An Unlikely Coven

*

"Dammit, Linda, slow down!" Bobby Weasley managed to pant out.

Linda Potter, several yards ahead, didn't even bother to turn around. "One more set of stairs, and we're there," she replied breezily.

Joey Malfoy coughed. "There's more? Who designed this place, your track coach?"

Linda's stride grew longer, as she reached the landing. "Now that you mention it, I never really thought that I'd be grateful for Haverhill's sprinting drills, but that stair practice just came in handy," she called, stopping at the portrait hole There, she waited for Joey and Bobby to catch up.

"Kid, how the hell do you do that?" Bobby clomped the last few yards, and collapsed against the wall. "It's inhuman."

"It's called doing actual work at track practice, unlike a certain boys' team I know of." Linda shot a pointed look at Bobby and Joey, who had just caught up. "I mean, look at you two! And you call yourselves three-sport athletes! You can't even handle a little bit of a run."

Joey looked up, and wiped the perspiration from his brow. "Linda, that wasn't what I'd call a little bit of a run. It was a 1200, at least, and most of it was up stairs."

"Deal with it," Linda responded, rolling her eyes.

Just then, there was a loud "A-HEM!" from the portrait hole.

"Hello! You three out there? Would you please give me the password, so I can go back to getting my beauty rest?"

Twenty years had definitely not changed the Fat Lady.

"Snuffleupagus..... hey! What's the big idea?" Linda ducked as the portrait swung out farther than usual, almost colliding with her head.

"Sorry, dear. I'm a little off my hinges," the Fat Lady apologized. "See, I've been opening and closing quite a bit in these last few hours."

Bobby felt the unmistakable prickle of the tiny hairs on the back of his neck standing up. "So-someone's been in here? With the password?"

"Why, yes, of course," she replied. "A tall gentleman- I don't seem to recall him being here recently, but he had obviously been in Gryffindor Tower at some point. I thought I recognized him....."

Linda, Bobby, and Joey exchanged horrified glances.

"Creevey," they muttered simultaneously.

The Fat Lady beamed. "Yes! That's it! I knew that I'd seen him before....."

"How in hell'd he get the password?" Bobby wondered.

"Bobby, what are you doing?" Joey exclaimed. "This isn't a time for thinking! This is a time for action!" He jumped past the Fat Lady, and started to the Common Room.

"With you, it's never a time for thinking," Linda muttered, as she followed him through the portrait hole.

*

"Shit," Linda muttered a few minutes later. "I cannot fucking believe this."

The room before them looked as if a tornado had passed by; it was scattered with clothes and other possessions, and would have given anyone's mother a heart attack. Of course, there wasn't a sock to be found.

"Hey, Johnny Redneck, you'd better believe it," Bobby snapped. "Why don't you stop swearing and think of how we're supposed to fix this?"

"Yeah, Fearless Leader," Joey chimed in. "You're always supposed to be the one with all the answers, remember?"

That was definitely the wrong thing to say.

"Oh, yeah? Is that what you think? That I'm always right, constantly perfect? Is it?" Linda sneered icily. "In case you two are just far too thick to understand, that was completely rhetorical. God, that makes me sick! Just because I happen to do well in whatever I try means that I'm perfect? That I should be shunned? That I should be treated like some standing rock, always there to hold everyone whenever the tiniest thing comes up? Well, boys, I've got some news for you. All these years? All this time of being up on that goddamn pedestal? I'll let you in on a little secret."

Linda grinned malevolently.

"You know what? It was all the magic. That's right. I didn't do it on my own. I don't deserve any of the credit I get. It was all the magic. It wasn't natural ability, it was supernatural interference. So, if you two want to go ahead, and make a big deal out of how I'm always right, how I'm always perfect, why don't you keep that in mind? For all we know, I should have flunked the ninth grade. But, I guess we'll never find out, because it's all in the magic. No matter what, I've got to succeed. Nothing to do with my talents, my practice, my hard work. It's something with my blood. I can't fail. People like you, and the rest of the world, think that it's all right to harass me just because I'm like this. So, maybe I irritate people with my triumphs. So maybe some people are jealous. I don't care, because it's nothing of my doing. And all I have to say is this: constant success is a curse," Linda hissed, close to tears now. "If you'll excuse me, I believe I have other business to attend to. Hey, I might as well. What use is working together if you can't even stand me?"

"Linda-" Joey started, but she had already sprinted out the door.

*

Astronomy Tower. Astronomy Tower.

Running up the stairs, along corridors, Linda knew that she was receiving Dark vibes. Oh well, she thought, the faster I get to Nilock, the better. After all, with this cursed perfection, I can't lose.

Up, up, up..... just a little farther..... there!

Linda sighed with relief as she approached the door leading to the Tower. It didn't faze her that she could be meeting her doom, her death, her destruction.

