The Legend of Chime

Chapter twenty four

This is Ridiculous! Elizabeth thought, as she let out a small growl of frustration at what was fast becoming a familiar morning struggle. She was laying there in bed, trying to force her eyelids open, but they felt like they had been weighed down with tiny invisible sandbags. She had been awake for what seemed like an hour, but every time she successfully opened her eyes, they would automatically shut again. She lifted her limp hand and ran it down her face. Her limbs still felt like mush. All right! That's it. No more sleeping potions for me. Five nights in a row is obviously too much. I'm a big girl now. I can handle a few bad dreams. But I definitely can't handle feeling like warm oatmeal every blasted morning!

She had been numbly going through the motions of living for the last few days. The feeling of detachment still lingered and no one had been willing to jolt her out of it. Not even Harry. Everyone seemed to be walking on eggshells were she was concerned, and she had allowed it, not really caring, as long as it kept the questions away. She kept her brain busy during the day with studying, and at night, the sleeping draught wiped the memories from her dreams. She was so intent on keeping her mind busy with other things, that she hadn't even noticed the slight change in attitude between Harry and Draco. But that was probably because Ron usually more than made up for it with his comments and not-so-subtle glares.

Finally, tired of being unsuccessful in her eyelid struggle, she brought her fingers up to her eyes and propped them open her with her index fingers and thumbs. She rolled her eyes around a bit, then let go, and was happy to feel her eyelids remain open. But now, she was forced to just stare at the ceiling, because the rest of her body was being just as uncooperative as her eyelids had been. Suddenly, her inner Hermione piped up: Okay, Elizabeth. Obviously drugs are not the way to go. Even the magical kind. You've got to pick yourself up and adjust to being who you are. So what if that happens to be a Chime who was recently captured by Voldemort and is still being hunted by Death Eaters and a bunch of nutters who want you to heal them. You don't see Harry taking a Sleeping draught every night, do you? Hiding from your problems is SO not you. Remember, the reason you have these problems is because you are a powerful witch. So start doing something about them.

"Yeah, well. I don't feel so powerful at the moment. I can barely even get my legs to move," she mumbled to herself.

It still doesn't change the fact... What you need is a plan...action is better than reaction....

"Right...a plan...action," she said groggily, throwing her arm in the air to limply resemble a charge signal and letting it flop back down.

She allowed her mind to wander through the possibilities for several minutes, then slowly, a smile crept across her face. "I'm so stupid! Why didn't I think about this before?" she said as her mouth suddenly caught up to her brain. She awkwardly jerked back the covers with her still slightly, mushy limbs, and swung her legs over the side of the bed, as she verbally willed her nervous system to get the bloody move on. She hurriedly pulled off her pajamas and almost fell flat on her face, but fortunately, grabbed the bedpost just in time. She quickly pulled on her jeans and T-shirt, then absently ran a brush through her hair. She threw down the brush on the dresser, strode out the door and down the fight of stairs to the first landing. She stopped at the third door she came to and knocked briefly before entering.

"Harry?" She tiptoed across the room and gently nudged the ball of blankets with a sprout of jet-black hair. "Harry," she whispered then she shook him a bit harder. "Harry?" She frowned when she didn't get a response. Good Lord, he sleeps like the dead. She looked at the clock on the bedside table and lifted her eyebrows. It really wasn't that early. A wicked grin spread across her face. She reached down and slipped off her shoes and socks then grabbed hold of the blankets and tugged them out from underneath him. She quietly slipped into bed next to him and placed her cold feet on his exposed calves; at the same time she placed her frigid hands on his warm back. She suppressed a giggle as she immediately heard a sudden intake of breath and felt his body tense. He rolled over and squinted down at her.

"Elizabeth?" he said in a gravelly voice.

"Who else would it be?" she whispered, glancing over at Ron in the next bed who continued to softly snoring. "Sorry about the cold feet and hands, but I couldn't get you to wake."

