Next Generation 2

[Ms. Elsewhere]

"I think you're right. I don't think I've trully recovered from all of this. Valencia expelled Voldemort from me, but...." Geneve paused, rubbing her arms as if suffering from a sudden chill. "I still feel like there's something going on, deep inside me." She clutched at her robes. She felt like something cold and dark was churning in her stomach. Then she looked up at Nikolaus, her dark eyes sad and tired. "What's happening? I thought I was supposed to be ok now? Why do I still feel these rushes of something more powerful than I can handle? Please..." she said, now looking down into her hands. She started to shudder and felt tears welling up. She had not cried since it all had happened. She covered her face and sobbed.

[choki]

Tears... it was something he was unnerved by.
Nikolaus was never good with crying girls, let alone, a girl who was less than half his age!
He walked up towards her and sat down on her bed.
"Hush, don't cry." He tried to calm her down but she was still sobbing uncontrollably. He did what he should. He held her closely and let her clung tightly onto him as a dependable support, sheltering her from all harms. All he could do, was just to gently pat on her back, easing her of the intense pressure she had finally let go. That was all he could do.

To what it seemed like eternity, her sobs finally came to a cease. The poor girl has cried herself to sleep. He knew, or at least he thought he did, that she was suppressing her affinity to Dark Arts. The affinity which was innate to her through her connection to Riddle. The affinity which she acquired from Nikolaus through that incident which he was culpable of.

"I know your fears... this dark affinity was something that nearly destroyed me in the past... I won't let it destroy you..." Nikolaus spoke softly as he released his hold on her and laid her down gently on the bed.

"Not you..."

[Ms. Elsewhere]

When Geneve woke, it was dark outside. She turned her head and looked out the window; the moon was bright, but not full. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. What time was it? On the wall was the strangest clock she had ever seen. Instead of numbers, it had symbols on it. Geneve got up and walked over to it. There was a broomstick and three strange looking balls, a potions bottle, a greenhouse, a cabin with smoke coming out of it, a room with four long tables, a dark forest and a tree that had long limbs flying about. There were four hands, and all were pointing to the top, where there was a symbol of a sleeping cap and small little zzzz's were coming out of it.

"It's a hazard clock." said a voice from behind her. Geneve turned around. It was Madam Pomfrey. She smiled at Geneve and approached. "I was thinking of adding more symbols, perhaps a cross bones symbol for miscellaneous illnesses, like yours? Usually the clock gives me some idea of what to expect when they come flying in here with a student." She felt Geneve's head and looked into her face. "You seem to have recovered. There's some food on the table there, you should eat..."

"Eat!! Oh no! My cat! " Geneve started. She grabbed the plate of food, said thank you to Madame Pomfrey and ran from the room.

"Be careful girl! you'll fall over and be back here again! Silly girl... " Madame Pomfrey called from the door.

Geneve hurried down the halls which were dark and deserted. She still didn't know what time it was. Probably everyone were in their common rooms. Then, something made her stop in her tracks. Something was there, in the halls with her. She stood still, listening. Then, the creature revealed itself. "You reak of old magic, little girl." A growly voice said. Geneve turned around and saw a Goblin standing before her.

"What do you mean?" she said, taken aback by the strange looking creature.

"I mean what I say. You have this..." the Goblin approached her, and she backed off defensively. It smiled, and instead sniffed the air where it stood. "Scent."

"Is that so? " Geneve said in a higher pitched voice than expected.

"Yes..." the Goblin said. "It reminds me a bit of someone. A lot like that arrogant wizard who gave me this for the work on the tower." The Goblin stroked a ring on his hand.


Geneve stared at the Goblin. He could 'smell' magic on her? But she was a witch. Of course she smelled like magic.

"I, I have to go..." she said, and started to walk away.

"Be careful, young one." the Goblin called. "You don't want to go around hurting people again..."

Geneve broke into a run.

[salemboy]

Damien decided to go sit down next to Liam at the table, but refrained from eating. He couldn't fall asleep. He watched as most of the kids tucked into their dinner, while Liam still had a worried look on his face. "Don't worry," Damien said calmly. "Both Nikolaus and Madame Pomfrey know what they're doing."

[choki]

With a handful of cupcakes, Nikolaus made his way back to the Hospital Wing. He had left a little while ago in search for food. Then he heard hurried footsteps around the corner and before he could react, a blur of black bumped into him. Nikolaus fell hard on his back as the figure came crashing down on him.

