XL: Unveiling

Chapter XL: Unveiling

'What do you mean, Potter fought Voldemort single-handedly?'

'They duelled.'

'No, they didn't. It was Dumbledore who fought Voldemort and made him flee.'

'How'd you know? You weren't there.'

'Well, neither were you!'

Never before had Hogwarts castle seen such a flurry of activity that early in the morning. Students were out of bed hours before breakfast, owls fluttered through the corridors, and the elves carried messages between friends in different House common rooms, some written in code, others in invisible ink. Rumours ranged from Professor Umbridge being ripped to pieces by a monster in the Forbidden Forest to Lord Voldemort having taken over the Ministry. The only thing that could be said for certain was that no one knew what exactly had happened during the night. Some students, however, knew more than others.

'Several members of the DA followed Harry to London,' Jack whispered. He and Charis sat closely together in a quiet corner of the Ravenclaw common room. Lily lay cuddled up in Charis' lap, and her wand, with which she had cast Muffliato around them, lay on the armrest beside her.

'What did they do in London?'

'Harry said his godfather was being held hostage by You-Know-Who.'

Charis paled and Jack quickly leant forward to take her hand.

'I'm sure he's alright, kitten. I heard that Harry came back with Dumbledore before dawn. They wouldn't be here if anything terrible had happened.'

Charis swallowed. She hoped that Jack was right. Surely, if something had happened to Sirius, she would have been informed. Yes, Dumbledore would have told her. But then again, as the members of the DA were back at Hogwarts, why had none of them – for example, Harry – told her what had happened?

Because Harry doesn't know that you're Sirius' cousin, silly girl, Charis chided herself. Yes, that must be it. Everything was fine, and she wasn't told anything because no-one knew that it was any of her business.

A loud pop made both Jack and Charis spin around. In front of them, bowing so deeply that her nose almost touched the floor, was Silvy.

'Silvy has a message for Miss Charis from Mistress Morgana.'

'Mistress?' Jack frowned.

'I thought Morgana told you not to call her that, Silvy,' Charis wondered.

The elf started to tremble. 'Indeed Mistress has ordered Silvy not to call her Mistress, but Silvy cannot help herself.' She lifted a tiny hand and pinched her left ear. 'Mistress has also said that Silvy is not allowed to punish herself for disobeying orders. So Silvy will only pinch her ear.'

The poor little elf. Had her years in Malfoy's service scarred her so much that she could not understand that Morgana meant only well and that she certainly did not want her elf to punish herself?

'What is the message, Silvy?' Charis asked quickly before the elf got a chance to try and rip her own ear off.

'Silvy is to make sure no one except Miss Charis sees the message.'

Jack got up. 'I'll be going then.'

'Nonsense,' Charis protested. 'If Morgana had known you were here, she would surely have included you in her orders.' She stretched out her hand. 'May I see the message, please?'

Silvy eyed Jack suspiciously for a second but then handed over a roll of parchment. Morgana's otherwise neat handwriting was even more crammed than usual, and the ink was smudged in several places. She seemed to have been in a hurry.

Still protected by Muffliato, Charis started to read the note:

Charis,

I guess the rumours of last night's events have reached your common room as well.

Down here, people have been up since five, when Crabbe and Goyle received owls from home. Malfoy got one, too. He went to see Snape, and no one has seen him since. Rumour has it that he has been called home.

Can I come up? Tell Silvy.

M.

'Malfoy's been called home?' Jack burst out. 'But why...'

'What reply may Silvy bring her Mistress, Miss Charis?' the elf interrupted him.

'Tell her I'll be meeting her outside,' Charis replied, and with a pop, the elf disappeared.

Charis got to her feet. 'So Crabbe, Goyle and Malfoy received owls,' she repeated.

'Death Eater kids,' Jack concluded. 'I'm starting to think that those rumours are true. It almost sounds like there has been a battle between Death Eaters and... well, the "good" side at the Ministry.'

Charis nibbled at a fingernail. The "good" side... all those people who had been gathered at Grimmauld Place. Were they on the "good" side? Some kind of army, maybe formed by Dumbledore? And was Sirius part of it? Her mind was racing. Oh, how she wished she could talk to Dumbledore and ask him. Surely, he'd know if something had happened to Sirius.

Her wish was fulfilled when she met her best friend a few minutes later in the stairs that led up to Ravenclaw Tower. Morgana was not alone, but accompanied by yet another elf, one of the Hogwarts elves this time.

'Hurry up,' Morgana said without even saying good morning. 'You and I are to have tea with the headmaster.'

* * *

Snape pinched the bridge of his nose and rubbed his eyes before standing. It had been a long night. He had once again been forced to walk the fine tightrope between the sides of Light and Dark, and was exhausted from the effort it took to do so, as well as having to Occlude his true feelings. What he wanted now was a nip of Firewhisky, a soak in a hot bath and then the complete oblivion offered by a phial of Dreamless Sleep potion. But all this would have to wait, of course. He would have to keep an eye on the members of his House and make sure no-one engaged in pro-Voldemort propaganda before Dumbledore had the chance to inform all the students about Voldemort's return. So he would have a shower and a huge goblet of Headache Potion instead.

'I'd like you to stay, Severus,' Dumbledore said as Snape rose from his seat. 'I have invited Charis and Morgana to tea.'

Snape raised a black eyebrow. 'And just why have you done that, Headmaster? Surely, they will be informed of last night's proceedings along with the rest of the school later today?'

