The Green Flame Torch

Chapter 11: The Golden Child

The next evening during Astronomy, Professor Starr had the Hufflepuffs up in the observatory for their test. They each had to individually demonstrate how to use the telescope and find specific items in the night sky when she called them out. Nigel stood in the back with his friends while Justin took his test. The whole time Nigel had his eyes on the large window that stretched from the floor to the ceiling. Early that day, Lilah had pulled him aside wondering what had happened to him the night before. He couldn't tell her. He barely knew himself.

"Thank you Justin." Said Professor Starr, "Nigel you're next."

Nigel hesitated, but approached the telescope. His eyes still focused on the window. He took a deep breath. He had to get over this sudden fear of that window. He knew it was just that window, because he leaned out of several in the common room, even stood on the ledge of one in the hall, but all he received were many odd looks. Not one of them gave him a sense of fear. Nothing like the window that was before him. He shook his head and focused his energy on the task at hand. He did an exceptionally good job on his test, being that his hands were shaking.

He sprinted back to the other side of the room when he was done. He stood next to Sally-Anne. His face pale and sweaty.

"Nigey, you okay?" asked Sally-Anne.

He nodded with a forced smile.

"Just a little scared of that window." he said, his voice breaking an uncertain baritone.

Sally-Anne raised her eyebrows.

"You're kidding." Said Susan.

He shook his head. Sally-Anne and Susan stared at each other for a second and began to laugh. Nigel scowled at them.

"Ignore them." Mumbled Justin.

"Don't laugh." Said Hannah timidly, "That window gives me the creeps, too."

"See." pouted Nigel. "I'm not the only one."

The girls kept laughing. Nigel ignored them and watched Ernie as he fumbled with the knobs of the telescope.

"Stop laughing." Pleaded Hannah, "That window is cursed."

Everyone looked at her.

"Morag MacDougal told me." She continued, "She said that there have been several times when students, even teachers, have fallen from it. She said that a Slytherin, along time ago, cursed it. The spooky thing is that there has never been a Ravenclaw that has fallen from it."

"Bollocks," huffed Justin.

"It's true." replied Hannah, "She showed me in the accidents section of Hogwarts a History, a whole chapter dedicated to that window."

"So why hasn't it been boarded up?" asked Susan.

"It has, just recently it was let open again." Said Hannah. "You see, it has been about three decades since an accident and I guess they can't find another place for an observatory."

Ernie strutted back, content with his effort on his test. All the other Hufflepuffs were staring wide-eyed at the window.

"What's up?" he asked.

"You're next Sally-Anne." called Professor Starr.

"No, please. Take Susan. I'm too young to die!" Exclaimed Sally-Anne.

***

The euphoria of the Winter Break had worn off and the rapid pace of school life took hold. The weeks rolled by and as Valentine's Day approached, Lilah found herself hating the male gender more then ever. It was bad enough having to go through Valentine's day single, but on top of that she knew her ex-boyfriend (of a whole day) would be sitting pretty with Pansy drowning him in gifts. She tried not thinking about it.

She walked down the hall, having just left her Potions class. It was the day before Valentine's day. As had become the custom after class, the Slytherins would ignore her and walk in one direction and the Gryffindors in the other. Lilah would go her own way. Occasionally she was invited by Harry to go with the Gryffindors. But, Lilah had this nagging feeling that his friends and him were just feeling sorry for her and in actuality didn't want to hang out with her. And, she knew very well that Hermione and her were not compatible as friends. They weren't rude to each other anymore, however. They were rather polite as a matter of fact. But Lilah knew (as did Hermione) that somewhere deep down the other was secretly jealous.

Lilah walked slowly down the hall, sulking about this.

Oh, lord, she thought, I'm sick of this!

She spun around and followed the distant line of Gryffindors. She caught up with Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

"Hi." She panted.

They turned.

"Can I join you?" Lilah asked.

Hermione spoke first.

"Sure." She said quickly.

