An Orchid By Any Other Name

Chapter 10, part one

Dear Harry,She will arrive tonight in the fire. I cannot elaborate here. "Moony" will come this evening to explain the situation and give you further instructions.A.D. Harry read the note ten times in the minute after Hedwig delivered it. He was glad to have her with him too. The waiting was already becoming unbearable, and it was only noon. He busied himself with cleaning- the place had been deserted for nearly a year, and it showed. Harry still was not much good with household charms, but he tried hard. He cleaned out the fireplace so that it would be nice when Orchid arrived. He wrote letters to Orchid in his mind, missing her more as the day drew on, wondering how late "tonight" meant. We wondered too what Lupin would tell him, and where he and Orchid would have to go. In the meantime, Orchid slept unnoticed as her fellow students went to classes.By late afternoon, Narcissa Malfoy was wondering what was taking Orchid so long. She asked a Ravenclaw girl to go up and check on her. It was Luna Lovegood. When Luna touched Orchid's shoulder to rouse her, she gasped; her flesh was cold and lifeless. Luna ran down to Narcissa and let her in, unable to speak. Narcissa's screams could be heard throughout the castle.Luna went to Neville and told him what had happened. "Harry fancied her; didn't Ron say so?" "Luna, Harry married her. She was supposed to meet him in hiding. We have to let him know! Come with me to the owlry."Meanwhile, Remus Lupin took his potion and set out for 12 Grimmauld Place. It wasn't full moon yet, not until tomorrow, but it doesn't hurt to be careful.

Chapter 10- part two, version one- Moon-crossed lovers

As Orchid and Draco were moved from Hogwarts to Malfoy Manor, Harry sat waiting for professor Lupin. He, like Lupin, didn't know that the tithi was changing just then. The now full moon was transforming Moony into a wolf. He had taken the potion, so he was safe, but he had to hide in an alley for the night, and was unable to deliver Dumbledore's instructions. Harry heard a knocking on the window. He jumped up, sure that it was Lupin, but instead he saw a large barn owl. He opened the window and the bird entered, holding out a leg to allow Harry access to the roll of parchment that was tied there. Thrill filled his heart. Maybe it's from Orchid!

Harry read:Harry,I'm so sorry you have to hear this from me. Orchid was found dead in her bed today. As soon as I know more, I will owl you.
Your Friend, Neville

Harry wanted to think this was a trick or a joke, but he recognized Neville's handwriting, and he knew Neville would never play a trick on him like that. Still, maybe Neville thought she had died, but she really hadn't. It didn't make sense. Maybe she was faking. How could a healthy 16 year-old girl just die in her sleep?

In any case, waiting here was no longer an option. His moods were swinging from despair to curiosity and his body heaved, unable to handle the stress. He put on his invisibility cloak and stepped into the fire. "Hogwarts Hospital Wing."

Harry stepped silently out of the fire, and he saw that all the beds were empty.

Thank God. She isn't really dead. How could I have believed that? He heard voices in Madam Pomfrey's office, and so he sneaked nearer to hear them.

"No, you did wonderfully, Poppy. It must have been very difficult to meet the girl's parents."

"Yes, Headmaster, and I still can't think how it happened. There wasn't a mark on her. You don't think she poisoned herself, do you? I mean, after her cousin died that way?"

"No, she had much more to live for. It is beyond my understanding as well. I will be going to Malfoy Manor myself later for the funerals."

Harry did not want to hear anymore. If Dumbledore didn't know about it, then this was not part of the plan. Harry rushed to the dungeons, bumping several people as he went. They looked around in surprise, unable to see who had collided with them. He entered to potions storeroom and selected the Venomina poison, which Snape had told them in sixth year was the quickest acting, although it was horribly painful. He walked right into Snape's office, not even looking to see if it was empty, and grabbed the floo powder. Swirling through the green flames, burning inside with unbearable anguish, he stepped out of the fireplace and into Lucius Malfoy's study. Harry could hear Lucius talking to another man in the adjoining room. He fearlessly entered, though they did not hear him. The two men looked very much alike and Harry thought to himself, "He must be my Father-in-law." They were discussing him, and how to find and kill him, seeming to think he was responsible for Orchid's death as well. Lucius was a fugitive, but Harry was not at all surprised to find out that he had been hiding at home all the while. Their talk did not disturb him whatsoever. In fact, he felt as if he were dead already.

