Hollow Graves
Genesis bade goodnight to the other two as he and Brother headed for the residence of the Kancheewa family.
“The two that live here are the only scientists that are trustworthy, if you don’t want something to get back to the heads of the department then it goes no further than those two.” He explained as the two of them approached the door.
Knocking, Genesis and Brother waited patiently. “Oh, Genesis!” the male voice of Doctor Eriol Kancheewa sounded from behind them.
“Good evening, Doctor Kancheewa. I apologise for my being here uninvited, but I was wondering if Professor Kancheewa or yourself could take a look at my shoulder.”
Genesis watched as Doctor Kancheewa’s eyes darkened. Had he said something wrong?
As quickly as it had appeared, however, the darkness vanished. “Come on in, I’ll take a look for you until Sakura comes home.” Eriol opened his door and invited them in.
“Daddy! You’re home!” a young voice sounded up the stairs as two small children came rushing down the stairs, running straight through Brother who had gone invisible around strangers, and into the waiting arms of their father.
“Oof hello, you two! Tari?” he called.
“Coming!” a third child came down the stairs, this one was around eleven years old with red hair and striking green eyes. So this is the girl that Hojo and Hollander are trying to get the Kancheewas to hand over. Genesis thought as he took a seat in the kitchen.
Though the Kancheewa family were a well-liked family, the parents were both intelligent and dangerous, very dangerous. Genesis, himself, had once seen Eriol cut off the head of one of his understudies when they had made a ‘family oath’ and broke it.
Genesis had been so shocked at the display of violence that he never took the pinkie finger of a Kancheewa.
“Alright, Pup. This is Commander Genesis Rhapsodos, a SOLDIER First Class, he is the third in command of the army I took you to see yesterday.” Eriol explained as he set the kettle to boil. “He’s got a small problem with his shoulder, be a gem and fetch the medical kit for me.”
Nodding, the eldest child disappeared.
Genesis shifter nervously, “calm down, Commander, I’m not Hollander.” Eriol spoke, turning to him. “Tea or coffee?”
“Coffee, please.” Genesis looked at the door to see Brother stood looking pained. Frowning Genesis forgot where he was and asked, “are you alright?”
“Yes, I am quite well, thank you.” Jumping as Eriol answered Genesis made a noise. “How about you? No fever or hallucinations?”
*Not unless you count me!* Brother joked, causing a small smirk to grace Genesis’ face.
“Not that I’m aware of, no. Although, I did black out a few months ago when the pain in my shoulder started.” Genesis explained, taking the cup of coffee.
“Got it dad,” Tari came back into the kitchen carrying the box. “Oh and mum’s home.”
“Mummy!” Right on cue two little voices and the laughter of an older woman sounded in the entrance.
“Thanks, pup, you can go now, your mother can help.” Eriol turned back to the counter and held out another steaming cup as Sakura Kancheewa walked into the kitchen, stalling as she laid eyes on Genesis.
“Welcome home, love.” He greeted bringing his wife out of her shock. “We have a patient.”
Sakura nodded, took a tentative sip from her mug and placed it onto the counter. “Very well, hello again, Genesis.” She greeted, smiling that reassuring smile that melted even Sephiroth’s fears.
“Hello again, Professor, I apologise for intruding-” Genesis was cut off with a sharp pain racing through his shoulder. “Sweet Goddess of mercy that smarts!” he hissed.
“Take off your top layers.” Sakura spoke.
Doing as he was told he was gentle with his ailing side and grimaced, only to then stare in shock; his whole arm looked like it was losing its colour. “What. The. Hell?!” he looked up at the two Kancheewas, frightened. “What’s happening to me?” he whimpered, honestly, he hated feeling like this, but he had no idea what had caused this, only the VR Room accident.
Feeling a hand on his arm, Genesis looked into the green eyes of a mother. “Calm down, Genesis. It’s going to be alright.”
Genesis shook his head. “I want to believe you, but I don’t understand what’s happening to me!”