He pushed himself up onto his elbows and stifled a yawn. "Is there something wrong?" he asked, reaching for his glasses.

"No, I just realised that you can teach me something that I desperately need to learn," she said quickly, slipping out of his bed. "Get dressed and meet me in the exercitium room."

He grabbed her arm. "The what room?" he asked, sounding slightly confused.

"The exercitium room," she whispered, sitting back on the edge of his bed and smiling at him as she put her shoes and socks back on. "That big room on the second floor that looks like a misplaced dungeon. We have one at Fairchild Manor as well. It's like a wizard's gym of sorts, except you practice spells there instead of running on a treadmill. We just need to move some of the boxes out to utilize it."

"Oh," Harry said sitting up in bed and running his hand through his hair in an attempt to try and tame it. He looked at her with a smile. "Things better?"

Elizabeth looked over at him as she finished tying her shoe. "I guess you could say that...sort of. I'm just tired of being the victim," she said with a shrug. "I prefer doing something to prepare...for when it happens again...and you can help me do that."

Harry frowned at this comment, but didn't say anything.

"Come on. I want to start before the house wakes up," she said, pushing herself up from his bed. "I don't think Mrs. Weasley will approve of what I've got planned. So hurry up." She leaned down and gave him a quick kiss then strode out the door.

On her way back up the stairs, she ran into Draco. "Good morning," Elizabeth said with a smile. "I forgot you're an early riser as well."

"Where are you going?" asked Draco, eyeing her worn clothes. But then a slight smile curved his lips. "Ahh. To the exercitium room." He craned his neck and glanced behind her. "Where's Potter? Isn't he going to help you train?"

"He's not such an early riser, but I woke him up so he should be right behind me," said Elizabeth, turning to continue up the stairs.

He hesitated for a brief moment. "Do you want a partner until he shows up?" Draco asked. "I could teach you a few...different...spells if you like."

Elizabeth stopped at the top of the stairs and turned to look at him over her shoulder. Draco stood there, looking very casual as he always did. He was ever careful not to allow emotion to show on his handsome face unless he was certain of the recipient's response. But she could see his thoughts in his eyes. He hadn't wanted to admit that he knew dark spells, but offered it because he knew it would help her. He knew how badly her confidence had been damaged. She smiled softly and reminded herself that words of gratitude made him uncomfortable. "I hadn't thought about that," she lied, making certain her voice communicated how brilliant an idea she thought it was. She nodded her head and gave him a huge smile. "Yeah, that would be great." She flicked her head to the side. "Come on. You can help me move the boxes out of the way. They've been using it as a storage room of sorts."

"Wonderful," said Draco sarcastically. "It's amazing how quickly I've been reduced to cheap labour." Elizabeth rolled her eyes and laughed as Draco climbed back up the staircase.

Together, they walked down the dimly lit landing and stopped at the last door. Elizabeth grabbed the doorknob and entered the room first, but abruptly stopped after the first few steps. Her breath caught in her chest as her eyes followed the creature that was scurrying around the edges of the room, turning over the cardboard boxes and rifling through them as if he was hunting for something. The room was in shambles.

Curious about why she had stopped, Draco pushed the door open wider then stepped around her and peered over at the ancient house-elf, who was dressed in a loincloth and was now leaning over and inspecting the contents of a canvas bag. "That's the house-elf that visited my mother at Malfoy Manor last summer," he said in disgust. "Why is he here? And what the hell is he doing?"

The elf let out a small squeak as he abruptly took notice of their presence and dropped the bag, then subtly pushed it away with his foot. When he realised it was Elizabeth and Draco, Kreacher flung himself into a deep, awkward-looking bow that flattened his snoutlike nose on the floor. "Mistress Fairchild and Master Malfoy, Kreacher is cleaning. Kreacher lives to serve his Mistress," said the elf, still facing the floor, but continuing in a vicious undertone, "Rare, delicate spawn of my Mistress's shame and nasty blood traitor with unnatural eyes. Oh the shame of it, poor old Kreacher, what can he do, he must serve the little beasts, but oh what would my poor Mistress say if she knew. Kreacher has been searching, but he can not find his Mistress, the blood traitors have moved her and he cannot find her...."

