Fandom The Gathering of Death Eater Children

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Reign walked through the space in between the building with the clothing store and another building that sold kitchenware. He held his boxes with one hand while conjuring a sort of invisibility shield so that the Muggles passing by wouldn't see them. He shrank his boxes, and then took Melody's from her and did the same, placing the now tiny boxes into a pouch similar to the one he carried his coins in before replacing it in one of his pockets.

A minute later he was holding the door open for Melody in the next shop; it sold kitchen ware.

Once inside, just as before, they were greeted by a store employee. Not long after entry, Reign parted from Melody to browse alone. This time, he merely browsed before taking a seat next to the checkout counter.

Yuki entered the shop a minute later, carrying Reign's book. "Sir, you forgot this in the shop." she said, handing it to him after determinedly searching the shop for him.

"Thank you." Reign took the book from her and immediately opened it to read.

"Have a pleasant day." Yuki said, turning to leave.

Reign nodded, his eyes not leaving the book's pages.

In this store, and the next, Reign followed the same routine: he would browse without buying anything, then sit by the cash register, reading to pass the time until Melody finished. When she had gathered all of her items onto the checkout counter, Reign paid for everything, counting out the correct amount of yen before the total was revealed to him by the cashier. Outside, in the space between the store buildings, Reign shrank her purchases and put them in a pouch with their other items. Then, he would open the door of the next store Melody wished to visit.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Melody was surprised when Reign took her boxes. She was about to open her mouth and protest that it was not a nuisance to carry them but closed her mouth when she saw him downsizing them and placing them in a pouch which he placed in one of his pockets.

...I could have done that myself...downsizing my boxes and putting them in my purse... She thought.

The next store they entered sold the cutest kitchen supplies Melody ever had seen. Upon seeing the cute things in the store, she almost forgot about Reign and went away to browse around on her own.

She forgot about the time and lost count on how long time she spent in the store, studying each product for at least one minute before deciding if she really wanted to buy it or not.

She selected the cute kitchen supplies that did not need any electricity, such as hot pink heart-shaped measurement spoons, kitchen whisk with cute teddy bear handle, pink mold with heart, butterfly, star, flower and ribbon shapes, another pink mold with cat, teddy bear and rabbit face shape, big white cups with cute emoji face, stirring spoons and lids.

...Ah this is so cute....a must have...and this....and this....and oh this as well...

Melody never saw when Yuki entered the store and returned Reign's book.

Melody walked back and forth to the cashier, because she could not carry on all the products she had selected at the same time and she had forget to take a shopping cart because of her excitement.

"Uhm...I'm done..." Melody announced for Reign. She felt a bit bad that he paid for everything.

...Why did I not hold back a little... She thought, feeling embarrassed as she realized how many kitchen supplies, she had purchased.

She waited until he had paid for everything and they had walked out from the store before she told him that she wished to visit a store that sold seeds and plants.

...I am going to create the most exotic gardens at Hogwarts... She thought and got carried away like she did in the other store. When she came back to the cashier, she was carrying at least hundreds of different seeds in her arms. Each kind of seed was packaged in a small paper bag. ...I hope it won't cost that much... She thought and avoided to look into Reign's eyes.

When they walked out from the store, she stopped in her tracks and turned around so that she faced him. She bowed for him and said: "I don't know how much to thank you for this shopping round and for enduring those long waiting times with me while I browsed around in the stores. I feel very satisfied and there's no other shop I'd like to visit at the moment. If there's another store you'd like to go to, I don't mind coming with you." It was the longest sentence she had ever spoken to him and she was still bowing.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"I don't know how much to thank you for this shopping round and for enduring those long waiting times with me while I browsed around in the stores. I feel very satisfied and there's no other shop I'd like to visit at the moment. If there's another store you'd like to go to, I don't mind coming with you." It was the longest sentence she had ever spoken to him and she was still bowing.

Reign put his hand on Melody's shoulder, meaning that she could stand up straight. When she did, he smiled gently "I was reading, and I did not feel the time pass." he said honestly. "Thank you for granting my wish." He was referencing his wish to send her back to London with a multitude of gifts. It was clear that that was what he had truly wanted, and he had been so absorbed into his book that he really hadn't gotten bored or grown weary of waiting. Also, the costs of her chosen items were the furthest thing from his mind.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Uhm...well..." Melody began. "You're welcome..." She said, feeling embarrassed. Yet she felt happiness at the same time. It was an indescribable feeling of happiness. Someone who would take her shopping and wait patiently for her and then pay for everything she desired to buy. ...And it was his wish that I shall return with so many gifts to London...She thought amused and giggled. Then she remembered that she was not alone, and that Reign was still present. She looked up at him, with a bright smile. ...it feels like a dream, yet it is real.... everything is real...

"It would be lovely with dumplings right now, wouldn't it?" She half asked and half suggested. She was feeling very hungry, since it had been several hours since the breakfast she had, and she had been walking around in the stores for a long time. ...I prefer the dumplings that are filled with chicken meat or just vegetables...I wonder what kind of dumplings he likes... She thought.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Yes, it would." Reign smiled softly, offering his hand to her.

He walked with her to the back of one of the buildings, and then his grip on her hand became a bit firmer. He looked upward, concentrating for a moment as he usually did when they were about to jump.

A few minutes later, they landed in the one of Sakura Temple's beautiful gardens. Under the nearest pavilion, a low table was set for two. Two kinds of dumplings, chicken and vegetarian. Five delicious kinds of dipping sauce, and cold water.

