HPNSA - BOOK TWO

CHAPTER NINENTEEN
RIO


It had been raining incessantly since the start of March-- like an invisible container had been ripped open, tipped, and was now violently emptying its contents onto the earthen floor. Gray mornings beaconed impending doom, while dusk ushered it in.

Very few souls dared to walk the stained streets that came alive with terrifying howls. They no longer wait for the moon; she no longer has any power over them. Before the end of February, the Prime Minister had declared London unlivable and moved what was left of the Royal Family (and very few members of the Parliament) to Glasgow, and later to Ireland. London’s changed…and many fear the change is for good.

Although Ron’s primary reason for being in London was to seek out those in his ‘list’, for many nights, both of them slaved over the victims and their families, desperately trying to save survivors of a night’s attack. It was easy at the start, when the Lycans only fed. But when they changed their M.O., and two new recruits replaced every Lycan that was killed, the hunters soon became the hunted. Things would have gone worse if the Knights did not come. They slowly filled the streets that reeked with decay and death, and within a week, the Lycans have nearly been hunted down to extinction. However, the Ministry of Magic, under the guise of justice, interfered with the operation, resulting in many unexplained disappearances and deaths of several Knights of the Bureau. Though their number was cut down to more than half, the werewolves still outnumbered their opponents four to one.

Ron and Rio stood on the roof of what used to be one of the busiest buildings in Central London waiting for the day to die down. Across the street, the office of Parliament had been converted into an extension of the Ministry of Magic. A howl had smote the air and soon they saw two figures clothed in black, their blades glinted by the light of the streetlamps, running with incredible speed after several that ran on all four. Streaks of bright colored lights soon filled the darkening skies, sounds of cries later followed.

“I really think we should help them,” Rio said. He pushed back his hood revealing his face filled with dark stubble. “They don’t stand a chance against—“

However, Ron had moved away from the rim of the roof and went inside the stairwell. Rio followed him and he found Ron sitting on the floor fiddling with four dark crystals that hung around his neck.

“Don’t you even care what happens to them?” Rio insisted. “Will you stop playing with those fucking things--”

Ron gripped Rio’s hand as he reached down for the pendants.

“Don’t—“ Ron protested quietly.

Rio wrenched his hand off Ron’s tight grip.

“One of these days you will have to do some serious explanation.” Rio warned before walking back towards the rim.

Rio hated those crystals though he knew it aided them in seeking out Ron’s next victim. The last four Death Eaters they found (and killed) each wore one. Jugson’s crystal, (they found him hiding in a rathole near King’s Cross), had directed them here. Dolohov now held a position in the Ministry and stayed in the annex right across the street. However, Rio could see a visible (and unsettling) change in Ron since he began collecting these crystals, and his suspicion has not abated since the first.

Rio shook his head and went back inside the stairwell where he found Ron animatedly talking to someone he could not see.

“Not again…” Rio lamented. “Keizer! Keizer! What is happening to you? What is wrong with you?” Rio hated that name. But he could not bring himself to call him by his real one. The torture it brought was unbearable to witness.

Ron kept talking to the unseen visitor--Quarrelling with ‘him’.

“He does not understand. He’s confused—“ Ron whispered.

“Who’s confused? Keizer!” Rio pressed.

“I can’t, they show me the way, you and he, you’re alike, both of you can never understand. She knows,” Ron continued.

Rio breathed sharply and went back outside trying to cool his anger with the chilly wind and the cold water that splashed down relentlessly. He shook his head and wondered if he should just leave and go back to New York. He had asked himself the reason for staying many times, and he would always have one livid answer – he loved Ron. Their friendship had evolved into something Rio knew could be used against him by any enemy. He couldn’t leave.

He went back inside and found that the fit had passed and Ron was getting ready to move.

“We have to go,” Ron said then he went down the stairs.

