Chapter 24
"The Deep Ages"
~~
In that light
There is a bright gem
That sparkles whenever
Where ever it may be
However it is
A smile of sadness
A grin of delight
Either
Just as brilliant
(Just as bright)
The dream
That it never fades
Away like all the others
A hope it won't
Not like all the others
Don't want to see it fall apart
Crushed under the weights
There is that pleasure
The perfection of what it is
That it's found the greatest fear
Unknown
Often it is in darkness
Where you can see
Nothing else illuminates it quite as well
As that lack of what you seek
Enabling you to see
Letting you in on
The news
Often it is in the darkness
Where you fall
That you meet
The unlikeliest people
~
##Harry##
He glanced quickly around the shabby mess left of their living room.
Running through the house, he ignored the protests and screams of the girls.
Hermione, where was she?
Was she here when it happened?
In the bedroom he caught the foul scent of the dead knockout potion.
And Hermione's possessions scattered all over the place.
He knew people only ever used that for when they want the person. Anything else and they'd just stun or blind. It would be easy enough.
Knockout potion however lasted hours. Long enough to take them anywhere you wanted to.
By now the entourage surrounding Elianne had found its way along with her through the torn house, to that room.
They stood taking it all in.
"She's gone isn't she?"
He could only nod.
His mind spun at who would do it. There was an answer. Though to him it made hardly any sense.
There was a sound almost like a fluttering of wings.
He looked to the open window, in awe at the sight.
A lighted creature so brilliant shone eminently from where the gap had been in the completely smashed glass pane.
It encompassed the whole room with its great honour. Filling the small space with its incomprehensible song. Melodic notes formed by its inhuman vocals. A ringing in the brain, in fact in every cell, of a certain kind of undeniable truth to what it intoned. A meaning the resonated within. Indescribable for mere mortals.
Elw'in nerayad galass gallim
Sephe ner'ei jaroh hasshim
Ll'reta bleweyd kalli hassar
Ley marot kilea'y ishwelya
Elw'in kha'os nariitem shaela
Ellelwy marew let isteu
Wayr gal'lem lashir
Way'r estisa lel eltana
S'ynau li'lwy utam ol'lf
Fash qilh'so narram do'til
The last sounds waved out to their ears softly, creating an air of sentience.
And as quickly as it had appeared, the apparition faded from very existence.
Leaving a hole that seemed vastly dark against what it was.
Cassandra started to speak slowly, as he'd never heard before.
In a glassy trance her lips urged on in a graceful coarse whisper.
:::: they tell of a daughter of darkness, of a darkness not from here. He changed the way of our world to make Her, he took power to give to Her. He wants it. He wants the darkness. Khaaeod. He wants it. He wants his. He wants his……..
As if it took everything from her to do it, she collapsed heavily, ending the brief séance of interpretation.
Elianne mournfully took in the stance of the situation. Things did not look good.
"What should we do?"
Harry chided her for being impetuous. It wasn't easy being in charge. Not of yourself. Certainly not of four others incapable of doing anything themselves.
"Quiet Elianne"
He gathered his thoughts together. Who would be able to help?
The order, yes.
"I've got to go somewhere"
Elianne whined at him, obviously scared.
"But what about us! They said it's dangerous. And the floo's off as well."
He tried to keep calm. This wasn't what he needed now. However there was only one option.
"Fine you'll all have to come with me."
He secretly added the thought that where they were going they'd be much safer anywhere.
Where they were going was the place that put a stop to this.
"You two help Cassandra up. We've got to get going right this minute."
He didn't like the idea that Hermione wasn't in control. She knew what to do usually. She had the knowledge, the skill. Always. She could always pull it off. Whatever it was. If she couldn't help herself how could he? It had been too long since he'd had to act the hero.
The girls already at her side, moved to support her fragile form as she stood up wearily.
Elianne tugged on Harry's shoulder.
"I hate to ask but how are we getting there?"
He would have grinned happily at his plan if it hadn't been under such dour circumstances. He presumed Hermione had never mentioned the flying carpet he'd owned before. And for first years it would be interesting. Brooms where one thing. Carpets, well lets say they're a bit more heady.