Reign walked with her to the pavilion, gestured elegantly to one cushion, then sat down cross-legged on the other.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Melody tried not to sigh at the sight of cushions. ...Not chairs? oh well...I have to try to make myself as comfortable as possible...

She sat down and picked up the chopsticks as if she was customized with using them like fork and knife and used the chopsticks as good as she did with usual cutlery. She picked up a dumpling and dipped it in her favorite sauce and took a bite. ...Ah I love the taste of chicken meat....

Suddenly she realized that she had never told Reign that she had taught herself how to use chopsticks in beforehand. She blushed slightly and hoped that he won't ask her. …And I hope he won't think that I must have studied him during our previous date...how he ate both his meal and the ice cream with chopsticks the other day... She thought and continued to eat as if it was normal for her to use chopsticks. The second dumpling she picked up contained vegetables. She dipped it in another sauce and aimed to try all the sauces to see which she liked the most. She ended up liking the three of them. She noticed that Reign dipped his dumplings in the two other sauces much more and much less in the three sauces that she favored. She could not tell if it was because he had a different taste than her or if he refrained to eat from her favorite sauces for her sake.

...I won't be able to finish up all these three sauces on my own, so it does not matter unless if he does not like them...anyway, I hope he will take me to mount Fuji and a sightseeing in Kyoto after this meal...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"You use them well." Reign said with a serene look in his eyes. He had put his chopsticks down to take a sip of water, and was pointing to her chopsticks now as if to say 'You use your chopsticks well'.

After their meal, Reign took Melody sightseeing to various places in Kyoto. . .

. . . Later, Reign flew with her to their last destination for the day.

It will be the perfect way to end the day.... Reign thought as they landed in a grassy field.

Sakura trees could be seen approximately ten feet from them on the east, south, and west sides. To the north was a lake, and across it was Mount Fuji.

...The breathtaking sunset near Mount Fuji.

A table was set by the lakeside with Melody's choicest Asian dinner, tableware, drinks, and chairs instead of cushions.

...No cushions... Reign thought as he took his seat at the table, which was shaped like a rectangle so that they could both sit at different ends of the same side and watch the sunset. He refrained from reacting outwardly in a negative manner in disappointment. The table was the perfect length so that they didn't have any awkwardness from sitting too close.

Reign poured Melody her drink, then poured some water for himself. He gazed at the sunset with his usual serene gaze.

"You're going to take her shopping?" Diana asked. Then she smiled and handed Reign a wrapped gift. "Take this; it will keep you from feeling the time during her shopping."

He unwrapped the package; it was a book of Chinese folktales. "Thank you." Reign replied, a grateful look in his eyes.

"Don't worry about it. Just don't read too much before you go shopping, that way you have enough of those stories to last you in case she is the type that takes too long to shop." she replied helpfully, with a kind smile. "There are ten volumes, and this is volume one. Apparently, the Chinese Muggles love writing these, and most of them are pretty good. I've read this one already, two and three and four, but none of the rest. Tell me which one's your favorite from this one when you finish it?" she embraced him lovingly. "Ah...You smell like Sakura Blossoms. How do you do that?" she asked curiously.

 

[Hikari Chan]

…I feel like I could remain here...perhaps if I could transfer over as a professor at Mahoutokoro...I wonder what kind of subject Reign teaches there...is he still planning to transfer over to Hogwarts? He came all the way from Mahoutokoro to Hogwarts before the summer feast...of what I heard when miss Thorne was showing him around....I wonder what he liked or thought about Hogwarts...Oh I forget to ask him that I wished to pay a visit to Mahoutokoro...but it is too late now, hopefully another time....

After the sightseeing in Kyoto, Melody stood for a long time, admiring the view of mount Fuji before she took her place by the table which was set for dinner. She was glad that there was a chair she could sit on this time. She was also visibly surprised to be served chicken teriyaki. She took a sip of water and sighed contently. ...Ah I am going to watch the sunset while enjoying this meal...how lovely!

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"When do you wish to see me next?" Reign asked once they had finished eating, by which time the sun had set. It had been stunning, as expected. Now, a half-full moon and numerous stars glittered above them.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Whenever you desire..." Melody bowed. She was meaning that whenever Reign had time to see her, they would see each other.

...whenever he has time during this summer...I believe he won't ask me to see me too often, but once a week if less which is good enough...and this way will work as well when I have to get back to work. Would it be strange if I asked him if I could owl him? He always sends me scrolls and it feels ungrateful of me if I don't send anything back to him...but perhaps he is fine with that? sigh why does this feel so difficult...

Melody looked up at the half full moon and the glittering stars above her.

...It is already night here in Japan...I wonder what time it is home right now....if it was evening when I came here where they had morning....then it must be morning back home right now...

"I don't know how much to thank you for today.." She spoke softly and smiled. ...It was such a lovely day that went so fast...the breakfast, the lunch and the shopping tour and the sightseeing tour....and ending the day with a lovely meal and dango and green tea for dessert afterwards...Ah...next time I visit Japan, I would wish to visit Mahoutokoro if that's possible and go on a Japanese festival with Reign...

I might think about something tomorrow. I could ask Mary-Jane for advice....

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"I don't know how much to thank you for today..."

"Grant another wish for me." Reign suggested lightly; his tone suggested that it was a joke but his eyes had a more serious look to them. "I wish to see you on the 28th of July, at seven near the Hogwarts gates." He awaited her reply as he sorted through the items that they had purchased that day, a satisfied look in his eyes at the various items Melody has selected.

