Rating:
PG-13
House:
The Dark Arts
Characters:
Remus Lupin
Genres:
Action
Era:
Multiple Eras
Stats:
Published: 06/04/2002
Updated: 03/20/2004
Words: 31,941
Chapters: 24
Hits: 3,504

Guardians

Rosemary Wanderer

Story Summary:
Takes place after the series ends. A new dark wizard wants to take over the world, and he wants Rose and her friend to help.

Chapter 26

Chapter Summary:
Chapter 26: “Early in the Morning”- When someone says that you can’t do something until it’s “absolutely necessary,” when can you do it? That’s the question of the day, even though Kari’s still complaining it’s too early to think… But it’s never too early (or too late, for that matter) to read and review!
Posted:
03/20/2004
Hits:
193
Author's Note:
Guess what, Kari? Time to go back to Lakewood! We haven't been there in a while- maybe we should go when it isn't SNOWING again!!!


"Come on, Rose, we're almost there," my friend said as he shook me awake by using his shoulder. As I rubbed at my sleep-laden eyes, I realized that since he hadn't wanted to disturb me, he had been stuck in that position since we had gotten into the car. I apologized as he stretched his cramped muscles. Surprisingly he replied that he didn't mind, but I couldn't give much to the though because we had just then pulled into the Skys' driveway.

"What time is it?" I muttered to Kari, who glanced at the rising sun in the east.

"I'd say around five in the morning," she answered. "Wait a minute, five in the morning?! No self-respecting person should be awake now!"

"Your father gets up at 4:30 to go jogging, dear," Mrs. Sky said, glancing sternly at her daughter.

"Oh," she grinned widely through her teeth. "Never mind!" I giggled. Mr. Sky picked up the newspaper from the stoop, but as he did so, a piece of paper fluttered back to the ground. His wife swooped down and grabbed it before I could see what it was, but I had a hunch.

"Kevin, you dropped this," she said as she started to hand it back to him.

"Wait," I stepped in, "can I see that for a tic?" Shrugging her shoulders, Mrs. Sky gave it to me; the others gathered in close to see what it was.

"Yep, it's another note," Kari mumbled as I became the designated reader.

" 'Guardians,

Assuming that the Sword of Conundrum is now in your possession, you may proceed to the Lakewood Wildlife Preserve. Meet us at noon at the center of the preserve. Bring both swords.' Lakewood? Where's that?"

"That's only fifteen minutes or so from here," answered Mr. Sky.

"Good, it gives us time to sleep," Kari muttered, glancing sharply at her mother. I thought that she shouldn't complain- after all, we were the ones who had to go after the sword.

We spent the rest of the morning trying to recuperate from our exhausting night and from what Mrs. Sky called "jet lag." As soon as we got away from her parents, we quietly told Kari what had happened the night before, including the Prophecy. At half-past eleven, we left for Lakewood, as it was known to locals to describe both the magical creature preserve and the muggle park nearby. At first we sat in silence, but I noticed how strangely my friend was looking at the sword he now held between his knees.

"Hey," I asked softly, "what's wrong?" He shook his head to rid himself of the trance he had been in, although he hadn't been using the Othersight.

"Nothing really," he replied. "It's just that... Well, I don't think we should even try to claim the swords."

"Why not?" I asked, curious. "I mean, they do belong to us. Well, not exactly, but... we are the Guardians." He didn't respond. Instead, he slipped back into staring at the blade, as if trying to memorize every nick and ding. I looked closer at him and realized what he was actually trying to say to me.

"You're afraid of it, aren't you? You're afraid that we wouldn't be able to control the magic, or that we'll end up using them to the Brethren's advantage," I said quietly so that not even Kari could overhear.

"Aren't you?" he echoed. "Don't you remember anything that Jane said? These are powerful weapons of magic, and we don't know how to use them. Besides, once the swords are claimed, anyone would be able to use them, including the Brethren. That's exactly what they want." I though long and hard about that; I'd never thought about it that way before. After a few minutes, my friend gingerly placed a hand on my shoulder.

"How about this- we won't claim the swords until it's absolutely necessary. Okay?" he said. I looked up at him, smiled, and nodded.


Author notes: By the way, to the rest of you readers, Kari STILL says there’s something going on between Anonimo and Rose. I say no way, but I MIGHT have alluded to her point of view in this chapter. In your reviews, tell me what you think: should there be something there, or no? Majority vote wins, but my vote counts for one million, hehehe.