Harry Potter and the Birth of a New Sun

Harry Potter and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 46 - Girl's Night Out

~~~***~~~

"My duty is here," said Macleta calmly. "I must stay and protect my home."

"Please don't let this happen!" cried Gabriella. "You must take me to the falls!"

At this Macleta's demeanour stiffened. "Must?" she queried. "You presume much, child. Such words, spoken among others of my herd, would be your last. I offer you my hospitality because you belong to the Chosen. Don't think for an instant that your kind are welcomed here."

Gabriella stepped back as Macleta stepped forward. Anger mixed with fear was beginning to roil up within her and she knew she was sensing something similar from the Centaur. It was rare for a Centaur to reveal such an emotion as fear, but Macleta was a rare Centaur.

Gabriella's mother had taught her to hold on to the emotions of others and to examine them... use them to reveal the nature of the person in front of you. She couldn't just come out and say Shahan was a murderer; he hadn't done anything yet... she hoped. The thought that he might, however, was making her more anxious by the second. Despite her desire to argue, she chose another path... one of diplomacy.

"F-Forgive me, Macleta," she said softly looking down. "The battle, the night... wizards do not hold their minds on the moment as well as the Centaur."

The response seemed to satisfy Macleta and she turned, once again, her gaze to the celestial events above them.

"It's just that," Gabriella continued, "since I was a very little, I have had a vision."

Squeezing her fingers tightly together that the rest of her might remain calm, Gabriella waited. It felt like an eternity... the fire crackling, the wind beginning to pick up in the trees overhead... Finally, without moving, Macleta said, "Go on."

"It used to come to me in my sleep..."

"Of course."

"And, more recently, the vision has grown stronger, coming to me while I'm still awake. A smell... a sight... anything can trigger it. I think that's because what I once dreamt as a child is about to come true."

"Reasonable."

"It's a vision of me in white robes... dead... an... an arrow in my back... a Centaur arrow."

Macleta dropped her upward gaze, but did not look at Gabriella. "It would be wise not to wear white," she said, "though the robes may carry other meanings." The words were not so much dismissive as reflective. Macleta was trying hard not to reveal what she was thinking. Gabriella could tell by the way the Centaur suddenly began fiddling with her fingers. "As for death... it hangs heavy in the air for us all."

"True," Gabriella agreed. "But recently I've been wondering, looking at the vision from a different perspective. What if... what if the person in my dream wasn't me? What if it was someone else with long, black hair wearing white robes, a tw--"

"--twin," Macleta completed the sentence.

"What if the Centaur was the angriest Centaur in the forest? A Centaur who hated wizards and all they stood for? A Centaur who would do anything to bring down the Chosen and all he loved?"

"Shahan," whispered the Centaur.

"Macleta, I believe," said Gabriella, "that I had interpreted my vision incorrectly. I think now that the arrow is not meant for me, but for Cho. Perhaps the arrow is meant for her child and strikes her instead."

"A Centaur does not miss," said Macleta softly.

"Perhaps... unless you were still in training and unable to control your anger, letting emotions cloud your vision and muddle your thoughts. It's the very thing the Dark Lord searches for to join his legions." Gabriella stepped closer to the fire. It suddenly seemed quite cold. "This Centaur... I've seen his dark coat, Macleta." She stopped unwilling to say his name, but she didn't need to; Macleta knew.

"Not even Shahan knows where the two are in hiding. If she stays in place, she'll be fine."

"I only know what I've seen," said Gabriella. "Even you have said that visions can be flawed." Gabriella bent low to the fire, picked up a branch that was half-burnt and set it in the middle of the glowing embers. "You said that Terntalag will fall tonight, so I understand why you don't want to leave. But the battle for us all is not here, it's with Jamie, the Chosen's child. I know this as I know the sun will rise in the morning. If the Dark Lord captures him, more than Terntalag will fall. We mustn't let the stars determine our fate, let them instead reflect our choice to make a difference. Please help me; I need you."

Without speaking, Macleta drew an arrow and fired it into the trees. After a moment, there was a loud thunk - it had struck its target.

