Iuga Sortis III: The Beginning

Seven

Eyes opened to a dimly lit room. It was drafty, and the candlelight flickered against the stone walls. There was silence--too much of it to be calming--and the sense of foreboding was oppressive.

There was also a neck in the eyes' line of vision, a neck that featured a prominent Adam's apple, yet very smooth skin. The eyes were entranced by its milky color, and hands ached to touch the point that jumped in steady, staccato intervals. The hands gave into the desire, and one reached up, ever so slowly, to the enchanting pulse point. Fingertips touched the skin and marveled at its softness--much like a cloud would feel.

"Something wrong with my neck?"

Fingertips moved away from the neck as if scolded. "Sorry."

The Adam's apple vibrated rapidly as a chuckle came forth. The neck moved back into contact with fingertips, and they reveled in its softness again. Lips kissed the forehead, and the eyes fluttered at the contact as the neck moved away, revealing an equally entrancing face.

"Hi," the face whispered. Adorned on it was a soft smile, a soft smile that was hauntingly sad.

The brows over the eyes frowned. "What's wrong?"

The Adam's apple bobbed precariously. "How are you feeling?"

The eyes moved from the Adam's apple north and met another pair of eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses. These eyes were green.

"Why are you in bed with me?"

The question was more curious than accusatory, and the green eyes looked away sheepishly. "You were unconscious, and I carried you to your grandmother's room. You weren't waking up anytime soon, and I was exhausted, so I climbed into bed. Don't worry; I'm on top of the covers."

She lifted her own and saw she was in pajamas. A blush crept up her cheeks, and she bit her lip. "Did you change my clothes?"

He blushed as well, and Nia thought he was adorable as he did so. "No. Your grandmother changed your clothes, but left your jumper on the back of the chair and some trainers at the side of the bed."

Whew! I would've never been able to look him in the eye if he did change my clothes! But then again--

"Why was I unconscious?"

His hands, so different from her own, cupped her cheek. Unlike his neck, they weren't soft, but rough in a familiar and soothing kind of way. "You've been out of it since last night, Nia. It's around noon now."

She pulled away from him incredulously and jerked upright. "Are you serious?"

He gave a sad half smile again as he leaned on his elbows. "Yeah. Luckily it's Saturday instead of a weekday."

She snorted. "Yeah . . lucky . . ."

"How are you feeling?" he repeated.

"What happened that made me unconscious?"

Harry licked his lips and closed his eyes. The foreboding she felt became more prominent as each second passed. Nia was tempted to look into his thoughts, but she knew that would create more problems. "Do you remember anything that happened last night, Nia?"

She racked through her memory. Halloween Feast . . . fire . . Harry . . Ginny . . . Draco.

She felt as if ice water had been dumped on her. "No."

Harry's hand returned to her cheek as he kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry, Nia . . ." he whispered against her skin.

"Why are you sorry? There's nothin' to be sorry for."

"Nia--"

"No."

"Nia, don't be this way."

She pulled away from him and sat up, ignoring his command. Whatever he thought happened wasn't true, and she was going to give Draco a rather large piece of her mind when she saw him. "Where is he?"

She turned her back to him and put on her shoes. Nia could feel those eyes burn her back, and she shivered.

"At the Order's Headquarters."

Nia frowned and stood, removing her sweater from the back of a chair and pulling it over her head. "Why's he there? Just because it's the weekend doesn't mean he can go home."

Nia heard him sigh. She didn't turn to face him as he walked behind her. His palms cupped her shoulders and squeezed.

"He's gone, Nia."

Those words were hauntingly familiar to her, except the pronoun was "she" the first time. Memories of her mother's death danced behind her eyes, but she shoved them away. She refused to believe history repeated itself.

Nia shook her head quickly and laughed. "I know he's gone, silly! You just said he was at the Order's Headquarters!"

His hands moved so he was fully hugging her. "No, Nia. He's dead."

Her body temperature began to rise, and a golden haze overcame her body. She shoved out of his arms and whirled to face him, pointing an accusing finger at him. "You're a filthy liar, Harry Potter. This is a low prank, even for a Slytherin."

He drew a ragged breath and ran his hand through his messy hair. "I wouldn't lie to you, Nia, not about this. You know I'm not lying, either."

She remembered the curse--an eerily purplish-green light that hit Draco square in the chest where his heart was. Voldemort cast the curse, and for some reason, Pettigrew was highly put out at the wizard for doing so. She tried to warn him, but Voldemort was too quick, and her silence was all for naught. Nia remembered Draco asking her throughout that day what was wrong with her, for her stomach had been queasy from morning. Nia had dreamed of the scenario the night before, but she didn't say anything, thinking, if she didn't voice it, her dream wouldn't come true.

As it had when she told the dream of her mother dying five years before.

"No."

"Nia," Harry breathed and stepped forward.

She backed away from him, the golden haze dissipating. "He's not dead, Harry. He can't be dead. I didn't say anything! I didn't say anything! He's not dead!"

She was shaking now, and her eyes were wide. Harry took another step forward, and she took one away from him.

"Nia--"

"Where's Ginny?"