“Alright, alright. Deep breaths, it’s just a symptom of your mutated genetic make-up.” Genesis looked up at this.
*No…* he heard Brother breathe, he knows something about this. Genesis thought.
“My genetic… the Mako transfusion did this to me?!” panic was now beginning to rise in his heart. “But what about Angeal and Sephiroth? What about the other members of SOLDIER?!”
Sakura closed her mouth; Genesis felt his despair turn to anger. “Tell me!!” he grabbed Sakura by the arms and pushed her up against the wall.
“Genesis STOP!” Brother placed trembling arms on Genesis’ bare arms. “Stop.”
“Who are you?!” Eriol and Sakura spoke.
“A child of the heavens, that is all the two of you need to know.” Brother snapped. “Come, my friend, let them tend to your shoulder, no answers will be found by force. Not from these two, not when they are gentle and pure of heart.” Brother spoke to Genesis softly, slowly bringing Genesis round to his senses.
Releasing Sakura, Genesis fell to his backside and curled his knees under his chin rocking back and forth continuously saying sorry. His mind was a whirl of activity, he couldn’t focus on anything.
He was seeing without seeing as he watched Brother rummage through Genesis’ coat pockets until he found what he was looking for.
“Here, Genesis, focus on this.” Brother handed him a small stone, or he thought it was a stone, but Genesis felt a sudden rush through his veins and his Golden Flower entered his sight.
“Hermione!” he called out reaching up, dropping the object in the process, she disappeared.
Hearing a chuckle, he looked over at Brother who just nodded.
“There you are. Now, hold tight to her, lest she slip away for good.”
Scurrying around the floor in search of that object, Genesis clutched it tight and held it to his chest, taking deep breaths as he forced himself to calm down.
Finally getting himself under control, Genesis looked up at the two Kancheewas and grimaced as he saw bruises beginning to form on Sakura’s arms. “Forgive my outburst, professor, I’m just frightened that’s all.” Getting back to his feet he then rounded on Brother, “as for you,” Brother flinched, “you know what this is don’t you?” Genesis waved his arm about.
He watched as Brother nodded, his eyes never leaving the floor. “Why did you never tell me?”
“You are not meant to know Genesis.” It was professor Kancheewa that answered. “However, if you would like to know, there are some aspects of this that I can tell you.”
“Sakura, what about Hollander?” Eriol asked.
“What about him? All he will do is cause more discomfort to Genesis, at least this way he can know the basics before going on a head hunt.” There was something to her words that spoke to Genesis.
“Go on a head hunt?” he asked quietly.
“I meant asking Hollander for any more information.” The good woman turned to face Genesis and invited him to sit back down. “No good will come of you knowing about any of this, but there is no point in you being kept in the dark any longer.”
Genesis waited as Sakura and Eriol put their three children to bed before coming back down.
Professor Kancheewa fetched a more advanced medical kit and began what her husband had yet to begin. “You are about to hear some very difficult things, Genesis. I trust that little trinket will keep you calm enough to allow me to tell you everything I can without interruption?”
Genesis chuckled, “possibly, if not then my friend here can also be of help.”
He watched Sakura narrow her eyes and look over his shoulder, “about your friend, Genesis… exactly how did he get into my house without my husband or my children knowing?”
“Oh, your children saw me,” Brother piped up, “or at least the oldest one did, she must have assumed that the two of you had also seen me.” Brother plopped himself down on the floor in front of one of the many books strewn across the floor.
“Hmm, I assume these are your eldest child’s books? Even for an eleven-year-old she is showing signs of high intelligence.” He muttered he last part to himself.
Genesis was watching Sakura the whole time Brother was speaking, her eyes became darker. “Brother, I believe you are upsetting the good professor, here. Please be a bit more mindful of what you say and in front of whom.” He chided, catching Brother’s eye.
Brother just nodded in reply.
