A Song for Severus ~ (Not Update, but Edit)

Chapter 42 ~ New Starts

Hermione had been rather shocked to return to her rooms and discover Volaria with her own wand. It was beautiful, a wonderful piece of craftsmanship.

“May I?” she asked, holding out her hand.

“Yes,” Volaria said smiling, handing the wand to Hermione, who studied it closely, noting the tiny carved phoenix on the handle.

“Albus took you to get this, Volaria?” she asked the witch, who nodded enthusiastically.

“Yes. He took me to Diagon Alley. It was wonderful! I never saw so many people and shops. But we couldn’t look around. We had to get back,” she said a bit wistfully.

Hermione smiled. She remembered how she felt the first time she saw Diagon Alley. It had been amazing and she had roamed about everyplace, dragging her parents behind her. She would have to take Volaria on an outing there. She looked at the wand again, then at Volaria.

“Did Mr. Ollivander tell you what the core was made of?” she asked the young witch.

Volaria nodded.

“Two phoenix feathers,” Volaria replied, smiling.

Hermione stiffened.

Two? Two phoenix feathers? She had never heard of a wand that contained such a powerful core. Hermione stared at Volaria, thinking how many bugbears Severus would have if he knew the young witch had such a powerful wand in her possession.

“This is a very powerful wand, Volaria. Very powerful,” she said to the witch.

“It is the only one that would work for me. Mr. Ollivander tried quite a few of them on me…and they wouldn’t work at all. I thought I couldn’t use a wand. Then he went to the back and brought me this one. He said it was the last wand he had made,” Volaria informed Hermione, who looked thoughtful.

Mr. Ollivander’s shop closed for a while when Voldemort returned to power, and no one knew where the wand maker went. Perhaps he was doing his own part to try and help bring down the Dark Lord by creating such a wand, hoping to find a champion to wield it. Perhaps he couldn’t find anyone…until now. Voldemort’s daughter.

Hermione looked around her rooms for any wand damage. Everything looked fine.

“Did you try to use this wand yet, Volaria?” she asked the witch.

“No. The Headmaster said I didn’t know the proper wand movements and needed to be shown them before I used it. I’ve kept it in the box,” she replied. “He said you might be able to show me some spells.”

Hermione sighed. She had just made a breakthrough with the pixies. The only reason she was even out of the labs was because of Volaria. If she had been alone, she would have continued working far into the night. In fact, she felt a tiny bit resentful that Volaria was going to require time…but she had asked to take the young witch in…now she was her responsibility. Hermione sat down in the armchair next to Volaria’s, considering what she would say to the witch.

Volaria watched as Hermione cleared her throat then addressed her.

“Volaria, I can’t tell you the project I am working on at the moment, but it is very important and today I made a breakthrough, something that requires a lot of focus and attention. I am working within a kind of time frame…the project needs to be completed as soon as possible. Normally, I would still be in my labs working on it, but I had to come and see about you,” Hermione said, “But I’m afraid most of my time will have to be spent working.”

Volaria’s face fell. Hermione wouldn’t be able to help her. She was too busy. Once again she was being pushed to the sidelines for something thought more important. She was used to it, but still thought it might be better here.

Hermione continued.

“However, you do need instruction with your wand work and I am going to see that you get it. I am going to talk to Albus to see if we can arrange tutoring with Professor Flitwick in the evenings. Considering the caliber of your wand, I believe he will be quite willing to work with you. But remember, you cannot tell him who you really are. You can tell no one…ever.”

Volaria brightened. The Headmaster had said private tutoring could be arranged.

“No, I know that,” Volaria said, “But do you think Professor Flitwick will do it?”

Hermione smiled.

“I am certain he will,” she said, “But Volaria, I am going to take your wand and put it away. It’s not because I think you will try to use it, but it is just a precaution. I will give it back when you go for lessons, or let Professor Flitwick keep it for safeguarding.”

Volaria looked at Hermione, then Professor Snape’s scowling face suddenly came to mind. This was something he would have done. More than likely he wouldn’t have let her bring the wand into Hermione’s rooms…or even had let her have a wand. But he was very cautious. And she couldn’t blame him. Most likely Hermione was trying to follow his lead.

“All right,” she said, handing Hermione the narrow box and looking at the wand longingly as the witch put it away.

Hermione gave her a smile.

“Volaria, you are a very agreeable young witch,” she said, “If that had been me at your age, I would have argued to keep the wand with me.”

Volaria gave her a small little smile in return.

“I know why you’re taking it, Hermione. Professor Snape would turn all kinds of colors if he knew I had a wand. Better safe than sorry. Plus I will get it back when I am learning how to use it. That’s the only time I’ll need it anyway. It’s all right,” she said.