Harry stopped walking and looked at her sympathetically. "She's at Headquarters, too, comforting his mother."

She narrowed her eyes. "And they left me here, at Hogwarts?"

Harry nodded slowly, his answer hesitant. "Yes."

She felt her ire rise again, and she growled. "They left me here, at Hogwarts, while she gets to be there with him?!"

He began to walk, and she flailed her arms. The space in front of them shimmered briefly, and Harry's eyes widened. He continued to walk to her. She backed away, but he barely took three steps before he was forcibly stopped.

"An invisible wall," he muttered.

"Don't come near me. Don't you dare come near me!"

He looked at her helplessly. "You shouldn't do this, Nia. You shouldn't put walls around you like that--literal or no. Believe me, I know. You're only going to feel more miserable. Don't push away people. Trust me on this . . ."

She looked at him and saw the sincerity in his eyes. He knew from experience; the brief "death" of his godfather hit him hard. But she remembered something he said during the summer, after their first run-in with Set.

"I'm even willing to bet you brought Sirius back from behind the veil."

Could it be possible? Nia sincerely hoped so. If she brought back Harry's godfather, who was to say she couldn't bring back Draco? She saw the attack, saw his collapse, but she didn't feel Draco dead. Her heart refused to believe he was gone, and she would do everything in her power to bring him back.

She waved her hand in front of her, and the space shimmered again. He took a hesitant step. "Nia?"

"Did you mean it when you said I brought Sirius back from the dead?"

The color drained from his face, and he let out a sigh. "Nia--"

"Did you mean it?"

He shook his head. "I don't want to give you false hope--"

"Harry! How would this be false hope? If I did it for Sirius, who's to say I can't do it for Draco?"

"But as you said, you didn't know he'd died. How could you have brought him back if you weren't even aware of his death in the first place?"

He had a point, but she wouldn't let that deter her from her new mission. "How could I have done a lot of the things I do--we do, for that matter? We ain't normal, Harry, not even by the wizarding world's standards. All I know is that I can potentially help Draco as I did your godfather, and I intend to do it--with or without your help." She started to walk past him, and he grasped her arm. "Let go of me," she said, dangerously low.

"You're not doing anything without me. Ginny lost Draco; I'll be damned if I lose you."

Despite the grief she felt, Nia couldn't help but be warmed by Harry's declaration. She chanced a glance at him, and his eyes were full of that determination which got him into and out of many dangerous situations. She didn't want to think of the implications of that statement just now.

She licked her lips. "Fine. Just don't stop me." Nia jerked her arm from him and grabbed her robes.

"I'm going to stop by Gryffindor to change. I'll meet you in the dungeons."

Nia nodded absently and walked out of the room, not bothering to wait for him to put on the rest of his clothes. Her grandmother's room was in the same tower as Dumbledore's, but there was a separate entrance to Jamilah's room, which meant once Nia left it, she would end up on the seventh floor instead of the second. She went down the steps to the seventh floor and walked quickly to the main stairs. As she approached them, the landings began to change. After the movements stopped, she realized she would only be able to get as far as the sixth landing.

"You've got to be kidding me," she muttered as she took the stairs. She was becoming increasingly frustrated and angry--angry at Harry for telling her Draco was dead, angry at Ginny for being with him, angry at her grandmother for leaving her at Hogwarts when she should be with her best friend--angry at herself for not doing enough to help him. She reached the sixth floor in a huff, her frustration and anger making room for fear. Nia was unfamiliar with this corridor, and she was alone. At the end of it, green light shone from a crack. Her fear melted into curiosity, and she went towards it, grasping her wand just in case.

Nia opened the door hesitantly and gasped at what greeted her. The room was huge. There was a pyramid, hieroglyphics, and a large mural on the opposite wall. Her eyes darted back and forth throughout the room, disbelieving the sight they beheld. There was a table below the mural, and she walked to it. On the table were vials with labels: hawthorn, aloe vera, phoenix tears, holy basil, deadly nightshade, Isis' tears, and cinnamon. There was also a flask of reddish liquid labeled "ambrosia." The vials were clear, so she could see the contents inside. The only empty one was the "Isis' tears" vial.

Nia frowned. Why would all the vials but that one be full? Better question--what am I supposed to do with this stuff in the first place?!

She searched the table for instructions but found none. Her frustration grew again, and she slammed her fists onto the table, causing the vials to clink in protest.

"Why is this happening?" she croaked, falling onto her knees. There was no answer, not that she was expecting one. Never had she felt more alone than she did then. Harry probably didn't know where she was, and everyone else must have been at the Order's Headquarters. She was not dumb, she knew the castle sent her to this room on purpose, but she couldn't figure out why.

Nia looked back to the door she came through, only to see it didn't exist anymore. She punched the floor again, and the tears finally began to fall. "Some Isis I turned out to be . . . I couldn't even save Draco from Voldemort!" she whimpered.

"You're being too hard on yourself, child. I'm very proud of you, my daughter."

She gasped and shuffled away from the table. "Who's there?!"

The deep, honeyed voice chuckled. "Look at the mural, my daughter."

