Tears in Heaven

(Disclaimer: I own nothing.)

Tears In Heaven

Chapter Eight

They raced on - no longer with a fierce sense of determination so much as one of desperation. Isabella's heart was pounding painfully in her chest as she tried to keep up with the rest and her breaths were coming out in labored gasps. Droplets of salty sweat trickled down past her chocolate brown eyes to mingle amidst tears of fear and despair. Her dark brown hair, almost black, clung to the back of her neck and the rest flew behind her in soaked locks.

She just knew she had to get away, had to get to a safe haven to escape...to escape them. It was now a matter of life and death. Ahead of her, one of the group, Neo, turned to look back at her, to make sure she was still there. He slowed so he could run with her.

"It's all right, Bella," he said, forcing a smile, nevertheless, it was a strained one. "We can make it - let those bastards try and catch us - we'll outrun them." She didn't reply for she knew her restrained sobs would escape if she did. He took hold of her hand and urged her forward at a faster pace. She tried with all her might to keep up. She had always been the smallest of the group. "Come on, Midget, we can make it," he joked. Midget had been his nickname for her ever since they were kids.

He immediately stopped his jesting, however, when a blinding light erupted into the sky and a piercing scream ripped through the night.

~*~

Draco saw the letter fall from the talons of the barn owl and watched, as it seemed to float down onto the table in slow motion. The feeling had arisen in him the previous night and had lingered until even then as he picked up the envelope. Even as he tore it open to read the letter, he knew what would be said in it.

Dear Mr. Malfoy,

We regret to inform you that Narcissa Malfoy...

But he let the letter fall into his lap. He didn't need to read the rest, didn't want to- he had known the news the letter held even before his eyes met the words written in black ink upon the Ministry of Magic parchment. Another letter dropped before him. The Malfoy seal was stamped onto the blood red wax that sealed the letter and without having to even glance at it - he knew what it contained.

It was an explanation in his father's terms.

Draco didn't even bother to open that one. He wouldn't be getting the softened and guarded words as he had from the Ministry - in this letter; he would be getting coded bold words from his father.

Gayle was looking at him carefully from across the table. She saw his face grow paler than normally as his hands touched onto the first letter and wondered what was wrong. "Draco," she said in a low tone. He didn't look up, didn't seem to hear her. Then the next letter had fallen from the grasp of the Malfoy's family owl. Draco didn't touch that one. "Draco," she repeated, louder now. He looked up at her. His usually cold gray eyes seemed to be melting - tears were brimming in his eyes. He stood up abruptly to leave.

"Aw, Malfoy, what's the matter? Why are you crying?" asked a seventh year in a mocking voice. It took all of Draco's sixteen years of learning to keep his face stony without expression and ignore the other Slytherin's taunt. "Want someone to call your Mummy?"

"You bastard!" Draco suddenly yelled, all self-control annihilated. His eyes burned with an extreme anger, making the silver tinge of his eyes glow more brightly than ever. Darkness seemed to cloud within the silver lining and every part of him seemed to set off a feeling of complete fury. He had leaned over the table and grabbed the collar of the boy before him.

Immediately, Brice knew he had gone to far. Yes, he was a year older than Malfoy, but the fury he saw in his foe's eyes was something he hadn't expected.

"Don't ever speak of my mum again," Draco all but growled. All eyes had turned to the Slytherin table and the students were watching the scene with keen ears and eyes.

Brice swallowed noticeably and brushed off the latter's grip, trying to act like he hadn't been moved. However, it was apparent he was thoroughly surprised at Draco's outburst. "Take a load off, Malfoy," he retorted. He was about to say more but the strange look in the other's eyes kept him quiet. Draco turned abruptly on his heels and left the Hall. Gayle was soon to follow.

Soon, the noise level had risen until everything was normal again. Harry and Hermione shared a looked and turned back to their breakfast.

"Strange," muttered Hermione, spreading butter over a piece of toast.

Ron looked at her and grinned. "Strange nothing, rather touchy, Malfoy is," he said. Harry picked up his schedule and looked down. "What do we have first?" wondered Ron.

The redheaded boy was soon answered when his friend's expression fell. "Potions, again."

Hermione looked up. "With who?"

