Fandom The Gathering of Death Eater Children

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn remained at her place when Mr. D'Arcy left. She sat down and let her eyes wander around in the ballroom. Aaron Glass was nowhere to be seen. But it does not mean I can relax, what if he is watching me or anyone here... She hugged the goblet tightly in her hand, trying not to panic but to stay calm. If I faced a vampire and survived, then Aaron should be nothing at all.... Aislinn thought not knowing that she was actually mistaken. By the way, what could the time be? Of course, there was no clock anywhere in the ballroom or she would have noticed earlier. Perhaps if I take a walk in the gardens outside, I might be able to find out the time... She strode past the guests and went upstairs. She continued outside, of course not seeing any glimpse of Aaron Glass. The air was chill though pleasant after spending several hours in a grand ballroom filled with hundreds of guests. The full moon was shining so majestically and the stars twinkling. It was a cloudless night, allowing the moon to shine bright and spread its light over the place, letting everything in the surrounding to cast long and dark shadows. Aislinn pointed her wand at her own shadow. A white transparent light burst out from the tip of her wand. The light divided itself in several strings of light, hovering one inch above her shadow, swirling around and soon it had calculated the time. It is already half past ten... She broke the magic, feeling a little stronger when she knew what the time was. Did Mr. D'Arcy left before midnight because he was becoming to hungry? Vampires are always vampires, no matter if it's full moon or not. It is not like they would transfer like werewolves during the full moon. Vampires are nocturnal creatures, they stay awake during the nighttime and sleep during the daytime, so why did he leave so early? Aislinn tucked her wand in her right sleeve and slapped herself on her both cheeks to wake up Aislinn, what are you thinking about, you do not miss his company, do you? You wish and hope to not see him anymore, yet you are standing here and thinking about him, you foolish girl... Aislinn decided to take a walk to clear her mind, but she did not get far. When she was about to turn a corner, she caught a glimpse of Luna and Elias who both were further down in the alley. Aislinn turned on her heels and went back inside. She had neither heard anything of their conversation, nor had they noticed her. I should not disturb them... Aislinn was usually a curious girl, but today she was surprisingly in a different kind of mood. She descended the stairs, her eyes seeing the guests, seeing the ballroom, but her mind was somewhere else. Monroe you say...My great aunt was married to a Monroe who was a human...I need to clear my mind Aislinn looked around, she noticed Sherwood who was looking very confused, talking with some female guests who had find some interest in him. Great tehehe... She went towards the decorated tables. I need firewiskey... She looked around but could only find most of the goblets filled with wine and a few filled with pumpkin juice. The bloody hell... She picked a goblet of wine and drank the bittersweet liquor all at once. She made a grimace as she went for her second goblet. Then the third. I should stop here; I must stay alert and not let my guard down... She thought as she picked the fourth goblet but then put it down madly that its contents spilled out over the table. She picked a goblet of pumpkin juice instead to rinse the bittersweet taste in her mouth. Some of the guests who were standing close by looked shockingly at her. Aislinn ignored their stares and sat down at her usual place. Moments later she saw Luna and Elias walk down the stairs. Like they are walking on ice.... wait they cannot have become lovers all of sudden over one night, not after what happened during and after the battle? Aislinn pinched herself in her right arm, rubbed her eyes. When she looked across the ballroom again, she noticed that Luna and Elias were sitting with three other guests, one of them, the girl who had been wearing shades, was chatting gaily. Huuuhh, I’m not getting any smarter now, did I have too much wine?

"I danced with almost everyone..." Lily giggled excitingly, breaking the silence, addressing Luna.
"After turning down every gentleman, you are to lucky that they did not give up on their first attempts," her mother intervened and chuckled.
"Actually, I think one of them did.."
"Who could it have been?"
"It was the host, Mama. He was dancing with Miss Lestrange, when I was dancing with Eli, right Eli? and then that man asked for exchange and of course I did not agree." Lily told her mother and then addressing Luna: "I have specific rules whenever I go to a gala, I always have my first dance with my brother and my second dance with my father tehehe" Then she added in a low tone so only Luna could hear: "By the way may I ask hehe, have you ever been in a nightclub in Knockturn Alley or do you only attend galas?"
"What are you whispering about?"
"Nothing Mama!" Lily smiled and then to Luna: "Today it was one of my friends' birthday, we celebrated at Madam Puddifoots' and tonight they are continuing the party at you know where hehehe...next time we'll go there, you and I, it's lots of fun hehehe"
"Going where my flower?"
"Bubble party shop in Diagon Alley, Mama," Lily replied calmly and then looked at Luna with the face which was saying - I'll also take you there tehehe

The orchestra was not playing for waltz anymore though a more intense kind of music and the guests were now dancing boogie woogie.
"Oh!" Lily cried out excitingly. "Eli, please, let's dance, this is my favourite one."
"No I'll pass," Elias laughed. "That is not my kind of dance..." Unless if you wish to dance with me... He thought as he looked at Luna. No matter if I fool around with a dance, as long as I can make her happy..
Lily looked disappointed at her brother and before their mother opened her mouth to tell her son to be nice to his sister, Elias spoke: "Lily, look over there." He gestured towards Aislinn who was sitting at the opposite side of the ballroom. "Go ahead and ask Miss Monroe for a dance, she loves to dance boogie woogie.." I hope you do, Monroe...
Lily looked astonished and her parents looked a little shocked, wondering if their son was at his full senses.
"Eehh..." Lily started but was interrupted by her mother: "Elias, you know very well it is not proper for a lady to ask one for a dance, it is weird and considered as bad taste and above of that, you are suggesting your sister to dance with another lady? And by the way who is she?"
"But Mama, that's allright.." Lily hurried to speak before Elias had a chance to defend himself. "I actually danced with Clarissa at the Yule Ball two years ago, because I turned down every gentleman as usual heheheh..." Lily laughed so hard before she walked over to the Lady, whom her brother had suggested her to dance boogie woogie with. Elizabeth sighed loudly and gave Elias a quick look which was saying it was all his fault that his sister danced with girls.
Then she exchanged looks with her husband. Are we thinking the same? That this miss Monroe might be Mr. Edward Monroe's daughter?

Aislinn was gazing absentminded at the guests who were dancing to a more intense music. heheh, I wonder if Mr. D'Arcy would have enjoyed my favourite kind of dance, what a pity that he left to early... Aislinn was interrupted in her thoughts by a girl who approached her.
"May I have a dance with you please?" she asked politely.
Aislinn stared surprisingly at her, wondering if that girl was at her all senses. She recognized her as the girl who had danced with Elias earlier this evening.
"Eli told me you enjoy this kind of dance," The girl said, grinning.
"Eli told you that I enjoy this kind of dance," Aislinn repeated stupidly. She tilted sideways and looked past the girl. She got eye contact with Elias who smirked. Oh, I see... Aislinn thought when she finally understood. She looked at the girl, this time recognizing her as Elias sister. Same blue eyes, black hair, slender hands and fingers, same handsome facial features, though her lips were thicker. What a jerk, sending his own sister to dance with me but not asking me for a dance, tsk...but when come to think about it, he might want to spend the whole night with Luna...and if I know him right, this is not kind of his dance...I remember the first Yule Ball which I attended about eleven years ago. Elias only waltzed around with a half veela, whose name I don't remember, and the rest of the time he was sitting down while the rest were enjoying dancing to more intense music. So, I don't blame him...
"Allright," Aislinn replied half excitingly and half disappointingly. The girl brightened up. The bloody hell, who cares if I dance with a girl now, better than with a vampire... Aislinn thought as they started to dance, ignoring the fact that she was actually missing Mr. D'Arcy.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"It was the host, Mama. He was dancing with Miss Lestrange, when I was dancing with Eli, right Eli? and then that man asked for exchange and of course I did not agree." Lily told her mother and then addressing Luna: "I have specific rules whenever I go to a gala, I always have my first dance with my brother and my second dance with my father tehehe" Then she added in a low tone so only Luna could hear: "By the way may I ask hehe, have you ever been in a nightclub in Knockturn Alley or do you only attend galas?"