Rio followed closely. They headed to the very bowels of the structure that stretched down several floors. Single incandescent bulbs lighted the corridors. Once they were at the very bottom, they headed north—following the collection of electric and phone wirings, plumbing tubes, gas pipes, and machineries that made the whole building come alive. At the very end, they found a tunnel covered by a thick iron grid. Only one of the light bulbs was on, the other had been busted for hours, as it was cold to the touch.

“Just as she showed me,” Ron observed. He then turned around and began looking on the ground.

“What are you looking for?” Rio asked.

Ron bent down and took a chinking thing on the floor. He then went towards the grid and fitted the key in the lock, and the grid opened.

“Come on,” Ron urged.

“Wait!” Rio cautioned.

“What?” Ron said.

“Don’t you think it’s too easy?”

“Yes, I know it’s too easy, all the more reason not to waste it.”

“No, hold on-- What if it’s a trap?”

“Rio, I want Harry back. It doesn’t matter if they were served on a silver platter, and the platter came alive and started attacking, I’d still take the opportunity!”

“What if they know you would? Anticipation denotes ambush.”

“I haven’t forgotten, Rio. I just—”

“What if this wasn’t meant to do what you think it would?” Rio protested.

Ron scowled at him. “I’ll take my chances!”

“I won’t! Not until you tell me more. Ro--Keizer, I think I deserve to know. I’ve risked everything for you, to leave me in the dark is not fair.” Rio said.

“I know that nothing is keeping you here. I know that you are doing this out of pity,” Ron said.

Rio wanted to tell him it was no longer out of pity, but he decided not to.

“And I will tell you everything about the crystals. I just need one more,” Ron explained.

“Why? Don’t you have enough,” Rio said lifting the dark gems with the tip of his dagger.

“She said I need to get one more,” Ron whispered.

Rio sighed sharply. “That’s another thing, who is she? Who are these people you talk to?”

Ron shut his eyes tight, rubbing his forehead roughly. Rio thought he was having another ‘attack’.

“Alright! I will put it off until we get a fifth. But you have to swear, when we get Dolohov, you will tell me everything!” Rio demanded.

Ron nodded in agreement. He then crawled into the dark tunnel and Rio followed suit – against his better judgment knowing that on the other side, danger might be waiting for them to take a peak.


***


“He will never understand,”

The icy whisper had awakened Ron from a dreamless, and restless, slumber. The sun had stayed behind thick clouds that the grayness seemed to penetrate his heart. Rio was lying beside him snoring loudly: It would not be the last time he’d wish he could sleep just as soundly. He stood and went out of the room of their borrowed flat. The mirror in the corridor had reminded him of the strange encounter he had with a little girl he calls The Guardian. She was not there this morning and something told Ron she would not come back until he found the next crystal.

He went to the bathroom and washed his face. The shower was tempting him for a quick bath and soon he gave in. The feel of warm water cascading down his body relaxed and soothed his tired limbs. His back still stung from the Peeling and he wondered, not for the last time, what the purpose of that ritual was. It brought nothing but pain, though physical pain bothered him little.

The steam had fogged the round mirror inside and Ron wiped it clean with his palm. The face that welcomed him was almost unrecognizable. He had thickening stubble of orange hair around his drawn face, and his eyes of bluish-green were no longer sharp, but gloomy, like they had witnessed years of misery.

He found a razor on top of the marble table right next to the sink. It was bright blue and the blade was still very sharp. He had never shaved before, and certainly not using muggle objects, but he dared not use magic. His wand was locked inside the compartment of his sword and there it shall stay—the vision came back alarmingly vivid and the hatred he felt for his ‘kind’ filled his waking mind. He shook his head and reached out for the shaving cream, shook it and wiped his face with white froth.

When he went out of the bathroom, looking like an older version of himself, he found him sitting on the floor. Ron stepped back and stared at the small figure looking up at him with bright green eyes. He was wearing a multi-colored robe made of silk and a small cylindrical hat covered a queue of auburn braided hair. His outfit clearly made a statement – MADE IN CHINA. But his face, especially his eyes, told Ron he was not entirely from the east.