'Some of the things I have to tell them are not for everyone's ears, Severus,' the old man replied, peering over his crescent moon spectacles. 'Charis lost her cousin last night. That is not something she should hear about first in front of the entire school.'

Snape scowled. 'That does not explain why Miss Belakane's presence is required.' It would be hard enough breaking the bad news to Charis. He didn't want to inflict the upset on Morgana too.

'Charis will want to have her friend by her side,' Dumbledore replied confidently. 'And let us not forget, Morgana has lost someone, too, last night.'

The Headmaster's pointed look was not lost on Snape, whose scowl had turned a deeper shade of black. Lucius Malfoy's trip to Azkaban could hardly be called a loss, from where he was sitting.

'THAT particular absence is nothing but a good thing, Dumbledore,' he spat, 'and Miss Belakane herself would agree!'

Indeed, it was about time that egomaniac Malfoy was locked up. And maybe, his imprisonment would help Morgana heal from what she had been subjected to at his hands.

'Still, she needs to be told,' Dumbledore answered firmly. 'You know as well as I do that Morgana's, um, sentiments towards Lucius will be of use to us later on.'

Snape's eyes flashed. He still could not believe what the old man was planning next for the poor girl. 'Miss Belakane has been through enough!' he protested. But he knew it was no good. They had been through this topic before, and the Headmaster would not be swayed.

He now merely gazed back calmly at his Potions master. 'Morgana is strong. She will manage.'

Snape could not stop the bubble of frustration that welled up inside him. 'I can see that absolutely nothing I say or think will make a blind bit of difference, Headmaster. But for the record, it is low even by your standards to use Sirius Black's death as a way of manipulating those girls!'

The older wizard had the gall to look affronted. 'Manipulating? Severus, this is war!'

'Yes,' Snape shot back, resting his hands on the desk and leaning towards the Headmaster, 'and innocent civilians should NOT be included!'

Dumbledore closed his eyes and spoke once more with the infinite patience that made Snape want to hex him between the eyes. 'Those girls are involved already, Severus. They have been from the day they were born.'

'And that is why we should be protecting them! Not pushing them into harm's way!' Snape was becoming animated now. He knew it was futile to argue with the puppet master, but he had to try. He had to at least try to save his girls.

'Do you not want to see Voldemort defeated, Severus?'

Snape narrowed his eyes. 'How can you even think of asking me that question, after all I've sacrificed?' he asked through gritted teeth.

'Our side needs to use all the weapons we can lay hands on,' Dumbledore continued.

'The girls are not mere weapons or playthings! They are PEOPLE.' Snape banged the desk with his palm for emphasis.

'They are USEFUL,' the old man countered.

At this, Snape had to summon all of his composure not to hex the headmaster into the middle of next week. Instead, he started to pace the office anxiously, gripping the handle of his wand so tightly that the knuckles of his hand turned white.

This was how Dumbledore saw the girls, and this was how he indeed saw Snape himself: mere pawns, pawns to be pushed and manoeuvred into position to fight Voldemort, like some grotesque life-sized game of wizard chess. What gave him the right?

Taking a deep breath, Snape tried once more to appeal to Dumbledore's better nature. 'Headmaster, I implore you... Give them the one thing you never gave me: A choice.'

The old man looked up at the younger wizard and saw passion burning in his onyx eyes.

'They will be given a choice, Severus,' he began, admiring the depth to which his Potions master took the oath to protect the school and its pupils. 'I cannot force either Charis or Morgana to join the Order. But the day I ask them to, I doubt they will refuse. They have seen the Dark. They WILL fight for the Light. And by fighting, they will create a better future... For themselves and for all of us.'

Snape was about to reply with something caustic but was interrupted by a curt knock on the door.

'Will you stay, Severus?' the old man asked quietly. 'If not for my sake, then for theirs?'

Snape looked at the Headmaster for a heartbeat before taking a deep breath through his nose and moving to stand by the window, folding his arms across his chest. Of course he would stay for their sake. If he couldn't stop the old meddler from toying with their future, he could at least keep an eye on things.

'I take that as a yes,' Dumbledore noted at Snape's lack of response. With a swift wave of his hand, the huge wooden door opened.

Charis entered the office nervously, followed by a serious-looking Morgana.

'Charis, Morgana. Come in, have a seat. Tea? Crumpet?' The Headmaster's blue eyes crinkled as he smiled at the girls, and he extended his hands for them to sit opposite him.

Charis cast a glance at Snape, who just stared sternly back. 'Thank you, sir,' she murmured politely as Dumbledore busied himself with the tea.

Morgana meanwhile just nodded respectfully, looking suspiciously at the old wizard. She could sense the contempt that was oozing off her Head of House and couldn't help but wonder what Dumbledore had done to make Snape scowl like this so early in the morning.

'How are the NEWTs coming along?' Dumbledore asked jovially, sending cups and saucers soaring gracefully towards the two girls.

Charis seemed thrown by that comment. She hadn't expected this to be a social call. But she recovered quickly. 'I'm halfway through,' she told the Headmaster. 'I just have Charms, DADA and Astronomy to go. I'm a bit worried about Astronomy. As much as I love the practical work, the mock exams were really tough...'

Dumbledore nodded politely, smiling all the while, before turning his attention to her friend. 'And you, Morgana?' he enquired. 'I am sure Potions was a walk in the park, was it not?'

Morgana narrowed her eyes and defiantly crossed her arms in front of her chest. Why could the old man not just say what was really on his mind? 'This is not about our exams, is it, Headmaster?' she asked quietly, first giving Dumbledore a piercing look and then looking up at Snape.

