XO 06
Ghost Story: Virginia Dare, the white doe, from the lost colony of Roanoke
Tropes: Creature, Curses, Heroic Sacrifice, Star-Crossed Lovers, Tragedy
Pairings: Wanda Maximoff/Harry Potter
“Okay, so the best idea that we came up with for our time away is to come to an area that is possibly haunted, to which-,” Harry paused ducking from a branch swing back at him.
“Sorry about that.”
“I am sure you are,” Harry smirked at the redhead. “Continuing my point…I am now leaning to yes on the haunted factor the longer we are here.”
“We’ve been here at most.” Wanda laughed. “Not including we both have powers. We can leave at any time we want.”
“Now sounds perfect.”
“Not scared are you?” Wanda Challenged turning back to the wizard.
“Of an entire colony that went missing and other people in this region, along with the legend of a woman that turned into a ghostly white doe.” Harry frowned for a moment glancing at the ground before giving his response. “The legend sounds probably ridiculous to some but horrific events leave a scar on the area. I know, I have seen it because the closer we get to where the roanoke colony was, the stronger I feel the same energy over the area, as Hogwarts after the battle had ended.”
Wanda softened instantly feeling regretful pull knowing Harry still had issues with the battle he was in and the lasting effects of those events. “Harry, I am sorry, I didn't think- I don't feel what you feel with energy. I just wanted to see roanoke- the legend I guess.”
“You have a love for sitcoms and legends. I knew what I agreed to when I came.” Harry sighed glancing around them, “Let's go but I just ask let's be gone from here by dark.”
“Of course,” Wanda agreed placing a kiss on the wizard's cheek. Wanda was not the same woman after losing Vision, it took her a long time to be able to open up to anyone. Out of everyone it had shocked everyone the person she ended up opening up to was one of Draco Malfoy’s acquaintances that had come to consult on some work the avengers had found. She had seen the same look in her eyes as she had carried in hers- the look of losing the one you loved the most. They had got to know one another, connecting on the loss of the ones they loved where some others couldn't understand. They found understanding in each other.
Harry right now was questioning that understanding as they come upon a house. Harry glanced at Wanda, noticing the look of confusion on her face. “What is it?”
“I didn't know this was here,” Wanda replied turning and glancing around as something caught her eyes in the sky. “Harry, are you seeing what i am seeing?”
Turning to follow her gaze Harry saw the moon was full turning red in the sky. Harry froze glancing back at the redhead.
“Think I am very ready to go now.” She said holding her hand out to Harry, he grasped he hand pulling her into his arms, trying to apparate, but nothing happened. “Harry?”
“I can’t apparate us away.” He said, panic beginning to fill his voice. “I think we bound here, probably something with the moon.”
“We should have left earlier.”
“Not gonna say it,” Harry whispered earning a stern glare from his companion.
“Right now I think we need to focus on how to get away from here.”
“Or what's keeping us here.”
“Harry,” Wanda said as panic filled her voice. He turned sharply to follow her gaze finding a swarm of ghostly figures behind them with torches standing there, unmoving just watching them. “I have a strong feeling that it's them.” She whispered.
“Don't.” Harry noticed the red fill her eyes. “These are ghosts, There’s a strong chance that magic won't work against them.”
“It could.”
“And you have a point but how many ghosts have you dealt with?”
“Then what do you purpose here?”
“You opposed to running?” He asked as the mob of ghosts began moving towards them.
“Run!” Harry yelled as the pair took off, through the woods.
“Plan! We need a plan!”
“Have you never noticed that plans tend to get blown to hell with me,” Harry yelled dodging the trees as they ran.
They found the house running to the door Wanda used magic and the door popped open.
“Apparently magic works within their boundaries,” Harry said climbing the stairs two at a time. “Get in!”
Passing through the door harry slammed it shut casting a spell over the door. Wanda's eyes flashed red casting a barrier around the house as Harry cast on directly on the house itself. The glow of their magics flowed beside each other in perfect harmony. The pair went upstairs to a room with windows looking over the grounds.
Two hours passed as they began to notice the glow of flames on torches appear in the distance.
“Took their time didn't they?” Harry commented.
“Why rush when the things your chase cant actually go anyway,” Wanda said seeing the figures stand at the edge of her barrier. The group’s eyes moved as one, to where they stood in the window above them.
“So our magic can't get us out, but we can use it in here.”