"I don't enjoy nightclubs, or pubs." Luna whispered back politely.
"What are you whispering about?"
"Nothing Mama!" Lily smiled and then to Luna: "Today it was one of my friends' birthday, we celebrated at Madam Puddifoots' and tonight they are continuing the party at you know where hehehe...next time we'll go there, you and I, it's lots of fun hehehe"
"Going where my flower?"
"Bubble party shop in Diagon Alley, Mama," Lily replied calmly and then looked at Luna with the face which was saying - I'll also take you there .

"No thank you, Lily. Though, I appreciate your kind offer. "

As the music of the orchestra changed, Luna smiled to herself. She didn't care much for that kind of music, much preferring the slower dances. "Oh!" Lily cried out excitingly. "Eli, please, let's dance, this is my favorite one."

Young and loud. Not at all like her brother. At least she enjoys herself more. Luna became surprised that Elias suggested that Lily dance with Aislynn, and saw the dirty look his mother gave him. My my Elias. I thought you were the one who valued rules more than anyone else? She was about to say something along the lines of "It's quite all right, I know that lady.", but decided against it. She had another idea, however, that might get her closer to his family. She had a vision of her father when he was young, doing the same thing to elders. Smooth talking Tom Riddle had always found a way to make everyone feel liked, whilst always getting what he wanted. "Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Shadowwalker." Luna began politely. "Would you be interested in coming over my home for a family lunch sometime? I enjoyed meeting you, and would like the opportunity to get to know you better. " For a moment, she wondered if she should have used their last names, but decided that using their first names would have been rude, considering she was visibly younger.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"I recognize you…" The girl suddenly spoke to Aislinn in the middle of the dance. "You were the one who represented Hogwarts in The Triwizard Tournament about six to seven years ago, weren't you?"
Aislinn laughed with relief. Merlin's beard, I almost thought she had seen me in other kind of circumstances...
"You don't remember me, I guess," the girl continued. "I was only eleven years old back then, but I remember you," She smiled.

"Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Shadowwalker," Luna spoke politely, not only calling their attention but also managed to draw Elias' attention. His parents smiled, looking questioningly at her as they waited for her to speak. Elias almost held his breath.
"Would you be interested in coming over my home for a family lunch sometime? I enjoyed meeting you and would like the opportunity to get to know you better." Luna said.
Oh, family lunch.... The color rise to Elias' cheeks and ears. He looked down in his goblet, letting his hair fall like drapery around his face to hide the fact that he was embarrassed. She is literary giving me the opportunity to come closer to her, the more interactions with and the closer she gets to my family, the easier it will be for me to make the proposal. But I won't take any step further until I can trust that she is sincere with me about everything and not trying to hide or lie about anything. If she only knew that I saw through her when she told me that she had asked Aaron Glass to invite me and my sister....
"With all our pleasure, we would be so honored to meet you for family lunch anytime you wish dear," Elias' father spoke solemnly.
You should have invited her to our place first, you fool, why do you let a lady to take the first step... Elizabeth smiled as she looked at her son, trying to get eye contact with him which of course was useless since he was looking down in his goblet. She is such a serene and polite young lady. Thank good Merlin that she is not like her mother Bellatrix Lestrange, who was so wild. Miss Luna Lestrange seems to only have inherited the beauty of her mother. This young lady has manners and etiquette. I wonder if it was Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy who raised this girl up, or was it another close relative to her? Well, I can only speculate, but that is nothing of my business to ask or poke about. What matters is that my son has made the right choice. I wish Lily could learn a little by looking at how Miss Lestrange is behaving. Nowadays, the young girls of this era are too much spoiled, loud and does not have manners at all and they tend to do as they wish and not listening what the older ones have to tell them. And sadly, Lily is just like today's girls. A family lunch and hopefully more meetings for leisure with Miss Lestrange in near future is absolutely a great opportunity and a very good idea. Perhaps if Lily spends more time with Miss Lestrange, she might learn good things as she tends to take in more of what other girls do than listening to me. And also to get to know Miss Lestrange, it will be such a great honor, to came closer friend with and support the daughter of Lord Voldemort...

When the first dance was over, Aislinn noticed in the corner of her eyes that Sherwood strode , arm in arm with an unknown young lady, to the dance floor. Perfect.... everything seems to go accordingly with my plan....just a few more seconds..
Aislinn took some steps backwards to watch the spectacle which was about to happen and Lily walked over to her family, after that she had shaken hands with Aislinn, thanking her for the enjoyment she brought to her with the dance.

Alexander Shadowwalker was about to continue to speak to Miss Luna Lestrange, when suddenly William Sherwood and the lady who had taken his arm, disappeared in the middle of the dance floor. Most of the guests looked shockingly at the spot of where the couple had been standing. Aislinn started to laugh. "Heheheheee...." And she was the only one, her laugh was long, slow and eerie, the hint of triumphing malice in her tone did not slip anyone. The guests squirmed, feeling unsure if they should laugh or not. That spot where they stood is actually safe and they both will be fine, they won't die from this, they will just be a little surprised.... Aislinn thought as she remembered the past…

"Long time no see," Aislinn smirked when William opened the door after she had rung the bell.
"Oh hello..." He got so surprised that he almost stood speechless.
"Are you letting me inside or do I have to stand here all day hehe?"
"Uhm I’m sorry, please, come in.." He bit his lower lip as he looked behind him. He showed the way to the kitchen which was pleasant looking in comparison with the rest of the rooms.
"Would you like some hot chocolate?"
He put cups on the table as he prepared the hot chocolate which with magic did not take more than few minutes.
"Thank you"
"You're welcome"
After moment of awkward silence Aislinn spoke: "I’m sorry about the last time, I did not mean to be that harsh..."
She looked down in her cup, trying to figure out if he had not dropped veritaserum or love potion in it while she pretended to look ashamed over how she scolded him at St Mungo’s.
"It is allright dear, it is me who should apologize to you, I was stubborn, I said things I should not have said...I’m sorry"
"It's allright, it's the past now, let's forget about it please" She looked up, smiling at him. "Let's shake hands"
When they had apologized to each other, Aislinn picked out her wand and explained:
"hehe, I'll just check so it's moderate warm to drink,"
"heheh you're so cute"
Aislinn grinned as she pointed the tip of her wand in her cup. Aislinn finished her hot chocolate quicker than he did, then she excused herself and asked to borrow the bathroom. When she went, she put on an invisibility charm and worked quickly. She manipulated the hallway, so it become a portal to the portkey she had prepared. The portkey was not to be activated until a certain time at the 27th February.
She removed the invisibility charm and went back to the kitchen.
"Would you like to go with me to a gala please?" she asked.
"Uhm..."
"It's on the 27th February..."
"I..."
"See it as date" She said charmingly, noticing how Sherwood blushed.
Then she left.