He emptied the pouch onto the table, pulled another pouch from one of his pockets, and put Melody's items into the other pouch. He handed it to her as she opened her mouth to reply. Then, he put his items back into his pouch and replaced it in a pocket in his kimono.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Alright, I shall grant you the wish," Melody replied seriously when she saw the serious look in Reign's eyes. ...it seems that I only need to grant his wishes to thank and please him... She thought, feeling slightly half amused about it. ...hopefully it will be wishes I can grant in the future...because I won't grant him just anything if it does not suit me...

...did he just wished me a good night or a good morning or said a goodbye to me in Japanese?.. Melody thought oddly as she walked back to her office. ...I have heard him using that word before...it must be a goodbye...he would not wish me a goodnight or a good evening in the morning. And he won't wish me a good morning in the evening... She hurried inside and picked out the book with the Japanese words and phrases. She turned the leaves in the search for the word Reign had said before they parted. .....it was not sayonara...not ohayou....oyasumi? no....not even konnichiwa or konbanwa....sigh, I am not getting any smarter...he said something and bowed before he left...but I cannot find it...and I have now looked at every word and phrase at every page... Melody frowned but gave up.

...I shall ask him about it the next time we see each other... She reasoned and put down the book on her desk. She ignored the fact that she needed some sleep. She was feeling to excited about going through every item she had shopped that she could hardly think about sleep at the moment. She emptied the pouch on the floor and sorted out every item. She picked up one item at once, touched it and smelled it and studied it from every angle. She was so focused that she hardly heard the knock on her door.

"Good morning, I did not see you at the breakfast in the-" Mary-Jane started but nearly got speechless when she saw Melody dressed very oddly. "What are you doing?"

"Good morning, I went shopping today...er...yesterday I mean.... with Reign…"

"Huh? ...You went shopping with him and bought all these eh kitchen supplies?"

"Yes, and I bought these exotic seeds from Japan....I mean I was there the entire day..." Melody walked around in her office, wearing the pink kimono neatly, however she was walking very clumsily with her geta sandals. She was trying to walk as if she was wearing usual shoes, however she ended up stomping like an elephant.

"You looked like you have not been sleeping for a whole night..." Mary-Jane observed.

"I am not sleepy..." Melody retorted, however her eyes were telling the opposite

"Melody, please...you should get some sleep...and by the way.....change to normal clothes and put these stuff away...if someone else here sees you dressed up like this and with these stuff...."

...they will taunt her....especially that Pyrites woman... Mary-Jane thought as her eyes fell on the white bowls and cups with cute faces and the stirring spoon with a cute bear handle.

"I do not care-" Melody started but was interrupted when Faeryn and Endewyne popped up behind Mary-Jane in the door way.

"Merlin's beard, what are you wearing?" Faeryn forced her way inside, because Mary Jane did not move away.

"It is a kimono..." Melody replied delighted.

"Eh what is that?"

"It is a Japanese attire..."

"Eh...where did you get it?" Faeryn was fingering on the fabric, nearly touching every part of the clothing.

"Reign bought it for me..."

"Oh...did he also buy you this...?" She picked up a white bowl that had a cute smile with big round eyes.

"Yes..."

"Oh my so cute..."

Mary-Jane cleared her voice, a sign that Faeryn was being too noisy and stepping on the line. But Faeryn ignored her and continued to study all the kitchen supplies Melody had bought.

"Adela should learn from you..." She sighed and sat down on a chair, not waiting for anyone to tell her if she was welcomed in Melody's office or not.

"I will make some tea..." Melody said gently, meaning that all the three girls were welcomed inside her office. She began to magically tidy up while she set the water to boil by itself. It was easy to make room for more kitchen supplies since the cupboards and the drawers were magically enchanted to hold about one hundred items each.

"So, Reign is Japanese?" Faeryn asked.

"I believe so..."

"Believe? Have you not asked him or did he not tell you at all?"

"Well...uhm..."

"How long have you been dating?"

"Faeryn, please..." Endewyne nudged her friend, meaning that she should stop asking private questions. Mary-Jane was also observing them both very coldly.

"It is fine..." Melody smiled as if she did not mind Faeryn's questions. "I have only been seeing him for a few times since the summer feast..." She served everyone earl grey and placed a cookie plate with an assortment of cookies and biscuits at the table. She used the newest supplies she had bought, a very cute cookie plate and the cute tea cups with the smiling faces.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Thank you." Reign held up the book of Chinese folktales for Diana. "It made our date pleasant."

"You're welcome." Diana smiled warmly, embracing him. "I'm so happy to see that you're back. I was nice to Rosaleya, just like you said. And she turned out to be a really sweet girl, and very grateful too, just like you said."

I have Asmodeus to thank for this...Reign returned her embrace, contrary to his choice to ignore her embraces in the past month.

Asmodeus was drinking tea with Reign, Malice, and Rosaleya. The latter had informed the former of a plan Malice had devised a few weeks prior, and Asmodeus had called a meeting between the four of them to discuss it.

"I am happy that you are satisfied with the results." Asmodeus smiled slyly, sipping his tea.

"When he told me that he hadn't really given Diana the potion, I knew that I had to tell you." Rosaleya said to Reign.

"It was all my dearest's idea." Asmodeus looked at Malice with a fond look in his eyes. "She thought that since what Diana desired most was to change back to the kind lady that she had been before, all we needed to do was give her the illusion that her goal was easily achievable. And thus, she achieved it herself without any magical assistance."

Alastair knocked on Luna''s door.

"Come in."

"I think that this would be prince-like." Alastair said, entering in his prince costume, without the wig.

