The eyes of Winter

Chapter 19...

\"Easy Onyx.\"

He had heard her coming, and called to her.

Winter had made her way here to the stable, under the blanket of
night. Wound tight in her skin, seeming to buzz like an overhead power
line. Dumbledore had led her to the main doors, and sent her off
with a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

The moon was simply glowing, hanging heavily among the sparse
clouds of the night sky. Casting its silver light over all it
saw from the heavens. She looked up at it, as she made her way into
the stable. Onyx had been pacing, his legs hot from constantly walking
the length of his stall. Sensing something was different in the smell
on the breeze that night.

Winter knew what to do, but had no idea on what was to happen
as she did her releasing spell. Having no idea what would happen
to her as it left her. That is if she did it right of course. Almost
positive Dumbledore would not put her danger, but even he didn\'t know
everything, or much about being a Karhem. Neither did Winter, just that
she hated it.

Bringing Onyx out of his stall, he began to nudge her toward the
tack room. He brought a faint smile to her face.

\"Not tonight my dear friend.\"

She only bothered to slip a rope halter on him, and pulled his
mane gently. He kneeled and she lifted onto his wide back. Only in her
riding cloak, barefoot and nothing else. Slick black hair feeling
strange on her unrestricted body beneath the cloak.

Walking him out into the moonlight, she looked around. The coast
seemed clear. Only a few lights burning in the castle. Most of the
windows were black and vacant.

Pulling her hood up she turned Onyx toward the forest. Looking
almost unthreatening in the bright moonlight. Walking in the shadows,
wishing to be hidden, staying near the forest edges. There was a clearing
somewhere behind the Quidditch pitch, Dumbledore had told her where to
go and how to find it.

Once used for the celebration of Summer solstice, and the Autumn
equinox. Long forgotten after it had been replaced as the student
body grew in its population, many years ago. It retained some of
its magic, and still nothing would grow there. Dumbledore had also
hinted some of the Professors used it for their private magical
purposes from time to time.

Finding the now faint path, they walked along it, as it followed
around the field and into a small patch of trees. Set apart from the
Forbidden Forest, and hopefully not as dangerous. Onyx stopped as the
path seemed to disappear into the trees.

Winter brought him closer and brushed her hand across the nearest
tree and whispered to it.

\"Fletsium Nordesca.\"

The trees came to life, and bowed to her. Opening the passage
into the clearing, and closing it when Onyx had passed. Rustling
happily as if they were talking to each other. Excited to have a
new visitor.

She could feel the power surge within her as they stepped
into the stone circle that was cut into the ground. Ancient
stones arranged in different colors of nature forming a
pentacle. Smooth, intricately done and large enough
for many wizards to gather upon.

Surrounded by a silver ring that promptly burst into
flames as they reached the middle. Not tall, but burning
evenly and steadily around the great circle. This startled Winter,
but Onyx held his ground. Pawing once hard, and sending sparks
from his metal horseshoe.

The moon was right above her now, and she knew the time had
almost come for the truth. Dropping her cloak by unclasping it,
letting it fall limply on the horses back. Nipples hardening, as
they hit the September night air. Goosebumps rippling up all over
her now naked body, sweeping across her head to toe.

She stroked his neck soothingly, as he began to tremble
beneath her. Energy transfusing itself between them, as the
heavens aligned themselves above her. The heat beginning to
rise in her once again. Bringing her legs beneath her and
shakily standing on Onyx\'s wide back. Crunching her toes into
the muscles that now tensed beneath her feet, steadying herself.


The moon began bearing down on her as a shaft of silver beam
engulfed the circle. Bathing them in its celestial light,
and making them seem to glow as its power overtook her.
Breathing deeply, and moving her arms up slowly. Concentrating
on the spell as it began to fall from her lips, barely above a
whisper at first.

\"A nal noth rach, Ufe vas bay thod, Ve al de envay.\"

The spell of the ancients, brought forth her the power
that had laid dormant for so long, and the heat once again
coming from her body, as she threw her head back. Blinking
at the moon whose light had began to grow brighter as it fell
on her and Onyx. Speaking louder, as she began to feel a sort
of pull coming from her feet up.