"Owww..." he groaned, lying on the cold stone floor with a black haired person laid on his chest. Crumbs of food were all over them.
"Ahh I'm so sorry," a familiar feminine voice apologised frantically as she sat upright instantly.
"Geneve?"
"Ahh..." she gulped when she realised whom she had collided with. A pink blush spread across her face as she recalled the close contact she had with him earlier on.
"Are you feeling better already?" Nikolaus asked in concern. Geneve nodded her head, shyly. She did not dare to look straight into his eyes. "That's good," he mumbled, "where did you get this?" He picked up a piece of treacle tart from the floor. Geneve glanced up briefly to see what was on Nikolaus's hand.
"Madam Pomfrey gave that to me," she answered nervously.
"What!?! She lied to me that there's no food and told me off, saying it's not a kitchen...." his voice trailed off towards the end, "I guess she doesn't like me." Nikolaus ended sheepishly.

[Ms. Elsewhere]

Geneve felt a little more at ease when Nikolaus seemed like he was genuinely hurt. She smiled. In spite of his good looks and confidence, he was still a person with feelings. Even though he was a bit arrogant and....
"Hang on..." Geneve said out loud.
"What is it?" Nikolaus queried.
Geneve looked behind them, but the Goblin was gone. She looked at Nikolaus. "There was a Goblin. He said the strangest thing.. he said I 'smelled' like old magic. And he said..." Geneve stopped and rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly.
"And?" Nikolaus pushed.
"And he said that this scent was a lot like someone who gave him a ring he was wearing. He said a wizard gave it to him for doing the construction work on the Head Mistress's tower..."
Nikolaus stood up abruptly. "Oh. Is that so? Well, I've heard Goblin's can sense magic in all sorts of ways. I expect he just noticed that you have old magic in you because you are not the first in your family to be magical as you well know." he said all of this very fast. Geneve looked up at him with cofusion.
"Do you really think that was all he meant?" Geneve spoke carefully.
Nikolaus paused for too long. He went to speak, then stopped. "Listen. " he said finally. "I can't take back what has happened to you; no one can. You are scared with a great deal of Dark Magic. I want to help you.." Nikolaus paused again.

[choki]

He stopped, pondering how he should continue. He didn't want to frighten the girl any further. Meddling with Dark Arts was never a safe affair. It was a thin thread between losing oneself to the forces of evil and regaining total control. There was never a clear break between these two sides. Nikolaus knew it deeply. There were times where the delicate balance were thrown off scale due to extreme emotions or situations.

"I can guide you to control it," he offered in an earnest manner, "even though your age may seem a little too young for such things, you have been through a lot more than you could have possibly imagined. Remember though, it is only for control. Even I, myself, do not have a total understanding of this branch of wizardry. Meddle too deep with it, and you will live to regret."

[Ms. Elsewhere]

Geneve nodded. She knew all too how easily she gave in to the chance for power, no matter what the price. She knew she was young and weak, but she would be damned if it would take her again without a fight. She bit her lip and realised she was all alone now; no parents, no friends. She had to start all over and rely on herself. She needed to remember who that person was.

"How can you help me? I'm willing to learn whatever you think I need to know to make sure what happened doesn't happen again." Geneve said decidedly.

[choki]

Nikolaus closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. Geneve remained still and observed him carefully. When Nikolaus opened his eyes, Geneve could not help but to stay transfixed of the pair of grey deep eyes.

"Alright, listen carefully to what I have to say." Geneve was shocked. Nikolaus was not moving his mouth at all, but why was she hearing his voice in her head.

"How..." she mumbled softly. The experience of someone talking inside her head was not exactly new to her. In fact, she was afraid, it reminded her of how vulnerable she was.

"Legilimency... I can read your mind and force my thoughts into yours. What you are hearing are my thoughts. I'm not voicing it out verbally, only mentally. The thing I'm about to tell you now... You must not let anyone know about this. Not to Professor Sprague, or Professor Marcellus. Not even to Liam."

"Why?" she gulped, unable to apprehend the secrecy. "Dark Arts, my dear, is something dangerous and frown upon in this part of the wizarding world. The reason why I am forcing my thoughts into you is to make sure no one would be able to hear what I'm about to tell you." Geneve nodded. She understood that even though they may seem to be alone in this part of the castle, the magical enchantments around Hogwarts made it unpredictable. The mysterious statues and portraits seemingly lifeless, could be listening.