Lilah was taken aback. As was Ron and Harry. Hermione smiled at Lilah and walked next to her down the hall. Unbeknownst to Lilah, she had just interrupted a heated argument between Ron and Hermione about Scabbers and Crookshanks. Hermione was glad to have been interrupted and have someone else to talk to. Even if it was Lilah Snape.

Later that day, Hermione invited Lilah to the common room. Again causing Ron to be speechless. Exactly what she wanted. She felt bad that she was slightly using Lilah, but Ron was being intolerable. But, in front of Lilah, she knew he would be a perfect gentleman.

Ron, fell in an armchair, sulking. The other three slouched on the sofa. Lilah remembered Godric telling her to pass on information to Harry about the torch. She didn't know precisely how to go about this but tried anyway. However, when she tried to talk to him it became evident that his mind was preoccupied.

"What's wrong with him?" Lilah asked Hermione.

Harry turned and grumbled, "Oh you know the usual. Someone wants to kill me."

Hermione scowled at him.

"He's just mad because of the Firebolt." informed Hermione.

"Well, we will be playing against Ravenclaw soon. I kinda need a broom." Said Harry.

"You know what," said Hermione breathing hard, "This is so typical of you two. Not seeing things from my side."

Hermione looked at Ron, then back at Harry.

"I don't want you hurt." She continued, " It could be from Sirius Black. I am just looking out for you. Why can't you see that?"

Harry looked up at Hermione, his demeanor of that of a child that had just been chastised by a parent.

"Sorry." He sighed.

Lilah looked at Hermione. She concentrated and channeled Hermione's emotion. Lilah felt Hermione's sense of loneliness, longing, worrying, and caring deeply for those two boys. She looked at Ron, then Harry, and then back at Hermione. Maybe she would try to be friends with her. It looked like she needed one right now.

"Let's leave these boys to sulk." Said Lilah; "Maybe you could show me your room. Maybe we have similar things. I used to live as a muggle, you know."

Hermione stared at Lilah and blinked.

"Really?" asked Hermione.

"Yeah." Said Lilah walking to the stairs.

"You never told me that." Said Hermione, following.

Lilah looked away and mumbled, "You never asked."

Hermione looked down.

"Oh, right." She said

The girls headed up the stairs and soon fell into a conversation on TV shows they both watched back at home. What their favorite songs were, books, movies; all the things that only muggle children would know about. When Lilah left that night to go to bed, she knew that Hermione and her, although still not the best of friends, had an understanding with each other.

***

Nigel woke up that Valentine's Day, with a pile of cards and gifts around his bed. The other boys didn't have anything by there's. Nigel picked some up and read them skeptically while Justin and Ernie walked over in awe.

"You know what? You are the man." professed Justin, " I doubt Diggory gets that many Valentines."

Justin sat next to Nigel as Ernie read some of the love letters jealously.

"I wonder how long it took Sally-Anne to fill all these out." muttered Nigel.

"Stop being so bloody modest." Nagged Justin giving Nigel a shove, "Hell, if you don't want them, I'll take them."

"Listen to this" giggled Ernie holding one of the cards, "Nigel, you are so hot. I want your body. You is one sexy mofo. You and brownie batter, what more can I say. Love, Your Secret Admirer."

" All right. I'll give you that," sighed Justin, "Sally-Anne wrote that one."

The boys headed downstairs, Nigel carrying some cards and sweets in the shape of hearts in his bag. The girls were already up and attacked him as usual.

"Hey there!" yelled Sally-Anne hugging Nigel, "Happy V-day!"

"That is another day entirely, love." Said Justin, "One usually not celebrated with cards saying Nigel should be covered in brownie batter."

"Who would write a thing like that?" gasped Sally-Anne.

"You." Said Nigel handing her a card and some sweets, "Happy Valentines Day, you perv."

Sally-Anne did a sort of happy dance and hugged Nigel again. He passed out cards and sweets to Hannah and Susan as well, who both hugged him tightly in thanks. With a few left in his bag Nigel headed out for breakfast, followed by his friends.

"How did you know it was me?" asked Sally-Anne nibbling on a heart shaped chocolate.