Luna had suggested that Alastair choose a prince-like costume and then show her, so that their costumes would match.

"Help me choose a princess-like gown that doesn't look like I'm about to attend a ball. Something far less ostentatious."

"Very well."

Since it would have been rude to arrive to the Shadowwalkers' manor early, Luna and Alastair took great care to arrive exactly on time. Alastair had helped Luna select a very elegant gown that looked princess-like, without being too ostentatious like Luna had requested. Her hair was done in a lovely braided style that only added to the outfit's charm. Together, they looked like a beautifully dark prince and princess, because they both had dark hair and dark clothing.

The front door opened one second before Alastair and they were greeted by the Shadowwalkers' house elf.

"Good day." both Alastair and Luna said at the same time.

Speaking to him like a normal person... Alastair thought, looking at the house-elf as if he was a wizard like him.

Not like the cruel heads of manors which are rumored to abuse their house elves... Luna thought.

Cooky led them inside to the parlor.

Alastair wondered what the other Shadowwalkers would be like, and Luna wondered how Alastair would react to them, and how the others would react to him.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Lily had prepared herself at least fifteen minutes before Luna and her brother arrived for tea. Fifteen minutes to check herself for the millionth time in the mirror to see that she looked perfect and flawless. Today she was wearing a light pink dress and some light make up to match her outfit.

Her black hair was done in it is usual style, falling behind her back and tied with a pink ribbon. The perfume she wore was of faint rose smell.

Elias was out, seeing his friends. And his parents were on vacation in Florence this week since Monday.

"Please, make yourself comfortable..." Cooky said with a tiny voice before leaving the parlor.

A mere second after the house elf left, Lily entered.

"Good afternoon," Lily greeted. She smiled happily when she shook hands with Luna, holding her hand in her both. Then she turned towards Alastair and held out her right hand in the manner that meant she only accepted a formal handshake and absolutely no kiss on the hand.

"It is an honor to meet you," She greeted him very formally yet smiled politely.

It happened so suddenly that both of them wondered if it was a coincidence or by chance that they met when they suddenly got eye contact. Both stopped in their tracks at the same time, the first one looking like as if she got speechless and was inferior to the other, who looked down at her with a superior smile.

"Eh...hello..." Adela greeted tentatively.

"Hello?" Aislinn raised an eyebrow.

They stood there for a while, looking at each other, Adela with the look that she had something she wanted to tell Aislinn and Aislinn with the look that was showing her impatience and that she did not have time with someone like Adela.

Aislinn was the first one making a move and proceeded to walk, continuing on her route.

"Eh...wait," Adela blurted and Aislinn stopped in her tracks when she only had taken a few steps.

"What do you want?" She asked dryly.

"Please...I.." Adela neared her, holding up an envelope in her hand. "I have not seen Vincent since...eh...since…eh..." She began to stutter, not knowing if she should tell about the last encounter with Vincent without sounding stupid. That night when he saved her was to special that she could not word it. "...well...eh since long time...and I wish to send him a letter...but I don't know how..." She felt very stupid when she spoke the last sentence without thinking and hurried to add: "I mean he has not registered his name in the post office in Diagon Alley, so I cannot leave him a letter there and I don't know his address to send him an owl..." When she finished speaking, she was both flustered and short-winded at the same time.

"And I who thought a Ravenclaw was smart enough to know everything about vampires..." Aislinn sneered, giving the look that vampires never communicated with owls and that Adela should know better.

Adela became so crestfallen that she could not think straight and blurted out without thinking:

"May you deliver the letter for me, please?" She nearly begged and clutched the envelope in her hands as if it was the dearest thing to her.

Aislinn was about to snap something in line with that it was not her job to deliver anything and that Adela should deliver the letter by herself, but instead said with a superior tone in her voice: "Come with me."

...it never worked out with Rosaleya...but I hope it will work with miss Dolohov. She spent most of the time with Vincent at the summer feast and I have no doubt that she is in love with him.... if they see each other more often, hopefully, he might change his mind about me...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Good afternoon," Lily greeted.

"Good afternoon." Luna replied with a smile that said she was happy to see Lily. She was surprised every time when Lily greeted her in a way other than shaking hands normally. She briefly wondered how Lily would greet Alastair, picturing Lily holding out her hand haughtily for Alastair to kiss it. Although the picture vanished as quickly as it had appeared, because Luna knew that it wasn't realistic.

Alastair didn't know what to expect, so when Lily turned to him he beheld her with a kind yet formal smile, and waited for her to make the first move. He returned her handshake with the same level of formality, getting the first impression that she was a very well-behaved, and formal person with anyone other than Luna and her family.

"It is an honor to meet you," Lily him very formally yet smiled politely.

"It is an honor to meet you as well." Alastair replied elegantly.

 

[Hikari Chan]

After the greetings was exchanged, Lily sat down in an armchair, notably the one her father always occupied in the parlor. She did not gesture but expected Lily and her brother to sit down on the sofa to her right side. A second later the house elf entered, levitating a tray with a teapot with earl grey and cups and refreshments. It was an assortment of biscuits and cookies and a wide bowl with an assortment of seasonal fruits. Lily did not order Cooky anything to do, because she had instructed him in everything about half an hour ago. Tea poured magically by itself for everyone after the house-elf had placed everything from the tray on the coffee table and left the parlor.

The house-elf was a mere servant in Lily's eyes and nothing more.

"Please help yourself," She gestured with a smile and picked up her cup of tea. When she took a sip of her tea, she suddenly thought that they had not been properly introduced to each other. ...I don't know his name...he must be called Mr. Lestrange, mustn't he? …would it be impolite if I asked about his first name…?