"You should know that deep within you, lies two great magical potential. One, the vast magical power you are born with. The other, a knowledge of dark magic you are given to. Because you fear this combination, you suppress it. And that causes an enormous strain on your body as you, yourself, is resisting its natural state. It has only been 2 days after the event and you have already accumulated so much strain. You should not resist it. Instead, embrace it with positivity."

"What you have is the knowledge on how to cast dark magic, but to learn how to use it, to be proficient in it, to manipulate it, you need, to first of all, understand it. This understanding process is long and arduous. It could corrupt your mind and make you do things that you never wanted. But as long as you wished to be the real Geneve, not a shadow of Voldemort, you would overcome the temptation to join the dark force."

"Are you willing to learn and master this branch of wizardry, disapprove of, by the general public?" Geneve stared hard. She would, of course, do anything to stop the recurrence of the previous event. But was she ready for this? Ready for a life of dark magic. What if? What if she lose herself to it? Will that mean the birth of a new dark witch? A repeat of history once more?

"You don't have give me any answer now. I know your doubts. To answer it, there is no such thing as a complete assurance that things would go the way you wanted, but that is how things work." Nikolaus finally said, verbally, catching her in surprise.

"It's getting late... you should get back to your common room. The dinner should be over by now. And whenever you are ready for it, send me a note." Nikolaus took out a small odd looking piece of parchment and held it out for Geneve. She nodded lightly and took the parchment.

"I will know what is written on it, so please don't use it as a love letter, confession letter or something of that nature." Nikolaus added cheekily. That cleared up the tense atmosphere as Geneve found herself blushing madly over his comment. Not wanting Nikolaus to notice that, she quickly excused herself and hastened back to her dormitory.

As the sight of Geneve disappeared from his view, Nikolaus let out a long sigh. Things would get tougher in the days to come. How was he going to keep the prying eyes of the Ministry away from Geneve.

[salemboy]

Damien left the table as he felt his hunger begin to overpower him. He needed to get away from the food. He walked out of the castle onto the grounds and watched as Suge attemted to climb the whomping willow. It was amusing to watch as the tree shook violently, trying to fling the small monkey to the ground. Damien heard somebody walk behind him. He pulled out his wand and turned, directing it at the person. Damien lowered his wand when he saw it was Ryu.

"I thought the Order had told me to come here," Damien said in a low voice.

"They did," Ryu replied. "And they wish for you to stay here. I just came here to give you something and tell you something."

"And?" Damien asked.

"I have this." Ryu pulled out a potions vest from a mokeskin bag he was wearing around his neck. "The order heard about what happened to yours, so they told me to give you this one. It's fully stocked, already, and they added in magical barriers between each vial holder so that if the vials break, the potions won't mix."

"Thanks," Damien said as he put the vest over his t-shirt. It fit nicely. "Now, what is it you wanted to tell me?"

"It's bad. There's been a breakout at Oni prison." Damien nearly dropped his wand when he heard this.

"Who broke out?"

"Yuta Tanuki, Ushione Buta, Ouki Kaba, Nagai Neko, and Chi Inu all broke out."

"Is that all?"

"Damien, you know they'll come after you, but the Order thinks that they won't. Damien, you can't stay here. You know they'll target you and whoever you're with."

Damien remembered the group of five. For over a year, they'd terrorized Japan, until Damien was able to lead the Japanese ministry to them. The five had fought a great fight against the ministry, killing many, but eventually, Damien was able to take them down, and get them locked up. It had been when Damien was only eighteen, and it had been the reason why he decided he wanted to be an auror.

"Listen, Ryu. I need to stay here. They won't be able to find me here. Ok? It is as Hagrid has told several, Hogwarts is the safest place for anything. Also, I feel the need to stay here and watch over these people. They just went through a great tragedy, and they need all the help they can get."

Ryu then said in an enraged voice, "You staying here is going to cause another tragedy, and get them killed!" Then Ryu stormed away angrily. Damien suddenly felt a surge of doubt. What if Ryu was right? Why was he even here? He hardly even knew these people, and he felt like he needed to be here. He knew it wasn't because the order had assigned him to do it, but then what was it?

