Year 7

[Kiara Johnson]

Chapter 3. Anguished Decision






After some coaxing, Kiara finally managed to get Pomfrey to take her to see Crabbe.

Kiara stood next to his bed, he was still sleeping, and Kiara's head was still pounding.

Kiara looked closely at Crabbe, laying there, running her eyes over his still form, searching for what exactly, she didn't know. Suddenly she gasped.

Ron jumped.

"What, what is it Kiara?" He asked, once again, concern in his every move, every syllable of his words.

Kiara put her hand to her now, greatly pounding head. She reached out and laid a hand on her friends arm, right on the inside and barley noticeable was a mark, not the dark mark of her father, rather a new one, it was a brand of some sort, A perfect circle with an unmistakable (M) embedded inside of it. Kiara knew instantly where it came from, she felt his presence here in the room and looked around, shivering uncontrollably now.

"Let him GO!" She yelled out, ignoring the pounding that was in her head.

Every one jumped and looked surprised at her. Ron lifted her hand and looked upon the mark clearly embedded on Crabber's arm.

"Oh no Kiara, what does it mean?"

He grabbed her and held her tight, she pushed him away.

"I, don't know Ron, I don't know what it is he has done but, I --" She passed out

[.:isis:.]

BUMP!

[Kiara Johnson]

Ron caught her just before her head hit the floor. He easily picked her up and laid her on a bed. Madam Pomfrey went to her and tried a few things to wake her; she shook her head in defeat.

"One of you had best go and get Professor Dumbledore. Like I've said before, I can do nothing for this one, I'm just not trained with her kind."

Ron looked at Goyle, "Ok, I'll go." Goyle said, a little put out at the fact that he'd actually have to be seen talking with Dumbledore.

"Where am I?" Kiara asked, looking around. She was standing in a misty field, the air about her seemed so cold yet, she wasn't a bit chilled.

"Hello, is there anyone out there?"

She turned quickly as she heard footsteps walking toward her.

"Hello?" She asked again.

Still no answer, then, to her terror, Max Evilyn stepped out of the Mist to stand in front of her. He smiled,

"Hello Kiara, I was wondering how long it would take for you to finally stop fighting it." he said, in a low acid tone.

Kiara didn't even bother to gather her will against him; she knew it would be futile. This was a dream like place; he was no more there than she was.

"What have you done to Crabbe?" Kiara spit.

Max smiled again.

"What no hello's for me, aren't you in the least happy to see the one who killed your," He paused, an evil smile now plastered across his face. "Your plaything." he laughed.

Kiara stood there growing angrier than ever. This was the first time she had seen Max since he had killed Draco. She wanted more than anything to watch as this evil, twisted wizard, burned alive by her hand.

"What--have -- you -- done." Kiara forced herself to stick to the problem at hand.

"Oh, very well then. I'll tell you this, with each day that passes, another that you hold dear to you will fall, all you need do is simply come to me, be mine and leave that other life behind. That's all, it's not so bad, now is it, and you were almost there before. Why you fight against your own destiny so violently, I don't know, you're life is full of misery only because you don't, won't, do as you have been destined to do. Now, to help you make your decision, I stepped in and your friends will all suffer for your stubbornness, I am begging you Kiara, put them all at ease and return home to me. To your father."

Suddenly Kiara was jerked away, the field and Max were quickly disappearing.

"Remember Kiara!"

Kiara sat up and gasped. Her head no longer pounding but now, she wish she'd been dead.

Dumbledore stood over her smiling.

"Welcome back Kiara..." He started but trailed off when she started to cry.

Ron pushed his way over to her, this time she welcomed his holding her.

[.:isis:.]

BUMP!

[Kiara Johnson]

Max came back from the trance he had gone into.

"She now has the message. She really hates me." He laughed.

Voldem0rt looked upon him with amusement.

"You really do find this all a game, don't you? Just don't lose sight of the fact that once she does arrive, she too will be under protection of the fate. You can be surprised as to what you can live through." Voldem0rt smiled, "Trust me, I've seen her work, she's got a style all her own, the last Wizard she had the pleasure of torturing is still in the hospital, screaming." Voldem0rt shook his head slowly. "Let's just hope she has the self control not to go off on you and save her friends."

Max looked up at him with mock concern.

"I think I know what to expect. I know it won't be easy, that's why we MUST, take the prisoners. With out them, she will never keep herself docile enough to control." Max replied.

