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Fooling Fate sequel to Bound	By : goldhorse Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 44179 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. That lucky duck JK Rowling does. I don't make any money from this fanfic. I just play with her toys and put them back in relatively good condition.

Chapter List
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Rhapsody was inconsolable as Severus and the four healers worked over Albus and Martin’s bodies. The daywalker managed to shove a bezoar down each of the boys’ throats and slow down the poison, but it was quickly claiming their bodies. Harry and Ginny were beside themselves, and understandably so. One of their boys was dying, the other missing. They clutched to Lily, thanking Merlin and every God and Deity known to man that she was alright.

Almost an hour later, everyone stepped back. Rhapsody couldn’t stand the sight. There were tears in everyone’s eyes, even Severus who had never shed one in her presence. She drew her wand behind Deven’s back, determined to end it. The thought of giving Albus up to the wolves would forever haunt her, especially since she had seen so many tangents of his future. Now they would never come to pass.

“Don’t you dare,” Harry hissed as he shot her wand out of her hand.

“D-d-did you want to?” Rhapsody sniffled, unable to think clearly.

Harry rubbed the tears out of his face and let go of Lily. He shuffled over to Rhap and gently pried her from Deven’s fingers. When he enveloped her in a hug, she broke into great racking sobs, apologizing for ever being born. She offered up everything she had, even going so far as to offer to summon the Gods and take his place.

“Rhap,” Harry barked to get her attention. “Tell us… what would have happened if it wasn’t Albus?”

Rhapsody shook even harder. “H-his fire spell was blown b-back in h-his face. I-if I would have moved h-him, he w-would have l-li…” she shook her head, unable to even speak the damning words.

“And if you would have moved him?” Harry pried, showing an insane amount of self-control at the moment as he stroked Rhapsody’s hair.

“H-he would have a-a-accidentally g-gotten Vi and Ana with the s-spell.”

“And who would be wearing the dagger?”

“H-he would have s-sliced Scorp’s stomach o-open and th-then c-chaos w-would have b-broken out. Ara would have b-been the one…”

“And would Martin have gotten the soul necklaces back?”

“N-no. We’d have n-nothing.”

Harry sighed, trying to reign in his emotions. “So if it wasn’t Albus, then it would have been Scorpius and Ara and possibly Vi and Ana and we’d have absolutely nothing to show for it, correct?”

Rhapsody nodded miserably, still not able to come to terms with her choice. Albus was going to be gone. She could picture a world without him and his sweet smile, his flaming red hair, his gentle green eyes. Albus would no longer be there to blush at the slightest hint of a crude joke. He’d never be able to turn fiery red when someone made him mad, to shout and complain and fight and laugh and… just be his wonderful self. She was going to miss him terribly… and it was all her fault.

“Rhap,” Albus rasped.

Rhapsody went rigid for a moment, the shock of hearing her name fall from his lips paralyzing. She didn’t want to make him strain though, so she shot over to him, blubbering her apologies over again. Albus raised a shaky hand and put it over her mouth.

“You talk too much,” he chided. “Now, take a good look at my mind Rhap. Tell me what you see.”

Rhapsody tentatively laid her hand on Albus’s cheek, staring into his beautiful green eyes. No wonder Martin fell in love with him so quickly. Everyone loved those eyes. They’d even captured Severus’s heart once upon a time. Suddenly, she saw another pair of eyes reflected from them, those belonging to Martin. She was being sucked into the chocolate orbs.

A scene formed, the boy’s dorms. Albus was kneeling beside Martin’s bed, a worried look on his face as Martin writhed and screamed. Obviously Albus was holding a silencing charm because no one seemed to notice a scene. A few minutes later, Martin shot out of bed, only to be forced back down by Albus.

“Easy,” Albus chided. “Visions like that take a lot out of you.”

“W-what?” Martin asked shakily. “H-how?”

Albus smiled his best smile. “Rhap does that a lot. She’s a sort of seer too, only her visions come when she touches people.”