Harry heaved a great sigh of torment and stuffed the piece of parchment into his bag. "Guess," he replied and stood up. "I'll meet you both there, all right?" he told them and left.

Ron put down the scone that was on its way to his mouth. "Hey, Harry, wait-," he started, but the other boy was long gone. With a slight frown upon his face, he turned to Hermione. "What-," but she just shook her head.

"Don't ask me, I've no idea."

~*~

Harry ran down the hall and soon, he saw the two Slytherins nearing the Slytherin house.

"Draco, wait," he heard Gayle say. Draco didn't acknowledge her presence but walked on. "Draco -"

"It's none of your business," said the blond headed boy in a clipped tone. "It has nothing to do with you."

"What happened?" wondered Gayle, ignoring his comment. He kept on walking and soon her wand was brandished. She muttered under her breath.

Draco stopped in his spot. Gayle muttered once more and he was turned slowly around. He scowled at her, his eyes sparkling angrily. "Funny, this spell works just as well as Forester's purple jelly."

She was unfazed. "Stop avoiding me," she told him.

He smirked sardonically. "Am I avoiding you now?"

"Yes," she said, folding her arms across her chest. "Actually, you are." He just rolled his eyes heavenwards. "You've detached yourself from everyone, and I want to know why."

"It's none of your concern, Gayle, so let it be."

Harry's mind wandered to the question of why Draco called her by her first name. He had thought that he was on a last name basis with everyone.

"It is to of my concern."

Draco was no longer smirking, but had on his expressionless façade. "Why?"

"Because I'm making it." There was a short silence. "I saw you with that boy Joey." He shrugged. "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did you do it?"

He met her gaze challengingly. "To fix your betrayal. His brother had nothing to do with you yet you just had to go off and be the model Death Eater."

She let the spiteful remark slide and smiled. "I was right about you, then," she said softly. Draco folded his arms across his chest and stared at the ceiling with an air of annoyance about him. She chuckled. "I knew I was right about you."

"You weren't right about anything," he said. "I want you to leave me alone and never speak to me again."

Her smile broadened. "Poor, poor Draco - we don't always get what we want," she said in a strangely soft voice.

"Remove your spell," he told her. "Now."

She shook her head. "We need to talk."

"We are god damn it!" He brandished his wand. "I've listened to your incessant babbling longer than you deserve." He muttered the counter curse to the holding spell, then turned and walked away.

Gayle watched after her him in remorse, then sighed. "You can come out now, Harry," she said, looking in the direction of the statue in which he was behind. He rubbed the back of his neck feeling his cheeks redden with embarrassment. "I'm sure that that conversation was as tiresome to you as it was to me."

He cleared his throat. "Er - sure."

She smiled. He noticed that she was pretty - almost strikingly beautiful, more so than Cho Change. Harry still hadn't gotten over Cho, but knew that any chance he had with her was put to rest after the Triwizard Tournament. However beautiful Gayle was, he knew that looks could be deceiving. His entire life had been based on things kept from him and when he finally found out the truth about his being a wizard and the number one person Voldemort was after, he knew he had to tread carefully. When she asked, "How about walking with me to Potions?" though, he said yes.

~*~

Sirius soon arrived at his destination and let out a breath of relief - though, in his dog form, it came out more as a large pant. He trotted into the school and to the headmaster's office. He sniffed the air to make sure no one was near, then transformed into his normal self. The password left his mouth and soon the gargoyle cleared out of his path as he ascended the steps. Once he stepped into the office, Dumbledore said, "It's a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Black."

The raven-haired man smiled back. He was just as handsome as he was as a student at Hogwarts, though his burdensome days in Azkaban had taken their toll. His eyes were more withdrawn rather than extroverted and the way he held himself was more reserved. Sirius' eyes, however gaunt they had slowly become, were now brightening as if there was some cure to make him alive once more.

"And you as well, headmaster," he replied.

"I trust things are going well at home?" inquired the professor.

Sirius smiled albeit a bit sadly. "Better than I had expected, sir."

Suddenly, the door to the Dumbledore's office clanged open. Professor McGonagall stood there with a hand to her heart, breathing quickly. "Headmaster, someone has been killed on Hogwarts grounds!"

