Eternal

Chp.1 Meetings

Sunshine filtered in the window, casting gray shadows on the walls. Time seemed to stand still. The house was still as was the air. Nothing moved or breathed for what seemed like hours, but then there came a noise unlike one ever heard; a scream that yelled bloody murder and rattled the walls as green light emitted from a single wand. Evil laughter consumed the house and it rang like a clear bell, cutting through the fading scream like a sharpened knife.

You woke up in a cold sweat, your breathing ragged and labored. Numerous times you had had this dream and lately that dream had haunted your already terrifying nightmares of the past; your past. You looked around at the clock, the illuminated numbers read midnight as they usually did when you awoke from that particular nightmare. Deciding that you couldn't sleep, you got up out of bed and went into your bathroom to wash your face. You looked in the mirror, only to see a pair of tired blue eyes starring back. They had seen more than most people would ever see in a lifetime. You turned back to the sink, just starring at it and thinking about how much you had been through in your life-the good and bad. Reflecting on it, you had countless bad memories. There had been good memories though...but those were so very long ago. Now, you were all stressed out, always on edge since Voldemort had been after you. Of course, it was nothing new, even before Voldemort was born, you had been hunted by many. Being what you were, you knew that you would forever and always be hunted. They had wanted to kill you or trap you forever in the farthest reaches of the globe. Just because you had tremendous power didn't mean you wanted to hurt anyone. It was almost surprising that you had never once wished to be someone else, you were happy with who you were, proud even. And why not? You liked your powers, but you just wished people would accept who you were and leave you to lead a normal life. At that thought you laughed dryly and began to think back to the day you finally decided to just disappear. Your parents had 'died' long ago, and you had no friends so you went into hiding, knowing no one would miss you. But then, years and years later, a man named Godric Gryffindor had come to your little secret hiding spot and convinced you to come to Hogwarts. He had said it was a brand new school for people who could do magic. He knew and accepted who you were and said that everything would be okay and work out in the end. So you were enrolled with the other fifth years and eventually finished school with them as well, but that's when heartache would strike as you had to say silent good-byes to the world, and go into hiding for a long time only to come out after a hundred years or so and be enrolled at Hogwarts again in year 5 or 6 as a "transfer" student. Each headmaster that you had accepted you. You felt so sad, that you hadn't been able to attend Hogwarts in quite awhile because the last few headmasters had gotten worried that someone would recognize you. They said it was for the best if you remained in hiding, and so, you hadn't attended Hogwarts since. The headmasters did periodically give you new foster witch and wizard parents who were willing to take you in knowing what you were. The cycle had continued in peace: one set of parents would die and so you would get a new set. It had gone on quite peacefully for a very long time until Voldemort started coming after you and killing off everyone you loved- in an attempt to get you to join him- but you didn't give in that easily, although it was becoming increasingly harder as you watched more and more people you cared for die by his hands. Your thoughts turned to him and how you hated him, more than any past enemies. Perhaps the only other person who could feel this kind of anger and pain was Harry Potter. You felt sympathy for him; after all, Voldemort had killed his parents and every one of your guardians. You only wished you could meet him, maybe he would understand and- Suddenly, you felt a shift in the still air, like someone was there, watching you. The hairs on the back of your neck prickled. No, no, please not now. Not again. you blinked and felt something was definitely wrong. A bad feeling filled your heart, and you turned your eyes up at the mirror. You shrieked as you saw a pair of cold crimson colored eyes staring back at you. Even though you had expected them to be there, they never failed to scare you. A silent tear escaped as you looked at the figure now forming behind you. The warm air had suddenly turned cold and you could see you own breath. The person from behind stepped forward and you could now feel his steady breathing on your neck. The man began to speak. You remembered from your last encounter, that his voice was weak and desperate but the voice you were hearing now was strong and powerful but still raspy. You knew it had to be Voldemort.

"So nice to see you again Adara. Why do you not turn and face me?"

Your eyes met his mirrored gaze, "What do you want?" Though you knew very well what he wanted.

"Ah, I would've thought you were smarter than that. You know I what I want."

"Oh really? And what would that be? You need to refresh my memory," you said in an icy tone.

His eyes grew angry. "Your ignorance amazes me. I have come for you. Again I will ask you to join me or else-"

You spun around to face him and said, "Or else what? You cannot kill me and this time you are out of luck. If you didn't notice, my guardians aren't here so you have nothing to threaten me with and anyway, I'll be leaving soon." You began to transform into a magnificent falcon but couldn't seem to make yourself change. Panic overtook you "What have you done to my powers!" you screamed, your eyes flickering with anger as you tried to use your telekinesis to move him but alas, your efforts were to no avail.

"Now, now, now. Be calm. I wouldn't do that if I were you," he breathed as you attempted to bolt out of the bathroom. "Lucius, bring them in. I think she has forgotten how things work." He looked at you again and smirked. "I don't think I need remind you of what has happened the last few times you said no to me."

