Forsaking Fate

The First Death

Chapter 3

"Moony?" Destiny asked. "Moony isn't married!"

"I suppose he wouldn't be considered married anymore." Seeing her confused expression, Katherine smiled softly, stopping immediately when her bloody teeth had obviously frightened the child. "Honey, do you know what I am?"

"A... ghost?"

"Yes."

Curious, Destiny moved forward to where she could hear the faint voice better. "How did you die?"

"How did I die?" Glancing down at her invisible feet, Katherine blinked back tears. "Have a seat child and I shall tell you my story."

*****

Katherine Carrillo was born in Bristol, England where she grew up as an only child. At Hogwarts, she lived in Gryffindor Tower and was very close friends with Lily, Julia, Selena, and the Marauders.

"After Hogwarts," Katherine said, "I decided to join the war against Voldemort. I was never much of a dueler, so I decided to be a Medi-witch and help those who were injured."

"One night, after a particularly violent battle where many Aurors were injured or killed, I was tending the wounded back at camp when we were attacked. With so few able to fight, the medics were forced to join the battle. The fighting was brief and brutal. With so many wounded that we had to protect, we were unable to defend ourselves... Nobody survived from the Light side. I was killed when the hospital tents were over taken." Shaking her head sadly, she murmured, "We never stood a chance."

"That still doesn't answer why you are here."

"I was murdered which left me with unfinished business."

"What business?"

"You don't need to worry about it, child."

"Why do you stay here and not follow Moony?"

Leaning forward, Katherine said, "Remus no longer needs me; you do. You have no idea what your life is going to be like as you grow up. I am not interested in the choices you are going to make or what kind of person you are going to grow up to be. I am just here to see that you DO grow up."

*****

Time began to pass as it always does and soon a year had gone. As Christmas approached, a flurry of activity overtook the Blacks' home. The annual Christmas party was to be held again, and this year it was Sirius and Julia's turn to be the hosts.

Sitting on the large leather arm chair that was her father's favorite, Destiny sat and watched the commotion curiously.

People and house-elves rushed here and there, setting up decorations, tearing down decorations that had just been put up by someone else, setting out food with charms on it to keep it fresh, and cursing and swearing loudly over the cheerful holiday music that floated throughout the room.

Smiling happily, Destiny watched her father struggling to put the family's angel ornament on the top of the tree without using magic. Sirius had been attempting to do so for over thirty minutes now and had almost knocked the tree over three times.

Giggling, Destiny climbed out of the chair and went up to her room.

At five in the evening, the Potters arrived. As was the custom, they placed all of their gifts under the Blacks' tree and settled down to spend the night with their friends.

*****

Christmas morning dawned clear, with a blanket of fluffy snow covering the ground. As soon as dawn had arrived and the sun had begun to give off its first rays of light, Harry climbed off of the bed he was sharing with Destiny and ran to his parents' room.

"Mummy, Daddy, wake up! Christmas is here! We have to go open presents!"

"Hmm..." James mumbled, shoving his son off of his back, where he had been residing. "Harry, it's too early."

"No, it's not! Please?"

Sitting up slowly, Lily reached over and shook her husband. "Get up, James. You know he's not going to stop until we're up." Turning to her son, Lily told him to go get Destiny and to wake up the others.

"Harry," James called, "Make sure to jump on Sirius."

"James!"

"What? He had his kids jump on us last year!"

Shaking her head, she muttered, "You're just never going to grow up are you?"

"Of course not. Where's the fun in acting like an adult?"

Not bothering to reply, Lily shoo-ed Harry out of the room.

*****

"Dessy, Dessy, wake up!"

Yawning, Destiny climbed out of bed and frowned. "Where's your Mummy and Daddy?"

"They're getting dressed. Come on! Let's go jump on Uncle Sirius!"

Grinning, Destiny darted out of the room and down the hall. Quietly opening the door, Harry and Destiny glanced at each other before running and jumping onto the bed.

"What the-" Sirius yelped, sitting up.

"Hi, Uncle Sirius!"

Groaning, Sirius fell back into his pillows. "Hey there, Harry."

"Presents?" Destiny asked, still jumping up and down on the bed.

"Alright, present time. Hey, Jules, you awake?"

"How could I not be?" she replied, never moving.

Laughing, he pulled on his clothes before grabbing one kid under each arm and walking with them screaming out the door.

"What is with all the racket?" Remus asked, stepping into the hallway from his room.

Setting the children on the floor, Sirius yelled, "Get Moony!" before rushing at him as Padfoot.