The sound of women sobbing was coming from downstairs, and Harry followed it. He found Narcissa and a dark-haired lady in the kitchen, drinking wine and crying, Apparently unable to speak any more themselves.

Harry moved throughout the huge house, and came into a large hall. The walls were decorated with the heads of wild beasts and arrangements of the swords and daggers that had slain them. At the far end, two caskets were placed. He ran ahead, and coming to Orchid's side, kissed her pallid checks. He sat beside her casket on the platform and took off his cloak.

Unscrewing the cap with shaking hands, he downed the entire contents of the bottle, although a drop would have been sufficient. Torment far above that of Voldemort's Cruciatus curse spread from his throat to his fingernails and down into his heels in less than a second. He is body shook and twisted as his skull filled with the pain. Every vessel in his body was exploding, and hot death filled him as the blood drowned the burning fire inside. He slumped down in a heap, still clutching the empty vial.

When Orchid awoke only 20 minutes later, she was relieved to find the room empty, and a fireplace just beside her. She started to climb down when she felt a warm hand holding fast to the lip of the casket. Turing the body over she saw it was Harry.

"Harry! What are you doing here? Wake up! Let's go!" she whispered.

When Harry didn't move, she shook him a little, and the glass vial dropped to the ground with a ring. She lowered herself from the platform and picked up the little bottle. Venomina. Harry! What did you do!?

Harry's body, still warm and soft, was limp, and though she took it in turns to kiss hem tenderly and shake him violently, he did not respond.

She examined the bottle again. Empty! Why didn't you leave any for me, Harry! She kissed his lips, hoping to taste the bitter poison on them, but only came upon a droplet of blood in the corner of his mouth. Her heart beat faster as she spotted the weapons on the wall. Anything to release her from this torment, to take her back to Harry...

Orchid took a long bejeweled dagger from the wall, and lying beside her husband, she impaled her soft chest with the dull blade. As darkness covered her eyes, she smiled and embraced her true love for the rest of eternity.

Chapter 10- part two, version two- Happily Ever After.

Harry rushed to open the door when he heard Lupin calling from outside. They sat at the kitchen table and ate the pizza Lupin had brought along. Harry hadn't even though of eating all day, but now realized he was really very hungry.

"Dumbledore told me about Ron. I'm so sorry Harry."

"It's..."

"I know. It's not okay. I can't believe everything that has happened since I saw you at the Burrow four days ago. Listen, Dumbledore helped Orchid fake her own death with a sleeping potion. It will wear off around 10 o'clock. He still isn't sure how everything will work out, but he told me to give you this." Lupin handed him a sack of muggle money, a key, and a map. "You have to take Orchid and go to the countryside. Go as muggles. If you use magic, it will be easier for Lucius and the Death Eaters to find you. Dumbledore has a cottage in Wales. It's marked on the map, and that's the key. He will contact you there. He said that the heart-binding charm you performed will help you now, give you good luck. You're married, Harry! I can't believe it."

"Will you be here when Orchid arrives? I want you to meet her."

"I'm afraid not. Tomorrow's full moon, and I have to go home and get ready. If I can, I'll visit you in Wales. I'll have to check with Dumbledore."

A tear glided down Harry's cheek, and he did not bother to wipe it away.

"I didn't want it to happen this way... I just wanted to stop Draco and Ron from fighting, but I was too late. I'm so happy to have Orchid, and that makes me feel even more guilty, how can I be so happy when my best mate's in St. Mungo's? And now Malfoy's dead, and I can't even stay here. How is all this happening?""Dumbledore said that this is all happening for a reason; he didn't seem surprised by any of it. In fact, it's like he expected you to find Orchid. True love is a rare gift, you know. This has to be fate. We will just have to wait and see what destiny has in store for you."

Lupin embraced Harry to his chest, and patted his back firmly."Thank you," Harry said. "I'll see you soon, I hope."

"Yes, I hope so too. Good luck."

As Lupin left, a brown owl flew inside. Harry took the parchment from its leg and read it.

