Hands of Fate

Title: Hands of Fate

Author: Luna

Feedback: Loved and appreciated…send it to ambersgrrl@yahoo.com

Archive: Full Moon Romper Room, Tainted Fiction, and Luna’s Night Moves…anyone else, please just ask.

Fandom: Harry Potter

Rating: NC-17 for graphic sexual situations.

Warnings: Underage sex!! (After all they’re still in school!)

Pairings: Aislinn/Draco Malfoy, Abigail/Blaise Zabini, Martika/Viktor Krum, Kaleaha/Harry Potter

Disclaimer: J. K. Rowling, Scholastic Publishing, and Warner Brothers Entertainment do not authorize this author. All characters that you recognize belong to J. K. Rowling, Scholastic Publishing, and/or Warner Brothers Entertainment. Nothing is being gained from this work of fiction.

Summary: The fate of an entire race rests on their shoulders. Will they fold to destiny or will they fight it?

Author’s Note: As always with my stories I’m going to be using these characters as I see fit. I will be ignoring anything that I want to and that irritates me. This story qualifies as AU because let’s face it Krum left after GoF. If any of this bothers you save both our sanity and STOP READING NOW!!!

Anything else: Yes, I’d like to thank Kat for all her help over the little speed bumps in writing and a most awesome banner! Also even though if questioned she would deny it thanks need to go out to my loverly and terrific sister Dayla!! Last but certainly not least; I’d like to thank Maggie not only for being a wonderful friend but a terrific beta. I love you girls!!!
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Chapter Nine

Kaleaha walked across the grounds towards her first class of the day. The sun was shining and even though it was a lovely day there was a bite in the air that said Winter was about to take control once more. Contrary to popular belief she didn’t harbor any ill will where her uncle was concerned. She knew that life was all about balance. After all there was no sorrow without joy, no pain without pleasure, or warmth without cold. Everything in life had an opposite a balancing factor that kept the world from spinning out of control.

Up ahead the greenhouse loomed in the distance and she quickened her pace to make sure she had enough time to get there. She felt the droplets of dew as they fell from the blades of grass under her plain Mary Jane’s. The young blonde loved this time of day where everything was fresh and new and everything seemed possible.

Entering the building used for this morning’s class she paused eyes closed the scent of fresh compost and rich freshly turned soil surrounding her. The temperature was a bit of shock from the briskness of the air outside but a welcome relief. Opening her eyes once again she smiled sheepishly at a round young man staring at her curiously.

She smiled shyly at the boy. His cherubic features made her instantly like him and the way his cheeks heated in a blush made him absolutely adorable. Looking around the room she realized that they were the only two students currently occupying the space.

“The others aren’t likely to show until the last minute,” he offered noticing the way her eyes kept scanning the room and the view outside. He wasn’t sure whether to be offended or heartened that someone might actually think he was a threat. In the end he decided on neither assuming that she was simply curious about the grounds and her fellow students.

“Really,” she asked sounding surprised. Of course she realized that not everyone enjoyed Herbology as much as she did. It managed to make her smile when she realized that students universally were tardy to classes. Her manners belatedly kicked in reminding her that she still didn’t know her classmate. “I’m Kaleaha or Kay for short,” she said extending her hand.

“Neville,” he returned taking her small hand in his own. As soon as their fingers touched he felt a surge of powerful wild and old magic take hold of him. To others he may seem a bit inept but he knew quite a bit about the old magics. Staring into Kay’s wide blue eyes concern swam in those jeweled depths. It made him feel better to know that he hadn't been played for a fool.

He shook his head slightly embarrassed to find that he was still holding the young woman’s hand. “Sorry, don’t know what came over me,” he mumbled releasing her hand.

“Quite all right,” Kaleaha assured him. A frizzle of alarm raced down her spine. She couldn’t understand the feeling that had taken hold of her. The young man hadn’t offered her anything other than kind acceptance. Shaking off the weird feeling she took a seat on the stool across the table from him.

The two stared at one another for a moment each of them trying to figure out what, if anything, they should say. Kaleaha was the first to find her voice. “So does the professor for Herbology have very strict standards?”

Neville’s mouth twisted up in wry amusement. “Professor Sprout is usually pretty lenient, or at least she was for the younger years. Since from here on out we’re preparing for N.E.W.T.s it tough to know whether or not she’s going to elevate her standards.” He noticed her look of surprise and it took him a moment to understand her confusion. “You didn’t know Sprout was going to be the professor?”

The blonde shook her head. “I had no idea.” She chewed the corner of her lower lip thoughtfully before asking, “She isn’t going to show favoritism is she?” Kaleaha would hate for her classmates to think that she was getting preferential treatment. She didn’t need it especially not for Herbology. It was one of the few classes she excelled at without even half trying.

Neville smiled at that. For some reason the young woman’s fear reminded him of Hermione. The bushy haired lioness often worried about things like that. “The only favoritism she has been known to show is for those with an aptitude for Herbology,” he informed her.