"I will not leave Terntalag unprotected," she said, her eyes focused forward on the dimly lit trees.

"But--"

"Nor will I let the darkness converge on our forest unabated."

A Centaur moved forward out of the trees. "Yes, my lady," he said holding his fist over his chest with a subtle bow. Macleta just looked at him intently for a moment. Gabriella wanted to scream to hurry, but then she noticed the younger Centaur nod. They were communicating telepathically. Another moment passed and then, without speaking, he suddenly turned and shot four, maybe five arrows so quickly Gabriella couldn't see his hands. There was silence and then the trees seemed to groan. Macleta nodded as if she understood their meaning.

"The northern border has been breached," she said. "Ronan knows this and his herd is moving to intercept, but they are being thwarted by dragonfire."

"Dragonfire?" asked Gabriella.

"Their path, my lady," said the young Centaur. "It will bring them dangerously close to our village."

Macleta nodded. "Magorian has made the choice. We must first defeat the darkness."

Gabriella sighed with relief. But Macleta was not finished.

"The dragons harassing the herd are not our only threat. To the south is a large gathering of wizards and other creatures. They too are moving toward Terntalag. Ronan and his troop will have come and gone when the next wave arrives. If the dragons don't raze Terntalag, these wizards might. Hagrid has sent word that it is your army in retreat, but many of my kind believe it to be an invasion."

"They'll help," implored Gabriella. "I'm sure they'll help."

Macleta pawed the ground restlessly. She was having trouble choosing the path ahead. The sacrifice would be great. Once more she turned to the stars for answers. Finally, she said to the young Centaur, "Gronyn, find Firenze. He knows these wizards better than even Magorian... perhaps too well. Nonetheless, we will defer to his judgement in this matter. Warn him of the dragonfire and ask he proceed with haste."

Gronyn nodded one last time and disappeared. There was but a gust of wind that rustled the leaves where he once stood. Macleta stepped past the fire and looked down the main street of the village. "From the east," she said, "Felspar sends word that she carries two of your kind to the falls even as we speak. The three were attacked by vampires. None are injured, but they insist that the falls must be defended."

"Harry?" asked Gabriella anxiously. "Is he okay?"

"No child, not the Chosen. He has taken refuge at the castle."

"Refuge?" asked Gabriella in disbelief. "Then who... Macleta, none of this makes sense. Which friends?"

"Hold my hand, child and we will find out."

Gabriella reached up and took Macleta by the hand. In a flash she was lifted bodily upward and then the world stood still. The flames of the fire hung frozen - suspended in mid air; the breeze stopped and leaves of the trees grew still. In the next second, everything was a blur. Trees and bushes flashed by. Creatures, illuminated by the moon's light, looked like powdered statues. A minute passed and they were flanked by two white male Centaurs, perhaps the largest Gabriella had ever seen. Their chests were massive and their arms as big as tree trunks. Each carried a spear and they ran with a grace that was unsurpassed. She couldn't help but think that one, who had hair as white as his coat that ran down and over his shoulders, gave Macleta a sly smile.

Gabriella tried to ask if female Centaurs took more than one mate, but when she tried to speak the words would not leave her mouth. Then, as quickly as they had arrived, the white Centaurs left, pealing off and disappearing into the forest, heading back the way they came.

"The attack on Terntalag has begun," she heard Macleta say, but they weren't words. They were thoughts. Still they moved forward, the air growing noticeably moister.

It was then that the onrush of memories struck her. The scent of wet loam filled the air. They were close. As if sensing Gabriella's reaction, Macleta slowed down. The wind began to blow again and, in the distance, the sound of a roaring river could be heard - the falls. Macleta lowered Gabriella to the ground and she began to run at once, but Macleta held her back.

"From here we must proceed with caution," the Centaur said.

"I'm not afraid," declared Gabriella.

"You say your vision was of your death. I would not dismiss lightly that that possibility still exists. Visions of our own death always portend some danger, twin or no twin. We are at the top of the falls and there is no fence to keep you from falling over the edge to your death and the edge never likes to stay in one place for long. So, unless you can fly, I suggest that you proceed with caution." Gabriella nodded in agreement.

