Fandom The Gathering of Death Eater Children

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn's instincts told her that the danger was gone thus she opened her wings, freeing both Luna and Elias who went off. Aislinn transformed back to human form and sneaked behind. She remained in the shadows in a spot which at the same time covered her good enough from anyone to notice her and allowed her to watch everything clearly. She bit her lower lip so hard that it hurt to not laugh out aloud. She had seen how Luna suddenly turned away from Elias as soon as the danger was gone, how he still clinged his hand in hers, refusing to let go of her hand, sneaking away with her, how Luna shook off his hand. He is such a love geek. Elias with his wand ready, was typically standing beside Luna...I am not surprised...Bellatrix was talking with Rosa and Blaise was just behind, ready to attack. Aislinn had a bad feeling about this. She prayed silently that he would succeed....

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Bellatrix waited for Rosa's response, but sensed someone behind her. She turned just in time to see Blaise casting a spell at her, which she dodged. Still, she tripped because the ground suddenly became less solid than a moment ago. She turned to see Rosa with her wand out, ready to defend Bella and herself. She was about to shoot a jinx at Blaise when a flash of red came from her left. Bellatrix dodged Luna's stunning spell easily and turned on her instead. Elias cast another curse from behind Luna, but it was useless, because Bella waved it off with the laziest flick of her wand. "Enough childish tricks!" she shrieked. She closed her eyes, and something rustled in the bushes near where Elias and Luna where standing. Luna was nearly foolish enough to turn around to look, but she kept her eyes on her mother. Elias, however, did turn around.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Elias was not surprised at how Bellatrix dodged their attack with ease... Just as expected, that was just a simple curse, I should not go easy on her..and the others..they seem either be unprepared or to weak..tsk childish tricks she calls it, if she only knew about my true nature......Something rustled in the bushes nearby. He, before to think a second about it which he soon will regret, quickly turned around at where the sound come from...

Aislinn was feeling uneasy, she left her shadowed place and moved closer to Luna, she was curious though she was not a fool to completely turn around at where the rustled sounds came from...

To Elias surprise, a boggart, as unexpected appeared out of the bushes...

I thought it was something much worse, but this is nothing...

He smirked as the boggart appeared in front of him. He was feeling to confident, believing that he did not fear anything at all, he would surly impress his mistress, there was no doubt about it. He quickly glanced at her and gave her one of his charming smiles before turning his wholly attention to the boggart. But suddenly the boggart started to take form of something which he never would expect. He was puzzled to see the boggart first taking form of his mistress and himself, replaying his own memory of the moment when she confessed her deep feelings for him.
Is that my fear, I am really astonished, why on earth would I...but he did not have time to finish his last thought or find any answer to his own questions because in that moment there was a sudden change which took him by an abrupt surprise that he did not got the time to catch the change, he blinked several times...he had seen himself..but his own image was gone..and instead he saw the fellow deatheater Zabini with his arms around the mistress' waist..
Elias watched in horror how his mistress was betraying him with every passionate kiss which she was sharing with Zabini. Tricked by a simple boggart so easily, Elias had already forgotten about the boggart. Drops of sweats broke out on his forehead, his heart was beating faster than normal, beating the rhythm of someone who was feeling hurt and betrayed. He was pale, all the color of life was drained from his face. He was squeezing his hands against his temples, his lips were parted in a soundless scream, he had wholly become speechless, feeling imponent in battling against any boggart or Bellatrix Lestrange...
This must be her doing..this cannot be my mistress..no it cannot be...His thoughts were scattered.
Aislinn watched as a boggart appeared. She observed that Elias was the first of them all to face it...she could not help but sneer and laugh out aloud when she saw what form the boggart took as it met Elias. She glanced at Blaise and could not help to laugh even harder when she saw his expression.
This is actually so wrong, I should not stand here and please myself over this, but I cannot help to enjoy this moment, that proud Shadowwalker deserves to be humiliated...by the way what the hell is wrong with him..he who is a master in witchcraft, he is expected to be able to handle a boggart, that is what third year students learn at Hogwarts.. but it seems that his fear has overcome him that he has lost all the control over himself...his love for Luna must be beyond everything, he must hold her so dear that he is so scared that she will betray him....but if he truly loves her this much should he not already trust her enough to understand that she will never betray him...but they might have not given their trust to each other yet..they might have not confessed their love for each other yet...I wish I could stand here and laugh with malice at him all day...but unfortunately I cannot...we are facing Bellatrix Lestrange in a battlefield of where we have to defeat her and we do not know if we really will surrender....uughh whatever I will offend him later when this is over if I ever survive...we are too few thus we have to stand together whatever if we hate or like each other...and with the last thought Aislinn stepped in between, elbowed Elias so hard that he fell to the ground and came to his senses.. He immediately rose up as he gained control over himself...he was glaring at Aislinn who had already stepped in front of the boggart.
"D**** you little filthy Monroe..."
"Shut up," Aislinn sneered, "..Maybe I should teach you how to handle a boggart,"
She turned her attention towards the boggart which now was facing her.
This is just a boggart...if I learned how to handle it already as a thirteen year old...I should be able to handle it now when I am ten years older...besides I’m already aware of my own fear thus I’m prepared...
The boggart slowly took form of something Aislinn never could expect. She was expecting it to take form of her old fear, the heights, but unaware that she had overcome her fear of the heights by using a broom so many times the first days when she joined the team now the boggart took form of something quite else. Aislinn's smug smile faltered as she saw a tall handsome young blonde man with blue eyes standing beside a tied girl, who was not unfamiliar to her at all.....
Aislinn, who was paralyzed in a horrified condition and already had forgotten about the boggart, was seeing herself tied to a chair. William Sherwood forcing her to drink veritaserum, hearing herself revealing all the secrets about her team and her true intentions, the smirk on his face when he satisfied himself with everything he had questioned, and then forcing love potion into her and its effects..
Aislinn was rolling on the ground, squeezing her hands against her temples and screaming with a heartbreaking scream....

So how do you feel Monroe, you must enjoy this..I envy you for not being betrayed in love, Elias thought sarcastically as he pleased himself with gloat by watching Monroe's sufferings like as he could have enjoyed himself when torturing any muggle or blood traitor...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Blaise watched the spectacle unfold, keeping his wand on Bellatrix the whole time. The scene with Elias did nothing to make him feel better. 'Smarmy or not, he's hurting just as much as I am.' He thought to himself. He watched Aislinn come to the rescue. The bogart twisted and changed into a man torturing a child. It seemed to have an effect as Aislinn drooped to the ground. 'Bloody hell!' He said growling and ran towards it shouting "Ridikkulas!" The blast hit the bogart but didn't damage it much, as he wasn't the boggart's current target. It turned to him and the scene changed again. Now there were mangled bodies strewn across the ground. The heads of his teammates most notably Luna and his mother were impaled on pikes as an example to all. Rising from the bodies stepped Voldemort, his snake eyes and razor-sharp teeth even more snakelike than before. 'It's not real.' He kept telling himself, but he could feel the rage and blood lust building, compounded by fear. "Avada kedavra! Inflamare! Bombarda maximus!" He shouted casting at the dark lord, but Voldemort just shrugged the spells off and grinned insanely as he began to walk towards Blaise. 'This is it.' Blaise thought as he dropped to his knees and prepared to cast his final spell killing everyone in the area in a necrotic explosion. His teammates would all die, but the blast should kill Voldemort and Bellatrix as well. He closed his eyes and began preparing the ritual.

