Fandom The Gathering of Death Eater Children

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Is there anything else you wish to discuss with me?"

"No, my lady. Do have a pleasant day." he smiled. "And inform me if you need anything. Or simply-" he smiled lovingly "-if you desired company on such a lovely day." And he returned to his room, closing the door behind him. He sat down at the writing desk and started writing in his book again.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Of course, I will," Aislinn nodded smilingly.

"Or simply if you desired company on such a lovely day."

She blushed and become speechless for a split second, not knowing what to say next.

...perhaps I should not disturb him today... She thought when he closed the door. She half wanted to spend time with him but decided to do something else today. ...For the best...I don't want to be a nuisance for him or a to needy person...We are already spending so much time together with solving missions and we are going to the summer feast together... She smiled for herself as she left the manor to take a walk outdoors.

Several hours later...

"Good Lord, what have you just brought home?!"

"Cactus...I just cannot decide where to place it...I wanted to place it at the table in the kitchen, but it took to much space of the table so I have been thinking about-"

"-To place it here in the family room? Absolutely not!"

"Why not-?"

"Aislinn has not seen any plants indoors since the day I reunited with her. She will immediately notice that something is out of place if she suddenly sees a stingy plant here-"

"Oh do not worry about that, you could just tell her that you decided to get a plant-"

"No, I won't! You know I hate these stingy plants and I won't take care of it. They sting and when they sting it hurts, good Lord I cannot describe the pain with words…Don't expect me to water it for you. Place it in your bedroom please. But why on earth did you bring cactus home?"

"For Isabelle, mother. For her memorial. I-"

"I see...it was her favorite plant...but please keep the plant in your bedroom or in any other room that is not used..."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Oh, hello Alastair." Asmodeus greeted him jovially. "Malice and I were just about to start a game, would you be interested?"

"No, I wished to discuss something important with you." Alastair replied.

"And what would that be?" he smiled, putting on his smooth, formal voice.

"Your advice earlier; concerning Ms. Monroe's knowledge of this realm...Why did I not simply explain to her that there were seven princes and not only one?"

"My dear nephew-" Asmodeus began simply "-the young lady was already drowning in complicated explanations! Why would you wish to add to her suffering with yet another one, and an unnecessary one, at that?"

"Unnecessary? How so?"

"It is as you said yourself; you do not plan to remain by her side for long. And if I am correct, you two haven't planned another trip here just yet?"

Alastair nodded, wondering what Asmodeus's point was.

"My dear nephew; to make a long story longer, your time together will be short. The time she spends here also be short. So tell me; do the details matter?"

"....No. " Alastair said quietly. Although I wish they would. Ms. Monroe is...

"And what of this 'Ms. Monroe' business? You kissed her, did you not? Have you two...?" he gave Alastair a look.

"No." Alastair replied, a very plain look in his eyes. "I do not look at her that way. As for her feelings toward me..."

"I have another question for you." Asmodeus said, suddenly very serious. "If she requested that you do such a thing, would you? You said that the rules you chose forbade you to deny her any request she made with the words 'I order you...' correct?"

"Yes, I did. But in this particular scenario, I would not. Everything would end there." Alastair said decidedly, as if he had thought of the scenario before and already chosen an outcome. "I would know that it wouldn't be the best thing for her, given that I knew I did not share her feelings. And I would explain that to her. You know that there is only one person that I think of that way, and it is not Ms. Monroe."

"That is the one thing you have never told me." Asmodeus smiled. "Who is that person?"

Alastair smirked. "Reign."

And both of them laughed.

My choice to dodge Asmodeus's question with his greatest weakness; a joke, turned out quite well.

 

[Hikari Chan]

...I believe unfair treatment is occurring at Hogwarts. This obviously started since we got the new professors a couple of months ago. Some professors favors some of the students. For instance, I and another student received detention for bringing disturbance in the library. I am not complaining because I received detention. Rather I believe that it was no more than the right thing to receive since I did something I should not have done. Though the second student was allowed to enjoy her day and serve her detention the next day while I had to serve my detention immediately. This is absolutely unfair. Should we, who break some rules, not be punished at the same time? I completely understand that there might be good reasons for a professor to schedule our detentions in case he or she cannot have us all serving our detentions at the same time, but I do not understand or agree with the reason when a professors postpone a student's detention to allow the student in question to have fun...

"Trying to make such fuss about something mundane like this?" Alexander thought aloud. " Who is this student anyway?"

..Sincerely
Ms. Eugenie Taylor

"...Oh well, it is not a name I can relate to, but there are no names of the certain professors who favors and no names of the students who are being favored....then I cannot do anything…Such a waste of time reading this silly letter.." He crumbled the letter in his hand and threw it in the fireplace. ...I would not do anything anyway, whether the sender had mentioned some names or not. Hogwarts is not of my concern; I believe my son will handle it without any problem... He thought carelessly, while watching the flames devouring the letter.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Yay!" Crystal exclaimed. "We're done! And at the early hour of four thirty-six!"

"We did finish early! You did a great job on this gown." Rosaleya smiled. "It looks amazing..." She's going to have a wonderful time at that party...And Crystal, too...

"I'm going to go let her know that it's ready!" Crystal smiled, apparating away.

"That looks cool..." Rosaleya whined. "Why can't I do that, too?"

And she began to tidy up the room Crystal had worked in.

"Greetings, my lady." Alastair smiled, entering the kitchen; Luna had been reading again. "What do you think of a lovely early dinner of grilled salmon?" he asked temptingly.

"It sounds delectable." Luna returned his smile, closing her book and standing up. "I went shopping today, so we do have fresh ingredients...Everything except for the fish, which I had not planned to have."

"Then I shall visit a store and purchase the finest salmon for you." he promised lovingly. "And then return to prepare a divine meal."

"Thank you; it sounds wonderful. It is as if I can already smell the food."

"Indeed." he smiled, leaving the room.

"Hello, Luna.." Crystal said a few minutes later.

"Hello, Crystal." Luna replied.

"I have two things to ask of you." she began, her tone explaining that she viewed both things as very important. "Firstly, do you know where Aislynn is?"

"Last time I saw her, she was in the manor. Although that was more than three hours ago." she added.

"Okay; if she's not here then I'll just send her a message through my emerald, but I wanted to tell her in person..." Crystal said quietly to herself, before continuing her conversation with Luna. "Secondly, I wanted some of whatever you are making for dinner tonight, so please leave it in the kitchen for me like last time? Oh, if that's alright?"

"Of course; Alastair is preparing tonight's dinner. He is a magnificent chef, and I am certain that you will enjoy his cooking to its fullest extent." Luna said matter-of-factly, as if Alastair 'disappointing her was impossible. "And he just left to purchase the fish. He never takes long to shop, or prepare the food, so it will most certainly be ready before the hour of five."

"Oh, thanks." Crystal nodded. "I look forward to it. If your cooking is the best and you praise his then I'm excited." she smiled enthusiastically. "See you later." she waved, leaving the room to check the rest of the manor. I'll check the gardens/labyrinth first, and then the rest of the place...I know which room is hers, so it shouldn't be too hard...I don't think she'd be in any of the torture rooms or the library. She laughed out loud. And if she's not here...Then I'll just have to fall back on an emerald message...But I really hope that I don't have to. I'm so excited to tell her! I can't believe I finished it so quickly! Even with magic, it takes time. I don't know how the other tailors do it; I know that they're faster, but maybe they use different, more time-efficient spells? Or maybe...

"My love, I have returned! Soon we shall feast on only the best!" Alastair announced slyly, returning with a grocery bag less than eight minutes later.

"As always, you returned faster than I would have had I gone...I do not know how." Luna wondered out loud. "But I do admit to having a rather large appetite at the present time; I neglected both breakfast and lunch today."

"Oh dear; such a tragedy must be remedied at once!" Alastair said dramatically, rushing to the stove.

"The meal is to be large enough for three people. Crystal, you and I."

He nodded, then he began preparing the meal in his usual way...Like an elegant dance that was both flowy and free, and carefully accurate.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Time to eat something... Aislinn thought hungrily as she walked back the same path, she had taken for her afternoon walk, making her way back to Luna's manor. ...I wonder what Luna is cooking today... Aislinn had taken a walk in her solitude to reflect over the demon realm she had visited, to reflect over the demons she had met. The time she had spent in the different realm felt like something distance, as if it had been a dream. The more she thought about the more like a dream it felt. She missed the attire she had been wearing for the party she had attended there and wished she could have brought it with her back to the human world. She suddenly got an idea when she unexpectedly saw Crystal several yards away of her.

"Crystal!" Aislinn waved at her friend with a grin.