~*~

Joey sat outside near the Whomping Willow that afternoon. "Well?" asked Billy.

His brother sighed. "What do you want me to say?" asked the boy in defeat.

"I want you to tell me the truth."

"Then I want the same from you."

Billy asked, "About what?"

Joey turned to look at him squarely. "I want to know what happened to you at Malfoy Mansion."

His brother's features clouded over abstrusely. "Malfoy Mansion?" he whispered. Joey nodded, looking at him intently. Billy turned his gaze skyward and his eyes seemed to see something beyond. "I - I really don't remember," he told Joey in the same soft voice. "It's funny, I can only remember things sometimes." When he turned to look at his brother, it seemed as if he were fighting some inner battle. "I get these snatches of things I think I'm not supposed to remember," he was speaking quickly now, "but every time I try and hold onto them, I suddenly black out." His eyes cleared suddenly. "Joey - Joey, help me, please, I - I - they're doing something and I can't -," but his voice died off and his eyes took on a certain frightening glaze. They rolled to the back of his head and he fainted.

Joey's breaths were labored as he crawled next to his brother. He gently shook his brother's shoulder. "Billy," he said in a trembling voice. "Billy," whispered Joey again. He felt tears well up in his eyes. His heart was tearing inside of him. For the first eleven years of his life, Billy had been the only friend he had ever had - the only one that ever counted. Sure, he was able to talk to his Uncle Remus or Hallie, but Billy was the only one he had ever really felt truly comfortable spilling his thoughts to. Billy had always understood and seemed to always be able to say the right things at the right moment. They were twins - and that was saying something. It was as if they had a special bond together and Joey had always felt so sure of himself because he knew that it was present. Now, however, he knew it was gone - it had somehow been diminished...or taken away. He felt empty in a strange way and there was a lingering pain in his heart that wouldn't seem to go away. Whenever he spoke, it was as if he was straining as if every word was being torn from his very soul.

Now, as he looked down at the unconscious figure of his brother, he saw the boy he had known his whole life - the real Billy Forester.

Billy's breathing was steady and even - as if he were fast asleep. There was no expression of guarding as there had been from the moment Billy had returned from being kidnapped. There also was no expression of pain as there had been just then when Billy had asked for help.

Joey's frightened expression slowly changed to one of grim determination. He would help his brother - just as Billy would help him if their situation were reversed. His brother needed him now, and Joey would do everything and anything within his power to help him. Billy had always acted as the older sibling - though they were only a few minutes apart. Now it was Joey's turn to be the strength. Whatever or whomever was doing this would pay - and he would make sure he'd be the one getting paid.

Something else nagged at him, however. It was not only that something was attacking Billy from the inside, but also that it was his fault. Joey felt that he was to blame. It started when the school was being attacked. The primary Death Eater in the group advancing to attack on Joey, Billy and the others with them at the time, was the woman that Joey had imprisoned. The potion that had been sent to he and Billy from the Weasley Wizard Wheezes was the one he had poured upon her that day. She was now a hunter green stone hidden in the Forester secret hiding place.

No one else knew about that stone except Billy - or so he had thought. Someone must have seen him - someone must have known it was he who did it. In consequence, Billy had been kidnapped. His kidnappers - Death Eaters, Joey was sure - must have mistaken Joey and his twin brother, taking the wrong boy.

It should have been me they took, thought Joey, his heart wrenching inside him. It should have been me.

Before the students of Hogwarts were sent home, Billy had even warned Joey that something would happen because of what he did - that they would be in trouble with Lord Voldemort for imprisoning his head Death Eater. As always, Billy was right.

Joey tried shaking Billy awake and the boy's eyes fluttered open. The sapphire blue orbs were still masked in the forbidding glaze.

"Joey?" said Billy weakly. A pang of hope swept through Joey. "What happened?" Billy sat up and looked around. He shook his head as if he were a dog trying to shed water, and slowly stood up. He saw Joey looking up at him in concern and grinned. Joey's heart sank - it was not his brother's grin. "I'm fine, really. I-," but he was suddenly cut off by a scream nearby.

Three figures emerged from the Forbidden Forest. One seemed to be an adult, and he was carrying a youth. The third was running along side him.