With a sense of danger blaring Rosa step up to the boggart. It turned changing into a misty form for a few seconds. Spirits like this never knew what to make of her. But Voldemort was gone.

It twisted into a face that was half decayed and rotting. Then decided to get closer. Almost as if it had been summoned. Rosa cast a charm spirit spell, but it did nothing.

Then it suddenly turned into Olivia Rosier (I see her as the woman behind Voldemort)

"You have failed this family for the last time." It screamed. Your behavior is a disgrace. How dare you turn on your own family! You have shamed us...No heir. And that boy...That, That half breed. It's worse than the last person you fell in love with. HOW COULD you do this to us! Failed us. She continued to berate Rosa. Rosa sunk down to her knees. Hitting into Blaise as she tried to crawl back and bow forgetting where she was.

Blaise looked up his spell primed but not cast. Voldemort was gone and, in her place, stood a tall gangly woman. Rosa was crouched beside him. He stood between them to draw the boggart's attention away from her, but it was locked on. He glanced back at Bellatrix to see what she was doing as he stood between Rosa and the boggart.

Bellatrix was watching, satisfied, as everyone had their moment of weakness. She had been looking forward to this, because once they did finish off the boggart, she would have their worst fears in mind. And with that, she would be able to manipulate them to her will.

Luna stepped in between Rosa and the boggart, determined to put an end to her team's suffering. She raised her wand, but the boggart shifted its position. It puffed into green smoke, then stretched upwards, settling into a tall, full - length mirror in front of Luna. Luna stared at her own reflection, completely normal. How is this supposed to scare me? I don't fear myself. As soon as she finished that thought, her reflection's features began to change. Her eyes became black, heartless, and she smiled a wicked smile. Then, the mirror widened, expanding on a full, horrifying scene. Luna was smiling at three small, nearly unrecognizable children (Potter's). They were lying on the bloodied floor, nearly dead, and Luna was moving her wand, cursing the last of their life out. Blaise's reflection appeared behind her, yelling "Stop! Please, this isn't you! " Luna finished off the children, then turned her expression to Blaise, her face hungry. Blaise backed away, but Luna magically tripped him. She moved closer to him, and began to tear him apart, her face never changing from its malicious, blood - hungry expression. The real Luna felt tears of fear flood her face, as she realized that her worst fear was losing herself to a corrupted soul.

"Enough!" Rosa Growled "Spiritu Repelum" She flicked her wand deliberately... The mirror broke into a million pieces. The Bogart went flying back as if it had been hit by a Patronus charm.

"Enough of these games. It's over..." Rosa stood up adjusting her coat taking out a knife. She hurled it at the Bogart which disappeared into Green Flames. She stood her chest heaving. Her eyes completely white. The plants started dying at her feet. She had gotten too upset.

She fell to the ground as her face was falling into a decomposed state on one side showing the teeth inside her cheek. 'Great I am going to look pretty for a while; at least until I can reverse this.' She hated being weak. This time she had nothing to cover herself with. She never let anyone see her in this state if she could help it.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Elias watched in silence as Zabini, Rosier and the mistress, each of them met the boggart.
Fools, it is just a boggart and yet you waste time and energy on other spells.... His heart skipped a bit as he watched his mistress failing in defeating the boggart. His heart wanted him to rush and step in front of her before everything got worse but his mind was telling him strictly to not move a limb,
He watched as Rosier throwed her knife at the boggart making it disappear in green flames..
Such a desperate attempt, Elias shook his head and stepped in front of Rosier just in time when the green flames reunited back to take shape of his now known fear which had humilated him a while ago
Elias licked his lower lip. He was ready and he already knew when to cast the riddikulus spell.
His mistress confessing her deep feelings for him..his image changing into the image of Zabini...
"ri-di-KULL-lis!!" Elias cried out.
The image of Zabini changed into a round fat yellow fish with grand juicy lips which surprised the image of the mistress in the middle of their passionate kiss.
"eeewwww, " the image of the mistress cried out. She dropped the fish on the ground and since the fish was not in water but on land it started to flutter around.
Elias was laughing so hard at the amusing scene that he was gasping for his breath. He was so charming when he laughed, but it was not his charming figure or laughter but the amusing scene which was so droll that Aislinn could not help but laughing out aloud. Her voice was so hoarse from screaming so much a while ago. As she squinted at the others while laughing, she suddenly got eye contact with Blaise. The color of her face turned deep red. She clasped her hands against her mouth trying to silence her laugh, but she was still shaking of laughter. She gave Blaise an excusing look which was saying: I’m so sorry, I don't mean to laugh at you but this is to hilarious..

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Blaise stared at the boggart and glanced back at Bellatrix who was smirking at the group. As the boggart shifted and became Voldemort again Blaise looked to Luna and said "I love you." The something snapped inside him and he apparated directly behind Bellatrix and grabbed her as he unleashed his spell destroying everything within 20 meters with necrotic magic and a large explosion. As death took him vaporizing him instantly, Blaise could finally rest.

Luna looked at the spot where Blaise had died, and felt hot tears stream down her cheeks. Elias put a comforting hand on her shoulder, but Luna was done pretending. She turned around to face him, her face contorted with rage. She disarmed him quickly. "That should have been you!" Luna yelled, pinning Elias to the ground with conjured ropes. "All you did was stand there, unable to think about anything except how bad we were failing, you didn't even consider your vow of protection. " Luna paused, breathing hard. She mimicked him. "I'll protect her, even if I have to sacrifice myself! What lies! All this time, I NEVER loved you, it was always Blaise!" Luna raised her wand and began magically burning him in between spells. (not actual fire, just the burning sensation) "You - where - always - so - arrogant - and proud! _ Selfish - and - ignorant!" she stopped, while taking in his devastated expression, and his injured body. She summoned Nagini, who knew the maze as well as she did. Elias struggled his best when he saw Nagini approaching, as Luna smirked at his terrified, pleading face. She turned to Aislynn and Rosa, her voice calm with satisfaction. "Shall we?" she gestured to the other path, leading away from Elias, and the nearing serpent. They left, as Nagini looked at Luna for clarification. "Thank you, Nagini." Luna said lovingly, and Nagini struck. Once, twice, three times at his throat, and he was dead. Luna walked on, caught up, and lead the way out.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn was about to leave together with Luna and Rosa, but she hesitated in her steps. Luna was walking ahead followed by Rosa...Why Luna, I understand why you do not love him, I agree with you that he is arrogant and proud, but what good will it make us to just kill him...
Aislinn turned back to Elias and looked down at him. He was struggling for his dear life, his wheezing breath was almost soundless. Aislinn bit her lower lip. Damn you Elias, I hate you, but you did not really deserve this, I am sorry Luna... Aislinn sighed as she pointed her wand against his throat, healed him quickly and emptied one of her potions in his mouth. She untied him before she quickly left the place, leaving him alone to fend over himself, unaware that she gave him the opportunity to apparate away...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna stood at the front of the house, calm in the cool night air. She spoke to Rosa first. "Thank you so much for your bravery, my friend." she reached into her magically expanded bag and pulled out Gryffindor's Sword. "I know this isn’t your house, but you are a good leader; I know it. Take this, and hopefully you will lead your own rebellion, soon." she smiled. "Keep it safe, for without it, Potter and his other pathetic friends cannot fight us. Farewell, and my thanks, again."