“B-but I’m not-“

“You just had a vision didn’t you?”

Martin frowned and looked into Albus’s eyes, his own filling with tears. He was barely able to nod before he burst into heaving sobs, unable to control himself. Albus flew to his side, holding him as if he were priceless china. It took a while until Martin was able to get a hold of himself. He still sniffled though, his sorrow too much to shut down completely.

“A-are they real?”

“Depends,” Albus said quietly. “Sometimes they are, sometimes they aren’t. Trelawney, the lady that made the prophecy about my dad, was right. Although, I do wonder what would have happened if the events were skewed. I mean, my dad wasn’t the only one that fit that prophecy. He was chosen, so that’s where the theory breaks down. See, Rhap’s never sure which scenario she’s seen is going to play out. It’s a bit like dominoes, I’d wager. Tip one over and it creates a chain reaction. Each of our actions does the same thing. I mean, sometimes it’s as stupid as having chocolate milk for breakfast instead of plain. So, in answer to your question, they could be. Or they could be false.”

“You could be a politician with that answer.”

Albus barked out a laugh. “I wish I could give you a better answer than that. The truth is, no one can truly predict the future, not one hundred percent anyway. Not even the Fates know the outcome of each string when they weave the web.”

“This vision was horrible,” Martin whispered. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Albus gave him a grim smile. “Future’s not always bright mate.”

Martin looked up, curiosity written in his eyes. “Your dad came out alright, didn’t he?”

Albus nodded. “He did. But he lost his parents, his godfather, loads of friends, lots of adults he looked up to, even his own life for a few terrifying minutes.”

“But he lived,” Martin whispered.

“And the person in your vision doesn’t,” Albus said knowingly.

Martin nodded. “They both die.”

“Well, I hope it was for a good cause then.”

Martin frowned and then nodded. “It seemed imperative that they complete their task, else all was lost. I’m not sure what that task was exactly, or why its completion was that important, but it seemed so important that their lives didn’t matter anymore.”

“That mate, is what’s known as a sacrifice for the greater good. That’s why my dad walked to his death, to get rid of the largest evil known to wizards for good. He succeeded too… and there was never a guarantee that he’d get to come back.”

Martin nodded and lay back down, curling into the fetal position. His face betrayed his thoughts though and Albus picked up on them immediately. He slid to the floor so he’d be eye level with the distraught boy on the bed.

“You don’t want these people to die.”

“One of them is me,” Martin whispered.

Albus gulped, his face paling. “Well, then I don’t believe it’s true.”

“Why?” Martin asked quietly. “Because you think I’m cute?”

“I think you’re bloody gorgeous, but that’s beside the point. I don’t think I could live in a world without you in it Martin.”

Martin’s eyes filled with misery. “Well, maybe that’s why you’re the other person.”

Albus sat down hard. The room was silent for a long time before he was able to give a response. “Well, at least we’ll be together.”

Rhapsody was reeling as she was pushed from the memory and thrown further into Albus’s last few hours. She couldn’t believe it. Albus had known the entire time and he’d never said a word, never given any indication. He…he was the choice she’d seen, the one that was already made. She’d not understood it at the time, but Albus chose to go. She saw herself frowning and staring at him with horror etched on her face. She didn’t think she’d been that obvious about it but apparently she had. Albus’s resolve washed over her. He knew what he was doing when he barged through the door…and he’d taken his cue from her. She took her hand back as if she’d been burned.

“See?” Albus asked. “It wasn’t your choice. It was never your choice.”

Rhapsody felt an inch tall at the moment. Albus had sacrificed himself. He’d knowingly thrown himself headfirst into the fight because he’d made the choice. She’d willingly played into his hand, believing him to be the lesser of two overwhelming horrors. And she still felt responsible for it. Albus put his hand on her cheek.

“Thank you,” he breathed. “For agreeing.”

She felt Harry’s hand on her shoulders. “Albus wrote to us that afternoon. We didn’t understand what he meant, but we do now.”