Draco glared at the elf. "Try looking under the sofa in hell," he growled, then turned to look at Elizabeth as the elf continued to ramble under his breath. He noticed Elizabeth's flushed face and her clenched fists and frowned. "What's wrong, Elizabeth? He can't hurt you. You know that, don't you?"

"Oh, he can hurt me. Believe me. He's already done so," she said quietly, trying to suppress the raging urge to curse Kreacher as she moved toward him. "On your mother's orders, he betrayed my father and lied to Harry. He is partially responsible for my father's death. I won't allow him to betray anyone else." The elf straightened up and eyed her malevolently as she stopped in front of him. "You will not utter one word about me, The Order of the Phoenix, the people who live here now or anything else that you have heard or will hear inside the walls of this house to anyone. Do you understand me, Kreacher? Not one word. And THAT is a direct order," she hissed. Kreacher's bloodshot, watery eyes widened at the venom in her voice, and he nervously nodded his head.

"Kreacher would never give away his Mistress's secrets. No never," he said innocently. But a second later, his eyes narrowed as he bowed again. "But the Rare Delicate is not the only Mistress Kreacher serves, oh no, Kreacher has many secrets, many secrets indeed...."

"Stop mumbling and tell me what you know, Kreacher," Elizabeth said coldly, pulling her wand from her back pocket. "Or so help me, I'll end your pathetic life right now."

Kreacher's eyes became bright with sudden anticipation. "Mistress must do what she thinks is best. Kreacher can never give away his Mistress's secrets. No never. Kreacher would rather have his head chopped off and mounted on the wall before he would betray his Mistress. Yes, indeed. Kreacher would," he said, bobbing his head with a maniacal expression on his hideous face and clapping his hands in delight.

Suddenly, Elizabeth felt a fierce radiating power behind her and chills ran up her spine as she turned. "I bet you would," growled Harry, his eyes flashing like green fire as he came through the door with Ron, Hermione and Ginny right behind. "And I'll be happy to accommodate you, you foul piece of flesh."

"Harry, don't!" yelled Hermione who raced forward to grab his arm as Harry whipped out his wand. "We can use him!"

Harry jerked his arm away and glared down at her. "I have no desire to do anything with this bag of filth, except alleviate his head from his body!"

Draco abruptly stepped in front of Harry. "As much as I'm loathed to admit this, especially since I'm slightly impressed with your bloodlust, Potter, but Granger has a point. The elf might have information that could prove useful."

"Get out of my way, Malfoy," Harry said menacingly and Elizabeth felt another wave of intensity wash over her.

"They're right, Harry," said Elizabeth quietly, stepping forward. "I can't stand the sight of him either, but he could be just what we need." Harry glanced over at her and she felt the intensity lessened somewhat as she continued, "He was ordered to lie to you, so maybe I can order him to lie to his other Mistress...Narcissa."

Draco shook his head. "It doesn't work that way, Elizabeth. Once your existence was made known to him, the elf can only take direct orders from you. In other words, he can't do something that you have specifically told him not to do even if I or my mother requested him to do it. Your order trumps us both," Draco said calmly. "My mother can't be his other Mistress, but he will take orders from her if he can. But that's impossible now because you are here, he has to stay in your household...."

"You would be surprised at what a house-elf is willing do to get around disobeying a direct order from his master, Malfoy," Harry said bitterly. "Dobby visited me several times before he was freed and I'm certain your father was none the wiser until the end."

"Dobby? Our old house-elf?" asked Draco with a lift of a brow. "He was freed?"