\"A nal noth rach, Ufe vas bay thod, Ve al de envay.\"

Concentrating hard as the pain began, but nothing too
strong like before. Feeling as though she would bubble
over with the odd way something was moving through her.
Coursing it\'s way through her veins like a swarm of bees,
buzzing and stinging. One final time, this time shouting
at the very moon itself, as the glow became almost an etheral
light upon her. Echoing from nowhere.

\"A NAL NOTH RACH, UFE VAS BAY THOD, VE AL DE ENVAY!!!!\"

A personal whirlwind had blown up and was swirling with
cool breezes around her. Sending her long hair into a wild
tangle as it was almost pulled straight up. Winds churning
around them seeming to pull the very energy from her body.

It was strange the feeling it gave her. Like a slight
pull on her as the wind had moved up her body, pulling
at her from all angles. Draining her, and taking the
swarm with it. Burning savagely as it pulled them from her
out stretched fingertips.

Gasping at the sight, her concentration broke for a second
as she saw the pure energy particles. Looking so much like
the swarm of bees it had felt like. Little blue and green
particles, moving back and forth in a sort of formation. Continuing
to swirl upward, and around. The colors of grass and sky, humming
softly in a buzz like drone, as they churned around her making
their way up. The inferno was leaving, and they all flew higher up
as they final ones left her burning hands.

Between her and the moon now, they slowing began to form into
two giant snakeheads, hissing and striking at one another. She
watched unmoving in wonder. Not knowing if she wanted, or was able
to move. She was drained and unfilled now, but they weren\'t done.

Moving swiftly and darting at each other in the sky, the snakes
were fighting freely. Bending and hissing in their unworldly nature.
Made of the energy that had come from her, and nothing like she
had ever seen. One blue and one green, earth and sky, the great
opposites were battling it out before her.

Writhing and striking each other, and suddenly each bit into
the other\'s tail. Stopping the fight and floating up now making
a perfect circle in the sky. Encasing the moon in her line of
vision.

\"Avan esentra cah mastra, fas en sudra kamadro.\"

Speaking her final words, almost broken by the spell, but
not willing to fail. The snakes blasted apart at the first
thunderclap, driving them apart as the clouds rolled in fast
and dark. The rain started quickly and it fell on her naked
body. Seeringly cold, and she sat back down and pulled her
cloak around her as the colored swarm fell with the rain.

Spreading itself widely onto the forbidden forest, and flying
into the clouds as they leaked onto the Hogwart\'s grounds. Starting
to disappear as the rain became harder, seeming to melt them as
they absorbed back into the atmosphere. Thunder and lightning
following them as the small storm all but stopped suddenly.

Tired and wet, she was drained and leaned forward draping
her upper body on her horse\'s large neck. Face cool against
his now wet mane, and she drifted from consciousness.

Winters eyes fluttered as the movement jolted her a little. Not
knowing where she was for a moment. The feeling on Onyx’s\' body
beneath reminded her of the whole thing. Only her eyes didn\'t
want to open, so tired.

Yet she heard someone talking, and hoof beats. Two sets of
them, she must be hearing things. No she wasn\'t, she listened
intently as she rocked back and forth as Onyx walked.

\"Really?\" A deep voice was talking but not to her.

She could feel Onyx’s\' sides jump a little as he let out a
series of snuffles, and couple little gruff nickers.

\"By Merlin’s robe!\" That voice again, on the opposite
side of where her head was laid. She felt his sides quiver
again, it seemed like he was...talking to someone?

\"Ah, I see. Do not worry my friend. She is just sleeping.\"

Onyx let out a loud nicker this time, and the voice
laughed.

\"Oh no you must not think that. I\'m sure you
helped her, and never hindered. Do not look down upon
yourself, because you felt fear. I\'m sure your Mistress
did too. You could not have helped her anymore than you
did, my friend.\"

Firenze had seen the whole thing, being banned from the
large part of the forest he often came to the clearing to
watch the heavens and chart his star maps. Never had
anyone ever interrupted him before, and her presence there was
startling. Only turning from her nakedness for a moment,
he watched the earth witch cast the spell of the ancients.
Taken aback as the heavens themselves moved for her, not
knowing what to think.