"So what are up to?" Aislinn asked as soon as she came closer to Crystal.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Crystal's eyes widened in surprise when she found the very person she had been looking for.

"Crystal!" Aislynn waved at her friend with a grin.

"Aislynn; hi!" Crystal smiled, nearing Aislynn.

"So what are up to?" Aislynn asked.

"Oh, I was looking for you! I couldn't wait to tell you that your dress is ready!" she said. Her voice wasn't loud; simply enthusiastic. "It turned out so well...exactly what you asked for. I really wanted to tell you myself, so I hoped that you were around here." she smiled again, happy that she had achieved her goal.

"Dearest, please be seated in the dining room." Alastair smiled, announcing the completion of the meal.

"It smells stunning." Luna commented as she rose from her seat, walking to the dining room.

She had just been seated when Alastair came in with their plates, silverware, goblets and pitcher of iced water levitating behind him.

As the table set itself, he took his seat as well.

"My favorite uncle, the one I've told you about..." Alastair began.

"Yes; you said that he was named after one of the seven princes of Hell; Asmodeus. It seemed that that family liked naming their children after demons..." she wondered aloud.

"Yes, my late uncle...As I was saying, he invented the name 'dearest', which I have grown fond of. It is preferable to 'dear', because 'dearest' would be the thing that is most dear to me in this world." Alastair said, a deep look in his eyes as he spoke in his poetic, heartfelt voice. As he spoke those words, he raised his goblet of iced water as if it were the finest wine in the world, in a toast to Luna.

"...Thank you, Alastair...I didn't know that he invented the name." Luna said quietly, raising her glass as well, although her eyes did not meet his.

"You would have loved him." Alastair spoke fondly. "He never cared what anyone thought or tried to do. And when he loved someone, there wasn't anything that he wouldn't do to protect them, or make them smile. He taught me that love does exist."

Although Luna did not speak, a look in her eyes clearly said that she did not agree completely.

"Not love as in a man and a woman. Love as in siblings. As in a mother and father to their children. Proper parents, like the ones we've always wanted. Asmodeus was that person. So this toast is to both you, and Asmodeus. I will always remember the magnificent example of a true human being." He lowered his glass to drink, and Luna did the same.

"Not what the world is full of today." Luna said quietly, yet loud enough so that Alastair could still hear her. "But people like you and Asmodeus. I love those kinds of people. And yet I have been thinking thoughts similar to those you have just expressed. I have come to the conclusion that the love of siblings...It does exist. I know nothing of the love of parents, or the love of couples. Asmodeus said, as you told me, that a good liar convinces others, but the best liar convinces himself as well...Perhaps I have only fooled myself into believing that my love for Mr. Shadowwalker was real. But perhaps he is also the sort of individual that commands respect...These are still thoughts that I have, after all of this time. Thoughts that perhaps he really doesn't love me at all; or that I do not love him. Or that the both of you only care for me out of obligation and not truly love. I already know what you will say, but these are my thoughts nonetheless." she finished, finally looking him in the eyes. "How did you know that I was thinking those thoughts? Whenever you start making a toast to Asmodeus, it is right around the time that I am filled with doubtful thoughts. It is as if you are trying to remind me that good people do exist." she smiled. "And they do. My mind simply cannot comprehend the idea of a person acting kind without an ulterior motive and a plan to stab their comrade in the back. Now now, enough of this talk; I'm certain that you have your own problems to deal with."

By the tone of her words, Alastair knew to speak no more. Usually, when I remind her about Asmodeus, she remembers that there are good people in this world. And yet, I have felt that she had been struggling with an internal conflict. I just wish that I could help her find the truth. But how can I, when I am a liar as well?

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Oh!" Aislinn exclaimed delighted. "Let's talk inside..." She said, taking Crystal's hand and leading her inside the manor. "I cannot wait to come and get it. I wish I could see the tailor, I mean like madam Malkin, you just walk in the store and you see the tailor at once and can order whatever you needed at once, but I believe Darkest Creatures are different because it already sell clothes in contrast to Madam Malkin’s where you won't find clothes you could just buy but have to get customized every time you go there. Anyway, I am very hungry, I believe Luna has cooked something...ah I can smell lovely food..." Aislinn's mouth watered when the smell of cooked salmon reached her nose when she walked towards the kitchen.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Oh!" Aislynn exclaimed delighted. "Let's talk inside..." She said, taking Crystal's hand and leading her inside the manor.

"Okay." Crystal replied, following.

"I cannot wait to come and get it. I wish I could see the tailor,"

Too bad you can't...I still can't think of a reason that Aislynn cannot see the 'tailor'...She was 'busy' earlier....But busy with what?

"...I mean like madam Malkin, you just walk in the store and you see the tailor at once and can order whatever you needed at once, but I believe Darkest Creatures are different because it already sell clothes in contrast to Madam Malkins' where you won't find clothes you could just buy but have to get customized every time you go there. "

Crystal nodded. "Anyway, I am very hungry, I believe Luna has cooked something..." Should I tell her that her brother cooked it? Meh; I don't think I'm supposed to know him any more than any of the other professors. They know his name, and that Luna trusts him, but nothing else, right? So, I'll just pretend that I think Luna cooked as well.

"...ah I can smell lovely food..." Aislynn's mouth watered when the smell of cooked salmon reached her nose when she walked towards the kitchen.

"It smells breathtaking!" Crystal agreed. I can't wait; with a smell like that, the food is going to taste like heaven! "Great; there's enough for two!" she laughed, sounding relieved. She took out two plates from the cabinet, and handed one to Aislynn. "What do you think of serving ourselves and eating in the garden?" she suggested. I'll just assume that they are eating in the dining room, and I wouldn't want to interrupt them, so the garden should be the perfect place to eat to avoid that.


"I am a demon named Nova, more commonly known as Mamon. I am one of the seven princes of Hell. Why have you summoned me?" Nova asked, looking curiously into the boy's eyes.

They stood outside an orphanage, under a moonlit sky. There were no sounds at the late hour of three, and yet the boy looked both wide awake, and determined.

"I need your help, please." the boy pleaded, although he paused, glancing worriedly behind him.

He wore mismatched, ill-fitting clothes. And he had a bruise on his forehead, very close to his hairline. Demons could see just as well in the dark as they could in the light. If not, Nova would not have seen the boy's bruise.

"Tell me who is bothering you; to the point that you are worried about them harming you even as you face a demon?" Nova asked, and the boy faced him again.

"It's the other boys at the orphanage; they bully me because I'm small for my age and I'm not as strong as them." he admitted, resisting the urge to look behind him again.

The child is only slightly smaller than the average boy his age. I suppose the boys there have too much resentment and anger toward the world that they cannot think about the other children who need help. They have become both the victims and the villains, my my...I do get many wishes from orphanages.

Nova explained the rules, and the boy listened to every word, a cautious look in his eyes.

"What is your wish? Details, please." he reminded him.

"My wish is that each and every one of them would die. They would turn on each other until they had all killed each other." the boy said vehemently. "So, I wish-"

"Wait, please." Nova interrupted quickly. "Please consider what would happen if that wish came true. What would you do then?" he asked.

He wasn't trying to talk him out of it. He was asking out of curiosity.

Since the boy could see that, he answered. "I would have it set so that the woman who runs this place was blamed for it. She was the one who was allowing it; she saw them, and she never did anything. One time, I thought she was just blind, so I asked her for some medicine for one of my injuries. I didn't really need it; I just wanted an excuse to show my injuries to her and see what she would do. I thought that there was no way that she could deny something so obviously wrong when it was brought to her directly. And I was wrong; she lied to me and said that she didn't have any, then she told me not to play too roughly with the other boys. So, I wish-" he paused a moment, to see if Nova was going to stop him again. Nova gave him an encouraging nod, and he continued "-that all of the boy's in this orphanage killed one another tonight. In the morning, they would all be found dead, on the day when the owner of this building is supposed to do his inspection. The lady running this place will be arrested for the murder of all of the boys, and she will not speak my name again. All ties connecting me to this orphanage will be severed; no one will be able to find out that it was I who did this. And while the lady is serving her time in prison; her life sentence-" he specified angrily "-every other prisoner will either be mean to her and beat her the way I was beaten. Or, pretend to be her friend and then cheer the others on. Others, still, will simply watch, not wanting to get involved, just like she did." he finished, his eyes filled with a look of burning rage.

"Hmm...I like you." Nova smiled warmly, then put a finger to his chin in thought. "My favor; come to my world and spend a week there. During that week, it is obligatory that, should I say the words 'do not', you should not do the task that I specify afterward. For instance 'do not forget to brush your teeth before bed'. One week, and that is all. " Nova finished. "Is that acceptable to you?"