"Didn't you notice you were missing a house-elf, Malfoy?" asked Ron as he came to stand next to Harry, his lip curling upwards.

"Of course I noticed, Weasley," said Draco with a hint of a sneer. "I just didn't think he had been freed, you git."

"Of course," Ron snapped. "You probably bonded with your father on a regular basis while torturing house-elves to death, didn't you, Malfoy?"

That comment obviously hit too close to home. Draco suddenly grabbed Ron by the neck of the shirt and threw him backwards into a pile of turned over boxes. "You know nothing about me, Weasley," Draco snarled, pulling his wand from his pocket. But before Ron could right himself and pull his wand from his pocket, Ginny stepped in front of him and Harry stepped in front of Draco.

"Ron! Stop it!" she shouted, glaring at him. She put her hands on Ron's chest as he tried to push past her. "What has gotten into you? Malfoy is only trying to help and all you want to do is have a go at him!"

Ron's face turned red and he opened his mouth to shout an answer, but was cut off by Elizabeth's voice.

"I think it's time you put your feud to rest. It's clearly getting you nowhere," she said firmly, looking from Ron to Draco and back again. "And to tell you the truth, I'm getting quite tired of it. I don't expect you to be the best of friends," Both Draco and Ron snorted, but Elizabeth ignored them and continued, "But I do expect you to at least TRY to tolerate each other... which means no more insulting each other's family," She looked at Ron, "and no more attempts at throttling each other," She looked at Draco. They both had the good sense to look slightly remorseful.

"Do neither of you remember what the Sorting hat said last year and again this year?" said Hermione waspishly.

For a moment, no one responded to her question. But then everyone turned as one and looked at Hermione with identical looks of bewilderment.

After a brief moment of silence, Draco asked, "She's kidding, right?" as he continued to stare at Hermione like she needed to be admitted into St. Mungo's.

"Unfortunately, she's not," said Ron blandly.

Hermione continued unperturbed, "...we must unite...Or we'll crumble from within...." she said stiffly as if was completely natural for someone to be able to recall words that had been uttered months before. "It was warning us. We must put our petty differences aside or we have already made ourselves vulnerable." She let out a loud huff and rolled her eyes. "Honestly, am I the only one who bothers to listen?"

Draco continued to look at Hermione as if she was a bit touched in the head. Ginny suppressed a giggle, while Harry and Ron just shook their heads in resignation. Elizabeth's mouth twitched as she cleared her throat and said, "Well, I believe Hermione...and the Sorting hat...are right. We definitely don't need to make ourselves more vulnerable." Something suddenly moved in her peripheral vision and Elizabeth turned her head. Kreacher was attempting to sidle out of the room unnoticed while still muttering under his breath.

"... Mudblood, half-blood, and nasty blood traitors, oh how Kreacher would love to see them fall...."

"And where exactly are you going?" asked Elizabeth coldly.

The house-elf froze in his tracks then gave an unconvincing start of surprise as his huge eyes darted onto Elizabeth. "Kreacher is going to serve breakfast, Mistress," he said, turning around and bowing.

"I don't want you anywhere near the food," said Elizabeth with a scowl, taking in his filthy appearance. Then remembering to be more specific, she added, "Unless you intend to eat whatever you touch yourself."

"But I don't believe anyone said you could go yet, elf," said Draco smoothly. "Come here."

Kreacher hesitated momentarily then shuffled hunchbacked, slowly and doggedly, toward Draco, muttering horrible curses under his breath. "Save your curses for someone who gives a damn, elf," said Draco coldly. "Now, answer your Mistress's questions or believe me, I know many painful ways to make you do so while still leaving your vile life intact." Kreacher noticeably swallowed.

"Kreacher is not knowing what Master is talking about. Kreacher would never keep something from his Mistress. Kreacher lives to serve the noble house of Black, oh yes, he does," said the elf, bowing again.

Ron snorted. "Yeah, right. And Malfoy and I have just discovered that our love cannot be denied."

