Chapter III: Meshings

"Wh-what's going on?" Sirius choked.

Even bowed on the floor, Michael managed to raise his head and glare at him. "WHAT the hell IS this?!" he boomed, reaching to grab the man by the throat. "Who ARE you?!" However, quick as a wink, Sirius whipped out what looked like a wooden conductor's baton and pointed it at Michael.

"Stupefy!" he shouted. Much to Michael's surprise, he found every muscle in his body completely frozen where it was. He couldn't even move his mouth.

Raphael reacted immediately; from the familiar surge of his ki, Michael could tell he had cast an attack spell with his Wind magic. However, nothing happened, and Sirius, having struggled to his feet, backed away from them holding his wand out defensively.

"What is going on here?" Sirius demanded, glaring back and forth between the two. "What kind of barrier is this?"

"That's what I'd like to know," Raphael said, his voice very dangerous now. "What do you want with us?"

"Nothing," Sirius cried, shaking his head. "But whatever barrier this is, it's draining my energy. Release it right now!"

"I can't," Raphael said. He seemed to have made a decision. "It seems that someone figured out how to seal our powers."

"Powers?" Sirius looked confused. "You two are wizards too?"

"Wizards?" Now Raphael looked mildly confused. Then his gaze fell on Sirius' wand. "Oh, I see. A magic wand. So you are a human."

"What else would I be?" Sirius asked. "Do you mean you're not?"

"Not exactly," Raphael answered. "But in this case, you're not the one who cast this barrier. Please release my friend from your spell; I swear to you we will not hurt you. Apparently, we haven't the means to do so."

"Yes, you most certainly do not."

"That voice-!!" Sirius whirled around, his wand poised to attack, just as the same mysterious voice shouted, "Expelliarmus!"  Sirius' wand flew out of his hand as though plucked away by some invisible force. Sirius and Raphael turned in the direction the wand had flown and found it now in the hand of a tall, dark-robed figure who had apparently emerged from the shadows of the palms surrounding the patio. Raphael stared. It was definitely a man, but disfigured or transfigured in a way that he had never seen before. His skin was deathly pale, and his facial structure had something remarkably snake-like about it. His eyes looked rather like empty sockets, pierced through from within by laser-like red pupils, so intense and bright that they emanated a light of their own. He looks like some sort of serpent demon, Raphael thought. But he's human! How could no one know that a human like this existed…?

"Voldemort!" Sirius spat, a look of utter fury, intermingled with a bit of shock on his face.

"Well, well," said the creature Voldemort in a deep, resonating voice that had a slightly scratchy undertone to it. "What have I caught in my little net? Is this the infamous Sirius Black, renowned to be the greatest dark wizard of the times, after myself?"

"I'm no dark wizard!" Sirius yelled. "I never have and never will serve you, Voldemort!"

"Ah, and there's that famous temper that I've heard so much about." Voldemort smiled cruelly. "Apparently, your time in Azkaban didn't manage to quench your fire. How extraordinary. A pity it really wasn't you who joined my Death Eaters like the papers said. I got your little childhood friend, Wormtail, instead." His smirk deepened. "It was you who gave him that nickname, was it not? So appropriate that he kept it to serve as a code name when he joined my Death Eaters and destroyed his old friends for me, eh? Secret Keeper* for your beloved Potters…what sweet irony that he only got the job because you gave it to him, hm?"

Raphael, who had been watching the exchange silently, stole a quick glance at Sirius. It was remarkable to see how the mild face of the resort waiter had transformed with the wild rage that filled it now. His eyes burned intently, and his handsome jaw looked savage in the almost animalistic scowl it was twisted in now.

"I'll kill you!" Sirius screamed, suddenly lunging at the smirking Voldemort. Just as Raphael had expected, quick as a wink Sirius was hit by some sort of spell that sent him crashing to the ground, arms and legs bound by glowing chords. Raphael didn't doubt they were burning him. Having observed and gauged this unknown opponent, Raphael now stepped forward.

"I assume that we are the ones you meant to catch in this seal?" he said, approaching Voldemort a few steps and gesturing towards the still-frozen Michael and himself. "So you must realize who we are."

"Yes, of course," Voldemort said, turning his mirthful gaze away from the struggling wizard on the ground to face the archangels. "You are the Elemental archangels Raphael and Michael, are you not?"

