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Wraith P.2 Chpt. 79

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Chapter Seventy-nine: Hatred




"Love isn't the most expensive emotion. Hate is. Because hate will eat you up inside and destroy you, long before it kills you."




"Harry, I still don't understand what we're doing here," Ron whispered hoarsely from under the invisibility cloak, "Why would You-Know-Who hide one of his Horcruxes here of all places?"

The trio walked very slowly through the nearly abandoned corridors of Azkaban, being careful not to reveal too much beneath the cloak. Harry actually felt slightly grateful that the Dementors had abandoned the prison, though he didn't relish knowing that they were free throughout the whole of Britain.

"Look," he said in answer to Ron, "We know from the little we've heard about the Wraith that she was kept here for a bit when V—when he was gone. If he hid her here—maybe he's hidden something else."

"Worth a look at least," Hermione said nervously, "but we've been looking for hours now, Harry. I don't think there's anywhere else to check—"

"Wait," Harry hissed, "Do you guys feel that?"

Ron and Hermione felt the chill in the air as they neared a heavy door at the top of an iron wrought staircase.

"Dementors?" Hermione whispered, "I thought they'd all gone!"

"Guards," Harry said, "That's the only reason he would have them here. They're guarding something up there."

It took all three of them to push open the door, it seemed to be pure iron, heavy and rusting in the cold of the prison. None of them felt comfortable with the amount of noise it made as it scrapped the floor, but all the same they hurried through it.

"What is this place?" Hermione asked, looking down the dark hall and the way it twisted further down.

Harry thought that they must have reached the top level of the prison. The cells were…different here. They seemed smaller and were closed off by heavy doors instead of the bars that covered all the others below and each cell had a single barred window in its door.

"I…I don't know," Harry said, frowning, "But I wonder who they kept up here?"

They froze when the Dementors came into view around the curve of the hall. There were two of them, positioned before one of the cells. The Dementors turned their cloaked heads in the trio's direction and Harry quickly pulled he and his friends from the cloak. He pointed his wand at the Dementors and shouted brusquely, "Expecto Patronum!" A silver stag burst from the end of his wand and charged down the hall at the Dementors, who quickly fled, taking some of the chill in the air with them.

"…Is…is someone there?" a raspy voice called out.

Sharing a quick look with Ron and Hermione, Harry crossed to the cell and peered in through the little window. He saw a very thin and ragged man staring back out at him, his eyes wide and not quite sane.

"Bless my eyes," the man whispered, "Is that Harry Potter?"

"Who are you?" Harry demanded.

"Gavin," the man told him with a shadow of a smile, "Dominic Gavin. Please—help me. Get me out of here!"

"Not so fast," Ron said, coming up behind Harry, "What is this place? Why is it different from the rest of the prison?"

The man, Gavin, laughed croakily. "This place?" he repeated, "Just another part of Azkaban. Except that you aren't brought here to be punished. This is the place where you are brought to be forgotten. I should know," he added, "I worked here, oversaw the prison for many years, particularly this part of it."

"Why are you locked up here then?" Harry asked.

"The Dark Lord," Gavin replied, the awe in his voice making Harry shiver, "He put me here—at his sweet Wraith's request."

"Why did the Wraith want you here?" Hermione asked.

Again, Gavin laughed. "Because," he told them, "I hurt her."

"…How?" Harry asked after a moment.

"Let me out," Gavin said, "and I will tell you."

"Tell us and maybe we'll think about letting you out," Ron said flatly.

Gavin did not seem deterred by their hesitance. "I helped to create her, you know," he said, "The creature was…like a daughter to me."

"Creature?" Harry repeated.

"A marvelous creature, is she not?" Gavin said, "A beautiful girl—and I helped to bring her into the world."

"If you're so proud of her," Harry said, "Why did you hurt her?"

"Because I could," Gavin told him with a barmy little giggle, "and I would do it again—given the chance. Give me that chance, boy. Go on."