"So, I guess, you can also cook food?" Lily asked, starting a conversation with Alastair. "The birthday cake you helped Luna to make was splendid!" She praised.

Adela followed Aislinn silently through Knockturn Alley. She tried to keep up with her, but it seemed that Aislinn walked to fast on purpose to avoid being seen together with someone who she did not regard as a friend.

Adela hesitated for a moment, when Aislinn entered the churchyard outside the alley and proceeded towards the forest.

...Can I really trust her…? Adela thought for a mere second but shook her suspicions off. …She is his cousin and I am part of the same team as her even if we are not friends.... She reasoned and hurried so that she won't lose sight of Aislinn.

…So, he must live here, mustn't he? ...This place.. Adela thought as she looked up at the manor that hovered above her when Aislinn stopped in front of its main door.

Aislinn opened the door and gestured to Adela to enter first. She walked quietly indoors as if she did not want to disturb the silence. ...It gives me the feeling of entering a mausoleum...

Aislinn on the other hand, walked as usual, stomping to loudly as if she was doing it on purpose to disturb and seemed that she did not care if she disturbed anyone in the house. She nearly slammed the front door behind her, almost making Adela to jump of fright. Aislinn proceeded indoors, expecting Adela to follow her.

Aislinn opened the doors to the parlor, looking inside and then almost slammed the doors when she did not see anyone there.

"I think they are in the family room..." She spoke with her usual loud voice and started to ascend the stairs.

...They?... Adela thought oddly but followed Aislinn because she had no other choice. ...I thought that I would see him outside Knockturn Alley...perhaps he is with his family members…? She hoped earnestly.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna and Alastair sat on the couch, the former being closer to Lily. They both thanked Cooky after the tea was served, then they thanked Lily when she told them to help themselves.

Lily will surely have something to say, so I shouldn't worry about starting the conversation. Luna thought, sipping her tea.

My dearest says that Lily is a rather verbose person. I will allow her to choose the subject of our conversation. Alastair thought, taking a cookie.

"So I guess, you can also cook food?" Lily asked, starting a conversation with Alastair. "The birthday cake you helped Luna to make was splendid!" She praised.

"Alastair makes the best food I have ever tasted." Luna replied honestly, smiling to him as she spoke.

"I am able to cook and bake." Alastair replied modestly, addressing Lily "And I am quite pleased to hear that you enjoyed the cake that we made." he finished with a warm smile.

"We..." Luna laughed at how modest he was being "The designs were all Alastair's work; it wouldn't have been the same without him. It was his recipe as well."

"In all honesty, it was a friend's recipe." Alastair corrected. "Have any other princess films interested you?" he decided to change the subject. Oh no...

Alastair, you may have just gotten her started on another garrulous talk about Cinderella. Dear dear...I should interrupt."If there are any that you piqued your interest, perhaps we could all go together to a delightful theatre Alastair has taken me to a number of occasions. They play any film that you desire, new or old. And, the theatre itself is more lavish than any that you have visited already." Luna suggested with a smile. She had spoken before Lily had answered Alastair, making it sound as if she was clarifying what Alastair had meant by his question.

Dearest, it was only after I had spoken that I realized my mistake... Alastair thought, grateful for Luna's quick thinking.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Ah!" Lily was visibly surprised when she heard about the lavish theater. "I don't know so many stories about princesses besides Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. It is because I have grown up in a pure wizarding world, where we don't have such stories as the two I mentioned, my brother used to tell me a lot of good night stories, such as Snow white and the Huntsman for instance, but none of them were close enough to a story about a princess falling in love with a charming prince. Anyway, I know a couple of things about the muggle world because I took classes in muggle studies at Hogwarts. And talking about Hogwarts, I am returning there to assist professor Pyrites in divination because it is my specialty and to take classes in cooking with magic because Luna has inspired me to learn cooking and baking-" She told Alastair and continued to tell him why Luna had inspired her by telling him about the lovely Easter lunch which she and her family had been invited to at Luna's place and then praising Luna for her making such a lovely lunch and dessert. "-so, before returning to Hogwarts, I believe I have a few days that I can spend on visiting the theater that you mentioned. Is it alright if my brother also joins us?"

"I want him to see Beauty and the Beast." Lily explained. "I had been planning about it when he took me out on my birthday, because I wanted him to understand why I choose to wear yellow of all the colors at the summer feast. He was teasing me a lot that day. Only my dear father understood why I wore a yellow gown! Anyway, Beauty and the Beast was not available, so we watched Cinderella instead. It was such an enchanting story! I think my brother will also enjoy Beauty and the Beast and you may pick any other princess story that we also could watch together, if there are not any posters at the theater so I could have a glimpse before choosing. I have never been at such theater, so I do not know that much about it, however I am excited about that it plays any kind of story one can desire. I have only been at one muggle theater twice, the first time when I went on a study visit with my class for muggle studies and there, we watched Beauty and the Beast. The second time was on my birthday as I mentioned."

"Good afternoon, grandmother," Aislinn greeted cheerfully when she entered the family room.

"Oh, so it was you who were so loud downstairs?!" Mrs. Monroe, who was sitting by the fireplace, smiled and put down her knitting work in her lap as she looked up at her granddaughter. "Good afternoon, my dear."

Aislinn bent down to hug her grandmother. "Of course, who else did you think it was?" She laughed and sat down in front of her grandmother.

"I thought it was Vincent first. Lately, he has been loud sometimes rather than being his quiet self. Sometimes I see similarities in you two that I ask myself why you were not born as siblings, hehe..."