Raphael nodded. As he had guessed, this man was not only very powerful, but had a very good idea of what he was doing. But how did he know all this? Raphael intended to find out in good time. For now, he waved a hand towards Michael. "Release my friend, please. You of course know that you have the advantage over us in here."

Voldemort seemed pleased. With a wave of Sirius' wand, Michael came crashing down on his face. He immediately leapt to his feet, his temper reaching its climactic heights. "YOU-" he began, but Raphael, expecting this, quickly but subtly crushed Michael's foot under his heel and stepped in front of him.

"Thank you," he said smoothly to Voldemort. "Now may I ask what it is you want from us?"

Voldemort looked slightly amused. "Well, you certainly will know that, in time," he said, congenially turning Sirius' wand over in his hands. "After all, you will be contributing so generously to my organization."

Raphael arched an elegant eyebrow. "Your organization? What, precisely, will we be contributing to it?"

Voldemort's smile grew wider, and he turned to look at Sirius. With a wave of the wand, Sirius was free again. He staggered back up to his feet, rubbing his red wrists gingerly and glaring daggers at the Dark Lord.

"Well," Voldemort drawled, stepping back, "I'm sure he can tell you what sort of establishment I'm after."

Raphael groaned inwardly. It looked like this was as much as Voldemort was going to say. Well, he would just have to bide his time.

The barrier suddenly lurched, making the three jump. The barrier shrunk until it was only about fifteen feet in diameter, hedging the three in. Looking satisfied, Voldemort turned another mean smile at Sirius. "And Mr. Black," he called. "I must thank you for making my work so much simpler. Once I've got what I need to rebuild my 'establishment,' you're just the perfect bait to summon my first… ah, guest. Don't you think your godson will accept my invitation when he hears that you are here?"

Sirius' eyes widened. "No! That's ridiculous!" he said hurriedly. "Harry would never come walking into a trap! There's no point in trying!" But his desperate words didn't fool Voldemort as he strode away, or even his fellow prisoners as they sat down to wait. Finally Sirius gave up as well and slumped down, kicking himself mentally for getting himself caught.

"So," Raphael said at last. "Tell me about this Voldemort…"

*****

            "Are you frightened?"

            "No!" Setsuna cried, covering his ears and squeezing his eyes shut to try and block out the images that the voice evoked.

            "Then why are you running away?"

            "There's no use," Setsuna whispered, "no use in thinking about it. I can't change what happened."

            "Is that why you don't want to see me?"

            "Yes."

            "You hate me?"

            "No!"

            "But I frighten you?"

            "Yes," Setsuna said, then shook his head. "I mean no! I mean…"

            "You don't want to remember me because the memories of those times hurt you, don't they?"

            Tears welling in his eyes, Setsuna nodded.

            "You want to forget everything?"

            "I don't want to forget you, senpai."

            "Then stop running away…"

            "Senpai? Senpai, wait!"

            "Setsuna? Setsuna, wake up!"

            "Sen- wha?" Setsuna blinked as Sara tore open the curtains in his room to let in the clear morning light.

            "Sara?" Setsuna mumbled sleepily. "What are you doing here?"

            Sara was bustling around the room, straightening up stray books and homework papers and tossing dirty clothes in the laundry basket.

            "I'm sorry to come barging in so early, Setsuna," she said, giving him a quick smile. She seemed rather harried. "But we've got a visitor."

            Setsuna stretched and began climbing out of bed. "This early? Who?"

            Having tidied the room somewhat, Sara then set to work smoothing down her boyfriend's tousled hair and pajamas. "There now," she said, standing back and giving him a scrutinizing glance. "Come on."

            "Wait, Sara-" Setsuna protested as he was dragged by the hand out into the living room. "Who-"

            "Good morning, Messiah." A strikingly discordant sight met his eyes. Standing in his small, cozy living room, apparently examining the photographs on the fireplace mantle, was a tall figure dressed in long, dark robes. Although thick, silky, chocolate-brown hair tumbled down the figure's back to his waist, the guest was quite obviously a man, and a man of great stature and broad shoulders. He turned to greet his host, a gentle smile lighting on his smooth, brown face.

            "Uriel!" Setsuna exclaimed, coming forward eagerly to greet his old friend. "It's been a long time!"

