Lend Me Your Strength ((Ari))

[Harmony Chan H6]

Harmony left her Transfiguration lesson last, waiting until the hoards of students departed in their crazy rush for lunchtime before exiting the now-empty classroom. Saying a swift and quiet goodbye to Professor McGonagall, she walked silently down the Hogwarts corridors alone, the shouts and chitchat of the other pupils still floating back to her ears. Clutching a thick textbook in one hand, the other stabilising her heavy school bag flung over her shoulder, Harmony marched at a brisk pace towards the Hufflepuff Common Room, wanting to drop her things beside her bed before heading down to the Great Hall for lunch. Turning another few corners, Harmony was suddenly met with a large group of Slytherin boys a little way off, who seemed to be in the year above, lounging casually around the corridor, laughing and joking in high spirits. Eyes widening at the sight, Harmony rushed onwards worriedly, head bent low to the floor as she tried to squeeze past them, hoping she’d appear insignificant to them and leave her alone. She knew she could not turn back, as there was no other way to the other end of the school. However, unluckily for Harmony, seeing the little Chinese second year Hufflepuff desperately trying to get through and away from them, the Slytherin boys were no doubt going to let her leave just yet.

“Ow!” Harmony stuttered a small cry of pain when a burley boy much taller than her stepped in front of her purposefully to prevent her passage, causing her to bump into him and fall back in surprise. This resulted in her hands releasing her thick textbook, dropping like a stone to its target: the Slytherin boy’s feet. With a loud howl, the boy fell back in agony, holding onto his toes for dear life. A burst of laughter and snickering surrounded the corridors as Harmony watched with horrified eyes, apologising hysterically over and over again. However, she soon could barely make him out at all as the other Slytherins piled in around her, enveloping her smaller self in a tight circle of leering boys, yelling at her for having the nerve to hurt one of their comrades. One of them bent down to retrieve her book, a large smirk adorning his face, and he ran his hands down the Transfiguration textbook with hidden glee, eyeing Harmony menacingly. Meanwhile, innocent little Harmony stared with wide eyes at the bunch surrounding her, completely and utterly terrified. She had rarely ever been in a situation as bad as this before, and she could never stand up for herself. What was she to do?

“Please give that back and let me go.” Harmony finally stuttered fearfully as she indicated her textbook, hands gripping her bag so tightly her knuckles were going from icy blue to ghostly white. She had already forgotten what her previous destination was, nor the heaviness weighing her shoulder down. All she wanted right now was to get away from these much bigger, much scarier boys. However, they howled with laughter at her question, though Harmony did not find the situation funny whatsoever. The boy refused to return her textbook; instead, he taunted her with a sneering expression, obviously enjoying torturing the little second year. And in contrary to her wishes, the Slytherins shuffled towards her even more, reducing her moving space. Keeping quiet, Harmony refrained from doing anything at all. Being completely surrounded, there was no way out, and she wasn’t big enough, nor brave enough, to fight them off. Her physical strength was minimal. The best way was to sit and wait like a duck until the Slytherin boys became fed up of their prey and moved on. Or hopefully someone would come to her rescue. The insults, jabs and jeers fell on deaf ears as a terrified Harmony remained calm and focused, refusing to let the boys get to her. At least they hadn’t resorted to physical violence just yet.

[Ariane Chan]

Watching the other students with amused expressions on their faces leave the classroom, chatting animatedly to one another, Ariane slowly packed up her materials into her bag, taking her time to place everything carefully without any possibility of breakage. Disregarding the fact that Professor Snape was eyeing her with a less than happy stare, Ariane turned away and slung her bag quickly onto her shoulder, knowing that the teacher was probably wondering why this stupid and annoying Gryffindor student had to always delay leaving his classroom. Refraining herself from stalking right up to the arrogant dark haired man, Ariane sauntered out of the classroom, her usual indifferent expression aligning her face. She knew that her Potions work was always very good, and since she never talked, the professor could never penalise her for much. Flicking her long black hair back, Ariane set off down the corridor towards the Gryffindor Common Room. Usually, she would drop her stuff off in her dormitory, especially on days she had Potions lessons because she hardly wanted someone to steal of break her materials, and then went to pick up Aurora from the Hufflepuff Common Room, occasionally grabbing Harmony too.