She backed up more, so the entire mural was in her line of vision. Her mouth dropped open at the sight. It was them, but not them.

"Dear God above," Nia murmured.

"Spitting image, I daresay, Aset," the green drawing stated.

"That's my middle name," Nia said absently.

"I know, my daughter. You're my descendant, after all, or did you not know that?"

Nia frowned. "Just because I have your middle name doesn't mean I'm your descendant! There are plenty of people who've named their children after you!"

"Yes, but the blood flowing through your veins is the same that flowed in mine. You are more than just a reincarnate, child; you are my heir."

Nia snorted. "Yeah, right."

Aset grinned. "Perhaps you should talk to your 'Grandpa Albus' for more information about that."

Nia licked her lips and wiped the tears from her eyes. "You know my Grandpa Albus?"

"Oh yes, quite well, actually. He's the one who installed the room, along with your 'Grandma Asenath,'" Aset revealed.

Nia stood and clasped her hands over her stomach. "Why is the room here? Why am I here? I have to go! I have to see if I can save Draco--"

"Set and Thanatos got him, didn't they?"

The green drawing looked at the woman beside him sympathetically. "Nebt-het, you know it has to happen this way."

"But, Asar, look at the child! I can only imagine how Ginny must be feeling right now--"

"You know Ginny?" Nia interrupted.

The one called Nebt-het smiled, and Nia was strangely comforted by it. "Yes, child. She visited us about a year ago, in fact, very wrapped up in Draco--"

"As she should be!" the green god exclaimed.

The one she deduced to be Apedemak rolled his eyes, and she chuckled. "Harry would've done the same thing," Nia told him.

Apedemak winked. "Couldn't have picked him better myself. He'll kick Thanatos' ass for me once and for all."

Her eyes clouded at the name. "Thanatos . . . why is that name familiar?"

Aset shifted her eye. "He helped Set dispose of Osiris in the coffin . . ."

"And he's Voldemort."

Nia bit her lip as her eyes began to pool with tears. "He killed him. He killed Draco . . ."

"And you have a chance to rectify that, darling. I must warn you, however--nothing is guaranteed. But I did it before, and I have faith you can too. Why do you think the vials are here?"

Nia looked warily at the table. "All of the ingredients ain't there. The Isis' Tears vial is empty."

Aset smiled. "So what are you waiting for, darling? Give the vial your tears."

Her lip began to tremble, and she bit it. "But . . ."

"There are no 'buts,' love. Draco needs you, as you need him. Only you can do it, love, and I have every faith you can," Asar reassured her.

Nia walked slowly, as if the table was a ticking time bomb. In a way, it was. She was sure she had a limited amount of time to do whatever was needed to save Draco, and Nia was afraid everything would blow up in her face. She gingerly picked up the vial and twirled it in her hands. What was she supposed to do with it after she cried in it? Would it even work?

"How full does it have to be?"

"Not all that full; just enough to know there's some in there," Aset said.

Nia rolled her eyes. "That's vague."

"Blame Thoth. He said the same to me when I had to do it. But I'll promise you it'll know when there's enough."

Nia sniffed, not at all confident in her abilities. "I can't even do proper wandless magic, and here you are tryin' to get me to save somebody?"

"You're ready now, love. And you can do wandless magic. Haven't you noticed it's become easier for you ever since the storm you created?"

That much was true. It seemed the magic came easily now, but then again she had been upset for the better part of the day. She knew the stronger the emotion, the easier to feel and use the magic, but it was also harder to control. The goal was to have it all the time and easily manipulated, not just when she was angry and frustrated.

"Child, do not despair. You've crossed a big hurdle in your training. It will be easier for you now," Nebt-het promised.

Nia stared at the vial and grinned a little. "I feel real weird cryin' into a test tube. That ain't normal, if you ask me."

The gods chuckled. "But think of the elation you'll feel when Draco is in your arms again, love--" Asar said.

"And the joy I'll have when you smack him a good one!" Apedemak added.

Nia felt hopeful and desperate at the same time. She hated crying and cursed herself for all the times she had during her time here. Crying got people nowhere, she always thought, but now the gods were saying it could potentially save her friend's life--a friend she'd come to think as her own brother.

"You did it to keep me safe," she muttered. Her head was bowed, and she positioned the tube underneath her eye. She laughed at how ridiculous she felt, but it couldn't dampen the grief she had. "What am I gonna do without you, Draco?"

A tear fell into the vial, and she stared at it. Something so small in the grand scheme of things would be necessary to save his life . . . kind of how she felt herself to be. Harry said she wasn't ready, and Draco agreed. Ironically both of them were injured severely, but only one of them survived.

And she couldn't save either.

Another tear fell, then another, and soon she couldn't count them anymore. Nia was unaware the vial sealed itself closed once it got enough, and that was fine with her, for she'd dropped it on the table and cried. She cried for her mother, for Draco, for the people in Hogsmeade, Harry, Ginny, Draco's mother, Jamilah, Snape--everyone. She cried for them.

"I'm sorry . . ."

"Why are you apologizing, love? None of this is your fault."

Nia hiccupped and stood straight, hastily wiping the tears from her eyes. She took a couple of calming breaths and wiped her hands on her pajama pants.

