PROLOGUE
I sat down under a tree, my breathing coming in ragged gasps. Jus a little rest, then I'll go on, I thought as I sat there. I was so cold, and the ground looked so comfortable. I had been stupid to think that I could have ever escaped the Malfoy Manor and lived. I had been an idiot to think I could ever help bring down the greatest Dark wizard of all time. And now I was about to give up, when I had barley begun. No! I tried to get up, but my legs wouldn't support my weight. I fell to the ground, breathing in short quick gasps. I tried again to get up, but I couldn't even lift my arm off the ground. I love you, Hermione, Draco, and mum, was my last thought as I closed my eyes. I am sorry.
Chapter 1 - Without me.
"Lucy! Hermione! Time to get up!" called mum from downstairs. I groaned.
"Mum!" I whined, as I rolled out of bed and fell with a loud thump on the floor. "Ow!" I added grumpily. Hermione was sitting on the end of her bed, already dressed in jeans and a red t-shirt. She giggled, then reached down to help me up.
"Come on, Lucy! We're going to the zoo!" she squealed, bouncing up and down. She ran over to the wardrobe and picked out an outfit that mirrored her own. I got dressed quickly and dragged a brush through my bushy brown hair. Together, Hermione and I ran downstairs.
"Morning, mum," we said in unison, like we did every morning. I went over to the toaster and put in some bread.
"Hi girls! Sorry to ruin the mood, but I have some bad news for you." She paused, gauging our reaction. "We're not going to the zoo." She held up a hand to stop our protests, then continued, "a boa constrictor escaped yesterday, so the zoo is closed for the time being until they can be sure that the snake isn't hiding near by. On a happier not, though," she said at the sight of our disappointed faces, "You two have post. Here you are." She handed us each a letter. I opened mine.
"Hey, its from Aunt Monica!" I said enthusiastically.
Dear Lucy,
I hope you're well. I just got back from Jamaica, its very hot there! I had lots of fun there. It was a shame I couldn't have you and your sister with me over there! But anyway, would you like to come stay with me for a week in Cornwall? Just you, not Hermione. I think she will find herself a bit preoccupied to join us. What do you think?
Lots of love,
Aunt Monica
"I'm going to Aunt Monica's!" I whooped. "Oh, and she has a prediction for you, Hermione - she hasn't invited you because you will be preoccupied." Hermione nodded absently, then went back to her letter. We were all used to Aunt Monica's 'predictions'. She always seemed to know what was goin to happen before it did, and anything she said was never taken for granted. We never needed to reply when she sent a letter asking us over, because she would already know that we were coming.
"I'm going to go pack, OK?" I ran upstairs without waiting for an answer.
***
Three days later, I was sitting on the balcony with Aunt Monica. She had long, tawny gold air that was slightly curly, a bit like mine. Her eyes were exactly the same shade of brown as my own. She turned those eyes out to sea now, as did I. It was beautiful, relaxing on the balcony with her. I often felt I was closer to her than anyone else. I had never told anyone this.
"Lucy?" she said in her sweet voice.
"Yes, Aunt Monica?" I replied, turning to look at her.
"Call me Monica, please. Would you go and get the post for me?" she asked.
"Sure," I said, and ran off to get the post. I flicked through it on the way back. there was a letter for her, some bills, and even a letter for me! I pulled it out eagerly. When I got back to the balcony, I gave Monica her letters and sat down to open my own. She seemed unsurprised that I had post - it was probably the reason she had sent me to get it. I opened the envelope quickly, glancing at the bottom. It was from Hermione.
Dear Lucy,
I hope you're having a great time at Aunt Monica's. Does she have any more predictions for me? Anyway, what I'm writing to tell you about is that there has been a slight change of plan...
I read to the end of the letter silently. When I was done, I looked up at Monica, tears in my eyes.
"She's a witch. She's going to special school for witches and wizards. Without me." I burst into tears, and Monica put me on her lap, holding me close.
"It's alright, darling, it's alright..."
***
I spent a lot of time at Monica's after that. I enrolled at a school in Cornwall. It was better that way, I supposed. No one would know about her. Monica asked my mum and dad first, but they didn't mind. They knew I needed time to think. They weren't counting on five years, though... But they didn't mind.
Chapter 2 - I can and I will.
I stood on my balcony, long tawny hair billowing out behind me. This was my favourite place in the Summer, because it was so peaceful to watch the sea washing up the beach beneath the house, then falling back again. The sea is limitless, I thought. It can do anything, go anywhere. Unlike people. We are trapped. I turned, knowing that Monica would be behind me. I couldn't explain it, but Ihad some sort of sixth sense that allowed me to know when someone was near, and, to a certain degree, who it was. I knew Monica so well i was sure I would be able to recognise her on the other side of a football stadium. Or a quiditch stadium. I smiled as I remembered the fantastical stories she had told me of the secret magic world, to which my sister now belonged. I hadn't seen her for five years, since I had moved to Monica's. I was sure I would recognise her if I saw her, though.
"Lucy, a letter came today. It's from her." Monica never said her name, and nor did I, if I could help it. It brought back painful memories. Monica kissed me on the cheek and went out. she knew when I wanted privacy. Slowly, I walked back inside and sat down on my bed.
Inside the heavy envelope was a moving photograph and a letter. I reached under my bed, and brought out the box of all my sister's letters and photographs, and some letters of my own that she and her friends would never see. I took out the photo album that Monica had bought me, and turned to the last page. I put the picture in, then turned back to the front. The first picture, of her standing with a group of girls her age. She was eleven in that picture. The caption read : Hermione Granger, Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil. had labeled it myself, five years ago. I turned to the next page. Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. Her two best friends. And so it went on. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Hagrid. Harry playing Quiditch. Parvati and Padma Patil. The giant squid. Fred and George Weasley. Percy Weasley. Molly and Arthur Weasley. Victor Krum. Harry fighting a dragon in the Triwizard Tournament. The Triwizard champions. Harry entering the maze in the Triwizard Tournament. And now, Harry, Ron and Hermione.
I looked at the picture she had sent me. In the middle was her. She looked just like me, but her hair was still bush and light brown. She was laughing, and on either side of her were two boys. The one on the left was Ron. My sister was always going on about him in her letters. He had red hair and a sheepish expression. On the right was a boy with black hair, green eyes and a lightening scar on his forehead. This was Harry, I knew. Apparently he had done something amazing when he was a baby, or something. I hadn't paid much attention.