"Yes." the boy nodded, although he also wondered why it was necessary to brush before bed. He had barely ever brushed once a day.

"What is your name?"

"Stephan."

"And your age?"

"Almost thirteen." he replied quickly. He mumbled something else about his birthday which Nova did not hear.

"Stephan." Nova said, nodding as he spoke it, finding it an acceptable name, "When would you like the week to begin? Do you wish to remain here for the night and watch as everything plays out? It may be very interesting to watch. You could summon me when you are ready to-"

"-No, I don't want to watch. Just knowing that it will happen is enough. Can we start the week now?" he asked, wishing to get away from the place. The look that he gave Nova expressed his sincerest gratitude; it was also a look that promised loyalty and respect.

"Of course. I think that you will find my world to be far less of a Hell than this one." Nova said warmly. "And if you want you could always become a demon yourself."

"I could? That's possible?" Stephan asked, as if he thought that the idea was absurd.

"Yes; of course. There is a way to...If you please; what is your preferred drink?"

"I've only ever had warm water and rotten milk." Stephan replied, wondering what that had to do with anything.

"Strawberry, then. Excuse me a moment." He disappeared, then re-appeared a moment later. "Please, drink this." he handed him a goblet of the same potion Aislynn had taken. "As I was saying, this allows you to temporarily enter Hell. Adding one more ingredient to this potion; a rare ingredient, will allow you to become a demon yourself. The powers received vary from person to person, and each person had a number of them. Although demons can have similar or identical powers, no two demons have the same set of powers. Demons who were once human are, of course, different from pure bloods and mixed bloods, but we shall speak of all that in greater detail later. Oh, I must be talking you to sleep, hmm?" he asked, noticing that the potion was beginning to take effect.

"I don't..." Stephan began, meaning to say that he wasn't bored at all "...I'm feeling..." he slurred his speech slightly as he lost consciousness.

Nova smiled.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Of course, I wanted to suggest the same thing!" Aislinn laughed happily and served herself a large portion. "Who would not like to sit in the gardens and enjoy such a delicious meal in the sunshine..." She filled a large jug with ice cold water and brought two goblets with her outside.

"Mmmm…" She mumbled after she took her first bite after she positioned herself comfortable on a grass spot. "Let's toast!" She giggled and filled the both goblets with water. "For our friendship!" She raised her goblet.

"I am craving for coffee.." Lily sighed. "Girls' lets' go to Hogsmeade..." She suggested. "You are all done with your exams, aren't you? The detention was awful-" …That moron made me clean his windows and bookshelves like a muggle... "-I'd like to leave this place and have some coffee for an exchange..."

"Hogsmeade?" Clarissa looked confused. Pegah kicked her leg under the table.

"Ouch! Pegah, why?"

"Use your brain, Clarry, if Lily says Hogsmeade it is Hogsmeade."

The girls burst out in laughter.

"Shall we ask if Summer and Rhaine want to tag along with us?" Clarissa asked when they left the Slytherin common room and made their way towards the entrance of the castle. "I bet they are out in the grounds enjoying the sunny summer weather..."

"They will just decline-" Lily shook her head. "-as usual...you know that they are not fond of Knockturn Alley..." She added in a low tone.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

That's funny that she was thinking the same thing. Crystal thought.

"Let's toast!" She giggled and filled the both goblets with water.

"To what?" Crystal wondered. Your new dress? This amazing meal? The pretty sky and perfect weather?

"For our friendship!" She raised her goblet.

I consider you a friend. That's really sweet for you to toast to it. Crystal raised her glass as well, smiling. "That's nice. You're a cool friend."

"Mmmmm....The most wonderful fish and vegetables I have ever tasted. " she breathed after she had swallowed her first bite. "I eat out a lot, because I seem to mess up everything I try to cook. " she shrugged, slightly embarrassed. "If I ever plan on having something that Luna cooks that day, I just let her know that she should make enough for me. Today, though, there were plenty of leftovers for the both of us." I didn't say that I told her to make enough for me today. Just that there was plenty by chance. "You should let her know, too; her cooking is better than most restaurants. One time, I wanted to see what would happen if I asked her to make a specific meal; one of my favorites. A spicy curry meal traditionally served with rice. She made it so perfectly that it made me never want to eat it at a restaurant again. Who would have thought that the 'mistress of the dark' would cook and clean?" she laughed. "I was so surprised the first time I found her cleaning around the manor. She reminded me that she never cleaned the rooms that were being occupied. 'A matter of privacy' she said. So I always keep my room clean. I really like living here; it's like a hotel that got a good decorator and an amazing chef. Oh, and the landscaping." she gestured around. "And the fact that only really polite people are allowed to live here; no screaming kids in the hallways. Anyway, the point is, Luna is really cool and considerate and...logical. Not what I expected." Even when all of the death eaters didn't have homes, she let them stay in the labyrinth like it was a mini hotel. Good thing we never had to deal with crowded living conditions during that time. And seriously; those kids are getting it pretty easy with the way that she changed the teachers at the school. I know that History is a much funner class. And when Luna teaches cooking with magic; I came in the classroom once during a lesson; she is really detailed and calm. She takes time to explain why putting too much oil in a meal makes it inedible, and how a single spice can completely change the flavor of a meal. But even after hearing about that, cooking is still an impossible task for me.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"I know, right..." Aislinn agreed. "Her cooking is awesome and Alastairs' as well, both are great chefs. I also eat out a lot, though I can prepare simple things that do not need as much effort as advanced cooking. I used to keep my own room clean, but since I met Alastair, he does not let me do a single cleaning. He treats me like a queen," She giggled.

...But in future when we get married and live together, I would prefer to share tasks with him, do some cleaning, simple cooking…I cannot let him do everything…hehe... Aislinn thought amused.

"Oh, shall we have some ice cream?" Clarissa suggested when they walked past the ice cream parlor in Knockturn Alley.

"We could get ice cream at Zayne's coffee. You know these big bowls and iced coffee..." Lily said, her mouth watering at the thought of coffee, leading the way further in the alley.

They entered Zayne's coffee, finding it to be less crowded than it usually was, because it was late afternoon and the most wizards and witches were dining either at home or at restaurants.

Lily ordered a big bowl with vanilla ice cream topped with fruit salad and a large cup of iced coffee. Clarissa ordered almost the same as Lily, but instead for iced coffee she chose strawberry-mango smoothie. Pegah only ordered lemon sorbet.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

I know, right..." Aislinn agreed. "Her cooking is awesome and Alastair's as well, both are great chefs. I also eat out a lot, though I can prepare simple things that do not need as much effort as advanced cooking. I used to keep my own room clean, but since I met Alastair he does not let me do a single cleaning. He treats me like a queen," She giggled.

"I didn't know that you knew Alastair like that; I only saw you two dancing at the Torture Party not long ago, and thought that you two were just acquaintances." Crystal shrugged. "That's really cute that he insists on cleaning. You're so lucky." she smiled, "I'm happy to hear that your time together is spent happily. Throughout my entire life, the only good man I've ever known was my Dad, so I am overjoyed that you have found someone that isn't a jerk or a liar. And the day before yesterday he took you to London's Eye, right?" she asked, confirming that her 'date' had been Alastair. "That must have been really nice. I haven't tasted his cooking, but I'm sure it is wonderful. Luna said that they went to the same school to learn cooking, and that he was an even better chef than her. He also said that he loves travelling; has he taken you anywhere else cool?" she asked, eager to hear more. I can't believe that he's such a sweet guy. Luna has never said anything bad about him; quite the opposite. And the few times I've talked to him, he seems personable. But to hear Aislynn say it only confirms what I've heard so far. Robert is such a d***; he made me hate guys. I'm just so glad that Aislynn is having a nice time with Alastair; I hope it works out between them.

"That sounds really nice." Crystal smiled. Then, a moment later, she asked "Is there anything that you two don't agree on? Like, something that he really likes that you could never understand or like yourself? For example, Rosaleya goes crazy at the idea of a kimono, but I just think that they are too complicated to take on and off, and that there are better things to wear. They just don't interest me." Not that she has a kimono; she just wants one the same way she wants everything else her Dad won't let her have.

"Where would you wear it? It will just hang in your closet uselessly." Leigh had said.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Yes, he did...." Aislinn smiled happily. ...Is Crystal's parents still alive...I don't dare to ask her that yet....it might be rude to ask her straight about it...

"That must have been really nice. I haven't tasted his cooking, but I'm sure it is wonderful. Luna said that they went to the same school to learn cooking, and that he was an even better chef than her. He also said that he loves travelling; has he taken you anywhere else cool?" Crystal asked, eager to hear more.

