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Remember Me	By : TigerBlak Category: Harry Potter > General > General Views: 4137 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
DDisclaimer: You know if I had JKR's money I wouldn't write fanfiction... who am I kidding I will probably always write fanfiction... still she hasn't deeded the characters over to me, so I just own Athyr.

AN: I'm still trying to drum up reviews. On adult-fanfiction.org I've gotten over 200 hits, no one's reviewed there either, but at least I can tell that someone's viewed the story. So get out there and tell all your friends about my fic and get them to give it a chance.

Now, on with the saga.

Chapter 11: Hogwarts, the Sistrum and Testing

Harry and Draco stared out of their window; hands gripping the ledge and the emotions on their faces ranged from fear to anger to horror at what they saw. Athyr stood not fifteen feet away from the edge of the water talking to some monstrosity that had lumbered out from the forest. At first it appeared as if they were simply talking, but both young wizards noticed the change in the air immediately. It was if a storm were approaching and the drop in pressure chased fear down the spines of both.

They watched on until the creature struck out and Athyr dangled in his grasp, but she didn't struggle. Instead they watched her gather her strength and deliver a swift and powerful kick to the monster's face. The resulting roar shocked them into action. Tearing out from their room, wands in hand, they collided with Remus in the hallway, who was also running to the stairs.

"What the hell was that?" he asked no one in particular as he helped Harry and Draco up and the trouped down the stairs.

"It's Athyr," Draco began explaining. "There's some thing out there and at first they were talking..." he trailed off.

"She's being attacked," Harry added on. They had reached the door leading out to the lake and Sirius had joined them. All four men were out of the door and making their way to the girl they had come to care for when they heard her shouting.

The beast appeared to not heed the words she spoke and shifted from standing on two legs and had dropped down to four. Giving a deafening roar it charged. They watched aghast, preparing to call out their charms when Athyr ducked to avoid the swipe the creature took. However, the action managed to catch her arm and the claws dragged down the skin leaving a bloody path in its wake. As the scent of blood filled the air the first charm had almost left Harry and Draco's mouth when Remus and Sirius clapped hands over both of them. Struggling ensued amongst the four for a brief moment and then as the animangus and werewolf pointed, the wind shifted and they could sense the rising magic in the air.

Athyr's body seemed to be changing. Though she was tall, she appeared to be getting taller, her torso lengthening. They could hear the muscles popping and sliding into place. Then just as quickly as it had begun it stopped and Athyr stood in the field waiting for the creature to make its next move. They did not have to wait long. Athyr gave another kick and sent the beast farther back, only to have it regroup after a moment and charge again.

Stillness seemed to have settled over Athyr and just as the creature reached her she jumped and landed on its back. Though it tried the thing that she held on to could not dislodge her from its back. With a crack the beast lay still and Athyr crawled from its back. When she reached the front of the beast they watched as she traced the marking on its forehead that mirrored her own and then the ground seemed to open up and swallow the beast. Moments later she collapsed to the ground, bloody and seemingly broken.

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Athyr was floating, she felt warm and comfortable and she felt as if she were suspended in air. She could feel herself waking in stages; first the sensations of where she lay came back, next her sense of smell kicked in, then she moved her tongue around her cracked lips and finally her sight returned as she cracked open an eyelid.

All of her senses coalesced and she became aware of the fact that she was in bed but something warm and heavy lay on her legs, she could smell antiseptic, which meant someone had been hurt. Because her tongue was so dry she felt it was safe to assume that she had probably passed out. And upon visual inspection she found that she was not in her room in bed. Instead she lay in one bed of what appeared to be many in an infirmary of some sort. Propping her self up and then hissing at the pain that flowed down her right arm the dog that lay at her feet woke up and began whimpering.

"Dog star?" Athyr had to clear her throat twice before she could vocalize what she was thinking. The dog seemed to smile and then barked happily. Sirius Black, in his animangus form made his way gingerly up to Athyr and lay his head closer on her hip. Seconds later he hopped down from the bed and went running from the large room.

Athyr peered around the room and took in her surroundings. There were several paintings on the walls that verified that she was indeed in a sick ward. Looking down at the injured arm she noted that it had been bandaged, but blood had left a red stain faintly showing through. She carefully attempted to prop herself up with her good arm and keep her balance. Footsteps were hurrying towards her and she wanted to sitting up to greet her visitors not lying down.

