Lightning!

Cross returned to the actual Village and blended back into the crowd of students. Selena went back into his bag and he took his hood off before slipping into a candy store, acting like he was there the whole time.

Hermione bumped into Cross and said in confusion "Where did you come from?" Cross returned her confusion and said "I was here the whole time, you don't remember?" Hermione frowned and said "Didn't you-" Ron came over and said "We should get something for Harry."

Hermione looked at him and said "Okay, just a second." she looked back and Cross was already walking out of the store, she rubbed her forehead and followed Ron along, buying candy for Harry.

Cross sat outside on a bench and watched the people walking by. He had his strings spread and looking for anyone approaching, while he thought about what Sirius said. The rat is off the list, then that means, Snape, McGonagall, and Dumbledore are still suspects.

Dumbledore's suspicious level raised even higher now, after hearing what Sirius said, it seemed Dumbledore was raising an army in secret to fight Voldemort. But why? Voldemort was extremely weak right now, if he moved himself and attacked then he could finish off Voldemort with a mere flick of his wrist.

Cross refused to believe Dumbledore couldn't find Voldemort if he tried. There had to be something bigger going on, he thought about it and all his leads ended at Harry. Every single one. But what's so special about Harry Potter? His mother sacrificed herself and he survived a Killing Curse, and? What else?

Cross knew that he had a soul fragment in his mind, connecting it with the diary Horcrux.. Cross theorized Harry had been turned into a Horcrux by accident, which explains his Parselmouth and the apparent attraction to anything Voldemort.

But how does Dumbledore factor into everything? What is the plan for the school, who is behind it? He racked his brains trying to figure it out, he just didn't want to get involved. Honestly, he just wanted to study freely, but apparently that was impossible as he was constantly walking on a tightrope.

With Voldemort on one side and an unknown schemer on the other.

The only solace he found was that, he had obliviated Sirius of his traces completely. Nothing against Sirius, but he couldn't take any chances.

Indeed, unfortunately he severely underestimated the person behind the scenes.

Cross was in his thoughts, when Hermione sat next to him and said "Where did you go before?" Cross returned and said "What are you talking about?" as he touched her forehead, his finger glowed from the tap and it dimmed when he took it back.

Cross kept the same expression but his eyes were a raging fire. Hermione touched her forehead and said "I saw you going into the alley.." Cross changed the subject and said "Hermione, have you met with any teachers privately?" Hermione was startled and said "Why?"

Cross smiled beautifully and said "Just tell me." Hermione thought about it and said "I did go see a teacher before... Huh.. I don't remember." Cross' smile was cold as ice and Hermione's eyes widened in horror as she almost started crying "I don't remember!" Cross pulled her in and stroked her head as he shushed her.

Hermione was shivering, thinking of the implications. Cross held her and whispered in Elven "Ultimate Cleanse.... Nature's Protection. Condensed. Divine barbs." Three different colored lights flashed in Cross' hidden palm. They were green, gold, and blood red.

Hermione felt her mind being cleansed completely as well as her whole body, then a powerful barrier and blood red thorns spread around the barrier. She could feel it all. She felt very comfortable and slowly fell asleep.

Cross drew with his finger on the back of her neck before whispering "Blessing of Protection." her skin and clothes flashed golden green for a split second before dimming.

Cross moved her to the side and let her lean her head on his shoulder as she slept. Cross himself took out a book and started reading to pass the time, when he got back he had to check everyone else's barriers. There was something brewing and Cross was going to step out of the way to watch the world burn.

A few minutes later

Ron came over with a big bag, full of god knows what. Cross spared him a glance before continuing reading, Ron said "She's sleeping? Truly a madwoman! Works too hard, I reckon." Cross added "Perhaps... What you got there, Weasley?"

Ron smiled and said "A ton of goodies for Harry.. and well myself." Cross chuckled and shook his head saying "I think you are the mad man, how are you going top eat all that candy?" taking a break for a moment out of pure amusement, the bag was truly too big.

Where did he get the money to buy all that candy? Did he rob the store?

Ron smirked and said "I've got a bottomless pit for a stomach, I'll have you know." Cross smiled and shook his head, deciding not to respond to that absurd statement.

Filtch shouted "Oi! Brats, let's go!" All the students started heading towards Filtch, Cross shook his shoulder, waking up Hermione, before walking towards Filtch silently. Hermione looked at his back and remembered what happened, she took a deep breath and followed after him with Ron.

Cross followed Filtch back to Hogwarts, returning to the Slytherin house and his room. He laid on his bed and compiled his thoughts, coming to the conclusion that he needed to quicken his pace of advancement or he will only be putty in others' hands.

With that in mind, he sat up and meditated immediately, trying to grasp the lightning element while his clones focused on advanced magic.

A few days later

Cross was sitting in Snape's class, the Gryfinndor House had been sleeping in the great hall because their House door was attacked by Sirius. Cross was confused, why would Sirius attack the Gryffindor door. Regardless, it was and Sirius was nowhere to be found but Hogwarts was on high alert.

Snape stormed into class and closed every window with a loud bang, he stopped in front of the class and said "Turn to page 394." Cross opened his book and Harry said "Excuse me, Sir. Where's Professor Lupin?"

Snape stood next to a projector as he replied "That's not really your concern, is it? Suffice to say, your Professor finds himself uncapable of teaching at the present time. Turn to page 394!"

Hermione popped into existence next to Cross as she said "Sir, we aren't supposed to learn about nocturnal creatures for weeks." Cross nudged her and shook his head, Hermione was confused and Snape said "Quiet." Ron said "Where did she come from?"

