what you're saying." Harry didn't need more people to find out. Lenzo was back from his mission or whatever and if he found out about this, let's just say Voldemort would be sending him a thank you note.
"You do?" Sirius looked up at him, relieved.
"Yeah. I think. You mean it's not right in the sense that there are adults in this house and it's disrespectful but at the same time it's not wrong because it's natural to be having these erections as an erection." He closed his eyes, grimacing at his words, he had him saying it too now. "I meant, feelings as a teenager."
“Exactly, That's really good Harry. I am proud that you understand what that means."
It sounded like he was quoting a parenting book. Harry nodded fervently and headed for the door, glad this was over.
"Wait."
Oh, fuck what more?
He turned around to find Sirius’ lip curl, his nostrils wrinkle in almost disgust, it was clear whatever he was going to say, he didn’t want it anymore than Harry did. "About contraception-"
Harry waved his hands vigorously, "Hold on Sirius! We don't have to-"
"I know a spell or two that I can teach you. Fine, I know all twelve of them. I know they’re only taught to you lot in seventh year. I mean by then it's too little too late, right? Times are changing but Hogwarts would never, right?" He scratched the back of his right ear awkwardly. Harry needed to put him out of his misery.
"Look Sirius, we're not going to have…sex. Any time soon. Ky and I are not even dating. I know. Don't ask. So please. It's ok." He didn't look convinced, "And if by some chance Ky and I do…it, I think she knows the spells." He raised his eyebrows, and Harry raised his hands to placate him. "I know she knows the spells. And I’ll learn them as well, of course! It’s just that I’m not ready for that and neither is she…so can I go?"
He smiled at him, face back to its normal shading, and clapped Harry on the shoulder, "Ahhhh Harry. I wasn't bad, was I?"
"The whole 'talk' thing? Oh no you were brilliant." He wanted to run for the door, so he would tell him anything right now.
"You know it was part of my audition."
Harry stopped and turned back to him, "What?"
He laughed, "To be your godfather."
"My parents made you audition to be my godfather?"
"What? No, no, no, the audition was my idea. I wanted to prove to them that I was the best man for the job."
Harry shook his head smiling, eating up every word his godfather spoke. "Yeah, that was the only test I ever studied for. Read more pregnancy books than Lily for prep." He smiled, pulling up the memory, "I remember James kept stealing her books for me. Of course, I lost them. Your dad got in so much trouble for that." It was amazing how much age the smile took off his face; he looked back at Harry, his eyes shining. "It should be him walking in on you and Ky topless… I mean…you know what I mean."
Harry nodded and cleared his throat. Sirius did the same and clapped him on the shoulder and put an unnaturally serious look on his face,
"He'd be proud of you. Not for kissing Ky and what not, but for all the other things. Actually, he'd probably be proud about the whole Ky thing too. Actually, about the whole kissing Ky thing. Maybe you two should slow things down if you're not dating. Godric I'm such a hypocrite." He looked down and shook his head in frustration.
Harry clapped him on the back this time, "You did good Sirius. Thanks a lot for the talk." He nodded, smiled, and walked out the bathroom.
Harry stopped for a second and looked in the mirror. His hair was untidier than usual, and the top buttons of his shirt were undone, even though his face still felt like you could cook an egg on it, it at least stopped looking like it.
His smile was completely different though…it only popped up every so often and every single time it was because of that one person.
It was carefree.
And just like that Harry felt a tingling pain in his scar which served as a reminder that he wasn't.
He wasn't allowed to be carefree.
His smile dropped and he walked out, thoughts of queens and thrones once more forgotten for Dark Lords and Death Eaters.
-x-x-x-
Ky walked out but Harry didn't follow her.
Yikes, Sirius must be drilling him. Well, it was his fault for not locking the door! Fine… it was her fault for not locking the door. Well, she was a bit distracted…distracted…wow…what on earth was that??? She couldn't wipe the smile off her face. Harry worked wonders with that mouth of his; he managed to wipe away all her worries away, and completely erased the conversation she just had with Mi.
She felt no stress about Linus or constant worry about Sev and kissing him actually brought Lenzo back home. Well, that's the way she’d like to look at it. And most importantly it took away the guilt. Her shoulders felt lighter than they had all week.
Who knew Harry’s fine motor skills were not just reserved for catching snitches.
Ky stopped as sh caught a glimpse of fire red in her periphery. It was her favourite Weasley leaning against the doorway to the boys’ room. She looked pointedly at the bathroom door and then back at her, judgment etched onto her freckled face.
"Have you done the banner?"
"Have you sent the invitations?"
"Yes. I unlike you, I do what I say would. I don't spend my time with my tongue down boys' throats."
"Boy. Singular." Ky smiled back at her, not even Ginny could dampen the mood she was in. She glared at her and kicked off the wall, heading for the stairs. The redhead was stopped by Nessie, who was thundering up at the same time.
"Oh. Hi. Just the girls I was looking for! I see most of everyone has agreed to come, I saw the list on the counter, don’t worry Molly’s already destroyed it - can’t have that lying around. Good job girls. Here." She handed us a bag, "I realised you had no way of making a banner, silly me, so I bought some stuff. You guys can use the desk in my room. It's getting quite busy downstairs. Good luck!” She turned and bounced away from us.
Ky cocked an eyebrow at Ginny, "See. That's why I didn't start the banner. I didn't have the proper equipment." The girl returned her sing song retort with a rolled eye.
They walked into the small room that Nessie shared with Tonks when the lively auror had to stay over. Ky unwrapped the large blank poster and unpacked the bag of materials.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
"The banner…"
"With bright yellow and blood red?"
"Well, that's Gryffindor colours, aren't they?"
"No. Our colours are scarlet and gold!” Ginny dug into the bag and pulled out a few bottles. She poured a little bit of this and that and mixed them together to get the correct shade. Ky tried not to look too put out. She wasn't the most artistic of people. Red was red was red to her. “Here, see the difference?”
“Yeah, I guess.” She grumbled. “You can finish that word.”
Ginny rolled her eyes, and completed writing out Mi's name in a fancy print that Ky would never have been capable of. She frowned at the redhead as she worked, "Why did you want me to do the banner if you're so artistic?"
"Well considering you are just brilliant at everything, I figured you must be good at this too. Guess I was wrong."
"I'm not brilliant at everything. I'm brilliant at potions. And I am a fair hand at defence. And charms. And I guess I’m decent at Transfiguration.”
Ginny cocked a thin red eyebrow at her and shook her head, as Ky folded her arms, lips set in a mask of defiance, ”I won't apologise for being competent."
"I never asked you to."
Ky sat down and watched Ginny work; she was extremely talented. She was surprised since she was a pureblood witch. She figured she wouldn't be that into art the muggle way. She knew Dean was a steady hand at art, but he was muggle-born. He told me her that he wanted to be a comic book artist when he was a kid. He could enchant and animate any drawing. And Ginny wasn't far off. She currently was shading a baby griffon to produce a more three dimensional effect.
"That's bloody brilliant." She stopped and stared at Ky for a moment, her thin lips in a firm line. She turned back to the poster, and continued without remark, obviously trying to find the insult in there somewhere.
When she found none, she responded in a clipped tone, “Thanks. It's a bit crooked."
"What? No, it must be your eyesight, it looks fine to me. Who taught you to draw?" She looked at Ky through her mane of red; She guessed she was getting a bit chatty with her kissing high.
"Nobody taught me. I just learned." She looked down, fiddling with the border, "I guess it came with practice. I would draw things for the boys as birthday gifts."
Ky understood that. She knew the Weasleys were not the wealthiest of families, buying gifts for six brothers must be hard. But they were also the richest family that she knew; it's just that their stock wasn't measured in galleons. Ky thought their currency was worth much more than measly gold.
"I used to draw things for Li and Len when I was a kid. It was the ugliest things I have ever seen. I couldn't even colour properly…still made it on the fridge."
"What?"
"Oh…muggle tradition. A fridge keeps food fresh, and any achievements made by a family member gets stuck up there using magnets. Magnets are these things-"
"I know what a fridge and magnets are, I do Muggle Studies, OK?" She said defensively. Ky raised an eyebrow at her but didn't say anything.
A few minutes passed with just the sound of her pencil at work.
”Did Linus and Lenzo teach you how to read and stuff?" She didn't look up as she asked the question, busy with making final adjustments to the border.
“Yeah! I was home schooled before Hogwarts and the boys helped a lot - they’re really good teachers!”
“Is it true that Linus finished muggle school at fourteen?”
“We all did!” Ky responded without thinking, Ginny rolled her eyes at the brag, “I mean…I think it’s probably the wizard genes, right? Applying it to muggle stuff - probably just made us quick studies.”
“You’re still a quick study.” Judging by the tone of voice, it wasn't a compliment.
"I guess so.” Ky sighed. She wasn’t going to make herself smaller just to fit into Ginny’s idea of a humble person. “I bored easily as a kid, so I would always try to find ways to entertain myself, but whatever subject I picked I would eventually grow tired of it. Now I finally have all these things to fiddle with. Potions and spells and jinxes…magic is like science and music and art and history, all balled up into one. I could never get bored of that! I'm not brilliant like Nonno, I don’t know if I’ll ever understand things the way he does, but I’m pretty observant. Linus always told me knowing things is useless; making use of that knowledge is what is important. And I have always wanted…”
Ky stopped as she looked down into her large brown eyes. She forgot herself for a few moments there, and she suddenly felt more exposed than she had been with Harry a little while ago.
Ginny nodded her head and completed her sentence, "To be useful."
Ky nodded back.
She guessed Ginny would understand, wouldn't she? She was the only girl amongst all these boys. And not just any boys. Bill was brilliantly smart, and Charlie was charming and heroic. Percy, even though he was being a prat right now, was intelligent, and the twins didn't need an explanation, whilst Ron was one of the most loyal and funny boys she has ever met. Ky knew what it was to live in the shadow of boys like that. Her mind went back to Linus downstairs.
"Don't hurt him."
Ky plunged back out of her thoughts. She of course knew who Ginny was talking about. "I doubt I can."
She snorted and stood with the poster in her hands, it was beautiful. "For someone so observant, you're highly unobservant." She turned and walked out the door, leaving Ky sitting on Nessie's bed trying not to understand what Ginny meant by that.
She heard the door creak open and figured it was just Ginny back to get something, but found Mi hovering in the entrance, uncertain. She quickly stood and met her in the middle.
"Ky I'm…"
"Please don't." Ky could feel the cold grey descend on her again. She couldn't do it, she could not open this box. Not again.
There weren't enough distractions just yet.
Her best friend looked at her, biting her bottom lip. Ky knew she wanted her to talk, but she just couldn’t. She could barely manage to think of him.
Ky’s face seemed to convey to her what her words could not, and Mi nodded her head fervently in understanding, and pulled her into a warm embrace, which she easily reciprocated, her eyes smothered in bushy brown hair, seeing only neat brown.
-x-x-x-
Ky backed into the kitchen, still laughing at what the Twins had said. Damn Nessie and her obsessive planning, she had been sent for a crate of butterbeers that Ron was supposed to help her carry back into the party because ‘they were running low’. But one couldn't leave that boy for a second without him wandering off to examine that new broom of his.
She spotted the drinks by the pantry door and made a beeline for it; but stopped as she heard a familiar voice float out of the pantry.
"…. can’t tell them that. Are you insane? Are you listening to yourself?"
"You don't get it. They were together today. What if something happened?"
"Look I know how you feel.” There was silence for a few seconds. Then the voice continued, “Okay fine, I don’t. But it is impossible. Don't be selfish."
The kitchen door banged open, and Ron came in. Remus and Sirius quickly emerged from the pantry, feigning normalcy making them look ten times more suspicious.
"I came to help with the butterbeer."
"How are you going to do that with that broom in your hand?" Ky asked.
"I can carry one side and you can carry the other." She shook her head and made to walk out but Sirius stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.
“Can I have a moment, Ky?”
“I can’t carry this with one hand.”
Remus laughed at Ron’s retort, and grabbed the other end and walked out with him, sparing a cautionary glance at his friend before the door shut behind him. Ky turned back and looked at Sirius. He sat down at the table, and she joined him.
“If this is about today. You can save it. Linus already gave me ‘The Talk’. I know all about the birds and the bees.”
His face crinkled into a smile, and he shook his head, “Gods no, I’m done with that lecture series for the foreseeable.”
Ky laughed, imaging that he and Harry having a very awkward discussion after she left the bathroom earlier, “Thanks again. For not telling Len. Or Nonno. Or Sev. Or Minnie. Or Ness-“
He patted her hand, and she stopped talking. “I didn’t tell them because…I trust you Ky. Because Harry trusts you. And I trust Harry. I just want you to know…I may not understand completely how you both are feeling right now, but I was once a fifteen-year-old kid. Harry said you weren’t dating but I just want you…I think it’s important to remember that the difference between a no strings attached relationship and exclusively dating, isn't the label. It's the feelings attached to it. You can call it one thing, but when it feels like something else, then it's something else even if you call it another thing. Just…don't rush anything, OK? Just take things slow." He smiled and sighed. "Who would have known I would start living up to my name eventually. Serious. I sound like a total…prat."
"No, you don't." She looked up at him, he had all his youth stolen but it rushed back every time he smiled. "You sound like a dad." She shrugged, then smiled at him, and he stared back at her, a tad shell-shocked by her words, "Harry is lucky to have you. Thank you.” And she meant it.
Ky patted his hand back and then left him to his thoughts, which were swirling in his dark grey orbs.
She walked back to the party and spotted the familiar head of black. It's amazing how quickly her eyes found him. He was making his way upstairs, sneaking away from the party early and she followed him.
She was a step behind him, and pinched his bum playfully, their afternoon activities making her exponentially more comfortable with him. Harry spun around, his frown turning quickly into a crooked smile.
"You look surprised. Who did you think it was?"
He hopped up onto the step and leaned against the wall, smirking down at her, "Kreature."
"Ohhh, I do see how you could think that. I see the way he looks at you." She ran a finger across his collar bone and watched his Adam’s apple bob as he gulped.
All that freedom was slowly leaving her body as she engaged in one intense conversation after another today.
Ky needed another dose of him.
Harry grabbed her hand and stepped forward, closing the gap between them. His eyes were bright, and he smiled a smile that made no promise of sweet innocent things. He lifted her finger to his mouth and kissed it lightly, dragging his lips to the back of her hand. She felt the blood rush to her face as his lips caressed her skin. He put his hand on her waist and pulled her to him.
His breathing was heavy and loud. So very loud. As his eyes dimmed, her own mind started processing that the breathing wasn't coming from him. He pulled her hand away from his mouth but didn't let it go, frowning at the drawing room nearby, also hearing the sound now.
"Hello?"
Ky could hear it more clearly now, the whimpering. Harry walked down the passage, still holding her hand, and hesitantly pushed the nearest door open. Ky peeked through behind him and saw a devastating scene.
Mrs Weasley was backed up against the wall as Ron lay pale and cold at her feet. That wasn't possible though, was it? Ron was downstairs. She could feel Harry thinking the same thing as he lurched forward and stopped.
"Mrs Weasley?"
Pop.
Ron turned to Bill.
Pop.
Mr Weasley.
Pop.
The Twins.
Every time she muttered a feeble counter curse to what Ky assumed was a boggart.
Mrs Weasley could barely rasp out the spell, Harry let go of her hand and rushed to the woman.
Pop.
Harry lay there. His emerald orbs empty…. empty like cold grey ones.
No… Not now. She can't think about that now. She can’t…
No.
No.
Ky didn't register that she had moved further into the room, also walking towards Mrs Weasley.
Pop.
There was Linus.
The scariest thing was that he looked exactly like he did in his present state.
No.
Pop.
Lenzo, his beautiful hazel eyes turned dark brown as it was robbed of life and light.
Pop.
There was nobody on the floor this time. This time the tall figure was on his feet, his neat brown hair, and grey eyes cold, but burning with ire as he glared at Ky. He lifted his finger up and pointed it straight. He started muttering but no sound came out. Ky couldn't tear her eyes away from the face filled with accusation.
Pop.
There was a silver moon.
"Ridikulus."
And then there was just smoke.
She was on her knees, unsure when that had happened. Her head felt so heavy, and her breathing was coming out in wet gasps. Her hands were fisted in her hair. But all she saw was Linus.
Linus looking exactly as he did right now. And him. And those haunting grey eyes.
Someone tried pulling her hands out of her hair, but Ky resisted.
"Shut up!" She flinched at the thunder in his voice. "You obviously made your mind up before you even got here today and I'm a fucking idiot for even telling you half the things I did. I thought you were different…I guess you are…just in the wrong ways." He walked away and stopped in the doorway, breathing heavily, "You know most of the school is out there with their support Cedric Diggory badge…yet the only person…the one person that I want…that I need to have one…"
"Cedric-"
But he left. He was gone just like that.
No. No. No. She can't think of this. Not now. No! There were figures around her, voices, but she couldn’t focus on a single sense, everything was fading around her as if the lights were dimming darker by the second…
Linus’ twinkling blue eyes danced loudly in the dimly lit corridor, his clean-shaven pale face luminescent in the darkness. “A bit eager, aren't we?" Linus chuckled into the void.
A man with straw coloured hair emerged. He had a smile that made his square jaw more pronounced. "Wouldn't think you would complain. Especially with that pretty blonde number that you have to get home to."
The chuckle died off Linus’ lips; he stared at the man cautiously, his eyes narrowing, sensing something was afoot. A jet of red came out of nowhere and Linus fell to the floor screaming in agony.
A masked figure, wand withdrawn, cloaked in black emerged from the shadows. He nodded to the straw haired man, who walked forward, not even batting an eye to Linus’ screams.
Two more figures emerged, circling Linus. His face already pallid with pain, his blue eyes lacking its usual twinkle.
Ky’s eyes popped open. She felt as if her head set alight, pain tingling throughout her scalp, sharp and pervasive. She tasted rust on her lips, and she must have bit through them.
Her thoughts evaporated as she felt familiar hands around her, and she processed the lively midnight blue hue looking down at her just before the room dimmed to complete darkness.
A/N: Thank you for reading! A lot going on in this chapter - what do you think of Harry and Sirius’ ‘Talk’ ? It was fun to write :) Feedback will be much appreciated !
Chapter 9: Hounds on My Way Home
Chapter Text
Disclaimer: Anything that’s familiar doesn’t belong to me.
Harry had no idea where Linus came from, but he managed to calm Ky down. She lay limp in his hands, her face streaked with scarlet, that image scarred onto his eyelids like some ugly tattoo that emerged every time he blinked.
Linus could barely stand on his own, but he refused to let anybody else touch her. Ky must have suffered another premonition. Harry didn't realise the boggart had turned to her; he was so busy trying to help Mrs Weasley.
He finally managed to get his legs moving again and ran after Linus and watched as he lay Ky down on the sick room bed. Agnes was already there with a handful of potions, Madam Pomfrey following quickly behind her. The matron looked around the room, which was full.
"Would you all kindly leave. All of you. Please." She looked at Linus pointedly. He didn't budge though, and collapsed in the bed next to Ky. Lenzo finally rushed in. Harry felt someone push him to the door, and he looked up to see Ron. He looked back at Ky, she was pale, but that's usually what happens right? A reaction to her premonition…that’s all… she had to be okay.
He walked out of the room just realising that someone was tugging at his hand. He looked down and saw Hermione. Her mouth was moving. She was speaking, but he couldn't hear a thing.
Ky was going to be OK…She had to be okay…
"….? What happened before Harry? I heard something about a boggart? Was it not a boggart? Did it attack her? Is she-"
"She's OK, Hermione. I think. Premonition. I think. It was a boggart." He didn't want to repeat what Ky had seen. Of course, seeing Cedric would be amongst her worse nightmares. He was her dead boyfriend…or ex-boyfriend…or whatever they were. Seeing him dead in Harry’s dreams every night was damaging to him, he couldn’t imagine what it must be for her. He was so utterly useless back there, he couldn't even calm her down.
The passage suddenly felt really crowded, so he walked aimlessly to the stairs; Hermione was too preoccupied with her conversation with Agnes to notice.
Harry’s scar seared with pain, and he slapped it with force. He couldn't get the look on her face out of his head.
He walked into the bedroom he shared with Ron, and sat on his bed, one corpse after another replaying in his head. That photo that Mad Eye showed him, full of dead people…Dumbledore ignoring him…not allowing him to join the Order…Mrs Weasley's sobs…Voldemort…Ky lying on the floor…bleeding. Harry couldn't even move when he saw her… he was paralysed… this angered him, he usually reacted. Though, there was a fire in his gut when he looked at her, a burning desire to protect so overwhelming that it scared him…
Was he already so attached to her that the thought of her hurt, can cripple him like this…right now all he could think about is how the only thing that can make him breathe normally again were her lips.
“Mate?”
Harry turned to Ron, who was giving him a pitying look. His best friend walked forward and pulled the pillow out of his hands. He looked down as the feathers floated to the floor, he had torn the pillow. He took a seat across from him, his elbows on his knees, all seriousness.
“She’ll be fine mate. She just needs some rest. Probably stressed from confronting a boggart. You remember our first time?”
It wasn’t the boggart. Something else happened, Harry was sure of it. Seeing the boggart perhaps triggered it. He couldn’t talk though. He couldn’t even seem to breathe.
“If you want, I can keep a look out while you grab the cloak…you can see for yourself that she’s OK.”
Ron looked at him and he shook his head in response to his suggestion, “She is OK.”
It wasn’t a question. She had to be…what if this triggered some delayed reaction to what that bastard Blishwick had done to her last year. Blishwick. Every fibre of his being was seeing red now as he thought about the man. He wanted to do nothing more than have his neck between his hands and watch the life leave his eyes. Something pushed hard against his arm, and Harry looked up, the red receding. Ron was looking at him, his blue eyes brimming with concern.
“Harry just calm down. She’s OK. You said it yourself. Wait here. I’ll get bandages. Just…calm down.”
Ron walked out of the room, and he looked at his palms. He had clenched his fist so tightly that he had dug into his flesh. He heard the door open again and Ron was back, he grabbed his hand, but Harry pulled back. He didn’t feel like being tended to. Ron didn’t fight him and sat back down.
“We kissed.”
Ron looked up but his face held no hint of surprise. “When?”
“Few days ago. When Linus came back injured. Again today. Twice.”
Still no shock. He didn’t ask how it was. If it were any other girl, he knew he would. But this was Ky.
“Are you guys dating?”
“No, she doesn’t want that.”
“You asked her?”
“I overheard her discussing it with Hermione.”
He didn’t respond. Harry flopped back on the bed.
“She’ll be OK mate.”
She better be.
Or what will happen to him?
-x-x-x-
The next day, Harry looked out the window of the train, watching the landscape pass by in a blur of green. Neville chatted to Ginny about the new plant he got from some uncle of his. The weird blonde girl kept staring at him, but it didn't even bother him. Harry was too deep in thought about the fact that Ky wasn't on the train to Hogwarts with him and it bothered him more than it should…
-x-x-x-
Ky sensed the light seeping through her eyelids. She didn't feel like opening her eyes just yet though, she wasn't keen on the pain.
"…anyway of stopping it?"
"The Old Man said he did some research, and no he doesn't think so. He spoke to one of the Professors at school that has some experience in the area of premonitions; Minerva thought it would be useless and turns out she was right. Over the summer he did visit someone in France that may be of help, I think that's where he has gone to now."
"I don't get it. If they’re just premonitions or whatever, why does it hurt her so much?"
That was Nessie. Ky could feel her speaking more than hear her, her fingers were brushing the hair off her forehead, a nervous habit she had that she saw the woman do to Linus many a time.
”That's what we're trying to-"
Ky didn't listen to the rest of it and sprang up.
That was Linus' voice!
Nessie, Len and Linus stood in shock around the bed, but she didn’t care though; she ignored the slender fingers trying to push her down and crawled to the end of the bed. She was already in long, lean arms before she reached the end, Linus pressing soft kisses into her hair. Another pair of hands joined the huddle, and she spotted Nessie in the background, sporting a tearful smile.
"This is becoming too much of a habit Principessa."
She looked up at Len’s warm hazel eyes, such a contrast to the cold disappointing look she was growing used to these past few days.
"I'm so sorry." And she really was. It wasn't the boggart that made her see the error of her ways, or the premonition. The premonition!
"Linus! Please don't go. You can't go today. A man with straw hair will betray you! He's working with death eaters. They come. They attack you. The torture curse, they use the-"
Linus and Lenzo exchanged a look that surpassed even shock. Nessie rushed forward, papers rustling in her hand. She grabbed a piece from the stack and pushed it into her face,
"Was it this man?"
Ky looked down at the newspaper, at a man in the bright blue suit, he had a kind smile framed in a square jaw, and the caption called him Sturgis Podmore.
She nodded. Agnes looked at Linus, but he turned to his little sister, "Is this…is this the first time you saw that…vision?"
"Yes."
"No dreams prior to that?"
She thought for a second, "No. No, I would have remembered-"
He took out his wand, "Expecto patronum."
A large misty version of Fawkes flittered out; it hovered in front of Linus patiently. "It wasn't a premonition. She had a vision of what happened the day I was attacked." The phoenix bowed its head slowly and disappeared.
"That's what happened the day you were attacked? You were tortured! Linus-"
"Ky I can't discuss this with you. Did you see anything else? Anything else that you can remember. Think!"
She bit her lip, urged on by the desperate tenor in his voice. This seemed to be important. "No…I can't tell you much about the death eaters, they're designed not to leave any physical clues aren't they…I can't even tell you about your surroundings, everything was dark."
Lenzo nodded and rubbed her arm sympathetically, "That's fine, Ky. It's actually a good thing, safer. Why don't you sit back down…rest a while."
She didn't hear the rest of his sentence though. Thinking of what she had seen happen to Linus, made her think about what she had seen prior to that. Mrs Weasley…
Is that what it means to be a parent? A guardian? To love someone so much that you don't go a second without worrying about them. And to be powerful enough to harbour this concern for multiple people at a time. Is this what she had done to her brothers? Was that what they saw when they slept? When they closed their eyes? Is that why they had sent her so far away…just for peace of mind because the other option would have them going crazy with worry, that she was here, in the midst of it all. Linus even left the love of his life to come and fight a fight that wasn't his. Not really. He didn't love this world; not like Ky did. He loved her though, they both did.
"I'm so sorry." She choked out, hugging them both. She couldn't say anything further. She was so ashamed of herself. She threw all the sacrifices they made for back in their faces. She didn't deserve to be loved by them.
"It's OK…it's not entirely your fault. We should have…"Linus for once looked to Lenzo for help, and he filled in quickly.
"Made a better attempt to see you. Both of you." Lenzo turned and looked at Nessie, "You're family. And you were right. Family sticks together. We should have at least come and visited…shown our faces so you could rest a little easier. Calm you down so you wouldn't have to do something as reckless as you did."
Ky raised her eyebrows at him, is he giving her a speech about recklessness. Him?
"Look, I don't like being angry at my girl." Linus’ use of the singular didn't go unnoticed, and Ky quickly passed a glance at Nessie, "So I would really appreciate that you learn a lesson from this…I don't know what I would do…Ky I…"He couldn't finish the sentence, emotion dripping from his eyes. He grabbed her and pulled her to his chest, "I love you."
And then, he didn't have to say anything else.
"I love you." It came out quite muffled as she had spoken into his shirt. She turned and ran to Lenzo, who scooped her up and gave her a twirl and a peck on the forehead.
"I love you Principessa."
"I love you Lenzo."
He set her back down on her feet. She quickly launched herself on to Nessie before she could think twice and change her mind. Who was she kidding? She’d probably do the same if she had thought twice. Nessie hugged her back, tears wetting Ky’s hair,
"Please, no more visions, of the past or present. Look at my face! Bags, Ky! Bags! I need my beauty sleep."
She let go of her, and laughed, appreciating her attempt to lighten the mood despite wiping tears from her face. Ky turned around the room, kind of disappointed that Mi, Harry, and Ron weren't there.
"Where's Mi?"
"Probably on the Hogwarts Express. I hope they get there fine."
Ky stopped listening and whipped around, "THE TRAIN…SCHOOL…IT'S TOMORROW TODAY!"
How could they not wake her up!
"Ky, calm down. You aren't rested enough. We don't know what effect these visions are having on your body. You're bleeding through your nose; we are not hundred percent sure where it's coming from. The Old Man is looking for experts as we speak.”
She was practically bouncing from foot to foot. This isn't fair. She needed to be on the train. She can't miss it! She looked at Linus' watch as he babbled on. 10:53. Seven minutes. Ugh she can't stay here alone! Ughhhhh she can't think, she just wanted to be on the train. That's her fucking train. But she just told them she would be more responsible. And responsible people definitely do not run out of the house and catch the first cab they see. She started biting her nails. She should be on that train!
"OK, I can't watch this. Linus!" Ky’s favourite irresponsible person spoke up; and she watched as Len’s hazel eyes made contact with Linus'.
Ky looked at Linus, but didn’t say a thing, literally biting her tongue, her legs vibrating with anticipation. Ky was responsible. She won't act like a spoiled brat that just wants to get what she wants. She won't run.
"Fine."
"You'll have to be quick. Don't worry about anything! I'll get your stuff to Hogwarts!" She barely comprehended what Nessie said quickly jumped off the bed and planted a huge kiss on her cheek. She dashed out the door and she could hear quick steps behind her.
She knew this was crazy, but one simply did not miss the Hogwarts Express! And the feast! And the magic!
She wanted to go home!
Desperately.
She plunged through the open door and a hand grabbed her, she barely looked back up at the warm hazel eyes as he turned. And with a twist of the stomach, they were gone.
Her feet smacked hard on solid ground.
"Yes! Just in front of the barrier. I am gooood!"
Pop.
"We don't have time for your ego right now Len." Linus quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her through the barrier.
"Go. Just run. I can't deal with you if you miss that train."
She saw the beautiful scarlet train. She took a step involuntarily, as if her body knew this was the yellow brick road to home. She turned to the boys and gave them a huge hug. Only family would do something this illogical to make her happy.
"Thank you!”
"Yes, yes we know, the best and all that, hurry it’s moving."
"We love you, stay safe!"
She turned around and saw the train move. Salazar’s sac! After all that, she was going to miss it! Ky ran towards it, "I love you two too!" She could hear their footsteps as they ran behind her.
Ky spotted bubble-gum pink and bright red in her periphery, and heard voices to match, but she was now running flat out, this was a mad challenge that she had to overcome! She ran as fast as she could, realisation dawning that she wouldn't make it there in time. It just wasn't possible. Physics wouldn't deem it right, not with her momentum.
Woof
She turned and spotted the big, hulking black dog that was running along next to her, his huge eyes smiling and tongue wagging. He kept touching his nose to his back, surely what he was suggesting was not possible! She smiled, four legs where better than one! Ky did what she usually did in these situations, and went with her gut! She hopped on the back of the huge black dog, scared he would buckle under her weight. But he didn’t! This had to be magic at play – this was impossible!
Sirius relentlessly charged forward; and she was shocked at his speed. The door that had seemed so far away before loomed closer; she saw the large metal handle that bordered the open entrance to the closest carriage. She lunged for it and missed. This seemed to urge the dog on as the next time she clutched cold metal, and she swung forward hard.
Her feet clapped on the steps, one higher than the other but there, nevertheless. Her body pressed hard against the door of the carriage. She couldn’t believe it. That was bloody brilliant. She waved at the massive black dog whose tail was wagging so fast one could barely see it. Linus and Lenzo caught up with the dog. Lenzo had a huge smile on his face, he loved the adrenaline rush. Linus on the other hand looked like it only just hit him now the senseless craziness that he just aided in. Ky smiled and waved and blew kisses at the three.
Who needed physics when you had family?
Who needed physics when you have magic!
Ky pushed the door into the compartment, grinning madly.
She was going home.
-x-x-x-
Her smile was short lived as she entered the compartment to be confronted by six wands. It quickly became three upon recognition. And in another second it became one.
Just one.
Ky looked down at the wand. The owner looked just as fake as she had done last year. Her blue eyes spiked with venom.
Expelliarmus
Tracey Davis’ wand zoomed easily out of her hand. Teddy caught it with ease. Ky bit her lower lip to hide the smile that almost too easily wanted to appear at the sight of the strange boy sitting in the corner. His hair shining dark due to the poor lighting, he hadn’t bothered looking up from the book in his hands, the petite blonde's wand hanging from his fingers limply.
"How dare you, Theo!"
He looked up, his eyes dark as they landed on Davis, "Me? Would you like to explain to Dumbledore how his granddaughter was…oh wait that was stupid of me. I was operating under the assumption that you were competent enough to accomplish magic. Here. Take your little stick back."
Teddy Nott threw the wand and it fell on the floor. Tracey Davis picked it up, glared at Ky and then stormed out of the compartment.
"Nice arse."
Ky looked to the smooth voice; Blaise Zabini’s face was held in its usual prison of boredom. He sat with his right leg up, his right arm stretched out so that his hand hung over his knee, casually holding three wands. She guessed she must have missed the part where he disarmed Crabbe and Goyle.
Kysmirked a greeting at Zabini, "Thank you. I've been waiting all this time just wondering when Blaise Zabini would notice my arse."
She heard a quiet chuckle, and didn't have to look far to see Daphne Greengrass. She was sat next to Zabini, the left side of her hair looked slightly dishevelled. She gave Ky an amused grin, of course she wouldn't care that her…person…looked at another girl's ass. And why should she? The summer had been kind to her, she was somehow, if possible, even more beautiful than last year.
Ky heard a small sniff and looked to her other side; it was a girl. She couldn't be more than thirteen but much like many of the girls in Slytherin she already had the makings of beauty. She had dark flowing hair and Greengrass' intelligent eyes; it lacked the glint of amusement though. She hadn't even bothered taking out her wand, but something told Ky this girl's talent lied outside magical skill. She held her stare, not even blinking.
The door to the compartment opened, "….need to learn that we are above such things such as patrol duty."
Ky heard the shrill voice before she saw the petulant face. Her light brown eyes widened when she spotted her, Pansy Parkinson’s hair had changed from its usual mousy brown colour to a jet-black fancy bob that made her complexion seem as pale as Greengrass'.
"Pansy move. You're blocking the way."
Pansy bristled at the velvety voice as if he had slapped her and called her fat.
Malfoy quickly froze in his tracks though, his light grey eyes wide as he spotted Ky. He had grown a good few inches, he wasn't as tall as Zabini who was just shorter than Ron, but he was taller than Teddy and they had been the same height the previous year. His shoulders also seemed to have broadened slightly, and he held them stiffly, the bright silver ‘P’ shiny on his chest.
Pansy opened her mouth, but Ky held a hand up, "Fuck you Parkinson."
Ky wasn't in the mood to have her mood spoiled, especially by Pug-face Parkinson and anything from her mouth was a guaranteed kill-joy; she walked towards the door, keen to finally get out of the compartment and find Mi.
"How dare you, you fat bitch! Ten points off Gryffindor! And a detention!"
Ky laughed and shook her head, not even entertaining her with the fact that prefects can't give detentions, nor can they deduct points, until they got to Hogwarts. "Well step aside, this fat ass needs all the space it can get."
Ky heard Zabini laugh loudly at that. Pansy was so easy, and her insults were so boring. She didn't budge though, and Ky had already reached the door. Ky sighed, she was really missing her wand right about now, she was an idiot for not snatching it up before she left. What kind of witch forgets her wand? Luckily nobody noticed yet.
She turned and looked at Malfoy, "Move."
"Ask nicely."
Ky cocked her eyebrow at Malfoy, he was really playing this game?
She walked up to Parkinson, there was a small gap between her and the door frame. Malfoy stood behind her, not fitting through the gap, however, Ky could just about fit through, assuming Malfoy got out of her way once she did. Ky stepped forward and put all her power into the swing of her hip and bumped Parkinson, catching her unaware.
Pansy stumbled forward, falling onto the Daphne-look-alike, who didn't take kindly to that and quickly pushed her off, resulting in Parkinson falling spread eagle on the floor.
It was not a flattering sight.
Ky laughed loudly; Zabini's merging with her own and went for the gap that the now absent Pansy allowed Ky to walk through. She hit solid wall though and fell backwards at the force of the rebound. She had walked into Malfoy's chest, but the impending pain of flesh impacting cold floor didn't hit her.
“Thornton, you fat cow! Get the fuck off me right this very instant! I can't breathe!"
"Parkinson you scrawny little bitch, your ribs are poking my ass!"
Ky looked up at the smirking Malfoy, a good enough sport not to let the cacophony of laughter affect her. He pushed off the door frame and held out a hand for her…really…did nobody learn?
She pulled with all her strength, whilst simultaneously lifting herself up with the momentum. Ky rushed through the door as Malfoy fell forward, turning to see his face now buried in Parkinson’s bosom, uttering swear word upon swear word as he resurfaced. Parkinson had finally shut up and Ky winked at her as she blushed, walking away and thinking the bitch owed her one.
Ky barely walked two steps though when she heard someone scream,
"DUCK"
Luckily, she did as she was told, because the wall where her head was two seconds ago was now on fire.
Fred rushed over, putting it out with water. Lee and George ran out of the compartment, each giving Ky a hug.
"Sorry Princess. Firework went wonky, just trying to fix the hitch."
"No problem, Georgie, probably shouldn't point it inside the train though, maybe out the window?”
“Haha, point taken. Hey, I thought you were only getting back to school in a few days."
Ky smiled at Fred, "Change of plans. There was a conflict in the schedule."
They laughed, “Let me guess, by conflict you mean a tantrum, performed impeccably by yours truly.”
“Well, if dramatics are required one might as well do it in style.”
"Is something burning." They looked down the corridor as Padma Patil sniffed at the air like a blood hound.
"Ohhhh first time prefects." Lee moaned, and then he smiled at his two best friends as a devious plan graced his face.
"We shouldn’t prank them."
"It would be wrong."
"I get it." Lee added, "It's different this year, your brother's a prefect."
"OK, you convinced us Lee." George turned to Ky, "Care to join us Princess?”
“Haha, no, I have to be looking for Mi. Bye."
She waved, and carried on down the corridor, leaving them to haze the newbie prefects.
Padma Patil looked at Ky suspiciously as she approached, but didn't say anything, so did her prefect partner, Anthony Goldstein, it's just that his face was a few shades redder than hers was.
"Hey Tony. Hey Padma!”
“Hello Ky." Anthony smiled, but Patil just continued staring… well so much for being polite.
As Ky walked down the corridor, she noticed more and more people staring.
So much for the novelty of being the granddaughter of Albus Dumbledore wearing off.
Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil suddenly exited the compartment to her left. Lavender caught sight of Ky and sighed, "Ky, you do know you're in your pyjama’s, right?"
She looked down at the shorts and tee combo she had on.
"I see you're still shopping in the children's section?" Parvati grimaced at her. She and Bobby always took her pyjama choice as a slap in the face of fashion.
Ky didn't care enough to try and explain to them the importance of an autographed John Lennon tee. Faded or brand new, if it fit through your head and on its way down, you wore it!
She did acknowledge this wasn't proper attire though; she didn’t mind being in her pyjamas, just not this specific pair. It must have been the only one Nessie could find; Mrs Weasley had the rest in the wash just before school started.
The shorts were too short and the shirt too tight… congratulations Ky, you got yourself looking like a two-bit ho on your first day again. Perhaps this was becoming a tradition. At least she was wearing a bra…
"Did you see Harry anywhere?"
Lavender looked slyly at her, “No…”, and then exchanged a knowing glance with Parvati.
Ky sighed; she had no time for whatever they were cooking up in their heads.
She spun around and immediately walked into someone. She needed to stop whipping around aimlessly.
"Ooops sorry…Ky! Hey!"
She hugged Seamus and Dean, who had the decency to avert their eyes to the considerable amount of skin she was showing. She was surprised to find she really missed these boys.
"You guys saw Harry anywhere?"
The smiles zapped off their faces instantly. Seamus shrugged and walked off, Dean followed him but said, "Think I saw him two compartments down, on the right."
OK, that was weird…she headed in the direction he pointed out, but just as she reached for the door, it opened. Well, this explained the flock of Ravens in the corridor. Their queen looked at Ky, she didn't look that much different from last year. Which meant she was just as gorgeous as usual.
Yay.
Chang’s eyes fell on her, her expression didn't change but there was something in those black eyes that was different. She waltzed around Ky without greeting, and walked off with her tittering followers, the curly haired brunette staring Ky down right until they reached their own compartment.
Could she know about the conversation she and Cedric had before…
Ky pushed the images that surged forward from the recesses of her mind at seeing Chang, and took a deep, steadying breath. She couldn’t lose herself in that right now…
She entered the compartment, Harry's hand was frozen, wand mid-air, pointing at the slime that was all down his shirt.
"No Potter! Stop. You're wasting it! Place it in a jar." She looked around; saw an empty water bottle in the luggage rack above their heads. She jumped but couldn't reach, so decided to use the space between Neville and Harry as a foothold to get up.
"Woah! Wait. I'll get that." Harry shot off his seat and grabbed the bottle, shaking his head at her, his eyes taking in her scantily clad form.
"Hey Neville. Where did you get the Mimbletonia from?"
His expression changed from a bright blush to a proud smile, "My great uncle Algie got it from Assyria."
"Everyone put their Stinksap in the bottle. Potter pass the bottle around. It's mega rare. Going to breed them? I'll help!"
He smiled, "You just want my Stinksap don't you?"
"Fresh Stinksap isn't an opportunity you pass up." Ky laughed and caught Harry's eye. He was glaring at her... she then remembered the reason why she sought him out in the first place.
Ky turned around, and just as expected, found the rehdead, ”I need clothes Ginny."
"I can tell." She surveyed her quickly, "My clothes are in Ron's trunk though, I just have books in that one."
Ky sighed, it was just like Ginny to be difficult.
"I have clothes."
She looked to the dreamy voice that floated from across Harry, and just noticed the mane of blonde. The girl looked up at her beaming, the smile reached her pretty grey eyes effortlessly.
She was busy scooping the Stinksap from her magazine into the bottle like Ky had asked, and she smiled back at her involuntarily. The blonde dug into a bag that hung at her side and pulled out a shirt and a pair of trousers.
"I'm sorry. They don't match."
"That's cool, thanks Luna."
She smiled, "You knew my name?"
"No. It's on your label here. Don't forget the sap on the window next to you.”
Another dreamy smile, “Sure thing Ky.”
Ky turned towards Harry who was eyeing the conversation with confusion, “Wand, Harry.”
She reached for the stick when he didn’t respond, but he held it away quickly, “Why do you want my wand?”
“Because it’s so awesomely awesome and the bestiest wand ever.” She said, feigning air-headedness. Her tone changed as he rolled his eyes at her. “Why else would I want your wand Potter, to do magic, now hand it over."
She grabbed it and he let her. She made the adjustments to the top and trousers. Luna had a naturally delicate frame, and Ky was wider at the hips and bust.
She threw on the shirt and trousers over her pyjamas, and looked down at the tee and smiled, it was bright yellow with a hand drawn smiley face on it with neat bright pink block print that said, 'Smile, it keeps the wrackspurts away'. The shocking emerald green sweatpants fit snugly, and Luna laughed, "Oh, look Ky, your bum matches Harry's eyes."
Ky laughed and turned to Harry who snatched his wand back. Ahhhh Harry, always in a mood about something or the other.
She squeezed onto the seat between Luna and Ginny, and the latter turned to her, "I thought you were unconscious."
"Funny thing about being unconscious…it's different from being dead. Do you have food? I'm starving and I know your mum packed you lunch."
Ginny rolled her brown eyes but handed her the ham sandwich.
"You were sick, Ky?"
"Yeah Luna, I'm all right now though, nothing to worry about."
Neville furrowed his brows, "What happened?"
"Head problems, but I have the all-clear."
"Oh, I see. Fun ones or sad ones?”
Ky looked at Luna and grinned, "Sad, I guess."
She frowned, " Sorry…I hope the next one will be fun. Like a vision, but a happy vision. You have visions, don't you?"
Ky stared at the strange girl and nodded, ignoring Harry's warning eyes.
"I can tell, you have wrackspurts all over you! They tend to cling to the clairvoyant. That's why you smile so much, to keep them away, don't you?”
"I guess so. How many wrackspurts does Ginny have Luna. Do I have more than her?"
"Oh, Ginny doesn't have any wrackspurts Ky."
Ky smirked at Ginny, "Ha!"
"Oh, don't feel bad Ginny. You may not have wrackspurts, but you do have nargles. Lots of them, they like red hair. I can't be sure without my spectrespecs, they're in my trunk. I can get them if you like."
Just then the door opened, and Mi and Ron walked in; the girl took one look at her and let out a small squeak and hugged her, "Godric KY! You're here? How did you get here? Is there a fireplace on the train? Did you floo here? Are you OK?"
Ky scooted closer to Luna so Mi could squeeze next to Ginny, "I wonder whether you can get a fireplace on a train. But then it will be more of a coal place than a fireplace, wouldn't it. That's if this train uses coal…what does it use? Imagine using the floo to get on a train, it's like transporting to transport, transportception-"
Ginny cut in, "Bat the wrackspurts away and answer the question."
Ky laughed at Mi's stunned expression, “I woke up a few minutes before the train left, side-along apparated with the boys and had a little help from a canine friend to catch up with the train."
She winked discreetly at Harry at the last part.
"That does make sense; goblins used dogs as a mode of transport long before they became muggle pets. That's what drove them to leave the wizarding world, slave labour imposed by goblins."
Everyone turned to Luna.
"That's nonsense. The reason why there aren't many dogs in the wizarding world is because they are not allowed as pets at Hogwarts because they’re incredibly hard to clean up after and need much more attention than cats and toads and owls which are more self-reliant. This makes us more favourable towards cats and such, as we grow used to them in our childhood and the chances of an adult wizard suddenly choosing a dog as a pet is slim, hence the fact that most dogs are owned by muggles."
Everyone then turned to Mi.
"You're terribly misinformed but it's not your fault, it's the wrackspurts-"
Ron sat forward in his seat, a huge smile on his face; his eyes darting from Luna to Mi as if he was watching the most compelling tennis match.
"Ky, help me with the trolley would you." Harry stood and walked out of the corridor; she groaned, not wanting to miss the match between Luna and Mi but followed the boy out of the compartment.
A/N: Thank you for reading! I’m not sure if anybody is keeping up with the story, so I’ve de-prioritized it, so if you leave some feedback to let me know, and I’ll make more of a concerted effort to get these chapters ready.
Chapter 10: To Fly or To Fall
Chapter Text
Disclaimer: Anything that’s familiar doesn’t belong to me.
Harry grabbed Ky’s hand and pulled her to the end of the corridor. Damn, he forgot everywhere was full. He looked at a door that said staff only. Staff? He never saw that before…maybe this is where the old witch with the trolley sat. He looked back, ignoring Ky’s groans about missing some tennis match, and sidled in, recalling that the old witch was on the other side of the train.
The compartment was cramped, lamp lit and smelled of coffee. A pair of needles were knitting in the corner; there was no window and just one seat.
Harry turned and his chest rubbed against hers in the small place. He quickly backed away, trying to focus, and his knees buckled as it hit the edge of a seat, and he fell back onto it. Ky smiled down at him, eyes brimming with mischief and Harry tried to concentrate on that and not what was now right in front of him, rising and falling as she breathed.
He fisted his hands, and stopped himself from even recalling the feeling of smooth skin…of hardened…No. No. You need to find out what happened.
She took a step forward and they were a hair’s breadth away now. Harry blinked, the mist on his glasses not clearing up fast enough. He watched as the eyes of the smiley face on her shirt stretched across her chest…everything seemed to stretch across her chest…
Anger flared in his tummy when he remembered her condition when she entered the compartment earlier. About a hundred boys must have seen her prancing around with shorts so tiny that even Crabbe or Goyle with their small brains could imagine what lay underneath. Even Neville, who was shy and terrified of girls for the most part, practically gawked at her.
With will power he didn't know he possessed, Harry leaned back into the chair and picked his eyes up to her own, fixing onto the grey, which grew curious in a blink.
"What did you see?"
She didn't move, her face remained impassive, "Linus. The day he was attacked. He was betrayed by a man called Sturgis Podmore. Tortured. By death eaters."
He held her gaze and fought the urge to comfort her at having to see that, knowing he wouldn't be able to stop if he even touched her. ”He works for the Order. That wasn't a vision of the future though. I've never heard of anyone having a vision of the past."
"That's what Nonno is looking into. I didn't see anything else; the vision wasn't very clear. The place where Li was, was considerably dark, they didn't tell me anything of course."
"Oh, and just while we're on the topic, would you refrain from discussing matters like this in front of strangers."
"Neville isn't a stranger. Admittedly we don't make enough time for him, but stranger, no he isn't."
"What? No. I wasn't talking about Neville, I was talking about Loony Lovegood."
"Watch your tongue Potter, that's my friend you're talking about!"
"She isn't your friend, you just met her! And then you go and tell her you have visions. And it's a bit suspicious that she already knew your name."
Ky had the decency to blush at being chastised, he was pretty sure she was meant to keep her clairvoyance a secret, ”Yeah! How sneaky of her to know the headmaster’s granddaughter’s name.” She recovered with an eye roll, “And I didn't tell her I had visions; she was the one that told me!”
"And how did she know that!"
"Did you not hear her, it's the wrackspurts."
He rolled his eyes, she was impossible. His eyeballs ended up landing back in their previous position. He swore those two things were magnets. He blinked hard a few times and then looked up and away from her breasts.
"Did Sirius really help you get on the train?"
"Yup. I don’t know how, I figured some charm that made me weigh less…I owe him one, I wasn't about to miss going home. It didn't feel right."
"You should have stayed…rested for a bit. You need rest.” He cleared his throat, which had become very dry, “Are you OK?"
"Wouldn't you have missed me?"
He looked up at her and ignored the question, trying to fight the blush on his face, "You must have had to rush a fair bit. When we left you were still asleep. You must have done quite a bit of convincing for your brothers to allow you to leave the house looking like that."
"Not really. I think I looked quite cut up about not being able to go, but I didn't say anything about it, and I think that played to my advantage. They felt bad and apparated me there on time."
"I wasn't talking about what I am sure was some award winning pouting."
She looked down at Harry, cocking her head to the side, "Are you talking about my pyjamas?"
Pyjamas? Those were not pyjamas; they were rags that should be burned.
"You should know better than to run around half naked. At least you had the good mind to come straight to Ginny for a change of clothes."
She shrugged nonchalantly, and he noticed she was avoiding his eyes.
"You did come straight to Ginny, right, Ky?”
She shrugged again, "I might have bumped into a few people on my way."
There was a burning in Harry’s stomach and his scar gave a pang. He bit back a growl, "Like who!”
"Does it matter?"
Harry stood quickly, not fully understanding why his stomach was in a knot and his face felt hot as his scar gave a burst of pain, trying to stabilise his hands from the unnecessary quivering. She didn't step back though, and Harry loomed above her, "Who Ky?"
She raised an eyebrow at him, folding her hands across her chest, her eyes taking on a lethal glint. "It's not your fucking business, Potter."
"It is my fucking business. You need to watch yourself. Especially after what happened last year with that bastard." Another pang went through his scar, Ky ignored it and took another step forward, "I won't have Slytherins’ and the like putting their slimy hands on you."
"Oh, you won't, will you? What about the other houses, do they have your permission, Master Potter."
He looked down at her, her grey eyes burning, her jaw set, and brows furrowed, her hands in fists at her sides.
"Oh yeah you'd like that, what with your penchant for Puffs!"
She reeled back as if he slapped her, "Fuck you, Potter."
"Wait Ky." He didn't let her get past him, regretting what he said once it left his lips. He didn’t know what got into him, the thought of someone attacking her like they did last year…of someone putting their hands on her, other than him…he pushed her lightly against the wall.
He looked down at her powerful eyes, blinking up at him, defiant. Suddenly she reached forward and pulled him down fiercely to her lips, capturing his mouth with force that she returned with ease.
Harry felt a nagging pain shoot through his scar and pulled away, "Who?"
She looked at him, lips bruised and eyes wide. Where the hell did that come from? Why the heck was he still thinking about who she had bumped into when his hands were clamped on Ky Thornton's butt?
He ignored the ache from his scar, why was she being so defensive? Why won't she just say? She must have seen someone…she did take a long while to find them.
"Are you serious?"
"It did take you a conveniently long time to get here."
"Oh, sorry Harry! I was busy giving the Slytherin sixth years a strip tease at the back of the train, you should have joined! I only charged ten galleons but if you want to see some-"
He banged his hands on the wall, boxing her in, "You know what I meant. Be serious, you can't be prancing around with those Snakes anymore Ky. Especially after what happened last year!"
"Oh, and what business is it of yours! I can handle myself-"
"Yeah! Sure, you can! Right till you can't and someone else handles you-"
He flew back as she pushed hard at his chest, pretty sure that there was wandless magic involved.
"You're not my fucking boss Potter! I'll prance wherever the hell I want to prance and with who the fuck I want to. If you want to boss someone around, why don't you go to Chang, I'm sure she'll be up for it! Oh, wait you don't even have to look far, the bitch will probably come sniff you out like she did earlier!"
"Don't call her a bitch Ky, she's obviously dealing with a whole lot of crap right now!”
"Oh, I'm so sorry! Of course, Princess Cho isn't a bitch! I'm the bitch with my slutty ways!"
"Well, if the ridiculously small shorts fit!"
What was wrong with him! It's like he wasn't even thinking, he was just spewing out rubbish. He scratched at his scar as pain shot through it again and again. Ky took a step forward just as the door opened, the witch with the trolley framed in the entrance. She looked from Ky and then to Harry.
"Anything from the trolley dears?"
Ky didn't even answer her and barged through the door. Harry looked at the old lady apologetically, "I'm so sorry Miss…"
"Miss Duke, Mr Potter. And it's fine, as long as you young’un’s didn't disturb my knitting. I've been pushing this trolley for forty years; this isn't the first time I've walked into two lovebirds wanting a little quiet time."
"Er… Thanks…I'll have the lot."
"Oh, thanks Mr Potter." He bought the sweets and grabbed the bags, awkwardly exiting the compartment.
"Oh, and Mr Potter…she is quite a pretty lass. Feisty too…a bit o’ Charm Choc should do the trick."
He nodded at the old lady, knowing that there was no amount of Charm Choc on this planet that would manage to remove the foot that he had so solidly stuck in his mouth.
-x-x-x-
Only fucking Potter would screw up a brilliant thing so royally. Ky was happy, he was happy! At least judging from the look on his face and the fact that he could barely stop staring at her chest. But no! He has to go and demolish everything with his utter bullshit! What in Salazar's sac was he going on about? Since when did he give a damn about how she dressed!
Fine, perhaps it was not the best look to be parading about in this gear, but it's not like she did it on purpose! And here she thought he understood what was going on between them. That it was a bit of fun, but no! No! It's perfectly fine to feel her ass up and shove his tongue down her throat without being his girlfriend because it pleasures him, but when you mistakenly dress like a slag just once, you're a whore! And Chang! Oh no Chang is a total saint as usual! It's like wherever she turned that damn girl just followed her!
Ky turned into the compartment just as Ginny was leaving it.
"Ky!"
Ugh, sh couldn't deal with Harry right now! Ginny rolled her eyes at the look on her face and side stepped her, heading down the corridor.
"Ky!"
She ignored Harry and caught up with Ginny, knowing he wouldn't want to get into anything if she was there.
"What are you doing?"
"Avoiding Harry. Proceed."
She raised an eyebrow at her, "So you're just using me?"
"Glad we got that out of the way, now you're doing a very poor job of helping me. Can we walk?"
She sighed but continued down the corridor.
Stupid Harry, Ky glowered at strangers as she passed them.
A tall boy with dark hair suddenly appeared in front of them, the door to his compartment left open. He smirked at Ginny and smiled at Ky. She could see a group of boys, all with similar smiles on their faces inside.
"Hello Ky. Hello…"
"Ginny." She said sceptically and Ky was with her on that.
"It's Thornton."
He laughed, a deep laugh that never touched his eyes. "How cute." He looked to his friends, has if to make sure that they knew that Ky wasn't being rude, that she was being cute.
She wasn't.
They made to move on, but he grabbed Ky’s upper arm, albeit not tightly but in a way that was way too familiar for a stranger. She looked at his hand, and then up at him.
"Do you not like your hands?"
He smirked, "Oh I do like my hands. I'm sure you will too… in time." She heard the guffaws of laughter in the background. He traced his finger upwards and then whipped it back as if scalded. He smiled menacingly, her small display of wandless magic obviously not threatening enough.
"It's such a shame that you changed. I so enjoyed your last outfit. Then again, these trousers," He tilted his head to the side and pointedly looked at her butt, not bothering to look up as he spoke, "look amazing on you. Of course, they would look ten times better on the floor…"
Ky looked at Ginny for confirmation. Was she hearing the same thing that she was? Must be, her eyes were popping out of her head. OK, that's it, Ky took a step forward, "Listen here…boy."
He boomed out a thunderous laugh at that, "How cute, she's pretending not to know my name." He turned back to the boys in the room, and they tittered like monkeys. "Oh, but don't worry, you can't lie later on, when you're screaming it in pleasure."
Before she could make a move though, a spell shot between her and Ginny. It hit the boy in the face, and he shrieked like a little girl. He looked up, amidst the boils that were popping up, "CORNER! You fucking-"
"Davies, I won't talk so much, it only agitates the boils."
Ky laughed at the look of realisation that dawned on his face, agitating boils made it burst, and burst boils scar. He ran off towards the washrooms, shutting the door to the laughing boys.
She turned around and her thoughts evaporated. Her mouth was hanging open slightly, dry. She knew this boy…
Ky blinked, trying to get rid of the image of neat brown hair and grey eyes.
"Jack Corner. Of course, I know who you two are. Ginny Weasley and Ky Thornton."
Well, it was true, you'd have to be pretty obtuse not to recognise a Weasley and Ginny was the only girl, and well Ky was Nonno's granddaughter. Ginny was looking pointedly at her, trying to relay some unspoken message. Oh wait, "Thank you." Ky then turned and walked away swiftly the boy that was his best friend.
"Why did Jack Corner help you?"
Ginny caught up quickly, an amazed look on her face. She shrugged, "Why is Davies such an ass? If we had to try to dissect the brains of boys, we would be here all day. Trying to shrink a scalpel small enough."
Ginny laughed, seems Ky’s distraction worked. "He was a toad, wasn't he? I mean you did open yourself up to it by dressing like a total slag but it's none of his business."
Ky turned to her, gesturing profusely. "Exactly! What is up with these guys! They just want to wheedle their way into everything! They're worse than girls!"
She smiled, "Well not all of them. That Jack Corner seems pretty nice. Well, I guess it's expected since he’s a Puff, but still."
She looked at the redhead sceptically, "You have a crush on him?"
"WHAT! NO!" There it was, over the top denial.
Their conversation got cut yet again, but this time there was no obnoxious egotistic boy.
"GINNY! GODRIC! HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN?"
It seemed Ky spoke too soon. A tall girl with a way too short skirt (where was Potter now, huh? Why wasn't he calling her a slag!), and dirty blonde hair with red highlights bounded towards them. A pale girl with black hair and a tall Asian girl followed, but this was obviously the leader. Ginny didn't look excited at all at seeing the girl, she actually took a step back. The girl rounded her light brown eyes on Ky, "KY THORNTON!" Why was she screaming? Why? Wait…what the fuck is on her lip. Was it a mole? OK don't look…don't look.
"WHY DON'T YOU GUYS JOIN US!"
"Thanks, Loudelle, but Ky and I actually have some place to be."
"OH, WE CAN COME WITH?"
"No…actually we were just heading back. Bye."
Ginny quickly grabbed Ky’s hand and whirled around. She didn't resist, still getting over the fact that the girl’s name was actually LOUDelle.
"And I thought I had it bad with Bobby and Parvati! Those are your roommates!"
She shook her head, "You're one to talk. You're not exactly the best roomie. What with the amount of detentions you get, you're always disturbing everyones sleep. I heard Lavender complaining about it."
"Oh, and you're the perfect roommate, Snorezilla!"
"I do not snore!"
"Oh, you so do! And I am not as bad as Loudey McMolesville over there!"
Ginny's face crumpled from angry to laughing, "You know what the saddest fucking part is. That's a fake mole. Apparently, she overheard Terry Boot saying that he thought he found moles on girls hot and she's been wearing it ever since."
"That's disturbing! Boot looks like such a normal bloke.”
"Oh, I asked him about it. He made a mistake; he meant beauty spots. Too bad Loudelle doesn't know that."
They laughed, when had Ginny stop being such a spoiled little brat?
She realised they were both laughing and stopped abruptly when they reached the door of the compartment. They walked in, and Ky went straight for the seat furthest away from Harry, shooting him a glare that warned him not to speak to her. She took a large bite of the Charm Choc that he must have left for her on the seat. Her glare grew more pronounced – all the Charm choc in the world would not make her forgive him and he was an idiot for trying!
-x-x-x-
"This is just like Ky!!" Hermione grumbled for the tenth time.
"Mione' just calm down. I'm hungry too OK!" Ron sighed and turned to Harry, muttering "girls”.
He was preaching to the choir. Hermione turned her sharp eyes on him, "I am not doing this because I am hungry! I am doing this because I am worried!"
"Why are you worried? She's gone to see Dumbledore, isn't it?"
She turned her fire on Harry, "Well if you didn't notice Dumbledore is here already Harry!"
He looked up at the head table and she was right. Dumbledore was here already, busy listening to a short lady whispering into his ears. The lady looked like she was colour blind, save for the colour pink. She dressed like a five-year-old from the neck up and a maiden aunt from the neck down. She had short mousy brown hair that was curly. She was so short, she was standing as Dumbledore sat, yet she spoke comfortably into his ear. She turned to take a sip from her goblet and recognition hit him. That was the witch from his hearing.
"…it isn't enough that Hagrid isn't here. Ky disappears as well."
"She hasn't disappeared Mione' she's probably changing. You know she didn't carry any clothes. That's why she is taking so long."
"What if something happened? When Ky isn't where she is supposed to be it usually means someone has taken her!"
"It's that Umbridge woman."
"What! Who? Why would she take Ky?"
"What's an Umbridge. Sounds like a bad hair style."
Harry ignored Ron and looked at Hermione, "From my hearing. She works for Fudge…what is she doing here?"
Hermione turned and stared at the head table, her face flashed from worried to confused to comprehension to worry again.
"Oh No. No…No."
Harry didn't get to ask her what she was talking about as the Great Hall doors just banged opened. They all turned their heads, hoping it was Ky. He wasn't worried initially, but Hermione had him convinced now. She was gone for a while. Like he didn’t have enough to worry about with Hagrid's absence and Umbridge's appearance…why can't Harry just have one day of peace at Hogwarts. He watched as the little first years started filing in.
He watched the Sorting Hat, distracted enough by its warning. He didn't know it did that. Well, he guessed it did have the minds of the Founders in it. He looked to the door, something he was unconsciously doing for minutes now. The sorting began…OK now he was officially worried.
Hermione looked like she wanted to jump up and look for Ky. They were just being paranoid though. This is Hogwarts. Dumbledore didn't seem bothered in the least by her absence…but Snape was back. Snape was the one that had called her initially…OK, he’ll look for her if the sorting finishes and she still doesn't show up.
It finished and it seemed Ron had reached the exact same decision as Harry had, as they both stood and turned to each other. Nobody noticed though, nobody even glanced at them, as all their heads were now glued to the entrance after the doors slammed open.
The sound of the banging door wasn't what stole the attention though. It was the sight below it, of Kyrianna Thornton hovering over a body….
-x-x-x-
"That's ludicrous." Hermione sighed and turned to Luna as the carriage rattled on. Potter was still staring out the window; deep in thought…probably about writing to the Pope about getting Chang a sainthood…Ginny, Ron and Neville were paying attention to the Luna-Mi conversation.
"I don't see how."
"Well for one thing Luna, there is no such thing as a werecat in the Wizarding world."
"That's because they have never been spotted because they only change on the Meridian Eclipse which occurs once every three hundred years."
"THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A MERIDIAN ECLIPSE. Have you ever seen one?"
"Well, no…"
"Exactly!"
"Just because I haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist."
"I agree with you wholeheartedly." Neville and Ginny raised their eyebrows in surprise at Hermione’s words, but Ky knew what was coming next. "I haven't seen a sphinx. But I know it exists. Because on page 72 of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, they have a recount on how Belzibar the Beast first encountered the Sphinx."
Luna, who was passively engaging in the conversation, had turned and looked out the window halfway through Hermione’s little tirade. Hermione turned to Ky, chest puffed out, "Is she ignoring me?"
"Yes. Yes, she is Mione'. What are you going to do about that? Go on."
Ky laughed at Ron as he prodded the Dragon. The carriage stopped and she stood, ignoring Potter like she had been for the past few hours. She heard him heave a sigh as she jumped off the carriage. Well, what did he expect, he practically called her a prostitute and then went all crazy control freak boyfriend. He sucked the fun out of it. Ahhhh and here was her favourite fun-sucker of them all,
"Sensei!" Ky beamed up at him, it had been ages! The last time she saw him was the day they got to Grimauld place. He didn't return her smile; this was a relief though. If he had, she would know for sure that it was an imposter.
"Follow me." Ky turned around to tell Mi that she was heading off with Sev, but she already left to do prefect duty. She looked at Harry and he smirked slightly; she’d tell Ginny before she told him. She turned to look for the redhead, but she and Luna had already left. Ha, she guessed Potter will just have to tell Hermione that he saw her leave with Sev because she wasn't going to tell him. She turned and waltzed after Sev.
"So, when did you get back to the castle?"
No answer.
"Do you know where Hagrid is?"
Nothing.
"Oh, you probably can't tell me. Do you know when he will be back?"
Nada.
"He is OK, right?"
Silence for a few moments, "I haven't heard otherwise."
"That's good. I found a lot of old potion ingredients at Black manor. Some look dead useful. Sirius let me take them."
"You may play with handouts from dogs, but you shall not bring them into my lab. Is that clear?"
Ky shook her head…talk about stubborn. She smiled at Nick as he floated by, and he tipped his head to her. Of course, it fell off onto his shoulder. That made her giggle, she missed this place. She scratched the painting of the yin yang kitten that was near Nonno's office. It purred gratefully, its black and white fur distorted with the mouth movement. She waved at Sir Hawthorne, making a mental note to tell the Fat Lady that not so little Bo Peep was blushing up at him. As they got onto the moving staircase, Ky looked up at Sev, he was very pointedly ignoring her.
"So, I made a new friend."
A quick glance, he seemed to be biting the inside of his cheek. "A boy?"
"No. Not that it matters. Her name is Luna Lovegood."
"The strange Ravenclaw girl."
"She is not strange…well actually she is quite strange. I find it charming."
"Of course, you would." He turned and walked away.
"Where are you going?"
"I was told to escort you to the headmaster's office Miss Thornton." And with no further explanation he turned on his heel and waltzed off…. the only thing she comprehended was the ‘Miss Thornton’.
The door clanged open, and she was whipped into the air. It had only been hours, but she was happy to see the boys again.
"How are you feeling?"
She was surprised at the voice. It was Nessie. She pushed her way through and gave Ky a big hug. It's amazing what a few weeks could do, she thought, as she returned the warm hug from the last person that she ever thought to accept it from. She held Ky at arm's length, observing her, "Are you feeling lightheaded? Has all the pain gone? Poppy says to go straight to her if you have the slightest bit of pain." She fiddled in her bag, "I brought some headache tonic just in case. Keep it on you; take it when you feel the headache coming on, don’t wait till it becomes too severe."
She handed her the tiny bottle and her wand with the fondina.
Linus cleared his throat and Nessie backed away awkwardly. Wait…did they not work stuff out? She knew it had only been a night since he woke up and she was out for most of it…but he did forgive Nessie, right? The blonde looked awkwardly at Linus, who didn't return the look. She gave a watery smile, "I'll just be outside." She rushed to the door, "Oh, and all your things have been sent to the dorm. I instructed Kinky to lay your uniform out on the bed." She didn't turn around as she said this, her voice shaky, and she closed the door to the office.
Ky turned to Linus, and he side stepped what she was going to say, "So Sirius has given Kinky instructions to stay at Hogwarts. So, you should be seeing her from time to time."
"Why is Nessie crying? Are you two not back together yet?"
Lenzo walked to the cupboard which Nonno kept the firewhisky, swiftly poured a shot and downed it in one motion. Ky looked at Linus who smiled down at her shirt, "What are wrackspurts?"
"Why haven't you sorted things out as yet?"
"I have. Everything's OK. You're better. I'm better. A bit stiff but nothing a good massage won't cure."
Ky looked at Lenzo, who busied himself with his second shot, avoiding her eyes.
"You know very well I am talking about Agnes."
This was no time for jokes. Linus didn't see how she was when he was sick. She never left his side but for a few minutes. She even ate her dinner there and only when Tonks or Mrs Weasley brought it to her. Sometimes Remus or Sirius would have to carry her up to her bed when they walked in to find her sleeping awkwardly in the chair. Of course, once she awoke, she would walk straight back to his side. She had even stopped brushing her hair for some time, something she only rectified when Ky pointed out that she would look a mess when Linus eventually came to.
Linus matched her serious countenance, "My relationship with Agnes is not up for discussion Ky. Now the old man went to go see that friend-"
"Do you love her?"
He halted mid-sentence and then continued, "-from France. She said she has to do some research on your case. She said she'll do so discreetly, ask some questions amongst her inner circle. I think-"
"Do you?"
“- I think she will be able to help. She's quite-"
"You do, don't you."
"Stop it Ky." It wasn't Linus, it was Lenzo. He finally placed the shot glass down, "That's enough. This isn't our business."
"The hell it isn't. She's family!"
"No, she isn't!" Linus snapped at her; he took a deep breath. "I know…I know you and her have gotten close over this summer."
