Fandom The Gathering of Death Eater Children

[Hikari Chan]

Elias was gazing at the beautiful view of the sea through the grand windows in the parlor when Luna entered and greeted him politely.

“Good early morning, Elias.” she sat in a chair opposite him and conjured a glass of water for him, and one for herself.

"Good morning, dear," He smiled sadly. He took the glass of water silently unsure what he should say thus he remained awkwardly silent until she spoke.

“I am certain you have questions that need answering.” She paused and sighed deeply. “Please, ask whatever you heed necessary, and I shall most certainly answer with honesty.”

As if she had read my mind...I have certainly so many questions...but… he thought for himself before speaking calmly:

"Of course, there's a lot I'd like to ask you about..." He paused to take a sip of the water and then continued: "But first I want to share a memory with you..." He put down the glass of water on the coffee table and summoned the penseive which was now empty. (I assume Luna has stored her memories safely in her vial because Elias left it beside her in the bedroom)

He pointed the tip of his wand against his temple and closed his eyes in concentration until he found a certain memory which he extracted and put it in the penseive.

"It is a short memory; I think it will take less than an hour..." He said as he extended his hand towards her.

They entered the memory together and landed in a grand dark parlor. A few candles shivered over a grand dining table were about seven small families were gathered. Each family looked almost similar to each other because every one of them consisted of a couple who had a son. The children were no more than seven and eight years old. The clock over the fireplace, where the fire was burning faintly, was showing half past seven. The only sounds which could be heard were the ticking of the clock and the sound of the pouring rain against the grand windows which revealed that the time was during the evening. There was a shadow standing, with its back against the dining table, facing the window. A sudden flash of lighting revealed that the shadow was no one other than Lord Voldemort. He turned around to face the gathered families, who of course were his deatheaters, and smiled wickedly. They all met his gaze calmly, but no one dared to question him why he had asked them to bring their sons. Little Lachlan Avery was sitting in his mother's lap and he was picking his nose. A boy with short black hair and same blue eyes as Elias, was sitting on a chair and not in his mother's lap and looking disgustingly at Avery in front of him.

"Tonight, you shall be invited to a great secret of mine..." Voldemort spoke.

The adults exchanged looks with each other’s but still they did not dare to speak without permission.

"...but in one condition.... your secrecy...." A long moment of pause followed and then he asked the boys to line up in front of him and they did as they were bid.

"Since you all have always been my loyal servants with a few exceptions...I expect that your sons will become loyal servants in future...."

A young woman, the same facial features as Lily Shadowwalker, but with blonde long and straight hair and grey-blue eyes glanced sideways at her husband as if she wanted to ask why their son had to get the dark mark at this very young age. But she remained silent since she like any other deatheater was not permitted to question the Dark Lord. She watched painfully as he gave all the seven boys a dark mark each on their left inner forearms. Pain washed over their faces and they bit their tongue or lips so hard to avoid screaming in pain. A few of them managed to keep emotionless faces. When it was done, Lord Voldemort spoke once more:

"I am truly amazed, no one of you screamed?" Lord Voldemort laughed evilly and then looked at their parents, who of course the majority of them had screamed when they once experienced the dark mark.

"I do not expect children to run around on a battlefield...." he looked at the boys as if they were a bunch of annoying chickens who would only be in the way of him and gave little Avery a disgusting look because he had started to pick his nose again. ”...but with this dark mark you have promised to become loyal servants to me and my heir in future.." Voldemort paused before turning towards their parents. "If anyone of you reveal the secret of my heir, you'll watch your own sons burn to death because I have also marked them with a curse..." Another flash of light struck. "You are all dismissed!"

As soon as the families walked outside the dining room and entered the hallway, the young Elizabeth stopped in her tracks and crouched down so that she was at the same eye level with her son. "Are you allright, dear?" She whispered anxiously.

"Do not worry, mother," little Elias replied boldly. "I am rather excited...he...the dark lord mentioned his heir...does it mean...eehhmm...does he have a boy the same age as me?"

Elizabeth only sighed and stood up. "Merlin knows..." She spoke more to herself and to her husband who was waiting them. "Let's go home..."

"But...but…eehmm...I'll be happy if he...ehmm...has a boy as me...."

It was clearly that Alexander found this rather amusing as he could not help but laugh with a muffled sound. Elizabeth only shook her head and gave her husband an annoying look.

And here the memory cleared, and Elias was back with Luna in the present.

"I used to think that you were a boy..." he chuckled but then his smile faltered, and tears filled his eyes. "I......I.....if I....Quinn asked me if I wanted to be a dueling assistant after my graduation...if I had agreed instead for becoming a professor at Beauxbatons....." his voice trailed off a bit and then he embraced her as he spoke: "...at least I could have protected you at Hogwarts and you wouldn't have suffered as you did..." He lost his voice as he wept against her shoulder.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Of course, there's a lot I'd like to ask you about....But first I want to share a memory with you..." He put the memory he wished into the Pensieve with his wand, and then extended a hand toward her gently. "It is a short memory, I think it will take less than an hour.."

"I doubt that time is an issue, with our current state." Luna said politely. They entered the memory together and landed in a grand dark parlor. Luna took notice immediately that there were people gathered, and that each had a young son. She noticed young Elias immediately, and then tastefully looked away from the rude young Avery. Luna took little notice of the time or the weather, becoming rather distracted when she recognized her father's form facing the window. She let out an involuntary gasp, though she shook her head a moment later. It is only a memory. He can neither see, nor hurt me. She took a glance at the window to avoid looking at him, and noticed it was raining. At such a young age, he remembered even the weather. . . I can see such detail in this room, which means he became so perspective when he was only a child. If this memory is important to him, what could possibly have happened? He grew up in privilege, so what could possibly be so important for him to-

Voldemort turned around to face the gathered Death Eater families, and smiled wickedly. "Tonight you shall be invited to a great secret of mine..." Voldemort spoke.

Secret? Is he perhaps referring to Bellatrix's pregnancy?

The adults exchanged looks, but were clearly too scared to question a master as intimidating and violent as Voldemort.
"...but in one condition....your secrecy...." A long moment of pause followed and then he asked the boys to line up in front of him.

"Since you all have always been my loyal servants with a few exceptions...I expect that your sons will become loyal servants in future...."

A young woman, Elizabeth Shadowwalker, glanced at her husband, but didn’t dare question Voldemort.

Luna watched in silent horror as Voldemort gave all of the children dark marks. It was clear that they were in pain, and were making a great effort to remain silent. A few of them, in including Elias, managed to keep emotionless faces. Once finished, Lord Voldemort spoke once more:

"I am truly amazed, no one of you screamed?" Lord Voldemort laughed evilly and then pointedly looked at their parents.

How cruel. Can you not see that they are your loyal servants? They are not traitors, whom you should openly mock. . . they are your. . .

"I do not expect children to run around on a battlefield...." he looked at the boys in annoyance, then gave Avery a disgusting look at his bad habit.

How dare you! These children have just made an enormous effort for you, as you caused them pain without reason! Really, father, could you not think of a better way of communication?!

"..but with this dark mark you have promised to become loyal servants to me and my heir in future.." Voldemort paused before turning towards their parents.

I feel regret, now. He did all of this for me. . . he was planning it from the beginning, for me to turn out this way. . . I am different from him. . . aren’t? I cannot doubt myself! I have done nothing this cruel to any of my subordinates.

"If anyone of you reveal the secret of my heir you'll watch your own sons burn to death because I have also marked them with a curse..." Another flash of light struck. "You are all dismissed!"

What scares me is that he enjoyed causing that level of harm to people. . . whether his loyal subordinates or treacherous enemies. That is why he chose this method of communication. How glad I am that he remains in hell, where he belongs.

Luna and Elias followed the families out the door, where the young Elizabeth stopped in her tracks to check on her son.
"Are you alright, dear?" She whispered anxiously.

"Do not worry, mother," little Elias replied boldly. "I am rather excited...he. The dark lord mentioned his heir...does it mean...eehhmm...does he have a boy the same age as me?"

My my. .. he is so brave, so young. I would have been scarred for life if the same person I was meant to serve treated me no better than his enemies.

Elizabeth only sighed and stood up. "Merlin knows. Let's go home..."

"But..but..eehmm...I'll be happy if he...ehmm...has a boy as me...."

Clearly, Alexander found this rather amusing, and let out a small laugh. Elizabeth only shook her head and gave her husband an annoying look.

And here the memory cleared and Luna and Elias were back by the sea.

"I used to think that you were a boy..." he chuckled but then his smile faltered and tears filled his eyes. "I......I.....if I....Quinn asked me if I wanted to be a dueling assistant after my graduation...if I had agreed instead for becoming a professor at Beauxbatons....." his voice trailed off a bit and then he embraced her as he spoke: "...at least I could have protected you at Hogwarts and you wouldn't have suffered as you did..." He lost his voice as he wept against her shoulder.

Good lord! He’s so emotional! It makes me happy I do not have my heart. . . I would probably be crying twice as much as him. However, I do believe that I should comfort him. “That’s all right, Elias, really. You had no knowledge of me at all, and you only went with what you would have wanted for yourself. You simply cannot blame yourself for that choice. I would only blame you If you had known, otherwise, placing blame is most certainly pointless. . . “ she paused, hoping that she had said just enough to make him feel better.

Meanwhile

Crystal awoke at seven in the morning, and went to find the kitchens. She came back twenty minutes later, levitating food behind her. There was cold milk and water, fresh chocolate croissants, chocolate muffins, and some fresh berries and cream. She placed a note by Aislynn’s bedside table, saying that she would be out by the lake with breakfast for the two of them.

She then made her way to the lake to await her arrival. She chose to sit under a tree, in the shade, and levitate rocks as far as she could across the great lake, watching them until they were too distant to see.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Elias was feeling a little better and managed to calm himself down when Luna spoke to him. Her voice was so soothing. After a moment when they both were silent and listened to the waves of the sea outside he released her from his hug and looked into her eyes before he confessed for her:

“I did not know about your existence until my dark mark came to life. I was employed by the Ministry of Magic and I had been there for two years. My first thought was that the heir of the dark lord had gained power and gathered the deatheaters but instead it was only you are turning seventeen. I contacted my friends, though only those who experienced the dark mark as children during the second wizarding war. All of them, Avery, Macnair, Rockwood, Nott, Selwyn and Rowle had also learned about your existence but they refused to seek for you because they were not comfortable with the news about the dark lord’s heir, not after what they had experienced that night. Rockwood said that if the dark heir wanted to see us then we would be altered about it. He expected that you would send out a certain message to gather us. Everyone but me agreed with him, so I started to look for you on my own and I doubted myself for a while and wondered if I should have listened to Rockwood because I could not find you immediately not until a year and a half had passed. I was surprised when I met you the first time. I had been expecting an heir and not an heiress, though I was not disappointed at all….it was more like...” he sighed as he was trying to find the right words to speak. “...I don’t know how to explain it…it was like….” His face turned deep red of embarrassment. “…love at the first sight...” He cleared his voice before continuing: “...hence I decided not to tell anyone of my friends, to keep you a secret. Afterwards I felt such a shame that I tried to keep you for myself for my own account because I fell in love with you but I tried to comfort myself and ignore my selfish desires by reminding me that I actually have promised your father to keep you as a secret to protect you…”

“Well…ehm..I am sorry to keep you here in the parlor, you must be hungry..” he said apologizing and led her to the kitchen.

“I am not comfortable to use magic in the kitchen, because I am worried that I might break my mother’s expensive china or be involved in an unnecessary accident in the kitchen hehe...” He explained as he put down silverware on the table and took out eggs, orange juice, butter, bread and chocolate and anything he could think about for breakfast from the magical wooden pantry. He placed the assorted food at the kitchen counter. “What would you love to eat?” he smiled.

Professor Quinn was standing in the staff room with Blake and the deatheaters gathered around. She looked at the schedules with a frown. “I do not know to make it work, I am sorry if I have to make a change that you might not like, but you’ll at least teach the things you like...I mean I have a record here of you all and your grades from the time which you attended school, so Mr. Rockwood, you’ll take dueling as addition to the flying lessons and astronomy until I find a substitute for that one. None of you should actually take more than one subject...I hope you’ll able to cope with this full schedules momentarily…..”

Aislinn trudged down the grounds as she made her way to the lakes where Crystal was sitting with the breakfast.

“Good morning...” She smiled when she came closer and looked hungrily at the chocolate.

“Miss Monroe...Miss Thorne…” Quinn suddenly surprised them both as Aislinn sat down to dig in.
“Good morning...” She greeted them both. “I am sorry to interrupt you girls, but I need to ask you both for a favour...” She sat down. “If you temporarily substitute for any subject….”

Aislinn made a sour face as she chewed on a chocolate croissant.

“I said I don’t want to….” She protested.

“Please, it is only temporarily,” Quinn pleaded. “Only one subject each, until I find other substitutes, because some of the current substitutes cannot take two subjects at the same time, even if it works out with the schedules, it will be too much burden for them. What subjects would you like to take?” She said, addressing them both. "The classes start at nine o’clock, so you have about two hours to decide until then.."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Crystal smiled obligingly at Ms. Quinn. "I believe the Dark Mistress has other plans, professor." she began politely. "She told me that she intended to add another class, as well as teach one herself. In addition, she plans to become the temporary headmistress at this school. She informed me via patronus that she would be returning to the school premises at eight thirty-seven sharp to promptly re-organize the classes and professors. Now-" she looked at her pointedly, "I do think that will be all. " she glanced at her food, then back at Ms. Quinn. "It's not very polite to interrupt people who are clearly waking up early enough to have a peaceful breakfast." she gestured to the peaceful lake at the last two words.

Once she walked away, Crystal laughed. "Such rude people." she said mildly as she bit into a chocolate muffin. "How is the breakfast?" she smiled. "I do apologize; Luna meant for me to explain it all to you. Of course, she never intended for you to teach a class, because she had a feeling that you didn't care much for children...unless, of course, you wanted to share a class with someone else, only teaching the older students." she finished, hoping she hadn't been rude. I do hope she isn't taking this personally. . . that Luna told Elias and I before she told Aislynn. Of course, she has her reasons for leaving Robert out.

Meanwhile

Luna listened to Elias's story with interest, finally understanding why no one besides Elias had come to be of service to her. I had assume they had no knowledge of my existence, or simply that they knew, but feared me to the point of avoiding me. . . after having been in service to my father, I would have most certainly done the same.