"Let's not get carried away, Weasel," drawled Draco, his tone full of warning. "I know I'm irresistible and everything, but I do have my standards."

"Would you two cut it out?" said Harry impatiently, glaring at them both. Then he shifted his gaze once again to Kreacher, who seemed to wither under his intense scrutiny, then started muttering furiously under his breath again.

"Kreacher feels the darkness behind his gaze, the boy who stopped the Dark Lord has a nasty power within him, Kreacher knows this is the power that was foretold, he does not like the boy, Kreacher fears his gaze, poor old Kreacher is no match for his Source power, the Rare Delicate brings it forth, Kreacher does not know what to do. Kreacher wants to run away, but he cannot, oh, what would my Mistress say, Kreacher cannot find her ..."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah... you've already covered that part. You've searched everywhere, the blood traitors have moved her..." he said in a bored voice. "You're a few sandwiches short of a picnic, yeah, we got it. Though I didn't know about that darkness within bit. I must admit, I've always had my suspicions where Potter was concerned. He's got shifty eyes...."

"Look who's talking!" snapped Ron.

"That's enough, Draco," said Elizabeth quietly then she turned back to Kreacher. "Where did you hear about Harry's power?"

Kreacher shifted nervously back and forth on his feet. "Kreacher is hearing things, Mistress, many things, dark things..." he said with an evil grin on his wrinkled face.

"I asked you where?" Elizabeth said coldly.

Kreacher made a face as if the words were literally being pulled from his throat. "Kreacher hears at Malfoy Manor. Mistress Malfoy talks with her Lucius about many things. Most things about the Dark Lord and Harry Potter."

"What things were they saying about Harry and V-Vol-Voldemort?" asked Hermione nervously.

Kreacher's face contorted into a mask of loathing and he started muttering furiously in an undertone, "The Mudblood is talking to Kreacher again, she dared to say the Dark lord's name, oh if my Mistress knew, what would she say...."

"Answer the question?" seethed Elizabeth.

Kreacher's eyes darted back to Elizabeth and he flung himself into a ridiculously low bow once more. "Harry Potter is connected to the Dark Lord, Mistress, this they talk about many times, many times indeed. Kreacher is hearing it. The Dark Lord has seen the power in the boy, yes he has. And now Kreacher has seen it for himself, the half-blood's power is growing very fast indeed, very fast," He continued in a clearly audible voice, though he seemed to think he could not be heard, "Kreacher must warn them, my Mistress would never forgive him if he did not, but what can he do, the Rare Delicate has forbidden him from speaking, oh what can Kreacher do...."

Elizabeth glanced at Harry as Kreacher continued to fret nervously. She had felt a fierce power radiating from him as well. It wasn't as intense now, but it was still there, simmering beneath the surface. She had never felt anything like it before. It was as if his anger had a life of its own, but far greater than anything she had ever experienced. She wondered if the others could feel it too.

"Is that all you have learned from my mother, elf?" asked Draco calmly. Kreacher's lip curled in disgust and he nodded his head reluctantly then cursed them again under his breath.

Ginny let out a deep sigh as she surveyed the damaged room. "Well, I guess we should probably clean up this mess," she said pulling her wand from her pocket.

"Let the elf do that," Draco said with a scowl. "He made the mess. Let him clean it up."

Hermione instinctively started to protest, "But Kreacher is too old to..."

But Harry cut her off, "Kreacher is more than able to do it, Hermione." He glanced at the house-elf who again tried to dodge his gaze by hunching his shoulders and ducking his head. "Aren't you, Kreacher?"

The elf started muttering again, "The boy is looking at Kreacher again, he burns Kreacher with his eyes, oh poor Kreacher, what can he do..."