"This has nothing to do about our relationship! This has to do with her. As a person. Linus you must see it, she has changed. If you could only see the way she is at headquarters. People depend on her-"
"That is enough Ky. Just drop it, OK!"
His blue eyes blazed at her, but she stood her ground, "I have never been so disappointed in you before. Didn't you always tell me to err is human but to forgive is divine? Now you won't forgive her! You won't take her back!"
"SHE WON’T TAKE ME BACK." He shouted, and staggered slightly, clutching the desk. Lenzo rushed forward but Linus swatted his hand away. He steadied himself and Ky hadn't reacted because her heart had momentarily stopped. She completely forgot that Linus was still in recovery. He hadn't passed out from mere exhaustion like she had, he had been tortured…Ky rushed forward and hugged him. He patted her hair and she let go after a while.
"Are you OK?"
He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. "Of course. Just tired. All that running around in the morning. Seemed kind of silly when you think of it. You could have just flooed here. Or disapparated with us. But then, I suppose it's the journey…. not the destination. I better get back…Lenzo will you bring her back?"
Lenzo nodded and Linus pecked her on the forehead, "Have a good term Ky."
He walked to the fireplace.
Ky turned to Lenzo, he ruffled her hair as the green flames of Linus’ exit dulled to red again, "Don't worry kiddo. They'll sort things out. Just give them time. You better get dressed, you're late for the feast. Take the floo to the common room, the Old Man set it up for you. I swear he worries just as much as Linus does. Apparently, his little princess should get all the rest she needs. I'm just going to write a note for Filius and then I'll be going."
He hugged Ky and sat down on their grandfather’s chair to pen his note.
Ky walked to the fireplace resolutely. She mechanically placed the floo powder, choosing not to say goodbye to Nessie. She didn't deserve it. Not at all. After she so royally screwed up her life.
She walked out of the fireplace into the deserted common room. This empty place didn't feel like home. Ky took the steps two at a time. She was dressed in a minute. She didn't miss this damned constraining skirt.
She bent to pull up her socks and swayed as the dizziness hit her. She blinked trying to rid herself of it, but everything got dimmer with each blink until she was doused in blackness.
The head of yellow shone brighter in the lit corridor. A gold gilded mirror lay in front of her, reflecting a head of black, long, dancing hair.
Agnes’ slender figure swayed. She looked down…down…six floors…seven? The staircase criss-crossed as they moved, conveniently moving aside to make a perfect path for her on her way down…down…
Agnes McQueen smiled. A smile that could raise a thousand wands. Her ocean blue eyes serene, hypnotic, dazed, as she swayed and then took a step forward…. down…down.
Ky fell hard onto the floor. The pain shocked her eyes open. Nessie! Ky ran out the door, subconscious Ky keeping the pain at bay.
She concentrated on the vision. Clues. There were always clues. There must be something. She ignored the Fat Lady's shouts and turned left.
Nessie had been on the sixth or seventh floor central staircase in her vision. There were no portraits.
Ky closed her eyes and squinted at the image in her mind. There was a mirror! A gold gilded one…. black hair…a person? Wait! She knew that mirror! It was the secret passage on the sixth floor that leads to the library! That was the only secret passage that Hermione had ever shown her! Ky raced down the steps and turned the corner and then saw her.
Ky started running down the corridor; she could see Nessie on the steps. She could see the stairs from above floating downwards and it looked like Nessie was patiently waiting like any normal person for the stairase to reach…but Ky knew better.
"NESSIE!"
She didn't even turn around. Not even a flicker of recognition.
"AGNES!"
Nothing…Ky pushed herself faster as she saw Agnes take a step forward, just one sack of flesh on bone that was her foot keeping her from falling. Ky saw the steps from above descending but not fast enough.
"NESSIE"
Ky just touched on the bottom steps and took them two at a time, praying that Agnes wouldn't take the next step. She watched in horror as Nessie’s left foot left the top step, and Ky flung herself forward.
She collided with her soft body and held Agnes tightly around her waist…but Ky knew that she was too late, as she felt the air rush through her body and her feet leave the ground, their heads a raging mixture of yellow and black as the staircases rushed past them in a blur of brown as they fell from the sixth floor all the way down…
A/N: Ky can never have a peaceful first night back in Hogwarts it seems! Thank you so much for reading - your feedback is always appreciated.
Chapter 11: The Black That made Her See Red
Chapter Text
Disclaimer: Anything that's familiar doesn't belong to me
Arresto Momentum
Ky closed her eyes, waiting for the impact. Her spell would have slowed it down a fraction, but they were still bound to get hurt, or fracture something.
Her face slammed onto something surprisingly soft. She turned over and opened her eyes, the staircases floating above them. She felt the body next to hers stir, "Ky."
"Nessie, are you OK?"
"Yes…"
She observed the blonde carefully, her hair was a mass of knots from the wind, but her face didn't convey pain. She looked back at her, brows scrunched in confusion, "Why are we on a bed?"
"The question that is needing asking am why miss Ky is wanting to kill Kinky by giving Kinky a heart attack!"
Ky looked to the little elf that stood to her right, an unusual cross look on her face. Well, that explains the bed. She suddenly realised why they were in this position and turned to Nessie, "What did the person look like?"
"What?"
"The person that imperiused you. What did they look like?"
"Imperiused? Like the Imperius Curse? That unforgivable used to control people?" Her eyes widened and then went back to its normal size as she shook her head, "I wasn't imperiused Ky."
Ky cocked an eyebrow at her, "Then what? You decided to just jump off the staircase of your own free will?"
"Of course not. I fell."
"You fell?" Ky's voice was rising in octaves now. The portrait of the sleeping old warlock muttered an annoyed sound. They had fallen five floors; and they were on the first floor now.
"Yes. I must not have timed the step correctly."
She said it with conviction; and Ky got up quickly, looking up at the stairs above but seeing nobody there, dead, or alive.
"You purposely fell Nessie. I saw it happen." Ky remembered her face; it was so serene and had the glazed look of someone under the imperius curse. And the dark hair of the attacker in the mirror…she was definitely not alone.
"No Ky, you must have seen wrong. Lucky you got there though…"She jumped up quickly, "Lenzo must be looking for me. I didn't mean to venture off so far."
"Venture off?" Nessie was one of those highly respectful of rules, obedient people. She knew better than to run off on her own.
"Yes. I just walked around and got kind of lost. I didn't reach the central staircases for a while…I feel like such a schmuck…I can't believe I lost my footing like that."
"YOU DID NOT LOSE YOUR FOOTING." OK, Ky needed to calm down.
She looked at her disapprovingly. Ky took a deep breath and massaged the bridge of her nose, a habit she inherited from Linus. "You had the Imperius curse on you Nessie. Someone purposely put it on you so you can hurt yourself gravely, or worse. Now we have to go to Nonno, he'll ask the right questions with the right spells to back him up.
Nessie pulled her arm out of the shorter girl's grip and jumped off the bed, "We will do no such thing. I am not speaking to the Professor about this! EVER! I just lost my footing-"
"STOP SAYING THAT! YOU WERE-"
"DON'T SAY IT! I WAS NOT!"
"Then how can you explain falling down from the sixth floor! And don't say you lost your footing. You're about the most graceful person I know!"
"I wasn't watching where I was going OK! I was busy thinking about…. and I just…look Ky, it was a mistake. Nobody needs to know!"
"EVERYBODY NEEDS TO KNOW! Somebody tried killing you!"
"WHY would somebody do that? Now really! I am in no way a threat to anyone here! Plus, why are you so sure that I was being controlled!"
"Because I saw it! In my head… That's how I knew to come! Plus, you didn't even respond to my shouts!"
"I told you I was preoccupied. Just let it go!"
"I am sorry Agnes…I can't…I know you don't want to think of yourself as being controlled but that's what happened. And we're wasting time, we need to go look for this mad fu-"
She grabbed her hand and pulled Ky back, "NO KY PLEASE, PLEASE DON'T! IF YOU TELL, IT WOULD ALL BE FOR NOTHING!"
She turned and looked at Agnes' frightened blue eyes. What was she going on about? She looked at Ky through a layer of liquid sorrow, and the dark haired girl halted.
"They'll kick me out. I won't be allowed to be in the Order anymore…I won't be allowed to be with you guys anymore…"
"Agnes my grandfather will not-"
"I know. But he will HAVE to. That's the deal. I'm only allowed to help on a trial basis, if one thing slips up and I am proven to be the weak link that all sane men deem me, your grandfather agreed to let me go."
"I'd rather see you go, than see you dead!"
"I WOULDN'T!" She screamed at Ky, her bottom lip trembling. "I gave up everything for this. I gave up Linus for this." She finished quietly, tears flowing freely down her face.
Ky looked at her, still slightly turned away. She adjusted herself to be in front of Agnes.
"You gave him up?"
Agnes bit her bottom lip trying to stop the tears, but held her gaze, "He…said he wanted me back. That there were a lot of things we had to work on and a lot of things he wouldn't be able to forget like me lying to him about being in London and endangering your safety…but he could forgive. Just like he hoped I would do too. I agreed wholeheartedly, I was so close to losing him for good…I'd give him anything…but then…he misunderstood. He thought that everything will go back to normal. That I will go back to being Agnes McQueen, Scottish born New Yorker with a penchant for Prada and parties."
She brushed the tears off her face and wiped her nose with her sleeve. Linus was a fool. Agnes hadn't been that person for ages now. Even before Ky came around. She steadied her voice, "I couldn't…never again." She mumbled. She met her gaze again, "I…I know this isn't my world Ky. I know I don't belong…I know that."
"Rubbish." She sniffed at Ky, "Magic is nothing without people. And it's not just witches and wizards that have magic. It's more than spells, and curses and potions…its strength and courage and hope and faith and loyalty and so many inexplicable things. This is your world just as much as it is mine and it has nothing to do with the fact that Linus is your…was your fiancé."
"I am only accepted here because of Linus."
"No. That isn't true." Ky walked forward and placed a hand on her shoulder, "I see it. I noticed it when you nursed Linus' wounds, and when you welcomed Diggles with a hug. When you were a shoulder for Vance when she found out about her parents. And I see it every single time any Order member gets to quarters and the first person they look for is you. Do you think they do that because you are Linus' fiancé? No. They do that because you are needed. They need you."
She burst out in tears and hugged Ky, "I need them too. I have never felt like this before Ky. I feel…I feel…"She shook her head, but she didn't have to tell her. SHe knew what Nessie meant. She felt useful. Not a lot of people find their purpose in life. When you do, you don't walk away. She pulled herself off Ky, "That's why you can't say anything. Please. If you bring up that you think someone imperiused me…it will be over. I just lost my footing Ky; I was so distracted. By this place and Linus. Please…I'm begging you…please."
It wasn't her words that sold Ky, but the look on her face.
Pure desperation.
"Fine…but you have to be more careful."
She nodded emphatically and gave her a hug. "Thank you."
Ky shook her head at her. She didn't have to thank her; it was them who needed to express gratitude. Them with their wands and their power, the ability to defend…Agnes had nothing. Yet she wanted to do this. To be here. To help when their 'own' kind won't even lend a hand.
Ky turned to Kinky who was patiently waiting, "How did you get here so quickly Kinks?"
"Wee hoo sound went off." Ky looked at her with curiosity, "The wee hoo sound that goes off when a student falls from the central staircase. I was on duty today."
Ky shook her head, so that's why there have never been any injuries from people falling off the central stairs, even with klutz like Lavender around. Trust Nonno to make an alarm for that sort of thing. She nodded at Kinks, "Please take Nessie to Lenzo. He's in Nonno's office. I'll go to dinner."
Kinky nodded at Ky; she didn't have to tell her not to tell. The elf may not have her allegiance to her anymore but Kinky was her friend. Ky knew she would only tell if Sirius asked her. She let Nessie hug her again, and watched her walk up the stairs. Ky sighed. She was being insane, wasn't she?
Well, she wouldn't tell any of the Order members…but she knew a few non-Order members that she could tell that knew a thing or two about piecing puzzles together. Ky took a step down and staggered. Pain spiked in her head. She could feel a headache coming on. She held the banister and gritted her teeth. She guess subconscious Ky with the freaky premonition power had been knocked out.
She reached into her pocket; lucky Nessie gave her this tonic. She downed it in one go, and felt it take effect immediately. She took the stairs two at a time and then stopped dead in her tracks.
There it was.
Black, flowing hair…but this time… there was no reflection.
-x-x-x-
The thick black hair faded to red, everything was fading to red as Ky burned with anger. This was the person… she just knew it… A tingle went down her spine; she was the one that tried to harm Nessie…to grievously harm her…to kill her!
Ky didn't realise that she had walked right up to her, as she stood with her back to her, staring at the Great Hall doors. She wore the school uniform and the length, and the fit, was almost identical to Mi's. Ky must have been very quiet because she had only just realised she was behind her when she was two steps away.
She turned quickly. The girl had the most startling blue eyes. It was different to Linus' or Nonno's or Nessie's…it was hypnotically bright. It was inlaid in a pale face that had rosy, red cheeks…like a porcelain doll…she looked at Ky stunned for a second at her sudden appearance, but it lasted not a moment longer as she broke into a beatific smile.
She held her hand out and opened her mouth, "Hello, I am-"
Ky didn't hear what came out of her mouth next as at that very moment she flipped her hair over her shoulder, the movement catching her eye and all she could see was that dark hair. The dark hair of Nessie's attacker. And just like that, a quick pang of fire flitted through her body, and for a moment… just a moment; Ky had lost control of her.
Her magic.
And then this dark-haired stranger went whizzing through the air, banging the doors open, her mane of black flying around her.
A heartbeat later, and the realisation that Ky might have slightly overreacted, had her kneeling over the girl's still body. Ky didn't pay attention to the whispers that broke out around her like a wave. The girl's eyes suddenly opened and fell on Ky just as she was about to check for a head injury. She scrambled away like a frightened little mouse, her blue orbs wide with fear.
The whispers had become full blown noise now; and Ky followed a nearby bright magenta robe up to the familiar face. His midnight blue shone with curiosity, but it lacked its usual sparkle. Ky placed her palm in the offered wizened hand, and with strength that surprised her, her grandfather had her up on her feet in one swift movement.
"What is the meaning of this?" It was a toad! There was a toad! A toad! A talking toad!
Her excitement dimmed at the stern voice, "I am sure there is a logical explanation for this Dolores. You see this is-"
"Kyrianna Thornton, I am aware." This Dolores said all this with a smile that was as nice as that bleeding cardigan she was wearing. "But forgive me Minerva," She did not look remorseful in the least, "Headmaster's granddaughter or not, when someone bullies another student, it warrants an investigation."
"I was not bullying her!"
She turned her dull brown eyes on Ky and then looked to the sobbing mess that was her apparent victim. "Miss Bellamy? Did you attack Miss Thornton?"
She shook her red face quickly. The Toad spoke again, "What did you say to her?"
"Dolores, situations like these are best handled in private." That was Zio Fil. The excitement of seeing him faded quickly at the look of disappointment on his face.
"Filius is right. Miss Thornton, please proceed to my office and I-"
"No."
Minerva McGonagall turned her stern gaze on the Toad. "Excuse me?"
The toad tittered. "Forgive me Minerva, but I do not think it is wise that Miss Thornton receive punishment from you. Given the nature of the circumstance and your attachment to the student."
Minnie's stern face gave nothing away, "Miss Thornton is one of my students and any and all punishment that I shall execute is wholly independent of any sort of attachment that you deem to exist."
Before the Toad opened her mouth, her grandfather finally cut in, "That is the rules of Hogwarts, Dolores. I am sure you understand?"
"Of course." The generic smile was plastered on the Toad woman's face. Umbridge turned and made her way back to the table.
Ky didn't wait another second and turned on her heel and followed Minnie, absolutely at a loss for the explanation she would give as to why she attacked the stranger with dark hair.
-x-x-x-
The door creaked open, and she heard the swish of robes before she saw the green eyes and bun to match. Ky steadied the eye contact; a sensible person would have shrunk away from it.
Ky wasn't a sensible person.
She was evidently not in possession of the great sense of sensibility as many moments in her life have proven.
McGonagall set about making the drinks, she placed the cocoa in front of Ky, there were no marshmallows…it seemed her punishment had already begun.
She took her seat and stared at Ky. She broke the silence with the question Minnie didn't need to ask, "I don't know why."
"You flung a girl, feet in the air, bursting through the doorway, in an act that could have grieved her greatly if fortune did not favour her, and you have no reason for it!"
"Well, none that can justify it in all honesty."
Minnie placed her cup down and leaned forward, "Bane, do not speak of something if you cannot wield it. The truth."
Ky sighed and leaned back, "I lost control of my magic. For a moment."
"Was it your intent to cause that girl harm?"
"It was a bit of unintentional magic…it wasn't-"
"There is a big difference between unintentional and wandless magic, the latter which you have accomplished a good few times for a witch of your age. So, what was it?"
Ky leaned back and sipped her cocoa, "It was unintentional." The lie was necessary, yet it still tasted like vinegar.
"Has this happened before?"
"No."
She shook her head, "I think we have no choice. We will have to have faith in St. Mungo's discretion." Her face crumpled into lines of stress, "All this does not bode well. These…visions. Visions." She looked at Ky, her shoulders dipped in a way she had never seen before, "And now this. You need to be evaluated; we will just have to trust the healers in Mungo's in not disclosing information like this with anybody lest the dark forces find out."
"Why would they care about me?"
She looked at Ky as if she were crazy, "The simplest reason being you are the granddaughter of the most powerful wizard in the world and if these…visions…if they continue happening…"
She didn't have to elaborate. The pieces were not matched at the moment, were they? There was a reason why Voldemort wasn't prancing around as yet. He was setting something up. Nonno having someone with a gift of foresight was an advantage that Voldemort could not afford. Plus, unlike chess, in real life the cavalry did not always stay white when they were so, they could be tainted black, with or without their permission.
If he found out, would he come looking for her?
McGonagall looked at Ky, the lines on her face increasing in definition by the second. She cleared her throat, "An apology. It may not be intentional, but Miss Bellamy was greatly startled in the process, and I believe it is better for your relationship to do so."
"Relationship? What relationship?"
"As classmates. Miss Bellamy will be joining you as a fellow fifth year, under the house of Hufflepuff. Just as you had, she too has her reasons for her late enrolment. Your grandfather wishes to see you. Now."
Ky nodded and stood, still processing what she Minnie said, "Oh and Bane. A week of detention."
Ahhhh.
Home sweet home.
-x-x-x-
"Come in."
She walked in and felt the warmth on her shoulder immediately, Fawkes nipped at her cheek, and she busied herself with running her hands through his feathers.
"How are you feeling Kyrianna?"
She continued petting Fawkes, "I'm OK."
"I am sorry Kyrianna."
Ky looked up quickly at Nonno, positive that it wasn't his line. "What on earth for Nonno? You did nothing wrong."
"It seems being my grandchild is something that warrants an apology from me. I promise though, I will find someone knowledgeable enough in this area to help you."
Oh, he was talking about the fact that she couldn't go to Mungo's because the Voldemort of it all.
"That isn't necessary Nonno. I am OK. Nothing a tonic won't cure."
This didn't seem to appease him in the least, "Treating the symptoms does not comfort me. I know Minerva is of the opinion that you be taken to St. Mungo's…but that is a risk I cannot take. I do promise however that I will find help, even if I have to become the most knowledgeable in this field myself. But for now, I ask you to please tell me any and all visions you have, and any other occurrences of unintentional magic."
Ky nodded. It wasn't a lie. She would…from now on.
She walked around the table and hugged him, laying her head on his shoulder for longer than usual, guilt at being just another worry that sat on his head lying heavy on her heart. She pulled away and felt some comfort in the twinkle that sparkled back up at her again.
-x-x-x-
"Oh, thank heavens." Ky was engulfed in a hug once she entered the common room. Mi was looking her up and down, searching.
"Mione' she was the one that did the hurting, not the other way around. Like we have been saying for the past hour, she is OK."Ky looked at the redhead that sat in her armchair. Ron smiled up at her and scooted over and she squeezed in. Just last year Ron and her fit perfectly in this chair, but now they barely made it, she didn't get up though.
"Why is your bum so big Ky?"
"My bum! It's your bum that is too big Ronald. All that food catching up to you."
"What happened?"
Ky looked to the head of black hair, so familiar to the girl from earlier. It was strange to think that just hours ago Harry and she were fighting over something so inconsequential to the world at large.
Hermione plopped down on the arm of Harry's seat, "What did Alya Bellamy do?"
"Did she tell you that your bum was big?" Ky nudged Ron but let it slide, leaning forward and recounting everything that happened.
"That's impossible." They all looked at Ron. Usually, he would be the first to jump on the fact that the new person was an imperius wielding psychopath. He shrugged at them, "She can't have done all of that, she's a Puff, remember?"
"Oh Ronald! When will you learn that the world is not like that!"
"Oh please, it is too. All Snakes are evil, all Puffs are good, Claws are nerds and us Gryffies are hotties. With an exception of a few that have big bums."
Ky laughed at that, but Harry didn't see the humour, "It doesn't make sense though. It could be anybody that attacked Nessie."
"Or nobody at all."
Ky looked at Hermione, and her friend returned the expression sadly. "Look Ky…people do silly things when they are upset…"
Ky shook her head, "Nessie didn't jump off that staircase of her own free will. She would never do that!"
"You can't be sure of that Ky…or maybe she did really lose her footing."
"No Mi, she didn't. Someone had imperiused her, I saw it in my vision-"
"Your visions are not foolproof Ky. Their nature is so inconsistent! How do we know that your subconscious doesn't alter them in some way…I mean visions of the future, of the past, even of the present! The day Linus got attacked you were feeling everything that he was feeling in real time! Remember…I don't know-"
"I saw someone attack her!"
"You said you saw someone in the mirror, that you were too far away to make out a face but all you could see was hair. Dark hair… long hair. Long, dark hair."
Ky remained silent at that. What Hermione was saying sunk in…is that what I saw…
"Like in third year…when I thought I saw…" Harry cleared his throat, not finishing his sentence, but they all knew what he meant. He told Ky about this, when he thought he saw his father when they used the time turner to save Buckbeak. "You mean to say that the person in the mirror was Ky? She saw herself…going to save Agnes."
Hermione nodded solemnly, "Agnes knows the symptoms of the imperius curse. You said she seemed quite in control of her wits and only slightly disoriented, understandable after that fall. She would have been much worse if she was under control. She probably did slip and, in the urgency, to get to her…you didn't actually see the curse being placed on her?"
"But I felt it Mi. I felt-"
She stopped, knowing how stupid she sounded. This conversation wasn't making her feel better like she thought it would.
"Look Ky, whether she was cursed or not, I don't think Bellamy is involved. She's just fifteen. And she isn't even from here." Ky looked at Hermione, it seemed the anxiety of the few minutes at having to shoot down all of her ideas left her, "She's from France. She was orphaned at a young age and grew up in the care of her grandparents. They just passed away recently. She was home schooled because her grandparents were sickly, and she had to look after them. She just recently was taken in by some relatives in Britain, that's why she came to Hogwarts. Well according to Lavender."
Oh great, so Ky had attacked an orphan whose grandparents had just passed away. Grandparents who she used to care for. Could she have made a mistake? Did she? Was she so unstable and paranoid that she saw things that were not there?
Hermione stood and looked at her awkwardly, "We should get to bed. Tomorrow is the first day back."
Ky nodded and got up; the boys following suit.
"Ky?"
He was silent for most of the conversation, but it seemed Harry had something to say now. Ron and Mi continued to the staircases, and she turned around.
"I'm really sorry."
Ky nodded; honestly there wasn't time to be bothered about his temper tantrums.
"I was thinking…maybe we should stop."
She shrugged, knowing that he meant their sporadic snogging. She figured this would happen, especially after the fight on the train. This is typical Harry Potter behaviour, brave enough to kick the asses of Basilisks and Dementors but when things get a little hot in the kitchen…plus she won't change who she was just because it made him uncomfortable, especially when it was something that she did not do on purpose! Yeah…her brain had all the explanations…yet there was this plucking in her chest singing a song of disappointment…stupid heart. Her mouth went with her brain, "That's cool. Good night."
"Ky?"
She turned back around, and he continued, "Don't beat yourself up about the Bellamy thing. It was a mistake."
Ky nodded and made her way up the stairs, just waiting to close her eyes and let this long, horrible day be over.
A/N: Thank you so much for reading! Your feedback will be much apprecaited!
Chapter 12: The toad we all wished would croak.
Chapter Text
Disclaimer: Anything that’s familiar doesn’t belong to me.
"I'll see you in History of Magic." Ky quickly pulled her hair into a hair tie, and grabbed her bag.
"You'll miss breakfast."
"I like to swallow my poison before my cereal, Mi." And with that, she ran down the stairs to the lower floors.
Apologies were always like that for her. She best get this out of the way and quickly too. She still felt Nessie had been cursed… but she wasn’t as confident as she was yesterday that it had been this particular girl that had done it. Admittedly her hair was not exactly the most incriminating of evidence.
Anyway, Ky was a big girl; she could clean up her own mess.
She hovered uncertainly in the basememt. She knew this was where the Puffs common room was located… just how would she go about getting in?
"You know you're a complete miscreant if you can't help sneaking out to the kitchens for breakfast even though it's being served right at this moment."
She turned around, and found the face to match the somewhat familiar voice. This boy was beginning to make a habit of turning up near her these days.
Jack Corner leaned on a wood barrel to her left.
"Or a total introvert."
He laughed; it was a pleasant sound. "You are no introvert."
"And what makes you so sure about that?"
He didn't know her, not really. His smile fell quickly.
Shit…of course. He was his best friend.
"I need to speak to Alya Bellamy."
"Ally?" She was here for a night, and she already had a nickname? "I think I saw her leave for Charms with the others."
"OK, thanks."
Ky rushed passed him.
"Oh and Ky." She turned around, expecting some quip about not beating her up but instead received a warm smile, "Have a good first day."
Ky nodded at him and rushed off. She reached the Charms corridor in under a minute. She spotted the bed of dark hair quickly…a pang at the realisation that the colouring was very similar to her own…maybe Hermione was right…
"Bellamy."
The new girl stopped mid-laugh and turned towards Ky. Ernie McMillan and that boy with three names, Justin something something, stopped recounting whatever story had caused the two girls to laugh so loudly, and all the Puffs grew solemn.
Hannah looked at Ky, her face impassive, whilst Bellamy’s smile quickly faded, and she took a step back.
Ky approached her with purpose, knowing that she wouldn't get any privacy from the others even if she had to ask. Puffs were reknowned for their loyalty.
"I apologise for yesterday. I lost control of my magic. A mistake I am sorry that you had to bare the repercussions of."
Bellamy hovered behind Justin awkwardly which was dumb on her part considering he was definitely the smaller of the two boys. Her scared face dropped, and she smiled and stepped forward, her hand extended.
Ky took it, and they firmly shook hands, "It is our mistakes that make us human, is it not? Plus, grand-mère always said, to err human, but forgive divine."
"My brother says the same thing."
She smiled, "A smart man, your brother."
Ky nodded, "Well…I'm late for my morning nap."
Ernie laughed, "How you Gryffs always end up with the best timetable, I don't know."
"Says the guy who has almost the whole afternoon free." Ky shouted over her shoulder as she walked off, the effects of the poison not as bad as she thought they would be.
-x-x-x-
"It's just me! Please don't send me flying."
Ky sent a glare at Teddy as he walked into the storage cupboard. She could still hear the hustle and bustle and smell the sweat of the students just outside the door. He walked towards the earwigs.
"Take the one's at the back, they’re fresher."
He smirked at her, his hair, and eyes dark in the shadows of the cupboard, "Are we such good friends now that we offer each other advice?"
"Well apparently we're such good friends that we duel our friends to protect the other."
He laughed, "Firstly, that wasn't a duel, you can hardly count Davis as a worthy adversary and secondly, Davis is not my friend."
"You went with her to the Ball last year."
"You went with Malfoy; you didn't seem too chummy with him five minutes ago."
"I honestly didn't see him there."
"Yes, the sap just happened to fall onto his shirt as he was doing his re-enactment of Granger at her cauldron."
"Was that what he was doing? I had no idea."
"Oh, come on, even you must admit that her frantic hand waving and psychotic eyes when brewing is quite funny…and charming. Not to mention the rapid moving of her plump lips as she recites the instructions under her breath and the sweat that coats her neck…"
Ky snapped her fingers in front of his face, "Would you mind not fantasising about Mi right now. Save it for the nighttime."
He smirked again, "Oh…. I do. It seems my subconscious is much more creative than I gave it credit for. Last night I dreamed I was in your dormitory, and you were in detention and those other two girls, the Indian and the Flower, they weren't there…well actually they were there, just in the shower…together. Well Granger-"
"Why was I in detention? Why couldn't I be the one making out with a chick in the shower?”
"Don't worry. You show up, even kiss a girl. Actually, to be more specific you walk in on us-"
Ky heard a throat clearing and they snapped their heads to the entrance of the storage cupboard.
It was Malfoy.
"You're taking an awfully long time to fetch earwigs, Nott."
Nott laughed but didn't reply as he winked at Ky on his way out. She smiled and shook her head at the odd boy, and summoned the dittany and walked out.
She walked past the flailing students to her own cauldron and continued. Something nudged her hand, and she looked down to see a Teddy bear made of parchment. It was pushing its little paws at her to get her attention. She turned and looked at Nott who winked at her, whilst he stirred his large black cauldron.
She picked the bear up and looked at its tummy where there was writing,
Kitten
Since we're at that stage of our friendship that we give each other advice, here is a little heads up. Umbridge is a BITCH. And not the nice kind too…she might actually be the only female teacher that won't make an appearance in any of my dreams. We had her for first, and she's probably going to do about a thousand things to piss you off in the hour, so try to calm your pretty head down and don't throw her flying out the door.
Or do.
Just tell me when so I can come watch!
Teddy
P.S: Please buy Granger an emerald bra for her birthday, it's hard to see the black she usually wears even with the help of the sweat clinging to her right now.
Ky laughed and grabbed a parchment and started writing,
I'll buy Mi an emerald bra when you buy Malfoy a scarlet thong. The sparkling kind!
She animated it into a little lion cub, and it pawed across the floor to Teddy. She sat back on her stool, busy with the potion when she looked up, feeling like she was being watched, and her eyes met black ones leaking with disapproval. Sev heaved a sigh and went back to his torturing of Neville.
Minutes later she handed him the vial of Draught of Peace. Even her vial had a sheening silver mist at its surface, and it was not flowing out. She managed to brew it to the perfect density as to prevent that. She smiled, chuffed with herself, and he took it. She knew it was the most accurate one in class today, and she wanted him to ask her how she got it so because she made some alterations and she was curious if they matched his usual changes. They often did, they thought very similiarly as brewers. And she had finished it a good few minutes before everybody else had.
"Kindly follow the instructions that I write on the board Miss Thornton. I don't make that announcement for my own amusement, no matter how fun it sounds. I spoke nothing of mistletoe leave sap and it leaves quite a pungent smell, something that is quite nauseating for some and detracts from the peace that the potion was supposed to achieve."
He continued writing on his parchment, not even insulting her to her face, "But Sensei-"
He looked up, "It is Professor Snape. You may leave."
He stood and started his rounds.
Ky marched to her bench and wrenched her bag from the floor, not having to clean up as she always did so as she brewed… just like him!
She glared at Malfoy, who had heard the whole conversation at his seat in the front and she wanted to slap the smirk off his face. She felt the prickle of anger in her magic, so she quickly left the room, not wanting a repeat of yesterday.
She reached the Great Hall, and took a seat alone at the Gryffindor table for lunch, having finished early.
"Skiving already? At least wait for the snack boxes to be in production, at least then you will have an excuse."
Fred sat down on her left and George on her right. She was already half done with her pie.
"Eat any faster and you won't need our puking pastilles. What's the rush?"
"I missed dinner and breakfast. And I didn't skive, I finished early. What are you boys skipping?"
George looked at her affronted, "How dare you make such assumptions!" He laughed and continued, "History of Magic. What did the new Puff do to insult you so?"
Ky shrugged, not in the mood to talk. Everybody had forgiven her for sneaking back into England, but not Sev? What more did he want from her! She already apologised! "Nothing. Just was in a bad mood, lost control of my magic for a bit and unfortunately, she-"
"You mean she didn't do anything to you?" Ky looked at George quizzically, his voice was a bit high pitched.
"No."
Fred leaned in closer, "She didn't call Hermione the m-word”.
"Or say Harry was deranged."
"Or say something about Dumbledore."
"Or make out with your boyfriend."
Fred laughed at George, "You'd know if she kissed me mate."
"Oh please, Ky would make out with me before she would you."
Ky laughed, amused by the two despite herself, "No, she really didn't do anything. Why?"
Their faces evolved into matching looks of horror when they finally veered into the right lane from their side track.
"Oh fuck.” They said in unison, as the Great Hall echoed with a loud bang. It came from the Hufflepuff table, more specifically the centre. Where Alya Bellamy sat, covered from head to toe in shepherd's pie, her eyes wide with shock. She shot up and sprinted for the door, wailing the whole way.
Ky spotted Harry walk in just as she left; he looked at her in accusation.
"I thought you were going to apologise, not embarrass her more!"
"What? I didn't do that, they did?"
"They who?"
The twins had disappeared, and Ky turned back to her pie, "Never mind. You finished early as well?"
Her tone was slightly one of shock, but can you blame her, Harry's talents didn't lie with potions. He glared back at her, stabbing his steak and kidney pie.
"No. I was kicked out. Not everyone is Snape's favourite little student that they’re allowed to leave early every lesson."
She stared at Harry, sensing that he was having one of his bitch fits. He was prone to them over the vacation but quietened down a bit recently. Seems he stirred up more than a potion in class.
"Firstly, I don't leave class early because I'm Sev's little anything." The thought riled her up further, thinking about how weird Sev was acting lately. "It's because I am a good brewer. Don't take out your inadequacies on me."
"Inadequacies? You think I'm an inadequate potion maker?"
"I think that is the very definition of what I just said."
He swallowed roughly, "Oh please. There is nothing to be proud of at being able to brew well, especially if idiots like Snape can make a profession of it."
She stabbed her fork in her pie, "Are you insinuating that potions is a lesser magic!"
"I think that is the very definition of what I just said." He said with a cocky grin and eye roll.
"Well, you should be more ashamed then Potter, because you can't even manage something as unmagical as potions. I honestly don't see what Voldemort sees in you."
He straightened in shock. Well, he started it. How dare he? She would never say anything like that about Defence, his favourite and strongest subject.
Ky didn't stay to hear his retort as she stood and stormed off, angrier than she had been when she had got there earlier.
-x-x-x-
"-he had the audacity to insinuate that potions is an inferior magic. Just because it doesn't need a wand, does not mean it is lesser! It's like saying Arithmancy is not a magical science."
Professor Vector shot Ky a glare. With her luck she probably heard the last half of the sentence only.
Hermione looked at Ky once she finished the equation. "I know! He has been in a horrible mood. I understand Snape ticked him off, but it's as if everything and everyone ticks him of. He snapped at Ron and I at lunch and I am really tired of being on the receiving end of his temper tantrums. We have to speak to him."
"Well, I won't be partaking in that intervention." They handed in their parchment, Professor Vector taking Ky’s with a very unkind tug. They made their way to Defence. "Oh, and apparently this Umbridge is an absolute bitch."
"KY!" Mi looked around furiously to see if they were overheard, "She's a teacher."
"Teachers can be bitches too, it's not just for the non-academics."
They took their seats; Harry was mumbling something to Hermione that sounded like an apology. He looked at Ky, and she met his gaze expectantly, waiting for her apology, and then he turned back to face the front of the class.
Ohhhhhhh!
The Toad walked in and spared him her wrath.
Ky couldn't help imagining her sitting with her knees up and bum to the floor, toad style as she began croaking.
"Miss Thornton?”
Hermione was looking at her wide-eyed. Ky had been too busy imagining Umbridge as a toad to listen to what she had been saying.
"Miss Umbridge."
"It is Professor Umbridge." She smiled that fake smile of hers.
"Is that so? Then it is Professor Thornton."
The few that caught on that Ky was insinuating that she wasn’t an actual teacher, and her title was not merited, gasped. Hermione kicked her hard under the table.
She smiled that non-smile at her again, "OK Professor Thornton. Why don't you come forward and instruct the class."
Ky stood; the Toad didn't know who she was dealing with. She reached the front of the class, trying not to make eye contact with Ron who would surely make her laugh. Ky pulled out her wand.
"Nah uh.” The woman said as she shook her head. "If you had paid attention earlier instead of daydreaming you would know there will be no using wands in this class."
Ky shrugged and placed her aspen wand back in her fondina. "OK class. I guess this will be a lesson on wandless magic. Please bring forth your most furious memory, that always seems to help me when I'm-"
She interrupted with that annoying little ahem of hers.
"Sorry Miss Umbridge-"
"It's not Miss."
"It cannot possibly be Mrs."
The class burst out laughing at that. She called them to attention quickly, but she lacked the finesse that McGonagall did it with.
She smiled at Ky, "You are just like your grandfather, aren't you?"
She cocked a dark eyebrow at that, she knew it was not meant as a compliment. "Thank you. I would say you are just like yours, but I don't insult the dead."
She smiled back at her, ignoring the sniggers. “Leave. Take this to your Head of House.” She handed her a pink detention slip and she took it with a huge smile.
A week's worth of detention. Well, wasn't she sweet. "Why thank you Miss Umbridge."
Ky grabbed her bag and winked at Hermione who was glaring at her.
Fine, she flipped the switch, but she stood by her motto.
Treat a friend like a friend, a foe like a foe, and a bitch like a bitch.
Ky walked out of the class and bumped straight into a mop of red.
"Oh sorry…oh it's you."
"Good seeing you too Ginny." Ky picked up her bag that she had knocked to the floor. Her face was flushed from running.
"Why are you out of class? Don't you lot have defence now?"
"I left."
"You got kicked out, didn't you?"
"It's not my fault. She's a bitch."
Ginny shrugged, "I heard. Still, she is a teacher."
"You sound just like Mi."
"Actually, all sane people sound like this, you should try it sometime." She smirked and walked off. Ky made her way to McGonagall’s office and knocked once, and then entered.
McGonagall looked up from her parchment, "Bane?" Her curious expression disappeared upon noticing the pink slip in her hand.
"This is really ridiculous Bane, it's the first week and you have more detentions than classes."
"It's not my fault Minnie, that Umbridge is a-"
"Teacher. She is a teacher."
"Is she really?"
The Transfiguration mistress raised her sharp eyebrows at Ky, "Do you think that your grandfather would let someone who has no certification educate his pupils."
"Of course not. Which makes me think Nonno had nothing to do with her hiring?”
The teacher sighed and leaned back in her chair, "You are to be careful Bane. I had hoped that you would have grown up considering the situation we now find ourselves in. It seems that is not the case. You need to-"
She stopped, a familiar angry voice floating in from outside. She sighed and stood and went to the door, moments later Harry sat down next to Ky. Seems she wasn't the only one that couldn't hold their tongue.
McGonagall lectured them both; he ignorantly tried to make her see reason. He may know the teacher longer, but Ky knew her better; she had a tat for every tit you gave her.
She held the door open for them and they walked out.
"That woman is an absolute nightmare."
"A bitch Potter, call them what they are."
His green eyes looked at her in amusement, "I don't like that term for women. You shouldn't either."
"That's saying Umbridge is a woman. I'm pretty sure she is some evolution of a toad. I should ask Luna; she probably knows what Umbridge is."
He chuckled next to her.
"Don't laugh at my jokes. They are not meant for your unworthy ears."
He gave her a crooked grin, which unfortunately was one of those highly endearing things that he did with his lips. Of course, it wasn't her favourite thing he did with them. Ky continued staring at the captivating feature. He licked his lips, and she didn't realise that she had been biting down on her own. The corridor felt very hot suddenly, quite the contrast to the thunderous rain that was falling outside.
"Harry…?"
They whipped around to find Cho Chang, standing behind them. She smiled at Ky, and she nodded in response. Harry cleared his throat, and Ky walked down the corridor, leaving him to talk to Chang, not missing the fact that he had taken a step back from her when he had seen the other girl.
-x-x-x-
Harry stepped back; trying to discreetly pull his cloak over what he was sure must be a noticeable bulge.
How did she do that to him with just a look? Just one look.
Ky turned and walked off, not even bothering with an excuse. He turned back to Cho. It seemed every situation they encountered was more awkward than the last. The first he was covered in stink sap; the second Ron had a go at her about supporting the Tornadoes and now he had a raging hard-on for the girl that had just walked away.
She blushed prettily. Well Cho did everything prettily, didn't she? She even laughed prettily. Not that he had seen much of it these days…considering… it was amazing that knowing what he knew, he still couldn’t picture Ky as being Cedric's, it was always Cho who was his.
"Harry…"
Oh shit…was she speaking this whole time. He needed to just guess a topic. "This weather is horrible."
She looked at her confused. He guess he guessed wrong, they weren't discussing the weather. "I actually like the rain. It's…soothing."
He guessed it's soothing if you didn't wear glasses, but if you did it was a constant pain in the butt. "Yeah, it is. Like a portable bath."
WHAT THE HELL.
Godric where did that even come from, he sounded like a complete idiot. The most ridiculous thing happened though, she chuckled. Well actually he thought it was a laugh. He didn’t know for sure, it was dignified and reserved but it was there.
"Walk to dinner?"
Was she really asking him that? He couldn't exactly say no, could he? He was heading in that direction anyway. Merlin sakes Harry, she asked for a walk down to the Great Hall, not your hand in marriage. Her face was slowly morphing into a look of horror at her directness, so he quickly smiled at her reassuringly.
"Sure."
He turned and made his way down the stairs.
"Harry…"
She did that a lot didn't she, “Yup?" He shoved his hands in his pockets realising he had no idea what to do with them.
"Is there something going on between you and Ky Thornton?"
Of course, there was. Wasn't there? But could he tell Cho when Ky and he hadn’t even discussed it as yet. Well, he knew what she wanted, she had made it clear to Hermione over the holiday, but what did that make them. He was positive if Cho hadn't interrupted five minutes ago, they would have been on top of each other again. Was it just attraction? He never reacted like that to anybody else…No it definitely was not just attraction for him. Cho looked to the side awkwardly, oh damn, he was taking too long to answer.
"I'm sorry, its none of my-"
"It's OK. Ky and I are friends." That wasn't a lie. Yeah, they fought like cat and dog and made out like crazy, but they were friends.
She nodded and continued walking in the perfect line that she had been. Cho was very graceful, there was nothing clumsy about her. Especially while in flight. He wondered whether he walked the way he flew? He doubted it.
"So, you lot will be looking for a new keeper?"
"Yeah. Big gloves to full. Wood was talented."
"Oliver was brilliant, wasn't he?" She had a small glint in her eye. Were Oliver and her anything more than just friends? It could be possible; there wasn't that big age difference between them. Oh crap, he wouldn't be able to make the try-outs on Friday now that he had detention. He probably should break the news to Angelina.
"Well, I'll see you around." He looked to the blushing girl at his side as the reached the door to dinner. The noise of the Great Hall surrounding them. He nodded and realised its best he smile as well so he did. He watched her walk to the Ravenclaw table, where she sat next to a girl with very curly hair who was giving him a stare that wasn't very encouraging.
The background noise suddenly became more discernible. He heard Cedric's name as well as Dumbledore's and his own coming up more than once as he walked over to the Gryffindor table.
He sat down between Ron and Hermione. He searched for the dark mane and found it easily, and the whispers became just wind once more. Ky was deep in conversation with Neville about something across from them, when Parvati and Lavender descended on Harry. This was strange considering Hermione was just telling him earlier that the latter had been talking about him in the morning and they weren't kind words. He was in absolutely no mood to defend himself to the dithering blonde.
"So…." Parvati squealed into his ear, her black eyes alight. Lavender was leaning forward as if listening to his responses weren't enough; she had to see them too.
"So….?" He asked, dishing some mashed potato onto his plate.
"Are you two together?"
"Me two?"
Parvati rolled her eyes, "You and Cho Chang."
"We really did get heaps of homework today; I have no idea how I will finish it all. Did you start that essay from Snape, Lavender?"
It was Lavender's turn to roll her eyes, "Its only due next week Hermione."
Parvati continued, "So, how long?"
Seems Hermione's job at distraction didn't work. Harry could have told her that though, it was a poor attempt. Before he could answer, Ky stood and walked towards the door, Neville following behind her.
He turned to Hermione, "Where's Ky going?"
She continued staring passed him, and he turned to see that Lavender and Parvati were still waiting for an answer. "We're not going out."
They didn't look convinced but lost interest in the coversation as Dean and Seamus just sat down on their other side.
Harry turned back to Hermione, who was reading some textbook, "Well?"
"Well, what?"
Was she not paying attention? Ky and Neville just left together. "Where is Ky going?"
"Oh, probably to her detention. You know she has double so hers starts earlier."
"I know, so where did Neville go?"
Ron leaned forward quizzically, "Neville left with Ky. Didn't you see Harry?"
He sighed and dug into his lamb, the wind becoming whispers once more. He was struggling to ignore the gossiping students around him.
Screw this; he stood in one swift movement and the next he had pushed the door open, the steps in between irrelevant.
-x-x-x-
He shot up with a start, the nagging pain reaching its peak. It subsided slightly as he scratched his scar. His stomach growled. He barely had dinner…he lay back down on the bed, plagued by the same thoughts once more. Hermione had relayed what she had thought was going through the heads of most of the students last night…so what, did they think that he had a hand in Cedric's murder? Not that that was far off, he did take him to the graveyard, but he never intended for it to end like this. He left his bed as another grumble shot through his body, and he walked out the door, invisibility cloak in hand.
A few minutes later he thanked Kinky for the sandwich. She smiled at him. Apparently, Dobby was out cleaning something somewhere.
"Miss Ky also is having this nasty habit of missing meals as well. It is no good for the body."
He nodded at her, accepting her fussing, and took the cup of cocoa that the other house elf offered. It seemed they had forgiven what happened last year, with Hermione's little attempt to surge them into rebellion. It was oddly comforting being here, with all these souls, no whispers, no stares, no glares.
Harry left the kitchens, fastening the invisibility cloak over himself, much more at peace with the world than he had been for a while. Well to be specific, since the last time he had captured those magnificent pink lips.
He stopped in his tracks however, as those very same pink lips where inches away from him. A moment later, as if they had travelled back in time, Ky Thornton had surged into him; Harry fell back easily, the cloak falling off. He stretched one arm out to break his fall and the other encircled around her waist to cushion hers. Her eyes raged down at him, looking darker and more intense than ever in the wet, pale backdrop that was her face. He barely caught his breath before she had taken it away again with cold pink lips that set his skin on fire.
A/N: A little deja vu of their first meeting in Phoenix Accession! What do you think of Harry’s POV – I quite enjoy writing from his angsty perspective sometimes. Feedback as always is much appreciated!
Kalina
Chapter 13: To bare my cowardly claws.
Chapter Text
Disclaimer: Anything that rings a bell doesn’t belong to me.
This was just like bleeding Potter! He could never make his mind up, could he? And what the heck, he doesn't even know her, yet he likes her! Ky bet he couldn't tell her one thing about Chang except that she has shiny hair and a pretty face.
"Ky, you dropped this."
She snapped around, her look of annoyance made Neville take a step back. His face went pale quickly and she quickly dropped the expression and sighed, taking the pink slip that must have fallen as she stormed down the stairs.
"Thanks Neville."
He nodded, not even letting out a squeak. Ugh, this just made her feel bad. "Sorry about the whole…face looking like the blast end of a skrewt, I've been having a crap day."
He smiled sympathetically at that, "I could tell. I think we all could. I suppose Harry has detention too."
She held the snarl back at the mention of his name and took the seat across from Hermione, and Neville hovered behind her.
"Aren't you going to sit?"
He complied quickly and nervously, fumbling his way onto the right part of the bench. Hermione didn't look too pleased with this; Ky could tell she wanted to discuss what happened in class earlier, but Neville's presence didn't allow for it. Ron was already on his second helping and asked her with his mouth full to the brim, "Worts the verdick?"
Hermione looked at him crossly, chastising him about talking with his mouth full and Ky pushed her detention slip in her textbook, so she knew what the verdict was without having to disturb their argument. Ky turned back to Neville.
"How's the Mimbletonia doing?"
His nervousness vanished almost instantly as a small smile splayed across his chubby cheeks, "It's doing great. Its growing at a rapid rate actually. I think it's time I start to breed."
She nodded, "You should do it tonight."
He looked startled, "I know. The conditions are perfect, aren't they? Temperature, humidity, even lunar cycle…"
He didn't have to look so astonished. She wasn't as adverse to books as she was last year, especially in her summer of distraction. Plus, Herbology was the sister science of potions, a good brewer should know their ingredients better than they know the steps to the potion.
"Then what's stopping you?"
He blushed slightly and Ky realised what it must be. Breeding Mimbletonia needed more than one set of hands.
"I have detention in the greenhouse this evening. Minnie sent an owl in the morning, I am under Filch's care, and it seems like old Argie wants me sorting out the Dragon Dung compost. I'll help you then. “ Speaking of compost, Cho and Harry just walked in. Ky held her neck stiffly and continued talking, "It starts at five, so we have to be quick here. Will that be OK?"
Neville looked as if he downed a bottle of Wide Eye potion; he really shouldn't be so shocked that someone is offering him help. He nodded excessively and dug into his food. A minute later they got up and left, she didn't even tell Hermione goodbye, not wanting to talk to Harry and knowing that she would see his detention slip anyway.
-x-x-x-
"Quickly, cover them!"
She swiftly floated the pot of soil and tilted it over the two Mimbletonia that Neville was holding down. They were more than just a handful with their increased motility in the night and he let go, the soil holding them securely. She tipped the next pot over, the soil covering them completely now and Neville quickly patted it down. He was soaked with stink sap, she siphoned most of it out and into a vial.
He smiled through the goo, “Thanks a lot.”
"No problem, maybe we should play some romantic music? I know Mona has a wireless over here somewhere."
He laughed, "No, the mating has more to do with the position of the limbs in the soil than anything romantic. It's a physiological response due to the conditions. Should be done in an hour. Want some help with the dung?"
He was really in his element with herbology, wasn't he?
"If you're sure, I won't say no. It's back here."
Ky held the door open for him and he walked inside to the back room. It smelled ten times worse than the stink sap and she thanked the Founders that she had a strong stomach. Neville didn't even crinkle his nose at the smell,
"I've done these loads of times for Professor Sprout. It's best to make your own compost, she only let's Filch make the ones for the first years. I've made the ones for the older students a few times."
Ky couldn't help smiling at the look of pride on his face. "Firstly, you have to mix the dung with the Antiseptic solution over there. Then fill up those buckets with the mixture to this line," He prodded the two third mark, "and then top it up with the soil. Cast a mixing spell for a minute. That's all."
It wasn't complicated and they worked in silence; Ky didn't feel like opening her mouth in this room. But she could see why Neville didn't mind it so much…it was kind of soothing, playing in the mud. Fine, it was dung, but thinking of it as mud made her feel better. They were done in forty minutes, and he was happy to breathe freely in the front room.
"Thanks Neville, I probably would be here all night if it wasn't for you. And then dear old Umbridge would probably give me another month’s worth of detention for missing hers."
He laughed, "What time is it by the way? I hope I didn't make you late." He added, worried.
"Nah, I have another few minutes to kill before I face the old toad. No offence to Trevor."
He laughed but his face turned serious quickly, "What do you think she'll have you do?"
Ky shrugged, "I have no idea, probably will be horrid though."
"She'll probably make you write lines; she looks the type to do that." He said consolingly.
Ky laughed bitterly, "She looks the type to put the torture curse on me over and over again!"
The words flew out of her mouth before she could stop herself. So much for having a strong stomach; she cringed at her word vomit. Neville turned around quickly, obviously trying to school his features.
Uh-oh, she was such an idiot.
"Look Neville-"
He laughed but it echoed with falseness, "Or she'll make you-"
"I know about your parents."
He turned around quickly, his face morphing from shock to anger… clearly this wasn’t a quick like a band-aid approach kind of situation. She was meaning to have this talk with him ever since Harry had told her about his parents last term.
"That's none of your business!" He was defensive in his words and posture.
"Of course it isn't." She said, agreeing with him completely. "I won't ask you anything about it, I promise. I just thought that you should know that one of those fuckers is dead." She told Harry the night that he and her had shared all their secrets that Neville deserved to know who Mad Eye really was. Harry didn't want to have this conversation; Ky couldn't blame him though. He just saw Voldemort come back and was dealing with so much…she’ll do this for him. Spare him one difficult conversation…
Neville leaned against the tabletop, his face pale and his eyes unfocused, "Lestranges…"
"No. Not them. Crouch. You should probably sit." She gestured to the stool, and he fell into it, still staring at her with his brows furrowed. Ky told him all about the real identity of Moody last year. He looked as if he was going to throw up and she honestly didn't blame him.
"I can't…he was so…" He stood quickly and began to pace the room, his breathing coming out in erratic spurts; he grabbed his hair, trying to fathom the fact that the man that had tortured his parents was so close to him last year.
Ky placed a hand softly on his forearm, "I'm not going to tell you to calm down, because you have every right to fucking rage about it. It's not OK what happened, none of it is OK."
He looked at her, his eyes unfocused. She quickly hugged him, knowing what he needed right now was some quiet and warmth. He held her tightly and she felt his tears wet her hair; she didn't look up though, knowing it would embarrass him. She just concentrated on the floor, until his breathing became normal.
"Last year I was attacked. By a death eater. He…did quite a number on me. I was breaths away from death…it left me unconscious for three months."
He hadn't said a thing, but she could tell he was listening. "In those three months…", Ky hesitated, she hadn't really spoken about this to anyone except Hermione, and she never told her about the coma, not wanting to frighten her any more than she already had. "They say you're unconscious but you're not really. Not all the time. I don’t remember hearing anyone, but they were times, times that come up in my dreams now that have me wrenching myself awake…you feel. And smell. I had dreams about it…memories. I could smell Mi's shampoo, and Sev's herbal scent, Linus and Lenzo's cologne…feel Nonno's hands, Kinky’s too…I just thought you…you should know."
Ky knew his parents were lying somewhere, not completely lucid. She didn't know if he still visited them or not, but she felt like it was necessary for him to know from someone first-hand that they really could sense him there, even if they didn't respond.
"Did it hurt?"
"No. I don't remember pain; I think that's why you're in that state…to cope."
She dug in her pocket and pulled out the page she had stolen from Filch's office before term had closed and fished it out of her trunk at the start of the year, waiting for the right time, “Here.”
He took the page, and his lips trembled…
“I’ll see you around Neville.”
She knew he needed to be alone right now, and she walked out of the Greenhouse, the last thing she heard was his sniffles as he looked down at the detention slip containing the handwritten confession that Alice Burke and Frank Longbottom made. That Argus Filch had caught them making out behind Greenhouse Three on the first day of term in their seventh year…Ky wasn’t sure whether it was good sniffles, or bad ones, but she knew she would have appreciated a token to remember that she came from that kind of love.
A few minutes later he knocked at the door. That whole conversation with Neville had really put things in perspective for her. What was she to be angry about? What really? Here was Neville, whose parents were lying comatose somewhere, the people responsible captured, but living, no real redemption…yet he painted a smile on his face every day and treated everyone pleasantly.
And Ky couldn’t even woman up and tolerate Umbridge.
“Come in.” The saccharine voice of the devil invited her into her little piece of hell. It was exactly as Ky imagined it to be; she stepped through the door and stared at the pink pinkness. This lady had problems. Perhaps upon finding out how ugly she was as a baby; her mother forced the colour on her as some kind of therapy. To make her more feminine. It explained the bows…and the frills and the little squeak of a voice.
She smiled her sickening curve at Ky, "Please sit."
She gestured to the chair and table in front of her. Ky furrowed her brows; she guessed Neville was right; Umbridge was the line giving type.
Ky sat down and a moment later there was a quiet knock on the door, and the woman went to open it. Ky watched one of the kittens in her many portraits scratching the glass at her, poor thing looked like it had been stuck in there.
"Come in."
Ky turned to the entrance, had someone other than herself manage to anger Umbridge so much to put them in detention on the first day. She knew Harry's started tomorrow. Her eyes widened slightly as it fell on the familiar shiny hair and pretty face. She smiled shyly at Ky. She tried to instruct her face to do the same but she was sure it must look more a grimace.
"I am sure you know Miss Thornton, Miss Chang."
Cho turned to her and nodded. What on earth was going on? Chang didn't seem the type to get detention.
"Marvellous." It didn't seem marvellous at all, Umbridge walked to her seat, gesturing Cho to sit on the chair next to Ky’s. She just noticed Chang didn't have a desk.
"Are you sure about this Miss Chang?"
Cho's lips trembled slightly and then she nodded quickly.
"Splendid. Now Miss Thornton, I would like you to-"
"What's going on…Professor Umbridge." She threw in the last part, remembering what she had told herself before she walked in here. She smiled at the act of submission.
She did that vile little laugh of hers, "You see Miss Thornton, after your departure in class, Mr Potter got me thinking. It's ever so disrespectful that we haven't written a little story to go in the school archives about the unfortunate circumstances resulting in Mr Diggory's death. All the details would be there, about how he passed away in his attempt at glory in the Triwizard Tournament. Well, it seems I am in a kind mood today and for your detentions I have decided that you shall help me gather the information necessary for the article this week. I’ve already written the questions. I shall leave you to it. I know this must be painful for Miss Chang, I don't want to make a hard situation that much more difficult with my authoritative presence. Will you be more comfortable if I left?"
Ky watched as Chang shook her shiny head in the negative.
As she spoke Ky’s heartbeat faster and faster, her breathing came quicker but she held steady. She wouldn't let this woman see how this affected her. Not this vile, despicable excuse for a human being who will take advantage of something as painful as death to execute punishment on a temperamental fifteen-year-old. Ky controlled her every feeling, her every action, ensuring she didn't send this woman flying out the window.
She took a deep steadying breath that she hid as she fidgeted in her seat; and she flipped over the parchment Umbridge had handed to her and read the first question, desperate to flee as soon as possible.
"What was your relationship to Cedric Diggory?"
Ky didn't look at Chang, and her throat burned as she tried to steady her voice. She concentrated on the parchment, hunched over it.
Chang hesitated for a moment, but she thought that had more to do with the fact there was a teacher in the room. Ky bet she blushed as she said, "He…was my boyfriend."
"How long did you date for?"
"About six months, we started…oh should I just answer the question-"
"Elaborate as much as you want Miss Chang. Talking helps."
Like this bitch knew a thing that helped anyone, "OK. Erm, he asked me to the Yule Ball. And then afterwards he asked me to go steady."
"How did he do this Miss Chang?"
Ky scribbled, concentrating on the sound the quill was making, trying to write without fully processing the words from the other girl.
"He…told me how he felt about me. That he really liked me and that he never…" sniffle, "he never met a girl like me before. He was always very romantic." She heard the Ravenclaw blow her nose.
"What was your first date like?"
Really…this was for the school archives? Umbridge was being quite obvious. Someone must have told her about Cedric and Ky – why else would she make this her punishment!
"Well, we went to Madam Puddifoots in Hogsmeade, it was the first trip after the Christmas break. He was the perfect gentleman, he pulled out chairs, fit the bill even though I wanted to go Dutch, he…he bought me a rose. He gave me his sweater when it got cold…it was amazing. Oh, and he got me this."
She was gesturing to something, and she moved her head mechanically up; Cho pulled out a necklace with a small diamond in the middle.
"He always did sweet things like that."
Ky looked back down at the parchment, "How did you feel when he pulled you out of the lake?"
"Well, I was numbed by the cold, but that day was also the day that I realised…" She sniffled some more, "…that I loved him."
She cried a bit more. Ky spared a glance at Umbridge, would she really let the girl go through this to get at her. She met her bland brown eyes, and that was answer enough… Yes… yes she would. Ky schooled her face, showing nothing. She watched as Umbridge’s lips moved when Ky hadn’t voiced the next question, taking over the interview.
"What made you realise that you loved him, Miss Chang?”
"Once we got out of the lake, he disappeared…I thought it was strange at first, but when he got back, he had my favourite coat and blanket and a steaming cup of my favourite tea…"
Umbridge stared at Ky, satisfaction gleaming from her beady eyes, nodding her head and instructing that she read off the next question, "What were your opinions on him being chosen as Hogwarts Champion?"
"He was the best choice. He was talented and brave and had all the makings of a hero. I mean…Harry is also talented; I just think he was too young. Cedric was mature, more ready."
"What are three words you would use to describe him?"
"Honest, loyal and hard working."
So Hufflepuff, Ky thought. "Did you see a future with him?"
"Of course. Ced and I…" More sniffling, "My future was him."
Ky bit her lower lip hard, thankful for the hair blocking her face, suddenly feeling guilt as well as anger, "If he were…"Breathe Ky, just read it off.
"Yes Miss Thornton."
Anger that helped her keep the pain away allowed her to pick her head up and look Umbridge straight in the eye, "If he were here today, what do you think he would say about…the circumstances. Would he blame the committee?"
What kind of fucked up question was that? It was completely loaded, and leading.
Chang sniffled, "Cedric wasn't one to blame. And he definitely wouldn't blame the Ministry. He actually wanted to join the Ministry after school."
She was quiet and Ky realised that she was crying silently.
Umbridge patted her hand comfortingly, "This was very brave of you Miss Chang. Now you can rest easy knowing the real Cedric Diggory will be known by everyone for ages to come."
Cho nodded and made her way to the door.
Umbridge turned to Ky, and she bit her inner cheek until she tasted rust but didn’t stop. She had to keep her face neutral and unbothered. Ky waited for her to be dismissed.
"You may leave Miss Thornton. Same time tomorrow."
She nodded mechanically and made for the door.
"Miss Thornton?"
Ky turned around, the blood pounding in her ears in fury but she held it at bay.
"The parchment Miss Thornton."
Ky looked down at the parchment that was scrunched in her fist.
After all that…after everything…this little action showed Umbridge just what she wanted.
She had won.
-x-x-x-
Ky felt the twinge in her stomach once she exitted, no amount of breathing would neutralise the acid that was building up within her. She walked slowly at first, thoughts incoherent. Neat brown hair and grey eyes…green light.
Then she started running; she ignored the shout from the prefect and continued through. It was as if the wind from her speed pushed the thoughts away, kept the memories at bay. The Fat Lady smiled down at her, but she mumbled the password, not engaging.
Ky made the common room in five strides, hurtled up the stairs, and pushed the door to the dorm, heading straight for sanctuary.
"…ric was in his hands! Nobody saw what happened that day Parvati…put two and two together. Do you honestly think he can beat You Know Who?"
"Well Dumbledore says-"
"Dumbledore's senile. Didn't you read the-"
Ky didn't wait for Lavender to continue. She barged into the bathroom. She stood stock still, her toothbrush hanging loosely in her mouth. She crossed the room in a step, ignoring Parvati’s squeals in the tub.
"Continue." The voice didn't sound like her own.
Lavender backed up against the sink from her closeness and Parvati was fidgeting in her periphery, grabbing a robe.
"Ky…I."
"You what Brown? What? Tell me?"
Ky pushed Lavender softly and her back hit the basin. She quickly backed up near the wall. She never did know when to shut her mouth, did she?
Made brave by the distance, she continued, "I understand your bias, but you must see logic. How could Harry beat the strongest wizard in the world? We all knew…he wanted that cup so badly that he illegally entered…"
"Lavender stop!” Parvati shrieked.
"-when did the rules ever matter to him? Cedric was just in his wa-"
She didn't finish her sentence as Ky slammed her against the wall with her bare hands, all thoughts of magic forgotten.
"Ky!"
She ignored Parvati, only seeing red as she grabbed Lavender by the scruff of her shirt and held her against the wall, her face right in hers, "First things first Brown. My grandfather is the strongest wizard in the world, even to little fucked up bitches like yourself. Secondly, say one more thing about Harry having to do something about…about Harry killing someone, you won't have to give a flying fuck about whether Voldemort is back or not because I will be the one that will hunt you down and snap your little neck. And thirdly-"
"Ky." That voice made her let go of Lavender’s shirt as if it burned, the red disappearing. She turned quickly, seeing Hermione hovering in the doorway, her mouth and eyes conveying shock. She took a deep breath…and walked towards her, wanting to explain, but was stopped as she felt something hard hit her head.
Ky turned around, but Lavender didn't give her a chance as she grabbed her hair in retaliation. Ky tried pushing her off, but the next second, her foot slipped on the water Parvati had splashed on the floor when she got out. She felt the splash, and for a second, she was submerged in water, Lavender’s hands were still wrapped in her hair. Was she drowning her? She tried pushing up but couldn't, her legs which were still out of the bath were flailing. The weight lifted and she broke the surface quickly, gulping for air.
"Oh Godric! Oh Godric! I didn't mean to; I was trying to straighten up and I didn't realise I was pushing her in! Ky-"
"FUCK OFF BROWN!"
Ky lurched out of the bathroom and dashed for the door. She felt a hand grip her and she swatted it away. The second time however it was sturdy.
"JUST WAIT!"
Ky turned to her best friend, her face pale, and her hair wet, she must have been the one that pulled Lavender off her.
"Mi-"
"Don't! Just don't speak! I don't care what you do, and I don't care who you go to to do it, but you will sort your shit out! You cannot treat people like this!" She gestured to the bathroom door, where Lavender and Parvati’s hysterical voices floated out from, "And you can't treat Umbridge like that either! She is a teacher! Yes, she is infuriating, but at the same time she did nothing to provoke you this morning when you acted like the worse kind of delinquent with her!"
Her face was moving to red, and Ky’s heart ached to see that look of disappointment in her eyes.
Hermione was a constant, wasn't she? She was a constant…then why did she feel like a variable now?
She felt sick to her stomach at the look her friend gave her… and she turned and fled. Tired of seeing that expression, it was the same as the one Sev had, the same one that Cedric had…when Ky saw him in boggart form.
Ky exited the portrait and knew exactly where she was heading.
She raced down the stairs…She’ll kill him.
She will kill him.
A/N: I had to think of a new punishment for Ky, Umbridge seems the type to tailor make her torture. What do you think of it – sadistic enough? Thanks for reading! Feedback as always is much appreciated!
Chapter 14: To go all in
Chapter Text
Disclaimer: Anything that rings a bell doesn’t belong to me
Ky raced down the empty basement corridor, running for so long and so fast she was surely half dry. She suddenly made contact with something hard, and as she began to fall backward, she felt a hand circle around her waist. She looked down...at the warm body that she now lay on top of, which seemed to have appeared out of thin air…to save her from these all-consuming thoughts. Ky didn't think for a second longer, this whole day had been one horrendous thought, and she crashed her lips onto his.
Harry returned the kiss in kind…no, there was nothing kind about this.
His kiss was rough and greedy, and it bled of desperation. She pulled herself to him and he held her tightly, his eyes closed, relying totally on his sense of smell and touch. She looked down as he opened his bright green eyes, the intensity of the stare causing her blood to flow like lava through her veins.
Harry suddenly stopped, and pulled himself upright, steadying her with his legs. She leaned forward but he stopped her with a delicate touch. His fingers caressed her cheek as if it were porcelain, as if he would break her if he exerted any kind of pressure. He traced a line over her lips, his eyebrows knotted together,
"What are you running away from this time, Kyrianna?"
Her name fell off his lips so effortlessly; it was as if he had called her nothing but that from the very beginning. Yet not one fibre of her being objected to the use of the name like it usually did, there was something about the way it sounded in his voice, in his breath, that fit perfectly. It wasn't the fact that Ky didn't like her name all this time; it was that it wasn't said with this voice….
She didn't respond…she couldn't respond. The images flashed through her head and all she wanted to do was distract herself. He held her face steadily in his hands, "Tell me."
It seeped with sincerity, as he chained her with his emerald gaze. She wanted to tell him…she wanted to tell him everything. Let him in, but she remembered what had gone on earlier that night…and honestly, she didn’t know which confrontation with Chang hurt more. That thought had the fire burn in her stomach again.
"I need you, Kyrianna.” She stopped thinking as he leaned forward and kissed her right cheek, moving with a finesse she never knew him to possess, to her ear, "You are mine." There was something about the way he said it that sent a shiver down her spine. This was not Harry Potter and Kyrianna Thornton…somewhere between his lips and hers, the roles reversed. He became braver and she submissive…free…care-free.
She moved her face to capture his lips again, and he manoeuvred out of the way with a smirk on his lips, "Not till you agree."
"I didn't know it was a question." She laughed softly, placing a small kiss on his scar. She felt a tingle across her lips as if electrocuted, it didn't frighten her though. It provoked her to do it again. And again. Harry's hands held her waist, his chin resting on her right breast as she playfully kissed his scar.
Ky pulled back with a smirk, looking down at him and suddenly saw deep grey eyes looking up at her.
She scurried off him in fear, her heart thumping in her chest. She clutched at it, begging for it to slow down. Harry reached for her, utterly in shock, and she blinked him back into focus. It was just her mind taunting her…
"I'm so sorry…I didn't mean to-"
"I can't!"
She stood and turned quickly. He grabbed her and pulled her roughly to him, fear in his eyes at the notion of her running away, "Can't what!"
"Be with you!”
They were both breathing so heavy and were so close that she couldn't tell whose movement was whose, "Why?"
A pang shot through her insides, and she wriggled away from him. He let go and she looked at his crestfallen face and ran away, knowing all hopes of distraction were gone.