They moved slowly toward the rushing water, following a path of sorts, worn only by a handful of the forest's creatures. Its tortuous path swung wildly in one direction and then another, sometimes backtracking, but steadily moving toward the falls. As the proceeded, Gabriella noticed the ghosts. There weren't any. And the more she thought about it, the more she realized that those they saw along the way were heading in the direction from which they'd just come. Something was drawing them toward Terntalag, but what?

"Near the top of the falls," Macleta whispered, "is an outcropping of rocks. There we will find your twin hidden. There is a secret--" She stopped, her keen eyes focused on something directly ahead. The bracken blocked Gabriella's view.

"What is it?" she asked Macleta. "What do you see?"

"The witches of your kind are very perplexing," Macleta sighed. "She and her child sit... exposed on a rock near the river."

Gabriella began to run, but Macleta grabbed her by the arm. "Wait, child," she whispered. "The other of my kin told me that there are wizards nearby, moving in from the north."

"Then we must hurry. We can't wait! It's... it's all my fault." She ran calling Cho's name, but Macleta held back and reached for her bow. As Gabriella approached, she could clearly see by the light of the comet and moon above the pair still seated on a low rock near the river's edge. Jamie was cradled in Cho's arms, a shock of unruly black hair setting stark contrast to the brilliantly white robes Cho was wearing. So white, in fact, they seemed to glow - iridescent in the moon's light. You wouldn't need to be a Centaur to see her marching about the forest. The closer she got, the more familiar everything became and fear began to rise up in Gabriella's throat. It was Cho, however, who was first startled.

Hearing the rustling approach her, Cho brandished her wand, but before she bellowed out a warning, she realized who was approaching and sat back upon the rock, holding Jamie in her arms. There was no joy in meeting her friend. Instead Cho crumpled upon the stone, he shoulders hunched over in resignation. She was crying; streaks of wet glistened down her cheeks. Dropping down on one knee, Gabriella placed her hand on Cho's arm.

"You can't be out like this," she said softly. "It's too dangerous." Gabriella's eyes cast about searching for any sign of black, but with the light of the moon and Ebyrth overhead, the whole forest was awash in various shadows, most of them threatening. The roar of the falls made it impossible to hear any threat approach.

"I have to do this," muttered Cho incoherently. "I have to, but I can't."

"Cho, what is it? What's wrong?"

"I love him so much." She began to sob again, pulling Jamie close. The young boy was awake, his dark eyes enthralled with the running water, flashing sparkles of the celestial lights above.

"M-mai!" he babbled, pointing at the water.

Cho began to shake, holding him out in front of her. "The water... it cleansed Harry. Voldemort doesn't want him anymore. Why wouldn't it cleanse Jamie? Then he wouldn't take my boy." She stood and stepped toward the water's edge.

"Cho...." Gabriella cautioned. Her friend stopped.

"Just a dip," she said, looking back over her shoulder. "I'll hold on to him."

"Cho, when Ron touched the water's surface, it pulled him in. You can't trust it! It might kill you both."

"Not Jamie," Cho argued, her eyes blank. She'd been thinking about this for days, turning the possibilities around in her mind. "He's pure... I know he is." But then she hesitated as the doubt rushed in. "But what if... what if he was born bad? What if the stain runs so deep it can't be polished away without taking his life? I couldn't bear to lose him." She began to cry again. "Not my Jamie."

Gabriella stepped over and put her arm around her friend, but not without thoughts that she should just rip the cloak off her at this very moment. She couldn't risk conflict. Not so near the water. "There's nothing bad about Jamie. Look at him!" She tickled his chin and he giggled, smiling back at them both. "He was born out of love, Cho."

"But the spell..." begain Cho, "...your father's spell over Harry. He didn't know what he was--"

"Harry?" Gabriella laughed under her breath. "He knew exactly what he was doing. His emotions weren't altered, only amplified. Cho, we were in very different places last year, you and I. He may have been interested in me, but he loved you. I know this with all my heart. He always has... and a first love never dies."