Hermione couldn’t help thinking how mature Volaria was for her age. But again, she was a Ravenclaw, and thought logically. Arguing wouldn’t have help matters at all and Volaria realized this immediately.

“In fact, you can go back to your labs if you want,” the young witch said, “I’ll be fine.”

Hermione shook her head.

“Not tonight, Volaria. Instead, how about we do a bit of reading up on first year wand work? Let you familiarize yourself with the basics. That way you and Professor Flitwick can get started on the initial spells,” she suggested.

Volaria smiled brightly, jumping up and down in the armchair excitedly.

“Oh, I’d like that Hermione. I’d like that very much,” she gushed.

Hermione smiled back at her, rose from the armchair and walked over to her library, running her fingers over the titles until she found the first year book of Charms. She pulled it out and brought it over.

Volaria pushed her armchair next to Hermione’s and together they sat down and started reading.

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The date of Malina’s departure had been moved up three days because Dirty Magic’s manager had arranged for them to do a promotion for “Felix’s Flying Carpets” and they had to do a photo shoot. Felix’s was the top magic carpet maker in the wizarding world and there were quite a few galleons to be made.

The first show would be held in the stadium constructed for the Quidditch World Cup. It was located on a nice, deserted moor with muggle-repelling spells on every inch of it. Already there were tents set up around the perimeter of the stadium, those fans with cheaper tickets being required to arrive two weeks early, and the rest of the arrivals staggered. The stadium seated 100,000 people and was completely sold out. A fortune had been spent on security, most of the guards moonlighting Aurors.

The giant blackboard across from the Top Box that held the purple and gold gilt prime seats would show the band in action and advertisements such as the one for Felix's Flying Carpets. The open stage would be in the center of the field. No doubt omnioculars would be in great use by all.

Draco accompanied Malina to his studio, and watched as the manager went over their itinerary. Today, they would do the shoot for Felix then continue on to their secret lodgings. Keeping it a secret had been rough. Determined paparazzi were watching the comings and goings of every band member and their manager. The only reason Malina had been spared this was because she joined the tour at the last minute. Miles had been delighted.

“Yes!” he shouted, swinging the witch around wildly, “Yes! This tour is going to be earth-shattering. Malina, you’re going to become a star! A blooming star!”

Now the group clustered together, laughing, joking and ready to rock. Draco watched Malina smiling with the rest of the band members and felt a sudden coldness inside. It was definitely a clench of fear. But what was there to be afraid of?

“All right, time to get going you bunch,” the manager said to the band, handing out port keys in the form of little glass music notes.

Malina took hers, then looked over at Draco, who looked very forlorn. Her heart went out to him and she broke from the group.

“Hey!” the manager shouted at her as she ran over to Draco, wrapped her arms around him and gave him a parting kiss. The wizard memorized the feel of her in his arms for the thousandth time. Malina broke the kiss and looked into his gray eyes.

“Remember Draco, it’s when I’m farthest from you that I am closest to you, here,” she said softly, pointing to her heart.

“Be safe, Malina,” Draco said to her, holding her hand tightly. When she started walking back to the band, she had to give a little tug to get him to release her, his fingers sliding over her flesh as he reluctantly let her go.

Malina walked back to the band, her dark eyes resting on Draco.

“All right. All together now. One – two – three…Portis!” the manager cried.

The band, the manager, the equipment and Malina all disappeared with a blue flash of light.

Draco stood there a moment, staring at the empty space, the sudden silence looming. Sixteen weeks. Malina would be gone sixteen weeks. Still, it would be best. Now he could focus on the Death Eaters, Bella and Voltaire.

Draco stood there a moment more, then disapparated, his heart heavy. He couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling he had.

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Dirty Magic arrived at Felix’s Magic Carpets and there was quite a crowd there, held back by magical barriers and several security wizards. They cheered wildly as the group walked by waving at them.

“Miles! Miles!” several young witches screamed, one of them fainting as the lead singer winked at her.

“Quite an effect you have on your fans,” Malina said as they walked toward the main building.

“Just wait until the wizards latch on to you,” Miles replied, “The girls are easy. The guys…you have to watch them. You might have to keep a repelling charm on you at all times.”

Malina didn’t relish the idea of that, but said nothing.

Suddenly a tall, thin olive-toned wizard with short wavy black hair and a pencil thin mustache strode up to them, smiling brightly.

“Welcome! Welcome to Felix’s Magic Carpets my friends,” he said with a thick middle-eastern accent. “I am Felix, the owner of this establishment. Please, come this way. Time is money, my friends, and as much as I have, I still want to keep as much as possible. So this way please.”

The band members looked at each other as they followed Felix through the shop. Carpets hung everywhere, a few tassled floor models floating a foot or so above the ground.