"Aislinn, I am so sorry, I deeply apol-"
"Save it! I don't like to hear excuses," Aislinn cut off annoyingly with a warning tone when Sherwood had arrived. "Better to show off your best side at the gala tonight..."
He did not say a word. Aislinn noticed how ashamed and hurt he looked like. I know he has a good excuse, but I'll never give him the chance, I'll use any means to crush his heart...
"By the way, why is your collar so wrinkled," Aislinn sighed. "Please let me adjust it for you..." She went behind him and pretended to adjust his collar as she attached the tiny portkey, a grey needle that camouflaged well with the color of the collar.
"Well, shall we?" she held up her hand, when she was done and off they went.

Elizabeth Shadowwalker rose up slowly, not believing her eyes. Oh good Merlin...and Miss Monroe laugh like it was nothing at all....She reminds me so much about Isabelle, so much alike when she laugh...
"Alex, what time is?.." she asked calmly as she looked at Miss Monroe.
"It is already past eleven.." her husband replied after checking his pocket watch. He was still sitting down, looking half amusingly and half curiously at the spot where the couple had vanished.

"Oh, good gracious, how could I forget the time, it runs away so fast, doesn't it? Miss Lestrange, please excuse us, but unfortunately, we have to leave. We had actually planned to leave at ten o'clock, because Lily is still in school, and we need to get her back to Hogwarts so she can get to her usual sleep. Even if it is Sunday tomorrow, I don't like the thought of turning upside down on her nights and days. We are very happy to have met you dear, my son must have known that you were invited today, mustn't he? hehe he sure surprised us today when we met you. Anyway, we hope to see you again in near future, please take care and enjoy the rest of the night." Elizabeth took Miss Luna Lestrange's hand in hers and bid her farewell. Lily looked very disappointed, finding it to injustice that Elias was staying and she was about to protest that she was not to sleepy, that she usually went to bed after midnight every night, which of course was a lie, but her father managed to change her mind about it by promising her more parties and galas in future. Once again, he thanked Miss Luna Lestrange for her hospitality and bid her farewell. Lily hugged Luna and waved to her as she walked away.

Why does my mother always misunderstand things, sigh, I never knew Luna would be here.... well whatever I'll be staying here, by her side, even if she wants to stay until dawn. I'll be the one who is escorting her home and not him...She does not have any good excuse for having him instead for me escorting her back, does she?.... Elias thought.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"With all our pleasure, we would be so honored to meet you for family lunch anytime you wish dear," Elias' father spoke solemnly.

"I am overjoyed that you accept my request. Please contact me by owl, a day in advance, once you have decided on a convenient date and time."

Alexander Shadowwalker was about to continue to speak to Miss Luna Lestrange, when suddenly William Sherwood and the lady who had taken his arm, disappeared in the middle of the dance floor. Most of the guests looked shockingly at the spot of where the couple had been standing, while Luna eyed the laughing Aislynn with mild curiosity.

"Oh good gracious, how could I forget the time, it runs away so fast, doesn't it? Miss Lestrange, please excuse us, but unfortunately we have to leave. " she took Luna's hand in hers and bid her farewell.

"Farewell, Mrs. Shadowwalker. It was a pleasure meeting you as well. "

Lily thanked Luna once more, "You're quite welcome, Lily", and once again Luna remained awkwardly still as Lily hugged her, much preferring a simple handshake. She waved back warmly as Lily left, then turned to the smiling Elias.

"Would you mind if we left as well? I see no need to remain here, since I'm perfectly contented with the number of dances we've had thus far. Unless, of course, you aren't?" She looked at him calmly, though she hoped he would want to leave as well. She looked forward to making a dinner for them both at home, and also, leaving before Aaron could put a damper on her progress with Elias.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"No, I don't mind at all," Elias replied, smiling. "I am perfectly satisfied as well...." His eyes wandered around. There were still a hundred of guests who enjoyed themselves, though many of them avoided to go near the spot at the floor of where the couple had vanished a moment ago. Only a few were leaving including his family. Perfect, I am glad that we are not staying, I have not seen Aaron Glass since he asked me for the exchange when we were dancing, I don't want to see him anymore and hopefully we won't see him on the way out... He offered his arm to Luna and lead the way out. He tried to walk as calmly as he could, though fast enough to hurry away. He suppressed his urge to glance behind him as they left. As soon as they had put a moderate distance between them and the entrance, they apparated away. When they arrived at her manor, he opened the door for her and of course followed in. It is very late, I should excuse myself somehow but I do not know what to say...part of me wants to stay and the other part is telling me it is not proper to stay at this hour of night...why I’m feeling so speechless at the very moment when I actually should speak... He thought, feeling a little nervous about being back at the manor.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Being here again, with you, makes me feel just as much remorse as after the battle." Luna said solemnly. Her eyes were close to tears, though she concealed the fact that they were forced. "Again, I must apologize. I never dreamed you would forgive me." She looked down, as Nagini came in. The serpent and Elias locked eyes for a moment, before Nagini bowed her head in remorse, imitating Luna.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Being here again, with you, makes me feel just as much remorse as after the battle. Again, I must apologize. I never dreamed you would forgive me." Luna spoke solemnly and looked down.

Elias noticed a movement behind Luna. He looked in a pair of yellow eyes and for a moment he felt the panic rise within him, paralyzing him at where he stood, though those feelings only last for brief of seconds because soon his panic was gone and he was calm once more when the serpent bowed its head towards him. My charm bracelet only protects me against magic....spells and curses...and because I took it off and gave it to her before the battle I gave her the opportunity to easily blast me off and jinx me during and afterwards...but even if I wear the bracelet or not, I can still be attacked by her snake, I can still be attacked by simple muggle weapons or daggers...I’m still vulnerable though only protected against magic...I have forgiven her, she has trusted me with her secret, thus I trust her.. And with his last thought, he took off his charm bracelet and placed it together with his wand at the floor in front of her as he went down on his knee and bowed his head. "And I never could imagine this day to come. You are forgiven, my lady. And once again, I must apologize for my previous behavior..."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna stared at his wand and charm for a second. She could imagine Aaron's voice in her head, as if he was watching. Well done! It looks as if the fool trusts you again. As if anyone with a brain would! Luna crouched low, so that they were at the same eye level, and spoke in a voice of mixed sadness and guilt. "It was my fault, though you may say otherwise. I failed to recognize that you, unlike the rest, are loyal, courageous, and genuinely compassionate. Never have I found someone who possessed them all , let alone the latter. I only seek your permission, that I may move on from this guilty stage. I only want us to be together, forgetting the past. It is not very often that two people are able to truly do so. Yet after everything, you remain loyal to me. I must uphold the same allegiance, for my acts before were truly treacherous." Her tears flowed down her cheeks, her breathing was fast, and her head was hung even lower than Nagini's.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Please, don't cry, my lady..." Elias spoke, his voice almost trembling. He could not help but cry when he heard her sobbing. He picked out his handkerchief and wiped her face carefully and gently. He lifted her chin so that he could look straight in her eyes. and spoke when they both had calmed down: "Please don't feel guilty anymore, I don't blame you for what you did after the battle. First, I felt fear and anger, but with time I understood your actions and I could only blame myself. If my mother knew about what actions I took in the past she would have blamed me as well. I was chasing something I could never gain, and I was not only blind, but also a fool, who did not see. And I undervalued my comrades." Monroe, Zabini, Rosier.. "You taught me a lesson; you opened my eyes. And I can only thank you. I was never compassionate before the battle but an arrogant man who valued his pride before anything else." Elias put on his charm bracelet and picked up his wand before helping up Luna to her feet. "I rather die than betray you...." She only wants us to be together and forget the past? Well I am fine with forgetting the past, let's forget the past and move on...but she can not only want us to be together, there must be something more she wants, she is the dark heiress after all.....well I'll know by time...Part of me wants to embrace her now, but other part of me is telling me no, I let her take the first step and I shall neither forget nor betray her secret... He checked his pocket watch. It is already midnight..but I’m not in hurry, my parents still thinks I am at the gala, since they left before I did..and I’ve no work on Sundays, if she wishes me to stay, I’ll stay, if she wishes me to leave, I'll leave, as long as she is happy...
"Well then, let's us forget the past and move on. Anything you wish for tonight? I am at your service. " Elias spoke with a soft voice as he bowed to her.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"No. Your words have brought me more peace than I could have imagined. I am everlastingly grateful to have met you. I believe, considering the time, it would be wise for us to part, and get some sleep. " she paused, attempting to find the best way to explain she wanted to see him again as soon as possible. "Perhaps, tomorrow, we could have breakfast here, together?" she asked hopefully. He nodded, smiling, and bid her farewell.