Your eyes narrowed just as the door to the bathroom was blocked by two unconscious bodies- your guardians.

Tears began to cloud you vision. "No, it can't be. They were half way around the world! You couldn't have found them! They were in a secret place! I thought they would be safe..." you trailed off.

"Ah but we sent them a letter telling them they were need immediately. I believe the letter went something like: Dear Mr. and Ms.Hemming, you are greatly needed. We think we have the precise location of Voldemort and will be needing your help to capture him at once! Please make haste and don't worry, ___ can take care of herself and then went on to be signed by the Order. Isn't that right Lucius?"

One of the hooded figures spoke "Yes my Lord. It was almost too easy," he sneered.

"It was very simple. A simple spell and they blacked out. Never knew what hit them," Voldemort said cruelly looking down at you. "So," he continued, "you know the routine, child, join us or watch as yet another pair of your guardians are killed and this time we will be using a very painful curse. The Cruciatus Curse. Then you can slowly watch them as they scream and either die of pain or are driven to insanity. Which would you prefer?"

"I"-but suddenly you were cut off by a number of jinxes and curses.

You screamed at the sudden commotion, too terrified to move. You looked down to see your guardians...still alive? You looked up at Voldemort and his fellow Death Eaters faces. They were shocked and some were literally stunned. You heard your name being called and felt yourself being lifted up off the ground, in the arms of a good wizard.

Many of the Death Eaters had disapparated out although some were unconscious.

Voldemort, seeing that he was now outnumbered looked at you and said, "I will come for you again girl. There is no running from your destiny," and with that he told the remaining followers to retreat and with that he disapparated.

A brief silence followed as you sat in a little corner, heart pumping with so much adrenaline you could run up a mountain. You slowly stood up and felt a warm sense of recognition for the group that was standing around your guardians.

"Dumbledore! Minerva! Tonks!" you squealed. You hadn't seen them since your last encounter with Voldemort. They turned around with sad smiles and immediately your smile faded from your lips. "You saved me again. Thank you." Still nothing and an awkward silence followed. Finally Dumbledore approached you.

"Yes we were able to save you, but I'm afraid we weren't able to save your guardians. I'm so sorry Adara. "

You blinked back tears. "Oh," you trailed off. "This is all my fault, isn't it Dumbledore?" It was more of a statement rather than a question. Many of Order members looked uneasy.

Minerva stepped forward, taking your shoulder. "None of what has happened to you is your fault. You are what you are and nothing can change that. Voldemort is the only one to blame and perhaps, even us."

Dumbledore spoke again, his voice calm and collected. "Minerva is right- none of this is your fault. It is ours, we should've known better than to leave you here. We thought you would have been better protected if you stayed with two fully trained aurors. After placing you with muggles numerous times and then failing we figured aurors would be best. But then again we were the ones that assumed he wouldn't be able to find you in a sea of millions of muggles. A bad decision making on our part," he spoke with a great sadness and responsibility in his voice. He turned to Minerva and the other Order members as if looking for approval of something. They nodded their consent and he turned back to you.

"How would you like to come to Hogwarts again?" You saw a glimmer in his old blue eyes and he smiled for the first time that night. You saw Minerva standing behind him, smiling as well.

"Yes, that would be very nice. I would love to have the privilege to teach you. I'm sure you could brush up on your skills," she voiced.

"Ah, yes. You must have forgotten some things over the years," Dumbledore said with a mischievous grin. You looked at Dumbledore and finally felt happy. You could once again return to Hogwarts. Memories flooded your mind- both good and bad- but you realized that the good memories outweighed the bad. The memory of the school opening, everything new and wonderful... However, you did remember when you had to say good-bye to everyone and everything after your 7th year, never to see them again. Even though those years at Hogwarts had been marvelous, saying good-bye had been really hard. Dumbledore seemed to have noticed the conflict in your eyes.

"Don't think of the good-byes Adara... besides, we are close to a possible solution to your problem."

You looked up at him, with hope in your eyes. "Really? What?"

"Now is not the time...later is. It all depends on you, Adara."

"Dumbledore, please tell me," you pleaded, searching his eyes.

"For now, all you need to know is that we have finally discovered your prophecy."

Your eyes widened in disbelief. "But how? my prophecy was lost a long time ago..."

"Nothing is ever lost, just misplaced," he said with a twinkle in his gentle eyes.

"But Dumbledore," you began, frowning, "something just occurred to me. Why am I to go to Hogwarts now? Why not last year or even 10 years ago? You and I both know it would have been safe then as well."

"It's all part of your prophecy. You were meant to come to Hogwarts at this point in time, not 10 years ago but now. That is all I will reveal to you, please ask nothing else." You pouted and he said: "You know that one is not supposed to tell of another's prophecy."

You gave up, you were just too tired.

"Fine, I'll go to Hogwarts. I trust you," you said smiling.