She had finally managed to prop her back against the metal headboard of the bed when Draco and Harry followed by Remus, Sirius and a small woman dressed in white entered the ward. The two teens broke out into a run when they saw that Athyr was indeed awake and had even managed to prop herself up.

"Athyr, you're awake," they said simultaneously, Draco sat by her hip while Harry grasped her hand. She could feel his hand shaking and grasped it tightly... reassuringly.

"I'm fine, my arm hurts like hell, but I'm fine," Athyr assured the spectators around her bed. "How many hours have I been asleep for anyway?" she asked to no one in particular. She knew immediately that something was wrong when she felt Harry's hand begin to sweat.

"You've been out longer than a few hours," Draco began. "You've been unconscious for two days."

"Well hell," Athyr cursed. She looked at the stricken faces staring back at her. "What?"

"That's all you've got to say?" Draco began quietly. "You were almost killed by--by that thing... and all you have to say is 'well hell?!?!" Draco's voice escalated with every word. By the time he had finished he was well and truly shouting at the young woman sitting on the bed.

Athyr stared at Draco with a raised eyebrow. Not many people yelled at her and she was truly confused as to why he was so perturbed about the fact that she'd had her arm cut open a little.

"Draco, I'm fine... you don't have to worry about me." As soon as the words left her mouth she realized why Draco had become so upset. Why the others looked so tense. They had been worried about her. They cared about her. While the sentiments of Sirius and Remus did not disturb Athyr in the least, those of Harry and Draco hit closer to her heart than she wanted.

The woman who looked like a healer of some sort had been standing in the background and now made a sound in the back of her throat. "Gentlemen, if you don't mind I would like to examine my patient to make sure that she sustained no further injuries... so if you don't mind," the woman gestured to the entrance of the infirmary with a lone finger. The four men left, but not before Harry and Draco met Athyr's gaze asking more questions than she was willing to answer at that point.

"Well," the nurse huffed. "I haven't seen those boys that anxious since they collided in midair last Quidditch season."

Athyr cocked her head to the side and gazed that the woman inquisitively. She wasn't very tall and would probably only reach Athyr's shoulder had she been standing, but she had a presence that she couldn't place. Shaking off her ruminations she realized that the nurse was introducing herself.

"I'm sorry, I missed the first bit," she apologized.

"I was just saying, that my name is Madame Pomfrey and I'm the school nurse," she repeated. "A trained medi-witch and I'll dare say that I haven't seen the likes of the slash you've been dealt in several years. What happened?"

"I was dealing with a particularly nasty beast when he took a swipe at me and I didn't move out of the way in time," Athyr sighed, shaking her head. "I'm really out of shape. I'm usually way faster than any Amamet."

Madame Pomfrey gasped. "There haven't been any Amamet around for at least one thousand years."

"Tell me about it. The last time I saw one of those things was when Ra attacked Hogw and and the original founders..." Athyr trailed off. "Look, I'll explain after I talk to the guys and see Dumbledore." Athyr was throwing off the covers and attempting to stand when a hand pushed her back down to the bed.

"Oh no you don't! You will be staying right here until I decide that you're fit enough to be walking around," Madame Pomfrey opened the drawer in the table next to the bed and pulled out a clay jar. "I wasn't sure how potions would effect you, so I haven’t given you any, but I'll try this salve." She carefully unwrapped the gauze around Athyr's arm and the gash came into view.

~It doesn't look half bad,~ Athyr thought as she looked at it. About seven inches in length and an inch and a half across at the widest point in the center, the gash no longer had blood flowing from it. Instead the red skin underneath had turned a light pink and seemed to be slowly knitting back together. Madame Pomfrey was amazed to say the least.

"I don't believe it!! It's almost halfway healed," she awed. "A cut of this size and depth should have taken at least a week to get this way." Hands gently rubbed over the scarring flesh. Athyr could feel the soothing salve being rubbed in and she shivered at the cool tingle that was a response to it. After redressing the wound Madame Pomfrey disappeared from the ward and returned a few minutes later with a tray laden with food. The smells wafted over to Athyr startling her stomach that immediately began growling. After balancing the tray across Athyr's lap Madam Pomfrey looked at the food and then her patient.

"I trust that you'll eat most of that. Usually, I have to beg Harry to get him to eat something after he's been here. Now, that he's older its not so bad, but when he was just in his first few years it was like pulling teeth," Madam Pomfrey tossed the last bit over her shoulder as she left the ward. "I'll be back in a while to get that and if its mostly empty I may let you go."