As soon as Luna closed the door behind him, Aaron appeared three feet behind her, still wearing his tuxedo from the Gala. "How touching." he said mockingly. "Tell me," he came closer, his eyes not moving from hers. " Do you rehearse, or is it all improv with you? "

"I have a question for you." she said quickly, throwing in tones of anger, "Have you always had no perception of other people's feelings, and only selfish thoughts of your own?"

"No." he said mildly "Only when I am with you. "

Really? You're either downgrading me, or making sorry attempts to get physically close. "Why is that?" she said, not caring to watch her tone at all now.

"Because I know what beast lurks inside you. " he eyed her pendant necklace. "And I, unlike Elias, know not to play with snakes. " He brushed aside a stray hair from her face, and Luna had a sudden pleasant vision. . .

Aaron lay down on the marble flooring, bloodied and barely alive. Luna mouth was inches away from his ear, her dangerously quiet voice full of happiness and content "I saw this fate for you from the moment we met. I was just waiting, until the right moment, to let you feel your defeat. Who is the fool now?". A flash of light, and he was gone. . . forever. Luna stood up straight, her face the happiest it had been since before she had met him.

When she shook herself back to reality, Aaron was once again giving her the piercing glace that meant he was reading her thoughts. He smiled a cruel twisted smile, and leaned forward, using the same dangerous voice to whisper in her ear.

"I understand completely." he paused, taking a deep, contented breath "Eventually, you would grow to crave vengeance and pain as much as your parents. I never wanted you, Luna. I just wanted to be the one to bring out that delicious blood lust. . . For me, it is truly ecstatic, for I have the same problem. . . it is an irresistible urge for blood and death. A craving so strong, that we cannot help but kill all those who care for us. I first realized it when I was a little younger than you. . . " He raised a hand to brush against her cheek, and both of their eyes blurred as he shared with her a memory of his past.

A boy, around ten, stood to the left of his mother, who was dressed in a white wedding gown, and proudly examining her reflection in a full - length mirror.

"You know, Aaron, no matter how many times I get married, I still get excited. Never mind that this is the tenth husband of Melissa Glass. "

"Mother?" the boy said politely, half curious and half scared of her answer "Do you enjoy killing?"

"What?" she said absentmindedly adjusting transfiguring hair for the tenth time.

"Do you enjoy getting married every year, and then killing the groom six weeks later?"

"Of course not." she said, still not giving him her full attention. "It's all for us. So we can live in comfort, you and I, and never let it run out. " She wasn't doing a good job of convincing him she didn't enjoy killing every wealthy man she wed, due to the fact that her joyous tone hadn't changed.

"But mother." he said, saying it again, like every other time "Every year of my life, you have done this. Will it never stop? "

Melissa finally finished, and turned to her son.

"My dearest, Aaron. It will stop when your grandchildren's grandchildren will be able to live in comfort, so we can always continue on the Glass family legacy. Come now."

And she steered him by the shoulder, to walk toward the church bells ringing in the distance. ..

The vision blurred, then cleared. The same boy stood in the same room, with the same woman in a dress in front of a mirror, fixing her hair. This time the boy was slightly older, about twelve.

"Mother?" he asked. "Hasn't it become enough? We've stored hundreds of billions of galleons in our vaults at Gringott's. Maybe this time. . . "

"Now now, Aaron. " she laughed, "I assure you, you will understand one day. "

The boy lowered his head, disappointed in his mother's answer once again.

Once more, the vision blurred, then cleared. A visibly older Aaron was standing in his familiar position, wearing a saddened expression, as if he had given up hope. He didn't say a word until his mother was done with her hair, and when she turned to him, he took a deep breath, and spoke calmly.

"Mother?"
"Yes?"
"This will make number sixteen, now, wouldn't it? "
"I don't know. . . " she looked into the distance, trying to think "I'm beginning to lose count!"
Aaron didn't laugh at her ill - timed joke, but continued.
"I have asked you every year, the same question, year after year, 'When will it be enough?' "
He was talking very smoothly, as if he was leading up to something.
"And every year." he paused slightly "You reply with an excuse, or a joke."
"What are you getting at?" the mother said, her joyous tone faltering slightly, and instead she eyes him suspiciously. Everything the boy said appeared to have been carefully planned, and there was clearly something wrong. Luna just noticed that behind his back, the boy was holding a very sharp knife.
"It was today that I realized.. . .Your answers will never change. "
He forced her against the nearest wall, and revealed the knife, stabbing her in the chest.
"No!" Melissa yelled. "How could you-"
"I realized" Aaron continued, as if he hadn't heard her. "It will never be enough."
Blood was staining her crisp white dress, and her face held horror.
"Is this what I raised? A murderer?!"
"You didn't raise me!" he yelled. "You were always too busy either securing an inheritance!"
Her last breath left her body, and her corpse slid to the floor, leaving a bloodied wall behind her.

Aaron began breathing faster as the reality of what he had done registered. His eyes now held a wild look, and he had a twisted smile in his eyes. He had experienced the first ecstatic moment of his life, and he longed for more. . .

Luna stood, eyes wide and speechless, at what she had just witnessed. Before her, Aaron held the same wild expression as many years before.

"You see? We're not that different after all." he used his hand to brush against her hair, but Luna was too petrified to move.

"You killed your mother, because you hated her. I just reveled in the thought of doing the same to you. . .that was.. . . "

"My plan, yes." he smiled. "Think about that." And with that he left in a puff of smoke. That night, Luna had no idea how she got washed up, or into bed, because her head was so full of disturbing thoughts she couldn't focus on anything else. Her dreamless sleep potion had run out, so her dreams were full of the same thoughts. . . He wanted me to be like him. This entire time? I was such a fool to think. . . he told me all he wanted was a spot on the winning side, with lessons as payment. How could I? How will I continue on like this?