"Who else, but a yank, would have such a naughty mind?" admitted Justin.

"How true." Sighed Sally-Anne.

***

Nigel looked into his book bag. He had one Valentine left to give out. He had been postponing it. He felt like a git that he couldn't just hand it over to Lilah like he had with Sally-Anne or Hannah or Ginny. Lilah was just his friend just like those girls and she knew he fancied her. There was no reason to think she would suspect anything. He couldn't conclude any other reason for his inability to deliver it except for that he was a complete coward.

He sat in the Hufflepuff common room. He looked out the window noticing the sun was setting. If he didn't do it now, he never would. He got up, swung his bag over his shoulder and marched out. Nigel had no idea where she was but hoped they would just bump into each other. He didn't want to have to go to the Slytherin common room. Not that he knew where it was in the first place.

He walked down the stairs and came to the atrium. He could see the fog descending down on the school as the sun sank behind the mountains. He stood for a moment taking in the sight. He remembered nights like this in Wales, where he grew up. The fog rolling in so thick you could get lost. He used to run out into it hoping to be taken back up to the sky. He felt the same urge at that moment. To run out into the fog. He felt his body getting cold and light as he stared off into the approaching fog.

A figure in the distance riding on horseback with a caravan was moving close. It was barely distinguishable from any other caravan. But, something in Nigel's heart knew that this was a familiar person to him. The fog drifted over the great Burgate surrounding the city. The horseman went through followed by the caravan. The walls of the atrium prohibited Nigel from seeing the protective barrier around Canterbury, but he knew his brother had arrived.

The Abbey was quiet as usual but then the sounds of scampering feet were heard running through the courtyard.

"Helga!" called a small voice.

Nigel turned realizing that was his name.

"Sylvana, what are you doing out?" questioned Helga.

Through the fog a small child of five ran to Helga. Her hair was bright gold and in braids. She looked up anxiously with her large gray eyes.

"Bron is here!" squeaked the small child.

"I know." Whispered Helga, "I saw him in my mind. But Sylvana you mustn't say that out loud. It is wicked to know things before they happen."

Helga clasped the child's hand in hers and walked speedily towards their chamber.

"Why?" asked Sylvana swinging her eleven-year-old sisters arm.

"Because witches do that and they are evil." Answered Helga, "Mother and father sent us away to stop us from being wicked."

"We're not wicked." Said Sylvana skipping.

" We are both naughty" continued Helga as they arrived at their chamber, " and so the sisters teach us to be like the Holy Virgin and not like our grandmother who was a witch. Why do you ask me this? You know all that."

Helga closed the door and sat on the floor of their bedchamber. Sylvana situated herself on Helga's lap.

"Grandmother was a sorceress." Corrected Sylvana.

"They are the same thing and both evil." Said Helga, cradling her sister.

"But brother will take us away so we can be witches." Replied Sylvana.

"Don't say such things!"

"He will!" shouted Sylvana.

"Girls." Said the soft voice of one of the sisters who appeared at the door, "You have a visitor."

"See." Giggled Sylvana, "Bron will take us away."

And with that she scurried quickly out of the room. Helga tried to grab Sylvana but wasn't quick enough. Instead she followed the sister, head bowed. She followed her into a large room where the Mother of the Abbess greeted important guests and found Sylvana in the arms of a burly, handsome, bright eyed young man in his twenties. Helga ran and embraced her brother.

He smiled down to Helga. The impish Sylvana braiding some strands of his long golden brown hair, absentmindedly. His shoulders were broad and he towered ominously over everyone in the room. But, Helga knew you need only look in his sparkling gray eyes to know his true sweet nature. She looked down through her tearing eyes at his soiled tunic and boots. The trip from Londinium to Canterbury always was a bit treacherous.

"Bron we've missed you so." Said Helga wiping her tears away.

They were seated at a table and Bron was given some wine and bread.

"Are you taking us away?" asked Sylvana.

Helga glared at Sylvana, as did the sisters in the room.

