The Next Generation

[FawkesthePhoenix]

Valencia started to feel the effects of her own spell, making the walls flicker and ripple at the edges. Something other than her protego charm was shielding them from the spells flying everywhere, but her vision was going foggy, and she couldn't see what it was. Suddenly a slash of pain went through Valencia's mind, and she began to writhe and cringe in silent pain. Striking out at invisible foes only she could see, Valencia's hand encountered Nikolaus's, and the terror immediately ebbed. They were fighting together, and in this battle, even if in none other, she wasn't alone. A warm darkness began to cloud her vision. Valencia's body grew limp, her heartbeat slowed, and her consciousness swirled away.

[DucksRMagical]

Galena had hardly any time to watch as Valencia, Geneve, and Liam teetered on the edges of consciousness, because the Death Eaters had made their way up to her study.

They threw curses everywhere and Galena threw them back. She fought alongside her fellow Hufflepuffs, trying to curse Death Eaters and protect her students at the same time.

Galena narrowly dodged a jet of orange light and disarmed the wizard who sent it at her. She had already disarmed a few Death Eaters and had a collection of wands in her right hand. Death Eaters were falling one by one, but Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors were as well.

"Protego!" Galena shouted and threw a shield in front of two of her students that had been hit by jinxes.

Galena was beginning to wish she hadn't let them fight. She knew that she couldn't really stop them since they were of age, but she hated seeing them jinxed, hexed, and cursed.

[Ms. Elsewhere]

Geneve's mind was a sickening blur. She felt as she layed on the grass the surface changing from soft, sun kissed warmth to a hard chill. She stared up into the blue sky and she could hearLiam calling her as the scene drifted away. She sat up, holding her head, fighting the black cloud that was consuming it. She looked at her arms; the veins were going black like a poison was ebbing thru her. And then the pain. She felt such an intense pain all through her that she screamed out. Then, all was dark except for one littlle candle. Another figure was slumped in the corner, Geneve saw it was Liam. She could hear chanting, and then she realised it was her own voice. She listened hard, unable to see what was going on.

Geneve sat up abruptly on the stairs and looked around. Chaos reigned all around her. She smiled. Then she closed her eyes and layed her hands on Liam's chest and started to chant. From somewhere in the castle, a terrible roar erupted. For a moment, all was still. Then came the pounding footsteps of something very big. From around a corner, a beast appeared, it's magnificent head nearly hitting the roof, it's four, furry hooves, and it's spear like tail were flaming. Geneve had used Liam's Veela summoning power to call forth the mystical creature known as the red bull; and it's soul purpose was to drive it's prey to imprisonment for whoever controlled it. "Take them all to the dungeons." Geneve hissed. Then she turned to Valencia and Nicolaus and smiled as she saw the protection spell. She filed through her mind as quickly as flipping thru a book and found the counterspell. She fired it at the two, and she saw nicolaus grab Valencia and pull her up the stairs before the spell had hit them. "Nicolaus!!!!" she shrieked. "Must u fight this? You have given me everything you have, you cannot fight me!!!" She climbed the stairs, searching, behind her the bull was roaring and ppl were screaming. "Nicholaus. Ket me have her. She will still be just as beautiful without her magic. And you can have her, and help her rebuild her memories. I will let you go. What do you say? Is she worth it?What is it about her that makes u risk your life?" Geneve laughed. "Do you love her? You who needs no one? Answer me Nicolaus! Nicholaus!!!"

[choki]

Geneve's words hit him hard. His mind went blank as if it was hit by a killing curse. He wheeled around, and defended Valencia at the back, who was slipping in-and-out of consciousness, but never did they let go of each other hands. Although the effect from the previous curse still persisted, the ever growing desire to guard her surpassed the numbing pain.