 

[Hikari Chan]

Midnight at the gala

There were still of hundreds of guests enjoying themselves. Aislinn decided it was the time to leave. She walked up for the stairs and lingered for a bit at the balcony, looking down at the ballroom. No not yet...not until I have investigated this place.... She picked out her wand from her sleeve and looked into the corridors. She felt for each door she found. Locked.....alohomora.......normal furnished rooms....nothing of interest....perhaps I am just wasting my time.... She walked out in the garden. It was still a cloudless night. After having been walking around in circles and not finding anything of interest Aislinn finally decided to apparate home. She arrived the exact moment when Aaron Glass left. She walked up to her bedroom and immediately fell deep asleep in her bed, neglecting of changing or washing and even forgetting to take some dreamless potion. Her dreams were soon filled of nightmares...Mr. D'Arcy haunting her down, Aaron Glass keeping Luna as hostage, the corpse of Blaise burying Elias alive in his own grave..

Elias was laying at his back in his bed, looking at the ceiling above him. I'll see her soon...soon again tomorrow...unbelievable... He turned on his side, trying to fall asleep, but it was not easy. His thoughts were full of the events of the gala. He had sleep potion, but he could not take the risk to take it now. He had only a few hours, about five to six hours to sleep until it was morning and thus it was not worth to drink sleep potion even if it only was about one drop. He feared that he would oversleep and miss the opportunity to have breakfast with her if he took one single drop of the sleep potion. And I absolutely don't want to miss that opportunity with Luna... He thought as he turned on his other side. My Luna...

Later after midnight

"Didn't she mention her first name?"
"No unfortunately she didn't. As I told you, she only introduced herself as Monroe."
"And you didn't ask her furthermore? Why didn't you ask her first name?"
"It was almost impossible, she was so insolence, wicked and childish.."
"I don't believe my granddaughter to be insolence..but possible wicked after her mother.... I can't recall Isabelle as insolence or childish..no.."
"But you did not hear her, how rudely she spoke to me..and how rudely she acted, pretending not knowing how to dance, literally ste.."
"Nonsense! I don't think so unless of how you treated her first, as you told me; you noticed her first, didn't you?"
"I did, though I was polite, I only asked her for a dance..."
"Only?..."
"Well honestly, when I noticed her, she was not alone, she was striding together with a young man, a human, in the ballroom and then he left her, all of sudden, he was actually looking confused, like he was not at all his senses, so I decided to take my chance and then...."

"Oh your companion left you, such a pity...tsk tsk...what a man, if I was him I would have thought twice before leaving such a beauty alone, what a looser..." Vincent spoke to the girl whom he had taken interest in when he suddenly had noticed her. She was dressed in a black and red gown of Victorian style. She gave him a quick glance sidewise and turned towards him, giving him a cold look. If it was not for beautiful lively green eyes, he would have taken her for a vampire. He held up his hand towards her and asked politely and solemnly yet charmingly: "If you do not mind, may I have one dance with you please?"

"Were you at all your senses? Such a blockhead he is.., that was such a useless speech, you should have spoken differently to her.....well what is already said or done can't be unsaid or undone , by the way, not all the young ladies, especially human girls, can easily be flattered or charmed. So, don't expect them to easily be allured by us. After all this Monroe girl has been brought up by humans, and if the humans who took care of her have broken the promise, it might cause difficulties for us to-.."

"But you have neither seen nor heard her. How can you tell that it's truly her? Monroe might be a very common surname. She could be another Monroe, not even related to us.."
"Possibly..but we actually don't really know...not until I have seen her...."
"So you'll know, won't you?"
"Perhaps,....by the way how did she look like?"
"She has intensive green eyes, black hair, she is inked...and...and she is pretty hehe.."
"Pretty you say..hehe charmed by a human girl, aren't you? heheh but you didn't manage to charm her in return, did you? hehe...by the way what do you mean - inked?"
"I mean like this....."
"Oh good lord, what the....what is this?....when?...when did you do this?"
"It is ink, humans call it for tattoos, I got it a while ago hehe.."
"I see....pull down your sleeves, I don't want to see it, it's an eyesore......human habits huh...tsk tsk, I cannot believe my own granddaughter to be inked......by the way did she not say anything else which could give us clues?"
"No..unfortunately not...though during our conversation she mentioned that few humans could understand snakes and when I asked her if she was a one, she flushed and looked away, laughing nervously, thus it made me suspect that she was hiding her ability.."
"Hmm..this does not say me anything, all I know about my daughter-in-law is that she was a pureblood witch, born as Gaunt...."
"So it might be a useful clue.."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean...I remember Ashy from my childhood...and you remember very well how much she and I used to play in the garden behind our house, don't you?"
"Yes I do remember that, but how can that be a clue, that Monroe girl did not tell you about her childhood at the gala, did she?"

"No of course she did not. I mean about her ability to understand snakes. I’m suspecting that the Monroe girl is able to understand snakes because of the way she replied me when I asked her about it. And I have not forgotten Ashy from my childhood, I don't know if she remembers or not, because she was so little back then, anyway I still remember that she used to play with the grass-snake in our garden sometimes and that snake never harmed her...but I don't know how common it is among humans to understand snakes and if it is possible to talk with snakes..."

"Oh...I see now...Could it be a coincidence that both my grand-nephew and my long-missing grand-daughter were invited to the same gala? No matter how much the humans have been trying and still tries keep her away from me, if not today then one beautiful day our paths might be crossed....well Vincent.."

"Yes dear auntie?"
"Please, take a look at this photo, this Monroe girl who you met at the gala today, is she...is she alike this woman..?"
"I....I...she..Sigh...well I could never forget her intense green eyes, when I close my eyes I can still see her eyes clearly in front of me...this woman has green eyes as well, but I cannot be sure, I need to see her again to be able to compare, I’m sorry dear auntie..."
"Oh, well, never mind, please try to find Miss Monroe and bring her to me, whatever means you have to take, find her and bring her with care, alive and unharmed, to me."
"I'll do anything in my power to fulfil your wish."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna awoke again, but this time it was seven o' clock. Upon examination in her bathroom mirror, she was even paler than usual, with dark circles under her eyes. If only I was good at transfiguration.

"Perhaps you could simply tell him you didn't sleep well because you kept dreaming of him?" Nagini replied jokingly.

Luna turned to her, her back facing the mirror. "That answer-" she laughed "would seem like a lie." She showered, and dressed in a casual dress for her breakfast with Elias:

"I'll tell him-" she winked at Nagini "That I was anticipating our next meeting so much, that I simply had trouble sleeping." Nagini smirked as Luna walked out the door with her bag, and was outside the front door moments later. She used her wand to produce her serpentine patronus to send Elias his message.

"Good morning, Elias. I greatly anticipate our breakfast together. Where would you like to meet?"

Luna nodded to it, meaning she was done, and it was off, soaring high into the sky.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Elias rose up from his bed at six o'clock. He had barely slept, only for a few hours and it was useless to remain in bed when it was impossible to sleep. He took a long morning shower and dressed in his best clothes. An elegant yet simple black suit for breakfast. When he put on his cloak in front of the mirror, he noticed that he had dark circles under his eyes. I wish I could do something about this...hehe...I have been thinking about her and about the meeting with her all night, so I am not surprised that I barely could sleep... It did not take long before her Patronus message arrived:

"Good morning, Elias. I greatly anticipate our breakfast together. Where would you like to meet?"

Again she asks me where to meet...hehe I hope she doesn't mind a kind of breakfast with candle lights at the table..He smiled, already knowing a perfect place and sent her a response:

"Morning, my Lady. Let's meet at the Serpents' Garden."
He watched his silvery transparent peacock soar away in the sky before apparating away.