You know, nothing really seems to matter right now, she thought, as she pushed open the door. I'll go in here, defeat Lord Nilock, be hailed, blah blah blah. I really couldn't care less right now. There's nothing here for me. Life has no purpose- I've got no struggles to overcome. And isn't that what life's all about? Working for what you want? Triumphing, but not without a hell of a load of blood, sweat, and tears?

"Yes, young Miss Potter."

Linda jumped, and snapped out of her reverie. Standing before her was none other than-

"Lord Nilock. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

Tall, slim, and sandy-haired, Nilock presented an imposing figure- but not one of fear and darkness. In fact, Linda wouldn't have picked him off the street if not for his eyes. They were a color never seen before: the blackest of black, darker than shadows, darker than tar, with flickers of silver. They stood out from his face, ruining the illusion of goodness and integrating the worst of evil.

"And you," he continued, "I assume, are Linda Potter."

Linda, though taken aback, cleared her throat. "That is correct. Where are Kaites and Persephone?"

Nilock smirked. "They have been released. As you can see, I've transformed out of cloud form. It wasn't of any particular use. However, you won't find them anywhere near here; they're in London at the moment, on the Underground. It's you, though, that I'm interested in." He smoothed his hair. "It would be difficult to miss you. You're the spitting image of your..... father." He intoned the last word with utter disgust, as if it had a nasty taste to it. "From what I know of you, you couldn't be more like him if you tried. Intelligent..... witty..... good."

"Better than the alternatives, I see," Linda shot back.

If Nilock was offended, his face didn't show it. He merely laughed. "There are significant differences, my dear Miss Potter. While your father had his share of academic troubles, you have a certain knack, so to speak. Infallible."

Linda gritted her teeth. He's not going to get to me. I've kept my cool, and it's gonna stay that way. "Yes, I suppose you could say that."

"It's that way with everything, isn't it, Linda?" Nilock stated. It wasn't a question. "Never failed at anything, have you? Always the best, always able to beat everyone else. Of course....."

"Of course what?" Linda wasn't fooling around.

Nilock smiled cunningly. "Well, as I'm sure someone like you has been able to decipher, it wasn't you."

"No shit, Sherlock," Linda sneered. "Did you think I was that dumb to actually believe that anyone could be like that?"

Nilock looked a bit surprised. "Well, perhaps you aren't a lost cause after all, Potter. There's a Dark side to you, isn't there?"

"There's a Dark side to everyone," Linda replied. "It's just more evident in some than in others."

Nilock didn't seem to hear her words. "Of course, it's obvious where this streak comes from. At least, to me. Would you know?"

"Know what?"

"Where your Dark tendencies come from," he explained gleefully. "Unless, of course, you've no idea of your family history....." he trailed off, and touched the light scar on the confused Linda's forehead.

"What are you talking about?" Linda asked, shaking slightly. Don't get freaked out, Linda. The world's most powerful evil wizard is touching your forehead, that's all.

"Well, then, I suppose you wouldn't know after all." Nilock removed his finger, and stepped back. "I shall explain it to you, then. At the age of one, your father was attacked by Lord Voldemort. I assume you know about him." Nilock smiled, an evil sort of smile that didn't fit his countenance. "Your paternal grandparents were killed in the attack, but nothing could kill your father." He scoffed.

"It's disgusting, really. A man who was marked for death at the age of one, surviving until the age of thirty-six. Absolutely terrible. The Dark Arts would have had a flawless history if not for your father. Harry Potter is the cause for the suffering of many."

"So aren't you," Linda spat.

Nilock ignored this interjection. "Anyway. When Voldemort attempted to kill your father, his powers were drained. He straggled away from the scene, weak and powerless." His face contorted. "In fact, many of his abilities were transferred to your father. He's a scar on his forehead- much like yours. As scars aren't inherited, I can only speculate as to where yours is from. So, the most respected member of the wizarding world has some of the Dark Arts in him. And this was obviously passed on to you."

Linda sat, shocked. I'd never thought to ask about Dad's parents. They were just never there. Of course, Ma's 'parents' didn't turn out to be who they were supposed to be, either....

"You know, you might not be totally useless, Linda," Nilock commented. "There's so much magic in there. How else would you be the way you're perceived to be? There's not possible way."

Linda squeezed her eyes shut.

"Perfect. Too perfect," Nilock hissed. "Sickeningly terrific. Every parent's dream, Linda. You had straight A+ for ten years. No one can do that. You played every sport, always fantastic, never any mistakes. No one can do that. The music department's prize gem- every instrument, making countless music festivals. No one can do that."

I'm not listening to him.....

"Linda, it wasn't you. Only the magic. Not you. Only the magic. Can you hear me? Not you. Just the magic. Imagine what they'd say, if they knew about that. Not you, only the magic. Not you, just magic. No talent. Only magic. No brains. Only magic. No diligence. Only magic. Nothing else......"

Nothing else. Only magic. Nothing else. Only magic. Nothing else. Only magic. Nothing else. Only magic.