What was the thing he truly wanted? The ambition to become the next Dark Lord? Or was it something simpler? Dark Arts was his interests, but did he ever crave for more? Yes, he did. It was more than an interest, he was obsessed with the Dark Arts and had meddled too far that his constant thirst to learn more eclipsed over everything. As an achievement, he created various spells and curses, but never did he thought of doing dishonorable deeds with it. But nonetheless, people feared him. Then it dawned on him... the very reason why Dumbledore had shown him those memories - He was heading for a path just like Grindelwald did. A path which Voldemort chose. A path which Nikolaus would inevitably follow.

"I loved no one. I never did," he said, and he briefly looked back at Valencia and faced Geneve once more, "But now, I think I do." It did not matter to him whether Valencia had heard him in her current state, but he wished she did not, for there would be more time to come in the future for a proper confession.

"And that will be what set us apart, Voldemort!"

[Ms. Elsewhere]

Geneve smiled. "You people and your foolish feelings. But I underestimated youth and it nearly destroyed me. Maybe I shouldn't understimate love. I know. You see how she can make you more powerful, just like Liam can make me more powerful. There is no real power in being alone. Every queen must have her king..." They had entered the Headmaster's office. Geneve paused and looked around the room. The portraits were all black as night, and empty still. "Don't be a fool Nicolaus. You can't change a prophesy. It is your destiny to join me. It is your destiny to destroy be my servant. And it is her destiny to surrender her power to me.. and... "Geneve paused. "Valencia. It is your destiny to bring your grandfather back as it was Geneve's to bring me. Marcellus must live. When your magic is gone, he will consume your empty shell. Nicolaus. She will be powerful, but you must let me finish what i've started. Now!" Geneve shouted. "Show yourself!!! Transpardum Aurus! "She fired a spell into the air, and a haze drifted down over the furniture, making them transparent. If they were in the room, she would find their hiding place soon.

[choki]

His heart was thumping furiously as the spell would soon reveal their location. Sooner or later, he would have to face Voldemort. Would he be able to battle him? He looked back at Valencia.

"I'm sorry.." He said with a guilt, as he let go of her hand and performed an disillusionment charm on her. At least, she would be hidden from view.

"My destiny? What a joke! You do not know anything about ME!" Nikolaus bellowed as he jumped out to face the young girl.
"Expecto Patronum!" A silver unicorn appeared and charged down at Geneve. She simply waved her wand and the patronus disappeared almost instantly.

"See... you cannot defeat me... Just join me, together we can rule once again," Geneve continued her taunting, casting more curses toward him.

"Over my dead body," Nikolaus exclaimed. The room was too small for a proper fight. With curses bouncing off the walls, there was a high chance any one of them would hit Valencia.
"Bring the battle outside!" He thought mentally. Mustering all his courage, he fired several curses and charged towards Geneve at the same time. His shoulder was bleeding profusely when a curse cut him before the counterspell was ready. He ignored the stinging sensation and fired the countercurse. It too, had hit Geneve, but she regained her composure immediately.

"You are weak for a Dark Lord... even Grindelwald was much stronger than you!" Nikolaus mocked. Now, he got the full attention of the fuming Geneve. "Just a little more!" he cursed himself, as he struggled to maintain a fighting pose. And with a wave, he fired random Reducto Curse at the walls, even at the one where he knew Valencia was. The wall caved in and large clunks fell, effectively cutting off the advancement Geneve had planned for to find Valencia. The room was utterly destroyed, with only a portion still standing perfect intact. He would have a hard time explaining to Galena when it would be over.

[Ms. Elsewhere]

Geneve crouched down and placed her hand on the floor, her other hand pointing her wand down. She felt the power ebbing through her arm and down into the stone. It stared to ripple and warp, and then she yelled "Diffindo!" The floor crumbled in a wave across the room, and she stood up, pulling her wand hand up in the air, sending the spell up the wall, sending a huge crack across the frames and into the roof. The tower ceiling tipped like the lid of a bottle, and the high winds outside whipped across the room. "Nicholas!!!" Geneve yelled above the noise. Geneve summoned the energy generated by the battle between her and Nicholas. It formed a red and black orb between her hands. She was loosing consciousness. She shook her head and cursed herself. Then she saw her arms start to disappear. She thought hard, and then she disapparated, feeling two more bodies pulling along after her as if she had lasooed them on ropes. She felt a surge of pleasure. Wow Nicholaus, your spells are so much fun, she thought wickedly.

