The Necromancer's Deal

Chapter Two

Spirit Sewing

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Harry found himself absolutely fascinated with Lana the next day. Every time they were together, which was almost the entire day, he would watch her every move. As they made their way to Transfiguration, Harry and Lana were talking about Quidditch. Apparently she was a very good beater and was trying to find a team to play on.

'You should try out for the Gryffindor team!' Harry told her. 'That'd be fun.'

'Maybe I will,' Lana said. 'Do you know when the...' she slipped and Harry caught her. He held her for a moment, memorizing her, before helping her up.

'Thank you, Harry. I'm sorry but I have a sudden headache and lost my footing,' she explained to him.

'Do you still want to go to class?' Harry asked.

'O yea, I'll be fine,' she smiled.

McGonagall was informing the class on how to transfigure an inanimate object into a living one and back again. Her lecture was long and only slightly interesting as they would have plenty of time to try this spell and figure it out. Harry was sitting next to Lana who was sitting next to Hermione. Ron was on Harry's other side. In the middle of McGonagall's lecture, Lana started shaking.

'Are you ok?' Harry whispered.

'Yea, it's just my headache,' she whispered back.

But she wasn't alright. A few minutes later her eyes rolled into the back of her head. Harry grabbed her hand under the desk and she opened her eyes again. And Lana told Harry that she was fine. He held on to her hand, all the same. She was perfectly normal, except for shaking, for the next ten minutes of McGonagall's lecture.

Come to me, Lanalin.

No! Go away. I'm not talking to you anymore. I've had enough and I can live by myself!

But you belong to my master Andine! Therefore you also belong to me, my love.

Go away!

This is because of Harry Potter isn't it?

Leave him out of this! Please!

You love him and not me.

Away, go away! Stop.

You're myne! Come! I will take you to our world; there you can live forever instead of having this spell on you. They killed you and we brought you to life!

Andine brought me to life, not you. You just watched!

You will come to our world

He pulled, pulled at her soul, ripped at her heart. Lana couldn't breathe. Harry was holding her hand, he cared about her. But nothing was clear to her. Lana's eyes rolled back and she fell out of her chair.

Lana's hand fell out of Harry's as she fell over creating a loud crashing noise. The entire class turned to look and McGonagall stopped talking.

'Mr Potter,' she said sternly. 'Is everything alright?'

'Um, Lana's not feeling well,' Harry told her. He looked down at Lana who had opened her eyes again. 'Is it ok if I take her to the hospital wing?'

'O course,' she said sternly, then continued her lecture.

'Come on, Lana,' Harry said bending down to talk to her. 'Can you get up?'

When she didn't respond, Harry helped her up and out of the class. In the hallway, Lana seemed to come to her senses again. She threw her arms around Harry's neck and, shocked, he put his arms around her.

'O, Harry, I was so scared,' she said.

'Of what? What happened?' Harry asked.

'Of him! He tried to take me away, Harry! Tried to take me into his world and I was so scared that I would leave you,' Lana's words tumbled out of her mouth.

'What are you talking about?!' Harry exclaimed.

'It's a long, long story, Harry.'

'Here, let's go find some place and you can tell me. You don't have to go to the hospital wing if you don't want to; I just wanted to get you out of there.'

Harry took her hand and led her to the third floor where the Room of Requirement was. He stopped in front of it, closed his eyes, and pictured a room that was easy to talk in. The door opened and he took Lana in, closing the door behind him.

'Sit,' he said. 'Tell me everything, seriously.'

Lana looked at him; her eyes suddenly weren't blue, but silver. Her face went extremely pale.

'Spirit Sewing,' was all she said.

'What?'

'Spirit Sewing,' she gave him the black book she had been reading. 'Read.'

Harry opened the book and read.

Spirit Sewing

Spirit Sewing is the process of removing the spirit through the hand. This must be done extremely carefully and requires the skills of only the most intelligent wizards and witches. Once removed, the spirit is 'cleansed' of impurities and sewn back into the body. If this is not done quickly enough, the subject will die. In some cases a Necromancer will be called upon to make a deal, therefore saving the life of the subject. Unfortunately these deals often involve the subject giving a bit of him or herself to the Necromancer. Only nine people have been through the process of Spirit Sewing since it was discovered in 200 BC. Of those nine, two cases have involved a deal with the Necromancer.

