47A/N: Here's the follow up to A Charmed Time. Enjoy and please review.
Prue
Tap… Tap… Tap… The sound of something tapping against the glass of my bedroom window was the first thing to greet me as I woke up. Having gone to bed in the wee hours, I was loath to get up. Tap… Tap… Groaning, I sat up and opened my eyes. I was rather taken aback by what I saw.
An owl was perched on my windowsill. I jumped up and threw open the window. The owl flew in, hooting loudly. Attached to its leg was a letter. I stared at it unbelievingly. Impatient with me, the owl nipped at my finger. I came to my senses and took the letter. The owl hooted and flew out the window.
I unrolled the letter and murmured the words that were written on the paper. "Prue, you have been absent from the wizarding world for too long. It is time for you and your sisters return to the world in which you truly belong. Your world needs your help. Come back to it while it still exists." I stared at the letter for a long time. Who wanted us to rejoin the wizarding world?
Perhaps my sisters would have some insight on the matter. I slipped on a robe over my nightgown and descended the stairs.
"She lives," Phoebe said cheerfully.
My sisters were in the kitchen. Over the years, they had changed so much—both physically and mentally. Phoebe had grown up a lot. During her last year at Hogwarts, she started to excel in her studies. She had done exceptionally well on her N.E.W.T.s. She would have made an amazing auror. Too bad she gave up on it.
"Good morning sleepyhead," Paige said.
Paige had gotten by in Hogwarts well enough. After school, she decided that she couldn't handle magic twenty-four/seven, so she got a job involving muggles. That was the job that made her happiest. Phoebe, as I had gotten from a few thoughts, felt rather guilty about taking that away from her. She had gotten used to the muggle world, though, and didn't want to change again.
"Breakfast is ready," Piper announced and served it.
Piper had been Head Girl, which was no surprise. She only surprised us when she turned Lucius's gang into hats on the last day. Dumbledore found it quite funny, as did almost everyone else in the school. Her life as a muggle was unhappy, though. After Leo became an Elder, she had had a lot of difficulties. It seemed that she threw herself into dating just to get over the pain.
"I got a letter," I said.
"Hmm. Very interesting, Prue."
"By owl."
Phoebe dropped her fork. Piper stopped what she was doing and looked up at me. Paige had a look of avid interest on her face.
"Owl," Piper repeated slowly.
I nodded. "It wasn't signed, but the person wants us to return to the world of magic."
Piper laughed in a nervous way. "We can't do that," she said, almost desperately.
I slammed my fist down on the table, making everyone jump. "Sixteen years, Piper. For sixteen years, you and Phoebe have kept your secrets from us. I've resisted reading your minds, but enough is enough." I concentrated.
"Don't you dare," Phoebe said.
"Would you rather just tell me?"
"You know," Piper said, sounding more casual than she had before, "the morning was going rather well. Can't we just ignore this…"
"No, Piper, I won't ignore it," I responded. "I'm sure Paige wants to know as much as I do."
I knew that Paige did, but she looked down and bit her lip. "Prue, if they don't want to tell us…" She didn't bother to finish her sentence. Perhaps she didn't know how to end it.
I ignored her and stepped into Piper's thoughts.
It hurts to think of it, but she does have a point. Sixteen years is a long time.
I pushed a little deeper.
They probably know the reason why, but they don't know exactly what happened.
"So tell us what happened," I said, taking care to sound gentle.
Piper turned away, absentmindedly fiddling with various objects.
"What happened to her is the same thing that happened to me," Phoebe told me. "Remus broke up with her and Sirius broke up with me." She stopped and looked away. "It wouldn't have been so bad if he hadn't said what he said."
"What did he say?" I pressed.
How could he have found someone better? Why did he have to tell me that? Why couldn't he have just broken it off?
"Oh, Phoebe, I'm so sorry," I said and touched her arm.
She gasped and went rigid. A moment later, she relaxed and opened her eyes.
"What did you see?"
"It happened so fast," she said. "I think the four of us were fighting someone. I don't know who it was."
"Well, we do fight tons of demons all the time," Paige said.
I shook my head. "I don't think that was it. The letter and the vision happening on the same day—it can't be a coincidence." I paused to take a deep breath. "I know it hurts you two, but we have to return to the wizarding world."
They were silent for a long time. Then Phoebe spoke.
"She's right. We have to return."
"Can't we…" Piper faltered. "Can't we do a spell first? One that will tell us what happened?"
I thought about that for a moment. "Fine. I know one that will work, but the potion that goes with it needs time to brew."
"I'll make it," Paige volunteered.
I nodded shortly. "It's marked in the Book. It should be easy to find, but I'll be in my room if you need me." I got up.
"We're starting this now?" Phoebe asked uneasily.