"...so I started to look for you on my own and I doubted myself for a while and wondered if I should have listened to Rockwood because I could not find you immediately not until a year and a half had passed."

A whole year and a half without significant leads? Such determination.

" I was surprised when I met you the first time. I had been expecting a heir and not a heiress, though I was not disappointed at all….it was more like…..” he sighed as he was trying to find the right words to speak. “..I don’t know how to explain it…it was like….” His face turned deep red of embarrassment. “…love at the first sight…..”

Anyone else, and I would neglect to contain the laughter filling me. . . how childish, 'love at first sight.'

“..hence I decided not to tell anyone of my friends, to keep you a secret. Afterwards I felt such a shame that I tried to keep you for myself for my own account because I fell in love with you but I tried to comfort myself and ignore my selfish desires by reminding me that I actually have promised your father to keep you as a secret to protect you…”

As selfish as ever, I see.

“Well…ehm..I am sorry to keep you here in the parlor, you must be hungry..” he said apologizing and led her to the kitchen.

"That's alright. I wonder if you have sufficient ingredients in the kitchen for a lovely meal." she smiled.

“I am not comfortable to use magic in the kitchen, because I am worried that I might break my mother’s expensive china or be involved in an unnecessary accident in the kitchen hehe..”

Only because you had doting parents and a house elf to do all of it for you. Really, sometimes I wonder how he learned to wipe his own-

“What would you love to eat?” he smiled. She shook her head to bring her back to the present moment. She saw that he had hopelessly emptied the entire magical pantry in uncertainty.

"Quite clueless." she joked with a smirk. "I can make this work nicely, though." she smiled.

7:40

Luna smiled as she set the plates down. An omelete with tomatoes and potatoes and a bit of onion. Fresh bread made from some flour in the pantry and some dried olives. The orange juice poured itself into two goblets as she sat down, because there were no lemons to be found. Butter was put out for the toast, as well as a bit of jam. "It's quite simple, but it will do." she smiled as everything else he had foolishly brought out replaced itself. They ate in silence for a few minutes, then Luna spoke. "You still haven't asked any questions regarding the memories." Luna said politely. "So sorry to bring it up, but I wish to confirm everything with you before moving on to other matters."she smiled, hoping he wouldn't start crying again.

Meanwhile

The enormous golden book carried in her magical bag had the names of every living human being written into it, in alphabetical order. The problem was, they were listen with their last names first. And Raven had no idea which family had adopted Cadence, she had to look up every name in the book. There was also the matter of people who shared the same name. Birth dates were included as well, so she worked faster with that. "Come on!" she pleaded with the book. "How many people can be born on January twelfth?!" She was only fifty pages in, and she had two thousand to go. "This is going to take forever!" she yelled. "If only there was a way I could just ask Luna's mirror to see her!" she moaned as she got more impatient. She took a deep breath, and continued searching. The only reason I cannot use her mirror, or any of the reference books I own, is because the person has to know the full name. If only I could- wait- I know! I'll go to the orphanage, and disguise myself as one of the matrons, then search their records! Wonderful! She closed her book, then pressed the opal jewel on the cover to pack it up. All at once, the book thinned itself, and the frame grew smaller, until it was no larger than a Muggle date book. She threw it into her bag, then flew off to the orphanage.

Meanwhile

Robert smiled as he saw Crystal and Aislynn sitting by the lake, eating chocolate for breakfast. Such different girls, yet they get along. I do not understand it. However, I have work to do.

Robert went to Aislynn's bed, and placed a neatly wrapped gift in black Gothic wrapping paper on the bed for her. He left the card on the bedside table, and walked away with a smile.

Dear Aislynn,

I do hope you like this gift. I took notice of your lovely choice of style, and bought you something that I know you will love.

Robert.

 

[Hikari Chan]

“It is allright...” Aislinn laughed. “And thank you for the breakfast, it is delicious. I don't have any patience with children, but I don't know if l can be a good teacher to older students… so I’ll see…” She got a distant look in her eyes before continuing: “I’m going to leave for a while because I need to check on my relatives...” Aislinn half confessed. “I have not seen them since the trials and the battle at the Ministry of Magic...”

She finished eating and rose up to leave. "I'll see you later" She smiled with a wink.

Elias laughed heartily when Luna joked and watched admiringly as she prepared a lovely breakfast in a short amount of time.

They ate for a few minutes, then Luna spoke.

"You still haven't asked any questions regarding the memories." Luna said politely. "So sorry to bring it up, but I wish to confirm everything with you before moving on to other matters.” She smiled.

“It is allright dear, seems that you can read my mind..." He smirked. "I was actually about to bring up the subject because I would like to know how you met Nagini...and during the memory when you eavesdropped at Evelyn and her husband, you got a sudden chocked expression, which I did not understand... I am also curious about this family with their weird names and the flowers without buds. I mean who are they? Definitely not muggles, I thought first they were wizards...but did they teach you any magic, did they?"

Aislinn frowned at the gift when she found it on her bed. She picked it up and noticed a card by Robert.

She crumbled the card and threw it in the fireplace. She was about to set fire to the clothes but find it so hard since it was a lovely piece of gothic clothing. What the bloody hell… I do not care about him or his gifts... he is trying to approach me through my own interests…perhaps I could make a use of his feelings and then crush him hehe… She apparated away to Luna’s manor, where she tried on the new clothing in front of her mirror in her bedroom. Eeeeughh…. She frowned. Seriously I look like a vampire with this collar…. She shuddered and shook her head. I am a human and I dress as a human…even if I plan to reveal about my true blood sooner or later, I will always be a human… She put on a different coat, the one which looked like a dress and got lots of lace and which she bought at the store which she visited with Crystal in Knockturn Alley. Aislinn threw Robert's gift in the fireplace.

8.00

"Good morning, everyone," Quinn greeted the students in the Great Hall. "Please enjoy your breakfast until our new headmistress and professors will arrive," She smiled. I always wished to be a headmistress and thus I was always plotting against McGonagall but I cannot even organize schedules, I hope this dark heiress will do a better job than me.. She thought as she sat down at her usual place beside Professor Blake at the teachers' table in the Great Hall.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

“It is alright dear, seems that you can read my mind..." He smirked.

Not really, since you have your shields up all the time. Besides, I just normally go by what I assume a normal person would be thinking in your situation.

"I was actually about to bring up the subject because I would like to know how you met Nagini."

Luna paused a moment, and then answered. "Do you recall that one of the girls tormenting me by the lake said that she heard me whispering to snakes? Well, I first met Nagini within the grounds of Hogwarts. I had awoken early that morning, due to a bad dream concerning my adoptive parents." she shuddered, then continued "And I sat by the same lake, watching the sun rise. A serpent, glinting green in the dawn, looked so lovely that I wished that I could describe that to her. So, I spoke, and told her that she was lovely and graceful, and that, if I could speak Parseltongue like my father was rumored to have in the history books, that I would take her to many places and we would form a friendship. Low and behold, she answered back, and I understood her. Nagini told me that she would be more than willing to become my friend, as she had noticed I had none. It was then that I named her Nagini, and we became friends. As I said before, I took her to Japan with me when I ran away, then back to Britain, where we are now." she smiled.

"During the memory when you eavesdropped at Evelyn and her husband, you got a sudden shocked expression, which I did not understand.. I am also curious about this family with their weird names and the flowers without buds. I mean who are they? Definitely not Muggles, I thought first they were wizards...but did they teach you any magic, did they?"

"No. They weren't magical, exactly, but I do believe the mother had some magic in her blood, explaining how she unlocked my door when we first met at the orphanage. They did not teach me any magic, but after a while I did grow curious as to why they had decapitated flowers. . . then there was the reason of their odd names. To answer the question you asked about my expression concerning my parents' dialogue, they were discussing the reason by which I had played the violin so well on my first try. It appears that Evelyn had placed some liquid luck from a friend, into my drink. I had thought it was because I had talent. . . a grand gift. . . but it was just the liquid luck doing its work."

They had finished eating, and she noted that the time was already eight. "I will have to be going soon, to re-organize the Hogwarts professors, but before I do, I will explain your last question. . . " she paused, closing her eyes as it would be difficult to explain the next part. "There are still memories I have not shared with you. Thus far, I have only shown you the most important memories. Still, there are the more. . . intense. . . ones. " She took a deep breath, and summoned the Pensieve. "I am truly sorry that you must go through these painful and disturbing memories as well, but it has become crucial for you to fully understand." Without another word, she raised her wand to extract the memory, then placed it gently into the Pensieve. They entered together, and while their surroundings were settling she explained. "This will only take ten minutes, after which I shall return to the school. This memory shows what happened after I came back from Japan. I had decided to return to my old home, to pay them back. . . "

Their surroundings cleared, to show the vast estate in the same conditions as previous memories, and Luna stood at the front steps with her wand drawn. It looked as though this was a very recent memory, not more than a year ago. The sun was setting, making for a lovely scene, although that was irrelevant.

"This was before I met Aaron Glass, yet after I had 'killed' you." Luna said quietly, throwing in tones of regret.

Past Luna took a deep breath, and waved her wand. She then prodded the door with her finger, and it went right through. She smiled, and walked right through the door, having used a phasing spell.

Luna and Elias followed as past Luna made her way to the sitting room.

"At the time, I knew everyone's locations, because I had used my mirror. Evelyn and Lucifer were in their bedroom. . . when I had checked, Evelyn had been facing the mirror, brushing her hair, and Lucifer had been reading a book, and Cerberus had been in the sitting room, by the fireplace. "

Past Luna waved her wand at the wall that separated the foyer from the sitting room, and it turned clear. Cerberus was nowhere to be found. She entered, and looked around. She couldn't find him, so she pulled out her mirror, only to find that he was in a room she had never seen before, with stone walls lit many hanging candles. She used her mirror to find him, and soon came across a dark wooden door, with a lock and a knocker. She raised her wand to unlock it, but stopped. The noise of someone in pain, crying. There was also laughter. She became equally confused and curious, so she quickly unlocked the door, and flung it open without touching it.

A short, decorated knife with a bloodied edge lay discarded on the floor feet away from Evelyn's right hand, and her left sleeve was rolled up to show many deep cuts which were bleeding. Evelyn was cradled by Lucifer as he held her hands, and she cried as he laughed madly.

"What is going on?" Luna asked, ready to defend Evelyn, as she was clearly in pain.
Lucifer stopped laughing, and looked up at Luna. "Good evening, Luna. I do believe you have interrupted our nightly ceremony." he said, so mildly as if this was all normal, and he had only seen her the other day.
"Nightly ceremony? You're hurting her!" Luna said, though she didn't move as she wasn't sure whether she wanted to help or not.
Lucifer stood up, leaving Evelyn to lean against the wall. "Luna." he smiled, advancing. "Surely, since the last time, you have noticed the flowers? This family loves causing, and feeling pain. We do it because it brings us pleasure. Yesterday, I was in Evelyn's position, and she had just as much fun as I did. " he smiled. He gestured to Evelyn, who was standing again.
"I can understand why some people enjoy inflicting pain-" Luna spoke shakily "But never on loved ones, and I cannot understand how people would enjoy feeling pain. "
"We can explain everything." Evelyn smiled weakly, coming closer as well.
"Stop! Don't come any closer!" Luna said defensively, holding up her wand. "I thought my reason for coming here had been clear, but clearly you have misinterpreted it. "
"Ah, yes." Lucifer smiled. "You are here to kill us, aren't you. Well, there is no doubt that you didn't want a simple death, but pain first?" he asked, with a twinge of excitement in his voice.
"That would be lovely, why not show us what you can do?" Evelyn smiled, as if she were asking Luna to perform a magic show. "We'd love to spend such a lovely time with you." she extended her arms as if to embrace her, but Luna blew her back with a gust of wind from her wand. Evelyn ended up hitting the wall, and gasping slightly as she fell to the floor.
"That was lovely, Luna. Why not do it again, and again, until we bleed out?" Lucifer smiled excitedly.
"What is the matter with you?!" Luna asked, not too confused to move. "Were you"
like this before you adopted me? Was I going to be harmed the same way you have Evelyn?!" Luna yelled at Lucifer, unable to keep the fear from her voice.
"Of course."he smiled. "We were raised that way by our parents. . . wonderful people that taught us to embrace pain and suffering like old friends, basking in our own beautiful blood."
"I cannot believe it." Evelyn said. "You don't want to hurt us?"
"Of course I did. . . I am just revolted by you." Luna said, both to Lucifer and Evelyn. She fearfully looked from Evelyn to Lucifer, then back again. Lucifer only smiled, and put a hand to her shoulder. "It looks as though the family trait did not escape you, either." he whispered.

A flash of green, and they both lay dead on the floor.

"You sicken me," Past Luna said as she walked away to find Cerberus. Revolting. . . now, why did the mirror show Cerberus to be in this room, when- Hands grabbed her, one to her mouth, muffling her scream, and the other twisting her arm until she dropped her wand.

"Evening, Luna." Cerberus whispered. "I had no idea you loved my parents so much."
"Loved them?" Luna asked as she struggled to break free of his grip, which was both firm and gentle. He had let go of her mouth.
"Oh yes." he replied wickedly. "Killing is the highest form of love. Lucifer killed both his parents, and Elizabeth killed her father. . . I killed her mother, as she was my favorite. And now, I will kill you as well. I have always been fond of you. " he smirked, stroking the side of her face with his free hand as she struggled more.
"Don't!" Luna yelled, but it was no use; he had already let go of her hand.
"You were so silly, when you were younger." he smiled as she lunged for her wand. "But now you are simply lovely. Run!" he laughed as he dodged her killing curse. "I will see you quite soon enough!" he laughed as he disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Luna panted for a moment, then stood up straight, and left.

"Cerberus's words to me about love and killing were later confirmed by Alastair to be a lie." Present Luna explained to Elias. "We've kept in touch through letters all this time, so I made sure to ask him. Cerberus's intentions were to scare me."

The memory cleared, and Luna and Elias were back in the present.