He handed the book back to Lana and she held out her left hand, palm up, to show him a large gash that had turned into a scar. 'You see?' she asked him. 'They did it to me four years ago when I was twelve. The wizard who was doing it ripped my spirit out accidentally, therefore killing me. They called upon the Necromancer Andine and his assistant Lunis. Andine brought me back to life but said that I must belong to him forever, and when he chooses for me to die, I will return to him. Andine and Lunis suspended me in time, until I was ready. I tried to break out so many times, but failed. Meanwhile, Lunis fell in love with me and tried to keep me from coming back into the real world. He caused me to be suspended in time longer than was necessary. But Andine set me free and here I am today.'

'So what just happened in there?' Harry asked now leaning forward toward Lana.

'He tried to take me,' Lana looked straight into his eyes. Harry saw her memories as a flashback. He saw the wizard ripping Lana's spirit out, saw Lunis and Andine being called upon (from a distance because Lana's spirit had been wandering when they were called), saw the deal being made. Then he saw her coming back to life, descending with the Necromancer and a bright light took over; Harry saw her suspended in time for years. And slowly, the room came back and there was Lana sitting before him.

'Lana,' he said softly for he now felt the pain she had.

'Promise not to tell anyone?' she said, tears where brimming over her eyes.

'I promise,' Harry said and then stood up as she did. He took her and hugged her, holding her close. And maybe, just maybe, Harry though she would see how much he loved her in that minute. But Lana, who could not hear anything but Lunis's screaming voice in her head, could hardly tell what was happening.

True to his word, Harry did not tell Ron and Hermione what had happened. Instead, he told them that Lana had been ill, along with having an ear-splitting headache. He had taken her to the hospital wing after their talk; then gone to the Great Hall for lunch.

'So she's gonna be alright?' Ron asked honestly concerned.

'Yea, she'll probably be back in the common room tonight,' Harry said. He was a little distracted and Hermione noticed.

'Are you alright, Harry?'

'O, I'm fine. I'm just tired, I didn't fall asleep for a long time last night,' Harry told her, yawning to make this lie realistic.

'Really, Harry. You ought to care more about your school work! Don't you care about passing? You need more sleep,' Hermione started talking about how important this year was because it was almost their last. Harry only vaguely paid attention to her.

After History of Magic, his last class, Harry ventured to the hospital wing with Ron and Hermione. There he found Malfoy sitting at Lana's bedside; she was sitting on the edge of the bed talking to him. Harry saw the resemblance in them and it was astonishing. Both had silver blond hair, pale faces, even their faces were shaped the same way. And, Harry thought this weird for Lana had had blue eyes before, both had silver eyes.

'Lana, are you alright?' Harry asked her.

She looked up at him. 'O, yes, I'm better now.'

'Potter,' Malfoy said coldly. 'We need to talk.'

Harry followed Malfoy out of the hospital wing where they stopped and Malfoy turned to him.

'Listen, Potter. My cousin told me how she feels about you. But I'm warning you, try anything, and you're dead!' Malfoy then turned and walked away in the direction of Great Hall, leaving Harry stupefied. How did Lana feel about him...? Harry suddenly realized and his heart soared. Walking back into the hospital wing, Harry tried not to smile too much.

'I think I'm gonna stay here a bit longer,' Lana said. 'Madame Pompfrey is going to give me something for my headaches. I'll see you guys in the common room after dinner.'

Harry talked and laughed a lot at dinner that night. The thought of Lana loving him as much as he loved her was slightly overwhelming, but it made him happy all the same. They had only known each other for a few days and already they were in love. Or so Harry thought. Everything would work out perfectly. But he thought what about the Necromancer? What if he takes her back? That he would have to think about when the time came.

'Harry? Haaaaaarry?' Ron said. 'Hello?'

'What?' Harry snapped out of his thoughts.

'Just wanted to make sure you were alive,' Hermione said sarcastically. 'You weren't moving.'

'You sure you're alright, mate?' Ron asked shoving steak into his mouth.

'I'm fine, ok. There's nothing wrong with me!'

'Nothing wrong with,' Hermione leaned forward, 'your scar?'

'Come to think of it, it hasn't bothered me much at all,' Harry realized. 'Strange.'