"Well, little one," answered Bron in his deep resonant voice, "You could always see before things happen. Tell me what you think."

Sylvana thought for a moment then jumped up and down.

"You have! You have! Because the man and the woman had fevers and died." Squeaked Sylvana.

The sisters looked even more agitated.

"You should not encourage her." Said the Mother of the Abbess to Bron.

"But, she is right." He answered sternly. "My mother and father died of the lung fever three months past."

"I'm sorry my lord." Said the Mother of the Abbess as she crossed herself.

"I thank you." He said although he looked as if it mattered little that his parents were dead.

"As my father's estate in Londinium is mine now, I felt it only right to return the Princess Helga and the Princess Sylvana home with me."

The Mother argued with Bron, trying to keep the girls. It was, after all, their father's wish to steer them from the life their grandmother had lead.

"I don't think it right to punish them for a lifestyle followed by someone else." Declared Bron.

"But, my lord," continued the Mother, "You know that these girls are capable of unholy powers. I believe them, especially the younger to be inherently evil."

Bron's eyes stopped twinkling and he narrowed his glare towards the Mother. Helga held her tongue as she always did. But, Sylvana, who never liked the Mother, mostly because the Mother never liked her, stuck her tongue out.

"You see." Gasped the Mother.

"Enough!" announced Bron, "The princesses are leaving with me and that is that!"

The Mother held her piece.

"Now, I want to depart as soon as possible. How long will it take to pack their belongings?" asked Bron authoritatively.

"A day, no more."

"Good, now I ask you let my servants got to work on moving out my sisters. Any help you can provide will be beneficial." Bron continued in his royal tone then turned to Helga and said more tenderly, "Right now I would like to be alone with them."

The sisters left with the servants and the door was closed.

"Are we to go home to Londinium?" asked Helga.

"Yes. But, for awhile. Helga, I will be taking you to visit some friends of mine in Caledonia a little while after." Answered Bron.

"Why? I haven't been to Londinium in so long!" exclaimed Helga, suddenly appalled by her own impertinence.

"Forgive me." She mumbled, bowing her head.

Bron lifted her chin with his hand.

"You need never bow your head to me. I am not father." He said softly and kissed her on the forehead.

"Helga?" asked Bron his voice sounding faded. "Can you hear me?"

"What should I do?" Cedric asked himself nervously.

He shook Nigel's collapsed body.

"Should I get Madame Pomfrey?" Cedric mumbled looking around then back at Nigel, "Come on, Moon."

Nigel's eyes shot open.

"B-Bron?" he stammered.

"It's me, Cedric. Cedric Diggory."

"Cedric?" repeated Nigel sitting up holding his head.

"What happened?" asked Cedric helping Nigel up, "Are you alright?"

"Yes, just tired, I guess." Answered Nigel.

He couldn't support his body enough to stand up and was helped back to the Hufflepuff common room, his feet dragging on the ground. He was lead up to his room and collapsed on his bed.

"I'll get Madame Pomfrey then, shall I?" asked Cedric.

"No." wheezed Nigel. "I just need sleep. Okay?"

Cedric shrugged their shoulders.

"All right." He said, although he didn't sound sure.

***

Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat together at a table during Herbology. Nigel sat across from them with Justin, his eyes withdrawn and ignoring the lesson. They began to plant seeds of a Yerda Santa, upon instructions from Professor Sprout. Nigel quietly went to work while Justin chatted with Hermione. Ron and Harry were still in a bit of tiff with her.

Nigel kept going over in his mind the occurrences of the past weeks. It was quite obvious to him what was going on. He was going mad. Why else would he be going potty over windows and passing out thinking he was Helga Hufflepuff? There was no other explanation. Nigel looked down at the seeds and stopped digging. No other reason. It was impossible for him to think that he. . .

No, he thought, I couldn't be having flashbacks from a past life. I'm a pureblood muggle.

But, even that aspect of him was uncertain. He looked up and saw Harry wiping sweat off his forehead. He had pushed his hair back so that his scar was showing.