Harry looked at Ron and Hermione and then looked back to Gavin. "Wait," he said, stepping back.

"Oh, I'm not going anywhere," Gavin said, grinning like a madman.

"Harry, there is something wrong with that man," Hermione said swiftly as the three walked a distance away from Gavin's cell, "We're not going to let him out."

"Hermione, you heard him," Ron said, "He helped make the Wraith. Maybe he knows a way to unmake her."

"If he's telling the truth," Hermione argued.

"Let's hear what he had to say," Harry said, "He hasn't got a wand, so we've got the advantage."

"Harry," Hermione said pleadingly.

"Hermione, I don't want us to have come here for nothing," Harry told her. He let out a breath and walked back to Gavin's cell. The man looked at him expectantly, like a child at Christmas. "Alright," Harry said, "We'll let you out. But if you try anything—anything at all—we'll kill you."

Gavin laughed delightedly, leaning his head against the door. "Boy, after being imprisoned here, death is no threat," he said, still laughing, "I'd welcome it, if freedom was not an option."

Harry swallowed and lifted his wand. "Step back from the door."

Gavin obliged him, moving to the back of the little cell. Harry murmured a charm to unlock the cell, hoping that there weren't further protections on the door. But there was a sharp metallic click and the door swung open just slightly.

Gavin slowly moved forward, edging to the door as if he could not believe his eyes. "Oh," he breathed, "Thank you, Harry Potter. Thank you." The man pulled the door open further, stepping out into the hall. He paused then, closing his eyes and breathing deep.

Harry kept his wand on the man. "You're going to answer our questions before we go anywhere else," he said.

"Whatever you like," Gavin told him, spreading his arms, "I am in your debt, Potter. Ask."

"What did you do to the Wraith?"

"Quite a bit of damage actually," Gavin said with a twisted grin.

Without warning, there was a flash of a blade and Gavin screamed as it raked up his face, split open his lips and cheek. Hermione screamed and Harry and Ron both quickly backed away. Gavin fell back onto the floor within the cell, his hands cradling his marred face.

There was a ripple of power in the air and suddenly Wraith stood between Harry and Gavin, her eyes only for the man she so detested.

"Still that poisoned tongue of yours or I will cut it out," Wraith whispered to Gavin.

In her hand she held her goblin-wrought blade, stained with Gavin's blood. She turned to see Harry and the others, her face twisted with an inhuman snarl and her cheek dotted with blood as well.

"What you seek you will not find here," she told them slowly, "Get out."

Harry stood firm, despite the fear that quickened his pulse. "Gavin—he told us that he helped create you," he said to Wraith, "I knew you weren't human."

Wraith approached him, her eyes dark, "Leave or you will find out just how inhuman I can be."

"We're not leaving without him!" Harry shouted.

"You will," Wraith replied, "Leave this creature to his punishment, Chosen One. I assure you he has earned it tenfold."

"What are so you afraid of?" Harry demanded swiftly, "That he'll help us bring you down?"

"He would be of no help to you," Wraith said with an almost maddened laugh.

"He hurt you," Harry said, "He told us so."

"He did," Wraith said, "But he cannot hurt me anymore."

"Why?"

"Because I am not a helpless child anymore!" Wraith snarled.

In the silence that fell after her shout, Gavin crawled out of his cell, one bloodied hand reaching up to grasp the edge of Wraith's emerald cloak. With a hiss, Wraith turned back to him. Gavin pulled himself up onto his knees and buried his face in the pristine white skirt of her dress. A low growling sound escaped from deep within Wraith's throat.

"My sweet Wraith," Gavin moaned, "Have you come to kill me?" he asked beseechingly.

"No, Watcher," Wraith told him, "—You get to live."

In a sharp motion, she reached down and wrapped her hand around his throat, lifting him up. She tilted her head to the side, as if admiring the damage she had done to his face and then, with a breath of cold power, she threw him back into the cell. The door slammed shut with an echoing sound and within the cell Gavin loosed a fresh scream.