Luna then turned to Aislynn and pulled out the mended version of Slytherin's locket. The Horcrux was destroyed, but the necklace looked wonderful after it had been properly fixed up. She smiled as she spoke "You have showed the true colors of a Slytherin. I cannot begin to thank you for your outstanding loyalty and finesse in the battlefield. It is my greatest hope that you will continue on and remain in my team. " she paused, a little ashamed that it only consisted of two, now. "We'll have to do some recruiting, later. For now, rest, and know that you are far beyond the fate Elias suffered, for you are a far superior witch. He was always below you. "

Luna walked into the house, and up to her bedroom, followed by Nagini. She got the Resurrection Stone out from its hiding place, and looked into Blaise's eyes. He spoke softly "I love you. Please don't blame yourself, because I know you will try. Don't bring me back, because that will lead you another monstrous disaster. " he faded out, to be replaced with her father's charming, comforting tone. "I told you would succeed, my child. " Luna sat bold upright, not sure whether to trust or ignore. She dropped the stone back into its box; Voldemort was better off where he was. She put the stone away, washed, and lay in bed to rest. She had dreams of Elias coming back to haunt her as a ghost, of the Grindelwald she had seen in photos making several attempts to end her life, and Voldemort giving her instructions she didn't listen to, in fear of mistrust.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn got speechless by Luna's praising words. She opened her mouth to speak something, but she was impotent of saying anything at all. She was still in chock after Blaise's sudden sacrifice and death that she was unable to speak. She was unaware of the tears streaming down her cheeks. I do everything for you Luna, even if we are not close relatives, we are family and I'll forever stay by your side

Aislinn went up to her room, but she was feeling to restless to rest thus she went back towards the labyrinth. She walked absently, letting her legs take her to the destination. Her face was blank as she gathered the remains of Blaise to the center of the labyrinth. There she dug a grave where she placed his remainings, covered it with soil and placed a stone, on which she carved his name, above as a memorial for Blaise. Rest in peace, Aislinn thought as she slowly and mechanically walked back to the manor. Ignorant of how messy she looked like she laid down in her bed and fell into a deep sleep filled with worried and diffused dreams...

Elias was staring at the ceiling above him. He was lying in a dark yet no unfamiliar corridor. He was back home at his manor. If it was not of the dull pain in his throat and his weak body, he would have believed that everything had been a dream. So insolence, lying about love. Vicious woman. Is this how she thanks me for that time when I healed her and saved her life. She is the daughter of the dark Lord and that wild woman Bellatrix Lestrange..I should have known better...

"Coo....ughh....Coohh..." Elias coughed...

"Master...?" a little distant voice spoke...

Elias tried to sit up and turn around to the voice which was coming from the end of the corridor...

"Coohh..." His voice was wheezing, he could hardly speak...

"Oh dear oh dear oh dear...Master.." the voice was closer now, black worried eyes was looking down at Elias..

Elias smiled vaguely at his house elf Cooky, then he spoke with a voice which was barely a whisper:

"Feehtch......meh........." He raised his hand as his voice died away and pointed somewhere behind him...

Go to my room, you know where to find it, it is in that certain drawer, hurry and fetch me the blue healing potion from the cabinet where I keep my potions

The house elf Cooky seemed to be able to read his Master's mind as he hurried to bid his Master's order..

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Rosa bowed accepting the sword. "I will keep it safe cousin." She stored it in her bag to store in a family vault later.

Rosa sat in her room thinking of what happened. It was one thing for Great Aunt Olivia to disapprove of Seamus. But would her father have approved. She hated asking the portrait what it thought after all it was just a shade. Not her real father and beside that she had never told the image he was her father. She told her mother a year back. She thought Rosa was ashamed of her. To contrary she just wanted things to remain uncontaminated by the present time.

She tried to sleep but found it was useless. So she dressed and walked out of her room. She saw Aislinn as she passed. She did not notice Rosa. She looked as if she had been digging in the dirt and had a vacant expression on her face.

Rosa continued walking she passed Seamus that was still standing guard on the potter children's door. She wondered if he would stay there all night if she did not tell him otherwise. He was a fool to let her do that to him.

Well we wasted enough bodies. She walked back to the labyrinth and seeing that the body had been moved she followed the tracts. Finding the small memorial that was made for Blaise. She took out a small bag. Emptying graveyard dirt over the mound. She chanted an incantation. The ground started to stir as an inferi rose from the ground she muttered the control spell. It stopped leaning to one side moaning at her. "Too bad you are not Blaise. I would like to add Ron's body to my collection."

" You have risen him but have not sealed your spell it will fall apart in the hour." Opal landed on her shoulder.

"For a reason. Better materials. My dear friend." She stroked Opal's head.

She walked off the inferi following her. She had work to do and the manor house did not have the supplies she needed.