“I checked the phone earlier their not working,” Harry said leaning on the wall. “I don't know how much I know about any of this, but my guess is this started once the sun went down it might stop when the sun comes up?”
“Unless this follows a moon cycle.” Wanda countered.
Harry rubbed his face, “Let's hope then it will stop when the sun comes up and we can get out of here.”
Sparks of light flared in the room as they looked out they saw a portion of the group hitting the barrier.
“They are trying to break my barrier,” Wanda said. “I can feel it.”
“How long do we have they will break it before morning. They have a different power to them…it’s different and dark. I don't know how to explain it.”
“It will be fine,” Harry said kissing her forehead. He wrapped his arms around her trying to ignore the flashes from the attempt of breaking the barrier. “While we wait tell me the story of the colony of Roanoke.”
“You mean while they are possibly trying to kill us?”
“Dark way of putting it but yes.” Harry chuckled tightening his arms around her.
Wanda set telling harry the story of the colony of roanoke and how the entire colony had disappeared from where the colony had settled. Just vanished.”
“Well, I guess you and I know they didn't vanish they-” Harry froze as a burst of light signed from outside.
“They broke it,” Wanda said. “They still have to get through yours.”
“I am going to see if my Patronus will work her as well. I don't know what it could do against them, but never hurts for a little more.” Harry cast his Patronus as the massive stag sprang forth before them before it vanished into the woods. He stood with his jaw hanging in shock.
“Did it just leave us?” Wanda questioned.
“Yeah, I don't know if it's an effect of whatever magic or power has a grip on this place or those angry spirits below us but magic isn't working right here. Wanda I have seen you use that barrier before and nothing got through it but these ghosts. I don't think we are making it till sunrise.”
“Then we go down fighting.”
“How long till the sunrise?” Harry questioned.
Wanda glanced down at her watch, “Two and a half hours.”
Another flash of light burst outside, “Barrier’s down.”
They heard the front door break open as They went to the top of the stairs standing at the top of them they looked down seeing the ghosts of roanoke climbing the stairs. Harry's wand dropped from his sleeve ready for whatever came next, as the glow of Wanda's powers shined next to him.
“You should have never came here.” A figure in the doors yelled.
“Yeah I am aware of that.” He replied sarcastically.
“You’ll die here tonight on my land.”
Harry fired a spell and it passed right through the ghosts.
“Shit!” Harry said backing away until he noticed the ghost standing behind them as well they were trapped. He saw Wanda’s magic doing the same, he knew this wouldn’t end well.
“Your witchcraft won't help you here boy. Take’em to the yard.”
Wanda and Harry both were dragged to the yard, as the chants of the ghosts filled their ears.
“You’ll burn for the crimes of witchcraft and trespassing on my land.”
“Burned as a witch fantastic,” Harry replied sarcastically.
“Harry, I’m sorry,” Wanda called he could hear the fear in her voice. It hurt as he knew she was an amazingly strong witch with powers far beyond what he knew and at this moment for them to both be powerless was terrifying.
Harry glanced up noticing a shining white light before them as the light split into two, moving towards them and getting brighter as if moved. It took Harry a moment to realize that it was his stag Patronus and an unfamiliar white doe charging toward them.
“It’s the dare!’
“Damn her to the depths of hell!” The woman yelled as the stag and doe charged the spirits driving them back. The doe has more strength in banishing the spirits protecting Harry and Wanda.
As the last spirit vanished The stag and Dare came to the stop before the pair watching them closely. Harry ran over to Wanda helping her to her feet as he stared at the doe. “Thank you.”
“Harry, that's the Virginia Dare of the roanoke legend. Your Patronus didn't leave us, it went to get the help we needed.” Wanda said as the first rays of light began to shine over the land.
“Leave this place.” a soft voice spoke as the doe moved close to the pair. “Your spell saved you this night, but this land has a dark and heavy curse upon it. Do not return.”
With those last words it darted away and vanished from sight in the tree line.
“Harry pulled Wanda close apparating in a flash back to The Avenger's headquarters, landing within the gates.
“I’m sorry Harry-”
Harry shook his head, “You don't have to apologize to me. I’m just glad we are both safe and home. Now, tell me about the Virginia dare. You didn't make it to that part earlier in the night.”
“I was thinking a shower and bed?” Wanda chuckled.
Harry smirked, “Tell me on the way.”
“It’s about a curse-”
“Of course, it's a curse,” Harry laughed out loud. “Cursed colony, cursed land, cursed girl.”
“That's about right.” She nodded.