As time went by, Sakura tended to Genesis’ wound whilst also taking tissue and blood samples. Mumbling to herself as she went, Sakura suddenly stopped.
“It’s called degradation.” She stated, turning to look at Genesis. “You and Angeal both have cells in your system that are prone to degrading due to the high concentration of Mako in your blood.”
Genesis felt his blood go cold. “Our cells…? What do you mean, our blood cells?”
“You can’t tell him the whole truth, Sakura.” Eriol spoke up suddenly.
“Why not?” Sakura and Genesis asked in unison.
“Isn’t it supposed to be Hollander’s place to tell him, not yours?”
Genesis watched this mull over in her head. Finally, she heaved a heavy sigh and gave Genesis a sorrowful look, she didn’t need to say anything, Genesis just smiled. “It’s alright, Professor. I understand your position; I shall just have to ask Hollander.”
Sakura gave a sad smile, “thank you, Genesis. At the very least, though, let me tend to this shoulder, I’ll try and ease your pain for a while.”
Genesis bid the family goodnight and wandered through the streets, Brother at his heels, until he reached LOVELESS Avenue. Reaching into his pocket, his fingers wrapped around the stone that Hermione had made for him whilst they had been at the lakeside. I hope I get to see you again soon, my Golden Flower, you have been gone less than three hours and I miss you already.
Genesis stopped; Brother had grabbed hold of his arm. Frowning, Genesis took him to one side. “Are you alright, my friend?”
When Brother didn’t answer him, Genesis shook him a little only for his friend to go limp. Diving to catch him, Genesis reached into his pocket for his phone. “Sephiroth make sure the door is unlocked, Brother’s collapsed.”
0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0X0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x
Hermione and Harry had just returned to the cliffside, this time Hermione did put up the enchantments, her thoughts of Genesis and of Ron. Yes, now that they had returned, her thoughts were once again of their missing friend. I wonder if he went back to Hogwarts? It really wouldn’t have surprise her, but at the same time she knew he would be too ashamed to go back, whether he had intended to leave or not.
They stayed in the area for a couple of days before Harry finally said something to her. “Hermione, I’ve been reading that book by Rita Skeeter, the one about Dumbledore. I want to go to Godric’s Hollow, maybe we can find something to help us destroy the Horcruxes.”
Hermione, who had been reading Tales of Beedle the Bard, looked over at Other before looking at Harry. “Really?” she didn’t mean to sound as sceptical as she did, but she knew the real reason was to find more out about Dumbledore.
Harry seemed to know what she was thinking, honestly, she didn’t know what was happening to her, but even Hermione could see how much of a bitch she was starting to become. “Yes, I also want to go because that was the place I used to live, I was born there, Hermione.”
This didn’t surprise Hermione. Giving a sigh, she softened her gaze and nodded, “alright, I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t a little curious myself. Afterall, we may find the sword of Godric Gryffindor there too.” She closed her book and got to her feet, beginning to pack everything.
“You know how to get there?” Harry asked.
“Just about,” she replied. Picking up her little bag, she tied another scarf to the nearest tree and repeated her little spell.
Returning to Harry and Other, she took their hands and disapparated.
Reappearing in a snowy village square, Hermione dropped their hands and dove for Other, who had suddenly dropped to her knees.
“Are you alright?!” Hermione asked concern.
0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0X0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x
Other couldn’t breathe, there was a foul odour in the air, she looked down the snow-laden road to find in covered in a green mist, the foul odour made her gag as she threw up.
Hermione’s voice sounded off somewhere in the distance; she tried to focus on it but to no avail.
Her Brother was beside in in the next instant, suffering the same.
“I cannot breathe!” they gasped.
Feeling something behind her, Other attempted to stand only to fall back to her knees.
*Oh, my children,* the voice of her Father sounded clearly through the mist. *How you have disappointed your Mother and I.*
“FATHER!” Other screamed, reaching out for the voice.