            "So it has been, Messiah," the archangel smiled.

            "Would you like some tea, Uriel?" Sara asked, bustling in from the kitchen with a tray laden with small tea biscuits and a tea set that Setsuna hadn't even known that he owned.

            "That's very kind of you, Jibriel, but no thank you," Uriel said. His eyes became grave. "I'm afraid that my visit here today is hardly on pleasant matters."

            Setsuna felt his heart sink. He didn't want to hear what was coming because he knew what Uriel would say. Since yesterday, he'd been trying to restrengthen the delicate dam he'd built to keep everything that had to do with the Third War of Heaven and Hell and his past life as an angel, but Uriel's arrival was weakening it again. He knew it would be shattered before the morning was over. The dream he'd had this morning had said as much.

            "What is it, Uriel?" Sara was asking.

            The dark angel sighed. "There's trouble brewing... but it's happening here on earth."

            "On earth?" Setsuna asked. "Is it so bad that you guys have to get involved?"

            "Actually, it involves us directly," Uriel said, unconsciously sipping the cup of tea Sara had maneuvered deftly into his hands. He turned suddenly, setting the teacup down, and looked squarely at Setsuna. "Messiah, we need your help. Michael and Raphael have been captured and we need you to free them for us."

            Setsuna gaped. "What?"

            "Raphi-kun and Mika-chan have been captured?" Sara cried. "Oh no! But how?"

            "Yeah, do you know who captured them?" Setsuna asked.

            Uriel nodded. "Apparently, it was a human."

            "A human?!" both Sara and Setsuna exclaimed.

            "Yes, although he is no ordinary human. He is one of the Gifted, a human who possesses enough spiritual power that he can channel it to use magic."

            "Magic?" Sara echoed.

            "You mean… like a magician or something?" Setsuna asked a bit skeptically.

            "Their magic is not to be taken lightly," Uriel said, taking another sip of tea. "Especially not this man's. Remember that he had enough power to trap two archangels. It is not easy for humans to create an Elemental barrier strong enough to seal elements away from their masters."

            "Elemental barrier… you mean like the one you had Katou make to force Raphael to resurrect me?"**

            Uriel nodded. "Come to think of it, Yue was Gifted as well."

            "Katou?!" Setsuna squawked.

            "Yes. Do you think he could have survived all those battles against angels and devils if he had been an ordinary human?"

            "Makes sense, but…" Setsuna quickly shook his head to clear a slight mist in his eyes. "Anyway, so this human who's got Michael and Raphael--what's his deal?"

            "That we do not know. His name is Tom Marvolo Riddle. However, he seems to be well-known amongst the Gifted of the western world as Lord Voldemort."

            "Lord Voldemort?" Setsuna said. "Lord? Is he some kind of European royalty?"

            "Something more like a dictator. He's been trying to usurp rule of the European Gifted for the last fifty years. About twenty years ago, he was suppressed for a time, but he has been freed and has begun this ploy."

            "But how does he know about angels?" Sara interrupted. "Even the two of us, who were angels in our past lives, had no idea until Rociel appeared."

            "And history ever repeats itself," Uriel said with a sigh. Setsuna stared.

            "You… you didn't just say what I think you said, did you?" he asked, his body tensing. 

            Uriel turned his eyes away. "I'm afraid so, Messiah. It seems that Rociel is behind this."

            Setsuna stared. He'd suspected it since he'd felt the strange presence near him yesterdy. But he'd managed to convince himself he was wrong, that Rociel was gone for good. And now…

"That's impossible!" Setsuna cried angrily, though he wasn't sure who he was angry at. "Rociel's dead! Gone forever! Alexial… she made sure of it…"

            "Did she?" Uriel asked mildly. "Alexial calmed her brother and made him let go of his already-dead body… but being Immortal means that he can never be gone forever."

            "No!" Sara gasped.

            "But it is true. And for some reason or other, Rociel has decided to return to the physical world."

            Setsuna shook his head. Rociel had returned! It really did seem like the nightmare was starting again. He couldn't believe it; after he thought he'd be able to live the simple life of a normal person again.  He glanced up at the archangel. "But why? He… do you think Rociel's gone crazy again?"