"Cerberus turned out to be Aaron Glass. I figured it out on the night that you saved me from him. Oddly enough, I hadn't figured it out until, because he treated me unlike his sister, but like a lover. That explains why he enjoyed seeing me in pain. I assume he was too sick in the mind to realize that I was legally his sister, after the formal adoption. "

"Again, I am sincerely remorseful that you had the displeasure of re-living these incidents with me. I am grateful, however, that you have remained by my side after seeing the horrors of my past. " She paused, then finished as she prepared to leave. "Finally, I will answer an unspoken question. Why am I only seventeen, after all this time? It is because once my heart was removed, I began to age more slowly. My true age is twenty seven, although I still resemble a seventeen year old. As I grow older, the signs of my aging will only slow. Confusing, but convenient. " she laughed.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"It is allright dear," Elias replied quietly. "Whenever you need me, I'll always be here for you, I'll listen to your stories, view your memories when you need to ease your burdens. It must have been much worse for you to experience these incidents in real..." he paused for a moment and then said: "...by the way I'll come with you...but first before we leave..." He came closer to her with a smirk as if he wanted to kiss her. "Explain for me your age because it does not make sense. I get it that you age slower because of the crippling method you did...but...I thought you were nineteen....since in the memories you showed me, you were not born until sometime during the end of second wizarding war, weren't you? If your real age is twenty seven then you ought to be born at the same time as me, and then my dark mark should have come to life when I was seventeen and not when I was twenty-five...." he looked first confused and then he could not help but chuckle. "Luna, I let that slide that you asked Aaron to invite me and my sister to a gala when I actually received the invite before you apologized to me...never mind about it..." he smiled slyly before continuing "...but your age....you must either be joking with me or...manipulated your age?"

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

The Great Hall was alive with the talk of what had truly happened last night, and what was to come. Events in the history books, about when Voldemort had briefly taken over the school, and proclaimed Slytherin the only house, as well as killed various students himself, arose from the older students, while the younger ones spread the worst news they could imagine as rumors.

Crystal checked her watch, and seeing as it was already eight, she politely asked Aislynn to accompany her to the Great Hall. "Knowing Luna, she'll want everyone there." she smiled, offering Aislynn a hand to get up, which she merely looked at. "Sorry." she pulled away. "I forgot it was you." she smirked as she got up on her own. "Don't worry about if you don't want to teach at all. She wants us to be happy, so you can simply be wherever you wish during school hours." she smiled.

Once they arrived there, it was 8:10.

Crystal walked all the way to the professor's table, and boldly sat in professor Binn's seat, causing him to become very angry. She smiled, and crossed her legs as she magically poured herself and Aislynn some pumpkin juice from the Gryffindor's table. She planned to teach 'A History of Magic', challenging herself to make a boring class fun.

Meanwhile

"You're right. I am only twenty. I simply wanted to see if you were paying attention to the details. " she smiled, then turned away gently so as to avoid his kiss. "Nice to know that you will be coming along. It should give you plenty of time to decide which class you would most like to teach. . . . or if you even want to teach a class at all. " she smiled as she disappeared in a puff of smoke.



Luna appeared in a puff of smoke, standing directly in front of the Headmaster's seat. She didn't have to call for attention, as a general gasp filled the room as people recognized who she was by her clothing. "Good morning, everyone." she said, quite politely. "No need to stop on my account." she smirked, still using her polite tone. "As some of you have been wondering, I will be taking charge of this school. However, it will be far from my Father's methods, in that I will respect both the students of Hogwarts, and its history. Four houses will remain, untouched. As for the classes, I will be adding one of my own, which I will teach, in addition to becoming Headmistress. The class to be to be added is, simply put, Dark Arts, for those of you who wish to learn it." she paused, and smiled at the Slytherin table. "As for the matter of who shall teach them, I will discuss it with my people, and it is a promise that classes shall resume as normal by nine. Now," she turned to Professor Quinn, "Where is the list of classes?" she smiled politely, pulling out her own list. "I may have forgotten a few."

While Professor Quinn went over the classes with her, most of which she had written down, she used her wand to summon all of her death eaters by using her crystal. Soon, they all assembled, and she began. "All of you." she asked kindly "I will now read off the names of the classes. Those of you who wish to teach it, or who have the qualifications, nonetheless, shall be teaching it once I organize it. But-"she said as many of them raised questioning looks "I am certain you are wondering why we are doing such mundane things as teaching classes?" a general murmur of agreement. "It is because, we have already secured the future of the government, with the Ministry out of the way, and a personal friend acting as Minster. We will see to it that the future of our people-" she motioned to the children"Who will grow up to do as we please, shall be competent, and well-read. If any of you wish to walk out, do so. But, know that you are walking out on me as well." A moment passed, and no one stopped or stayed. She began to list off several of the classes, noting down which people wished to teach them. "...As for History of Magic, it is reserved for Miss Thorne. " she smiled. "I will be teaching Dark Arts, as well as Cooking with Magic."

Luna's list for the professors and their teaching positions:

Apparition; Processing
-Astronomy; Processing (perhaps Raven)
Charms; Faeryn Travers
Dark Art; Luna Lestrange
Defense against the Dark Arts; Claude Selwyn (If not Elias or Robert)
Flying; Certainly Raven
Herbology; Melody Wilkes
Muggle studies; Gareth Rowle
Potions; Ivan Muliciber (If not Elias)
Transfiguration; Flynn Pyrites
Alchemy; Lachlan Avery
Duelling; Processing. (Perhaps Elias)
Care of Magical creatures ; Lloyd Macnair
Cooking with magic; Luna Lestrange
Divination; Persephone Pyrites
Study of Ancient Runes; August Dolohov,
Ancient studies; Endewyne Jugson
Postmortem Studies; Raymond Nott
Magic in art; Adela Dolohov
Magical theory; Alexis Dolohov
Wizarding Law; Andrew Dolohov
-MagiPsychology; Processing
Wizarding Literature; Maxmillian Rockword
Healing & Medicinal Magic; Flora Carrow
Wizarding Economics & Necesseties; Hestia Carrow

"...Now, that Leaves Aislynn Monroe, Elias Shadowwalker, Vivienne Rockwood, and Robert Linden." she smiled, turning to them, who were sitting at the Professors' table. "Which classes would you like? I will rearrange my list accordingly." she smiled.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"As for History of Magic, it is reserved for Miss Thorne. " Luna smiled. "I will be teaching Dark Arts, as well as Cooking with Magic. Now, that leaves Aislynn Monroe, Elias Shadowwalker, Vivienne Rockwood, and Robert Linden." she smiled, turning to them, who were sitting at the professors’ table. "Which classes would you like? I will rearrange my list accordingly." she smiled."

"I’m sorry, miss Lestrange," Vivienne spoke as she was feeding her child porridge. "But I cannot take any classes, because I have my child to take care of, and the last thing I would do is to send him to a daycare..."

"And I rather wanted to teach flying than Wizarding literature," Rockwood filled in. "But since you have decided flying to someone else, I can take astronomy."

"Excuse me, miss Lestrange, but you seemed to have forgot me..." Mary-Jane Gibbon spoke, her cheeks red of embarrassment "May I teach Wizarding literature please?"

"I actually have no interest in teaching," Aislinn spoke. "But I love ghost stories..." She smiled eerily. "I can share classes with Nott..."

"Excuse me, miss Lestrange," Persephone also spoke. "I can take Magipsychology as well, it is fine with me to take both divination and Magipsychology at the same time."

At this very moment....

...a tall half veela entered the Great Hall. She was wearing a black suit, pencil skirt with jacket, black pumps and white high collar blouse, a tight-fitting clothing that revealed her female curves. Her hair was pulled in an elegant neck bun and she was wearing a black hat along with pearl earrings and necklace and vibrant red lipstick.

Miss Blanc stared shockingly at both Elias and Luna. He sneered as he stood up and walked over to Luna as he touched his cloak discreetly as if he was adjusting it and suddenly the brooch become visible. When he touched his brooch he thought: I can only take dueling class, no more or less because I...if we could speak this evening in privacy I'll explain...

Miss Blanc noticed that they were wearing identical brooches and remained silent, feeling to impotent to speak. She did not even hear when Professor Quinn introduced her to Miss Lestrange and explained that Miss Blanc had applied as teacher for Magic in Art.

“Is anything wrong, Miss Blanc?” Professor Quinn asked confused.

“Non, I am alright...” Miss Blanc replied hesitatingly as she did not know if she should stay or leave.

Macnair was staring at Miss Blanc as if he had never seen a woman in his life. He eyed her from top to toe, taking in every possible perspective of her figure, until she looked up and noticed that Macnair was giving her interesting looks. He smirked, more in a perverted way than charmingly, when they got eye contact and she looked away in disgust, feeling very uncomfortable.

"Who is that French woman?" Adela spoke scornfully and Miss Blanc almost winced at her words. "Magic in art is mine!" Adela smirked.

"You may take it, I do not care about it anymore," Miss Blanc said with such a bitter tone "…when zis place is infiltrated by zis...." She looked with such disgust at Macnair and then she gave Elias a long look filled with disappointment, sorrow and anger. Lastly, she looked at Luna as if she wanted to spit at her before she turned on her heels and walked away, her high heels clicking very annoyingly against the floor.

Meanwhile Clarissa noticed that their new headmistress was sharing the same brooch with the man of her dreams and she stared unbelievable at them both. She turned her attention towards Lily and looked at her with the – why did you don’t tell me that he was already engaged- face as she kicked Lily’s leg under the table. Lily grimaced and looked angrily at Clarissa as she whispered:

“Hey what’s your problem?!”
“You should have told me…!” Clarissa whispered back
“Told you what?!”
“That he is engaged to her!”
“Who is engaged to who?”
“The bloody hell, Lily, I’m talking about your brother and our new headmistress!”
“Huh, I don't know about any engagement..” Lily looked confused at Clarissa and then questioning at her brother.
“Are you serious? They are sharing identical brooches!”

“Girls, what are you whispering about?!” Quinn spoke when Miss Blanc had left the Great Hall.

Lily and Clarissa remained silent. Quinn looked at them both with such a severe look for moment and it was awkwardly silent in the Great Hall.

"And what will I and professor Blake do?" Quinn turned towards Luna. "I used to be potions and dueling teacher but teaching dark arts in secret to some of the students during McGonagall's time. It is fine with me if you want to teach dark arts, miss, I also do not mind if Mulciber want to take potions, and I guess Shadowwalker want the dueling classes?" She looked at Elias who only shrugged and murmured that it was fine before she turned towards Luna and continued: "so if you do not mind may I take the apparition please or I would be without a job..."

"What happened with Arithmancy, you did not mention it? May I remain and teach it, please? Otherwise I would also be without a job..." Blake spoke worried.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"As for History of Magic, it is reserved for Miss Thorne. " Luna smiled. "I will be teaching Dark Arts, as well as Cooking with Magic. Now, that Leaves Aislynn Monroe, Elias Shadowwalker, Vivienne Rockwood, and Robert Linden." she smiled, turning to them, who were sitting at the Professors' table. "Which classes would you like? I will rearrange my list accordingly." she smiled."

"I'm sorry, miss Lestrange," Vivienne spoke as she was feeding her child porridge. "But I cannot take any classes, because I have my child to take care of and the last thing I would do is to send him to a daycare..."

"Understood." She smiled politely. "Please, take your time raising him with the utmost care and patience, because no child is as important as your own." she smiled, watching Vivienne cradle him so lovingly, before she turned to speak to Rockwood.

"And I rather wanted to teach Flying than Wizarding Literature," Rockwood filled in. "But since you have decided Flying to someone else, I can take Astronomy."

"The reason being is an. . . old friend of mine will be teaching Flying. However, if you wish to take Astronomy, who shall teach Wizarding Literature?"

"Excuse me, miss Lestrange, but you seemed to have forgot me.." Mary-Jane Gibbon spoke, her cheeks red of embarrassment "May I teach Wizarding Literature please?"

"My apologies. It can be in my nature to forget, sometimes." she smiled. "Very well then."she said as she crossed out Rockwood's name and wrote Mary's next to Wizarding Literature.

"And you?" Luna asked, turning to Aislynn. "It is completely up to you if you wish to teach, or not, because as you can see we are in no shortage of professors." she said politely.

"I actually have no interest in teaching," Aislynn spoke. "But I love ghost stories.." She smiled eerily. "I can share classes with Nott..."

Luna laughed a second later once she realized that she was referring to Post Mortem Studies. "I don't think that will be necessary." she laughed. "If you are truly interested, you won't mind assisting me in the demonstrations of my class, will you?" she smiled, turning away to face Miss Persephone.

"Excuse me, miss Lestrange," Persephone also spoke. "I can take magi psychology as well, it is fine with me to take both divination and magi psychology at the same time."

"If you do not mind-"

...a tall half Veela entered the Great Hall. She was wearing a black suit, pencil skirt with jacket, black pumps and white high collar blouse, a tight-fitting clothing that revealed her female curves. Her hair was pulled in an elegant neck bun and she was wearing a black hat along with pearl earrings and necklace and vibrant red lipstick.

Miss Blanc stared shockingly at both Elias and Luna. He sneered as he stood up and walked over to Luna as he touched his cloak discreetly as if he was adjusting it and suddenly the brooch become visible. When he touched his brooch he thought: I can only take Dueling class, no more or less because I...if we could speak this evening in privacy I'll explain...

"Lovely to. . . meet you." Luna said, although her tone suggested quite the opposite.

“Is anything wrong, Miss Blanc?” Professor Quinn asked confused.

“Non, I am alright..” Miss Blanc replied hesitatingly as she did not know if she should stay or leave.

Luna noticed the perverted looks Macnair and Linden were giving miss Blanc, and guessed that she may be a Veela considering her French accent.

"Who is that French woman?" Adela spoke scornfully and Miss Blanc almost winced at her words. "Magic in Art is mine!" Adela smirked.

"You may take it, I do not care about it anymore," Miss Blanc said with such a bitter tone "..when zis place is infiltrated by zis...." She looked with such disgust at Macnair and then she gave Elias a long look filled with disappointment, sorrow and anger. Lastly she looked at Luna as if she wanted to spit at her before she turned on her heels and walked away, her high heels clicking very annoyingly against the floor.

Luna raised her wand, and used a severing charm on Miss Blanc's heel, so that she stumbled and fell, laughter echoing around the halls. "Don't think of coming back, unless you wish for a very special welcoming gift." Luna laughed. She then touched her brooch whilst adjusting her hair. That wicked woman. How dare she testify against you, when the punishment was Azkaban. Do not worry, Elias, she will die as soon as you wish it. Meanwhile, I will write you down for Duelling lessons. We can discuss matters in the Headmasters office, or more. . . mine, after classes. Meet me there during dinner, if you please.

“Girls, what are you whispering about?!” Quinn spoke when Miss Blanc had left the Great Hall.