Finally reaching the Gryffindor Common Room, Ariane travelled up the spiral of stairs slowly until she finally reached her empty dormitory. Glad she had not bumped into anyone else along the way, she set her bag beside her bed, retrieved her wand and placed it in her robe pocket, and left again. Another five minutes saw Ariane nearing the Hufflepuff Common Room, but upon nearing another corridor, she began to hear the odd noise coming from the direction before her. As she walked closer with a small frown on her face, Ariane could make out a lot of shouting and yelling, all of them boys. No doubt Slytherins, she thought to herself dryly, making a mental note to steer clear from any confrontation. It was always best to avoid their silly little tiffs, even if they were younger than her, unless they were putting their torturing skills to use on an innocent person. Then Ariane would definitely step in. She hated bullying, refused to condone it, especially since she was often teased herself, not just now, but in her childhood. Wondering what the racket was all about, Ariane continued moving forward, and upon turning a corner, noticed a gang of, as she expected, Slytherin boys.

From what her eyes could make out, Ariane noted that they were probably in third year. They appeared to be surrounding something… or someone. Her frown increasing, Ariane prepared herself to stand up to them, knowing now that confrontation was definitely inevitable in her case. If they were bullying someone, they’d know her wrath, there was no doubt about it. Striding forward with a fierce look burning in her eyes, Ariane barely caught the voice of a girl emitting from the centre of the pack. However, she could recognise that tone from a mile away, and realising her identity, Ariane’s fury increased ten fold. ”Harmony!” Almost near the group now, Ariane began to yell furiously, unleashing her terrible anger and letting her cold, unfeeling mask fall away to smithereens. “You idiots get the hell away from her!” Ariane shouted, finally reaching the gang. As they turned to her, Ariane bowled them aside without hesitation; she was stronger than she looked, having done a lot of training in many sports in her life. Ignoring the Slytherin boys’ protests and cries, they scattered to let through the raging older Gryffindor, who had already protruded her threatening wand.

Finally Ariane reached Harmony, who, although unhurt and extremely pleased to see her elder sister, was trembling a little from fear and shock. A pain tightened in Ariane’s chest, and she glared ferociously at the boys surrounding them still, and began to bark loudly at them, a threatening tone laced in her less than pleased voice, “You lowlifes stay away from my sister, you hear? I catch you doing that to not just her, but anyone else, you are dead.” Ariane clenched her free fist, refusing to get physical yet, however much she wanted to punch the goons to the ground and rub their good-for-nothing faces in the dirt, and hex them with her best spell. “Now scram.” Ariane almost screamed at them, an arm clasped protectively around Harmony’s, though the fires were calming in her eyes gradually. Watching the Slytherins scamper away with a triumphant, but angry glare, Ariane turned to her sister once everyone had departed, leaving just the two siblings in the empty corridor. “Are you okay, Harmony?” Ariane spoke softly now, her rage fading away, leaking off along with her physical tension. Releasing her tight fist, Ariane gently squeezed her sister’s hand in reassurance. “Don’t let them beat you.” She gently admonished, now leading Harmony away with a calm voice, “But next time that happens… Well, it’d better not happen. If I ever catch those boys again…” Ariane shook her head a little angrily, though did not let it overcome her. She had better things to do than obsess about those idiots. All that mattered now was that Harmony was safe and sound. Ariane had once again fulfilled her role as sister, guardian and protector.

[Harmony Chan H6]

Harmony whimpered a little as she watched the Slytherin boy with her textbook come at her menacingly, and it took all her worth not to scream for help as she subconsciously took a step back from him, only to hit a wall of groping, snickering boys. Swallowing a shriek, Harmony thought she was done for, until a loud barking voice drew nearer, yelling at what seemed to be the Slytherins. She could barely make out the girl’s voice over the din and racket the boys were making, but her heart rose with relief as she recognised that the voice belonged to her one and only elder sister. Ari was coming to save her! The sea of boys finally parted ways after a lot of shovelling and protesting, and Harmony gratefully saw her sister heading towards her with an angry glint in her eyes, one that Harmony had not seen for quite a while. Feeling her relief mix into her fear of Ari, Harmony watched as the Slytherins began to clear from around her, staring at the angry Gryffindor with her wand whipped high, the air sizzling with tension. “Ari, please don’t hurt them.” Harmony whispered softly beside her taller sister, a little frightened of what Ari was capable of.