The letter was the same as always, asking how I was, telling me what she had done with her friends, what her plans were and asking me to come home for a bit. I always declined. Not because I didn't want to see her, but because I wanted to see her. I had managed to separate myself from her, cut off my heart, but I didn't know if I could continue if I actually met up with her. Follow your head, not your heart, my instincts urged me. But today I ignored them.
"Monica," I called, knowing she had been outside the door all the time.
"Yes?" she replied, as she walked in.
"Monica," I said firmly, "I want to go to Hogwarts." she looked at me, choosing her words carefully.
"Lucy, you can't - "
I can and I will." I interrupted.
"Why don't you go and see her at you parents' house?" she suggested.
"I want to meet her friends, her enemies, her teachers..." I trailed off helplessly.
"Darling, no." Monica was kind but firm. "I'll ground you if I have to."
"I won't go then," I said ending the conversation. "yet," I added under my breath when she was gone.
***
I knew what I was going to do. I had packed clothes, my credit card, money and food in my school bag. "Bye!" I called as I left the house. I was only five minutes away from the college me and Monica had picked out together. It was the first day of term perfect to disappear. When I got to the building, I didn't go in, but continued on past it. Hello, world, I thought as I set off towards the sun.
Chapter 3 - Hey Lucy. I'm George.
It was midday, and I was sitting in Subway, eating a sandwich. I had run away the day before. I had no idea where to go. I knew that I needed to get to Hogwarts, but how? I stoped chewing. I would take the train, I decided. I walked out, and down the road to the train station. As I was walking, I passed by the post office. It had posters in it of various things, but one stood out to me - one of a missing girl.
MISSING, the poster read. Lucy Granger, 16. Tall and thin, with brown eyes and long, tawny gold wavy hair. If found, please call this number: 07253 804909. It had on it a picture of me. The number was Monica's mobile. I looked around quickly, then pulled up my hoodie over my head. I guess that cuts out the train, I thought.
I walked quickly to the nearest bus stop, trying not to look suspicious. I needed to get out of town, where I would be safe. The bus took a painstakingly long time to arrive - I drummed my fingers on the plastic seat of the bus stop impatiently. When the bus finally came, I jumped up, and practically ran onto it. I pulled out my city pass, showed it to the driver, and found myself a seat. I pulle dout my ipod and jammed the headphones in my ears, finally relaxing while listening to 'Keep Holding On' by Avril Lavigne.
Keep holding on, 'cause you know we'll make it through...
"Lucy? Lucy!" a crackly voice sounded in my headphones, blocking out the music. "Lucy, I know you can hear me. Meet me at Little Brostow. It's the next stop on your bus. I'm a friend, I promise." the voice cut short, leaving me sitting in shocked silence.
...we'll make it through, just standing strong...
I started to panic. Little Brostow was the next stop, and the only one out of town. I had no choice.
When the bus arrived five minutes later, I steped off it, and looked around. No one else had come off, and I was alone, apart from a boy, about nineteen or twenty, who was leaning against a tree. He was tall, and had bright red hair. He looked up when he saw me coming.
"Hey Lucy. I'm George," he said quietly as I neared him.
"How - "
"Don't ask. Really." He looked at me. " Basically, your picture was on the front of the Prophet. Top news, you know. Lucy Granger, Missing. I knew that it had to be important, 'cause you got past all the stuff about You-Know-Who. Me and Fred, my twin brother, decided to find out as much as possible. I tracked you here, and well - " he pushed himself off the tree - "here I am." He started wlking down the road, towards the woods. I ran after him. The woods were creepy - tall trees that seemed to have around them a sense of foreboding. George stoped suddenly. "We need to disguise you," he said, turning and looking at me thoughtfully. A smile lit up his face. "How d'you fancy being ginger, Lucy?" he asked.
OK. I don't know what the hell is going on here, but - WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU POINTING THAT STICK AT ME FOR?" I shrieked in his face.
"Silencio," he whispered, pionting the, the STICK - at my throat. I gasped, and tried to tell him exactly where he could put that stick - but no sound came out. I opened my mouth, gulping like a fish. He looked at me ruefully. "Sorry," he said, "but I don't want anyone to klnow that we're here." I looked at him reproachfully, giving him puppy dog eyes, but he shook his head. "I'm sorry, but you won't get your voice back until I'm done. Now, I'm going to alter our looks with magic, so that you look like my sister, Ginny. I am a wizard, and this - " he looked down at his stick - "is my wand. Now, this is tricky, and I don't want to have to put a full body-bind curse on you to make you stay still." I nodded, and tried not to flinch as he pointed the stick - no, wand - at me again. He muttered something intangible, and I instantly grew taller and thinner. Shakily, I reached up one hand and looked at my hair. It was straight and red.
"Mm, not a bad job," he said thoughtfully, standing back to admire his handiwork. Then he handed me a mirror from somewhere. I looked.
"Wow," I said, then realised what I had done. "Hey, thanks, George!" I ran over and gave him a big hug.
"Woah, there, Lucy," he said, hugging me back awkwardly. He smiled at me, and I smiled at him. "No offence, Lu," he said, wrinkling his nose, "But you really need to wash and change your clothes!" I held up one finger, then turned around and rummaged through my bag. I pulled out some jeans, a top and a cardigan. Then I dug back in and pulled out some black slip-ons.George turned around and shut his eyes, and I changed, shivering, into the outfit I had packed. I didn't worry that he would look- he had my trust already. The clothes were the wrong size, so I asked him to correct them for me.
"Not freaked out by the whole magic thing? I'm guessing that you didn't know about it before." I shook my head. "Done." George stepped back and looked me up and down. He looked at me, bewildered. "I swear that you didn't look like that to start with... Oh well." He shrugged and picked up my backpack, ignoring my protests. "Now, I've never done side-along apperation before, so we're going to take the Knight Bus back," he told me. "Let me do the talking. And remember, you're not Lucy anymore." He kissed my forehead hesitantly, then ruffled my hair and stepped back. "Come on, Ginny." He started walking towards the road. When we were on the pavement, George stuck out his wand. Imediatly, a triple decker, bright purple bus appeared out of nowhere, and stopped in front of us. A speckled youth in a purple uniform jumped off and started to speak.
"Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency tran - " george cut in.