'Well, uh, you done eating? Cus I have loads of homework and we have all the same classes so I know you do too,' Ron said swallowing the last bits of food on his plate.

Harry nodded and the three of them went back to the common room. Lana wasn't there but he knew she would come. It took him and Ron about five hours to get all of their homework done. Numerous times they asked Hermione for help, but she refused. So they amazingly made it through by themselves. And still, Lana hadn't shown up.

'I'm going to go see if she's still in the hospital wing,' Harry told Hermione, for Ron had fallen asleep in his chair with his homework still on his lap and his mouth hanging open.

Harry arrived at the hospital wing and knocked on the closed doors. Madame Pompfrey opened them looking irritated.

'Mr Potter, this is a hospital, there's an ill student in here! I have thought you of all people would know this!'

'Please, Madame Pompfrey, I need to get in to see Lana! I'll only stay twenty minutes at the most!'

'Fine! But after twenty minutes I'm coming to get you out!'

She returned to her office, muttering about teenagers and Harry went over to Lana's bed where she was sleeping.

Lana had fallen, once again, into her trance-like half sleep. There was Lunis again. He screamed at her this time.

You let him touch you! How could you, my love?!

I love him, Lunis. Why don't you understand that?

I will kill him.

NO! Where is Andine?

Gone.

Liar. He's there isn't he?

Maybe, but what are you going to tell him. He has no heart.

He cares about me, he'll make you stop!

Do you really think he's going to pick a witch who he brought back to life over his assistant?

He'll listen to me, and then you'll be sorry!

He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her toward him. His hands dug into her skin, bruising it in real life.

Never. Be myne, Lanalin! I will have you someday!

Let go of me.

She was sobbing now. In pain, she wanted him to let go so much. Lana wanted Harry to be there to make Lunis stop.

You're thinking about Harry Potter again. Well if you love him so much then wake up. He's standing beside you.

Lana ripped away from him and ran. Her eyes shot open to see Harry standing there, just as Lunis had said.

Harry saw her silver eyes open and gave her a worried smile. 'How are you feeling?'

'Harry, he was there again. He wants to kill you,' she was sitting up now and Harry sat down on the edge of the bed.

'Who wants to kill me and why?'

'Lunis wants to kill you. He loves me but I hate him and now he knows that I love you and...' Lana stopped realizing what she had just said. Her eyes grew wide and she couldn't speak. Harry thought about pretending not to have heard what she said. But he couldn't because he loved her too and wanted her to know.

'You love me?' he said. Lana looked at her hands, not meeting his eyes. 'Lana, did you just say that you love me?'

'Yes,' she said in a small whisper. 'I do.'

Harry placed his hand under her chin, lifting her head. He leaned in and kissed her. This was far different from kissing Cho the previous year. That had been on account of a crush and a sad moment. Kissing Lana was on account of pure love and Harry fell into the moment. It lasted about seven minutes before Harry remembered that Madame Pompfrey had promise to come and shoo him out. He broke the kiss, amazed at what he'd just done. Lana gazed at him with an expression mixed with love and fear.

'I have to go,' Harry told her, wondering why she looked scared. 'Madame Pompfrey will be here to yell at me soon. Goodnight.'

'Goodnight, Harry,' Lana said. But as Harry got up to leave she said, 'Harry he's going to kill you.'

Harry raced back to her side. 'What?!'

'Lunis told me. If you do it again, he'll kill you,' Lana burst into tears as she said this. 'He also said that he'll tell Andine to take me back to them. Don't leave me, Harry. Don't leave right now.'

Harry took her hands and looked her in the eye. 'I'm not going to leave you. I'll go tell Madame Pompfrey that you're feeling better and can leave. Just stay here for a minute.'

He walked quickly to her office and knocked on the door.

'Yes?' she asked.

'Lana said she's feeling better and would like to go back to the common room,' he explained.

'Fine, take her. But bring her back if she has another one of those devilish headaches.'

Harry ran back to Lana. 'She said you can leave.' He took her hand and helped her out of the bed. The walk back to Gryffindor tower seemed ages. Lana, through her tears, had informed Harry that Lunis had the ability to take them into his world or even enter theirs. They stayed close together, her pale, tear-streaked face pressed against his shoulder (for Harry was a lot taller than her). Finally they reached the portrait hole. Upon entering the common room, they found that both Ron and Hermione had gone to bed. The fire had diminished into glowing ambers but Harry lit it again.

