Reality Unfolds ((Closed))

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona dropped her Hogwarts trunk down in the doorway of her home. She couldn't stop the small smile the played across her face. She loved being home. The beauty of Ireland was never greater than the summer months. The ocean water never greener and her castle never homier. However, the sick reality of truth crept into her momentary bliss and she realized the problems that had started a year ago that day. The day she had arrived home from Hogwarts and everything had gone awry. The day her 'father' had taken his first steps toward hatred of his daughter. Her mother's face flashed through her mind and the love that she had shown her the day her father had lashed out at her. The moment in time when she realized that she could never follow after her father because of how horrible his actions were toward her. She realized in that moment how much she had changed in the last year. How much pain and destruction she had endured. The loss of her parents, the discovery that her father was still alive, the Diagon Alley attack, the Hogwarts attack, and of course her brush with death in that dungeon due to that horrific nightmare that haunted her dreams. She had grown as a person, but she felt her life had been stolen away from her. She felt that she had become far older than she wanted to be in so little time. All she had to do was picture what happened to her so called father and then the look of utter anguish on her mother's dead body to feel the age that encompassed her being.

A soft murmur was heard at her feet and Fiona smiled down at the only thing left in her life that had been there for her every day since she was just a wee child. She bent down gingerly and opened the cage door of her cat. Dottie stalked out of the cage a little indignant at how long it had taken Fiona to open the cage door, but when Fiona swept her up into her arms all anger and resentment to Fiona left abruptly, replaced with a soft low purr. Fiona smiled as she scratched her cat behind the ears and listening intently to the purr. It was the sound that soothed her when she was unhappy. It had been such a comfort to her all of her child hood that now it was all she could do not to weep into Dottie's fur. So much had happened and she had bottled so much of it up. It was a wonder she didn't self destruct at the mere mention of her past. However, she was strong and she was getting stronger. The more pain she endured the more strength she had to move on with her life. She knew and her friends knew it. It was who she was, a survivor.

Fiona straighted up at the sound of something in the distant stairwell. Dottie heard it too and fought her way out of Fiona's arms and to the ground, where she ran in the opposite direction of the sound. Fiona raised an eyebrow at her cat and shook her head. Scaredy cat, she whispered to herself. She could feel her own emotions climbing higher. She wasn't sure where the sound had come from. If it was who she thought it was, right now could be the defining moment on whether or not she was indeed crazy. If her father walked down that stairwell she would have to come to grips with what the answer could be. He could be just a figment of her imagination due to the stress she had endured during their deaths, or he could in fact be real and standing there waiting for her, talking to her. She hated not knowing the truth. What was worse is she hated knowing that she could be crazy. She wondered at that moment if she could steal away to the kitchen to get a hold of Kennedy. She couldn't go anywhere without him anymore. He had become her rock and her shelter. She cared so much for him and yet she couldn't stand the fact that she had to rely on him. She had to because she was so put off from reality. She hardly knew which way was up and what way was down. Kennedy was the only one she could rely on to tell her the truth and be there for her. He was real and she knew that.

Fiona heard the sound again. This time closer. Like footsteps in an empty corridor. She didn't freeze this time. She quietly moved toward the sound as if that was going to help her. It was here when her fingers drifted to her pocket, grasping a hold of the wand within it. The wand that she had loved so much, because her father had bought it for her. The wand that had broken horribly in half when she had fallen into the dungeon. The wand that Kennedy had made whole again. She held it tight in her hand as she started her way up the staircase. She would not be afraid of things to come. She would embrace her future, as she embraced everything. If she didn't survive, then it was her chosen path. She wouldn't act like a chicken, not when the truth was so close to her. She could smell it. She knew if she just reached out she could touch it. As if in a dream her own hand reached out as she turned the corner and a hand grasped hers drawing her to it. She didn't resist. She wanted to go. Like she knew everything was going to be okay.