*You shall both suffer the same pain as your Champions, as punishment for your disobedience. Never again shall either of you be welcome within our walls, not as long as your champions live.*
0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0X0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x
Genesis knelt beside Brother as he lay on the sofa, Angeal and Sephiroth either side of him as the young deity twitched and called out for his Father.
“What is going on?” he breathed as Brother began to sweat. Something caught Genesis’ eye, looking down at Brother’s left arm, he paled. His arm was now the same colour as Genesis’.
How is this happening to him?!He isn’t enhanced…
Looking up at Angeal and Sephiroth he steeled himself. “Will the two of you keep an eye on him, there is something I need to do.”
“Can it not wait?” Angeal asked.
Genesis shook his head, “it concerns Brother, I won’t be long.” Turning to leave he closed the door to the apartments and headed for the Science Department. He needed to talk to Hollander.
0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0X0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0
Hermione held a shaking Other as she called out to her Father. What is going on?!
Suddenly Other fell limp into Hermione’s arms, her body twitching, “hang in there, my friend.” Looking up at Harry she trembled. “Help me get her over into the shadows.”
The two wizards carried the still twitching Other over to a nearby bench.
“What is this, Hermione?” Harry asked.
Hermione looked around, suddenly aware of how exposed they were. “I don’t know, she’s never reacted this way to apparation before.”
She was suddenly aware of a presence behind her, turning she saw that it was a figure she had never met before, a woman.
“Who are you?!”
She had platinum blonde hair, her face was beautiful and yet across her collar bone there was the hint of a scar.
“Hush, child, I am here for my Daughter and then my son.” The woman approached the witch, wizard and still twitching deity, not put off by Hermione’s stance as the witch moved to protect her friend.
“Mother? Are you here to take them back?” Hermione asked nervously, taking into account the fact that this woman was still walking towards them.
All Hermione got as an answer was a shake of the head.
Hermione stepped back beside Harry, watching as the woman waved her hand over Other before turning to the two seventeen-year olds.
“My children will be granted their divinity so long as they do not take a mortal name, should they do so, then they will be as mortal as yourself and my son’s champion,” the woman’s eyes hardened, “know that the two of you are the cause of this.” And with that she disappeared.
0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0X0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0
Sephiroth and Angeal had identical looks of shock on their faces when Genesis came back; he had been unsuccessful in finding Hollander, instead he had asked Hojo to inform Hollander that he needed to speak with him. Not that Genesis liked leaving a message with that psychopath.
“What is it?”
“Some woman claiming to be Brother’s Mother had just appeared out of nowhere, she took away his pain and turned to us with a warning for you.” Genesis had come to sit beside the now sleeping deity, he looked up and over at Angeal as Sephiroth continued.
“She claimed that if he takes a mortal name, he will lose his divinity and be as mortal as you, Other too by the sounds of it. She also said that the fault was yours and Hermione’s, which I do not understand.” It was incredibly rare to see Sephiroth this riled.
Genesis looked down at Brother. “We are the reason for them disobeying their parents, as a result they are being punished.” Genesis looked between his two best friends. “Did she say anything else?”
“Only that the two were going to suffer the exact same pain as you and Hermione do, or at least I think that is what she hinted at.” Angeal answered, honestly, Genesis could see that Sephiroth and Angeal were growing concerned, he really couldn’t blame them.
“Genesis, what is this all about?”
Sighing Genesis got to his feet, “honestly Angeal I don’t know myself. Hermione and I never asked for this.” He nervously rubbed his arm, suppressing a shudder.
The three turned as they heard Brother let out a groan. “Anyone get that Behemoth that stood on me?” the three shared a chuckle.
0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0X0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0
Other was also waking with a groan. “Okay, who hired the Mountain Troll to hit me?” Hermione, who had been sat in the snow in front of her, shot up to her knees, Harry crouching down beside her.
“Are you okay?”
“If you consider a headache from Hades to be okay, then yes, I am fine.” Other groaned as she sat up.