Lily and Clarissa remained silent. Quinn looked at them both with such a severe look for moment and it was awkwardly silent in the Great Hall.

"And what will I and professor Blake do?" Quinn turned towards Luna. "I used to be potions and Dueling teacher but teaching dark arts in secret to some of the students during McGonagall's time. It is fine with me if you want to teach dark arts, miss, I also do not mind if Muliciber want to take potions, and I guess Shadowwalker want the Dueling classes?" She looked at Elias who only shrugged and murmured that it was fine before she turned towards Luna and continued: "so if you do not mind may I take the apparition please or I would be without a job..."

"That would be most appreciated." Luna smiled. "I must thank you again for your cooperation. In truth, I expected taking over Hogwarts to be much harder." she added quietly, so that only Quinn and Elias could hear.

"What happened with Arithmancy, you did not mention it? May I remain and teach it, please? Otherwise I would also be without a job..." Blake spoke worried.

"Ah. I do believe I have once again forgotten." she smiled apologetically. "I would have recognized it a bit later, of course. However, I do find it convenient that you wish to teach as well, and you are granted the position of Arithmancy. However, something puzzles me. . . Tell me, is it my methods, or are you merely escaping the same fate as the other professors?" she asked both Quinn and Blake rather seriously.

"I understand. . . How. . . cunning of you." she replied, the politeness back in her voice again. She checked her watch, and it was already eight-forty.

"All professors, please prepare for classes in the short time left. Ms. Quinn, I would like a full schedule for all of the classes given to each of the professors, so we can understand which classes are to be expected. I will be off to the lake, as that is where I shall teach Dark Arts. I must discuss the matter of Flying Lessons with my associate." she bowed her head cordially as she left the room.

"She completely neglected me." Robert said sadly to Crystal as he watched Luna leave. "She didn't even assign me a class, after all I've done."

"You sound like an ex-girlfriend of Elias!" Crystal laughed. "Oh no! He failed to notice me!"she laughed in an imitation of his voice as she stood. "I do believe that History of Magic is a second period for most. So, I will go prepare." Crystal smirked. "Have a good day, Aislynn!" she called from halfway across the hall as she levitated her a package wrapped in green.

The contents...

A note was attached to the wrapping. . . .

For Aislynn,

This has been my 'lucky choker' for a while. The emerald isn't just a normal jewel with a faint-worthy price; it's filled with Liquid Luck! Although drinking the potion is the best way to get straight, unfailing luck, having it near you will give you just enough luck to feel it, yet not enough for others to notice! I wore it the first day we met, and I couldn't describe a lovelier day!

Crystal Violet Thorne (my full name.)

P.S.

When is your birthday? I wouldn't' want to miss the perfect gifting opportunity!

F.Y.I.

Mine is on the January 17th, making me a Capricorn by Zodiac Signs, which some wizards and witches use. . . Luna's is May 2nd, making her a Taurus.



Luna left the great hall, but not before stealthily leaving a scroll in Lily Shadowwalker's bag.

To Lily Shadowwalker,

You are to inform Ms. Quinn that you will be serving out your detention with me after your classes this evening. Meet me in my office; the former Headmistress' directly after dinner. Do not be late.

~Lestrange~

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Ah. I do believe I have once again forgotten." she smiled apologetically. "I would have recognized it a bit later, of course. However, I do find it convenient that you wish to teach as well, and you are granted the position of Arithmancy. However, something puzzles me. . . Tell me, is it my methods, or are you merely escaping the same fate as the other professors?" she asked both Quinn and Blake rather seriously.

"Not really escaping..." Quinn chuckled quietly. "But I have always been plotting against McGonagall because of the headmistress position. I had been thinking that once she is gone, I would not need to teach dark arts in secret with my colleague Blake covering up for me but making it to a core subject just like it used to be during the second wizarding word war. We saw your arrival as an opportunity to get rid of McGonagall..."

"I understand. . . How. . . cunning of you." she replied, the politeness back in her voice again. She checked her watch, and it was already eight-forty.

"All professors, please prepare for classes in the short time left. Ms. Quinn, I would like a full schedule for all of the classes given to each of the professors, so we can understand which classes are to be expected. I will be off to the lake, as that is where I shall teach Dark Arts. I must discuss the matter of Flying Lessons with my associate." she bowed her head cordially as she left the room.

"She completely neglected me." Robert said sadly to Crystal as he watched Luna leave. "She didn't even assign me a class, after all I've done."

Aislinn tried to keep her face as straight as possible.

"You sound like an ex-girlfriend of Elias!" Crystal laughed. "Oh no! He failed to notice me!” She laughed in an imitation of his voice as she stood.

And Aislinn could not hold it longer, she burst out in laughter.

"I do believe that History of Magic is a second period for most. So, I will go prepare." Crystal smirked. "Have a good day, Aislynn!" she called from halfway across the hall as she levitated her a package wrapped in green.

Aislinn, still laughing, caught the package and read the note which was attached to it.

For Aislynn,

This has been my 'lucky choker' for a while. The emerald isn't just a normal jewel with a faint-worthy price; it's filled with Liquid Luck! Although drinking the potion is the best way to get straight, unfailing luck, having it near you will give you just enough luck to feel it, yet not enough for others to notice! I wore it the first day we met, and I couldn't describe a lovelier day!

Crystal Violet Thorne (my full name.)

P.S.

When is your birthday? I wouldn’t' want to miss the perfect gifting opportunity!

F.Y.I.

Mine is on the January 17th, making me a Capricorn by Zodiac Signs, which some wizards and witches use. . . Luna's is May 2nd, making her a Taurus.

Aislinn opened the package and looked at the choker. Oh, good Merlin, this is too much for me…the green jewels.... but useful...I'll have to go around with a scarf to hide this while wearing it...I cannot understand that she has given it to me...Does she not need it? Aislinn closed the package and rose up to leave. Before she left Hogwarts, she left Crystal a note at her office.

Thank you so much for the precious gift, my birthday is December 22th // Aislinn

She left without realizing that she had same zodiac sign as Crystal.

Lily found a scroll in her bag when she was taking out her quill and other necessities for the Astronomy class. She tried to read the contents of the scroll discreetly, but her friends were looking over her shoulder. In her effort to roll the scroll and tuck it back in her bag, the scroll ended as a crumbled ball somewhere in her bag. She tried to focus on the class while she wondered if there would be any difference to have detention at Luna or at Professor Quinn.

Meanwhile, Elias seized the opportunity to take a nap since he won't have any classes until after lunch. When the time came, he stood in a grand room where there were no chairs or desks as the students entered. After all adventures in my life, I ended as a professor in dueling... he thought as he ordered the students to divide themselves in pair. He noticed that they paired up with their best friends or the same house and thus he interfered and changed the pairings until he was satisfied. He was severe, as severe he used to be when he taught English at Beauxbatons. He looked threateningly with the look that he would take off any points or give detention to anyone who disobeyed, arrived late or whispered in class. He was not as charming as his appearance said.

"May you tell me what I just told everyone about?" He asked coldly and looked at the two girls who were whispering while he was going through the instructions. "No?..." He looked at them as the girls remained silent. "…Well then, that's twenty points of Hufflepuff for not paying attention.." He finished casually before continuing the lesson.

The day passed by and instead for joining the students and professors at the dinner in the Great Hall, Elias went to the headmistress office.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

The day went by smoothly for everyone. Crystal's class came as second period, as she had assumed, and she stood smiling happily as the students filed in. "Good day, class." Crystal smiled genially. "Please note that there will be no talking, whispering, or lack of effort in my class. IF you do not wish to be here, please wait in my office so that you may serve out a detention as punishment." she smiled. "My goal, as your teacher in History of Magic, is to transform an old, boring class into something more interesting." she smirked as she set the Pensieve on the desk. "Showing you the events, rather than droning on about them-" she gave a mildly interested look to two students who were passing notes, and summoned the note without another word. She read it through, then balled it up and threw it into the air, where it burst into flames. "That is not why I wear this coat! I will have you know that I am not the least bit overweight!" she yelled. "The person who wrote it, and ALL the students who passed it along will go to my office. . . IMMEDIATELY!" Crystal shrieked, not bothering to keep her cool. At least six students left, and she gave them specific directions to her office, where they would wait. As the lesson continued, she gave them a full-on memory walk through of the discovery of Gillyweed, taken from an old friend who knew Elladora Ketteridge quite well. After the lesson, everyone was buzzing with talk and interest about their more interesting version of the class. All the while, Professor Binns was floating in the corner, glaring at Crystal with a hurt expression on his face. "I would like an essay from each of you, about the most boring historical event you can think of, so that I may put myself to work on making it more interesting to remember. You have one week to complete it." she called kindly as they filed out.

She made her way to her office, where the students were standing outside the door. "You missed quite a lesson." she smirked. "Five points from each of your houses for pointless notes that could have been exchanged during lunch. For your punishment, you are to clean my office, without magic, before lunch, unless you wish to skip that as well." she smiled sweetly as she unlocked the door to reveal a crisply clean office.

"It's such a mess!" one girl said sarcastically.
"Not really." Crystal waved her wand, and the cloaking spells wore off. Every surface was covered with Gothic knickknacks, and black drapes lay on the floor.
"Oh." another girl said sadly, already dreading the work.
"Cleaning wasn't the right word." Crystal laughed as she closed the door on them. "It's more like re-decorating. I'll be back in an hour. YOU can guess what happens if something is missing or broken." she finished in a mocking voice as she slammed the door shut, but didn't lock it.



Luna stood in front of the class of students, almost all of whom were Slytherins, with the exception of two Ravenclaws and one Gryffindor. None dared to speak out of turn, whisper, or do anything that might get the Dark Mistress angry, for the rumors surrounding her were too great. "Lovely to see such an obedient class." she smiled politely. Her voice was quieter than normal, yet still loud enough to hear. “Dark arts. So lovely, and wonderful. . . all of you must have been curious to as how wonderful it is. . . or you wouldn’t be here.” She paused, and gave them a warm smile. “Let us begin with the easiest of Dark Spells. . .” she spoke as she raised her wand in demonstration. It emitted a puff of golden smoke. In between the students and Luna stood Bellatrix Lestrange, tall and intimidating. “Hello, children!” she shrieked, raising her wand.

Several of the students ducked, and even more backed away in fear. Luna raised her wand, and Bellatrix vanished in a puff of gold smoke as Luna laughed. “Illusions are the best way to intimidate, confuse, or distract your enemy.” Luna smiled. “Personally, I do not use them, but perhaps you may find them useful.” She smiled. “The incantation is simple ‘Somnuim’, which, translates into illusion in Latin. Now, you will attempt this spell by using three simple steps: Visualize your illusion, prepare to project it in front of you by imagining it there, then cast the spell with the utmost concentration.” She smiled, casting it once more to create an illusion of Elias smiling politely as he stood watching the students.

“If you cast the spell correctly, you can even make your illusions speak.” Elias spoke charmingly. “And, with the most experience and concentration, they can become as solid as the real thing.” Elias smiled, offering a gentle hand to Clarissa as if they were about to dance. “Have fun.” Luna smiled, waving her wand once more, and Elias bowed in respect to Clarissa before disappearing in a puff of golden smoke.

The lesson went as well as possible, although no one managed to create a successful illusion.
“Homework: manage to complete this simple spell. You have a three week deadline. Students who fail to succeed at this will not be able to pass any other tests, so if you are not successful, consider yourself excused from this class.“ she smiled as she watched the students leave.




Luna sat in her office, during dinner, expecting Elias any moment. Her office shared the same type of design as her manor, and now bore no likeliness to its former state. She had used an undetectable extension charm to make the office bigger, and had placed a sofa with a purple Gothic print, and a dining table that slid out from a hidden door. Everything was neat and organized, and on the table sat the dinner she had prepared for herself and Elias; fillet salmon and vegetables, with a side of roasted potatoes, with suitable wine poured in goblets as well.

A knock on her door, and she replied gently “Enter.”
“Good evening, Elias.” She smiled as he entered. “Please, take a seat.” She smiled as she sat down in the chair opposite him. “Allow us to discuss the. . . incident earlier. ”

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Good evening, my dear" Elias greeted Luna as he entered.

“Good evening, Elias.” She smiled as he entered. “Please, take a seat.” She smiled as she sat down in the chair opposite him. “Allow us to discuss the. . . incident earlier. ”

"Well, if you mean Miss Blanc..." He said gently as they both started to eat, though there was a bitter tone when he mentioned the half-veela’s name. "I did not care when she used to chase me before, sending me hundreds of owls where she highly admired me. Of course, it annoyed me, but what she did during my trial was so childish and spitefully of her. If she truly had loved me, she won't have gone that far and instead tried to defend me. Since that, I understood what a wicked woman she was...." He paused and remained silent for several minutes before he said: "I believe that her recent acts and decisions were because of her jealousy. She is jealous of you, Luna. I am trying to remember when she could possibly have seen me with you in Paris, perhaps I did not pay any attention which was very foolish of me. Anyway, I believe she is jealous of you because I have chosen to love you and not her. I don't understand why she has applied as a professor at Hogwarts after the incidents. She once tried to get employed in the same department as me when she visited the Ministry of Magic but that was before you and I went on vacation to Paris. Perhaps her application as teacher was as old as well but that she did not get any reply before we kicked out the nearly entire staff of this school. I would kill her immediately if I suspect her slightly thinking about to harm or threaten you. You may do whatever you wish to do with her, torturing or killing her, as long as you are happy..." he smiled and continued to eat.

Once they had finished to eat, Elias spoke again:

"There's something I would like to offer you, my dear." He smiled. "You have always wished to learn legilimency, haven't you? I would gladly teach you the subject."

Meanwhile, Lily was keeping herself busy with eating to avoid replying Clarissa who was whispering annoyingly.

"Please, Lily...please just ask him. I mean, you are his sister, he would tell you if he is dating her or not..."

"Clarry, just give up, because you won't have any chance…" Pegah smirked.

"What do you know?! What if a miracle happens and he asks me out?"

"I doubt a professor would date a student...I mean it is so weird..."

Laughter exploded among the girls. Lily almost choked with her food while Clarissa looked devastated.

"Well, I need to hurry for my detention," Lily spoke quickly as she hastened to leave before Clarissa would start to plead to her again.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

You may do whatever you wish to do with her, torturing or killing her, as long as you are happy..." he smiled and continued to eat.

