The Guardian

Disclaimer- I still own nothing but the plot.

A/N okay that last chapter was really long and took a while to write. I know I took some artistic license with the oaths in the last chapter, if you have questions or complaints drop me a line.

Chapter 8
Their answer

Rhiannon woke slowly, aware of the pain in her head and the back of her neck. She felt like she’d fallen from the top of the stands in the Quidditch pitch. She sat up with a groan, noticing Remus sitting quietly in the armchair across the room.
“That was different.” Her voice sounded rough.
Remus glared at her, “One of these times no one is going to be around to help you, or there’s not going to be enough potions to save you. Then what will happen huh? Your powers will be transferred to the person closest to you when you die. That could be anyone Rhiannon.”
She felt like crap, and Remus was right. “I had to do it.” She stood up.
He shook his head and held out the envelope he was holding. “This came while you were sleeping.”
Rhiannon took it, they had answered. She tried to open it but the wax seal refused to budge. She sighed apparently they didn’t want her to know just yet.
“The kids have come to check on you. They’re waiting outside.” Remus stood up and walked out, leaving her to follow.
Her guard was indeed waiting for her in the living room. Harry still looked mad she noticed.
“You’re alright!” Neville jumped up almost spilling the bottle he held.
“Yea, sorry you had to see that.”
Harry glared at her, his eyes glinting with anger. “How are we supposed to guard you?”
Rhiannon was taken aback by the anger in his voice as were the rest of them.
“What do you mean?”
“You made us your guard, how are we supposed to guard you from yourself?”
“I’m sorry Harry, I shouldn’t have let you guys see that.” She had been stupid to let them stay; Remus could have handled it himself.
“You’re just like him, laughing as you die. Not even thinking of the people around you.” He yelled.
“I’m just like who Harry?”
“Like Sirius. He was laughing as he died, laughing and taunting Bellatrix. He didn’t believe he would die and where does that leave me?”
Everyone looked stunned.
“What curse did she hit him with?”
“That’s the whole point, she missed, and Sirius just fell. He wouldn’t have died if he had dodged the other way.”
Rhiannon sighed; he’d have to know sometimes. “He’s not dead.”
There was a chorus of “What’s?”
“Sirius isn’t dead, that’s why I’m here.”
Harry dropped onto the couch next to Ginny looking stunned. All attention was turned on her. “Dumbledore asked me to get him out.”
“When!?” Harry asked.
“Tomorrow morning.”
Remus looked up at this a question in his eyes but she shook her head before he could talk.
“What do we need to do?” Hermione asked.
“Nothing, just wait here.”
They all looked like they were going to argue. “I’m serious. We don’t know what has happened at the ministry since that night. There are probably wards and alarms. What if Voldemort were to appear?”
“I’d kill him.” Harry hissed.
Rhiannon hung her head, the throbbing behind her eyes increasing and the burn on her neck was becoming annoying. “It’s not time for that Harry, it will come later.”
They sat in silence until Ginny spoke up.
“So what does your tattoo look like?”
Rhiannon smirked and lifted her braid to show them the back of her neck. The word Family was scrawled in what looked like ivy, a small snitch hovered over the ‘m’ while a book leaned against the ‘f’ and a small strange animal hung from the ‘y’ the ‘I’ was dotted with tiny hearts.
“Each of your drawings combined into one.”
“What happens when you break your vow?” Luna asked. Rhiannon had noticed she said when not if. The girl was probably a seer.
“Depends upon what I do. Unlike a regular unbreakable the punishment isn’t death, it would be much more painful. If I cause a cut on your finger I could very well lose one of mine. A few seconds of the Cruciatus curse on you would be an hour for me.”
“Why did you do this to yourself?” Ron asked.
“She did it to protect us from her.” Luna answered her eyes were misty.
“What does that mean?” Harry glared at her again.
“I’m not a seer; I won’t claim that I am. But, I do see things, know things. When I met you three at the gates I knew I could be used against you. This is my way of stopping that. No matter what I do, what curses are being used on me, if I cause you harm the results will be instantaneous making it impossible for me to kill anyone of you.” Harry looked thoughtful.
“Will you be able to get Sirius back?” he asked.
“Yes.”
Somewhere in the halls bells tolled, signaling curfew. Rhiannon stood waving for the group to go. “Hurry now before the dungeon bat catches you and I have to sit in detention with you for the rest of the year.”
They all nodded, Harry looked like he wanted to protest, but she cut him off. “You will be the first we see tomorrow.”
He nodded grudgingly and led the others out. Only Neville hung back looking sheepish, he hadn’t said much, just sat there clutching the large bottle he’d almost dropped earlier.
“Miss Rhiannon.” He blushed wildly, “This is for you.” He held out the bottle.
She took it from him surprised at the weight. It was a clear bottle full of a thick glittery blue liquid.
“What is this Neville?”
“Remus said you were allergic to something in the ink. Most inks are made from squid ink. So I thought maybe you were allergic to the squid.” He seemed shocked at his own knowledge and gulped. “It’s a special ink made from forget-me-nots. I use it to study, I thought, maybe if you have to do another of those vows, you could use this instead.”
She stood surprised, why had she never thought of that? “Thank you Neville I will most defiantly use it if I have to take another oath.” She ruffled the teen's hair, making him squeak before rushing to catch up with the others. Rhiannon watched him a moment before closing the door and studying the bottle of ink.
“What if you can’t get him out? What if they say no?” Remus handed her a cup of Irish cream whisky. She shrugged.
“I’ll get him out, I promised Harry.” She sipped at the drink, relaxing her tense muscles.
“And if you can’t?”
She glared at him; he’d always been one to see the pessimistic side of things. Damn his logic and level headedness. “I will.”
With a growl Remus got up “I hope you’re right, Goodnight Rhi.” He kissed her cheek and went to his own room.
She listened to him move around awhile, letting herself drift. Remus was right, if the elders denied her request there was very little hope of getting Sirius out of the inactive veil. She wasn’t sure whose it was. There was no telling where the ministry acquired it. Remus had grown quiet now, with a sigh she pulled out the envelope from the elders. The seal was loose now, opening easily. The writing was flourished and loopy in a language few could read. But she did so quickly. She dropped the parchment and hissed.
“Remus is going to be pissed.” A wave of her hand and her stone basin was once more in front of her. Well she had promised Harry. The parchment went into the basin along with a good portion of Neville’s ink.