Ky raced down corridor after corridor, concentrating hard on feeling. Just feeling…the feeling of the air as it rushed through his damp clothes making her hair stand on end from the coolness. The feel of the cold stone of the lower-level floors of Hogwarts as her sneakers slammed against them, the pain not even being processed. The tickling of her hair as it whipped her cheeks as she took turn after turn. But nothing distracted her. The grey eyes had changed to bright emerald green, but it didn't matter. Nothing mattered, as it shone with the same disappointment. It plagued her like some kind of rash that infested her skin…slate grey…onyx…chocolate…emerald…
Ky slammed the door behind her shut, not waiting to catch her breath as she launched herself onto the stool, magic beyond her right now as she physically grabbed her solution, her hands shook uncontrollably, her breath long left her and now he heart followed suit…
-x-x-x-
"Miss KY!" She registered the squeaky voice float over and felt the slight nudge at her shoulder. Ky turned away from it resolutely, determined to descend deeper into sleep. She woke up quickly as her shoulder hit the floor and let out a painful groan as her butt followed.
It would seem one turn was all it took to usurp a queen.
Ky looked at her scarlet throne and wiped the sleep away furiously, glancing up to see a frowning Kinky.
"I thought a good house elf doesn't wish harm on their master."
"That am the truth. Lucky Master Sirius is not being in any danger." Ky glared at her and got to her feet. The house elf looked her up and down, for a slight creature she was doing a very good job of being very judgy.
"You is still in yesterday’s uniform."
"Doesn't make a difference, does it, same thing, different day." Ky walked to the sink and splashed some water on her face. She picked up her toothbrush, observing it as if she had never seen it before; she turned to Kinky, an eyebrow raised in question as to what it was doing here, convenient it may be.
"And there is a new set of robes." She pointed at the scarlet armchair that Ky just fell off. She smiled slightly at her proper use of the preposition, but it quickly fell as her head throbbed. She rushed forward quickly, her stern face morphing into worry, "Everything am OK?"
"Yeah. Thanks for the clothes Kinky. And the toothbrush." Ky had an idea as to how she knew she wasn't in her dorm last night, a habit Kinky had gotten in to over the summer break. She tended to come and check up on her during the night. She guessed the change of venue wasn't going to stop her.
"No. It is not. But Kinky won't ask more. Kinky just wants miss Ky to know that…hiding in her potions room won't help anything. Plus, armchairs are not beds. You must be going if you don't want to miss breakfast. I must be going back to the kitchens."
She nodded at her and vanished with a click. The announcement of her desired location had her climbing into my fresh clothes with speed, the door banging shut when she was already halfway down the corridor, breakfast long forgotten.
Ky didn't need to wait long; it was almost like déjà vu as he manoeuvred his way through the barrels. Jack Corner didn't get far when she descended on him, her wand jabbed at his throat.
She didn't register his black hair, or his surprised face as a cloud of red descended on her, and it blocked all reason from view.
He didn't step back or try to defend himself; annoyingly, he returned her glare and gesture with a look of concern that angered her beyond words.
It seemed that did it, and his surprised face quickly faded to confusion, then blank, then gagging, as he pulled at his neck.
She blinked hard, trying to push the red poison away as it egged her on, losing control of her magic. She managed to overcome it and he fell to the floor spluttering.
He looked up at her, "Ky-"
"Don't! Just tell me why!"
He massaged his throat, giving her the same infuriating look of concern. She held her breath, starving his magic of power so as to keep it in check. He got to his feet, staggering slightly.
"Why- "He croaked out, his throat dry. He coughed a bit and his magic swirled around her, impatient. "Why what?"
Was he really going to do this? Really?
"Did she bribe you? Did she threaten you? At least tell me it was torture Corner. At least let there have been blood shed for your…." What was it? Betrayal? Was it really? His only allegiance was to a boy that had no power over this realm. She hissed inwardly at that lie, that boy had more power over this world presently than he did when he was alive.
"Please forgive me for any slight that I made against you Ky, but it wasn't intentional. I have no idea what you’re talking about-"His eyes shone with a sincerity that made her take a mental step back in doubt.
"Umbridge." The name was marred as she growled it out. He shook his head in confusion,
"The new Defence teacher? What is it? Is this about what Potter was saying yesterday-"
"Stop your blubbering Corner. This is about you. You told her about…us." He knew who the 'us' pertained to and he shook his head profusely at the statement.
"What…no…why would I…I wouldn't…he wouldn't want..."
Ky looked at his flustered face of honesty and her magic calmed down instantly.
It wasn't him.
He wasn't the one that told Umbridge about her and Cedric.
"Ky I would never…why would I do that…he's not here to explain…"
She walked away from his unformed thoughts, her head ached worse than before. He was the only one, Hermione wouldn't, and Harry definitely wouldn't…who else knew?
She bumped into something, blinded by thoughts and a firm hand steadied her and let go just as quickly. She didn't have to even look up to know who it was, the touch and smell was clue enough.
Ky took a deep breath expecting the molten green eyes…her breath never let out though. It was trapped within her, confusion turned into pain at the blank eyes. His expressionless face lasted all but one second until he broke into an easy smile; he nodded his head to the table,
"Breakfast?" And walked ahead…leaving her standing there, wondering if she had dreamed of midnight snogs on floors of deserted corridors. Ky waited for a heartbeat…and then turned around, heading in the opposite direction.
-x-x-x-
Hermione watched as Harry walked casually to the Gryffindor table for breakfast. Well, it would appear to be casual to anyone else, she saw his eyes brim with determination and his shoulders hold steady, as if he was having a hard time even keeping them up. She held the table tightly, keeping her in her seat as she watched Ky turn and walk away from him, holding on tighter as she spotted the forlorn look on her friend’s face. She bit her lip and Harry sat down next to her, deep in conversation with Ron. Their gaze met for a second and he looked away quickly, reminding her of last night.
After Ky had stormed away, Hermione collapsed onto her bed, hoping for sleep to take her as a prisoner and prevent her from running after her best friend. She held on for fifteen fruitless minutes, and then flung the sheets off her, and flew down the stairs, regret churning in her stomach…it stopped when she reached the common room, however.
Hermione had seen Harry when he was plagued by invisible monsters that ran rampage in school, when he was accused of aiding said monster, when he raged about unknown godfathers that turned traitor against his parents, when he came back from duels with Dark Lords, but today was the first time she had ever seen Harry like this .
He hovered just inside the entrance to their common room, as if a hundred dementors had attacked him again.
Worried, she flitted to him, he looked at her unseeing. "Is everything OK? What happened? Should I call-"
She stopped when he looked at her, somehow knowing this wasn't a Voldemort related problem. He walked to an armchair and sat down. She suddenly realised that they were up for the same reason, or at least the same person.
He sat quietly for a few minutes, and for once Hermione held my tongue. Ron told her that he knew about Harry and Ky on the train ride to Hogwarts, and they both decided that the best course of action was to stay out of it. Whatever ‘it’ was. She didn’t even think Harry or Ky knew. Harry looked up at her, and her heart ached,
"I don't understand."
The angry teenager disappeared, replaced by the familiar face of her brother.
The boy that turned to me whenever life stumped him somehow, her heart pained again for him and she quickly sat down, for once not knowing what to say to him. He shook his head, "It's like…nothing hurts when…"He didn't have to continue, she saw the look on Ky's face herself after they had kissed. For two souls that were often driven into pain, for something to not hurt was a bliss much more than passion could ever accomplish. "Yet she doesn't want me."
He looked down at the last part. The words fell out of her mouth before she could stop herself, "That's not true."
Shite. This was not staying of it. Hermione bit her lip as he looked up at her, the slightest glimpse of hope in his eyes. "Did she say that she did?"
She opened her mouth, and then closed it again. She shook my head in the negative, not having the heart to say the words. He hung his head again and she bit her cheek. Well, she didn't say it out loud, but she could tell she had feelings for him. She always did. She was just confused… well at least that’s what she thought. Of course there was the Cho factor as well, she always felt like Harry had feelings for her. Well, he had, but Hermione thought they long since passed. She ignored Ron's voice inside her head telling her to keep out of it.
"You know…if you told her-"
"I did." He still didn't look up, concentrating on the carpet as if it told the future.
It obviously didn't work out the way he expected. What did Ky do? And why did she do it? Hermione wiped at her face, not realising that she begun to cry. Harry looked up at her, utterly confused at her sniffling. He tried to stop, embarrassed.
"What's wrong?"
She couldn't explain it to him, not after Ky had left him in this state. She couldn't explain how worried she was about her. Yes, she seemed fine. She was an exceptionally good actress, but nobody saw her the way she did. Risking her and Agnes' life just to be part of the action may seem just like a Ky move…but it wasn't. She didn't put other people at risk with her dares. Plus, all summer she alienated herself in sly ways, choosing to work in the potion’s lab at Grimauld place away from them. Even at nights she wouldn't come to bed. And then there are all these altercations. To attack a person the way she did Bellamy was not in her nature, not to that extreme. And Umbridge wasn't a saint, but she barely said a word before Ky chose to degrade her. And then there was Lavender…what was she going to do to Lavender…Hermione knew where all the problems stemmed from. It had to come from the same place…but she wouldn't talk! She tried so hard, but not a word comes out! Ky was like a vault.
Harry stood and put his arms around her, "You mustn't feel as if you have to take sides."
Where was this Harry all this time? This Harry that did not scream, this Harry that she wasn't afraid of, "It's not that. I just don't know what to do…"
The thought scared her more than anything. She had no idea how to fix Ky when she was so resolutely determined to stay broken.
"I advise you to do the same thing I am going to. Do nothing." He walked to the door to the boy’s dorm, leaving her sitting there pondering whether there was method to that madness…can Hermione Granger do nothing. Can Harry Potter?
Looks like he can. He seemed perfectly normal now. Hermione stuck by the decision she had made as well, welding herself to her seat with sheer willpower, preventing her from running after her friend. Ky needed to sort herself out…Hermione can’t… she just can't watch her self-implode.
Not a second longer.
-x-x-x-
Hermione scratched out the sentence, pricking her ears for footsteps. She waited, but there was no creaking door. Had Ky decided to sleep away from the dorm again? What was Umbridge doing for her detention? She wanted to ask her all day today…but her restraint wasn't tested. Ky was scarce. She was present…but not really. She was different…she never spoke in class and did her work in silence. She never made a comment about Luna's forthright testament to following Harry, nor Ernie Macmillan’s. What was Harry doing for detention? He too was evasive when questioned.
Ky quickly pushed her curtains aside as she walked through the door. She headed for her bed and then turned and looked at Hermione, and the she smiled. It wasn't forced or fake in any way. It was sincere and foreign.
"Goodnight, Mi."
She disappeared behind her curtains, her own head still hovered through her drapes, trying to process what she saw.
-x-x-x-
Hermione waited outside Ky’s lab. Today had been breaking point. Yesterday could have been a once off thing. Their schedule was good, no Umbridge…but still. Ky was perfectly normal. No, not Ky normal. Normal normal. She never spoke out of turn, she didn't even laugh at Dean's impersonation of Umbridge, breasts and all. This was worrying, something was definitely up. Hermione couldn’t do 'nothing'. What was she thinking?
She grew tired of waiting and entered. Maybe she had finished detention early. She now knew Umbridge had Harry writing lines; maybe she was doing the same. The room was empty though. She exited; baffled as to her whereabouts…she didn't have to look far though.
She watched as Ky exited her bedroom, that same blank look on her face. She walked forward, but then stopped, what was she going to say? This is just another rebellious act. She knows full well she isn't allowed in her room during term. She observed as her friend walked away, proud at her self-control at not bombarding her with questions. She made to follow, but then was stopped.
"Miss Granger, out past curfew. Ten points from Gryffindor."
She turned to the oily haired man that scared her more than she let on, "I am a prefect Professor Snape."
He didn't even bother with a response as he skulked away.
-x-x-x-
Today was the day. If Ky continued as she had been doing for the previous days, Hermione will confront her. No…no that would be of no use. She tried that already. She’ll owl Linus… or visit Dumbledore! It was strange that he had not seen her as yet; Hermione didn’t think they met for their usual weekly cocoa…maybe that affected Ky as well. She probably missed him.
She watched as Ky walked down the table and sat next to Ron, across from Harry and Hermione.
She greeted them, Ron the only one returning it with any sort of effort. Harry clumsily dropped milk all down his front; Hermione shook her head, why was he even trying to use his left hand to eat?
A shadow fell over the table and for the first time in three days Ky made any sort of reaction. She looked mildly surprised. Hermione watched as a Hufflepuff seventh year, who she thought was named Jack Corner walked passed in a rage and plopped onto a bench at his table.
"Fifty points from Gryffindor, Miss Thornton. You know the rules full well." Snape spoke quietly from behind Ky, but he didn't have to. People didn't sit too close to them these days, what with Harry and Ky behaving like ticking time bombs. "And if I find evidence of another boy in your room, I'll do more than give him a month's worth of detention and destroy all evidence of his presence, no matter how special he may find his quidditch jersey to be."
Ky’s hand stopped on its way to her mouth at that, her whole stance changed from lazily listening to attentive alertness. The spoon clanged loudly as it fell into her bowl and the milk splashed all over her face. The next second, Hermione had her head in her arm, ducking from the shattered glass that exploded from the jar of juice.
"Ky…what the-"
Ron didn't get to finish his sentence as she stood in an instant, her own face and arms dripping with specks of blood from where the tiny shards of glass had hit her unguarded body.
Ky turned on her heel and ran; Hermione got up and pushed past a gaping Snape, for once not sparing a thought of what the teachers thought of her, all thoughts of doing nothing gone out the window at the look of complete devastation etched on her best friend’s face.
A/N: What do you think of Hermione’s perspective? I quite like writing from her view! Thank you for reading and feedback is so appreciated!
Chapter 15: Truth, a beauty when it’s bare
Chapter Text
Disclaimer: Anything that rings a bell doesn’t belong to me
It couldn't be true. It couldn't even be possible. No. It was impossible.
Ky pushed past the Slytherins’ and ignored Parkinson's cackles of laughter as she dashed through the dungeons, her face flecked with little cuts from the shattered jug of juice.
She felt the wind sting her, more harshly in certain places but she ignored the pain and barged through the door much like she had a few months ago when she fled Blishwick.
Ky fell to the floor, and looked under her bed. She grabbed the box and flung it open; her heart beating so fast it physically hurt her.
She touched the bottom, and skirted around the lone object inside…as if hoping that there was some sort of mistake. That she was just not seeing it. She picked up the offending object and flung it against the wall, where it clanged to the floor.
Her eyes opened, blinking repetitively from the bright sunlight shining through the open window. Why did Madam Pomfrey have to be such a morning person? She shivered from the cold…wasn't it much warmer last night? Oh wait…she looked to the bed on her right, it was empty. It seemed her heater had tossed her back in her own bed and left. She rubbed her hands together, feeling something cold on her chest.
The electrifying feeling ran up and around her neck and she found the source.
Her locket.
Harry must have put it back on her last night…
Ky couldn't breathe, the choking sensation got a hold of her again as she let her knees hit the floor. She searched her pockets frantically, looking for her sanctuary.
She found it and had trouble undoing the cap with the rate her hands were shaking. Flashes of the same grey eyes shining with laughter…with fear…cold…empty…disappointed… rattled through her mind.
She finally undid the cap and placed the bottle to her lips.
"NO!"
Ky felt the body clash into her before she could react. She watched as the flask flew out of her hand and her brain surged with images as her only hope seeped into the carpet.
Ky reached for the flask, and pushed the body off with ease. She barely touched it when her hands were pushed down hard over her head, restraining her.
"Please…please…"
She looked up into Hermione’s cocoa orbs as she held her down. Ky’s shame leaked into her mouth and tasted of salt, but she couldn't stop wriggling trying to get to the flask.
"NO!"
The sound was a grating screech that bled from her friend’s throat. She felt a drop hit her face, as Hermione’s worry mingled with her shame. With every drop her breath grew more normal, and with every trembled lip she slowed her wriggling, until she saw her reflection in the chocolate orbs.
The images ploughed through Ky’s head relentlessly and her friend had no choice but to get off her as she flung herself up, throwing up on the floor. It was as if her own body was trying to help her get rid of it all…
She felt cold fingers at her neck pulling her hair back, Hermione soothingly patting her back.
Ky didn't deserve this. She wanted to push Hermione away. She wanted her to leave. But instead, she found herself flinging around and grabbing her desperately, as the pain surged through her. Her friend held her just as fiercely back as if she could take some of that pain from her by just holding her tight enough. Ky’s eyes fell on the now empty box and her sniffling got louder.
She felt empty when she eventually let go of Hermione, as if her eyes and nose had been completely drained.
Hermione looked at her, as she quietly wiped Ky’s face with a hankie. Ky swore she was the only person in Gryffindor that kept one. She wanted to pull away from her friend’s attention, unworthy of it, but she selfishly let her continue, a small part of her glowing golden at the almost maternalistic care Hermione was bestowing on her.
"It was Cedric’s sweater that Snape found.” Hermione’s voice was soft, sympathetic, “He probably just saw the number and assumed it was Jack Corner’s, since that’s his number now.”
Her guess was correct.
After all, she was the most brilliant witch Ky knew.
It will probably be that way all her life.
Ky leaned against the bed, and pulled her knees into herself, hugging them, attempting to fight the grey from settling on her.
Hermione joined her on the floor, trying to hide her anxiety but failing. "Please…let me help."
"Nothing can help it."
The brunette’s face grew furious at her friend’s response, glaring at the now empty flask on the floor, “Not that you didn't try! Calming Draughts are extremely addictive Ky! Not to mention prescription only!"
Ky spared her a guilty glance, and then turned away. Her friend’s words coating her with another layer of shame.
"Please, please Ky, just let me-"
"You can't." She stated weakly. "Nobody can help. Nobody can take it away."
"Take what away…please, tell me?"
Hermione’s fingers flexed, wanting to touch Ky, comfort her, but terrified of disrupting the mood with sudden movements. She was finally talking, and Hermione was clearly nervous of doing something to lose the momentum of the conversation.
"The guilt…"
Ky’s head ached with the flashes of memories that flickered through it, and she leaned it against the bed behind her, hoping some pressure would help fight off the pain.
Hermione slouched lower, so as to ensure she could make contact with the downcast grey eyes, “Ky, it isn't your fault that Cedric died. You tried your hardest to get to them on time. You did."
"I did.” She nodded, in a small, defeated voice. “I know that." Her nods became more fervent; it was Voldemort's fault. Not hers. She had come to terms with that. "It's the before…"
"The before what?”
Ky could tell by the thirsty gleam in Hermione’s eyes that it meant everything to her that she was finally opening up. She held her gaze, and continued, "What happened before Cedric died."
Her friend coaxed her to continue with encouraging gestures.
"I had a dream."
"A premonition?"
She shook her head so roughly it was as if she was trying to fling the thoughts out of her very ears, "Just a dream. It made my decision."
"What decision?" Hermione asked tentatively, exhibiting unseen levels of patience at Ky relaying this story painfully slow.
"My decision to be with him."
"You dreamt of Cedric?”
Ky’s heart ached at this, bringing the memory of him asking the very same question to the surface.
”You dreamt of me?" Cedric smirked down at her.
"No, no." The truth that she had never spoken aloud before whispered from her lips. "No, not of him.”
…he knelt before her, slowly slipping the mask up. He kissed her knee, then her thigh. He pushed her legs apart and she looked down, willing the strength to shine in her eyes. He reached up and took off the mask.…his emerald eyes aglow with promises that her heart begged him to keep.
"Of Harry. I dreamt of Harry. It was Harry, it was always Harry.” Her voice was lamentful. She had feelings for Harry, feelings that probably bloomed ever since their very first meeting. Sometimes she felt as if these feelings could completely consume her, and that was utterly terrifying, so she shoved them as deep down as she could. After all, Harry had never expressed that he may return them - if anything, the amount of arguments they got into last year only showed how very much he didn’t see her in that way.
Yet…Cedric…he was always pulling her to him, whilst Harry was always pushing her away.
Hermione didn't say anything, chewing on her lip in silence, “You didn’t know for sure that you had feelings for Harry last year, Ky. You were confused, you said it was just a passing crush.”
She shrugged, “I wanted it to be.” And that was the truth. Her feelings for Harry had always been this multidimensional thing - on one plane she really truly valued him as a friend, as someone who welcomed her into the Wizarding World, and who sometimes felt very central to it with the fact that they shared her grandfather, and Hermione, and Ron. Yet, at the same time, she couldn’t deny that he had this weird power over her…one that he only wielded because she adored him. “It would be much simpler if we were just friends.”
“Linus told me that you went to bat for me. That you convinced him to bring me back to Hogwarts.”
He swallowed, and she could hear it as much as she could see it, “I thought that’s what you would have wanted.”
She reached forward, her hand on his chest, staring at her fingers to avoid his eyes, feeling his heart patter, “How do you always know what I want?”
His hand covered hers, and her eyes jerked up, catching his steady gaze. He was silent for fifteen heartbeats.
She felt them thunder beneath her fingertips.
She removed her hand and his lips dipped down at this, but she looped her locket off, stood on her toes and put it over him, and tucked it in his shirt.
“This locket brought me safely to you all those months ago.” She cleared her throat, just realising what she said.
Safely to him…
“What do I want now, Harry?”
He swallowed, his mouth falling open slightly, his warm breath on her forehead.
“For me to come back to… safely. To come out of the maze safely, I mean.”
She closed her eyes, glad at this close proximity and their height difference he couldn’t really see her face.
She stepped back, “Full marks. Now, don’t disappoint me.”
And before she could second guess herself, she kissed him softly on the cheek.
Harry’s face was almost the same shade as his shirt, “I’m glad we’re friends again, Ky.”
His eyes were sincere, and her breath came out shakily.
“I’m glad we’re friends too.”
She pushed that painful memory away, “I went to Harry before the Third Task. I thought about just telling him how I felt, but then it was too hard to say that I liked him. I was scared. I didn’t want to lose him as a friend. So I made it clear, or at least I thought I did, that I felt something more for him. And he made it clear that he just saw me as a friend. He even said those exact words - He was glad that we were friends.” She felt embarrassed at the reminder, “I felt rejected. So I went to Cedric. I was selfish. I used Cedric. I thought, in time, I could get over Harry if I had him.” She looked up, saying things to Hermione now that was silently trapped in her heart for months, “I just lied to him. The last words I ever said to Cedric - a complete lie. I just wanted to not feel how Harry made me feel. Not wanted. God, I was awful. I am awful.”
“You are not awful, Ky, you could not have known Cedric would die that night! Yes, lying to Cedric was wrong, but you’re allowed to make mistakes.” She bit her lip, “And in some ways, perhaps it was for the best. He died thinking he got the girl.”
Ky frowned at Hermione, “It was lie though.” She dropped her head in her hands, “I messed up. I should have just told Harry how I felt when I saw him, instead of skirting around it.”
“Why didn’t you? You know even if he didn’t see you in that way, you’re friends. He’d have been kind.”
She looked at Hermione with unrestrained surprise, the answer so obvious and unlike her friend to not know, “You were there Mi. When Harry told me he likes Cho."
She looked at Ky perplexed.
What would you think if I dated Cedric?"
"Diggory?" Ky observed his face carefully, but it betrayed nothing.
"No, the Entertainer. Who else?"
"I would say thanks."
"What?"
"Well, your dating Diggory will free Cho up, wouldn’t it?"
Hermione had replayed the memory in her head, and then looked flustered, “Well…not that I know whether Harry still has feelings for Cho, because I want to be neutral…he had just overheard you saying you wanted to date Cedric. What was he supposed to say?”
“It doesn’t really matter now.” Ky felt so very exhausted, talking about all of this draining her energy, “Even if I went to Cedric, I had chosen Harry. The last hand he was ever dealt was one of deceit.”
She looked at her friend dejectedly, not knowing what to expect now that she had shown her what a selfish monster she was.
Hermione’s shoulder’s lowered, "No Ky…you didn't. You made Cedric's last moments happy.”
“No…no.” Ky scoffed, loathing herself. “I made it so he had last moments. I gave Harry my locket. I made the choice.” She fixated her unhappiness at the offending piece of jewellery, which had laid in the box with Cedric’s quidditch shirt under her bed for weeks until she flung it at the wall earlier.
“It’s just a locket, Ky.“
"That's not just a locket Mi and you know it!" That locket saved her life last year when Blishwick first attacked her, and Hermione knew it had protective qualities.
Her friend’s chocolate eyes brimmed with empathy, ”That locket couldn't deflect a killing curse, Ky."
That was true. But it wasn't the fact that Ky thought the locket would save his life, it was the fact that she had chosen who to protect.
Voldemort wasn't the only one that killed the spare…
But the most revealing thing of all had been her reaction that night, when she opened her eyes and saw emerald green…
"I was relieved when I saw Harry, in the hospital wing after everything happened…. I was relieved." Ky spat it out, disgusted at herself.
Hermione frowned, and patted her back, “It’s awful to think it, but if I had to make a choice Ky, as horrid as it sounds…I would have also chosen Harry."
"The difference is Mi; you weren't the one who told Cedric that you would be there front and centre…shouting the loudest…you weren't the liar.” She choked out the last words, but the confession did not make her feel any lighter.
Hermione shook her head, rejecting her friend’s analysis, "You can't let that guilt eat at you Ky. There's nothing you can do about it now."
"I know.” She rubbed at her eyes aggresively. She knew that she couldn’t make it right. She let him die thinking that she cared for him… that he was the one. That she deserved his affection… "I'm…I'm…"
"Human. You are human, Ky. You made a mistake -"
"That doesn't make it OK! Mi…it hurts so much."
Ky clutched at her tummy, where the guilt churned away.
How do you seek redemption from the dead?
How could she get forgiveness if there was nobody here to give it to her?
Hermione pulled her into a hug, and the shorter girl let her, and the brunette muttered apologies that fell deaf on her ears.
Why was her friend apologising to her? She didn’t deserve it…
"And then I kissed Harry…again and again and again and again…because that's the only time the pain stopped. And then the guilt would rear its head straight after, fiercer than the last time."
"You shouldn't feel guilt about your feelings for Harry, Ky.”
"What should I feel then, please tell me, what?” Hermione’s face was almost as messy as Ky’s, crying alongside her friend. "I try so hard to forget…but I see Cedric all the time. Looking at me, like he knows what a liar I am…no amount of distraction can take it away."
"You can't go on like this. Punishing yourself! Destroying yourself! You of all people know what calming draught does to a person!"
“I know…but I wouldn't let it get that far. I wouldn't let it steal my emotions away like people that fall victim to the thirst for utter bliss. I just needed enough to make the churn stop.”
"How long?” Hermione questioned, glancing at the offensive flask.
"From Monday."
She let out a sigh of relief. Why was she happy that Ky was OK. She shouldn't care…Ky didn't deserve it.
"Why Monday?"
Ky moved out of her embrace, and looked up at her, her head heavy with the strenuous activity of bearing her soul, and leaned against the bed, "Umbridge…she had me writing an article about Cedric for the school archives. I had to interview Chang on Monday, Mona on Tuesday, Alison Fleeceheart yesterday. It was…hard.” Hard wasn't the word but she didn't know how else to describe it. "Umbridge was ticked off that I wasn't reacting like I had the first time, I guess that's why I kept coming back for more of the draught. It was nice feeling in control again."
Hermione grabbed her shoulders and turned her around. "Listen to me. You can't change the past and you can't get forgiveness from the dead…you'll just be chasing shadows. You have to forgive yourself…Cedric’s story is over, but yours isn’t."
Ky looked at her, trying to believe the words she said. She was right, she had to live with the guilt, she’d never be cured of it. There would never be a time when she’d hear his name and not feel the pain of a selfish and naïve fourteen-year-old. But she didn't have to be consumed by it…what use would she be then? Ky could barely remember the past few days…she couldn't go through life punishing herself…all this time she was searching for forgiveness from Cedric when really…she was searching for forgiveness from herself.
"And I think you shouldn't deprive yourself of romance because of the guilt. I think you should give Harry a chance. Don't let it be too late…"
"I can't."
She looked at her frustrated for a moment, "Ky I cannot believe you're doing this. You can't get redemption from the dead-"
"But you can from the living." Hermione stopped; her brows knitted together. "I won't do that to Cho again.” Ky wiped her eyes, "I stole the heart of a boy she loved without her knowing a thing. It was wrong. Even if Cedric and I didn’t kiss…going around making confessions to another girl’s boyfriend. That’s shitty behaviour. Selfish shitty behaviour. They say ignorance is bliss, which is probably true…but I'm not ignorant. Every time she thinks of Cedric, it would be a lie and I know it…I don’t think telling her helps the situation, so I won’t do that.”
She looked solemnly at her, understanding.
"If Harry can be a good boyfriend Cho, if he can help her…comfort her…I have to let them. I won't do it to her again. I can’t be that selfish again.”
Hermione looked like she wanted to argue, but instead, placed her arms around her friend, and Ky laid her head against her shoulder.
And then she finally felt it.
Lighter.
There was no ache.
She was heading in the right direction.
"I'm sorry about the sweater…what were you going to do with it."
"I was working up the courage to get it to his parents somehow."
"You do know that he wanted you to have it…"
“Yeah, as a romantic gesture when he had his whole life ahead of him. I don’t know…it feels weird having such a huge part of him…I feel like only his parents really deserve to have that…I guess that's impossible now."
"For someone always preaching about the impossibility of impossible, you fling the word around a lot."
Both their heads snapped up from their position on the floor, looking at the figure at the door.
Ky felt a cold fabric fall over her and cover her eyes and she removed the material; Ky felt the familiar cloth run through her fingers and stared down at the large number seven. Hermione quickly stood and walked out and she looked up at her guardian, "How-"
"I vanished it to the lost and found…which is like demolishing all evidence...Filch has no system and finding anything in that room is like finding a brain cell in Longbottom's head among all the debris…"
Ky didn't laugh, as Sev sat down on her bed, his legs next to where she sat on the floor.
"How much did you hear?"
He sighed. "Enough."
Ky leaned her head against the bed, feeling as if she had not slept a wink in a week.
"Firstly,"
Oh, fuck there was a firstly.
"I will take your lab and all your potions privileges away if I ever hear of you abusing a potion again, even if it's a laughing draught."
Ky was shocked at that. She thought she was definitely going to lose everything after this little stunt. He looked down at her shocked face, a weird emotion flitting through his eyes, but she couldn’t catch it.
"I do not hold a lot of stock for second chances, and you are very aware of my…less than keen nature for lost causes."
Ky rolled her eyes at that gross understatement.
"Bane. You are no lost cause." She looked up at him, rare emotion shining in his eyes. "You may feel it, and you may feel like the guilt won't ever go away…but it will. Eventually…without the need of any potions. It may take years, or months, or weeks, but a time will come when it doesn't ache so very much."
Ky looked up at him…did Sev know this pain? This guilt. Despite feeling tapped out, a solitary tear rolled down her cheek as Sev looked at her. She quickly turned her face away, knowing how he despised weakness and leaned her head next to his knee. Her breath caught slightly as she felt his hand on her head, petting it gently.
"Bane…do you know why I have not been speaking to you."
She sniffled a little, "Because I broke the rules and acted like a reckless Gryffindor.”
"That is a very small part. I care not what rules you break. Correction, I care not what rules you break that are not set by me. I do care about you endangering yourself. Especially when I am working so very hard to keep you safe."
She let that sink in for a moment...Sev was a spy for the Order, Ky knew that. Was he saying what she thought he was saying? Was he saying that he was taking the risk…for her?
"It is necessary for my position to not be favourable towards Dumbledore's granddaughter…especially now that the Dark Lord is back, and especially in the presence of my Slytherins, you do understand."
She did, she just wished he had filled her in on that first.
She let out a huge yawn, suddenly feeling like Sev's knee was the most comfortable place in the world. It had been a long day, and it wasn't even 9am yet. Ky felt warm hands around her, and then swapped for warm sheets. She couldn't keep her eyes open any longer and let them lay shut. Ky felt his hand pet her hair and she smiled sleepily.
Just before sleep claimed her fully however, she heard the familiar deep voice say, "I have a penchant for reckless Gryffindors." It wasn't the saying that was weird to her ears, but the tone…as it dripped with warmth.
A/N: Thank you for reading! I know it was a long time coming, but hopefully it makes more sense why Ky went to Cedric that evening. I hope you enjoyed that - feedback is always appreciated!
Chapter 16: Reborn from the ashes of lies
Chapter Text
Anything familiar doesn't belong to me.
Ky was struck by complete clarity once she awoke.
Those Calming Draughts and the deep conversation had really done a number on her sleep centre. She slept through most of the day, waking at around four. She missed all her classes, but she assumed Sev would have let her teachers know she was ‘unwell’.
She walked out of her room, stopping to capture the beauty of her quarters as what she hoped would be the last time she saw them in a while. Not that she didn't love her nest… she just had the habit of ending up here broken and bruised more often than not.
After the interview with Cedric’s childhood friend, Alison Fleeceheart, she felt so vulnerable, and had snuck in here last night. She didn’t know he was so close to the girl, and the way she spoke about him made Ky want to pass the shirt on to her. But when she pulled it out of the box, and stared at his surname, she felt she wasn’t ready to let another soul in on the secret. She didn’t really know the girl, and what if she was a gossip, and this found its way to Chang somehow. She would never want to ruin her memory of Cedric. She then hastily closed the box and shoved it under her bed, and Sev must have spotted her breaking their rule and going to her room during term time. He probably snooped around, and found the box, and spotted the number and assumed she was cavorting with the Hufflepuff number 7, and had a go at Jack Corner first thing in the morning.
Absentminded in her reflection of last night, she bumped into a hard body, something she made a mental note to cease doing, she was becoming far too clumsy.
She lifted her eyes to apologise, but then sighed when she spotted the mercurial eyes of Theodore Nott.
He returned her reaction not with his usual smirk, but…a smile. A proper one, ”You're back, Kitten.”
She walked around Teddy, and entered her lab, leaving the door open for him to follow her in.
He walked in, looking at the open door with a raised eyebrow, surprised at her politeness, and closed it slowly behind him, "I see we're in a good mood?"
"Problem?"
"None at all actually." He smiled sincerely, "I'm actually happy you've gotten your shit together. You were becoming quite boring with your vacant smiles and happy disposition. I was afraid I would have to look for another source of amusement."
Ky growled, damn calming draught, heaven knows who else she was too nice to. She had been taking enough of it that she her memory of the past week was patchy. She grabbed ingredients and started throwing them in the cauldron; she didn't have a lot of time. Harry's detention usually finished at six thirty and then she was up to bat with the bitch.
"Detox Potion…?"He knotted his dark brows together as he analysed the ingredients, and then a look of realisation spread on his face. He stared her for a moment, and then started laughing.
"What?"
"Well…. I never thought you were one of those girls, now did I? I mean…you aren't as skinny as you were last year but that isn't a bad thing. Personally, I prefer a woman with curves. And you have the best bum in the school."
He said the last part as if it were not negotiable and Ky laughed at him, "Been discussing my derrière, have you?"
"As a matter of fact, I have. After all, it was the first Wednesday of term yesterday."
"Am I supposed to know what that means?" She added the cabbage extract with a wrinkled nose.
Teddy started chopping the dried peaches into cubes, "Well that's the day we make the Chart. It's actually one of the most heated debates in the Slytherin common room. Well, there's no hair pulling and such, strictly men only, the girls have to retire to bed early. And then the battle begins."
"Battle?" Ky measured out the salt and vinegar.
"Well, it's actually quite funny. I don't usually involve myself in such things, but then my favourite topic was making headlines now wasn't she?” Ky shook her head at the nonsense but let him continue, "Every year, the men-"
“Boys." She corrected.
"Men." He stressed out, “Slytherin House hosts a competition of sorts annually on the first Wednesday of term. Only fourth years and up are invited to partake, but only fifth years an up are allowed to put forward a candidate in the race. But of course you need at least five men to second all nominations so we don’t have twenty girls competing.”
"It sounds as if you're talking about racehorses."
He laughed, "I know, the whole thing is quite misogynistic, but the guys take it very seriously. Pucey and Flint drew wands over Daphne's hair just the other year."
Ky laughed at their ridiculousness, and swirled the potion. "So what? You lot get together and rate the Slytherin girls?”
"Didn't you hear me? You were in the running, can't only have our Snakes in the competition, that would be boring. The whole female student body from fourth year and up are included… well apart from a few members.”
He added the last part in under his breath and Ky’s nostrils flared, hazarding a guess at who may be excluded…he continued quickly before she questioned him on that.
"Everybody votes for their favourite nominee and that girl gets the award."
"Well, who did this lose out to?" She jokingly gestured at her butt, as she let the potion come to boil. She knew she ought to go down there and hex the lot of them for this disgusting behaviour, but she needed to prioritise her vendettas. Umbitch first, then the Snakes.
Teddy laughed, whatever action she did with her butt clearly more on the comical rather than sultry side, "You didn’t! You won best arse."
"Then where's my award?” She humoured him.
He laughed, "Well it's hanging on the back of the notice board now, isn't it? Clad in those green trousers you were wearing on the train to school.”
Ky halted her stirring to look at him in confusion, and then her eyes popped open in offence, "There is a picture of my ass hanging on the Snake's notice board!"
"The back of the notice board, we couldn't very well leave it on the front." Teddy clearly found her response very amusing, "There's also a picture of your lips and your breasts. Relax it's all clothed. Draco says the fourth years are pathetic, they didn't get a single decent shot, not even one of you in a bikini. He managed to get one of Juliette Morian last year, but you usurped her title. Bigger doesn’t always mean better, apparently.”
Ky narrowed her eyes at the boy, ”You guys make the fourth years take photos of the girls who win?"
"Well yeah…it’s apparently a rite of passage. We had to do it last year. But I left Draco and Blaise to it.”
She let out a small sigh, “Good. I was beginning to worry about you, I didn’t think you a complete chauvinistic prat too.”
“Oh, I didn’t want to do it because I’m not good with a camera.” He corrected her with a shrug, “I did question why we only do it to the girls, and then Pucey insinuated I was homosexual, which I’m fine with, it’s just factually incorrect. But then Blaise pointed out it’s actually very complimentary to girls, and Draco said it has been going on for centuries, and it’s part of House bonding and this ‘isn’t the hill to die on’. Though, I know they only make it seem like they’re forced to take part, they both absolutely love it. They almost resorted to violence yesterday over one of the competitions.”
Ky didn’t think her opinion of Malfoy could sink lower, ”Parkinson versus Greengrass?"
"What? No. Pansy is pretty, but she is pretty average. The only thing she was in the running for was best voice and she lost out to Ellie Gould, that sixth year Claw."
"How on earth was Parkinson even in the running for best voice? She sounds like a strangled goose."
He laughed, "We're not talking about talking voices."
Ky frowned at him, “Singing?" He shook his head again and wagged his eyebrows suggestively. “Ugh, bedroom voices?? Hmmm, interesting, Ellie looks like such a saint."
"Oh well you know what they say about the quiet ones."
Ky really couldn’t believe they did this.
"Well obviously the girls with talent lying outside the physical beauty realm don't get their pictures up on the board. I mean what were we going to put for Marietta Edgecombe, a gaping mouth.” Teddy smirked as he leaned against her workbench.
Ky couldn’t help giggling at that, getting his insinuation, and then covered her mouth, immediately feeling a bit guilty, and Teddy was only encouraged to share more information by her response, “You should have seen Damian Flint's face when Martin Higgs nominated his sister Lilah for best cowgirl."
Ky frowned at this, and Teddy patted her head, "Think about it…it'll come to you. Anyway, naturally you don't have any of those awards, virginal saint that you are.” She rolled her eyes at his sarcastic statement, “You were nominated for best derrière, and you won hands down. The only person to vote against you was Martin Higgs who is notorious for liking scrawny skanks, so you see how you're not his type. Daphne shockingly lost out best eyes to that new girl, Bellamy. She drew with Cho Chang, that Ravenclaw seeker for best hair. You drew with Katie Bell for best lips and Daphne won best nose. Daphne won best legs and that seventh year Puff Amy Canzeras won best waist-hip ratio. There was much debate about best breasts, but you beat Juliette Morian by one vote! Oh, and then Draco and Blaise started tearing each other apart for best package."
“Wait, I thought you don’t include men in this? Also, why would those two be in the running if you did.”
“HA HA.” He said sarcastically, not really offended at all on his friend’s behalf, “But not that kind of package. Like overall package. Who is the best looking.”
"Ohhh…"
"Yeah. It's quite ironic actually, Draco looking the way he does and voting for you and Blaise looking the way he does and voting for Daphne.”
Ky rolled her eyes, but supposed it was ironic, and odd, they were both egomaniacs, but of course Blaise was dating Daphne so of course he’d back her…
She shook her head, Malfoy probably only fought for her because he just wanted to be right. Anyway, he had said he thought she was pretty, so it wasn’t surprising information.
"Nobody won, there was a thirty-minute debate, and they decided to call it a draw. You both have a full-length picture up on the board. Proud?"
"Oh extremely." She was all sarcasm, and then gulped down the detox, regretting taking all that calming draught. "Ugh."
Teddy laughed at the way she wiped her tongue, he then took on a serious face, "Maybe that would make you think before you swallow some horrible potion that would turn you into a shadow of your former self…do not do that again.”
Ky nodded, and ducked her head down, slighly embarrassed. Of course Theodore Nott of all people would know the side effects of calming draught, what with his potion brewing skill.
"Oh, and then…"
Ky started putting things away, feeling more like herself having this strange conversation with her strange friend than she had done in ages.
-x-x-x-
Ky removed her school shirt and leaned against the sink at her back. The invisible dictator that was time was ticking away to the moment that she had to see that Toad…
She took a deep breath, and hoped she’d be able to turn a deaf ear, blind eye and calm mind to all the colossal nonsense that comes out of that black hole she calls a mouth. Ky wondered who she would have to interview today, Umbridge surely saved the worst for last. She mentioned having her put the information they gathered, or more like extricated, together tomorrow.
She groaned, that meant she’d have to sit and write out the garbage that Toad sprouts the woman really is inventive with torture techniques. She wondered how she came up with one so specifically awful for her…conniving bitch.
She turned around, and stared at the bathroom mirror… who would have told her about her and Cedric? She had to know, and that’s how she contrived this article idea? She must be used to the propaganda game, being part of the Ministry, they have the Prophet in their back pockets, but to do this at a school level…what sense does it even make as a teacher… and shouldn’t such articles be written by a school newspaper, and not someone of authority?
Ky was distracted from her thoughts by a bright flash. She turned to the left where it had come from and approached the window, quickly pulling on a tee from the wash basket. Ky reached the window in time to see a mop of sandy hair descending swiftly down on a broom.
She burst out laughing, both amused and miffed. The fourth year Snakes where trying a lot harder than Teddy have them credit for, but they really had to brush up on their paparazzi skills though.
Wait…
She stormed out of the bathroom.
"Bobby, where's Mi?"
She raised one manicured eyebrow at her and then flipped to the next page of the magazine she was so engrossed in. "Like I care, but I'm guessing she's in her natural habitat."
Ky nodded, realising she should have guessed too, and left the room.
One good thing about her friendship with Lavender, she didn’t need to apologise to her about acting like a bitch to her the other day. Mostly because she acted like a bitch twenty-four seven and never apologised a day in her life for it.
Ky rushed down the stairs, taking a shortcut to her desired destination. She hopped through the portrait and waved a greeting at Mildred the Morose, she wasn't as bad as people said she was.
She walked towards the wall, hiding behind the statue of Arsenius Jigger. She didn't have to wait long; in less than a moment she spotted the head of sandy hair, and she grabbed the boy and pushed him against the opposite wall. His brown eyes widened in fear at being caught red-handed, and he jostled against her hold, but she gnored him and snatched the camera from around his neck. Obvious much? She pulled out the photo of her and smiled at the short boy menacingly, "Get Theodore Nott. Both of you, library, in five minutes." She let go of him, and leaned down, enjoying the pale look on his face, "I don't like tardiness." She laughed at the lie and turned and walked away.
It didn't take her long to find her favourite mop of brown in the library.
"So, what's your take on the art form that is journalism?"
Hermione didn't look away from the Charms essay she was working on that was due next week, "It's a respectable one and one of the oldest professions. Of course, there are the more debatable facets concerning the writing of a good piece of literature."
"Like anything that is subjective." Ky looked up at her guest, his now warm hazel eyes aglow with mischief. Teddy nonchalantly took the seat next to Hermione, successfully pulling her away from her essay. Sandy Hair hovered behind him.
Hermione shook her head, shuffling the parchment in her hands, "It should be less so. More objective. After all, what better way is there to get a message across than with facts and figures? Less hidden agendas, more proven points."
"Ahh but that's the beauty of writing is it not. An extension of oneself. And a life full of facts and figures Miss Granger," Teddy said with a foreign voice laced with charm, "is very boring."
"A life full of facts and figures Mr Nott, is a life of honesty."
He smirked at her, "Honesty is boring Miss Granger."
She looked at Ky, "Out of the mouth of Snakes…"
He laughed, and Ky realised she had a goofy grin on her face, highly amused by this exchange.
"You misunderstand me, Miss Granger, I don't mean any insult to the institution that is truth. I just think that speaking it right out is boring, there's more fun in fishing out the facts, don't you think?"
Hermione blushed deeply at the low rumble in his voice.
Ky continued grinning at the oddity that was Theodore Nott hitting on Hermione Granger, until the girl in question glared at her, "I suspect there is a reason for your question…and his presence."
Ky beamed at her, and her friend’s glare changed to a look of hesitance, knowing her smiles well, ”Does a girl need a reason to see two of her closest friends."
Theodore laughed, "No, but she does need a reason to see a distraught fourth year. What did you do to Rheines anyway?"
Ky looked at the sandy haired boy who flushed red, and diverted his eyes quickly. She guessed his unquestioned compliance had more to do with the twins on her chest that he had seen moments ago than any threat she could have hit him with.
"Ky?"
She turned to her friend, her smile getting brighter, Hermione’s look getting warier.
"We're going to start a newspaper. I need you two to figure out the kinks and I can go about unkinking them."
Theodore laughed, "And I suppose we need this done…"
"Now."
"NOW!" Hermione shouted, outraged by the ridiculous request.
"Well not now. I'm not ridiculous, like ten minutes. I'm willing to wait."
Hermione looked at Ky, eyes popping. She then took a deep breath. Her face changed to acceptance, "I suppose you have already thought this through. And it is necessary?”
"Of course.” She knew she could count on Hermione.
Theodore returned to his seat; Ky hadn’t even noticed he had vacated it. "You need to see your grandfather. Tell him," he looked down at the old parchment, "You are reinstating the Hogwarts Xpress. Then you need to get it signed off by all the heads of houses. Come back afterwards, we should have an agenda drawn up by then."
Hermione looked at him, mouth hanging open. He smirked back at her; he clearly knew his way around this library, and she was clearly impressed by it.
Ky left the library, leaving her most capable people on the job.
-x-x-x-
She knocked once and then opened the door, and crossed the room and sat down, staring at his black hair. The soft glow of the lamp reflected off his head, in a halo like fashion. Oh, sweet irony.
Sev continued scribbling away for a few minutes, and she stared around his office; he was a fan of minimalism. He shook his head, "Absolute nincompoops…what kind of…” He sighed, putting the essay away, leaning back on his chair. "Bane. I thought you were in detention. You're not skipping, are you?"
Ky smirked back at him, "Me? Would I ever? And miss seeing dear old Dolores. I need you to sign this."
He didn't look down at the parchment, staring at her with discerning eyes, "Need?"
Ky nodded, dropping the smirk, and all her pretenses. She watched his face grow soft at her unguarded expression. Without breaking eye contact, he picked up his quill and dipped it in ink, and then signed the parchment with a flourish.
Ky was stunned for a moment, and then felt a burning in a throat, emotional at that level of loyalty he just displayed, but she thankfully pushed the waterworks away. She smiled at him. This was how he showed he cared…all actions and no words.
Ky managed to catch her grandfather a few minutes ago before he flooed to Germany for ‘business’. He said that he was more than happy to sign off on something that cultivated inter-house bonding, as this endeavour ought to do. She only fully understood what that meant when she returned to Hermione, and she broke the sad news to her of what the process of reinstating the school newspaper involved.
Sev was now reading the parchment that he had signed blindly, "Well…this should be…interesting. I have two rules though, the first being that this better be a once of, and the second being that you have to write the article."
He pushed a quill and parchment towards Ky and she shook her head in the negative, ”It is a once of thing, but no I can't write the article. I have no talent for it. Mi will write it. That's what we have decided."
"Who said you make any decisions? As this parchment says, the teacher overseeing the newspaper shall make all major decisions. So there."
She glowered at him; she should have taken her chances with McGonagall if he was going to make this into some life lesson. Or perhaps he just enjoyed torturing her.
Probably the latter.
She can't write this thing. Ugh, he was just as sadistic as Dolores.
She groaned as she raised from her seat, it’s not like she could ask McGonagall now, it took her forever to convince her, Sprout and Flitwick to sign. For some reason they thought that Ky was up to no good…
She grabbed the parchment, it was already nine in the night, she didn't have time to negotiate so grumbled her acceptance of his terms and left.
-x-x-x-
"sanguinis puri"
The wall slid open and she walked in.
Well, this wasn't fair.
Ky looked around their lair, seeing leather and mahogany. The whole place stunk of galleons. The green glow that filtered the room, to some might seem eerie but she found an odd comfort in it.
There was a babble of talk that broke out at her presence in the Slytherin common room, which she ignored as she walked towards the long leather couch in the centre of the room. Ky nodded at the portrait of Phineas Nigellus, who she met at Black Manor, and he returned it with a smirk, the man loved taking pleasure in others pain. After all, her having to come down to the pits for this was a torturous experience.
Ky hovered over Malfoy, who was stretched out across the sofa with his eyes closed. His eyebrows twitched together as she cast a shadow on him and he turned on his side, facing the back of the couch, “Fuck away Pansy."
"I agree completely."
The look on his face was priceless, his eyes popped open, and he shot up. Upon processing his uncool response, Draco reclined back again, scowling at Ky.
"Don't get comfy. We need to talk. I trust you Snakes have somewhere private we can go?"
He continued to scowl at her but stood and led her to a bookshelf, and pulled a book and the wall slid open. Cliché.
They walked in, and both stopped in their tracks however at the image that assaulted them. Ky bit down on her lower lip, restraining her laugh as Draco heaved a huge sigh.
"Fiddling Founders, I am getting sick and tired of walking in on you two fucking everywhere!"
Even in the small, dimly lit room whose singular piece of furniture was a sofa, one could see Greengrass' face glowing red, but not in embarrassment.
"Fuck Malfoy, could you have waited at least another five minutes!"
"Two minutes darling…actually maybe even one."
Ky heard the disembodied by the darkness voice of Blaise Zabini.
"Well forgive me for not knocking, considering this is my scheduled time."
Malfoy lit his wand and sauntered forward, dropping down next to Greengrass who glowered at him on the sofa, adjusting her dress. Zabini looked up at Ky…from his position on the floor. Why was he sitting on the floor?
Blaise smirked at Ky and turned away from Greengrass and leaned his head against the sofa, "You said you wouldn't need it Draco, but by all means considering the company, take your time. And mine."
Ky smirked at him and walked forward as he got to his feet; he was gesturing for the glowering Greengrass to follow suit, but she held her hand up to stop them, "Actually, you two should stay."
Zabini's eyes were alight with mischief, "Draco, you heard the girl. Leave."
Ky rolled her eyes and took the seat next to Draco, looking up at the two, "Unfortunately his presence is needed. My proposition isn't as…fun in nature as your own."
Zabini's eyes dulled to serious in a blink. He glanced at Greengrass who was finally back to her natural colouring, her intelligent green eyes focused on Ky, both wondering what she wanted from them.
"I'm in need of a few signatures. Two to be exact."
Draco got off the sofa and walked to a cupboard in the corner that Ky didn't notice in the darkness. She heard the gentle sound of liquid, "Firewhisky?"
The glass floated in front of her, but she pushed it away, "No thank you. I need a clear mind tonight."
"Evidently, considering you speak as if you're brain-addled at the moment."
Ky looked up at Zabini, whose countenance was stern as he tipped back the whiskey with a flourish; he grabbed Greengrass and made for the door. She managed to slither out of his grip, "Aren't we going to ask her why she needs signatures from us?"
Zabini growled low, he disliked being challenged. Their playtime was over; he was back to the alpha male he always was save for their private moments. He clearly didn’t realise who he was dating though. Greengrass may look the pureblood princess, but Ky always thought there was more ticking underneath.
"We can't help her. Move, Daphne.”
"You don't even know why she wants our signatures. It could just be for cheques, it's the least we can do."
He shook his head at his girlfriend and shot Ky a nasty glance, "Thornton doesn't need money and anything she does need is surely going to end with a bucket load of dung on our faces. Or worse, blood. Now Daphne, walk. Now."
He didn't wait for a response and pulled her with all his force through the door.
"That was…exaggerated."
Draco leaned closer, his expensive cologne assaulting all Ky’s senses. "I disagree. He has a point. What's in it for me?"
She turned and looked him right in his steel eyes, "A photo for your notice board."
He rolled his eyes, "Nott and his two-foot mouth. Anyway, we have one of you already. It's decent."
"But do you have one with my shirt off?"
He drained his glass and it disappeared, "The answer is No.”
Ky couldn’t help the wounded look on her face. She somewhat enjoyed how much Draco found her pretty, and thought she could use that to her advantage somehow. He laughed which made her feel angry and stupid for even offering, and made to stand but he pulled her back down with a tug on her left hand.
"Believe me Thornton, there are very, very few things I want to see in this world more than you topless, but Malfoys’ don't think with their lower brains. I know anything that would push you to that extreme must mean trouble for me. So, what is it?"
"I need two Slytherin signatures to reinstate the school newspaper."
He maintained his bored expression, "To write about?"
"The true nature of Cedric Diggory's death."
He let his expression fall and looked at her with disbelief, "Zabini is right, your brain is addled. Why on earth would any Slytherin sign their names to an article ousting the Dark lord, it's a death warrant."
"Jokes on you, I have two already. And anyway, it's the least that you can do, considering you told that Umbitch about Cedric and I."
He cocked an eyebrow at Ky, "It might come as a shock to you Thornton, but I don't gossip to the staff about your love life. Who did you get other than Nott?"
"I'll tell you if you sign."
"I can't." He stood and walked to the cupboard.
"You mean you won't."
"Can't, won't, who cares. Either way it's not happening." He turned and leaned against the drawer.
She got up from the sofa, angry now. Serves her right for having hope in this coward.
"Why do you need my signature?"
Ky looked for the panel to open the door, snarling at him, "I told you why."
He pushed lightly at a brick and the door slid open, "Sounds like you don't need my signature, you need a signature."
He grabbed the parchment from her hand and walked ahead to the group of girls seated in the corner. Ky hovered near the closing bookcase, ignoring their glares.
Draco was back in a few moments, "There. You just need one more now."
Ky looked down at the neat signature of Pansy Parkinson. She took it with a sigh, "I guess it'll have to do."
She walked ahead and he stopped her with a smooth hand around her wrist. She looked down at the contact, a threatening gleam in her eye, but he didn't let go, "Not so fast Thornton. I do believe you owe me something."
She sighed, stupid snakes and their good memory.
She handed him the photo that Rheines took and walked quickly away with a small smile, turning to wink at his angry face when she reached the exit.
It's not her fault that Rheines was a poor shot, he zoomed in too much and whilst aiming for Ky’s breasts, he managed to get her left underarm only, not even side boob. Well, she didn't lie.
She was topless.
Ky was stopped at the exit, a tall figure pulling her aside. Greengrass signed the parchment in her hand with a tap of her wand.
"Zabini won't like it."
Her nostrils flared at Ky, yet she still looked dignified, "He's not my boss. Like I care."
She turned and stormed back into her common room.
Snakes… they were all baffling.
She hoped Hermione had better luck with the rest of the houses.
-x-x-x-
Ky sat down next to her best friend at breakfast and pulled her hand away from her mouth, "Would you like some tomato sauce with those nails?"
Hermione glared at her but let her hand fall to the side, "Don't make jokes Ky! What if she-"
"Didn't I say I got this covered? Now will you relax?"
"Five years too late on that cause, Ky. I've been trying to get this one to relax ever since first year."
Hermione turned to Ron with a steely glint, "Sure I can relax, with three headed dogs and flying cars and escaped mass murders-"
"Innocent…escaped mass murderer." mumbled Harry over his toast.
"Yes, yes I know. And now this?"
Ky rolled her eyes, "This is definitely not worse than any of those things mentioned."
"Oh sure…"She trailed of, looking skyward.
Well, one couldn't see the gloomy sky at the moment, what with the amount of parchment blocking it from view.
Ron, being the tallest, grabbed the first one, skimmed the headline, reached the bi-line, and looked up at Ky, "You didn't-"
He didn't get to finish his sentence as a very feminine hem hem interrupted him. He gulped down his porridge as he stared at her over Ky’s shoulder.
Ky, however, didn't turn around; she crossed her legs very Nessie-like and opened to the first page of the Daily Prophet, oblivious to the squeals and shrills around her.
"Hem hem"
She turned to the next page, laughing at that Mad Muggle comic that Ron always liked, "Look at this one Ron, it's about unicycles-"
"Miss Thornton."
Ky turned around, a look of well-practiced innocence on her face. "Professor Umbridge. Well, what brings you to our little nook of the world so early on this fine- “
“My office, now.”
Again, she adorned the innocent expression, they were garnering far more attention now, “I unfortunately cannot comply. Seeing as it is…” Ky looked at her watchless hand…oh crap.
“Seven thirty.”
She looked at the familiar voice of the redhead and gave Ginny a small smile.
“Exactly. And I do believe, and of course I am being absolutely repugnant even bringing this up, as if you don’t know, but a teacher can only request the presence of a student out of school hours if there is a very good reason for doing so.”
Ky’s comments had no effect on Umbridge, “Well then you will kindly stand up and follow me, Miss Thornton.”
“I’m so sorry, but as I stated before-“
“The parchment littering and polluting the minds of these students is good reason enough Miss Thornton!”
Ky struggled to contain her laughter at Umbridge losing her cool, but they both regained it expediently, as she schooled her features into shocked innocence whilst the teacher simmered to stern disapproval.
“I have no idea what you are talking about. Do you have proof that I am the hand that…littered the minds of these students?”Ky gestured flamboyantly at the students around them who were all now reading the first story written by the newly re-instated Hogwarts Xpress.
Umbridge smiled wider at her, eyes shining in crazy, “Your name is on the parchment.”
Ky laughed patronisingly, “I know that. But I’m no more responsible for the Great Hall being showered with my words than the writers of the daily prophet are of theirs; I believe it’s the owls. Of course, you may by all means call the school owls into your office and question if they had seen the culprit responsible for this…pollution. I however was seated right here during the…distribution… process..”
Ky turned back to her breakfast, catching an amused green eye, and had to sqush the sudden flare in her tummy. She felt warm air at her ear as the dragon breathed down her neck, "I advise you to follow me to my office right this-"
"Is there a problem, Dolores?"
Ky turned in her seat and flashed her grandfather a grateful smile, which he returned with his eyes.
Dolores straightened up to her unimpressive squat height, and smiled at the Headmaster of Hogwarts, "Unfortunately there is Albus. It seems that, hem hem, there has been some unauthorised propaganda polluting the minds of our students. Courtesy of Miss Thornton, I would like to allot her punishments and begin to rectify the mistakes."
Dumbledore’s smile grew, his expression totally sincere yet patronising all at the same time.
Ky made a point that she ought to learn how to do that.
"I am sorry Dolores; it would seem that you have been misinformed. This parchment is not propaganda, but an article. Written by the Editor-in-Chief of the Hogwarts X-press, authorised by myself and the supervising teacher, Professor Snape. I do admit the method of distribution is quite unorthodox, Miss Thornton, have you had a hand in this matter?"
Ky looked flustered for a second, "No…no Headmaster. If anything, I would have thought Professor Umbridge would have been excited that I had finished the article we were working on a whole day earlier than her previous deadline of this afternoon. I know I took some liberties with editing, but you will find that the Hogwarts Xpress Editor-in-Chief has the final say on such matters."
Umbridge smiled down menacingly at me, "I was not notified that there were elections being held for an Editor-in-Chief of a school paper that didn't exist a day ago. I, hem hem, am sure you have to run the forming of a new school group or club, or organisation, in a scheduled staff meeting."
Ky smiled placatingly at her, "Oh that is perfectly correct. But you see Professor, this isn't a new group or club or organisation, this is just the reinstatement of the Hogwarts Xpress, you would find was established in the fifties. For all reinstatements you just need sign off from the four heads of house and the Headmaster."
Dumbledore smiled down at Ky, "I see we could not have elected a more thorough Editor-in-Chief.”
Umbridge finally let her fake smile fall, "And when were these elections held? At midnight?"
Dumbledore looked at Umbridge as if she were mad, "Of course not…though that does sound like quite a fun idea. Like a pyjama party…we could make a bonfire-"
"It was held at six, and I was elected by a member out of my own house, and I received votes of confidence from four members from every house. As is stipulated by the rules necessary in deeming a student a head of a club, group or organisation.”
Umbridge smiled, and Ky was glad that it no longer even appeared authentic, it looked like she was just baring her teeth, which probably was more honest, "Very well, of course I would like to see the-"
"Paperwork is in your office on your table. Not that it is any of your business…I was being courteous.”
"How very considerate of you Miss Thornton. But that still leaves how the parchment came to float down from the ceiling a mystery."
Ky grinned at her, "Oh Professor Umbridge, I do believe you have given me an idea for a cover story for our next edition…illegal parchment distribution syndicate."
Ky gestured with her hands showing large bold letters.
Umbridge looked close to actually breathing fire with how her nostrils were flaring, and she turned and walked away, probably to plot her revenge.
The headmaster turned to his granddaughter, “Kyrianna…Parchment Peddlers or Paper Pushers is much catchier.” He winked at her, “Do have a good day."
He turned and waltzed off, not greeting Harry or the others…strange. But she couldn't care about that right now, she smiled down at the paper.
Cedric Diggory, the Soul behind the Spirit
By Ky Thornton
Months have passed, yet hearing the name of her high school sweetheart still brings tears to the eyes of Cho Chang, the girlfriend of the late Cedric Diggory. This is no wonder as Chang describes him as, "The perfect gentleman, he pulled out chairs, fit the bill even though I wanted to go Dutch, he…he bought me a rose. He gave me his sweater when it got cold…he was amazing."
It would seem that Diggory's Charm didn't lie just in the classroom (he had been top of his class in all his subjects) and his head of house, the enigmatic Professor Sprout said that Diggory, "was definitely the brighter of the sunflowers that she has helped grow."
When asked what three words she would use to describe the Triwizard Champion (1994), childhood friend Allison Fleeceheart said, "Eyes, laughter, bowler hat." When asked to explain she said that he had soulful eyes and contagious laughter, but the latter would have to remain a secret.
An avid quidditch player, he captained and played seeker for his house, Hufflepuff, alongside beater best friend, Jack Corner. Corner said this of Diggory, "I know that he entered that tournament for more than just hero worship, he wasn't chasing fame, he just wanted to do his family and house proud. And he did that. I am prouder than ever to call myself a Hufflepuff, and that's because Cedric was brave beyond words till the very end, facing an obstacle that many never, and I hope ever, face."
This obstacle is of course his last moments, where he was faced with the wand doing the bidding of the Dark Lord Voldemort, who stole more than just Cedric Diggory's life that day. He stole Chang's boyfriend, Corner's best friend and Sprout’s ace student, but most of all he stole the child of Mr and Mrs Diggory...
Guard your heart and your mind of this thief, but most importantly guard the memory of Cedric Diggory, the boy who died too young by the hands of a man that has lived too long.
The Toad was barely two feet away before the floodgates opened; Ron's forehead was blending in with his hairline as he triumphantly laughed so loud that Hermione shoved a bun in his mouth so that their Defence teacher didn't hear.
Ky’s eyes found green for a moment, and everything fell silent.
She wondered how something so intense could exist in the cacophony of carefree laughter that surrounded them, yet they continued swimming in this stare.
Like someone pulling out a stopper and draining the water from their pool, Ky felt an arm around her shoulder. And just like that Harry glanced away…
She followed the fingers up and found humorous brown eyes. Ky stood and gave Fred a quick hug, she barely let go when she was swept up again.
"That was bloody amazing!"
George placed her back on her feet and Ky returned his smile with no effort.
"Wouldn't be possible without you two! How did you get it to fall from the ceiling like that?"
Fred smiled smugly at her, "A magician never reveals his secrets!"
Ky laughed at the very muggle quote. It seemed all that time the twins spent running off to that muggle village near their house in the Summer was paying off.
"So, you two joined this Newspaper as well?" Ron looked surprised at the Twins. "Never thought of you two as the type to be part of an organised group. Then again," He turned to Ky, "That's not really your deal either."
Ky sat back down and gave Ron a toothy grin, "Didn't you know of my passion for writing Ronald? The only thing that overcomes it is my passion for organised groups!"
He laughed at her sarcasm, knowing if she didn't publicly answer meant that she would explain later, privately. "But of course. Then again, thanks for not forcing us to join the club," Ron shot Hermione a glare, "See Hermione, friends don't make friends join annoying clubs."
"Friends don't let friends make annoying clubs either." Harry muttered into his toast, but nobody else had caught it.
Hermione glared at Ron, "Actually we were looking for you two everywhere, where were you last night? I know Harry had detention. We really needed you to sign this, it was very time sensitive."
Ron's ears went pink, it was obvious he didn't want to say where he was last night. Harry cut in, "How did you get Slytherins to sign off on this?"
He directed the question at Hermione, but they all knew who he was asking. Well, if he wanted to act like an immature prat and ignore Ky then she wouldn’t tell him…
Fine it wasn't like he was acting without reason…
Hermion looked at Ky, and Harry let out a sigh, not following her movement.
He really was so stubborn. Her hand clenched around her hand, as a small fear grabbed her that Harry really was never going to talk to her again for kissing him and then running away.
But then at that moment, she caught a familiar face behind him, and she shot off the bench, "I'll see you guys in the Binn."
"Stop calling it that!" Hermione chastised Ky as she ran out of the Hall.
Ky caught up with the blonde in the Entrance Hall, "Fleeceheart!"
She turned around frozen mid step on her way to the grand staircase, her light green eyes dilating in surprise. She told her friends to go on, "Need me to sign something else?"
Ky shook her head and dug her hand into her bag, pulling out the quidditch jersey. She looked down at the large number seven, feeling the soft material for the last time, and then held it out to the blonde. Alison looked down at it as if Ky was holding out a grenade.
Her eyes were a wall of liquid, but she held her glare, "What do you think you're doing?"
"I think you know."
Alison stopped glaring at the letters and started glaring at me instead, "That's yours." She turned around and headed for the grand staircase.
"No, it's not." Ky followed her, grabbing her hand before she reached the stairs.
Alison turned around, wrenching her wrist from the smaller girl, "Don't touch me!"
Ky didn't flinch at the scream nor did she back away from the venomous glare and held the sweater out to her again.
“What are you doing Thornton? What game are you playing now?"
"This isn't a game, Fleeceheart. This is what it is."
"And what is this?"
Ky sighed, trying to bite her tongue, to be patient, "Me giving you his sweater. Take it."
Alison looked at the article of clothing again, and glared back at Ky, "I can't."
She turned and walked up a few steps.
"Why not?"
She turned and tossed Ky a green-eyed glare, she was getting too many of those these days, "I don't have to explain anything to you."
There it was. That glint. That glint of absolute dislike. She hid it well when Ky interviewed her, and even when she sought her out to sign on with the Hogwarts X-press last night, yet she couldn't rein it in now.
"I don't like Cho Chang."
Alison stopped on the third step and turned around, "Is that why you're doing this? You don't want her to have it so you're passing it off to me!" She took a step down, "I can't fucking believe this! Do you have any idea what it means to be the person who…he gave that to you! To you!"
"No, he didn't."
She tossed Ky an exasperated look, "Yes he did. Don't insult my intelligence."
"Jack Corner gave me this shirt."
"Because HE wanted you to have it."
"Yes. Several months ago, Cedric wanted me to have this shirt. But not today."
Her anger faded to confusion, "How can you know-"
"I just do. Look…just take it."
Alison didn't budge and Ky felt annoyed at the girl for making this all needlessly difficult.
"What do you mean? How can you know-"
"Because he never told me about you and because I don't like Cho Chang.”
Why wasn't she getting this, it was so obvious. Alison just looked angrier and Ky guessed she forgot not everyone was Hermione and understood her with little explanation, "I don't like Cho Chang in the same way you don't like me."
The whole school was abuzz with it. Yes, some of the scenarios were definitely false, Ky was sure Harry didn't shag Cho in the first-floor broom cupboard, and she knew they weren't dating since last year. But that was the Hogwarts rumour mill, weaving stories more intricate than fine silk. Alison surely has heard about Harry and Cho walking down to dinner yesterday, and she should understand what Ky was trying to say right now without her having to say it.
She was admitting her feelings to Harry to almost a complete stranger, and if this hadn’t been so important, she’d never have done it.
Alison’s glare softened enough for it to be not lethally poisonous, "How did you know?”
Ky had to force herself not to laugh, how did she know Alison loved Cedric? How did anybody not know.
"You signed off on this. You took the risk; you cared if his name was dragged through the mud. And…that look. When you spoke about him…"
Ky didn’t know how she hadn't seen it before, it was so evident in her eyes, in her everything.
She had to wonder if Cedric saw it and chose to ignore it?
Alison took the next step down, looking dazed, "He didn't want me to have that shirt."
Ky knew what she was really saying. What she was really saying was, 'he didn't want me.'
She took a step up, looking the seventh year in the eye, "He didn't. But he would have eventually…Fleeceheart, you knew him from the cradle…and not once did he mention you to me…"
She looked back down at the shirt, "He…you and him…"
"Would never have lasted, as I told you… I don't like Cho Chang."
A look of understanding graced her features, "Why me?"
Ky shook her head, "That's not the question. That's not a question. Believe me, it's you. It was always you."