"Nia?"

She didn't respond and didn't turn to face him. A door closed, and footsteps echoed in the room. She figured he was in the middle of the room waiting for her to speak.

"Baby, talk to me."

His tone was plaintive, and she couldn't ignore it. She turned and faced him, resting her hands on the table behind her. He was in jeans and wore a long sleeved shirt with a button down top over it. His hair was just as disheveled as it was earlier, though she knew he tried to run a comb through it. His hands were in his front jean pockets, and his head was slightly bowed as he looked at her. His eyes were kind and sympathetic.

It made her want to vomit.

Nia rolled her eyes and gave a self-mocking snort. "It is my fault. You were right--I ain't ready, and because I ain't ready, dozens of people died--including Draco."

"I didn't mean--"

"Yes. You did. And that's fine. All it took was Draco's death for me to believe you."

"Don't talk that way--"

"Don't talk what way? I'm just sayin' what you've been sayin' the entire time! I was a fool to believe I could've helped!"

"But you did help! You sent the storm! Ginny told us that! You told Draco to watch out!"

"And he watched Voldemort kill him! DAMMIT! Why, Harry? If I were better prepared, I could've helped! I could've fought, and saved him." Nia couldn't look at him anymore and stared at the ceiling. "Ginny wouldn't be mourning her boyfriend right now. Mrs. Malfoy wouldn't be heartbroken over the loss of her son. I wouldn't be so alone . . "

"But you aren't alone, love. You have me . . ."

She snorted again and gave a wan smile. "Yeah? For how long? You almost died yesterday, too."

She heard him walk closer, but she kept her eyes upward. "But I didn't die, Nia. I'm still here."

"And what about the next battle? Or next year? Or tomorrow? It's not guaranteed, Harry!"

"It's not going to happen--"

"That's what my mama said before she died! She promised me she wasn't gonna die! But no! She ain't here now! She died because of me! She wasn't even supposed to have me!"

She dropped her face into her hands and sobbed. Suddenly she was in his arms, and she burrowed her face into his chest. He whispered things she couldn't comprehend, but his arms around her and his hand caressing her head comforted her. Nia moved her hands from her face and wrapped them around his waist tightly, wanting to feel every bit of him against her. She felt safe and secure, and she let herself enjoy the sensation.

It was silent for a stretch of time before Harry broke it. "How did she die?"

Nia swallowed and shook her head against his chest. "I don't rightly know . . I've been hearin' rumors about some kinda disease or somethin'. Grandma won't tell me; neither will Daddy. All I know is she'd come home after stayin' in the hospital for so long, and I thought that meant she was gettin' better . . she just wanted to die at home. I can't fault her for that, can I?"

"No, you can't. But I don't see how this has to do with you."

Nia shrugged and snuggled closer to him. "I don't wanna talk about it right now . . . could you just hold me for a minute?" She cursed the smallness of her voice, but she wanted to indulge herself in his nearness.

Harry chuckled and kissed the top of her head. "I'll hold you forever if you want me to."

Her body tensed, then trembled at his words. His tone was so soft and full of promise that she dared not look in his eyes for confirmation.

"Those words are so familiar, aren't they, Aset?"

"Yes, Apedemak, they are."

"Oh dear Ra in heaven above, make it stop!"

"Oh shush, Asar! Your reincarnates had their moment; let ours have theirs!"

"I agree with Aset; I think it's sweet!"

"You would, Nebt-het. You've always been a sucker for romance."

"Better than just being a sucker, isn't it, Asar?"

Nia giggled at Apedemak's barb and separated from Harry. His arms had since slackened around her, and she noticed his jaw open unflatteringly. She gently pulled his chin up, and he looked at her questioningly. She grinned and nodded.

"That's--that's--"

"Yep."

"So this is the Room Ginny was talking about?"

"Right in one, my boy. As smart as you are handsome." Apedemak beamed.

"That's not nice, insulting the boy like that," Asar said.

"Right, and whose reincarnate is dead at the moment?"

"That was low even for you, Apedemak!" Nebt-het rebuked.

The sudden jovial mood disappeared just as quickly with that reminder, but instead of growing sad, Nia grew resolved. "Right, and as Aset said, there's a chance it can be rectified, isn't there?"

Aset smiled warmly. "That's right, my daughter. The cauldron is ready."

The pyramid in the center of the room opened to reveal a table with a small alabaster cauldron. Nia looked at Harry, and his eyes were wide with wonder. "Wicked."

"Forget wicked. It needs to work," she told him as she walked to the table where the vials were. It was as if a magnet had attracted her hand to the ambrosia flask; it went straight to it without hesitation. She poured the ambrosia in the cauldron, and a fire lit beneath it.

"What do I do next?" she asked rhetorically. No sooner had the words left her mouth than she began going to the vials, putting them into the cauldron in some unknown order. She was on autopilot the entire time, muttering phrases in the ancient Egyptian tongue and stirring the contents of the cauldron in intricate patterns. Harry stood back from her, and for that she was grateful. Nia wouldn't have been able to tell him what she was doing even if she wanted to do so.