She draped her travel cloak onto what use to Blaise vowing to keep his mother comfortable for what remained of her life. Then they disappeared into the night.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn woke up several hours later in the dawn and discovered that she had been sleeping with her dirty ripped clothes. The pillow which she had been resting her head on was wet and humid..I must have been crying in my sleep, but I do not remember what I dreamed about...
She got up, washed and dressed. When she was ready to leave her eyes fell on the locket of Salazar Slytherin on the bedside table. She picked it up, examined it closer, tried it on and took it off several times to lock it away in her coffert. It looks so gross with this locket hanging around my neck....but if I....
She tried it on once again for the hundred time though this time she hid it behind her shirt. She could feel its cold metal against her body.....better to wear it this way..
She walked out of her room, closed the door silently behind her and sighed. She was not in mood for taking care of any business at the moment. She was still chocked over the sudden death of Blaise.
But she had no choice. They were expecting her to attend the meeting and she had to go otherwise they might suspect her...
Aislinn apparated at the same spot where she once had revealed the truth about herself to Blaise. She smiled vaguely and spoke out aloud: "You'll watch over me, won't you?" Then she turned away and strode towards the old house where the meeting was about to take place...
Aislinn was once again gathered with the Dumbledore's Army and the Order of Phoenix in a meeting. She was surprised over herself that she managed to keep a straight face, to use the right expression and speak the right words in every right moment and situation as her thoughts were drifting away to yesterday's battle and to the death of Blaise. Some hours later when the meeting was over, she sighed out aloud as soon as she was outside the house. As she slowly walked back into the woods she heard a familiar voice behind her:
"Hey Ash, wait a moment please"
Sigh, why cannot he just leave me alone...
William tried to get a hold of her hand, but she snatched it away as she turned around and blurted out with anger:
"You...annoying......mudblood..."
The words were already out of her mouth before she could take them back. She was feeling and yet not feeling the hot and salty tears which were running down her checks.
For a second there was a chocking and angry expression on William's face but then he spoke in a calmer voice:
"Let's have a talk, Aislinn"
Then before Aislinn could protest he took a firmer grip of her hand and apparated away with her to Diagon Alley. Aislinn was feeling numb and followed William absently as he entered The Leaky Cauldron. He was still holding her hand and she had no choice. They sat down in a dark corner where he felt they could speak in peace.
"Anything you would like to drink?"
Aislinn shook her head, feeling speechless to speak any word.
"Hot chocolate?"
Aislinn still shook her head though she deep inwards was carving for hot chocolate.
William smiled as he ordered two cups of hot chocolate.
Aislinn was feeling awkward, but the hot chocolate was so soothing and comforting. If there was anything she needed right now then it was comfort. William was silent for several minutes. He was sitting with his back against the wall, literary turning his left side to Aislinn. She studied his handsome features as she sipped the hot chocolate. D*** why is there always an issue with handsome men, Elias is so handsome, but he is a proud and arrogant man. William is so handsome, but a muggleborn..*sigh* William turned his head towards her and in that moment when their eyes met Aislinn looked away.
She was feeling a little better, though feeling ashamed of how she had acted recklessly an hour ago.
She opened her mouth to speak but closed it again. She was feeling impotent to say anything. And what would she even say. How would she even apology.
"It is fine, never mind, " he said silently as he had been reading her mind.."I understand that you have went through something awfully.."
Then after a second of silence he said:
"They did not threaten you or anything..."
"No no..not at all" Aislinn interrupted.."I......"...She lost her voice as her thoughts drifted away to that moment of Blaise sudden death. If I had remained as a dragon, ignored the boggart and attacked Bellatrix...he might have survived...
Aislinn's eyes were once again filled with tears..
"Aislinn..," William said with a soft voice.
"I.....a friend passed away yesterday night...." she blurted out unaware of the tears running down her checks. And i buried him with my own hands...
"I am sorry for your loss dear," William spoke quietly. He reached his hand to wipe away her tears but she stood up in that same moment excusing herself because she needed to visit the ladies' room.
As soon as she was alone, she apparated in Hogsmeade where she hurried to the post office and scribbled a note to William explaining that she needed solitude for some days, before apparating back to the manor. Why do I even care about him, I do not..but he treated me so well which I never expected since I called him mudblood, so I ought to let him know that I have left...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Rosa sat in the Leaky Cauldron after visiting her mother's vault were she had stowed the sword that morning.

Last night’s affairs had went well all in all. She stayed at the old family cottage on the hill, She had when to the island cabin but it was apparent her relatives were starting to move in to the surrounding area. And her uncle was using it for his experiments. One fight she could well avoid.

She had an eye patch on her face was almost back to normal. A little more meditation some pain and potions she'd be back to herself by tomorrow night. She was still reeking of dark energies.

She looked up from her full English Breakfast with Mother Eves pudding and apple cider to see Aislinn hand in hand with a chap she had seen earlier in the day talking with the boy that lived twice and Minerva. She was about to intervene when her godfather sat down in front of her.

"Morning August." she said glancing up over at the two. Aislinn looked like she was crying.

"Morning. Where is Seamus?" of course that was his first question.

"Seamus is sleeping. He never up before noon if he don't have to be." Rosa lied.

"Some show he put on exploded the coffee table and set fire to the drapes. His idea or yours." Yaxley asked placing his head on his hand.

"His. Why would I want to set fire to the drapes." she said annoyed it was at that point her godfather noticed the changes in her face.

"HE end up upsetting you? Let me see." He went to lift her eye patch.

She slapped him away. "Nothing I can't manage now that Jackson taught me how."

"Talking about you lovers. I have about given up n trying to match you for an heir. You are not getting any younger and neither am I . We can only halt death so much." blah blah....he went on but Rosa was not listening.

She told her godfather she would be spending time with Mrs. Zabini.

Rosa had talked with her last night. Blaise was now listed among the casualties of the other attacks on the former Death Eaters. She made sure Natashia had her best friends around before leaving. Given the Malfoys had not returned from holiday; which was making everyone suspicious. Rosa would probably return soon enough to her side.

Of course, she did not take the news well Blaise had been the caretaker of the house hold. Leaving Mrs. Zabini to do as she pleased. At least she had shareholders and accountants in place to take care of the financial workings. Now to make sure they stayed with her instead of taking advantage of the situation.

She would check in with the others soon..

 

[Hikari Chan]

Feeling a little better, Elias could move around but slowly. His parents were on a vacation in Florence and his little sister was at Hogwarts. They won't gather around until Christmas time thus Elias had a plenty of time to heal in solitude avoiding to many questions and inquiries. His voice was still hoarse that he could barely speak. The healing potions he had only healed his throat and the rest of his body but did not help him to get his voice back. St Mungo’s was the last place he would like visit as the thought of that place, or any hospital made him sick hence he sent for a known veteran healer from a village nearby.

"Let me see, you need this...and this..." the healer spoke as she picked out some tiny bottles containing certain liquids that will help Elias to get his voice back. The old lady placed the bottles on the bedside table. "You are lucky to not have lost your voice completely or the healing process to get your voice back would have been much more difficult. Now you have to avoid speaking, even whispering in thirty days. Never open your mouth to utter a single word. As for these liquids you have to take them regularly. One drop of this dark-blue one and two drops of this dark-red one once every morning and every evening in thirty days. I'll be back by then to check on you again son, please take care of yourself"

Thank you mother

Thirty days in solitude and silence, how bored I will be, how slow the time will pass. Sigh..and that would be just in time, about two or three weeks before my family is home...

Aislinn entered her room when suddenly a cold fear washed over her as she soon realized what she had done. She had drunk that cup of hot chocolate without thinking, only caring about her own need of soothing comfort which she always found in chocolate. How could I be so ignorant, what if he had poured drops of veritaserum or love potion in my cup....
Aislinn rushed in her bathroom and washed her face with cold water, then she looked in the mirror above the sink. A pale face, with green scared eyes, framed with black straight short hair, was looking back at her. I know that there were no veritaserum in that chocolate for sure otherwise I would have revealed things for Sherwood which I should not reveal. And there were no love potion in that chocolate either of course or I would not have left him so quickly......phew....but I must be more careful, I shall not drink anything offered by anyone, especially by Sherwood, before I examine it whatever my needs are....caution and prudeness must go before everything, especially before my needs otherwise they might cause my fall..

30 days and 30 nights later

Elias was walking solemnly in a misty rose garden.
"Elias....Elias"....a familiar voice in the distance called out to him.."Please....where are you... I need you....please..."
"I am coming, " Elias hurried towards the sound of the voice...
"Elias.."
"Luna.."
He was holding her in her arms, breathing the soft and sweet scent of roses. Suddenly it was not the dark mistress whom he was embracing anymore but a giant snake which was slithering around his body, hugging him so tight that it was strangling him, sinking its fangs deep in his throat...