"How much to get us to the Leaky Cauldron and get us to the top of your priority list?" he asked quickly. The youth nervously licked his lips.
"One galleon, six sickles," he said decisively. George handed over a strange, large gold coin, and six small silver coins.
"Thanks, Stan," said George, and he pulled me onto the bus, There were seats placed haphazardly around inside. George grabbed a couple near the door. I sat down and looked around.
"Take 'er away, Ern," said Stan. The bus shot forwards with a loud bang! I looked out of the window, and saw that we were riding down a completly different street. Bang! The seats didn't seem to be attached to the floor - whenever the bus made a sharp turn, they would go sliding around and tip over. The bus jerked to a stop in front of a dingy pub.
"we're 'ere," said Stan, watching us interestedly. I had been knocked off my seat when we stopped, and Geroge rushed over to help me up.
"Are you alright?" he asked worriedly. I stood up shakily, long, straight red hair falling like a veil in front of my face. I pushed it back behind my ear, trying to ignore the tickly fringe that now covered my forehead. I nodded, then paused.
"I didn't have a fringe before, did I?" I whispered. George took a long time to answer.
"No, you didn't," he said.
"What's happening to me?" I sobbed, falling into his arms. He held me close as I cried.
"I don't know," he said honestly.
Chapter 4 – You need to understand.
George looked at me, and then pulled me into the small pub. Small clusters of people were sat around worn tables, muttering to each other. A short man stood behind the bar, cleaning glasses. He looked up when the door opened, then went back to scrubbing the mugs. George looked around worriedly, then lead me through to the back of the pub. I stopped suddenly. All I saw was a small stoned backyard, with some bins in it. I thought it looked very ordinary, but George obviously didn't. He strode to the back wall of the small yard, then pulled out his wand and tapped one of the bricks of the wall with it. I gasped, as the stones of the wall just seemed to melt away, forming a large archway. George turned to me.
"Welcome to Diagon Alley," he said grimly, and ushered me inside. I looked around in wonder. There were few people about, all dressed in the same odd way as the people in the pub. The shops had strange names, like 'Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions', and 'Flourish and Blotts'. Half of the shops were closed down, but one caught my attention - 'Weasly's Wizard Wheezes'. I looked at George, who was striding along beside me.
"Yeah, that's where we're going," he said, guessing my thoughts. "And no, I'm not psychic," he said, correctly guessing my thoughts for a second time. I turned away, hiding my smile. Soon we reached the shop. George opened the large door for me, and I walked into probably the most busy store on the street. It would have been helpful to have at least 6 extra pairs of eyes in that shop, there was so much colour and so much to see! I looked up when I heard someone coming. It was George, but... I looked beside me. George was still there! I looked back. Now I remembered. This must be Fred, George's identical twin. I raised my hand slightly and wiggled my fingers.
"Wow George, what did you do to Ginny?" asked Fred, smiling.
"Not sure, she did it herself," said George quietly. Fred seemed to get what he was saying, because he nodded and spoke again.
"We're closing in 10 minutes," he said. I looked up in surprise. It was only about three in the afternoon!
"We close early during term time," he said. I looked at him, confused. "I'll explain later," he mouthed, and George lead me to the back of the shop and up a flight of stairs concealed by a curtain. he lead me to a medium sized room on the second floor.
"This will be your room, while you are here," He said, looking around. "We use it when we have guests overnight." He left me then, standing alone in the unfamiliar space, surrounded by a stranger's furniture. Sighing, I plonked myself down on the bed and fell instantly asleep.
I was standing in a large room. There was a large table in the middle, and many people in black clothes were seated around it. At the head, a pale man with red eyes was sat, one hand resting on his wand, the other curled around a large snake. I shrank back behind the pillar, just as the man spoke.
"Dinner, Nagini," he said softly, and I heard the sound of scales sliding over the cold stone floor.
I woke up screaming. Both Fred and George were sitting by my bed, worried looks on their faces. I looked at them, my expression wild, my hair a bushy mess.
"What just happened?" I asked. Fred looked at George. George looked at Fred. "There was a man, in a giant room. He was pale white and had red eyes." Both the twins looked at me, suddenly scared. I pressed on. "There were lots of other people in the room too, all dressed in black. The man -" I shuddered as I remembered what was still so vivid in my mind - "had a snake. He saw me, and sent the snake after me. Then I woke up." I looked at the twins expectantly.
"Lucy, you need a wand." said George. He and Fred walked out of the room and shut the door. I strained to hear what was being said.
"- The exception that Mr Ollivander was talking about? It was her aunt," one of them said. The other replied quickly.
"Must be, the - very curious." The twins re-entered the room.
"Lucy, you need to understand. We are going to take you to Ollivander's, the wand shop. You'll get a wand there." They turned and walked out. I jumped up and followed them out of the shop, and down the street to an empty store. The twins entered quickly and quietly.
"- Around here somewhere," George muttered. "Here it is!" He raised a box exuberantly, and then presented it to me. I opened it. Inside was a dark wand. I pushed it back into the twins’ surprised hands.
“No.” I shook my head in defiance. “No. I won’t touch it until you tell me what’s going on.” The twins looked at each other, and Fred sighed.
“Well, I guess you deserve to know,” he said resignedly, sitting down on the dusty floor. George and I sat, too. “Do you want to tell it or shall I?” Fred asked.
“I will, she knows me better,” George replied. He turned to face me.
“Years ago, there was a wizard, who went as bad as you can get,” he started. “His name was -“ he looked around quickly – “Voldemort.”
“Vol –“
“Don’t say the name!” Both the twins hushed.
“At least, not somewhere we can be overheard,” muttered Fred. I leaned in, listening intently.
“So, the wizard, You-Know-Who, went worse than you can even imagine. He was pure evil. Then, about fourteen years ago, Harry Potter stopped him. He was only a baby, too, but he stopped You-Know-Who.
“And then, of course, all his followers were either in Azkaban, the wizard prison –“ he indicated with his hand – “or coming back over, claiming that they had been forced to follow him.
“But, just over a year ago, he came back to life. Don’t ask how, I don’t know. But he came back, and now he’s alive and messing up the world again.”
“So, what does this have to do with me? I’m not –“
“We’re not sure yet,” whispered Fred. “We’ll tell you everything else back at the shop, ok? It’s too open here.” He cast a quick look around, then handed the wand into my shaking hands. I picked it up out of the box, and the room was lit up by a yellow light.