"One day you must taste his cooking, it is wonderful!" ...That day when we are married and have our own house...I will invite Crystal over dinner hehe... "And yes!" Aislinn continued excited. "He has taken me to Venice twice, Japan a couple of times, Mexico and Rouen…I think it is somewhere in France...and… and…the…the de-de-" Aislinn bit her tongue hard and nearly grimaced. She was so close to mention the demon realm for Crystal. ...Merlin's beard, I must be careful, I cannot mention the demon realm to just anyone and Crystal just know him like the others in the team...I must be careful and not getting carried away like this... "I am sorry," She laughed. "I just got to excited that I started to stutter in the end."

"That sounds really nice." Crystal smiled. Then, a moment later, she asked "Is there anything that you two don't agree on? Like, something that he really likes that you could never understand or like yourself? For example, Rosaleya goes crazy at the idea of a kimono, but I just think that they are too complicated to take on and off, and that there are better things to wear. They just don't interest me."

"Of course, there is something that I and Alastair don't agree on," Aislinn laughed. "You see, I always insist on cleaning my own room, to clean up after myself during a trip, like when I was with him in Mexico, he owns a villa there and I borrowed one of the rooms while staying there. I insisted on tidying the room I have used, but he refused and went ahead and tidied for me. He always insists on doing everything for me, like once when we arrived at Luna's manor after one of our trips, he surprised me by going ahead and cleaning and tidying my room here. I don't agree with him doing everything for me and he doesn't agree with me tidying or cleaning at all."

…he refuses to regard himself as my equal...but as my servant...which I highly disagree about... Aislinn thought for herself.

Lily nearly choked on her iced coffee when she saw who entered Zayne's coffee. It was the Pyrites, both of them, her own brother and two other professors, Macnair and Avery.

Clarissa swallowed a big chunk of ice cream when she saw the headmaster. Pegah seemed to be careless about the professors and the headmaster and continued to eat her lemon sorbet as if everything was as usual. Her crush for the headmaster had been short-lived and shallow, not deep like Clarissa's.

Lily followed every movement of professor Pyrites with annoyance. She slurped her iced coffee aloud when he bought iced coffee and took a seat at the table just beside her table.

"What a nice surprise..." Elias commented, flashing a smile towards his sister who returned his smile happily, while taking his seat beside his colleague and friend. He on the other hand had ordered iced tea. Persephone joined soon with a lilac colored blackberry and blueberry smoothie. Avery and Macnair ordered each iced liquor.

As soon as Persephone sat down, she exchanged a smile with Lily who obviously was her favorite student. Lily noticed how the transfiguration professor glanced at her in that moment and she tried her best to give him a grimace, because that was what he deserved in her opinion after the awful detention he had given her.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Of course there is something that I and Alastair don't agree on," Aislynn laughed. "You see, I always insist on cleaning my own room, to clean up after myself during a trip, like when I was with him in Mexico, he owns a villa there and I borrowed one of the rooms while staying there. "

Crystal raised her eyebrows, interested. At first, I just thought that Raven was helping Alastair take Aislynn places; the costs of traveling and the time would be so annoying, and I didn't think that he had the funds for that. But he owns a villa in Mexico? Who owns a villa in Mexico? This guy must be really good at his career. Which is good for Aislynn. Neither of us is the type to be attracted to a guy because of his money, but seriously, it's a good thing, considering that money is a necessity.

"...insisted on tidying the room I have used, but he refused and went ahead and tidied for me."

Crystal giggled, finding it amusing and cute.

"...He always insists on doing everything for me, like once when we arrived at Luna's manor after one of our trips, he surprised me by going ahead and cleaning and tidying my room here. I don't agree with him doing everything for me and he doesn't agree with me tidying or cleaning at all."

"Maybe it doesn't bother him to do it." Crystal shrugged. "Or maybe he just doesn't want you to do it, to the point that doing it himself isn't that bad. But it's not like I can guess anything; I've barely exchanged a handful of sentences with him; he came to Darkest Creatures thrice and we crossed paths at this manor twice. You know him better. Anyway, it's about time that I got back to Darkest Creatures. Leigh; Rosaleya's Dad-" she specified, not remembering if Aislynn knew his first name, but guessed that she didn't "-asked me to pick up some groceries for them before the day was out. So, I hope you have a nice night, and can't wait for you to see the dress." she smiled, standing from her seat. She picked up her empty plate, utensils, and goblet, planning to return them to the kitchen before she departed.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Alright," Aislinn nodded. "I will pick up my dress tomorrow. Will you be at Darkest Creature? It is Saturday tomorrow unless you have work to do on a weekend at Hogwarts..."

She picked up her plate and goblet and stood up. She was carving for dessert and wondered if Luna had made anything sweet. ...Otherwise I could just have some chocolate at home… Aislinn had long forget Alastair's warning about digesting anything that contained milk after a meal which consisted of fish. …I think I still have some of the gum candies covered with chocolate and a bit of that special chocolate bar Alastair gifted me...

"So I heard one of our students is joining us professors," Avery nodded towards the table where Lily was sitting with her friends, raising his tall glass.

"Yes, miss Ferydoni is joining us," Persephone smiled, looking proudly at Pegah.

"Ooo...." Avery whistled.

Pegah's face was emotionless as she was eating her lemon sorbet. Clarissa was picking her ice cream, clearly being nervous about the presence of the headmaster.

"Are you two also joining?" Avery asked, sipping his drink.

The girls exchanged looks with each other, not feeling that much talkative with professor Avery.

"I don't think so," Elias replied instead. "Lily, you will just be taking classes in Cooking with magic, won’t you?"

"Mm.." Lily mumbled as she munched on her ice cream. She was surprised that he did not make fun of her or teased her with the Arithmancy subject.

"…And you miss? What's your plan after your graduation? I heard you got top grades in Magic with art..."

Clarissa blushed deeply, not expecting the headmaster to speak to her this way.

"I think Clarry want to work with art," Lily said cheerfully. "You could also become a teaching assistant and help professor Dolohov..." She suggested her friend.

"Lily, I was not asking you..." Elias grinned towards her sister. "So, what are you three doing here?" He changed the subject since he noticed that Clarissa was too nervous to speak.

"Socializing!" Lily grinned. "What about you?"

"We went shopping for the summer party," Persephone grinned excited. "But why did you two not join us shopping?" She looked at Elias and then at Flynn.

"I already have something new to wear for the feast..." Elias announced. "I already prepared for the feast ahead of you all hehe..."

"And I think my attire is fine..." Flynn filled in with a smile. As usual, he was wearing a pair of trousers, boots and a white Victorian shirt, which along with his black eye patch and ginger hair tied behind his neck made him look like pirate.

"You could at least get yourself a suit," Persephone commented with a sigh.

"Nah, I am good-"

"Excuse me, but who wear boots during the summer...especially during a summer feast..." Lily blurted out rudely without thinking.

The professors exchanged surprised looks with each other. Persephone looked astonished at her student while Elias suppressed a laugh. Flynn took a sip of his iced coffee, giving his student a sideway glance and then spoke calmly:

"You are very good on earning yourself detention, miss. Consider yourself lucky for being outside Hogwarts at this very moment."

Lily pursed on her lips but remained silent and did not comment anything. ...why did this moron even come here if he did not went shopping for party clothes... And why is he even invited to the feast...pfft...

"Ehe..." Persephone laughed nervously. "So, miss, why are you staying another year to take classes in Cooking with magic?" She changed the subject and smiled towards Lily as if her earlier outburst was nothing at all.

"Well eeh..." Lily smiled excited. "Because I want to be like Luna Lestrange! She such an inspiring lady, she is my role model, I mean when it comes to cooking and baking! I have always been trying to have fun in the kitchen, but my mother never allowed me since our house elf take cares of everything. And seeing a young lady like Luna Lestrange cooking and baking and cleaning, I mean...I feel so inspired and encouraged about it!" Lily's eyes were glittering of excitement.

"But you don't like cleaning, miss," Flynn smirked. "It just makes sense that your mother does not allow you in the kitchen," He half joked because he liked to joke with his students sometimes and did not mean anything bad, but Lily took it differently.

"You moron, what the bloody hell do you know about that?!" She hissed. "Do you consider cleaning with magic to be same as cleaning like a bloody muggle?!"

Elias dropped his jaw, looking at his sister with shock this time. Flynn pursued his lips and opened his mouth to tell her to show some respect to him since he was her professor, but closed his mouth when Persephone poked his elbow and gave him a pleading look that said to just leave the girl alone. Both Pegah and Clarissa stared at Lily with horror, the latter one was looking at Lily with a -Merlin's beard, show some respect to our professor, please- face.