"Ah! Ni xi zao le! Hao!" {“Ah, I see you've taken a bath! Good!”} the small child said merrily.

“What? What did you say?” Ron puzzled. He knew only two languages and clearly, the child spoke neither one.

The small person stood up and went closer. He took hold of Ron’s hand and tugged at it gently. For some reason, Ron felt like he knew this little person though this is the first time they’ve met. He knelt down until they were at eye level. The small child placed his soft little hands on Ron’s face and stared into his eyes; Ron could feel a calming sensation filling him inside, thick and soothing, overwhelming him that he had to shut his eyes.

“Who are you?” Ron said, though his voice was hoarse, the peaceful feeling made it sound melodic. He opened his eyes and jerked back as he saw Harry behind those emerald eyes. “Harry?”

The child let go of his face abruptly as though something had stung the small fingers that now pointed at the crystal on his neck. Ron looked down upon it and when he lifted his head, the child was gone.

Ron realized that this vision – this other child – was the other voice he heard last night. Another constant, uncanny visitor brought upon by the crystal. Ron was now worried if they would multiply as he collected more.

Rio walked out of the room holding out a drawn sword.

“What the hell was that?” Rio cried.

“What?” Ron wondered.

“I heard you crying, woke me up,” Rio said walking towards him. “What’s wrong?”

“I wasn’t crying, Rio. You were dreaming,” Ron corrected. “Wash yourself, you stink like shit!”


***


The tunnel had ended the way it began and again Ron found the key that would open the grid that blocked their way. Rio could almost hear Garel screaming at them – Run!

He followed Ron as he sprinted forward following the similar collection of wires and pipes. Soon flights of stairs were before them and Rio gripped the hilt of his sword tighter. Surely, they’d hit now, he thought. Again, the way seemed to have been plowed clean and he and Ron emerged on the seventh floor without even a rat crossing their path.

The corridors were well lighted, the floor of maroon carpeting complimented the cream colored walls that were accented by scenic paintings of Milan. Several doors in both directions almost compelled Rio to say, ‘what now?’ But Ron was already walking towards the last door to their left. He turned the knob, went inside, and found their target – Antonin Dolohov and two other wizards stood and gapped at them with horrified faces. Before he could cry out to warn him, Ron had already jumped towards Dolohov, and the wizard had conjured a spell in defense.

“IMPEDIMENTA” Dolohov cried.

Ron was able to jump out of the way. The spell had hit Rio and his body felt like a ton of bricks piled upon it. Another spell hit him as he very slowly moved back. The second spell hurled him against the wall. He fell on the floor struggling to reach his sword. The wizard had walked out and aimed his wand at Rio’s face.

“Avada—!”

“EXPELLIARMUS!” Another cry coming from the opposite direction had relieved the wizard of his wand. Something flew above them and soon the wizard fell dead.

“Rio?” Aidan stooped. “Remus!”

“Ron!” Remus cried.

Rio saw Aidan go in. A few minutes later, the room became quiet. Rio tried moving – it was a painfully slow business for his limb, still stiff from the impediment curse, took some effort to move. He staggered towards the room and found Ron pulling out his sword from Dolohov’s back. Rio was expecting him to start howling in pain – but the Peeling did not happen. Remus was standing beside the other wizard who was now bound with magical ropes; his mouth shut tight apparently by magic. Aidan looked at him and smiled.

“Found you two at last!” Aidan declared. “We’ve been looking for you for nearly two months!”

“Master Aidan!” Rio gasped, placing his hand upon the shoulder of the Head Knight.

Remus walked towards Ron who bent down searching Dolohov’s body.

“Are you alright? Where’s your wand, Ron? Why were you trying to fend them off with just your sword, you know that won’t work against Dolohov.” Remus said.

Ron pulled something from Dolohov’s neck and pocketed it quickly. Rio knew what it was – another dreaded crystal.

“Ron?” Remus said reaching down. Ron brushed his hand aside much to his surprise.