“Well, so much for remaining inconspicuous,” said George darkly, then added, “oh, and could you stop changing your looks? It’s a bit distracting.” Together, we walked back to the shop. I went straight up to my room, to unpack my things. I saw a small hand mirror on the dresser, so I picked it up, looking at my changed reflection. I now looked just about as I did normally, but I could swear that I was taller, and my eyes weren’t normally green. I sighed, and flopped down on the bed, fast asleep.
Voldemort’s POV
“SHE WAS THERE! SHE WAS THERE, AND YOU MISSED HER!” I screeched at the Death Eaters. You IGNORED her! Or was I the only one to notice her??? CURUCIO!” I pointed my wand at random. Someone screamed. I sat down, fuming. “The girl is everything. She MUST NOT be allowed to get to Hogwarts and team up with Potter, they will be unstoppable!”
“Don’t worry, My Lord,” said a silky voice. “I have a plan…” I sat back, relieved.
“Thank you, Severus,” I said, as Nagini slithered over to join me.
Chapter 5 – Help me!
It was morning. I sat up suddenly, not recoignising the room I was in. Then it all came rushing back to me. The past few days events hit me in the face like a speeding train, and I lay back down again, dizzy. A voice called up the stairs.
"Lucy? Are you up?" I groaned, and rolled over and out of the bed with a loud thump.
"No, leave me alone," I mumbled into the duvet. I heard a soft chuckle, then the door opened and George came in. I squealed, and pulled the duvet over my pink heart PJs. I peeked out. Where was he? Of course, I knew straight away when the fingers started searching under my arms. "No, no, stop it," I gasped between breaths, giggling like mad. It didn't work. the inquisitive fingers were still mercilessly tickling me. "Please!" I gasped, tears of laughter rolling down my cheeks. In another 10 seconds, the fingers stopped.
"Well, since you said please," he said jokingly. I wriggled away, taking the duvet with me. George was sitting on my bed, watching me. I looked at him pointedly, hten sighed. Boys just never get the hint, do they?
"Can you go out, so I can get dressed?" I asked resignedly. George jumped up, red creeping up the nape of his neck. He walked out quickly, and shut the door slightly harder than nessecary. I sighed again, then went over to my backpack. I searched through it, biting my lip. All my clothes had already been worn. I pulled out a greying sweater and pair of black joggers that weren't too grubby, pulled them on, and walked out of the room, grabbing the funny stick I had got the day before on my way out. The twins were in the kitchen. As I entered, they both looked up. I sat down at the only remaining chair.
"So, what's new?" I asked, as I helped myself to some of the toast in the middle of the table. The twins looked at each other.
"You need some more clothes," they remarked simultaniously.
About an hour later, I was walking down Diagon Alley with Fred and George. They walked out into the pub, then out onto the streets of London. There was a New Look across the street. Fred gave me some money, and I crossed over to get some stuff. There was a beautiful white top that I bought, as well as some jeans and a cople of hoodies. Then I saw the hat stand. I couldn't resist. I paid for it all, and walked out with two bags of clothes. I was wearing one of the hoodies, along with a rainbow coulered hat, gloves and scarf. Fred and Geroge goggled at my bright choice.
"So, where next?" I asked cheerfully.
"Back to the shop now," replied Fred. He smiled suddenly. "We're going to teach you some magic, Lucy!"
A routine was quickly established. In the mornings, Fred and George would teach me about magic. In the afternoons, I roamed Diagon Alley. I lloked forward to the afternoons the most, for I found learning tiresome. Once, I stumbled into Knockturn Alley. Fred had too come and find me, cowarding in the shadows.
About a week after, I was brousing in the twins' shop, when two men entered behind me. I ignored them, looking only at the shelves. Suddenly, I heard the woosh of a spell flying past my head. I turned around, and screamed. The men had thier wands raised. I ducked behind a display (skiving snackboxes - gets you out of class, whenever you want!) as another curse flew past me.
"Fred! George! Help me!" I screamed, as the display exploded. "Stupefy!" I cried, pointing my wand at one of the men. He flew backwards, and crumpled in a heap by the window. I turned tail and ran through the shelves, ducking curses and swerving the explosions they set off. I bumped into something hard. I looked up to see another strange man. He grabbed me, but I ducked. Just then, George appeared in front of me. He grabbed my hand and the world dissapeared. It felt like I was being dragged through a tight tube, that was stretching and squeezing me at will. Then it was gone. I stood, gasping and retching, in a strange forest. I looked at George.
"No time to explain," he whispered, passing my rucksack. I took it. He kissed me on the cheek and dissapeared, shouting, "goodbye!" before the wind could snatch him away. I sat down and cried.
Many hours later, I awoke with a start. I'd had a horrible dream. I shivered. A crack of a twig made me look up sharply. A band of men in black robes stood in front of me. Silver masks covered thier faces.
"Well, what have we here?" asked one. A mouth moved, a jet of red light, and I fainted.
Chapter 6 - Crucio!
I was in a large cellar. From the dim light shining through the barred door, I could see tall pillars that seemed to hold up the celling. it was damp and cold, and I huddled in a ball. My hands were tied behind my back. I wriggled them around, but the rope wouldn't budge. I let out a groan of dispair.
"Hello?" a weak voice called out in the darkness. I screamed, being unable to see where it came from. My eyes fell on a lump in a corner. It moved, and I saw it was actualy an old man. He stood up, and started shuffling over to me. His right hand was clenched tight, and he walked with a slight limp. His face was ancient, and carried more wrinkles than an elephant.
"Who are you?" I asked warily, scrambling up against the wall.
"Mr Ollivander. Are you Lucy?" He asked me. I stopped, shocked.
"Yes, how did you know?"
"I overheard them talking about you," he replied, pointing at the celling. I looked up, too. In the meantime, Mr Ollivander hand uncleanched his hand. It held a rusty nail in it. He quickly cut through my bonds, and I pulled my wrists apart, rubbing the life back into them.
"Thanks," I said. Mr Ollivander shushed me.
"Listen," he whispered, pointing at the celling. I looked up, straining.
"We have her, my lord," a voice said. It was the man in the mask who had kidnapped me.
"Very good, Lucius. It seems you may be forgiven after all." A new voice spoke, one that was thick, and slimy, and very quiet.