Harry is half, thought Nigel, and he most likely is a descendant of Gryffindor. After all he's done? Maybe I could be. . .

Nigel shook his head. He hated when he thought that way. Puffing himself up, making himself so important. He knew very well that he was trying to take Harry's shine away. He looked down at the seeds and frowned.

What is wrong with me?

After Herbology, he went to the library to meet up with Lilah. She had started to look up about the torch again. She seemed to be a bit fickle about the whole thing. She had shown Nigel the paper and told him about Godric in her dreams, so they both decided to meet up that day to research the founders. She waved to him as he approached.

"Hi." She said with a smile.

"Hi." He mumbled.

"You all right?"

Nigel thought for a moment. Should he tell her? She would think him mad. But then again, she was having odd dreams herself and talking with Godric Gryffindor. Maybe there was a connection. He took a deep breath and told her what he had seen. This time Lilah listened quietly in awe.

"Do you think she was trying to tell you something?" asked Lilah.

Nigel shrugged his shoulders.

"But, you don't think I've gone mad?"

"Of course not." Said Lilah, "She made the torch. Maybe she is helping us find it."

"But, why?" asked Nigel, "Why all of this? Why do this to us? How do we fit in to all of this?"

"Don't know, but come on."

Lilah stood up followed by Nigel and approached Madame Pince.

"Er, do you have any books on the founders of Hogwarts?" asked Lilah.

Considering her luck with finding books on the torch she doubted as much.

"Let me check." Said Pince who flipped through some cards with her wand.

"Well, there used to be in the history section." Mumbled Pince, "When I find the culprit who stole my books . . .ah here we are!"

Pince pointed her wand at some cards and they hovered over to Lilah.

"Check the biography section." Said Pince.

Lilah thanked her and wandered to the biography section holding, the cards, with Nigel tagging along. She grabbed several books from the shelf and handed one to Nigel.

"Here." She said, "Start looking."

Nigel looked down at the book in his hands, Helga Hufflepuff: The Golden Child, by Yvette Cabana.

He opened it up and flipped past the dedications and title page, until he found page one, a portrait of Helga Hufflepuff. She was painted in the style of the time, very narrow, pointy, and tall. Her hair was golden and fell into curls at the bottom. She had bright blue eyes and a porcelain face. Around her neck was a necklace with a charm of the sun on it. It was illuminated by gold paint and her robe was painted in the same way, with gold leaf. In one hand she held a gold shield and the other a gold torch. Curling around her legs was a black and white badger.

Nigel began to read. He found Helga instantly fascinating. Born to a Viking princess and British king. She was sent away with her younger sister to be raised by nuns. She was the second eldest of three magically gifted children. Her brother, her sister, and her all were blessed with the ability to shape shift. They were all Mutacorpi. Prince Bron was an average wizard apart from his abilities as a Mutacorpi. Princess Sylvana was known for her extraordinary powers in Divination. And Princess Helga was a genius.

She was taken by her brother who secretly was a wizard and placed into the custody of Rowena Ravenclaw, the eldest daughter of the great Merlin, and Godric Gryffindor. There she was raised among the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor families. She was taught alongside Rowena's and Godric's children, and the young Salazar Slytherin. He was three years older then her and was being fostered by Rowena having been abandoned by his father, a muggle and his mother a great sorceress. After a few years of sibling rivalry of sorts, Salazar and Helga became friends, and maybe even lovers.

Helga was known for being exceptionally gifted in magic. She caught on quicker then any of the other children and was ready to be on her own at the age of fourteen. She was also very interested in inventing. She created many magic artifacts such as The Pensieve, The Magic Wand (before they used staffs), and The Green Flame Torch. Nigel flipped the page to read more about the torch, but all it said was the same information as in the paper Lilah was given. The book went on to talk about Helga's involvement in the creation of Hogwarts with Rowena, Godric, and Salazar.

Nigel skimmed the book looking for something interesting, something that could help them. But the book seemed to just be giving more detail on Helga's personality and involvement with Hogwarts then anything else. Nigel sighed and looked up from the book.