Lovely words. . . I think I may take him up on his offer. . . she thought as she smiled. "Thank you."

Once they had finished to eat, Elias spoke again:

"There's something I would like to offer you, my dear." He smiled. "You have always wished to learn legilimency, haven't you? I would gladly teach you the subject."

"I would love to have a teacher that respects boundaries and is so elegant." Luna smiled, thinking of Aaron. "Would it be possible to begin lessons tomorrow?" she asked politely.

"Thank you very much for your offer." she smiled. "I cannot wait until we begin. Farewell."

He bid her farewell, and then he left her office. She set the dining table with something lovely, then placed an invisibility spell on it before she sat at her desk, to await Lily's arrival. Before long, there was a knock at her door.

"Come in." Luna spoke politely, magically opening the door.

"Good evening, Lily." she smiled as she entered. "Lovely to see you again. "

A minute later

"That sounds interesting. Now, your so called detention. You will pretend as if I had you clean my office, without magic, and that it was a tough and exhausting task. However, we are merely going to have dessert and chat a bit. Would that be alright?" she asked slyly as she waved her wand, removing the invisibility spell to display heavenly chocolate cake, and several chocolate cupcakes, as well as one of the chocolate roses from her box from Paris.

"So, what has been going on at school lately?" Luna asked as she cut into the chocolate cake, and served herself a slice as milk poured itself into their goblets.

Meanwhile

"Hello. Are you Cadence Smith?" Raven asked a middle-aged woman as she stood on at front door. Her wings were hidden, and she wore a smart suit and held a clipboard and pen. "I am looking for a woman named Cadence, but my inconsiderate associate left me without a last name." she said in an annoyed tone.
"My name is Cadence, yes. " the woman asked, slightly tired as it was ten at night.
"Please, just a moment of your time, because I have been searching all day. Do you have any ties to Thompson's Orphanage?" Raven asked, stifling a yawn at the end.
"No, but I do hope you find who you are looking for." the woman replied kindly.
"Sorry to waste your time." Raven said, not bothering to hide her disappointment.
"Goodbye!" the woman called as Raven walked off without a farewell.

I've been searching all day! Yesterday was the book, now it's on foot. . . this is getting ridiculous! she thought as she flew off once she had exited the building.

"You know, you could ask me for help." Alden said as he flew level with her. "I could find her in an instant. I was always better at that subject in school; Human Location."
"Your help is not needed!" Raven spat impatiently as she flew higher and faster, leaving him behind.
"I can tell your already getting tired." he said gently. "Why not leave it to-"
"WHY would I do THAT?" she asked angrily. "So that I will have to owe you another favor?"
"Well, if I were you, I'd try somewhere in the Wizarding names, not the Muggle names. "
"Cadence is magical?" Raven asked curiously, slowing down to listen.
"Yes. She can also be located as a teacher at the Japanese school for Magic, called Mahoutokoro."
"Why bother to tell me, and save me SO much time and effort?" Raven asked, half annoyed and half interested.
"Because-" he smiled charmingly"I only want to protect you. I thought that by helping you, I'd be able to persuade you to come back home."
"Dream on." she breathed as she flew at her fastest, leaving him in a puff of clouds.

She always was so fast when it came to flying, when I was smarter than her. . . tsk tsk. . . If only she'd come back home, then we could change Luna's luck to benefit us. That's the thing with angels. . . he thought as he flew back to report to the King of Heaven. You cannot interfere when one angel has taken control over a human's life. . . Only when they have retired from that particular human's life, can you change what you desire. That was the King's reason for always keeping her so busy with work. . . so she wouldn't follow her current path. . .

Meanwhile

Crystal sat at her place during dinner, and noticed when Lily left before eating dessert. She stayed, and had three chocolate croissants. Then, she stood to leave. Robert was already outside in the grounds, awaiting her presence.

"What was it that you wanted to have a word about?" Crystal asked impatiently.
"It is about Aislynn. . . she isn't accepting me very well, and I thought you might know why." Robert asked sadly, as if he hadn't expected her resistance.
"You do this every time!" Crystal breathed, her tone annoyed. "Every time I find a friend I like, you try to take her from me, by pulling out the old charm. Let me tell you, it's getting very old! I am not helping you with this one!"
"Then, I will simply do the same thing I did last time." Robert smiled, and ran away before Crystal could plead for him not to.

"Good evening, Aislynn." Robert spoke charmingly. "I have some rather bad news for you. You see-"
"DON'T YOU DARE!" Crystal spoke in her deadliest tone, her voice raised, nearly yelling.
She rushed forward, ready to stun him with her wand, before he used a shield charm to block her out. It was a rare kind of charm, which blocked out sound, as well as physical things.
"You see, Crystal never liked you from the start. Her and I were simply competing over which of us could win you over first. Now, the gifts, the shopping, the kindness, her similarities to you in the kinds of fashion sense you have. . . it all makes sense, doesn't it?" he laughed.

Behind the shield, Crystal watched Robert tell Aislynn his lie, and she couldn't take it. She stared at Aislynn's face, then ran out of the room.

"I can assure you, it is true. Why don't you go, and see what a liar she is?" Robert asked, handing Aislynn a vial labeled 'Veritesserum', as he removed the shield charm and gestured for her to leave.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"I would love to have a teacher that respects boundaries and is so elegant." Luna smiled and the color rose the Elias cheeks. "Would it be possible to begin lessons tomorrow?" she asked politely.

"Of course, we may start tomorrow evening after dinner," He replied calmly yet smilingly.

"Thank you very much for your offer." she smiled. "I cannot wait until we begin. Farewell."

He bid her farewell, and then he left her office. As he went down the stairs, he was surprised to see his sister.

"Tsk tsk…what have you done to be on your way to the headmistress office at this time?" He teased Lily.
"Detention," She replied to cheerfully as she went past.

Huh? I wonder what kind of detention this is....and why did she even get a detention? Elias thought strangely as he went to his office. Well I'll ask her tomorrow... He looked quickly at his schedule before he went to sleep.

"Come in." Luna spoke politely, magically opening the door when Lily knocked.

"Good evening, Lily." she smiled as she entered. "Lovely to see you again. "

"Good evening, Luna," Lily greeted cheerfully. "I am very happy to see you as well. Today was a blast with different teachers, now I don't mind taking summer classes or any extra years hehe..."

"That sounds interesting. Now, your so-called detention. You will pretend as if I had you clean my office, without magic, and that it was a touch and exhausting task. However, we are merely going to have dessert and chat a bit. Would that be alright?" Luna asked slyly as she waved her wand, revealing heavenly chocolate cake, several chocolate cupcakes and chocolate roses.

"Ohhh, of course, oh my, Luna, you are the greatest headmistress I have ever known," Lily giggled excited. "I am so lucky to do my so-called detention at you rather than at Professor Quinn...sigh…she is so severe..."

"So, what has been going on at school lately?" Luna asked as she cut into the chocolate cake and served herself a slice as milk poured itself into their goblets.

"Well...mhmhm..." Lily took a small bite of the chocolate cake as she thought where she would start and what to tell Luna. After she had chewed and swallowed her bite, she spoke: "Well, our new teachers are cool. Today beside the Dark Arts, I had also Astronomy, Potions, Transfiguration and Divination. Professor Rockwood had such an authority, but he was not so severe and still he made the class interesting. We got more involved in discussions about the subject. Professor Sinistra could be so silly. She would only lecture about planets and stars with such a boring tone that I only wanted to sleep at her classes. Professor Mulciber was allright. He would only go through the instructions and the lecture once and watch us from his desk, while Professor Quinn used to flutter wildly around, reminding us about being careful almost every minute. Those who used to be overprotected by Quinn's exaggerated caring failed at today's potion lesson, but it was not that grave, it was just a slightly burns at their fingers and carelessly brewed potions. Professor F. Pyrites is amazing in transfiguration, our previous professor before him always made a fool of himself. And Pyrites is so nice with us, he handed out points to everyone who replied correctly to his questions today. He is an easy-going person. He is absolutely not severe, but he can still handle a class, and everyone cannot help but like him and be polite. I think Professor P. Pyrites is his sister because they look the same. She was calm and quiet, but on the contrary not as easy-going as her brother. She is colder and she does not speak that much. She only says what she needs during our lecture and watch us silently. She would of course answer any question we have or help us whenever we need, but the air around her tells me that we must not be loud and joke around in class. And she is so professional. She is not silly, confused or weird as Trelawney. Trelawney would not care if her students were loud or happened to break something. Well, your class was the best of them all. Before you came, Quinn used to teach, us the Slytherins only, dark arts in secret. She would only teach to seventh year students, because once we turn seventeen, the Ministry of Magic won't be able to track us or keep an eye on us like with younger students. We used to meet her at her cottage in Hogsmeade, pretending that we were there for cookies and tea during the weekends and holidays. She would lecture us about the dark arts, but only reading aloud from some books. We were allowed to perform a few jinxes and hexes on small objects, but we were still very careful..."

Aislinn had just finished dressing in her room at Luna's manor, wearing both the pendant by Luna and the choker by Crystal under her coat, ready for a long travel, when she heard a knock at her door. She opened it to find someone she least had expected to see.

"Good evening, Aislynn." Robert spoke charmingly. "I have some rather bad news for you. You see-"
"DON'T YOU DARE!" Crystal spoke in her deadliest tone, her voice raised, nearly yelling.

Aislinn looked both bored and confused at them both. She rolled her eyes when Robert blocked Crystal out with a shield charm. Seriously...he does not impress me...

"You see, Crystal never liked you from the start. Her and I were simply competing over which of us could win you over first. Now, the gifts, the shopping, the kindness, her similarities to you in the kinds of fashion sense you have. . . it all makes sense, doesn't it?" he laughed.

Aislinn raised a questioning eyebrow as she eyed him from head to toe.

"I can assure you; it is true. Why don't you go, and see what a liar she is?" Robert asked, handing Aislinn a vial labelled 'Veritesserum', as he removed the shield charm and gestured for her to leave.

Aislinn hardly looked at the vial. She did not even take it. "Excuse me," She said coldly. "I don't have time for such childish games of yours." She closed the door behind her and walked past him. "I need to travel to Transylvania tonight, I have already informed Luna about it through my emerald. " She said loud enough to make sure that Crystal had heard her as well, without looking at him. Before she descended the stairs, she turned back and looked at him coldly. "Don't try to chase me," She sneered as she looked at him with the -It is not my responsibility if you become a prey of a vampire- face.
"When I am back, I'll clearly find out the truth, preferably with my own methods." She turned her back against him and walked down the stairs. "You can keep that veritathingy to yourself..." She could not help but laugh as she disappeared in smoke.

Aislinn appeared in Knockturn Alley before she disappeared again to her next destination somewhere in Great Britain, making her way closer to France, ready to cross the borders.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna listened politely to Lily's feedback about the professors. It was the reason she had invited her to her office; to listen to the opinions of one of the students. . preferably one whom she knew wouldn't go telling about the fact that it wasn't really detention.

"Well, your class was the best of them all. "
"Thank you, Lily." Luna smiled modestly.
"Before you came, Quinn used to teach, us the Slytherins only, dark arts in secret. She would only teach to seventh year students, because once we turn seventeen, the Ministry of Magic won't be able to track us or keep an eye on us like with younger students. We used to meet her at her cottage in Hogsmead, pretending that we were there for cookies and tea during the weekends and holidays. She would lecture us about the dark arts, but only reading aloud from some books. We were allowed to perform a few jinxes and hexes on small objects, but we were still very careful..."

"Ah. I understand. Well, it has been a lovely time." she smiled. "My goal was to ensure the future of the students. Since it was in my power to give them a proper education, I reckoned it would be worth my while. Just wait until Flying, or History of Magic.. . trust me, those classes will have changed drastically from the boring, low-quality lessons to the wonderful, interesting ones they are now. If I am not mistaken, your schedule has both Flying, and History of Magic before lunch, am I correct? " she smiled, summoning a piece of parchment. "The day after is when you have Cooking with Magic." She paused, looking over the schedule once more.

"I cannot wait to have you as a student in that class. Well, you best be getting to bed; the time has already flown to eleven!" she laughed, standing to clear the table as Lily stood as well.

"You're welcome, Lily. Farewell." she magically opened the door, to reveal the demolished gargoyle that was slowly rebuilding itself into something else.

"It's going to become a Dark Mark." Luna spoke in answer to her questioning glance. Soon after she left, Luna's emerald began to glow. She gently ran her finger over the jewel, and it emitted a message in Aislynn's voice, explaining that she would be gone for a few days, taking a trip to Transylvania. Luna replied with wishing her a safe and pleasant journey, and good luck with whatever she wished to accomplish.



"Thank goodness" Crystal sighed when she heard Aislynn.

"Don't try to chase me," Aislynn sneered as she looked at him with the -It is not my responsibility if you become a prey of a vampire- face.

No. . . I've lost...It's all my fault that she didn't believe the lies. .. I should have prepared better evidence.

"When I am back, I'll clearly find out the truth, preferably with my own methods." She turned her back against him and walked down the stairs. "You can keep that veritathingy to yourself..." She laughed as she disappeared in smoke.

"Don't!" he moved to hold her, but she was already gone. "D*mn!" he cursed loudly.

"She didn't believe you?" Crystal said happily.

I'm so relieved! He pulled that stunt last time, with the fake veritesserum. . . who would have known that it would make me lie, not tell the truth. "Well, I'm off to tell Luna what a jerk you a-"

"You think she will believe you?" Robert smirked.
"Of course." Crystal smiled. "She is more liable to believe me, than you. Bye, then!" she smiled, and apparated away.

Morning

"Excuse me." Raven said politely, as she was dressed in a Mahoutokoro uniform, and disguised as a young student. "Are you the teacher named Cadence?"
"Yes. Is there something you need?" Cadence replied kindly, turning her attention toward the young student whom she had not seen before.
That's her! The strawberry blonde hair and light skin. . . the bluish -grey eyes and kindly manner! I just have to confirm her past, then it's onto phase two!
"I'd like to ask a question, but in private." Raven answered innocently as she gestured to the nearby Cherry trees that would give her plenty of coverage.
"Certainly, dear." Cadence replied patiently.