'Never try to fool a Slytherin, eh?' The Headmaster smiled towards Snape, who merely scowled in return. 'No, Morgana,' he continued, 'this is not about your exams. And as you have already seen right through me, I better get straight to the point. I assume you have both heard ... rumours this morning. Have you not?'

The girls cast furtive glances at each other. Of course, they had. The whole castle had. But should Dumbledore be informed?

Charis was the first to speak. 'People are saying there was an incident at the Ministry... with Harry Potter... and... You-Know-Who...'

'And there are quite a few students missing ...' Morgana joined in.

Dumbledore nodded and stroked his beard. As he had expected, the gossip had spread like wildfire. What was surprising, however, was how accurate that gossip actually was.

'Regrettably, I have brought you here to inform you that those rumours are, in fact, true,' he confirmed, looking serious now.

'He's back then?' Morgana asked unflinchingly. 'Voldemort? It's official?'

The old man nodded gravely. 'Harry Potter was indeed involved in an incident at the Ministry Of Magic and came face to face with Voldemort.' He paused as the girls' mouths dropped simultaneously. 'He wasn't the only one there, however. There was a battle, involving parties from both sides: men and women loyal to the Light, Death Eaters, and yes, even your fellow students and friends.'

'Has anyone been injured? Students, I mean?' Morgana asked with real concern. After Cedric Diggory last year and the attack on Jack and Charis, she knew all too well what the Dark Lord and his henchmen were capable of. 'Is that why some are missing? The two Weasleys, for example.'

Dumbledore inclined his head. It seemed very little got past those two girls. Morgana even knew that there were Gryffindor students missing. 'Harry escaped relatively unscathed,' he started. 'But Ron Weasley is in St. Mungo's, and a number of other pupils are recuperating in the hospital wing. You should know that they fought with as much skill and courage as any Auror, and we are lucky to have them back with us alive.' His expression now turned rather grave. 'There were losses from both sides, however.'

Snape straightened. This was the part he had been dreading. How would the girls react?

Charis bit her lip, and Morgana couldn't help but inhale sharply. Lucius was a Death Eater, and Draco had been called home. What if... Despite everything, she found herself desperately praying that Lucius had not been injured.

'Charis, your cousin, Sirius,' Dumbledore began, looking at the girl kindly over his half-moon spectacles. 'He did not return from the Ministry. I am very sorry.'

Charis' eyes widened. 'He's... dead?' she asked quietly.

Dumbledore nodded slowly. 'I am truly sorry, Charis.'

Charis made a yelping sound and covered her mouth with her hand. No! This simply could not be! Sirius couldn't be dead!

She started to shake in pure shock, and Morgana immediately got up from her chair and knelt down in front of her friend, taking Charis' hands. Regardless of her own personal feelings about Black, her friend needed her right now.

Charis squeezed Morgana's hands tightly as the tears started to fall. Quite why she was so upset, she had no idea. Maybe it was too close to home and reminded her of how close she had been to death at Bellatrix's hands just a few short weeks ago.

'I know it's stupid... I don't even know him...' She was so choked up, she could barely speak.

'I wish you could have had more time to get to know him, Charis. Sirius was a great man...' Dumbledore offered by way of comfort.

Snape, to his credit, did not even snort at the sweeping and, in his opinion, blatantly untrue statement. Sirius Black had been nothing but an arrogant, self-satisfied bully. But still, Charis was crying for him, and Snape found it hard to see her in such distress. So he kept his eyes firmly on the quill and ink pot on the headmaster's desk. He was no good with tears and grief. You could fix many things with magic but you could not take away the pain in someone's soul. And Charis had certainly suffered enough this year, at Bellatrix's hand, at Draco's and, alas, at his own.

Charis took a moment to swallow the white-hot lump of pain in her throat and took a deep breath. 'How did he ... What happened?' she asked, wanting to know, yet not wanting to all at the same time.

'This will not be easy to hear, Charis, but you deserve the truth,' Dumbledore answered, folding his hands across his chest. 'The fight took place in the Death Chamber, which happens to be one of the most secretive places in the Department of Mysteries. Sirius was killed by a curse from Bellatrix Lestrange, which pushed him through a portal called the Veil, into the realm of the dead.'

Charis reeled at the name of Bellatrix Lestrange. Once again, the woman had attacked a member of her own family. Was there nothing the woman would not stoop to in the name of the Dark Lord? Charis squeezed her eyes shut. She needed a few moments to process this.

'You mean there is no ... no body?' Morgana asked over her shoulder. She was still kneeling in front of Charis and holding her friend's hand tightly.

'That is correct: Sirius went over,' Dumbledore confirmed.

'But... can't he come back?' Charis pleaded desperately. She was looking at Dumbledore now, and the sad look in her green eyes was truly heartbreaking.

'No, Charis,' the Headmaster answered softly. 'I am afraid the portal is a one-way passage only.'

Charis chanced a glance at Snape, who once more had to look away. He could not bear to see her in such pain.

For some moments, there was silence in the office as each of the girls processed the information they had been given. Morgana awkwardly patted her friend's arm, not really knowing how to comfort her. Grief was such a private thing, after all. But suddenly, another thought filled her mind. She got up and looked at Dumbledore.

'Headmaster, you were talking about losses... plural...'

Once again, Dumbledore could not help but be impressed by the girl's coolness under pressure. She would surely make a fine Auror.