Adela had remained silent, standing in the doorway. Upon hearing Vincent's name her heart had skipped several beats. …But he is not here... She thought, feeling disappointed because she had been expecting to see him. Suddenly Aislinn's grandmother looked her way and their eyes met. Adela froze at her place and felt impotent to move a limb or speak a word. ...So young and beautiful for being a grandmother...she looks old enough to be Monroe's mother, but she must be at least around seventy if she is her grandmother...

"A friend of yours?" Mrs. Monroe asked Aislinn, without looking away from the human girl who was standing in the doorway.

"No, she is actually a friend of Vincent," Aislinn replied. "He is not home today, is he? I thought I would find him here around this hour..."

"Well unfortunately he is not home today, dear please, take a seat..." Mrs. Monroe smiled and gestured towards the sofa at her left side. She was eyeing the girl from head to toe curiously, noticing that she was holding a dusty pink colored envelope. Adela felt a bit uncomfortable because of the looks she received from the old lady. She suddenly felt a presence behind her and turned around, only to face another vampire.

"Ah, and I told myself that we got a visit when I sensed a human when I was in the library looking for a book to read," He smiled eerily. He was holding a book with worn edges and light brown cover.

Adela took a few steps backwards and mumbled an apology because she had been standing in the doorway.

"Did you find anything interesting to read?" Mrs. Monroe asked and then reached out her hand to Adela, nudging her to take a seat.

"Yes, I will read Macbeth this time...good afternoon my dear," The vampire man caressed Aislinn on her head before sitting down on the sofa beside Adela.

"Oh, we have not introduced us to each properly!" Mrs. Monroe stood up. Adela stood up as well, but the old lady urged her to take her seat. "Oh, please sit, I am just going to make some tea!"

"I can make that!" Aislinn offered and left the family room before her grandmother could say anything. ...Good impressions in the beginning are very important! If I allow my grandmother who cannot cook to make some tea, it will be a disaster…and I cannot afford to have Vincent to lose Adela...

"Oh well..." Mrs. Monroe sat down again. "I am the Lady of this manor, Lady Monroe. Vincent is my grand-nephew and by now you know that Aislinn is my granddaughter," She told Adela and then gestured towards the man who was sitting beside her: “...And this is my brother, Mr. D'Arcy. And you are?"

"I am miss Adela Dolohov. I am pleased to meet you," Adela spoke quietly.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"...used to tell me a lot of good night stories, such as Snow White and the Huntsman for instance..."

He also used to tell his younger sister bedtime stories...I wonder if he still does? Alastair wondered. He listened with a lively look on his face, as if he was genuinely interested in what Lily was saying.

"...but none of them were close enough to a story about a princess falling in love with a charming prince..."

I don't imagine that Elias would be good at telling romantic stories. Luna thought, wearing a similar expression to Alastair.

"...And talking about Hogwarts, I am returning there to assist professor Pyrites in divination because it is my specialty..."

Another good topic of conversation would be Lily reading my fortune, and perhaps Luna's as well, if she wished. Alastair thought.

"...to take classes in cooking with magic because Luna has inspired me to learn cooking and baking-" She told Alastair and continued to tell him why Luna had inspired her by telling him about the lovely Easter lunch which she and her family had been invited to at Luna's place and then praising Luna for her making such a lovely lunch and dessert.

Luna replied modestly, and Alastair replied that he wished he had been there to enjoy the event with everyone.

"-so before returning to Hogwarts, I believe I have a few days that I can spend on visiting the theater that you mentioned. Is it alright if my brother also joins us?"

Luna and Alastair shared a look, both trying to figure out what the best reply would be without speaking to each other. When their eyes met, it was easy for one to tell what the other was thinking, but no one else would have been able to.

Elias joining us...? Luna thought.

...to watch a film like that... Alastair thought.

..Is there a way to get out of this?

..but she seems determined that her brother should join us.

So there must be no reply except for...

...yes... the both thought in annoyance.

"I want him to see Beauty and the Beast." Lily explained. "I had been planning about it when he took me out on my birthday, because I wanted him to understand why I choose to wear yellow of all the colors at the summer feast. He was teasing me a lot that day. Only my dear father understood why I wore a yellow gown! Anyway, Beauty and the Beast was not available so we watched Cinderella instead. It was such an enchanting story! I think my brother will also enjoy Beauty and the Beast and you may pick any other princess story that we also could watch together, if there are not any posters at the theater so I could have a glimpse before choosing. I have never been at such theater, so I do not know that much about it, however I am excited about that it plays any kind of story one can desire. I have only been at one Muggle theater twice, the first time when I went on a study visit with my class for Muggle studies and there we watched Beauty and the Beast. The second time was on my birthday as I mentioned."

"That was a beauteous gown." Alastair agreed. He was not trying to compliment her, but pointing out that the gown was beautiful because it was based off of Belle's costume.

"And Elias is welcome to join us, if he so desires." Luna replied. Unfortunately, it is not likely that he will turn her down. So it looks like all four of us will have to sit through a silly film. Well, at least one of us will be enjoying ourselves, and that was the point from the start.

"Cinderella was such an enchanting film..." Alastair half-agreed "...Although personally, I find the concept of a man marrying a woman after having just met her to be infuriatingly unrealistic. That is why, given the choice between the two aforementioned films, I felt that Belle's story was far more charming." he said seriously.

He's taking this so seriously. Luna thought. He's doing a wonderful job on focusing his attention to the thing that he actually has an opinion on; he could care less for the ladies' gowns and hairstyles, but the concepts of the films is another story...