"Don't worry. Just get ready to hang on."
~
Love saved everyone
But those who left before
Without will
They died
I lied saying I could do it
That it was a job
Just a job
For it was murder really
And I made it real, truly
They did the task
I unlocked the fatal door
My key the one
Could have not given in
Could have saved them too
But in that someone still
Always has to sacrifice
Happiness born from pain
A transference
That quote that says as much
Joy is only stealing from another
That you make them miserable
A selfish system
And I chose
Now I repay
The life of mine
Short-lived happiness
Because Now I repay
Now I give back my years
For only one I took
I give back
For all those I forsake
My pain half as good
For I am alive
They are not
~
##___##
The medium build man strolled into the concrete corridor, thinking as he walked to him welcome what it was to be here.
His many colleagues gasped and stared at the presence of their long lost friend.
He'd changed he knew. Of course. Working undercover meant sacrifices had to be made. Usually.
But he quite fancied the way he'd ended up.
His blonde hair long and bound back in a tight tail of leather cord, the black robes flowing around him in a manner that reminded him of his mentor.
He could get used to being adored. That egoistic behaviour wasn't seen at the 'monastery'.
Everyone there lived to serve the great god. Blah blah…BLAH.
But they'd overdone it and that was why he was here.
He swaggered in to the head office.
Where Snape resided in his absence.
Severus Snape.
The man who'd saved his life.
It sounded better than the man who'd spared it at least.
+++++
##Harry##
The compound buzzed on the go as the group entered.
Barely anyone noticed they were there.
Or only a few cared.
At the middle of the fuss was a face Harry and Lucretia in any case hadn't thought they'd see.
Draco.
Standing around a great magicked map, was Draco, Snape and a few other important intelligent looking people.
By the look of the plan, which had mini figures planted all around the globe, they were up to solving the current crisis.
Harry wondered how he'd get anyone's attention in the hectic bustle.
Lucretia, however, did what was only natural to do.
She shouted out to him "DAD!"
Malfoy looked up to another malfoy. A lump caught in his throat as she bounded towards him. *Why was she here? How was she involved in this? Please don't let her be.*
##Draco##
Draco had committed a terrible crime. In the past. Unintentional. Forced, yes. But done.
One reason he'd never sacrificed himself.
Why he'd foolishly thought he could stall. That he'd fail. That it would be ok.
And why all those people had died.
Was his fear for his then unborn child.
Perhaps it was that, he reasoned, that was why he kept away from her. Not just that old predictable excuse about Pansy Parkinson being her mother and the Parkinson genes Luce possessed.
She was his weakness.
+++++
##Draco##
They all crowded round a large table, in a secluded part of the compound. A secretive conference room as it was.
With confused talks going on.
Draco it turned out wasn't the greatest spy on the earth.
Snape's voice made the man shrivel in fear. "Why is it that you cannot return to your position exactly? The position that we need now more than ever."
Draco gulped. Feeling once again evermore the stupid schoolboy.
"I snuck out a couple of times. It got them suspicious I think. After this I doubt they'll ignore it."
Snape glovered at him, totally oblivious to the wondrous stares the rest were giving his performance.
"Why may I ask did you 'sneak' out? What was so important you risked the whole Paris set up for? You knew after Georgia and Adam were compromised that you were THE only operative in their system. THE only one left to gather VITAL intelligence for us. Yet it seems you lack intelligence, or you might have been able to bring us more."
Draco glanced briefly across the room before answering. He spoke it out feebly. The chorus of a battered child, afraid of wrongdoings, of what it would get him.
"I went to visit my daughter."
Snape said nothing to this.
He moved his back to Draco and addressed the remaining audience. Ready to address the problem they were in.
"Draco. Please explain to our friends and colleagues about the threat. They won't know."
He never turned to talk to the man; he never batted an eyelid at the change in condition.
Draco took it that he was forgiven, in the way that it was possible to be forgiven by the Snape heir, and so he strided in on the myth. Knowing this was going to be difficult to put.