"You said it yourself! He never even spoke about me to you! Not even mentioned my name!"
"Exactly!” Ky took a step forward, now standing on level with her, "Exactly. Not once. All these other stories featuring all these characters. Jack, and Emily, but never you. And I never spoke about… Harry, if I could avoid it. I was scared it would be really obvious when I did. And I think it was the same with him. It’s really terrifying liking someone whose so important to you, not just a stranger, someone who is like home to you. I think Cedric was honest and I think he did like me.” Ky swallowed, more honest to this stranger than she had been to her closest friends, “Something bad happened last year and he was such a good friend. And I think I made him feel useful, which he liked it. But if we ever really dated, he’d realise that all those feelings were just circumstancial. He was really clever, and I think he’d figure out my heart wasn’t really there.” Ky laughed, looking up at the ceiling, “I don’t even think he’d be angry at me. He was so understanding, and kind. I think he’d be like, ‘Kid, you’re such a mess.’ And then he’d do something really stupid and selfless and tell me to go confess to Harry, and in talking me into being brave, and risking my friendship, he’d have convinced himself to do the same. And he’d have come to you, Alison.”
She looked at Ky, face shining with shed tears, “How do you know?"
"Because you can't even say his name. It's been months and you still can't say his name…and you dislike me, yet you signed off on this yesterday without even batting an eyelash…you don't get to that level of loyalty without some sort of return. He may not have given this to you then, but I'm sure he would have eventually…please…take it."
She stared at Ky with a blank expression and then held out her hands and Ky pressed the quidditch jersey into it. Alison smelled it, holding it to her face as she sobbed into the fabric as the scent summoned the memories.
Ky turned, wanting to let her have her moment lost in grey eyes and bowler hats.
"Thornton."
Ky turned around and looked up at her, "Thank you."
Ky nodded, knowing that she had done the right thing when she saw that look in Alison’s eye.
That look that said the only way anyone was going to get their hands on that jersey is if they pried it from her cold dead hands.
That there was loyalty.
That there was love.
That there was the girl that Cedric would have married one day, and Ky didn't need foresight to know that…
She just did.
A/N: That last bit was especially for Fawkes7567 . I’ve had a few people ask me what I think would have happened if Cedric survived, and I think this is how it would have panned out. Cedric and Ky had such a limited relationship, they only ever met in secret, and I don’t think they would have lasted out in the open.
I think they genuinely liked each other, Cedric was support to Ky in a matter that Harry, understandably, was not mature enough to help Ky navigate. She appreciated this about him, and her feelings came from a place of feeling safe.
Cedric enjoyed the role he had in Ky’s life, she was feisty in public, but he saw her vulnerable side, and his feelings for her was dependent on this dynamic. Once they didn’t have this circumstance of healing after her assault, and they took their relationship public, I think it would have been evident that they were not each other’s big loves, and they both had feelings for others. Cedric for one would see Ky with Harry, and Ky would see Alison with Cedric, and that relationship would have come to an end when they confronted each.
Or at least - that’s what I think!
Chapter 17: The Queen that led her pawns to slaughter
Chapter Text
Anything familiar doesn't belong to me
Trigger warning: mention of physical abuse.
"Hey Eva!"
The Fat Lady looked down at Ky, her eyebrows pulled together tightly, "Oh…sorry…are you suddenly talking to me?”
She laughed at the guardian to Gryffindor Tower, “My apologies Marie, it seems I have been a bit of a bitch recently."
"Actually no, it was the lack of your bitchiness that I found offensive."
"Oh, is that so Tanya, I think you missed more than the conversation. I suspect what you were missing was intel."
She sniffed haughtily, "Like I need a little whipper snipper like you for intel! I run this castle Missy, I know who leaves, who comes-"
"Who proposes…"
She stopped with a gasp, "What...No!"
"Unfortunately, yes Francesca, Hawthorne on bended knee, five minutes ago…"
She let out a huge huff, "Why that…"She disappeared into the portrait on her left to find the knight that she had been trying to bag for years now.
Ky continued down the corridor to dinner, but stopped when she heard her name. She turned back to the portrait, and spotted the Fat Lady in the painting of the Griffin a few canvases down the corridor, "Welcome back.”
Ky gave her a huge smile, “Thanks Mia.”
She made her way down the corridor. Trust her grandfather to ruin her plans. When she walked into his office in the hopes of dissolving the Hogwarts X-press, which had always intended to run for one story, he refused to sign off on that! He kept harping on about opportunity for house bonding! What is it with his obsession with them all holding hands and singing kumbaya around a fire!
Sure, she got that they shouldn’t judge people just because of the colour of their ties, but at the same time…
Ky couldn’t be a part of an organised group! And most definitely not the head of the atrocity!
She grumbled to herself as she descended the castle, he was talking about having scheduled meetings! Ky was against any kind of time dictating events!
Didn't he understand that this was just to get a one up on the Umbitch!
Oh dang, Sev is going to have her liver for this. Taking her heart would be too quick and painless a death for him to enjoy. Well, she would leave it to her grandfather to tell him that he has to play supervisor to their meetings. That's just what the Potions Master would want, more engagement with students.
Ky made her way down the table, making a beeline to the head of brown that was stood out, uncommonly solitary from its usual borders of fire red and jet black.
Hermione looked up as Ky took the seat across from her, "How was the pre-dinner cocoa?"
"Lousy. Considering it was non-existent. Nonno only had enough time to break my heart and then he was off flooing wherever he had to floo to. Probably off to have pre-dinner cocoa with some other lost great grandchild of his in Hungary or something.”
"Ky! That is incredibly disrespectful! And I don't consider the lack of cocoa provision as a method of breaking a heart!"
"Well, I do. Anyway, that's not how he executed the fatal blow. He doesn't want to sign the dissolution of the Hogwarts X-press! He wants to continue this...this...this-"
"Newspaper. A good way to learn responsibility and get experience on life out there in the real world. Plus, that's no way to speak about your grandfather."
Ky sighed and pulled the bowl of pasta towards her. "I know, I know. It's just that it's been forever since we’ve had a conversation. Without him having to floo off somewhere."
Hermione leaned forward and patted her friend’s hand affectionately, "Awww Ky." She sat back and gave her a stern look, "Grow up. The evilest dark wizard in the world is back, and the fact that he's not flaunting his reign of terror means that everybody is not on high alert. So those of us who do know, like the most powerful wizard in the world also known as your Nonno, is trying to keep those ignorant, naïve, and unfortunately ungrateful people safe. Yet whenever you went to his office, he was there. Even if it was a spare five minutes of his absolutely precious time. So don't pout and…" She sighed and took a bite of her pasta, "Just be grateful, Ky."
Ky gulped down some pumpkin juice, that's what she got for complaining to her best friend. She had to assault her with her 'common sense'. "I am grateful…I just miss my cocoa."
She smiled knowing what that really meant, "It's OK to miss your Nonno. Maybe you should set aside a specific time instead of just pitching up at his office, so he'll try to make time."
"Oh Godric, are you seriously discussing the planning of more scheduled events with me! Salt in wounds Mi, salt in wounds."
She laughed and looked at the doorway, "Did Ron mention where he would be tonight?"
"No. I thought you would know. Harry?"
"Detention with Umbridge. He should be done soon…don't you have her at seven?"
"Don't remind me. I wonder what-"
"-knew she uses make up!"
Lavender squeezed in next to Ky, screaming at the top of her lungs in excitement. Hermione and Ky looked at her and Parvati in annoyance, why do they have to suffocate a room!
"I can't wait to tell Terry. The way he's always going on about her to Padma as if she's this natural goddess."
"Fake bitch." Lavender muttered, stretching over Ky to the pumpkin juice. "I bet she isn't even a natural blonde."
"Do you mind not stretching your gorilla arms all over my pasta, it's seasoned just right, I don't need essence of Bobby Brown all over my Al Fredo."
Dean and Seamus sniggered into their plates, and Bobby and Parvati shot Ky nasty glares.
"Anyway, who is the fake blonde you gals were talking about earlier?”
Ky shook her head at Seamus, honestly, he cared more for gossip than any of them did.
Parvati turned to him in excitement, "Daphne Greengrass! We saw her putting on makeup on the first-floor bathroom and she's always going on about how she doesn't need that 'nonsense' on her face."
"I don't care whether her face is real or not, as long as everything below the- ouch" Dean shut up when Lavender hit him on the head before he completed his sentence.
Ky frowned, it did feel like unusual behaviour for Daphne. She turned to look at the Slytherin table, which was just filling up. She spotted Daphne quickly, and was relieced to find she looked perfectly normal. She followed the line of heads down the table, looking for the familiar yet strange combination that was Theodore Nott. He usually winked at Ky at dinner and she thought she might be missing her wink.
She spotted Draco and Blaise, who just settled into their seats, a bunch of Slytherin boys filling in around them. Her frown deepened, she couldn’t put her finger on it, but Draco looked different. Something about his stature, and it wasn’t common for that many of them to flock circle around each other.
As Ky was taking in the Slytherins, Blaise looked up and caught her staring, and she gave him her usual cocky grin, which he didn’t return. Instead he threw her a look so filled with hatred it felt like it burned through the room and Ky was surprised she hadn’t exploded.
She looked down the table, trying to find Theodore once more. He loved Italian food, so it was surprising for him not to be there. One could usually set their watch to him for dinner, he could be late for classes, but never for food.
A cold sensations floated down Ky’s spine, and she suddenly shot up.
She just noticed who else was missing.
She ignored Hermione’s worried calls, and went straight for the Snakes table, "Where's Teddy?"
Drack didn't look up as he cut into his steak. How did he have steak? Wasn't it Pasta and Pizza today?
Ky glowered down at him, and he continued to methodically cut his food. She chanced a glance at Zabini who was still glaring at her, ”Where's-"
"Fuck off.”
Ky mentally took a step back, afronted. On the outside she was unfazed. They were nowhere near friends, but they were polite to each other. Draco never ignored her and Blaise never swore at her.
Ky looked down the table again, meeting Daphne's eyes; she seemed to be trying to tell her something silently. She caught on where her eyes were gesturing to, and she turned and walked in that general direction, and was out of the great hall in five strides.
She thought the only privacy they could get was the girl’s bathroom, and she entered it, expecting Daphne in a few moments. She stood in front of the mirror, her heart rate was dancing the rumba…something wasn't right. She took a deep breath, letting it out just as the door opened. Ky turned; ready to confront the intelligent green glow, instead she was assaulted by dull brown. She was a Snakeling, must be a second year. Ky turned back around waiting for Daphne.
"She said the forest.”
Ky turned and looked at the mousy haired girl; she was a dainty thing that seemed like she wanted to be anywhere but here. She quivered as she held her head straight up, the very action taking strain on her. What little resolve she had fled her, and the kid turned and ran out.
Ky was frozen for three heartbeats, and then surged through the door, and head straight to the dungeons, racing down the corridor.
Daphne knew Ky was looking for Teddy. Was he in the forest? The forbidden forest? Nothing good ever came from that place. She was already on the quidditch pitch when she realised that there were hundreds and hundreds of feet of the forest, where the heck should start looking.
Could he actually be in the Forbidden Forest.
She glanced back, should she get Sev?
Her heart rate was making her dizzy, she suddenly felt an urgency. She’d been having an odd feeling for a while, and she needed to trust her instincts.
Ky ran towards the edge of the Forest nearest the pitch and lit her wand. If Theodore went into the Forbidden Forest for some reason, maybe some stupid Snake dare, he’d probably enter this way, the short cut through their own back garden so to speak.
"Teddy?"
There was no response but the rustle of leaves, and the loud entrance of the night that was quickly descending on Ky.
She walked further into the forest. “Theo?”
She heard a twig snap so she spun around, “Expelliarmus! Stupefy!”
The wand went flying out of the blonde boy's hand and he crumpled to the floor. Ky walked towards him quickly and crouched down. He looked familiar, she thought he was a sixth year.
Her head snapped around when she heard a cough, and her wand-light found the unique dark hair.
Teddy Nott was sat at the foot of a tree, and he looked in bad shape, his head hanging forward as if his neck couldn’t support him.
Ky ran forward and fell to her knees.
"Teddy! Look at me!"
She reached forward and gently touched his neck, his rasped breathing hitched at her contact, and she let go as if burned. He looked like he had an asphyxiation charm on him, and his skin was fragile.
Her eyes fell on the bloody shirt, observing where his wounds were.
Merlin there was a lot of blood.
"The-"
"Don't speak, I'll get you out of here.”
Ky conjured a stretcher, but stopped when she felt fingers grasp her hand. She looked down in shock as his unusually dark eyes stared up at her, sheer determination keeping his neck up, “The kid. Rheines.”
Her confusion disappeared as more pieces of the puzzle was laid in place in her mind. The realisation that the fourth year, Liam Rheines, was missing as well is what made Ky spring into action. Retrospectively she realised that she was the thing that tied them all together, or at least, their signing onto her X-press idea. She must have subconsciously registered that fact, acting on it this whole time.
“Where is Rheines?”
Theodore’s head fell back down, but he gestured frantically with his eyes, deeper into the forest. Ky looked into the darkness, not seeing anyone. He continued gesturing, he must mean deeper.
“I’ll be right back.”
She conjured a warm cloth that she hardened, and wrapped around his neck for support, not knowing how to make a neck brace.
Ky walked slowly into the forest, feeling each leave caress her skin as if it was death herself. Every crunch of dirt beneath her feet echoed unforgiving into the silence.
“Liam?”
Ky walked deeper, searching only for his sandy hair in the darkness, trying not to forge the darkness into monsters from her overactive imagination, “Liam?”
She heard a soft whispering which soon was defined into whimpering as she got closer. “Liam?”
Ky ducked under a branch and dodged the ivy on it, spotting the tiny figure as she straightened up. She rushed towards him quickly, as he hung limply against the trunk.
“Shit.” She grabbed him, cutting through the ties with her wand easily. He fell onto Ky, and she held him steady, her knees buckling slightly, the boy was younger but he was still taller. She looked down at him, there was no sign of blood, but he felt deathly cold. Ky rubbed at his arms, warming him with her wand to get the blood flowing so they could get the heck out of here.
She just spotted a scarily recognisable shadow over the bark, and she let go of Liam, letting him fall to the ground as she blasted the beast off its legs.
Ky stared in horror at the spider that was the size of a car, positive that she would be much more afraid if Harry never told her the story of the acromantula. She turned around and grabbed Liam, hoisting him on his feet, knowing these spiders were not known for their solitude.
As if on cue she heard a disgusting clicking sound to her left and blasted that one back. She gasped realising that that had actually been two giant spiders, and one of them was heading straight at them.
“Look out!”
She turned around quickly as a large leg collided with them, dropping them both to the floor. She flung another curse at the large spider that hovered above them and didn’t wait another moment to fire its successor. She scrambled to her feet and aimed again.
“Get on!”
She turned to the familiar voice, looking down at the sleek broom between his legs. She didn’t hesitate as she swung on, realising the boy already had Liam seated on the broom.
Ky flung a curse at the sound of the clicking but didn’t have to fire another as two seconds later, and many scratches from the unforgiving branches, they soared through the black sky, as she held on tightly to her dark knight.
-x-x-x-
Draco’s mind was bubbling with anxiety. What did he just do! What the fuck did he just do?
The warm hands that burned at his waist reminded him why the wind was whipping his hair as they stormed through the sky. He could feel her heartbeat on his back, and a hollow laugh in his head at the fact that just yesterday he would have wanted nothing more than Ky Thornton’s breasts at his back. And now he wanted to do nothing more than let her plunge to her death.
"We have to go back, Teddy-"
"Is with Granger. Merlin, stop wriggling Thornton!”
She really was making this whole thing more difficult. Tempting him to just let her fall. But no. He couldn’t do that. It would defeat the purpose of running after her in the first place. He descended and almost landed, but the warmth faded from his back before he could touch the Quiditch pitch.
"Fuck, Thornton-"
She didn't bat an eyelash at the swear and pulled the boy off the broom. Rheines responded with ease; the flight seemed to pump the life back in his veins. They all headed back into the castle through the shortcut into the dungeons.
"Where is he?"
Draco didn't have to ask who she meant; it was funny really. Theodore was in this mess because of her. He was in this mess because of her. Everything was her fault.
Ky raced down the dungeon corridor not waiting for an answer.
"Granger said your lab, whatever in Morgana’s name that's supposed to mean."
Draco looked at Rheines, he may have regained his movement, but his face was deathly pale, but it wasn't what scared him.
It was his eyes.
That dead look.
Thornton was long gone at Draco’s statement, but the boy hovered, making it clear whose command he was taking.
"Go. Go to your dorm."
"Than-"
"Just go to your dorm!"
Liam Rheines turned and ran quickly, and Draco loathed himself more, if possible.
"Come in."
Draco quickly opened the door, realising his error too late. He saw the small smirk on the Potions Master’s face making him regret his hasty entrance instantly. A Malfoy never shows his anxieties. Fuck. A Malfoy should never be anxious. He controlled his steps, ensuring no fault could be found in that.
"You requested my presence, Professor?"
The smirk fell off his face and he regained his usual blank expression. If Malfoys’ never displayed their emotions, Snapes’ never had them in the first place.
"This came for you."
He handed Draco the envelope. He took it and pocketed it without a second glance, "That's all, Professor?"
He didn't answer but continued looking down at the essay he was marking, and Draco took that as dismissal, and left.
-x-x-x-
Draco watched as the drop slowly ran down the porcelain sink, it picked up momentum from the curve of the basin.
Drip
Another drop hit the white porcelain.
"Drake?"
He detested that name. He had told her never to call him that!
He felt her ice-cold touch at his waist, and his skin crawled away from her like the drop into the drain.
"You shouldn't leave your hair wet; you'll catch cold." Her hands ran through his soaked hair. He felt the towel around his waist fall to the floor. Draco looked up into the mirror, not seeing anything but that letter.
The words floated across his eyes, blinding him to anything else and just like that his hand flew back, and gripped the girl by her hair, pushing her against the wall, the resulting smack of her back on it echoed through his very soul.
-x-x-x-
Draco was behind Ky, despite being a foot taller than she, he kept his strides lazy, in no urgency and she glared at him. His friend was injured and this is how he acted!
She ran down the next corridor, looking back to make sure Liam was still following, but he was no longer there. Draco caught her confusion, “I sent him to his dorm to rest.”
Ky thought the boy should be taken to Pomfrey, but knew they’d be pushback at this suggestion, but she was too worried about Theodore to argue with Draco, so stormed into her lab instead. She found Hermione trying to restrain their fellow fifth year, as she tried to apply some paste to his wounds, but the boy was having none of it.
"-me go and get her."
"Nott, she's OK. Malfoy is gone-"
Hermione stopped when she saw Ky, a look of relief dawning on her delicate features.
“He is refusing to go to Madam Pomfrey!” Hermione ground out in frustration.
Ky crossed to Theodore and pushed at his chest lightly, calming him of his wriggling. Ky wasn’t surprised, she had a feeling they wouldn’t want to go to the Hospital Wing.
Snakes and their secrets. She remembered how they were last year when Barristan Blishwick attacked Blaise with a killing curse of all things. A weak one but an unforgivable nevertheless.
Ky grabbed the healing balm from Hermione, and her friend tossed her a stern look that would make McGonagall beam with pride. She ignored it, and inspected Theodore’s wounds in a proper light, and noticed that they were mostly shallow and away from any danger zones and she sighed in relief.
She grabbed the Moonberry Leave sap and added some turmeric and ground ginger to it, ran it over a flame and then added it to the paste, the heat activating the healing enzymes. They needed the balm to act faster rather than last longer because his wounds were superficial.
Ky began applying the paste to Theodore’s chest, it was as if a tiger had run its claw across his torso. She looked up at him, he was on her worktable, his shirt opened and hands gripping the table edge, the paste burned a bit.
His eyes were fixed on something over her shoulder, and she turned to see it was Draco that he was staring at. The blond was leaning against the doorframe, staring back at his friend just as intensely. A line of scarlet caught Ky’s attention.
"Malfoy, get on the table, take your shirt off. Mi," The brunette snapped to attention, all quivering background hovering gone at the sound of her name, "Apply copious amounts of third bottle from the right, second shelf, to his arm."
She didn't move though, neither did he. Ky glowered at the both of them, could they not see the blood seeping down Draco’s arm? Nott's wounds had just stopped bleeding, and she questioned her friend silently as to why she wasn’t willing to help, and Hermione lifted her chin stubbornly in response whilst Draco didn’t move an inch.
"I'll wait for Thornton."
"You'll be poisoned by then, and then we can all commemorate what a fucking insensitive prejudiced prat you are from beyond the grave.”
He glowered at Ky for calling him out on why he didn’t want Hermione, and then as if it to prove it wasn’t him being prejudiced he swiftly walked through the room and did as he was told. He jumped onto the table next to Theodore, treating it much like he was sitting on his execution chair. He waited a moment and then looked at Hermione, "Well?"
She walked to the shelf, mechanically doing as her friend asked. Ky knew she was doing it out of loyalty to her - rather than any kindness towards Draco, and she couldn’t be more grateful for her.
Ky stopped tending to Theodore’s chest and looked for the throat restorative elixir, “Can we also have a look at Liam?"
She directed the question to Draco without looking up from her administration of the external application of the elixir, holding the bottle to Theodore’s lips so it could help with his internal wounds.
Ky didn't get a response, so she spared Draco a glance; he was giving her a dark look as Hermione dressed the gash across his arm. It wouldn't be poisonous; the pattern of the laceration was that of their legs and not their pincers which meant Draco was safe.
"Thank you." Ky looked up at Theodore who finally could speak and move his neck. "All of you.”
The brunette boy looked at Draco and Hermione. The blond nodded, but Hermione was still busy with dressing his wound, and she looked criticially at her handiwork, which Ky thought was perfectly wrapped. They had both picked up some basic first aid over the summer when Nessie trained back at Order Headquarters.
"I still think we should go to Madam Pomfrey."
Draco shot Hermione a serious look, "There will be no Pomfrey. No teachers. Understand me."
Hermiome didn't respond, she held her head up haughtily, not even replying to Draco. Ky of course expected this, knowing what the snakes were like. She didn't agree with their code this time though, but tried to prioritise her arguments. She gave her best friend a pleading look, and she returned it with a glare, crossing her arms and stepping back, but keeping silent.
“Can you please get Liam, Draco?"
He looked at Ky, his jaw clenched, "He was in shock, he just needs rest. He wasn’t hurt.”
She was surprised at how certain he sounded, and she supposed he did get a better look at him when they landed, Ky was distracted trying to get to Theodore.
”Who did this?" Ky questioned Theodore, this dark stranger that had wheedled his way into her life and her heart.
Ky would hurt them, she would hurt them beyond recognition.
He pinched her left cheek affectionately, trying to make her smile, clearly her expression was fierce but she held steady, "Nothing for you to worry about Kitten, just a little intrahouse…games.”
Ky shot up from her stool, "Games? Intrahouse? You snakes have a fucked-up definition of the term. It is not a game to harm your housemates no matter how appropriate it seems at the time. I repeat, who did this?"
Theodore looked down at Ky, his eyes light as he sat right below the lamp, shaking his head slowly, denying her an answer.
"I did.”
Ky’s eyes didn't leave Theodore’s as she sought confirmation of what Draco just admitted to.
Theodore didn't nod in agreement but neither did he deny it, but once she made for her wand, he grabbed Ky’s wrist and held it securely in his palm.
"No Nott. Let her go. Let's see what she can do."
Draco got off the table, still shirtless and still blood stained, but his eyes looked like he was set alight by anger that made his steel glow brighter.
He did this to Theodore? His friend? Yet he stood there straight backed and proud?
Hermione stepped forward threateningly just as Ky wrenched her hand out of Theodore’s fist, an easy feat in his weakened condition. Draco had finally gone too damn far.
"Yeah, go ahead Thornton. Attack me, but I may have been the hand that inflicted the pain, but you were the reason behind it."
Both witched stopped mid-wand movement, their fury directed at the blonde wizard. Hermione looked at Ky, her annoyance at being dragged into this mess replaced with concern.
“Me? This is…" Ky stopped. Not her fault? No.
It is.
If this what she thought this was about… some sort of response to these four signing their names to the article about Cedric, but she couldn’t understand how this was the case.
All this? Just for a school article?
Draco had a satisfied expression at Ky’s realisation, but his usual smirk was absent.
Draco Malfoy was furious with Ky.
And so was Blaise Zabini.
Her actions put them in a compromising position somehow?
"Kitten…don't look like that." She felt hands turn her around and she once more looking into Theodore’s green-brown eyes, "I knew what I was getting into the whole time."
"I didn't." And that was the truth. Ky had no idea that Slytherin house would go this far. That they would take it to this extent.
Ky ooked at Draco, "You would do this to him just because of an article. You Slytherins are-"
"Fucking Founders Thornton, if you still think this is a schoolhouse drama then you're a bleeding half-wit."
Draco had taken two steps forward, a thunderous look on his face, but Hermione sent a stunner at him that he narrowly dodged, just as Theodore turned and placed himself between them protectively, and Draco glowered at him.
"After she got you into this bloody mess?"
Wood met Steel and clashed, neither boy breaking the stare, "Yes."
Draco didn't wait a moment more and turned on his heel and stormed out. Ky manoeuvred around Theodore and ran after him, "Malfoy!"
He stopped but didn't turn around.
“Here." She held out his shirt, but he still didn't turn around.
"Malfoy…how's Greengrass? What did they do to Greengrass?"
He saw his shoulder muscles tense, naked as they were, "'They' did nothing to Greengrass. Blaise however…”
She gasped. Blaise worshipped Daphne… How could he hurt her!
"How could he?"
Draco whipped around at that and descended on Ky, his face red with anger, "How could he? How could he? How could he not! Would it be better to let Marcus Farley execute her punishment? Farley who has lusted for her from second year. Or Rosier! Rosier who has a penchant for a woman's screams of pain. Tell me! Should he have let them have her!"
"He shouldn't have let anyone have her! He shouldn't have let anyone hurt her! He shouldn't have-"
"YOU'RE A NAÏVE LITTLE GRYFFINDOR WHO KNOWS NOTHING OF THE WORLD SO YOU SHOULD KEEP YOUR DAMN MOUTH SHUT!"
He screamed at Ky; his face so red it was glowing like a sore thumb in the dark. They were silent for moments, and she stepped forward, her shoulders low, his shirt practically dragging on the floor in her hand.
"Tell me."
Ky needed to know.
She needed to know why a boy, who so obviously loved a girl, would hurt her.
Draco took a deep breath and then another and another. He turned but luckily not to walk away but just to lean against the wall of the dark corridor. He looked at Ky, the anger diffused in his eyes but still present, just one misplaced word away from igniting it again. Ky pushed the shirt at him, "You're supposed to keep that injury warm, no use Mi putting all that effort into fixing it up if you're just going to expose it…erm, by the way," She had completely forgotten about the fact that it was him who had saved her from their eight-legged friends. "Thanks…for earlier…how did you know?"
He continued staring at Ky, a grim look on his face, "I didn't. I went back to get Nott. He told me you went in for the boy."
"And you just followed?" It was definitely not like Draco to be brave.
"Believe me, I didn't know that they had tied the boy near the acromantula nest. I didn't know they had tied up the boy, period. Rosier was in charge of him…I thought he would just frighten him a bit in the forest, just a little scare, maybe a few jinxes."
"Liam could have died! What was he thinking?"
"Why do you think I went after him? A death would be too much to try and cover up. It would get outside forces involved, a blunder like that wouldn't happen on my watch."
Ky stared at him; at the clinical way he was speaking of the death of a boy. He observed the look on her face and let out a dark chuckle, "You're so disappointingly naïve."
Ky hated that, she hated that he thought that she was below him on some accord. What was she not getting? This whole thing was done because Slytherin house didn't like being involved in something that ousted the dark lord as the murderer that he is? But to go to this length…Ky reflected on Draco’s words.
"On your watch? You led this whole punishment mission?" He was such a conniving little bastard. He knew well before it went to print what she was going to say, and he even gave her Parkinson's signature, and he waited till it was printed and then led an attack on his own friends?
"Yes." He said it with conviction. Her blood was getting volcanic and quickly.
"You self-absorbed twit! How dare you! You did this! All of this! You'll pay for this." She reached for her wand, and then stopped.
No.
This was it.
This was the time to think responsibly. Hex him and he'll come off looking like a saint. She’d upset Snape. What did he say? Come to me when your Gryffindor tendencies are running wild? That's what I will do.
She turned on her heel, and head down the corridor, "Where are you off to?"
Draco wasn't following her, his voice drifted from the same wall he was leaning against.
"To Sev. Tell him what a deranged sycophant you are and get you expelled so we never have to deal with your repugnant face!"
Suddenly the dark corridor echoed with a manic, cackling laugh. It pecked at her skin with eeriness. Ky could smell his cologne and knew he was coming closer without the soft noise of his footsteps.
"Tell Snape? Tell Snape? Who do you think it was that gave me the orders."
His face fell, obviously divulging information he shouldn't have in his taunt. Sev gave him orders to do that? No…that's not possible. He wouldn't do that, why would he? He signed off on this…wait…Draco was working under Sev's orders…. then Sev was working under...
Malfoy's face crumpled into a grimace, "You ask me how I could do that to Theo? I did that for Theo. If it had been Rosier, or Farley brothers or Crabbe or Goyle…I had to do it. I had to make it look bad, I had to leave him there. I had to! To make sure that nobody would say Malfoy went easy on him. To make sure Nott's father knows that his son was fittingly punished, and he wouldn't get involved to compensate from any lack of punishment. Do you think I liked it?" He grabbed Ky’s shoulders roughly, finally reaching her, and his eyes where popping, he looked every bit the deranged sycophant that she accused him of being. "Do you think I liked hurting him? I liked the look in his eyes? I liked the sound…the screech…the gasping for breath as the charm got tighter and tighter around his neck…the cries from Pansy…Pansy…" He let go of Ky and grabbed his hair and pulled at it. She was beyond shock, Draco, the epitome of apathy was losing his cool. "All that crying…all those tears…I hate it. I hate it."
Ky took a step closer, not knowing what to say. A ravenous hate swelled in her tummy, but it wasn't directed at Draco. It was directed at a man who relished in breaking people, who turned teacher against student, friend against friend, lover against lover. He decimated all those bonds that took years to be forged in a matter of seconds. Who had others to do his bidding festered from years of precedent and threats of torture. A man so dangerous that he would turn father against child with just a threat.
"Theo's father…he told Snape to punish him?”
Ky’s voice was soft in her horror, and Draco didn’t look at her, leaning against the wall with a painful expression. He looked completely broken, replaying visions that were best left alone.
“Malfoy…please,” Ky urged him, “I need to know. I need to know what I've done."
And that was the truth. She needed to own up to it, and then make up for it…somehow.
Malfoy was still in another world; so she slowly touched his arm and his steel eyes snapped to her. The look in them made her shiver involuntarily, a dark cloud emanated from him.
"Parents…parents found out. About the article. Information…information travels fast amongst Slytherins. It wasn't long before they found the names. Of the…traitors. Snape called me into his office, handed me a letter. From my father. Instructing me to ensure that this wouldn't happen again…to make an example. By any means I find necessary…this was a test…I couldn't fail…I had to do it right…"
Lucius Malfoy was an unforgiving devil of a man, if Draco had shown any sign of weakness because Theodore was his friend, Draco would have to reap tenfold the punishment.
"I took responsibility for Pansy and Theo myself. I obviously delegated Daphne's to Blaise and the Kid…Rheines…I couldn't handle three…I didn't think they would… that Rosier is so…sadistic." His hands gripped his face tighter and tighter as he spoke. Ky tried placing herself in his shoes. But she couldn't ask herself what Ky Thornton would do, because she’d never lived a day in the life of Draco Malfoy. What would it be like to be Lucius Malfoy's son…to be that afraid of someone that you would plunge a sword into a friend's back. Ky watched as he sunk slowly to the floor, his face covered by his hands, the shirt long forgotten on the floor. What should she do? What should she say? How would she feel if I had to torture Ron?
Ky turned and let her back hit the wall in a satisfying thud and dropped to the floor. She didn't touch him, and remained silent. There were no words…none whatsoever that could take his guilt away. The pain of all these people were on his hands. He made a decision.
And did Ky.
There will come a time when Draco Malfoy would have to make a decision that would endanger another’s life for the sake of his own safety, and when that time comes he will choose the path riddled with pain, and not guilt, because one of those leave scars that fade in time and the other doesn't.
It was up to Ky to show him…
A/N: I know this is a pit-stop that some people dislike, but for plot reasons befriending the Slytherins is important. The story aims to have a lot of interaction between the polarising houses, and Ky is only able to do that because of her friendship with Theodore, which leads to her getting to know the others well too. This chapter was an important lesson to Ky, who often thinks Hogwarts is its own little bubble and her actions don’t have real world ramifications. Harry shouting out and declaring that Cedric was alive in class was one thing, but having it declared in black and white in the school archives when the Daily Prophet was not even admitting Voldemort was back may seem like just school politics, but Voldemort wants people to doubt Dumbledore, relies on it until he is strong enough to go public, so Ky doing this actually gets his attention.
Snape signing off on this was a tricky one for him. The day before Ky was literally crying on his knee, and he was very worried about her, and he wanted to show her that he is loyal to her. He was banking on her not getting enough signatures from Slytherin House, knowing that most of them know what it means to sign off on this. I don’t write this, but he is extremely disappointed to learn that Draco helps Ky get those signatures. He thought Draco knows better than to do something this reckless, and that’s why he is a bit ruthless when he gives the letter to Draco from Lucius, thinking the boy should learn from this mistake he made.
Thank you for reading! Feedback will be much appreciated!
Chapter 18: The Daring Become the Doubtful
Chapter Text
Chapter Eighteen: The daring become the doubtful
Ky ran her hand along the cool wall and leaned her ear against it, listening to the trickling of water. She forgot that part of the Dungeons lay under the lake. She straightened her back against the wall. She swore this room was so small she couldn't even stretch her leg out. She lifted her leg up and pressed her foot against the opposing wall, and she was right, she had to bend her knee considerably to fit.
“What are you doing?"
She turned to the now opened door. Pansy Parkinson stood at the entrance; her face more pug like in its confusion.
"I was wondering if my leg could…you don't mean that do you? You mean why am I here considering you got a message to meet Malfoy here? Don't look so disappointed, I bet I could do anything Malfoy can do and better." Ky laughed at her own joke, but Pansy didn’t find it amusing.
Tough crowd.
Pansy turned to walk away, and Ky grabbed her hand, "Look…wait. Damn, Parkinson do you have to make this harder than it already is."
Pansy turned around, her face pink with vexation, “You think what you have to go through now is hard!"
"Look Parkinson, I know OK. I’m…”, There it was, the vinegar that always materialised with an apology, and it was more potent than ever considering who said apology was directed at. "I'm sorry."
"Is that supposed to-"
"No. It doesn't make anything better. I know that. It doesn't undo what Malfoy did to you."
"What he had to do to me because of what you wrote!"
Ky took a step back and hit the wall awkwardly, "Listen to yourself! You're defending him…you came here with the intention of meeting him…after what he did to you!”
"Because of what you did!”
"No Parkinson." Ky folded her arms, and straightened up, confident, "He made a decision. Yes…I know he…he wasn't left with much of a choice…but he made the decision. And so did you. You signed that parchment just because Malfoy asked you to without even batting an eyelash…I apologise for having concocted this whole plan in the first place…but don't you shove your lack of self-respect onto my plate as well."
Pansy’s face went paled, trying to find the words to defend herself but coming up short. Ky was lousy at this.
Ky took a deep breath, "Look…here." She handed the Slytherin the balm that she spent most of last night making, "Every two hours for two days, it'll take the scar away."
"Madam Pomfrey said-"
"I know what she said, but it will go away." Ky looked at the gash that extended from her lower lip to her chin, a thin slant of pain…of punishment. She had been marked as a traitor. With a cursed blade that Ky managed to get from Draco, which Madam Pomfrey hadn’t been privvy to, so she could make a balm for the girl.
Pansy looked hesitantly at the bottle. Founders, it was like she thought Ky was trying to poison her or something.
"Look Parkinson, it's your choice to use it or not." But you better use it, Ky spent hours tailoring it to her. Not to mention the time it took to convince Draco to give her the blade to work on.
Pansy stashed it into her bag, obviously scared enough by the prospect of being scarred for life she would try anything from anyone. She grabbed the door handle but took a step back instead of forward.
Ky wasn't surprised. She did summon Daphne as well. However, she was surprised to have a very pink bra thrown at her. She caught it deftly, and cocked an eyebrow at the blonde whose seductive smirk fell off her face.
Daphne looked at Ky and then Parkinson, shock etched on her dainty features. Ky then realised what she was getting at, this was a notorious hook up haunt for the Slytherins.
"Don't even think it" Ky said as the tall girl smirked.
Pansy gave the pair of them a look of exasperation, and then stepped through the door, "Stay the fuck away from me, Thornton .”
And then slammed it shut. Daphne looked at Ky, "I didn't think you were that bad of a kisser."
"I guess I'm an acquired taste." The dark haired girl tossed the balm at the Slytherin, and she caught it, Ky’s eyebrows rose in shock at her display of dexterity.
"You get shocked at me catching something but not at me throwing my bra at you?”
"Well, I always knew you were slutty, but I didn't know you could catch anything but a cold."
"I happen to be an excellent chaser. Better than any of the idiots on our team anyway."
"Why didn't you try for the side?" Ky leaned against the wall, curious.
Daphne laughed darkly, "Girls are not allowed on the team."
"Another one of those unwritten Slytherin rules."
"Yes…if you called me here to apologise then save your breath. I'm a big girl, I knew what I was getting in to."
Ky nodded at her, "I know that. I just wanted to give you that. It'll heal the scar; make-up can't cover it up forever."
Daphne nodded her thanks, "If that's all…"
"No Greengrass, just one more thing."
She stopped, blank faced for a moment, and then nodded her permission.
"How did you do it?"
"Do what?" Her eyebrows were knitted in confusion that didn't reach her green orbs.
Ky looked at her, half impressed and half horrified, "Run a knife down your own cheek.”
Daphne’s eyes dilated, and then she let out a loud, undignified sigh, "What gave me away?"
"The mere fact that you would show up after Zabini apparently hurt you is inconceivable to me, you have self-worth, unlike Parkinson. Then I thought about Zabini and how protective he is of you; he would never hurt you. Not on his life. But you knew he would be liable if you went unpunished, so you took matters into your own hand."
She tilted her chin up haughtily, denying nothing. “He’s so pissed, but I couldn't let him fight my battles though, I wouldn't let him get in trouble for something I’ve done. And…I'd rather have a blade run through my own skin than Blaise's…"
"I see…Malfoy doesn't suspect a thing by the way. He thinks Zabini gave you the same scar that he gave Parkinson."
Daphne shrugged, the motion looking out of place on her dignified shoulders, "I can see why he thought so, I used the same cursed dagger he did. Blaise won't speak to me, and you probably should keep out of his way, he blames you for this whole thing."
"I don't blame him; it is my fault." Ky bit the inside of her bottom lip at that, it was all well and good playing nonchalance…but she hadn’t slept a wink last night…
"Look, you didn't force anybody to come on board. We all knew what we were getting in to."
"I didn't." Ky was honest, and unusually vulnerable with the girl.
Daphne’s face grew soft, "Well now you do. I better go, I'm going to have to spend a lot more time with my bra off to get Blaise to talk to me again.”
Ky smiled, appreciating the girl for trying to make her laugh, and tossed the garment back; they stepped out of the portrait just as two second year Slytherins walked past. They took one look at Daphne who was adjusting her shirt after slipping the bra back on and then Ky, let out matching squeaks and ran off. Ky laughed all the way to her lab, only imagining what the rumour mill will spill about that.
-x-x-x-
"Hey sexy."
"Gosh Ky." Hermione snapped the book shut as Ky hovered behind her. Ky laughed and plopped down on the chair; her friend tossed her a glare which had more to do with her defiling the library with her laughter than giving her a scare.
"You're doing homework." Ky frowned at what she could tell was that arithmancy problem set they were given. "It's Saturday."
Hermione stared at her wide eyed at this remark, "I know, and therefore the best day to do homework, you can go at it all night and not worry about sleep because tomorrow is Sunday."
Ky took out a chocolate bar, and started with the wrapper, "I don't think they were talking about homework when they said that. Anyway, thanks for last night."
She smiled at her, "Ky you don't have to-"
"No, I know. Not having to say thank you in friendship and what not…but Malfoy." Her brown eyes got darker, "Thanks for seeing to his wound. He didn’t deserve it, and honestly, you’re some kind of saint. I should never have asked you to help them. I know that… it must have been difficult. I won’t blame you for being angry at me.”
She sighed and looked over her shoulder for Madam Pince, then snuck a bit of chocolate. Ky stared at her, framed in laughter; Hermione was being such a rule breaker, eating in the library. “No, I’m not. It wasn't easy, but Malfoy was hurt. And I only helped him because he helped you…it was strange."
"Strange?" Ky tilted her head curiously.
"Well, he isn't a brave person…is he? Once you left the table last night, so did Malfoy. I followed after you, I shouted a few times, but you couldn't hear me. When I reached Nott, you had already left for Liam Rheines. Malfoy should have gotten there first but then he must have stopped for his broom…Nott told Malfoy where you were, and he stormed off after you. I took Nott to your lab because he refused to go to the hospital wing and I didn’t know where else to go…we ought to tell your grandfather Ky.”
The dark haired girl shook her head profusely, "Nonno must know already…Sev was the one who transferred the orders” Ky frowned at the table, unhappy about this, “He must have told Nonno. I don't think they know what they did to Liam though."
"Did you manage to find Liam?”
Ky had been trying to check on the boy since the incident.
"No. He's still holed up in his dorm. I'll try again after dinner. I saw Parkinson and Greengrass earlier. I think we should respect their decision, and not tell…they have their own way of dealing with these things and it's best we stay out of it until we comprehend it better…I don't want something like this to happen again.”
"I understand." She placed her hand on her own and Ky held back the rest of her words, which were soaked with guilt and regret. "Don't do that though."
Ky was second guessing herself, and Hermione sensed it. She was the only person in the world that could read Ky’s mind, but it had little to do with magic and everything to do with their bond. "I can't help it Mi." She didn't think the newspaper article through properly. She didn’t factor in the depth of the Slytherins dementia.
"You couldn't have known. The punishment did not fit the crime, no sane person would expect those ramifications for a school paper. And actually, the fact that He was so upset about it, must mean that it was worth it to do. It matters that we have it in our archives the truth of Cedric’s death. He deserved that, and you got it for him. Anyway, how’s Nott?"
"Sleeping. I think. I hope."
"I am sure he is just resting." She placed her hands over her fidgeting fingers. Ky was still on high alert after last night; it was natural to fret over Theodore.
She had spent an hour just sitting next to Malfoy in absolute silence. When he finally left for bed, giving her the cursed dagger after her practically begging him, she headed to the lab to make the balms for the Snakettes. She missed Ron's celebratory party for making the quidditch team and she knew Harry and him must be at their first training session as they spoke.
"You think I shouldn't have written the article?" The question was bugging Ky, and she needed reassurance from the only person she trusted to do that for her right now. She knew nobody was seriously injured but Liam could have died…they could have not showed up on time…and that would have been on Ky.
"No. I think you did what needed to be done. The world deserves to know about Cedric and more importantly Cedric deserves the world to know of him.” Hermione repeated, “You are not what is wrong with the picture…it's the Slytherin mentality that's at a disadvantage, and it's not the first time that they are so royally incorrect on something."
Her brown eyes shone with determination, and Ky nodded her head slowly trying to chase away the whispers of blame that echoed in her soul…she did the right thing…
She thinks.
-x-x-x-
"Come in."
Ky Thornton stuck her head into the Headmaster’s office and let out a sigh of relief. For once her grandfather wasn't feet away from the fireplace, fastening his travelling cloak. He was seated comfortably at his desk, a warm smile on his face.
"Ahhhh Kyrianna, just the person I was looking for." He crumpled up the parchment he was writing on and threw it in the bin nearby. It hit the rim and went in, and Ky cheered.
"I see we have a pro ball player on our hands.” She sat in her swivel seat and gave it a start-up twirl. Her grandfather smiled at her and just that look made her feel far better than she had all week. He passed her some cocoa as he leaned back in his chair.
"I wouldn't call it professional, but I was a steady dunker in my days."
Ky laughed, gulping some of the drink down, appreciating that he always made it at the perfect temperature for her, "You really played basketball? When?"
"Don't I look like I can play basketball? And as to the time setting, it was in my twenties. A friend of mine was quite a fan. He was an American muggleborn working with the ministry and we would play a few rounds in the weekend. It’s quite a rejuvenating game.”
“How come there is no sport diversity in the magical world. All we have is quidditch?"
"And that's all we will ever need! Who needs another sport when you are playing the greatest sport in the world!" A ginger wizard with a toothbrush moustache stated emphatically to a murmur of agreement from his fellow portraits.
Albus Dumbledore shook his head and smiled, "That right there is your answer, Kyrianna."
Ky raised her eyebrows at him, he wasn't serious. "You agree with him?"
"Oh heavens no. I do love quidditch, but I was pointing out Headmaster Releston’s reaction, not his actual words. We wizards are a stubborn bunch, quite content with the muggle saying, 'if it's not broke, why fix it.' Anyway, quidditch isn't the only sport we have; in the states they are quite fond of quodpot."
"Oh yeah, I read about that. Doesn't seem that interesting, actually boring in comparison to quidditch.”
Ky didn’t catch the irony, and her grandfather’s lips quirked up, "That is our nature and irony as wizards. We do not venture into the unknown enough, far too content in staying in our own realm from fear of uncertainty."
"Well…isn't it the uncertainty in life that makes it so interesting. I mean, if everything was certain, what's the use in waking up in the morning." She ate a marshmallow and smiled at its tasty softness.
"Indeed Kyrianna. Some might disagree. Some might find comfort in the certainty."
"The weak." She gulped down her cocoa.
"No Kyrianna. The world is not made up of the weak and the brave, we are all a mixture of both elements. I wouldn't call Voldemort weak, but I would call Voldemort weak…understand?"
Ky thought about it for a moment, "Context? Does it depend on context? Like power wise he isn't weak, but his nature is one of weakness…because he fears everything?”
"I do believe it is times when you say such things, that make me most proud that I am your grandfather. Exactly. He fears everything, because he fears death and to fear death is to fear life.”
Ky hid her blush at his compliment with the large red mug. They sat in a comfortable silence for a few moments.
"Nonno?"
He looked at Ky, his wise midnight blue eyes sparkling, his thin face void of its previous worry lines. How long had it been since Ky saw him like this. This version of her grandfather made her feel every good emotion in the bood.
Oh, how she missed this man.
"Kyrianna?"
"If there is anything, anything I can do, to help, you need only ask." Ky held his gaze with her own of determination. She wanted to help them, somehow. She wanted him to want her help.
"Oh, my dear, you do enough already. There is no better motivation to fight the dark than to protect those that bring the light to your life. And you, Kyrianna, are my sun.”
Ky couldn’t even lift the cup to hide her blush, letting him see it. She cleared her throat, and thought she ought to change the subject or she might burst into tears, "Have you gotten word from Linus or Lenzo. I tried the Parch, but no reply…"
"They are both preoccupied with Order work at the moment. They are well. Linus insisted on heading straight back into the thick of things but don't fret, he is a formidable fighter, and his progress is steadfast."
Ky nodded, still not consoled, especially considering what had happened the last time to Linus, and he was her careful brother.
"Kyrianna, it is not a child's job to worry. It is your job to go to school, do your homework and in your case…serve your detentions."
She laughed, justly distracted. "It's not my fault. The woman is…" She knew she couldn't disrespect the Toad with her grandfather, “…unique.”
"Professor Umbridge may be difficult to understand but I do believe her heart is in the right place…even if she is sorely misinformed when it comes to her mind."
Ky raised her eyebrows, that was the closest they’d ever get to her grandfather badmouthing his staff, she was sure of it.
Dumbledore gave her a stern look, but he couldn't get the twinkle out which was dulling his severity, "You shouldn't disrespect her though. She is a teacher, and I expect you to afford her the same treatment that you do Professor Sn…McGonagall."
Ky laughed at his last second change of word. She couldn't handle the level of annoyance Ky bestowed on Severus Snape. Her smiled faded quickly, thinking of the Potions Master made her think of what happened on Friday night…
"Kyrianna…if you need to talk about anything, I am here.”
She looked into his calm blue eyes. What should she tell him? What could she tell him that won't end with Malfoy getting into trouble for something Ky had inadvertently caused…
"Yes Nonno…what's your take on the Lakers new line up?"
-x-x-x-
Ky’s hair was a blur of black as each strand was set alight with life as it danced across the sky. She squeezed her knees tighter together and felt the wind sting her that much harder, the pain surprisingly pleasurable as it was all part of the electric effect that was flying. It opened all her circuits, freeing her to the power that came with being mistress of the air. When her eyes burned beyond sight because of the speed, she slowly descended to the green mass that was the Hogwarts quidditch pitch.
Her bare feet touched the cold, slightly damp grass and she immediately felt more vulnerable…chained to the ground.
"You fly barefoot?"
She turned to the voice as she bent to put on her sneakers, "I like the feeling of wind between my toes. You should try it some time."
Draco’s upper lip puckered into a grimace, "I'll pass."
Ky couldn’t imagine Malfoy without shoes…it would be weird, wouldn't it? She wondered whether he slept with them on…
"Are you done with your practice or are you just going to stare at my shoes all night?"
Ky snapped up to his steely eyes, "I wasn't practicing. I was just flying."
"Oh, I see. It couldn't have been practice, try-outs for you hotheads happened Friday…about the only thing that made me laugh all week was finding out that Weasley is keeper."
"Ron is a brilliant keeper." Draco’s not the only one that has mastered the art of the steely glint.
"You obviously have not watched their practice today. I didn't know which was worse, his performance or that chaser girl bleeding all over the place. Figures."
Her eyelids pressed closer together, "Oh and I supposed she got hurt because she is a girl?"
He laughed, taking off his sweater, "No. She got hurt because she was a dumb Gryffindor."
Ky tilted her head at him, "You're not of the opinion that women shouldn't play quidditch?"
Draco stared at her, the ire in his eyes died slowly, "No. Some of the best quidditch players are women. Plus, there's little in life more beautiful than a girl straddling a broom, its good practice for them for married life."
Ky rolled her eyes, "I would never peg you as a pervert. Why don't you let Greengrass on the team?"
His smirk fell at the mention of her name, "Blaise wouldn't like that. And neither would most of the team."
Something about the look on his face told Ky that he had come here to fly away from his problems, away from the demons that plagued him on the ground. She picked up her broom, "How is Teddy? I haven't seen him. Or Liam."
He busied himself with adjusting himself on the broom, "Theo is asleep, Rheines…won't leave his dorm."
Ky nodded, afraid that was the case with the kid. "Thanks Malfoy. Goodnight."
Draco didn't look up, still fidgeting with his broom. She figured this was about as much as her company as he could tolerate, still annoyed with her for creating this whole mess.
She turned and walked away, using the Slytherin exit. Rosier should pay for what he had done to Liam…he relished in beseeching pain on others whilst Draco was a shadow of his former self as the guilt ate at him. Liam could have died…she stepped through the portrait of Sir Wormswood, he winked at her playfully as he ushered her through the short cut that led to their common room.
Ky walked down the sixth-floor corridor, preferring this route more to the one that led straight to the seventh because of its solitude and lack of stairs. She nodded at the portrait of Lady Katerina Kensington, the first muggleborn witch noted in becoming Head Healer at St. Mungo's. Ky stopped when a blur of black caught her eye in the mirror ahead that concealed the exit of the corridor. She turned, and stifled the gasp that was about to leave her lips at the sight that confronted her.
Two heads of black were intertwined in a deep embrace, faces obscured by the engagement of their lips.
She took a step back, and she didn't need to see his face to know who that was.
There would be no green eyes needed to prove that that was Harry Potter.
Ky knew each strand of his hair better than the lines on her own palm. And the shiny long dark bed was no stranger to her either.
Ky turned, and ran out the door, fearful that they had caught her bearing witness to their…to them. The sight played a violent tempo with her heart strings. She took a deep breath and ran up the stairs, eyes burning yet again but not from the sharp winds but the low blow she was dealt… and her own mind assaulted her.
Do you blame him, Ky?
Do you?
You pushed him away, you wanted to give her a chance at happiness, you wanted to let her have her chance at Harry's lips…
Ky just realised that she just never thought that Harry would want the same chance at Changs’…
A/N: Omg please don’t hate me. Do we blame him though - Ky kissed him and then ran off. She admitted that she didn’t want to get in the way of Cho’s happiness a second time because she felt bad for what happened with her and Cedric.
I think Ky feels like she is so obvious in her feelings for Harry, just because from her perspective she’s always chosen him consistently, he was her Hogwarts Champion, she tried to get him to ask her to the Yule Ball (terribly but she tried), she gave the locket to him for protection, she told him everything the night of the Third Task, she literally takes the risk and flies from New York just to spend his birthday with him, when she finds out he is struggling to sleep she sneaks in his bed to hold him all night, she kisses him - from her perspective, she is practically screaming her feelings.
But from Harry’s perspective she has said she wanted to date Cedric, and then has been sad for weeks because her boyfriend died, and then he overhears her saying they can’t date for real or the universe will implode, and against his better judgment he continues making out with her but then is also plagued with jealousy because he can’t understand how they have this insane chemistry but they can’t date but he doesn’t want to actually ask her that because that feels pathetic, and so they go back to being friends. And then not a week later she kisses him, and then he practically confesses to her saying that he wants her, and she runs off. All the while Cho is flirting with him, and not pushing him away.
I think Ky is being very vulnerable in the last line, because she was doing the noble thing, letting Cho ‘have’ a chance with him because she thought he wouldn’t want her, he’d pick Ky, because she feels she’s been so obvious.
I promise, these two get better at communication - but they’re getting all of these kinks out of the way before that.
Thank you for reading!
Chapter 19: To deal a new hand
Chapter Text
Anything that is familiar is not my own.
Something was definitely going on with Ky.
Harry had barely seen her since Friday morning after her paper fiasco. Trust her to pull a stunt like that. Though he appreciated that she had kept him out of it. He shouldered his broom and walked into the Entrance Hall.
"Harry?"
He turned to the sweet voice and couldn't help returning her smile. It was small and delicate, and very reliable in that it always looked the same. Much different from the wide, toothy, and diverse smiles that graced Ky's face.
"How was practice?"
Harry shook his head at that, practice was terrible…well it didn't have everything to do with Ron. He was just a bag of nerves because the Slytherins pitched up, he was perfectly fine when they had a pre-practice session. And then Alicia fainted. That had to do with the Twins though…Cho laughed at Harry’s expression, a tinkly, private sound that belonged to just them. So unlike Ky’s, whose chuckles assaulted everyone within a five-foot radius.
"The first one of term is always like that. That's why Roger insists on us having a team-building session during the holidays."
"You lot practice in the holidays?” He couldn’t keep the shock, and jealousy, out of his voice as they stepped into the Great Hall.
She smiled again, "No! It's team building; we have to do all these trust exercises. He read that it helps with the team spirit…though personally I think he does it just to flirt with us girls."
Harry laughed at that; Cho never made jokes; it was cute when she did. He felt a shoulder bump into him and tossed a glare at the Snake that walked past; though he guessed they were in the doorway.
"Why don't you join m…the Ravenclaws for dinner? I don't think I've ever seen you sit at another table before.”
Her request caught Harry completely off guard, a feeling she seemed to be getting as well as she started murmuring and stuttering, and he had to put her out of her misery. Plus, he had no idea where Ron went off to and Hermione wasn't here, nor was Ky, so he probably would have eaten alone.
"I think you're right, better make amends to that statement."
He walked with her to the table that was next to the Gryffindor table, and made for a quieter spot. Cho seemed to have other ideas though and walked on. He followed after her and she smiled up at him as she took a seat opposite a curly haired girl. The girl spared Harry a brown eyed glance and then turned back to the blonde girl she was previously engaged in conversation with.
The blonde had other ideas though.
"Hi. I'm Elise. Elise Smelton. You of course, we all know."
Harry nodded at her awkwardly, two more heads turned their way. A third-year boy perched a few seats away was staring at him, his book long forgotten.
"Is that a firebolt?"
Harry looked down at his broom and then up at the girl with the very long brown hair, her glasses were almost as round as his and she sat next to Elise, her long neck stretching over the table to look at his Firebolt.
"Yes."
"How's the drag on that thing? I hear that's the only field that they couldn't outsmart the Nimbus on, a minor setback if you ask me-"
"Nobody did now, did they?" The curly haired girl said it with a smile but there was no sweetness in her voice. Her words didn't affect the broom enthusiast at all however, she merely started with the twig-handle ratio.
"Nellie, why don't we call it a night?" The blonde girl muttered, cutting her friend off tactfully, “Goodbye Harry. See you later Cho.”
The three of them walked off, and Harry turned to Cho, grateful that that awkward situation was put to an end. The realisation that another awkward situation now confronted him arose.
He was alone with Cho.
She opened her mouth and then closed it; and he was doing the exact same thing.
"So that Nellie…"
"Yeah, she's crazy about brooms. She's terrified of flying though…she's very weird. Elise and she are sisters, but they couldn't be more different."
"Different isn't always bad.” Harry commented offhandedly.
A weird glint passed through Cho’s eyes; and Harry just realised that it sounded like he was chiding her for calling Nellie weird. He quickly looked for a change of subject, "So I guess you're a table snob as well. I haven't seen you sit anywhere but at this table."
She looked down at her potatoes intently as if they were telling her all of life's secrets, "I sat at the Hufflepuff table a few times last year."
Oh, damn Potter. There you go! You are such an idiot.
She looked up quickly as if electrocuted, and her sad expression disappeared, and she smiled wide, "Do you miss your Nimbus?"
That was weird…Harry guessed she wanted a change of subject too, and perhaps was internally chiding herself for her last statement. Who wanted to think about their dead ex-boyfriend?
"Not really. It's weird; I don't feel differently about either broom…" Cho looked at Harry, confused. He didn't know how to explain it. He just felt like they were the same…they just looked different, like its spirit was the same. But he definitely couldn’t tell her that, she'd think he was completely crazy. "So, when's your first training session?"
"Tomorrow actually." She nodded, cutting her chicken methodically. Harry looked down at his empty plate that he quickly filled with food. The next few minutes was filled with silent chewing. He looked around, Ky was still absent. He figured Ron went up to the dorm, and would guess his best friend needed some alone time. Hermione was probably in the library. Maybe Ky decided to do her homework with Hermione? He laughed into his plate at that, like Ky would do such a thing on a Saturday night.
"What?" Cho asked with an insecure look on her dainty features. Oh, she thought Harry was laughing at her, she wiped at her mouth with a napkin.
"Nothing." He said quickly but she didn't look convinced as she pushed some hair behind her ears self-consciously.
"So, I have an early practice tomorrow…I better get up to my dorm."
She stood and Harry followed suit, "I'll walk you." It was the least he could do for making her think he was mocking her or something.
She nodded and walked on. She smiled at a few of the students, and Harry nodded at a few.
He wondered whether he should just explain that he was laughing about Ky in his head, but then a girl probably didn’t want to be told you were thinking about another girl when you were with them.
He walked quietly up the grand staircase with her, and onto the first floor, ”Watch out.”
He grabbed her around the waist, preventing her from standing on the trick step on the first floor. She looked up at him, her black eyes wide. He quickly let go of her, realising that he may have overstepped his bounds, and she ducked her head down, her veil of black blocking her face from view.
"Thank you." She muttered from behind her veil, "I always forget about that step…it's good to have someone around again that reminds me."
Again? So, Cedric did that? Harry didn't want to think about Cedric, aside from the obvious facts, there was also the fact that he knew the truth about him. About his real feelings.
"Moonbeam oil."
Harry snapped back to attention as they made their way down the fifth floor, "'Huh?"
She laughed at the confused look on his face, "It helps with the dirt. I add a little in my bath after a practice, a long hot soak is just the thing after a strenuous practice session."
Harry nodded at her, images of Cho lying naked in a bathtub full of bubbles coming to mind. Her long black her shining brighter than usual as the water clung to her. However, her dark mane became less straight and wilder, the tendrils collapsed into soft waves and the bathtub turned dry and unoccupied. Instead, they sat on the toilet beside it, her slender legs wrapped tightly around his torso as he ran his hands across the most delicate satiny texture that he ever felt, as he felt her harden below his own fingertips, her core pressed against his own, burning him from within.
"This also leads to the Gryffindor tower?"
Harry looked down at her, realising that they were in that secret passageway on the sixth. He preferred it to the one that went straight to the seventh when he wasn't in a hurry; it was quieter, better for thinking.
He cleared his throat awkwardly, feeling that he had an erection from his memory of making out with Ky over the summer. He hoped Cho didn’t look down…dammit Potter! Control yourself. He caught her eye on its way down…guess that's too late…she was looking to the floor, surely not at his crotch? And surely you couldn’t actually tell that he was…having a situation. Harry was just being self-conscious because he knew that he had one. He just realised Cho’s eyes were shining with some emotion that he couldn't place but looked familiar somehow…a lone tear fell, dislodged by her long, black eyelashes…
Well that helped his situation swiftly.
He wanted to wipe her tear away, Harry hated tears. He hated to see her cry especially, knowing that it was his fault…he took Cedric with him…he should have done more to help him. Reacted faster. Disarmed Pettigrew.
Harry’s hand wasn't listening to his brain telling him to comfort her, as if afraid that it would burn if it touched her. For some reason, at the pit of his stomach, it felt wrong, even though rationally he knew he was single, and so was Cho.
And Ky didn’t even want him, so why was he even thinking about what her skin felt like right now.
Cho closed the distance between them, and Harry understood the look in her eyes. He’d learnt it from Ky.
She wanted him to kiss her.
She lifted her pretty face up to him, and he swallowed, and met her half-way. Even though his hands stayed awkwardly at his side, his lips didn't seem to have the same problem. They worked their way over her own, his tongue tasting salt as it licked at her lips for entrance. She complied and the salt changed to sweetness.
Still his hands trembled, refusing to move to her waist, or her arm…somewhere in the back of his head the thought that they knew that they didn't belong on this girl crossed his mind once more. Another part of him brought up the image of a tear stained Ky, shoving him off…pushing him away…running away.
Harry felt the warmth of Cho's body as she pressed herself to him; here was a girl that was running to him, pulling him to her…why should he not comply?
Harry slowly lifted his hand and swept the tears from her soft cheek, pulling her to him with his other hand…
Cho was sweet, and pretty, and wanted him.
He had to be done chasing Ky’s shadow…
-x-x-x-
Harry paced up and down outside the mirror. His thoughts were scattered, chasing each other like a dog chasing its tail. It's not enough that he had to worry about Sirius showing up in the fireplace and Percy's letter urging Ron to distance himself from him, but he hadn’t spoken to Ky since Friday morning…Hermione said that she had been busy, but her face was slightly pink when she told him this…were they hiding something from him?
Harry scratched at his scar, observing it in the mirror…it didn't pang the way it did on Friday after Umbridge touched him at least. What did that mean? And then Dumbledore has been more than a little distant and now Umbridge has been appointed Hogwarts High Inquisitor, the title itself sounded as if it was pulled straight from a fairy tale. And of course, she pissed him off enough for him to get another week's worth of detention; he can still hear Angelina's shouting at him because he was missing more training sessions.
"Harry?" He turned away from the mirror, looking at one of his biggest problems…but why did she have to look so…unproblematic.
Cho had her long hair tied up and she looked flushed, she must have been in a hurry. Well, she was no stranger to running away, considering she did just that after she kissed him on Saturday night.
Harry breathed, remembering what Hermione had told him last night. After she wrangled the information out of him, she explained Cho's psyche to him…In all honesty, he didn’t know whether he was better off without her feminine wisdom.
"Harry?"
"Thank you. For Saturday." Her black eyes widened. Damn it Potter! "I mean Saturday morning, with the whole Filch thing, you know when he thought I was receiving dung bombs in the owlery. Not Saturday night…I just realised that I hadn't thanked you for-"
"It's fine. It was my pleasure." She gave him a small smile that made him feel less angry at her. His anger stemmed from the fact that he was sick and tired of girls kissing him and running off!
"Look, Cho. I can't imagine what you're going through. The thing is, we kissed.” She was momentarily startled by his directness, “And I may not be the most experienced guy but when something like that happens…it means something? Doesn't it? I don't mind if you don't want anything from me, if it was just a kiss and I'm over thinking things. But you don't get to do something like that and just run away, you need to-"
He was suddenly scared that she would start crying again, the words tumbled out one after another, but disappeared completely as her lips crashed onto his. This kiss caught him completely by surprise, and he had just started returning it when she stopped, letting go of his face and settled on her feet properly, when did she even walk down the corridor?
She looked at him, confused, "What happened to you?”
"Erm…I just wanted to clear the air between us and-"
"No, I don't mean that. I mean, you're different. You're more confident, more direct, not the…forgive me, nervous wreck that asked me to the ball last year…what happened?"
What happened? Violet specked grey eyes floated through his mind, and he chased away his inner musings, "Growth spurt?"
She laughed quietly at that and walked to the small bench and sat down. He stood in front of her, she was pink faced, and he was ready for the tears, but she looked up at him, her eyes dry, "I ran away because I was afraid Harry…you're making me feel…things I should definitely not be feeling three months after my boyfriend, my ex-boyfriend…passed away."
"Cho…if any of those emotions make you feel just a fraction happier, don't run away from them." He felt like adding a little Hermione trademark sign at the end of that. "All I'm saying is, I don't appreciate being kissed and left without an explanation. And I'm not saying we have to be anything at all, I just think you should know…the deal."
She stared at him, as if he was a completely different person. He couldn't blame her. Where was this coming from? Every time he wanted to tell Ky something it was like pulling a tooth, this was just rolling off his tongue. This felt easy.
Cho stood abruptly. "Thank you for your…directness Harry. I really appreciate it."
"I don't like playing games Cho. But don't feel pressured in anyway, this goes anyway you want it to. Left, right, just point me."
Cho deserved happiness in her life, according to Hermione she was crying all over the place. And she had every right to be confused. She had an actual relationship with Cedric, and it must be hard to get over something like that. If Harry could make her smile, even a little…he should do this.
"Well…I have History of Magic right now, mind walking me there?” He nodded at her, stepping aside to let her walk through. He walked past the mirror quickly, but was afraid to look at their reflection…not fully prepared to confront the couple that stared back at him.
-x-x-x-
There was a loud knock on the door. Ky looked away from her Veritaserum. She didn’t succeed in altering the brewing process last year, and thought she’d had another crack at it. She put the fire down to a simmer with her wand, and wondered who it may be. Theodore only joined her when he caught her on her way down, and Hermione had her password.
She opened the door.
"How did you-"
"Hermione." Ginny walked in, giving the place a once over twirl, her flaming red hair settling back down as she looked straight at Ky.
She closed the door, having a feeling she was going to be a while. Ginny sat down on her armchair, and Ky raised an eyebrow at her, “Please…make yourself comfortable. Sit down." She said sarcastically, seating herself on her workstool. "What's wrong? I know Mi wouldn’t tell you where I was if it was not an emergency."
"It's not an emergency!" She exclaimed defensively, "This hardly qualifies as an emergency."
Ky narrowed her eyes at her, the realisation that she needed help in something that was out of Hermione’s very broad field of expertise, "Is this about a boy?"
Ginny looked at her, brown eyes wider than usual. Ky noticed she was using her thumb to rub circles along her index finger, a nervous tendency she had. "Yeah, it is. I need…advice."
"Advice, on boys…from me? I don't know if you've noticed-"
"Of course, I noticed. " She snapped, "The whole bloody school has, haven't they?"
Ky changed the heat on the cauldron, busying herself with chopping shrivelfigs, replaying the incident in her mind.
"Ky? Oh no…what happened?"
She stood in the doorway, not sure what to tell her best friend. She obviously looked like something was the matter, and here she thought that she was being so calm and collected after she realised how unnecessarily dramatic she was being for running up the stairs to the Fat Lady after seeing them kissing.
Ky shrugged, mechanically walking to her bed, and picking up a page of the Runes assignment they were given. Lavender and Parvati must still be down in the common room…it was a Saturday.
"He kissed Cho. A few minutes ago." Ky didn't look up at her, reading about the influences of Sanskrit on the magical prose but not taking a word in, just wanting avoid her friend’s face for a few moments.
"Oh…are you sure. Maybe you heard-"
"I saw." Ky raised her head and looked into her wide cocoa eyes, "I saw Mi." She was biting her bottom lip, preventing it from trembling. Images of Harry and Cho kissing stained her eyes…who knows what they were doing right now.
She sat down quickly, surprsied that she felt dizzy.
She looked at the drop that hit her palm.
Oh.
She was crying.
She wiped at her face quickly, there was this ugly rasping sound and she realised it was her erratic breathing.
Oh Ky, you are not losing your cool again!
She felt Hermione’s warm arm across her shoulders, and she concentrated on that, fighting away images of black hair in pale white hands. She took a deep, staggering, breath.
"I'm OK."
"It's OK to not feel OK Ky. If I saw what you did right now…I'd probably be…hexing Harry. But at the same time…you did say-"
She stood and looked into Lavender’s floor length mirror, angry at the tear stains on her cheeks. "I know. I know what I said." She looked into her grey eyes seeing only orbs of green. She bit her lip harder; she won't cry again. She must stop this! "I just didn't think he would want her.” She whispered, “I thought she'd try and he’d turn her away." She wouldn’t admit such a thing to anybody else except Hermione, she knew it sounded so naïve and stupid. "I thought Harry liked me. I'm such an idiot."