An awkward silence filled in and everyone tried to focus on their drinks and desserts. Elias looked at Flynn with an excused and embarrassed look, trying to mentally tell him that his sister could be a bit short-tempered sometimes. Persephone took a deep sigh and wondered if it was good idea to rather remain silent than trying to invite the girls to another subject.

Only Macnair and Avery seemed not to be bothered because they have both became soft of the liquor they had been drinking.

"Hey, we don't have any meeting tonight, have we?" Avery broke the silence. "Shall we end this day at the nightclub? It is Saturday tomorrow, so we could sleep all day in."

"I'm in!" Macnair agreed.

"Which nightclub? We are also going!" Lily grinned, meaning herself, Clarissa and Pegah when she said we.

"Lily, you are going back to Hogwarts after you have finished here," Elias interrupted. "You and your friends! Otherwise I will give you detention," He smiled, joking about the detention, though he was being serious when ordering Lily to go back to Hogwarts, but she gave him a moody look.

...Seriously Elias!...

"Sure…at midnight-"

"No, now!"

"But-"

"No buts! And I will be escorting you, because I need to return to the castle before the evening."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Alright," Aislinn nodded. "I will pick up my dress tomorrow. Will you be at Darkest Creature? It is Saturday tomorrow unless you have work to do on a weekend at Hogwarts..."

"No, I'll be at Darkest Creatures." Crystal smiled. "I'll see you when you come to get your dress. Until then!" she smiled, waving as she picked up her pace. She put her dishes in the sink, and then made for the front door, apparating just outside it.

"Can I ask where you're going? I would like to come with you, if that's alright." Diana said, noticing that Reign was walking toward the exit of his home.

"The Human Realm." Reign answered simply.

"Oh...Well, can you bring me back a human with you?" she asked hopefully.

He left through the portrait without another word.

"You left me with 'maybe' as an answer?!" she whined, causing the lady keeping the scrolls to look sideways at her in annoyance. Reign couldn't hear her, but the lady could. "That's what it means when I ask you a question and you don't say anything!" she sighed, walking out of the room and out into the gardens. She snatched an apple off of one of the trees and took a large bite out of it, scowling.

Reign stood outside, staring at the sign bearing the cafe's name; Zayne's Cafe. He entered, and sat next to the window in the far right corner of the cafe. Instead of his usual choice of the sky, he observed the customers there. Particularly, the people who were spending a large amount of their time at Hogwarts.

When the waitress approached him and place a menu before him, he simply pushed it away without looking at her.

"Oh...Alright. It's just that you have to order something unless you want the manager to kick you out. He's a b**** like that." she literally blamed the manager nonchalantly.

Very well. "Water, please." Reign said after a moment, looking at her with an unreadable expression. His eyes had a very cold and distant look to them, and yet his voice was warm.

"Alright." the waitress nodded, starting to walk away before turning back to him halfway between his table and the kitchen. "By the way; your costume is amazing! The hair and the sword match the kimono perfectly; I bet it took you hours to get ready, huh?" she smiled, not really asking as she resumed her task.

"Costume?"

"My favor-" Nova said, in reply to another one of Reign's wishes "-is that you become familiar with the people who will be attending the party. Do it from a distance, but make sure that they see you. It will be quite amusing to see people's reactions when they see you at the Summer Feast two days later. It will add to the aura of mystery surrounding you, and amuse me." he laughed.

Reign nodded, accepting the favor. It was a small price to pay for his wish.

"And, as always, expect to hear the word 'costume' a lot. They like that word for some reason." Nova shrugged, knowing the reason all too well.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Look at that weird man, only here for a glass of water," Lily burst out and laughed when she noticed a foreign wizard wearing a sword entering the cafe and taking his seat not far away from her table and ordering a glass of water.

"Perhaps he is on diet?" Pegah laughed.

"Dieting on water? So weird! He could at least order something that contains fruits or veggies, it gives you higher metabolism you know."

"Yes, but perhaps he is a fatso that he is even worried to eat anything at all!"

"Eh, he does not look like a fatso, but perhaps he is too worried to become one if he started to eat anything!"

"Imagine him as fat sword fighter...extremely fat hehehe!"

Clarissa could not help but giggle as she tried to suppress her laugh because of the headmaster's presence. She was too shy to laugh out aloud in front of him. Pegah and Lily on the other hand was laughing so hard, not caring at all.

"Merlin's beard girls!" Persephone sighed. She had had enough of the quarrel between her brother and Lily. Making fun of a foreign customer was not acceptable.

"That’s enough let's leave. You are done with your desserts and drinks, aren't you?" Elias spoke with a tired voice, wishing that his sister could behave. ..Perhaps it is the age...seventeen, she will turn eighteen soon...perhaps she will change when she spends time with Luna after the summer since she will take much more classes in order to cover up for seven years of classes in Cooking for Magic during one year....

"No, I want another iced coffee!" Lily exclaimed.

"And I'd like to have some iced cake," Pegah smiled.

"I will also take iced cake! Clarry you want something?"

Clarissa just shook her head with a smile and mumbled a no thank you.

"Oh well, iced coffee and iced cake. Pegah, won't you like to taste some coffee, it is such a good match with the cake."

"Eww no..."

"Really? Coffee is so delicious-"

"To much coffee can get you hyperactive," Flynn commented with a smirk without thinking.

"Talk to yourself, one-eyed," Lily retorted, making both Persephone and Elias flinching, and she then muttered sarcastically half to herself and half to him: "Drinking several cups of coffee during a day and now trying to advise me..."

"Flynn, you teased her on purpose, did you not?" Persephone asked in a low tone while the girls went to the cashier to place their orders.

"Come on it was just an advice..."

"I think you should refrain from giving my sister any advice besides in transfiguration..."

"Uhmm...I actually want to go back to Hogwarts," Clarissa interrupted shyly, looking down at the table.

"You may do so," Elias nodded with a smile and Clarissa hurried out of the shop, not even glancing at the odd customer with his glass of water.

Meanwhile Macnair and Avery had ordered iced liquors once more and was now playing a game of cards.

"Would you not like to join us?" Avery asked Elias, Persephone and Flynn as soon as the first round of game was over. "The more who are playing, the more fun it is..."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Imagine him as fat sword fighter....extremely fat hehehe!"

Reign sighed quietly. He could hear every word from where he sat. He stood a moment later, and walked over to the counter, near where the girls were ordering, in his usual quiet way. His kimono was fluttering behind him in a slow, ghostly way, although there was no wind inside the cafe. He waited his turn quietly, not looking at the girls but turning his head the opposite way.

When it was his turn, the lady turned to him, raising her eyebrows in surprise at his appearance.

He handed her his empty glass of water, and a single golden galleon.

"Um, don't you want your change?" the lady asked as he turned away. "This is too much for a water!" she said a bit louder.

He gave no reply, and left without another word or a glance at anyone.

"What an odd customer; I think he felt bad about just ordering water." the waitress said.

"Then why didn't she just order some food?" the cashier said.

"Maybe he had already eaten but he wanted to enjoy the atmosphere?" the waitress said thoughtfully.

"You don't do that in a cafe; there are other places for that." the cashier shrugged, already forgetting about the customer.

"Admit that his costume was cool." the waitress demanded.

"That was a guy?" the cashier asked.

The waitress put a hand to her forehead in frustration. Their conversation was spoken loudly enough so that the other customers heard them.

"Welcome to Darkest- Oh my gosh, are you Cosplaying?!" Rosaleya interrupted herself upon Reign's arrival at the shop, her eyes widening in excitement. Then, in a more quiet voice, she said to herself. "You look amazing! And your hair; oh my...your hair and your sword look so real! Best Cosplay ever!"

"What is...Cosplay?" Reign asked. He was visibly confused with Rosaleya; he didn't understand her reasons for being so excited.

"Hahaha...You've got a sense of humor." she laughed. "What's your name?"

"Rosaleya, I will handle this customer." Leigh cut in, taking her by the shoulders and turning her toward the back room that led upstairs. "Why don't you go get some homework done?"

"But I...I thought that it was a weekend." she begged him to let her stay. "I've been doing so well all week, and-"

He turned to her and gave her a very severe look, and she continued toward the back room looking like an announcement had been made for her execution. When she finally dragged herself upstairs, she started crying.

"Now, Sir, please forgive my daughter's rudeness. What are you in the market for?" Leigh asked, trying to sound smooth.

Reign glanced briefly at Leigh, looked around, then turned away, back toward the entrance.

"Sir...Please; was it something I said?" Leigh asked worriedly.

The door closed behind Reign. He didn't approve of the way Leigh had treated Rosaleya; he didn't think that her excitement was enough to warrant such a severe look, which, unbeknown to Leigh, he had caught a clear glimpse of.