Fiona smiled brightly at the woman standing in front of her. Her eyes so comforting to her soul. It was a moment before Fiona realized that this could not be happening. Fiona stepped back ripping her hand from the grasp of the woman. "Who are you?" Fiona exclaimed in question. The words echoed down the hall as the apparition faded away from sight. Fiona cried out in fright. She turned and she fled back down the stairs. Running hard for the kitchen she fell hard, but ignored the pain as she got back up and made it to the fireplace. She threw in the Floo powder and called out for Kennedy's home. He had to be there. He just had to be. "Kennedy! Quick I need you!" Fiona exclaimed hard before she felt her head being ripped back through the fireplace. She could feel the hands on her shoulder forcing her back. When her head came out and she righted herself she looked around. She was alone. Completely alone in a home she began to question. She knew now that it was time for reality to unfold. For truth to separate from fiction. She brought her knees up to her chin as she rocked back in forth in front of the fireplace waiting for the only person she knew existed to come and save her from this unnerving reality.

[Kennedy Valak S6]

"Mother!" Kennedy demanded in an irritated voice. "Tell Kailyn that she may NOT take over my room and turn it into her stupid little meeting place for her silly tea parties." He dropped his trunk onto the marble floor and started up the spiral staircase. "Everything best be returned to exactly how it was," he snapped at Kailyn whose eyes were full of pure venom. She always got her way, and it made Kennedy sick. For once, he just wanted to come home to a house and not a zoo run by a spoiled seven year old.

"Mommy!" Kailyn wailed in her fake whiny voice. "Kennedy's being mean to me." Wrinkling her nose, she gave him a cruel smirk as he passed her on the stairwell. He didn't bother to move out of the way when he passed, almost knocking her over as she was forced into the wall. Instant tears erupted from her eyes and she raced down the stairs and into the sitting room. Rolling his eyes, he continued to his room, slamming the door as he walked inside. A look of disgust donned on his face as he saw the miniature table with dolls surrounding it on his floor. Pulling back his leg, he went to kick the party of plastic toys but then collapsed onto his bed instead, letting out a gigantic scream... '"Uugghhh!"

The sounds of his sister's squeaky voice could be heard below. He pulled his pillow from under his head and pressed it firmly against his ears. Why do I even put up with this? I should have just went with Fiona. Why didn't I just lie to mom and just go with Fiona to help her find her father. He knew this probably wasn't a good idea. His mother would have known he was lying, and she and his father would have came to get him in an instant. Sometimes he felt like they treated Kailyn like she was more mature than he. Why couldn't they see that he needed to be more independent sometimes. His mind went back to Fiona.

They hadn't even had much time in the last days of school to discuss everything that they needed to talk about. He knew he was leaning more and more on the reality of her being with him all the time, but the school year ended so quickly that they were not able to work out plans for the summer. With Kennedy's parents being so strict, and Fiona wanting so badly just to return home to see who, if anyone, would be waiting for her, they didn't find a way to spend the summer together for the moment. He was sure they would at least write, but for now, owls were his only way to contact her unless she came to his house.

Releasing his pillow from his head, he relaxed his tense body. He rolled over on his side and just stared at the wall. His life had seemed to have done a complete turnaround, and his emotions were mixed. As much as he couldn't imagine taking Fiona out of his life now, there were times when he wasn't quite sure how he could help her, or if she really even did need him. "Kennedy! Quick I need you!" he heard from downstairs. Gritting his teeth, he could just picture his mother waiting disappointedly with Kailyn evilly lurking nearby to watch him be scolded. Stomping down the steps, he flung the swinging door open and walked into the sitting room, ready to begin arguing. "It's not my..." he began, but stopped cold when he didn't see either his mother or Kailyn in the room. All the lights were out, but he noticed a cloud of black ashes emerging from the fireplace.

As the soot settled, he thought he saw a body huddled in front of the fireplace. "Fiona?" he questioned, almost silently, a blank look of confusion on his face. Frozen, he tried to run toward her, but could barely move. After what seemed like years, he finally found the ability to put one foot in front of the other and he rushed over to see if his eyes were indeed playing tricks on him. They weren't, and sure enough Fiona sat right there in front of him, looking petrified. Squatting down, he put his hands on her arms and looked into her eyes. She was freezing cold. "Fiona, wh.. what happened? Are you alright? How did you get here?"