"No time like the present," said Paige.
Paige went up to the attic and I went back upstairs to my room. I went into my closet immediately and got out a large box. From this box I produced a photo album, a few letters, my wand, and a small notebook. The first thing I looked at closely was the photo album. It was fairly old. The cover was worn and ragged in many places. When I opened it, the first picture to greet me was of my parents. They waved at me from the photo. The next one was of Grams. She was smiling and waving. The third photograph was of Piper. The following one showed Phoebe. She was staying so still that at first it seemed like a muggle photo. But soon her serious stature dissolved and she broke out in a wide grin.
Each picture conjured a new memory. The one that affected me the most, however, was the one of James and Lily's wedding. I studied it carefully. My sisters and I were there, smiling and waving furiously. That had been the last time I had seen James and Lily. I only saw Sirius, Remus, and Peter a few times after. What had happened to them? What had happened in the world? I sighed. "Hopefully, I'll soon know."
Most of the letters didn't hold much importance. Only one of them held great importance. It was a letter that I had gotten shortly after our return to the muggle world. It, like the letter I had received that morning, had also come by owl. I never told my sisters about it. "Prue," the letter began, "you know that you have many duties to fulfill as a Charmed One. You and your sisters will play a significant part in the battle against Voldemort. You must accept that. The Charmed Ones must be at the final battle." I had ignored the letter. Now, with the addition of the new content, I knew that we had to get back to the magical world as soon as possible.
The notebook was completely blank. That was easy enough to change. I tapped the page three times and whispered, "to the Charmed sisters, the greatest gift given to men." Loopy writing began to fill the page.
This notebook will hold the thoughts of the teenage Charmed Ones for all eternity. The information contained here will only be accessible by Prue Halliwell, Piper Halliwell, Phoebe Halliwell, and Paige Matthews. The first entry will be created by the one who thought of this book. Enjoy!
I smiled. Phoebe had written the introduction. The notebook had been Piper's idea.
Whilst we were sitting around the summer following Prue's graduation from Hogwarts, I came up with the idea of a notebook that would allow us to, in a way, stay eternally youthful. Although we will age, we'll always have this book to remind us of the past. Phoebe has encouraged me to first write of my true love. That man is Remus Lupin. He is the most wonderful man I have ever met. I know that I will never stop loving him. Phoebe has decided that we have to write a short biography. Well… What can I say about myself? I'm a sixteen-year-old (August 1st I'll be seventeen!) witch. I can stop time (very useful, I must say), become invisible, and blow things up. I am, on the whole, a good girl. However, since becoming a Charmed One, I have unleashed my "bad" side more. That's all I can think of right now.
Paige Matthews here. I wanted to be last in the notebook, but my sisters insisted on me being next. Phoebe is looking over my shoulder, so I should probably get to my description. I am fifteen years old and I'm half witch, half whitelighter. I can orb, erase memories, and heal. Leo says that it's more than healing, though. He calls it "the angel touch". I just call it useful. I really don't have much to say… However, my sisters are insisting that I write more. Hmm…I've been orbing over every other day, and frankly it's getting tiring. Unfortunately, demons never take a day off. Of course, Grams never does either. She's always having us practice our magic, as is Leo. We only get a break when Piper freezes them or when I, er "accidentally" erase their thoughts of having us train. Charmed style magic can be quite fun, though, when we're doing it on our own. Two last thoughts: I can't wait until the new year at Hogwarts and I hope I never see another demon ever again.
Greetings one and all! The one and only Phoebe speaking. I know that I hardly need an introduction, but for the sake of being humble, I will write a small introduction. I turned sixteen quite recently (driving at last!). Say, that reminds me of a funny story. Grams took me out driving yesterday. Prue and Piper were in the back. Piper screamed the whole way. She really overreacted. I missed that car by miles! She may have had a point when I did back up into a tree. But she stopped it, so it all worked out. Anyways, I am precognitive, empathic, and I can levitate. OMG—hilarious story to relate. Paige was looking into the mirror, pointing out various things wrong with her face, when Piper suddenly appeared out of nowhere (she had been practicing; at least that's what she claims). Paige was so surprised, she erased her own memory! Luckily for her, it was only her minute mind erase. He he he… Well, Paige is going to read this and will kill me, so I'd better sign off.
Prudence Halliwell writing. I'm seventeen years old. I am a Charmed witch. I am telepathic, I can astral project, and I'm telekinetic. The telepathy is almost always the bane of my existence. I find it rather difficult to be around boys... Their thoughts are rather disturbing. I have learned things about them that I wish I hadn't learned. I continue to try to block my so-called gift, but it seems that my efforts are futile. I'm going out into the world now. It's a BIG world. Wow. I've been invited to join the Ministry of Magic. That means that I'll have to move to England permanently. While my sisters are still at school, they'll keep living with Grams. Afterwards, they'll probably move to England too. Until then, though, I'll be all alone. I'll be able to apparate at any time, but it won't be the same. That's my main worry at this moment, and that's all I have to say.