Elias woke up with a start. His heart was beating unnaturally fast and he was sweating so much thus he was so soaked that he wondered for a second if anyone had poured water over him in his sleep. But he could only sense his own presence in the house and the house-elf Cooky was fast asleep down in the kitchen hence his suspicion was out of question. It was pitch dark in the room. Elias struggled out of his bed, the blanket was twisted around his body. He pulled aside the curtains and let his room to be illuminated by the beautiful serene moonlight which calmed him down a little.
What does this all mean....and I happen to know her first name in the dream? To come to think about it she never introduced herself to me the first time we met. I only knew her as the dark mistress because of the connection between her and me through my dark mark. So Luna is her name, Elias was wondering as he was looking absently at the moon. Luna Lestrange...
He had been having this very same nightmare every night since he arrived home. He wished that he could take some dreamless sleep draught every night to avoid that nightmare, but he was not allowed to take any potion beside the two liquids to heal his voice. Every time when he woke up from his nightmare he had been desperately opening his cabinet, which was stuffed with useful potions, reaching his hand for the dreamless sleep draught and in that very moment he always heard the healer's warning words in his head:

Do not drink any other potions while you are taking these two or they won't have any effect on healing your voice. Other potions, depending on which you take or if you mix to many, might knock these two out or give you unwanted side effects..

Elias sighed, it was the 30th night since he had been examined by the healer. The old lady had promised to come back and check on him after 30 days and 30 nights had passed. If he had endured this long time, he should be able endure the last hours until it was morning. The nightmare almost made him insane. If he had been completely alone, not having any family whom he was waiting for and to spend the holidays with, he would surely gone mad. Elias lit a candle on the bedside table and sat down on the bed as he reached for the letter from his sister which he had received yesterday morning. He had already read it and sent her a response, though it was a soothing comfort to read it again now after he had been having the very same nightmare for over the 30th time.

Dear Eli,
It is almost two weeks, well less than two I think, before I am home for holidays. This semester has been so tough with all the homework and assignments. And still it is not over. And I feel a little bored since I have only visited Hogsmeade and no other places as exchange so I’m planning to visit Knockturn Alley this coming weekend, you know it is my favorite place, and I have not been there for a long time. Right now, I am doing my homework for divination at the same time as I am writing this letter to you. I wish I could, but I do not dare to write to Mama or Papa since Mama will lecture me as usual for spending time on writing letters or hang around with friends at Hogsmeade every weekend or sneaking away to Knockturn Alley instead for focusing hundred percent on my studies. Like I need to focus that much. By the way how are you doing? I miss you and mama and papa so much, I can not wait to see you all soon.
Lots of Love
Lily
ps. Do not tell Mama about this letter, please, if she is already home, though give her and papa hugs and kisses from me.
ps. Please tell Cooky to prepare hot chocolate for me when I arrive.

The letter brought sweet memories. When Lily was only two years old and Elias had come home from his second year at Hogwarts. As the mischievous child she had been she had managed to open his coffert and scattered all its content on the floor in his bedroom. When she learned to speak, she could not pronounce his name properly thus she used to call him Eliah until she decided to give him the nickname Eli. One summer night when he had a nightmare, she, only four years old, had brought him a goblet of water and lit a candle for him to comfort him. When he was about to go back to Hogwarts for his fifth year she had been crying for his departure, he had promised her to write to her as often as he could. He would send her moderate long letters, which of course was written to their parents as well and she would send him short childish scribbles as replies followed by proper written letters by their mother. Whenever it was his birthday, as child she would always draw him colorful drawings and give him flowers which she had picked from the garden and when she became older, she always bought him cologne, always the same one, for his birthday. Once when it was his 15th birthday she had messed up the whole kitchen in attempts of baking him a birthday cake which made their mother scolding poor Cooky, who of course was innocent, for allowing Lily to run wild in the kitchen.

Elias chuckled at these memories as he blew out the candle and finally fell peacefully asleep.

The old lady, who was a healer, arrived early in the morning. As she examined Elias' throat she said: "This looks all fine, the epiglottis and the larynx looks completely healed. Even the tonsils do not look bad. Hmm, try to say something, speak son!"
"What would you like me to speak about.." Elias smiled. His voice was in moderate state but a little weak since he has not been using it for thirty days.
"You sound good, all good, you do not need these two healing liquids anymore, " she chuckled. "Please take care of yourself, son"
"I'll, thank you mother."

Later that afternoon Elias put on his best wizarding robes as he made himself ready for a visit. He looked at himself in the mirror. He shivered at the sight of the scars at his throat. He would try to treat it with wizarding body cream and see if it would ease the scars before drinking anti-scar potion which would heal the skin on the outside and make it look smooth. There were rumors about that certain potion, rumors that it tasted like rancid butter, which was the last thing Elias willingly would drink. For now, he covered his neck with a scarf to hid the scars, being glad that it was a cold autumn day, having a good excuse for wearing a scarf.
Elias apparated at the Goblin City. He had a good and steady association with the goblins and everywhere where he went in the Goblin City, he was greeted by many acquaintances.
"Good afternoon mister Shadowwalker, long time no see"
"Good afternoon Copperblast, good to see you, how are you doing, how is everyone doing?"
"All fine, all fine, how about you? Any gambling today?"
"No tehe, I am actually here for other business, I'll visit the gambling house another time"
Elias explained for Wizget Copperblast that he was in need of a certain charm bracelet. A charm bracelet, that would protect him from any curse, spell, hex, jinx or anything which would threaten his life, as similar as his previous charm bracelet which he gave to the dark mistress. It was a very rare charm bracelet and of course goblin made. Not everyone had a chance to get one, only the ones who were in good speaking terms with the goblins. Elias enjoyed some goblin wine with his friends before apparating back at his manor, now with a charm bracelet that made him almost immortal. Note the word almost, for he could still die a natural death as any human being.

2 days later - London
Aislinn was taking a walk alone in a park in London. Because it was the beginning of December and a late and very cold afternoon, already sunset, there were no disturbing muggles around at the park. Aislinn was drifting away in her own thoughts when she heard a familiar voice greeting her:
"Hello dear, how are you doing?" William beamed at her.
What the bloody hell
"Uhm hello Sherwood...I’m fine, " Aislinn shrugged, trying to think about a good way to escape.
"Mind to take a walk with a mudblood?"
Aislinn did not know if she should laugh or not. She did not reply him. She just looked down at her shoes.
"Come on, let's take a walk and have a nice chat as we watch the sunset together. I have not seen you for a long time" William said as he took hold of her hand though letting it go to Aislinn's relief as soon as they walked side by side. He put his hands into his pockets and Aislinn followed his example. He was speaking and she was half listening and half thinking about how to make an excuse to leave. He was a moderate talkative person who knew how to start a conversation and how to keep it going. Aislinn on the other hand preferred to keep her mouth shut as she often did not have anything good to say. She only spoke when she was feeling obliged to.

"Long time no see, Dragongirl," a voice not unfamiliar to Aislinn suddenly spoke surprising both her and William that they stopped in their tracks.