"The cult who've been attacking recently are the Khaeodrics. They founded their beliefs upon the legend millennia old. That of Khaeod, the lord of darkness. By our understanding he is not a god. He is simply in a pane of existence far above humans. Some would call that godlike, and indeed they do. They worship him, hoping to be rewarded by doing their duty. Servicing their dark lord is all they live for. And the legend is what they seek to fulfil.
The legend which is far older than can be traced back, talks of Khaeod gathering power from our world to fuel his self. Once he had enough he imprisoned the fates. He messed with destiny as is said and created his own child. The Cwendendia, to be goddess queen of darkness. She would literally be a child of the gods, a demigoddess. And through her he wanted to channel into this strata of reality. To bring his dream upon the world we know. Of chaos and darkness.
So basically the Khaeodrics live to make this real. They won't stop at anything. The recent attacks were their new leaders demonstrations of influence. They have centres placed all over. In every single country. We can't be too careful when dealing with them. They punish harshly, of even their own. Anyone caught won't be dealt with nicely."
He stopped for breath, hoping he'd not have to give details again. He looked to Severus for approval.
Snape nodded slightly and moved to take his position at the table finally.
"Now Mr. Potter. What can we do for you?"
##Harry##
He blurted it out almost not caring it was Snape he was talking to. He'd sat through all that impatient to get help. It was his chance.
"They have Hermione. I'm pretty sure they do. She was definitely taken. Kidnapped. There was d-k potion all over the room. But I don't know where. You HAVE to help."
##Snape##
Snape studied his former student. Aware that his eyes were near bulging out, his face muscles strained, vocal chords tensed. Awaiting a reply. Wanting him to help somehow.
"Understand our resources are stretched. And you cannot be sure I'm sure that it was them. Never the less if it is we can only help is we know why she was taken."
Harry appeared frantic. He clutched onto Elianne's shoulder, ready to black out in a panic
*Why can't I do anything? Why can't they? Where is she? There's no way out of this is there. She's gone*
Dido, who'd ridden, flown and sat silently through all of it, suddenly spoke up boldly.
"Cassy said something in her trance. After we saw the angel. She mentioned khaaeod. Just like Mr. Malfoy said. And she was talking about someone wanting a woman, a man. Maybe that has something to with it?"
##Draco##
Draco stared nervously at what the girl had said.
If it was true then it all made sense.
Cassandra was a seer. Snape had said she was, as a distant relative, an indirect Snape as it was.
And the appearance of an angel sounded all too like the tales he'd heard in those dark halls. Of the ones who came to put it right. To undo what his false lord meant for.
The leliods. Messengers of fortune.
They only thing was that it meant the legend wasn't so. Instead it was exactly as his old associates had faith to trust in.
It was a prophecy.
And they must at least believe it had come to pass.
~~
I used to love the world
Til it went wrong
Used to love
The song of the morning
The smile on a stranger
The sweet dusks glow
Used to love
The way friends come and go
The way you just know
Somethings
Used to love
That phrase
That melody
That smell
The quote strong
The bellowing notes
The fresh cut grass
Used to love
Used to
Now love's gone
Replaced by memories
Wishes
Wants
Futile in every sense
Miserable
Like I ended
Now I have nothing
Not even repulsion
Not even the emptiness of hate
The world decays
People the same
All spiralling down
Forever moving
Never realising where
Just happy
That the ride doesn't stop
Now I have nothing
Not even repulsion
Not even the emptiness of hate
Nothing
The way things are going
I used to love myself
But I'm not far below
~
##Hermione##
She struggled against her bonds. Cursing that her imprisoners hadn't been stupid enough to leave her near anything sharp edged.
The large doors opened up and a few soldiers of darkness entered. She recognised an individual among them.
May.
She hadn't changed on bit in all the years. The one addition to her was a long thin scar tracing her jaw line to the chin.
A voice called from the door instructing Eliza to check on the guest as it was so politely put.
"My my, you are known by many names."
Eliza strolled up to her rounding the back and tugging cruelly on the ropes. Forcing the chunks of rope into the skin of the arms.