"Do you have any ties to Thompson's Orphanage?" Raven asked once they were safely behind the trees.
"Why, yes." Cadence replied in a puzzled tone. "I grew up there, and then I was adopted by- wait, how do you know about that?"
"I am not a school student, but an old friend of another girl who used to reside at the orphanage. . . Aria Thompson. Are you familiar with that young girl?"
"Yes, but how did you ever-"
"Nice to know that you still remember her name. She has sent me here to find you, because she wished to reunite with her best friend. "
"Why? You're only a young girl, why would she send you all the way here?"
"Because, I have already told you, I am not a school student; but something quite different."
"I don't really understand the way this is going. . . " Cadence replied uncertainly. "Wow!" she gasped as Raven transformed into her normal self, but without her wings unfolded.
"You could call me. . .an angel."Raven smiled.
"You look lovely! " Cadence smiled in awe. "But where are your wings?"
"They aren't exactly what you'd imagi-hey!"
Cadence had made to touch them gently, before Raven pulled away. "Look, the point is, I am her friend as well, and when I realized that she missed you more than ever, I thought: Why not reunite two old friends? "
"Your right! I should go to see her immediately!" Cadence smiled happily. "I'll go request a vacation for..." she trailed off, unsure of how much time it would take.
"Two weeks. I'll wait here for you." Raven smiled.

Meanwhile

"Good morning, Mr. Shadowwalker." Luna bowed respectfully when she appeared in a puff of smoke in his office. "I have urgent business to discuss with you-" she dropped McGonagall's corpse on the floor: a blade stuck out of her chest, and her body was still warm, as if she had been killed recently.

After a short inquiry...

"People are beginning to wonder what has happened at Hogwarts, after several owls from . . . Gryffindors-" she breathed in disgust "Have sent owls explaining that Death Eaters had taken over the school, while others are getting owls that everything is fine, and classes are better than ever. Your job is to explain that, after Harry's death, McGonagall committed suicide in grievance, leaving the school to the son of the current Minister, Elias Shadowwalker. Although he is a Slytherin, he is still from a respected family. Thank you for your time." she bowed cordially before leaving as he bid her farewell.

To be safe, I shall have Raven visit each of the parents. . . to make the story more. . . believable.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"If I am not mistaken, your schedule has both Flying, and History of Magic before lunch, am I correct? " she smiled, summoning a piece of parchment. "The day after is when you have Cooking with Magic." Luna paused, looking over the schedule once more.

"Yes, I'll have Flying, History of Magic before lunch and after lunch I'll have Magi-psychology, Herbology and Alchemy, but the day after I have different classes because I never used to take or registered to any Cooking with magic class before you came. So I am going to an extra year for Cooking with Magic," Lily replied.

"I cannot wait to have you as a student in that class. Well, you best be getting to bed; the time has already flown to eleven!" Luna laughed, standing to clear the table as Lily stood as well.

"Thank you so much, Luna, good night,"

"Your welcome, Lily. Farewell." she magically opened the door, to reveal the demolished gargoyle that was slowly rebuilding itself into something else.

"It's going to become a Dark Mark." Luna spoke in answer to Lily's questioning glance.

When Lily left the headmistress office and entered the dungeons, she tried to smooth out her facial expression the best she could. I need to look like I really cleaned the headmistress office... or any kind of acceptable detention..

Her friends were still awake, sitting in the common room, as she entered.

"So...??" Clarissa looked at Lily with a -tell me everything- face.

"Seriously, Clarry, can't you see that Lily is sleepy, I bet she is tired after the detention."

"I doubt she had any detention at all-"

"I did have a detention!" Lily retorted annoyingly. "I had to clean the headmistress' office without magic..." She yawned without the need of faking it because she was truly sleepy. "Now, I don't want to lose another more hour of my beauty sleep. I have already wasted three hours of time with that detention and that's enough! Good night!" She hastened to the girls' dorm without looking at anyone of her friends and cuddled in her bed. She fell asleep with a mischievous smile on her face.

The next day

"Good morning, Mr. Shadowwalker." Luna bowed respectfully when she appeared in a puff of smoke in his office. "I have urgent business to discuss with you-" she dropped Mcgonagall's corpse on the floor: a blade stuck out of her chest, and her body was still warm, as if she had been killed recently.

"Good morning, Miss Lestrange," Alexander replied as he looked surprised at the former headmistress deceased body.

"People are beginning to wonder what has happened at Hogwarts, after several owls from . . . Gryffindors-" she breathed in disgust "Have sent owls explaining that Death Eaters had taken over the school, while others are getting owls that everything is fine, and classes are better than ever. Your job is to explain that, after Harry's death, Mcgonagall committed suicide in grievance, leaving the school to the son of the current Minister, Elias Shadowwalker. Although he is a Slytherin, he is still from a respected family. Thank you for your time." she bowed cordially before leaving as he bid her farewell.

"I see, do not worry dear, I'll do everything in my power to fulfil your wishes, please take care"

As soon as Luna had left, Alexander hid McGonagall's body with an invisibility charm. Then he apparated to Hogwarts where he discreetly put the deceased body behind some nearby trees in the Forbidden Forest. When he was done, he apparated back to the Ministry where he gathered twenty inspectors and one Daily Prophet journalist and a reporter.

"Many worried parents, whose children attend Hogwarts, have sent me owls regarding the school," He explained as they appeared at the gates of the wizarding school. "Please investigate the grounds," He ordered the inspectors.

It did not take long until one of the inspectors found McGonagall's deceased body. As soon as everyone gathered around, Alexander crouched down and looked closer at the blade which was stabbed in the chest. "It's suicide..." He said sadly as he pointed at the handle of the dagger, where McGonagall's name was carved, something which he had cunningly done with a dark spell after he had dumped the body in the forest.

"Minister, do you have any idea of the cause?" The journalist asked as she crouched down to look closer.

"It must be related to the attack at the Ministry of the Magic," Alexander replied sadly as he rose up from his place. "I saw McGonagall when she visited the Ministry in the morning after the attack. I met her in the Atrium. She was so grieved over finding all of the aurors killed. And discovering Mr. Potter being dead made her much worse. I believe that the former headmistress committed suicide in grievance because of Potter's death. Five of you will remain here to take care of her while the rest of you will enter the school with me for further investigation."

It was half past eight o'clock when almost everyone was gathered for breakfast. Avery was gorging with an almost open mouth as he ate scrambled eggs with bacon. August and Endewyne who were both sitting beside him could hardly eat because they had lost their appetite due to Avery's lack of manners and table etiquette. He was so deep in his food that he did not notice how everyone became silent when the Minister and his subordinates entered. August nudged Avery with his elbow to get his attention. When Avery looked up from his plate, he discovered that the Minister was giving him disgusting looks as if he was no better than a pig.

"Good morning everyone," Alexander spoke. "Please excuse me if I interrupted you all during your meal and entered uninvited. It was not of my intention at all. Rumors have reached to the Ministry of Magic that things have not been as usual here" He looked around, meeting the look of the students calmly, not only the Gryffindors but also the other as well. "We are here to investigate because this school is one of the Ministry's responsibilities-"

"Minister, Minister!" A bold Gryffindor girl with brown hair and rosy cheeks interrupted. "They are all filthy death eaters!" She pointed at the professors. "One of them is no more than a chicken hiding in his office, because he is not here-"

"How dare you!" Lily blurted out madly as she understood that Miss Taylor was referring to her brother.

The tension got thicker in the air and before anyone of the professor said something, Alexander held up his hand. "Please...." He turned towards the Gryffindor girl and asked her: "Who is hiding?"

"Professor Shadowwalker, the one who is substituting for dueling."

"And who are the head of houses?" Professor Mulciber, Flynn Pyrites, Travers and Wilkes rose up from their places. Alexander nodded to them to sit down and then continued: "As I said before I got interrupted-" He gave the Gryffindor girl a very severe and cold look before he continued: "-we are here to investigate. We won't interrupt or disturb any lessons. You may perform them as usual though in our presence. This investigation is to assure the many worried parents of the students that everything is fine and as usual at this school."

The day went by as usual like yesterday though the difference was that inspectors from the Ministry of Magic were present. The reporter took a lot of pictures while the inspectors took notes and the journalist interviewed a couple of students of her choice.

The Daily Prophet was later published with fresh news immediately the same evening. There was a moving picture of Elias Shadowwalker on the front page and news that he had taken care of Hogwarts after that McGonagall had mysteriously disappeared to later be found dead in the forbidden forest. The cause of death was suicide. There were also a lot of moving pictures of students and professors from different classes with positive news. There was also a couple of pages consisting of short interviews with several students from every house and their words were also positive. They had nothing bad to say about any of the professor or the classes. In fact, the classes were much more enjoyable than they used to be before.

Alexander made sure that over millions of copies were printed and sent to every wizarding household in Great Britain.

Meanwhile, while Elias started the first lesson in legilimency with Luna, Lily was serving detention together with Miss Taylor at Professor Pyrites office. They had to cooperate in cleaning without magic in order to not only to be punished for their earlier behavior during the breakfast but also to learn to be friendly with each other

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna kept to her office most of the day, not wishing to face the authorities, the locations of which she confirmed by using her mirror. Wonderful. As soon as Raven returns, she will visit the parents as well. I am happy this is going smoothly. she thought as she poured herself a cup of tea.

Crystal went through lessons as usual, using the Pensieve to show the children when Laverne de Montmorency created Love Potions in 1823. She then reminded them that they still had to concentrate on their essays for the most boring historical event.

Meanwhile

Raven smiled as Cadence came back, with one suitcase and a traveling robe. "I already have transportation handled-" Raven smiled as she gestured to a pure-white carriage, made entirely out of clouds.

"Wow!" Cadence smiled as she placed her suitcase on the grass for a moment, and rushed forward to feel the softness of the clouds. "It feels SO soft!"

"I am such a fast flyer, that the journey will only take us a half-hour!" Raven smiled. "Do make yourself comfortable!" she smiled as she levitated Cadence's luggage into the carriage. It had two windows on either side, a long sofa, and a bed, all made out of clouds. In the center of the room was a small table, on which sat a bowl of glowing fruit.

"What is this fruit? It bears likeness to Dragonfruit, yet it glows!" Cadence said enthusiastically.

"Angel fruit! Each bite tastes like a different kind of fruit, and it you cut it open longways, it will reveal a sparkling rainbow of fruit." Raven smiled as she explained. "Sit back, and relax. . I will try to make the ride as smooth as possible. "

Raven levitated a cloud to the front of the carriage. She raised her hands, and both the carriage exterior and the cloud glowed. She sat on the cloud, and willed it to rise into the sky. The carriage followed, as if they were both connected through invisible ropes. Raven concentrated, and it flew higher, until they were above the clouds, and finally soaring in the right direction. Al she had to do was concentrate on where her cloud was going, and the carriage would follow.

Cadence had a pleasant time, as she opened the window to peer out at the clouds moving swiftly by below.

This is like a dream! I wonder what Aria will look like after all this time. . . I do hope she was adopted soon after me, because I would hate to find out that she had only left the orphanage once she was old enough to care for herself. . .



"Good evening, Elias." Luna smiled as Elias arrived after dinner at her office.

They trained throughout the night, up until ten-thirty, when Luna gave up for the night.

"It is much harder than I expected." Luna said embarrassed. She hadn't been able to break into his mind the entire night, much less reveal any on-the-surface thoughts, which were rumored to be the easiest to reveal.

"Better luck tomorrow, I guess." she smiled as she waved him goodbye wearily as he closed the door to her office. She apparated home, and went upstairs to find Raven's feather.

I must find out how her progress is going. I understand that angels work inexplicably faster than humans, but all these years are enough wait for me. . .

"Raven. " she whispered to the feather. Raven appeared beside her, on the balcony of her bedroom window, then opened it.

"Good evening, Luna." she bowed. "I assume you have called me here to inquire about my progress with your latest order."
"Precisely." Luna said, anxious to hear the results.
"I have found her, and she is here, in one of the manor's guest rooms. She remarked about your sense of taste in. . . decor-" she motioned to the purple drapes "as unfitting for such a lovely person such as yourself. I do recall that she was slightly put-off by it, even a bit fearful. "
"Hmm." Luna said, wondering if bringing her here had been the right idea. "It's alright. Is she sleeping?"
".....No." Raven said after she had checked using a spying cloud.
"Out of curiosity, did she eat anything before going to 'sleep?'"
"Yes. I gave her angel's fruit, which can sustain a person for up to twelve hours, and provides more nutrients than any human food.
"How do you do that. . . with the clouds?" Luna asked, eyeing the cloud.
"Oh! " Raven said, waving the cloud away "Just summon a cloud, and use a spell that only angels know how to do. . .it then becomes a Spy Cloud, as I like to call them." Raven smiled.
"I don't know how to approach her. . . " Luna said nervously. "For all my conquering, I am still a nervous child when it comes to social interaction."
"What are you talking about?" Raven said, confused."You're always as smooth as butter, acting as though you have everything planned out, and know exactly what to-"
"Yes, because I always do plan it out. I assume people's replies in advance, and take the time to assess every situation before going into it. However, this is one thing I have been unable to plan for, all this time. "
"It's alright; her and I have already had positive encounters, so why not have me introduce you two?"
"Alright. Allow us to move forward." Luna spoke bravely, magically opening the door as she walked out. "Which guest room?"
"West wing, third bedroom. I thought a room next to Aislynn's would be lovely, and besides; hers overlooks the garden. Perhaps you should go play some of your lovely music, as I take her there. That way, she can see your true beauty before she gets fearful of who you have become."

Pondering this for a moment, Luna stood still. Am I that afraid of her finding out my true identity? Will she run away, back to her place in the world, or will she accept me for who I am, like when we were young? Raven has a point, but am I really that desperate? It is true; I fear what she will do when my wickedness is revealed. . . to the garden, then. She decided. "I shall go to the garden to await her presence." Luna nodded, after another second.

"Very well." Raven bowed.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Good evening, Elias." Luna smiled as Elias arrived after dinner at her office.

"Good evening, my dear," He smiled as he entered her office.

"Legilimency is very hard though it will be less difficult when we are close, in the same room, and if you use your wand whilst saying the incantation aloud," He explained as they stood in front of each other with about three feet in distance. "You may start when you feel ready."

They trained throughout the night. Elias only stood, with his usual shields, silently and patiently, letting Luna to try as much as she needed until when she gave up for the night.

"It is much harder than I expected." Luna said embarrassed.

"It is alright, dear" He smiled gently. "As I said, it is very hard, but do not worry, with time you'll learn. We will repeat this training in same room together whilst you use your wand and speak the incantation aloud until you manage, not only read my thoughts at the surface but also manage to break through my shields and view my memories. Once you have mastered so far, we will train it at longer distances, nonverbal and wand less. As for tonight, you have been ambitious for trying the first step for a couple of hours. I wish you a good night. Rest well, my dear."