Then, he stood and, without nodding his head or even bothering to acknowledge Voldem0rts presence, he walked out of the throne room.

Voldem0rt watched him go with a taste of acid in his mouth, soon, young wizard, soon. You will learn to respect your real master.

*********

Kiara finally calmed down enough to relate that which had transpired and explained the head ache, for lack of better words on her part, she had woken up to.

"So, it all comes down to you, once again. Like I said before, You are only endangering all who dwell in these walls, however, I believe that it would make no difference as to where you were to dwell, the people who's lives you have touched are going to suffer. I don't wish for you to go to Voldem0rt's hands, that would be the worst thing the world it's self could ever see, would ever see."

Dumbledores words, although harsh, were true and Kiara understood that he no longer planned to hold things back from her now, everything was important, everything he could arm her with now, was important to the very survival of the world as they knew it.

"Look, I must go, if I don't then..." She trailed off.

"NO!" Dumbledore actually raised his voice, making both Kiara and Ron cringe.

"You can't go to them. It's what they need of you, you will inevitably cross that line once again and then, who's to say we can get you back before it's to late. We were lucky last time. I don't think that the Dark Fate will over look the same things again. It knows its weakness now." Dumbledore finished.

Kiara looked at Crabbe, lying in the bed on the other side of the room and dropped her head.

"Ok then, I am asking for your help in this. I'm not asking as your goddaughter but as your student. What am I to do?" Kiara asked, now looking at her godfather in the eyes, waiting for some word that he had a plan or a way to at the very least, stop the suffering of her friends.

Dumbledore spoke in a hushed, tired voice, one that Kiara knew all to well,

"I, will find a way Kiara, You are not going to stand alone in this. I made that mistake once and, I regret it far more than you could possibly imagine. This time, I will personally have a hand in all that occurs." He promised her.

Then, laying an old hand on her shoulder, he walked from the room.

[.:isis:.]

BUMP!

[Kiara Johnson]

Kiara and Ron left the hospital, before being excused, Ron, holding Kiara closely. They headed up to the Gryffindor tower and entered.

Harry and Hermione were sitting amongst a group of mixed year students, all of which Kiara didn't know, they looked up at her with expressions of awe on their faces. Kiara smiled.

"Hey, I don't mean to be rude but, can I steel my brother and Hermione for a bit?" She asked each of them.

Ron smiled, he knew she was just playing with them all, she really didn't care rather she was rude or not, suddenly, his smile faded as it dawned on him that maybe she wasn't playing, maybe this had all worn her down, at closer inspection, she seemed a bit listless and unemotional, really. Harry noticed it too and stood up.

"Ron, we can use your room. Come on Mione, I think we might want to hear all this."

Harry helped Hermione to her feet and the four of them walked up to Ron's room.

Kiara immediately sat on the bed. She felt tired, she felt as though someone had tied a huge weight around her mid-section and it was soon going to hold her down forever. She sat silently as Ron droned on about all that had happened in the last few hours.

Harry turned a, now, paled face to his sister.

"Is this what happened? Did he explain it right?" Harry asked, hoping he had somehow misunderstood what it was that Ron was telling him.

Kiara looked up and into her brothers, brilliant green eyes.

"Yes Harry, every bit of it. I think, maybe I should just..." She trailed off, telling them would be a mistake, telling her brother, her best friend and the one she loved that she was thinking of ending all their suffering by killing herself, a task that, in her opinion, should have been done when she had been born, would not be a good idea.

Ron sat next to her.

"Don't worry Kiara, Dumbledore said he'd figure something out and soon, you'll see, soon, no one will have to worry anymore."

His words, although seemingly comforting, had all the conviction behind them as plastic knife.

Hermione's mind was working now, Kiara could tell. That wonderful mind, it always figures things out. Kiara thought that perhaps if there were going to be a plan to come about, it would be her and not Dumbledore who came up with it.

"I'll be back in a little while," Hermione stated as she kissed Harry and left the room.

No one had to ask where it was she was headed. They all knew that the first thing Hermione did when a new circumstance came about was head for the library. Somehow, this brought a smile to Kiara's otherwise dismal expression.

"I think that you should stay in here, with me tonight, Kiara. I don't want you waking up alone again and facing this on your own." Ron said, in a rather final note.

Harry smiled.

"Sure Ron, she's safe with you.." He teased, once again making light of the situation.

Kiara smiled again.