He unfolded a piece of paper; Nova had written it out for him. It contained all of the locations he could find the various guests at. He had visited Zayne's Cafe and Darkest Creatures. Hogwarts was on the list as well. He jumped, soaring through the air a moment later. He was the most proficient demon in 'jumping' to ever roam Hell, and so he arrived quickly. He landed just outside the gates, and gazed upon the castle.

"Woah..." Crystal said out loud. "I just saw you land! That was perfect; I've never seen someone fly without a broom before." she said, approaching Reign. Good thing I chose to come here today! I was supposed to go grocery shopping, but I wanted a book from the library here first for Rosaleya...So cool that I chose to pick it up today, at this time! That was amazing!

"Are you another one of the Mahoutokoro professors? My sister works there. Are you here for a tour of this school for one of the students that will be transferring?" she asked, noticing his attire.

Reign nodded.

"You can't really just walk around the school." Nova said. "Unless you are a student or a teacher, or related to one of those two. So, just ask one of the professors there for a tour. That should guarantee that half of the guests see you. All you need to do is make sure that they do, and then leave. If you have trouble, just say that you are from Mahoutokoro and want a tour for one of the planned transfer students. Easy." he finished confidently.

"Well, may I know your name before we start? That way I'm not calling you 'Sir' or 'you'. My name is Crystal Thorne."

"Good evening, Ms. Thorne. My name is Reign." Reign said politely. There was still he ever present coldness in his eyes and face as he spoke, despite his warm tone.

"Rain? That's an unusual name. Well, let's get started." she said, moving past the name. "This is Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Located in..."

She gave him basic information about the school as she led him toward the entrance, choosing the walk near the lake to give him a nice view. As she talked, it was unclear whether Reign was listening or not; he kept looking away from her toward the sky or the other scenery, and occasionally toward the castle.

He looks like he isn't listening...Leigh says that the Japanese are cold, distant, and reserved, but what does he know? Has he ever even met one?

She walked him through the entirety of Hogwarts, even showing him the lesser-visited areas like the Kitchens and the Owelry. She didn't leave out any of the four dorms, or the library, which led to odd looks at Reign from the students. She chose to finish with "...And this is where we play Quidditch. Are you familiar with that?"

Reign nodded.

"Not really my thing, I just like actually flying. Quidditch has too many rules and it's too rough for my tastes."

"Thank you for the tour." Reign said, bowing shallowly before turning and jumping away, his kimono and hair fluttering picturesquely as he went.

"Despite being aloof, he is really good at that...Rosaleya would have liked to meet him. She'd go crazy for his costume. Now, shopping time." she sighed, her mind on the grocery shopping she had put off. "I think I got everything...Damn, I forgot the staff room! I wonder if anyone was in there?" she wondered aloud, then shrugged it off.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Where did Clarry go?" Lily asked when she and Pegah came back to their table with their orders.

"Your friend was feeling ashamed of your behavior, my dear, that she decided to go back to Hogwarts," Elias replied with a frown. ...hopefully this will give Lily food for thought... He thought for himself as he briefly glanced at the cards he was holding in his hands, wondering which one to reveal and put it upwards on the table. What he did not know that the girl had been nervous in his presence and not actually ashamed of Lily's behavior. He had misunderstood her nervousness.

Both Lily and Pegah remained quiet as they sat down to indulge their iced cakes, watching their professors enjoying a game of cards

"That odd customer has left..." Pegah noticed quietly.

Lily just shrugged, sipping her iced coffee. She was feeling a bit hurt that Clarissa had left because of her.

Clarissa was in the library when she suddenly saw her professor in History of Magic walking in together with the odd customer from Zayne's coffee, showing him around. She was too surprised to speak anything when she saw them both and was just staring at them.

Adela was distracted with sorting out the books in the library and daydreaming, that she noticed the odd visitor walking around with professor Thorne, but she did not notice the extraordinary with his appearance, while Faeryn and Endewyne, who were enjoying the sunny weather in one of the open garden rooms inside the castle, could not help but stare at him and whisper to each other, wondering who the oddly dressed visitor was.

The Carrow sisters were together with Blake and Quinn in the staff room, discussing some matters concerning Hogwarts over a cup of coffee and missed the visitor entirely. Selwyn, Mulciber, Nott, Rowle and the Dolohov brothers who just walked out from the dinner in the Great Hall, not from the main entrance, but from a side door, caught a glimpse of the visitor that was walking around with professor Thorne. Rockwood was in his new home in Hogsmeade, spending time with his family that he missed the foreign visitor. He had not been at Hogwarts since the exams in Astronomy had been over and he had finished grading everything.

"Did you see that oddball?" Alexis Dolohov commented aloud and chuckled, finding it a bit funny to see someone so oddly dressed at Hogwarts a late afternoon. His oldest brother August rolled his eyes, finding his youngest brother so immature but yet he and the others could not help but glancing curiously at the strange visitor wondering who on earth it was.

Melody and Mary Jane were outdoors, close to the greenhouses.

"He looks so exotic…" Melody commented aloud without thinking, staring at the visitor.

"Oh...I think he must be from Japan..." Mary Jane nearly whispered to her friend. "He must be from that exotic school of magic...I forget its name..."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"So you visited each and every one of those places, and you made eye contact with everyone?"

Reign nodded. He was looking out the window with a distant look in his eyes, admiring the view as Nova spoke to him.

"I bet you got some odd looks, hmm?"

Another nod, this time coupled with a sigh. They were back in the Demon Realm again, at Reign's home.

"That will reduce the odd looks and comments at the Summer Feast, I hope. Did you see anyone interesting?"

Reign shook his head.

"Jerks; humans are so annoying. And yet I cannot resist helping the weaker ones. I'll be coming to the party as well."

Reign began writing something, and Nova read the first few lines upside down from his position opposite Reign at the table.

Some ten minutes later, Reign handed Nova the paper.

"Oh? A human girl, you say?" he said aloud, commenting as he read "...Whose father is treating her unfairly? She showed logical and controlled excitement, unlike some other obnoxious young girls you encountered...And you wish to do a favor for me, and have me visit her and grant her a wish? In other words-" he looked up from the paper "-you wish for me to pay her a visit and you will pay for her wish? Very well, then..." he put a finger to his chin in thought "....during the dance, I plan to grant a wish or two. I want the favor to be for the person receiving the wish to share a dance with you. Do you accept?"

Reign nodded. He seemed intent on Nova visiting Rosaleya, even though he knew little about her.

"Oh, there's more." Nova noticed, looking back at the note. "I have to visit her tonight or tomorrow? Why not after this Summer Fe-"

Reign shook his head disapprovingly.

"Fine. I just didn't want to grant any wishes this weekend." he sighed. "But I like you, so..." he touched Reign's hand affectionately. "Only joking; I'm not that way." he said, standing from his seat. "To the Human Realm." he sighed, leaving the room and walking toward the exit.

"Thank you, very much. My master is pleased." the lady spoke warmly as Nova prepared to pass through the portrait to exit.

"Good evening, everyone." Luna spoke. It was dinner time at Hogwarts, and naturally everyone was gathered there, students and professors alike. There were, of course, a few exceptions. Her presence was usual, as she usually dined elsewhere, so it was easy to get everyone's attention when she stood from her place to the left of the headmaster's chair. She had left it empty for Elias; a sign of courtesy to him on her part and control on his part. "I have some matters I would like to discuss with you before the year is out." she began. "Firstly, are there any complaints or comments concerning the teaching methods or the general quality and thoroughness of the assignments and grading?" She wasn't asking for the sake of asking with the air if a high and mighty politician. She was asking with the air of someone who honestly cared about the opinions of others. She had made certain to ask after the students had eaten so that they were not replying with growling, pained stomachs, yet before dessert was served so that they could focus on her. Besides, what better reason not to leave during her questioning than the thought of the students' favorite desserts afterward?

Rosaleya had unboxed some new clothes for the men's section after drying off her tears. She organized and displayed them nicely, then went upstairs for the night. She was planning on going to sleep early because she was too agitated to enjoy any activities, simply preferring to end the night. After she had showered and was lying in bed in her night clothes, she decided to fantasize about her favorite concept; a genie appearing and granting her three wishes. And he's very handsome; not ugly with a beard like I imagine Arabian genies to look like. My first wish is, of course, to have my Dad be much less strict. I want him to let me go out when I want and where I want. I really don't mind the stupid pendant; if he lets me leave the darn Alley! Please; let him let me wear what I want and-

"Good evening." a voice said from the dark. A very smooth voice that Rosaleya immediately imagined; despite her shock, to be matched with a handsome face.

"What?!" she said quickly, jumping out of bed and hitting the light switch. Lucky there were two light switches; one near the door, and one close to the headboard of her bed.