'At least one Death Eater was killed,' he conceded. 'And several were captured and taken to Azkaban... including Lucius Malfoy.'

Morgana paled slightly at this, but her voice didn't give away her shock.

'Azkaban?' she repeated in a steady tone. Everyone knew that an eternity in Hell was a picnic compared to just one day in the wizard jail. Her blue eyes focused on her Head of House.

'Is that why Draco has been called home?'

'Draco has been called home regarding a family emergency, yes,' Snape said sternly and watched as a muscle twitched at Morgana's jaw. The girl should be rejoicing, for Merlin's sake, after all the bastard had put her through! She could not hold feelings for him still. She mustn't!

Morgana broke eye contact and turned back to Dumbledore. 'I supposed we are not to talk to anyone about this,' she said quietly.

'This is sensitive information,' the Headmaster replied. 'There are those who deny Voldemort's return, and those who will tell their own versions of these events. You both, however, deserve to know the truth.'

'We'll keep quiet,' Morgana promised and laid a protective arm around Charis' shoulders. 'Are we dismissed, Headmaster?'

She set her jaw. She didn't want to be in that room a second longer. The news of Lucius in Azkaban shocked her like a bucket of cold water to the face. And even though she knew deep down it was where the blond Death Eater belonged, the news troubled her nonetheless. He had been kind to her once. She had loved him...

'You may take all the time you need, both of you,' the Headmaster told Morgana with a look of concern on his face. She seemed to have closed up. A glance toward Snape told him that the Head of Slytherin had noticed it, too.

Morgana looked sternly at Charis, desperately hoping that her friend would understand. Please, let us get out of here, Charis, she thought.

Charis blinked furiously. 'I... I'd like some time to take this in, if you don't mind, sir.' She was talking to Dumbledore, but her green eyes were firmly locked onto her friend's blue ones.

'Of course, Charis,' Dumbledore replied. 'If you have any questions, my door is open. Any time.'

'Thank you, sir,' Charis murmured quietly. Once again, she looked at Snape, hoping for some kind of reassurance. All she received, however, was a curt nod.

The Headmaster watched as the girls linked arms and left the office together, huddled close. Once the door had closed, he turned to Snape. 'What do you make out of their reactions, Severus?' he asked the stern Potions master.

Snape sighed. 'Miss Byrne has always been one to wear her heart on her sleeve,' he began. That was an understatement. The phrase about the eyes being a window to one's soul was particularly true in her case. Morgana's eyes, on the other hand, had been cold as ice. She might have shown a brave front but he knew she was shocked and upset. Snape recognised the classic Slytherin behaviour of withdrawing behind a portcullis when hurt or upset. He did the same thing.

'Where do you think they are going now?' Dumbledore enquired. There was an atypical frown on his face, and Snape wondered if there was any room for regret in Dumbledore's heart.

'Where they always go,' Snape replied. 'The Room of Requirement.' He would have put his last Knut on this.

* * *

The girls didn't need to talk. Morgana took the lead, holding Charis firmly by the hand and pulling her with her to the seventh floor.

In contrast to their last visit, the Room of Requirement did not provide a table with potions ingredients or stacks of text books this time, but instead a huge, comfortable looking sofa, fluffy pillows and cosy blankets. On the little side-table stood a pot of tea with two cups, a bowl of chocolate and a box of tissues.

Morgana let go of her friend's hand as soon as the door had fallen shut behind them and marched towards the window to shut the blinds. Bright morning sunlight and chirping birds just did not fit the situation.

When she turned around to face her friend again, Charis was still standing mere feet away from the door, looking forlorn.

'Charis?' Morgana asked with a gentle voice. Something wasn't right. Up in Dumbledore's office, Charis had been in tears. Now she seemed calm. Too calm, maybe. And her big green eyes just stared blankly ahead of her.

'I think you should have a seat,' Morgana suggested, pointing towards the sofa.

Charis started walking robotically, and let herself fall onto the sofa. She accepted a cup of tea without saying thanks and held it in her hands until the tea had become cold. And Morgana didn't know what to say.

'I know I didn't know Sirius...' Charis finally said. Surely, they had been sitting there in silence for almost half an hour. 'I don't know why I am so upset.'

Tears started running down her cheeks again, and Morgana took the tea cup from her friend and replaced it with the box of tissues. 'It's alright to be upset,' she said. 'He was your cousin.'

'But... I didn't even know him,' Charis repeated. She had not spoken to Sirius again after she had left Grimmauld Place, the first and only time she had met him. Why had she not sent him an owl, at least, just to ask how he was doing or thank him for telling her about her their family? Sure, she had been busy with her NEWTs, but was that really an excuse?

'Maybe you could talk to Potter?' Morgana suggested, trying to offer a solution.

But Charis shook her head. 'I think Harry has enough on his plate at the moment.' He must be terribly sad himself. He had known Sirius. And Sirius had been the closest thing to a father Harry had ever had. Surely, he wouldn't want to talk about his godfather with a girl he barely knew.

'I can't believe it was Bellatrix,' Charis suddenly said. 'He was her cousin, too.'

'Bat-shit crazy that one, I'm telling you,' Morgana pointed out, trying to make her friend smile. But it didn't work.

'It's going to be worse from now on, isn't it? Charis asked in a quiet voice. 'There WILL be a war.'

Morgana nodded. 'Yes, there will be a war. And if the Ministry doesn't acknowledge Voldemort's return soon, Dumbledore and his followers will have to fight alone.'