"Ky." She saw the brown orbs get closer in the mirror, "You are not an idiot. You're just trying to do the right thing. And so is Harry. I know, I'm breaking the rules and getting involved…you have to see it from his perspective as well. You pushed him away-"
"Because I didn't want to steal something away from Cho again! I can't deal with that guilt Mi…I just can't."
"I know…and it's natural for you to protect yourself from the pain that comes along with it."
The pain that came along with the guilt…the pain…She let it fester within her for months , getting more and more potent and destructive…yet this ache that ran throughout her body at seeing Harry with Cho kissing overshadowed the very pain that she was protecting herself from…she thought she was choosing the lesser evil…
She was so wrong.
"Ky?"
She snapped to attention, and looked at sharp brown eyes, "Yes."
Ginny looked at her hesitantly, "Will you do it?"
"Do what?"
"You didn't listen to a word I said, did you!" Ginny swatted the arm of the chair in annoyance. Ky shrugged, and she sighed, "Michael Corner-"
"Is that the boy you've been snogging all over the place?”
She opened her mouth wide in shock and then closed it quickly, staring at her nails, "Yes, how did you know?"
"I have my ways… my spies."
She rolled her eyes, "How Ky?"
"I saw you two leaving a broom cupboard on the third, two weeks ago. So why all the secrecy?"
"Well, I didn't know if I wanted…more. I mean, I don't know!" She said frustrated.
"Do you like him?"
"I don't know."
Ky shrugged, "That means you don't."
"I do." She said angrily at Ky’s dismissal of her feelings.
"Then you do. He definitely likes you. He'd be dumb not to.” Ginny narrowed her eyes at the compliment as Ky swirled the potion around, and she chuckled at her wary expression, "It just makes sense Red, you're out of his league, and any trepidation about taking this broom cupboard romance out into the light must be on your part."
"Well do you blame me? I'm not sure if I can 'date' someone. Especially…well because-"
"You had a major raging, write poetry, sing sonnets crush on one Harry Potter. Don't look so surprised, I know life existed in Hogwarts before I showed up. But as you said, Harry is taken." Ky turned away, biting her lower lip to keep her emotions at bay.
"A blind deaf mute would notice that Harry is taken.” Ginny grumbled.
Ky understood what she meant completely.
"Are you sure you're OK with this?"
"Do you have any other ideas Mi? Not like I can go sit somewhere else without being absolutely obvious." She muttered while we walked down the aisle to dinner, "Hey Ron."
They levelled up to our usual spot for dinner where Ron was seated with Harry…and Cho. Well, she guessed they were now official…
"Hello Ky."
She looked up at the delicate voice and forced out a smile, chanting internally that she owed the girl after running around with her boyfriend last year like some harlot, "Hi Cho."
Ky internally begged the girl not to engage in conversation with her, and ate her food as fast as possible.
”So, I developed a new chess move, want to go upstairs and try it out?"
Ky smiled at Ron. Sometimes he just came through, didn't he? He gave her a small wink and thet got up, so happy at the excuse to leave the table early.
"But it's more than just that." Ky turned and looked back at Ginny, "I'm…Michael has his shortcomings. Maybe I'm too picky? I just don't want to be hanging on his arm all the time, and I think that's what he wants."
Ky remembered feeling the same way when Cedric asked her out last year. "Didn't you speak to him about that?"
"We don't speak much." She replied quickly. "At least we didn't. Until he managed to ask me out on a date yesterday!"
"And you said…?"
"I didn't say anything, I just started making out with him again. Don't laugh…I panicked!"
"I probably would do the exact same thing if I was in your position. Which begs the question, why are you asking me for advice, I am absolute rubbish at romance!"
"Well, I'm asking you because I need you now, don't I? He sent me a letter earlier on, saying that we should go for a little walk about the village after Harry's defence meeting at the Hogs Head tomorrow.”
Ky groaned, she didn’t have to be reminded about this Defence class Harry was now starting, prodded on by Hermione.
"I don't see what that has to do with me?"
"Well, he said he could tell that I was a bit nervous about this whole thing, and he didn't want me to feel pressured into some romantic date situation. So, he said that he asked a few friends to come along and I should do the same and it can be like a more chill, group date thing…”
Ky caught on to what the redhead was suggesting, "No."
"You don't have to do anything Ky! You just have to come, sit, drink free butterbeer and if it all turns to shit we'll head on back to the castle."
"Why are you asking me? Can't you ask-"
"Who? Who can I ask Ky? You saw the girls that I room with! And I already asked Hermione and she said she's busy sorting out this Defence thing and some other meeting she didn't elaborate on, and plus, you owe me."
"Excuse me, how do I owe you?"
"I'm in this mess because of you!"
"What! How do you figure that out! Did I shove Corner's tongue down your throat!"
"No, but you shoved us in that cupboard together!"
Ky was about to retort back when she realised…Ginny was right.
"I've sent all the letters."
"This is such absolute dragon dung. If I didn't love that man to bits, I'd strangle him."
Hermione laughed softly and sunk lower into the armchair, "Relax, it would be just half an hour. He did have a point though, if you want to dissolve this society so badly you'd have to at least meet and get the signed consent from everybody else. Come on, let's go, they should be there by now.”
They left her lab and walked over to their Potions classroom,
"Finally. Sort this out. With haste. I'll be in my office."
Sev vanished with a twirl of his cloak. They hadn't spoken in a week, ever since Ky found out about what happened to Theodore and the others. She was having some difficulty dealing with his role in this.. she knew he didn't send out the instructions of punishment, but nevertheless, he relayed the message. Honestly it was easier to blame him rather than the alternative…
Her eyes fell on dark hair, "I told you; you didn't have to come."
Theodore’s dark eyes glittered at him, "It's fine Kitten. We've got permission from the higher- ups’; they want us out of this 'prejudiced pushing paper' as quick as possible."
Ky shook her head at him, but didn’t fuss at him, and walked to the front. The snakes were right at the back. Theodore at one end of the bench and Parkinson on the other. Greengrass gave Ky a small smile and Liam waved at her. He was a good kid. Ky managed to speak to him the Sunday after the ordeal and he seemed in much better spirits. Draco delivered on his word and took care of the kid, nobody was bullying him or pushing him around. He was just a little scared, hence locking himself in his room for days, but he looked a lot better today.
The next row sat their Gryffindors. Ginny glared at Ky, and she suppressed a smile. She did kind of promise her when she signed up that there would be no meetings. Hermione sat next to her with an intent look on her face, as if she didn't know what Ky was going to say already. On her other side was Neville, who she had got to sign much the same way that Malfoy got Parkinson to sign. That Creevey boy with a love for photography, sat on Neville's other side. Hermione said he was the only one that was actually enthusiastic about the paper.
The next row sat the Puffs, with Bellamy right at the end. Hermione said she had delegated the signatures to Ernie, and it looked like he just asked his group of friends to sign. Justin with the two names was sat next to him and on his other side was Hannah Abbot. Allison Fleeceheart and Jack Corner hadn’t show up.
The row right in the front and true to character were the Ravenclaws. Ky nodded at the girl right at the end who was Audrina Greyson. She nodded back, it was quite funny how she got her to sign. She was a fourth year Claw who was obsessed with Hermione. She worshiped the ground her best friend walked on but at the same time wanted to beat her high scores for every subject. The younger Corner sat a seat away from her, next to Anthony Goldstein and another seat away sat Luna. She waved enthusiastically at Ky, and she returned it in kind.
"Well, most of us know why we are here. First things first," Ky growled quietly, embarrassed her grandfather stipulate a task in order for them to dissolve the society…one that was downright awkward. "There are numbers on a card under your chair. Sit in the seat number that is stipulated on the card. Here are the seat numbers." Ky waved her wand like her grandfather instructed her to do so, and numbers floated above the seats.
"You're not serious."
Ky looked at Pansy, "Unfortunately I am. The longer you take to move the longer we're going to be here, so if I were you Parkinson…"
Hermione stood first, and slowly everybody followed. Ky looked down at the parchment, taking a calming breath.
"Turn…"She cleared her throat, "Turn to the person next to you. You're to ask each other ten questions and then write it down. Like an interview. The best written interview, which means the most captivating, would get fifty points for their house. You have twenty minutes. Start."
"I thought we were here to dissolve this club!”
"We are." Ky snapped at Parkinson, "But we have to do this first to do that, so just start!"
The twenty minutes went by slowly. Ky observed everyone. She could never become a teacher. How does Sev do it? Some like Audrina took to it quickly, berating poor Colin for answers. Hermione was with Theodore; and Ky actually didn't rig that. She laughed silently at the look on Neville's face as he answered Bellamy's questions.
When the time was almost up, Ky left the room to get Snape, he would choose the winning interview. Yes…her grandfather went this far. She knocked on his office door and he swept through it in silence. He waved his wand and collected the sheets. He didn't bother looking through them.
"Granger, 50 points to Gryffindor." He turned and walked out. Ky was surprised, Sev almost never gave points to Gryffindor, or Hermione.
"That's not fair, he didn't even look!”
Ky had to stifle her laugh at Audrina’s face, thwarted by Hermione, what a pity, she must have put in so much effort. "Are you questioning Professor Snape's grading?"
"What…no…I just mean-"
"Good. OK, all those in favour of dissolving this club, raise your hand. Just one hand Parkinson."
Pansy didn't laugh, with a majority amount of votes, with Colin being the only one against this dissolution; Ky passed the parchment around to sign.
"Longbottom, you twit, ugh it's in my eyes!"
Ky tried not to laugh at Parkinson’s ink-stained face. Neville somehow managed to thrust the ink bottle into Parkinson's face, rather than summon it like Ky thought was his intention.
"Relax Parkinson. Ginny go get the Sunseed Essence from the store."
The redhead rolled her eyes at Ky’s commanding tone, but stood and walked out without complaint as she was nearest the storeroom.
"That's OK. I have some in my pocket."
They all looked at Luna. Ky laughed, only Luna would carry around random potions.
Parkinson grabbed the bottle without a thank you.
"Corner, go get Ginny."
He nodded and stood; he was sitting next to her, so he was the second closest to the cupboard.
"Woah, Parkinson, did you sign?" Ky ran after her, through the door, everybody else filed out after Pansy did.
"She did, here." Hermione passed Ky the parchment.
"Hold on to that would you. We can't risk me losing it."
Hermione shook her head in disbelief but relieved Ky of the parchment, "I'll hand this over to Professor McGonagall. I'll meet you in the common room."
"I'll come with; I haven't seen Minnie in a while. Let me just lock this up."
"Oh…"
Ginny’s sharp eyes narrowed, "Oh. Oh! You left us in there for an hour!"
"The point is…I did come back. I remembered!"
"No! Hermione remembered! If it was up to you, I probably would still be in there!"
"Ok fine, so I mistakenly locked you up in a classroom alone with him. For an hour. I still don't see how that makes it my fault for you guys…OK fine."
She really couldn't deny her involvement, leaving a pair of heterosexual teenagers of the opposite sex locked up in an empty classroom together; it was the makings of a porno.
"Good." Ginny stood quickly, hastening to leave before Ky changed her mind. "Don't worry; you won’t have to even speak to anyone. I just don't want to show up alone."
"Oh, I know, misery loves company."
Ginny laughed as she walked out the door and Ky continued with her potion, looking forward to tomorrow even less than she had been ten minutes ago.
She heard footsteps at her door again, and she grumbled. "Come back to complain some more! It was just an hour!” Ky turned, expecting to see Ginny, but found someone less expected, and even less wanted.
A/N: Even though I’m not a fan of Cho, I did quite liking Harry’s perspective. I don’t know whether I got the conflict well, because he is so clearly aware of his feelings for Ky, but he thinks that is never going to be reciprocated, and he does see that being with Cho should be easy, and she really is such a catch in so many ways, and he is so often comparing her to Ky in his head and claiming all the differences are things that make Cho better, but of course, its just all the things that he notices and adores about Ky. I took sometime writing their first kiss, because initially he is very hesitant to even touch Cho, but as he kisses her, he gives into it, because he is just human, and he is single, and that’s a pretty girl, and he is flattered she wants him.
Anwyay - hope you enjoyed that! Any guesses who visited Ky in the end there?
Chapter 20: To find solace in Corners
Chapter Text
Anything that rings a bell belongs to JK Rowling
"Malfoy?"
"Thornton!"
He walked in like he owned the place, taking in the table and the cupboards as if he was seeing it for the first time. He sauntered forward, bumping into the table, and then lowering his elbow onto the surface, a wide grin on his face.
"Did it ever occur to you that this table and that stool and that cupboard…are all the exact same colour! Do you think they're all from the exact same tree?"
Ky narrowed her eyes at him, "Or maybe it's just the same type of wood…how did you get in?"
"Oh, I snuck in behind the she-weasel, her body is really taking shape. When did her legs get so long?"
"Malfoy, what the fuck is going on?" Ky placed the knife down subsequently stopping her chopping, staring at him lounging at the other end of the table. He looked up, startled at what she said, his face morphing into a lazy smile again.
"Don't get jealous, you still have the best body in these parts. You say fuck nicely. You pronounce it differently, all American. Say fuck again Thornton." He mouthed the swear slowly, he looked absolutely ridiculous; Ky would have laughed if it wasn't so unsettling. He made his way towards her, running his hand across the table surface. When he got close enough everything made sense.
"Ugh did you finish that Twilfitt concoction that you usually lather yourself in and decided to swim in Ogden's Old Firewhisky instead."
He took a step back and knocked into the drawer behind him, "Firstly, my cologne is concocted by Madam Zangara, you cannot buy it in a shop. Secondly, I do not drink Ogden's, that is piss…I don't drink piss. I'm a Danahagh man."
He shook his finger at Ky; and she walked towards him, pushing the Doxy Venom bottles out of the way of his overly expressive hands, "Malfoy, why don't you sit down."
"I don't want to sit!" He shouted at her, and she flinched at the loudness, but continued towards him. This just egged him on, "You can't make me because I don't want to! I don't want to sit! I won't. I won't do it! I said no! I won't."
His face was crumpling in anger and his hands were trembling, his usual straight-backed stance dissolved into one of a desolated slouch.
"You don't have to then Malfoy."
"Stop it! Stop calling me that! Stop saying that! Stop saying Malfoy! Malfoy! Malfoy! Malfoy! Malfoy! A Malfoy doesn't forget. A Malfoy doesn't forgive. A Malfoy doesn't show weakness! A Malfoy doesn't falter! A Malfoy…A Malfoy!" He grabbed at his hair. He went from happy drunk to sad drunk to demented drunk in seconds.
"M…Draco. Draco." He pulled his hands away from his face, his steel eyes shining softly at her, vulnerability leaking off of him. "Draco…" She had no idea what to say. She hadn't seen him in weeks, but then again, Ky hadn’t seen much of anyone in weeks. She spent all her spare time down here, hiding away from Charry, that's apparently what the third years christened them. She personally called them Ho, or Pang, much more appropriate.
"I met Theo when I was five.” He hiccupped, “Five." Ky waited for him to continue, his head hung low, "It was one of those insipid Balls my mother throws. I hated them because I had to use dress robes and I despised dress robes back then, confining fucking things.” He held his hand around his neck as if the robes in question had materialised upon his body "All the children were in my nursery room, I hated that. All of them were… terribly boring. I remember the twins, I used to call Crabbe and Goyle that…they just followed me around doing whatever I wanted. And the girls were even worse, all they wanted to do was play stupid games with teacups and…and hand holding. And then, in the corner of the room," He lifted his head and looked in the corner of the room as if he had travelled back in time, "This scrawny kid sat on my chair, reading one of my books. Nobody touched my stuff; we bought separate toys for guests. Nobody touched my stuff. So, I went up to him, grabbing the book from him, telling him the book was mine. Do you know what he said?"
He had a wistful smile on his face, "Did you write that book Draco? I was so shocked that someone dared challenge me, I was a spoiled brat, I didn't take that kind of nonsense from anyone… even at the age of five. I was about to shove him off my chair when he gave me this huge…huge toothy smile, telling me if I did write that book, I did a bad job of it, because it was dead boring."
He leaned against the counter, shaking his head, his face pale even for him, "I convinced him to sneak downstairs that day…I remember having to get Dobby to apparate us into the kitchens and we just played…a lot…I can't remember what, but I remember being so jealous because that was the first time I met a kid my age who was smarter than me. He was explaining all these things to me but in a humble way that annoyed me to no end…but somehow, I liked him more for it. Then my mother found me, she was livid. As the host of the party, you were not allowed to wander away from your guests, and I had done that. I was fucking five! My father was so angry because some spoiled little German girl went crying to her daddy that I was ignoring her, and my father wanted to sign some deal with him, so I was to do whatever she asked. Fuck. I was so angry. And then Theo, that scrawny little nobody, says that the whole thing was his idea. The whole fucking thing. His father slapped him across the face right there, in front of me. And I never said a word. I didn't say…I just let him…take the blame. I should have said something."
His jaw was clenched, and he was staring down at the floor. Ky hesitantly placed her hand on his shoulder, "Sometimes we do things to protect ourselves, only to find out the other better option ends up causing us more damage. Draco…you made a choice. Did you want to punish Teddy?"
He looked at Ky desperately, "No, no I didn't. I just know that his father was furious, and I didn't want to get the parents involved and my father actually trusted me with this. I couldn't screw up because they'd just do something to compensate for my fuck up and then I didn't want them to give it to anyone else because what if they did worse! What if they went too far, I had to…I didn't want to hurt them.”
"I know that Draco. And so too does Teddy. Not all of us are afforded with choices that are black and white, and the options you were given were a whole different colour spectrum. You did what you had to…"
"NO, I DIDN'T! I DIDN'T! I COULD HAVE SAID NO! TOLD THEM…told them not to…"He banged a hand across his forehead. Ky’s eyes widened, afraid he would hurt himself, and then looked on defeated, knowing first-hand what guilt can do to a person, completely at a loss at what to do to help him.
"Why did you have to write that fucking article! Why! Why!"
He looked at Ky, distraught. He banged his palm against the wall and suddenly darted out of the room.
"Draco! Draco-"
She ran after him, not able to keep up with his longer strides. "Leave him."
Ky froze and she turned to the voice, the familiar baritone, "He's not in the right frame of mind. He might hurt himself."
"He'll be fine. Your molly coddling won't help him, he needs to get used to the feeling."
She glared at Sev, "Nobody should get used to hurting others."
He shook his head, a cynical smile on his face, "Such a Gryffindor, all brawn and no brain.”
She guessed they were fighting. Again. She shook her head at him, this time she didn’t feel she was in the wrong. She turned and walked away, her heart aching for the stranger that now stood before her, and for the stranger that ran away…who didn’t feel like a stranger anymore.
-x-x-x-
What do you study to become a librarian? Do you have to just read a lot of books?
Harry reflected on this as he stared at Madam Pince, shuffling across, floating books around her. He never saw her reading anything. He wonderd why anybody would choose to be a librarian then, if you had no time for using the books. He personally couldn’t stand being in one area all day long, just following after students. No wonder she was in such a terrible mood most days.
"Are you done?" Harry snapped his head up, staring at Cho for a moment. He looked back down at the empty parchment,
"Errr…almost."
She laughed and shook her head at him, putting away her neat and completed essay, "Shall we call it a night?"
"Sure." He stood and pushed his stuff into his bag. He waited for her to walk out in front of him, remembering that quip Marietta Edgecombe had made about him being ill-mannered when he didn't do so the other day. He held the door out for her, and they walked down the corridor.
"So, tomorrow…” She let the sentence fall away awkwardly.
”You are coming to the Hogs Head?"
"Yeah I am…how come you didn't mention anything though?"
"This whole thing was Hermione's idea; she told me that she told you."
"But you didn't tell me?"
Harry frowned, "You already knew…why would I tell you if you already knew?"
She let out a loud sigh, "Fine."
That most definitely did not sound fine. He took a calming breath, and smiled at the Ravenclaw, "Cho, there is going to be a meeting about learning Defence against the Dark Arts tomorrow at the Hogs Head, would you like to come?" She shook her head as if exasperated, but a small smile graced her face.
"Don't be smart with me Harry."
"Must be all that time in the library, it must be rubbing off on me.”
He laughed at his own joke, but it echoed lonely in the corridor, "Do you have a problem with hanging out in the library?"
"What? No." When did Harry even say that?
"Because I asked you where you wanted to go, and you said wherever I wanted to, and I had two essays to do-"
"Cho relax, I don't mind hanging out in the library. I hang in there loads; Hermione practically lives there."
A weird glint passed her eyes, but it didn't last long. "So, what do you want to do after the meeting?"
Harry shrugged, "Anything you want to do."
"I'd like you to tell me what you would like to do Harry." Her voice had a slight edge to it.
He smiled down at her, "I'd really just like to do whatever you want to. Is that such a bad thing?" Harry didn't want to upset her; he liked that dating Cho meant just going with the flow. It caused him no extra headaches at the end of the day and with everything else that was heaped onto his plate he was more than grateful for that. He left her on the fifth floor after making plans to meet her to walk down together in the morning, and kissed her on the cheek and walked away, wondering whether he would ever get better at this whole boyfriend thing.
-x-x-x
Ky caught the weirdly familiar blue-eyed gaze of the barkeep, his eyes were falling on her too many times…pervert.
She sighed, this whole thing couldn't end sooner, why were these people so slow. Just sign your name and let's call it a day! Also, why was she even here? Like Harry could teach her anything at all! Fine, he probably could, he was pretty damn good at Defence. And technically she’d never beaten him a duel. She sighed, thinking how fun it was duelling with him. Now he probably duelled just with Cho.
Ah, there was Ky’s reason for being here.
Hermione rose to her feet and spoke nervously to the crowd of students. She wasn't at all nervous yesterday when she was screaming at Ky about a united front having to be displayed, and how would it look if she didn't show her support. Half the people here were raging hypocrites. Ahh there's their leader; Ky’s eyes fell on a mane of dirty blonde. What was Lavender even doing here, she thought she was anti-Harry.
There was a bustling as everybody stood, lining up to sign some parchment.
Finafuckily.
Ky remained seated, waiting for everyone to bustle out. There were a lot of familiar faces. When the room was practically empty, Ky stood and approached the table.
"Just sign right here." Cho gestured at the point right after the last person.
Why thank you Miss Chang, Ky thought sarcastically, if she hadn’t told her to do so, Ky would have no fucking idea where to have signed on this very large and confusing parchment.
"Ky?"
She turned to her friend, who moved in closer so they wouldn’t be overheard. She didn't have to; Ron was busy guffawing with the Twins and Harry was talking to Cho.
"Are you OK?”
She answered in the negative, not even in the mood to pretend. "I'll see you later."
She turned and exited the pub, ”There you are! What took you so long!"
"We were in the same boring ass meeting?"
Ginny rolled her eyes, "What was up with that idiot Smith. Oh, and when did Cho become Harry's PA?'
"Did you see Mi's face when she took the sign-up parchment from her? That was hilarious. I got Colin to snap a picture."
"Hi."
They turned to find Michael Corner waiting just outside the Three Broomsticks. "I have a table in there already, everyone is there..."
They followed him in, and Ky saw his eyes linger on Ginny's arse as she walked ahead of him… she rolled her eyes, boys.
Salazar’s sac, she spotted the fullest table in the pub… hoping that wasn’t their’s.
Oh, Fuckorse it was.
"Hey, I'm Henry."
Hi, I haven't even sat down yet, Ky thought, but bit ber tongue and shook his hand, and sat in the seat next to Ginny, she didn't miss the glare that the black-haired boy next to Henry shot at him.
Oh, why don't they just piss all over her?
Three butterbeers down Ginny and Michael seemed to be doing OK. For one thing they were talking to each other. This of course meant Ky was left with most of the fourth year Claw boys. Being the great Albus Dumbledore's granddaughter seemed to make them all vie for her attention, "…and then he found the twelfth use when he-"
Yes, Ky wanted to know all about the uses of dragon blood right now.
The three other girls didn't speak to her at all. And Ky obliged fully. Not like they spoke to each other much either.
"Jack! Jack!" Michael shouted over the crowd. Ky followed his eye line and watched Jack Corner approach the table.
"Keep your knickers on baby bro, I saw you." Michael blushed a bit at that, and Ky laughed. That caught Jack's attention, he looked at her in surprise.
"Fancy finding you here Miss Thornton, the rose among the ravens."
"More like the lion among the ravens!" She smiled up at Jack.
"I like to judge people on their personalities and not what house they're from Miss Thornton."
She placed down her butterbeer at that, "And I'm a rose…me? You obviously should just stop judging people period because you're crap at it."
He laughed, "Or maybe I'm so good at it I know the person better than the person knows the person, get what I'm saying?"
She rolled her eyes, "I think I'm going to need something much stronger than this to keep up with this conversation."
"Oh, I can buy you some Firewhisky." They both turned to the black-haired boy next to Henry whilst Henry quickly cut in,
"I don't have to buy you Firewhisky, I already have some in my dorm, I can…take you-"
Ky raised her eyebrows at the pair, but before she could say anything Jack Corner cut in, "Hey Mikey, I'm taking Thornton for a walk."
He might as well have spoken to the brick wall next to him, Ginny had her tongue so far down Michael's throat it was blocking his vision. Ky stood quickly, more than happy for an excuse to leave this place.
She waved at the boys and walked off, trying to not roll her eyes at the less than eager goodbyes. The other two boys just nodded; they didn't seem the type to enjoy company. Period. And she guessed they were dragged in here too. She swept the room for Hermione, but couldn't see her; she did say she would be around.
Corner opened the door and mock bowed Ky out, she laughed and walked through.
"So…I didn't know you were a cradle snatcher."
"You don't choose the MILF life; the MILF life chooses you. Anyway, apparently all his fellow fifth years had dates, yeah right! He just couldn't wrangle them into coming on a 'group date' like how I got wrangled!"
"How did you, by the way?" He said with a chuckle.
Ky snorted, "Ginny is a little minx that's how, and she has a memory like an elephant and holds grudges and never shuts up about things and just moans and groans, believe me, it was better for me to just go to the damned thing. It wasn't that bad though; it could have been worse. If I got any more bored I might have just taken up young Henry on his offer."
They both laughed at that and walked down the main street. It was strange to think just months ago Ky was kidnapped in this very village. It seemed millennia ago, foreign in this bright and lively day, such a contrast to the still night of the attack.
A shiver ran down her spine and she gritted her teeth, chiding herself for being such a baby. She subconsciously moved a little closer to Corner though.
"I read the article, I sent a copy to Mr and Mrs Diggory."
"Oh crap, I'm sorry it was so shit, I had like five minutes to-"
"They loved it. Said it was simple and to the point, like Ced." His lips dipped at that, and he remained silent. It must be hard for him; Cedric and he spent a lot of time together. Ky couldn’t imagine not having Hermione around. She scanned the people once more for the but she couldn’t spot her favourite head either.
"What the hell, she isn’t-" Corner practically swore suddenly.
They walked, or more like Corner stormed and Ky followed behind him, across the street to this atrocious looking shop. She frowned through the window. They should have just hung a sign saying couples only, beware: this is a puking zone. It was all flowery and pink and she could even get the floral stench from outside. It was some sort of café. Ky looked where Corner was glaring and frowned.
"Isn't that that wanker, Davies." It wasn't hard to spot him, just follow the scent of pompous jack ass. He was seated opposite a blonde girl; but Ky couldn't see her face but she probably was one of his faceless drones. She saw him around with a few of them.
Jut then though, she noticed a familiar profile in her periphery, Ky snapped around to Corner. He had a worried, confused and angry look on his face. Ky would rather observe his inner dilemma than set sights again on what she just saw… of course Pang would be here. Why wouldn't they?
They were a couple.
"Woah…Corner, what are you doing?"
Ky ran after Jack, as he stormed into the café.
"Hi, welcome to Madam Pudifoots, would you like a window seat or a-"
They didn't stick around for the next option as he walked towards a more secluded corner and sat down. The waitress and Ky hovered in the entrance, what the heck was he doing? She was not going in there, didn't he see the invisible warning sign, she didn't want to upchuck her butterbeer.
"Corner, what the-"
"Please just sit and shhh." His black eyes shone up at Ky, and she slowly lowered herself into the chair. Could he get a table more intimate? They were so secluded you wouldn't see them unless people were looking for them. Ky followed his eye line and saw him observing Davies again, but they were at an angle that didn’t allow them to be spotted. Thankfully she couldn't see Pang from this angle either.
"May I take your order?"
"A double thick chocolate malt, you?"
He continued staring at Davies and nodded. Did he even know what Ky asked him?
"He'll have the same."
The waitress nodded, doing an excellent job at not staring quizzically at them for Jack’s odd behaviour. She knew she would have.
"Corner, Corner?" She clicked her fingers at him, and he finally snapped to.
"Oh…er thanks. We won't be long. A few minutes."
"A few minutes to what? Spy on Davies. You don't need to spy on him, you know what's going to happen next. Him and Blondie over there are going to head on over to the first broom cupboard they see and consummate this unholy union that is suffering through a date with Roger Davies. Not that they're not making headway on that right now." Ky shook her head, really? Get a fucking broom cupboard. They were worse than Michael and Ginny.
Corner's face was getting red, and she looked back at the couple, "That's not your ex-girlfriend or something, is it?"
"What? No.” He said defensively. "No, she isn't."
"Oh. So, you just like her?"
"What! No. I don't, no."
Ky rolled her eyes, "Look Corner, don't be a chicken. Davies is a…moron. If she'd date him, she'd definitely date you." Ky personally wouldn't date her if she were him though, considering it takes a moron to date a moron.
"I'm not…it's…I'm not interested in her like that. She's just a really good friend and I'm…OK get up quickly, they’re leaving."
"But…but my malt…”Ky had just jazzed herself up for one. Jack ignored her however and walked to the exit. Ky tried to keep her head straight, but in the last moment of weakness, she turned and looked to the side, only to find Pang’s table empty.
"Corner, can we-"
"Shhhhh. Er…wait here."
She raised her eyebrows at him; he did not know who he was talking to! She followed him down the alley he entered. She could hear shuffling and heavy breathing; she reached forward to tug his sleeve for an explanation when he stormed forward.
"Jack!"
Ky ran forward, noticing that red angry look as a danger sign, but it was too late. Jack already had Roger Davies up against a wall, towering over him as he pushed against his throat.
"Jack!" Ky’s voice echoed in unison with someone else. She looked to the huge dumpster that blocked most of the alley and her mouth hung open in shock.
"Fleeceheart?" It was incomprehensible. Fleeceheart was…not a bimbo. She didn't look…like that. Did she? Ky didn't really know her, but to date Davies? Alison adjusted her top, slipping the straps back on and pushing her skirt down. Not that it helped much, it put the microscopic in mini.
"Fuck…let me-“Ky heard someone rasp and remembered that Corner was currently strangling Davies.
"Let him go." Fleeceheart surged forward and tried to pull her friend off her date.
Really, these lot call themselves wizards???
Ky flicked her wand in Jack's direction, and he suddenly let go of Davies, pushed back by a gust of wind. Davies fell over, clutching his stomach, rasping for air. The gust of wind seemed to wake Corner up, and he backed away from Davies horrified. He quickly grabbed Ky’s hand, as well as Alison’s, who was screaming at him as he pulled them out of the alley.
"-fucking business! We're both consenting adults! If I want to shag Davies behind a trash can in a dark alley then I will shag Davies behind a trash can in an alleyway!"
"You will shag Davies over my dead body!" Well, that wasn't exactly the most romantic setting to be having sex, but Ky guessed to each their own.
Alison took a step back at that, his sentence obviously hitting home. She saw the tears spring into her eyes at the mention of a dead body.
OK, Ky needed to go; she didn't want to be here. Jack was so engrossed in Fleeceheart that she managed to twist her wrist from his hand without notice.
Ky made her way down the long road, heading for the castle, giving up on finding Hermione and Ron. She tried harder not to look down more alleys, positive she’d find Harry and Cho down there, probably with her skirt hiked up. Was she wearing a skirt? Oh, what was Ky thinking, when did jeans ever stop teenagers before!
"- YOUR FUCKING HANDS OFF OF ME! DO YOU FUCKING KNOW WHO I AM! DO YOU!"
OK Ky, just ignore the voice, ignore it.
Of course… she couldn't…
Ky turned and walked to the pub they had left a few hours ago. The old bar keep was shouting at a drunken Malfoy.
"It's OK. I'll help him to the castle."
The old man looked down at Ky, his blue eyes eerily familiar. Must be all those times she caught him staring at her. Creep.
Ky didn't wait for an answer and grabbed Malfoy and tugged him further down the road.
"Lemme go Thornton. Lemme go. Where you taking me? You taking me for sex?"
Ky didn't respond to that, more interested in dragging him away from the main street. She knew there was a deserted clearing off the road...but where?
She found a path that led off the street and followed it through a bush and found the clearing, inhabited solely by a centralised stump.
"Sit." She pointed at the stump.
"For sex?"
Ky rolled her eyes, "Yeah, of course."
He staggered forward, just managing to sit on the stump, almost missing it completely.
"aqua eructo"
He sputtered and fell off the stump at the force of her spell. She continued for a few seconds longer. He stopped when she thought that it must have done the trick. She looked down at him, he was completely drenched, sitting on the floor, glaring up at her. She was sure he was a little more sober now. He looked a little less ridiculous.
"aqua eructo"
She got hit for the first second and then side stepped the rest. Well, he was definitely sobering up now that he could use his magic. Ky dried her face and her shirt and dropped to the floor. She leaned against the stump on the other side, facing away from Draco.
"Why did you go to the Hog's head? I know I call you an idiot, I didn't think you really were one. Why would he serve someone underage?''
"I was out of Danahagh, I was desperate."
"Desperate enough to drink the everyday man's poison?"
"Desperate enough to drink the poor man's poison. That place is filth epitomised."
"Getting wasted isn't going to solve any problems."
"It does a pretty good job of hiding them though."
Ky sighed, tilting her head skyward. It was a dullish day, like the sun and clouds were fighting for prevalence. "Draco, I know what you're going through. Don't ask how, just know that I do. And believe me; I know how easy it is to succumb to something that dulls that constant ache."
He was quiet; she thought he may have dozed off. A gust of wind ravaged the clearing, sending all the fallen leaves in an uproar. Ky loved this feeling though. The air graced her scalp, it was like flying without stepping off the ground.
"What did you do?"
"I didn't do anything. Someone physically pushed the thing out of my hand, pushed me to the floor and made me confront all my inner demons."
"I don't need your pity."
"Mi never did that for me because she pitied me Draco. She did that for me because she gave a damn."
"Is this you giving a damn?"
"Draco, the very fact that I never beat the crap out of you yesterday when you stormed into my lab meant that I gave a damn."
He was quiet for a while. "Why?"
"I figured whether we like it or not, we're going to be in each other’s face for a while, I guess it's up to us to decide which side we'll be facing."
"I think you know…"
"The only thing I know Draco, is that I don’t know a damn thing."
Silence descended on them again, but it buzzed with invisible thoughts. "What are the Beatles?"
That was so strange, out of nowhere. Oh wait, she looked down at her shirt, "They are a rock band."
"A muggle one."
"That doesn't make a difference. Music is music."
He scoffed. She rearranged the placement of her butt, feeling a numbness settle in.
"I didn't know you and Teddy were so close?"
He scoffed again, "Just because we all don't hold hands and skip around like you hotheads, doesn't mean we're not…close…in our own ways."
The stump vibrated behind her, "Do you mind hitting your head somewhere that doesn't disrupt my head rest?"
He was quiet, probably lost in thought about Theodore. "So how old were you when you met Zabini?"
"Seven. At another Ball. They stopped being all that boring though because Theo was around. Mrs Zabini had just married her third husband, her first English one, and my mother was actually throwing a welcoming ball for them."
"Instant friendship?"
"Fuck no, we hated each other from the get-go. Theo has to play mediator right up to now."
"So, you don't like Zabini?"
"That's such a childish notion Thornton. To like someone? I don't hate him; I understand the need for him to be in my life if that's what you want to know." Ky remembered Blaise telling her something similar just last year. She remained silent, imagining existing in a world so…aseptic. So clearly defined by lines of politeness and necessity.
"To be seven again…"
Ky didn't agree with him, when she was seven, she was all alone, they had just moved to Massachusetts, out of their cabin in the woods.
"Did you see Teddy today?" Ky didn't get a response, "You know if you nod your head I won't see."
"I got drunk, didn't I?"
So, he gets wasted when Theodore’s around. She had a theory about that. At least they knew his trigger. "And when you see Pansy?"
"Pansy is Pansy. I didn't…hurt her the way I did Theo. It helps that there's no scar for a reminder."
Ky told the little snot her balm would work. "Draco?"
"Yes?"
She looked down at her shoes, understanding what Hermione had to go through. If she felt this bad about Draco, imagine how Hermione must have felt about her, someone she cared deeply for. What should she tell him? What can she tell him? What should she tell him?
"I don't want you drinking like this again."
It was worth a try. Maybe he just needed someone to tell him not to. She knew she needed Hermione to do that, it helped.
"I don't like me sober Thornton."
"I don't like you drunk Draco."
"Since when did you like me at all?"
"About the same time your cowardly little arse ran into an acromantula nest to save me."
"For the last time, I didn't know it was their nest. I just thought I was going to help you untie the kid."
"Well, you saved me. That kind of decreased the concentration of my dislike."
"It was not my intention to be a hero. I just didn't want to get in trouble."
"That's OK Draco." She stood and walked around, knowing that he was speaking the truth. Ky held her hand out for him, he looked at her from between a few strands of his usually slicked back hair. "I don't care what your intentions were. I care that you saved me, that you helped me, even if it was just to prevent trouble. I'm standing here unscathed because of you, maybe you should think about that the next time you reach for the bottle."
He was silent for a few moments, and then she felt a surprisingly warm hand wrap around her own and she hoisted him up. She was expecting it to be cold. She chuckled to herself as she let go of his hand and they made their way to the main street and the castle.
She bid Draco farewell in the Entrance Hall, she was in no mood to sit through a dinner in the presence of Perfect Pang. Ky felt despondent, and when she got like this, there was only one thing she could do.
She decided to make potions.
That was like her motto in life, when life gives you lemons, make potions.
She smiled a bit, making a mental note to tell Hermione that one. It was kind of funny.
She wondered where her friend was. She hoped she didn't leave the trip early to make more of those infernal hats she's been knitting. Ky had to speak to Kinky about that, make sure Hermione didn’t piss the house elves off too much.
She muttered the password and pushed the door open, taking in the smell of…nothing.
She almost squealed in delight! Finally!
Success!
The Veritaserum must be working; she skipped to the cauldron and looked in. It was making good progress, and its properties were a whole day earlier than described in the book.
Her happiness plumetted when she though that all she wanted to do was go to Snape, and tell him.
She sighed and covered the cauldron again and turned to get more ingredients for the next step. But she stopped in her tracks.
She just noticed there was someone sat in her armchair…
A/N: A really busy chapter. I like the Hogsmeade chapters to be a lot of action, I don’t know why I’m like this. Jack and Alison may seem random side-character actions, but I thought since I brought Alison in I should actually wrap her arc a bit. More or less after getting the quidditch jersey from Ky, she goes on a bit of a spiral and starts hooking up with Roger Davies, man whore of Hogwarts. Jack clearly sees her being with the guy as a cry for help, and also, clearly really cares/likes her. I know some people might have been worried Jack was going to be another suitor of Ky’s but he was brought into the story for other reasons.
What do people think of Ginny and Ky? I quite like how honest their relationship is. There’s a lot of respect there, but also they are so clear with the fact that they aren’t each other’s favourite people.
Also I know Draco isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but Ky will gain a lot from that friendship. He also serves as a good distraction whilst she’s trying to recover from the Pang of it all.
I just realised I left this at a bit of cliffhanger, but it’s so late and I should sleep. I’ll try to update the next chapter very soon now that I got my momentum back on these edits.
Thanks you for reading!
Chapter 21: The Royal Flush
Chapter Text
Anything that is familiar doesn’t belong to me
A/N: Words in bold are directly from OoTP. I think I might up the rating to mature, just to be safe, I know, and have been told, this is so tame comparitive to everything else on here rated M. This is still quite subtle, mostly suggestive, and very little description but I just want to be transparent if that isn’t anybody’s cup of tea. It won’t get any more explicit than what is in this chapter, so you can make a call based on this whether you want to continue the story. Hopefully you enjoy this update!
Why did Ky even show up if she wasn't going to contribute to anything? All she did was sit there, a blank look on her face and her stubborn bottom lip jutting out in an infuriatingly appetising way.
"….Roger, I turned him down though."
Harry glanced at Davies making out with his girlfriend. Just then he caught sight of the couple that entered the shop.
Fuck.
He snapped his head around, grasping his coffee tightly trying to steady his hands. Damn.
Harry’s heart was beating in his throat. He concentrated on the cup in his hands, trying to stop imagining that it was the neck of the somewhat familiar Hufflepuff boy that had walked in with Ky.
What the hell was she playing at, has she even spoken of that boy before? Harry had never seen them together. He assumed she was holed up in her potions lab these past weeks, but she was secretly dating this boy instead???
Harry wiped at his forehead, and tried to regain control of his breathing. It felt like it did when he would ascend to a great height quickly, his body not adapting fast enough for the atmospheric change.
"…m-mention me at all before he died?”
Cho was looking at him, her pretty dark lashes flecked with tears. He had no clue what she was talking about, losing track of the conversation completely, but there could only really be one person they were talking about. Harry tried to recover from the shock of seeing Ky with someone in this place…
She must really like the guy if she would step into this awful café.
"Look, he didn't have much time to do anything. Let's not talk about him right now, please let's just talk about something else. What were you saying about-"
"I thought," she said, tears spattering down on the table, "I thought you'd u-understand! I need to talk about it! Surely you n-need to talk about it too! You saw it happening, didn't you?”
Harry’s eyes bugged open, shocked. And suddenly a sinking feeling hit him as if he plummetted down, diving for the snitch but not catching it… was the past few weeks merely a way of Cho trying to extract information about Cedric?
Merlin’s beard, Harry didn’t want to be talking about this. She didn’t want to know that at the end, it was very unlikely Cedric was thinking of Cho at all. Also it was ridiculous to think he had time for such things anyway. They were caught completely unaware, what did she think happened? If Cedric had a chance to fight Pettigrew, he would have won. He surely was a better duelist than that rat.
Harry’s right hand flexed, Cedric’s lifeless body an invisible ghost in it. Cho made to hold that very hand, to grab his attention, and he pulled away from her slightly, not wanting to be touched just now. He felt guilty for that, and softened his features, trying to find empathy for her.
"I have spoken about it Cho, to Ron and Hermio-"
"Oh, you'll talk to Hermione Granger!" Harry was sure his eyeballs were zooming around the floor as it popped out of his head. Cho was screaming and the kissing couples near them broke apart, "…met up with Hermione Granger, like you obviously wanted to!"
She sputtered into her napkin.
He hadn’t expected her to get angry, and became aware of eyes on them, "Cho?"
"Go on leave. I don't know why you asked me in the first place if you're going to make arrangements to meet other girls right after me…how many are you meeting after Hermione?"
"It's not like that!"
Without thinking, Harry laughed at the irony that Cho was jealous of Hermione. He spent all his energy trying not to give away his feelings for Ky in front of his girlfriend, and perhaps he had done such a good job all Cho’s ire was directed at the wrong source.
Before he could apologise for laughing, Cho sprang off her seat, and left with a dramatic goodbye. She was already out the door before Harry could look around the tea shop, seeking stormy grey in the midst of the probing stares that surrounded him.
He took his eyes off her, and she was once again, gone.
He finished his coffee in one large sip, and as if on autopilot, walked to meet Hermione at the Three Broomsticks. He was surprised to find Rita Skeeter there, and had been justly distracted by retelling the woman about Voldemort’s return, an interview that would be published in the Quibbler.
In the last hour, Harry had spent more time talking about that night than he had in months, and Hermione wanted to stay and have drinks and talk about his date with Cho, but thankfully Ron arrived, and Harry didn’t feel bad for excusing himself, not lying by saying he had a headache and making his way to the Castle by himself.
He looked around the street, keeping an eye for the dark tendrils he could pick out in any crowd, but at the same time, dreading it…
That was actually the second time he saw Ky on a date with someone else. The first was the Yule Ball, and he didn’t care how many times she declared it wasn’t romantic… it still made him feel like a stranger in his own skin.
He shoved his hands in his pockets, it was a chilly day, and he looked up at the grey sky, thinking only of her eyes. How had he just discussed his near death with the man who murdered his parents, yet, it was the girl that upset him? He looked off in the distance as he entered the castle grounds, wanting Sirius.
No.
He wanted his father.
James Potter died for a girl. For Harry too, but he was aware that he came from that kind of love. He was proud of it, and perhaps he was wrong for being so unempathetic to Cho earlier, thinking she was naïve to think Cedric had time to think about her before he died.
If Harry was the one that died that night, even if it was a nanosecond, he would like to think he would have filled it with all the faces of those he loved. And then his mind froze on hers.
Ky’s.
From that very day. When she gave him her locket.
“What do I want now, Harry?”
“Oh god.” Harry muttered to himself, recognising the look on her face that he had learnt over the summer… the way she’d tilt her head up, part her lips, and clueless as he felt sometimes, he knew Ky the way he knew how to fly.
Just pure instinct…
She wanted him to kiss her.
And he didn’t… and if he died that night…
He took a sharp right in the Entrance Hall, and walked into the Dungeons.
-x-x-x-
She almost squealed in delight! Finally!
Success!
The Veritaserum must be working; she skipped to the cauldron and looked in. It was making good progress, and its properties were a whole day earlier than described in the book.
Her happiness plumetted when she though that all she wanted to do was go to Snape, and tell him.
She sighed and covered the cauldron again and turned to get more ingredients for the next step. But she stopped in her tracks.
She just noticed there was someone sat in her armchair…
Harry stared intently at her, his green eyes ablaze with unspoken thoughts, and no hint of a smile on his face. He stood, and slowly walked towards her. There was something about his gait that had Ky filled with quiet anticipation. As if her very movement would break whatever enchantment that seemed to control him, because Harry’s intentions, for once, had never felt clearer to Ky.
When he reached her, she already had her head tilted up to him, her lips parted, as her heart beat in her ears, blocking all sense of sound except for the quickening thump. As his chest brushed against her own, she took a gulp of air, enjoying the way the action allowed her to push against him.
Suddenly, the small of Ky’s back hit her work bench as Harry stepped closer, and she bounced off it onto him, but before even the hint of discomfort to startle her to the present, a warm hand replaced the sharp edge of the wood, and her startled gasp was swallowed by his soft lips.
This was like a switch which turned her senses on maximum, and as Harry delicately kissed her, she relished the scent of him, which she missed smelling on her pillow at night. A sound crept up from the base of her throat that sounded so unlike her, but his hands gently stroking her neck felt like the softest feathers.
She pushed her body hungrily against him, a fire roaring to life in her belly and spreading to the tips of her everything. She lapped at him greedily and he responded in kind. She felt his hand move down from her back and cup her butt, she was quickly hoisted off the floor and Ky eagerly wrapped her legs around him. She felt the heat spread on her face when she felt him hard, even through both their jeans.
Harry sat her on her worktable, the cool wood having no effect on her current constitution. Ky felt as if flames licked her body, she was like a potion that could only be activated at a certain temperature, and he the catalyst quickening that process. She made that primal sound as Harry’s hands ghosted at her stomach and languidly ascended, and she swiftly ran her own across his back, nibbling just on his bottom lip.
She released his lip as she flung her head back, a clear and unexpected moan escaped her as he simultaneously rubbed himself at her core and his dry, rough, cold hand ghosted under her tee and across her breasts making them beg for release inside her bra.
His hot tongue lapped at her neck, muttering indistinguishable words that she couldn’t process as her breasts were screaming for attention in a way Ky had never felt before, all she wanted was for him to keep doing what he was, tugging and squeezing and cupping, and her legs tightened involuntarily around him.
"Kyrianna," He said it in a voice so low she would never have heard it if he wasn't nipping at her ear, "Your potion.”
Ky placed her hands firmly on Harry’s butt, and pulled him roughly against her, "Fuck the potion."
Ky heard a chuckle, or more like felt it rumble, as she shrugged off her tee, and he was rendered silent. For the rest of her life, she’ll remember that look. She knew most of the swirl in the emerald green was lust, but there was something else in there. And she tilted her head to the side, taking in his expression curiously.
“What do I want now, Kyrianna?”
Oh.
Her face heated, and she knew she must be blushing, and it had nothing to do with her being topless. He had finally worked it out…
“Me.”
She gave him the answer she had hoped for all those months ago. He nodded in agreement, and closed the distance, kissing her softly on her lips. She greedily ran her fingers over his shoulders, touching the skin on his thin long arms, feeling as if she stopped, he’d disappear. She was suddenly consumed with a desire for him, wanting him for weeks from afar, and missing him so very much.
She pulled off his shirt, and quickly took off her bra, wanting to feel his skin against hers, and purring at the contact. His head moved from her lips, to her neck, then her shoulders, lower and lower, and then she felt the best sensation yet, of steady fingers on taut skin and she heard a voice foreign to her, a voice dripping with sensuality as she breathed Harry's name and she came undone.
-x-x-x-
Harry had never seen anything more beautiful in all his life.
Ky’s dark hair was flowing across the tabletop, like a black river amidst a forest. She hid her smoky grey eyes away from him, the most serene look on her face, her lips parted slightly emitting the most captivating sounds that egged him on, and he tried to find the satisfaction she was pleading for with her body with his inexpert fingers. With a singular sound of deepest pleasure, her arched back softened and she fell back onto the tabletop. Her breathing was slowing down, and Harry leaned over her, kissing her cheek softly, tasting her sweetness.
Harry felt her lips push at his own cheek and he straightened up, removing his hand from inside her jeans, surprised how it even fit in the constraining garment.
He grinned, thinking if there was a will, there was a way.
Ky followed suit, a lazy, satisfied smile on her face, and Harry flexed his fingers, hiding a smirk as the thought crossed his mind that catching a snitch was way easier than that, but nowhere near as enjoyable.
"Wow."
He couldn't help but smile back at the appraising look she was giving him. He had been anxious for the first few minutes, not sure where the confidence to even try something like that came from, but Ky had been just as forthright with her moans, as she was with her opinions, and her mewls and gasps directed him, teaching him what she liked without even words.
Godric, he thought, as he kissed her cheek softly, he was going to learn every inch of her. Screw Defence against the Dark Arts, this, this will be his new favourite subject.
He sat on the high stool, enclosing her with his elbows on either side of her hips, and leaned against the tabletop. Her legs were hanging loosely on either side of him, and he looked up at her, her eyes burning with emotions. She bit her bottom lip in a way that made his navel tug. Some of her long, cascading hair tickled his cheek.
A fierce burning desire swept through his body at that look on her face and he stood, carrying her gaze with him.
He cupped her left cheek, all smiles gone, "You're mine." He wished it could be a command, but it was a desperate plea. She had to be his. He can't do this, not anymore. It was just barely bearable to have her run from his arms but to have another man's arms on her…his anger clawed for an escape at the pits of his stomach, and he felt a dull throbbing in his scar. The slightest frown creased her forehead, and she gently cupped his cheek, and he wouldn’t be surprised if he was going to be chided for this possessiveness.
But instead she nodded, almost as if she were hypnotised, and he hugged her, leaning his head on her shoulder, and she quickly kissed his hair, his forehead, his scar. Like magic, the throbbing dissipated, and he held her tighter, remembering that he’d always sleep peacefully with her beside him… his body knew his feelings far before his mind could work it out.
"I won't run away again, Harry. I won't." His common name felt exotic on her lips as she placated fears he had yet to voice. It seemed they had finally learnt how to speak each other’s language. He lifted his head up, meeting her in the eye, "Not this time."
He brushed a strand unnecessarily behind her ear, just wanting to touch her, ”Why did you?"
It had been playing in his head for weeks. He needed to know. He needed to know what he had done to chase her away so he would never do it again.
She lifted her head up and leaned back against the table with her right hand, whilst her left ran circled on his naked chest, which tugged at his core. He could tell she was in her thoughts and had no idea just what she was doing to him.
Her lips lifted into a small smirk, trailing a finger down his ribcage.
Oh, she bloody knew full well, didn’t she? Harry had to grip the table on either side of her, conflicted on what he wanted more. Answers or her.
She bit her bottom lip and with that little action every blood cell in his body fled south, and he let go of the table, but stilled his hand as she began to speak.
"I saw that Chang liked you. I didn't want to take something from her again. I felt guilty.”
Above the flirty smirk, her eyes trembled, and his heart groaned at the sight of it, and so easily he lay his hands comfortingly on her neck. She looked up at him, and he saw all the same ghosts swirl in her eyes that he spotted in the mirror. He cupped her face, befuddled at how he could feel both desire and care to such extremes simultaneously, "You cannot take something from someone if it never belonged to them, Kyrianna.” Questions shone in her eyes, and he pulled her close to him, ready to answer all of them. "Because I felt the same guilt that you did, that want to afford Cho some form of happiness. But I failed. Dismally. I'm not what she wants, and she isn't what I want. She wants answers, not a relationship. And I…I want you."
He needed to say it with his own lips, and her chin trembled and he quickly pulled her into a tight hug. Harry’s heart ached and he didn’t know why, he just felt sorry for her, whatever this pain she carried, it felt like his now.
"I know…I'm not him…I know it must be hard to try and feel that way about someone again.”
She pulled back quickly, confusion etched on her face, "No." She shook her head furiously, "No, you're not him. But that was never the problem. The problem was that he was never you…he was never you, Harry.” She was desperate for him to believe her, “I thought you liked Cho. I thought if I dated Cedric, at least one of us would be happy.”
"What gave you that idea?" Harry’s face contorted in a confusion he never knew before. He never spoke about liking Cho to her, and that's because his infatuation with Cho disappeared upon her arrival. He had only ever considered Cho because Ky never felt like a possibility.
"You…you said last year. When Mi asked about Cedric and I, the day before the Third Task.”
He took a step back, confused. What was she talking about? And then he remembered, "I only said that because you said you wanted to date Cedric!"
"I never said that I wanted to, I asked what would you think if I did…okay, yes, that was stupid, but it felt like a hail Mary attempt for me. You were acting like such a prat, you were either ignoring me, or fighting with me, why would I ever think you would be interested in me! So I floated the idea, hoping you might tell me how you really feel.”
“Well that’s not exactly fair, I was suppose to lay my cards up while yours were all nicely tucked away? And, I only fought with you because I was jealous that you went to the Ball with Malfoy!" His voice was raising, and he chided himself to keep it down.
"I only went with Malfoy because I owed him a debt and it's not like you were batting down the door to ask me! All you wanted to do was go with Cho! You didn't even consider me!”
"Consider you! Consider you! Every decision I made was in consideration of you! I was running away because I couldn't handle the thought of you saying no! You were out of my league!"
"Out of your league? Damn you Potter for being such an idiot!” She slapped his chest, a look of fire in her eyes, "You mean to tell me you liked me all that time!"
"Of course I did. Wasn’t it obvious? I was just scared, OK! I didn't know what to do! It's not like you made things easy! You kept running off, to Malfoy, and then Cedric!”
"Because I dreamt of you! And that terrified me because I didn't want to be hung up on you considering you liked someone else."
"Dreamt of me?"
“Yes…Godric before I could even admit to myself how I felt about you my subconscious self had you painted in so very many” As fast as the fire flared, it fluttered out, and Harry could see her face flush, “…wicked…scenarios.”
“Like?” He couldn’t help himself, he knew they had to talk but Godric he wanted to know her every fantasy.
Her face flushed, glancing down at his shirtless chest, “Well,” She leaned closer, her voice soft, “You kissed me in places…”
“Where? Like the great hall?” Did they share the very same dreams? He thought back to how he imagined her first night at Hogwarts going when he had dosed off in divination in fourth year.
“No!” She frowned, and then her cheeks got redder, but she stopped looking at his chest and locked onto his eyes, bold, confident, Ky. “I meant, places on my body…”
The thought of Ky dreaming of him kissing her all over her body made his chest almost explode with happiness.
The thought that he may actually get to kiss Ky all over her body made another part of him almost explode.
He bit his lip, and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to try and regain composure. They needed to finish talking.
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Why would I! You made it clear to me that you wanted Cho! You’ve been kissing her all over the castle for weeks.” She slapped his chest again and he grabbed her hand, shocked and annoyed at both their stupidity.
"Ky, how could you not see… how could you not feel how much I…”
Words failed him and he pulled her by the wrist, and she crashed into him, and he began to devour her. He didn't know what to tell her to convince her that it had always been her, but he could show her.
Suddenly she pushed him, and he grew worried that it was too much, but then she shoved him softly again, and he fell into the armchair behind him. He looked up but she was on him before he could make a move, her legs around him and he let out a groan at the feel of her against him.
Godric, how was he still able to think, he could barely breathe at the way she kissed him, his body responding to her on reflex, as if he had some innate knowledge on how to pleasure her. He shivered at the feel of her bare chest against his own. He groaned as she released his lips, but felt her lather his neck with kisses, her lips lava that melted down his chest, his stomach…and then he heard the soft noise of metal being released as his jeans loosened.
Harry looked down at her, to ensure she was sure, but his voice caught, he could barely breathe, speech was beyond him. The question was unnecessary though, her violet specks glinted up at him, a small smirk on her face, she looked the epitome of dark desire and for once in his life he would happily dance in the darkness with his Kyrianna.
A/N: Well there you have it! I was hoping that this chapter conveys certain dynamics in Harry and Ky’s relationship. There is such strong physical desire wrapped up in genuine care, and a want to care and protect for each other. Also for those eagle eyes that picked out the scar hurting, it has happened before when Harry feels intense emotion for Ky, and right from the very first chapter, there’s the mention of Harry having a flash of scarlet in his eyes. And then when they first start being intimate, when he has his most jealous bits, his scar troubles him, which is also why he is so agitated in those moments. Experiencing romantic love for the very first time is having an effect on the broken piece of soul within Harry.
Ky’s already letting Harry see a lot of vulnerability, whilst Harry finds himself growing more firm/protective of her. I know the physical stuff escalated a bit - don’t worry, they’ve not had sex, they won’t do that for a while. It felt like what those two crazy kids would do, so I let them have their fun. Don’t worry - they will have their less steamy, fluffy bits galore!
Feedback will be so appreciated - did you think it was anticlimactic, or worth the wait?
Chapter 22: To be a bystander in this beauty
Chapter Text
Anything that rings a bell doesn't belong to me
"So don't ask him about the date, I think it was horrible, oh Ron, stop smirking!"
"I'm not." He had the audacity to state, with a clear smirk on his face. Hermione knew he didn't like Cho. She thought it had more to do with the fact that she was a Tornadoes supporter than he would let on, but Ron was always suspicious of new people. Having Cho around these few weeks had been…different to say the least. Hermione had nothing against the girl, she seemed perfectly fine, and she wasn’t at all biased because of Ky… she just didn’t see Harry with her. He has just been so different, just doing whatever she says he should. He spent more time in the library these days than she did, that wasn’t Harry.
"You think Ky will join us for dinner tonight?” Ron and Hermione sat down at the Gryffindor table, and he looked hopefully at the door. She forgot that it must be harder for him. She got to see Ky pretty much all the time, even when she was holed up in her lab, but Ron goes where Harry does and Ky stays clear of wherever that place may be these days.
"I don't know. I didn't see her in Hogsmeade, but I saw Ginny and she said that she had left their date with Jack Corner ages ago, so maybe she came back to the castle."
Ron spat out his cottage pie, "Their what?"
Hermione rolled her eyes at him. Honestly he was so slow sometimes, didn't he see Ginny and Michael Corner exchanging flirty looks all through the meeting?
"Ky!" Ron shouted, thankfully distracted, and waved her over, as if she wasn't going to come and sit over here anyway. Enthused by his excitement Ky turned her normal walk into a skip and bounced over to them. Her face was flushed, must be all that bouncing. She hopped over the bench into the seat opposite Ron and smiled at both of them.
There was something about that smile…
"So, what's this I hear about a date?"
She laughed at the stern look on his face and it was so foreign; Hermione hadn’t heard that carefree giggle in ages it made her smile widen.
"Oh, same old, same old. There were four fourth year Ravens, took me to the Three Broomsticks, had 2 butterbeers, got invited over to their dorm for a firewhisky. Oh, by the way, your sister is dating Michael Corner."
"What!"
They both laughed at his red-faced shock. Hermione cut in before he started his tirade, "What's the deal with Jack Corner then?
Just then Harry walked into the Great Hall with Cho. Hermione’s smile faded, maybe she should suggest they go upstairs, but before she could say anything Cho started towards the Ravenclaw table, her face pink, upset. Harry made his way over to them, his face stern.
He levelled with them and Hermione gave him what she hoped looked like a sympathetic look. She was sure they had finally ended it. Harry didn't notice this look as at that exact moment he brushed his lips very discreetly against Ky's left cheek as he hopped over and onto the seat next to her.
Did Hermione see that correctly? She blinked, confused.
Ky, as if nothing had happened turned back to Hermione, her face radiant.
"What about Jack Corner?"
Harry dropped his fork onto his plate, "That's it! That's his name! He's on the Hufflepuff quidditch team, beater!"
"Big fan of his, mate?" Ron laughed and gobbled down his food. He was on his third helping, honestly the boy was like a vacuum when it came to food.
"No, but apparently Kyrianna is."
Hermione placed her pumpkin juice down, did he just say Kyrianna…he called her by her full name! Why was Harry poking the dragon, does he not know our school motto!
Ky laughed at his cross expression, "I have no idea what you are talking about Harry."
Oh Godric, these two kissed again! Hermione could smell the pheromones from across the table!
"Well, you seemed pretty interested in him, considering you went on a date with him a few hours ago?”
"No mate, she went on a date with four Ravenclaws and then to their dorm for firewhisky."
Harry sputtered out his juice, how Ronald managed to make that sentence sound a hundred times worse is beyond her.
"Ronald, she didn't go to their dorm, she was invited, she didn't go." Hermione turned back to look at her best friend, a hopeful look on her face, "You didn't go?"
She chuckled at her, "No Mi, I didn't. Anyway I didn't go on a date with Jack Corner. The only reason I went to that VomitFest of a café was because he was spying on Alison Fleeceheart, who has turned into a Davies dating slag who wanted to do him behind the dustbin in the alleyway opposite aforementioned VomitFest but didn't get to because Corner, Jack, not the one your sister is dating, strangled him and whisked Fleeceheart away. She was not amused."
Ky chuckled into her pie, oblivious to the three shocked faces staring at her.
She jerked her head up as if remembering the statement that would tie it all together, "Oh, Harry and I are dating by the way."
Ron's mouth hung open, and Hermione grimaced, making him close his full mouth, and then sighed at her friend, "I don't get it. I thought Alison Fleeceheart was in love with Cedric. Why did Jack Corner…” She gasped, “You don't think!"
"It's so obvious Mi, you should have been there!” Ky’s eyes were large, clearly in such a good mood everything was of great entertainment to her again.
Hermione smiled, she did miss this Ky! "Well…I think they would-"
"Did you not hear what she just said?" Ron burst at her.
Hermione looked at Ron. Why was he so shocked? Honestly the only surprising thing is that it happened so quickly. She was pretty sure Harry just broke up with Cho…unless…oh gosh these two better not be at their old tricks again!
"What happened to sitting down and discussing all of this amongst us four, like adults?" Harry looked at Ky quizzically and she laughed at what he said.
She pinched his left cheek, "Awww that's so cute how you thought that that was going to happen."
Ron gestured profusely, "Wait…wait, wait, start from the beginning."
"Oh my gosh Ron isn't it obvious. Ky and Harry liked each other for a long time, but Harry thought Ky didn't like him, and Ky thought that Harry liked Cho. Ky went on a group date with Ginny where her boyfriend’s brother Jack Corner pitched up and rescued Ky from the four Ravenclaw boys that were trying to convince her to go back to their dorms. Ky and Jack decided to go to Madam Pudifoots, I do believe that is the VomitFest, because they wanted to spy on Alison Fleeceheart who was on a date with Roger Davies but Cho and Harry were also on a date there and Harry saw Ky with Jack Corner and got jealous which urged him to find Ky and make out, I hope that's all that happened, and confess their feelings to each other and now they're dating but they spent more time with their tongues down each other’s throats than using it to discuss important matters like, have you made sure that Cho knows? You don't want her finding out from someone else. And speaking of which, when are you going public with this cause you just broke up with-"
"Woah Mione' back up." Ron held his hand up in her face and she glared at him. He looked at Ky, "First things first, who is this Michael Corner and secondly, who are these four Ravenclaws that tried to get you into their dorm? I'll kick their nerdy little arses right off the astronomy tower."
Ky laughed but Harry didn't seem to find it funny, "I believe the man asked for names?"
Ky looked at Hermione exasperated, "Don't look at me. You want to date Harry Potter; you deal with it." She smiled though, finally something was going right.
"WHAT!"
They all turned around to stare at Lavender, who was staring back at them, her juice all over Seamus who slowly mopped it up, "KY AND HARRY ARE DATING!"
"No, no…that's not what I said." Oh no, Hermione really put her foot in it.
"No Mi, it's OK. People will soon find out." Ky said reassuringly and turned to look at Lavender, eyes shining with sincerity, "Harry and I are not dating Bobby. But I am pregnant with his love child. I don't want to have a bastard…so we're tying the knot. Please, it's a sensitive topic; try to keep it amongst us."
Ky said all this softly and with such sincerity Ron had to pass Hermione a quick glance of reassurance that it was untrue. She shook her head at him in exasperation.
Lavender nodded with a crazy gleam in her eye. It's like she didn't care how farfetched the idea was as long as it was good gossip. She walked away; surely to notify the people on Mars.
"Was that really necessary?" Harry looked at Ky, a hint of amusement in his eyes. Wow, this was so much better than the Harry that they had to deal with these past few months.
"Well I figured Minnie and Sev will take the news that we're dating better when they find out that I'm not pregnant. It's all about perspective Harry."
Harry turned and looked at Hermione, pleading with her to make his girlfriend see sense, and Hermione bit her lip, imagining she’d see that look a lot in future, and that made her so happy, "Don't look at me, you wanted to date Ky Thornton, you deal with it!" She laughed at his reaction, her heart feeling lighter than it did in a long time.
-x-x-x-
Ky pushed open the large door, a broad grin on her face.
"Nonno! So you've heard the good-"
"This better be a load of dragon dung and you better denounce these rumours this very instant or by the Founders the Dark Lord need not worry about Potter again unless to choose the pike that he would be using to hoist his head after I severe it-"
"Severus…" Albus Dumbledore’s gravelly voice cut through Snape’s highly entertaining and hypocritical little rant, what was that about a pike? Ky’s grandfather turned away from the sullen man that was leaning against the pillar on the far right of his chair. "Kyrianna, please have a seat.”
She plopped into her freshly conjured swivel chair and dug into the ice cream sundae that awaited her. There was an awkward silence that permeated the room. Just then the door opened, and McGonagall walked in, "Severus, Albus…Bane." She nodded at each of them, and Ky gave her a chocolatey smile.
OK, now that the whole gang was here, Ky could let the fun begin.
"Kyrianna, it has come to our attention that you and Harry are now an item." There was a very prominent scoff emitted from the Potions Master at her grandfather’s words. Ky really didn’t know what his deal was, he was more hormonal than a teenager. First he treated her like a complete stranger, then when she explained what was going on with her he's all understanding and even signs onto this whole newspaper thing for her, and then he goes back to ignoring her completely and now suddenly he gives a damn again?
“Well?" She turned to McGonagall, who posed the question and seemed to be trying to keep a passive face. Oh, they were waiting for confirmation.
"It's true."
"Severus wait-"
Snape had already walked halfway to the door and stopped at her grandfather’s words.
The old wizard turned to Ky, “What is true Kyrianna?"
"That Harry and I are 'an item'."
She frowned a little at the term, she never fully understood it. Were they on display? For sale? Were they supposed to be together all the time because they are now referred to as a singular entity?
She didn't like it.
Her grandfather smiled at her contemplative look, but McGonagall cut in,"You ought to refrain from spreading such rumours of pregnancies and such Bane. It might appear to be all fun and games, but the humour quite depletes when people are beheaded."
"I have no idea what you are talking about Zia Minnie? Me? Spread such awful rumours about myself? Why in the name of the Founders would I do such a thing?"
Her grandfather laughed at her little dramatic prose and leaned forward, his chin resting on his knuckles, "I think you get your flare for the dramatic from your grandmother, she once told me that she had fallen down seven flights of stairs and had a serious head injury. When I had rushed to her side she had only a sprained ankle. Something about softening the blow and making me feel relieved that she was not injured grievously and worry less. Of course she also was very spoiled, and she wanted this packet of cherry flavoured-"
There was a snap of a shut door, and Ky turned around to find the room emptier, Snape had left.
"Well…" McGonagall sent a nervous glance at Dumbledore, but he continued looking unfazed, "Well I, your grandfather and I, actually your Grandfather, Severus and I, well really even Mona and-" She let out a sigh and turned to Ky, "You are mature..."She shook her head, clearly disagreeing with her own words, "You are old enough to be dating. And I know that you must be feeling a lot of confusing notions and…urges." Oh no, this wasn't The Talk! Ky scooped a whole glob of ice cream into her mouth. "You must fight these-"
"I think what Minerva is trying to say Kyrianna is that we trust you. And we trust Harry. You two are old enough to be in a relationship but you must not forget that you still have responsibilities as a student. Also, if the time comes that you need to ask us questions on anything, anything at all. We are here. It may be hard to imagine but I was once your age and understand how lost one can get in the moment," Oh damn, Ky wished her grandfather would please stop there. "It is the ones that find their way in these moments that we deem wise, and most of all it is the partner we choose with an ingrained moral compass that directs us on our right path that speaks of their true character. I have complete faith in your wisdom and Harry's character." He smiled at Ky, his blue eyes twinkling. She returned his smile with ease.