            "That is the most likely theory," Uriel answered. "In any case, he apparently still wishes malice upon Heaven, or plans to reclaim rule over it. Before whatever plans Rociel has for Michael and Raphael can be realized, you must go and free them, Messiah."

            "But why can't you guys handle it?" Setsuna demanded. "Raziel rules Heaven now, why not send the army out to get them back?"

            Uriel sighed. "Messiah, I would not ask this of you unless I had no other choice. The problem is we must keep Rociel's return a secret. In Heaven, Rociel is still regarded by the people as a wise and fair ruler and they miss him as he was long ago. Raziel wants the people to take more responsibility for their own rule now, but after eons of living under dictatorial rule, some angels are afraid to live without that security. If they were to hear that Rociel had returned, he could reclaim power with the people's support before they realize that he has lost his mind."

            "Then keep it a secret," Setsuna interrupted. "Why not just send a small squad to take care of him and swear them to secrecy?"

            Uriel gave him a look. "Messiah, you of all people should realize how powerful the Inorganic Angel is. Unless we send the whole angel army out, only an archangel could contend with him, and of them, all are dead or missing except you, Jibriel, and myself. I cannot risk the two remaining Elements being cut off from Heaven, now that Michael and Raphael are captured. Please Messiah, you are the only one left. You must rescue them!"

            Sara glanced quickly at Setsuna. He had his eyes closed, and a slight frown creased his forehead. She could tell that he was on the verge of agreeing; he was struggling between the desperate need in front of him and his own feelings about having to see Rociel again.

            "Uriel!" she cried. "Let me go with him! If he has to face Rociel again, please let me stand beside him."

            Setsuna shook his head, coming out of his reverie. "Sara, I can't let you do that for-"

            "Don't, Setsuna!" she interrupted, shaking her head fervently. "I can take care of myself if it comes down to it." She turned him to face her and tenderly caressed his cheek. "Remember, a girl has her own white wings to protect the one she loves."

            Setsuna smiled fondly at her. "I know," he said, taking her hand in his. "You protected me once, I remember. But Uriel's right, I've got to go this one alone because the world won't be able to survive without its Elements. We can't risk you getting hurt or captured. You've got to stay safe in Heaven until I can free Raphael and Michael."

            "But you can't go alone!" Sara cried.

            "He won't," Uriel said calmly. "I'll send some trusted help to you as soon as I can. But for now, please prepare yourself. Time is of the essence. Rociel must not be allowed to accomplish his goals." He extended a hand to Sara. "Jibriel?"

            She nodded and walked toward the tall angel, even though she still looked fearful. As she took Uriel's hand, she turned back to look at her beloved. "Setsuna, be careful. But remember, you're strong. Stronger than Rociel. Don't be afraid of him or anyone else." He nodded and she leaned forward to kiss him. "I love you."

            He smiled at her as she and Uriel launched into the tower of light that opened onto Heaven's dimension on his powerful wings. "I love you," he whispered as they disappeared and the last brown feathers of the Earth Angel's wings fluttered to the ground. Now he was alone. And now he had to set out to stop Rociel again. His mouth set in a determined line. I knew I couldn't run away forever. Whether I like it or not, this is who I am, and I'm going to stop running from it right now!

*****

            The moon had reached the zenith of the night sky, illuminating the rolling Scottish countryside. Buckbeak strained his eyes; in the distance he could make out the smattering of silvery liquid that marked the lake surrounding Hogwarts castle, his destination. He'd been flying without rest for hours and the slightest signs of weariness were beginning to show on the proud hippogriff. However, the urgency of his errand spurred him on; he needed to get to friends. He needed help for Sirius.

            The clusters of buildings, now dark in the midnight, that made up Hogsmeade came into view. The slightly paler gray of the long, winding road that led up to Hogwarts School snaked away from the wizarding village and traced a path up the hill. Buckbeak followed it from the sky, swooping down low when he reached the rolling lawns of the school. He turned left and made for the blotchy darkness of the Forbidden Forest and the home of his dearest friend and former caretaker, Hagrid the Hogwarts gamekeeper.