Rio however found it extremely annoying, and didn’t mind telling Ron how sick he was of this attitude.

“The least you could do is be polite, you sonofabitch!” Rio cried.

“It’s all right, Rio,” Remus said. “Are you alright?”

“No, it’s not all right, Professor Lupin!” Rio fumed. “What the fuck is the matter with you? They saved our lives! If they hadn’t come we’d be dead!”

“That’s enough!” Aidan ordered. “We’ve already wasted a lot of time looking for the two of you, we are going back to Hogwarts,”

“No!” Ron protested. “I will not return to Hogwarts until my task is done!”

“Ron, Albus wants you to return.” Remus explained. “He’s come back from New York and has incredible news for you,”

“He does not respond to that name anymore, Professor Lupin.”

“What?” Remus and Aidan said in unison.

“He has adopted a new name. He is to be called Keizer until his task is done.” Rio said scornfully. Rio suspected the attacks when he hears the name only involved him. He was beginning to think that Ron lied to him to get him off his back. But he didn’t want to risk it – lie or not, he couldn’t bear the sight of Ron reeling madly in pain caused by the mere mention of his name. Remus looked at Ron, trying to understand what was happening. Rio wanted to hit him with something solid.

“I can’t go back.” Ron said after a while.

“FUCK IT!” Rio growled. “You’ve been acting like a damn lunatic! It’s those fucking crystals, they’ve muddled your mind!”

“Crystals? What crystals?” Remus asked, then his fell upon the necklaces that hung upon Ron’s neck and a look of horror filled his face. “Where did you get those?”

“He got them from every death eater we killed!” Rio answered.

“Shut up, Rio!” Ron cried.

“Is that what you were looking for a while ago?” Remus asked.

Ron did not answer but kept muttering angrily.

“He has been collecting them, Professor—“ Rio continued, but Aidan stopped him. Something had alerted his senses. “Master…?”

“LYCANS!” Aidan roared.

The corridor one level below them was filled with the sound of snarls and hurrying feet of several large animals. The ambush Rio had been expecting all night had finally come.

“Run! To the roof!” Aidan cried.

They ran towards the stairwell and headed towards the roof of the building.

“BOMBARDA!” Remus cried and the door to the roof exploded. A bright full moon welcomed them there.

Rio reeled around and noticed that Remus had not changed. Remus looked at him and nodded -- he had taken the serum and was now part of Ash’s tribe.

“We have to jump to the next building!” Aidan calculated.

Then he moved back and jumped – landing on the roof of the next structure like a cat. Remus did the same and soon Ron prepared to jump as well. He backed a few meters from the rim and was about to jump when a searing pain in his back made him fall to his knees.

“RIO!”

“What is it?” Rio cried.

“What’s the matter?” Remus hollered from the other building.

“Rio what is happening?” Aidan cried. “You have to get off that roof, the Lycans are coming!”

“RIO! MY BACK IS BURNING!” Ron cried struggling to get his uniform off. He pushed the clasp on the left side of his neck and the upper clothing opened up.

“DON’T MOVE! I’m trying to get it ---OFF! “ Rio said.

“GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF!” Ron begged.

“Ron, stand up! You have to jump!” Aidan cried.

“IT’S THE PEELING!” Rio cried. “Aidan! Dolohov just died!”

Ron could not understand why the Peeling felt more painful this time. Ron thought that with every kill this process would get easier, that it would get to a point where he’d be able to tolerate it. The pain, though considerable, wasn’t this much when Bagman and Avery died. Jugson’s death was no different as well. Dolohov’s symbol seemed to be etched deeper into his skin that the Peeling of it burned much hotter than the last four.

“Just a little more, it will be over soon,” Rio assured him, holding Ron’s rigid body tightly.

The Lycans have reached the roof. Ron could hear them snarling and growling not far from where he lay rendered helpless by the pain. He felt Rio let go and heard Aidan jump back.

“Remus, you have to transform!” Aidan yelled.