“W-what did he say?”

“I said,” Albus rasped. “That I was going to have to make a choice that they would hate above all others.”

“And he pleaded for our blessing no matter what,” Ginny said in a strangled voice. “But we didn’t know what we were agreeing to.”

“Mum,” Albus whispered. “I had to do this.”

“Oh baby,” Ginny sniffled, putting her hand on his cheek. “What are we going to do without you?”

“Live,” Albus rasped. “I just wished I could stick around for the end.”

“Maybe you can,” Rhapsody said, her eyes locked on a spot in the field. She broke off at a dead run, Deven taking off after her. She skidded to a halt in the middle of the old blood circle, her face turned upward. “NEMESIS! FORTUNA! I CALL UPON YOU!”

It only took a second before a sharp crack sounded, revealing the two summoned Goddesses. Nemesis wore a frown as she stepped forward. “You call?”

Rhapsody nodded sharply. “How many boons do we have left?”

“Many,” Fortuna said slowly.

“Then I want them back,” Rhapsody snapped.

“What about the brother…or the element?”

“They aren’t dead yet,” Rhapsody said, her eyebrows furrowed in thought. She wasn’t sure how she knew that, but she did. She didn’t think on it too long though. “Albus and Martin only have a few hours left. Restore them.”

The Goddesses remained silent, gliding over to where the two boys laid in an embrace. Even close to death, neither was willing to let go. It broke Rhapsody even further. They’d both known. How could she not have known that? Was she slipping?

“Do not doubt your abilities,” Nemesis said quietly. “No one is completely omniscient.”

“I don’t care about omniscience. I want them back,” Rhapsody snapped.

Nemesis knelt and placed a hand on Albus’s cheek, her face full of sorrow. “It was never in the stars for him to be born in the first place. For as long as the phenoms have been populating the earth, there have never been uneven numbers.”

“He’s not a phenom,” Rhapsody seethed.

“But he is the child of one,” Nemesis said quietly. “His existence unbalanced the passing of power.”

“Then Lily’s change should have balanced it,” Rhapsody argued, not letting anyone else get a word in edgewise. They all wisely stayed silent.

“And the eldest is missing,” Nemesis said calmly. “What do you see of his future?”

“I don’t,” Rhapsody breathed, a shiver riding down her back. She didn’t want to think about it.

“I don’t want James to be hurt,” Albus pleaded. “I’ll take his place too, honest.”

“I’m not staying here without him,” Martin said with a frown. His eyes flicked over to his sister. “I’m sorry Em, but-“

“Say no more,” Emily whispered, placing her hand on his heart. “I’ve heard your thoughts very plainly Martin. I know where your heart lies. I’m okay with it. I’ll miss you ever so much, though.”

Martin sighed. “I wish I could stay and watch over you, but the truth is that you’ve always been the special one.”

“Perhaps…there is something we could do,” Fortuna said. “We would have to make a deal with a few of the other Gods though.”

“What?” Albus asked. He’d give anything, obviously, to see everyone alright.

“We could grant your wish to watch over your family, but not in this form.”

“What form then?” Albus said with a frown.

Fortuna smiled. “The form of resurrection, of course.”

Albus’s eyes grew wide. “You’d make us phoenixes?”

“Something of that nature,” Nemesis said. “We would bind your souls to two willing phoenixes. You’d be of two minds though, one animal, one human.”

Martin frowned. “Phoenixes don’t just willingly give themselves over.”

“They do if their father was loyal to your family.” Fortuna said, snapping her fingers.

Two streaks of fire shot through the air, regal birds appearing at the end of the stream. One was the color of spun gold, orange shimmering on the tips of his feathers like fire. The other was bright crimson, with gold tipped wings that sparkled despite the gloomy night sky. Both had beaks and feet that looked like brightly polished copper and glittering black eyes. The family looked at them in awe.

“These are the children of Fawkes,” Nemesis informed them. “Fawkes has impressed upon them the great honor of being bonded to the son of Harry Potter.”