Ky stood and kissed McGonagall on her cheek and hugged her grandfather, "Oh…and why don't we just keep this between the three of us and the Hogwarts population."
He laughed, "Oh…I am not going to be the one to inform your brothers Kyrianna. I do believe they are the type to shoot the messenger. Another thing that must come from your grandmother's side. We were sixteen and I was teaching her how to use a bow and arrow, I'm actually quite proficient in it you see, and she didn't keep…"
Ky heard the soft click of the door as the Transfiguration mistress left and she sunk into her chair, a wide smile on her face, eating up her grandfather’s words and bathing in his natural glow. She wondered whether she would speak about Harry like that a hundred years from now?
She blushed, a weird thought crossing her mind, most unnatural.
She didn't want to speak about Harry like that a hundred years from now. She wanted to speak to Harry like that a hundred years from now.
-x-x-x-
"Hello Augusta. Violet."
The two ladies smiled down at her, their eyes brimming with questions.
"Hi Ky. Or should I say Kyry"
The smile dropped from her face, "No…no-"
"Yes…yes!" The Fat Lady said with glee. "I actually prefer Harianna, but I suppose we must save the pretty names for the little one."
Violet laughed, "I won't be so upset with Kyry, I heard two Hufflepuff second years call you Thotter."
Ky shook her head and muttered the password as the ladies continued teasing her.
"Fat Lady have a go at you too?"
She walked over to Harry, it was just about midnight, and he was sitting at his armchair near the fireplace, quill in hand, a stack of Charms books opened on the table. She plopped down on her seat opposite his and kicked off her shoes, hoisting her feet onto his lap and pulling a book towards her.
Wow.
Why did that feel so easy?
"They're calling us Kyry."
She felt his hands knead her heel gently, "Well it's better than Thotter. Did she tell you about Thotter?"
She nodded at him as she grabbed a book and read aloud a line about Silencing charms and its duration and he scribbled down what she recited. When he was done, she smirked at him, "They're all kind of stupid, if I were them, you know what I'd call us."
He passed her a side long glance, placing her heel on his thigh and picking up his quill again, "King and Queen of the world?"
She laughed, "Good point. But if we had to be King and Queen of the world, it would be so because I won the crown, not because I married you." He chuckled softly and she leaned back in the chair, "Pornton."
He set the quill down, closing his eyes and opening them slowly, a huge grin on his face, "Pornton?"
Ky shrugged, "Well if they must call us something, let it at least be funny."
He pointed his wand at her armchair and pulled her closer, "You do put the porn in Pornton."
She smiled and leaned closer, "Oh the charming things you say Mr Potter." Ky pressed her lips to his gently and took in his scent, uninhibited by cologne. "Your essay, Harry."
"Fuck the essay." He breathed into her ear, his hands pulling her to him.
Oh…she could get used to this.
-x-x-x-
"Can you believe she banned organised groups?"
Hermione and Ky were at their usual seats in Ancient Runes, which was unconventionally arranged so they could face each other. Professor Babbling promoted healthy discussion when translating and they had already finished their problem set for today. Ky dawdled into the demiguise she had drawn.
"I don't find it surprising at all actually. I was waiting for the counterattack."
"I think this goes a little beyond your little game of…tic tac toe?"
"Tic Tac Toe? Well if that's the game we are playing, I'll be the first to get my ducks in a row. Anyway how hilarious was Sev in Potions today. Granted he is being a prat outside the classroom-"
"Ky, he's our potions master, you can't call him a prat!"
"And here I thought I was censoring it for your sake, I was actually going to call him-"
"Miss Thornton, your demiguise is looking less like a demiguise and more like a fwooper. You're ruining your runes by dawdling in them!”
She laughed at Professor Babbling but she didn't join in being amused by the pun, "Perfect as always Miss Granger."
They stood and made for the door.
Ky smiled as her friend tried fighting off the blush from the compliment, "You really shouldn't interfere with your symbols. It changes the whole order of the-"
"You think she intercepted Hedwig?" Ky cut across before Hermione continued lecturing about Ancient Runes.
Hedwig had turned up hurt in HOM and Harry was adamant that had never happened before. He also got a letter from Sirius saying, 'same time, same place’, which he thought was a reference to meeting him for a floo call in the common room that night.
"I think so, but there's nothing we can do about it. I wish Snuffles didn't take these kinds of risks."
"I don't think there's much to worry about. It's not like she would know what that means."
"Well either way he should refrain from doing such irresponsible things."
"Oh come on Mi, do you blame him, the poor guy is cooped up in a house he hates for doing a crime he didn't commit. If I was him-"
"Oh we all know what you would do Miss Hop-across-continents-and-barge-into-impenetrable- mansions." She shook her head, not at all impressed, "I do feel sorry for him, don't get me wrong. But this is not the time for us to be worrying about Snuffles going AWOL."
They entered the Devils Lair and took their seats next to the boys.
"Umbridge put Trelawney on probation." Harry whispered quietly to the girls. He was sitting in his usual place on the right of Ron. Ky was sat on Ron's left, whilst Hermione sat on her left.
"Who?" Ky whispered and Ron laughed whilst Harry rolled his eyes.
"Honestly woman, do you pay any attention when I speak? She's the divination teacher, the one who's always predicting my death?"
Ky smiled, "Ohhhhh… the one Mi walked out on."
"Oh you remember that Hermione walked out on her but not that she predicts my death on a regular basis?"
"Well it's not like she's trying to do you in, merely predictions."
Ron laughed and Hermione nudged Ky to keep quiet as their teacher walked in. Umbridge made her usual announcement in her high-pitched grating voice. Ky didn't even bother taking out her wand much like the rest of the class. She opened to a random page, it didn't really matter, wasn't like she was going to read what the odious woman prescribed anyway.
"Miss Thornton." Ky glanced at Hermione, and she looked at her confused. OK, so she really didn't do anything to get her attention.
Ky slowly lifted her head up, "Yes."
"Professor Umbridge."
Ky gritted her teeth but smiled at her, "Yes, Professor Umbridge."
"Please gather your things."
Ky once again glanced at Hermione, to ensure that she was definitely not in the wrong. Her friend’s confused expression deepened.
"May I ask why…Professor?"
"Well I was just affording you the courtesy of taking your things with you to your new seat. Miss Brown, please gather your things and move to Miss Thornton's place."
"Hold on Bobby." Ky directed a quick glance to Lavender, and she hovered in her place. "I don't understand. Why am I being relocated?"
Umbridge coughed her annoying cough and smiled that demon smile, "I don't see why that should concern you."
"Well I am the one having to change places for apparently no reason whatsoever." Ky tried her hardest to keep the edge out of her voice. She felt Ron shuffle next to her, straightening up for the impending show.
The teacher giggled, "Oh there is a reason Miss Thornton. I prefer my students to be clear of distractions." She pointedly glanced to Ky’s right, and she knew that she was looking at Harry. "I would hate for your concentration to ebb because of certain people."
"How kind of you Professor, but merely reading this mundane drivel hardly warrants one tenth of the concentration of a five-year-old." Ky could hear Ron trying to stifle his laughter and Hermione gasp. But her patience, which was nothing to write home about from the start, had been wearing thin and quickly. She watched as the woman’s eyes narrowed, making her look like a near sighted toad.
"Detention. Now please stop disrupting the class and wasting Miss Brown's time and change seats."
Ky stubbornly remained seated. This was ridiculous. She then heard Harry emit a sound and looked to her right. Harry had begun to rise from his seat but Ron, with his long legs, managed to knock the back of Harry's knees with Harry's chair and get him back on his ass.
"Do you want another detention?” The redhead hissed to his friend, just as Umbridge said the same to her.
Ky quickly rose, not threatened by another detention, but the fact that Harry was going to blow his very loosely closed lid.
She gathered her things with a wave of her wand and walked to the front, tossing Harry a warning glance which he returned red faced. He looked like he was literally biting his tongue and tasting lemons.
Ky dropped down onto Lavender’s seat which already stunk of her perfume and was right in front of Umbridge. The class shuffled back to their books.
"Oh, another detention Miss Thornton. I told you, there would be no wand waving in my class."
Ky forced her head down, realising that her retaliation didn't just put her in the firing line anymore, wary of the emerald green eyes that watched their interaction. She took a deep breath and began reading the page, hoping that her turning the other cheek can be imitated by one very furious Mr Potter.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed that update - it was fun writing something lighthearted again. Well, it would be too much to ask for everyone to respond well to them, and of course Umbridge would be annoying. Thank you for reading! Feedback will always be appreciated!
Chapter 23: Of Corners and Kitchens
Chapter Text
Anything that is familiar doesn’t belong to me
Harry’s back was attacked by the cold night as it left the warmth of his bed. He panted, and scratched his scar as it tinged. Damn, he couldn't even remember the details of the dream, but its effects lasted long after his eyes sprung open. He lifted up his knees and dropped his head between them, trying to slow his breathing and his heart rate.
He heard a quiet rustle and then soft fingers flit through his hair, and he savoured the touch that sent a tingle down his spine. He lifted his head to meet her warm grey eyes that looked down at him from her kneeling position on his bed. He opened his mouth, but she held a slender finger to his lips, the small act laying to rest all his questions. She leaned forward and kissed his scar. He realised that she was still in her school uniform as she lay down on the bed, and he followed suit.
Ky faced Harry, "Nightmare?" She whispered, but their lips were practically touching, so he heard her clearly. He nodded, and he saw worry shine in her eyes.
"What did she have you do?" Harry stayed up long after Sirius had appeared in the fireplace. He didn't risk sitting in the common room waiting for Ky because Umbridge's fingers had appeared in the fireplace and couldn't chance her seeing him there, so he settled for the boys' staircase. The Twins woke him up from the bottom step, where he dozed off and he figured he must have missed Ky come back from her detention.
She shrugged her slender shoulders, and the movement made her front brush closer to him, "Don't worry, not lines." He sighed with relief. He was terribly worried that she would try the same thing with Ky now that she was done with the interviews for the piece about Cedric she planned on writing, but he guessed Hermione was right. She said since Ky was the Headmaster’s granddaughter, scarring her like that would be difficult to get away with. He felt her finger through his shirt as she traced illegible images on his chest, "She had me marking papers…"
Harry couldn’t help the grin on his face at the look on hers, you would have thought Umbridge hung her upside down from the Astronomy tower. She caught his smile and slapped his chest for him finding her punishment amusing, which just made him laugh, "Did you fail all the Slytherins?"
"Oh I wish I was marking the Slytherins! She gave me the Hufflepuffs, and you know that lot swallow the notes and spout them verbatim, so I initially gave the lot of them A's. She then gave me the stack back saying that was impossibly quick and she wanted me reading the whole thing. I practically read chapter three to eight of Defensive theory for Fourth year twenty times! Stop! Laughing!"
She slapped his chest with each word and he nuzzled her hair to block his chuckles. She shrugged him off and turned around. He put his head on her shoulder, "Were you with Umbridge the whole time?"
She shrugged; knocking his jaw…he thought she did that on purpose. "I went down to the lab for a little while, Pomfrey needed Vitamix restocked, and I forgot that I told her I'd give it to her tomorrow. Why?"
Harry whispered what happened with Sirius and he didn't have to see her face to know she was frowning. "Well she's definitely the one that hurt Hedwig. She must have been monitoring the only floo you have access to. Dumbitch.
He snickered into her ears, "You found a new one for her, have you?"
"I don't know how I didn't see it before. It was staring me right in the face."
He kissed her cheek and nestled into her soft hair. His eyes growing heavy as he felt the rise and fall of her chest, and he snuggled closer to her, drinking in her scent, knowing that just like the last time, with Ky came a peaceful sleep.
-x-x-x-
With a snap Dobby was gone. Harry leaned back into the sofa, his regret at not following Dobby to the room he just told him about disappearing at the sound of the opening portrait.
"She is the most annoying Dumbitch on the face of the planet." Ky stormed into the room, her hair falling from its trap on her head that kept it up. Was that a pencil?
Harry nodded at her sympathetically as she kicked off her shoes and collapsed onto his lap, and he groaned at the contact, but she just went on without notice, "She had me marking History of Magic essays! First year History of Magic essays!" She gestured with her hands, and he watched appreciatively as her chest bounced. He found the pencil in her hair and pulled it out, enjoying the way the strands cascaded down her back. How did she do that with a pencil? "I don't even know how she got Binns to give them to her, but do you know how dumb first years are? DO you?"
He nodded, sympathetic as he kissed a trail down her neck, how did her sweat taste sweet? "And then she had the nerve to say I was too strict with the marking. Do them again. Oh you're too lenient, be more strict! Well you know what, be less of a bitch OK? More to your left."
He smirked and did as he was instructed, all thoughts of potions essays, rooms of requirements and painful cursed scars driven away by her soft moans.
-x-x-x-
"Is that Dean?"
"Don't worry about Dean, Harry must have told him." They walked down the next flight of stairs. Hermione smirked in Ky’s direction, "Speaking of roommates, when am I getting mine back?"
Ky hopped down the last step, simultaneously grabbing her best friend around the shoulder, "Awww are you missing me Mi?"
She bumped her hip, "Of course not, I'm more than happy to pass off my detention detecting duty on Harry, but-“ Ky sighed and rolled her eyes, and Hermione looked at her sternly and continued, "Be careful…I know you're sleeping with him innocently but if the boys wake up and see you then-"
"I'm out of there before any of them wake up and even if the boys see me and think that we did it, big deal?" Ky shrugged nonchalantly and Hermione turned to face her in the middle of the fourth.
"Big deal? It's a huge deal…don't you think so?"
"What are we talking about? Harry and I doing it, or the boys thinking that Harry and I did it?"
Hermione bit the side of her lip, "OK, I do see the difference. But let's just refrain from feeding the rumour mill…Angelina!"
They stopped to tell Angelina about the room of requirement that Dobby had told Harry about.
"Thornton?"
Ky turned, taking a step back as Michael Corner was right behind her, with clearly know idea of what personal space was.
"May I have a word?"
Ky was worried this boy was going to ask her for another group date. Hermione was still busy explaining to Angelina and she walked over with him.
"So about tonight…is it OK if I bring my brother? He wanted to come for the meeting on Saturday, but he was late into Hogsmeade.”
Ky shrugged, "I'm sure it'll be OK, I'll speak to Mi about it." Ky wondered why Michael was asking her of all people for permission, but then realised she was Harry’s girlfriend, and perhaps people thought she could speak for him? She wasn’t sure how she felt about that.
Michael nodded and walked away.
"What was that about?"
"Jack Corner wants to come for Defence classes."
"You know I actually wondered why he wasn't there the first time. Seemed like something he'd want to do; I'll get him to sign before he comes tonight but it should be OK."
Ky nodded, "Oh Helga’s heaving bosom no... turn! "
"What?" She grabbed Hermione’s hand and pulled her around.
"Granger. Thornton!”
They turned into the corridor, and she pulled Hermione into a secret passageway on the third just as Zacharias Smith walked passed, "I know it's horrible, but I kind of hope he never gets the message."
Ky laughed as Smith walked by puzzled and then she stopped her laughter abruptly, clamping her hand over Hermione’s mouth as well. Ky nodded her head in the direction of the wall. Her quizzical look vanished and they observed the painting beside them…it was an empty canvas. But a rustle of voices floated from it,
"…disgust me. You should be ashamed of yourself; Salazar knows our family should be too. And most of all, he should be ashamed of you. " It was feminine, and it prickled with familiarity. There were soft footsteps and then the distinct noise of a door closing.
They stared at the blank portrait, hypnotised by its peculiarity. Ky heard more footsteps and the click of a door closing again.
Hermione was about to talk, but Ky shook her head, putting a finger to her lips.
Who was to say that they can't hear them on that side…wherever that was?
Ky guessed the walls really did have ears at Hogwarts.
-x-x-x-
"Here you go Madam Pomfrey."
Ky handed the box filled with vials to the matron, and she took it with a gracious smile, "Oh thank you so much Miss Thornton, it seems we have a bout of Anderius infections spreading around," she scowled at the four students; Anderius infections were spread orally, "And it's not a potion I have, well it's not a potion I think I should have, prepared in advance."
"No problem Madame" Ky mock bowed, and she swore she heard a chuckle from the somewhat strict matron. Ky exited the Hospital Wing and took the stairs two at a time, wondering why Hogwarts didn’t have a magical elevator, like the one in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
She was officially the worst girlfriend ever, she was sure she was late for Harry’s first lesson.
She grumbled as she bumped into someone who had her sprawl onto the floor upon contact.
"Oh sorry…oh Ky." She accepted Jack Corner’s hand, and allowed him to pull her up on her feet with ease. "I saw your friend Hermione Granger earlier in the library, Seventh?"
"Yeah, what's the time?"
"I think we'll reach there by eight." He smiled, but there was something forced about it.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh nothing…is that the entrance?"
They had reached the seventh floor, and she spotted the blank wall opposite the painting of that Barmy guy getting beaten by trolls. They passed by three times requestion the room of requirement, when an unassuming door appeared, and she pushed it open.
She smiled widely as she walked through the large, but busy room and quickly found worried green eyes that flooded with relief when they spotted her. "Ky…finally. Come in…oh and-"
"Jack Corner…I'm a late applicant." Jack laughed and scratched his head as Harry stared at him confused. "I signed up with Hermione Granger earlier on. I meant to-"
"No, no that's OK. Come on in." Harry looked cute playing professor as he gestured to the cushions that the rest of the class were sat on. Ky made her way towards Ron and Hermione, stopping to ruffle the Twins hair as she walked by them.
Ron scooted over the huge cushion he was occupying, and she squeezed in next to him. Hermione rolled her eyes for her tardiness.
"What have I missed?" Ky whispered to Ron, and he stifled a laugh.
"Mione' has only interrupted Harry like two times…oh I think here comes the third…oh no she's just brushing her hair behind her ear…now she's biting her bottom lip…and now she's looking at us…and…what does that even mean."
She giggled next to Ron as Hermione gestured for them to keep quiet. Everybody had raised their hands, and they looked at each other in confusion, and then they looked around. OK, Smith didn't agree with whatever they were voting on, so Ky agreed with it completely. She raised her hand and Ron followed.
"What do you think we're voting on?" She whispered to Ron.
"Hopefully on whether food should be provided in these meetings, I'm starving!"
"Me too!” Ky skipped dinner as she had to rush off to make the potions. "We should totally sneak off to the kitchens afterwards."
"Ahhhh you read my mind!" Chang's friend with the curly hair shot them a reproachful look…were they being loud?
"Well you know what they say about great minds?"
Ron laughed and suddenly stopped and sighed.
"What is it?"
His light blue eyes fell on Harry for a second who was directing an answer to Smith, "It's just…all this talk about reading minds makes me think about…you know…Harry's situation."
"About the dreams?"
"Well that and what happened after practice yesterday." He shivered, what the heck? What happened yesterday? Before Ky could say a thing everybody was standing and Ron pulled her to her feet.
Everyone was pairing off and Harry's eyes met Ky’s for a second. What happened yesterday? She walked forward but he already paired off with Neville.
"Ky, we're supposed to be practicing the disarming charm. If you and Ron here were paying any sort of attention…"
Ron smiled at Hermione’s reproachful glare and tried disarming her. Unfortunately for him, he couldn't get a one up on her reflexes. Oh well, Ky guessed she was alone.
"I guess we're partners."
She turned to the now familiar voice, "I guess so." She shrugged at Corner; she wasn't in the mood to play though. Her thoughts were still on what Ron had said…what had happened?
Corner leaned against the wall, obviously in no mood to play either. Ky then realised what it must be that was bothering him.
"It's Fleeceheart."
Corner's eyes snapped to the entrance, and she shook her head at his non-verbal confession.
"Not here. I mean, that's what's wrong with you. It's Fleeceheart. The last time I saw you guys she was three seconds away from hexing you."
"Two actually, luckily she is shit at hexes." He looked down at the floor, obviously this was going to be some kind of guessing game. After the eventful Saturday Ky had, she didn't really give a second thought to Fleeceheart and Corner. Fleeceheart was definitely not herself…though Ky couldn’t really say. All she knew of her is what she judged from her earlier in the year.
"Is she different? I mean I don't know her, but she never seemed like a…" Ky shrugged, there was no easy way of putting it, "a slag."
His black eyes hardened, "She isn't a slag."
"Well if someone snogs Davies like a slag, dresses like a slag and-"
"I get it OK." He snapped, and then sighed. "She isn't…she's pretending. I don't know what's going on, but she isn't this person…she isn't…Alison."
"Maybe she is. Maybe you just have some idea of her in your head that isn't Alison. If the girl wants to go out and have a snog-"
"This isn't about her snogging Davies OK." He took a step forward in his anger, "This is about her…doing some other shit as well."
Oh shit. Why didn't Ky think of this before. If she was having problems with Cedric’s death, what would the girl who loved him be going through?
"Is she on something?"
He cocked his head to the side, "What? Like potions? No…I don't think so. I don't even see her anymore. She doesn't go to classes; she hasn't turned in like a single essay and she hasn't even shown up for quidditch and I don't even know who she's hanging out with because she's not with her usual friends. I mean, I know," He nodded his head emphatically, his throat raw with his slightly emotional outburst, "I know what she is going through. He was my best friend too. And I know she had feelings for him, just like you knew…anyone could tell really." He shook his head, "If Ced saw her now…"
He let his fisted hands fall heavily, too emotional to even finish the sentence. Ky took a step forward, looking up at his pained black eyes.
"Corner, it's not your job to…fix what Cedric has broken."
She realised that's what he was doing. All this time. When he helped her out on the train with Davies at the start of term and when he saw that she was having a bad time in Hogsmeade the other day. And now he's doing the same thing with Fleeceheart.
He looked back at her, his jaw clenched tightly, and his head dipped in the most heartbreaking way, "If I don't, who will? Who? He can't…" He shrugged despairingly. He exuded this aura of desperation so prevalent Ky reached up and patted his arm trying to physically rub it away.
Ever since Saturday her thoughts were filled with all things Harry, not even a second glance was given to the little box labelled Cedric in her brain. Yet there were people whose boxes were so heavy that they could barely keep their shoulders up from carrying all the weight.
They looked to Harry, who was standing next to Chang, making an announcement at the end of class about their progress on the spell. He really was a great teacher - Ky could tell that everyone looked chuffed at the work they did today. Her heart grew a bit with pride.
Harry began explaining how they can get back to their common rooms, but she felt a soft brush against her shoulder as Jack walked past, he was the first one out the door, not even waiting for Harry to announce that the coast was clear from his inspection of the Marauders Map in his hand. Harry tossed him a stern glance but ignored his exit, telling the next group when it was safe to go.
Ky walked forward, unaware that they had wandered so far off from the group. She leaned her head on Hermione’s shoulder, and she slung her hand about Ky’s waist, her thoughts still with Corner and his dilemma.
"…were brilliant Harry. Thanks a lot." Cho's voice cut through her reverie, and she watched as she ran a hand down Harry's arm and smiled up at him, before exiting the room with the other Ravens.
Ky cocked her brow at the obvious attempt at making her jealous. She guessed Cho was done playing the hurt lover and was trying to exact some revenge of her own. Ky caught Ron's eyes and stifled a laugh at his look of disgust.
He was no fan of Chang.
"See you at ten Ky?"
She looked up at the Twins as they smiled at her from the exit, Ginny was looking at them quizzically too. She nodded, remembering that she had told them that she would help with one of their products tonight. Hermione led her to the exit and walked through. This room was handy, she could imagine all the fun things that can be done in it, that made her smile and she looked up at Harry who just walked through.
He didn't smile back and looked down at the map, "Corridor is clear right up till here, then we'll have to take a detour because Peeves is circling around this area." Harry started walking and Ky stopped him with a hand on his elbow, but Ron's stomach spoke first with a loud grumble.
She laughed and Hermione elbowed her to be quiet, while Ron grinned guiltily, "I'm starving. I didn't manage to finish my shepherd's pie at dinner because we had to leave for the meeting."
"You meant you didn't get to finish your fourth slice of shepherd's pie." Hermione hissed at him with an eye roll. He shrugged at her, and Ky laughed again.
"Well I don't keep count now do I? Anyway Ky skipped dinner and we said we'll grab some food down at the kitchens. Mind if we borrow the map?"
Ron held his hand out and Ky swore Harry hesitated for a fraction of a second before tossing the parchment at him. Ky turned to her boyfriend, a small smile on her face, "Want anything from the kitchens?"
Heat flooded his eyes as she bit her lip up at him, but it disappeared in a blink, he shook his head in the negative and walked away.
***
"Does Harry seem a bit…off to you?"
Ron and she walked up the sixth-floor staircase leisurely, slowed down by the cupcakes in their hands stealing all their attention. Kinky had made her favourite, the ones with the bits of chocolate in them that just melted in your mouth. Ron popped one in his mouth whole and shrugged.
"ik at-" He swallowed and then attempted the question again, "Like what? Like he's had another 'feeling'"
Ky stopped on the top stair, "What? What 'feeling?'"
A pang of annoyance assaulted her. She didn't like not knowing whatever she obviously didn't know. Ron opened his mouth but whatever he was about to say was swallowed by the high-pitched shriek that he emitted instead.
A/N: Any guessed what would make Ron scream like that :P
Chapter 24: Twenty-four hours of rotten luck
Chapter Text
Anything that is familiar doesn’t belong to me
A hand quickly closed over Ron’s mouth and prevented the scream from echoing throughout the castle, but George couldn't prevent Ron's shoulders from moving in the crazy rhythm they were now dancing to.
Ky had to cover her own mouth to stifle her laughter at their antics, and Fred’s guffaws were coming out of deep grunts behind his own hand. George removed his hand and Ron looked at his shoulder, fear etched on his face, "Just…get it off…get it OFF! Now!"
"Relax baby brother. It's just a friend. With eight legs." Fred casually picked up the spider and then popped it into his mouth.
Ron backed up against the wall, his mouth gaping open at his brother.
"Let me guess, liquorice and the tarantallegra curse?"
George smiled at Ky, "Can't get anything past you now can we, Princess. See you later baby bwuda.”
George pinched Ron's left cheek and the latter swatted him away, "That's fucking disgusting! Nobody would buy it."
"I wouldn't be so sure Mr Prefect; Dean ordered a whole box…must be stored in your dorm…probably under your bed…just waiting to get out…”
Ky giggled as Ron swore at his brothers and stormed down the corridor. The Twins led her to their lair, which was hidden behind a portrait of the night sky a little way down the seventh. George placed his finger on the moon and slid it across the sky, "Had to change the password when genius here brought Ang for a nighttime snog. There are broom cupboards for that!”
Ky could tell this was an old argument as Fred rolled his eyes at her, "Georgie seems to think that we're manufacturing classified weapons here.”
George was not amused with his brother’s defense of his actions,"It's just a simple matter of ethics." George shook his head, "It's the same concept of not pooping where you eat. One simply does not shag where they work."
Ky glanced around, noticing the room was more cluttered than the last time she visited, now filled with boxes and unidentifiable contraptions, ”Oh I think thousands of people who have had their bare butts pushed against an office desk would disagree with you wholeheartedly."
The boys laughed at the picture she painted, and George gestured she come over to a table he just sat at, a cauldron was bubbling away in front of him, "Well that's all fun when it's your own desk. I, however, would like to work on a surface that has not had Angelina's bare butt deface."
"I wouldn't sit on that stool if I were you then.”
Ky burst out laughing at George jumping off his seat, and Fred shrugged at her, "She was really excited about her making quidditch captain; I had to hit it while the iron was hot, if you know what I mean."
Fred beamed with what he must think was a lascivious smile but just came across as creepy. George shook his head but with a huge grin on his face. These two didn't even argue without smiling.
"So, what's the problem? Or have I been called in to be a couple's therapist? Because if I was, you guys need to know we're on the clock."
They laughed and Fred tossed her a bottle and Ky caught it. "That's the problem, can't get the ratio right. I'm sure you heard about Katie."
"Yeah, but I thought that was because you guys gave her the nosebleed nougat instead of the cure."
"Yeah, but it shouldn't have gushed out that much. We've tried every ratio imaginable, but the consistency is just not working." George sighed.
"So we decided to call up an expert. Hence." He gestured flamboyantly at Ky, and she rolled her eyes at the flattery and sniffed at the potion. She poured a bit on her hand and tasted a drop so small it would have no effect.
"You guys are using Mayan Beetroot right?"
They looked at each other impressed, and nodded.
"Try not using the whole fruit, just the seeds, that's the only thing you need to activate the bleeding. All that extra bits is probably causing the excessive side-effect.”
"Amazing as always." Fred said with a smooth smile.
"Be careful Mr Weasley," Ky stood, "I might think you were trying to get an imprint of my bare butt."
The boys laughed and walked her out the door and into the common room.
"Oh believe me, that's not my intention at all. One does not simply play with another man's food. Especially when that man is Harry Potter…Princess?"
Ky looked up at Fred, both the boys frowned down in confusion at her. She wiped at her mouth, wondering if she had cupcake on her face.
"This is the boy's staircase?”
Well Ky knew that, hence she was… ahhh.
She tried to put an innocent look on her face, "Oh… yeah. Dang. My bad."
She laughed hollowly and walked back down. She’ll have to wait a few minutes in th common room and then sneak up to Harry.
But, with rotten luck, Alicia and Angelina just entered the common room, hunkering down with the essays, probably getting kicked out of the library, and dispelling any opportunity for her to sneak up to the boys dorms.
Ky nodded her good night to the girls, and went up to her own dorm… she guessed Harry would have to manage one night without her.
-x-x-x-
"BOBBY!" Ky banged on the door for the tenth time. She couldn’t imagine what could possibly take so damn long? "BOBBY!"
The door flung open, and Ky was confronted by a mass of green, "CANT YOU BE PATIENT!"
"CANT YOU NOT BE INTOLERABLE!"
Lavender sighed and opened the door, "Well it's your choice to wait outside, I told you, you can come in and shower because I wasn't using it."
Ky glanced at Hermione’s bedside clock, and then practically snarled at her dormmate as she entered the bathroom, "Well I can't shower in peace knowing you're just a glass pane away in your underwear and that disgusting green glob all over your face!"
She pulled off her clothes and then jumped into the shower as Lavender continued with her morning ritual, neither of them were very shy about their bodies unlike Parvati and Hermione, "OH FUCK! You got that green crap all over the damn floor!"
"JUST WASH IT OUT!" Lavender shouted from beyond the pane.
Ky did so, groaning the whole time. The green goo didn’t even work, but Lavender insisted on using it as her skin routine daily, all over her body! Ky was late, which usually didn’t bother her, but she needed to talk to Harry. He was a little off yesterday, and from what Ron said something was going on with him. She grabbed for her bottle of hair removing potion and turned it over, "FUCK! BOBBY YOU FINISHED ALL THE HAIR REMOVER."
"Oh yeah I forgot to tell you, you need to make some more.”
Ky could actually strangle the girl; it wasn't enough that she let Lavender use the one she made which prevented hair growth for three days longer than the commercial ones, but now Ky had to do this magically! She was terrible at this spell, it needed patience, something she wasn’t known for!
"FUCK!"
"You cut yourself?"
Ky hopped out of the shower and mopped up the blood from the small cut with some toilet paper, "What I'd like to do is cut you!"
Lavender continued with her makeup, unfazed by the threat. Ky found it was amazing the things she and the girl could tell each other without taking any real offence. She puckered at the mirror with a frown on her face, "Too pink?”
Ky glared at her as she tried fixing her cut with a quick spell, and she now sported a small angry scar on her chin, "I feel like wiping this blood on your annoying face!"
Lavender clicked her fingers, inspired, "You're right! Blood red!" And she turned to her makeup case.
The bathroom door opening saved the blonde from Ky’s vehement response, "Lavender, where's my-, oh, morning Ky. Cut yourself?”
Ky stormed out of the bathroom, no mood for Parvati either, and let her towl fall and began throwing on her school clothes.
"What's her rush?” Parvati’s voice float from the bathroom as Ky zipped up her skirt and dug under her bed for her socks.
She could never bleeding find any socks!
"Who knows with that one. Oi Thornton!" She looked up and caught the object Lavender threw at her. There were two of them but they weren't socks, "The fuck am I supposed to do with this?"
She rolled her eyes, "Floss with them. What else, wear them! No roommate of mine will be caught with that ugly shaving scar like some Andrea Milleni, ugh for a Slytherin she really-"
Ky grabbed her bag and headed for the door already zoning them out.
"Oh if you're on your way to see Harry, you're a little too late. I saw him head out the Entrance Hall on my way up."
She turned to Parvati, "Out the Entrance Hall?" Why would he leave the castle? She didn't wait for her answer and ignored Lavender shouting after her and spun around and flew out the door thinking, could this day get any worse?
-x-x-x-
"Watch it!”
The boy’s shoulder blade hit Ky’s eye, and she clutched it, her head throbbing in pain. She shook her head, ridding herself of the dizziness.
"You watch it! Who exits a classroom with their bleeding back turned! Oh, of course it's you."
She growled at the now annoyingly familiar face of Roger Davies who had walked out of Charms, too busy talking to his posse to pay attention to where he was going. He smirked and lazily leaned against the door but whatever perverse quip he was going to make never fell off his tongue as his sharp brown eyes zoomed onto her chest.
He is not serious! Is he seriously openly ogling her breasts! Before she could think twice, she took the step that closed that gap and flung her fist at his face, far too annoyed to trust herself to rain her wrath on him magically.
He staggered backwards and hit the wall and a set of hands enclosed around her waist, hoisting her up and placing her back down in the opposite direction.
Ky whirled around ready to slap whoever it was that did that and stopped, recognising the dark hair.
"-bitch! My nose is! You bitch-"
Theodore Nott turned around and snapped his wand at Davies, stopping the flow of blood as his friends clustered around him in concern. "Better take your friend to Madam Pomfrey." Theodore said this with the promise of more injuries on his lips and the ashen faced boys picked Davies off the floor and whisked him away.
Ky was surprised that the Snake could be a badass when he wanted…
Theodore turned his attention to her, shaking his head with a playful smile, "Violence? So early in the morning?"
"The little prick deserves it. He was openly staring at my chest; ugh I can feel his mind groping me." Ky shivered in disgust.
"Do you blame the guy?"
She glared at Theodore, "What-"
He took a step back, his hands innocently in his pockets. He tipped his head down, a small smirk on his face, indicating her chest with his head.
I looked down, “Godric’s gonad!” Ky had forgot to do the top three buttons of her shirt in her rush, only just realising what Lavender had been shouting after her about. Merlin, the amount of cleavage she had on display would have sent Snape on a rampage if he spotted it, and she quickly did up her shirt, "Well…he still shouldn't have looked.”
Theodore placated her with a nod of agreement. Ky was then practically flung forward as someone knocked into her back, and she figured the rest of the Snakes were there for Charms. She turned, ready to swear at Bullstrode, the usual suspect for such antics, but she stopped when she spotted the head of Blonde.
"What's Malfoy's deal?"
Theodore shrugged and followed his class in. Ky turned and ran down the steps, all thoughts of stupid blondes and dumb brunettes gone, reigning in on jet black.
Twenty minutes later she waited patiently on the uncomfortable stand, hugging herself against the biting wind. She glanced up at the small dot, positive Harry was just doing this to piss her off. She was sure he must have seen her. They were the only two people on the quidditch pitch. She would have shouted for him to come down when she got there, but the wind would have eaten her words. She should throw something at him when he circles closer! She looked around, not spotting anything. She silently cursed Hogwarts students for their non-littering ways. She looked down at her shoe…that'll do.
"Looking for someone?"
Harry’s question didn't come out flirty though, actually it was on the snappy side.
Ky stopped fidgeting with her shoe and looked up. Harry just landed, his face still flushed from the wind and his chest rose and fell quickly. He was wearing sweats and a very thin white shirt, his broom in his left hand. He pushed his glasses up his nose as they slipped when he looked down at her. Ky crinkled her eyebrows at him, not having the best of days as is, "Who else would I be looking for?"
"Oh I don't know." He shrugged his shoulders but his tone of voice sounded like he knew exactly who.
Ky sighed, already annoyed at this game. She hated this sort of passive agressive dance people engaged in, preferring to just say what she felt, and she was annoyed that Harry was leading her in such a way.
She leaned back against the step behind her, stretching out her legs, despite her laid back posture she was gearing up for a fight.
There was a loud clang that echoed through the empty stands, produced by hard wood on cement. Her eyebrows rose as Harry turned away from her, and grabbed the railing of the stands with both his hands, his prized Firebolt lying at his feet. His shirt was so light and thin, every one of his lean back muscles were visible. They were taut, as if he were stressed.
"OK tell me what the hell is going on and tell me now." Her voice croaked a bit at the higher pitch, unsettled by his reaction. The thought that this had to with what Ron had mentioned yesterday crossed her mind and set the burn at the pit of her stomach alight, an inexplicable anger at being kept in the dark fanned the flames that were rising within her.
-x-x-x-
Harry concentrated on the steel of the railings as if willing its coolness to calm the churning at the pit of his abdomen.
This was ridiculous.
He vaguely processed that Ky was speaking; her words were a dull echo. He gripped the steel tighter, painfully constricting his hand. Images of last night came back to him.
Recalling the way Ky had spent all that time with Jack Corner, whispering in the corner, not a spell cast between the two of them. Then she went off with Ron. And then she didn't even come to bed last night…
All these thoughts rampaged through his mind, each one more defined and corrupted by imagination than the last…yet the thought process seemed to stop at his neck.
Every sinew of his being below the neck was far from angry at her.
His abdomen tightened again, thinking of the lacy black stockings she was currently wearing…stockings that peeked out from underneath her skirt as she lounged on the steps of the stand…the tops of them gave way to what he now knew was soft, sweet skin…
"Harry?" Ky’s voice finally cut through due to its sharp edge. He turned just as she rose to her feet in one swift stride, the strong wind pulling her skirt up and all thoughts of last night with it.
Oh Godric.
Ky grabbed his arm and the warm contact made his muscles constrict, but he didn’t return her touch. He knew if he did he’d lose his steam.
Come on Potter, he thought, you’re angry, remember?
"Why are you ignoring me?" Her voice was softer now, but no less poisonous. What does she have to be angry about?
“Oh, sorry, did you finally realise that I exist?” The words left him before he could stop himself.
He glowered at her, but she didn't back down. Her nostrils flared and she took a step forward…a small step…but enough for her scent to waft over him as her chest touched his own.
And just like that - her foot never hit the ground as he pulled her to him, turning them around and pushing her up against the railing. She swallowed his rage with lips he knew were wind dried from his fly but he didn't care. Somewhere deep down he relished the slight roughness she would feel and that same inner beast purred when she didn't recoil from it, returning his fervour with her own to match.
His hands quickly went up her skirt, fingering the top of the damn stockings that had dispelled his restraint, the lace tickled his fingers but the feel of her soft flesh excited them in ways incomparable.
Ky kissed him savagely, flicking between nibbling and licking at his bottom lip that sent a shiver down his spine. This kiss was familiar…these feelings were familiar…they kissed like this back at Grimauld place, the day she walked in on him after he found out Ron was a prefect.
Harry felt the sharp sting of her hair as the wind whipped at it, immune to pain as her pliable body pushed into his own. His hands found their way to her hips and dug into them, a growl escaping from his throat, a feral possessiveness possessing him.
"Fuck."
He let go of her, suddenly annoyed with himself for being so easily influenced by her and smacked his palm down on the railing, frustrated at how confused he was by his own behaviour! Before she could ask him what was wrong, he answered.
"You're driving me insane!" Harry shouted at her as a gust of wind blew her hair across his eyes.
"I thought you'd rather be insane than inhuman." She echoed the words that they had exchanged a year ago. The reminder of that night where they lay on the grass looking up at the sky seemed to dull his anger slightly, "What's this about? Just tell me because I don't like playing-"
"I don't like playing games too, OK?”
He scuffed his sneaker at the wall in annoyance. He then scuffed it again and again, releasing the pent-up tension in the soft kicks, as it all came reeling back to him. How she was late, and how she just wasn’t paying attention to him, and how she so easily ruffled hair, and patted arms, and winked at people. Just as the green monster roared in his chest, he felt Ky’s soft fingers pet it, stroke it until it lost its roar and purred in complete submission.
He looked down at her fingers, which were tracing patterns on his chest as she spoke, her lips were moving but he could not process a word. Her eyes were set for a fight and her mouth held no smile, her nose flared and her cheeks were slightly red in the cold. Altogether she looked insanely beautiful…with a tight clench of his abdomen, and images of Jack Corner and her last night in his mind, Ky was up against the wall again, his mouth successfully swallowing her argument…her eyes remained stormy and her hands were not kind but she reciprocated his kiss with fervour.
-x-x-x-
Harry paced outside the large heavy doors, counting to one hundred in his head. He knew he was being ridiculous, and Ky was right. The whole school knew about them and he was sure they could guess what they were up to when they were out of sight for going on two hours.
He looked down at his watch, was it really two hours?
Best free periods Harry ever had.
He raised his head, mentally preparing to fight the Snake, after all what was a measly Potions Master to a ten-foot basilisk?
Harry pushed the door open.
Snape may not have petrification skills, but his look could still turn you to stone. Harry recovered from being frozen in the doorway by his pools of icy black without the help of mandrakes, melted instead by the sheer loathing he possessed for the man. Each step seemed to echo off the cold stone floors as he walked towards the flame red hair.
"You're late."
There goes any thought Harry had that Snape may just let this one slide.
"By only two minutes."
Ky’s voice made him gulp, it may not have been in the breathy state as of fifteen minutes ago, but it was just as alluring. Harry tried not to look to his right, to the soft dark waves that he was sure his fingers had imprinted on permanently seeing how long and tightly they had been tangled up in there.
"Was I speaking to you Miss Thornton?"
"I apologise."
Ky let out a small gasp at Harry’s response, mimicked by Hermione.
Of course he had to apologise, he didn’t go through all the trouble of them entering seperately so that she can still get in trouble with Snape. Harry knew Snape wouldn't mind if Ky had come in a minute or two late, but he definitely wouldn't afford him the same courtesy, but it felt ungentlemanly to go in first and leave her waiting outside.
"Well you may-“ Ky began to speak and Harry shot her a stern glare, but it was unnecessary.
“Leave Potter. I don't tolerate tardiness." It was as if Ky didn't exist. He spoke over her as if she was a figment of their imagination.
Harry’s jaw tightened but he felt the familiar sizzle of energy that preluded a Ky tantrum and turned on his heel and had the door to his back before she could get another word out.
-x-x-x-
Ky flung her stuff in her bag and waited as the students left.
She was going to call Snape out on his ridiculous, unfair behaviour! Harry was just two minutes late! His Snakes waltz in whenever they please and he says nothing! She was done with his double standards and him singling Harry out!
She walked toward his personal lab, which he had just disappeared into, ignoring Hermione’s hisses of discouragement; Ky was just about to reach her goal when the floor quickly made contact with her nose.
"Ky!"
Quick steps followed but Ky ignored Hermione’s shout, jumping to her feet and looking for the person who tripped her. Her fingers wrapped around her wand as for the second time today, she spotted blonde hair.
His grey eyes were lighter than usual, misty, yet steel-like in its resolve.
Draco looked down at her with such ridicule she left her wand aside, prepared to gouge his eyes out with her own fingers.
And for the second time familiar hands had stopped her attacking in fury, but this time the restraint was less secure.
"The fuck, Draco?” Theodore held Ky from behind, stopping her from going full alley cat on Draco. The boy continued to stare at his dormmate, waiting for an answer.
The blond’s usual façade of nonchalance cloaked his face and he shrugged casually, "Didn't see her there."
Theodore cocked an eyebrow of disbelief at that. A weird expression crossed Draco's face for a second but just as quickly it disappeared. He turned and walked away and Theodore followed quickly. Once he let go of Ky, she was out the door, following them.
Hermione grabbed her, preventing her from giving the beat down he had been asking for all day, “Ky, stop! You’re bleeding!”
She sniffed, and looked down at the drops of scarlet that was spreading on her shirt. She ran a hand over the warm fluid, annoyed at herself. When had she become so fragile? At least this nosebleed didn't come with headaches. The awareness that she was bleeding renewed her want to punch Malfoy, and she turned on her heel, positive she could catch up with him down the corridor and make him bleed twice as much but she couldn't spot his annoying hair anywhere.
"Ooops, sorry." Ky apologised, she really needed to start paying attention to where she walked or one day she was going to do herself a great injury.
"Oh…damn Ky! I'm so sorry."
Jack Corner looked down at her in complete shock.
She blinked up at him, confused, and then realised he must have thought the nosebleed was from him just bumping into her.
She grimaced as she realised a mass of scarlet stained Corner’s shirt where he had bumped into her, but she let out a chuckle at the look on his face, amused that he really thought that he was so strong that he could make her nose bleed by him just bumping into it???
"What the hell did you do to her?"
Ky’s laughter died immediately as the familiar set of thin back muscles, not as clear in his school shirt but distinctively taut, stood in front of her.
Corner looked down at Harry, his apologetic face changing from confusion to anger with each jab Harry made at his chest with his finger, as if he was pressing a 'get Corner to explode' button and it seemed close to working.
Ky made to grab his elbow, ”Harry…relax, he didn't do anything.”
"Nobody is talking to you." Harry turned to her and a flare of anger was coaxed into life at his dismissive words, so annoyed at once again being ignored, just like Snape did earlier!
Why did people think that they could just ignore her???
Harry’s face softened slightly at whatever emotion she let seep through on her own, and this just angered her further! She didn’t need him feeling sorry for her now!
Ky was battle ready in the blink of an eye. This seemed to kill off any soft feelings he had and his face hardened.
"Look mate, it was a mistake. I didn't see her." Harry looked back at Corner, whose eyes danced with anger but his Hufflepuff heart was obviously cooling him down. Well Harry was no Puff and they didn't call us Gryffindors hotheads for nothing, and Ky saw him finger his wand but soon he snatched at air.
Harry looked down at his now empty pocket.
“Looking for this?"
Okay, Ky was baiting him. She probably should have said something like, 'Harry, it wasn't Jack who bumped into me, it was that prat Malfoy.' But anger at his previous dismissal of her words and then his uncharacteristic provocation of Jack had her salivating for a fight.
Corner would have to wait his turn; Harry was hers for now.
His green eyes glowered at the piece of wood in Ky’s hands, but her hold slackened at the pain in them?
Ky didn't understand, she was baiting him for a fight, not for him to get sad. Why was he sad?
She immediately stepped towards him, but Harry had already turned away, pushing passed the crowd that gathered around them, "Harry!"
He ignored her shouts and disappeared down the corridor.
She frowned in confusion, wondering just what she had done now?
A/N: Oh Ky, what haven’t you done now, kid. Sorry, I know this bit is frustrating, it’s some teething problems that will teach them how to communicate which is needed. I know Harry is being really jealous here, but I was playing into him being so affected by his scar/Voldemort this year. I was fashioning his behaviour somewhat like how Ron was behaving when he used a horcrux in DH, but he won’t always be like this!
Somebody asked me recently if I have discord since they’re more comfortable sharing feedback by that means. For anybody who is also in that situation, feel free to ask me questions about the story/feedback on my writing by shooting me a DM on discord, my user ID is emeraldstorm7 - or if you just want to say hi, always happy to talk to people who take their time to read what I’ve written!
(Though please don’t contact me about comissioning artwork for the story).
Have a lovely day :)
Chapter 25: The question that quelled her
Chapter Text
Anything that is familiar doesn’t belong to me
Trigger warning: Mention of sexual assault.
Hermione followed her friend into their dorm, Ky practically tearing off her white shirt and letting it fall to the floor. She picked it up and tossed it into the basket. A slight swell of pride flitted over her at the surprising dunk, she usually had horrible aim; but a smile never surfaced as she watched her best friend prance across the room shirtless, digging in the cupboard of spare quills.
"Ky…What are you doing?”
Ky’s grey eyes were stormier than ever, and she took an involuntary step back at the glare.
"Looking for a shirt. Why can I never find any of my fucking shirts! It's all that damn Bobby's fault! She's always taking all her clothes and dumping it all over and then my stuff just gets swallowed up by her crap!”
Hermione rose from the bed and patiently walked to the wardrope she shared with Ky. She opened a drawer and handed Ky her tee without comment. Ky snatched it and lopped it over her head.
"This still doesn't mean she doesn't have half my things in that pile of garbage she calls a wardrobe. I haven't seen my Gummi Bears shirt in ages!” As she spoke she took her skirt off and then put the same skirt back on.
Hermione pulled out a pair of jeans from the wardrobe and tossed it at Ky. She started slipping it on with the skirt still on.
"Ugh the era of the trousers skirt combo is so dead Ky."
Lavender waltzed into the room heading straight for the bathroom.
"Godric knows why the awful combo was invented in the first place, highly unflattering. Did you see Miranda Lee wearing those awful pink and blue ones to the last Hogsmeade trip.” Parvati looked at Hermione as if she should agree with her. She immediately turned to Ky, waiting for their usual united eyeroll at their dormmates but Ky was staring at the red carpet as if tallying the thread count. This was strange behaviour, especially for Ky.
"Yeah but then Miranda wore that horrid white dress to the Yule Ball last year, so she never had much taste to begin with. Speaking of the Yule Ball, this came for you earlier on."
Lavender walked out of the bathroom, face glowing green with that beauty cream she swore by, and threw an envelope at Hermione. She made to catch it but it whizzed past her fingertips, she guessed it was just one lucky shot a day. She recognised the familiar handwriting and tried to hide her blush and scooped the letter up quickly.
"Fuck him!"
Hermione stared at her best friend in shock. She always seemed to promote her friendship with Viktor and almost convinced her to take him up on the offer of a trip to Bulgaria during the summer holiday. Almost. Ky might be able to shrug off Voldemort's existent but that talent didn't fall on her.
She just realised that the swear wasn't directed at her Durmstrang pen pal though, but a man that was much closer to her heart.
Hermione walked over to Ky, ready to lead her from the usual fiasco that would ensue when conversing with Lavender and Parvati.
"Fuck him? Don't you mean fuck you?"
It was hard to tell with all the gunk on her face but it would seem that Lavender was giving Ky a superior look.
Ky looked ready to pounce, "Fuck me?"
"Yeah! What are you so mad about anyway? From where I stand he has every right to be mad at you."
"Well take a step back off the cliff you're standing on because I'd rather hear your screams as you plummet to your death rather than your 2 knut comments."
Oh goodness, she's reached overly dramatic death scenarios.
"Ky maybe we should-"
"Oh well I may just be a bystander but it's obvious I see more than you do!"
Ky stood, tossing her skirt at the wall with a harsh flick of the wrist, "Oh and what is it that you see, O wise one!"
Her usually perfect sarcastic tone was considerably higher pitched at the end. Hermione moved to the centre, the last time these two fought it got physical.
"Well for one thing, maybe you shouldn't turn up late with other boys to your own boyfriend's meeting. And then maybe you shouldn't spend the meeting having whispered conversations with the same boy. And then also don't defend the same boy when your boyfriend and him are fighting."
"What the heck?" Ky was looking at her at a loss for words, her hands raised in a quizzical gesture. "That's the most messed up thing I've heard. Like Harry gives a shit about that? Right?”
Hermione bit her bottom lip as she registered the hope in her big eyes.
For once she agreed with Lavender, but she didn’t want to further upset her friend who looked quite vulnerable at this moment.
"You think…you think Harry is worried about Corner?" Ky's voice was soft…lacking its usual confidence.
Hermione sighed and twisted her bottom lip between her teeth, "Ky…I …yes."
"But Corner and I are-"
"Yes I know. I know that. But Harry doesn't." She tossed a glance at Lavender and Parvati, hoping that they would get the hint and leave the room. Hermione was already planning on having a conversation with Ky about this, but in private. The two weren't budging though, eating up the conversation. Ky's eyes went back to the carpet again.
"Look Ky-"
"Fucking hell Potter!”
And with that last snarl Ky Thornton stormed out of the room leaving Hermione sputtering after her.
-x-x-x-
Harry watched the shadows pass over the treetops of the Forbidden forest. There was something life like about it. As if a huge dementor was flying over the trees and stealing all the light…the same could be said about his life right now.
He turned away from the lake, its grey shimmer reminding him too much of her.
A small part of him, well honestly a huge part of him, wanted Ky to follow him. But she didn't. An image of her running her fingers across Corner’s arm ghosted through his mind and he kicked at the box near his foot.
He sat further into the large armchair as something scurried out, his eyes which were adjusting to the descending darkness outlined it as just a spider. His heart didn't have a chance to regain its normal rhythm though as the door banged open behind him.
Harry stood, squinting at the sudden invasion of light. He didn't need the light from the corridor to identify his visitor though; even in the dimly lit room he’d see every single delicate contour. The click of the closing door echoed in the silent room. The silence continued for moments only to be interrupted by a soft rustling,
"Ouch."
He took a step back and held his arm where the small hands had swatted him. He saw dainty fingers descend again and his seeker reflex helped him restrain the hands from further damage. Unfortunately he forgot that she had more than two limbs.
“Godric’s Gonads!" For small feet she sure had a way of exerting pressure. “Merlin! What was that for?" He hopped up and down, relinquishing pressure on the foot that was just stomped on.
"Because you bleeding deserve it Potter! And you're damn well lucky I've become somewhat attached to your nads or I would have done twice the damage to them!"
Harry’s pain quickly turned to anger, "I bleeding deserve it? What the hell did I do! You're the one who has-"
"If you mention Corner's name so help me by the Founders I will lose all attachment to your jewels and unleash seven hells and more on them!”
Harry subconsciously closed his legs, protectively, but no matter how attached he was to his boys, he couldn't let Ky just get her way, "So I should just ignore whatever-"
"Harry!"
The tone in her voice made him stop in his tracks, the moonlight shone through the huge windows and painted her face silver. His breath caught in his throat and a current of electricity ran down his spine that had nothing to do with his nervous system. It was as if her skin absorbed the lunar rays and emitted them in higher concentrations, but it wasn't her sheer beauty that short circuited his body, it was her eyes. There was a distinctively soft expression in them, one that she usually armoured with layers of sarcasm. There was something frightful about that look. Harry relished and reeled from it. "How could you?”
He sat in this room for hours, his imagination tormenting him and his mind bashing her very existence, but the hours of thought disappeared with the gentle infliction of her voice, a tone she never used before, falling on his ears. "I…How could I?" He really didn't know what to say, all anger dissipated, his body already berated him for hurting her in ways he didn't even know.
"You don't trust me." It was the same voice again, but this time it had no question in it. A pure statement. No doubt. Harry opened his mouth but stopped.
Did he trust her?
Undoubtedly he trusted Ky Thornton, his friend. He confided in her just as much as he did Hermione and Ron. But did he trust Ky Thornton, his girlfriend? It was all well and good trusting someone with your secrets, secrets could hurt a person, yes. But emotions…emotions can break you.
Could he trust Ky Thornton with the one thing that he couldn't afford to be broken…especially now?
Her hands, which he had forgotten he was holding, fell limply to the side, her hair hid her face as she turned to walk away and his heart beat quickened.
"I do trust you." He held her wrist tighter but it was unnecessary, her back may be to him, but she wasn't increasing the distance.
"I don't think you do."
"Did I say I think you should think I trust you? I didn't ask for your opinion on the matter."
And that was the truth.
Harry trusted her for the very same reason he didn't want to trust her. Because she had the ability to break the only thing he couldn't afford to be broken.
Ky already had his heart.
Harry didn’t know when he had given it to her, or whether she snuck in and stole it…but she had. How can she conduct the rhythm of it with such ease if she didn’t have it in the palm of her hands.
And if he trusted her with that - what could he not trust her with?
"Kyrianna. Look at me."
A strange sensation always enveloped him when they were in these intense situations. He always felt taller, broader, louder, more assertive. She slowly turned around, her face deep in thought.
"Tell me." He needed to know what was going on in her head.
"I need to know what's going on in your head." He inhaled sharply, in shock at her words that were plucked straight from his thoughts, but she continued, unaware at their accidental mind reading, "Is it Voldemort stuff?"
Harry shook his head, confused at the slightly hopeful look in her eye at her guess. "No…"
Her nose flared slightly and she took a step forward, "Tell me."
A smile crossed his lips at the normality in her voice, that horrible softness disappearing and she looked daggers at him again, and his smile faded as he spoke, "I see you with him."
"You mean you imagine me with Corner?"
"Yes, and no."
Her eyebrows blended together in furrowed fury and Harry tightened his hold on her wrists, sensing she was going to start swinging again, "I told you I don't like-"
"I see you and Corner. I see you laugh at him and whisper with him and touch him and I see you sneak off with the Twins and giggle with Ron and…and…” It was so weird, so indescribable, it was mercurial… "I see that when you're not with me and it burns me." He pulled her hands to his abdomen, to where the pain emanates, her lips parted in confusion. "But here, when you're with me and here." He picked her wrist up in gesture, placing it on his chest, "It doesn't burn. It doesn't…"
What was wrong with him? He knew all the feelings he had were unjust, baseless yet when she wasn't there…it just festered within him. A never before feeling of jealousy and possessiveness that he rationally didn’t want to claim. But it had been like this with her for a while, it was why he had called their ‘fun’ off at the start of term. Harry didn’t like how he behaved on the train, how he was almost obsessed with who saw her in her tiny shorts and tee. He didn’t like it, and it scared him, but he thought Ky telling him how she felt about him would make all of this go away.
But it didn’t.
"Harry I can't just…I won't stop being myself.”
He closed the gap between them, desperate for her to understand, "I don't want you to stop. All those things, that laugh and that giggle and the care…all of them…they are you. They're all you." The words stuck in his throat, he didn't know how to tell her how much it meant, all the little things that made up Ky. All the sounds and the scents and the tastes and the touch.
She stared into him, a look that saw all of him, "What happened that night?"
Harry looked down at her, confused at her concerned expression, "When?"
"The night before yesterday. Ron said that something happened."
Harry’s eyebrows just dug themselves closer together, what had happened? When had he told Ron…just as the thought came to him the room echoed with his laughter.
Ky looked at him, her lower lip trembling as if she was on the verge of tears. He stopped laughing and pulled her to him but she already started swatting at him, "Don't you dare laugh at me Potter!"
"I'm not…I'm not laughing at you. I'm laughing at…at this." He let go of her and gestured between them. "At the fact that this just consumed everything else." He shook his head, "Two days ago I felt what Voldemort was feeling. I felt it."
"I don't see the joke in that." She looked more confused than shocked.
"Well no, of course not, it's not funny at all. It's just that, you know… I forgot. I completely forgot. I somehow feel what the evilest dark wizard to have existed feels, and I forgot. Because I was so consumed by…by you."
She closed what little distance stood between them, her face soft, "Does it hurt?"
"What?" He was still lost in the fact that he managed to completely forget such vital information just because he was fretting about their…relationship.
Their relationship.
His heart soared at the thought.
Ky stood on her tiptoes and ran a finger over his scar, and Harry closed his eyes, the dull ache in his head ebbing away, “This. Feeling what he feels?” He could feel her against his chest and waited to exhale, knowing that if he felt anymore of her this conversation would remain unresolved.
"It never hurts when you're around…" That was the truth. Somehow when her skin was on his own, there was never pain.
"And you said when I'm not around," Her fingers caressed down his nose, his lips, his chest and lingered at his navel, "It burns?” He opened his eyes, and nodded, completely enchanted by her. She bit her bottom lip, deep in thought, "Well I guess we know the answer then?” Her fingers travelled lower and he inhaled sharply, as her mouth was at his ear and her palm elsewhere, ”I just have to be around…"
-x-x-x-
They sat on the hardwood floor, the night's air biting at Harry’s shirtless chest. He slung a hand around Ky’s waist and pulled her closer, her sweaty forehead leaning against his neck, "How did you find me?"
Ky shrugged, "I followed you up here earlier. Figured you were being such a colossal prat if I spoke to you then I might just hex you, so thought it was best for us both to give you some time to think about stuff. What is this place by the way?"
Who knew she had that kind of restraint, "I have no idea. It looks like an attic, doesn't it? I can't make out which tower we're in because of all the revolving."
"The what?"
Harry smiled, it was just like Ky not to see something so obvious, "Didn't you notice this room is revolving."
Her eyes widened and she scrambled to her knees and looked out the window behind them, and just like that she saw the forest slowly turn into the lake which turned into the mountain. "This room revolves!”
He laughed and pulled her down to his lap, "That's about the first thing I noticed Miss Thornton. Your observation skills are diminishing."
"It's not my observation skills; it's your skills of distraction."
"Distraction? Me? Distracting? Never."
She giggled as he tickled her, her laughter slowly faded and she brushed a finger across his cheek, “I need you to tell me things."
"I do tell you things."
"I need you to tell me things when they happen." She fiddled with her fingers in her lap, a sign that she was showing some sort of emotion she detested, this one being vulnerability.
"I would. I will. I just forget."
"You saw into Voldemort’s mind! You can't forget things like that Harry.”
He chuckled at her tone of voice, "I am aware of that Ky."
"OK, so the facts are these." He smiled at her Hermione impression, "You have been experiencing…negative emotions when I am not around, but when I am around you experience…positive feelings that make you forget about the negative feelings which in fact are important to remember…” Ky looked expectantly for feedback and he continued staring at her, "Harry?"
"What?"
"Are you even- Harry!" There was a loud smack as her hand made contact with his arm, "Here I am trying to help you and you're looking down my top!"
"Well it's not my fault! They're right there!" She laughed and gestured at her chest and she swatted his hands away. "You weren't complaining five minutes ago."
"Well I think there lies our problem, and solution."
His laughter died away instantly, “What does that mean?"
"Well we obviously have spent too much time with our tongues stuck down each other’s throats that our mouths have forgotten that they can be used for other things. Like talking!"
"I don't see the problem in that and five minutes ago-"
"Yes, yes I know, I know, I didn't see the problem in that either. But later on when I meet Dean or Ron or Seamus and we start talking and then you run off and have an episode, it would be because we haven't resolved anything."
"I didn't run off-"
"Yeah yeah Potter." She turned to face him, hovering over him in her kneeling position. "So we need to, like, talk."
"We are talking."
"No Harry, I mean like when shit happens. You have to, like, tell me what's going on, we can't just make out like crazy and then forget that we were discussing something."
He grabbed her waist and pulled her down to him, "But I like making out like crazy."
She laughed and kissed him, "Nobody said anything about not making out like crazy. Just more talking." She wagged her finger at his face and he nipped at it.
Harry looked up at her, a serious expression creeping onto his face.
“Okay. I agree."
She smirked down at him, swinging a leg around his waist and moving her lips towards his own, clearly thinking their talking was over. She squeaked as her body was readjusted as he moved her face away, straightening up against the wall, holding her hands away from any easily distracted regions.
"I think we should start now." He looked down at her confused face and stopped himself from pulling her lip from between her teeth with his own.
"OK." She adjusted herself back into a kneeling position again. "Shoot."
"I want you to talk about Bastian Blishwick.” Ky froze. Harry couldn't tell what was going on in her head, “Ky…I-" He moved to hold her and she swatted his hands away weakly. He scrambled forward, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to come out of nowhere like that. I just need to know-"
She looked at him confused, "But you do know. You know all the details."
His eyes turned dark, and his fists clenched, "Yes I do. I know all the details-"
"Then what else is there to know Harry. He didn't take anything from me and you know that. I'm not…I'm not…I’m not damaged goods."
Her voice was hard and fierce and he shuddered at her words. He could never think that of her, even if that disgusting human had been successful in his awful attempt, she would never be damaged.
Of course he knew the details; it was the details that haunted him at night. It was the details that made his hands ache with the need for vengeance when he saw her hurt. It was the details that had notched a special place for Bastian Blishwick in his mind, a place where he burned and screamed and died a thousand deaths. But Ky was wrong. He may not have taken anything away from her physically but emotionally…she was different. Already such a layered being he had made her add a few more coats…
"You think I'm damaged goods." Harry didn't realise that her previous statement was a question, distracted by his thoughts. He quickly grabbed her and made her look him in the eye.
"Of course I don't. Even if…even if…he was successful, you would never be damaged. I would never think of you in that way. I should have brought this up before, but I got caught up in, well, my want for you. I just need to know that you're OK with all of this. With all of the things we're doing. ”
"I think I've been quite clear about how I feel about the things we're doing." There it was, she was trying to dismiss the situation with a flirty smile and a taunt.
"No such luck Thornton, I may want you physically but I need you emotionally right now." Her smile dropped and her eyes turned hard, she scrambled to her feet.
"What are you doing?" Harry crossed the room and pushed the door she was about to open shut again, "Don't do that. Don't run away, you were the one that wanted to speak."
"Yes!" She shouted, "About Voldemort! About the insipid scenarios of me and Corner that plagued your mind!”
Harry grabbed her arms and shook her, "You think that's the only thing I thought about! I wish it was! I see him! I see every feature of a man I have not met before! I see everything! And it hurts! It makes me want to physically feel the life leave him. It makes me so furious that I can't even…breathe! Or…or-" Harry let go of her, the feelings he kept to himself all these months about Blishwick coming out in gasps and shouts. They had been so distracted by dealing with the Cedric of it all, they never discussed what happened to her with Blishwick now that they were being physically intimate, and he remembered what Sirius had told him over the summer… he should have had this conversation with her ages ago, “If I feel like that…you must-"
"I don't! I don't!" Her eyes shone with tears and her outline blurred with her trembling, "I don't think of him…I don't want Linus and Len to hunt him down and kill him and I don't want you to spend your time wanting to kill him. I don't…" She took a deep breath, clutching her chest, "I can’t think of him.”
Harry grabbed her and pulled her trembling figure into his arms, "I don't want you to think of him either Ky. I wish I could take it all away. But you need to deal with this. You need to-"
She pulled away from him, "I can't Harry. Not now. I can't deal with this now. I don't want to deal with this now…I just want it to stay in the box…right at the back."
He looked down at her, her eyes begging him to stop and he sighed in defeat, knowing he couldn't make her open up the box that she so solidly shut and hid away. He pulled her back into his arms, holding her until the trembling stopped, feeling utterly useless.
A/N: Poor Ky. At least their talking and not just making out and not addressing their problems. Ky had so many distractions, she managed to completely ignore Blishwick attacking her in June, but this was clearly something at the back of Harry’s mind for a while. I suppose he at least understands that she’s struggling to even face it, not just not wanting to talk to him.
Feedback will be so appreciated!
Chapter 26: I Predict A Riot
Chapter Text
Anything that is familiar doesn’t belong to me
Harry dug through his trunk for the second time, old pieces of parchment and quills were now strewn everywhere. He took in the time, and then more frantically searched through his things, he was cutting it really close.
He heard his dorm door open, and he whipped around, "Ron, have you seen my-“
He stopped mid-sentence at the sight of his girlfriend.
Ky was wearing those black shorts that consumed his attention to such an extent that he knew how many times she had worn them this year.
Six.
But it wasn't the shorts that stole his attention this time; Ky was wearing his quidditch jersey, the one from his previous years kit.
Of course it looked completely different on her, she didn't shrink it to fit but chose to make some sort of knot that made it stop at her waist, the sleeves enveloped her sides but the cloth constrained against her chest in a way that made Harry completely forget what he was about to say.
"Seen your?" She had a huge grin on her face and walked into the room, kicking Dean's football whilst doing so. Harry literally shook his head trying to shake away his x-rated thoughts.
"You're wearing my quidditch jersey."
She cocked an eyebrow at him and shrugged nonchalantly, "I figured, why not? You have a problem with that?" Her eyes glinted up at him, brimming with mischief,
"No." He shook his head, "No. Not at all. It's just that," He tossed the socks he was holding back into his trunk, "That's what I've been looking for. I was going to give it to you this morning." Harry shrugged and tossed more stuff into the trunk and laughed lightly, a bit embarrassed, "I had a speech prepared and everything.”
Ky laughed, “A speech?” He tossed her a glare and she had the decency to stop, he knew she’d find this soppy and he was silly for trying, “You can still tell me your speech, Harry."
"Just forget about it.”
He felt stupid even mentioning it. He closed the lid and straightened up.
"No, no please tell me-"
"No it's no use, you already have-"
For the second time this morning Ky made Harry stop mid-sentence. The first when she was wearing his quidditch jersey, the second when she wasn't.
He gulped loudly and stared at her, vaguely processing the quidditch jersey she was holding out to him.
"There, go on. Take the jersey and give it to me and let's hear your speech, Potter.”
Harry was hypnotised and Ky laughed. The sound cut through his trance, and he suddenly looked up in shock, "Ky…put your top on. The boys might come back."
She shook the jersey at him, the sun shining off her bare tan shoulders, "Well I guess you better tell me that speech if you don't want the boys to see."
"I can't tell you the speech. Just put the jersey on!"
"Tell me the speech!"
"I can't!"
"Tell me!"
"I can't even remember my middle name right now let alone a speech!"
The room filled with Ky's laughter and Harry was disgruntled by her amusement at his expense, but his face changed as she jumped on him, swinging her arms around his neck, and latching her legs around him like she was a monkey and he was a tree, "Are they that distracting?"
She kissed him softly, and he enjoyed it. He could tell the purpose wasn’t to heat him up, more to just be close to him, and he hugged her tightly to his chest.
"Let's just say I've never contemplated missing a quidditch match before."
"We can't have that now can we?"
Harry kissed her again, running a finger down her bare back. "You better put my jersey on if you want to make it to your first school quidditch match."
She laughed and jumped off him, and looped the jersey back over her head, "Why do I feel like that wasn't the speech." She knotted it at her side again and Harry grabbed his broom and led her out of the room.
"Well forgive me; I desperately did not want my roommates seeing my girlfriend half-naked.”
She rolled her eyes, "Ron, Seamus and Dean are at breakfast already, Neville was on his way to the greenhouses. "
"So you just let me panic for nothing?”