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona felt the hands upon her arms this time. She figured they were the same ones as before, but warmer. Nothing was making sense in her brain right then. Everything was swirling together and her reality was fractured. The eyes stared into hers, but she couldn't see them. It was like her body had frozen within itself. Her mind was no longer working correctly. It just sat there in her head as if it were mush. It was only when he spoke did her mind reawaken. The voice penetrated through Fiona's mind quickly, easing the tension and stress that had built itself up into a catatonic state. Her eyes jerked up and then back down truly looking into the ones staring at her. Finally she grasped what was going on. She saw his face and she hoped beyond all else that it was truly him. She held back the sob of relief that rose in her throat as she stopped her body from rocking.

Fiona's eyes darted from Kennedy's face to the unfamiliar home she sat in. She didn't remember being there at all. She had been home in that house going crazy, but now she sat in a place that was totally unrecognizable. Her eyes fell back on Kennedy and the truth dawned on her. She had gone through the fire. She glanced over at the fireplace to confirm her theory. Her body shook with shock. She didn't remember going through it. She thought she had just called into it, but she hadn't. She had ended up in a different house because she was too crazy to know what she was doing. The images of the woman floated quickly into her mind and she felt herself begin to shake hard. She knew that something was definitely wrong and more than likely it was because of her.

"I'm crazy," Fiona whispered to herself as her eyes never left the fireplace. Her eyes began to burn as tears flooded into them. Her eyes rested back on Kennedy. For a brief second her mind wondered what she must look like. Dirty from the soot of the fireplace, hair disheveled from running, the blood seeping through her jeans from scrapping it along the floor when she had fallen, and the deep green of her eyes burning with an intensity she couldn't even see.

"I'm crazy. I'm crazy," Fiona whispered again a little louder than before as her body started to rock back and forth again. "I'm crazy..." her voice drifted off. She couldn't believe she was sitting in this place with Kennedy, so she did the only thing she could think of doing. She stood up and looked at him. "I'm sorry, I've got to go." The words were distant, like it wasn't really her saying them. She just had an impulse to leave and it was so strong she couldn't deny it. It was like somewhere deep down inside she didn't want to rely on someone and she didn't want to bring Kennedy into the mess that had already been created. She was afraid for him. Afraid that he might get hurt somewhere along the way, or worse, that he might hurt her by leaving her alone. She didn't want either and she was determined to go, even in the depths of her temporary insanity, she knew that she had to go before she drew him in.

[Kennedy Valak S6]

She didn't answer. Instead, Fiona only sat there, still, cold, and looking very much unlike herself. She did however seem the least bit relieved to see Kennedy, and this made him wonder what was going on. Something wasn't right, but he had no clue what. She did not give him anything to go on besides her constant muttering, "I'm crazy."

He thought that maybe she just needed time to recover from whatever caused her to look so terrified and confused, but he was wrong. Without notice, she simply stood up and told Kennedy that she had to go. "Wait! Fiona!" he shouted. Why did she want to leave? She had just got there, and Kennedy had no clue what was going on. He assumed it might have concerned her father, but why wouldn't Fiona just tell him what happened?

A sharp pain jolted across Kennedy's chest. He managed to stand and look at Fiona. "You can't leave! Why do you want to leave? You just got here and you won't even tell me what is going on," he cried, his voice deep with pain and confusion. What if Fiona didn't need him anymore? What if she was only using him before, and now she realized she didn't need him. Kennedy was beginning to rely on Fiona. Her needing him made him feel important, and, in a sense, he needed her. He didn't realize it yet, but he needed her as much as he thought she needed him.

"I thought we were going to do this together Fiona. Is this about your father? You're not crazy. We can do this... I know we can." He went on and on, trying his best to say anything and everything, hoping that he might say the one thing that would keep Fiona from leaving. Finally, with a gasp of breath, he muttered the one thing that had been inside the whole time although he didn't even know it. "Fiona... you can't leave," his words came out, barely audible. "You can't leave, be-because I need you."