Harry,I'm so sorry you have to hear this from me. Orchid was found dead in her bed today. As soon as I know more, I will owl you.
Your Friend, Neville

Harry laughed a bit, and then cried again, wondering if he'd ever see his friends again. He was glad Lupin had gone, because now the tears wouldn't stop. Sadness, fear, and hope competed for his attention, and the tears that fell were hot on Harry's cheeks. He felt some relief after he'd wept, and he thought of the task ahead of him.

At a quarter of ten, Harry went back down to the kitchen, his eyes fixed on the fireplace. Sure enough, green flames rose there only a few minutes later, and Orchid stepped out. Wand in hand, she was dressed in formal robes, presumably for her funeral.

"Orchid!" They embraced at once and didn't speak for some time. "Come upstairs; I'll tell you what we have to do."

They did not notice the green flames reappear in the grate as they left the room.Upstairs, Harry explained that they were going as muggles and she'd need different clothes. She conjured some jeans and black sweater, and then stripped seductively down to her underclothes. Harry didn't mind if they were delayed a few minutes; he wasn't going to let this opportunity pass by. He walked up to Orchid and put his hands on her bare waist. He kissed her ear, then her neck. As the trail of kisses reached her breasts, he dropped to his knees and continued. He was starting to remove her panties when a cruel voice sounded behind him; "Stupefy!"

Red light zoomed over his head and Orchid fell to the ground like a felled tree. Harry spun around to see Lucius Malfoy in the doorway.

"What are you doing here!" Harry screamed. In shock, he fumbled for his wand. With a flick he moved Orchid's robes to cover her on the floor. He turned back just as Lucius pointed his wand at him.

"Ava-"

"Silencio!" Harry shouted, and then, "Petrificus totalus!"

Malfoy's arms and legs stiffened and he fell to the side with a crash. Harry turned to Orchid and muttered, "Ennervate." Orchid sat up, terrified. "Here, get dressed, Orchid, we have to go before he can get up!" said Harry, tossing her the muggle clothes. They vanished in mid-air.

"No, that won't be necessary, Potter. I think she looks lovely just like this." Voldemort was stepping into the room, laughing coldly, a look of triumph on his face. "I bet she's an excellent dancer, don't you, Harry? Let's find out. Imperio!" Orchid started to move, her eyes wide with fear and disbelief. Her dancing became more and more erotic, suggestive. She was fondling her breasts while Voldemort laughed shamelessly. Harry's heart burned with rage.

"Stop it!" He shouted, and to his amazement, and Voldemort's, Orchid stopped. It worked.

"I thought you would like that, Potter. Oh, well, if you're done playing then we might as well get to business. Avada Kedavra!"

Harry leapt in front of Orchid, taking the green jet that was flying towards her squarely on his chest as he said "Orchid, I love you!". He expected to die then, but he didn't. He and Orchid were thrown to the wall, and when he looked back, Voldemort was on the ground beside Malfoy. Harry put Orchid's robes back around her and went, wand raised, to investigate. Voldemort's face was contorted in anger, but he was not breathing. He did not disappear like he had when Harry was a baby, but he was dead. Malfoy stirred a little, and Harry grabbed a brass candlestick from the table beside him and cracked it over Lucius's head.

Dumbledore rushed into the room. "Harry! Orchid! Where is he?" Harry pointed to the ground before him. Dumbledore prodded Voldemort's body with his wand. "I would not have believed it was possible if I didn't see it my self. I followed Lucius from his manor, and I saw Voldemort going into the fire behind him. Harry, he's gone forever now. Your love, fortified by the charm, killed him."

Orchid ran to Harry and embraced him, crying silently. When she looked up, she inhaled sharply. "Your scar is gone!" Harry felt his forehead, and found that she was right.

"Really? So it is!" exclaimed Dumbledore. "It seems that the mark that connected you to Voldemort has disappeared, now that the connection itself is gone. Let us go back to the castle. We have nothing more to fear."

Harry was pardoned at once by the Minister of magic for Draco's death. He and Orchid moved into a room on the ground floor of the castle for the remainder of the year. By Halloween, Ron was back at school. Harry had everything he ever had wanted. After graduation, Harry bought a house in Hogsmeade and took up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher. He and Orchid commuted daily to the castle together while she finished her seventh year. The following fall, their first child was born. They named her Lily.

. tithi is a Sanskrit astron﹯cal term which refers to the lunar day. The Vedic calendar is based upon lunar days, which can last much more or much less than 24 hours, and can begin or end at any time of day.