"I don't think she has anything to worry about," Athyr murmured to herself as she picked up a fork and tucked in to the mincemeat pie (AN: vegetarians rule!!!). After a few bites she poured herself a glass of what she discovered was pumpkin juice from the flask on the table and grabbed one of the cookies on the tray. She nibbled on that, decided she was surely in heaven and devoured the food on the tray.

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Sirius and Remus led the two somber teens to Dumbledore's office. At the gargoyle they whispered the old mage's latest password. "Ton-tongue toffee." The statue immediately stepped aside and allowed the group to enter. They were making their way up the stairs when they heard a loud voice floating down to them. Words couldn't be made out, but it was obvious that to whomever the voice belonged that they were unhappy about something. As they got closer they could hear the muted voice of the headmaster as he tried to console the other speaker.

Outside the door four eyebrows winged up when they recognized that the angry voice they had heard belonged to none other than Severus Snape, resident Potions master for Hogwarts. The other eyebrow joined the first when they heard him mention Athyr.

"Albus, you cannot be serious!" The Potions master sounded frantic. "I should be given the longest time with her. She could even be able to decipher some of the more ancient tomes that I've been trying to work through... " They heard a small thump that they tried to convince themselves was not a foot stomping on the floor in petulance.

"Now, now Severus," the headmaster cajoled. "I am sure that you will have enough time to question our resident goddess, but initially each professor will be given the same amount of time with her. Then," Albus seemed to stress the word, "you can ask her if she would be willing to work with you on your texts. Now, I do believe we have company," four sets of ears burned at being discovered in their eavesdropping. But they weren't really surprised, it wasn't very often that someone could sneak up on Albus Dumbledore.

The door opened to reveal the four men smirking at the snarky Snape (AN: Alliteration, gotta love it!!!). The Potions master fumed and sat in a chair as Harry and Draco seated themselves on a small couch and Remus and Sirius did the same in the opposite seats. Dumbledore summoned a tea and cookies and served. After taking a fortifying sip Draco began questioning the mage.

"Professor Dumbledore do you know anything at all about Athyr's past here at Hogwarts?" While Athyr had told them a few things about her past they were still pretty much in the dark with the details.

"I know a little Mr. Malfoy, but alas, I am as in the dark as you are. Perhaps one of the previous headmaster's can give us some enlightenment," Dumbledore cast his eyes upwards and some of the sleeping portraits of the past headmasters began to awaken. "Do any of you gentlemen know anything about the goddess that visited Hogwarts during the time of the founders?" He asked the waking faces in the portraits as the blinking eyes began to twinkle at the thought of having some usefulness to the present day Headmaster.

"What do you need Albus," a deep melodious voice floated down. The portrait speaking had the title 'Headmaster Thrumblebare' and his robes were a rich burgundy and edged with gold.

"Ah yes, Ceros," Albus addressed the previous headmaster. "Would you happen to know anything about Athyr. She was know as Hathor, an Egyptian goddess and came to Hogwarts during the time of the schools founding and had something to do with the initial wards that were established and such."

"I don't know much, other than what has trickled down over the years," the figure in the portrait rubbed his white beard thoughtfully. Then his brown eyes lit up. "You should ask Headmaster Orsenvare, he will probably know. He's the oldest of us all you know."

The portrait containing said headmaster was located in the topmost corner of the office and unfortunately, the headmaster had not awoken with the others. He remained sleeping, his hat flopped to the right and his mouth hanging partially open as he snored quietly.

Professor Dumbledore chuckled quietly and grabbing his wand pointed it at his throat and muttering the charm to raise his voice he began calling for the aged headmaster. "Headmaster Orsenvare," a few seconds went by and the older headmaster snored on. "Headmaster Orsenvare," Dumbledore tried again. The five men stared at each other and shook their heads.

"He sleeps more soundly than Neville," Harry muttered to Draco.

Dumbledore shook his head and finally called out, "Fergus! Wake up!" The older headmaster jolted awake and fell from his comfy chair. The men down below burst out laughing and when an aged hand appeared on the chair and then the headmaster's hat they nearly rolled out of their seats with laughter. Finally the headmaster was reseated in his chair and he looked down at the group of men congregating in his old office. He pushed his spectacles up on his nose with a long finger and his voice reached down to them.

"Yes Albus. What can I help you with?" Though the voice sounded frail there was an edge of power around it. Harry wondered how long this particular headmaster had watched over Hogwarts.