"No, Harry, I don't think that my safety would be in question here..." Kiara gave Ron a very, devilish smile that made him a little nervous.

Harry laughed, as did Kiara.

"Oh, great! Now I get tag teamed by the twins, story of my life. First it's Fred and George, now it's you two." He laughed.

Kiara knocked him to the bed and smiled as she hovered over him.

Harry chuckled.

"I think I'll leave the two of you alone to, uh, discuss just who is in danger here." He laughed and shook his head as he walked out.

Kiara leaned down and kissed Ron. "I love you, you know that, right?" She said to him.

Ron smiled. "Yes, I do know that. I love you too." Then, he flipped her over and now started kissing her again.

[.:isis:.]

awe, bump!!! :)

[Kiara Johnson]

Kiara woke up, wrapped in Ron's arms and smiled briefly. She untangled herself slowly, so as not to wake him. Then slid out of bed and started to walk out. She turned to look back and heard a scream from down stairs. She raced from the room and stopped, dead in her tracks as she saw Lavender and Pavarti standing around a figure on the floor.

Kiara moved slowly down the stairs until she reached the spot where the others stood.

"No, no, no, no."

Kiara knelt down and puts a hand on Ginny's arm and found what she was looking for.

"Kiara? What's --" Ron trailed off at the sight of his sister lying on the floor.

"Ron, I'm so sorry. I --" Kiara trailed off as Ron knelt beside her.

"Kiara, you didn't do this, it was him. Don't apologize."

Ron picked Ginny up and together; he and Kiara took her to the hospital.

At breakfast that morning, the twins came over to Kiara. They had come to the school to see Ginny.

"Look Kiara, we know you didn't do anything to her and stuff so, ya." Fred said.

Kiara didn't smile or even look at them,

"Thanks." Was her reply, nothing more.

They stood up and walked back to the Gryffindor table and started to talk with Ron about something, Kiara didn't care. She was busy making a decision, one that neither Dumbledore nor any one else for that matter would particularly care for. She was planning on doing exactly what Max told her to do.

[.:isis:.]

BUMP![/color]

[Kiara Johnson]

Kiara stood up and began walking from the hall. Goyle dropped what he was eating and followed.

Kiara walked to the common room and turned to regard Goyle for a moment. A slight smile crossed her face.

"What ever are you doing?" She asked, almost a bit to nice for Goyle.

As slow as he was, even he knew, something was up.

"I'm following you, things being as they are an all..." Goyle replied.

Kiara turned and started up to the girls dorm, then, with out turning around, "Thanks." She went to her room.

Once in her room, she sat on her bed.

"Accio Ring"

The ring that Max had sent her came flying out of it's hiding place and she plucked it from the air and stuffed it in her pocket. Then she composed a note. Once finished she laid the note on her bed and turned once again to her door. Goyle was standing in the doorway.

"What are you doing'?" He asked.

"How long have you been there?" Kiara asked in return.

"Long enough to know that you're leaving. I'm going with you." Goyle replied.

Kiara shook her head.

"No, you're not. You need to stay here and wait for Crabbe to wake, I have a feeling he should do so in a few days." Kiara replied, staring him down.

Goyle stood his ground.

"No, Kiara, I can't let you leave with out protection. Draco would never allow it." He replied, hoping to catcher off guard.

"Draco's DEAD! Don't stand there pretending you know about things you know nothing about, I'm leaving and I'm going, alone." Kiara growled, she didn't like having Draco's wishes thrown in her face, she didn't like the fact the she knew Goyle was right, Draco never would have permitted it, however, she wasn't willing to put Goyle's life in peril, two friends was enough.

Goyle stood aside and let her pass.

"Ok, but, I'm going to Ron about this one."

Kiara was walking past and stopped.

"Good, you can give him my note then."

She pointed to the bed and continued walking down the stairs.

*********

Ron and Harry were walking to their first class of the day, next thing they knew, they were in a small room with no windows and seemingly, no exit. They both went for their wands, they were gone.

"What the --" Ron started.

"Hell is going on here." Harry finished for him.

[.:isis:.]

BUMP![/color]

[Kiara Johnson]

Kiara walked down the hall and started out the front door.

"And just where do you think your going?" Came the last voice she wanted to hear just now.

Snape stepped in front of her.

"Classes start in a few minutes, Kiara. You can't possibly be headed out side, Potions is the other way." He glared at her.