"Anything?" asked Nigel.

"The usual. Helga was a genius and taught By Rowena." Sighed Lilah, "But does yours say why she killed herself?"

"Hold on." He mumbled as he flipped through the book.

He scanned the pages then began to read.

"Helga died in the school she founded. She jumped out of a window, distraught by the death of a lover. Some say Salazar Slytherin. It is known that Godric Gryffindor did have a fight of some kind with Slytherin around this time. Shortly after that Salazar disappears from the history books. It could be that Helga and Salazar were another tragic love story, come true."

"Godric killed him!" gasped Lilah, "But why?"

"Maybe he was in love with her too."

"Gross! In my book it says that he was in his forties and like her father!" Exclaimed Lilah.

"Well, that is what it sounds like."

"That is so wrong." Mumbled Lilah, "People who fancy their own relatives are mad."

"He was only like her father. He wasn't related to her." Answered Nigel.

"Doesn't matter. It's still wrong."

Nigel closed the book.

"Nigel, are you sure that there is no wizarding blood in you?" asked Lilah. "I mean you could be related to Helga."

Nigel shrugged his shoulders and didn't answer.

"You don't know?"

"No." sighed Nigel, "You see . . . I was adopted."

Lilah looked uncomfortable and sighed, "Oh."

"I'm not allowed to know who my parents are. Muggle laws. And my adoptive parents, being Barristers, won't even jay walk. So they won't tell me." mumbled Nigel, "I could be pureblood. I . . .guess I am kind of like you."

"When did you find out?" asked Lilah.

"I've known forever. I was adopted when I was eight. It was in a small orphanage run by nuns in Wales. I was born Nigel Demetrius and no last name. I gladly took the Winthrope-Moon surname." Said Nigel who let out a small laugh. "The funny thing is my adoptive father is also named Nigel."

Lilah giggle, "Common name."

"Yeah." Sighed Nigel.

He got up to leave and saw the bright blue sky outside the window. He looked abruptly at Lilah.

"The window in the observatory!" he exclaimed.

"What about it?"

"That is where Helga killed herself. Hannah said it was cursed and that many people have fallen from it."

"Is that why you went mental in there?" asked Lilah.

"Don't know. Maybe . . .maybe she was trying to get our attention."

"Or trying to get us out of there." Said Lilah gravely.

"I don't like this." Mumbled Nigel, "Honestly, I wish they would just leave us alone."

***

That night Lilah was fearful that Godric would appear. If he indeed he did kill Salazar Slytherin then, what did he really want? She drifted into sleep, but he never showed up. In fact he seemed to have disappeared completely by the time it was Spring and Lilah had stopped fearing going to sleep. Her nightmares were all but gone. She spent her time with Nigel, out of the library, talking about the founders. Coming up with larger faerie tales each time.

Lilah had all but forgotten to tell Harry anything about the torch. She was too busy having a normal life. Lilah even was invited to the Hufflepuff common room. Of course, Sally-Anne, Susan, and Hannah, weren't the happiest about this but they did their best to pretend they were.

On Easter Sunday, Nigel and Lilah were walking down the hall and of course it was pouring rain. They ran through the rain getting soaked and giggling. Nigel slipped on the mud and fell on his rear. Lilah burst out laughing and wouldn't help him up. Nigel glared at her as he tried to get back up and reached out for her. She finally gave him her hand. He pulled back playfully to make her fall, when it happened. He saw him. He saw a handsome teenage boy around seventeen with curling brown hair, hazel eyes, and tanned skin holding his hand. The boy helped him up and smiled.

"You are so clumsy Helga." He said.

Nigel couldn't speak. He didn't know what to do.

"What are you going to do when I'm gone?" asked the boy.

"Fall a lot?" squeaked Nigel.

The boy laughed.

"Come on," beckoned the boy. "I want to show you something."