When Lily and James came out of their room, they couldn't help but laugh as Remus tried to fend off a slobbering Padfoot and two kids who were tickling him like there was no greater game in the world.

"Prongs," Remus yelped, "help me!"

"Sorry Moony old pal, but you're on your own."

"Traitor!" he laughed.

When everyone had finally made it downstairs and the presents had been opened, the adults began to get ready for the party. Just as everyone was finishing dressing, the guests began to arrive.

"Professor Dumbledore, it's so good of you to have come!"

"Albus please," Dumbledore replied, a twinkle shining in his eyes.

"Well, Albus, we're glad you're here," Lily replied.

As more guests arrived, the house was soon full of laughter and happiness.

Huddling together, the three Marauders's looked quickly to the empty space above the door. Slipping his wand out, carefully trying to keep it hidden, James pointed it at the door frame and muttered a spell quietly. Hurriedly replacing his wand in his robes, the three stood and waited.

As the first set of people stepped through the doorway, the two were magically pulled together and couldn't pull free until they had kissed. The Marauder's mistletoe prank was quickly revealed and those who did not wish to be kissed began to actively avoid going anywhere near the door.

Giggling, Lily tossed her camera to Remus and dragged her husband beneath the enchanted mistletoe. As their lips touched and a camera flash went off, catcalls began to echo through the room.

Watching the grownups play beneath the ugly piece of bush, Harry frowned. They seemed to be having fun with that thing for some reason. Shrugging, Harry grabbed Destiny's hand and tugged her in front of the doorway. Not bothering to step beneath the mistletoe, Harry leaned forward and pressed his lips awkwardly to the little curly haired girl's in front of him.

*****

Having seen Harry and Destiny heading toward the prank, Remus poked James in the side.

"I suggest you stop your son before he becomes attached to your Goddaughter."

Glancing over his shoulder, James' eyes widened and he quickly started toward them.

He hadn't gone more than a couple feet when Harry stopped suddenly and kissed Destiny right on the lips. Wide eyed, James grabbed the camera from his wife and snapped a picture. A chorus of awes went through the crowd who had seen and Sirius laughed.

"Stealing my little girl's heart already. Looks like Harry's not going to end up as pathetic as his old man, eh James?" Sirius winked, nudging his friend with his elbow.

"Are you suggesting, Mr. Black," Lily asked playfully, "that James only married me because he couldn't do any better?"

Laughing, Sirius replied, "Of course."

*****

Playing with Harry soon became Destiny's favorite past time. Living right next door to each other, the two were always running back and forth between the two houses. Over the summer, a rope was tied between the two children's windows, and a bucket carrying messages and small objects was towed back and forth between them.

Late in August of 1988, Harry and Destiny laid in the grass under the boards of a half finished tree house in Harry's yard. Rolling over onto her side, Destiny watched her friend.

Lately, Destiny had been spending many nights with Constance and Stanton and worries had begun to creep up on her. With each lesson, her capability to handle the power had grown, and with it, a strange detachment. The detachment had left her feeling unable to understand the behavior of others that should have been completely natural. Watching others, Destiny had soon found that Harry was the only one with whom she felt completely safe.

Swallowing erratically, she prepared herself to ask the question she knew she already knew the answer to.

For months now, maybe more, Destiny had found herself suddenly knowing what was going to happen before it did. Not wanting to be any more different than she already was; she had decided to keep her new found gift a secret.

"Harry?" Destiny asked.

"What?"

"We'll always be friends, right?"

Turning his head to her, he smiled. "Always and always."

"And... And you'll always be there when I need you? You won't go away just because other people tell you to?"

"Nope, I'm never going to go anywhere you're not. You're my best friend."

"You're my best friend too, but... What if something bad happens to you or some people don't want you to be my friend?"

"Looking perplexed, Harry asked curiously, "What would happen and why would they not like you?"

"Like, what if you die or something?"

Grinning at her, he folded his arms beneath his head and looked back up at the fluffy clouds through the leaves of the tree.

"Silly, Destiny. Kids don't die. What could possibly happen that would kill a kid?"

Uneasily, Destiny forced out a strained laugh. "Nothing. You're right; kids just don't die. Bad things can't happen to good people."

*****

Standing in the shadows of a large oak tree, Constance watched as the seven year old girl snuck back into her home and went to sleep. Long after silence had descended on the night, the vampire remained, keeping her silent vigil in front of the house. Hearing a noise, Constance turned her head. It hadn't really been a noise so much a shift in air currents that had caught her attention. Stanton, dress as any high class college boy would, emerged from the shadows around the tree.