Elias Shadowwalker was standing, leaning against a tree, his arms crossed. He glanced at William, eyeing him from head to toe, giving him a haughty look. He sneered as he recognized the blonde tall man from Aislinn's fear when she met the boggart in the battle against Bellatrix Lestrange a little more than a month ago. Elias looked at Aislinn, giving her a haughty look which was saying So you hang around with mudbloods, I did not know that you could sink to such a low level, but I cannot help but admire you for your courage for opposition your own fear, then he said something which took Aislinn by surprise:
"Thank you dear, I am forever grateful to you for your attempt for rescuing my life." There was a hint of gratitude, a soft look in his eyes and a hint of a humble smile on his lips in several seconds before his facial expression turned back to his usual arrogant look. In that moment he apparated away leaving Aislinn stunned and William with a confusing and questioning look at his face.

"What was this all about?" William looked baffled at Aislinn.

"I'll explain..."

"Dragongirl? Why did he call you that? Who is he, Ash?" William was becoming more bemused.

Oh bloody hell just shut up will you...

"Please let me explain, that was Elias Shadowwalker. He is an acquaintance to me. I know him from Hogwarts since we were in the same house, he was some years ahead of me. He calls me for dragongirl because my favorite magical animals are dragons. I just love dragons, I find them fascinatingly beautiful. If you remember when they brought dragons for the Triwizard Tournament we had at Hogwarts, how handy I was with the dragons. And you also remember that Elias Shadowwalker took part in that tournament and won for our wizarding school, don't you remember that?"

"Oh...yes hehe how could I forget...of course I remember him and the tournament. And that was just typically you, treating dangerous beasts like kittens when you actually should avoid them.."

Aislinn could not help but laugh..

"And I do not envy you for being able to take part in that crazy tournament four years later and taking another win for our school, though I would like to have seen someone else from another house than just Slytherin representing Hogwarts.."

"I am sure there have been representatives from other houses as well both in the past and afterwards.." Aislinn cut off though keeping her tone as gentle as possible.."You know Potter who won the tournament in 1995 and he was not a Slytherin, whatever we were just toddlers at that time, but you can find his name as well as more names of other students in the trophy room at Hogwarts.."

"Yeah true..."William agreed and was then silent for several seconds before changing back to the subject about Elias: "...by the way what did he mean by you rescuing his life?"

"About a while ago he was nearly attacked by a werewolf and I who happened to be in the same area, was able to save him from a dreadful fate..." Aislinn looked William straight in his blue eyes as she spoke to him with a steady voice.

"Oh.." William smiled gratefully when he finally understood but his smile faded away the very same moment because he seemed not to be satisfied with her reply thus, he asked: "Do you like him?"

Not being surprised over the question and rather expecting it, Aislinn tried to keep a straight face as she replied annoyingly: "What are you talking about? I said he is an acquaintance" Not a boyfriend..
William seemed to be hurt by Aislinn's sudden irritation. Sigh why is he so sensitive..

"No, I am not really fond of him, " she spoke in a kinder tone giving him an assuring smile. And I’m not really fond of you either you fool...

"I did not like him, the way he looked at me, so scornfully, his eyes were full of disdain."

And that is not a surprise Sherwood, do not expect wizards or witches who are purebloods, especially Slytherins from noble and proud families to look at you as their equal..
But Aislinn kept her thoughts for herself and said instead:
"Yeah he is an arrogant man indeed.."

William seemed content with Aislinn's reply that he did not question anything about Elias anymore and put his arm around her shoulders as he continued to chat gaily with her as he had done before Elias had interrupted. Aislinn went stiff and shook off William's arm as she managed to excuse herself to leave and promised to meet him another time at the same time as she regretted her promise. Whatever, I'll just break the promise as easily as breaking glass..

Saturday - Hogwarts - Knockturn Alley

Lily Shadowwalker was taking a break from her hard studies this Saturday noon feeling to bored of visiting Hogsmeade so many times hence she decided to visit Knockturn Alley this time. She was a seventh-year student thus she was allowed as the other seventh years to do whatever she liked at her weekends and holidays as long as she attended classes and exams and of course doing all her homework and assignments. Lily spend one hour to comb her long hair and to apply some decent make-up even though she was the prettiest girl at school and did not need any make up at all. She put on her favorite wizarding robes and ate some breakfast in the Great Hall before she went away on her trip to Knockturn Alley. She arrived at the time when the shops just opened. One day I'll open my own shop here, she thought already longing for her graduation. She swung gracefully around as she took a deep breath before she strode around in Knockturn Alley to visit every shop and gaze at every interesting article.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

RosaClaire sent out invitations. Her 35th birthday in August had been a disaster.

She had been twirled around from wizard after wizard all competing for her affections and mostly for her money.

She invited some of the men she was half way interested in taking the task away from her Godfather. Antonin Dolohov had many sons before the war ended and all of them seemed to want her hand. She looked in her early twenties and to produce a quality heir would have to gain a year or two in age. Unless she wanted to kill a youthful maid or lad after the fact; which was not beyond her. But she rather not.

She sent off the owls making sure to include Luna and Aislinn. Which she had not seen in over a month now. As she sealed the last two, she noted her French had gotten to her quick quill. Oh, bother and bedazzle it all. I'm not recalling the birds now.

She had been contemplating stealing the Potter kids away from Luna, but she did not dare. You could no long recognize Louis and Hugo. She had aged them and wiped their memories of before. They were now back at school under a different name. They were both turning out to be fine wizards given the Stock they had been breed from. Rosa had found out that Louis had Veela blood. That was proving to be a challenge as she had a cousin enroll him in Hogwarts and she was quickly getting some very harsh letters about dealing with the boy. Rosa hated blood traitors with a passion. But with proper education all of that could easily be changed. Maybe she would even adopt them as her own godchildren. She had until their 14th birthday to do so.

She then strolled down the stairs. She looked over at Seamus. She had not taken the collar off of him she hated how if she gave him a task he would continue until told to stop. She had sat him down and he just sat their staring forward.

She had told him when she placed it on his neck, she would take it when he was not around the others. That was before the Bogart incident.

She sighed.

Then the family portrait tried to get her attention. She ignored it like she had the past week or so. Laying her head in Seamus' lap with her legs and feet dangling off the couch she plucked a potions book from the coffee table and popped it open to the page she wanted. She had been brewing several potions and unlike the dearly departed potions master and traitor she had been taught under. She had to brush up on the timing and movements. She jotted down a few things in her potions notes. And continued to make ready for the gathering on the 3rd. Draco had kindly offered his house elves in doing some of the work. Although he said it was unlikely that he would be attending. She had been writing the Malfoys for a while now. She missed Tuesdays with Cissy but now she had Thursdays with Mrs. Zabini and Saturday evening dinner with Mrs. Longbottom.

They were very worried about Luna and to be honest at this point so was Claire what if she had been taken like the rest. Luna Lovegood had been best friends with her at Hogwarts before the war. And she was the only one that did not give up on Claire. She had not received a letter in quite some time and she not sure how she would react if she found out her crew had her killed. Bella's words rang in her ears. They probably did just see me as a disposable lackey. After all the only one that did not she her mother's family that way was Draco Malfoy. Surprisingly even though he never hardly called them by their first name Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle had been his best friends. He had grew up with them and even cherished their advice even if he did mostly laugh it off.