            The hippogriff glided easily toward the tiny cabin. As he'd expected, cheery, golden light still flooded the windows of his old home--Hagrid usually stayed up very late. Many fond memories of sitting up late by the fire and watching the merry half-giant slurp his ale and chatter happily about school news came back to him. If beaks had the ability to smile, Buckbeak would surely have been doing so at the moment. But as he was nearing the cabin, the sound of angry voices broke his reverie. He opened his wings and allowed an updraft to pull him higher and allow him to circle the scene and survey it first. Living with Sirius had taught him that fugitives needed to be careful. Glancing down, he realized that the door of the cabin was open, and Hagrid and Hagrid's friend Harry were standing in the doorway, facing someone standing outside. There was something unpleasantly familiar about the stranger.

            "We'll just see how you explain your way out of this one, Potter!" the silvery-haired person was sneering triumphantly.

            "Now look here, Malfoy," Hagrid began. Buckbeak's eyes narrowed. That lying, little fishbait Draco Malfoy was the one who had tried to get him executed as a dangerous creature two years ago. It was the reason that he'd had to leave Hagrid and go into hiding with Sirius. Buckbeak was terribly tempted to swoop down and claw the boy to shreds, but decided that his mission was too urgent to be side-tracking. He would just wait until Malfoy left so that he could talk to Hagrid in peace.

            "Don't even try it," Malfoy was saying. "If you try to get me in trouble for doing my part to rid Hogwarts of trouble-makers, my Father will see to it that you get in trouble for trying to protect certain students." He gave Harry a nasty look. "Just because you're the famous Harry Potter doesn't mean you can break the rules if you feel like it, you know."

            "Malfoy, you scum!" Harry cried. "Don't get Hagrid involved in this--"

            "Well it's too late now, isn't it?" Malfoy grinned, turning back towards the castle.

            "Malfoy, wait!" Harry cried. "You've gotta--" But he was cut off in mid-sentence by a shrill alarm that started sounding from inside Hagrid's hut.

            "What the heck is that?" Malfoy demanded, whirling back around.

            "An alarm--a security breach!" Hagrid cried, then froze. Because at that moment, the intruder had lost his patience and come soaring down to stand right in front of him.

            "Buckbeak!" Harry cried happily.

            "B-Beaky!" Hagrid tearfully embraced the fierce hippogryff. "It's ben so lo-ong!"

            "It's that-that thing that scratched me!" Malfoy exclaimed, eyes wide with fear.

            "That's right, Malfoy," Harry said sweetly. "Maybe this time he wants to do a little more damage, huh?"

            But before Malfoy could retort, Buckbeak drew away from Hagrid and began squwaking frantically.

            "Trouble?" Hagrid cried. "You flew here for help?"

            "What?" Harry cried, running towards Buckbeak. "Is Sirius in trouble?"

            The hippogryff gave an affirmative nod of its head.

            "No!" Harry cried. "Where is he? We have to go to him!"

            "Now calm down, Harry," Hagrid said. "We'll have to get an air carriage to follow--"

            But Buckbeak began squwaking again, flapping his wings irritably for emphasis.

            "Urgent?" Hagrid said. "Danger?"

            "Sirius!" Harry cried frantically. He placed himself squarely in front of Buckbeak and bowed in proper hippogryff greeting. Buckbeak returned the gesture with a quick inclination of its head, and Harry ran forward quickly to jump on his back.

            "Now wait, Harry!" Hagrid cried. "What 'r yeh plannin'? You can' go by yerself!"

            "There's no time," Harry said urgently. "That security alarm also triggers in the faculty quarters in the castle, doesn't it? All the teachers will be here in a minute and if they hear that Sirius Black, the wanted criminal, is in danger, they won't care if he gets hurt! They'll just call the Ministry, and then Sirius will really be in trouble!"

            "But Harry," Hagrid protested weakly, "we don' even know if it's Sirius that's in trouble--"

            "Would Buckbeak leave him unless he were in serious trouble?"

            Hagrid sighed. "Yer righ', Harry," he said, "and Bucky's too tired from his flight ta carry some'n as big as me back there. Fine, you ken go. But yeh've got to contact us as soon as you get there so we ken follow yeh, okay?"

            Harry nodded. "Okay, Hagrid."

            At that moment, the front doors of Hogwarts Castle were thrown open, and several figures came running out. Harry could make out Filch and Professor Snape at the head of the pack.

            "Yeh'd better go now," Hagrid urged, shooing Harry and Buckbeak away from the cabin's light. "I'll make up some excuse--but don't ferget that you've got ta contact me as soon as yer there!"