"She's making remarkable progress," he commented, eyes never wavering from where they were locked on the darkened window of the girl's room.

"Yes," Constance murmured, "she is."

Glancing quickly over at the woman, Stanton returned his attention to the window. "Time has not yet begun to run out. We have plenty of time before we lose control of her. She will be ready in time."

"I know."

"Then what worries you enough that you would waste time standing here?"

"I'm not worried that Destiny won't have the power or control to do what is needed, but that she will not be able to tell right from wrong."

"We do what we can."

"I fear it won't be enough."

*****

On Harry's tenth birthday, the Blacks arrived with presents and good cheer. Taking the gifts, Lily turned to address her son.

"Harry, take Destiny and Rosaline out back to play." As the three ran off, Lily called out, "And stay in the yard!" Turning to her friends, she smiled. "We just took down our fence and haven't had a chance to replace it yet."

"Stop worrying so much," James replied as he came into the kitchen and dropped a kiss on the top of his wife's head. "Harry's a good kid. He won't go looking for mischief."

"Yeah," Julia said. "He's not like his father's friends," she said turning her glare on her husband.

Out on the lawn, Destiny chased Harry around, trying to stick a flower in his hair.

Flopping down on the ground, Rosaline began to whine. "This is boring!"

Smiling slyly, Destiny replied, "Why don't you go ask Mum if we can have cake and presents now?"

Nodding, Rosaline agreed and hurried around to the backyard and the kitchen door.

"Finally!" Destiny muttered as her sister vanished. Turning to Harry, she smiled. "Let's go swimming in the river, Harry!"

Shifting uncertainly, Harry said, "My Mum told us to stay in the yard."

Sighing, Destiny replied with exasperation, "She only said that because Rosaline was with us. Besides, you know that the grown-ups will stay in the house for hours talking even if Rosaline goes in there and bothers them. We'll be there and back before they even know we're gone."

"We'll be all wet though."

Shrugging, Destiny said, "We'll tell them we were playing with the hose."

After several more minutes, Harry relented and followed Destiny into the woods and down to the river.

Pulling off her shoes, Destiny turned and dashed back up the hill before running back down and flying into the water. Coming up sputtering with laughter, Destiny splashed Harry and yelled for him to jump in. Hesitating, Harry pulled off his socks and shoes and stepped in.

"You big baby!" Destiny laughed. "You're supposed to jump in!" Swimming to the bank, she slipped and slid her way through the mud and made her way back up the hill. Grumbling to himself, Harry followed.

*****

As Harry and Destiny ran past and vanished into the woods, Rosaline stood at the sliding glass door that led into the kitchen and watched.

After having been sent away, Rosaline had waited, knowing that Destiny was going to do something she wasn't supposed to.

'She's always doing bad things,' Rosaline thought bitterly. 'Well, she's not going to get away with it this time!'

Following the two down into the woods, Rosaline only stayed long enough to know what they intended to do before she turned and dashed back to the house. Throwing open the door, she ran in.

"Mummy, Mummy!"

Waving the little girl away absentmindedly, Julia kept on talking.

"So, we went to-"

"Mummy, Destiny's gone swimming in the river!"

"What!" Julia shrieked.

"Destiny and Harry are playing in the river."

"Oh my God," Lily murmured, horrified, "there are Grindylow in there!"

*****

Running back up the slope for the fourth time, Destiny turned to wait for Harry.

"Come on, Harry!"

Swimming to the edge, Harry was just pulling himself out when something grabbed his ankle and yanked him under. Struggling to get his leg free, Harry began to panic as his air supply began to quickly run out. Scrambling against the muddy bank, Harry fought desperately as he was pulled deeper and farther out into the river.

*****

"Harry?" Destiny called. "Stop playing around!"

When he didn't resurface, she made her way down to the waters edge and called his name again. Not receiving a reply, Destiny began pacing frantically up and down the bank, trying to see into the murky water. Sliding into the water, she dove under and began to search for any sign of her missing friend.

*****

Harry knew he was losing the fight as his limbs began to grow heavy. The burning sensation in his lungs had long since gone beyond torture and darkness was swiftly closing in. Giving one last half-hearted kick, Harry gave in to the darkness and slid into deaths waiting arms.

*****

Coming back up and gasping for air, Destiny shrieked as a clawed hand grabbed her ankle and dragged her under.

'No,' Destiny thought frantically as she began to struggle.

'Break its fingers.'