The pain subsided after a few minutes. Ron blinked many times before his sight cleared. He stood shaking – his body was sweating in blood from the episode – and the cold air was now making him shiver. He reached out for his uniform and draped it over his shoulders when a Lycan jumped him from behind.

“Ron!” Remus cried. “Impedimenta!”

Ron kicked the werewolf that had been slowed down by the spell. As it fell back, Rio jumped it and was about to hack its head with his sword, when something swooped down and grabbed him by his cloak. Ron looked at the being that had seized Rio and realized he was the enemy he dreaded to face.

“Aveddon…”


***


“Ron?” Rio said softly.

Ron was kneeling on the floor, his head buried in his hands, whimpering. “Please make it stop…”

Ron had killed Jugson earlier that night. His crystal had revealed Dolohov--where he was, and how to get there. The Guardian had showed herself once more in the small mirror Ron had found on the floor of this dilapidated building. Ron had been a witness again to the events inside the altar room and saw Harry reel in great pain. The memories, though they came in painful installments with every crystal he acquired, play in one continuous mode when he tries to get some sleep.

“Ron, what’s wrong? What is happening to you?” Rio asked.

“It won’t stop…I can’t make it stop!” Ron said bitterly. He longed for a sleeping draught and though constantly of Hermione.

“What won’t stop?” Rio asked again.

Suddenly, Ron heard another voice inside his head. It wasn’t The Guardian. It was someone else and unlike her, he did not introduce himself though Ron could tell, from the sound of his small voice that he was male. He had seen this other person before, and he had been waiting for another chance to meet him. But he doesn’t appear as often as The Guardian, and he seemed to avoid another encounter with her.

“He’s chanting…” Ron whispered.

“Who’s chanting?” Said Rio bewildered by Ron’s answers.

Ron could hear a sort of song, spoken in another tongue he could not recognize, softly playing in his head. The sound was melodic and had a calming effect. He remembered hearing that sound before though he could not figure out where. His mind drifted off to another place and time and soon there was nothing more but darkness.

By the time he opened his eyes, the sun was high and Rio was nowhere to be found. Ron immediately stood and sought for his weapons; they were all there and he was not harmed while he slept. The boy gave him much needed rest. Wondering if he was working with The Guardian, or another Keeper or Guardian of some sort, he tried to call out to him.

However, Rio came in the door bringing with him a bag full of food and a five-gallon jug of distilled water. No doubt, he stole from a convenience store again. Ron was already used to the stealing business Rio seems to be very good at and, without a second thought, sat down on the floor to share the meal with him.

“Ron,” Rio said after swallowing a chunk of bread. “Tell me what is happening to you,”

“What?” Ron said. He opened the jug of water and took one long gulp.

“How do you know where they are? Bagman did not tell you where Avery was, but we found him in less than four days. Now we found Jugson in less than two weeks, and you say you know where to find Dolohov--- Something’s up. What are you not telling me?” Rio pressed.

Ron wondered if he should tell Rio about The Guardian. He’d know about the Keepers. He can tell him about the Guardian of the crystals.

“Ron?”

“It’s these crystals,” Ron began.

“I knew it!” Rio cried triumphantly. “I knew you were up to something when you began collecting those things. Let me have a look,”

Ron took the four necklaces that hung around his neck off, and handed them over to Rio. Rio examined the dark crystals with interest then gave them back to Ron.

“How did you know they’d show you the way?” Rio asked.

“Well, she…”

“She? Who’s she?” Rio butted in.

Something stopped Ron from going further. Then he heard a whisper.

“Not until the fifth…”

“Let’s not talk about it anymore,” Ron evaded for the whispers were beginning to sting his ears.

“Why not? Let’s talk about it now,” Rio urged.

The whispering became louder—pounding instructions into his aching head – like a knife slicing through the inner sections of his skull.

“Do not reveal anything to him---he is not worthy!”

“Why not? Why can’t I tell him?” Ron demanded. He regretted the question seconds after posing it for the Guardian was obviously angered by it.