She shook her head, beaming and he pulled her closer to his side, "Not for nothing. I like to see you squirm!"
"Well that's a comforting thought. I have an exhibitionist and a sadist as a girlfriend."
"Let's not forget my fetish for asses." Harry jumped as Ky spanked him and his broom almost fell from his hand.
"Did you just spank me?"
"Damn right I did. Ky likes her men to know how it goes.”
He chuckled at her dismal attempt at sounding like some kind of gangster. ”Please don't do that again."
"Why Potter. Scared you might just like it?"
"Oh oh I know I don't like being spanked. Butt just wasn't made for it."
She stopped and looked at his bum playfully, "I wouldn't say that. It's slightly on the bony side but nothing I can't work with."
"Bony? My butt is bony?"
"A little but that's OK. I don't need a guy with a firm butt like some kind of Roger Davies."
"I thought you hate Davies."
"I do, but there's no denying he has a fine ass. Oh don't look so cross, I much prefer your butt to his. It's like an acquired taste. Like escargot."
"You just called my butt snails?”
"Well I happen to like snails." They stopped just before they could turn onto the grandstaircase, both wanting to prolong their alone time.
Harry smirked down at her, "Well if my butt is bony, yours is the opposite."
She narrowed her eyes, "Tread carefully Potter."
He laughed, and quickly kissed her on the cheek, and led her down the stairs, “I find that I quite like the opposite."
"Well you better, because these buns are not going to look like pancakes anytime soon."
"Will you two stop talking about food, I feel sick as is.”
They turned to find Ron leaning against the pillar at the bottom of the staircase, or more like hugging it, his posture was so defeated.
Harry approached his best friend, “Ron, it's going to be OK. Let's just get some breakfast."
Ky slung a hand around Ron's waist, "And even if it's not OK Ron, I have pictures of Nessie in a bathing suit I've been saving for your birthday."
-x-x-x-
Hermione smiled as her best friends entered the Great Hall to applause and cheers, the Gryffindors wishing Ron and Harry luck for the match today. She spotted Ky in Harry’s jersey, and laughed, recalling that Ky had helped herself to that item. She was pretty sure the sentiment was lost if it were stolen, rather than gifted, but it seems like Harry had no complaints.
Her smile fell when she spotted Ron. He looked like he hadn't slept a wink. Dean and Seamus said that he headed down to breakfast with them but had made up some excuse before they could enter. Her heart ached for him, almost sharing in his anxiety for the day. They reached her and she gestured to the table, "Pancakes or hot cross buns."
Harry and Ky laughed so care-freely at that, she joined in as well, despite having no clue what the joke could be, and her bespectacled friend responded with a grin, “Definitely hot cross buns."
Harry forced some food on Ron and started convincing their best friend that he would be okay.
"THAT looks so freaking awesome Luna!" The Ravenclaw had approached their table, and Ky was talking about the weird roaring lion hat on her head. Actually, it was quite brilliant, she must have had to use at least five charms to make it work. Hermione reflected that weird conspiracies aside, Luna was a Ravenclaw, so must be quite proficient in spellwork. The girl wished the boys luck and then walked off.
Wait….
Luna hadn’t wished the boys luck, she wished just Ron luck. Why did she do that?
Hermione’s internal monologue was cut short by their group rising from their seats, and she followed suit.
“Good luck Ron." Hermione stood on her toes and pecked him on his cheek.
Her heart was beating a mile a minute as she internally freaked out.
Why had she done that?
Why?
She consoled herself that it wasn’t weird though, they were after all, best friends…
Was everyone looking?
Was her face red… oh gosh, she could feel it going red!
“And you too Harry!” This came out a tad louder than usual because she was trying to be normal, and then she wondered whether she should kiss Harry too to make it look less weird. But then that would be inappropriate because Harry is dating Ky!
As her internal conflict sparred on, the boys walked away.
"Aren't you going to kiss him good luck?" Hermione snapped around affronted, ready to tell Lavender off when she realised that she was talking to Ky.
Lavender had taken it upon herself to teach Ky proper girlfriend etiquette.
A cheeky grin slipped onto Ky’s face, "I already did that." She smiled to herself at some secret memory. Her smile dropped and her eyes narrowed suddenly, "Look at those damn snakes. Yeah, you better watch out Anderson!"
Ky shook her fist at the tall blonde boy, and he looked at her shocked, and then scuttled away.
"You do know that Anderson is in Ravenclaw, right?" She smiled at Ky’s haughty look, stubborn even when she was wrong.
"Oh…well I get confused on the weekends! There are no ties to remind me…"
"Well just remember our team is the one in red and gold."
"Well considering she's wearing the jersey; I doubt she'd forget." Parvati smiled at her, "When did Harry give it to you?"
"Never mind that!" Lavender leaned in closer, "What did he say when he did. These quidditch boys always say something?”
Ky gestured at the two with bacon hanging off her fork, "He didn't give it to me, I took it."
"YOU WHAT!"
Ky moved away from the united shriek with a grimace, "I don't get what's the big deal. He was going to give me it anyways, he said so this morning."
Their shocked faces dispersed at the prospect of new gossip, "So? What did he say?"
Ky wiped her mouth on a tissue and smiled coyly, leaning in conspiratorially, the girls being pulled forward by the very action. She looked to her left and then her right, and bit her bottom lip in a thoughtful expression.
"Go on." Lavender whispered in encouragement.
"Well…He told me to meet him in his dorm before breakfast. I figured it was to, you know, wish him good luck for the match. And then…I walk in and he's…"
"He's what?" Parvati was so close to Ky she was almost off her bench.
"He was on bended knee. He looks up at me, with the folded shirt in his opened hands saying, 'Please do me the honour of taking my name-'"
"He proposed!"
"And with his quidditch jersey too! That's soooo creative…kind of cheap, but innovative none the less!”
Hermione bit down her own laughter. These two were such slaves to gossip they couldn’t even see how Ky was toying with them as she nodded her head emphatically, doing a good job of avoiding her eyes knowing that it would destroy her act. Not to mention her story goes against the fact that she just announced that Harry didn't give her the jersey.
"And then..."Ky took on a serious face, "Caught in a fit of passion we made love right there!" Hermione choked on her orange juice as Ky leaned further onto the table, "I can feel…" She took a deep breath, her face flushed, clutching her tummy, overtly dramatic, “I can feel his son move inside me as we speak."
"You guys didn't use-"
"We were caught up in the moment, the spells just evaded me at the time."
"Oh, how romantic." Parvati whispered into her bacon.
Your classmate being impregnated at the age of fifteen…romantic?
“Of course, we want to keep it quiet.”
"Yes, yes of course, we won't breathe a word." Lavender hurriedly added in.
That was just about as much of these silly antics Hermione could take, and she stood, and gestured to the doorway, and Ky followed her out of the hall. She gestured for the girls to keep her ‘secret’ with a finger on her lips, and Hermione rolled her eyes. How did Ky manage to tell the exact same lie to these two in the same week. More baffling was how they managed to fall for it.
"Why do you have to do that? Don't you two have enough rumours spread about you as it is?"
She chuckled, "Aw Mi, it's just like one big game of telephone isn't it. I want to see what the rumour mill sends back! Aren't you curious?"
"Not at all! You are psychotic!" They continued down to the pitch. Ky sent a trip jinx at a boy in a Slytherin scarf, she'd been doing that all week in retaliation to the house trying to hurt Harry and the others, "You two…haven't?"
"Haven't what?”
Hermione gave her best girl friend her most exasperated stare as they made their way to the Gryffindor stands.
“Oh! Oh, you mean sex!" Ky shouted the last words and a few first year Gryffindors that Hermione had shown to their dorms at the beginning of the year looked up at her, fresh faced shock jutting above their scarlet and gold scarves.
"KY!"
Ky looked down at the kids and rolled her eyes, "I didn't say sex. I said…hex. But even if I did say sex, it's cool, because it's a natural process that occurs between two consenting individuals to express-“
Hermione shooed the children away glaring at Ky as they took their seats. "I hope you and Harry are not two consenting individuals."
"No. Well not yet. Salazar sword Mi if I shagged Harry, I'll tell you right afterwards. I mean like RIGHT afterwards. I will literally wake my naked ass up-"
"OK OK, I get it." Hermione looked around nervously at the bustling crowd, thankfully most of everyone around them were too busy talking about quidditch to listen in. "But you guys are…engaging in activities that might make you lose yourself in the moment and you might regret-"
"Woah woah woah Mi. Relax. Don't worry, we got this. I am not going to make you an aunt anytime soon. WOW GO HARRY! THAT'S MY BABY DADDY RIGHT OVER THERE!"
The players had just taken off and the surrounding supporters laughed at Ky's outburst.
"Why do you HAVE to do that!"
"Because she's an attention seeking ho Hermione. You know that."
"Ahhh! Ginny! I was wondering where you were! Come sit, watch Harry bash some Snake-heads."
Ginny laughed and sat down on the other side of Ky, "You do know quidditch is a non-contact sport?"
"I beg to differ, what are those clubs for then?" Ky’s grey eyes were rooted to the sky, but Ginny didn’t care that she was barely paying attention to their conversation.
"They are there to defend the players from the bludgers.“
"By hitting them at other players. I don't know about you, but that seems quite violent to me."
"You sound just like Michael.” Ginny’s brown eyes took a loop around her sockets, “He is such a girl about these things, I swear he thinks there's only one position in quidditch and that's keeper."
"GO GEORGE! BASH HIS SKULL IN! LEFT! LEFT! Oh no, he missed his skull, he hit the big black ball."
"That's what he's aiming for Ky! You are such a Neanderthal!"
Hermione leaned forward to look at Ginny, desperate for non-quidditch talk, “You and Michael are fighting?"
She shrugged, "I wish we were fighting, he's so clingy. Every time I want to call it off, he changes the subject!"
"HARRY SAW THE SNITCH! GO HARRY! HARRY SAW THE SNITCH! GO!"
"Get down from there! You are going to fall you ninny." Hermione pulled Ky off the railings in front of them that she had begun to climb up on in excitement.
"Seems like Harry isn't the only one sporting new glasses Dean."
Seamus' voice floated over from two rows above theirs. Ginny and she turned to the boys while Ky screamed 'go on the offensive!',
"New glasses?"
"Yeah…" Dean smirked at Seamus, "Love goggles."
"Oooh, I agree Dean! I've noticed too!" Lavender shouted from down the row. "Is he singing in the shower as well?"
"No, it's not come to that yet, but I definitely heard him humming the other day, didn't think the boy even knew how to do that."
"I saw Ky skipping…to defence against the dark arts!"
"I saw Harry smile- at Umbridge."
"No, you didn't, that's a lie." Dean shrugged with a flirty smile on his face. Hermione shook her head, were these two actually flirting over whose roommate was more love struck?
"GODRICS GONADS! HE'S GOING TO CATCH THE SNITCH! HE'S GOING TO-"
"KY FOR THE LAST TIME! DO NOT CLIMB THERE!"
"WILL YOU TWO STOP SCREAMING IN MY EARS!" Ginny clapped her hands over her ears.
"ALL OF YOU STOP SHOUTING!" Neville who was sitting quietly next to Seamus bellowed. He blushed as everyone looked at him, "Do you hear that?" He added quietly.
They listened as the chant got louder. Ky hopped down from the railings and Ginny rose from her seat.
"I don't get it…I thought Fred and George are the beaters. They don't have anything to do with the quaffle."
Hermione glared at Parvati "They're talking about Ron!"
"Ohhhh…" Parvati shrugged, already bored with that fact. The chants from the stands on their left got louder, more and more people catching the tune and the words. All traces of Ky's previous engagement with the game disappeared.
"That's what those badges they’re wearing are about." Muttered Seamus, "You think Ron can hear it all the way up there?"
Everybody turned to the keeper’s goal post, and it was evident that Ron definitely heard the chants of "Weasley is our king."
"Those bastards." Ginny sat back down with a huge thud.
"What are you doing?" Ky looked at Ginny confused. "Get off your arse! We've got some bashing to do!"
"Ky! You can't just go and start a fight with those people. I know it is despicable, absolutely underhanded, and terrible sportsmanship, but you and Ginny going over there and biting off their heads would get you nothing but detention. It's best to just ignore them! Anyway, there's so many of them…"
Ky turned away from Hermione and looked expectantly at Ginny, but the redhead remained seated.
"Fine. You're perfectly right Mi." Hermione had already prepared her next rebuttal, but let it fall away in shock at Ky’s quick acceptance. "We don't want to get in detention. I mean it's not like Ron would do the same for us. It's not like Ron would sneak off to dark, dark lord infested chambers with ten-foot basilisks to save our sorry-"
"Ginny!" Ginny had shot off her seat and made for the stairs. Herminone followed, tossing Ky a look of admonishment which she returned with a triumphant smile. "Ginny, don't listen to Ky, you don't have to do this!”
-x-x-x-
Quidditch matches were always entertaining. And today’s especially so, but it didn’t have anything to do with that stupid song Draco had written last night. His friend had been in a particularly unforgiving mood these past few days. Initially he was drinking himself into stupor about the little situation they had a few weeks back, but then he seemed to get his act together the night of the Hogsmeade trip.
Draco had retired early the night of that trip, and slept the poison off his system, and was his usual self when he awoke. Actually, Theodore thought, he was better than Draco. Pansy had told everyone who would listen that he actually engaged in conversation prior to their usual morning exchange of intimacy.
Theodore turned to the skinny brunette, she was chanting the song at the top of her lungs, face brimming with pride at her lover’s sonnet for his nemesis.
Lust really was a strange thing.
However, whatever happened that helped Draco, seemed to be just a twenty-four-hour thing, because the next day he was his usual self. Actually no, he was worse, his temper was shorter than usual, and Theodore had spotted Pansy crying into Davis’ shoulder at some flippant comment the boy had made. It was sad, but interesting, that however many times Draco put her down, Pansy still crawled back to him.
But probably the worst indicator was how poorly he seemed to be treating Ky. Theodore had been baffled at how rudely he had been treating the girl that he always thought his friend had a soft spot for.
Theodore was pulled out of his thoughts as he had to dodge Daphne’s hand as the blonde was once more on her feet, knocking her lemonade to the floor. He laughed at the look on her face, she really was the biggest quidditch fan. He laughed louder at the look on Blaise's face. The man hated how quidditch stole his lover's attention.
"Fuck Draco and this incessant song."
Blaise, who had an opinion on everything, detested the song. He had nothing against the lyrics, no he liked the message, it was the composition, the flow, the rhythm he hated. The man was impossible to please.
"Why don't you help conduct it then?"
The dark boy glared at him for that suggestion; it would be kind to say Cynthia Bullstrode had a huge crush on him. Too kind. The girl was obsessed with Blaise. Stalked him. Astoria Greengrass told them that she had walked in on Cynthia masturbating to his photo once. This of course caused them all hours of laughter and was used as arsenal when Daphne wanted to get back at Blaise, which happened about twice a day.
Those two fought more than they fornicated, and they fornicated all the time.
Cynthia stood front and centre, orchestrating Draco's song. Theodore shook his head at the glinting badges that Millicent had made. The boy really did nothing for himself. Draco of course would argue that having to spend five minutes in the Bullstrode girls presence was punishment enough for his laziness.
Just then Cynthia 'accidently' tripped forward and fell onto Blaise's lap. He picked his hands up, away from any contamination and looked hopefully at Daphne, beckoning her with his eyes to remove the girl from his lap. Daphne of course was busy screaming at Mason to man the posts better and didn't see a thing.
"Fuck you Nott." Theodore continued laughing, the Zabini glare never worked on him. "This is why you wanted to sit in the front. Not because of weather conditions and view of play."
He was just about to retort that Blaise knew full well that he didn't give a flying fuck about quidditch when a voice had him whipping his head around.
"Hey Bullstode!” It wasn't a familiar voice, but he didn't have to know her personally to know who that was. Draco called her the she-weasel, and as Blaise pointed out, she was no she weasel. The girl really did grow into her hair, Theodore never thought that would have been possible. It helped that other parts of her grew as well. Ginny Weasley was very pretty. The smile widened as he spotted a second face.
Oh, this was going to be fun.
Ky Thornton just stepped out from the entrance to the stands. He could tell she was trying not to hex Cynthia; she always crossed her arms when she didn't want to use magic. She leaned casually against the railings, the action pulling up the quidditch jersey she was wearing at the side, showing off a curve of tan. Theodoreo looked to his side and bit back a laugh.
Blaise hated Ky. He hated Ky for getting Daphne involved in the paper debacle a few weeks ago and he also hated Ky for reasons he wouldn't even announce out loud… but Theodore knew. He hated the way she looked at him. That look of expectation. That look of challenge. Challenging him to do better. To be better.
Blaise was always of the opinion that he was the opinion on good things, and Ky Thornton was definitely a good thing. Good enough for him to forget his hate and stare at in appreciation.
Theodore’s laughter seemed to remind him that he hated the girl, and his heated stare turned to a glower, it also seemed to call Ky’s attention to them. She smiled at him, and he returned it effortlessly, she didn't speak though, and neither did he.
This was the silent nature of their friendship.
"Stop that!” He could tell that Ky was trying to not roll her eyes at the She-weasel. Did she really think that telling Cynthia to stop would make her stop? Cynthia continued with conducting their stands, shooting the words up in the air with her wand.
“Morgana’s left tit! Mason! You're leaving the whole left post open! To YOUR left."
Daphne was on her feet again and he caught Blaise biting back a laugh at his girlfriend. Blaise was of the opinion that if he laughed at Daphne it would promote more love for the game which he already was against her even liking.
"See Mi, I'm not the only one that thinks if we shout loud enough, they can hear us." Ky shot a toothy grin at the entrance, at someone hidden behind by the large pillar that supported the stands. It would seem Granger was there. She was always the wiser of the two. She at least knew one doesn’t walk into the snake pit teeth bearing and shackles raised for a fight.
"Thornton! What brings you to our neck of the woods? Realised that Bell and Spinnet are two years past their prime and decided to jump ship." Daphne didn't turn her eyes away from the match, Blaise sighed, and Theodore laughed at his failed attempt to get his lover’s attention by caressing her thigh. "I wouldn't do that if I were you though…no matter how pathetic your chaser duo are, Mason’s keeper skills are despicable. What Malfoy was thinking when he…"
"Scurry back to that hole you call a house, Weasley." Bullstrode seemed to recover from the initial shock of the cubs appearance. She tilted her wand back up, the words that Draco had given her last night shining green above her head. The redhead took a threatening step forward, but Granger emerged, stopping her. She successfully reined she-weasel in. Ky was no help of course; she was just as interested in the game as Daphne was.
What was it with these girls and quidditch?
"Listen to Granger, she's right." Theodore ignored Blaise's annoyed glance at him involving himself in this, and he continued stirring the cauldron, this situation far more interesting to him than quidditch. "Hexing the girl would achieve nothing. What you need to ask yourself is, what do I need to do to achieve my goals? Is your goal to hex Cynthia, or do you want the chanting to stop?"
The she-weasel was confused, taking Theodore in as if this was the very first time she saw him, rather than sharing a home with him for four years.
The annoying chant rose up higher around them. He really wished Draco spent a tad bit more time to give the lyrics just a little finesse.
"I was under the assumption they were one in the same." Ky was all smiles, never one to ignore him when he did speak, and he laughed at her response.
"Always ready for violence Kitten. Don't you know the saying, make love, not war."
"The last time I checked nobody got what they wanted by kissing over it." The she-weasel seemed to get some of her spirit back.
He smirked at the redhead, ”That's cute Weasley. Horribly incorrect, but cute none the less."
The she-weasel didn't like being corrected, "Horribly incorrect?” She rolled her brown eyes, “So, my problem would be solved if I make out with Bullstrode?"
"Oh, Founders no Weasley, I don't want to decorate the stands with my breakfast. But you are heading in the right direction."
"We need a distraction…” Ky seemed to understand the direction Theodore was going in.
"Exactly Kitten. So now…kiss." He chuckled, gesturing between Ky and she-Weasel.
Granger's jaw was centimetres off the ground, she-weasel looked caught between shock and laughter, Ky was very much the latter.
Well, he didn’t really think that would work, but a boy could dream.
Ky finally tore her eyes away from the spot in the sky he was sure was Potter and clapped him on the shoulder, "Good try Teddy. I almost feel like kissing Red over here because you played that so well."
"Can't blame a guy for trying." He grinned at Blaise who had stopped pretending to look at the match and was openly staring at Ky, his imagination getting away from him.
He then glared at Theodore, yes Blaise was a proud, vengeful begrudging man but he was a man nevertheless and he knew he would be waiting with bated breath to see two hot girls make out. He knew the girls would never agree to it, he just wanted to mess with Blaise a bit, and he definitely got him annoyed with himself for being distracted by Ky and Ginny.
Granger was pulling the girls away, and their eyes caught for a moment. He had forgotten how warm they were. She was the one that had pulled him to safety when he was hurt…did Theodore ever thank her for it? The chanting got louder, and she glanced away from him, up at the sky, to a spot by the goal post. Her face was painful to watch, she really cared for Weasley, didn't she? Cared enough for it to hurt when he was being taunted like that.
Theodore stood slowly, not thinking twice, for if he did, he would stop. He took a step toward Cynthia; this lot won't remember the song without the words, and he’ll make Cynthia stop conducting. Especially if it'll make that look leave Granger's face.
However, he didn't reach Cynthia as at that very instant a blur of red shot past.
There was a collective gasp and for once Daphne turned her head away from the sky and stared horror struck at the sight unravelling in front of them all.
-x-x-x-
Ky stopped arguing with Hermione to let her just push the stupid Bullstrode girl over the railings and was mesmerised by the scene that unfolded in front of her, much like the rest of the Snakes stand. The chanting stopped completely and the stupid Bullstrode girl let out a proper shriek.
Ky had no clue why she did that, she was sure that was Daphne's job. But the blonde, much like Hermione, just looked on horrified.
Ky knew Ginny would do anything for her brothers. Anything to protect them, but this here, was proof.
Ginny finally pulled back, her face red and her eyes dazed with shock.
Ky was sure she would be too if she just shoved her tongue down Blaise Zabini's throat.
Ky laughed, not knowing how else to react. The redhead looked at her, dazed whilst Hermione snapped out of her shock and grabbed them both, ready to storm off.
"Kitten watch out!"
Ky whipped around when she heard Theodore’s voice, and it wasn't a moment too soon as she saw Bullstrode heading straight for Ginny. Ky calmly disarmed the girl, who was crying and swearing towards Ginny, and this baffled her. Was Blaise shagging her as well?
Ky winked at Theodore in gratitude and turned around again to walk out with Ginny but suddenly a hand grabbed her arm.
She reacted on instinct and turned around, ready to slap Bullstrode if she had to. But it wasn't Bullstrode’s hand. It was Ginny's attempt to get her attention as Bullstrode had taken advantage of her distraction and had her against the railing, choking the life out of her.
"Stupefy!"
Ky’s spell hit Bullstrode square in the back, but she might have put too much force in it as she watched in slow motion as Bullstrode hit the railing and was pushed over with the momentum. Ky lunged forward in panic and caught her by the scruff of her shirt. Fuck, the girl almost fell over!
Ky’s wand lay forgotten as she manually pulled her up, she suddenly became lighter, and she realised someone was helping her. It was Zabini. He got the girl back on her feet but let go of her instantly. He turned away from Ky before she could thank him. Ky made to follow but froze at the sight of Theodore…bleeding on the floor.
What happened to him!
"PRINCESS!"
The sound came from above and she looked up seeing George's terrified brown eyes.
The next second there was a sickening crunch and Ky fell to her knees.
A dull ache became more and more pronounced in her left shoulder by the second.
Her head fell forward but it didn't hit the ground, hitting a familiar warmth instead, the thudding at her ear beating erratically.
The last thing Ky processed were Harry’s gentle fingers at her cheek, and his emerald eyes, brimming with concern.
A/N: Well, them going to over to the Slytherin stands was always going to result in drama!
Thank you for reading!
Feedback, as always, will be much appreciated.
Chapter 27: Lesson 1: Learn how to knock
Chapter Text
Anything that is familiar doesn’t belong to me
Ky awoke, gritting her teeth at the sudden onslaught of pain.
"Don't try moving it.”
She looked up, staring into implacable black orbs. Sev held out a cup to her, and she silently obeyed his instructions and drank the contents in one go.
"What happened?”
The last thing she remembered was falling onto Harry. She could still hear the sound of his heartbeat and smell his scent on her, and for a moment the pain dulled.
"What happened is that you are expelled.”
She snapped her head to the door where Umbridge stood with her sickening evil curve of a smile. Ky then looked at Sev, desperate, and found his eyes dilated in shock…
Why was he not telling her off for lying…
Ky’s body seemed to think she was sprinting, her heart racing and breathing became difficult.
“What?"
She could tell Umbridge relished the look on her face, and Ky was honestly too scared to even bother reining it in.
"Headmaster…you don't mean to say-" Sev walked towards her grandfather and Minne, who had just entered the room, grave expressions on their faces. "Yes, the girl deserves to be punished…but expulsion?”
Nonno's grave face turned into one of confusion, "Expelled Severus? No. No Kyrianna is not expelled, it is touching to see your concern but why would you think that?”
Sev glared at Umbitch, and Ky joined him as the Toad shrugged her shoulders, "What I meant to say is you should be expelled. But apparently at Hogwarts attempted murder isn't grounds for expulsion if you're the Headmaster’s blood."
"I didn't…what!" Ky looked to her grandfather, and then Minnie, and then Sev. Of all the crap that exploded from this awful human’s mouth.
"We've already discussed this, Dolores. It was an accident; Miss Greengrass saw the whole thing. Ky was defending Miss Weasley."
"Oh, she accidently pushed Miss Bullstrode over the railings?"
"She was choking Ginny, I had to-"
"Push her to her death?" Umbitch stepped forward and anger at the righteousness on her face had Ky scurrying upright, ignoring the pain in her shoulder.
"ENOUGH." Ky’s breath caught at the thunder in Nonno's voice. Even Umbitch gasped. "Please leave us alone."
Sev walked out without a backward glance, Minnie followed suit. Umbitch hovered, obviously caught between taunting Ky more and facing the ire of the most powerful wizard in the world.
For once she chose wisely and walked away.
Silence echoed in Umbitch’s wake, a cold feeling Ky had never felt before in the presence of her grandfather overcame her body. She stared at the starch white sheets of the Hospital Wing bed, afraid to look up.
"How is your shoulder?"
Ky shrugged and gasped at the pain. She supposed that was answer enough.
"Mr Pucey was stripped of his jersey, and suspended for a month. It is unforgivable to hit a bludger into the crowd and Mr George Weasley was adamant that it had been done on purpose.”
Ky squinted, recalling that it was George screaming her name that had brought her attention to Pucey hitting the bludger at her, but unfortunately not enough time to dodge. She then remembered what happened before the bludger-
"Teddy…Nott. Theodore Nott-"
"Is perfectly fine save for the broken nose. Of course, I have no clue as to why, considering Slytherin house and their ironclad rules of secrecy."
Nonno knew of those too? Greengrass disobeyed it and spoke out in her defence though…
Ky’s stomach plumetted, she hoped she didn’t get the girl into trouble again.
"Kyrianna…may I ask one thing. What were you hoping to accomplish?”
She looked down at her hands. She had no idea things would get out of hand like that… it just seemed unfair to sit back and let those pig-headed bastards ridicule Ron…
"Bravery is not heading forth into battle with wands waving and heads held high, bravery is knowing when to use your wand and when to keep your head down."
Ky picked at the sheet, feeling worse by the second.
"You are suspended Kyrianna." Her eyes widened, her hair billowing as her head snapped up at that, ”Even though it was not your intention to hurt Miss Bullstrode, you did. It would be unfair to let that go by unpunished. And you had no business in the Slytherin stands, so it is understandable for that to be perceived as aggresive.” Ky imagined this had been Umbridge’s doing. She agreed she deserved punishment for her actions but a suspension? “Your suspension is effective immediately, your things are packed and Kinky is waiting for you outside. Madam Pomfrey says your shoulder will be perfectly fine with a day or two of rest. You are going to Grimauld Place as you cannot remain on school grounds when suspended. You may come back after the Christmas break. I have not told your brothers. I have left that privilege to you.”
She nodded, not having the heart to fight his decision knowing that it probably was the best offer he could get her if Umbridge was going for an expulsion…she couldn’t look her grandfather in the eye… and her throat burned at the disappointment that leaked off of him. She heard the soft rustling of footsteps as he walked away.
"Nonno, I'm sorry." She whispered it, but the footsteps stopped.
He sighed, "I do not want you to be sorry Kyrianna, I want you to be brave."
And with all the bravery Ky could muster, she picked her head up and looked Nonno in the eye knowing this was one of those battles where you go in with your head held high.
It was a battle for redemption and forgiveness for causing this man that she loved so much such unnecessary strife.
He didn't smile but he left the room, midnight blue eyes twinkling.
-x-x-x-
Ky wasn't left alone with her thoughts for long; Madam Pomfrey came in and put her arm in a sling. The Matron asked repeatedly if she wanted to stay in the wing a bit longer before finally letting her go.
Ky couldn’t stay here longer.
Nonno was right, grating personality aside, Cynthia Bullstrode was a human being, and she really could have died today…Ky really need to work on power control…but no, it only went down like that because they were in an adrenalin-fuelled situation, that's why she exerted too much power and sent her over the edge… it was an accident.
Godric, if Zabini had been a bit slower…
Ky insisted on pulling on her own shorts, but allowed Madam Pomfrey to help take off her hospital garments and put her shirt back on. She took in a huge whiff of the quidditch jersey, eau de toi-Harry…She sighed thinking about him.
She was so excited about this match, she had the image of her running into his arms after he caught the snitch…She knew it was stupid…it's just that she knew what a big deal quidditch was to him and she wanted to show him that she cared enough to pay attention.
And she did try to pay attention, even whilst in the snake stands!
Not only did she ruin his post-match celebration, but she also missed seeing him catch the snitch which she was positive he must have…
He had caught the snitch, right?
As if in answer, Ky slowly pulled her shorts up and something fluttered out of her back pocket. Something round and gold. She grabbed it with her good hand quickly, giggling like an idiot the whole time. She quickly stopped and looked around to ascertain she was alone, the room was empty, and then continued her giggling and even added a few jumps in there.
She could see why you wanted to catch this; the snitch was beautiful. It even felt beautiful. It strained to get loose from her hand and she pocketed it again, the smooth feeling of Harry's first gift to her still lingering on her fingers. Somehow, she liked it better because it was stolen…
There was so much wrong with her.
"Miss Ky. How are your shoulder?"
She turned, wincing slightly with the speed. She really needed to remind herself that she had an injury, the numbing potions were doing too good a job. Kinks came in, her face grave, was she outside with her things all this time?
"Is you ready?"
It seemed that whole effective immediately thing was extra punishment…that had Umbitch written all over it. Ky bet if she even tried to go see Ron, Mi, and Harry she'd there’d be a troll guarding the common room entrance, or something just as sinister…then again, Ky could meet them in the room of requirement! Or send word for them to meet her outside!
The excitement left her eyes as she remembered the look of disappointment on her grandfather’s face…
"Yeah Kinks."
Her trunk hovered behind Kinky, clearly they wanted her off school premises as soon as possible. It felt excessive but maybe they were worried she would somehow exacerbate things, the Slytherins can’t be happy that one of their own was attacked, but most of the Gryffindors didn’t even see Ky getting hit with a bludger, and maybe they didn’t want it to be all out House warfare?
"Oh, before we go Miss Ky, here."
The little house elf pushed a piece of parchment into Ky’s hand. She recognised the writing immediately and unscrolled it quickly.
Ky
Oh, they won't let us see you! Harry is trying to get in as I write this letter! Umbridge! Professor McGonagall said you were suspended and will only be back after Christmas Break! Violet told the Fat Lady that Umbridge was pushing for your expulsion! That's ludicrous! I may not have seen what had happened (how? She was right there?) But I know Daphne Greengrass visited Snape and told him everything concerning the fight you and Bullstrode had. Are you still here? Oh, like you can answer that. How is your arm? Oh, my word!
I've never seen so many angry faces. Adrian Pucey is lucky that the teachers had got there so fast! George had already hit him by then…George only got detention though, thankfully, I think Snape was kind because he looked like he wanted to hit Pucey too!
After you got hit by the bludger, Harry had just caught the snitch and saw George heading for the Slytherin stands and heard him shout for you. Harry reached when you fainted. He was carrying you to the hospital wing, but then Malfoy blocked the exit and told Harry all this horrible stuff about his mum! Really! Harry was one hex away from killing him when Snape finally showed up, but Umbridge had already seen the two fighting! And of course, the twins flew down to help! Harry, Fred and George were stripped of their quidditch playing privileges (What, no! How? Fucking Umbitch!).
Oh Ky! How did this all happen. The last thing I remember was trying to leave with you and Ginny and then someone tossed a hex at me! The next thing Theodore Nott and Vincent Crabbe are rolling around the floor hitting each other! Then I heard George scream and the bludger hit you!
Ohhh and Ginny explained why she kissed Blaise! Apparently, Cynthia Bullstrode is in love with him and that's why she reacted like that. I can'ttttttt
Ky it's Harry! They won't let me come see you! How is your shoulder? I am going to murder Pucey when I see him. Does it hurt a lot? Madam Pomfrey told me that you won't be in pain at least, the numbing potions should help! But don't move it a lot! You forget that it's injured when its numb and you tend to use it like normal, I know I do. So just sleep. Don't worry about anything in Hogwarts, it's all good here. Just relax and heal up your shoulder. Is that the only thing that's hurt? If anything else aches, please tell Madam Pomfrey! Sometimes you don't feel it till after the shock…you looked kind of pale…the bludger only hit your shoulder, right? You should wait in the hospital wing (hypocrite), I don't know when you'll leave, I'm going to try and sneak in an hour again, hopefully that stupid prefect is gone. Can you believe she went to the extent of assigning a prefect to ensure nobody sees you? Godric I am going to kill her Ky! Please don't forget to take your potions! Look after yourself, OK? Hermione looks like she is going to cry because I took her quill, I told her boyfriend trumps best friend, right? Oh, and Ron says tha….
HEY KY! ITS ME RON (of course it is, only you write in block capitals) THANKS SO MUCH FOR TRYING TO DEFEND MY HONOR. I DON'T DESERVE IT. BUT THANKS ANYWAY. I HOPE YOU GET BETTER. HONESTLY, I WON'T MIND GETTING HIT BY A BLUDGER RIGHT ABOUT NOwwww
It's Hermione, ignore Ron, he's in a…mood of sorts. Anyway, please look after yourself and don't forget we have that Charms assignment due Tuesday and that essay for Runes on Wednesday, I already have your potions essay for Monday. Please look after yourself.
It's Harry. I hope you like your gift. I'm sorry this all happened…I'm sorry you got hurt. Just rest up, OK? See you as soon as I can. Be good, Kyrianna.
Harry and Hermione. AND RON
Ky looked up at that moment, as if hoping to see her heads of jet black, fire red and chocolate brown.
She sighed. Nonno wanted her gone immediately… best that she do just that.
-x-x-x-
“Nessie!"
Ky should have asked Kinky for the time before she left, she had no idea how long she was unconscious for in the hospital wing. She stepped out of the kitchen floo, and thought it was late at night already, but couldn’t be sure since you couldn’t see the sky outside at this level of the house.
Nobody was in the kitchen. That was strange. She left it, her heart started beating a little faster; Nessie should be in the kitchen, right? Right? She always greeted people in the kitchen…so why wasn't she here. She then remembered that the last time she saw Agnes she had 'fallen' down many flights of stairs.
Just then, Ky heard a noise.
She rushed down the passage and took the stairs two at a time.
“Nessie!"
She heard the scream again, and looked down the corridor. It was coming from her room! She ignored Mrs. Black’s protestations about blood traitors, and pelted across to Nessie’s room and banged the door open, wand poised to strike.
Ky’s heart stopped for a moment. For a nanosecond. Every fibre of her being froze as if hit with liquid nitrogen.
The next moment the door was to her back, the corridor was a blur, and the thud of her footsteps blocked their shouts.
Ky pushed through the first door she saw and closed it shut behind her.
She sunk slowly to the floor.
"May I help you?" The room, which was dark moments ago, filled with light. Sirius Black stood up from his bed, confusion etched on his approaching face.
Ky nodded slowly, "Obliviate me. Make me forget the last twenty seconds of my life. Thirty to be safe."
His confusion grew and then his eyes snapped to the door as there was a loud thud, "Ky! Ky! Are you in there? K-"
"Linus! Just give her some space. She just needs sometime…oh my goodness. Let's just go downstairs. Oh, my goodness."
Ky heard Nessie's soft footsteps on the stairs.
"Ky-"
"She's here Linus. We'll be down for dinner in a moment."
"OK Ky…er…I'll be downstairs Ky…OK?"
Ky made a gurgling sound of some sort in acceptance. She heard the thud of Linus’ footsteps on the stairs.
Sirius crouched down to her eye level, his grey eyes dancing in delight.
"So…not so nice when it's you on the other end eh? When you're on the other side of the walking in? Want that talk about the birds and bees now?"
Ky glared at him! Why did she have to run into the most immature adult's room? He laughed and dropped to the floor next to her.
"Look, I would obliviate you, but I do think this is character building stuff."
"Cha…character building! I just walked in on my brother shagging his ex-fiancé. How is that character building!"
"Well for one thing, you could learn to knock on doors before entering. I could very well have been entertaining a guest in here," He laughed, "That would have been something huh? You run away from that just to be greeted again by-"
"I get it. Stop. No more details."
He laughed; he was enjoying this too much. "Well like I said, knock before you barge in.”
"I thought…I thought…she was screaming!"
"They tend to do that. Only when it's real good, though.”
"Blah blah blah I am not listening to how my brother is good in bed blah blah blah I didn't see anything blah blah blah."
He laughed at Ky who was trying to erase her own memory, eyes closed, and ears clamped shut with her hands. She opened her eyes and saw a hand hovering in front of her. She took it and he pulled her to her feet.
"Look, you'll forget whatever you saw. I once walked in on Peter having sex." He opened the door for her, and she walked out, "It still makes me feel microscopically better remembering just how microscopic his…little wormtail was.”
They both laughed at that and entered the kitchen. Nessie froze in the middle of setting the table, her face was flushed red. Ky heard the scrape of a chair as Linus pulled one out to sit on, his face hidden by the newspaper.
Thank heavens; she thought he was going to want to talk about this whole ordeal. Walking in on them might have worked to her advantage…they were so embarrassed they didn't even wonder what she was doing here yet.
Ky sat down when she heard the rustle of newspaper, "Look Ky, if you have any questions-"
"I DO." She didn't look at his pink face, "Did you make butternut soup? I don't feel like onion.”
"WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR SHOULDER!" They screamed in unison; she just took off her jacket to sit down. She then recounted what happened concerning Cynthia Bullstrode.
"That was very irresponsible Ky. I am highly…" She was waiting for the disappointed, but it just didn't come. She raised an eyebrow, Linus definitely didn't look impressed but there were definitely traces of sympathy, "Does it hurt?"
Ky sighed, sometimes he just knew when enough was enough. She already had her grandfather’s unsmiling disappointment on her shoulders. She rose from her seat and sat on his lap, leaning her head on his shoulder, he swung his hand around her waist, "Only when I move it. It'll be healed up in a day or two."
She felt him sigh, "Oh Ky. Why can't you go one year without doing yourself an injury?" Ky felt his hand rub her back and then stopped, suddenly he jerked his shoulder and jostled her head, “What! What is this?"
Ky felt him pull the back of her shirt which sported Harry’s surname and she quickly got off him, "Watch out, you'll tear it!"
"OHHHH!" Nessie stopped cutting the roast lamb and started jumping up and down, "You and Harry!"
Oh, dragon balls…she completely forgot that they haven't discussed this yet. Linus' face skipped angry and was going to furious whilst Nessie was heading towards complete glee. She caught Sirius' eye, and he didn't seem surprised at all, actually he was observing the situation with an amused look on his face.
"Explain."
What did Linus expect her to say, "Harry and I, how did Nonno put it, are an 'item'" She made air quotes with her fingers and sat down.
The next moment the kitchen door banged shut, Linus had stormed out, hopefully not on his way to Hogwarts to strangle Harry.
"I'll go talk to him." Nessie ran off, thank heavens… she thought she was going to go full Nessie and want all the details.
"Oh, and we'll talk about everything when I get back."Ky sighed as Nessie’s voice floated from the closed door. She glared at Sirius, who was laughing into his meat.
"I'm glad you find this so hilarious."
"Oh, believe me, this is the most fun I have seen since…since …I can't remember." Godric, that sad look on his face was more annoying than his amusement at her expense.
"We need to get you out of this place."
His grey eyes shone with an emotion she couldn't quite place, "Let's not piss off the parentals too much now."
Ky rolled her eyes, "It's like a damn disease, even when I'm trying to do something right, I end up screwing it up."
"Preaching to the choir. Granted, I never started a riot at a quidditch match!"
"It wasn't a riot! Yes…there were a few fights…and one near death…" Ky chewed her lamb, "Godric, I started a riot." A smile broke on her face, "I started a riot."
"Don't gloat now,” The man playfully chided, clearly wanting to be the most rebellious person in any given room, “I did create the Marauders Map."
"Helped create it, that thing has Lupin written all over it."
"Hey, I'll have you know that I spent more time on that map than anyone else!”
The door opened again, and Linus and Nessie re-entered, followed by Len…and a woman. She had dark skin, was tall and looked like a librarian with her bun and her thick framed glasses.
"Hey Principessa," Len kissed Ky’s forehead and she continued staring at the new addition. The new addition didn't notice however, she was too busy inspecting the kitchen walls as if looking for the source of a termite infestation. Ky looked at Linus, an eyebrow raised in confusion at the newcomer’s behaviour; he did not return her confusion though, his face still as if he was sucking a lemon immune to the stranger's strange behaviour.
Nessie was stifling a grin and doing a poor job of it. Her blue eyes danced in glee has she looked from Linus to Ky. Len took the seat next to her, was she the only one that could see the stranger? No…Sirius was staring at her too. OK, so she was not crazy.
"OK!" Nessie sat back down, her face glowing with excitement, "Since nobody else wants to start, I'll go first. When did he ask you out? What did you say? Have you kissed? Where was your first date? Oooh what does he call you? What do you call him!"
Before Ky even replied stating if Harry started calling her honey or cutie pie or whatever she would kick him in the nads, Linus cut in, "No. No. No. No." Ky was waiting for the rest, but his eyes were unfocused and he seemed like he couldn't say anything but the word.
"I think what Linus is trying to say is that we don't need to know all of that. We knew this day would come; we just never expected it to be so-"
"So soon. Too soon." OK Linus was giving her crazy eyes.
"I am fifteen years old! Fifteen."
"Exactly! Just fifteen. Just think five years ago you were ten! And ten years ago, you were five. Remember five Ky. Remember when boys where yucky?" Linus' face was in her own as if willing them both to go back in time with the severity of his stare.
"I think what Linus is saying is that we understand that you are old enough for a boyfriend. And we trust you. And Harry." Len gave her a stern look over his words.
"I don't. I don't. What do we really know about the boy?"
Nessie rolled her eyes and pulled Linus back into his seat, "Everything. Harry is amazing, he's sweet and a bit shy and he looks like he's a good kisser."
She was enjoying this too much! Linus glared at her, and she pecked his cheek affectionately. Wait…were these two back together! She knew they were shagging but that could have been some sort of weird physical arrangement they had…ugh stop thinking of your brother shagging, Ky!
"I don't understand."
The 'librarian' took the seat next to Sirius, her face pulled into a puzzled expression. Sirius backed away slightly from the overly critical look she was giving him.
"Who are you?” Ky couldn’t ignore the rather striking elephant in the room any longer.
"Oh, that's right Ky, you haven't met Alexia. And neither have you Sirius. Alexia this is-"
"I know who they are. Dumbledore's great great granddaughter and he is the owner of this house." She spoke to Nessie yet still continued staring at Sirius, the intensity making him shift uncomfortably in his seat. "Do you have the original plan of this house?"
"Original plan? No, I don't think so, it might be in the library…"
"There is no original plan. It was burnt two hundred years ago for security reasons."
The librarian then turned to Ky who answered her, "What's your source?"
Her source? What was she, an encyclopaedia? "Gamp's diary."
Her eyes widened but the shock was restricted exclusively to her upper face, “Gamp? Hesper Gamp. You have her diary?"
"Had. Gave it to a friend."
"You gave Hesper Gamp's diary to a friend?" Her voice leaked incredulity.
"Yup." Ky continued eating, the librarian was weird.
She liked her.
Alexia then rose from her seat and turned her glassy stare onto Len, "Direct me to the library?"
He looked up, cutting his meat. "Look, I am not an errand boy, I was just doing Kingsley a favour by fetching you from the airport, I'm not your personal body guard, or something.”
"Alexia, follow me. I'll show you to the library." Nessie stood; her plate already gleaming clean.
Linus followed suit, taking his last bite, "I better go with you two, it's not safe."
Ridiculous thought for a library to be deemed unsafe but it was true in this situation; Black Manor had all sorts of nasty tricks for muggles.
"Is she a muggle?” Ky thought aloud.
Sirius was still staring after her in shock and Len was wolfing down his food.
"No. Squib. She's Kingsley's niece. Alexia Moreau. French." He wagged his eyebrows at Sirius and the latter smirked.
"What is up with boys and French girls?"
"Ahhhh Principessa, if we had to answer that, then we would lose our intrigue." Len stood and dusted his shirt of breadcrumbs, "We men are a complex intricate design never to be elucidated by the simple minds of women."
"What's so complex about eat, sleep and shag. It's just three functions? My calculator can do more than that."
He laughed and kissed her forehead, "I can't argue with that. I will get back as soon as I can, don't start any riots while I am gone."
"You're leaving already?" He just got here, like ten minutes ago!
His bright hazel eyes dulled in disappointment, "I want to stay, believe me, I do. But I have to go, OK?"
"OK. Be careful."
He mock gasped, "When am I never?"
And with that Len was gone. Ky sighed and looked to her dinner partner.
"Why would I have the plans of the house? Do you know how old this house is? Maybe they are up in the attic…” Sirius’ face was set in thought, and Ky shook her head, and they said girls dissected a situation too much.
-x-x-x-
"Come in." Ky knew it was Nessie, even her knock was dainty. She poked her glowing face in first, and then slowly entered looking around. "Don't-"
"I know not to touch anything. Believe me, I tip toe around this house."
Ky looked up from the potion that she was brewing. Ky was fiddling with Mrs Skowzers, trying to make it better somehow.
Ky was bored. Kinky had just left with the letter she had written to Harry, Ron and Mi letting them know that she was OK. Luckily her working hand was unharmed, she shifted the sling a bit, she couldn’t wait to take it off in the morning. Well, it was practically morning already…
"Don't worry, just a few more hours and that thing will be off.” She rose a brow, thinking Nessie knew her so well she was reading her mind these days, “You're lucky you only have to have it on for a day, I had mine on for weeks when I hurt my arm. Dancing injury."
"I figured. Couldn't exactly be sword fighting, but then again I heard you and Len are making quite some progress with your defence training."
She shrugged and blushed, "Len isn't training me anymore. Linus took over."
Ky looked at her through the steam from the potion, her blush turned to a huge smile, and Ky rolled her eyes, "Spit it out."
"I really should wait for Linus to get back so we can tell you together."
"So, the wedding is back on?"
She didn't have to answer; she was minutes away from bursting into song. Ky couldn't help but smile back at her. "Set a date yet?"
The smile disappeared from her face, and she lowered the fire to allow the potion to simmer over night. Ky jumped up on the desk and sat with crossed legs, her eyes level with Nessie’s aquamarine ones.
The blonde leaned back on the counter behind her, "It's not exactly a good time for a wedding, is it?"
Ky shrugged, "Because we're on the brink of war? Actually, I don't think there is a better time." Ky looked down at her shoes and fidgeted with the laces, "I mean…with all the hate and crap, we could do with a little bit of love?"
She felt a hand cover her fidgeting fingers; Ky didn't want to look up. She knew what she would see - Nessie would be fifty shades of glowing that she let slip one soft hearted comment.
"Harry is really lucky to have you Ky."
Ky looked up at that, meeting shimmering aquamarine for a fleeting moment. Ky had been beating herself up about being reckless and going over to the Slytherin stands, and thinking how Harry had lost his quidditch privileges because Draco had a go at him, and that probably only happened because Ky got in the way of his stupid song against Ron. So she really appreciated the woman for saying that, because she didn’t seem that much of a catch right about now.
She sighed and jumped off the table, making for the door, "Of course he is, did you get a load of this ass?" Ky laughed and Nessie joined in, and they made their way up the stairs.
Ky smiled to herself, yeah…they could all do with a little more love.
A/N: This chapter was somewhat amusing to edit because I’ve hurt my shoulder - not as adventurously as Ky, but man do I wish this thing would heal as quickly as one or two days.
I know it seems a bit dramatic to get Ky suspended, there were plot reasons why I need her out of Hogwarts, but also I thought it would be something that Umbridge would really push and them being at the Slytherin stands would make it seem like they were the antagonists.
As always, thank you for reading, and feedback will be appreciated!
Chapter 28: Lesson 2 -The Stones vs The Beatles
Chapter Text
Anything that is familiar doesn’t belong to me
Ky leaned her head against the wood, listening to the music. She recognised a few notes, suddenly the door opened, and she almost fell through,
"What?"
His grey eyes were fuelled with annoyance at being disturbed. Ky ignored his reproachful aura and walked through the door towards the piano.
"You can play the piano?" She sat down on the bench and pressed a key. Ky never learned how to play, Linus could, and Len could play a lot of instruments. She never had the patience to learn, too much discipline was needed. It didn’t help that she was practically tone deaf.
She pressed another key as Sirius sat down next to her, "Only on Sundays."
His eyes were sad, images of his past hidden behind them. Ky mulled over questioning the curious statement, but let it go.
She pressed another key at random. She was so bored. There wasn't much to do but homework and she didn't feel like it. She smiled as the three keys she pressed made a pleasant sound. Sirius pressed a few more keys and they kept repeating these steps for a while.
Ky stopped pressing her three keys and let him do it, just listening to the pleasant melody. She loved the sound of the piano, recalling Saturday nights spent listening to Linus play as Len twirled her around the room. It felt like ages ago when it was just them three. Sirius' fingers were gliding smoothly across the keys. Her eyes zoomed around his room; it was frozen in time. The room was huge, a big bed littered with sheets and bits of paper and cupboards with clothes jutting out. Then there was this piano. So strange to have a piano in here? Perhaps his parents didn't want him to have it and maybe he negotiated it being allowed just in his room? The wall was plastered with posters from the seventies or eighties, lots of bikini clad super models that were probably retired by now.
One poster caught her eye, "You like the Stones?"
Sirius stopped playing and turned to her with a matter of fact expression, "Of course I do. I would be mental not to like the best band to have graced this planet!"
She laughed at that, "The Beatles are the best-"
"The Beatles! Salazar's Sack! The Stones can out rock the Beatles if Jagger had a sore throat and was high as a hippogriff on meth."
"Oh, wait you're right, the Stones revolutionised music…wait no! That was the Beatles!"
"Revolutionised music my arse. Why fix what isn't broken."
"I see why you like the Stones…simple minded creature like yourself that is against progress."
"Oh, and Lennon was a progressive mind? Such a powerful and progressive mind that he was side tracked by a girl."
"Yoko Ono is the devil and we shall not speak of her! Lennon is a legend and if you won't admit that then you are living in a dream world."
"Well, I'd rather live in a dream world because it would be a nightmare to admit such things. Have you even listened to Paint it Black!"
"Have you listened to Come Together!"
"Oh please, that weak arse hippie music!"
Hippie music, hippie music! Ky hated hippies! How dare he! She jumped up and crossed the room in three strides, exiting in haste.
She was back in a moment and bumped into him in the entrance.
"Ky, I didn't… I mean I did, but I was too hard-"
"Shut up Sirius and listen!" She shoved a pair of headphones on him, and he rolled his eyes but didn't unplug it.
"It's just static."
"Oh man!" She listened and he was right. "It's this stupid house. It's the same at Hogwarts."
"The amount of magic-"
"I know! I know!" She huffed and sat down at the piano. "It interferes with the electricity…” And then straightened up as she had an idea, “But what if it didn't run on electricity?”
She remembered one of her pet projects from last year, the reason she had approached Dominic Maestro in Hogsmeade. Sirius sat on his bed, his eyebrows furrowed, "Well they are music mediums that run on magic. Like the wireless and gramophones."
"Yeah, but why can't we have a medium that fits in your pocket?"
"Well…because…well…I don't know."
"I'll tell you why. Because nobody ever tried!”
"I think people tried Ky."
"Granted they must have but they were unsuccessful. I mean, I know you must need to adjust for the amount of power required to be magically harnessed to sustain a medium this small.”
"Not to mention the amount of transfiguration and resizing.”
She tossed him the MP3 player and he caught it, "You in?"
He smiled and a seventeen-year-old boy sat across from her, beaming at his new muggle toy. "Well, someone has to supervise your poor taste in music."
-x-x-x-
"You guys have not even touched your dinner!"
Ky rolled her eyes backwards to see an inverted Nessie in the doorway of Sirius' room. She had a pencil in her mouth and was lying with her head hanging off his bed, a parchment scattered with ink hovering above her.
"So sorry Agnes dear, we thought we managed to find the right power output but turns out we haven't because Ky mucked up the equation."
Ky lay her palms on the floor and flipped up and over, landing on her feet and glaring at Sirius as he sat at the piano, he raised an eyebrow at the monkey trick, his glass of firewhiskey at his lips.
"Well it's because you keep screwing up the transfiguration ratio! In order for me to have the right equation you need to at least have the right ratio."
He rolled his eyes, and played a tune on the piano, "'tis the right ratio Miss Thornton, why are you such a brat, 'tis the right ratio Miss Thornton, my transfiguration skills you can count on that."
Ky grabbed the pillow and flung it at his head - Sirius and his stupid songs.
"Miss Thornton have respect for your elders, Miss Thornton don't be a brat, Miss Thornton don't do that with your nose, or your face may remain like thaaaaaattttttttttt!"
Sirius laughed at Nessie’s performance and she mock bowed. Ky glared at her for assistance in her torture. Of course, these two would take each other's sides; they were both stuck in this house, partners in misery.
"SIRIUS BLACK YOU UNGRATEFUL LITTLE SNOT."
The laugh died on Sirius' face and Nessie's smile disappeared.
Ha! It would seem like someone was on Ky’s side… though she didn’t recognise the snarky voice.
Sirius was out of the room in a second, Nessie hot on his heels. Ky stared at the empty piano for a moment, confused and then followed.
"Why are we in the boys-"
"Shhh." Nessie hushed her as the painting in Harry and Ron's room, which Ky always thought was blank, was now occupied by a sallow looking, scrawny, uppity man.
Sirius was taking in his words with a grave expression, "I will be delighted. Of course."
Well, his words didn't match his expression. The sallow man muttered to himself and rolled his eyes and walked out of the painting.
"What is it?" Nessie joined Sirius in the room. Ky hovered at the doorway. Nessie grasped Sirius' arm to grab his attention, she removed the glass of whiskey from his hand as it dangled at his fingertips. His head snapped up at that, "Sirius, what is it?"
Something registered in his head, and he turned quickly and crossed the room, but he stopped suddenly when their eyes met.
"Ky. Ky…" His grey eyes dissolved from his previous determined gaze and turned to shrouds of worry; he placed his hands on her shoulders and bent to look her in the eye. "Everything is OK love. Arthur is injured but...I'm sure he'll…I mean…"
Ky pulled away from his hands and quickly turned around, angrily wiping her face. When did she start crying? When did her heart start beating so fast? When did her body seize up?
And when did the first thought that came to my mind in the mouth of danger is that Harry was hurt?
Ky felt slender fingers at her neck and shoved it off, embarrassed at her weakness. Dark hair flew pass her and rattled down the stairs and she distracted herself by following it.
Sirius ran into the library, and Ky hovered by the door, this must be the biggest room in the house. She could see nothing but shadows here in the dead of night but in the light of day it was filled with ancient tomes. Mi had told her that it was the fifth largest magical library in Britain. Before she could take a step in though, Sirius was out the door again and she followed him like a lost puppy.
"Settings are changed Agnes dear, should let them in fine." They walked into the kitchen and Agnes nodded. Ky hovered at the door, unsure what the other two were so expectantly waiting for.
Her answer came in a flurry of bright red, a broken piece of statue clattering to the floor that must have been a portkey, but the captivating colour and sounds had no effect on Ky, her eyes attuned to the jet black as if it had a special sensor in her brain just for it.
She vaguely processed the noise that broke out at the Weasleys’ entrance; emerald green had found her stormy grey just as quickly.
A prickle of unease that never came when Harry looked at her crawled through her skin and made her hold her distance, but with a blink it disappeared to be replaced by its antonym.
Ky crossed the room quickly; Harry made no attempt to meet her in the middle. He stood at the table, clad in his pyjamas, shoulders dropped in defeat, face blank except for the swirls of green that raged in confusion.
There was this aura of rejection that permeated from him. The Weasleys’ seemed ready to agree with this unspoken request from him, busy fighting with Sirius about something. Ky ignored the aura and approached him, and as if her proximity somehow snapped him back to reality his hand reached up and grabbed her own, slender fingers filling her grooves tenderly. The smallest of gesture conveying the greatest of feelings, and the weird energy around him disappeared.
"Ask Harry." Ky didn't have to turn to know that was Fred's voice, the tone was all wrong though. There was no hint of mischief, rhythm of humour, it was… accusatory.
"Yeah, I want to hear this for myself." George's tone mirrored his Twin’s. Harry's eyes left hers and looked from Fred to George. He made to let go of her hand, but Ky wouldn't allow it. He stepped in front of her, not looking anyone in the eye. He began explaining what had happened. There was an infliction in his voice at certain parts, very minute but she could tell he was leaving out details. It didn't anger her though; she knew they weren't left out because of her presence. Her hand held his tighter, seeing Mr Weasley attacked must have been horrific to see. She wondered what snake it was. Poison intensity differs, but the healers in Mungo's were brilliant, she was sure they'll manage something.
The kitchen broke out into argument. Fred and George wanted to go to Mungo’s and were not taking no for an answer. Ky ignored them, knowing the fight was futile. Harry stared at the outcome of his vision, looking as if every angry word was directed at him.
The room filled with the scraping of chairs and Harry followed suit. He didn't sit though, his one hand in her own and the other on the chair, his eyes never met Ky’s, but she knew he was pulling out the chair for her. Ky didn't want to sit, not on that chair. He waited a few moments, and when she didn’t take the seat, he then plopped down on his own chair.
She lowered herself onto his lap, and he finally looked at her. There was so much brewing in his eyes, so many emotions. Shock, confusion, self-depreciation, fear, and that core emotion that permeated his skin, changing his whole stance. That aura of rejection. Of wanting to be alone. Of thinking he deserved no more.
Ky leaned her head onto his shoulder, her arms circling his waist, ignoring that every pore of his body was screaming for her to get off him. And then slowly she felt warm fingers on her back, and she took comfort in the small gesture, meaning the world to her.
-x-x-x-
It was inexplicable and painful…this feeling. A contrast…a bitter contrast of the urge to hold this girl in his arms and delight in her touch or reject her completely…knowing she was not deserving of this contact…of this feeling…Selfishness.
Harry was selfish…the words of rejection never left his throat as he ran his hand up and down her back soothingly…it was the least he could do considering he was the cause of her pain.
He could see it in her stormy eyes, they didn't have the penetrating almost mind-probing gaze of her grandfather's, but they were just as intense. It was as if Ky could read his emotions…
What was going on? Did he…could he have hurt Mr Weasley? He was the snake…and then Dumbledore…the killer intent he had momentarily felt when staring into the midnight blue gleam hadn't returned but the fact that it was even present chilled his blood.
Ky snuggled closer into his shirt; her stormy orbs hidden behind dark lashes. Harry had been watching her sleep in his arms for an hour, it was a more pleasing sight than observing the other occupants of the kitchen, varying between sleeping and staring off into space. He could stake his life that their stares were not directed at an object more beautiful than his own. His heart clenched at the thought and an urge to just push her away came over him… he didn't deserve her. Harry didn't deserve to be cuddled when he was responsible for…whatever that was. Ky deserved someone who wasn't tainted by the Dark Lord. Someone normal. Someone who didn't bring about that heart breaking expression of worry on her face. Yet knowing all of that didn't stop him from relishing from the soft pressure of her chest against his own as she breathed, it didn't stop him from revelling from the smoothness of her cheek…
He was horrible.
His eyes snapped away from the pink lips as he heard the chair across from him scratch at the floor. Emerald met midnight blue; a battle different from their last meeting in the fact that the killer intent oozed off the midnight blue this time.
But with a blink it was cleared.
Linus definitely wasn't happy by the fact that Harry cradled his baby sister in his arms, but he didn't look like he wanted to kill Harry anymore, just maim him. His expression softened as Agnes leaned her head on his chest and Harry watched as he muttered something in her ear. He looked away, meeting the relieved eyes of his godfather. It seemed like ages since Fawkes had shown up with Mrs Weasley's letter announcing that Mr Weasley was still alive. Harry’s eyes prickled but he didn't let them close…not giving in to sleep…not for a moment.
-x-x-x-
Sirius had just left the pantry after Harry told him the truth about his vision, that he had seen the whole thing from the snake's eyes. He seemed to believe what the others did, that Harry was some sort of saviour for witnessing what had happened. That it was some miracle that they were all grateful for.
The kitchen was almost completely empty after the breakfast Mrs Weasley had almost instantaneously started making on her arrival. Ky was still fast asleep where Harry had left her, in Ron's arms. Sirius said they hadn't slept in two days, working on some kind of music contraption. Agnes was cleaning up, she managed to push Mrs Weasley into bed a few minutes ago.
Ron stood, "Take her to her room?"
Harry shook his head in the negative, he took her from him and sat back down. "I'll be up in a few minutes."
Ron didn't respond and Harry heard the soft click of the door, knowing he must have listened. He looked down at his talisman. This is what she was after all…he never had nightmares when she was wrapped up next to him. Maybe it would work the same…maybe he wouldn’t become a poisonous snake if she was in his arms? That even sounded ridiculous in his head. Harry heard the scrape of a chair and met midnight blue for a third time today. He didn't look angered this time, just tired.
Linus and Harry sat staring at Ky for a few moments, they were alone in the kitchen, Agnes must have gone to bed. Harry didn't feel awkward though, they never really spoke before or had any sort of relationship but their ties to the girl in his arms were so strong that it left a sense of familiarity in his presence.
Linus sighed and leaned back in his chair. He then let out a chuckle which turned into a hollow laugh. He shook his head, "Of course it would be you. Nobody else could manage, could they? I mean taking on a Dark lord a good few times is preparation enough for becoming Ky Thornton's boyfriend."
Harry didn't know what to say to that…was he being…nice? Ky must have told him they were a couple, though it was quite obvious with her sleeping on his lap like she was right now.
Linus sighed, "Don't look so worried Harry. I'm not mocking you, neither am I warning you or threatening you…I really don't know what I should be doing. I know Ky isn't perfect, she's…difficult, lovable of course, but difficult. So, I'm not going to give you some speech about hurting my little girl because I know she can give better than she gets. I guess that's what scares me. It won't be easy; she will push and shove, you just have to pull right back."
The surprise must have been showing on Harry’s face because he gave him a tired grin, "Don't get me wrong, nobody is ever going to be good enough for her. But you're pretty close."
"Because I'm the boy who lived?" Harry couldn't help the slight edge in his voice. It did sound like that was what he was getting at with all his Dark Lord nonsense.
Linus shook his head tiredly, "No. Because you're the boy who lost. We never truly appreciate what we have until we have suffered loss."
Harry looked back down at Ky, at her serene face. "I do appreciate her."
"I know that. I can see that. But it doesn't matter what I see. It matters what you see. You need to really see her Harry…she's hidden in plain sight."
Harry understood what he meant by that, images of the day he had confronted her about Blishwick coming to his mind. His failure at not being able to help her pushed his shoulders even lower, "I'll never be good enough for her."
"It's not about being good enough for her Harry. It's about being better than you ever thought was possible because of her. "
He stood, letting the words sink in.
"Linus." The tall man turned from his position at the door, patiently waiting for Harry to speak, "Thank you."
He laughed, "Don't thank me, thank Agnes for making me a better man. Get some sleep Harry, you had a long night."
A/N: For some reason that scene right at the end is really vivid in my head. I think Linus going to bed whilst Harry is sat holding Ky is symbolic in him learning how to give her space, and seeing her a bit more like a young adult. For all his stubborness, Linus does know how to read a situation, and Harry clearly looks like a kid who has gone through something traumatic, so he is being fairly gentle with him.
Hope you enjoyed that - thank you for reading it!
As always, feedback will be much appreciated.
Chapter 29: Lesson 3: Colour within the lines
Chapter Text
Anything that is familiar doesn’t belong to me
"Harry!" Damn his long legs. Ky pounded up the stairs after him but was blocked by large breasts.
She looked up at Nessie's gleaming eyes, "Sorry Ness, wrong Thornton. Take your heaving bosom downstairs to Linus."
Ky sidestepped her but Nessie blocked her again. Oh, she was not in the mood for this! Did Nessie not see Harry storm up the stairs! Ky tried talking to him all the way from St Mungo’s, but he ignored her! For once she resented the amazing contraption that was the Extendable ear. Could they have eavesdropped on a more inappropriate conversation?
Ky squeezed herself in between the wall and Nessie, trying not to shiver at the awkward contact that entailed…she should have faced her chest to the wall…
"Ky!"
She ignored her and jumped the last few steps.
"Ky!"
She couldn’t believe Harry! He knows better than to listen to anything that paranoid git Mad-Eye says.
"…rried now!"
Ky stopped, turning away from the boys' bedroom door.
"Reed what now?"
Nessie rolled her eyes and took the step that reached the landing. "Linus and I are getting married."
Ky sighed, "I know that! I'm sure we had this discussion years-"
"Today."
"What?"
"Linus and I are getting married today." She looked casually down at her watch, "We're actually running a bit late. So would you please come with me, Linus is waiting for us at the ministry and Len is waiting for us downstairs."
" M…min…ministry?"
"Of magic. We're going to get registered. Well, we will be if you move your little tush."
"No…no…" Ky looked at the door, conflicted, thinking of Harry, probably wallowing in a world of unnecessary guilt. How did Nessie manage to pick the one situation distracting enough to pull her away from helping him with this dilemma?
Ky sighed and turned back to Nessie; she took a step back at the torn look on her face.
"Ness…?"
"I thought…I thought…that you were…I thought-"
With a quivered lip the blonde ran down the stairs.
"What?" Ky was beyond confused! She looked at the dark wooden door and let out a growl and stormed after Nessie. She watched as her blonde head disappeared into the drawing room.
"What's going on? The registration office closes in five minutes?" Len met Ky at the foot of the stairs.
"I have no idea, she just started crying…"
"Crying? What did you do Ky?"
"Me? I didn't do anything!"
The entrance hall was filled with light at as the door banged open to reveal the unlikeliest of pairs,
"Li? Mi?"
Mi walked in, rosy cheeked with her trunk trailing behind and wrapped Ky up in an embrace.
"What's going on, the office closes in two minutes!”
Linus' cheeks were also rosy but she doubted it was because of the cold.
"Ky upset Agnes and now she's crying in the drawing room."
"What? Ky! It's her wedding day!"
"Wedding day?"
For once words failed Ky as she was bombarded by chocolate, hazel, and midnight blue orbs of accusation.
"I…I-"
Linus turned and stormed into the drawing room, followed by Len. Mi turned and gave her a chiding look, "On her wedding day, really Ky, you have got to learn some tact. I know, I know, you can't emulate something if you can't take the word itself seriously, heaven knows what so funny about tact though, it's actually quite a seriously enunciated word.”
They entered the drawing room and Mi's little tirade ceased.
"-sure you misunderstood." Linus turned to his sister, "Ky, Agnes seems to think that you don't want us to get married today. Please tell her that that is ridiculous."
The dark haired girl walked towards the fireplace where they were grouped around.
"I can't, because she's right. I don't want you to get married today."
"Ky!"
She ignored Mi's gasp and Len's disappointed shake of the head, looking only at the blue-eyed occupants, one furious and the other heartbroken.
"Ky I cannot believe-"
"You can't believe! I can't believe you are doing this!"
Linus' face froze and then a look of understanding faded into the anger, he sighed and took a step forward. "I know it seems terribly rude and inconsiderate with Arthur being in the hospital but that's why we're just getting registered, and we'll go out for a nice dinner afterwards. Very low key, and maybe when everything is over, we'll have a more formal gathering.”
"No. This has nothing to do with Mr Weasley's hospitalisation." Ky turned to Nessie, "You're not getting registered in some office in the Ministry of Magic! You're not wasting all that annoying planning and ranting about your wedding day being the most beautiful moment in your life in a four walled dedication to drabness. And you definitely are not getting married wearing a pair of jeans!"
Her eyes were clouded at the end of her rant and the room was silent, "Ky…I don't care about the details, I just want to marry Linus. I love him, and after all this Dark Lord stuff is over then maybe we can think about-"
"NO! No. Voldemort doesn't get to do this. He doesn't get to ruin this for you. He doesn't get to steal away the most important moment in your life. I won't let him. You want to marry my brother; you tick all the boxes. You tick all your boxes. I'll tick all your boxes. And I am a thousand percent sure that none of those boxes contain getting married in the King of all Cowards backyard." Getting married anywhere near Fudge was a horrible idea.
Agnes pulled Ky to her in a fierce hug, "Oh Ky, you have no idea how much this means to me. It's just-"
"Just nothing. Give me a day. I'll have your Wedding in a day."