"You can't lose this battle, Linda." Nilock crooned slyly. "Remember, the magic keeps you from losing. The magic keeps you from losing."

Magic keeps me from losing. Magic keeps me from losing. Magic keeps me from losing. Magic keeps me from losing. Magic keeps me from losing. Magic keeps me from losing. Magic keeps me from losing.

"You can't lose."

Can't lose. Can't lose. Can't lose. Can't lose. Can't lose. Can't lose.

"Why even try to beat me? You can't lose."

Don't try. Don't try. Don't try. Don't try. Don't try. Don't try.

Only magic. Nothing else. Magic keeps me from losing. Can't lose. Don't try. Only magic. Nothing else. Magic keeps me from losing. Can't lose. Don't try. Only magic. Nothing else. Magic keeps me from losing. Can't lose. Don't try. Only magic. Nothing else. Magic keeps me from losing. Can't lose. Don't try. Only magic. Nothing else. Magic keeps me from losing. Can't lose. Don't try. Only magic. Nothing else. Magic keeps me from losing. Can't lose. Don't try.

Can lose. Can lose. Can lose.

Can lose?

*

"Linda! Can you hear me? YOU CAN LOSE! YOU CAN LOSE! YOU CAN LOSE!"

Joey felt as if he would go hoarse. He glanced over, to make sure that Bobby was still keeping Nilock at bay with a Barrier Spell. It wouldn't last for long though.....

At the time, listening at the door of the Astronomy Tower had seemed like a terrible idea. But now, he couldn't be happier.

It was obvious what Nilock had been attempting- to hypnotize Linda into a deep state of apathy, keeping her unworried by telling her that she was invincible. Well, there was only one anecdote.

"LINDA FELICITY POTTER! YOU CAN LOSE! YOU CAN LOSE! YOU CAN LOSE!" Joey screamed.

Come on Linda, snap out of it! he prayed.

Suddenly, Linda's lips began moving.

"Can lose..... can lose..... can lose....."

Joey's spirit surged. "Yes, Linda! You can lose! It's not the magic! You're not perfect! You're flawed! It's not all in the magic!"

Linda's big green eyes slowly opened. "What are you talking about?"

"Listen to me, Linda," Joey said frantically. "You can lose this fight. You're not perfect. All that stuff you're able to do? The grades and everything? It's all you. No magic involved. Trust me on this, Linda. If magic kept you from failing, then you wouldn't be like this right now. Come on, snap out of it! You can lose!"

Something must have finally clicked in Linda's brain; all of a sudden, she shot straight up, and pulled out her wand. All traces of sleep had disappeared from her face.

"I can lose. I can lose. We can lose. We can lose, but we won't," she said evenly. "The possibility is there, but we aren't going to let it happen."

Joey slapped her on the back. "Welcome back, kiddo."

Bobby turned around. "Enough fooling around here, guys. I believe we've got a wizard to..... destroy."

Nilock's face, formerly smug and confident, had gone pale. "You-you-you can't," he stammered.

Linda laughed. "Oh, yes, we can. You might be the most powerful Dark wizard in the world, but we're the exact same, on the flip side of the coin. Plus, we've got the advantage of teamwork on our side."

"Yeah," Bobby joined in. "You're a solo flier, while we've got each other to rely on."

"You know, we've been friends since birth," Joey added. "We know each other inside and out- nothing can surprise us. We might be the most unlikely coven in the world, but we've got all the advantages in this battle."

Nilock was now chalk-white. "N-n-no-no-"

"Yes," Linda corrected him. She turned to her two best friends, and smiled. "What shall we hit him with, boys? He was a decent conversationalist- how about we just put a total-paralysis spell on him, and let the authorities deal with him as they see fit?"

Joey shook his head. "Too kind. Our mission was to defeat Nilock, and we've got to do just that."

"Yeah," Bobby agreed. "Look at all the pain they've- Nilock and Voldemort- have caused. We can't take the risk of having that happen again."

"Oh, all right," Linda conceded reluctantly. "But guys, do we really want to become killers, because of this POS?"

"Thanks for toning down the language, Lin," Joey replied. "You've got a point there....."

"Hey!" Bobby exclaimed. "How about the Full-Body Bind? Couple that with a Silencing Charm, confiscate his wand-"

As the words left his mouth, Nilock's wand, which he had been slowly raising, flew from his hand, and into Bobby's.

Joey examined the wand. "Well, that part was easy enough."

"I knew you'd see it my way," Linda said confidently. "Whaddaya say? In or out?"

"In," Bobby and Joey said simultaneously.

The three pointed their wands at Nilock, and exchanged glances. Bobby's brown eyes looked into Linda's green ones, which gazed into Joey's gray ones.

"All for one, and one for all," Joey whispered.

"You got it, kid," Linda said quietly.

"All ready?" Bobby asked.

Linda and Joey nodded.

"One- two- three-" Linda counted-

"Petrificus totalus!"

*