"So," Alastair said with a warm smile, addressing Lily "you mentioned that you had a talent for Divination. I would be ever so curious if you would...?" he gave her a curious and interested look that meant he would like for Lily to read his fortune.

"That sounds lovely. Could you tell us both of our fortunes, if it is not too much trouble?" Luna asked with a smile. Lovely work, Alastair! You cut the threads of the spider's web, hence rescuing us from that talk about princess films that clearly could have stretched on for the entirety of our visit. Luna thought in relief.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Of course!" Lily smiled brightly and happily. "With all my pleasure. I wanted actually to ask you if I could read your fortune-" She spoke to Alastair. "-in order to give you something in return for your kindness for helping Luna to make a cake for my birthday! May I ask you; do you mind drinking Arabic coffee? I can read fortunes in such coffee cups, and I learned that during a vacation-" She went on telling about her summer vacation when she visited the Emirates when she was fifteen years old. "-I did it for Luna once a long time ago," Lily recalled the time when she had read Luna's fortune in a coffee cup and smiled towards her. "I can also read palms, tarot cards and use crystal ball, what do you most feel comfortable with?"

The only vampires in the house right now were Aislinn's grandmother and great uncle, who liked to read. Vincent was with his both parents and paternal grandmother on vacation in Transylvania.

"Ah…so finally I get the chance to meet the young lady who has charmed my grand-nephew. Vincent has told me a great deal about you..."

Adela blushed deeply and took a sip of her tea to brush of her nervousness and embarrassment. She nearly burned her tongue and throat. Aislinn had recently brought the tea and served it. Adela picked up a cookie to have something sweet to soothe her tongue. Her face was red like tomato and she even felt more embarrassed about the fact that Lady Monroe will notice how embarrassed she was.

"Is that a letter to Vincent?" Mrs. Monroe smiled, her eyes falling on the envelope that was resting on Adela's lap.

"Mm... yes..." Adela nearly whispered and looked down in her teacup.

"Do you wish to send it to him? Currently, he is with his both parents and grandmother on vacation in Transylvania, I could send the letter to him in your place..."

"I appreciate your kindness, however it is fine, it is not something urgent...I...thank you...but I don't want to bother you..."

Aislinn wanted to scream, however she held her sanity yet looked madly at Adela. What the bloody fricking hell...I cannot understand her! She asked me if I could deliver the bloody letter to him and now when my grandmother offers to send the letter to him, she declines...uugh why is she being so complicated…

"What's the matter, dear? why are you grimacing?"

"Ah nothing...nothing at all, grandmother. I just happened to swallow to much hot tea at once...I almost burned my tongue..."

"Ah, please be careful..."

"Uhm...I...thank you for your kind hospitality," Adela had finished her tea quickly and put down the cup on the tray. "It is getting late and I need to get back to Hogwarts..." She stood up.

"I will follow you down..." Mrs. Monroe stood up as well.

"So, you work as a professor at Hogwarts?" Mrs. Monroe asked, nearly guessing why Adela was in hurry to get back to the castle.

"Yes..." Adela nodded.

"Even during the summer holidays?"

"Not really, I am actually on holidays however I am staying at the castle because I did not plan to go anywhere for vacation."

They had reached the front doors and Adela turned around to wish the old lady a pleasant evening. But before she got the chance to speak, Mrs. Monroe surprised her by asking:

"Are you sure you don't want me to send the letter for you?"

Adela got speechless and did not know what to say.

"Lately Vincent has been tormented by mixed feelings...he holds his cousin in very high esteem…he adores her and at the same time he..." Mrs. Monroe ceased to speak and gave Adela a long look. She looked at her with the face that said she wanted to tell her something but could not put it into words. "So, I sent him away with his family on vacation to clear his mind. A change of environment always does something good."

Adela remained silent and did not know what to say. She had understood everything, even if Mrs. Monroe did not explain everything to her verbally. ...so that explains his weird behavior at the summer feast...he loves me and his cousin at the same time...

"Is it a love letter?"

Adela blushed and looked down at the floor.

"Do not worry, I won't ask you about its content and I won't try to read..."

"But you don't use owls, do you?" Adela finally spoke, looking up.

"True. We don't," Mrs. Monroe smiled. "Instead, we use bats."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"-in order to give you something in return for your kindness for helping Luna to make a cake for my birthday!"

How sweet. She was very grateful for that, and thus far, besides her loquacious nature, she isn't a bad person. Alastair thought.

"...May I ask you, do you mind to drink Arabic coffee?"

Please... Luna thought.

...don't make us drink that... Alastair thought.

"I can read fortunes in such coffee cups, and I learned that during a vacation-" She went on telling about her summer vacation when she visited the Emirates when she was fifteen years old.

How could she find that place enjoyable? Ah, I forget that my experience there was most certainly different from hers. Alastair thought.

"-I did it for Luna once a long time ago," Lily recalled the time when she had read Luna's fortune in a coffee cup and smiled towards her. "I can also read palms, tarot cards and use crystal ball, what do you most feel comfortable with?"

"I am so curious about all three; the tarot cards, palm reading, and the crystal ball" Alastair smiled. "Arabic teas do not interest me for a very mysterious reason that is buried deep in my past." he said, using a theatrical tone that caused Luna to laugh softly. Despite the wordiness, she is rather easy to talk to. "Do you have a crystal ball and a set of tarot cards on hand?" he had a hopeful look in his eyes when he asked. Of course, it is not likely that she will be as accurate as Reign, who can give excellent descriptions of time, place, scents and sounds...I wonder if she will be very vague in her descriptions? As long as there is an alternative to that putrid coffee!