"Fergus, what do you know about the goddess Hathor and her dealings with the founders?"

"Well, not much really. She came to Hogwarts and if I'm not mistaken she was almost broken when she came here," the headmaster shook his head sadly. "This story has been passed down from Headmaster to Headmaster and eventually, as with all things fantastical some of the truth got lost in the telling of it."

"Hathor appeared on the grounds of Hogwarts and she had been beaten. Legend tells us that whip marks scored her back and front. She was found by Godric and Salazar and they immediately brought her to the castle and tended her. She tried to leave, but they asked her to stay... needed her to stay," the old headmaster looked over the rims of his glasses at both Harry and Draco, saying things with his eyes that his mouth didn't. "She remained, but tragedy followed her here. The founders came to her aid despite her protests and we lost two of them. And then we lost Hathor."

"What do you mean you 'lost' her?" Harry asked dreading the answer, yet knowing it all the same.

"Hathor mourned the deaths of Godric and Salazar. The three had become very close. Closer perhaps than they realized. When they were struck down it was almost as if part of her heart went with them," the older mage explained.

"But how did you lose her?" Draco asked this time. He too felt the dread welling up behind his eyes. Tears pricked and threatened to fall.

"Do you know why it is impossible for a student to die by falling from any point of the castle?" the older headmaster continued without waiting for an answer. "Because, Hathor was the first and last person to do so. Days after the two founders had been killed she threw herself from a tower. Legend says that her last words were only the names of the two she loved above all else... Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin."

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Poppy studied the empty tray and then the young goddess propped up in the bed. The color had returned to her skin and she looked refreshed.

"Well I guess you can go now, but I want you to come back tonight and get more of the salve to put on that wound."

Athyr stood and when the floor didn't tilt she took a few tentative steps forward. She didn't see any shoes so the stone floor was a little disconcerting at first but then somehow comforting.

"Now," Madame Pomfrey began. "If you'll just follow me I'll lead you to the headmaster's office. I'm sure that your four gentlemen are already there."

"You don't have to. I've been to Hogwarts before," Athyr said vaguely. Her bed hadn't given her a clear view of the infirmary. While she had been able to take in some of the portraits there had been a door and beyond that she was uncertain about. However, she found that as she left the ward and that wing of the hospital that the sense of déjà vu that stole over her was yet another comfort. The medi-witch left her at the doors to the hospital wing and Athyr ventured forth into the castle at large.

The halls seemed to whisper their secrets to the young goddess as she roamed the many halls. Eventually she found herself out side and staring at an old friend.

Athyr approached the tree slowly and noticed that the tree quivered at first when sensing her approach and then seemed to settle into a type of humming. She could feel the trepidation from the tree brush across her skin. When she was finally standing at the base of the tree she placed a palm against the tree and closed her eyes.

With her inner eye she saw the past events of Hogwarts that were visible to the tree. The many students that had ventured close to the tree on dares, those who were able to find its weakness and use the tunnel beneath. She smiled when she finally reached the memory that Harry had told her about. She winced as her connection allowed her to feel what the willow had felt when the car had crashed into its many branches. Then she felt the sorrow and loneliness of the tree that no one would come near for fear of it's volatile nature. Athyr sympathized, she knew what it was like to crave a connection to others, but fear it all the same and so they are kept at a distance. Opening her eyes, shiny with unshed tears, Athyr decided to change the fate of her long ago planted tree. Gathering her power within herself she stepped closer to the tree and spreading her arms as wide as she could she embraced the willow and pushed into it some of her magic. The warm waves of her love seeped into the tree and the feelings of despair that she had previously sensed began to disappear. Moments later when she stepped away from the tree she smiled when she looked up and saw that the once stark branches were in full blossom.

Buds in all colors from red to gold to pink to purple burst open in the sunlight. A young branch curled around Athyr's shoulder and deposited several blooms in her hair. Smiling she moved away from the embrace, but not before placing a small kiss on the trunk of the tree. Backing away she went back into the castle.

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Following Headmaster Orsenvare's revelations the office of the present headmaster was in a slight uproar. Harry and Draco had paled at his admissions and Remus and Sirius were saddened by it. Following the sadness there had been anger, but for or whom it was unclear. The past could not be changed, but perhaps they could avoid having it happen in the present. The two young men finally had a better understanding of the depth of Athyr's previous love for the founders. Her inability to cope with their death left her with no choice, but to end her own life and perhaps be rejoined with them one day... which she had, but she would not give her heart as she had before.