Lana sat on the couch and Harry sat right next to her. 'What are we going to do, Harry?' she asked him sadly. 'I won't let him take you or me.'

'We have to go about our lives. But keep your eyes open for anything strange. Don't let him know where you are.'

'Only Andine has the power to know where I am. But Lunis cannot watch me. He only speaks to me because he performed a spell when I was suspended in time, this spell connects us telepathically. He can tell what I'm feeling and thinking or what's happening around me; but only if I become weak or forget about him. See, I can build a mental wall that stops him from seeing. So I constantly have to keep the wall up. It doesn't take that much thinking, but if I'm extremely happy or sad, I might forget about it. And when I'm sleeping, he can see because I never really sleep. It's more like a half-sleep, sort of a trance.'

Harry stood, pacing slowly. 'Well,' he sighed, 'you just need to keep that mental wall up all the time.'

'Which means you can't kiss me,' Lana said quietly.

Harry turned to look at her. This was crazy; he couldn't love her because some crazy Necromancer's assistant loved her too. Sitting down, he took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. 'Go to bed, Lana,' he finally said.

'Go to bed?' she repeated.

He looked at her, his glasses still in his hand. 'Yes, go to bed.'

Lana stood in front of him. 'Did you mean it?'

'You think I didn't?'

'I don't know, Harry. You're awfully hard to read.'

'Yea, well that's because all I've been through. You wouldn't understand.'

'What?' Lana looked like he had slapped her. 'I wouldn't understand?'

'Yea! You don't know what it's like. I lost my parents, almost lost my friends a million times.'

'I wouldn't understand?!' Lana repeated. 'Harry, look at who you're talking to!' she was angry now. 'I don't even know my parents' names! I don't know who named me or raised me! I practically lost my life! The only family I know is Draco and his parents! I've never had friends. Harry! I understand perfectly fine!'

And with that she ran off to the girls' dormitory, leaving Harry to stare after her.

Goodbye all thoughts of a new life. Darkness has fallen so hard. Light fades away. Time has come for us to leave. Promise me, I will see you again. For now we are here, the end is in sight. What now? Where can I go? I need to hide away forever. Step to the edge of eternity...

Lana stood before him, singing on his command. She didn't know where the words came from, they simply came.

Can't you sing a happier song, my love?

Why?

You were always so sad, even when you were Sleeping. I could see that you were lonely and cold. And I loved you, but you would not take it. I watched you when you Slept; always I did.

I know.

Sing me a happy song, sweet girl.

Dreams come. Nightmares are all gone. Sleep now and think of me. Times have changed, but I'm still here for now. I'll simply hold you for now and ever. But until they let me go, I can never truly be free...

Searing pain shot through Harry's eyes and heart. He woke screaming; but Ron didn't wake up and neither did the other boys so it couldn't have been him screaming. I'm watching you came a voice in his head. 'Lunis,' Harry muttered. It was sunrise so Harry got out of bed and dressed.

'Ron,' Harry said standing over Ron's sleeping form. 'Ron wake up.'

He didn't move. 'Ron, Hermione's dancing naked in the dorm.'

'WHAT?!' Ron bolted out of his bed to Harry's amusement and laughter. 'Harry you scared me to death.'

'Right. Whatever you say, Ron,' Harry said trying to keep a straight face. 'I need to tell you something.'

Against Lana's wishes, Harry told Ron everything. From what Lana had told him in the Room of Requirement to what had happened in the hospital wing the night before.

'Harry, you're growing up!' Ron joked. 'But seriously, what are you gonna do about this Lunis guy?'

'We don't know, but we're gonna have to try to ignore him.'

'Is Lana ok?'

'I think so. I'm just afraid she'll go crazy. I mean this guy can basically live her life.' Harry thought about their last exchange of words last night. He hadn't told Ron about Lana's last question and his answer. Harry hoped beyond hope Lana didn't hate him

Lana, who had told Harry not to tell anyone, was at that moment telling Hermione everything. Lana found her to be an extremely trust worthy person and her new best friend. Hermione took all the information quite calmly and immediately consulted one of her books on Necromancy.

'So at anytime Lunis could transport you and Harry into his world?' she asked.

Lana nodded. 'And now I'm afraid he'll take you and, if Harry told him, Ron, too.'