            "I promise," Harry whispered, turning Buckbeak back towards the forest.

            "Wait a minute!" a voice cried.

            The trio turned back to find Draco Malfoy still standing agape near the cabin. "You--Sirius Black--what?" he mumbled, looking overwhelmed. "You-you can't just leave, Potter! To rescue a fugitive--?"

            "Sure I can, Malfoy," Harry said, looking annoyed. "And here I go." He gently urged Buckbeak forward. The hippogryff's great wings spread wide.

            "But--but what about me?" Draco demanded. "You can't just leave me here... why, if the teachers found me now..."

            "You're gonna be in a lot of trouble, Malfoy," Harry said amiably as Buckbeak took a running leap into the air. "See ya!"

            "Waaaaiiit!" Before he, himself, knew what he was doing, Draco was launching himself into the air after Harry and Buckbeak. He managed to grab onto the hippogryff's tail and felt himself lifted very quickly off the ground. Draco hazarded a glance downward and saw that the ground was already very far away, and that the giant Hagrid, waving his arms frantically, looked like a toy figurine. He let out a strangled scream. "P-P-Potter!!" he cried, clutching even more tightly to the tail. "Let me down! Let me down!"

            "You are unbelievable," Harry said calmly, his eyebrows only slightly raised as he glanced down Buckbeak's backside. He extended a hand. "Here."

            "Hell no, I'm not trusting you, Potter!" Draco screeched. His father disapproved of using foul language and continually told Draco so, but Draco was a bit too panicked to care at the moment. "Just make the stupid monster put me down!"

            Buckbeak was a very intelligent animal, and Harry strongly suspected that he could understand human speech. His theory seemed to be right, as the hippogryff immediately began swinging his tail this way and that, apparently trying to shake off its unwelcome stowaway. Draco screamed some more as he clutched on for dear life.

            "You know, I don't think Buckbeak wants to land right now," Harry said amiably. "So you might want to take a more comfortable seat up here... unless, of course, you like the rear seat?"

            "Damn you, Potter!" Draco screamed. "I won't take your stupid help. I told you to put me back on the ground!"

            Harry ground his teeth. Malfoy was utterly unbelievable in his snobbery--even at a time like this! It was little wonder that he couldn't stand the pale boy, Harry thought for the hundredth time. But now wasn't the time for this. Harry took a deep breath to calm himself.

            "Malfoy, my godfather's in trouble and I need to go to him now. You are the last person I would ever take anywhere with me, but Buckbeak isn't going to stop until we reach Sirius." He reached his hand out to Draco again. "You're the one who grabbed onto Buckbeak without thinking, so you'd better deal with the consequences. Now, for once in your life, finish what you started."

            Malfoy glared at Harry. Every fiber of his body was offended and repelled, but even more than that, he was embarrassed, though he wasn't quite sure why. Grudgingly, he reached out and took Harry's hand and was pulled up and settled onto the hippogryff behind the other boy.

            "And don't even think of pushing me off," Harry warned mildly, glancing over his shoulder. "Buckbeak will probably buck you right off after me."

            Draco glared at him. "Just hurry up and get to where we're going. The sooner we get there, the sooner I can get away from you and your stupid, murderous monster."

            "Believe me, Malfoy, that's exactly what we mean to do."

            Harry turned his eyes forward into the endless starry sky flying past him. Even though he was flying helter-skelter into an unknown peril, somehow, he felt exhilirated and more alive than he had for awhile.

            Hang in there, Sirius, he thought, catching a glance of a particular brilliant, blue star in the distance. I'm on my way.

------
*When performing the Fidelius Charm to keep someone's location secret and undetectable to everyone, it is necessary to choose another individual to be the Secret Keeper, the only one who knows and can reveal where the hidden persons are. The success of the charm depends on the Secret Keeper's fidelity.
**See Angel Sanctuary volume 10-11.
------
So the heroes are finally on their way. ^^ Next chapter, we'll add one or two more main characters, and the heroes will finally meet. We'll also get another little Rociel insight--why is he doing all this? And Mika, Raphi, and Sirius do some bonding. ^__~ Thank you again to all the wonderful who have read and reviewed this story and encouraged me. Without you, this wouldn't be continuing!