I smiled even more at these entries. That summer had undoubtedly been my favorite summer. I ached for the simplicity of it. Life was so complicated now.
Suddenly I heard approaching footsteps. I threw the objects haphazardly into the box and placed the box back in my closet. The footsteps stopped at my door, but there was no knock. Slowly, the person turned away and walked back down the hall.
I listened carefully for the person's returning footsteps. When none came, I retrieved my wand. It seemed that it was time for it to come out again.
Piper
Why? I asked myself. Why does it hurt? It was so long ago. I got over it. I sat on the couch, staring into space. Wyatt was peacefully napping. Remus, I loved you so much. Why did you leave me? Why does everyone I love leave me? Was that why it hurt so much. "I've been grieving almost all my life." It was a sad realization.
And yet there was still joy hidden between the trying times. Joy, I thought, like Wyatt. A swell of warmth mixed with the sadness in my heart. It was an odd feeling. It was the same feeling I got whenever I thought of Remus. Grimly, I remembered the long ago day when our paths had separated.
Flashback
I gazed at the engagement ring, a smile plastered on my face. I hadn't yet told my sisters of my engagement to Remus. I was looking for just the right moment to reveal the good news. "I'm getting married" I squealed happily. I was sitting in the living room of our apartment, unable to sleep. It was late, but I was wide-awake.
A knock sounded at the door. I ran over and opened the door. "Remus! What are you doing here so late?" I kissed him tenderly, but he barely responded. "What's up, sweetie?" I asked, concerned.
"Piper, we need to talk."
"Oh, sure." We sat down on the couch. "What is it?"
"I know this will be hard for you to hear, but I have to say this."
My heart began to beat faster. What did he mean? Why wouldn't he look at me?
"I think we're not really working out," Remus deadpanned. "I don't want to get married."
The weight of his words hit me. I opened my mouth to say something, but no words came.
"I'm sorry." Again, there was no feeling in his voice. These were just words—to him. They had no meaning—to him. But they meant so much to me.
"You're sorry? You just broke my heart!" I yelled. "Did this all mean nothing to you? Am I nothing to you?" I broke off and sobbed.
"I just can't do this anymore."
I only cried more. "Please... Don't do this."
"It's over." He got up and went over to the door.
I wrenched the ring off my finger. "Here!" I screamed and threw it at him. "Take it! Just take it."
End flashback
And so my perfect love story had ended. At least with Leo, I had actually gotten married and had had Wyatt.
"Piper," Paige asked as she walked in.
"Yes?"
"I just... I just kind of want to know what happened. If you don't want to tell me, I'll understand."
"No, it's okay." I took a deep breath. "Remus and I were engaged. He broke it off."
"You were engaged?" she said incredulously.
"Yes. The whole thing with Leo," I sighed, "brought it all back."
She didn't seem to know what to say to that.
"You know, deep down I'm curious about what happened to all of them."
"Me too," she said quietly.
Wyatt stirred and I went over to him. "We should get our wands out again."
"Really?" Her eyes had lit up.
"Yes. It's time."
Phoebe walked in. "Hey, how—" She gasped and fell to the ground. Her face contorted with pain as she curled up, taking in raspy breaths. Her body tensed as each wave of pain hit her.
"Phoebe! What's wrong? Oh God, what's wrong?" I knelt down next to her. "Paige, heal her."
Paige's face was screwed up in concentration. "I can't. She won't heal."
Phoebe began to relax. Her eyes opened.
"Pheebs, are you all right?"
She stood up, leaning on me for support. "I'm fine. But someone isn't. It felt like… Like someone dying. It wasn't a normal death, though. It felt like a spell."
"Avada Kedavra?"
She nodded. "We need to do that spell."
A few days later, we gathered in the attic.
"This spell will tell us of what has happened. We'll only see it; we won't be a part of it," Prue said as she lit the candles.
Paige gave us each a vial. "Drink this."
We all did. The liquid was freezing cold.
"The past has come back to haunt me, so give me sight and let me see exactly what has been and what will be," we chanted together.
A white light appeared and filled the room. It swirled around us, blinding us. It ended as suddenly as it had started.
"Did it work?" Phoebe asked.
"Doesn't seem like it," Prue said. She shook her head. "This is really weird. I know this spell. It should have worked."
"Oh well," I said.
"Um, it did work," Paige said, pointing behind us.
We all turned.
"Who are you?" a teen boy asked sharply. His wand was pointed at us.
We looked at each other. "Hmm."