After hearing Ari’s livid words, the Slytherin boys fled down the corridor from sight, the last throwing Harmony’s Transfiguration book to the floor quickly before dashing after his friends, casting the two siblings a look Harmony could only describe as foul. Shaking her head sadly, Harmony’s trembling hand shook a little from the experience, and she clutched the book to her chest to reassure herself she was okay now. “Thank you, Ari. I’m fine.” Harmony murmured softly into her hands, running them through her hair as she tried to rid her mind of what had just occurred. Shouldering her bag higher onto her shoulder, she stood again, watching her sister’s anger simmer away into a soft expression of care on her face. Harmony preferred this side of Ari; the calm, caring side which would never hurt a fly. When she turned into a protective, fierce monster, Harmony couldn’t help but overlook the fact that Ari was being loyal and just. She couldn’t help being really scared of her sister.

Harmony took Ari’s hand and felt herself being dragged back to the Hufflepuff Common Room, being lectured by Ari along the way. “I know, I know.” Harmony half hung her head, feeling ashamed that she could not ever stand up for herself. She always relied on other people to save her again and again. “I’m sorry for not being able to help myself.” Harmony refused to cry, but she knew that her inner tears were not forming from shock or fear of the Slytherin boys, more because she had once again not been strong enough to save herself, and her sister had yet again chased away her demons. Was she an annoying burden to Ariane? Was she asking too much? Well, Harmony knew she had never asked for Ari’s protection. Ari would always watch over her. But somehow Harmony didn’t like that, even though she was grateful for her sister’s care and guidance. To understand some things, Harmony had to experience the world. Whether it flung bad or good emotions at her, she had to be able to feel them to know what they were, what they did, and how to overcome them. Right now, Harmony felt so silly and naïve. She knew nothing.

Snapping back to reality, Harmony listened half-heartedly as Ari continued to go on about the Slytherin boys. Suddenly, she stopped in front her sister, her hand still cradling the heavy Transfiguration textbook, “Ari… promise me you won’t ever… kill anyone… for my sake.” Harmony spoke quietly, but firmly. Where was this nagging feeling coming from? She knew that Ari would never properly hurt anyone, right? She was just a fifteen-year-old girl. But still… Harmony was frightened. She trusted her sister, but not enough to trust her emotions wouldn’t take over her. Harmony knew Ari would find the question strange… if not offensive. But she needed to hear it coming from her mouth. Harmony believed everything Ari said. If she would say she wouldn’t kill, Harmony believed she wouldn’t. It was as simple as that. Flinging her arms around Ari and letting the book fall for the second time, Harmony buried her head in her sister’s shoulder, feeling her bag sag and drop gently to the floor too. “Thank you for saving me again today. Thank you for being strong in place of me.” Harmony whispered into Ari’s body, relief mingling with regret in her stomach.

[Ariane Chan]

Ariane wasn’t surprised when she heard Harmony whisper to her not to hurt the Slytherin boys. It was so typical of innocent, non-violent Harmony. Of course Ariane wouldn’t, not over something so petty, but she sure felt like beating them up. Watching Harmony retrieve her textbook, Ariane suppressed an urge to run after that particular boy for doing such a nasty thing to her sister. He was already gone though, and Harmony was the priority at hand. The wench wasn’t worth the trouble and Harmony wouldn’t be pleased if she knew what was running through her head. Ariane didn’t understand how the Hufflepuff could be so passive. Did she never think of revenge? Did she never think of making people who made her sad suffer the same way as a taste of their own medicine? How could Harmony even possibly still harbour love for the man they called their father? Ariane shook her head as the topic surfaced in her mind. No, she would not think about it. She would not.