The words made Cho shudder. Her thoughts flashed on Cedric, whose memory still haunted her. "No," she said quietly. "No it doesn't. It's eternal. It's pure." Resolved to put Jamie in the water she moved closer and bent low.

"Cho," said Gabriella suddenly. "You know... I'm not sure what kind of effect the magic on that cloak will have near the water. Maybe you should let me hold it for you. And let's move further from the edge of the falls. I've heard the rocks here shift. We don't want to go tumbling over."

"I thought you said it would protect me?" asked Cho. "Why would the water not--"

"I'm just not sure it's safe... that's all. I don't want anything to happen to either of you."

To Gabriella's relief, Cho nodded. She was stepping over to Gabriella to have her hold Jamie when a Centaur appeared from nowhere. It was about fifty yards away opposite the direction of Macleta. Gabriella's wand was out in an instant and she cast a shield charm. Then she noticed through the glimmer of the shield that the Centaur was white with three torsos.

"What in Merlin's name?"

Then it was clear. There were riders. Down dropped a flash of red hair in dark robes and then a young woman with bushy hair in scarlet.

"Is that Ron?" Gabriella asked incredulously. "Ron Weasley?"

"It's Ron and Hermione," said Cho with surprise. "What are they doing here?"

Gabriella maintained the shield, unsure what to think. In the distance she could see Felspar was cautioning Ron and Hermione, probably in the same way Macleta cautioned her.

"I think you can drop the shield," said Cho softly as Jamie tried to touch its shiny surface. Gabriella obliged and stood. "That certainly lit up the night."

Gabriella laughed. "Well," she said, "if we were hidden before, we aren't now. The only thing brighter is that cloak of yours. Maybe you should fold it away for now."

"I think--"

There was a tremendous roar overhead. A number of dragons, Hungarian Horntails, were moving southward. Gabriella tried to reach out to them, but all she could sense was anger and despair. "They want blood," she whispered in disbelief. Last in the line was the largest of them all. Her heart fell when she saw it was Singehorn, silhouetted against the moon's light. He appeared to be struggling to stay aloft, but he too, perhaps more than the others, was filled with rage. "Macleta was right," she said with a sigh. Still, her heart held on to hope that somehow they were mistaken. When she looked down she was surprised to find Ron and Hermione only a few yards away, while Felspar had disappeared.

"They're following the Fireballs," said Ron pointing to the southern sky. Felspar says they're going to attack Terntalag. They've already started on Hogwarts."

"That's a lie!" snapped Gabriella.

"A lie?" snapped back Ron. "We were there! A dragon almost barbequed Hermione!"

Hermione grimly nodded in agreement. There was no joy in being right on this account.

"It's not possible," said Gabriella quietly.

"Well, at least you made it here safely," said Ron, searching for the other witches and wizards who were retreating toward the falls. "Where are the other--" He stopped when he heard Hermione squeal. They both suddenly realized that the other witch was Cho Chang and in her arms was a baby. Well, not so much a baby anymore. Hermione began to swoon immediately.

"Cho!" she cried with a grand smile. "And this... this is... Jamie?"

"Hermione," answered Cho with a soft smile. "Why am I not surprised? It's good to see you and Ron... I had heard... well, I'm glad you still have each other."

"Thank you," said Hermione, looking back at Ron who seemed to have started a minor quarrel with Gabriella. "It's been hard. I'm sorry we weren't there to meet you and Tonks in Hogsmeade. I heard it was awful. Draco... a vampire..." She shook her head in disgust.

"You have nothing to apologize for. In Merlin's name, Professor Dumbledore, murdered. I only hope I can be as noble as you, when the time comes."

"I don't know how noble I was," whispered Hermione, her skin starting to itch at the thought of what had happened. "Dumbledore's death... it changed things. Ron and I... we're just only now setting things right again. He's a good-- What?"

Cho looked up at Hermione with a sparkle in her eyes and a wry smile upon her face. Even little Jamie was smiling brightly. Cho glanced over at Ron and then winked knowingly at Hermione who distractedly began straightening her robes. "Harry said you were engaged. Where's your ring?"