Alastair looks genuinely interested now. I can tell the difference when he is acting and when he is not. I didn't know that he was so interested in people with a talent for Divination. Well, from my memory, Lily's prophecy came true...

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Of course, I have all three of them!" Lily replied excitingly. "Please, excuse me for a second" She stood up. "I need to fetch my crystal ball and tarot cards from my bedroom."

She walked out calmly from the parlor and closed the doors quietly behind her. It did not take long, only a couple of seconds until she came back with the Crystal Ball hovering in front of her and a pack of tarot cards in her hand.

This time she sat down in in the sofa which was positioned in front of the sofa that Alastair and Luna were occupying. Lily sat down exactly in front of him with the crystal ball hovering in front of her.

She placed the cards within her reach on the coffee table.

"I will start with the crystal ball first, then the tarot cards and lastly I will read your palm," She said quietly with a serious tone and then looked into the crystal ball that was hovering in her hands. She had cupped her hands around it, though she was not really touching it. The crystal ball was like a shining and shimmering moon in the daylight. She had a distant look in her eyes and suddenly she seemed so different from her usual talkative and cheerful self.

After a couple of minutes Lily broke the silence that had followed when she had been gazing into her crystal ball. She broke the silence with a sigh and the look in her eyes flashed with sadness for a second.

"Well..." She smiled sadly towards Alastair. "I saw you walking on the other side of a large mirror. You were not alone; however, I could not make out any of the faces. It was a number of persons on your side while another number of persons were standing on other side of the mirror. As I said I could not make out any of their faces or who they were, all of them were like mere shadows. As soon as you reached the mirror to pass through, the...the...mirror shattered into thousand pieces..." She ceased to speak and looked at Alastair, waiting for his permission to proceed with the tarot cards. What she had predicted in the crystal ball was sad. She had not been expecting to predict such a future.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Of course, I have all three of them!" Lily replied excitingly.

"How lovely." Alastair smiled genuinely.

"Please, excuse me for a second" Lily stood up. "I need to fetch my crystal ball and tarot cards from my bedroom."

"Take your time." Luna replied politely.

When she left Luna turned to Alastair. "I never knew that you had such an interest in Divination."

"I don't. I simply like seeing the future." Alastair replied with a smirk.

Luna smiled. "You're doing so well; surely you've left a good impression on her."

"I hope that the results aren't too vague."

"Aren't the results of these things always vague? From my experience, I never understand what they mean until the 'foretold event' has actually come true. Then, I can see the similarities between the prophecy and the event."

"Do you remember that friend that I told you about that can tell the future with crystal-clear accuracy?"

"Yes, but you said that his powers were so rare that I shouldn't even begin to hope for someone with similar accuracy. He did save me that one time, when you told me that he said not to go to the shopping mall a few years back. Later that day, terrorists sent the mall to another dimension." Luna shrugged nonchalantly. "Lily's prophecy for me a while back was vague, but I understood it eventually. You're better with riddles."

"Do you think so?" Alastair said, jokingly putting on a proud and arrogant air in response to her compliment.

Luna smiled, and Lily returned.

She's so different now... Luna thought.

...much more serious. If Elias hadn't mentioned that he only had one sister, I would have thought that Lily had a more serious twin.... Alastair thought when Lily sat opposite him.

...but it's true that some people's personalities change when they're working and when they're not. Luna guessed.

"I will start with the crystal ball first, then the tarot cards and lastly I will read your palm."

"Very well." Alastair replied. His voice had also become more serious, and he had an eager look in his eyes as he awaited Lily's reply. He folded his hands in his lap, and didn't speak a work until Lily had finished.

I have no clue. Luna thought, having expected something difficult to understand.

...What could this mean? I can see that she has a sad look in her eyes, but that prophecy gives me no clues as to what she is sad about. Alastair thought. "Ms. Shadowwalker, would you mind telling me your thoughts on this? In all honesty-" he said genuinely "-I cannot even begin to understand what that might have meant. Please, give me your best guess?"

What an answer! I feel that I understand much more now! Alastair thought sarcastically. I will ask Reign if he can clarify what this young lady is saying.

"Shall we move onto the tarot cards?" Alastair suggested eagerly, forgetting about the crystal ball in hopes that the tarots would be clearer.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Well..." Lily frowned. "In all honesty, this is the first time I predict this kind of future. All I know is that it is related to betrayal..."

"Shall we move onto the tarot cards?" Alastair suggested eagerly, forgetting about the crystal ball in hopes that the tarots would be clearer.

"Sure..." She nodded. She swished with her wand at the coffee table so that the trays with the cups, teapot and refreshments flew away and hovered beside. She let the crystal ball to rest on the sofa beside her. She picked up her cards and shuffled them before spreading them out facing down on the table.

"Please choose six cards and turn them around," She said to Alastair.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Very well, then." Alastair said, regarding the cards for a moment. "I've never touched tarot cards before, " he said, his tone slightly apologetic. As he spoke, his right hand hovered over the cards; he was choosing which one he wanted to select first, "so I am completely ignorant on their meanings." He selected a card. "Oh, this one is upside-down. What does this mean?" he showed the card to Lily; it was the Judgment card. In showing it to her, he had turned it around so that it was no longer upside down.

Alastair chose the rest of the cards quickly and without hesitation, before handing them all to Lily without looking at them or changing their order. The cards that had been upside down remained that way.