Ariane sent Harmony a reassuring glance at her apologetic words, trying to convey the fact that she accepted that she couldn’t stand up for herself. She was used to it by now, and she didn’t particularly care, having been Harmony’s protector all her life. Ariane was prone to stand up for Harmony whether or not the twelve-year-old did so herself or not. It was instinctive. Ariane continued to rant to her sister about the idioticness of the boys, who she detested so much. The Slytherins were always so bigheaded, always strutting around like they owned the place. Ariane abhorred them completely. It seemed Harmony didn’t mind them so much; all she did was fear them. That was the one thing Ariane would never do. Fear a Slytherin. She’d never bow down to them. She’d never fear or bow down to anyone, for that matter. Nothing physical scared her, she was confident of that. Ariane had her weaknesses, all right, but they were emotional, mental issues, and she’d never admit them out loud to anybody except her mother, and sometimes Aurora.

“Of course I would never kill anyone. What gives you that idea?” Ariane stopped her angry rant and switched to smile kindly at Harmony, almost laughing at her words. She couldn’t unleash her bitter thoughts on her little sister. But what did Harmony think she was, a murderer? “But if it makes you happy, I promise.” Ariane was always unusually warm around Harmony, and treated her sister like a child, which in her eyes, she was. A child that needed protecting. “For your sake, I’d beat someone up, but I would never resort to killing…” Suddenly, Harmony interrupted her sentence as she flung herself around her, embracing Ariane tightly. Surprised by the rare open affectionate gesture, especially in the middle of a corridor (thank goodness it was empty), Ariane stared down at Harmony, whose eyes were shut and buried in her robes. “No problem, sis.” Ariane gazed at her sibling with more affection than she’d ever shown anyone, though Harmony wasn’t exactly looking. Ariane knew the younger Hufflepuff was, or would be, fine, but still didn’t push her away. “I’ll always be there for you.” She added as an afterthought, hugging Harmony in return. “You don’t have to be strong, just be yourself.”

Suddenly alerted to another presence as footsteps could be heard in the near distance, Ariane shot Harmony an exceptional reassuring grin before letting her sister go swiftly. Patting her shoulder, Ariane bent down to get Harmony’s book and bag, and returned them to their rightful owner with a smaller smile. Grabbing her sister’s smaller hand again, Ariane restarted the journey they had halted beforehand, “Let’s go. Aurora’s waiting.” She stated calmly, realising her best friend was probably wondering where she was. “Aren’t you hungry by now?” Ariane raised a questioning eyebrow as they neared the Common Room, not particularly peckish herself. She never ate much anyway.

[Harmony Chan H6]

“Nothing.” Harmony mumbled in reply to Ari’s question, blinking repeatedly at her sister’s considerably kinder tone of voice. Her anger and bitterness had disappeared in a moment, and although Harmony was relieved at this, she was once again struck by how strange Ari was. She listened as the Gryffindor fourth year continued in a light tone, and as she hugged Ari, Harmony tried not to think the dark thoughts that she usually suppressed. Ari made her happy and reassured, but she also brought up the past, the sadness, the pain. Harmony was glad when Ari chased away her fears, and was about to answer, “I’ll try” to the topic concerning self-strength, before Ari pushed her away softly with a smile. Also hearing approaching footsteps now, Harmony understood, and nodded shortly. Accepting her bag with a grateful smile and shouldering it quickly, Harmony followed Ari down the corridor again, catching a brief glimpse of an approaching Ravenclaw boy before she was taken round a corner.

”I’m sorry for holding you and Aurora up.” Harmony murmured, turning to Ari a little, “I’m sure she’ll be complaining about how hungry she is and how we deprive her of her food…” Harmony laughed, thinking of Aurora’s enormous appetite. “No, I’m not too hungry.” She replied quickly with a shake of her head. ”I lost my appetite.” Harmony thought silently to herself, though maintained a rather cheerful expression despite depressing thoughts. She had to stop with all this negativity. Ari would never approve. Drawing her spirits up, Harmony looked forward to see a familiar figure waiting just outside the Hufflepuff Common Room, tapping her foot impatiently against the floor.