Hermione waved her right hand over her left and there upon her finger appeared the engagement ring Ron had given her. "It's never left my finger," she said.

"Beautiful," exclaimed Cho. "Absolutely beautiful. Why hide it?"

Again Hermione looked back at Ron and Gabriella. This time they were looking back right at her. She swallowed and then smiled at Ron as she answered Cho's question. "It's just a shield to keep it from being snagged on the bracken. Now that we're out of the darkness... I can show it off."

"We're not out of the darkness yet," said Gabriella grimly. "And it's not just Voldemort we need to worry about. He has spies all through the forest and, Cho, you're their number one target and wearing white only advertises that fact. We have to get that cloak off you and find cover."

"I can't hide," said Cho. "Not before I take care of Jamie." She lifted him into her arms and stood.

"What is it?" Hermione asked.

"She wants to put him in the water."

"The water!" cried Ron. "Are you barmy?"

"No," said Hermione. "That glow... over there. See?" She pointed her finger over the falls and past the lake beneath to the south. All of them, even Cho with Jamie in her arms, turned to see. It didn't take long to realize there was a contingent of over three hundred wizards marching toward them. In their number was a handful of giants and leading them through the forest were about twenty Centaurs. They were a good three miles away down the mountain and moving toward the lake.

"You got to be kidding me," breathed Ron. "I knew they'd be close, but I didn't think they were going to go for a swim. If they get near the lake... Bloody hell."

"Sirius sent them this way," said Hermione. "He thought the water could protect them if the dragons attacked." Gabriella's jaw clenched and she grabbed Hermione by the shoulder.

"Listen to me. The dragons won't--"

The forest swirled about them. They were standing in the same place, only everything was somehow different. The night was not so bright and the energy that had been swirling about them only a moment ago had vanished. There was a splash and they both turned to see Harry stepping out of the water, holding a child in his arms - Jamie? He and the child were naked and Harry's expression was one of intense pain. The scene changed. The energy had returned. Hermione stood motionless. Gabriella still held her shoulder, but then suddenly dropped her hand to her side, fear filling her eyes. Ron and Cho, unaware of the mental connection that had just taken place, were still looking at the approaching army below.

"It's here," gasped Hermione. "Isn't it? This is the spot. This is the vision." She looked around and tried to take in a deep breath, recalling the sights and scents she had seen earlier in the year when both she and Harry had a glimpse of Gabriella's vision. Gabriella's eyes were terrified.

"We need to get the cloak off of her," she whispered. "We don't have much time!"

Hermione looked at Cho and back at Gabriella, trying to understand and then it became clear. From the back, Cho and Gabriella were the same height. They had the same build and the same black hair that swirled down to the same spot on their back. From behind, they could be twins.

Hermione gasped. "Cho? Cho!" she called. "Come away from the edge. Felspar said something about a stronghold. Is it nearby?"

"We can't go underground!" argued Ron. "Someone's got to go down there and tell them to keep away from the water's edge. Some wizard will go in for a drink and never come out again."

"Ron," said Hermione firmly, "the Centaurs won't let that happen. This is--"

"First, I take care of Jamie," said Cho. Once again she turned toward the river of magical water feeding the falls.

Ron moved to stop her, but he never had a chance. A blast of red light erupted from the trees behind them. A stunner knocked him to the ground; he was out. Another beam of red shot straight at Cho, but the robe deflected the spell like a mirror. She pulled Jamie in beneath the folds of the cloak and knelt low as Gabriella and Hermione pulled their wands and returned fire at the tree line.

"I can't see anything or anyone," whispered Gabriella as they crouched near the rocks.

"Neither can I," said Hermione. "Cho, stay down."

Four more spells were cast directly at Cho. Two struck true and both bounced away harmlessly.

"Is that it?" Cho cried looking at Gabriella with mistrust, not sure exactly where her wand should be pointed. "Is that why you wanted the cloak? Was it to protect yourself, or to make me more vulnerable? Who are the spies you spoke of, Gabriella?"