"Better luck tomorrow, I guess." She smiled as she waved him goodbye wearily as he closed the door to her office.

When Elias walked out in the entrance hall and made his way to his office which was located in the dungeons, he saw his sister walking down the stairs from the first floor. She looked sullen and weary.

"What's the matter, Lily?" He asked as they both entered the dungeons.

"Another detention! And it was unfair!" she replied bitterly.

"I do not believe the professors hand out detentions unfairly. May I know how you managed to receive detention two days in a row?"

"The first time was my fault, I sneaked out from the Great Hall because I wanted to watch the battle from the Astronomy Tower, but it was useless because I never got the chance to see it. When Professor Quinn was back, she discovered that I had left the Great Hall without any permission because we were not permitted to leave it thus, she gave me detention which Luna took charge of the next day. This morning when Papa came here to investigate, a rude Gryffindor said mean things about you and our professors and I…well I did not call her names or speak insolent to her...I actually scolded her..."

"…which must have happened during when one of the adults was having a speech?" Elias guessed.

"Yes, it was when Papa was speaking to us all in the Great Hall, and therefor Professor Flynn Pyrites gave me and Miss Taylor detention at his office. We had to cooperate while cleaning without magic................what are you laughing about? It was not fun!"

"...And yet you think it was unfair?" Elias chuckled. "Good night Lily, rest well please."

Lily fumed as her brother entered his office, still laughing, and closed the door behind him.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna played the violin in her usual elegant way, as a self-playing piano did its work nearby. She had her mirror levitate in front of her, to watch Raven’s progress through the labyrinth with Cadence. Tall, glittering green pillars surrounded her, and purple silk wrapped around them gracefully. Scented candles burned overheard, emitting the lovely aroma of melting chocolate. Blue lilies arranged themselves all around, though they left a clear, grassy path to Luna. Good Luna thought, We are off to a positive start already. I just hope all goes well. . . She saw them very near, and so she put her mirror away without pausing her music. As soon as she had, Raven appeared at the gap in the hedges that led into the clearing; Cadence came to stand by her and gazed upon Luna. She had an awed expression, as if she was genuinely enjoying the music and decorations.

“And, her real name is Luna.” Raven smiled, gesturing to Luna. “She was so overjoyed to meet you, that she couldn’t help but play out her feelings. She is odd like that; expressing herself through instrumental music. . . ” Raven trailed off, allowing the music to do the rest of the talking.
As soon as she finished, Cadence’s face lit up in a smile. Fof“Luna!” she smiled, walking forward on the path. “It’s so lovely to see you again!”

“It is lovely to see you, as well, Cadence.” Luna smiled calmly. “It has been quite some time.” She said as she waved her hand.

The violin and piano disappeared, immediately replaced with a table and two chairs. She summoned chocolate cupcakes, similar to the ones she had offered Lily, along with milk.

“Your're so hospitable, Luna. And, you graceful!” she smiled, “It looks as though you really have come a long way.”

They both took their seats, and then resumed their conversation.

“So, I noticed your. . . home.. was a bit, um. . . oddly decorated.” She smiled nervously.

”Does it give you an unsettling feeling?” Luna asked, slightly concerned. “Uncomfortable, perhaps?”

“Well. . a bit, yes.” Cadence replied.

“You were always so bright and honest.” Luna smiled. “How did you discover that you were magical?” she asked, noticing that she wore a robe, and had had no fearful reactions to her having used magic.

“It happened when I turned around eleven. . . ” Cadence began, as she told Luna the story of how she had been adopted by a family with the last name of Thorne, who also had a daughter of their own named Crystal. Since the father was among Britain’s International Magical Cooperation representatives, they all traveled as a family to several interesting places. Along the way, the parents gradually introduced Cadence to their magic, so as not to scare her. A month before she was to turn 10, Cadence found herself in her mother’s bedroom as she showered, and her wand lay on the vanity mirror, next to several bottles of perfume.

“You can guess what happened then-” Cadence laughed “A young girl, alone in a room with a wand that she knew could make the most wonderful things happen. That was when I picked it up, and cast the spell that I had heard my mother use the most: Accio.” I ended up summoning her bath towel, which, to my surprise, landed neatly on the bed beside me. I spent several minutes shocked, staring from my hands, to the towel, to the wand; for I knew that only magical people could cast spells. My mother eventually called for me “Cadence! It seems I have forgotten my towel, again! Would you mind?”

“I put the wand down and did as she asked, then waited until she was clothed as I averted my eyes. She was so excited when I told her everything, and they enrolled me at Mahoutokoro, since Japan seemed to be the place in which the Ministry sent my father to the most. I loved it there SO much, that I decided to stay, and teach magic there, as my profession. “ she concluded happily.

“I see. ” Luna smiled, waving her wand to clear away the plates. “Did you say that the family that adopted you was called. . . Thorne?” Luna inquired curiously.

Raven flew off, several miles high, then rested on a cloud. “I am happy you two are getting off to a lovely start.” Raven smiled as she used a Spy Cloud to continue watching them.

There is no way. . . Luna thought. She and I met when we were young . . . then she met Crystal as well? Were we destined to be like this from the start, or . . . hmm, I suppose this is the work of angels . . . but, why would they want us all together, from the beginning?

“Yes.” Cadence replied.

”Were you close to your sister?”

“Yes! She was lovely to me from the start, always treating me like I was her real sister. She never did anything to hurt me, and she always used to give me magic shows on the long flying carriage rides from place to place. I loved her, and she still flies in every year on Christmas, then leaves again after New Year’s Day. ”

“Wonderful.” Luna smiled as she relaxed a bit. Having someone else she knew would help. . .

“I have grown weary; the time is now eleven. ” Luna remarked after checking her watch.

“Goodnight.” She smiled as she stood. “Feel free to stay as long as you wish in your room. This clearing-” she motioned to the flowers and pillars, which were now shrinking back into the ground, “is enchanted to conjure anything the occupant wishes for, with the exception of sustenance.” She smiled. “Use it whenever you wish, just not at night. ” she said, thinking of how she had explained to everyone, through her crystal, that she would need to use the clearing tonight.

“Tonight is the exception, I assume.” Cadence smiled, making for the exit to the clearing. “Thank you very much for that lovely dessert. Where did you get them from?”

“I. . made them.” Luna smiled, modestly.

“I can cook lots of things, but baking is a whole other story. ” Cadence smiled, “Oddly enough, sweets are harder to make magically.”

“I studied at a school in Japan that specialized in cooking and baking with magic for a whole year, and it was the loveliest time I ever had.”

“My favorite part about the Japanese is their language.” Cadence smiled.

“I can speak Japanese, but not write it.” Luna smiled.

“That is remarkable!” Cadence smiled. “A friend taught me Japanese! It was crucial to teaching there.”

“Wonderful! We can have secret conversations that only we can understand!”

They walked back to the manor together, speaking in Japanese.

Luna told her all about how she was Headmistress of Hogwarts, and how great it was to teach.

“Wait…” Cadence asked “How did you become Head mistress?”

Luna hesitated only a second before she answered slyly. “Why not tell you all about it tomorrow? I have already spent my energy on discussing other matter with you, but perhaps tomorrow, we will continue this conversation.” Luna smiled. “Good night.” She finished as she went upstairs.

As soon as she closed her bedroom door, she let out a huge sigh. “Nagini?”

“Yesss?” she smiled creepily from under her bed.
“She accepted me, but-”
“She still has no perception of who you really are, because you stalled.” Nagini finished, as if she had expected Luna to do so.
“Yes. I take it you don’t blame me, but I also know that you will understand exactly how I should tell her. “
“That isss correct.” Nagini smiled, coming out from under the bed.
“Then, I want your answer by morning, because that is the latest I can have it.”
” Of course.” Nagini smiled as she made her way to the door. “Don’t worry, I won’t let her see me.” She assured her before leaving through the door that Luna opened.

 

[Hikari Chan]

The next morning, Elias had to force himself to join the other professors for breakfast in the Great Hall, because the sudden events of yesterday had made him to the one who was in charge of the school. I wonder whose idea it was...my father's or Luna's?... He thought as he was eating oatmeal and reading the Daily Prophet, which was published last night. Luna wanted to take charge of this place and change it after her wishes, but I was not ready for becoming a caretaker of the school. Was she present during the investigation and why did she not tell the Ministry that she had become the headmistress of Hogwarts? I cannot recall that I agreed to become a headmaster or an assistant principal... He tried to focus at his schedule when he had finished reading the newspaper. Dueling class with the sixth years students today.... There was nothing interesting on his schedule other than the times for breakfast, lunch, classes and dinner, but he kept pretending studying it with a high interest to avoid looking at anyone else. It was not only the female students but also some of the female professors who were looking at him with love interest. This is not different from what I experienced at Beauxbatons...but if I ignore them, they'll hopefully lose their interest in me... He thought vainly. Perhaps I could hide myself in my office and only show up at my classes? Perhaps the less they'll see me they'll forget me? But no, I cannot, since the news about Elias Shadowwalker taking care of Hogwarts after McGonagall, I have become an important public figure. I could literary have become a headmaster from the start, the bloody hell...thanks to whoever who came up with this idea I have to attend all the important events of this school including all the meals in the Great Hall....

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Raven stood at Miss Blanc's window, and placed a neatly wrapped package, and a note, then smiled. The note read:

To Miss Blanc,

My name is Ravenna Vance. You and I share many similarities . . . mainly that we are both part-Veela, but also that we have been shunned by Elias in favor of his current paramour. I understand your anger, and your pain, so I have enclosed a gift as well. I am giving you something I have never had . . . a sure way to obtain revenge on Luna Lestrange. A Disguise Mirror, which can give you the flawless resemblance to anyone in terms of appearance, clothing, and accent. I shall keep Luna busy, as you assume her appearance and get her into trouble with Elias. Perhaps, you can tell him that Luna no longer has feelings for him.

I am depending on you to assist me, for I can only keep her busy for two days, starting tomorrow morning. It is not easy to keep her occupied, so you must act on this opportunity!

Best of luck to you, Miss Blanc.

Raven laughed as she flew away. Blinded by love... she smiled.

"Raven, you must deliver this to Miss Blanc. She will surely act on her jealousy, and take advantage of the situation, in order to ruin the relationship between Elias and I. " Luna said.

"Of course. It would be my pleasure to be a part of Miss Blanc's humiliation when she realizes that it was all a set-up." Raven smiled.

Raven then followed Luna's next order: Visiting the parents who had had concerns, filling their minds with assurance, and confirming that they truly believe the newspaper articles.

Meanwhile

Luna stood in front of the mirror, dressed in robes identical to the ones she had been wearing the past week. Emerald green and flowing, with a black trim at the sleeves and neckline. She smiled as she used her wand to fix her hair, then walked to her bed and sat down. Nagini slithered onto her lap, and spoke her answer from the previous night:

“Luna. Take her to Hogwarts with you, and show her all of the good you are doing. " Nagini explained patiently "Then, introduce her to Crystal . . . after lunch time, show her all of the interesting things that can come from learning Dark Arts. How even the best of people can enjoy them, without using them toward bad things. After a few days of becoming comfortable with that idea, you will take her through your memories, just as you have with Elias. Only then, will she understand. ” Nagini smiled.

“Thank you. I do not know what I would do without you.” Luna smiled as Nagini moved from her lap, and she stood.

“It is I who should be thankful; you have me this privilege of being your companion, and being in charge of such a precious thing.”

“I trust you.” Luna spoke softly as she left the room.



“. . . And, this is my office.” Luna smiled, leading her past the Dark Mark statue.

“What a . . . curious statue.” Cadence remarked curiously, although it was nearly world-renown what that was. “The same taste in décor, I see.” Cadence smiled as she picked up one of the books, labeled Cooking with Magic, volume seven.

“I do read a lot of those.” Luna smiled.

She allowed Cadence to browse around the office, occasionally remarking on a piece lying about.

“Well, I have more to show you!” Luna smiled, leading her to the great hall, which she had not yet entered with Cadence.

They made their way to the professor’s table, and Luna conjured an extra chair for Cadence.

“Cadence! Is that REALLY you?” Crystal remarked loudly, not considering the other people sitting next to her.

“Yes! It turns out; Luna and I are old friends! We grew up in the same orph-”

“This is Elias Shadowwalker!” Luna introduced Cadence to Elias quickly, barely keeping the nerves out of her voice. “Elias, this is my old friend, Cadence!”

“Lovely to meet you, sir.” Cadence smiled, turning toward him.

 

[Hikari Chan]

When Miss Celine Blanc woke up early in her hotel room in London, she found a package on her window sill. She frowned when she read the note but opened the package out of curiosity. She found a mirror just like promised. She hold up the mirror in front of her face. She was first looking at a fair face with ice blue eyes framed with straight blonde hair. Je suis une beaute (I am a beauty)...She thought and wondered what Elias saw in this certain Luna Lestrange. Luna Lestrange...elle doit être son amour, la femme que j'ai vue à Paris (she must be his love, the woman which I saw on Paris)... She thought about Luna Lestrange and suddenly her looks was changed that she almost wanted to drop the disguise mirror. She hurried over to the wall length mirror in the room and looked at herself. She looked first in disgust at her disguise but changed her mind when she thought about an idea. If changing her appearance would attract the man of her dreams she would do anything to win his heart. She looked in the disguise mirror and wished for a light blue gown studded with diamond and crystal drops. She let her hair, which was black and curly to fall down her shoulders.

Je vais créer une potion d'amour aprés mon succès (I am going to create a love potion after my success... She thought as she left the hotel.

Elias looked up in surprise from his schedule when Crystal spoke to loudly.:

“Cadence! Is that REALLY you?”

“Yes! It turns out, Luna and I are old friends! We grew up in the same orph-”

“This is Elias Shadowwalker!” Luna introduced Cadence to Elias quickly, barely keeping the nerves out of her voice. “Elias, this is my old friend, Cadence!”

“Lovely to meet you, sir.” Cadence smiled, turning toward him.

"My pleasure," He nodded politely yet surprisingly as he recognized Luna's childhood friend from her memories.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Well, " Luna smiled once Cadence had finished lunch with Crystal chatting energetically to her the whole time. "I think it's time for you and me to discuss something rather important." Luna spoke quietly to Cadence.
"Of course." she replied kindly.