Snape ignored Ron and asked "Who can tell me the difference between a werewolf and an Animagus?" Hermione raised her hand and Snape said "No one.. How disappointing.." Cross put his hand up and clamped Hermione's lips.

Snape said "Yes, Mr. Greengrass." Cross answered "Werewolves are not by choice and Animagus is voluntary. Also, Animagi can transform into any animal while Werewolves can only become wolves and only on the full moon."

Hermione put his hand down and Snape hummed before saying "Correct, 5 points Slytherin." before he went on a rant about Werewolves, Cross tuned out and read his own thing. Hermione whispered "Why did you stop me?"

Cross said plainly "He's not in a good mood, he'll give us extra homework if you keep speaking when he doesn't call you." Hermione said "How did you know?" Cross joked "Tesomancia." Hermione laughed and Snape said "Ms. Granger, is there a problem? 5 points from Gryffindor and 2 parchment essay on Werewolves by Monday morning."

Hermione was stunned and Cross sighed before mumbling "For fuck sake." Snape threw a book at him saying "Mr. Greengrass! Watch your tongue!" Cross caught the book and put it down, keeping silent with an ugly expression.

Snape went back to lecturing and Cross glanced at Hermione, who smiled. Cross clicked his tongue and went back to reading his book.

The next day

Cross was sitting outside at the Quidditch game, it was heavily raining and there might even be a storm after. Cross was wearing a rain slicker and meditating outside, he was going to have to take drastic actions if he wanted to learn the lightning element. Cross clicked his tongue and left the arena, when he saw Harry falling from the sky.

Cross was walking outside in the rain, when someone stopped in front of him and smiled "Need a rain pal? I heard raindrop tics are very dangerous this time of year." Cross looked at Luna and said "Haven't seen you for a while." Luna walked to his side saying "Well... I couldn't talk to you without my heart feeling like it was about to burst."

Cross continued walking and said "Is that a bad thing?" Luna said happily "I don't think so!" Cross looked up and said "Is that so..." Luna looked at his face and smiled warmly as she said "You're crazy."

Cross mumbled "Divination?" Luna corrected "More like accurate predictions. They'll only come near the Weeping Willow." Cross opened his mouth and Luna added with a soothing smile "I'm coming, Of course! Magic termites colonize near Weeping Willows."

Cross smiled and let the rain hit his face as he thought about it for a moment, he sighed and said "Let's go then." Luna happily skipped along, Cross looked down and said "No shoes?" Luna said "The others hide my shoes, so I go without them."

Cross asked "Doesn't that hurt?" Luna's smile dimmed a bit before going back to normal as she said "Not anymore." Cross stopped and bent down, throwing Luna on his back, before continuing along. Luna rested her head on his back and closed her eyes with a smile.

The rest of the journey was spent in a comfortable silence.

The duo arrived near the Weeping Willow and Cross put Luna down saying "En. Stay back." Luna already moved a fair distance away from the Weeping Willow and Cross, she had a smile on her face but her fists were clenched as she watched Cross closely.

Cross sat down and crossed his legs as he meditated, attracting the lightning elements in the air towards him. The clouds above him rumbled and Luna tensed up as a lightning bolt fell from the sky and struck Cross.

Cross growled and the lightning surrounded him before turning purple and sinking into his skin. More bolts fell from the sky one after the other, Luna shouted "Enough! Cross! Stop!"

Cross wanted more and raised his hand in the air, exploding purple lightning out as it turned bright yellow. Another bolt fell and struck Cross' outstretched hand, Cross yelled and the yellow lightning flooded his skin, going into his muscles and organs.

Luna took out her wand and waved it, putting up a barrier over Cross as she ran over. She kneeled in front of him and said "Idiot! I told you no more!" Cross coughed out black smoke and Luna pointed her wand as she said "Episkey"

Cross felt much better and smiled "A personal healer." Luna knocked on his head and smiled lightly as she said "Finally lost it?" Cross chuckled and stood up, his entire body made cracking sounds as he said "Not yet. How much do you know?"

Luna smiled and said "If I say everything, will you believe me?" Cross looked into her eyes and said "I would." Luna smiled and said nothing, Cross spread out both his hands and there was a new color, bright yellow. Now there was 6.

Cross thought about it and reckoned 10 was a maximum. He already had Fire, Ice, Poison, Life, Light, and Lightning. He could substitute Ice for Water, Life for Wood, and Poison for Earth, which meant that he needed Metal or a Metal substitute which took up a slot.

Cross planned out his next elements. Metal, Death, Shadow, and Wind. He took his strings back and looked at Luna saying "Let me see..." he moved his face close to hers as he said "Double eye ritual? I'm sorry for your loss."

Luna was startled and asked "How did you know?" Cross threw Luna on his back as he walked back to the castle saying "Double eye transformation ritual requires a human sacrifice... Wisdom and True sight with the side-effect of future sight... No wonder."

Luna tightened her arms around him as she rested her head on his back as stayed silent. Cross said softly "I'm sorry.." Luna said "It was my mother." Cross was silent for a few seconds as he kept walking before saying "She must've loved you a lot. That ritual... It was lost for a long time."

Luna just hummed and listened to his steady heartbeat as they both stayed silent for the rest of the walk back.

A few minutes later

Cross entered the castle and let Luna down softly, he turned around and they locked gazes for a moment before Cross turned away saying "Be careful." Luna smiled softly and said "You too." Cross opened his mouth but closed it deciding to say nothing more as he walked away with conflicted thoughts.

Luna watched him go as a gentle smile slowly sprawled across her lips and she walked away, her vacant expression returning but her mind filled with Cross' figure.