He scratched Suge as the monkey climbed onto his shoulder. "I need to see Hagrid," He said to nobody in particular.

[Ms. Elsewhere]

Geneve made her way back to her common room, but before that she felt the need for some fresh air. She stepped outside the entrance doors and stood on the steps, feeling the fresh air on her face. She looked out into the darkness. She noticed a small light a ways off near the Forbidden Forest and after staring at it for a while, she could make out that it was a cabin. Smoke rose from the chimney. Then she noticed something moving a bit more to the right, closer to the castle. It was a huge tree, and it's limbs were flying about. She recognised it at once from the Hazard Clock. She turned her head to focus more, and noticed someone standing near it. She jumped with surprise. It was Damien.

"Geneve, are you alright?" a voice called from behind her. Geneve cried out, surprised. She turned around, her hand on her heart. She could feel his presence now like the heat of a warm drink even before he showed himself, and Geneve was amazed that he still affected her like that. He was a Veela, and every girl in the school could not resist becoming tongue tied and foolish around him. Liam stepped out from behind the Entrance doors and approached her. She watched him stride up; he was confident and understandably so. His features were perfect, from his hair to the way he smiled. Geneve sighed. She felt very strongly for him, as they had been through so much. She had spliced his Veela magic and stolen it for herself. Or rather, her grandfather had made her do so. But when that happened, Geneve was connected to Liam forever, and a binding spell had made it permenent. They were both so young, but they were destined now to spend eternity together. Geneve wondered if Liam even wanted to; he could have anyone he wanted, he could leave her to feel half complete and punish her for controlling him and stealing from him. Still, she thought, he saved my life.

"Hi. Oh, yes I'm fine." she said, looking out again at the Whomping Willow. Damien had disappeared. She turned back to Liam. "Madame Pomfrey seems to think I was having a delayed reaction to... to what happened before." Geneve said, looking away now.

[DucksRMagical]

Galena set her empty glass down on the bar and stared into it. She had been sitting in the Hog's Head drinking firewhiskey for a few hours. Galena glanced out the window and saw that it was dark. She ought to get back to the castle.

Shortly after Madam Pomfrey had deemed her healthy, Galena had contacted goblins to reconstruct her office. She told them exactly what she wanted, for the office to look exactly like it had before, and shortly after they began, she set off for the pub.

Galena just didn't feel like talking to anyone right now and the Hog's Head was the perfect place to drink. Aberforth, despite the fact that he had fought with her, had not mentioned the fight at all. He puttered around his pub and refilled her glass whenever she asked.

There were few other customers in the pub. An old hag, what Galena thought was a vampire, and a cloaked figure that Galena wasn't sure was witch or wizard.

The headmistress sighed and got up. She threw a handful of Sickles down on the bar and nodded goodbye to Aberforth. It was time to return to the school, her school.

[FawkesthePhoenix]

Valencia sat in front of the fire in the Hog's Head, thinking, thinking..... Galena was there too, but Valencia, wanting to be left alone, had made herself look like a vampire and kept ordering red wine. Being a metamorphmagus definately had it's upsides. Valencia heard Galena sigh and get up to leave. It was getting very late, but Valencia just couldn't bring herself to go back to the castle. It had to many reminders, things which Valencia certainly did not cherish.

[salemboy]

Damien knocked on Hagrid's front door. "Eh, I'm comin'." There were sounds of high pitched barks, and one loud bark. Hagrid slowly opened the door. "Eh, who is it?" He said, obviously annoyed.

"Oh, sorry," Damien said. "I didn't know you were busy."

Hagrid fully opened the door. "Sorry, thought ya were a student." Hagrid had definitely been affected by the tests of time. His skin was deeply wrinkled, his hair gray, and while it was barely noticable, he'd gotten a bit smaller. "Com'on in."

Damien stepped inside the larger-than-average hut. In the corner, there was an old dog, and newborn puppies were sucking milk from her. "So," Hagrid said. "What's it you wanna talk about?" Damien heard a rustle in a corner on the opposite side of the dogs. He walked over to it. "Wait," Hagrid said.

"Hagrid," Damien replied. "Get the kids out. I need to speak to you ALONE." Out of nowhere popped the Potter children, both of whom had been hiding under an invisibility cloak.

"Ok, ok, ya heard the man." The two kids filed out of Hagrids hut, looking downcast. "So, what is it yer wanted ter talk to me abou'?"