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona's feet halted at the exclamation from Kennedy. She closed her tears from the onslaught of emotion that was tearing her apart. A single tear cascaded down her cheek, but her motion was quick to hide it from not only Kennedy, but from herself. She had no use for tears right then. She had to be brave and strong. She knew she was going crazy. There was no other explanation for the things she had just witnessed. In a way she didn't want Kennedy to fall into that nightmare. She felt an awful need to protect him...protect him from herself. She was losing it and quick. She didn't want Kennedy in the same position as herself. She didn't want him spiraling down this tube of despair into the depths of hell itself. That's were she was. She was in hell and she didn't want Kennedy to follow her. She cared for him too much to let something like that happen to him. It would tear her soul apart if that ever happened to him.

Fiona stood facing the fireplace, her back to Kennedy. She couldn't face him, not until she knew she was under control. His words sliced at her heart. She didn't deserve him. Kennedy deserved someone that was whole, not her with her fractured mind, body, and soul. The last of his words made her heart turn over. He needs me... The words floated in her mind. He needs me, as much as I need him... Another tear escaped her eye and began to follow the slow trail of the one before. She finally turned to look at him, her hair falling across her face to hide the tear she didn't bother trying to remove. Her only visible eye caught his. Her eyes held pain and heartache, but also a deep feeling of compassion and love. She broke the contact quickly and looked to the floor. She didn't want to admit it to herself, but she needed Kennedy there with her. She couldn't alienate herself from him even if she wanted to protect him. Her heart wouldn't allow her to do it.

"Oh Kennedy, I'm sorry. I just didn't want to drag you into my drama once again. I just want to be a normal 15 year old Slytherin and not a 15 year old caught up in some sick twisted reality. I don't even know what's real and what's not anymore!" she exclaimed as the pain in her knee swelled. She carefully sat back down on the floor and pulled her knees to her chest again. She looked up at Kennedy with pleading eyes. "Kennedy, I don't want you involved in this, but I need you to be. I only trust you and I know that you wouldn't lie to me. I need you to come back with me and see if my father is real. I'm beginning to believe that he's not and that my mind is so fractured that the only way to heal me would be a stint in St. Mungos," the last sentence was hardly audible. It was her fear all along. She didn't want to end up in St. Mungos, but so much was happening and it was frightening her. If her father turned out to really be dead then her life was going to be dark. The only means of light would be the one that Kennedy provided, if he did indeed chose to stay with her. The thought ripped at her heart. What if he chooses to leave me when he finds out I'm nuts? What if he gets hurt? What if I hurt him? Each question beat at her like a hammer to a nail. She hoped beyond everything that he would stay. She forced her emotions under control. "Will you come back with me?"

[Kennedy Valak S6]

The sight of Fiona was unlike any pain Kennedy had ever experienced. He could only stare at her and feel the hurt coming at him in waves. It was like all of the oxygen was being sucked from his lungs. He wanted so badly to reach out and just make things better with a flick of his wand, but he knew that he couldn't do that. He wondered if he could even help at all. Was he even strong enough to do what he so desperately wanted? Would he even be able to help Fiona if he tried. The thought of failure dug deep. A dagger in his chest. For a moment, he could only stare into the eyes that held so much within them. So much pain, confusion, and desperation. But, deep inside, he saw hope. It was there- the slightest glimpse of hope deep in Fiona's eyes.

"It's ok," he finally said, breaking out of his trance-like stare. "Fiona, it will all be ok. I will go with you. I will help you. You are not crazy." The words flooded from his mouth. Half of what he said didn't even register in his own mind, but he still felt comfort in saying everything that came from his mouth. "It's only natural that your mind may be playing tricks on you Fiona. You did go through a lot. If your dad really is alive, then we will go see him. And if not..." he paused, cringing at the thought of how crushed Fiona might be if this were true, "... if not, then I will be there for you!" The last words were strong. He hoped that they might be enough. He hoped that they might mean enough to Fiona to help her through the pain.

Searching hopefully in Fiona's eyes, Kennedy wished so badly to detect a hint of happiness. He wanted nothing more than to see Fiona happy. This was something he never truly experienced. It seemed like ever since he had got to know Fiona well, she was always going through something terrible. Fate had not been kind to her lately. Kennedy wanted to see her happy so badly that it almost angered him to see her upset.