Kiara stepped aside and started to walk around him, not wanting to argue, she really didn't have the time.

Snape reached out and grabbed her arm.

"Let go of my arm, Professor." She growled.

"No, I think you need to come with me." Snape pulled her back.

Kiara closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"This is definitely going to hurt you more than me. Sorry." Kiara hissed.

Snape jerked his hand back, it had begun to smolder.

Kiara quickly stepped out side and then vanished.

Goyle came running down the hall and ran right in to Snape.

"Uh, sorry Professor, uh, it's Kiara she's---"

He stopped and looked at Snapes now burnt hand.

"Oh, you know already."

Goyle handed him the note.

"Get to class Mr. Goyle, I will be along shortly."

Snape strode off towards Dumbledore's office. The note clutched in his good hand.

"Come in" Dumbledore said.

Snape walked into his office.

"It would seem, Miss. Maul has decided to leave us." Snape snarled.

Then he handed the still, unopened note to Dumbledore.

Dumbledore took it from Snape and opened it and read. His face paled slightly as he did so. He red it again, this time out loud for Snape to hear:

Ron, or who ever gets this, I have decided to leave. I'm going to Max to do as he wanted, I will not sit around while all my friends fall victim to him. Not when I can prevent it. Ron, I'm sorry, I can't find the words but you know what I mean. Professor Dumbledore, I will do all in my power to defeat Max and my father, beat them at their own game. They really are no match for me anymore anyway. I just hope that no one blames me for doing what was necessary. If I didn't do it then...I can't have Ron killed over me the way Draco was. I won't have it. Good-bye.

Kiara

Dumbledore sat there, thinking, Snape glared at nothing in particular.

"You are correct in stating that she has decided to leave us. However, you seem to have over looked the part that says, she's not coming back." Dumbledore stated quite frankly.

"I guess I should have read the note. You don't think that she is actually planning on taking them on by herself, do you?" Snape replied, looking now a little surprised.

Dumbledore nodded his head.

"That is precisely what she plans on doing, I only hope that Fate, is on her side. We have no idea where to even start looking for her; I guess I had best let the Ministry know that the Dark Lords Shadow has gone home. Lets hope that I'm wrong."

With that said, Dumbledore stood and Snape left the room, and headed back to class.

Dumbledore retrieved his broom from the closet and took off out the window. He needed to warn the Ministry, he only hoped that this time, they'd listen.

[.:isis:.]

BUMP![/color]

[Kiara Johnson]

Ron paced the floor.

"Boy, doesn't this feel a bit familiar." He grumbled, remembering all to well the last time they were stuck in a room somewhere they had no idea of.

"Ya, but I get the feeling that this time, it's going to be a lot different." Harry replied.

Then he went to a chair and sat, closed his eyes and sent out his thoughts to Kiara. He hoped that she'd be able to feel him from, where ever they were.

Kiara sat in a cafe', sipping tea when she finally felt him. She nearly choked.

No, you didn't Max. She thought to herself.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, trying to pin point Harry's exact location, she could worry about what Max had done with him, after, she had found him.

"Excuse me miss, excuse me, hello?" The waitress had come around again.

Kiara opened her eyes slowly.

"No, no more thanks." Kiara replied, the waitress walked away.

Kiara had almost had him.

Stupid Muggles don't know when to leave a person alone.

She looked really grumpy now. Kiara stood, put some Muggle money down on the table and left.

She had to find a quiet place to find him, one with out a bunch of medalling Muggles.

Kiara walked the streets of the town until she came to a park, she entered.

It was getting late and the park cast shadows over the ground. She heard the gate swing shut behind her then, the lock turned. Kiara smiled.

Good, now I won't be bothered. She thought as she continued to walk toward the center of the park.

She seated herself on a bench and closed her eyes once again.

Suddenly seminally, out of nowhere, some one grabbed her from behind. She looked up and saw a Muggle male, dirty and a bit smelly.

She struggled to free her self then, realizing he had a firm grip, she forced him off her, he went flying across the lawn.

Kiara wrinkled her nose at his lingering, stale beer scent. The man stood on shaky legs and ran off.

Disgusting fool. Bet he doesn't try that again for a while.

Kiara took a deep breath then started to close her eyes again but something caught her attention.

She stood up and walked off to the left of her towards a small light, it seemed to be coming from nowhere.

Not a Muggle item, I can see that.

She walked towards it then stopped. Standing before her was Lucius Malfoy.