"You can put this room back in order, for starters," said Elizabeth calmly, "Then you can clear out this room so that we can use it properly." She paused then added as an afterthought, "And if it's not done by the time we get back from breakfast, I'll have Harry stare at you again. Do you understand?" Kreacher bobbed his head then flashed her a look of utter loathing before he turned his back on her. A moment later, he snapped his fingers and all the boxes immediately righted themselves and their original contents flew back inside them instantly.

Hermione's jaw dropped and Ron gave her an unsympathetic smile then shook his head as they started for the door. "I'm not even going to say it, Hermione. I could. I really could. But I won't."

At Hermione's sudden glare, Ginny laughed. "I would highly advise you not to say another word, big brother."

"Knowing when to keep his mouth shut has never been one of your brother's strong points," Draco muttered under his breath as he followed Ginny out the door.

"I heard that, Malfoy," growled Ron.

"Good," Draco drawled, "I meant for you to."

"That's not an insult, Ron," snipped Hermione. "Unfortunately, that's the truth...."

Elizabeth shook her head as she started to follow them out the door. Well, life around here is definitely going to be entertaining, she thought as she listened to them continue to bicker as they headed down the hall. Harry suddenly grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back into the room. And before she had a chance think about what he was doing, he pushed her up against the wall and kissed her roughly and she again felt the sudden power radiate out of him and pour into her. But this time it was far from anger she felt. It was something even stronger, more tangible. It took her breath away. She felt herself clinging to him as wave after wave washed over her, making her suddenly light-headed. Then he abruptly broke the kiss and stared down at her.

"You feel it, don't you?" asked Harry in a husky voice, his breathing heavy. "The difference."

Elizabeth nodded her head, still unable to speak. Now that she was touching him, she suddenly didn't want to let go. It had been too long since she had felt this alive and she didn't want it to end. But she knew they couldn't. Not here. Not with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Remus under the same roof. Harry raised his hand and gently ran his thumb across her swollen lips.

"I didn't mean to be so rough. But I've wanted to do that for sometime." He gave her a boyish grin. "And we're never alone in this bloody house."

Elizabeth smiled into his eyes, then found her gaze absently returning to his mouth. She shook her head and took a deep breath, forcing her mind onto other things. "When did you notice the change?" she asked, noting her voice still held a quiet tremble.

For a moment, Harry averted his gaze and seemed reluctant to answer. But when his emerald eyes locked once again with hers, she suddenly felt the familiar tingle in her mind and she heard the answer inside her head.

In the stone ring....

"Oh," she said softly and this time she was the one who averted her gaze, missing Harry's sudden smile.

I've also noticed that I can do this....

Elizabeth waited for a moment, expecting something else to happen then frowned, not realising that Harry hadn't actually spoken aloud. Harry only smiled wider.

I can hear your thoughts, Elizabeth....

Elizabeth's eyes widened as the realisation suddenly sunk in. "Now, that's just wrong!"

Harry softly laughed and shrugged. "Not all the time. Just when I concentrate."

She tilted her head to the side. "Have you told anyone else?" Elizabeth asked hesitantly.

"No, you're the first," said Harry as he reached up and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "The funny thing is that you're the only one who has heard me."

Elizabeth glanced over at Kreacher who was still in the room vanishing all the boxes while continuing to mutter under his breath. Then she looked back at Harry. So you can hear everyone's thoughts, not just mine.

Yeah. I thought I was going insane at first. Harry shook his head. Until I realised what all the voices were, that is.

Elizabeth smiled then flicked her head in Kreacher's direction. Can you hear his?

Harry rolled his eyes. Yes, but unfortunately, he pretty much says everything that is on his mind, so that's not such an impressive feat.

Elizabeth softly chuckled then her expression turned thoughtful as she peered into his eyes once more.

It could be related to the Occlumency lessons, I don't know. Harry shrugged. But I do know that I'm not quite sure if I want to tell anyone else. Not yet anyway.

Now, that was weird, Harry. I'm sorry. I hadn't even completely formed that thought and you heard it already.

Harry grinned. Lucky guess.