Instinctively, Kennedy reached down and put his arms around Fiona. She was cold, and he could feel the warmth of his body slowly fade. Holding her tightly, he did the only thing he could think of to try to make her pain go away. "I promise you Fiona," he said, whispering quietly into her ear, "that no matter what happens- no matter what we see when we go back to your house- I will never leave you. If you will let me..." he closed his eyes and exhaled the breath that he was holding inside. "If you will let me, I will be in this for good. I will stick with you to the end because I... I love you." Opening his eyes again, he pulled back enough to see her face. He took in every detail, not wanting to miss a thing. Even if Fiona didn't want him as part of her life, it felt amazing to be with her in that moment. If it was the last moment he would get to spend with her, he knew he was the happiest he had ever been in his life. If only he could make Fiona feel the same way.

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona fought against the tears in her eyes. Kennedy seemed so honest. She couldn't possibly believe that he was lying to her or that he wasn't real. She couldn't help the smile that crossed her face at his words. It was strange. Her heart seemed to beat in an odd way. She knew why it was doing so, but she still couldn't help feeling unsure. She could feel the goose pimples on her arm and yet she couldn't shake the feeling that Kennedy was truly there for her. Fiona's heart reached out for Kennedy's. She put her chin on her knees and stared down at the floor away from Kennedy. She didn't want him to see her so weak. Not again. Not after what he had gone through at the Halloween Dance, or in the dungeon. She didn't want him to believe her to be so weak that she needed him every minute of every day. The truth was though, that she was beginning to feel that way. She had gotten so used to him being there for her when she truly needed it that it was beginning to feel like she couldn't do anything without him. It was something that frightened her. A feeling she had never had to deal with before. She was beginning to rely on someone so much that she couldn't function without them by her side.

Fiona felt the arms wrap around her before she knew what was going on. It was Kennedy. His strong warm arms were holding her tightly. For the first time she felt truly safe. There was no one that could harm her within Kennedy's arms. No one that could hurt her while in Kennedy's arms. She was truly safe and would be forever as long as she stayed in his arms. Fiona felt a hint of a smile play across her lips. She felt so warm and happy all of a sudden. Like all the pain and heart ache in her life just disappeared. She was like a bird flying away from all devastation. She wrapped her arms around Kennedy and just held him. Her soul began to fly at the soft words he whispered in her ear. She could feel her breaths come fast as the words soaked in. Suddenly it was like no pain had ever plagued her soul. She held him close to her and whispered back. "I love you."

Fiona watched as he pulled away from her and the giddy smile that played across her face was clearly visible. She was completely stunned by his words and yet she knew that they were true. She didn't doubt the words for a second. Kennedy loved her. He truly loved her. She knew it too. Ever since that day at the Halloween Ball she had known that he was the right one for her. He had stuck by her during the wailing of her soul that night. He hadn't been frightened away like most people would be. She knew that he was there with her for good. She only hoped that he would not get hurt. She only had one request. One thing to ask him. "Before we go and all hell breaks loose, can you please do me a favor?" she asked uncertainly. "Can you please just kiss me?" She looked at him with pleading eyes. She wanted to have this moment at least for a second. She may not get the chance before the night was over and may not get it after it was over. She had to have this moment right now, right here, for once in her life, she needed this. She only hoped that Kennedy would allow her to have this moment before the truth was discovered.

[Kennedy Valak S6]

Fiona's mood did seem to become a little less distraught, and she even was willing to hug Kennedy back. He could tell his words had made her happy, and when she repeated them back, it was even better. Even when seeing her at her lowest of lows, Kennedy couldn't help but want to be with her. The smallest smiles amid the terrible circumstances she was undergoing were enough to keep him coming back again and again. Fiona was changing him, and there was nothing he could do about it. And with each moment he spent with her, he realized he didn't want to do anything about it. As long as she would accept him for who he was, he would accept her for who she was, no matter what.