Finally she was done preparing the cauldron, and she placed the lid over it. "How long will we have to wait?" she asked the gods.

"Thirty minutes."

She felt panicked all over again. "Thirty minutes! That's too much time! What if we're too late?"

"Have faith, my daughter. Have faith in your abilities and in the Fates. Do you feel Draco gone from you?"

Nia shook her head. "No, I don't."

Aset smiled. "Then don't worry."

She snorted and crossed her arms. "Easier said than done."

"As are so many other things in this world, hmm?" Nebt-het said, looking pointedly between Nia and Harry.

Nia felt her cheeks heat, but she refused to look at her companion. She felt him come behind her, and she tingled.

His lips brushed her ears. "You look just like Aset."

"And Apedemak is a black version of you. Asar is a green version of Draco. Nebt-het looks exactly like Ginny . . . are you sure y'all are biologically related?"

"As we told your companions earlier, we have independent genetic makeup, as if we weren't even biologically brother and sister," Asar explained.

Nia nodded slowly. "So it's perfectly natural to think of Draco as my brother."

Aset smiled. "I'll bet you've been biting your tongue from saying it, haven't you?" Nia nodded sheepishly. "I'm sure he'd love to hear you say it, my daughter."

Nia grinned and relaxed her shoulders. Harry's hands began to massage them, and she was grateful for the gesture. They worked out the tight muscles, and she turned to jelly.

"You always did give the best massages, Apedemak," Nebt-het commended.

"Thank you--"

"Wait a minute!" Asar and Aset exclaimed at once.

"What in the world are you doing giving my goddess a massage?" Asar continued.

"And the answer better be good," Aset added.

The other two deities grinned at each other.

"This was back when the two of you hated me, remember?"

"I still hate you, Apedemak."

The Nubian god smirked. "No, you don't. You like me, and it kills you that you do."

"I'd die before I ever admit that."

"Well, you did--twice."

"Enough, you two. That happened almost six millennia ago. It's time for you to let go," Aset recommended.

Nebt-het looked at Nia kindly. "Try to make sure it doesn't happen like this between Harry and Draco."

"Too late," Nia muttered.

"In my defense, I'm getting better . . . I don't get off a hex every time he calls me Potty."

"If you stopped answering to it, he'd stop calling you that." Nia smirked.

His laugh was deep, and it enveloped her like a warm blanket on a chilly night. His hands squeezed her shoulders before coming around them and drawing her to him. Her hands touched his forearms as she tried to pry him off her.

"Lemme go!"

"Not on your life," he whispered in her ear.

She laughed and tickled his sides. His laughter increased, and his arms relaxed, allowing her to get away.

"I'm going to get you for that, little girl," he threatened.

"Um, it's Little One, not little girl!" she corrected.

"Regardless, I'm still bigger than you," he reminded her.

"And dumber!"

"Here, here!" Asar piped.

Harry scowled at Asar, and Nia clucked her tongue. "Ain't no use gettin' mad with a paintin'!"

"Oh yeah?"

Nia placed her hands on her hips. "Yeah!"

"Then I guess you'll have to do."

Her eyes widened as he grabbed her and began to tickle her mercilessly. She thrashed, scratched, and clawed his hand away, but he was relentless. Without warning, he scooped her over his shoulder and sat her on the table where the vials used to be to get a better grasp of her. She gasped and hiccupped throughout her defense until finally she gained the upper hand, wrapping her legs around his waist and his wrists behind his back. Giggles escaped until they finally died down at his smoldering green gaze.

Gone was the merriment, and it was replaced with something Nia dared not name. She let go of his wrists and began to pull back when his hands wrapped themselves around her waist. She was struck still, her eyes darting over his face and her heartbeat increasing. Nia noted she'd run the gamut of emotions that day--sadness, joy, hope, despair--but the one she was feeling currently overshadowed them all.

She closed her eyes and bowed her head. His stare unnerved her, making her feel as naked as the day she was born. Besides, it was much easier to deny what she saw in his eyes when she didn't look into them. Nia sucked in a wild breath at the feel of his hand against her cheek, and his thumb caressed it gently. She leaned into his touch against her will and felt a feather soft sensation on her forehead.

"Harry . . ."

"Mmm," he muttered as his lips seared a path along her hairline. His nose worried the space where her ear met her temple, and she squirmed. Her hands grasped the forearm around her waist, and she felt his muscles bunch as he moved his hands to the small of her back, drawing him closer in between her legs.

"What are you doin', Harry?" she whispered, her breath catching as his lips kissed the sensitive spot under her lobe.

He did not answer. Instead his lips placed small kisses along her jawbone, and Nia drowned in the sensations he was causing. There was so much affection in each little contact with his lips she was overwhelmed. His mouth reached the point of her chin, and he kissed it then moved higher to kiss the skin directly below her bottom lip. She shivered in anticipation, and he pulled away from her slightly. Nia keened at the loss.

"Cold?" he asked softly.

Her eyes remained closed, but she shook her head. "Scared."

His hand left her cheek and trailed her nose. "Of me?"

She still didn't open her eyes as she nodded. "Yes."