Gabriella's eyes narrowed and she stood. "You don't understand," she spat. Pointing her wand at the unseen attackers, she cried out something in Armenian and her wand erupted in a glistening blue light. When the light hit the trees, they burst into flame. Screams could be heard from behind the wall of fire and three Death Eaters ran forward, their bodies engulfed in flames. No one came to their aid as the screams quieted and they finally fell silent, smoke billowing up from their charred bodies.

"You need to get into the stronghold, Cho," insisted Hermione. "Where is it?"

Cho suddenly doubted who she should trust. "Where's Harry?" she asked nervously.

"At the castle," answered Hermione. "He's protecting the castle."

"No," breathed Cho. "That's a lie. He would never leave us alone."

"She's right," Gabriella agreed with Cho. "He's not at the castle." She rubbed the ring on her finger. The firestones began to glow brightly. "He's speaking with--"

More spells were cast from behind the burnt trees. All of them were stunners; none were meant to kill. Suddenly the air grew cold. Cho kept glancing nervously toward the water, trying to decide if she should make a run for it.

"Filth!" spat Gabriella. Above the trees a darkening cloud hovered toward them. Dozens of Dementors were moving closer. Ron was still unconscious on the ground and little Jamie, sensing the approaching evil, began to cry.

"Expecto Patronum!" cried Hermione. An otter pushed back at the centre of the black cloud, but was swallowed by the sheer number of Dementors. Gabriella followed in kind with similar results.

"There are too many," exclaimed Hermione. "We have to move back." But there was no going back. They were pinned against the falls. Their only choice would be to go over, and that was no choice at all. She began to shiver, losing her ability to think of happy thoughts. Gabriella gasped. To their left a dozen Centaurs appeared. They drew arrows and fired into the sky. The arrows whizzed upward and struck the cloud, exploding into an enormous fireball. Dementors began to scream falling lifeless from the sky.

Another volley of arrows shot up from their right followed by a similar explosion. The Dementors tried to push forward, but the volleys came faster and faster. Soon the sky was on fire, streamers of burning light falling to the ground. The cold was filled with a tremendous heat.

It looked like, with the Centaurs help, they might be able to make a stand, though they still didn't know the number of enemy forces they were facing. Hermione moved to revive Ron, but before she could the ground beneath their feet began to rumble. The earth was shifting. What little space between them and the edge of the falls began to crumble away. Gabriella ran over and, together, they pulled Ron from the approaching cliff. A large rift to their right sent the herd of Centaurs that had been protecting them tumbling down the mountainside. The others began to back away and, in their confusion, they were trapped by a series of Incarcerous spells. The Dementors were gone, but the Death Eaters were alive and well behind the trees.

As if satisfied it had eaten enough, the rift to their right closed again and, in its place, the water feeding the falls began to pool into a small lake some fifty yards across. Hermione and Gabriella pulled Ron over to an outcropping of rocks that looked relatively stable and started toward Cho when she gasped, holding her hand over her mouth.

"Expelliarmus!" cried a familiar voice, cold and high. Both Hermione and Gabriella's wands flew from their hands. Only Cho held on to hers, the spell seemingly had no effect. On the other side of the newly formed lake a figure approached in dark robes surrounded by a number of wizards wearing Death Eater masks. The wizard looked irritated that the water was thwarting his way, but there was a contingent of his allies moving toward the witches from the near side of the lake; they were the Death Eaters that had just incarcerated the Centaurs.

As he moved closer, it was clear to see by the moon's light the pasty white face of Severus Snape. He held out his wand and without saying a word flicked it down. Hermione and Gabriella fell to the earth reaching for their throats, gasping for air.

"Hello, Miss Chang," he said with a greasy voice. "I'm sorry we have to meet like this, but I know you're a... bright girl. I'm not here to harm anybody. Your boy has something that I want and, when I'm done, you can have him back. No harm done, I swear."

"Liar!" Cho cried out across the waters. They seemed to ebb and burble at the words. "You'll kill him!"

"I'll do no such thing," Snape said calmly. "I'm no... monster." He moved closer, being careful to avoid the water's edge. "I can promise you this, however..." again he twirled his wand and tightened the stranglehold on Gabriella and Hermione. "If you don't hand me the boy right now, your friends will die."