"Thank you, my lord." I could picture him bowing to the other man. "What are we to do with her?" There was a pause.
"Nothing, yet," replied the mysterious voice. "She will be a good toy for us. All I want yo to do with her is what you would do to any other prisoner. But remember, she is special. She cannot be killed!"
"Yes, my lord," Lucius replied. I gasped. There were footsteps coming down the stairs. A small, wormish man entered the room.
"Food." He dumped a tray with some stale bread on it just inside the door, then went out again and locked it. I sat down on the floor and cried.
"Lucy, are you ok?" asked Mr Ollivander. I nodded, wiping the decreasing flow of tears from my face. He didn't look so sure though, as he went to get the bread. He gave a slice to me, and I ate it hungrily.
"Is there any water?" I asked hopefully. Mr Ollivander walked over to where he had been sitting, brining back a glass of water. I thanked him, taking a sip. When I was done, I lay back against the wall, already fast asleep.
I was awakened in the morning by a rough shaking. I looked up. It was Mr Ollivander. He gestured to the man in the doorway. I stood up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and followed the man. He led me into a large room. There was a circle of people, all talking ernestly.
"Silence! Our guest has arrived." I shuddered. It was the voice from last night. The crowd parted, and I could see him. His face was truly awful to look at. He was bald, had pale skin, red eyes and no nose. A snake was coiled around his neck, hissing softly. But the most terrifiying thing about him was the sheer sense of fear he seemed to emit. I stood still, hardly daring to move.
"We'll have fun with this one, no doubt," he said, smiling. The others laughed. The man raised his wand.
"Crucio."
The pain was imediate and intense. I screamed, feeling as though hundreds of knives werer being driven into my body. Then it was gone, leaving me gasping on the floor. The people in the roomlaughed. I looked up, only to see Him pointing the wand at me again.
And as the pain hit again, I wondered when it was going to end.
***
The next day, the small man came back. I followed him up to the room. This time it was a lady there. She had wild, black hair, and dark hooded eyes. I stood, silent.
"Bellatrix Lestrange," she said, in a teasing voice.
"Lucy," I replied evenly. She raised her wand and pointed it at me.
"Crucio!"
***
The same happened on the next day. And the next. And the next. It began to wear down my iron will. I would walk with heavy steps, dragging my feet and bowing my head. My hair turned dark; my skin pale. Even my eyes lost thier shine. Until finally, one day, things changed.
I walked up the stairs tiredly. I stood facing the day's torturer. It was Lucus Malfoy, the one who had captured me in the first place. I stood, waiting, but the pain didn't come. The Dark Lord, the man who had hurt me first, was standing there.
"I think she's worn down enough," he said, smiling, before pointing his wand at me.
"Imperio."
Chapter 7 - voice in my head
Life imperiused was a lot simpler than it had been. I now worked for the Malfoys, as a kind of servant. I never tried to throw off the curse, because it just didn't make sense. Not that I could think for myself, most of the time. At first, this new existence was perfect.
Until I woke up.
***
I was washing dishes. Without magic, of course; I had never been allowed my wand. i was scrubbing away, when I stopped. There was no voice in my head, telling me what to do. And then Mr Malfoy came in. He saw me, looking around. "What are you doing? Get back to work!" he yelled, wacking me on the face. I could taste the coppery blood in my mouth, feel the pain... But then the voice was back.
Obey him... do as he says... obey them all...
What could I do but what it said?
***
The second time, I was carrying out dinner on a large golden tray. It dropped from my hands in surprise. But then I gathered my wits and ran towards the door. I had barely made it across the room when they started to bellow curses at me. I was hit by at least two crucios. Not a fun experiance. I was barely concious when they dragged me to the room where the Dark Lord was sat. Lucius threw me at his feet, and I lay there, dazed.
All my memories flashed before me. When I was a little girl, playing with my sister. When we got our letters, each for different things. When I moved to Aunt Monica's. A fun night out I had had at the cinema with my new friends.all the letters I had recieved from Her - My sister. When I stopped saying her name. Why I set out in the first place. Meeting Fred and George. The attack. Being captured. Listening to the conversation in the cellar with Mr Ollivander. Me, brushing my hair every night, even finding a way to wash it. And the last time I had broken out.
Here, I managed to push him off, but he didn't seem to notice.
"Twice now you have failed me, Lucius!" screamed the Dark Lord. "I should be able to trust you! It seems I must take matters into my own hands! He looked at me, wild. "Imperio!" he screamed, pointing his wand at me. And I had no control.
cut off your hair... cut off your hair... cut it ALL off... do it NOW!
I reached for a pair of scissors and, with great regret, cut off my long dark tresses. Soon, all that was left were short, stumpy clumps that stuck out all over the place. If I could've, I would've cried, but I couldn't.
"Crucio!"
I screamed.
***
Many hours later, when all the Death Eaters had finished torturing me, I was dragged to my room. After that, there were no more incidents. After all, who can resist the will of the Dark Lord?
Chapter 8 - You may call me Kit.
DRACO'S POV
I was sitting on the Hogwarts Express. Not many people were going home for Christmas, so I had managed to find an empty compartment away from all my friends. I leanedagainst the window, breathing deeply. The Bell girl was still in St Mungo's. I hadn't meant for her to be the one to receive the necklace's curse. But the mead was in place; thanks to Madame Rosmarta. I sat, looking out the window, willing the journey away.
***
I was awoken by the sound of lots of people moving past. I yawned, stretched, and walked out onto Platform 9 3/4. I hurried over to my mother, who had agreed to aperate me to the house. I held tightly onto her arm, and felt the familiar sensation of being pulled through a tight tube. Then, we were walking up the drive towards home; the Malfoy Manor.
At the door, we were greeted by a pretty girl with short black hair and light blues eyes framed by dark lashes. She curtsied, locking eyes with me.
"May I take your bags, sir?" she asked in a sweet voice. I looked in surprise at my mother, who indicated I should say yes. I nodded, and the girl reached down, and, with great ease, picked up my trunk as if it was no lighter than a feather. She then turned, me following, and walked up the stairs to my room, where she put it down. "I'm done!" she called down the stairs. Something must have changed, because she visibly relaxed. "Is there anything I can do for you, sir?" she asked in that same sweet voice, smiling.
"Who are you?" her face grew dark and sad. She turned away.
"Come to my room tonight and I will tell you my story," she said quietly, before turning and walking out.