Shaking terribly, Wraith slowly turned back to the others. Her eyes locked with Harry's. "…If you ever try to help this man again—I will kill you." She lifted the knife, pointing down the hall. "Now leave this place and never come back."

Harry didn't know what frightened him more—Gavin's soft pleading for Wraith to kill him…or the tears that were trailing down Wraith's face. He took a step back and then another.

Wraith watched with painful eyes as he turned, grabbing his friends' hands and disappearing down the hall. She glanced at Gavin's cell once last time before she slowly walked away, leaving her Watcher to scream for her.




Wraith returned to the Manor, her steps slow and trembling. As she reached the front steps, she paused long enough to collect herself and still her shaking. She reached up to wipe away any trace of tears that might have remained and her fingers came away bloody. She swallowed back the bile in her throat and continued into the Manor.

The Dark Lord was waiting in the drawing room, alone save for Snape. Both looked up as she entered the room and she gave them a small dark smile.

"My Lord," she said, "Severus."

"My Wraith," Voldemort said, standing, "Is that your blood?"

Wraith blinked and then looked down at her dress and the blood that stained the white of it. "No," she said flatly, lifting her eyes again, "It is not. You may consider Kingsley Shacklebolt dealt with, my Lord."

Pleasure flashed in the Dark Lord's eyes and he crossed to her, putting a hand under her chin to lift her face. "Well done, my Lady," he murmured.

She smiled, but it was wane. "Forgive me, my Lord," she said, dropping her eyes, "I fear I may overextended myself a bit. I need rest."

"Of course," Voldemort said, touching her hair, "You rest, dear one. You have earned it." He went back to his chair before the fire and looked to Snape. "Severus, you expressed wish to speak with her. You may walk her up to her room."

"My Lord," Snape said, standing and bowing his head. He went to Wraith's side, offering her his arm.

Wraith gave Voldemort another diminished smile before she placed her hand upon Snape's arm, allowing him to lead her out of the room.

"Wraith," Snape said immediately once they were out of hearing range.

"It isn't Kingsley's blood either," she told him, cutting short his questions.

"Then who does it belong to?" Snape asked slowly.

"Gavin."

Snape stopped short, grabbing Wraith by her shoulders and turning her to face him. "Child, what happened?"

"I took Kingsley to my wolves," she told him softly, "and in return for his life, he gave me information. That Potter was searching Azkaban tonight, no doubt hunting Horcruxes. He was going to let Gavin out," she said, her tone edging on desperate.

"Wraith," Snape said, putting a hand on her cheek, "What have you done?"

"I…I hurt Gavin," she said shakily, holding up her knife, "I sliced open his face and pushed him back into his cell."

"And Potter?"

"He walked away," Wraith said, "I let him go. Oh, but Severus, it was such a near thing." She clung to Snape's robes, her face twisted in misery and fury alike. "I wanted to kill him. I wanted to kill him for letting Gavin out, even for a moment."

Snape looked around the hall and then pulled Wraith into a loose embrace, shushing her as he ran his hand down her hair. Wraith fought the sobs that tore at her throat.

"I'd forgotten," she whispered, "just how much I hate him."

Snape had no words of comfort. He understood the hate—but he knew nothing of the pain. "Come," he said instead, "You did not lie, child, you need rest."

He helped her up to her tower, where Clara was already curled up in bed. Snape went over and shook the girl's shoulder until she woke with a snort. Clara blinked sleepily up at Snape, confused by his presence.

"Tend to your Lady," Snape told her before he left the room.

Wraith undid the clasp of her cloak and simply let it fall to the floor as Clara scrambled out of bed.

"Wraith, are you okay?" she asked, breathless at the sight of the blood.

"I'm okay," Wraith lied, "I'm okay."