They arrived at the same time at the front doors of the restaurant. He smiled when he saw Luna and was about to ask if she did sleep well last night when he noticed the dark circles under her eyes. And she was paler than usual. He seemed to forget that he had dark circles under his eyes as well.
"Are you allright, dear?" He asked anxiously.
He led her to a table for two in a cozy corner where they could sit in privacy. The lights were dim in the restaurant, since the lightings only came from the candles at the tables and the candelabra which was floating mid-air close to the ceiling.
As soon as they sat down, the menu appeared in front of them. It was of course only one menu. He swept the menu closer to her.
"What would you like to eat, dear?" Elias smiled then looked at the menu. Well hopefully I am making a progress, though I'll wait to the perfect moment when I choose to call her by her first name...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Are you alright, dear?" He asked anxiously.

"I'm alright. " Luna smiled "I anticipated this meeting so much that I simply didn't sleep." she finished casually. As Elias led her to their table, Luna's eyes adjusted to the lighting, which contrasted greatly to the sunlit morning outside. As soon as they sat down, a single menu appeared in front of them. Luna thought it would be rude for her to take it first, but before she could say he should look at it first he gently slid it to her.

"What would you like to eat, dear?" Elias smiled then looked at the menu.

Luna picked it up, stood, and sat down next to him, opening it between them so that they could both see it. "Let's see what's on the Menu this morning." she said charmingly. She noticed Elias shifted uncomfortably in his chair as they read it together. Once they had read it through, Luna read what she wanted. "One Spanish omelette, olive toast, two pieces of bacon, a glass of orange juice, and a jug of ice water, please. "

Her order appeared on the table, and she turned to Elias with a smile.

"I guess there's no need for me to remain sitting here." She got up, and sat back on her side of the table.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Elias was surprised when Luna suddenly changed her place and sat down close beside him. She opened the menu and hold it between them so they could both read.

"Let's see what's on the Menu this morning," she said charmingly. Elias shifted uncomfortably in his chair, hoping that she would not notice that she made him feel nervous when she was so close to him, almost holding his breath. He was not prepared to have her so close beside him, feeling her arm and shoulder against his. As soon as she had placed her order, it appeared at the table.
"I guess there's no need for me to remain sitting here," she said as she changed back to her usual place in front of him.

Elias smiled, feeling revealed that she would sit in front of him during their meal. Part of him wanted to ask her to remain beside him and other part of him told him the contrary. I don't want her to feel uncomfortable, her comfort and happiness come first and besides I prefer to have a beautiful face to look at rather than look at empty chairs and tables or walls in front of me hehe.. He placed his order which appeared the very same moment at the table. Poached eggs along with cherry tomatoes and sliced avocado. French toasts. A small bowl with naturel yoghurt. And a cup of green tea.

"Bon appetite"

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"This is lovely." Luna said politely after a few bites. They ate in silence, besides a few comments on the taste of the food Luna. Once they were finished, the dished magically disappeared. "You know." Luna said with the air of leading up to something else. "I've never been in this part of London before. " She hoped he would invite her to explore it with him, rather than tell her to have a fun time exploring because of his chronic cowardice.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"This is lovely," Luna said politely after a few bites.
As lovely as you are....I hope she does not decide to part after the breakfast... Elias thought as he sipped his tea. "I am glad that you love it," he smiled.

As soon they were finished and the dishes were placed with a bill, Elias paid with his magical quill.
"You know," Luna spoke "I've never been in this part of London before."
Perfect, this is my chance...thank heavens that she has not on her mind to leave me for today...
"Then what about taking a walk with me in this village?" He asked charmingly and offered his arm to her. "I always love to take a walk after breakfast, and I would love to show you around in this place."

The village was grand and consisted of various of old boutiques, cafés and restaurants. It was bigger than Hogsmeade.

"You will only see purebloods here..it is not like Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade.." Elias explained as they walked. "Of course this place is visible for everyone, though since this place is only popular among purebloods you'll rarely see other kinds here.."
"And do not worry.." he added in a quiet tone. "No one here would ever report you if they recognized you." He smiled. "This place is like Knockturn Alley, but the difference is that you'll only find legal business here.." He laughed.

They walked into every kind of boutique to explore it together. The magical quill boutique (which sells magical quills like the ones Elias own). The perfume shop. They tried almost every perfume till they had enough and went out for fresh air.

The third boutique was selling mysterious magical items, items such as gloves, scarves, hats and much more wearable things which could make part of the body to become invisible, jewelries with colored stones which changed color after emotions, jars filled with moon stones, fairy dust, mermaid glitter, magical tiny lively butterflies, black lively spiders, magical fireflies and much more. There were also special magical mirrors, none for spying though, but for communications, other mirrors gave different disguises to anyone who looked in them. They stayed in that shop to explore everything, the shop keeper was a patient old lady who smiled at the young couple (she thought they were a couple) who enjoyed themselves, until it was lunchtime and they finally walked out in the fresh air.
"It is already noon, dear. Would you love to have lunch with me?" Elias asked while holding her hands, with a hope that they would spend the whole day together. There were still more to explore of the village.

Meanwhile

"Uuuuuuhhhwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh" Aislinn yawned as she opened her eyes around noon time. She found herself still dressed in her gala gown. She took a bath and changed into more comfortable clothes, typically muggle clothes as usual, a pair of pants and a loose shirt. She walked down to the kitchen and prepared a meal for herself. Small thick ready-made pancakes with whipped cream and a cup of hot chocolate. "Mmmmmhhh" She sighed as she sipped her hot chocolate without any thought of guilt of what might have happened Sherwood last night. She had already forgotten him and allowed herself to wallow in laziness, indulgence and comfort the whole day.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna walked around with Elias, not requesting to buy anything, until they reached the last shop and she couldn't resist. She tried out the magical disguise mirror, and changed her appearance to look like Elias's sister. They laughed over Luna's joke, and Elias offered to buy her the mirror. They walked out, as Luna was placing the gift - wrapped mirror in her bag as she walked beside him.

"It is already noon, dear. Would you love to have lunch with me?" Elias asked while holding her hands.

"Yes, thank you." she replied joyfully. "And then, perhaps, we could explore some more? I have a hard time imagining us parting so soon." she added hopefully. In truth, they were both thinking the same thing: they wouldn't be leaving each other's company any time before nightfall.

 

[Hikari Chan]

This time Elias took her to a different kind of restaurant for lunch. It was a light-colored restaurant. The light was comfortably bright and not dim as the previous one. The seats were comfortable as well though varied from chairs to sofas. He led the way to a place which of course only had one sofa attached against the wall with a table in front of it. This time I'll have her beside me and it would be naturally because of the kind of seat..he thought cunningly.
"I hope you don't mind us sitting at the sofa this time?" he asked politely and smiled towards her. They sat down and this time two menus, one for each, appeared in front of them. He studied the menu for a while and as usual asking her for what she loved to eat, letting her to make the first order before he ordered a light lunch which consisted of a mixed salad; tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce with cooked shrimps and a glass of mineral water.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"On the contrary " Luna lied convincingly "I was hoping you would pick this table." she smiled as she sat down next to him. After examining the Menu, she ordered a Greek salad, and a small salmon with asparagus and grilled potatoes, along with a tall lemonade with fresh mint. The usual polite comments about the good tasting food followed, and once they were done she thanked him yet again. They explored several more boutiques and shops, ranging from clothing {Luna bought a lovely green formal dress}, to vintage decor shops. They entered another mysterious item shop, and this time Luna bought two things: a lovely serpent hair ornament that could transfigure your hair to any style asked, and a set of matching serpent broaches which allowed two people to share thoughts when activated by touch. Luna gracefully insisted on putting them on, gently placing Elias's on the collar of his suit, and hers to the right of her chest. They both touched theirs, and Luna tried first.