I stood silently, watching her leave, her hips swaying as she walked. I sat on my bed, lost in thought.
"Draco? Are you up there?" my mother called, breaking me out of my reverie.
"Coming!" I called back, rushing down the stairs.
"Are you alright?" asked my mother worridly, putting her arm around me. I shook it off, embarassed. I could see the girl peeking around the corner, watching me. She smiled, then turned and disapeared.
"Fine," I replied. "Who was the girl?"
"That is Lucy Eden," she whispered. "The girl of the prophecy. Your father caught her not long after you left for Hogwarts. But don't ever call her Lucy, or Eden, we don't want to jog her memories. She has been obliviated - she believes that her name is Kit Riddle, daughter of the Dark Lord. Let her tell you that, though. But don't ever let her know any of what I have just told you." I nodded, walking away. "And Draco?" I turned to look at her. "Never give her your wand. She is an exceptionally powerful witch, although she has very little knowledge of magic. She must not be allowed to escape!" I nodded again. "Supper's in an hour," she said, kissing me on the forhead. "She serves us." With that, she turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, confused. There was only one person who would answer my questions. Kit.
I found her in the kitchen with non other than our old house elf, Dobby, cooking dinner. She froze when I opened the door, and Dobby started to tremble.
"I'll be right back," she told him, coming out and shutting the door beind her. "Please don't tell anyone," she pleaded. "I will be punished id they find out."
"You do know that house elf used to work for us?" I asked quietly.
"Yes. He told me." It took me a moment to digest this.
"What's your name?" I asked. She leaned in close.
"They think I don't know," she whispered. "But I know my name is really Lucy Eden, and there is a prophecy about me. They must have obliviated me, because I have no memories of being called that name. Although there is something... Always there, never quite ready to revealed. Every time I reach for it, it slips away. I hate it. But you must not call me Lucy, or Eden! They must not know!"
"Then what do i call you?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
"You may call me Kit." She turned and fled through the kitchen door, shuting it firmly.
KIT'S POV
I leaned against the door, heart beating loud as a drum. I had just told my greatest secrets to one of my masters! Dobby looked at me.
"Is Miss Eden alright?" he asked me in his squeaky voice.
"It's Riddle, Dobby," I replied. Then I fainted.
DRACO'S POV
I heard a crash, and flung open the door of the kitchen. I looked down. Kit was lying on the floor, Dobby standing next to her.
"Ma- master Ma- ma - Malfoy," he stuttered, and disapeared with a loud crack. I ran over to Kit, turning her over.
"Kit? Kit! Kit, wake up!" I cried, cradling her still body in my arms. I brushed her hair out of her face. "Lucy, wake up." I stood, regained my posture, then ran to find my mother. She was in the dining hall.
"Mother! Kit's - collapsed -" I gasped. She took one look at my face, then followed me to the kitchen. I opened the oak door and my mother walked in. Kit was on the floor, exactly where i had left her; black hair splayed across her face, eyes closed. My mother grabbed a metal bucket and filled it with ice cold water. She threw it over Kit's face. I ran over and knelt beside her, slapping her cheeks. She coughed, and sat up, shaking her wet hair like a dog. Then she saw me, kneeling beside her, worry the only expression plastered all over my face. She looked visibly taken aback, but quickly recovered.
"I am fine, ma'am," she told my mother quietly, standing up, ignoring me. "If you will go to the dinning hall, supper will be served momentarily." She walked over to the cooker, and checked the pots and pans. She turned. I was still standing there. "Supper will be served momentarily," she repeated. I took the hint and walked out, shutting the door slightly harder than nesecary on my way out. As I walked away, I cold have sworn I heard a sigh of relief from what could only have been Kit.
***
After supper, I went in search of Kit's room. it took me a while to find it - a small afair, but with a nice bed, dresser and wardrobe. I walked over to the wardrobe, curious as to what they would have provided for her, a mere servant. Therre were nice clothes inside, like the skirt and top she had been wearing that day. A small sound alerted me to another presense in the room. I turned sharply. It was Kit.
KIT'S POV
I had just finished cleaning up from supper. I stumbled wearily up the stairs to my room. I opened the oak door, a common thing in this house. And saw Draco, looking in my wardrobe. He turned swiftly when I entered the room. A dark pink flush spread across his face, contrasting with his white-blond hair and pale eyes. He opened his mouth, but I stopped him.
"Next time, ask," I said softly. "Curiosity killed the cat. But this time, don't worry." He nodded, as he seemed to a lot, and sat on the end of my bed. I sat down at the opposite end, facing him, and crossed my legs. Then i started.
"I expect you know -" he held up his hand, drawing his wand. He pointed it at the door.
"Lockomotus. Muffilato." He turned to me, putting away his wand. "There. Now we won't be disturbed." I restarted.
"I expect you know more about me than I do. But I will start with my current life.
"My name is Kit Riddle, the Dark Lord's daughter. I was stolen away by my mother, and only recently have I been found.
"But I believe this is false. I think they have obliviated me, remving my true memories. I have proof of it in this letter." I pulled it out of my drawer. " It is adressed to Lucy Granger, from Hermione Granger."
DRACO'S POV
I started at that name. The mudblood had a sister? But Kit looked nothing like her. And she hadn't come to Hogwarts. I took the letter, and read it. Definatly from Hermione Granger. I gave it back. Footsteps sounded outside the door. I stood.
"I'd better go," I said, but she stopped me.
"Please, stay."
So I stayed, and we talked until midnight, when I finally left. That visit had left me with more questions than answers. I thought about it all, lying on my bed, until finally, I fell asleep.
KIT'S POV
I watched him leave silently. I had had fun that night, but it didn't change what I had seen when I fainted. Draco had nearly killed a girl. He was giong to almost kill a red haired boy as well, all to get to one man. Mu vision had shown me the truth about him. Draco was an assassin, working for the Dark Lord.
Chapter 9 – Oops
I was making breakfast when Draco found me. The eggs were on the plates and I had just finished serving the bacon when there was a knock at the door.
"Come in!" I called, now buttering toast. When the door opened, but no one spoke, I turned. Draco was standing there, watching me closely. My face fell. What did he want? "Is there anything I can help you with, sir?" He looked me up and down, before finally answering.
"No. And it's Draco," he replied softly.