”I’ve had to close the store for this shoot, so I am losing customers, so we must hurry,” he said, leading them through the back of the store, through the factory.

Very young men and women were working at old fashion looms, weaving intricate carpets, tossing glittering powder into the strands as they worked the shuttles back and forth. Most of them were sweating and the work looked hard.

“Can’t you weave carpets with magic?” Innis, the hairy drummer asked.

Felix looked at him, trying to locate his face. He gave up.

“No, most carpets are knit by hand to insure the magic is well woven in,” Felix replied.

“Most?” Innis asked him.

“Yes, most. There are some exceptions,” he said, leading them outside.

Several photographers stood about impatiently, and there were three magic carpets resting on the ground near them. But that wasn’t what the band members were looking at. Their eyes were focused on a brightly colored magic carpet that was about 20 x 20 feet wide.

Felix smiled.

“This is the carpet you will be riding in the shoot. It will hold all of you. Now please get on. There are safeguards installed that will not allow you to fall off. You will be magically attached from the moment you lift off until the moment you land. The photographers will be flying around you getting their shots. Any questions?” Felix asked in a rushed manner. He wanted this over quickly.

“Are you sure it’s safe?” Malina asked, her dark eyes sweeping over it.

”Yes, quite safe,” Felix assured her, “I’ve been making carpets over fifty years.”

Malina and the band members walked on to the carpet and sat down, feeling the thick fabric with their fingers, Innis grabbing up a fold of the cloth and tugging on it to check for strength. It seemed strong enough.

“Now, please give me your wands. The magical cores interfere with the magic on this particular carpet, which was only created to be used for the photo shoot. It is not a standard carpet. Your wands will be returned to you when the photo shoot is over.

Malina didn’t like this. Her wand made her feel safe.

“Go on,” the manager urged, thinking of the huge percentage he was going to make off this shoot. “It’ll only be for ten minutes or so. You can live without your wands for that long.”

There was a bit of grumbling, but the band members and Malina handed over their wands to Felix.

“Thank you. Now there is a spell in place that will, when invoked take you up and automatically position the carpet for the best shots. There will be several bursts of speed so your hair flies back, and a few swoops and turns. As I said, you will not fall off. Now, good luck. Up, carpet!”

The carpet gave a sickening lurch that made Malina’s stomach flip over and she clutched Miles’ arm. The lead singer grinned at her.

“No worse than a coaster ride, Malina. Don’t worry,” he said reassuringly as the carpet took off, flanked by the photographers.

“Is it supposed to go that fast?” the manager asked Felix.

“It’s not that fast,” the wizard replied, hoping the shoot would be over quickly. He had carpets to sell.

The magic carpet soared several thousand feet up, so the group was nearly in the clouds, the photographers circling around them.

“Stand up!” one shouted at them. “We need some standing shots!”

”No way,” Malina said, hanging on to Miles, who tried to stand.

“Let go, Malina. We agreed to do this…now we have to do as they say,” he said.

Malina reluctantly let Miles go and the lead singer stood up, his hair streaming in the wind.

“Perfect!” the photographer yelled.

Suddenly, the carpet jerked and Miles stumbled forward.

“Miles!” Malina screamed as the lead singer wavered on the edge of the carpet, catching his balance and giving her a smile.

“I’m all….”

Suddenly the carpet jerked again and Miles, his eyes wide with horror, fell over the edge of it, disappearing.

“Miles!!!” Malina screamed, crawling on her hands and knees to the edge of the carpet. She could only see a little dot getting smaller.

“No!!” she screamed as the carpet lurched again, sickeningly.

The photographers were zooming closer, reaching out their hands desperately at the remaining group members.

“Grab hold!” they shouted, terrified as the carpet began jerking terribly…not one band member able to reach them because of the motion. They were all clinging to the carpet.

Suddenly, it dropped, the edges flying upward as they plummeted toward the earth.

At first Malina screamed and screamed as she felt them falling…then suddenly she stopped. Screaming wouldn’t help.

As they fell toward the earth, their bodies tangled together in the midst of the carpet, the other band members screaming for help, Malina’s mind grabbed hold of Draco’s image and their last time together.

“I’ll always love you, Draco Malfoy,” Malina whispered as if a prayer, “For all eternity.”

Even under the pressure of the struggling bodies pressed against her, Malina could feel the power of her Oath wash over her along with a great sense of peace. Everything would work out the way it was meant to. At least she had loved. To love and to be loved was the greatest gift life could give. Draco Malfoy had been her gift, and Malina was grateful. Despite how dark, strange and introverted she had been for most of her life, she hadn’t been alone in the world. Someone had found her worthy of love.

This was Malina’s last living thought as the world she once occupied rushed up to meet her.

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A/N: Thanks for reading.