Can you hear me, Elias?

Yes, my dear.

We could use these whenever we wish! It matters not whether you go to work, or if we are in the same room! Excellent!

They each touched them a second time, and then continued exploring. Luna bought a surprise gift for Aislynn, and Lily. Since Luna was neither vain, nor liked to take forever browsing in shops, they went through many within the five hours from lunch to dinner. As the sun started to set, Luna made the suggestion picking a restaurant to eat once more before parting.

"No, I wouldn't mind at all, dear." Elias replied.

"This one looks sweet."

They went inside an Asian style restaurant, which was decorated with differently colored lamps hung everywhere, and lighting brighter than their breakfast place, but dimmer than their lunch place.

They ate a lovely meal of sushi together, and then came to bid each other farewell, each regretting that the day was already over.

"Farewell, Elias. I greatly appreciate having spent this entire day in your company. I have no idea of how to begin thanking you."

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Farewell, my lady. I am very honored to have spent this entire day with you. With all my pleasure, no need to thank me dear, I am very happy that you have enjoyed this day to the fullest. It was a lovely day indeed. I hope to see you soon again, until then.." He touched the serpent brooch and smiled towards her. He caressed her cheek. She looked less pale, much livelier and happier, like a full blooming rose in a summer day, than she did when he saw her at the morning, pale with dark circles under her eyes. "Please take care of yourself" He spoke quietly as he moved closer to her. He kissed her forehead and bid her a good night before apparating home.

"Hello dear..." Elias' mother spoke as she suddenly walked out from the parlor at the same time as Elias walked inside and closed the front doors behind him.
"Hello mother.." Elias smiled then noticed that it was almost midnight when his eyes fell on the clock at the wall in the hallway. "and good night..." he smirked and hurried up to his bedroom leaving his mother astonished and speechless.

Aislinn was playing moderate load heavy metal music, as usual from her manipulated muggle device, and eating all Bobby's every flavor potato chips immediately from the potato chips bag when Luna arrived.
"Helloo," Aislinn grinned and then made the ugliest grimace when she ate a potato chip which tasted like snot. "eeeeuuuehhhhhhh" Then she offered Luna to taste: "Bobby's every flavor potato chips? The light red ones are safe, they taste like salty sun-dried tomatoes, but the dark red ones taste like blood and the turquoise ones tastes like..." She went on describing all kind of flavors when she noticed a pretty snake brooch at Luna's chest. "Ohhh so cute....."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna nodded politely to Aislynn, declined her offer for chips, and bid her farewell as she climbed the stairs leading to the next floor, where her bedroom was located. She was relieved that Aaron wasn't there waiting for her, and she washed and got to bed, all before twelve thirty. She slept well, having gotten her mind off of the previous night, and didn't wake until eight the next morning.

"Good morning, Nagini. " she said joyously. "I am pleased to see you back from last night's hunting. I just wanted you to know that yesterday was another success. Elias suspects nothing, and he got his mind off Aaron. We got even closer. I'll know he feels comfortable when he starts using my first name, and has the courage to invite me to dinner." she joked.

"I wonder" Nagini said. "When he will get comfortable enough to speak your name. I think he is remaining cautious and formal because he is protecting himself."

"I agree." she said, while walking out the door. "See you later, my friend."

Nagini nodded silently as usual, then laid down to sleep.

Luna walked to Aislynn's door, and conjured a piece of parchment and a quill from her bedroom, as well as Aislynn's wrapped gift.

Dear Aislynn,

Good morning. I went out shopping yesterday, and found something you will most likely find useful. I hope you like it.

~Luna

She pinned it to the door , and placed the gift on the small table outside her door. It was wrapped in the same glowing serpentine paper she had used for Lily's previous gift. She then walked out the door to handle a bit of business in Knockturn Alley. She got back at six in the evening, only to find Aaron lazily leaning up against a nearby hedge, which made up part of the labyrinth.

"I'll never be able to understand why you leave the manor without breakfast so frequently. Do you not have an appetite?" he said, so casually that he had clearly assumed she had forgotten his previous treatment of her. Luna, however, became as angry and disoriented as the night before upon seeing him.

"No. Not usually. Even when I do eat, my portions are very small, because, for some reason, I get full after only a little food. I guess it is my curse to remain pale and thin forever." she finished sarcastically. "Why do you enjoy leaving me in the worst possible ways? Each time, in a worse mind - set than before?"

"I won't be doing that anymore." he said, waving his hand as if it was a long - gone memory. He stood up straight, and materialized a few feet away from her, appearing to her left. She turned to face him, her arms crossed. "From now on, I will be leaving you in a better mood than when I arrive. Because, I have given you a gift. The gift of realizing your true self. " he took a step closer with every sentence, which Luna matched with a step back.

"And, I will continue to give you many gifts. " He took another step, and Luna backed up against a different hedge, unable to move further back. "Until we are so close, that you no longer desire anything else." He took another step, and once again his face was inches away from hers, then whispered in her ear. "For now that I have completed my plan, I love you more than I ever did before."

"This is happening so fast-" she began, but his next move prevented her from continuing. He kissed her, passionately. She tried to reach for her wand, but he seized both of her hands, holding them tight against the hedge. In that moment, Luna knew she could leave, but she needed him to think she had fallen for him. It was crucial that she made him think she had thus he would finally let down his guard. She closed her eyes, and humored him. A moment later, he was done.

"I believe-" she said as romantically as she could whilst concealing the fact that she would rather have done this with even Elias "that I no longer desire anything, or anyone, else. "

He looked deep into her eyes, and smiled. "I've wanted to hear those words from your lips the moment I met you." he said breathlessly.

"However-" she continued in a formal tone "I wouldn't want Elias to catch us like this. It would ruin my progress with him. So, we must meet more discretely, lest he show up and realize I had been leading him into another trap again. "

"I understand." he said lovingly "You shall contact me when you wish to. . .see me again. " He held his hand up , bidding her farewell, and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Luna rushed inside to wash every possible trace of him off, barely making it to the bathroom to retch into the toilet. After vomiting once, Nagini used her tail to hand her a remedy potion. She showered, and brushed her teeth four times, sitting down with the feeling that she should have brushed a fifth time.

"Thank you." she nodded to Nagini, who only replied with "May I eat him next time? It would feel nice, to see him suffering, paying the price with every bite."

"That," she stroked her snake "is yet another one of your good ideas." she smiled "The next time, I shall best him, then he will be yours."

 

[Hikari Chan]

A peaceful night followed. This time Elias managed to sleep even and peacefully. He woke up at seven o'clock with a smile on his face. He took his time to enjoy a luxuriant breakfast. His parents exchanged looks as they looked curiously at him. Usually, he did not have that kind of appetite for breakfast and only satisfying himself with a cup of tea, a tiny sandwich and a boiled egg. This morning was different.