Nova was bowing innocently to her, and he didn't have any disguise on.

"Wow...A bishounen in my room?" she said out loud, not believing her eyes. "Oh, I get it; I fell asleep during my fantasy, so it continued in my dream? Cool!" she smiled.

Nova stood, and was about to correct her when she continued happily, "Well, if this is a dream, then I don't have to worry about embarrassing myself! Let me please start by saying that you look unbelievably handsome; your costume, your hair, and your eyes! You look just like an Anime character!" she sighed. This is so amazing; I want to sigh in happiness and scream in excitement at the same time! "Say something cool!" she smiled.

He put a hand to his forehead, confused. He didn't know how to explain it to her.

"Come on; this is my dream; make it cool before I wake up!" she pleaded, still smiling.

"May I begin by assuring you that this is not a dream?" Nova asked, trying to say it gently.

"Okay." she nodded, seeming to take it very well. Tch...Doesn't psychology say that you don't know that you're dreaming when you're dreaming? This must be my mind trying to convince me that...Well, never mind, I'm enjoying this dream!

"Do you truly understand that this is not a dream?" Nova asked worriedly.

Rosaleya nodded, smiling reassuringly. Totally a dream!

"Well then; I am-" Nova explained the rules to Rosaleya, and also explained that the man in a kimono, named Reign, had chosen to pay for her wish by completing the favor himself. "He had chosen to do so be because of the 'unfair way' that your father treated you during his brief visit here." Nova concluded.

"Oh, yes, my Dad is annoying, most of the time." Rosaleya said honestly. No need to hold myself back; no need to lie; it's a dream. "That's why my wish is for him to be far less strict." she said. "I've had this decided for such a long time; I always get to sleep with the thought of my wish coming true on my mind. So, I really appreciate Rain doing this for me; more than I can explain." She went on to explain the specifics of her wish. "So, is this Rain a God? With powers to control water, hence his name?"

Nova nearly choked on the air he breathed. "No, he is not a God, but a demon like me. And his name is spelled R'E'I'G'N, like sovereign, not like the annoying droplets falling from the sky oh too often in this city." he explained.

"Oh...Well, please thank him for me, then." she smiled appreciatively. Might as well play along!

"Very well; I believe that your father may be less strict from now on. Nova smiled, preparing to leave.

"Wait! I...Permit me to...give you a hug?" she asked uncertainly. Please don't disappear...It would be the perfect ending to this dream if I got to hug you, too!

"...Very well, then." Nova said after hesitating a moment. The confused lines in his face softened, and he opened his arms wide.

She seems lonely. He thought as she rushed forward and embraced him as if it were the best day of her entire life. He put a comforting hand on her back, close to her shoulders, and Rosaleya sighed. Best dream ever. she thought.

"Perhaps, after this wish, your life will be better." Nova said, starting to pull away from their embrace.

Rosaleya hugged him a bit tighter, not wanting her 'dream' to end yet. "Please, just another moment?" she asked, her voice sounding sad. A moment later she pulled away. She looked at him with large, adoring eyes brimming with tears. "Thank you, for the most amazing dream I have ever had. " she sniffled once. "Please come again." she said as she turned off the lights. "You can leave now. Dad is going to wake me up early so that we can go and eat breakfast together at a cafe."

"Goodbye, Ms. Rosaleya. May you have a pleasant time." he said, disappearing.

"Best dream...ever." Rosaleya thought, lying down in her bed. I'll wake up...soon... She thought as she fell asleep.

"She didn't believe me!" he sighed in frustration.

Reign raised his eyebrows.

"Well, I guess she'll just have to figure it out when she wakes up in the morning. I don't think that there was anything I could have said to truly convince her...I see what you meant; she told me all about her father. He is too strict for a girl her age. What's more, she's such a sweet girl. I would only treat my daughter thus if she was a harlot jumping from man to man; not that girl."

Reign nodded.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"She still thinks it is me…when are you going to reunite with her!" Vincent threw the letter by Aislinn, which she had attached at his door some days ago, on the coffee table in the family room.

"When your great aunt permits me to."

"Best that she will do that before that feast if you want to go it or it will be a problematic situation-"

"She has actually refused yet she is aware that both I and Aislinn are invited to the feast-"

"Are you kidding me?!"

"No, she has also forbidden me for attending that feast...so I have been thinking about wearing a disguise-"

"What do you mean?"

"To disguise myself as you or-"

"Forget about it! I received a personal invite and thus I am going with my mother to that party. What will Ashy think if she sees a doppelganger of me there?!"

The students exchanged looks with each other as they seemed to think about the same question which the headmistress had asked them.

"Noo..." They all mumbled in union.

...I have no complaints about their teaching methods, grades or classes... Miss Taylor thought for herself. ..but favoritism...I cannot believe that the head of Gryffindor house is favoring a Slytherin student because her brother happen to be the headmaster...tsk…Professor Pyrites ought to favor us in Gryffindor....he have confessed himself once being sorted into Gryffindor when he started his first year at Hogwarts...if he only knew how much I adore him...

..the classes have been fun....and much more enjoying since the change of professors.. Lily thought, waiting impatiently for the dessert to be served. ...but...the transfiguration professor has been getting on my nerves lately. It is not his teaching methods, not because of the grades he gave me or the way he conducts his classes....it is...

...Are they in a relationship…? Clarissa was thinking, glancing towards the headmaster who was sitting and the headmistress who was standing beside him. ...whatever I must not disappoint myself and only try to think happy thoughts....be happy for him...sigh...perhaps I should have not applied for teaching assistant in Magic with Art and instead leaving Hogwarts for good to distance myself from him...why did I even apply to the job...Summer and Rhaine are going to open a beauty salon together...I wish I could do something else as well...but what?

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"I am relieved to hear that." Luna replied. "Secondly, if anyone here despises apparition as much as I, I would like to teach a much less painful and uncomfortable way to achieve the same effect. To all of the students who are interested in such a lesson, I would be happy to give it to a student who is willing to learn. Classes will be held over the summer to those who are interested."

"Thirdly, I'm certain that all of the older students are excited about the graduation ball." she paused a moment. "I wished to have a word with every student here who does not own suitable clothing for the ball after tonight's dessert, in the staff room. Thank you." she said, with the slight nod of her head, and the dessert appeared. Instead of sitting back in her seat, she left the staff room through the door behind the professors' table. She was waiting in the staff room long before dessert was over. To all of the young ladies and young men who are unfortunate enough to have parents who didn't purchase them suitable clothing, because they were either too strict or...not doing so well financially.

Raven sat with her, dressed in her usual robes that made her look like any other professor there. She had tamed her normally wild hair into a low bun, with a fringe cleverly covering her eye. She wants me to create gowns and tuxedos for every stupid child here...Technically, I'm serving her because it was her request, but I still hate using my powers for something so useless.

"Welcome." Luna said once she was certain no one else was coming. "I would like to gift to you the clothing that you will wear to the Graduation Ball. Professor Ravenna-" she gestured to Raven kindly "-is an expert in making clothing using magic. All you need to do is spend a few moments describing it. Please begin."

"You're welcome. I look forward to seeing you at the Graduation Ball tomorrow." Luna said in parting.

 

[Hikari Chan]

The students started to mumble among each other as soon as they heard that there was another way to apparate. Most of them wondered if it was only for seventh- and sixth-years students since they expected it to be some kind of advanced magic.

...A good reason for me to remain at Hogwarts during the summer as well... Pegah thought with relief.

"Thirdly, I'm certain that all of the older students are excited about the graduation ball." Luna paused a moment. "I wished to have a word with every student here who does not own suitable clothing for the ball after tonight's dessert, in the staff room. Thank you." she said, with the slight nod of her head, and the dessert appeared.

"Ohhh!" Lily exclaimed delighted.

"Didn't you already get like three new gowns?" Clarissa commented. "My parents refused to buy me anything new because I did not get A+ in all subjects and instead suggested me for wearing the same dress I had on the Yule Ball…tsk..."

"Three?!" Pegah nearly choked on her dessert. "My parents got so mad when I told them about my career choice that they refused to buy me a gown for the graduation ball as punishment, also telling me that I could use my old gown from the Yule Ball..."

"Are you both being serious? My father showers me with gifts! He does not care about my grades or what I want to do after my graduation, he just cares about my happiness. Anyway, I am just going to tag along with you of curiosity..."

A couple of seventh year students, including Pegah, Clarissa, Lily, miss Taylor and two Ravenclaw boys went ahead to the staff room.

"I thought you had rich parents who could afford you gowns," Miss Taylor commented dryly as she walked past Lily.

"I am just tagging along with my friends," Lily replied calmly.