She could use a friend like that...

Luna walked through her labyrinth. She heard whispers from all around her. Her father's voice echoed in the distance but was growing louder as he neared her. "Luna. I know where you are! I plan to teach you all I know." Luna ran faster, but the voice only grew nearer. "I know you will love it. Embrace the darkness. Inevitably, you will accept your true nature." Luna ran around a corner, and he was there. Voldemort's voice whispered in her ear. "You are mine!" he pinned her to a hedge and looked at her eyes. "I will find a way to return to you. When it happens, your soul will turn darker than the night!"

Luna awoke with a start, once again tangles in her blankets like a helpless fly in a spider's web. "It won't happen, Luna." Nagini said to her. She walked down the steps of her manor half an hour later, completely ready to go. She passed the apparition point and went to Knockturn Alley. She made her way to Borgin and Burkes, just to browse. She entered, and Mr. Borgin walked up quickly, bowing slightly. "Madam Lestrange. Is there any way I may be of service to you?" He looked at Luna nervously, as if worried she might blow the place up. They had a history together, and he owed her a favor. "No thank you." Luna said coldly. She walked over to a Dark Magic spellbook, full of the lovely, darker spells not unlike sectumsempra. She leafed through it, considering buying it until she stared at the sickening price tag. Mr. Borgin caught her looking at it disappointedly. "If you wish, I could make the price" he paused, and he waved his wand and the tag became a zero. "more suitable?" Luna shook her head slightly. She stepped closer threateningly, and spoke in a quiet, dangerous voice. "When I use that favor you owe me, it will be for more than just a simple spellbook." she walked out coldly. She had never gotten over how Mr. Borgin had been such a coward, and a cheat.

She walked into a robe shop, a pet shop, and found nothing of interest. She came across an odd-looking tavern, which was new. She stepped closer, but she felt the air change. Suddenly, she looked upon a lavish shop, labelled "Charle's Specialty Objects." Luna walked to the door, which was solid metal, and knocked. A slide big enough for a pair of eyes opened, and dark brown eyes stared at her. "Buyin' of sellin? " the man had a husky voice, and his words where slurred. He had clearly been drinking. "Buying, hopefully." Luna said rudely, with an are you this much of an idiot? face. He closed the slide, and clanked several locks, finally opening the door a minute later. Luna hexed him, saying smartly "I don't like to be kept waiting. " He cowered in pain, a young man stepped forward promptly to close the door, and he bowed his head slightly. "Madam Lestrange. How may I be of service?" Luna took in his short blonde hair, and his watery blue eyes. "How do you know my name? " came Luna's cold, distrusting voice. He gestured in the air jokingly "Rumours travel fast." Luna browsed through the objects. The reason this store was cloaked was because at the back of the shop was an illegal items area.

Luna came out twenty minutes later with a pair of lovely sun shades, which could use color to sense a person's mood. Luna had stared at the young man, and found that his body was colored bright red. He found her attractive and was embarrassed about it. Luna had purchased two pairs and kept the other safely in her bag. Luna stopped for a while outside a robe shop, and casually leaned back against a wall, watching. She found a young girl, who's color was blue: calm. She took in her appearance: tall, with slender fingers and hands, and lovely eyes. She felt as if she had met her before but didn't know where. She walked up to Luna and held out a friendly hand. The girl's color changed from blue to orange: talkative. "Hello." she said kindly. "Hello." Luna said uncertainly. "Where did you purchase those lovely shades?" Luna thought fast and settled on a convincing lie. "They were a gift. " They technically are. I bought them for myself as a treat.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Lily Shadowwalker looked at the young lady with interest. She was feeling drawn to her like a magnet.

Not as a lover, Lily feels a slight connection since her brother has the dark mark

She smiled heartily at her.
"I’m Ms. Lily, nice to meet you, are you doing some shopping this lovely Saturday? I’m here on a short trip from Hogwarts actually tehe, because I need to take some break from my studies. Oh, the classes are too hard the seventh year, I’m surprised that I’m making it to the top grades. I have been to Hogsmeade now to often every weekend and I’m getting tired and bored of that place so for exchange I decided to come to Knockturn Alley today and besides this is my favorite place to visit tehehe. So actually I am here to enjoy myself, mind to join me in window-shopping?, I mean just gazing at the lovely articles tehehe, that is what I often do when I am here, gazing and wishing what I would like to buy and at the end it is always my father who pampers me with buying me all stuff I wish for tehehe....." and on Lily went chatting gaily with the young lady who she already was feeling comfortable with..
"Would you like to have coffee with me? Come this is the best place ever to have a cup of tea or hot chocolate with a piece of sweet cake" Lily said leading the way to a cafe deeper in the heart of Knockturn Alley, a cafe only for pureblood Slytherins to gather around. "This is the best place, you only see purebloods here and no blood traitors or mudbloods or muggles," Lily explained as she went in with her new companion into the cafe, taking a seat in a corner. Lily caught in the corner of her eyes how the young men in the cafe was looking admiringly at her. She did not give them her attention at all, she just went past them, moving with elegance over to the table in the corner and sat down gracefully.
She smiled at her companion and asked:
"What would you like to drink?"

"Oh, would you like a cup of Arabic coffee?" Lily asked feeling excited. Then she lowered her voice, moved closer to her companion and said in a whisper: "I’m a fortune teller with top grades in divination at Hogwarts and of course Professer Trelawney's favorites pupil tehehe. I can both read tea leaves and palms and read fortunes with a crystal ball and so much. Once I surprised my own professor in Hogsmeade by reading her fortune from a cup of Arabic coffee, and guess what, her fortune was 100 percent accurate, can you believe, I could not even believe it myself tehehe. Would you like to have your fortune read by the way?"

Feeling to excited Lily ordered two cups of Arabic coffee.

As they were drinking coffee, Lily kept on talking:
"Did you know that Arabic wizards and witches use Arabic coffee fortune-telling? That is where I learned about it, one summer when I was about 15 years old, it was two years ago, I went with my family on a vacation in United Arab Emirates and there I came across this kind of fortune telling in a little cafe in the wizarding areas. So, I explored it of course and I learned a lot about it. Did you finish your coffee, you are so fast tehehe, now put the small plate above your cup like this and turn it around like this, here let me help you dear" Lily put the small plate above the cup and turned the cup upside down as she put it on the table. Then she picked up the cup and pointed with her index finger as she explained:
"Then this pattern inside the cup as you see, is your future"

Lily looked in the cup for several seconds before she said:
"Do you feel ready to hear it?" Lily asked gravely with a serious look in her eyes. "I can see both a misfortune and a good fortune..."

Lily started to tell: "I can see a scythe and a wolf " she said as she pointed inside of the cup. "the scythe stands for death and, the wolf stands for enemy" She explained. "This has of course different meanings, depending on what lays ahead of you. Since the wolf appeared in your cup, it usually indicates on that you have an enemy, the scythe however, it depends, is it the enemy who wants to take your life, Merlin forbid it or is it the other way around.” Lily sighed and then said in a happier tone as she pointed elsewhere on a different pattern inside the cup: "Now the good fortune is that your path will be crossed with a certain person's path before the end of this year. This person who you will meet in a due course is not your enemy but a friend. From what I can see is that you are thinking that this friend is dead, but he or she is not."