"That is a very beautiful brooch.." His mother commented, breaking the silence, as she noticed that he was wearing a serpent brooch.

"mhm.." Elias mumbled as he sipped his tea. "It's a gift..." He mentioned absentminded.
Elizabeth opened her mouth to ask him who had gifted him this lovely brooch though she closed her mouth when she noticed that her son was not really present but seemed to be away in another world, having a happy and a dreamy look in his eyes. She already knew the answer. Well who else than Miss Lestrange could have gifted him such a lovely brooch, hehe, I would be astonished if it is someone else... She thought as she observed her son with a smile.

Aislinn woke up with a big yawn around eleven o'clock. When she opened her door, the first thing she noticed was a gift, wrapped in a glowing serpentine paper, placed on a small table in the corridor outside her bedroom. Oh.......

She opened the gift and found a pendant. An emerald stone surrounded by a silvery dragon was attached to a silvery chain A piece of parchment with instructions followed the pendant in its box. It read: This pendant magically enhances the quality and speed of the wearer's thinking. It allows the owner to access every possible solution to a problem or situation, in a matter of seconds.

An interesting pendant indeed.... She thought as she closed the door and then noticing a piece of parchment pinned to it. She pulled it off.

Dear Aislynn,

Good morning. I went out shopping yesterday and found something you will most likely find useful. I hope you like it.

~Luna

This is perfect Luna, very useful heheh...
Aislinn put on the pendant. She let it fall behind her shirt. The silvery chain was feeling cold against her skin. If I wear it constantly, I'll get used to it soon......

It was a beautiful day thought the time did not run away like it did yesterday. Time always run away so fast when you enjoy it the most... Elias thought, his mind at the paper work he had in front of him and his heart longing for seeing her once again.

He finished his work earlier than he expected. When he arrived home at six o’clock, he wanted to have some time for himself the whole evening though he did not get the chance as his mother met him at the door, announcing that he was in time for dinner. He had no choice but to join his mother to eat a delicious dinner.

"So how was your day?" She immediately asked not giving him a chance to let his mind wander elsewhere.
"It was allright, just as usual."
"And by the way how was the rest of the gala? May you tell me, please," She prompted with another question, not even giving him a chance to breath after his first reply.
"I don't know, mother, we actually left earlier than expected, just after that you had left."
"We?...who more did accompany you?" It was of course an unnecessary question since Elizabeth already knew the answer deep inside.
"Miss Lestrange, mother, I escorted her to her place and then arrived home."

Oh... Elizabeth was hoping that everything had went well. She had watched them walking out of the ballroom after they had danced and then coming back. But why did they left so early?, they only had one dance...oh of course, how could I forget, perhaps Miss Lestrange was not happy to stay anymore after what we all witnessed happen to the couple who vanished in the midst of the dance floor...well what matters now is Elias' happiness....I cannot help but wonder if he proposed to her, I wish I could know, but of course I cannot ask, what if he had not proposed yet, what if they did something quite else, hehehe, well it would be so awkward for him if he tried to tell me hehehe, I can imagine it how it would have been like if I have tried to tell my own mother about my first kiss with Alexander thirty years ago....it is to ludicrous when I think about it..

"I did not see you at all yesterday, not until when you were home at midnight, where had you been?" She asked, changing the course of the subject.

"I spent a lovely day with her.." and once again Elias wandered away in his mind as he ate in silence.

huh Elias cannot mean that he had spent a whole day, a date with Miss Lestrange from morning to night, no, that's impossible...I remember when Alexander invited me for a dinner-date the first time and it only lasted for two hours at Silvery Serpents...I cannot remember I have spent a whole day with him until after our marriage....well today's generation of young couples seems different than my generation...but I believe that my son is well-behaved and value rules and etiquettes. Alexander and I have raised him so well, thus we trust him..perhaps they spent a day outdoors but on the other hand it is too cold to go to beautiful parks, it was the last day of February yesterday and the spring has not arrived yet...Merlin's beard, what a shame it would be if I become a grand-mother to illegitimate children..

Mother and son finished their meal in silence. Elias did not notice how his mother glanced suspiciously at him during the dinner. His father did not arrive home until a couple of hours later. The family spend a companionable and nice evening together until Elias excused himself for tonight as he wished to go earlier to bed.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna awoke the next morning, hoping that she hadn't slept in. I did go to bed quite early last night. What was it? Nine thirty, I believe. A quick reference to her clock told her that it was six in the morning. Quite early. I suppose it would be impossible to ask Aislynn if she liked her gift this early. Nagini was already awake by the time Luna had gotten washed and dressed.

"Nagini" Luna said "When Aislynn wakes, please ask her if she liked her gift. She can understand Parseltongue, and you know how to spot a lie, so please, tell me her answer when I get back. "

Nagini nodded silently, and bid Luna farewell as she walked out the door. Checking her watch, it had only been a half-hour since she had awoken.

She checked her mirror, and saw that Aislynn was sleeping peacefully, and Elias was at work already, going through paperwork with his quill. Luna looked closely, and saw that he was wearing his pendant. She pressed hers, which she chose to wear regularly, and thought. . .

Elias? Good morning. Did you rest well last night?

She awaited his response, and put her mirror back in her bag.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Elias was feeling sleepy when he went through some paperwork at his office. Merlin's beard...I wish I could have some regular time at work...
He yawned when he read a business letter with a bored expression.
This one checked, now next....

Elias?

Elias almost jumped by surprise causing all the parchment rolls and pages to fall down at floor.

Good morning. Did you rest well last night?

He laughed quietly, mostly at himself. Hopefully I'll get used to it soon.. He thought and then touched his brooch with a smile.

Morning dear. Thank you, last night was peaceful. I hope you had a good rest with sweet dreams as well.

Aislinn was snoring loudly and laying in a weird position, her head and back resting, arms spread around on the floor while her legs were at her bed. The sheets were messed and tangled around her body. (She had been sleeping so peacefully in the bed earlier when Luna checked her in the mirror, but Aislinn moves and kicks around in her sleep ) And she had forget to close her door properly last night thus giving Nagini a chance to slither inside when the time was around ten o'clock. She hissed, tickled Aislinn's cheek with her tongue. Aislinn woke up, scratching herself on her cheek and found Nagini beside her.

"Huuh?" She sat up and looked at the clock at her bedside table. It was quarter past ten.
"It is too early, Nagini..." Aislinn said thickly and yawned.
"Did you like the gift by Luna?" Nagini asked, peering at Aislinn.
Aislinn yawned once more before replying: "Like it? I love it, it is perfect Nagini, it tells me what to do, giving me solution to all my problems." Aislinn grinned and then laughed heartily. "Like...hmmm..." She pulled out the pendant and let it rest at the outside of her shirt. "What shall I do in order to protect myself against Mr. D'Arcy?" Aislinn speaking half to herself and half to Nagini who looked confused at Aislinn. "Oh of course, power up with garlic!" she burst out within a second. She rushed down to the kitchen and ventured in all cupboards until she found some garlic. She wrinkled her nose. Eeeuuuuhhhh, I hope Luna does not need this for cooking? Because I hate the smell and the taste, it is too disgusting, eeewwwww... Aislinn went back to her bedroom, holding the garlic on arms-length from her, looking at it with a frown. She put it at the window sill, looking at the garlic with disgust. "I am so thankful for this pendant, it will be so useful in any kind of situation I might face in future," Aislinn said while caressing Nagini.