"Love, look at me." His voice left her no room to do otherwise, and her lids opened to reveal her golden eyes to him. He gave her a small smile and stepped closer, so his lips and hers were a breath's space away. She began to tremble again, and his hand grasped her chin lightly.

"Don't be afraid, love," he whispered.

His eyes closed, and he leaned forward. Time seemed to move in slow motion.

RIING!!!!

They jumped apart, and Nia hopped from the table. Her back was to him, and her heart beat wildly, partly from the loud alarm, but mostly from the feelings Harry stirred.

"What an adorable almost first kiss!" Nebt-het exclaimed.

"Saved by the bell!" Asar praised.

"Stupid cauldron!" Apedemak yelled.

"My sentiments, exactly, Apedemak," Aset said a bit despondently.

Nia blushed as she ran to the cauldron and lifted the lid gingerly. The steam wafted from it, and the different spices and aromas tickled her nose. It reminded her of her mother's sweet potato pie.

"There should be a vial there, love. Fill it with the serum," Asar guided. She did as Asar instructed, careful not to spill any of the concoction. "'Atta girl!"

"She's not a dog, Asar," Apedemak growled.

"Still sore over Aphrodite calling, 'here, kitty, kitty!' at you, aren't we?" Asar jibed.

"What is this about Aphrodite now?" Aset asked warningly.

"Nothing, dear."

Nia grinned at the gods' conversation as the vial filled. She put the stopper on it and put it in one of her robes' pocket. The gods helped her calm down and lifted her spirits. Without them, she would've been totally lost. "Thank you . . for everything," she said to them.

They stopped their bickering and smiled at her. "Nia . . Harry . . you two are a joy to behold." Aset became serious as she continued. "Today will mark the beginning of the battle of your lives. It will be hard, and there will be losses. You must be prepared for these things. I know you two are no strangers to loss, but in those times you'll need each other more than ever. First and foremost, you are partners. As long as you remember that, you can weather any storm."

Harry's hand linked with Nia's, squeezing it in reassurance. "Thank you. We won't let you down."

Apedemak smirked. "Of course you won't! You have the essence of me within you, young man!"

"And you have the blood of me in you, my daughter," Aset said to Nia. "May Ra be with you."

The murals ceased to move, and Nia knew they had fulfilled the purpose of the Room. She stood there and gazed at the murals, half hoping they'd continue talking to her.

Harry tugged at her hand. "C'mon, love. Let's go save Malfoy."

She looked at the mural one last time before allowing Harry to lead her out the Room. The door sealed into the wall as they left, and she looked at it longingly. Harry stopped walking, and she looked at him sheepishly. "Sorry," she apologized.

He grinned at her, and her heart began doing funny things again. "They were cool."

"Yeah."

"Maybe we'll see them again."

"Under better circumstances . . ."

Harry rubbed his thumb briefly down her cheek. "It will be. C'mon. We have a ferret to resuscitate."

She rolled her eyes and chuckled as they began walking again. "You know, I do believe you like Draco, underneath all that bad mouthin'."

Harry snorted. "I'd rather swim naked in a sea of nettles than to say I like Malfoy."

"I'll talk to Dumbledore and see what we can do about that," she teased.

He tugged her hand again and grinned at her. "You just want to see me naked."

She felt her cheeks heat, but she smirked. "And swim through a sea of nettles? Yeah!"

"Sadist--taking pleasure in someone's pain."

"Better than being a masochist like you," she shot back.

He stuck his tongue at her, and she rolled her eyes. For all of his sullen moments, he could be a big baby when he wanted to be. She liked him the most then, when he dropped the worries of the world from his shoulders and decided to be himself. That was also when he was the most dangerous.

Her mind went back to the scene they shared not even half an hour ago. He was going to kiss her! Nia had felt trepidation and excitement at once. What if she did it wrong? What if he didn't like it? What did it all mean? She shook her head. They didn't kiss, and while she was relieved, she couldn't help the feeling of disappointment either. She figured he was caught up in the moment--the Room certainly had strange effects on a body.

So why are you still holding his hand now that you've left the Room?

She squeaked in embarrassment and tried to yank her hand out of his grasp. His hand refused to let go of its grip; it tightened around hers. Nia felt herself blush again and focused on going down the stairs.

"Are you ashamed of me?"

His tone was light, but she knew it was a serious question. Nia shook her head but remained fixed on the stairs. "No. I thought you wouldn't want anyone to see us like this . . . we are of rival Houses and all . . . plus the age thing . . ."

He stopped walking, and she didn't have a choice but to follow suit. He grasped her chin and stared at her. His gaze was unsettling, much like it was earlier. He caressed her jawbone briefly before speaking. "First of all, everyone's at lunch now. Second of all, I don't care about any of that stuff anymore. It's petty and stupid, and in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter. We're friends, right?"

Yeah . . . friends . . . who almost kissed each other! "Yes."

Harry gave her a soft smile. "Good. Now, can we continue?"

She bit her lip and rolled her eyes. He was such a punk, and she couldn't hate him for it. But if he wasn't going to talk about the almost kiss, neither was she. Nia didn't answer him but started down the stairs again. They took the rest of the stairs in silence, and she started slightly at the sight of Dumbledore at the bottom stair.