Charis looked up. 'Surely, there is no way the Ministry can cover this up?'

'They have covered up the murder of Cedric pretty well, don't you think?' Morgana's tone was bitter. It had been a year now since the boy had died, and still the Ministry was talking about a "tragic accident".

Charis sighed. 'Tell me, why did we decide to work at the Ministry again?' she asked.

Morgana sneered. 'We had the glorious idea of wanting to make a difference, remember? But according to Mad-Eye Moody, the Aurors seem to be working AGAINST the Ministry. Or against Fudge, at least. Moody is convinced that Fudge has gone loopy.'

Charis smiled faintly. In her head, she heard Sirius' voice, telling her that Moody's eye had popped out at the dinner table because he had become so agitated talking about Fudge.

'Well, something isn't right at the Ministry,' she pointed out. 'If a group of Hogwarts students, a gang of Death Eaters AND Voldemort can run around undetected, then there is either a serious security problem or...'

'Or?'

'Fudge let it happen!' Charis exclaimed, eyes wide with realisation. 'And that would mean he supports Voldemort.'

'Rubbish,' Morgana retorted. 'Fudge DENIES Voldemort's return, remember?'

Charis' Ravenclaw brain was working feverishly. 'Then there must be someone senior at the Ministry who allowed Harry and Voldemort in.'

Morgana's jaw tightened. She had a good idea about who it had been. But there was no point discussing it. He was in Azkaban by now.

'What were they doing there anyway?' Charis went on.

Morgana shrugged. 'There are rumours...'

'Rumours?' Charis was getting agitated. 'What about the truth?'

'Want to go back to Dumbledore and ask him?'

Charis closed her eyes and let her head fall back against the headrest. 'No, he certainly has enough in his plate right now.'

'Would you stop thinking about how much everybody else had on their plates?' Morgana bit her lip, immediately regretting her harsh tone. 'Sorry, didn't mean to snap at you.' But her nerves were lying bare, and she couldn't help herself.

Charis sighed. 'It's OK.'

Morgana, too, let her head fall back. 'I'm afraid we will have to get used to rumours and half-truths. You and I, Charis, we aren't important enough to know the whole truth.'

It was a bitter thought. They had already been through so much. Charis had almost been killed, and she herself had let Dumbledore use both her body and her soul for the cause. And still, they weren't told the whole truth.

'I thought joining the Ministry would give us security and prestige,' Charis mused. 'But now... It's going to be dangerous, Morgana.'

Morgana nodded. Security seemed to be a word that belonged to the past. It seemed as if no one was secure anymore.

'I am scared, Morgana,' Charis said quietly. 'I'm scared to think about the future, and I am scared to leave Hogwarts. This is my home. I don't want to leave.'

Morgana swallowed. She was scared, too. Despite all the things she and her friend had been through this year, Hogwarts had always been a safe haven. Despite his wicked plans, she still trusted Dumbledore and knew that he'd do anything to keep his students safe. The same went for Snape.

But most importantly, at Hogwarts, Charis had always been close. They had shared so much over the last seven years: laughter and tears, joy and heartache. They had fought, and they had made up. They had hated, and they had loved. And in a few days' time, they would have to say goodbye at King's Cross Station. When they would see each other again and under what circumstances, neither of them knew. And Morgana hated the very idea.

'Have you ever considered going Muggle again, Charis? Leaving the Wizarding world?' she suddenly asked.

Charis frowned. 'Why would I want to do that?'

'To get away.' Morgana's teeth worked at her lower lip. 'The war has started...'

'I know us Mudbloods are the main target of the war,' Charis said quietly. 'But I will not run away. This is my world, too.'

'Maybe you should run.' Morgana looked pleadingly at her friend. 'I don't want to see you on the list of victims one day.'

'Would you run?' Charis asked. 'If you were me?'

Morgana shook her head. 'I am not you, Charis. I cannot run.' Where would she run to? Unlike Charis, she had no Muggle family to go back to. She had no family whatsoever. She had nowhere to go.

'If it comes to fighting, then I will stand and fight,' Charis declared. 'And if I die, then I will die fighting.'

'I don't want you to die.' Morgana bit her bottom lip hard as she realised that she had just confessed one of her biggest fears, not only to her best friend but also to herself.

Charis stared at her friend with eyes big as saucers. She had never seen Morgana like this. They had cried together before, they had shared their heartaches, but never before had Morgana looked so... scared. Not knowing what else to do, Charis opened her arms and embraced her Star Sister. And to her utter bewilderment, the Slytherin did not resist.

The feelings that welled up inside Morgana's chest as Charis enclosed her in her arms were almost too much to handle. Never before had Morgana let anyone hold her like that. Never before had she been so grateful for a hug. And never before had she felt so safe. But she did not allow herself to shed the tears that were burning in her eyes.

As she shifted to free herself from Charis' arms, Morgana caught a scent of roses and froze. Roses. Her Amortentia smelled of roses. She had always thought of Lucius. After all, he had been the first and only man who had ever sent her such delicate flowers. But his roses had smelled different. Their scent had been heavy and intoxicating. The scent Charis was wearing, however, was innocent and sweet, just like Amortentia. And Morgana couldn't help but inhale deeply.

Whatever made her kiss the sensitive skin at her friend's neck, Morgana did not know. But once she had started, she could not make herself stop. Charis' skin tasted so sweet.