They were going over the information they had just learned when a wave of power swept through the room and cut off all conversation. The headmaster's eyes widened and his eyebrows raised; he moved from his chair by the fire to the window, which overlooked the back of the school and the Whomping Willow. The other five men in the room arrived in time to see the branches of said tree burst into bloom. Gasps echoed in the room at the sight. Seconds later they were still aghast as one of the branched wrapped itself around Athyr and left flowers in the mass of her hair.

Dumbledore made his way back to his chair and soon after the other men followed. Surprisingly enough the potions master was the first to speak.

"I don't think I've ever been so shocked... she just hugged the Whomping Willow and it began to bloom. How is that possible? Why is that possible?"

"You felt the power Severus," Dumbledore chided quietly. "Do you really need to ask. She is a goddess reborn. And truthfully I don't think we have seen the extent of her powers yet."

"No," a voice said from the door causing all eyes to turn to it. "No you haven't and pray that you never do." Athyr stood in the doorway, warily eyeing all who sat there.

It hadn't taken her long to find her way up to the headmaster's office. She no longer lingered in the hallways soaking up the memories of her past life. Instead she felt herself flying through the halls taking in none of her surroundings. She was suddenly at the entrance to Dumbledore's office. Even the gargoyle that guarded the entrance remembered her and had bowed and moved away from the passage when she had approached.

Now she stood staring at six men. The headmaster and the four men she had been living with this past summer she recognized, but there was another and while he was pand and dark at the same time he was also very cautious. Of that Athyr was sure. She stepped further into the office and made her way to a chair that had appeared, but she did not sit in it. Instead she stood in front of Dumbledore's desk and stared at the headmaster smiling warmly.

"I do believe you have something that belongs to me," she said.

"I do," the headmaster stood and walked to a bookshelf. He pulled down a small black bag and walked back to his desk. The bag didn't appear to have anything in it, but when the headmaster reseated himself and reached into the bag a shape could be made out as he pulled something from the bag.

At first glance it appeared to be a large golden rod, about two and a half feet in length, with the top shaped into an oblong tear and had three gold spikes through it on which rested dark wooden discs. The discs themselves did not appear to move until it was given to the goddess.

Athyr could feel the magic prickling along her skin and felt first the hot flush and then the cool wind that stirred her hair. When the sistrum was placed in her hand she was immediately swept back into the memories of her past. Faces and feelings assailed her. She saw her past loves, felt their embrace... their kiss against her skin. And then the darker side of her magic screamed through her. Sekhmet, her other self, became solidified in her being, where she had once been lingering in the background of Athyr's subconscious she came to the forefront and melded with her past and present being.

The men stared at the woman who had taken hold of the staff. A wind swirled through the office sweeping her hair into a dark halo and sending magic crackling through the room. Each man jumped as a haunting voice that seemed to be two voices blending into one boomed out.

"I AM HATHOR, THE GREAT COSMIC MOTHER. I AM SEKHMET, DESTROYER OF MANKIND. I AM GODDESS OF FERTILITY, PROTECTOR OF MOTHERHOOD, DIVINE GODDESS OF DANCE, LOVE AND PURESURES OF THE FLESH. I AM THE HAND OF ATUM AND THE BEARER OF THE EYE OF HORUS. I OFFER NOURISHMENT AND SUCCOR TO THE DEAD AND BRING PAIN AND ANGUISH TO ALL WHO ANGER ME!!!! I AM A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH. WOE BETIDE HE WHO WOULD SEEK TO CONTROL ME. I AM GODDESS SUPREME!!!"

The words appeared to be almost tangible with the power that radiated from them. The goddess before them began to glow and white light seemed to come from her. Eventually, it was impossible to see anything and they were forced to shut their eyes against the brightness.

Dumbledore was truly astounded by the magnitude of power that radiated from the young woman she fairly shone with it. He knew immediately that whatever force sought to control her would be sorely mistaken if they thought it would be an easy task. Leaning back in his chair he squinted his eyes and took in the sight before him.