"Help! Help! Please!" cried the adult. The man had untidy raven black hair that looked like it hadn't been cut in quite a while and his eyes were a pale blue. He seemed in his late twenties or his early thirties. "Please help us!"

"Avada Kedavra!" yelled a husky voice from the depths of the Forbidden Forest. The adult fell to the ground.

The girl he was carrying fell sprawled to the ground, unconscious, but unharmed by the fatal curse. The young man beside the adult rushed to the girl and heaved her up. "Help us, please!" he entreated desperately.

Both Billy and Joey were standing now, their wands brandished. When a figure clad in dark came forth from the Forbidden Forest they were ready. "Avad - " But the Death Eater was never able to finish his spell.

"Stupefy!" yelled the twins simultaneously. The cloaked figure fell forward, stunned.

Suddenly, there were voices coming from the forest and more figures came forward. One of them levitated their fallen comrade. There after, all fled from the school grounds upon brooms. They were soon just specks in the sky.

Neo looked at the two identical boys in gratitude, and the next moment, fell into a dead faint.

~*~

Isabella sat up. Her surroundings were a hazy blur, but after a short moment, all was in focus. She saw two sparkling ocean blue eyes peering down at her in concern. "Where am I?" she wondered, and found that her voice was weak and soft. "What happened?"

Professor Dumbledore looked to Madame Pomfrey who handed him the cup of tea. "Drink this, please - it will help you get better."

Bella looked at the cup cautiously, and when she looked back up to meet the eyes of the old man before her - she accepted it gratefully. For some reason, she found that she could trust him, there was just something about him that was so...trustworthy. After only the first sip, she felt warmth run through her body. Just as she was about to take a second, her thoughts suddenly darted to something more important than her health. "Neo!" she exclaimed, forcing the cup back at the ancient man. "Where is he? Is he all right?" In a blind panic, she pushed herself up to a sitting position and was suddenly on her back once more. Her arms had given up.

"You're too weak, dear," said the woman beside the old man. "Don't worry, your young friend is fine. He's in the bed next to you." Bella's eyes shot towards the bed on her left and there she saw Neo's long form. His breathing was even and she knew he was asleep. She couldn't help the sigh of relief from escaping her and leaned her head back to let her eyes close.

Thank God, she thought.

"Where am I?" she asked after a moment.

The old man smiled, and she felt her mind clear. There was something familiar about him... "You are in the infirmary of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am Professor Albus Dumbledore and this is Madam Poppy Pomfrey - our school nurse." Bella's eyes had widened.

Hogwarts? Dumbledore? Wow...

Suddenly, there was a sound of movement from Neo's bed. Bella shot up to a sitting position again and saw Neo blink his eyes open. He lay there silently for a while, then sat up. Their eyes met and when he saw the look of calm relief on her face, he knew that things were all right now.

~*~

"So are you another Death Eater claiming innocence?" asked Harry, feeling bold. His thoughts had roamed to Voldemort, his parents, Draco, and Billy's ordeal.

Gayle looked at him carefully, then forward once more as they treaded down the corridor to their potions classroom. She shrugged. "I suppose you'll just have to find out," she replied with a grim smile. "I mean, how are you supposed to know whether I'm speaking the truth or not?"

Now it was his turn to shrug. "I don't know."

She nodded. "And heaven knows, Draco may be right about me - that I shouldn't be trusted. Though," she paused, a calculating expression upon her face, "I don't think you will ever take his word for anything."

He grinned. "You're right about that. We haven't gotten along ever since the day we met."

She laughed. "I took it so. You both seem like fire and ice whenever you're together."

He smiled. "Can you blame me for acting like that? He's the ice."

Gayle laughed again and shook her head, her red hair flowing around her. Now Harry saw why he took a certain liking to her. She looked much like his mother from the photos Hagrid had given him. Her red hair was almost precisely the same shade, though Gayle's was a bit more orange, and her eyes were a startling emerald green.

"You just have to get to know him," she said softly. He held a disbelieving look. "I mean, yes, I know he's...infuriating at times..."

Harry laughed. "At all times is more like it."