He had coaxed the large black horse from the circle, and
struck up a conversation as Onyx demanded to return her to
the stable. Being half-horse himself, he understood the
gelding’s attempts to communicate. Reassuring him that
Winter was fine, and not dead. Though the large horse
still was not satisfied at his answers.

Winter fell into quick fits of sleep and awake as she tried
to maintain her conscious state. Wanted to hear what the voice
was saying, she could hear hoofs on concrete now, and knew
that they were in the stable.

\"Oh yes, I will promise you that.\"

Firenze took Winter from Onyx’s back, pulling her on his
own. Not liking to do so, only when the moment called for it,
and he believed this was a moment. The last one had been Harry
Potter, the boy who lived and now it was Winter...the earth
witch, the Karhem. Smiling at his choice of riders.

Onyx had asked him to return his lady to the safety of the
castle. He opened the door of his stall, and closed it after
him.

\"Farewell my friend, all is well. You shall not worry, I
assure you.\" He turned and began his way to the castle.

Cantering slowly, going as fast as he could without
her numb body falling off of him. Reaching the steps
only to find Dumbledore sweeping down them. A look
of worry on his weathered face.

\"Firenze what happened, did something go wrong?\"

\"No Albus, it was beautiful. She unfortunately came
upon me working, and I hid. I am sorry Headmaster.\"

\"Never mind that, man. Is she alright?\" Dumbledore
sometimes found himself impatient with the way a centaur’s
line of thought worked.

\"Oh yes, Albus. She is merely drained and exhausted.
Such great concentration she had. I must return to
my star gazing, surely they have something to say on this
matter.\"

Dumbledore took Winters limp body from Firenze. He may
be old, but still was strong as ever.

\"Thank you, Firenze. Please inform me of any findings.\"

\"Certainly Albus.\" Then he was gone, trotting back toward
the clearing. No doubt wanting desperately to tell his fellow
centaurs, but was still shunned by his own herd. He no longer
taught, but Hogwarts was his home. The stars his best friend
now.

Dumbledore was just inside the castle now, thinking
what would be the best place for her. She was not hurt
so no medical attention this time, but not wanting to
wake Snape to handle it. He\'s been acting funny as of
late, for no apparent reason.

Footsteps stepping out of the shadows behind him, made
him turn quickly towards them. It was Draco Malfoy, only
his face had an expression he had never seen on him before.
Compassion. They locked eyes for a tense moment.

It had been burned into Draco\'s mind since birth
it seemed to hate this man. His father hating everything
about what Dumbledore thought and did. Letting the mudbloods
take over the school, and the endless line of mistakes
his father cursed him for doing. Only now he had his woman,
limp and draped in his outstretched arms.

\"Draco?\"

\"Please Professor, please let me take her.\"

Never having ever asked a teacher for anything, yet alone using
a civil tone. Never even thinking of pleading in any sort of
way, yet alone to Dumbledore. But the sight of her made the pit
of his stomach drop farther than he ever felt possible. Damn
his father, and damn his never-ending hate.

\"Very well, Mr.Malfoy. I suggest you return to the dungeons
immediately. No need to stir more controversy, she will come
around in time.\"

Draco took Winter from his father\'s greatest enemy, with
a look of understanding. He was telling him in so many words
to stay with her.

\"Yes, sir.\"

Then Draco was gone in a blur of black of his robe, and
the wet gray of her cloak. Swiftly out of site, heading
toward the dungeon entrance. Keeping in the shadows.

Dumbledore watched them as he carried her away. Nothing
more in Draco at the moment than the concern for another’s
well being.

\'Huh\', he thought. \'So what they say is true.\'

He had laughed when one of the old portraits had
whispered to him the rumors flying around about
the love affair they were having.

\"A Malfoy?\" He laughed and told the picture, \"In
love? Oh ho no, surely you jest Grimlor!\"

But now he began to wonder. He had laughed at the
paintings\' words, but now was not so sure. Never had
he ever guessed if he lived 500 years that he would
catch that look on Draco\'s face, or any Malfoy for that
matter.

\'Maybe there is hope after all.\' he turned the thought
over in his mind. \'Someday our worlds will be one, and the
light and dark will no longer exist.\'

Thinking maybe all his work maybe wasn\'t for nothing
Dumbledore went to his office to wake previous Headmaster
Grimlor for some more detailed answers.