"Yes indeed I am." She countered.
Listing them on her fingers idly
"Elizabeth Grinshott firstly. An unfortunate legacy of my muggle mother. And then May Potter, not any better for the reputation I deserve. By far the best and the one that will always truly only be my correct one is that of my fathers beloved daughter. And therefore I cherish my given name of Eliza Riddle."
Hermione gazed back at her in dismay.
"OH! (Gasp)! Are you shocked? I had to have a reason didn't I, to betray my doomed husband and what better than blood."
Eliza rounded her once more. Taking a short delight that she'd shut up the bratty witch who'd hated her.
"That's right, you never believed Ronald McWeasley's hypothesis. So who would suspect it? Mind you, that didn't leave us on good terms anyhow."
Hermione replied dryly. Her stare to her adversary caustic in every implication.
"As much as I hated you, it was never lack of trust."
Eliza flipped the comment off casually. Like she'd been preparing for this moment for a grand duration of time.
"Yes. I know. Always to do with that boy, my spouse. Poor Harry James. Never stood a chance. Depended too much on others, couldn't stand on his own two feet, needed me. Worst choice possible though."
She looked away to the walls. Inspecting them with mock interest. Obviously waiting for Hermione's meagre retort. Not quite expecting what she had to say.
"I think you'll find he stands firmly on his feet these days."
Elizas eyes flared up but she had no chance to speak. A young man entered the room, Thomas not far behind.
Known to Hermione as Voldemort but less notable now. Eyes dulled, a blackened red. He was cracked almost, possessing a withered body, wrinkled with age and greyed in time and trouble. He'd become all he'd hated.
The young man rode up to Hermione and untied her.
The manner of him made her think twice about trying anything. He was ruthless. He may have politely kissed her hand as a gentleman would but his soul seen through his orbits told another story. Of a man who was a beast. Who knew no limits. Whose grace served only one purpose.
She was grateful when he left her alone with the others. They were manageable. He, she hoped, would not be adorning her with his company again any time soon.
Even the company of Thomas riddle was more pleasing to her than Adeodatus', as he had introduced himself.
Thomas too came astride her and announced himself, taking her hand to his lips.
She was revulsed at the sensation of her skin on his rough lips.
He saw it and bowed before her.
"I am sorry my lady. You bless me with your existence."
Waving over in the bow like a snake would if it could perform that task.
"How are you even alive?"
He looked deep into her. Analysing her almost.
"My humble servant, Eliza. My family. She supported me through my bad time. After I was disembodied. She took my spirit on. Saved me from death til we found our friends here. Their power restored me as a person and in assistance of the cause."
She coughed untactfully. Wishing he would step away.
"I was wrong after all that time. How I was stupid never to have seen it. Harry was never who I wanted. You were. You were what I would not defeat. Harry was protected by a fate. Unknowingly you spared him by the power within. Like I should have, he should have died. Ask yourself why he did not."
She laughed at him. Unsure what he was implying but sure that it wasn't true.
"Strange that he was spared when he should be dead. Is it not evidence of your powers, weak as they are now."
He peered right up at her silhouette, pupils sparkling with trepidation.
You were never a witch, you were a Goddess."
~
What did you do?
To deserve fates cruel hand
The movement of the suns mocking you
The stars twinkling in delight at suffering,
Things made right
What did you do?
Murder, rape, betrayal?
None of these
You did what saved millions
Yet by breaking one boys heart
You created a world where your destiny is
Exactly what it should be
The rain that falls on your parade
Is because this is a walk of shame
What did you do?
You forfeited what was not yours
You swapped love for happiness
And someone else's
Misery on you
You cracked it up
He's not the same
Nor are you
Both lives changed
From what you saw
And wanted
Desire for once left in the draw
And fate; it repaid you
Emotionally full
Empty in soul
Filled to brim though
With the tears of the years
That fell
What did you do?
Exactly what you had to
And no one knows
What you gave to save them
Only you know how much it meant
And just why it wasn't right
Despite it being what was needed
~