THe three landed with a thud on the banks of the lake. Geneve pushed herself up, her face smeared with mud. She wiped at it with her sleeve, and peered over at Nicholaus and Valencia. They were lying still not 3 feet away. Geneve was shattered; her body was so weakened, she could barely move. She searched her mind for a healing spell. Valencia groaned. The would wake soon, and recover faster.

[choki]

The fresh smell of the grass and mud mingled with a ferrous smell. His sleeve and part of the clothes were drenched with the dark red sticky substance. He was lying in his own pool of blood. Trying to move, he found himself awfully numb.

Then, he saw Geneve casting a healing spell on herself. "Drats, that was my creation!" he cursed silently. Valencia was lying nearby. Looking at his right side, he spotted his wand lying just inches away. He reached forward to grab his wand, but he was not feeling any sensation from his wand arm.

[Ms. Elsewhere]

Geneve felt such a rush of revival that her even her torn clothes were restored. She stood up, feeling strong. Nicholaus was stirring, trying to reach for something. Geneve approached, and stood above him. She looked down at him, tilted her head and then placed one boot on his arm and stepped down hard. He cried out; she had pushed her heal into a wound, and it would seem that his arm was broken. She crouched down and grabbed his wand and put it in her pocket. Nicholaus lay still for a moment, breathing deeply. Geneve went around and rolled Valencia onto her back. She was semi awake, but could not stop Geneve and she muttered an incantation that caused an eerie green glow to cover her. Geneve stopped chanting and placed her hands on Valencia's stomach. Valencia groaned. Geneve took a sudden breath in. Her eyes had been closed, but when she opened them, sitting on the ground next to Valencia was Marcellus. He was almost solid, and he grinned at Geneve.
"What are you gawking at?!!!" Geneve shouted. "How dare u interupt ..." Marcellus reached out and slapped Geneve hard across the face, knocking her to the ground. She rolled, holding her face. Her nose was bleeding.Marcellus stared down at his grand daughter.
"You have clutched your secrets close to your heart long enough. I will havet them now, and my time again." his voice echoed and his presence flickered like a faulty television. Then he was gone, and Valencia gasped, her chest lifting as if she had been shocked. She sat up, looked around. She saw Nicholaus, she went to him, placed her hands on him and felt his pain. He was dying. Geneve was swearing and stumbling toward the lake, where she splashed water on her face to clear the blood. Valencia stood up, her wand at the ready. "Well, my dark lady.." she said. "It seems that someone has messed up your pretty little face." Geneve turned and glared at Valencia, her wand ready too. "Marcellus." she said. "You knew you could have her all along. But now, I will kill you both."

[FawkesthePhoenix]

Valencia felt sickened. Marcellus was inside her, controling her. It was like being forcefed mud. Desparately pushing through Marcellus, it was Valencia who replied to Geneve.
"You will be fighting two battles. You're a threat to both of us, and though we fight for different reasons, and towards different goals, at least for now, we fight the same person. I know how to destroy you. Just give me the slightest opening." Fighting her nausea, Valencia pulled out her wand. This battle would have to be well timed. If Geneve shot a killing spell before Valencia had thrown off Marcellus, then they would both die. But if she threw him off before the killing curse was shot, then only Marcellus would die. The timing had to be perfect. Valencia struck a fighting stance. Using her mind to herd out Marcellus, Valencia let her instinct guide her in the duel. Lunge forward, stunning spell, spin away, dodge that avada kedavra, its not the right time yet.
Meanwhile, in her brain, Valencia was fighting a battle even more viscious. Using all the willpower she had, Valencia sheperded Marcellus out of her soul. Pushing, poking, and with one final thrust, she was free.
"Avada Kedavra!" Geneve screeched. Valencia purposely stepped right into the curse's path, visibly surprising Geneve. With a rush of euphoria, Valencia felt the presence of Marcellus leave her body, gone forever. Using one last burst of energy, Valencia flung out a pure white spell at Geneve, which struck her right above her heart. A shadow was blasted out of Geneve and onto the ground. The darkness matierialized into a body, the body of Lord Voldemort, now helpless on the ground.
Staggering away from the Dark Lord, Valencia knelt beside Nikolaus. He was barely awake, moaning slightly. Stowing away her wand, Valencia took him into his arms.
"I heard what you said." she breathed into his ear. "And you're not the only one with confessions. I have one right now. I love you." And with that Valencia kissed him, pouring into Nikolaus a tonic the greatest magic could never create, a tonic that only love could bring. Valencia didn't care that Geneve was watching, the girl was free of Voldemort, and any further danger there might be could wait.