Nigel followed. His head spinning. This time it was different it wasn't like he was Helga at all. It was like this boy thought he was Helga and Nigel was just playing a part. Nigel headed up the stairs behind the boy. He reached for the door and another delicate hand pushed it open. Nigel felt his body rise up above them. He was weightless and they didn't notice him at all. He looked around the room they were in. It was the tallest part of Hogwarts, with a large window stretching from the floor to the ceiling. It was the observatory.

"Come on Goldie." Nagged the boy.

"Salazar, how many times must I tell you not to call me that." Said the girl who opened the door.

She looked even more beautiful then in the portrait that Nigel saw. Her golden hair tied in interweaving braids. Her delicate frame hidden by a loose yellow gown. She could have been no more than fourteen.

"But, that is your name. The golden one. The nimue." Teased Salazar.

"Only Merlin is allowed to call me that." Huffed Helga.

"Whatever, come here."

Salazar lifted up a small golden bowl from the table.

"You finished it!" exclaimed Helga running to him.

"Almost." Sighed Salazar, "But I finished the design."

Helga held it for a second examining it.

"What is wrong with it?" she asked handing it back to him.

"I can't seem to get the amount of wish granting spells to balance with the logic."

Helga stared at him with a perplexed look.

"In other words it's broken." Giggled Helga.

Salazar pushed her out of the way.

"Look I know it may be hard for someone so gifted as you to understand. But, I am trying my hardest to make this sangrael work." Pouted Salazar leaning against the window ledge, the sangrael in his hands.

Helga walked up behind him and rested her head on his back.

"You'll get it to work." She whispered.

"Before or after I go away. I'm leaving in a week on my mission." Moaned Salazar.

Helga was quiet and wrapped her arms around his waist. Salazar turned and faced her. He leaned down and kissed her, the sangrael in his hand. It began to glow with bits of green light shooting out of it. Salazar and Helga broke their kiss and looked at it in amazement.

"Is it working?" she asked.

"Don't know."

"Well make a wish silly."

Salazar looked down at the sangrael then at Helga.

"I wish . . . that others could be like us here." He whispered.

Helga's eyes filled with tears and hugged him tight.

"I'll wait for you until you get back." She sobbed.

Salazar looked down at her then at the sangrael. It didn't do anything.

"I don't know if it is working." He mumbled her still holding him.

"You have forever to figure it out. Why is it so important?" asked Helga, "What do you want it for?"

"I would . . . wish for it to curse my father and all his descendents for what he did to my mother." Sneered Salazar.

Helga backed away.

"Salazar you really want to do that?" asked Helga.

Salazar gripped the bowl.

"Yes," he hissed.

He looked up at the troubled Helga and forced a smile.

"You care too much for people you don't know Goldie."

"Stop calling me that." She said through clenched teeth.

"Besides," she continued, "if you wished that, you would curse yourself. You are your father's descendant."

Salazar rolled his eyes, "I didn't mean me."

Salazar chuckled and handed it to Helga.

"Here you fix it." He sighed, "You being so brilliant and all."

Helga rolled her eyes.

"If I had an artifact this powerful I wouldn't toss it off so lightly. I would wish for other things then revenge."

"What would you wish for?" asked Salazar sitting down by the window his feet dangling out.

Helga kneeled down next to him, holding the bowl.

"I would wish that when this is all done and you're back that we would end up here, together, by our window."

Salazar smiled at her and leaned his face to hers. They kissed. Nigel floated over them as Salazar lay Helga down and began to kiss her again. Nigel began to drift out of the castle, but noticed the sangrael was glowing again. He floated out of the castle and he could see burning fires around the castle, in honor of the Beltane celebration.

When Nigel opened his eyes, he saw the ceiling of the hospital wing. He looked to the side and saw Helga sitting next to him. He jumped up. Hannah smiled at him.

"You're up." She said smiling.

Nigel looked at her again, making sure that indeed it was Hannah.

"It was my turn to check on you." Explained Hannah, "Sally-Anne was here last but was kicked out by Pomfrey for being too noisy."

Nigel laid back down laughing softly.

"So, why didn't you tell us before?" asked Hannah, "Cedric told us this wasn't the first time you fainted."

"Oh." Mumbled Nigel.