She grinned at him. "Yes, well...he wasn't always like that, you know." He looked at her expectantly, nodding for her to go on. "We've known one another since we were just little kids because...well, you know," she said, and he nodded again. "I mean, he always wanted to be like his father. All the boys wanted to be like Lucius, but we soon grew out of that stage, but Draco couldn't. Lucius was his father, you know? - And he always had to carry that burden - he was always striving to be the best, trying to make his father proud...but Lucius is...he's Lucius. I suppose the truth that he would never be good enough for his father made him became slightly bitter. I suppose that's why he's sometimes a bit...hostile."

"Always," coughed Harry and she smiled sadly at him. "I always thought he and his father were on good terms."

"Ever heard of public appeal, Harry?" she wondered quietly. Inside, Gayle marveled at how naïve Harry Potter was. After three meetings with Voldemort, it was a wonder he didn't turn bitter and hateful to the world. She went on. "We were soon introduced to Training."

"We?"

She didn't look at him but rubbed her arms as if cold. "The children of the Inner Circle," she replied after a short moment. "We soon started going to training. Draco and I became friends there. It was plain to see that he was the best one there, most of the boys were envious of him because he was Lucius' son, son of Voldemort's model Death Eater. All of us had Death Eater parents and were raised to believe it was right. There were only a few that believed otherwise." She paused. "Of course, they were...laid off." They were nearing the Potions classroom and Harry thought she was going to stop, but she didn't. "I - wasn't very good at - at Training, but Draco was there. I don't know why he helped me, but ever since that first time he did, we were friends. We got older and soon things started changing. Lucius was taking him away for weeks at a time and soon, it was time to go to school. My dad was sending me to Bulgaria and Draco was going to Hogwarts. His dad told him to make friends with the students who would be going there as well - to gain allies."

"Crabbe and Goyle," said Harry.

Gayle sighed. "Poor Draco," she said with a slight smile. "He always hated them. Funny how things work out the way they do, isn't it?"

Harry nodded. "Sounds tough, this Training," he said.

She shrugged. "I bet it was tough for you too," she said back.

He looked at her, but then heard his name. "Harry!" He turned to see Ron coming towards him. Ron saw Gayle next to him, but she turned and walked to the Slytherin side of the classroom. He held up his hands in defense as Harry raised a brow at him, daring him to say something. "I won't even ask," he said. He waved his hand. "Now, you'll never guess what happened."

Harry noticed the serious tone in his best friend's voice. "What?"

"Three people from Crescent Moon Academy are here," he replied.

"Why?" asked Hermione, coming forward.

"Their school was attacked by Death Eaters! They were on school grounds, coming out of the Forbidden Forest and the teacher - I think his name was Griff-something - was murdered by the Killing Curse." By now, more students had gathered around. Ron's ears flushed pink from the attention. "The other two were students - they're in the infirmary."

"Where'd you hear this from?" wondered Harry with a frown.

"From Joey and Billy Forester!" he said. "They were there!"

"Enough gossip," said a cold voice from the doorway. All the students quickly scattered to their seats. Professor Snape came forward. "Ten points from Gryffindor."

Harry sighed. Potions again...

~*~

That night, Neo turned over on his side. "Midge? Midget - you awake?" he whispered into the darkness of the infirmary.

There was a slight rustling nearby. "No - but I am now."

He grinned, but remembered that she couldn't see him. "Sorry."

"No you're not. What's going on?"

"I don't know. I was just going to ask you that," replied Neo after a short moment of silence. He heard her laugh softly. "Are we really at Hogwarts?"

There was another silence - longer this time. "Yes," she said.

"So we made it, then."

Silence.

"No, we didn't."

"He saved you, you know. He died doing something honorable."

"Then it was my fault that he - that he died, isn't it?"

Neo sat up and propped his head up on his elbow. "Yeah, I guess it is, then," he said back, a smile playing upon his lips.

"Neo!"

"Look, Midge, stop pitying yourself. You and I both know that it wasn't your fault that Professor Gryffith died. He was saving me just as much as he was you. And besides, you know what really happened don't you?"

"Oh, yes, that's right, I forgot."

He rolled his eyes. "How could you forget something like that, Midget?"

She laughed. "I don't know, it slipped my mind. Phew! I feel much better now."