[Ms. Elsewhere]

Geneve sat on the ground, feeling slightly confused, a bit sore, but otherwise fine. A man was lying on the ground next to her. She recognised him from somewhere in a dream. "Grandfather." she said. He turned and looked at her, still struggling.
"Help me..." he hissed. Geneve cringed, and stood up, backing away like he was some ferrel creature about to bite her. "Help me!" he called. "Or I will finish your little boyfriend..."
Geneve stopped. Liam. He was still trapped. could her grandfather still harm him? She approached him. He couldn't stand up, he could barely move. He looked up at her. He was sickening to behold. Geneve searched his eyes. "You have no power over me." She said.
"I... no Geneve, no you can't." he shrieked.
"Liam..." she said, and looked back at the castle. She closed her eyes and dropped to her knees, holding her hands together. "Don't let go, Liam, come back."

In the Castle, Liam returned to his body... he sat up and rubbed his eyes.

[choki]

He was dumbfounded when Valencia kissed him. The flow of her magic into his broken self stirred up his own deep magic which sprung into life, healing all over him, together like it was meant to be from the start.

His own memories rewound to their very first meeting where she had pointed her wand at him. How he attempted to trick her but that had failed miserably. How they had argue and distrust each other. And finally how they had helped each other at times of difficulties.

Laughing to himself mentally, he returned the kiss and embraced her with his now healed arm. Now, he would never be alone... not anymore.

[FawkesthePhoenix]

Valencia's heart leapt as Nikolaus regained consciousness. Surfacng from her happiness, Valencia laughed, then broke off, startled at the sound. She hadn't laughed like that since second year. It felt great.

[Ms. Elsewhere]

Geneve watched as Liam came running from the front doors of Hogwarts. He descended the stairs, and crossed the grounds. Geneve was so busy watching she didn't notice that Voldemort was chanting under his breath. Liam stopped suddenly and fell to the ground as if he had been struck. As Geneve watched, the same force struck her, and she fell too. Fleur, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Galena came out of the castle, their clothes slightly scorched. "I think I have a new nightmare, other than spiders!" Said Ron. Then they noticed Liam on the ground.
"Liam!!!" Fleur screamed. She ran to her son, and fell to her knees. She pulled him up and held her close to him. "No no...." she cried. Suddenly Fleur transformed. She held her son tightly. What was happening was bright and frightning, no one could look directly at them. Then, the light faded, and Liam was awake, hugging him mother back. Liam and Fleur stood up. They all looked on at the lake, where Geneve still lay still, and Nikolaus and Valencia were standing over the cloaked figure of an unknown man. Liam looked up at his mum. "Can i help her? Geneve?" he asked. Fleur opened her mouth to speak, but could not bring herself to tell him. He let go of her hand. "No. I have to!" he ran to Geneve's side.

[FawkesthePhoenix]

Valencia turned to see Liam running towards them, yelling Geneve's name. "Is he still controlled by Voldemort?" she wondered.
"Don't....... say.... my name." mumbled the Dark Lord pityfully. "You....... should fear...... me"
"Looks like you've got your old arrogance, Voldy." Valencia commented.