The young blonde released a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding. She opened her mouth to say something else but shut it just as quickly as the door to the room opened admitting a couple of giggling girls…and Harry Potter. Kay ducked her head not sure why he affected her so strongly. Where was her famed intellect when she could truly use it she wondered cutting her blue eyes towards the young man in question.

Seeing Neville and Kaleaha sitting together looking so cozy caused an uncomfortable turn in Harry's stomach. His brows reached for his hairline glancing from the boy to the blonde and back to the young man again. Neville met his green eyes without flinching. There was hardness in that previously unassuming gaze that unsettled the Gryffindor seeker.

Before Harry could dwell on that feeling someone bumped into their table seeming to sneer at the occupants. He glared at the intruder who didn’t seem fazed by his hostile reaction. Rising from the seat he had assumed he took a menacing step forward as if to warn the other boy off.

Vincent Crabbe gave cool eyes to Potter not in the least intimidated by the young man. Though admittedly he wasn’t ever going to win an intelligence contest he knew what his strengths were and played to them. While the boys at the table were busy glowering at him he dropped the note Abigail had given to him for the blonde girl on top of her books. With one last sneer he moved away.

Kaleaha smiled at the note opening it to see several lines had already been written upon the parchment. She picked up her pen; yes she used a pen rather than a quill. Though she could use either the pen was already inked and charmed to work on notes the girls occasionally passed.

“Where are you?” Kaleaha scribbled on the parchment her eyes going to the front of the room where Professor Sprout was just making her appearance.

“Transfiguration,” came the response, “you?”

“Herbology, the professor just walked in.” Kay informed her cousin then as an after thought wrote, “shouldn’t you be paying attention? Not exactly your best class hun.

“Ugh,” and Kaleaha could almost hear Abby’s snort, “I know but it’s so hard when it’s a lot of bookwork.”

“This year should be some practical applications,” the blonde reminded her cousin. “Just hang in there and if worse comes to worse I can always tutor you.”

“I may hold you to that too,” Abigail’s flowing script returned. “Gotta go McGonagall is calling the class to order…again.”

Kaleaha smiled at the parchment a moment before writing 'done' then striking the word through with the pen. The page immediately went blank. She folded it up and put it in her book bag knowing that it would be used many times before the year was over with.

Harry frowned at the young woman having no idea where she had gotten the charmed piece of paper. He was uncomfortably reminded of Tom Riddle’s journal from second year as the page went blank. Her beauty struck him once again. It wasn’t overly dominating just the kind that made one think of happily ever afters.

Neville watched the young man he had known for the last six years study the exchange student. He wasn’t fooled by Harry’s seemingly indifferent façade. The Gryffindor hero was obviously taken by the young woman. Longbottom turned his eyes to the young lady in question a small smile on his face, which she returned. It was no wonder why. She was like the first rays of sunshine after a long hard rain.

The class passed in relative peace with Kaleaha watching the professor. Harry watched Kay while Neville studied Potter. Neville couldn’t understand this strange protectiveness he felt for the young blonde. When he got a chance he was going to have to go back to his rooms and pull out all his books on the ancient magics.

At the conclusion of the period the students were assigned the first project of the term. They were to work independently though each was assigned a partner for the duration. The partners were there in case either person encountered an obstacle that he or she couldn’t over come.

Surprisingly Kaleaha was paired with Crabbe who shrugged indifferently at the mention of his name though his eyes did drift over to the blonde. Harry and Neville were partnered up both of them glad as they knew they could count on each other.

The Gryffindors watched the Hufflepuff gather her things as she prepared to leave. She smiled at them offered them a wave and was gone. Harry went to follow but was stopped by Neville’s steely grip on his arm. Green eyes shot up to a face that had determination etched into every line.

“Harry,” Longbottom began. “I don’t normally go sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong but I’m only going to say this once. Be very careful where Kaleaha is concerned. If you do anything to hurt her you will answer to me.”

Potter looked at his longtime classmate and wondered just when Neville had finally found his confidence. It must have been when they’d all gone to the Ministry at the end of last year. Harry shook that thought off as he was painfully reminded of the loss of Sirius. Then it was like the full meaning of Neville’s words sank in. Potter’s nostrils flared with something close to seething jealousy. He hissed, “What is going on between you two?”

Neville didn’t seem to be the least intimidated by the show Harry was putting on. “Nothing that I know of,” he answered calmly. “It may continue to be nothing or it may bloom into something more,” he said knowing that the other boy would put more meaning into those words than was simply there.

“Now listen here Neville,” Harry began angrily.

“No! You listen,” Longbottom interrupted. “You hurt her and I swear that I will hand you over to the Dark Lord personally,” he promised with a hint of malice in his words. He brushed past Harry wondering what in the name of Merlin had possessed him to speak so brazenly.

Harry watched the other boy leave stunned beyond words. Never in his life would he have expected Neville Longbottom to threaten anyone least of all him! He threw up his hands in frustration his eyes trained on the ceiling. The world had suddenly gone stark raving mad he decided at last gathering up his things and leaving as well. “This was going to be a long year,” he thought sourly as he trudged up to the castle.