'We'll have to do everything in our power to stop him. You said you can make that mental wall, right? Well, you'll just have to hold it constantly.'

'That's what Harry said; right before I told him that meant that he couldn't...' Lana stopped, that part of the conversation was between her and Harry. 'Couldn't let Lunis try to talk to him, too.'

Harry and Lana weren't together. Sure they had kissed and professed their love for each other. It was all because of what Harry had said the night before. They weren't cold to each other, just distant and when Harry saw Lana talking to Malfoy, his stomach dropped. He didn't know what they spoke about. Harry, Ron and Hermione had been walking to dinner the next night and saw the two of them together in the entry hall. When their conversation was over, Malfoy hugged her and she kissed him on the cheek. 'I still don't get it,' Ron muttered.

Lana joined them for dinner, sitting next to Hermione and across from Ron. The only time she and Harry spoke to each other was when either of them asked for the salt or the potatoes. But Ron and Hermione could see the way they looked at each other, even if Harry and Lana could not. Hermione just wanted to yell 'For Heaven's sake just forget about what either of you said! Kiss and make up!' but knew that she couldn't.

Ron was the brave one and said 'So about Lunis, what are we going to do?'

Both Harry and Lana looked at him surprised. 'You told him?!' she said to Harry.

'Well, yea! Didn't you tell Hermione?'

'You think I wouldn't...?!' she froze. The two of them stared at each other for a minute.

Hate him, Lanalin. Hate him!

Never. I could never hate him. We're just distant for a while because of last night.

Last night was all a lie. He didn't mean it, my love. I do! I love you, come to me.

No, Lunis. I won't.

Hate him. Hate him.

NO! I LOVE HIM!

Lana instantly dropped her eyes to her plate but Harry continued to watch her. Hermione and Ron were completely lost. Lana stood up and left the table, she ran to the common room. Harry followed her a few minutes later. He found her standing, once again, before the fireplace.

'Lana, I'm sorry,' Harry told her.

'I've been lied to my entire life, Harry. I find it hard to trust people,' her black cat jumped into her arms as she spoke. 'But then I met you and I just knew that you were different. The first time I saw you, I could tell that you weren't like other people. But...'

'Please,' Harry said. 'Don't leave me.'

She faced him now. The bright green eyes of her cat stared at him.

'Leave you?'

Harry sighed. 'If Lunis makes Andine take you, I mean...is there anyway you could hold him off. Can't you fight back?'

'Fight back? How can I? I'm helpless when it comes to Andine, he can do anything to me. I could never resist him. Don't you understand? If he takes me we'll be separated and I'll have to leave you!'

Harry was standing right in front of her again. 'I'll fight him.'

'You can't, Harry! No one can! He'll kill you and then what a state we'll be in!'

He sat down and took his glasses off. 'Do you know what happened this morning, Lana?'

'What happened?'

'I felt a horrible pain shoot through my eyes and heart this morning. I woke up screaming, but no one heard. And then a voice in my head said "I'm watching you".'

'Well good! Now you know what it's like, Harry,' she said angrily.

'Look, can't you get over what I said?'

'I can't believe you Harry Potter!' Lana began to walk away, but tripped and fell on Harry who attempted to catch her but lost his balance. Both of them fell- Lana landed on the floor and Harry on top of her, just as Ron and Hermione walked in. And somewhere during that episode, Harry and Lana's lips had met accidentally; but only for a second.

'Whoa, Harry don't let us interrupt anything,' Ron said backing away.

'Don't be a git, Ron!' Harry said angrily. He stood and helped Lana up.

Ron was laughing but Hermione elbowed him and he stopped. 'Sorry but I couldn't help it. I mean what are we supposed to think? We walk in and you to are all alone in the common room practically snogging all over the floor!'

'Ron, shut it! You're not helping!' Lana yelled at him.

'She fell,' Harry told him. 'Honest!'

'Right, whatever you say, Harry,' Ron was desperately trying to keep a straight face.

'Ron,' Hermione said looking at him and he stopped.

Harry and Lana glanced at each other. Even though they wouldn't admit it to each other, they were slightly glad Lana had tripped. 'I'm going to bed,' Lana announced. Harry opened his mouth to tell her that it was only 6:30 but she cut him off. 'I don't care how early it is.'