But Clara did not believe her. The taller girl wrapped her arms tightly around Wraith, holding her close. Wraith's breath broke on a sob and she let Clara pull her over to collapse on the bed. She curled up into a ball and Clara held her, saying nothing as Wraith sobbed.  




Once she was able to speak, Wraith spoke to Clara in whisper, telling her of Gavin, who he was and what he had done to her—and what she had done to him. Clara was silent as Wraith told the tale of it all.

When Wraith became quiet, Clara let out a breath. "That bloody buggering bastard," she snarled quietly, "He's the worst kind of monster, preying on a child."

Wraith let out a weak laugh, tucking her face into the nook of Clara's neck.

"Well," Clara continued, "Look at it this way—at least a little good came of it all."

"What do you mean?" Wraith asked in a murmur.

"That blood on your dress," Clara explained, "I'd say it added verisimilitude to your spun tale of 'dealing' with Kingsley."

"Suppose that's true," Wraith admitted.

Clara gave Wraith a squeeze and then let her go. "Let's get you out of that bloody dress, hm?"

Wraith nodded and slowly climbed out of her bed. Clara helped her out of the dress and wrapped Wraith in a warm robe. While Wraith crawled back into bed, Clara put out the lights of the room, save for the light cast by the fireplace.

"Do you want something to drink before you sleep?" Clara asked.

"I'm not thirsty."

"I wasn't thinking so much about thirst," Clara said with a smirk.

"Oh," Wraith murmured, "Then yes, I'd like something to drink."

Clara nodded and disappeared from the tower for a few minutes. When she returned, she was carrying a bottle of firewhiskey and a pair of short glasses. She sat on the edge of the bed and set the glasses on the bedside table.

Wraith sat up and watched Clara pour them both a drink. Clara turned, offering one glass to Wraith. She took it and emptied it in one swallow, taking pleasure in the sharp burn of the alcohol. Clara raised an eyebrow at her and lifted the bottle in question. Wraith sighed and held out her glass.

"I don't know why I don't do this more often," Wraith said with a wry smile as Clara filled it, "Spirits know that I've plenty reason to."

"Yeah well, I've never been one for moderation anyway," Clara said brightly, pouring a second drink for herself too, "So," she said, changing the subject abruptly, "I'm thinking of sleeping with Tony."

Wraith choked on her whiskey, but laughed despite the sting. "Alright then," she gasped out.

"He's adorable, isn't he?" Clara said, with a bit of a pout.

"He is," Wraith agreed.

"There's a bit of an obstacle, though," Clara said, "Apparently, our Harper met someone while he was in Hogsmeade and had to leave her bind."

"Harper?" Wraith replied, "Why hasn't he said anything?"

"I asked him the same," Clara said, "He said the timing was never right. So," she added with a sigh, "I'm thinking it's not going to happen. He's just too sweet."

"Huh," Wraith murmured.

"So, you think the wolves will keep Kingsley safe?" Clara asked.

"I do," Wraith said, "He'll be safe until the time comes that he no longer needs to hide."

"When will that be? Do you know?"

"I'm not sure," Wraith replied with half a laugh, "But I have all the pieces in place now. All I need now is for the Dark Lord to loose his hold on me."

"But how will you do that?" Clara asked, "He isn't one to just let go of power."

"No, he is not," Wraith agreed, "But I've got a few ideas when it comes to that. They aren't ideas I particularly relish though—so I'm going to make a study of our bond. I can manipulate it to some extent—close it off just enough so that I can hide my presence from him. But I need more information."

"How will you find it?"

Wraith smiled grimly. "By disobeying my Lord," she replied, "There is something here in this place that is tied to me. There are answers to be found here." Wraith stood, crossing to one of the windows. "And I believe that I know where to begin my search," she whispered, her eyes upon the Rose Maze below.
:crazy:



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Harry Potter & Characters © J.K. Rowling
Wraith © T. M. Zai
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Ravens-Death's avatar
Yes please...Agree whole heartedly with Katy, ^
Aaaaaand she stole what i was going to say :/