His eyes went to their clasped hands, and a small smile appeared. Nia tried to remove her hand, but Harry stubbornly held onto it. Dumbledore met eyes with her. His were twinkling.

Dangit.

"Harry, Nia, Ginny has been asking for you two."

Her free hand patted the vial in her pocket, and she nodded. "How is she, Professor?"

Dumbledore sobered a bit. "She's been oddly calm. Narcissa, on the other hand, had to be sedated. It is hard to lose a child."

"Does the school know what happened?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore shook his head. "We decided not to make an announcement just yet. However, Snape told the Slytherin House Draco had been attacked and was being treated."

"Yeah, with last rites," Harry muttered.

This time Nia yanked her hand away and glared at Harry. "Don't talk that way. Professor, take me to him."

Dumbledore locked eyes with Harry briefly before doing as Nia requested. He led the two to the dungeons where he tapped the wall with his wand in a peculiar sequence. The blocks disappeared, and they walked inside. There was a table in the center of it with a vase filled with flowers.

"Touch the vase," Dumbledore ordered.

A Portkey . . . wonderful . .

All three touched the vase simultaneously, and the tugging sensation began. They zoomed through space in a flash, where they were unceremoniously deposited in the living room of Twelve Grimmauld Place. Her hand flew to the vial, and she breathed a sigh of relief when she felt it still in tact. Snape helped Dumbledore rise, and Sirius helped Harry, who in turned assisted her to her feet. Everyone's expression was grim, and the silence was oppressive.

Nia looked around the room and noticed someone missing. "Where's Ginny?" she asked.

Sirius approached her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "She's upstairs with Draco, love. She's been there ever since we brought him here."

Nia took a deep breath. "And his mother?"

"In the room next door. She's finally sleeping, the poor woman," Mrs. Weasley said with a shake of her head.

Nia gave a small smile to Sirius and went to Snape, hugging him hard.

Snape returned the affection just as intensely and kissed the top of her head. "Merlin forbid if I say I'm glad it's him and not you," he whispered.

She understood his fear and squeezed him before releasing her hold. "May I see him?"

Snape nodded as he smoothed her hair down. "Come, Little One. I'm sure he'd love to hear from you one last time."

"I would like to come as well, Professor," Harry said. Snape regarded Harry a moment before nodding.

They went up to the room quietly yet quickly and saw Draco lain out underneath the covers. His chest was bare, save for a bandage. Ginny was asleep at his waist, her hand holding his lifeless one tightly.

"How long has he been dead?"

"Ever since we brought him here. We thought he'd died when Voldemort struck him, but he was only unconscious. He woke up briefly when we got him to the hill, but despite Ginny's efforts, Draco could not be saved."

"He looks asleep," Nia murmured. Against her better judgment, she went to Draco's prone body and touched his cheek. She drew back her hand as if scalded; the cold hardness of his skin reminded her he was anything but sleeping.

"Oh God . . ." she whispered. Flashbacks of her mother came forth as she lay in the casket, appearing asleep but never to wake again. She stepped away from the bed in a daze and stamped her foot angrily. "GOD!"

"Little One--"

"NO!"

Someone telling her he was dead was totally different than seeing him dead. It made it real to see him unmoving. She felt her eyes turn red, then soften to gold, as if the magic warmed up before it struck.

~Nia. Calm down. The magical buildup you have is unhealthy. You could hurt someone.~

Nia looked to Ginny, who had just awakened. The redhead's hands were palm out toward her, and her eyes were red. It was as if she was ready to ward any potential attack Nia started.

~He's dead, Ginny! He's gone!~

Ginny looked at Draco and nodded sadly. ~I know, love. He said he did it for you. They almost found out who you were that night.~

Nia let out a sob. ~So it is my fault! He died because of me!~

Ginny shook her head. ~He died because of Pettigrew and Voldemort. Pettigrew blasted him with a curse that brought down his mind shields. Draco sent a message to Voldemort, which caused him to kill Draco. He did it to protect you. He loved you so much.~

"I loved him too," Nia whimpered, and fell to her knees at Draco's bedside. Her vision returned to normal before her eyes closed. She felt a presence next to her and realized it was Snape. He brought her against him and rested his chin on her head.

"Arrangements have been made . . . and Mrs. Malfoy would love to meet you."

Nia did not respond. Her hands were clasped on the bed in front of her, and her head rested on her forearms. Snape kissed her temple and stood.

"Speaking of whom, I should check on her," Ginny said, and Nia felt the bed move as the other girl placed Draco's hand on it.

"I'll be there; I just want to sit here for a minute," Nia said hollowly.

"We'll give you some time alone. Come, Mr. Potter," Snape said.

Nia heard the door shut behind them. She remained in her position for a few minutes. "You're a self-righteous punk, you know that?"

The silence that greeted her broke her heart, for it wasn't supposed to be there.