Damien gave a deep sigh. "You probably don't remember me, but my name is Damien Nomare, and-"

"NOMARE!!!" Hagrid roared. "GET OUT OF MY HUT!!! LEAVE HOGWARTS NOW, OR I'LL BREAK YOU IN TWO!!!" Damien took a step back, suddenly hearing a growl behind him. The mother was ready to pounce on him. Damien reached into his potions jacket, and pulled out a white potion. He threw it down before Hagrid could stop him, and it dizzolved into a gas at once. Hagrid, the dogs, and Damien all breathed it in. Suddenly, the dog had stopped growling, and Hagrid had taken a seat. "What'd yer use on me?"

"A calming potion, Hagrid. It will wear off in a few hours. Now, I need to talk to you about something."

[Ms. Elsewhere]

Geneve sighed. Liam had not responded. She looked out into the grounds of Hogwarts again. Something very strange caught her eye; the hut near the forbidden forest. A quick but very distinctly bright white smoke had puffed out of the chimney, almost like a message. Geneve started when the smoke formed a beautiful figure that reached out to her, beaconing her to be calm and still. Even from this far distance, Geneve could feel the magic and felt her blood warm. She felt compelled to find out the cause of it, so she turned to Liam.
"Come with me. I want to see where Damien went, and by the look of it, he's in that hut by the forest." Geneve said.
"You mean Hagrid's hut? Why would he be there?" Liam looked out into the darkness. He had not seen the mist.
"I don't know WHY, that's why I think we should go and find out!" Geneve said impatiently.
"But...." Liam started.
"Nevermind, stay here. I'll be back later. See you tommorrow." Geneve said as she stalked down the stairs.
"Geneve! You're not supposed to leave the Castle after dark!" Liam called after her.
"Then go tell someone who cares!" Geneve called back, disappearing out of the light of the castle into the darkness of the grounds.
Liam stood by the entrance doors, feeling torn. Then, he decided to go with Geneve. "Wait! Geneve where are you?" He took his wand out of his cloak. "Lumus!" he muttered, and made his way to Hagrid's hut.

On the way, they heard voices.
"What is that?" Geneve whispered, as Liam caught up. "Turn off the light!" she hissed, and Liam stopped his wand from illuminating. They listened. There were two voices. They were young. Geneve looked around and then spotted the area she thought she heard it in. She held one hand on Liams chest to quietly tell him to stay put. Then, she ran forward and hit something. She knocked it to the ground and fell hard on... a person!
"Get off! Ouch!" a boys voice yelled out.
"Albus! Who is that! Hey!!!" Geneve felt the back of her cloak being yanked from behind. She was turned around and a wand was in her face , lit up. She saw the face of James Potter staring back at her.
"What are you doing here? Students aren't allowed out after dark!" he said.
"And you're not a student then?" Geneve said back in his face.
Albus got up off the ground. "There's someone else over there James." he pointed at Liam.
"Albus! James! What are you guys doing out here?" Liam came forward.
"Liam! Uh.. we were visiting Hagrid. Dad asked us to catch up with him. But we got kicked out by some guy Hagrid needed to talk to. "
"His name is Damien." Geneve said, still clutched by the cloak by James. He looked back at her, and looked her face over.
"Who are you?" he said. He did not remember her, nor how she had once controlled him and his whole house of Griffindor. "And why are you smiling??" He gave Geneve a little shake.
"That's Geneve R... Rouseau." said Liam.
"No that's ok Liam, you can say it. I'm Geneve Riddle." She stared back into James' face.
James was still for a moment, Genve could see he was processing what he had just heard. "Any relation to..?" he asked.
"You bet, Potter." she said, smiling still. James dropped her so fast she fell to the ground. Geneve stood up abruptly.
"You're related to Voldemort??" James breathed.
"Yes. Apparently, he was my grandfather. Never even heard of him until I got my Hogwart's letter. I was hidden in the Muggle World, much like your father was." Geneve explained.
James turned to Liam. "What are you guys doing out here?"
"Geneve wanted to see what was happening with Hagrid and Damien." Liam pointed at Geneve.
"I saw something come out of the chimney. I believe some kind of powerful magic is going on in there." Geneve said.
"Hagrid might be in trouble." James said. "Come on then, let's go back. But stay out of sight! I can't hide everyone under this cloak. Come here Albus, let's go."