“Who are you talking to?” Rio asked.

“I will not help you if you reveal the secret of the pendants to him!” She hissed.

“Ron?”

“Why won’t you let me tell him, he’s not going to do anything? I need him to---” Ron said; a high-pitched sound was boring into his head. Ron grimaced, holding his head with both hands.

“Ron?” Came Rio’s voice faintly. The high-pitched sound was now muffling everything else and the pain in his ears made blood flow down his nose.

“STOP!” Ron begged.

“Tell him to you’re Keizer!”

Ron could feel a sharp object boring a hole into his head ever so slowly with every minute that he did not heed the Guardian. He could tell that Rio had been calling out his name – probably screaming at the top of his voice – but the sound, that painful chiming sound kept all other sounds out of range.

“You are Keizer! Tell him you are Keizer!”

Ron opened his burning eyes his mind muddled by the pain. “DON’T CALL ME RON!” He could see Rio saying ‘What’, so he said it again “Don’t call me Ron! Keizer! My name is KEIZER!”

His breathing was thickened by her persuasion. Unable to contain himself, he stood and staggered towards the door. Rio grabbed him and tried to restrain him but now the pain was almost intolerable and he tried wrenching himself out of Rio’s grasp. He wanted to run outside. Rio wrestled him to the floor.

“The pain will not stop until he calls you Keizer!”

“DON’T CALL ME RON!” Ron screamed.

“ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT! KEIZER! STOP STRUGGLING!” Rio cried and the sound that nearly rent his head in two stopped immediately. Ron heard a cackle just before he lost consciousness.


***

“Rio!” Aidan cried.

Ron ran toward them and caught hold of Rio before Aveddon was able to fly away. Aidan had thrown his Sai towards him and the weapon pierced his right thigh. The Kvasih fell on the roof and Aidan moved forward but another being came swooping down towards him. This one rode a broom and wore a blood-red cloak with Durmstrang’s insignia at the back. Ron recognized the face immediately and cried out his name in anger.

“KRUM!”

Viktor reeled to catch Ron’s piercing glare. He pointed his wand against Aidan, who had been cornered by a large Lycan, and was about to conjure a spell. Ron knew he needed to be a wizard again and grudgingly took the wand from where it hid and pointed it against Viktor.

“DROP IT, KRUM!” Ron warned.

“EXPELLIARMUS!” Viktor cried.

“PROTEGO!” Ron said, almost at the same time. “FURNUNCULUS!”

However, Viktor already mounted his broom and before the spell hit, he was already in the skies flying closely behind the demon that had been forgotten in the chaos. To his horror, Ron saw Rio’s body dangling in mid-air.

“RIO! NOOOO!”

Ron ran towards the rim of the roof but was cut short by a Lycan that jumped him from behind. He skidded hard against the cement roofing losing his grip on his sword. He turned taking out his Sai as he did and waited for the Lycan to attack. The beast had jumped on him and his Sai had hit it on the side, but large claws made their way into his stomach that was unprotected. The Lycan fell back; clutching the silver steel of the Sai that had pierced through his innards and punctured several organs. The werewolf staggered a little, and then fell on its back, dead.

“Ron!” Remus cried running towards the huddled body on the ground. Ron was bleeding profusely from the wound in his stomach. “Aidan!”

Ron gasped for air – he knew he was dying. He could taste blood as it filled his mouth. His body was slowly numbing and he could tell by the look on Remus’ face how close he was to death.

“You have to bite him, Aidan!” Remus said. “He’s dying! You have to bite him!”

Ron wanted to protest but his lungs were now collapsing. He looked at Aidan – mortal fear in his blue-green eyes. Aidan stared back at him.

“He won’t make it, unless you bite him!” Remus urged.

Ron told Aidan no, when he offered it before. Ron had given him the reason why.

“BITE HIM! BITE HIM, OR I WOULD!” Remus cried.

Aidan’s eyes glimmered. Ron could feel his body numb and his eyes were slowly blurring.

“BITE HIM!”