Just as suddenly as the goddess had begun to glow Athyr stopped. She still maintained a slight shine as if her skin had absorbed the power that had radiated from her. She clutched the staff tightly in her right hand, resting it right under the bend in the staff. The tip she let touch the ground. The discs shook with the force of her striking the ground and a small shock wave of power tingled across the skin of all whom were present. Athyr's clothing had changed as well. Gone were the loose pants and tank top that she had been wearing before. In their place, a flowing white skirt, split to the waist on each side, much like the one she had worn on Harry's birthday rested on the curve of her hips. A belt of gold discs in various sizes ran across the top border and a wide strip of cotton bound her breasts together. Her ankh, which she never took off rested in the cleavage there. Her upper arms were adorned with wide gold cuffs, which hugged the muscle there. Previously, her ears had only held one piercing, now a line of gold hoops ran the curve of the lobe, each one smaller than the next as they reached the top of her ear. The flowers circled her head resembling a crown and her hair lay softly against her skin, flowing both to her sides and down her back.

"Well," Dumbledore cleared his throat. "That was definitely something." When met with the incredulous stares of the other five men in the room his cheeks tinged a slight pink. "Now that I've returned your staff, Athyr, I do believe that we can discuss your testing and courses." The headmaster rubbed his hands on his beard and then summoned another teacup and poured out for the young woman who took the seat appointed to her.

Athyr knew that all eyes rested on her and as much as she wanted to avoid further talks about her past she knew they would probably be difficult if not impossible to move around. Running her hand up and down the sistrum nervously she considered her words carefully before she spoke.

"I know that you have a lot of questions... things that you want me to explain, but right now I would just like to get my testing done and rest a little. Maybe later," she stressed with her eyes the importance of the word 'maybe' to Harry and Draco, "I'll try and explain to you what happened at the house and here with my sistrum as well as my interlude with the willow." Taking a seat in the chair provided she took a sip of her tea she sent a silent prayer of thanks to whatever god was listening when Remus immediately launched into a Athyr's testing schedule for the next coming days.

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Harry and Draco silently followed the group down the hall as they headed off to the rooms that Dumbledore had prepared for them. After much discussion it had been decided that Athyr would take two tests everyday and it would be under her discretion if she wanted to talk to some of the other professors after that. Sirius, Remus, Harry, Draco and Hermione had spent copious amounts of time showing Athyr the proper spells, charms, hexes and potions that would be necessary for success at Hogwarts. She had been drilled on history, Arithmancy, Transfiguration and Divination until she was sure her eyes would roll out of her head. Hermione had even gone so far as to make up tests for her to take in preparation for the ones the teachers would give her.

Though she was confident in her ability to do well on these things at home, she was truly nervous about putting her knowledge to the test in an actual school setting. Gathering her courage she sat down with Professor McGonagall, the transfiguration professor and using her new wand worked her way up through the years in transfigurations.

They began with a thimble, which Athyr was to make into a mouse and gradually increased in difficulty until Athyr's final challenge was to change the desk into a horse. When Athyr had completed the task satisfactorily (after three tries at getting the wording correct), Professor McGonagall agreed that Athyr was prepared for 7th year Transfigurations and then went on talking to the young girl about her youth in Dendera. Athyr answered the questions, smiling about some of the things she used to do and then she fell silent and retrospective. It was then that the group decided to move on to her next and final test of the day.

Care of Magical Creatures had been the second test that Athyr had taken and had proved to be relatively easy. Hagrid, had just come from speaking with the professor when the trio arrived and he looked practically astounded that the young goddess wasn't the larger than life being he had made her out to be in his mind. He gave a practical exam the involved the identification of and proper care of magical creatures. After learning that she had also completed this course of study Athyr was more than ready for her nap.

Thus, the group found itself in a hallway in the Gryffindor tower. Remus and Sirius had already entered their room via a portrait of a starlit sky with a young girl staring at the full moon. Harry and Draco were standing with Athyr outside of the portrait that Dumbledore had assigned to her. The portrait was covered with foliage and while Harry and Draco stared at it searching for the person hidden within Athyr laughed.

The two turned to face her. "What's so funny?" Harry asked.

Athyr drew in a breath. "Professor Dumbledore is more acquainted with Dendera than he led me to believe. This is," she gestured to the foliage, "Nocturna Lamia, it’s a dense foliage that grows on my island. The harder you look into it, the denser it becomes, until eventually you only see the green of the leaves and no longer remember why you were initially trying to see into it. It's like those books you have Harry, the Magic Eye ones. You will see what you need to when you aren't looking at it so hard."