Charis shivered. Morgana's breath at her neck was feather-light and caressing. It tickled slightly but felt soothing at the same time. She shifted her weight as Morgana ran her hand slowly down the curve of her back, and as she felt Morgana's nose trace along her neck, Charis couldn't help but moan softly.

The little sound encouraged Morgana. She pulled her friend closer towards her, all the while placing small, tender kisses right under Charis' ear. She held Charis steady around the waist with her left hand, while the right one was slowly making its way up her side.

Then suddenly, Morgana pulled away. Blue eyes locked onto green, two pairs of eyes that had looked at each other so many times before. But right now, it felt as if they were seeing each other for the very first time.

As Charis reached out to brush her cheek with her fingers, Morgana felt the muscles in her neck tense. Why, she did not know. Charis' touch was gentle, and her fingers were warm.

When Charis cupped her chin and slowly leant forward, her red lips slightly parted, Morgana felt the breath hitch in her throat. No kiss, she thought as a wave of sheer panic rushed through her body. Not on the lips. Swiftly, she shifted her weight and leant forward to once more cover Charis' neck with kisses.

But Charis wanted more. 'Morgana,' she whispered as her best friend's teeth grazed her collarbone and her fingertips softly brushed against the side of her breasts. 'Kiss me.'

Morgana froze, and Charis' heart sank in the same moment she saw Morgana's shoulder slump. Why did she have to ask, she wondered. Now the spell was broken.

But Morgana didn't pull away. Instead, her hand sneaked around to Charis' back, and she pulled her friend closer, her face still at her neck. She did not want to give up the rose scent.

Relieved, Charis ran her hand through her friend's short, red hair, wondering how it would look if she wore it long. Her musings were, however, interrupted as Morgana's kisses grew bolder, and a sweet moan escaped Charis' lips as Morgana started nibbling softly at the side of her neck. She let her head fall to the side to give her better access, and Morgana slowly made her way upwards until she reached the sensitive spot right under her friend's ear.

She had to try. Carefully, Charis turned her head to the side, hoping to graze Morgana's lips with hers. But once more, Morgana flinched away.

'Charis... please, don't.' Morgana's voice was hoarse, almost as if she had been crying. But as she lifted her head to look at her best friend, there were no tears in her blue eyes. If anything, she looked scared.

Charis understood: a kiss on the lips was too much. It was such a private gesture, filled with so many emotions, and Morgana wasn't ready. Her heart had been broken, and she was too scared to let anyone come close to it just yet. Charis understood that all but too well. She had wounds of her own that were yet to heal.

She gave her friend a gentle, reassuring smile and reached out to caress her cheek with her fingers. As her thumb gingerly brushed her lips, Morgana did not turn away. And her lips, too, curled into a tiny smile.

When Morgana once more took the lead, Charis willingly let herself be pushed back onto the soft cushions. Lying propped up on her elbows, she watched Morgana move her hand from her neck down over her chest to her belly. Her hands felt warm even through the fabric of her school robes, and Charis savoured the feeling. But her breath hitched in her throat as Morgana started to slowly unbutton her shirt, and Charis looked down, embarrassed.

Morgana's hand froze. 'Charis, sweetie, what is it?' she asked, sensing her friend's hesitation.

'I... there is still a scar...' Charis started, feeling self-conscious. Yes, Madam Pomfrey had done a great job in healing her, but she was left with a thin, silvery scar a few inches long across her left breast. It made Charis feel ugly, and she could not bear it if Morgana recoiled from her in horror.

Morgana cupped her friend's cheek in her hand and smiled gently. They both carried scars from this year, both inside and out. And they were both afraid that anyone would see them. Blue eyes looked deeply into green, and both pairs reflected the fear of rejection.

'I don't care about your scars, Charis,' Morgana murmured, stroking her friend's cheek gently. 'To me, you are beautiful.'

Morgana never saw Charis blink furiously as they embraced each other. How could the Ravenclaw have such a low opinion of herself? Had she not noticed how the boys looked after her in the Great Hall, not least of all her best friend Jack? Did she not know how many girls envied her for her blonde hair, her bright green eyes and the soft curve of her hips? Did she really think herself ugly? But then, since the incident with Lucius, Morgana had been feeling the same about herself, too. She did not want anyone to look at her. That was why she only wore trousers these days and had thrown out almost every piece of clothing that was not black. If no one noticed her, no one would approach her. If no one approached her, no one would come close.

But Charis was close, and Morgana knew that Charis would never hurt her.

She freed herself from her friend's arms and sat back on her heels, and, summoning her courage, Morgana began to slowly unbutton her own shirt, never once taking her eyes off of Charis. There would be no barriers between them now, and Morgana hoped that Charis understood that she was making herself both physically and psychologically bare.

Charis swallowed dryly as she watched Morgana shrug off her shirt and discard it to the floor. The black lace of her bra contrasted sharply with her ivory skin and the swell of her breast looked warm and inviting. But Charis didn't dare reach out to touch.

'Don't be afraid, Charis,' Morgana implored her as she herself reached forward and stroked her friend's hair.

'I've never... not with a girl...' Charis mumbled, feeling embarrassed at her inexperience.

'I know,' Morgana answered gently. 'It's OK. We can stop if you want.'

Morgana held her breath. It wasn't the sex she was after, but the closeness. She hadn't let anyone touch her since her last night with Lucius, and now both her body and her soul were crying out for caress. If Charis turned from her now...

To Morgana's relief, Charis shifted closer and tentatively ran her fingers down her bare arms. Her touch made Morgana shiver with pleasure, and once again she offered a small smile to Charis, who returned it gladly.