Elizabeth absently bit her lip. So you know what I want you to teach me?

Harry's grin faded and he nodded. But I don't know if I like the idea or even if I'm strong enough to do it properly. The Imperious Curse is not something you mess around with, Elizabeth. It can do some serious damage to your brain.

"If you can do whatever you did to Kreacher, I'm positive you're strong enough," said Elizabeth firmly. "By the way, what did you do to him exactly?"

Not sure, to tell you the truth. Harry looked over at Kreacher who had just finished vanishing the last of the boxes. The house-elf seemed to know immediately that Harry's eyes were on him. He croaked and jumped a few feet in the air then glanced at Harry with fear in his huge eyes.

"Kreacher has done as Mistress asked. Kreacher will go now, yes?" the house-elf asked as he started rolling on the floor and jumping in the air as if he was dodging bullets.

Elizabeth grabbed Harry's arm to get his attention then said in a rush, "Yes, Kreacher. You may go." Harry looked back down at Elizabeth with a look of satisfaction and the house-elf vanished. "What did you do?"

"I imagined throwing various objects at him: forks, knives, a couple of grenades, a few balls of fire..."

"My God, Harry. He saw them," Elizabeth whispered, half in disbelief.

Harry smiled. "It seems he did."

"So you were thinking about burning him before. Geez, Harry. Your temper has now found knew levels and I'm not certain that's a good thing," said Elizabeth apprehensively.

Harry tilted his head and seemed to be lost in thought for a moment. "I wonder...?" he said quietly and Elizabeth eyed him cautiously, wishing she could read his thoughts as well. He suddenly stepped toward her and pressed himself up against her and started to kiss her neck as his hands drifted over her body, rubbing and teasing as they went. Elizabeth gasped and a second later, Harry was right back where he had been a moment before, except with a strange twinkle in his eye. "It seems that it's not just my temper that has reached new levels," he said with undisguised delight.

Elizabeth's eyes widened as she realised what he had just done and she suddenly became furious. "Don't ever do that again, Harry! I'm not a toy to be played with!" she seethed and started to storm away, but Harry caught her arm and swung her back around.

"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have done it without asking you first. But I wasn't sure if it would work," said Harry apologetically, but was unable to hide his smile. Elizabeth glared at his hand and Harry dropped it. "Look, remember the conversation we had about dreams on the first day of your O.W.L. exams, and how you asked if I had put something in your drink to make you dream about me? Remember the safe sex joke?" Elizabeth slowly nodded her head, remembering all her dreams after that as well. "They were very vivid dreams, weren't they?" Harry's smile became roguish.

Elizabeth's eyes narrowed. "You've been able to do that all this time?" she asked incredulously and continued before she could stop herself, "So how many other girls have you slept with in your dreams?" The look on Harry's face made her immediately regret her words and she took a deep breath then let it out slowly. "I'm sorry. That was a bit too far, I'll admit. But you have to realise, I had no idea that we had technically..." She put her hands over her face for a moment, and then let out a small laugh as she shook her head and let her hands drop. "My anger is rather stupid, isn't it? It's not like I haven't done it willingly several times over."

Harry was quiet for a moment. "So are we done fighting?" asked Harry calmly.

Elizabeth suddenly felt very foolish, but smiled anyway. "Yes." She bit her lip and peered up at him. So...about the Imperious Curse?

Harry ran his hands through his hair and let out a deep sigh. "Fine," he said reluctantly. But at Elizabeth's brilliant smile, he added, "But only for a few minutes at a time." He paused and his face became serious. "And Elizabeth, you've got to be prepared...you might not be able to successfully throw it off. Most wizards can't."

Elizabeth's face softened. "I know... but I've got to try," she said quietly and then a wicked smile crept across her face. "Besides, haven't you heard? I'm a Chime, and that happens to mean I'm a very powerful witch."

Harry laughed as they headed once more out the door. "Yeah, I think I read that somewhere."