"Then what do you want? Or has my father ordered you to kill me, like he did that old man?" I knew instantly I had made a mistake. Draco's eyes burned like fireballs.
"Actually, I was going to offer to help you, but now I'm not so sure!" he retorted angrily, storming out. I stood there, shell-shocked.
Help me?
Draco wanted to help me?
Oops.
DRACO'S POV
I ran out, angry and worried. How had she known aout my mission. Why was she being so mean? I kicked the wall in annoyance.
"Gah!" I hopped around, clutching my foot. None of it added up. Lucy Eden, Lucy Granger, Hermione Granger, my mission... And Kit Riddle. If Lucy Eden and Lucy Granger were the same person, that made Kit the mudblood's sister. Probably twin, as they looked about the same age. But Kit wasn't a mudblood. She couldn't be. You've fallen in love with her, snided a small voice in my head.
Yes.
Yes, I had.
KIT'S POV
I stood in front of the door, waiting for Draco's footsteps to fade away. Then, with great difficulty, I opened it and walked out, carrying breakfast for the Malfoy's on a golden tray. Having served them all, I was about to go back to the kitchen, when a voice stopped me.
"Kit, why don't you eat with us today?" asked Mrs Malfoy. I smiled awkwardly.
"I'll just go and get myself a plate, ma'am," I replied, walking out as fast as was polite. I could hear her voice calling out again.
"It’s Cissy, Kit."
I mulled it over in my head as I walked back from the kitchen. Why would she want me to sit with them?
When I came back, I sat in the only available seat - next to Draco.
Although we never talked to each other during that meal, a person would have to be deaf, blind and just plain stupid to see that the tension between us had lifted. All that kept us apart now was ourselves. And that was what I resolved to change.
That night, I went up to Draco's room to talk to him, but he was nowhere to be seen. I borrowed some parchment, ink and a quill from his desk and wrote one word.
Sorry.
A single tear rolled down my cheek, and fell, as if in slow motion, onto the top of the S. It lay there, glistening, as I turned and walked slowly away.
DRACO'S POV
When I heard the door open, I hid behing the curtain. I could see Kit looking for me. Then she bent over my desk and wrote something down. I could see her eyes were brimming with tears, and one rolled down her cheek, falling onto the page.
As soon as she was gone, I walked over to my desk and looked. There was one word written on the parchment, in swirly hand writing.
Sorry.
Chapter 10 - I was eight.
The next morning, I ate with the Malfoys again. This time, I enjoyed sitting next to Draco. We talked and laughed, and generally had fun. When he asked me to come to his room after breakfast, I replied yes immediately. It was almost as though yesterday had never happened.
Approaching his room, I saw Nagini, the Dark Lord’s snake. It was reassuring to see her slithering over the floor towards me, almost like she was a long lost friend come to comfort me, although she was just a talking snake.
“Hello Nagini,” I said, bending down as she neared me.
“Hellooo Kiiit,” she replied in her hissy voice. “Theeere is sooomething IIIIIIIIII must tellll you.”
“What is it?” I was curious to see what it was that was important enough for her to leave her master to come find me.
“You maaay not knooow yourseeeeelf as wellllllll as you thiiiink you doooooo,” she told me. I was taken aback. What did she mean> Of course I knew myself! Unless she was referring to Lucy Eden/Granger.
Just then, Draco’s door opened, and he walked out. I looked up, irritated, as Nagini slithered away. Draco looked like he had seen a ghost, although he quickly tried to hide it. “What is it?” I asked, getting up and walking over to him. He now looked normal again, but I could see his hands shaking.
“N-nothing…” he trailed off when he saw my face. “It’s just, you were talking to Nagini.”
“Yes.” I confirmed.
“And she’s a snake.” No duh, I thought, but I didn’t tell him that. “Only parselmouths can speak to snakes. There are only two I know of – Harry Potter and the Da – I mean, You-Know-Who.”
“Call him the Dark Lord, Draco, I do,” I told him quietly. He swallowed, and then stepped aside to let me in.
“So, what did you ask me to come here for then?” I wondered out loud, looking at his large room. I plonked myself on his bed. He came over to join me, and I looked at him, waiting.
“I forgive you.”
“What, just like that?” I asked; glad to move away from the whole parselmouth conversation. Draco obviously was as well, he visibly relaxed when I spoke.
No, of course not! There’s a catch…”
“Which is?” I asked a little harsher then intended. He winced at my loud voice.
“Call me Draco. Oh, and don’t go telling Nagini anything. She belongs to the Dark Lord; he sends her to spy on people.” I didn’t linger on the snake/Nagini conversation.
“That’s two catches,” I pointed out.
“No, I haven’t told you the catch yet.” I waited. “Kiss me.”
“What, just that? I thought you were going to, oh, I don’t know, umm…” I paused for effect. “Ok, I didn’t! It was a joke! I was being sarcastic!” It must have been my frantic tone of voice that made Draco laugh so hard. I laughed too, then leaned over and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
“So, how can I help you?” he asked, turning to look at me. I paused, thinking.
“Umm… What about the letter? We could try and find something else, to jog my memory.” Draco seemed to consider for a moment.
“Ok, that could work. But how would we tell each other if we found something? I don’t think my parents would like it if we were plotting to get you your life back.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that,” I smiled.
“Why not?” he asked, confused.
DRACO’S POV
She was smiling in that infuriating way that girls do when they have you stumped and they know it. I watched her lips carefully, waiting for her to speak. But she never did.
Because of this, Draco.
I jumped a mile off the bed. I hadn’t seen her lips move, they hadn’t moved, but she had spoken, and without her mouth moving at all. Argh! It was all too confusing. Seeing my face, she burst into fits of infectious giggles, making me laugh too, although I had no reason to.
“What did you just do?” I asked warily, when we had both stopped laughing.
What, this?
It was her tone of voice, so innocently cheeky, that made me laugh again, and so did she, until tears were rolling down our cheeks.
I can project my thoughts, and read others’. I am telepathic.
“You mean you are legillimentic.” (I don’t know the word for it, so just go with it please!)
“What?” she looked confused.
“Try and read my mind now.” I steeled myself, waiting for the harsh probes of legillimens. But there were none.
I’m in,” she said, still confused. That was when I felt the thin tendril of thought sliding through my defences. Try as I might, I couldn’t push it out, block it or even slow its progress.