Slowly, Morgana once again attempted to undo the buttons on Charis' shirt. This time she felt no resistance. Carefully, she slipped the thin white cotton from her shoulders, revealing a deep blue satin bra against pale skin. She let her hands glide down over Charis' body, all the way from her neck and over her breasts and belly. Then she paused and looked up at Charis, seeking silent permission to go on, and found her friend looking back at her with eyes full of longing.

She let her hands wander upwards again until they reached Charis' full, heavy breasts, and then leaned forward to place a soft kiss between them.

Charis hardly dared to breathe. Her hands now awkwardly traced up and down her friend's sides, wanting to touch her more, but not sure how. What if she did something wrong? But her worries were all but forgotten as Morgana's tongue snaked from her pink lips, making small circles between Charis' breasts while her hands softly kneaded them through the deep blue satin.

Morgana's touch was so gentle, so unhurried, and feeling more relaxed and a little braver, Charis reached around Morgana's body and let her hands glide down over her bottom.

Suddenly, Charis heard a sharp snap and felt her bra come undone. How Morgana had managed that without the use of her hands, Charis had not a clue. She looked surprised for the briefest of seconds, but when she heard Morgana giggle, Charis continued to caress Morgana's bum some more through the material of her trousers.

She could feel Morgana's lips on her breast now. They were soft and warm, grazing the skin delicately. Charis made a little happy sighing noise in response and began to tug impatiently at her trousers, wanting to feel her friend's skin against hers.

For a second, Morgana froze. Charis tugging at her clothes awakened memories in her which she did not want to remember. But this was different. Charis was not Lucius. Charis was not tugging at her trousers in order to take something she was not willing to give. This was something completely different. This was something she had never experienced with Lucius. This was about sharing emotions. This was about loving, and being genuinely loved in return. This was about two best friends. This was about Charis and Morgana.

Once more, Morgana sat back on her heels, this time taking Charis' hands and guiding them towards the buttons of her trousers. With nimble fingers, Charis unbuttoned them and then looked up with a shy smile. Morgana, too, smiled and then slipped off the sofa to step out of her trousers. When she returned, Charis had already removed her skirt.

The two friends looked at each other. Despite them having been close for so many years, living in different common rooms had kept them from ever seeing each other in anything else than their school robes.

Why, in Merlin's name, would Charis ever think she was in any way ugly, Morgana wondered. Her breasts were large and full, her skin was soft and pale, and her ample curves were smooth and feminine. She was beautiful.

Morgana was too absorbed in her thoughts to fight Charis when the Ravenclaw pulled her by the hips towards her, so she came to straddle one of her thighs. When Morgana realised what had happened, she smiled at her friend. Who would have expected such a brave move from her?

Charis' hands carefully snaked from Morgana's hips up her back, tracing little circles, before effortlessly snapping open the black bra. Lissom fingers eased the straps down Morgana's arms, and Charis admired the breasts she had freed. She just had to touch them. Gingerly, she cupped them with both hands. Morgana's breasts seemed very different to her own. Perky, with tiny little brown nipples. They were so soft and warm. And Charis was entranced by them.

Morgana smiled at her friend's gentle touch and placed her left hand on Charis' right one. 'It's alright,' she whispered. 'They're not made of glass.'

While Charis explored her breast, first with her fingertips and then with her palms, Morgana let her hands trace down her friend's side. At the waistband of the knickers, she paused for a second, but Charis was too busy to protest. Boldly, Morgana let her hands slide under the blue fabric and gently squeezed Charis' bottom.

Charis, meanwhile, cupped Morgana's breasts and slowly leant forward. Her nose had long since filled with Morgana's sweet scent, and she now wanted to see if her skin tasted as just as sweet. Carefully, she lapped at the nipple with her tongue.

Morgana inhaled sharply. She had not thought that Charis would be so brave and had therefore not been prepared for the sensation that Charis' touch produced. As Charis started to suck gently on her nipple, a soft moan escaped Morgana's lips, and she tightened her grip around Charis' bum, pulling her closer. Then she withdrew her hands.

'May I touch you?' she asked.

Charis abandoned Morgana's breast and looked up at her, a slightly puzzled look on her face.

Morgana smiled and let her hands glide from Charis' bum over her lips and to her front. 'There?' she clarified.

Charis blushed slightly. She had felt the blood pulsating in her core for a while now, and she longed to be touched. But somehow, she felt embarrassed at the same time. Exposed, yet wanting to be exposed simultaneously.

Morgana placed a tender kiss on Charis' flushed cheeks and let her fingertips softly brush against her sex through her knickers. She was in no hurry, and as much as she longed to give Charis pleasure, she would wait until her friend was ready.

She lowered her head and started nibbling at Charis' ear. By the time she was suckling her earlobe, Charis' breathing had become heavy, and Morgana could feel that her knickers had become damp.

'Yes,' Charis breathed. 'Yes, please touch me. Please, do.'

Gently, Morgana pushed the blue fabric aside, and covered Charis' sex with her hand. She felt a freshly-shaven slit and heard Charis moan softly as she gently parted her lips with her fingers, all the while nibbling at her neck.

Charis shivered with pleasure as Morgana's fingers brushed her most sensitive spot, and she wrapped her arms around her friend, closing her eyes and burying her face at her shoulder.

Morgana felt Charis' hot breath against the skin of her neck, and the little gasps and moans encouraged her to apply more pressure to her friend's clit, and she started to rub it softly, feeling Charis' hips rock towards her in the same rhythm.