Kennedy stood up and reached down to help Fiona up as well. Instead of taking his hands though, she spoke. The words hit Kennedy like a giant blow. Not that her request for a kiss was a bad thing, but it was just totally unexpected. At first, Kennedy was taken back by her words, but soon his apprehension faded and he realized that he would love nothing better. He bent down, and gently pressed his lips against Fiona's. He closed his eyes, and with his hand, he held her head close to his for a few seconds. Smiling, he pulled away and looked down at Fiona. "I couldn't have asked for a better first kiss," he admitted. He didn't care if Fiona thought it odd that he hadn't kissed a girl before. Truth was, he hadn't found one as special as her.

Reality began to settle back in almost as quickly as the happiness had. Even though his last few minutes with Fiona were of the happiest in his life, Kennedy knew the pain that may lay ahead. He knew there was still so much more to go through with Fiona. But it didn't matter. It didn't matter if the rest of his life was full of this same fear, confusion, and plain chaos, as long as Fiona could be with him for every bit of it. Even if he was only fifteen years old, Kennedy knew what he was feeling was real. It may not have been the 'true love' that couples who are meant to be together find, but it was the truest love he had ever experienced. All he could do was let this bond between Fiona and himself grow. This would take time. Time and patience. But Kennedy was willing to put whatever it took into making what he and Fiona shared last forever.

"You know, we should probably go now," he finally spoke in a somber voice. "But no matter what happens Fiona, you have to promise me that you won't forget this moment. You can't lose this small piece of happiness that life has allowed us. It has to get us through- through whatever tough times fate throws our way. Do you promise?" His eyes were serious, as was his voice. He stood up again and held out his hands once more to pull Fiona to her feet. He needed her to be strong now. From this point on, whatever they did had to be a joint effort. Kennedy knew that he needed her just as much as she needed him if they were to get through this.

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona's pleading eyes must have got to Kennedy or maybe he really did want to kiss her. All she knew was that when he leaned in she closed her eyes. His soft lips pressed against hers and her heart jumped. She felt his hand on her head and she couldn't help but move her hand to his cheek. After he pulled away she opened her eyes and looked at him. There was a smile on her face. Her reality was momentarily forgotten as the moment extended. She looked in his eyes and a warm feeling of strength and safety washed over her. Fiona smiled wider at his words. Little did he know that had been her first kiss as well. She had never been concerned with dating and she definitely hadn't found anyone she considered to be worthy enough, save for Kennedy. He was for lack of better words, the wind beneath her wings, her hero, he picked her up when she fell, and he gave her strength when she was weak. He was her everything and yet she wasn't sure if he knew that. She could only hope that his still being there with her meant that he understood beyond words how she felt.

Fiona's momentary bliss was stolen away from the reality that forced its way back into her life. She frowned at his words, but nodded in response. She smiled and looked at him, "I could never forget even if I tried, but yes, I promise." The smile on Fiona's face didn't fade away as Kennedy stood back up and offered his hand to her. She took it immediately. She was no longer frightened of the things to come. She was no longer afraid of the fact she might be crazy, because she knew that Kennedy would be there for her. He would never leave her alone. She understood that now. She needed this reminder. She needed to feel his love for her. Now she doubted nothing about their relationship. She knew Kennedy would be the only one she ever loved. There was no other in her life and there wouldn't be ever. She cared too much for Kennedy and he had been there for her during so much. Now he was going to be there again, for what could turn out to be her worst day of her life.

((Was going to write more, but I didn't really want to god-mode. If you want to god-mode us back through the fire place in your next post feel free.))

[Kennedy Valak S6]

Happy that Fiona seemed as good as he did about the kiss, Kennedy let out a small, unnoticeable sigh of relief. Then, he focused all his attention on her promise that she would forever cling to their one and first true moment of happiness together. She really did mean so much to him, even more than he even realized. He had become so attached, and just the thought of not having Fiona by his side sickened him. He didn't care if she was going through a lot of troubles, he didn't care if she was at a weak point in her life, he didn't care. All he cared was that she was with him. Together, he knew that nothing could separate them.