"Good." He paused for a moment. "But - but you know that - that it was really his fault that it all happened, right?"

"Yes," she said in a quiet voice. "Yes, I know."

"But remember not to tell anyone."

"But what are we supposed to say once they find out his body has disappeared?"

He shrugged and once again remembered that she couldn't see him. "Act like you don't know." The silence between them was uncomfortable so he said, "Just let me do the talking."

"I don't need you to take care of me you know, just because I'm vertically challenged doesn't mean I'm challenged all together."

Neo laughed. "No, I know that. But I am a year older than you."

"So? I'm better than you."

"You're a girl." There was more noise from the other side and suddenly he felt a hand impact upon his head. "Ow!" There was muffled giggling and shuffling as she went back to her bed. "Isabella!" No response. "Bella! That hurt!" Still no response. "Midget?"

"I'm asleep."

"Ha."

"I'm going to hit you again."

"You can't."

"Oh yes I can, I know where you sleep."

"You're weird."

"The only normal people are those that you don't know very well."

"Then I wish I didn't know you."

"Shut up, Neo, or I'm going to hit you."

"That's not allowed. I'll tell the headmaster to send you away."

"He wouldn't do that."

"How do you know? He could be another Professor Gryffith."

"I know he's not."

"You can't."

"No, I can't - but I do." He sighed and buried himself under the covers once more. "Neo?" she whispered.

"Hmm?"

"We're okay here, aren't we? I mean, Professor - the professor won't...come back, will he?"

"No, I don't think so. I think we're all right now."

"I don't want to see him again."

"Neither do I."

There was a long silence and he waited to see if she would say anything more. When he heard her soft and even breathing, he closed his eyes. "Neo," he heard her whisper just as he was about to fall asleep.

"Hmm?"

"Goodnight."

"G'night."

~*~

Sirius magicked the door open and trotted out.

Gryffith? He wondered to himself. The name rang a bell in him of familiarity. Memoirs filtered through his mind but for some reason, he just couldn't remember.

He put the name through his mind over and over again, though still, nothing came. He knew this Gryffith was important somehow - maybe in not his life, but in someone else's who was close to him.

Sirius shook his head and trotted down the corridor.

~*~

He knew this was the house. He had Seen it. He felt near collapsing. Though he was keeping himself alive, the curse bestowed upon him was taking its toll. What he needed was rest. He willed himself to stay upright and on his feet, then knocked on the door.

~*~

Remus sat up when he heard the knocking and rubbed his eyes sluggishly. He crept out of his room and met Hallie in the hallway.

"Who could that be?" she whispered. There was no one else in the house but them, though she still felt as if quietness was needed.

Remus shook his head in an indication of obliviousness. They went down the steps slowly and cautiously and along the way, Hallie slipped her hand into his. He squeezed it in reassurance though he couldn't tell if it was for her comfort, or for his.

They got to the door and opened it. The man leaning against the doorway was tall - about 6'1 or 6'2 - and had untidy hair and pale blue eyes. "Please," he said softly, "I - I need your help."

Then he fainted.

Hallie turned her gaze from the fallen man to Remus with a horrified look. Simultaneously, they both lifted him and carried him over to the couch. Hallie scurried to get a cold cloth for his head and Remus went to get a blanket.

Once both were gotten, they sat on the armchairs near the couch, looking at the man sprawled there. They had not watched him but a few minutes when his eyes flickered open suddenly.

"Mistake," he whispered. "I've made a mistake - a terrible one." He slowly sat up and Hallie helped him. The man swallowed.

"What's your name?" wondered Remus.

The man looked at him out of dazed eyes. "Gryffith - Nor. Nor Gryffith," he said, but his voice held a guarded tone.

~*~

Draco sat up in his bed, his eyes blazing and fevered.

"In the middle of the night, will he return.

The Plan to ruins - lost and burned.

His purpose be not yet fulfilled

Until the right path is again instilled.

A heart is to be restored - a life is to be claimed,

From long ago - the Hero was tamed.

Into Death must one journey

To bring back who will bring victory.

A past will come forth - Young and Old will reunite

To conquer the one and win the Fight."

His eyes cleared and he sat there breathing heavily. "What was that?"