"What is going on?" asked Hannah her eyes filled with concern.

Nigel looked down, at a loss for words. He looked up at Hannah, wringing his hands.

"I don't know Han. Honest." He whispered.

***

The showers ceased and the harsh sun rays came. Lilah was glad that the Slytherin common room was down near the dungeons, the coldest place in the castle. She sat in her room writing letters. She had just finished the one to Athena. It was very lengthy, involving Lilah's ranting about the torch and her dreams. The usual things she talked about with Athena. She picked up her quill and started on one to her mother. If she couldn't get any information out of her uncle or Lupin she would ask Imogen herself.

However, all that Lilah managed to write was, Dear Mum. She stared down at the paper, trying to form the questions with tact. But, it wasn't possible. She threw her quill down, aggravated. She grabbed the other letter and headed for the owlery. She gave Boo the letter for Athena and headed back to the Slytherin House. Upon entering she saw Draco sitting alone by the stairs leading to the girls dorms. He looked at her and jumped up.

"Lilah I need to talk to you." He said.

"No you don't." she said and pushed passed him.

Draco ran after her.

"I really need to talk to you." He snapped.

"And I really don't give a damn."

She opened the door and went in. She heard the door open from behind her and turned seeing Draco standing there.

"Lilah you are going to listen to me, whether you like it or not!" he shouted.

"Fine! What do you want to talk about?"

"Your dreams."

"Why?" she huffed sitting on her bed, her back to Draco.

"Time is running out. Soon it will be June and . . ."

Lilah looked at Draco.

"What are you babbling about?"

"Just that he has been leaving you alone to let you think, but soon school will be over. He isn't going to wait any longer, so you better find out where Godric hid the torch or else . . . he'll . . ."

"And for those of us who speak English, could you please explain what the hell you are talking about."

"Slytherin." Draco hissed.

Lilah stared dumbfounded as the door opened and in walked Pansy and the girls. She looked at Draco then at Lilah looking nauseated.

"Am I interrupting anything?" she asked.

The girls giggled.

"No! You never interrupt anything!" shouted Draco.

Pansy stuck her nose up and stomped to her bed. Draco looked back at Lilah and made a quick glance to the door then back at her.

Lilah didn't move. She didn't trust him. He was just going to trick her again. Pretending to help and really hurting her more. Draco glared at her.

"Come on!" he yelled.

"No!" snapped Lilah.

"But, I'm trying to HELP YOU!" he screamed.

Lilah turned her back to him.

"Go away Malfoy." Sneered Lilah.

"But, Lily." Pleaded Draco.

"GO AWAY!" Lilah shrieked, "I HATE YOU!"

Draco stood there, his eyes pained. He then took a deep breath and held his head high and turned on his heels. He opened the door and slammed it closed. Lilah stared forward as she heard Draco kicking the door.

"Bitch!" he yelled and stormed off.

***

Nigel felt out of place as he sat amongst his friends at breakfast. He glanced over at the Slytherin table and stared at Lilah. The hall was then filled with owls as they delivered that days mail. Boo swooped down to Lilah and dropped a wrapped package on her head. It fell to the floor, causing many a Slytherin to laugh. She reached down to the floor glaring at everyone and opened it. It was from Athena. It was a small book of sorts with a note attached saying:

Hope this helps you. Maybe it has something to do with your dreams.

Athena

It was a play called: The Dybbuk, by S. Ansky. Lilah looked at it curiously. She read the back.

A haunting tale of Jewish mysticism and transcendental love. It tells the tale of Chanon and Leah two ill-fated lovers. Betrothed unknowingly to each other since birth, the two are denied their fate when Leah's father breaks the marriage contract and offers his daughter to a richer man. Upon hearing the news, the heartbroken Chanon, who is weak from prolonged prayer and fasting, dies instantly. His life cut short, Chanon's soul becomes a demon, or dybbuk, which enters Leah's body in an attempt to gain possession of her love for eternity.

Lilah put the play in her bag. Why did Athena want her too read that? She wasn't Jewish.