The voice seemed to float to her through a cloud, a memory long suppressed, speaking to her with absolute certainty.

Reaching down, Destiny clamped her hands around the fingers and with all the inhuman strength in her, crushed the bones in the fingers to dust. Swimming for the surface, Destiny gulped in the sweet, fresh air before submerging again. Swimming along the bottom, she squinted to see. Feeling around, she finally bumped into something soft and yielding. Grabbing the body, she dragged it to the surface.

"Hang on," Destiny mumbled as she tugged her friend to dry land.

*****

Shoving her way past the others, Julia ran for the river, never looking back to see if the others were following. Halfway there, she was overtaken by James, who quickly passed and dashed down the slope of the hill to the bank. Just as the five adults reached the river, they saw Destiny's little curl matted head emerge from under water and begin to drag an unconscious Harry to the shore.

"Oh, God!" Lily shrieked, starting forward.

Shoving her back into Sirius' arms, James dove into the water, yanked Harry away from the little girl, and swam with his limp son to the shore. Leaving Destiny in the middle of the river, all attention became focused on James and the little boy cradled to his chest. Laying the little boy on the ground, James felt for a heart beat.

"There's no pulse!"

Climbing out of the water, Destiny stood by and silently watched as the adults tried frantically to revive Harry. Twenty minutes later, all hope had been lost.

*****

By the time the group had reached the house, the Potters were inconsolable. Clinging to her son's limp body, Lily knelt next to the couch that Harry had been laid on and sobbed.

"Mrs. Lily?" Destiny asked. "I-"

"Why?" Lily shrieked, rounding on the eight year old girl. "Why couldn't you have just stayed in the yard like you were told to?"

"Lily," James said dully, hugging his wife to him, "Leave the kid alone."

"No! James, don't you see? Harry would not have left the yard if we told him not to. That means SHE made him!"

Staring at the woman expressionlessly, Destiny turned and left the room. Walking out the front door silently, Destiny turned and started walking to the cemetery. Reaching the ornate gates, she slipped in and headed for the back wall.

"Stanton?" she called.

Receiving no reply, Destiny slid down to the ground. Sitting, not moving, she began to wait for the right moment.

*****

Hours after Destiny had left; Julia looked up from comforting the distraught Potters.

"Rosaline, where is your sister?"

Shrugging, the little girl said, "She left."

"Where did she go?" Sirius asked.

"I don't know. Mrs. Lily told Destiny that she had killed Harry, so she left."

"Oh no..." Lily whispered. "I'm so sorry..."

"It's alright," Julia whispered soothingly. "We'll find her." Turning to her husband, she said, "Go find Des."

Nodding, Sirius left.

Turning to her distressed friends, she herded them into the kitchen for tea.

*****

"Destiny!" Sirius shouted. He had been searching for over thirty minutes and the hour was beginning to grow late. Already the sun was beginning to set and still there was no sign of his lost daughter. "Destiny, please, if you can hear me, come out!" His only reply was the howling of the wind. "Destiny," he whispered, "where are you, baby?"

*****

As the sun began to set, Destiny rose to her feet and moved silently among the grave stones. Walking through the deserted streets, she stepped into the shadows and moved to the back door of the Potters' home. Glancing through the glass door, she watched Lily cry into her tea cup. James, with a heart broken expression, rubbed his wife's back but remained silent. There were no soothing words that would help.

Turning, Destiny made her way to the picture window of the living room. Slipping through it, Destiny walked over to where the corpse laid. Calmly laying her hand on it, she paused to listen for a sound only she could hear. Removing her hand, she drew in a deep cleansing breath and relaxed. Placing one hand over the heart and one over the eyes, Destiny kneeled down and closed her eyes. Breathing slowly, nothing appeared to happen for several minutes. Abruptly, a white glow surrounded the corpse before turning to a light blue.

As the power coursed through the body; both the corpse and the Necromancer floated into the air. Suddenly and without warning, Destiny's eyes snapped open and stared out unseeing. Murmuring softly in Latin, an unfelt wind flapped through the pairs clothing and lifter her hair into a halo around her head.

"Exanumum arbitratus dego. Vespillon arbitratus aspiro. Anima laruae vita abscido. Cordis, battuo. Aspiro. DEGO!"

Three times through Destiny hissed the incantation of the dead before leaning forward and breathing a stream of air into the boy's face.

As suddenly as the wind had begun, it ended and they floated instantly back to the chair and floor respectively.

Standing, Destiny turned and left through the window without a backward glance, leaving a boy with messy black hair and blue lips lying on the couch, completely still.