"A day. That's impossible. We'll need a month at least." Mi's brown eyes were saucers in her still flushed face.
"A month is too long. I want to be married to Linus now!”
"Fine, give us till Christmas."
"Christmas is three days away, that's impossible Ky. Agnes, may be a fortnight?" Mi looked ready to strangle me for having to even make such a suggestion.
"New Years." Ky took a step forward and captured Agnes' eyes. "Just wait till New Years Day."
"That's ten days Ky!” Mi turned to her in shock.
She shrugged nonchalantly at her best friend, "Nine days too many if you ask me."
"I don't know what to say." Agnes turned to Linus, and he shrugged at her.
"Anything you want Agnes. If it's in my power."
She laced her fingers in his and turned to Ky and nodded her head profusely, "I would like to not get married in jeans."
Len laughed and shook his head, "If you had told me that Ky would be the one that had to convince you and Linus on having a wedding two years ago, I would have thought you inhaled too much acetone on your frequent trips to the nail salon."
"Well, just like those trips are practically non-existent now, things change. People change." She smiled at Ky, "And sometimes they don't just change, they evolve into something unexpected. Something beautiful."
Ky rolled her eyes, trust Nessie to make this a sop fest. Nessie kissed her on the cheek and followed Linus and Len out the door.
"You know she's right. It's pretty beautiful what you're doing for them Ky."
Ky turned to Mi and looped her arm through hers, "What I'm doing for them? You mean what you're doing for them. I don't know the first thing about planning a wedding."
"Ky!"
"Oh Mi, you saw her face. You don't want to disappoint her. And on her wedding day. Have some tact." She laughed at the word; she really don't know what was funny about it. Her laughter faded as they reached the stairs, remembering the events of last night. Like a switch that was suddenly flicked on, she rushed up the stairs ignoring Mi's shocked shouts. She barged into the boys' room and yanked the sheet off him. His green eyes flew open, and he quickly turned towards the wall,
"I'm trying to sle-"
His words, or should she say lies, fell away as Ky lowered herself onto his waist, trapping him with her legs… let's see him ignore her now.
"Kyrianna I am not in the-"
She covered his lips with her hands. "Shut it, Harry. This isn't a straddle of intercourse; this is a straddle of intervention." She sighed; his eyes were set like emerald orbs in steel - rigid. She removed her hands and he remained silent. "Look, I get why you're pissed. I mean everyone is acting like your witnessing that attack on Mr Weasley is some kind of blessing, and don't get me wrong, I am happy Mr Weasley is OK, but having to see all of that…I get it…it must have been horrible. What I don't get is why you're feeling so guilty! You just witnessed it.”
Her body jostled as he hastened upright, his back against the wall, "That's just it, I didn't just witness it Ky. I was there. I attacked Mr Weasley. I was the snake."
Ky shook her head slowly, "That's not possible Harry." He lowered his eyes, and she grabbed his chin and forced him to look her in the eye, "Harry you didn't hurt Mr Weasley. And you're not going to hurt anybody in this house."
"Ky, you don't-"
"No. I don't. And I won't. I won't ever believe that you're capable of that."
"But what if I am capable of that, Ky."
She leaned forward, her lips almost upon his, "Harry, I believe you're capable of doing things, brave and hard things. Bittersweet things that will keep you awake at night and make you doubt your colour in life. But the truth is you're not black, or white. You're a thousand rays of colour that shine with the good, and the bad, but not one of those colours are malicious. Not one atom of you would harm Mr Weasley Harry."
"I want to believe you."
"Then do." She pecked him on the lips and pulled back, "Why would I lie?"
"Because you're blinded by…" She watched as he froze, the steel of his eyes had melted, it was just for his tight jaw to follow. His face cracked into a smirk, "my insanely good looks."
The smile was genuine but there was a little doubt still reflected in his eyes. Ky sighed, "Why won't you believe me when I say that you could not have done this."
"It's not that I don't believe you…it's that I do. And I shouldn't."
"Why not?"
They turned and looked at the entrance, at Mi and Ron. Ron smiled awkwardly but Mi walked unabashed into the room,
"I'm telling you that you did not harm Mr Weasley. And not because some…colourful… reason like Ky's. But a factual one that you all should know by now. You cannot apparate on the Hogwarts grounds. And therefore, it would be impossible for you to have been at the Ministry of Magic last night."
"Not to mention you can't turn into a snake by will. And if you were possessed by Voldemort, you wouldn't remember the events of last night."
He smiled at Ky after she finished, "So you had facts like that in your arsenal, but you chose to wax lyrical about…colours."
She shrugged and hopped off him, "Don't act like you didn't enjoy my little monologue. I saw your misty eyes Mr Potter, falling head over heels for my romantic words."
"You? Romantic?" Ron scoffed; Ky turned and smiled at him.
"Precisely me, Ronald." She hooked her hand into her redhead friends’ arm and led him to the door, "You see it's all about the execution, you can get any girl with the right word coupled with the appropriate expression…hesitations and inflections in just the right places…by the end of the whole thing they would be eating out of your hand…or a more fun…organ."
Ron laughed and Mi actually tugged Ky’s hair in reprimand, "That's disgusting! I cannot believe you're dating such a pervert Harry!"
Ky turned and caught Harry smirking at her, "Neither can I Hermione, where are all the good girls?"
"Behind the back shelf of the right wing of the library giving all the good boys good blow-"
"KY!"
She laughed at her best friend’s expression and let her walk downstairs with Ron. Her laughter quietened down a little when she felt warm breath at her neck, "You're not a good girl Ky, and neither are you a bad girl."
She turned and leaned against the banister, smirking up at Harry, "Is that so? Then what am I?"
He leaned forward, placing his hands on the banister behind her, "The best girl."
Ky bit her lip, but she knew she couldn't fight the red that was plaguing her face. He kissed her cheek softly and ran his lips to her ear, "See…that's perfect execution Miss Thornton. Let's not forget your promise of eating out of the palm of my hand…or more, how did you put it, fun organs?"
She laughed and kissed him, holding her hand to his chest, feeling the sound of his most precious organ beating at her palm…
-x-x-x-
"This is by far the silliest, most ridiculous thing you have ever done!" Mi muttered into Ky’s ear for the thousandth time that day.
Ky ignored her and continued staring at her target; he was leaning against the wall of the drawing room at Grimauld Place, his blonde hair hanging in his eyes. He was skinny, girlishly so, and his face was prettier than Nessie's... those lips can't be natural.
Sirius and Remus were talking to him, or should she say at him, he was barely paying attention. He looked up and right at her, his black eyes like an endless vortex. Ky smiled her prettiest smile at him and moved her shoulder forward in a way she saw Nessie do a few times. He smiled back, but not in a flirty way, more in derision. Ky swallowed the urge to walk up to him and smack the smirk off his pretty face. Just then laughter floated over to us.
"Excuse us."
Ky turned to the voice and glared into the deep brown eyes; the hue may be a change from his usual emerald, but it glowed just the same. Harry ran a hand across his untidy red hair, and she watched as his partner, who the laugh belonged to, observed the movement. The girl’s black eyes roamed across her boyfriend’s chest and her pale cheeks flushed red as she tucked a blonde strand of hair behind her ears. That was horribly unnecessary considering she had a pixie cut. Ky stepped aside, letting them through, turning away from the familiar scent as Harry flounced passed her, his admirer trailing behind him. Ky felt his familiar touch ghost across her back, and she growled.
"This is immensely ridiculous. Immature. This is your brother's engagement party and you're missing it!"
"Well, I'll show up in-"She grabbed Mi's hand and pulled her watch to her face, "in seventeen minutes and 22 seconds."
Ky turned back to her target and her eyes lit up as he smiled at her seductively, his left cheek slanted by a dimple, he nodded his head slightly to the left, beckoning her to the door.
"You know in seventeen minutes and 22 seconds; I am going to take him up on that offer."
Ky turned and glared at Ginny, realising that the blonde boy was actually gesturing to her. She watched as Ginny smiled flirtatiously back at Silvain Sabre. She then turned her brown-eyed gaze on Ky, and the seductiveness seeped away instantaneously, "Can you at least make a proper effort, my money is on you. The Founders know why though, so much for doing it for the girls!"
"Oh, don't be silly Ginny, Ky isn't doing this for anybody but herself." And with one last look of admonishment, Mi stormed off.
"Mione' not too impressed on your progress, is she? Got to up your game though Ky, did you see my boy Harry? Selina Sabre is practically attached to his hip."
Ky turned to Ron, who was looking over her head. "So much for not taking sides Ronald, and would you please just look at me, I'm getting tired of boys looking away."
He laughed but lowered his eyes to her face and grimaced, "Do you blame me though…I mean…you're-"
"Where the hell is Ky?" Len growled at Ginny.
"She'll be here in fifteen minutes…there was a problem with her… dress."
"Don't think I haven't noticed that Harry isn't here either, if those two are off-"Len stopped and took a deep breath, "I apologise for that Anna. You must think me so rude. Has Dora introduced you to everyone?"
Ron nudged Ky and she remembered that to the adults she was supposed to be Tonk's muggle cousin, Anna who is visiting her on her Christmas break. She smiled and nodded coyly, and Len left. Raving Rowena, she was getting confused with the web of lies they spindled for this…competition.
Harry entered the room, or should she say the Weasley's cousin Barry entered the room with his attached to the hip ulcer laughing at another one of his jokes. Ky rolled her eyes; Harry isn't that funny. Ron laughed at her expression and walked off with Ginny.
She grabbed a cupcake from the buffet table behind her and bit into it viciously. Silvain Sabre walked away from Sirius and Remus, probably off to wherever Ginny had gone to.
"I'm in a dilemma."
Ky turned to the tall man who was leaning against the buffet table. He had honey coloured hair which was almost as untidy as Harry's. He wasn't looking at her as he stared straight ahead, but it could only be ‘Anna’ he was talking to as nobody was near for feet.
"And that's got what to do with me?"
He laughed and it was a rich sound, "Everything actually."
"You must have me confused with someone else. I don't know you."
"Oh, I do have you confused with someone else. Very confused. What's even more confusing is why Order members would be so accommodating to a stranger abusing Polyjuice."
"Pol…Polyjuice? I have no idea-"
"Don't play dumb…Anna. You're not very good at it. Now I'm going to give you ten seconds to explain why you have infiltrated these headquarters and then I'm going to-"
"How do you know? I brewed it to perfection."
He laughed at that, "I don't doubt that Miss Imposter. It's your scent."
"What of it?"
"The scent of your clothes does not match the scent on your skin. And no, it isn't perfume." He turned and his amber eyes smiled down at her hypnotically. He leaned down and her breath hitched as he approached her neck…his nose hovering at the base… "Your natural scent…it's something you can get drunk off…plus I can smell the bicorn horn. I believe your ten seconds are up…"
He turned away but she stopped him, "Wait, I'm not an imposter. I'm not here to harm anybody, if you listen to my reason, you'll see that I'm harmless…well no, I'm a fucking beast, but my intentions are harmless…well you'll think I'm certifiable-"
"I believe you." He smiled down at her, the gesture not reaching his eyes, "I do believe your attention is needed elsewhere. Excuse me."
"What-"He walked away, taking his strange conversation with him.
"Anna?"
Ky turned around and took a step back. It was Silvain Sabre! He had been ignoring her for the past forty minutes and now suddenly he was seeking a conversation? She recovered and took a step forward, "Sabre."
"Please call me Silvain. Champagne?"
"No thanks."
He smirked and his left dimple made an appearance, "Frightened of getting drunk?"
She grabbed the flute that he was sipping on and put it to her lips and tipped it back, enjoying the tingling as it ran down her throat. "Oh Mr Sabre, the only person who should fear a drunk me…is you.” She placed the flute back in his hand and waltzed out of the room. Ky smirked at Harry, and he glowered at her. Well, he shouldn't be annoyed, this was all his fault!
"How does she keep finding me?" George sighed and tossed the unopened envelope he just received into the trash.
"Who?" Ginny nibbled on her toast and swatted Ky’s hand away from her other slice. The dark haired girl turned and pouted at her best friend, and she sighed and gave her a piece of her own toast with a glare that said, 'your laziness knows no bounds.'
"Hairy Mary."
Mi turned her glare onto Fred who had the decency to stop guffawing into his plate.
"The sixth year Claw with the ‘stache? That's disgusting."
"Ronald!" Mi gasped!
"Yeah Ron, not while I'm eating." Ginny hit George on the head.
Ky turned to Harry who was laughing quietly into his cereal at the unkind joke.
"You think that's funny?"
Harry looked up at her, faux innocence on his face, "It is a little…I mean…you can braid it. Oh, come on, I saw you laughing when Hannah enlarged Goldstein's ears."
"Yeah, I did…because it wasn't his natural ears; he can easily have it shrunk back."
"You know I don't get you; you laugh at everything else-"
"But not at some poor girl's feelings. I mean she must really like George. It's really hard to put yourself out there and get rejected." Maybe dating Harry changed her romantic perspective, but she now understood how scary it is to put yourself out there considering it took her ages to pluck up the courage to do so herself.
Harry just laughed harder, "I'm sorry." He ducked as she flung a spoon at his head, "It's just ridiculous that you are saying something like that. You haven't felt rejection in your life. Well, not romantically."
"Well, I haven't really flung myself at boys to see, but evidently I should start… considering my boyfriend is such a prat."
The smirk fell off his face, "Was that really necessary. OK, let's just drop it."
"No, no. Let's not drop it. Why do you think I have never felt rejection before? Why do you think life is ever so easy for me!"
Ron and Harry exchanged high eye-browed looks, "Don't answer it mate."
"Well, it's because you're hot. You just have to bat your eyelashes at any boy, like Theodore Nott, and they will gallop to your side."
Oh, I knew he had a problem with her friendship with Teddy! He never said it outright but there was this undertone whenever he mentioned him. "Teddy is my friend."
The boys all laughed at that, and she glared at them, "Ky, Snakes and lions can't be friends. Especially lionesses that look like you."
George nodded and agreed with his brother. She didn’t expect the Twins to side with Harry!
“What do you mean by look like me’?”
Harry rolled his eyes, “Attractive Ky. Hot. Beautiful.”
“So, what you’re trying to say is that the only thing going for me is my looks.”
“What? No. Of course not, don’t be silly. I’m just saying that’s your trump card. Why are you getting so angry, I just called you beau- “
“Oh, and I suppose your trump card is your stellar personality Harry. That’s why half the student body asked you to the ball last year, not because you were a champion. Not because you were The Boy who Lived!”
“Woah, what the hell? You think girls could only like me because I’m famous.”
“What? No! Of course not, don’t be silly. I’m just saying that’s your trump card.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
“OK, maybe you should stop- “
“No, Hermione. Ky obviously thinks the most important thing about me is the fact that I’m famous!”
“And Harry obviously thinks that the most important thing about me is that I’m pretty!”
“I didn’t call you pretty, I called you beautiful!” He shouted.
Ky stood up, "And I didn't say I think your fame is the most important thing about you. I said that’s why other girls like Chang fawn over you!”
"OK OK. Before you guys draw wands, which I am sure will be fun, but my mother would have a royal fit. I have an idea how you two can work this out."
Of course, it would be Fred and George that would come up with this wager. Ky’s apparent beauty versus Harry’s fame – which of them were able to get a date sans these factors.
The Sabres were Nonno's liaisons from France. Baron Sabre had just agreed to join the Order after months of persuasion by Ky’s grandfather, and his eighteen-year-old twins, Silvain and Selina, were invited to Nessie and Linus' Engagement party.
Their Twins had picked those Twins as their targets to ‘seduce’. Plus, like all good wagers there was a side bet between the Twins themselves. A side bet that made Ky think George was definitely voting for Harry.
The winner was to be picked by vote.
The panel of judges consisted of the Weasley brood, even Mrs Weasley, who very reluctantly agreed to say that Harry is her nephew after the Twins promised they would reconsider working for the Ministry after they finish school. Mi and Ron were of course also involved, as well as their favourite man child Mr Black, and Tonks as they needed her for Ky’s cover.
Harry changed his hair, eye colour and height, and used a hairstyle to cover his scar, whilst Ky…well she had to prove that she had more than just her looks going for her. So, she fished out Harry's quidditch jersey that she wore for the match where she got into that catfight and perused it for hair follicles…and…that's why Cynthia Bullstrode was staring back at Ky in the bathroom mirror.
She added the lip gloss and puckered into the mirror and smiled. She can't wait till Harry eats his words when he finds out that Silvain asked her out. Or at least he will…soon. She could tell by his eyes that he was interested. She just had to reel him in a little more. She sighed, it would help if Bullstrode wasn't an A cup, and if her legs were not so scrawny. And her nose so large. And her brown hair so drab and brown eyes so dull. Pull yourself together Ky! You're here to prove that your personality matters! Not your looks. No matter how god awfully ugly you look right now. She left the restroom, spotted the shock of greasy black hair that stood a feet away and quickly turned around to hide.
"Anna-"
She grabbed his hand and pulled Silvain into the other room. Ky looked back and watched Sev walk into the drawing room and sighed.
"Are you hiding from that man, has he done something to you?"
"What? No. Well I am hiding from him." She couldn't explain how Bullstrode was at the party with any adults from Hogwarts. Minnie, Mona, Fil and Sev were only supposed to arrive at eight, after the competition was over. Silvain frowned down at her, and she realised she had just said that she was hiding from Sev.
"He is my dad."
"I thought Sirius Black was your dad. At least that's what Hermione Granger said when I had asked."
"She did?" They really should stick to one story, but the very fact that Mi attempted to help her out made Ky smile. She knew she would come through for her in the end. Wait…he asked about her! Oh, he is definitely interested… Ky smiled widely at that. His brows furrowed in confusion, "Oh… they're both my dads. They're gay. Together. With each other."
Silvain’s eyebrows rose and he schooled his features, "Still doesn't explain why you're hiding from your dad?”
"Oh…we're fighting."
He rolled his eyes, "Believe me, I understand. My Old Man had to drag me to this thing." He gave her a small smile which hinted at his dimple, "I have to admit, I kind of don't regret it now."
She grinned…yes! Score! "Maybe you would like to kind of not regret it again someti-"
"Excuse me. Didn't see you there." Silvain was knocked a few feet back when Harry bumped into him. Ky hadn't realised that Silvain and she were still holding hands until Harry's movement knocked them apart. She smirked at Harry, and he glowered at her.
"Is there something going on between the two of you? You've been staring at her continuously."
For once his partner wasn't laughing as she questioned him. Silvain dusted his jacket and glared at Harry.
"Well actually Selina-"
"Nothing. There's absolutely nothing." Ky glared at Harry, now that she was winning, he wants to back out!
"Barry, your father is calling you."
"What!"
Selina took a step back at the edge in both their voices, and pointed timidly at Sirius.
"Wait, I thought that Sirius Black is your father, Anna."
"He is. And Barry's. That's why Barry was staring at me, Selina. He's just an overprotective brother."
"Oh... tell me about those. I'm actually happy Silvain is so preoccupied by you that he isn't plucking his feathers in my business."
"Ignore my sister, she seems to mistake my want for her not to be a total slag as some kind of form of protectiveness."
Ky bit back a laugh at the look on Selina’s face as Silvain dragged her away to the kitchen.
She caught Mi's frantic gesturing at her watch and stopped walking, "Silvain-"
"I see your father. Get in, quickly."
She followed him without thought into the pantry. Sev would flip if he found out she abused Polyjuice for a trivial matter like this. She heard the clink of metal and turned to Silvain, gasped, and averted her eyes quickly, "Don't be shy."
"What on earth do you think you're-"
"Oh, fucks sakes, you're not some virginal twit are. Just get on your knees and pretend we're at a romantic picnic and you're eating a hot dog."
Ky glared at him, her hands in fists, "You're only interested in me because you thought I would…I would-"
"Fuck no. This is low even for me. But the hot red number keeps ignoring me and for some reason others have taken some sort of interest in you, so you're going to pretend that I'm a hot dog and I'll pretend you're Cindy Crawford."
Ky could not believe the complete gentleman from two minutes ago was now standing in front of her with his pants on the floor!
"Glacius"
She could tell it worked because he grabbed his nads and swore immediately. Ky took a deep breath to calm herself down and walked forward, "I suggest you go roast your nuts because you know what happens when digits freeze over…they fall off."
"You bitch," his black eyes swirled with hatred, and Ky took a step forward, her new tall stature allowing her to look him dead in the eye.
"That's right. I'm a bitch. And bitches’ bite. We do not suck, and we definitely do not bend the knee. You must really not like your nads.”
As if he just remembered his bits were being frozen over, Silvain Sabre pulled his trousers up and growled his way out of the pantry.
Idiot.
Ky leaned against the wall, as stupid and immature as this was…it was eye opening. She always assumed that people liked her because she was a right laugh. She watched as her fingers shortened and the spot on the opposing wall that she was staring at got lower and lower. Harry was right… people didn't tolerate her because of her personality…it was just her looks…
"Even though this whole thing is ludicrous, and I have no idea why I even tallied the votes…Ky lost."
The pantry door was slightly ajar as Mi's voice floated through.
"I was actually kind of rooting for her. It is silly, I do agree, but I would like to think that some guys are not so shallow."
"Oh, please Ginny, you were hoping that Silvain Sabre is not so shallow, I saw you looking at him all night."
"Well thanks to my snog with Zabini, Michael finally let go of his death grip. So, I can do more than just look now. Ky will be pissed though, you sure it was right?"
"Yup, Fred, Tonks, Ky and the two of us voted for her. Ron George, Bill, Charlie and Sirius voted for Harry. Mrs Weasley refused to vote saying allowing you lot to pretend Harry is a cousin is enough of the nonsense she would partake in. So that's five for Ky and five for Harry. Just Harry left to vote, but he will obviously vote for himself. This was just silly. They can be so hot headed…"
The voice faded and Ky sighed. She wondered what Harry noticed first…her face or her personality. What did he even like now…. She grabbed a jar of peanut butter and ate a spoonful…she hated losing.
She left the pantry after a few minutes, the red dress she was wearing considerably snugger and longer, her curves and height back to normal.
"Congratulations Princess." Ky looked at Fred as George glared at him. She returned his shout with a raised eyebrow.
"You did it. You stuck it to the boys! Now George has to go out on a date with Hairy Mary!" Tonks winked at her…she walked off with the Twins and Ky leaned against the kitchen table…
She frowned; she thought Harry had beaten her…unless…
Ky felt a hand at her waist and followed it up to sparkling green eyes, "You…you voted for me?"
"How could I not Ky. Be it the last bet, or the first, my money is always on you.” He kissed her temple, and she ducked her head into his shoulder, grinning, “I don't know why you're so conscious about your looks, it doesn't matter if other boys see you as just a pretty face. I don't." He laughed, "You've got a strong kick on you as well. You win."
She pulled him lower to her lips, "Oh, I wouldn't be so sure Mr Potter. You'll feel more like a winner when I'm done with you than Michael Phelps at the Olympics."
"There you are! Dinner has almost begun." Nessie stormed into the kitchen and grabbed her hand and pulled her away from Harry, "And the Sabres are about to leave. The kids are drunk! Can you believe it, they're talking about Sirius and Severus being lovers with two children that Sirius fathered, it's all so ridiculous, Severus nearly set the kid alight and strangely enough the boy wasn't displeased at the act. He kept egging him on to roast his…bits…weird bunch. I am seriously reconsidering inviting-"
Ky zoned Nessie out and turned to the black-haired boy smiling at her…yup…she was definitely the winner.
A/N: A bit of a ridiculous chapter there, but I wanted to introduce Baron Sabre and his twins - Selina and Silvain, as Order members in a fun way!
Feedback as always will be so appreciated.
Thank you for reading!
Chapter 30: Lesson 4: Always look in the Shadows
Chapter Text
Anything that is familiar doesn’t belong to me
"More to the left…NO, not so much, back to the right, OK I got it." Ky ignored the pain of the little prick like she had the six others prior to this and cut the stem, cursing herself for not bringing garden clippers.
"I don't get why Linus would ask for seven roses five minutes before his wedding, couldn't he have thought of that before?” Len's voice drifted from her midriff as she balanced on his shoulders picking out the most acceptable roses from a very huge bush a few houses away from Black Manor at 9.55 pm on New Year’s Eve.
"Fine, he didn't ask for them now, he asked me to get it last week from that flower market Nessie likes in Bethnal Green, but I forgot, OK. So, sue me! OK this is all we need-"
"HEY! GET AWAY FROM THOSE ROSES! THIEF! THIEF! THIEF!"
Oh crapsicles. Ky jumped down from Len's shoulders, jostling slightly in her glittering high heels.
"We're not thieves mam, if you would listen, it's actually a funny-"
"Len, I don't know what Zio Fil has been teaching you, but when a furious muggle is fast approaching with a rake you do not talk sense to her!”
"I can't attack her!"
Ky sighed at her brother’s affronted expression, "I meant run, we have what we need!”
BANG
Salazar's sac, the woman's husband just showed up with a hunting rifle! They exchanged looks of dread and turned on their heels and ran. Ky ignored the very loud tearing sound, trying to not imagine the damage she had done to the dress Mona had spent most of the last two days making.
"Oh wait." Ky was trying to ignore the pain in her hand as she clutched the thorned roses whilst Len turned around and threw shiny things at the pursuing couple. "It's not stealing if we paid for them, right?"
"Yeah, sure, throw galleons at the muggles…brilliant idea."
They bounded into Grimauld place and Harry stopped her from hurtling headfirst into a wall with a steady hand,
"Are you-"
"YOUR DRESS! YOUR MAKE UP! YOUR DRESS!"
"FILTHY MUDBLOOD! HOW DARE SHE-"
"SHUT UP YOU OLD HAG!"
Sirius came bustling in, dressed in a black suit much like Harry's, shutting his mother up. To say she took offence that a muggle was getting married in her house would be a gross understatement.
"Move." Mi pushed Harry aside as he was thinking aloud of a way to fix Ky’s hands. She muttered the correct spell quickly and the cuts started sealing up.
"Errr…OK." Ky heard another tear and looked down; her previously full-length mermaid gold sequinned gown now stopped just above her knee.
"You know, I kind of-"
"Shut it, we have two minutes to adjust your make up!" Mi's cocoa eyes shined with a crazy level so certifiable Ky forgot what she was going to say.
"Where are- Oh Heaving Helga." Tonks stopped at the entrance of the drawing room, her jet-black hair contrasting beautifully with her full-length gold gown.
Ky waited patiently as Mi reapplied her make up, "There. This will have to do."
"OUCH."
Mi pulled the pins out of her hair and the strands came tumbling down in long curls, "No use trying to fix that. Did you manage to get the roses?"
"Here." Harry handed the roses to Mi, and Tonks started straightening Len's matching gold tie.
"OK. Let's see if I can remember this properly… I left the instructions Linus had given me upstairs. White for Dumbledore, pink for Agnes, blue for Linus, gold for Len, scarlet for McGonagall, green for Snape and grey for Ky."
Ky watched as her best friend turned each of the roses their intended colour, and she beamed at the multi-coloured bouquet which symbolised their little family! With another wave of her wand instead of removing the thorns, they grew out and wrapped themselves around the stems like long green wires, keeping the flowers together.
"There. That's why we couldn't just magic up some flowers like you so eloquently put it ten minutes ago, because they disappear with time and Linus wants these to be kept in resin for Agnes as a keepsake. Now walk!"
"I'll see you after the ceremony." Harry gave their a best friend a cautious look as if she might bite him as he walked away. Wedding planning really did not become Mi, but she had, as expected, done an incredible job with the limited time they had to pull together the event. Harry stopped at the door, turning around to smile at Ky appreciatively one last time.
"I don't like that smile." Len hooked his arm into hers and they walked to the drawing room entrance.
"Funny thing, I've seen it on your face hundreds of times."
He chuckled in response. They just reached Nessie who was patiently standing at the entrance, her hand tightly around Nonno's elbow. He smiled and nodded at both his grandchildren while Mi handed the bouquet to the bride. Oddly enough the mismatched colours didn't seem out of place…it kind of became the centrepiece of Nessie’s outfit.
One of the strangest things about this Wedding was how manageable it turned out to be. Everything just worked out before they could even give it a passing thought. The wedding dress, which looked breath-taking on Nessie, belonged to Minnie. Ky knew there was a story there that she would one day tell her, and she would uncharacteristically patiently wait for it till her stern guardian was ready to share. The dress was elegant in its simplicity, the majority of its beauty brought out by the delicate lace that clung to Nessie from forearm to shoulder, bosom to waist, and then flowed out in a sea of silk.
As Ky walked down the aisle, she smiled at Linus who didn't even spare her a glance, his attention completely stolen by Nessie and for once his sister had no qualms with that. He, like most of the men, wore a dark grey morning suit that fit him immaculately. Len was on his left, his usual untidy hair slicked back. A surprise to most was the presence of Sev one step below Len, his black hair tied at the nape of his neck, an expressionless look on his face. Nessie had simply stated when asked about his inclusion, that Weddings were a family affair and there was no more discussion on it. His black eyes were steadfastly on the altar, none were more uncomfortable with his position in this wedding than himself, but Ky thought he wore the suit of a best man brilliantly.
She took the bouquet from Nessie as Kingsley, who was officiating, began speaking and turned to the crowd. Ky winked at Harry, and he gave her his famous crooked grin that probably made the blush Mi applied five minutes ago unnecessary.
The drawing room was decked in simple white silks with a lot of glittering orb-like structures floating around, interspersed by scented candles. Ky smiled at Minnie who was seated next to Nonno, who had finished his duties as the bride's escort. Mi was on the edge of her seat, as if waiting for a pin to drop and a grenade to go off. Well, she can’t be blamed for that, she was essentially the wedding planner, so her stress was understandable.
Ky smiled at the beautiful melody that floated across the room from the piano that was brought downstairs, and her smile widened at the grey eyed wink from the smirking piano man. Nessie and Sirius had grown attached to one another, both playing prisoners in Black Manor, and Linus had asked him to be one of his best men. Unfortunately, they needed a musician, and judging by the fluid movement of his fingers there was none better for the job. It would have been a right sight to have Sev and Sirius stand shoulder to shoulder as groomsmen, but no such luck.
Yeah, a lot surprised Ky about this wedding, but none so much as the loudest cheer that echoed through the room as the dapper dark-haired prince kissed his blue-eyed princess… and that cheer being emitted by none other than herself.
-x-x-x-
"May I cut in?" Ky bit her lip to hide her smirk at the look on Len's face. His hazel eyes glowed with amusement as Harry flushed with anxiety, but he quietly walked away. Who would have thought that the boy who faced the most dangerous dark wizard countless times would tremble in the face of his girlfriend's brother. Harry’s hand stabilised as he held her own. She laughed out loud as his other hand quickly ascended from her lower hip to her waist as Len shot him a threatening look as he glanced back at them.
"Glad you find this amusing. I wonder what you would do if I had an older sister that you had to tip toe around."
Ky swayed in the direction he pulled her, not knowing how to dance herself, and smiled up at him, "That's easy, women are easy. I'll slap some diamonds on her wrist and chocolates in her mouth."
He shook his head slowly, "How I miss the days when I actually believed that."
She let her hand drift from his shoulder to the nape of his neck, "I'm much easier to please… I don't even like diamonds."
"I would much prefer if you liked diamonds…it would be simple to shop for you."
"If you want a simple-"
He twirled Ky around and stopped her mid-sentence with a quick kiss at her exposed left shoulder, "Not even for a second."
"Ahem." Ky felt the warmth disappear on her skin instantly as midnight blue eyes glared at them. She giggled and Harry scratched his neck nervously, "Go dance with my wife, Potter."
Harry nodded and made a beeline for Nessie whilst Ky let Linus pull her to him and she hopped onto his shoes as Len played their song, The Beatles' I'm happy just to dance with you, “Hmm, I wonder whether I’m too old to be dancing on your toes?”
"Age never stopped you from dancing on my nerves."
Ky laughed and let him spin her around, "Only because you are so rhythmic when angry, you can't blame me for wanting to strike a beat."
"Yes, and a tone deaf one at that. What did Madame Meyton say...you might as well have been born an octopus with the way your arms flail around?"
"Only because I wanted to reach all the keys! I thought that's the purpose of playing the piano."
"She was teaching you the violin."
Ky laughed, "Remember the look on her face when the piano started making those violin sounds, guess the old bird was right when she ran out screaming that I was a little witch."
He scowled at her, but he finally let up and laughed. He spun her around and Ky forgot how tall she used to feel when she danced on his feet, how invincible because Linus was always so graceful, so fluid.
Ky looked up and all signs of laughter were gone from his face, a million emotions flickering in his eyes, "When did you stop fitting under my chin?"
Ky stared straight ahead at his long nose and smiled. She kicked off her heels and tucked her head under his chin, "Who said I don't fit under your chin?"
She felt his chest rumble against her ear, until it quietened back down to a steady beat. "Sometimes I wish I had never agreed to have a huge wedding in Scotland. Sometimes I miss our old life."
Ky forget that it was Linus’ agreement to have a Wedding in Nessie's late mother's ancestral home which had led to them finding out about their true selves. About their magic. About their Nonno. Ky lifted her eyes, glancing at his chin in the position she was in, "When life was boring."
"When life was simple. Easy. Uncomplicated…and then I look at you…and there is nothing I am more grateful for than you running off to go see some random castle in Scotland."
"Because you realise how awesome life is with magic."
"Life was always going to be magic with you kid. I just would have been robbed of the two most beautiful things I have ever been blessed with." He pecked Ky’s hair, "Your laugh, and her smile."
Ky hid her blush in his chest, not knowing what to say to that. She guessed weddings bring out the soppiness in everything.
She let her hands fall from his shoulder and wrap tightly around his waist. Linus would never know how grateful she was that he was her brother because there would be no words powerful enough to describe it, but she hoped this gug conveyed what her words could not. She pulled away and he cleared his throat awkwardly, emotional displays were not a strong suit for their family.
"Is that Mundungus? Eating our wedding cake…the one we haven't even cut yet? Oh, Agnes will have a fit, I'll be right back Ky." Linus disappeared after the trail of crumbs left by the dodgy character. Ky was barely steady on her feet when she was swept up again by warm hands.
"Linus is lucky Dung didn't get his hand on the wedding ring." Ky scowled at Sirius and let him twirl her around the room as Len played The Beatles’ Hey Jude.
"Don't think I don't know what you did."
He smiled, his face glowing with probably a cup too many of Ogden's, "It displeases me to hear that milady hath found something-"
"Cut the bull Sirius. Now I have to live with the fact that Harry and my first dance was to a Stone's song."
"Well, you didn't seem to mind when my godson waltzed you across the room. Forgive me for thinking that She's like a rainbow is a very apt song for you."
"Oh sure, I bet it was all innocence." Ky glared at his amused grey eyes but couldn't help but smile back eventually. This man must have been a terror in his youth.
"However can I seek redemption for my selfish deeds god daughter-in-law?”
"Well there actually is something you can do." Ky twirled under his arm and let him tip her down and up again, it came as no surprise to her that Sirius could dance, it was practically a staple in the bad boy CV.
"Ask it mademoiselle and it is yours."
"Stop being a coward and go and ask her to dance. I am getting tired of the exchange of longing glances filled with the mounting air of sexual tension, I would like to breathe more freely in this house!" For once Sirius Black seemed shocked at another’s impropriety, but someone needed to say it. Ky didn’t know why he didn't want to try with Kingsley’s niece, Alexia, but if she had to hazard a guess it had something to do with the fact that he was a convict in hiding, the fact that he was innocent was forgotten more often by Sirius than anybody else. "Well, go!"
"Ky it's-"
"No, it is not. Now if I can dance to a Stone's song, you can do this."
"You know what…you are absolutely right. It was a pleasure as always Miss Thornton."
Ky rolled her eyes at the flamboyant bow and watched as he made his way through the room. Just then she caught a familiar head in her periphery, and she followed it out of the room, "Hey! Wait."
The honeyed haired stranger turned around, leaning against the wall halfway down the passage to the exit. His amber eyes glowed black in the darkness, a shadow of a smile on his face. "Miss Imposter. I must say this face looks much better on you."
"Bicorn horn has no scent, that's one of the reasons why it's used in Veritaserum, as well as Polyjuice potion. How did you know I was using Polyjuice?"
His teeth glowed in the corridor as his smile widened, "I told you-"
"Don't give me some bull about my scent being some sort of narcotic."
The corridor echoed with his quiet laughter, "Goodbye Miss Imposter."
"Wait! You can't just- "But with a momentary ray of light from the opened door, he was gone. That potion was brewed to perfection…how did this guy know…wait, who was that guy?
"If you stare at the door long enough, it won't turn into chocolate."
Ky turned back to the long corridor, frowning at the joke that didn't fit the voice, "Sensei?"
She heard a growl as Sev moved into the light that leaked out of the drawing room, the growl quickly became a curse as he hit the staircase banister with his shoulder which he tried to inconspicuously hide as he leaned against it.
"Have you been drinking?"
Ky raised her eyebrows at his question, "Me?"
He rolled his eyes, much in the same way she did to him every so often, "No, the cat behind you. Don't think I didn't see the red haired demon pair run off with a bottle of firewhisky. If I find you've been drinking, I'll…I'll ground you."
"Ground me? Are you sure you're not the one that ran off with a bottle of firewhisky?”
"I do not need to run off with a bottle firewhisky seeing as I am an adult, and I can drink as much as I want to whenever I please."
"Sure…so you're lurking in the dark, away from the reception, because?"
"I am not lurking. I am merely…standing silently in the quiet…away from that absurd noise."
"Actually, Sirius happens to be a really good pianist."
"Well of course Black is a good pianist! Anything that aids him in snaking his way into a woman's pants he is proficient at. If the Dark Lord was in fact a Dark Lady, they would be no war, but little Black babies running around."
Ky laughed at his little outburst. Looks like Sev was a sharer when he was tipsy.
"Oh yes, you would find that funny. Black is ever so amusing isn't he, his humorous little quips, charming smile. I saw you laughing up at him as he spun you across the dance floor like some…ballerina."
Ky rolled her eyes at the bitterness instead of pointing out that she was laughing at the joke he made. Was Sev sulking because Ky had danced with Sirius? She walked towards the staircase and held out her hand.
"What?"
"Dance with me."
"What?"
"You heard me, let's dance."
His black eyes glowered down at her, "Don't be ridiculous."
"Come on Sensei, just dance with me."
He pushed off the banister and walked towards the front door, shaking his head,
"I would like you to dance with me."
He stopped halfway to the door, "There is no music."
Ky sighed and stepped forward, "I thought you didn't like the infernal noise."
"Absurd noise. And no, I don't but it is still-"
Ky grabbed his hands in her own and started moving back and forward, his black eyes widened in shock at the contact, "I can't dance either." She knew that was why he had never asked her to, and why he had skulked away. She continued moving back and forward in horrible angular movements that screamed awkwardness.
"Salazar’s sake, keep your elbows in. Head up, shoulders out, back straight."
He tapped each body part until she did as he said and Ky laughed up at him, "You know how to dance!"
"No, but I know how to not look foolish." He moved her back and forth, his back rigid. He twirled her around and she laughed, enjoying this far too much.
"Why do you hate weddings?"
They swayed in the spot, his face hidden in the dark, "Who said I hated weddings?”
"Nobody, but I can tell."
He scoffed, "I highly doubt you can tell the things I hate considering you do them so often."
"Still doesn’t answer the question."
"Because just like most of your questions…it's inappropriate." He twirled her around again, "I don't hate them. I haven't been to a great many to hate them. I find them boring. The whole concept seems unnecessary. If anything, matters such as these should be kept private. You shouldn't have to validate your love in the presence of others for it to be considered as real."
That was such a Sev sentiment, "I used to think that. Now I think people want to share their happiness."
"People do not want to share their happiness, they want to-"
The rest of his sentence was stopped by a growl as he yanked his left hand out of her own.
"Sensei, are you-"
"Shove it in others faces."
"What?" He placed his hand back in her own and it trembled slightly as he twirled the girl around.
"People want to shove their happiness in others faces at weddings, don't you pay any attention?”
"I hope you're less cynical at my wedding."
"I doubt I'd even be at your wedding."
Ky stopped moving, forcing him to do so too, "Take that back."
"Why?"
"I don't want you talking like that." Ky couldn't help the inflection in her voice. She knew why he had pulled his hand away, that was the hand with the mark. Voldemort was calling him, and he was here, dancing with her.
How long will Sev be able to play this game…
He sighed and raised an eyebrow, "I meant I doubt I'd even be at your wedding considering your taste in men. I don't plan on kicking the bucket anytime soon, especially considering your inability to exist without my instruction."
She let him pull her back into their slow swaying and she digested his words in silence.
Everybody had their part to play in this fight, but Sev's sword was double edged…Voldemort wasn't stupid…far from it, there is only so much wool that can be pulled over his eyes.
"Bane-"
She cut across him, panic suddenly rising within her, "Why don't you stop. Just pick a side and stay on it. Stop-"
"Bane.” They never spoke of this. They never acknowledged that he was a double agent. “I have to go." For once his voice held no cynicism.
"You don't have to.” She was embarrassed to hear the almost childlike pleading in her voice.
He let out a huge sigh and dropped her hands and they fell to her sides, picking up his coat. He hovered at the door, "You're right. I don't have to."
There was a soft click after his confusing words. What did that mean? He admitted that he didn't have to, so was he going to stop, or was he saying he didn't have to, but he wanted to instead? Why would he ever want to do that though? Why would he want to risk his life like that? Why?
"Ky?"
She turned to the drawing room. Harry walked towards her, "What are you doing standing by the door all alone in the dark?"
She shrugged and he took off his coat and placed it on her shoulders, rubbing her arms comfortingly and kissing the side of her forehead, she clearly looked unsettled. After a few moments of just holding her, he whispered, ”Come with me."
He didn't lead her to the drawing room though, but up the stairs.
"Harry-"
"Shhhh." He held a finger to his lips and pulled her up the stairs. They stopped when they reached the library; she looked at him in confusion which only made his crooked grin more endearing.
He pushed open the door and pulled her to a cupboard on the left. He opened a cabinet and a small basin slid out, "What is it?"
"Touch it, go on." There was a layer of liquid mist that hovered in the basin. Ky didn't think twice though as the look on Harry's face was so expectant. A moment later she was falling through a long tunnel and suddenly her legs clapped on solid ground. She covered her ears at the high-pitched screams that surrounded her and then let out a gasp of surprise.
"Happy New Year." She turned to Harry, who now stood next to her, slipping his hand into her own and pulling her to his lips. He kissed her deeply then straightened up. Her mouth was hanging open and she was fumbling for words. He chuckled at her expression, "It's a memory. Remus'. "
Ky just realised the sandy haired teen in front of us must have been Lupin. She jumped up and down in excitement, laughing with joy. She knew she couldn't be heard but it wasn't just because they were in a memory, but because she was just one of the thousands of screaming fans that were watching the Beatles perform live.
She turned to Harry again, who was all smiles at his gift. She jumped on him and gave him the biggest kiss she could manage.
"Now all I need is chocolate and this would be perfect."
He smiled his crooked grin and reached into his back pocket pulling out a slab of Midsummer Bars, "You were saying?"
"Screw Voldemort, there's a new evil genius in town." Ky smiled and took a bite of chocolate; dancing to the music that sculpted an age, with a boy she knew had already changed her life.
-x-x-x-
Ky took the stairs three at a time, her head floating with excitement. She couldn’t believe what Harry had done for her, it was the most amazing gift, and she knew just who was behind it.
She reached the landing and pushed the door open in one swoop, "I couldn't sleep a wink! I cannot believe you orchestrated-"
Ky stopped in the middle of the now familiar room, her eyes wide like saucers at the unfamiliar occupant in the grandiose bed.
Long black curls draped across milky white, slender shoulders that led up to a neck that stretched this way and the other as the lady yawned, completely unaware that the covers had slipped to her waist and Ky was now staring at her naked breasts. She rubbed the sleep from her jade green eyes and poked the bed next to her.
"Again? I'm not a machine, woman."
"Sirius, there is a child here for you."
A moment later Sirius' head stuck up from the mass of pillows, shock pushing the sleep from his grey eyes faster than any amount of caffeine. Ky’s body finally recovered, and she turned quickly for the door, "Wait Ky. Umm…where is my…Ky!" He grabbed her elbow, and she turned around, "What did you need? Is everything OK?"
Sirius leaned against his door frame, bare-chested with the bed sheet fastened at his waist. "Who is that woman?"
He looked back into his room and then at her quizzically, "Err…that's Kat. What happened-"
"Nothing happened. Don't worry, I just wanted to tell you about last night and to say…what about Alexia?"
"Alexia? What about her? I'm confused, Harry is OK right?"
"I am more than OK…At least I was…what's going on?"
Harry just exited the bathroom across from Sirius' room. He looked from Ky to sheet draped Sirius, his eyebrows fusing together in confusion.
"Oh, it's you Harry. Hello." The dark-haired woman walked out of Sirius' room…
Stark raving naked.
Harry quickly averted his eyes to the ceiling, his hand quickly going to the back of his neck, "Hey Kat…"
"Sirius, where is-"
"I can see your vagina." Ky turned and looked at her boyfriend who was looking to the heavens, and then at Sirius who seemed to be beyond words. 'Kat' turned her green eyes on her, "Does my being nude make you uncomfortable, child?"
OK, what is up with the 'child'? Ky was fifteen years old!
"No, it's just that I haven't met an actual prostitute-"
"OK we're going to go…away." Harry grabbed her hand and pulled her down the stairs, she glanced behind to find Sirius’ door closing once more.
"Who was that?"
Harry turned on the last step, his eyebrows raised, "Were you even at the rehearsal dinner last night? He and Kat were-"
"OK who is this 'Kat' that you seem to know so well."
Harry took a step down, "Errr…I don't know her well. I was just introduced to her yesterday. Like everybody else. She's a new member of the Order. She's a friend of Remus'."
"She's a werewolf?"
"Well, I don't think all his friends are werewolves, but yeah, she is. And I don't think Sirius or Remus would be happy that you called her a prostitute." His voice dipped on the last word, but it was unnecessary, it was 5 am and she was sure nobody else was up yet.
"Well excuse me for being surprised; I was expecting him to be with Alexia. I thought he liked her."
"Kingsley's niece? Err…actually…about Alexia, when you were with Snape last night, I saw…err…Len-"
"Len and Alexia! But she's like thirty!"
"So? When did you become so interested in everyone's love life! Next you would try finding someone for Snape." He laughed loudly at that as if it was the most absurd thing ever.
"I am not obsessed with everybody's love life Harry! And what is so funny about Sev finding someone, huh? What is so hilarious about that? Doesn't he deserve it just as much, if not more, than Sirius does!"
Mentioning Sev made her think about last night and how he had to leave because Voldemort had called him. His whole outlook on life was so dark, so sad…Ky guessed weddings made you think about things that would usually not cross your mind, like Sev having to be alone for the rest of his life.
"What's that supposed to mean? You think Snape deserves to be happy more than Sirius does?!”
"What? No, I didn't say that-"
"Yes, you did!”
"Fine, then I didn't mean anything by it. It's just that, I don't think the idea that Sev being alone forever is a laughing matter, Harry."
The note in her voice as she said his name seemed to strike something in him that made him cool down, and he took a step up and cupped her cheek, "Ky…what has gotten into you all of a sudden. Why are you so interested in Sirius finding someone and Snape finding someone-"
"I don't know!" She dropped down frustrated. Harry lowered himself on the step, his green eyes brimming with questions. "I…I know you don't like him. I know he doesn't give you much reason to…it's just the way he was talking last night Harry. I mean…he puts himself in danger every single time Voldemort calls…when Mr Weasley and Linus were hurt...Mrs Weasley and Nessie were by their bedside day in and day out and I would be there for him too but it's not the same."
"Ky, he's an adult, he knows what he's getting into."
She looked to her side, at Harry's passive face, "You don't even care at all, do you?"
"Ky, he hates me. And it's not exactly like he gets to play double agent because he's a saint; he was a death eater, Ky. He is a death eater."
She stood up quickly, how could he be so narrow minded, Sev was risking his life for them all. He grabbed her hand and pulled her back down, "Look…let's not talk about all of this. We've done really well so far - not bringing Snape up in our relationship, and I know it's a topic we will never agree on, so let's just drop it. Stop worrying about everybody's future; everything is going to be just fine."
Ky let her boyfriend pull her into his arms but couldn't fight the niggling feeling in the pit of her stomach that Harry had never been more wrong in his life.
A/N: I really enjoyed writing that wedding scene, and the interactions with all the ‘men’ in Ky’s life - was just missing Dumbledore there but couldn’t squeeze him in naturally. I think it was about time for Harry and Ky to at least bring up Snape, those two are very good at avoiding things that may be a problem.
Thank you so much for reading, and as always, feedback will be so appreciated :)
Chapter 31: Safe Words
Chapter Text
Anything that is familiar doesn’t belong to me
"Come in."
Ky walked through the door and let out a sigh of relief. She knew it was silly to worry, odd though it was for Nonno to request her presence in his office at lunchtime, it did not mean that Len was lying bleeding somewhere. Or Linus was comatose again. When did she become such a worry wart? It was despicable, she was the carefree type, the type that mocks, yet desperately relies on, those on-edge types like Mi…when did Ky lose control of her type!
"Kyrianna?"
"Oh. Sorry Nonno." She walked towards the desk and stopped when she saw that her usual place was occupied.
"This is Gabrielle Sabre. I believe you met her great grandchildren over the winter break."
Ky took the seat next to Gabrielle Sabre, observing the grey-haired lady in her usual spot suspiciously. She was a relic. So wrinkled you'd think someone had been giving her a bath and completely forgotten she was in the tub. Her eyes were so tiny Ky didn't think she could see. Was she blind?
"I am very much in control of my vision young lady; now do you mind backing of. Personal space, dearie." Ky laughed, liking her already. She had spunk.
"Kyrianna, Madame Sabre is here to help with your visions. She is the foremost in the field of divination and we are absolutely privileged for her to sacrifice her time to help us." Ky looked quizzically at Nonno, it had been ages since she had visions, "I know, there has been some time since you have had a vision, but I would like to take a pre-emptive course. Much of our actions of late has been reactive. Well, I will leave you ladies to talk, I will be back shortly."
Ky waited till Nonno left and sat down and turned to the older woman, "OK, so you lot are supposed to be French. But none of you have the accents. Why?”
She laughed delicately, there was something very royal about the way this lady carried herself, "Well it's been ever so long since I have had the privilege of being French ma petite. My great grandchildren are citizens of the world, or at least that is what my grandson likes to call them."
"That sounds a bit like you aren't allowed back in France, like you’re refugees or something?”
She tittered delicately, "Ahhh, the overactive imagination of youth. No, we are not in exile. My grandson's job required us to be on the move. Joining the Order has brought the most stability my great grandchildren have had since their birth."
Well, that sad fact still didn’t excuse Silvain from being an A-grade twat, Ky thought. "Why did you join the Order?" Everyone had their reason; most were recruits from the original organization but even those recruits had lost someone to Voldemort the last time around, which was a great motivator to join the Cause.
"Is it not possible to fight the dark just because it is the right thing to do?"
"Possible. But not probable. Everyone is fighting for something."
"And some of us are fighting for nothing at all." She turned and stared out the window in thought, "My son. I lost a son."
"I am very sorry." Ky bit her lip, cursing her inquisitive nature, not sure what she could say to that.
"Don't feel bad. Our sort aren’t the kind to second guess ourselves. You ask these questions because you want to ensure that the people you care for are surrounded by trustworthy folk. You remind me a lot of him actually. He liked questions. Mon petit abeille. My little bee. That’s what I used to call him, buzzing around…annoying his brother."
For once Ky kept her mouth shut and left the old woman with her thoughts, waiting patiently for her to come back to the subject at hand.
"But we are not here to speak about my life, no matter how glamorous it may be.” She laughed at herself, but Ky would bet good money that it was just that, “Albus tells me you're a conundrum. The man, bless his soul, genius he is but matters of the clairvoyant fly right over his head. Those guesses of his do tend to work out though…maybe you inherited the eye from his side after all."
"Is that how it works?"
"Not all the time, but most of the time. It's like being musically gifted, one can only know if they pick up the instrument."
"So, a lot of people could have this…psychic ability, but not know because…nothing triggered a vision?”
"Well… no. It's still a rarity but that is why they are so very few true seers. From what Albus said your visions are triggered by emotional connections. You've only ever had visions of someone who you are attached to and therefore more attuned to their psyche. What is truly astounding about your case though, and why I have taken such time researching it, is that seers usually have one formidable point of clarity. There are those who can see the future, and those who can observe memories of a past that does not belong to them. Their sight may manifest solely in dreams, and others who know how to call upon their power and control it. The power itself can range from strictly visual, or auditory as well. You have shown the ability to observe visions of both the past and future in great detail, and claircognizance. This was the extrasensory perception you were feeling at your brother's pain. You felt what he felt in real time."
Ky reflected on what the woman said, remembering the instance when Linus was hurt. She couldn't see what happened to him, but she felt his pain, practically fainted from it. "Wait…so what does this mean. I'm like some abnormal-"
"No." The old woman placed her hand on the girl’s, "Special."
"I don't want to be special. I don't want to know things and not be able to do anything about it."
"But that's it, ma petite abeille. If you learn how to control this power, you can do something about it."
"But that's just it. I can't control them, they just happen. And like you said, it only seems to work with people I am attached to and…I want to help but I don't think…if I saw something happen to Linus or Len or Harry and I wasn't able to do anything about it…that I could never get over."
Ky barely dealt with the fact that she saw Cedric die and couldn't do a damn thing! If she saw that happen to Linus, or Len, or Harry, or Sev…and was unsuccessful in saving them… she’d go mental.
"I understand." Gabrielle Sabre squeezed her hand, "I am sorry, I was just excited. In all my years of practice, I have never come across someone like you. But, you shouldn't have to have that kind of responsibility, especially at your age. I just got carried away, please forgive an old woman. Anyway, Albus requested I help you stop these visions. Not control them."
Ky didn't like the way she said that…it was as if she were a child. A child that couldn't handle this responsibility…
What if this is what she could offer to the Order? What if she learned to stop her visions and something happened to Linus or Len or Sev or Harry. Something she could have prevented…
"How do we go about controlling-"
"No ma petite. No. Forget I said anything. It is best not to live with-"
"But what if I was born with these powers for a reason. What if the whole grand scheme in defeating Voldemort needs me to be able to see-"
"Absolutely not." Ky stood and turned to the door. Her grandfather had returned, and was staring sternly at Gabrielle Sabre and the old woman lowered her eyes almost sheepishly, "I thought we discussed stopping these visions."
"But Nonno, we'll have the ability to know-"
"And do you think Voldemort would take kindly to us having such an ability in our arsenal. You might as well paint an even brighter X on your back. This is something not up for discussion Kyrianna, I will not have you put yourself through that. And let us not forget the side effects of these visions. This is why they must stop and why I brought Ga-"
"But Nonno-"
"NO!" Ky took a step back at the thunder in his voice, the first time ever being shouted at by him. He took a step forward, immediately regretting his tone by the dimness in his eyes, "Kyrianna, we must not draw attention to your ability. Voldemort holds this branch of magic in more regard than you know…and nobody should have that kind of responsibility. And most importantly, the effect it has on your body, on your mind. It is too much."
Ky nodded, heavy with disappointment, wanting nothing more than to run away from this room, "I…I have Charms now…may I leave?"
"Here." She looked to her left, Ky had completely forgotten that Gabrielle was still present, "I haven't figured just how to stop the visions yet, or if it's even possible, but that should help prevent the small ones. Your psyche forms a strong emotional connection with those you love, and when someone who has this connection to you is in danger, it seems to trigger your sight. This potion will numb that link, I don't know if you've been feeling more emotional lately? When my sight was fully awoken, my emotions were a rollercoaster, but it’s just your power trying to link itself to as many people as it can. It's something you do without even knowing. Take a spoon of this, twice a day.”
Ky didn’t really know whether she was more emotional lately… well… perhaps she poked the Snake pit a bit more than she should and got herself suspended, and well she did feel very stressed about Sev last weekend…
Ky took the little red bottle and nodded, and left the room with her head down, for once leaving her grandfather’s office feeling worse than when she had entered.
-x-x-x-
"He's right."
Ron rolled his eyes, "Of course you would side with Dumbledore, Mione. If Ky gets control of this ability, she can see anything! Anywhere! Anytime! There will never be able to get one on us, we'd have a counterattack before they even thought of the attack. It's brilliant."
"No, it isn't. Have you forgotten about what those visions do to her?"
Ky turned and looked at Harry as he voiced his support for Mi from the armchair by the fireplace in the Common Room, eyebrows raised, not expecting him to take the cautious side, "We could come up with a way of stopping the bleeding and headaches."
"And the responsibility of knowing everything that's going to happen in advance, what's the cure for that?"
"I'm not afraid of that! And neither are you, you have a swim around Voldemort's head like a Sunday dip in the pool!” She stared defiantly at her boyfriend, but he easily held her gaze.
"And if someone gave me a potion to stop that, I would take it. Not like I'm not trying. That reminds me…I have to go see Snape."
Occlumency lessons were not going well for Harry, and Ky thought it had a lot to do with his relationship with his teacher. He pecked her on the forehead despite disagreeing with her, "Take your meds."
Mi and Ky stood and walked to their dorm, "You know your grandfather is right. He just wants to keep you safe. I thought you might have to learn occlumency to help with these visions, but nobody is actually getting into your head because of your weird natural defence against cognitive magic. Actually, you're the one getting into other people’s heads…connecting with their inner psyche…this is why I hated divination! It's such an…unsure branch of magic."
"Believe me, I will be more than happy if these visions came with an instruction manual…but looks like I won't need it anyway. What's the use of having this ability if I'm never going to use it? Just imagine Mi…it can keep everyone safe."
"But yourself, Ky.” She looked at her as if she was crazy, “There is a reason why people don't have these multiple vision options. I mean, can you imagine the stress that would put on your mind over time. I think its best you put a stop to it now, while you can. Godric knows what damage you've already done.”
Ky walked over to her four poster, knowing that this wasn’t the moment to argue with her best friend. She changed into her pyjamas and jumped onto her bed. Everybody’s opinions lay heavy on her mind. She looked at the little red bottle on her bedside table…who knew something so inconsequential in size may have such a profound effect on all their outcomes…
-x-x-x
“Aero saggitarius”
Ky’s white fire spell struck Harry’s shield charm, and it dissipated almost on contact, and she followed it quickly with a stunner.
“Nice!” She exclaimed, as her stunner disappeared into his protego charm, which looked almost solid at how sturdy it was, “You’ve lasted almost thirty seconds!”
Harry chuckled, as he let his magical force field fall, “Well…I am known for my endurance.”
She choked out a laugh as he flung a purple spell at her and she deflected it with her own shield charm, “I’m sorry…known for your endurance?”
He painted a sheepish look on his face, “Well, it’s still known if it’s just one person who knows of it.”
She rolled her eyes, dropping her charm and quickly stepping to her left and flinging a leg locker curse at Harry, who gracefully dodged it. He anticipated her move and with his new position was able to send a disarming charm at her that she couldn’t dodge in time, forcing her to throw up another shield.
He smirked, and she gulped.
Godric that was hot.
Some couples liked to go for walks in the park, some couples liked to go for fancy dinners…well Harry and Ky, they liked to duel.
They had fallen into the habit of duelling for sport post-DA lessons, and it quickly became one of their favourite past times.
Harry flung a ball of wind at Ky so large that it would be hard to dodge. If it hit her, it would easily slice at her skin. She bit her lip, and his smirk faltered, she was contemplating her move - she could do a shield charm or…she narrowed her eyes, gauging the direction of the wind flow, and she flung the same spell back at him, both balls clanging into each other, some sort of friction at play cancelling each other out, and they slowed down and disappeared.
He barked out a laugh, “Damn, you’re good!”
She smirked, “Well, I am known for that. Even if it’s just one person who knows it.”
“Boy do I know it.” He made an elaborate bow, symbolising the end of the duel. They often ended without finishing, the purpose being to learn from each other, rather than compete to find out who won. Though Harry, smart guy that he was, always knew to end it when Ky had the upper hand.
Best to keep her happy as this was just foreplay.
As if reading her mind, he made quick work of the steps that separated them and she was up against one of the mirrors that lined the room’s walls. “Honestly, there is nothing sexier than you and that wand of yours.”
Ky laughed as he trailed kisses down her neck, “Oh, well I thought you’d much prefer me with that wand of yours.”
He groaned at the comment as her thigh snuck in between his legs, and she could feel her face burn as she felt Harry against her. He mirrored her action and she gasped, his gesture eliciting a ripple effect of reactions throughout her body, which had begun to move desperately against his, trying to eek out satisfaction from every touch and taste of him.
Ky let go of her wand, which floated it’s way back to her fondina like metal to a magnet. Harry must have pocketed his own, as one of his hands were digging into her waist, encouraging her movements, whilst the other gripped her back.
She ran her now free hand through his hair, dragging his face to her lips to muffle their moans, which echoed in the cavernous room of requirement. She felt the familiar ‘bubble’ grow larger and larger inside of her, desperate to pop.
“Remind me again why sex is a bad idea?” She muttered into his lips.
“It’s not a bad idea.” He panted, his eyes closing as she trailed her hand down his shirt and undid his belt, then his zipper, “I just…we…Godric.” Ky smirked, busying her lips with his neck, as her hand did a much better job than her thigh.
There really was no better feeling than being this powerful.
“I just…thought…special.” Ky used her free hand to unbutton her school shirt, and his eyes fluttered open and he groaned as if in pain, “You don’t fight fair.”
She grinned, shrugging the shirt off her shoulders and delighting in Harry’s eyes on her, “Who’s fighting Mr Potter?”
Harry growled, his fingers travelling up her back with feather light touches, making impressively quick work with the clasps…practice does make perfect it would seem.
She let the bra fall, shivering into his gentle touch, her back arched as his lips released her own, lowering his head as she snaked her hand to the back of his neck, waiting for him to -
“Snape!”
“What!” Ky gasped, letting go of him and shrugging her shirt back on in record speed. She glanced fearfully at the room of requirement entrance, her heart pounding.
“Shit sorry, I mean, occlumency! I just caught sight of my watch when I…Oh man.” He ran a hand through his hair, “I swear you’re some kind of living breathing time turner - twenty minutes feels like two!” He stepped back, his hand on his heart as if encouraging it to slow down, “I’m going to be late if I don’t leave right now. Fucking Snape.”
Ky narrowed her eyes as she did up the buttons on her shirt. Harry and she had established an unspoken rule post Christmas break; they avoided talking about Sev, knowing that they would never agree with each other, and that was one battle Harry wasn’t happy to just let her win. “I know you don’t love those lessons, but he is doing it for your own good.” She was quite proud at how diplomatic she managed to sound, her voice barely had any bite.
Harry rolled his eyes, the colour receding from his face as he zipped himself up, scoffing, “My own good. I swear he takes pleasure bringing up the nastiest memories in my head he can find. Or the most embarrassing. Or…” Harry suddenly jerked upright, “Ooooh we should not have done this right now.”
“What?” Ky mutter absently as she pulled on her school robes with a frown, she wasn’t a fan of the black garment but Minnie kept docking her points when she was caught without it and Mi nagged her endlessly for that. She turned to the mirror behind her to make sure her hair was…actually it was probably more suspicious if it was too neat, so she shrugged at the messy look. Ky raised a brow at Harry’s reflection as he straightened his tie next to her in the mirror, remembering what he just remarked, “Harry, you know that’s not sex right. Sex is when -“
“Oh shush!” He mock glared at her as he picked up their bags and walked to the exit to the room of requirement, “I didn’t mean I regret anything we just did. Just we shouldn’t have done it right now.” She gave him a confused look, and he sighed, “Well…you know I said how he gets in my head, and the last time, when I tried to not think of something -“
Ky gasped, cottoning on, “NO!”
“I can’t help it!”
“I will never touch you again if you let Sev anywhere near any of that!”
“That’s mean! I can’t control it!”
“Well you better!” Harry gaped at her, “Has he ever -“
“No!” He yelped, “I mean…” Ky’s brows rose, “Not you. He…saw me kissing Cho in our last session. I think.”
“Oh! That’s it then! Just think about kissing Cho instead of me! Misdirection!”
“I am not doing that!” She couldn’t help liking the way he grimaced at the prospect of imagining kissing his ex, and she beamed appreciatively at him, “I’ll just…keep concentrating on his ugly mug and I’m sure that would do the trick.”
Her soft expression turned to a glare in a second, clearly someone was in the mood to break their unspoken rule of not insulting Sev today, “Okay, you want to fight for real, Potter!”
“Okay okay!” He raised his hands in surrender, stopping in the corner of the seventh floor corridor, leaning against the wall, “I’m…sorry. I…” He sighed, “It’s hard because…Ky I swear you should have seen him goading Sirius when he told me about occlumency lessons.”
Ky rolled her eyes, “They goad each other!”
“Sure! But…” Ky crossed her arms, waiting for him to finish the sentence, “But…I do not like that look on your face.” He craned his neck to look her in the eye, “Love.” Her cheeks flushed a bit at that, and her nostrils stopped flaring, Harry never called her love before… she quite liked it, “Sweetie.”
“NO!”
He chuckled at her protest at the other term of endearment which she loathed, “There. That look of outrage is much better.” She swatted his arm as he playfully pecked her on the cheek, “Okay, how about a truce.”
She let him play with her hair as she did the same to his tie, “I’m listening.”
“We don’t mention Snape…unless it’s absolutely necessary. I won’t complain about him to you, and you don’t…fawn over him to me.”
“I do not fawn over Sev!”
“You don’t think Sev deserves to find love and happiness! You want him to die alone!”
She tickled his side at the awful impersonation of her, “You know what, I’m going to be closed for business from now on even if you manage to successfully keep Sev out of our memories!”
“Okay, okay, okay.” He pulled her to his side as they carried on down the corridor and she shook her head as Sir Cadogan winked a hello at them, “And now the truce officially begins. Kiss on it?”
Ky laughed, standing on her tiptoes as Harry ducked his head down to her, “If only all business deals were sealed this way.”
“You’d be a very rich girl, Miss Thornton.” They kissed, slowly, moving deeper into it until they heard a loud clearing of the throat, Harry made to move away but Ky grabbed his face, using her other hand to wave off the annoying portrait of the knight knowing it was just him.
Harry pulled back, laughing, “I should really go.” He handed her bag to her, and then, cleared his throat, “Also…erm…about the sex thing. I wouldn’t have back there…even if I didn’t have to rush off.”
Ky shrugged, “I mean…I would have been fine with that. Wouldn’t you?”
Her heart sank as she caught hesitation in Harry’s eyes. Oh Godric! Harry didn’t want to have sex with her! Whatever look graced her face had him eagerly reach for her, “Oh oh, love, yes, yes, yes! Yes.” He leaned down to kiss her reassuringly, “Very much yes.”
She returned the kiss with zeal, every time he called her love sending a shiver up her spine.
Man was he a good kisser.
“It’s just Sirius -“
“OH MY GOD!” Ky groaned, the temperature dropping immediately at the mention of his godfather. “Are they like your Safe Words when you want things to just cool down; Sirius or Sev!”
Harry burst out laughing, “No, I mean…I mean that’s an idea…but no. I spoke to Sirius about us, over Christmas. And you know, he could tell we’re a lot more physical with each other. And er.” He scratched the back of his neck and Ky grew curious, they had grown quite comfortable with each other so it was strange to see him this nervous, “Sirius gave me…this is weird…he gave me advice that my grandad gave my dad and him when they were younger.”
“Wow.” Ky reached forward grabbing Harry’s hand, understanding just what that must mean to him, “What did he say?”
Harry smiled, “Well, Sirius said that there was this girl that he was really crazy about. And that, his brain would go to mush when she was around. And…there just, physically got on well.” Ky laughed at his euphemism. “So my granddad told him, that if the girl was special, then he should treat her that way. And that there’s nothing wrong with getting lost in the moment, but it’s important to talk about stuff to make sure you’re on the same page, when things are you know, not so heated. And part of being a gentleman, was ensuring the girl you’re with feels heard. Because obviously when things are heated, everything is screaming for attention, and so it’s easy to not…listen? So I guess, now that things are not quite so heated, and everything is silent…” He made a sweeping gesture to their bodies, “Do you trust me?”
Ky had trouble processing all of what Harry said, getting distracted by the implication that ‘he was crazy about her’ and that ‘she was special.”
“Ky?”
She didn’t answer, pulling him down by the tie and kissing him. It was gentle, slow, and sweet.
He gulped, “So I take that as a yes.”
She nodded, her heart so full.
“With everything?” He whispered and she nodded.
“Do you trust me?”
He sighed, “A scary amount.”
Ky understood what that meant. Harry had his own walls, and rightfully so. But these past few months, the boundary lines for his walls and hers seemed to have merged.
Ky reached up, embracing him. In some ways this felt more intimate than when their lips were at their most secret places.
“Okay, I’m glad we’re on the same page, love.” He pulled away and Ky automatically took a step closer to him, wanting to be close to him still, “I really have to go.” He kissed her on the forehead, and then sprinted off, hopefully just a few minutes late for his lesson.
Ky heard a sniff and looked to her left, at the blubbering old knight, “If you two don’t get married some day I’m going to storm this castle.”
Ky laughed at the ruddy face of the nearby knight, “You and me both Sir Cadogan. You and me both.”
A/N: Some cute Harry/Ky moments there at the end! I figured duelling would be something those two would like to do. Also a bit about Ky’s clairvoyance. These two are learning to communicate a bit better, thanks to Sirius and some good advice. I hope you enjoyed that chapter :) Feedback as always is so very appreciated!
Thank you for reading!
hannahh00789 on Chapter 1 Thu 31 Jul 2025 12:34AM UTC
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