"Really? You are just a greedy person-" Miss Taylor muttered to herself.

"Talk to yourself!" ...I am not going to let her have her last word...

"Actually, my parents cannot afford me another gown-" Miss Taylor was being honest but Lily did not leave her alone.

"Oh so you were wearing second hand stuff on the Yule Ball three years ago-"

"Lily, you are aware that Hogwarts use some of its funds to students who cannot afford anything, such as books, quills and uniform," Pegah interrupted and walked in between the two girls to stop them from arguing. "Same with the gowns...imagine how funded gowns and tuxedos will look like...it will just be second hand like the other things they fund the poor students...you really want to have a second hand gown?"

"I don't believe it will be some second hand stuff!" Lily retorted. "And besides I did not come with you because of-"

"Whatever, you won't get anything when you already can afford!" Miss Taylor nearly spat out and walked away from them, reaching the door to the staff room first. She opened the door and entered it. She did not wait or hold up the door open for the rest of the students who dropped in a couple of seconds later.

"Welcome." Luna said. "I would like to gift to you the clothing that you will wear to the Graduation Ball. Professor Ravenna-" she gestured to Raven kindly "-is an expert in making clothing using magic. All you need to do is spend a few moments describing it. Please begin."

"Ohh..." Lily was excited but she kindly declined: "I actually already got a gown, I just wanted to tag along with my friends of curiosity hehehe..." She took a seat beside her two friends and watched them both write down description of their choice of gowns.

Clarissa described her gown with a drawing rather than words, to be heart shaped and strapless and maroon colored with rich flare skirts, where roses were attached closer to the hem than to the waist:

Pegah on the other hand described her gown with words; to be midnight blue with a high neck and sleeveless, a wide protruding skirt. Silver glittering stars would cover the high neck and spread down a bit over the shoulders and the waist lined with a silver glittering band.

Miss Taylor who was thinking about professor Pyrites, described her gown to be gold and red. The skirt to be bright red while the top was sleeveless with a moderate neckline and golden colored. Golden flowers decorated the top and went down a bit over the skirt:

"I don't know how much to thank you for this..." Clarissa had tears in her eyes when she handed over her drawing to the headmistress.

"You are so kind to us, mistress. I don't know much to thank you, I really appreciate it..." Pegah spoke to the headmistress, almost not believing the fact that she was going to have a brand-new gown on the ball tomorrow. ...I am not dreaming, am I?... She then turned her attention towards professor Ravenna: "Thank you, professor Ravenna, this is so kind of you. I really appreciate it..."

Miss Taylor and the two Ravenclaw boys mumbled their gratitude as they handed over their descriptions.

"You're welcome. I look forward to seeing you at the Graduation Ball tomorrow." Luna said in parting.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Raven hardly made eye contact with anyone who spoke to her, waiting until they left to speak. "Those children sounded very grateful; I didn't expect that reaction." Raven said, as she began making the children what they wanted.

"They are not children, but young adults. At least, I was, at their age. So was Alastair. Like adults who have become what they will be in a few years when their bodies match their minds. Now, they only look like children, but their parents do not understand that."

"Oh, so you're doing for them what you wish was done for you, is that it?" Raven wondered out loud. "By the way-" he said as she finished with the first boy's outfit already "-how should I deliver these to them?"

"Wrap them in wrapping paper that is the same colour as their attires, and place them on their beds during breakfast. I don't want them staying up all night admiring the attires." Luna reasoned, fully understanding that Raven would be done in less than fifteen minutes.

"I understand. I'm pleased that I could make you happy; you know I really can't stand children."

"As long as you understood how important it was to me, then you will carry out your task with care and attention to detail. That is all that matters. Good night." Luna stood from her seat, and walked toward the door.

Raven replied "Good night", and continued with the rose-coloured dress. She enchanted real rose petals to keep from wilting, and used them for the dress.

A note was placed on the doors of both the Ravenclaw and the Slytherin dormitories. It explained that everyone who had asked for a custom-made attire for the Graduation Ball had to write a short thank-you letter addressed to 'Professor Ravenna', to show their gratitude for her hard work and her time. It specified that it needn't me more than a paragraph or two long, and that it had to be written out before the day was out. Instructions to place the letters in a box left outside the staff room followed. The box was made of polished walnut wood, and it stood on a table placed outside the staff room recently for that specific purpose. There was a large slit in the box, so that it functioned like a piggy-bank; things could be inserted, but nothing could be taken out unless someone broke it open.


"Good morning, Dad." Rosaleya said, coming down the stairs. She had woken up early after going to bed so early, and had taken a shower to rid herself of the drowsiness she felt after waking up.

"Good morning, Rosaleya." Leigh replied, unusually cheerful. "How are you this morning?"

His cheer caught her off guard, and she went from surprised to worried. "Did you go to the doctor, or something? Did he tell you that I'm....sick...or...." she tried to find another possible reason for his unusual attitude.

"No, of course not." Leigh smiled, embracing her lovingly. "I'm simply too excited for you."

"Wha-about what?" Rosaleya stuttered, growing more confused.

"Crystal told me that she would be taking this Sunday off to go to the Summer Feast, which I wasn't personally interested in, until I thought of you. I thought, wouldn't it be nice for you to go with her?" he said. He sounded excited for Rosaleya; as if he wouldn't be going but wished for her to have a good time.

"What?" Rosaleya asked. Scenario 1- I'm still asleep. Scenario 2- He's playing a very annoying joke on me. "But it's so far away." she reasoned, her tone imitating his. "And there will be so many strange people around. Not to mention-"

"My darling, you speak such nonsense sometimes." Leigh replied simply. "Do you not want to go?"

"Of...of course I do, but-"

"Then you shall go. I wish you the most pleasant of times." he said, as if the matter had been decided for months. "Last night, I felt something strange. It was as if I had woken up from a dream. I felt that I could no longer find a reason that you shouldn't do what you truly want. No matter how hard I tried, I found no reasons. As long as you are with Crystal, I think you should be fine." he waved his hand as if the matter was as simple as that.

"Excuse me for a moment." Rosaleya said, smiling. She hurried back upstairs and nearly ran to her bedroom. She closed the door on herself and took several deep breaths. Still dreaming...But it doesn't feel like a dream...How to wake up? How to prove that I'm not....Oh wait, didn't I read somewhere that you cannot read in a dream because reading and dreaming are functions from two separate sides of the brain? If I can read, then it's not a dream. I'll just choose to believe in that fact. She quickly scanned her room for a book, then saw her bookshelf. She ran up to it and seized the first book she could, reading the title out loud. "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. No way." she shook her head, opening up the book at a random page, "So day after day, month after month, for many years, the dragon went without eating and sleeping as he made the pearl. He carved the stone with his claws and smoothed it with his scales. He carried it into the clouds, rolled it in fresh raindrops, and bathed it in the Celestial River. He polished it with pale chrysanthemum petals. Finally, it was done - perfectly round and luminously smooth. It was flawless and beautiful. Wow..." Rosaleya put the book back. I forgot how much I liked that book; thanks Crystal. Wait- this means that I'm not...

"Hey, Dad." Rosaleya approached him again. She understood that she wasn't dreaming, but it didn't help with her confusion. "I'm looking forward to the party, but I don't have anything to wear." What's he going to do; he always picks out my clothes for me, so that I don't 'dress inappropriately', so I always end up wearing annoying things.

"Crystal says that she has a friend who knows a lady that makes clothing magically. Why don't you speak with her? She's getting ice cream from the shop close by; why don't you get one as well? And don't let me see you back here until you've gotten this problem sorted out." he joked.

A completely new Dad that makes jokes, too? "Okay." Rosaleya said, grabbing her pendant as she walked toward the door, "I'll see you later, then." she smiled nervously. She put on her necklace as she walked. Her pace was a bit slower than actually running. "Crystal!" she panted. She was out of breath, not because of the speed-walking, but because of her mind racing. "Did you talk to Dad about the Summer Feast?"

"Good morning to you, too." Crystal laughed. "Yes, I did talk to him. I was going to ask him for the night off when he insisted that I take you, as well. And I was prepared to pull a trick on him to let you come. It was more of a surprise than I expected, but I just assumed that he was joking." she shrugged. "Do you want some?" she asked, looking from Rosaleya to the ice cream.

"No, I don't want to eat right now; I won't enjoy it. I'm too confused. You see, last night, I had a dream that...." she stopped talking, and for a second it was if everything around her stopped moving. For one second, she could only hear her own heartbeat.

And then everything started moving normally again. "I will talk with you in just a minute; I have to handle something really important right now."

"Okay." Crystal said, although Rosaleya had already run half of the way back to the store.

Back in her room again, she wondered. "Now...how do I summon that demon?"