Looking up, Other seemed to notice something. “I know this place.” She breathed.
Getting unsteadily to her feet, Other led them over to the graveyard. “Father brought me and Brother here once, sixteen years ago, after one of the houses had been destroyed. He had said that a great evil had been temporarily put down.” Turning to the two behind her, Other looked surprised, “I guess that was the night your parents died, Harry.”
“But your Father knew he would come back, didn’t he?” Hermione asked.
Other only nodded.
The three looked through the graveyard, looking for the graves of Harry’s parents. As they looked, Hermione stopped in her tracks. *Hermione, come to me, there is something I need to show you.*
Following Other’s voice, Hermione found her beside an old grave.
Seeing what she did, Hermione called for Harry and pointed out the grave to him.
Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Above the heartfelt quote where the names Kendra Dumbledore and Ariana Dumbledore. These were the graves of what Hermione knew to be Dumbledore’s mother and sister.
It was a mellowing sight, knowing that the Dumbledores had also lived here, it made Hermione wonder if her old headmaster truly was as great of a man as they all believed, though if you asked her where such a thought had sprung from, she would be unable to tell you, it was just something in her gut.
Wandering away, Other slipped up beside her. “Forgive me, for causing you concern earlier.”
Hermione smiled, “it’s okay, I’m just sorry that Genesis and I are the reason for them turning on you.”
“You are not to blame for this, despite what my Mother says. The choice was ours and we made it alone. Oof, what did you stop for?”
Hermione regained her balance from Other walking into her and stooped to look at the gravestone in front of her. “I’ve seen this mark before,” she pulled out her copy of Tales of Beedle the Bard and opened it to the page that held a strange mark; it was – to the untrained eye – a triangular shaped eye with a thin slit for a pupil, but now Hermione was no longer sure that was what she was looking at.
An earlier conversation between her and Harry at the campsite had her remembering that it was Harry who had told her that the mark she was looking at was the mark of Grindelwald.
Other had stooped down beside her and was now trying to read the name on the headstone. “Ign – Ignotus… I cannot make out the rest.” She said, Hermione watched a frown fall onto her face. “Come with me, I believe I know where his parents lie.”
Following Other, Hermione soon found herself back at the Dumbledore graves, two rows behind those were lay a headstone made of white marble… “Harry, I’ve found them,” she said solemnly. “They’re here.”
As she waited for Harry, she read the words on the stone detailing the names of the two buried here and their dates of both birth and death, beneath was another quote; The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
Hermione stood still and closed her eyes willing the tears to go away as she listened to Harry crying. Raising her wand, she waved it in a circle to for a wreath of Christmas roses for Harry to take and lay on the grave.
“Thank you.” Was all he said, not looking at her, but returning the pressure she was now putting on his hand.
“Merry Christmas, you two.” Other spoke, causing the other two to turn.
“Merry Christmas, Other.” They chorused.
As they made their way back through the kissing gate, Hermione saw something out of the corner of her eye; someone was following them.
Harry seemed to have had the same thought as he all but pulled the other two along with him past a pub, and down a dark street.
He stopped suddenly sending Hermione to her backside as she slid on the ice from the sudden stop. “Harry!” she hissed in irritation.
Sheepishly, Harry mumbled an apology as he helped her to her feet. “What did you stop for?”
No sooner had the words left her mouth, she knew.
They were standing in front of a ruined house, the garden was overgrown and the grass was waist high, most of the house was still intact but the top right side was completely gone.
This was where it happened, she thought, this is Harry’s old house.
Suddenly Hermione felt dizzy, her head spun as she turned to face the oncoming danger. Except there was no danger, only to find an old woman shuffling towards them.
*Something is not right with that woman, be careful.* Other had gone invisible and silent to Harry, but not to Hermione; this was something she did when she was nervous.
Hermione and Harry followed the old lady up to the house and entered, Hermione’s dizzy feeling telling her to run, to get out as fast as she could.