Charis whimpered in disappointment as Morgana's fingers abandoned her clit and was just about to beg her friend to continue touching her as she felt two fingertips being pressed against her entrance.

'Do you want me to?' Morgana whispered softly in her ear.

Charis nodded. 'Can I touch you, too?' she asked. Somehow, she felt as if she needed to ask for permission.

'You don't have to,' Morgana breathed and started rubbing Charis' clit with her thumb.

Charis moaned. 'I want to.'

Trying to keep her hand from trembling, Charis delicately wriggled her fingers inside Morgana's knickers, tracing her slit with a featherlike touch. She was both surprised and delighted to find it shaven. As her fingers made contact with Morgana's clit, Charis heard her friend exhale sharply, and then did the same as she felt Morgana's fingers slide inside her.

For some moments, Charis continued caressing Morgana's clit but lost focus as Morgana's fingertips found that special spot inside her. She arched her back and moaned deeply, thrusting her hips against her friend's hand.

'Oh, God,' she whimpered as Morgana started making beckoning movements with her fingers inside her and at the same time applying pressure to her clit. Charis had no idea how long she would last.

She came undone with a moan and a shudder that seemed to shake her whole body. And Morgana withdrew her fingers from her, but still continuing rubbing her thumb softly against her friend's clit.

'Sweet Charis,' Morgana breathed, caressing Charis' back with her free hand. 'Sweet, sweet Charis.'

Still breathing heavily, Charis looked up at her friend and then down at her hand that was still in Morgana's knickers. 'I'm sorry,' she whispered. 'You distracted me.'

Morgana smiled. 'It's alright.' It really was. Giving pleasure to her very best friend had been the most satisfying thing she had done in months. She would have been more than happy to just wrap Charis in her arms now and hold her, just hold her.

But Charis had other plans. She leant forwards and started nibbling at Morgana's collarbone while her fingers once more started drumming against Morgana's clit.

Morgana willed herself to relax. She had been with girls before, at the orphanage, but she had never allowed a girl to touch her in such a way. Only one person had ever touched her like this. But him, she did not want to think of now.

Charis' fingers were now swirling circles around Morgana's swollen clit, and she heard her friend breathing heavily and felt her digging her fingers into her shoulders. And she urged her onwards, swirling faster and applying more pressure.

As her orgasm hit, Morgana buried her face as Charis' neck. The sensation was almost too much to bear. She hadn't managed to make herself peak for months, and now her whole body was tingling, and her heart was racing. And Charis held her close, gently stroking her.

The two girls held on to each other for a while, rocking softly and saying nothing. Morgana was so happy that it hurt, and she did not know if she wanted to laugh or cry. And Charis suddenly felt like she understood what the phrase sexual healing meant. What they had both shared was indeed a form of healing, she decided as she lay warm and contented in Morgana's arms. Never before had they been as close as they were now, or shared something so deep and intimate. They had opened up to each other physically to provide comfort from the emotional pain that surrounded them.

After a while, Charis felt Morgana shift in her arms and felt something warm and soft around her shoulders. She noticed that Morgana had pulled up her school robe from behind her and had wrapped it around her shoulders. She also noticed a muscle twitch at her friend's jaw.

'Are you OK?' Charis asked, a tone of concern in her voice.

'Yes,' Morgana replied, freeing herself gently from her embrace and grabbing her clothes. 'I'm OK.'

'You sure?' Suddenly, Charis felt uncertain. Had she done something wrong? Was Morgana angry with her?

But as Morgana turned towards her again, her features were soft, and the look in her eyes was gentler than ever before.

'Yes, Charis. I am sure,' she whispered and caressed her friend's cheek with her fingers. Their eyes locked, and for the tiniest of moments, Charis thought Morgana was going to kiss her. But instead, Morgana caressed her lips with her thumb, and a sad smile appeared on her face.

'Will you promise me something, Charis?'

Charis blinked fiercely. She had never seen Morgana like this, so soft, so gentle, so vulnerable.

'Anything,' she whispered.

'Don't be angry with me when I walk away,' Morgana said silently, a pleading look in her eyes. 'And don't be sad. I don't regret this. I really don't.'

'Me either,' Charis breathed. There was a lump in her throat that made it difficult to speak.

And the shaking breath that Morgana took told her that her best friend felt the same. 'Charis, I...' There was so much Morgana wanted to say, but she couldn't find the right words. She had never been good at expressing her feelings, and what she was feeling now was almost impossible for her to grasp.

Thankfully, Charis understood. 'You don't have to say anything, Morgana,' she said. And she meant it. Instead, she wrapped her arms around her friend.

'I'm sorry I cannot give you what you deserve, Star Sister,' Morgana whispered, almost too quietly for Charis to hear. And Charis pretended that she had not heard. Maybe, this would make it easier for Morgana.

Once more, Morgana caressed Charis' cheek. 'I will miss you,' she said.

'I will miss you, too.' The tears were now streaming down Charis' face, and she did not even try to hold them back. She knew that Morgana would understand why she was crying, just as she understood why Morgana was unable to shed her tears.

'Will I see you tomorrow?' she called after her friend as Morgana had reached the door. It was a silly question to ask, but she needed some kind of reassurance.

Morgana turned to look at her friend. 'Breakfast's at eight, little Ravenclaw. I'll make sure to sit where you can see me from your table.'

Once more, Morgana smiled at Charis and then softly closed the door behind her.