Kennedy hated bringing Fiona back to the reality that plagued her, but they couldn't hide in their moment of bliss forever. Sooner or later, their lives would catch up with them, and Fiona would have to face whatever waited for her at her house. But at least Kennedy knew he could be at her side when the time came. He hoped that it comforted her to know that. "So, I guess this is it?" he said, as the two of them made their way into the fireplace. "Soon, you will know for sure if you dad really is alive or if you have just been imagining it." He tried his best to not make the words sound harsh. Kennedy really didn't think any differently of Fiona no matter what the outcome. All he knew was that he would help her cope with either reality. With one hand still holding tightly onto Fiona's, he used his other to take a palm-full of powder from the urn on the mantle. With a toss into the darkness, he stated clearly, "O'Reilly castle!" The emerald wisps surrounded them, and soon they rolled out into a large room. Kennedy put his arm around Fiona and held her tightly. "I..is anybody here," he muttered into the silence, his voice echoed throughout the room.

((OOC: Since it affects you most, I will let you be the one to post what Fiona and Kennedy find waiting at the house )

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona shook slightly as she stepped into the fireplace. She was scared and yet she couldn't help feeling safe. She knew it was Kennedy. Just being with him made her feel better and she knew that whatever was on the other side of the fireplace she would be able to handle it because Kennedy was right there with her, making sure everything was going to be all right. She loved that about him. Of course she loved him because of everything he did for her. He was the only one she felt close to anymore and he was definitely the only one she shared her life with. No one else knew how crazy she was. They didn't know that she was seeing things that may or may not be real. They didn't know anything about her really. The year had done that to her and her other friends. They were still friends of course, but not in the way that Kennedy and her were. He knew everything about her. Even the things she preferred to not say and yet he was still here with her. He was taking her back to her home so she could find out once and for all what was going on in her mind and life.

The sound of Kennedy's voice warmed her heart, but the words chilled her to the bone. They were now swirling through the fireplaces toward her home. Toward the one place that she didn't feel was home anymore. It was hell to her. It was the place where her parents had died, well at least for sure her mother. It was the place she had been abused. The place that she had loved so much and then it had harmed her. It had taken her life away from her in an instant. It had ruined her life and yet here she was on her way back there. On her way back to find out if she was truly crazy or if she was just going through a tough time in her life. She had no idea if her father would be there if he was indeed still alive. She just figured since she was back he would be there. He would come to see if she was okay and unharmed.

Fiona felt the ground beneath her feet again and she knew her hell was before her. Kennedy's arm was wrapped around her and she smiled at the warmth emanating from him. She watched and listened with a small smile on her face as he called out in the house. She knew that no one would show to him. So she placed a hand on his arm and stepped away from him. She had to face this part right now. If her father was real he would respond to her. Fiona wrapped her fingers in Kennedy's hand and lead him into the entrance hall. She looked around the empty room and then eyed the stairs. That's where it had happened earlier. She had seen her mother again. She didn't step closer to the stairs. Instead she just took a deep breath and then began to call out to her father.

"Da! Da, are you here? I'm home. I've brought someone I want you to meet. Da, please be home," Fiona called out. Her voice wavered slightly as she tried to keep her strength. She waited in silence for any reply. Was he there? Was he real?

[Kennedy Valak S6]

Kennedy looked at Fiona. She had a slight smile on her face. Surely it was only because she didn't know how else to respond. He then realized his own stupidity- as if her father would answer to his voice if he were there. It was obvious that it would be Fiona's voice that would have him come if he were there. Or at least, it would draw him out without thinking that there was an intruder in the house.

He watched as Fiona seemed hesitant at what was about to come. Kennedy himself really didn't know what to expect either. If her father were there, would he simply come out and give a casual hello? What if he was alive but didn't want Fiona to see him? The complexity of the situation grew. On the other hand, what if he wasn't there. How would that affect everything? Would Fiona think he was there even if he wasn't? Or would she be totally crushed to not see him? Truth was, Kennedy really wasn't even sure what Fiona preferred... her father alive, or her father dead. They hadn't really discussed that matter. And even after that, Kennedy thought, what did he prefer? Would her father being alive help their relationship? What if her father didn't like the idea of them being together? Then what would happen.