"But how do you plan on getting into your room, Athyr?" Draco piped in. He too had been confused by the portrait. The previous day he had pondered how one got into the room when there was no one there to ask for a password. He had initially shrugged it off because the people in the portraits were notorious for walking off and visiting others when they were not in use. But now he was just as curious as his boyfriend to know how she planned to enter her room.

"I'll just give the nundu lying there my password."

"What nundu?"

"That one," Athyr pointed at the center of the painting, but all either teen could see were dense green leaves waving slightly in an unseen breeze. Suddenly a group of leaves seemed to stretch and then the green of the leaves began to darken and jade green eyes stared back at the two gaping wizards.

When the nundu finally took shape it was a large, black, panther with brilliant green eyes. It took its place in the center of the portrait and after giving a lazy once over to Harry and Draco it gave its full attention to the young goddess before him.

"Password," it rumbled. The sound seemed to rub across Harry and Draco's skin causing them to shudder. Athyr didn't seem affected at all.

"Hathor, Cosmic Mother," she replied. The portrait swung open to reveal a comfortable room that had a fire comfortably burning in the hearth. One of Athyr's trunks had been brought to the school and it sat in the center of the room. The bed had been draped with creamy white and gold sheets and a feather duvet lay tucked into the base of the bed.

Harry and Draco followed Athyr into the room and sat on the couch facing the fire. They knew that she would speak to them when she was ready.

"Guys I'm really not up for question and answer right now."

"Athyr, I have to tell us something, I mean..." Harry trailed off. Raking his hands through his hair he stood and began to pace the small space in front of the fire.

"What I think Harry is trying to say is... is that we care for you and what happened a few days ago scared us more than you will ever know," Draco explained glancing from his nerve wracked boyfriend to the tense goddess.

Athyr sat atop her trunk and drew her knees into her chest. "I know, I know," puffing out a breath of air she continued. "I keep forgetting that the things in my life which I have always known would happen are new to you guys. Ra has always been a constant, almost like breathing. I know he's there, he knows I am here. He will hunt for me and as he gains power he will send more of his minions for me and finally will come for me himself. I've never questioned any of this. I just take it at face value, as something that I am destined to go through. I am truly sorry that I worried you, however, it was not my intention. I only knew that I was dealing with the problem the best way I knew how. Now," she pushed off from the trunk, "if you would go to your own room, I can get a little sleep and then we'll discuss the past days events in more detail sometime this evening."

When Harry and Draco had left Athyr went into the bathroom and stared at her reflection in the mirror. The flowers were still vibrant, her skin still held a luminescence to iom hom her earlier expenditure of power. The clothing didn't surprise her at all, it was the shadows in her eyes that worried her. Sekhmet was there and they were truly one being now, but which half was stronger? What would she do about her growing affection for Harry and Draco? Could she truly fend off Ra and keep them alive? Did she want to fight her growing feelings for them? "You aren't the only one with questions," she told her reflection and then changing into a pair of pajamas she climbed into bed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few hours later Athyr awoke rested and better prepared to face the four gentlemen whose life she had descended into. Throwing back the covers she padded, naked to the wardrobe and pulled the robe on that had been placed there presumably for her use. She had just pulled her hair out when she heard the picture frame open and saw two heads one blonde the other black peer into the room. She watched as Harry and Draco noticed the empty bed and then began to search the room in earnest for her; she smiled when both of their gazes rested on her. She cinched the belt at her waist and walked over to the trunk waving them in as she did so.

"Did you sleep well?" Athyr asked as she opened the trunk. She could feel their trepidation and it added to her own. She pulled out a silver handled brush and walked over to the couch.

"We did," Draco answered. He had seated himself on the couch and when Athyr stood in front of him he parted his knees and made room for her. Turning her back to him she sank to the carpet and handed the brush over her shoulder. Harry took his position in front of Athyr and folded his lean body down until his head lay in her lap. Athyr pulled the robe up and spread her knees giving Harry room to snuggle back. This had become a ritual of sorts for them. Draco would brush out Athyr's hair, and she would massage Harry's head and shoulders. Usually, one or both of them would drift off from the ministrations of the other. Athyr had initially complained that Draco wouldn't get any sort of comfort from this, but he had assured the two that his pleasure came from working his way through her hair, it was a cleansing of sorts fom. m. So night after night they would sit and talk or sometimes not. Tonight would be one of those times that they would talk.

Draco had been stroking the brush through Athyr's hair for a few minutes in silence when he finally asked. "What was that thing that tried to kill you in the field?" The question had been asked to casually, that he could have been inquiring about the weather.