“I’m not his son,” Martin said sadly.

Harry sucked in a shallow breath and placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “You would have been Martin. I fought with your father, you know. He was a brave bloke. I would have been happy to have you as a son-in-law.”

“You mean you aren’t... um... upset that Albus and I are… uh... gay?”

Harry chuckled sadly. “Martin, love is love. It doesn’t matter who you find it with. You’ve got to hang on with everything you’ve got because with love, man and woman, man and man, woman and woman, two different creatures, none of that matters. Love is worth fighting for…and dying for. If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t be here today.”

“And that is why the gold one is so eager to bond with you young one,” Nemesis said, directing the bird to sit on the young boy’s chest. “His tears can’t counteract this poison, the only one in existence that will not bend to precious ingredient. He has agreed to become your vessel though. He will allow you to share his body, if you will have him.”

“I’d be honored,” Martin breathed. “But aren’t they…immortal?”

Nemesis nodded. “If at any time you wish to leave this plane, you must simply wait for burning day when they die and move on.”

“What if I don’t want to leave?” Martin asked in a tiny voice.

“Then he will hold your soul for eternity.”

“Let’s do it then,” Albus said, his eyes never leaving those of the crimson bird. “If he wants to, that is.”

“Of course he does,” Nemesis said, directing the bird to land on Albus’s chest. “He admires your courage and would like nothing more than to bond with you.”

“W-when?” Ginny croaked.

“They will be standing by until their end,” Fortuna answered. “I wish we could do more.”

Ginny nodded, swiping tears from her face. “This is all we could ever hope for in these circumstances.”

“If you have need of us again, just call,” Nemesis said right before they cracked out of sight.

Albus gently stroked his bird’s plumage, admiring his form. “Well, at least I’ll be better looking.”

“Stop that,” Martin snapped. “You’re perfect.”

Albus chuckled. “So are you…and your bird is not that bad either.”

“Alright you two,” Melody chided. “You should bond now. It will make the transition easier.”

“How?” Albus asked.

Melody smiled sadly and pointed to the phoenixes. “Boys, I’m sure you know how. Would you be ever so kind?”

The phoenixes trilled a sweet little tune that made the family tear up and joy swell in their hearts. The birds each crouched down and pressed their heads to the boys’, staring into their eyes. A few moments later, fiery bonds shot out, crisscrossing the pairs before embedding themselves deep in the bodies. The light dissipated, leaving two very dazed boys and two happily trilling phoenixes.

“I can hear him!” Albus said in delight. “He thinks we’re all pretty great, tough too.”

“Me too,” Martin said in awe. “He said he’s never seen so much love.”

Melody sighed happily. “We are truly grateful for your gifts.”

Albus’s smile turned into a frown in an instant. “What about James? Bloody wanker. He should have stayed put. We never meant for him to follow.”

“We know,” Draco spoke up for the first time since he’d quit working on Albus. “But we have to find my brother to find him… and we can’t trace port keys.”

“But I can trace something else,” Rhapsody said, life springing back into her eyes. “Nahuatl was taken too, was she not?”

“She was,” Aiden whispered, the horror of her disappearing before their very eyes still haunting him.

“Then I’ll need Annabel, Albus, and a glass of water.”

“What?” Deven asked even as he conjured a glass of water for his mate.

“Nahuatl is pack. Annabel is pack and James’s girlfriend. Albus is James’s brother. And James and Nahuatl are bound to be held in the same place.”

“And the water?”

“Well, she’s an element, an extremely fluid one. It makes it easier to find her… and I’m thirsty.”

“I’ll fetch her,” Aiden called.

“You won’t,” Severus said, placing a hand on his injured son. “You need your leg fixed before you go anywhere.”

“Where is Annabel?” Albus asked.

Remus lumbered up to the boy and whined, bumping his head against the boy’s hand in apology.

Albus laughed. “I take it you sent her away?”