As Kennedy pondered all the possibilities, he almost lost focus of reality- something that had been happening a lot lately. A few minutes of silence passed before he looked back at Fiona. "It doesn't appear that anyone is here," he said softly. "But maybe he is just away," he quickly added, leaving either option open. Just then, there was a noise that came from the upper level of the house. It was a dull thud that could have been anything. "Did you hear that?" he quickly asked Fiona, his voice a little shaky. The thought that everything they had went to might come to a final conclusion stunned him a little. Everything they were trying to find out might be answered within the next few moments. "Do you have a cat or anything?" he asked, a bit nervous.

[seanoreilly]

Sean O'Reilly stepped from the room he had been watching from. He had heard everything from when Fiona had first entered the house. He had not realized how far his daughter had fallen and how much her mother's death had truly affected her. He had tried to reach out to her before she ran out of the house, but she had fallen crying out. It had been so heart breaking for him to watch. Now she had returned, but she wasn't alone. A boy was with her. His arm wrapped around her. Sean could only guess that this had been the boy he had seen with her earlier that year when he had managed to find his way onto the school grounds. It had been some kind of ball or something if he remembered correctly that night. Fiona had looked beautiful in her mother's old dress. He had wanted to run to her when he heard her cry out then, but he could never show himself to anyone but her.

Now however Sean faced a conflict. He could risk showing himself to her now and be seen by someone he did not know or trust. Or he could not show himself and cause Fiona to loose grip with reality once again. He shook his head. He was a grown man and yet he couldn't decide on what to do. He loved his daughter, but showing himself to someone he didn't trust was dangerous. It could all backfire within seconds and Sean could very well find himself in Azkaban prison. Sean watched from his darkened corner thinking and contemplating whether or not he should go to his daughter. Hug her tight and tell her everything would be all right. God knows it was what he wanted to do. He craved it. He missed her so much and he wanted nothing more than to tell her so, but who was this young man with her? Could he be trusted?

Sean turned to slip back out of the room when Fiona's last words caught his ears and he felt his heart shred. She was so afraid that he wasn't real. He could hear it in his young daughters voice. What had been happening to her? He knew nothing about what had happened to her since that ball when he had seen her. Now he wondered if she had been harmed. Had she ended up in the hospital? He turned at the sound of a thump from upstairs. Seconds later he caught a glimpse of Fiona's cat, Dottie, scurrying down the staircase. He smiled at the cat. He remembered the day he and Shannon had purchased the cat from a neighbor. Fiona had fallen in love with her immediately. She loved that cat as much as she loved playing Quidditch with him.

At that thought Sean turned on his heels and started toward his daughter. Stepping out of the darkness and into the dimly lit castle. He kept his hand poised at his side in case he had to curse the boy, but he needed to see his daughter. He needed to comfort her and tell her everything was all right. Stepping near them quietly he sighed and spoke. "Fi, I am here. Please do not be sad," Sean said as he looked at his daughter. The distress in her face seemed to vanish at the mere sight of him.

[Kennedy Valak S6]

Before Kennedy could wait for a response from Fiona, he heard a sudden voice. "Fi," the voiced sounded, startling Kennedy as he jumped away from the noise, "I am here." Out of the shadows, a man who appeared to be Fiona's father approached the two. Kennedy gave a wary look, eying the man from head to toe. He noticed that he was wielding a wand that he appeared to be trying keep out of view at his side. Kennedy slowly and sneakily reached his hand down to his pocket and felt for the slender wand through the fabric of his pants. It was there, but he surely hoped it wouldn't be necessary. Truth was though, Kennedy didn't have a clue what to expect from her father. Their first meeting was most certainly on the awkward side.

Figuring it best to let Fiona speak first, Kennedy kept silent and just watched the two. Would they simply forget he was there and go on to talk about whatever they might need to talk about? Would Fiona be quick to introduce him, or would she simply forget him for the moment? After all, this was her father, whom she had not been sure if he was even alive or not. Surely there would be much catching up to do. Somewhat confused, Kennedy just stood with an uneasy feeling churning in his stomach. He hated the unknown, and this was definitely something that he had no clue how to deal with. Especially since he didn't even really know what Fiona and her father were feeling. He could only hope they were both excited with their reunion.