"The creature is known as an Amamet," her voice rumbled back to him. Draco smiled slowly as she continued. This is why he loved brushing Athyr's hair. She seemed to relax in ways she didn't anywhere else. Her head was laying back against his thigh and her eyes had drifted closed.

"It is very old. It is a beast... its very name means devourer, and it is one that Ra can control. He came to me to bring a message from 'my lord,'" the last was spat out as a frown formed between Athyr's eyes. "Ra is growing impatient, destroying mankind is no longer his main objective." Athyr could feel Harry molding himself to her form as he leaned into her. As the brush pulled through her hair and ran her hands through Harry's, the dark strands curled themselves around her fingers and if trying to trap her hands there to be forever caressing him.

"Why did the Whomping Willow burst into bloom when you embraced it?" Harry asked quietly from his seat. He hadn't bothered to open his eyes and Athyr's hands didn't still at the change of questioning.

"Remember that I told you about planting that tree?" A nod from both. "Well, because of the magical energy around the school it has lived way longer than a normal willow would have, even a magical one like that. The embrace was a sort of welcoming for me and of reward for the tree. To have survived this long, with all of the things it has seen and felt... including," She tugged on Harry's hair getting his eyes to snap open and meet the golden gaze of Athyr, "your little escapade, when you and Ron flew into it during your second year. I can only assume that it hasn't flowered in some time. I pushed some everlasting magic into it. Now it should bloom every year."

For long moments after she had finished talking no one said a word. Athyr continued to enjoy the ministrations of Draco brushing her hair and Harry continued to wallow in the hands caressing his temple and shoulders. But she knew that there was one more question to be asked.

"Go ahead and ask me. You won't be satisfied until you do."

"What happened in the headmaster's office?" Harry finally asked when Draco hesitated.

"The staff that Dumbledore gave to me was my sistrum. It is an ancient tool. I guess you could liken it to a wand only much more powerful. It centers me. While I do not need it for the magics that I do, it acts as a focus for it. With my sistrum returned to me. I am whole again. Both my self as Hathor and my self as Sekhmet are solidified. We are one, we are forever, we are eternal." The last was intoned and the same two-toned voice that the young wizards had heard in the headmaster's office earlier that day returned. Draco looked down while Harry looked up. Both gazing into the glazed over eyes of Athyr. Suddenly, she blinked and smiled at them both. "Sekhmet is my warrior self. She and I are one. We will always be."

By this time Draco had finished brushing her hair and had braided it into a long rope that hung down her back. Harry stood and offered a hand to Athyr who took it and stood as well. Draco stared up at the two. ~They look so beautiful together. Harry and his green eyes, Athyr and her golden gaze...~ a small shudder of arousal crept over the blond. He too stood and handing Athyr her brush back he watched her as she went back to her trunk and began searching for clothes to put on.

Athyr could feel their gaze on her back as she opened the trunk. She reached in and pulled out a pair of jeans and a yellow t-shirt. She grabbed some lingerie and the made her way to the bathroom tossing a short, "I'll be back in a minute," over her shoulder. When the door was closed behind her she breathed a short sigh of relief.

Harry and Draco carried on a short conversation while Athyr changed.

"Why didn't you ask her?" Draco wanted to know.

"She'll tell us when she's ready."

"But-,"

"Draco do you remember when I first asked you what happened between you and your father?"

The blond’s ears turned pink and he shook his head yes.

"Then you know how Athyr feels. Losing a life and having someone ask you questions about it, is painful. She'll tell us when she's ready," he repeated. He took Draco’s hand in his and turned the palm to face him. Pressing a warm kiss to it he gazed into the troubled grey eyes of his beloved. ~He loves her so much already and he wants to know everything about her. The strength of his love is staggering.~ Harry mused to himself. The two boys settled themselves back onto the couch and waited for Athyr to open the door and let them in.

AN: TA-DA!!!! It's finished, its finally finished. Not the story silly goose, the chapter. I'm sorry you've had to wait sooooo long (bows head to the ground). I've been laboring through this chapter. Trying to come up with the right amount of secrets to reveal along with attempting to advance the plot along a little. The next chapter will have things speed up a little because I can't have everyday be 15 pages long. You would get tired of it... hell I would get tired of it. So tune back in soon. I'm going to try and do the next chapter in a week. I've got some plot bunnies that I plan to unpack this weekend so we'll see how it goes. Laterz

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