Remus nodded his head, looking glumly at the ground with his tail between his legs.

“Hey, it was a smart move,” Albus said softly. “She’s too nice a girl to be caught up in all this.”

“I’ll fetch her,” Celeste said, taking out a port key. “Back in a jiffy.”

Rhapsody knelt on the ground, placing the water in between her knees. She gently stroked the crimson and gold birds and offered them her everlasting gratitude as they waited for Celeste to come back, which only took a moment. Annabel looked frantic as she dove beside Rhapsody, her eyes wide and beseeching. Rhapsody took a breath and grabbed both her and Albus’s hands at the same time, the sudden rush of visions almost painful.

The family looked on tensely as Rhapsody attempted to find James. Suddenly, Harmony went rigid and fell to the ground, clutching Philippe’s arm. Rhapsody’s visions were starting to affect her and she didn’t want to miss a minute of them. What she saw she didn’t want to see but she had to… if they wished to see the two teens returned alive.

Rhapsody drew back with a gasp. “You aren’t going to believe this.”

“What?” Severus asked darkly.

“They’ve been taken back to Khrones.”

“Let’s go,” Melody said, spinning around.

Draco and Hermione didn’t even have to consult each other to know their next move. “NO!” they shouted.

“What?” Melody asked in shock.

“You’re emotions are compromised,” Draco said softly.

“And yours aren’t?” Melody spat.

“Of course they are,” Hermione consoled her. “But you heard the Fates. This is our fight. They need to know what they’re up against. And we’re going to show them. Tonight.”

“We leave in an hour,” Draco said. “Gather all the information about their stay you can by then. Grab us some potions in case they’ve replaced those things out front. Scorp, go fetch my Hand from your grandmother.”

“Um, Draco?” Philippe said cautiously.

“What?”

“Y-you’re mother won’t be able to be there.”

Draco paled, his knees buckling in fear. “Why?”

“She was hit by a curse while trying to leave,” Harmony said weakly. “Demetri had no choice. She agreed though. She did agree.”

“No choice?” Draco said.

“She’ll be a vampire now,” Philippe said quietly. “She was too far gone for him to get help. He literally had no other choice. But he did wait for her blessing.”

Draco took a few deep breaths so he could calm down and absorb the news. Really, it wasn’t the worst news he could get. He’d been preparing for this day really, at least, ever since she started dating Demitri. She’d be a vampire, yes, but Alex was one at one time and Philippe was one now. There was nothing wrong with them. They just had a different diet. And now he wouldn’t have to deal with losing her to death. Yes, he could accept this. He just needed time to get used to the idea.

He had to shove that idea out of his head though. They had two teenagers to find and worry over his mother’s current condition wasn’t going to help him at all. He drew himself up and started barking more orders.

“Very well then, Scorp, the Hand is at the Manor hidden in the family treasure. Take your brother and sisters and find it as well as the other protection jewelry. Melody, write that horrid little poem down, if you would. And Cadence… think you could give us a memory of the front door spell?”

“Of course,” Cadence gushed and started corralling everyone to get work done.

“What about you two?” Melody asked quietly. “You’re quite depleted.”

Draco nodded and looked back toward the house. “Give us an hour… and a few blood replenishers.”

Hermione and Draco trailed up to the house, but not before vowing to Albus that they would get James no matter what it cost. They wished they could be there to see the boys’ transformation but they really couldn’t afford to wait any longer. Another moment spent in that place meant another moment of unspeakable horrors for the captured teens. No, they would get them out… if they had to level the place to do so.

AN: Soooooooo.... I couldn't do it. I had to have them in my story. Do you guys have any idea how hard I argued with Muse over this? Anyway, next up is the revenge. *evil grin* As always, thanks to everyone who reviewed. They made the time spent waiting for the end of Snowpocolypse 2013 much better. Keep them coming and let me know how I'm doing. Until next time... love you guys.
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Fooling Fate *sequel to Bound*

Fooling Fate sequel to Bound