"You're supposed to say something smart to me now . . . you're not supposed to be layin' there all silent . . " She wiped the tears that fell silently from her cheeks. His face was flawless, and his hair was free around the pillow. She chuckled a sob. "Leave it to you to look beautiful even in death . . . yeah, yeah, I know. Boys ain't beautiful, but you are. You can look like your father up the wazoo, but you ain't him, and that makes you more beautiful than any face could be."

She stared at his hand, building up the resolve to hold it. It was so cold and stiff, and the tears came quicker. Her forehead touched his hand as she tried to regain composure. "You were my first friend here. You made my life easier in the House. You are family! You looked out for me!"

Nia sniffled and wiped the tears from her cheeks. "And apparently you watched out for me even as death stared you in the face. I saw the look you gave Voldemort right before he threw the curse at you . . . you smirked. I was so mad you did that! I thought you thought you could take him, and I was telling you to watch out . . . and you were--for me . . . what am I gonna do without you?"

She half expected his hand to tighten around hers, like in the movies, but of course it didn't. This wasn't the movies. This was real life, and despite all the magic in the world, death was final even for them.

Or was it?

She fingered the vial in her pocket before pulling it out. She stared at the clear liquid. This could potentially bring him back, and though there wasn't a guarantee, hope was better than hopelessness by any stretch. She held the tube in both of her hands and muttered a spell. It became a syringe, and the needle glinted light. Her hands tapped along his arm to find a vein. She found one and slid the needle into it, pressing the serum into him. The needle came out slowly, and she stared at it, not quite knowing what to do now that its job was complete. The knock on the door startled her.

"Come in," she said, making the syringe disappear.

Dumbledore entered the room, his expression blank. "Did you do it yet?"

She nodded, not exactly knowing how he knew what she did.

"You know there is no guarantee."

She nodded again.

"I'm proud to call you my great-great-granddaughter," he said, his voice full of pride.

She offered him a small smile. "Seems a lotta my ancestors are proud of me--not that you're dead or anything."

The older man smiled and approached her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I know what you mean, my dear. I take it you went into the Room."

She snorted. "I take it you already knew that."

His eyes twinkled, and he tapped his nose. "You were bright the moment you came from the womb."

"Kickin' and screamin' as I did, I'm sure," she chuckled.

"Yes, you were. Socked me good in my right eye when I caught you, in fact," he said, smiling at the memory.

Nia gave an incredulous frown. "You delivered me?"

Dumbledore nodded. "I wanted to be there for my great-great-granddaughter's birth, which was just as well, considering it was a long process and Severus fainted dead away."

"He didn't!"

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows and nodded. "To this day, he denies it, but Jamilah took pictures."

Nia laughed. "I can't wait to use that against him."

Dumbledore offered a hand, and she took it, bringing herself to her feet. "Well, you didn't hear it from me. Blame Jamilah."

"Of course," she said with a wink.

"Speaking of parents, Mrs. Malfoy wants to speak to you."

Nia sucked in a breath and looked at Draco. There had been no change since she injected the serum, and she wondered how long it would be before it took effect . . . if it did.

"I'll call you and Ginny if there's any change," he promised.

Nia nodded and hugged him before leaving the room. Snape was waiting at a door, and she assumed Mrs. Malfoy was waiting on the other side of it. As she passed him, Snape ran a finger down her cheek and smiled. She offered him one in return and stepped into the room.

Nia's first thought was Mrs. Malfoy was a very beautiful woman, and she suddenly felt uncomely in her presence, despite the fact the woman was more than twenty years her senior. Nia stopped just short of the bed, wringing her hands together. "Mrs. Malfoy?"

The older woman's eyes opened, revealing bloodshot, ice blue eyes. She smiled softly. "Call me Narcissa."

Nia hesitated; her Southern upbringing always told her to put a Miss or a Mister in front of the first name of an adult. Sirius didn't count, since he rarely acted like one. "Miss Narcissa," she settled.

Narcissa sat up in her bed and beckoned Nia to her. Nia walked slowly to her and stopped at the side of the bed. Narcissa pulled her into a tight hug and began to cry. "Thank you," the older woman whispered.

Nia felt her own tears begin to fall; she'd long realized it was no use stopping them. She'd been on a roller coaster ride of emotions throughout the day as it was. "For what? I haven't done anything . . ."

Except get your son killed.

"You saved him from Darkness. I cannot thank you enough."

"No, I didn't--"

Narcissa pulled away and wiped the tears from Nia's cheeks in a maternal fashion. "Yes, you did. You and Ginny, I can't thank you two enough. You saved my son. He wrote me letters about you, love. Nothing but wonderful things to say, and now I see why."

"He was like a brother to me," Nia admitted.

Narcissa nodded as the tears fell unchecked. "I know. He called you Little One. He rarely uses nicknames. When he did it with you, I knew . . . I knew you were special. And you are."

Nia couldn't take the accolades. When Draco didn't respond to the serum, her hopes had fallen. Admittedly she didn't know how long it would take for the serum to work, but to know there was a possibility Draco would never call her Little One again made her grief strong. She cried harder. "I miss him, Miss Narcissa."

Narcissa didn't respond, but drew the crying girl closer to her, where they both shed tears for their fallen Dragon.