Aurora was glancing at her watch with a half frustrated, half pining expression on her face, and Harmony could barely keep in her laughter as she eyed her up and down. The good thing about having Aurora around would be that she could cheer her up always. She was too funny, and her sarcasm touched all the right strings. Drawing nearer, Harmony greeted her cousin with a cheerful beam that dispelled any sadness, speaking before the Hufflepuff could interrupt with high-pitched whining, “Hi Aurora, sorry for keeping you waiting. I got held up by some Slytherin boys and Ari had to chase them away for me.” She gave a wry roll of the eyes as Ari also said hello to her best friend. Aurora began to express her concern at Harmony’s words, forgetting about her hunger immediately, but Harmony merely patted her on the arm gratefully, “I’m fine. Like I said, Ari did a good job of chasing them away. I’ll be one minute, just need to drop these off. Sorry for making you wait.” Harmony indicated her stuff, and with a bright grin, she ran into the Common Room before neither of the girls could reply.

[Ariane Chan]

((Permission to god-mode Harmony granted.))

“Hey Aurora.” Ariane nodded with a slight smile at her best friend after Harmony’s initial greeting. Letting her younger sister handle Aurora for now, Ariane watched with guarded eyes as the twelve-year-old she knew so well proceeded to enter the Hufflepuff Common Room before either of them could protest. “Sorry about that.” Ariane spoke calmly once she had made sure the door was definitely shut, glancing over at her confused and concerned cousin with a blank expression. Ariane was sorry that poor Aurora seemed to always be dragged into their problems, when she was well ware that her best friend went through enough herself already. She didn’t ask to be put in her position, but inevitably she always ended up there. In the middle. Aurora never complained though, and was always there for her and Harmony no matter what. Ariane would be eternally grateful, but her heart wondered. Could she ever pay Aurora back?

The said Hufflepuff shook her head at Ariane’s words with an understanding smile through her unhidden puzzlement. “No, it’s fine. What happened?” The same anxious frown creased her forehead again, and Ariane gave an audible sigh as she crossed her arms across her chest. Aurora was caring. So unlike herself. But did she want to be her happy, go-lucky cousin?

“Some Slytherin boys in third year were harassing her. I scared them off. No big deal.” Ariane replied in a quiet tone of voice, shielding her true rising bitterness as she shifted uncomfortably under Aurora’s worried scrutiny, her thoughts wandering back to the previous incident. “I don’t think they affected Harmony that much, but something seems to be bothering her.” Frustrated at not knowing the answer, Ariane ran a free hand through her long hair, a habit of hers when she was nervous or under pressure. She glanced over at Aurora, sending a look that asked her what her take on the situation was.

Understanding Ariane’s unspoken question, Aurora replied with a fading frown, tapping her chin absentmindedly with a finger, “I think she’ll be okay. Probably one of her same old troubles that’s going to bother her for a short while. It’ll pass.” Her voice was quietly firm, and Ariane knew what she was saying through her comforting words. Neither knew how correct she was. “Bu dan xing.” Aurora whispered softly after a long silence, a sympathetic but strong glint in her eyes, feeling the need to express herself in their other language. Ariane’s eyes had been latched purposefully onto the portrait hanging on the front of the Hufflepuff Common Room door, who the inhabitant of thankfully wasn’t in earshot to eavesdrop on their private conversation. Ariane snorted to herself at Aurora’s words, understanding her mother tongue perfectly, but her face gradually curled into a small, reassured smile. Finally turning back to her best friend, she sent a grateful and apologetic glance before her eyes snapped to the opening door. Harmony finally reappeared with a smile of her own aligning her face.

“Shall we go then? Sorry for the wait.” Harmony flashed a bright grin, and unquestioningly the two older girls followed her down the corridor, heading for the Great Hall for a later-than-usual lunch. Observing her little sister carefully with a vigilantly disguised indescribable expression, Ariane lost herself in her revolving thoughts, wondering when she and Harmony would finally come clean with each other about their true feelings. But for now, even Ariane was willing to go along with the waiting game. Even she wanted to put off the inevitable.

((Translation of “Bu dan xing.” = “Don’t worry.”))

((Thread completed.))