“How do you do that?” I was confused – my occlemens had stood up against Professor Snape, who was highly accomplished at breaking into minds, yet it had failed against a sixteen year old girl with no memory.
“I just kind of project my mind. When I talk to you like before, I just projected my thoughts into your head. It’s simple.”
“Can I try?” I was intrigued to know if I to could read her mind.
Sure.
The tendril receded, and I prepared to break into her mind. But as soon as I tried, I came up against resistance. Kit’s mind was guarded by a thick diamond wall, impossible to break into.
“Not fair, you’re blocking me!” I whined. She laughed, and I tried again.
Even diamond has its flaws, Kit’s voice told me. How had she sent me that message? The diamond wall had not weakened, if anything, it had gotten thicker. But then I remembered what she had said to me. She had projected, not broken into. She wasn’t using legillimency after all – it had to be telepathy. Reluctantly, I stopped trying. I drew myself into my own mind, and then pushed out in all directions, expanding my consciousness. Almost immediately, I came across another consciousness, which I knew instantly to be Kit’s. I pushed towards it eagerly, but still couldn’t penetrate the diamond. I opened my eyes, disappointed.
“It might be something only I can do,” she told me reassuringly, but I could hear the tremor in her voice.
“Hey, cheer up!” I said, struck by a sudden thought. “It’s Christmas in three days!”
KIT’S POV
Christmas? What was Christmas? The word sounded vaguely familiar. Too familiar. I collapsed.
Lucy, wake up, it’s Christmas!” yelled my sister, Hermione. I jumped up; this was one of the few days when I would get up straight away.
“Yay!” I yelled, running around our bedroom in my pink heart pyjamas. “Presents!” Without bothering to get dressed, I ran downstairs, Hermione close behind. “Mum, can we open our Father Christmas presents before breakfast?” I asked excitedly. My mum, Mrs Granger, smiled and nodded. Hermione and I ran over to the huge pile of wrapped gifts underneath our brightly decorated tree…
I came round gasping. “Granger. Hermione. My name. Lucy.” I forced out between ragged breaths. I noticed, after a few minutes, that I was lying down on Draco’s bed, which was strange because I remembered hitting the floor with a thud. Draco was sitting next to me, stroking my short black hair.
“You don’t need to tell me. I heard it all.” I was shocked – had I spoken out loud? “You were almost narrating the story. How old were you?”
“Eight,” I replied confidently, sitting up. “That Christmas, I was eight. But I looked different. I looked like Hermione…” I trailed off.
“Think ‘pink hair’,” Draco told me. “You might be a metamorphmagus.” I did as he said, and he gasped. “It worked!” he cried, pulling me into an awkward hug. “Try making your hair long, you’ll see.” I did, and sure enough, shoulder length strands of bubblegum pink hair grew down from my head.
“Ok, weird.” I thought Lucy Granger. The hair was now light brown, thick and curly.
“Wow. You really look like the mud- I mean, like Hermione,” remarked Draco.
“Hang on a sec,” I told him, and thought Lucy Eden. Immediately, the hair grew longer, down to the middle of my back, and turned tawny gold.
“Now I like that look,” Draco told me. Just then, footsteps sounded outside. “Quick, change back!” he hissed, and hastily I returned my looks to those of Kit Riddle – short black hair and crystal blue eyes. We both looked up as the door opened to reveal Narcissia, Draco’s mother. She looked straight at me, and spoke in her clear, high voice.
“There you are, Kit. You need to make lunch.”
“Ok.” I jumped up quickly and followed her out, waving my fingertips at Draco as I left the room.
Later that night, I was sitting on my soft bed, looking over the faded letter from my sister. This time, I was ready for the vision when it came. But it wasn’t like the others.
I was in a strange room, decorated with scarlet and gold hangings on the walls. The large fireplace was filled with a crackling flame. My sister was sitting on one of the scarlet patterned armchairs that were dotted around the room. I was standing in front of one of the large old fashioned windows. It was snowing heavily outside, the wind tossing all loose objects around as if it were a game. I walked over to where my sister, who looked about thirteen, was scribbling furiously on a piece of paper. I leant over her shoulder, reading the first words.
Dear Lucy…
I gasped, catching my breath, Hermione turned and nearly screamed, but without thinking, I put my hand over her mouth.
“Who are you?” she asked when I took my hand away.
“Wait. Can you see me?” I replied, shocked. This was supposed to be a vision, not some supernatural astral projection into the past. (Yes, I watch a lot of Charmed, people…J)
“Yes, of course!” my sister seemed surprised.
“Ok. Right. Can you keep a secret?” What a stupid question, I told myself. She’s your sister, of course she can! Hermione nodded, and I sat down next to her. “Ok, so basically, I’m your sister, Lucy.” Her eyes flew to the paper she still clutched tightly in her hand. “Right now, I was supposed to be having this vision thingy from the letter you’re writing. But it’s like I’ve been astral projected back in time.” My sister’s hand crept up to a gold chain around her neck. I pressed on. “At the moment, I have very few memories of you, and when I say very few, I mean about one or two. I think I was obliviated. I’ve been seeing and hearing familiar things that have jogged my memory.” Hermione had been listening all this time. “Don’t tell anyone about me, please,” I pleaded. She nodded.
“Just one question. How old are you?” I thought.
“Sixteen I think. I have to go.” I stood up as I was dragged back into reality.
A rough hand was shaking my shoulder. I sat bolt upright. A man with greasy black hair and black robes stood in front of me.
“Kit!” he hissed, still shaking me. “I need to talk to you! You are Lucy Eden, daughter of Monica Eden and only heir of the Dark Lord!”
I was standing in a large room. There was a large table in the middle, and many people in black clothes were seated around it. At the head, a pale man with red eyes, who I now knew to be the Dark Lord, was sat, one hand resting on his wand, the other curled around a large snake. I shrank back behind the pillar, just as the man spoke.
"Dinner, Nagini," he said softly, and I heard the sound of scales sliding over the cold stone floor.
“You. You were there. Your one of his followers,” I spat, scrambling away. “Don’t touch me!”
“No, Lucy, you don’t understand!” he seemed anxious, almost frantic. “I work for Dumbledore, the very man who opposes the Dark Lord! I act double agent for him, to keep tabs on the Dark Lord!” He reached into his deep pocket, and brought out a long, dark wand with a pattern of ivy on it. I knew instantly it was mine. As I took it, a wave of memories
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