"What was it you wanted to discuss?" she asked politely once they were back at Luna's office.
"There is something I haven't yet shared with you . . . which class I teach." Luna said seriously.
"Oh." Cadence sighed, as if she had expected bad news. "Which one do you teach?" she asked eagerly.
". . . I. . . I . .. " Luna sighed, then sat down in front of Cadence. "You must understand; things happened after you left the orphanage . . . things I am not at all proud of, and if you saw them, you would most certainly understand, but . . . "She trailed off, not understanding how to explain.
"That's alright-" Cadence smiled so kindly, putting a hand to Luna's shoulder "I won't look into it, or try to find out. I will tell Crystal not to 'ruin the surprise' for me. I know that the British wizards have created devices to show memories, so, when you are ready, you can show me everything that happened, and I promise you I will try my best to understand." she smiled, and then pulled Luna close in a hug. "I don't want to lose you, again." she spoke, tears dripping from her eyes as she summoned a tissue. "But, I understand that you cannot possible trust me yet." she sniffed.

Ok . . . I didn't expect this emotional display. . . perhaps she really will understand?

She pulled away, and they both stood.

"Look at me, getting all emotional." she laughed, walking away to wash her face. "Bye, Luna." she waved.

"Farewell!" Luna called, though Cadence was half way out the office door already.

Meanwhile

"Thank you, Raven." Nagini smiled. "For telling me what happened. "
"No problem." Raven smiled from Luna's balcony. "I understand just how important you are to Luna"
"Of course you do." Nagini smiled. "It has been a pleasure speaking with you. I didn't know Angels could speak with animals, nor did I understand just how insightful they were."
"I am happy to fill you in. Now, I must go to Luna, and inform her that everything is in place. "
"Please, give her a message from me-" Nagini spoke before Raven took off. "Tell her that she shouldn't rush showing Cadence her memories. . . they need time."
"Alright. Farewell." Raven said as she flew off.



"Wonderful; you do work wonderfully fast." Luna smiled once Raven had explained that her latest orders were complete.
"What do you wish of me now?" Raven smiled wickedly.
"Do angels need vacations?" Luna asked thoughtfully.
"No. The more we work, the stronger we become; or so my father used to say. In other words, we can get restless and weak if we neglect to work."
"Hmm. In that case, please keep an eye on Miss Blanc until our operation is over. "
"Understood." she bowed. She flew off after relaying Nagini's message, outside her office window, where the sun was already setting.

Always chasing revenge! She is wonderful in every way. . . I wonder who will be next; the cowardly Lucius Malfoy, or perhaps she will finally allow herself to kill the prisoners she currently has. . . how I would love to watch as she tortures all of those good-for-nothing professors.

The rest of the day passed by smoothly, and Luna met at her usual time with Elias for their Legillimancy lessons. Cadence had gone back home, hinting at a surprise dinner for Luna and herself, but Crystal had stayed at Hogwarts to correct the third-years' essays on the History of Gringotts. Many more people had chosen to remain in that class, now that it was dramatically reformed.

"Thank you again, for tonight." Luna smiled after an hour and forty-five minutes of training. She had had no more luck than the first time.

"Always a pleasure spending time with you." Luna smiled.

After Elias inquired about Luna reuniting with Cadence

"Ah yes. I had Raven locate Cadence for me, since it would have been nearly impossible for me to do so, since I had no items she had previously owned on which to add Locator Potion."

After Elias inquired about the Ministry visiting Hogwarts

"It was my idea for the Ministry to do an inspection on the school, and for it to be publicly known that the son of the Minster was in charge, thus assuring parents that all was well within these walls." she spoke as she gestured around the room. "I understand that I should have informed you first, but if you do not wish to publicly appear in front of the Board, I would be happy to assume your appearance so that you are not bothered with wasting that precious time. " she finished, her face explaining that she was truly sorry, and that it was the only way to calm the parents, who would surely call their children back home, if they learned that Hogwarts was unsafe.



"This is wonderful." Luna smiled once she had taken a bite out of Cadence's meat pie. "It's so lovely for someone else to think of me and make something lovely." she laughed.
"You are quite welcome." Cadence smile cheerfully as she sat opposite Luna at the dining table in the manor.
"There are so many lovely vegetables, and the sauce is spectacular . . . the meat is so fragrant and tender." Luna signed, the took another bite. "Wonderful." she smiled.
"Do you remember the meat pies we used to get on your birthday? " Cadence laughed.
"They were so dry, and the bread was always so crumbly, but we were children at the time." Luna smiled.

Morning

"I will remain hidden, all day, but I wish to observe Miss Blanc's failings during this most comical trial." Luna laughed as she stood in her room at the manor, discussing the final plans with Nagini and Raven.
Nagini looked pointedly at Raven, and Raven spoke "You could hover above the school with me, while watching everything by using your mirror."
"The mirror cannot relay sounds." Luna said. "What about those clouds you use?"
"Humans cannot see them; they appear as regular clouds. "
"Perhaps, then, I will use my mirror, and you can spy on Elias and Ms. Blanc, telling me what they say along the way."
"Of course." Raven bowed, then gestured to Luna's balcony.

A large cloud was already waiting for them: A large, fluffy platform, with two chairs, and a table, all made out of clouds.

"Marvelous work." Luna smiled as she touched the platform with her hand. "Quite firm."

"I can assure you, it is safe." Raven smiled, stepping onto the platform, and holding out a hand to Luna.

She did not take it, but stepped onto the cloud herself. She sat on one of the chairs, and bid Nagini farewell.

So self-sufficient. She will only use me to do what she cannot. . . Raven smiled as she waved her hand, and the cloud took off, flying at a fast pace, although the ride was quite smooth. "We are here." Raven smiled, gesturing to the small Hogwarts several feet below them.

"It has been ten minutes!" Luna exclaimed, confirming for herself. It is a good thing I am not afraid of heights.

 

[Hikari Chan]

As soon as Miss Blanc walked out from the hotel, she noticed how several witches and wizards looked a lot at her, taking her for Luna Lestrange. She hastened back inside to fetch her cloak. She changed the color of her dress to black before leaving again. She apparated outside the gates of Hogwarts and looked carefully through the grids. She sighed at the thought that her love was somewhere inside the walls of Hogwarts and that she could do nothing but wait until tomorrow.

"Thank you again, for tonight." Luna smiled after an hour and a forty-five minutes of training. She had had no more luck than the first time.

"You're welcome, dear," Elias replied gently. "Well done for tonight and do not worry, by time you'll master it."

"Always a pleasure spending time with you." Luna smiled.

"The pleasure is all mine. By the way how did you reunite with your childhood friend? It must have been a little difficult since you have not seen each other for many years..."

"Ah yes. I had Raven locate Cadence for me, since it would have been nearly impossible for me to do so, since I had no items, she had previously owned on which to add Locator Potion."

"Aha..." He shuddered at the thought at the angel and asked something else to change the subject.
"Now, I did not see you yesterday when the Ministry was here? I was also surprised about the news. I did neither expect them nor did I expect to become so public since the journalist only had taken a picture of me during the events…It was a little uncomfortable today after yesterday's events and the news."

"It was my idea for the Ministry to do an inspection on the school, and for it to be publicly known that the son of the Minster was in charge, thus assuring parents that all was well within these walls." she spoke as she gestured around the room. "I understand that I should have informed you first, but if you do not wish to publicly appear in front of the Board, I would be happy to assume your appearance so that you are not bothered with wasting that precious time." she finished, her face explaining that she was truly sorry, and that it was the only way to calm the parents, who would surely call their children back home, if they learned that Hogwarts was unsafe.

"I understand dear, but do not worry..." He said as he broke the three feet distance by walking up closer to her. "…why being sorry? I will get used to this sooner or later, being surrounded by other professors and students, I have been through this before......well..." He embraced her and took in the lovely scent of her hair. "I should not hide in my office all day long, seriously..." he chuckled. "You did a good thing to get me out from my usual comfort zone.... Good night my dear," he kissed her forehead and her hands before leaving.

The next morning, Miss Blanc decided for a green gown with a heart shaped neckline and silver sparkling details, knowing that these colors once had been the color of Elias' house at Hogwarts. She also added one more detail: the brooch to make everything complete. The make-up was beautiful: red lips, heavy eyelashes with green and silvery eyeshadow. She let her black curls to fall down at her bare shoulders and put on her black cloak before apparating to Hogwarts.

Miss Blanc entered the grounds and walked up to the entrance of the school. She panted heavily as soon as she entered the Entrance Hall. The grand clock was ticking, and she looked up at the it, noticing that the time was half past eight knowing it was breakfast. She entered the Great Hall. She was wearing green shoes with high heels to match her gown and she made annoying clicking sound as she walked up to the table where the professors were sitting. Elias looked up in astonishment and was met by a very beautifully dressed Luna who smiled romantically at him.

"Good morning, my love," She greeted him as she did her best to speak correct English but there was still a hint of a French accent which did not slip Elias. She kissed his cheek as she sat down beside him, and Elias winced and switched uncomfortably in his chair. Miss Blanc looked a little surprised and hurt at him as she had expected a warmer welcome since she had different appearance and looked exactly like Luna Lestrange.

"What's the matter, Elias?" She asked with a frown.

"I am sorry, my Lady, but you surprised me today," He spoke quietly, his face deep red of embarrassment. He looked down in his plate, trying to focus on the scrambled eggs as he chewed.
I do not recognize my dear Luna, this woman looks like Luna, but she does not sound like Luna. It can neither be Polyjuice nor the angel...is Luna joking with me with the French accent? Elias glanced sideways at her and noticed that she was wearing her brooch. Well...I do not understand this sudden change of Luna, calling me for love and kissing me in public...

Some of the female professors looked curiously at Elias who had his eyes in the cup of his tea, avoiding everyone's look. Clarissa looked devasted, as if she almost wanted to faint.

She kicked Lily's leg hard under the table.

"Ouch, what the bloody hell?!" Lily looked at her friend madly.

"You knew it all the time, and yet you pretended that you did not know!!" Clarissa spoke with a hushed yet hurt voice.

"What?!"

"That they.... I mean your brother and our headmistress are in relationship, did you not see how she greeted him?!"

"So? What do you expect me to do, Clarissa? Tell him that you love him? Arrange so that he would ask you out? Force him into a relationship with you? You know very well that it is impossible. His heart has chosen her and there's nothing I can do!" Lily rose up from her place, clearly very angry with Clarissa and left.

Pegah rolled her eyes and the twins Summer and Rhaine looked at Clarissa with a - you should apologize to Lily- face.

Elias swallowed his bitter tea quickly and rose up to leave. Miss Blanc looked up at him and rose as well, not even caring for finishing her breakfast. She followed him out through a side door and hastened after him. Once when they were in an empty corridor, he turned around with a frown when he heard the annoying clicking sound of her heels behind him.

"Elias?" She spoke as she stretched her arms towards him.

"My heart does not recognize you…" He confessed sadly.

Miss Blanc winced. "I thought you loved me..." Tears filled her eyes when she realized that it was harder to reach him than she had expected.

Elias bit his lower lip when Luna wept silently. "I am sorry my dear...I do love you; I just don't recognize you..." He looked confused at her.

She in return looked also confused at him and stopped to cry when she heard him mention that he loved her. Since Luna was not an emotional person, Elias found it natural that she had only wept for a few seconds.

"Shall we take a walk outside and speak?" He offered her his arm.

"Yes please," She agreed as she took his arm.

Once they were out in the grounds he asked: "When do you have classes today?"

"I do not have any today," Miss Blanc replied, hoping that the real Luna Lestrange did not have any classes at Fridays.

He let go of her arm and turned to face her.

"You are not being yourself, Luna" He said as he tried to remember if Luna ever had been walking with heels.

"What do you mean?"

He looked at her to fancy gown and at her make up. "I do not care about appearances, and I have seen you in your simpler looks. I love you for who you are, not for how you look like. As I said, I did not recognize you today, you are not acting as yourself. Your French accent.... You embarrassed and yet surprised me. I did not expect you to kiss me in public and I hope you do not repeat it again. We may kiss as much as you like, but in privacy please. They may know that we are close to each other, but I do not like to draw others' attention."

"I am sorry," Miss Blanc looked down at the hem for her dress.

Elias stood silent for a long moment, still not understanding the sudden change of Luna's behavior.

She looked romantically at him as if she wanted to kiss him with passion, but she kept her distance since they were outside, and anyone could see them from the castle.

"It is fine, never mind about it now, what is done cannot be undone, as long as you do not repeat your mistake, anyway, tell me Luna, I'd like to know how you all of sudden?....I mean, I am very surprised, I did not expect you to take a step forward in our relationship..."

Miss Blanc opened her mouth to speak but closed it as she wondered what she should tell him. I saw them kissing at the top of the Eiffel tower, why could he not accept my kiss today?

"I do not feel comfortable to speak about it here; I feel like others might eavesdrop.... may we speak in privacy please?"

"I understand, where do you wish to speak?"

"In...in your office please."

"As you wish, my lady," Elias find it bit strange that Luna chose to continue their conversation in his office and not in their office.

When they entered his office, she neared him and caressed his cheek. He smiled as he sat down behind his desk and offered her to sit in front of him. Her smile faltered as she refused to sit down.

"Luna?-"

"Elias, I cannot explain this with words, but with love!" She exclaimed.

He looked uncomfortably at her. "I don't understand...."

"Kiss me like you did in Paris, please."

"Luna-"

She walked over to him to sit down at his lap but before she took any step there was a knock at the door.

"Luna, please sit down..."

Miss Blanc had to force herself to sit down on a chair in front of Elias' desk as two Gryffindor girls entered his office. They handed in their essays which he had given them as detention some days ago. As soon as they left Miss Blanc stood up and neared Elias.

"Luna, please, sit down and explain your French accent..."

But Miss Blanc did not listen, she sat down at his lap and put her arms around his neck.

"Luna, this is not the right time please, anyone might enter my office right now and I cannot lock anyone out if anyone need me for something important. So may you go back to the chair in front of my desk please..."

"I do not understand!!" Miss Blanc stood up and sat in front of him instead.

"What's the matter with you! Explain your French accent, I thought you were joking with me first...but seriously-"

"I am trying to learn French because I know you love that language"

"It sounds more that you already know French because you are speaking English with a French accent. " Elias was feeling furious and mad that they had to quarrel about trivial matters.