A week later

Elias was striding in the frosty garden outside his manor when he caught a glimpse of a pretty seventeen-year-old girl of average height who just passed through the gates. A broad smile spread across her face as her eyes fell on Elias.
"Eli!" She cried out happily as she ran up to him and flung herself around his neck. "I have missed you so much"
"I have missed you more," Elias said softly as he hugged his sister.
"Not more than I have missed you" Lily said teasingly. "And you never wrote me a single letter, well actually not until I wrote to you.."
"And I am obliged to write to you..." Elias teased as he tried to keep his face straight..."What if I told mother about you sneaking to do other things beside your studies..."
"You dare tell Mama..."
They both burst out laughing as they went indoors.
"Cooky, go and fetch my coffert will you, I left it at the gates," Lily ordered as she went to her bedroom upstairs. "And make me and Elias a cup of hot chocolate each and bring it in to the parlor.." She shouted from her bedroom. ”You ought to have known when I arrive, so the chocolate would already have been ready.." She threw her winter coat at her bed and changed her traveling clothes into a more comforting dress before she went down to the parlor. "And oh I just left my traveling clothes on my bed, just hang them in my wardrobe will you, Cooky."
"Home sweet home," Lily smiled as she sat down to enjoy a cup with hot chocolate with her brother
"Time will run fast now and you'll be back at Hogwarts quicker than you can blink," Elias said teasingly
"Don't mention it, I had enough of that place," Lily sighed. "I can't wait until my graduation so I can start my own boutique in Knockturn Alley"
"What kind of?"
"Divination of course!"
"Are you not going to take an extra year of studies at Hogwarts?"
"For what good reason? You know how much I like to study.."
"For learning Arithmancy of course"
"No thanks, that will be out of question, that subject is too hard for me, I don't understand it, besides I never liked Professor Vector either, she is to severe, that's why I switched from Arithmancy to Divination the very first day, thanks to Papa who resolved it with the Headmistress"
"..so you prefer that old hag Trelawney, "
"You are so rude Eli, hahahah, she is not an old hag, she is actually cute..oh by the way I would like to read your fortune please"
"Out of question!"
"Why...?"
"Lily dear, remember when you read my fortune last time, about four months ago and you became so hysterically upset because you foretold me a dreadful fate..."
Lily did not protest, she remembered very well the fate she had foretold her brother. She had seen two certain women's paths crossing his path, that he would be cheated in love and that his life would be at stake. She had been having a strange feeling of deja-vu when she foretold the future of the lady who she had met in Knockturn Alley. That lady's path seemed somehow familiar to one of the women's paths from Elias fortune thus Lily wanted to read his fortune once more to ease her mind, but as headstrong as he was she knew that it won't be that easily to persuade him..
Elias noted his sister's silence. He did not want to have his fortune read once more by her because he was worried that his future only would make her anxious and sad and at the same time he did not want to hurt her feelings hence to change the subject he asked her:
"I am running out of sleep draught, may you brew that kind of potion to me please? I would like that potion to be made by you"
Lily looked inquiringly at her brother. She has not seen it earlier but now. He was to pale, looking like he has been eating and sleeping badly. "Yes of course, are you allright? You look sick.."
"I’m fine dear, I’m just having more nightmares than usual..." The same nightmare was still haunting Elias sleeps at nights thus he had lost his appetite and difficulties to sleep.
"Like what?"
"It is just as usual, diffuse scary dreams, I don't remember them when I wake up," Elias lied not wanting to worry his sister.
"I shall brew that potion at the instance, " Lily said as she run up to her bedroom to gather the things she needed. "I don't have the ingredients required," she shouted down from her bedroom as she changed back to her traveling clothes and then rushed down. She was surprised to see Elias standing in the hallway. "Going to Knockturn Alley I guess?"
"Yes, I need to buy the ingredients for the sleep draught."
"I’m coming with you."
"But you don't look well, you should stay home and rest, I'll be back as soon as possible, I’m just buying some ingredients.."
"Yeah and meeting a secret admirer who you don't want to introduce?" Elias joked teasingly
"I have a lot of admirers," Lily giggled. "But none of them are good enough for me," she said haughtily. "And you know that I prefer papa to match me with a good equal heir. You are sure you want to come?"
"Yes, a little trip won't hurt, besides I’m not ill," Elias assured his sister before they apparated away.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

The Day of the Fortune

"I'm Ms. Lily, nice to meet you, are you doing some shopping this lovely Saturday? I'm here on a short trip from Hogwarts actually." Luna smiled, and held out her hand to shake. She wasn't really listening as the young girl talked, too absorbed in trying to realize why she looked so familiar.
"Would you like to have coffee with me? Come this is the best place ever to have a cup of tea or hot chocolate with a piece of sweet cake" Lily said leading the way to a cafe deeper in the heart of Knockturn Alley, a cafe only for pureblood Slytherins to gather around. "This is the best place, you only see purebloods here and no blood traitors or mudbloods or muggles," Lily explained. "Sounds like a wonderful break." Luna said as she smiled at the thought of taking a break from all of the mudbloods constantly scattered about. She followed Lily to the cafe, and sat opposite her at a table. She smiled at the elegant way she walked around.

"What would you like to drink?" Lily asked kindly. Luna smiled "Whatever you think tastes well."
"Oh would you like a cup of Arabic coffee?" Lily asked feeling excited. Luna nodded, trying to be polite. She hated coffee. Lily ordered two cups of Arabic coffee, and Luna ordered a slice of chocolate cake. As they were drinking coffee, Lily kept on talking.

"Did you finish your coffee, you are so fast!" Luna did as Lily asked, turning the cup over, she watched with mild interest as Lily studied her cup. When she heard the fortune, she thought about what her father had said. As for someone she thought was dead? At first Luna thought of Blaise but remembered that she had seen him using the stone. The same went for her father, though he wasn't a friend. Luna thought about Elias and decided that she would forget about this for now. Fortune tellers where overrated. If this girl really trained under Trelwaney, she was no good. Luna bid her farewell as she thanked her for the tea and left the shop.

An Hour Later

Luna sat on a chair in the garden, telling Nagini about her visit with Lily. Nagini nodded, interested at the fortune. "Your father-" Nagini began, but Luna cut her off "I know. He said there would be danger. But, who can you think of that I thought was dead, and isn't? She said he would turn out to be a friend. ".

A Week Later

Luna stood at the mirror in her black travelling cloak, fixing her hair. She grabbed her special sunshades and apparated to Knockturn Alley an hour later, having just had breakfast. She had been visiting here often lately, out of boredom. She wasn't sure what to do, or where to go to recruit new team members, she walked into the cafe Lily had showed her a week ago and walked to the bathrooms. She pulled out her small magic mirror and said quietly. "Show me Blaise." the mirror's surface filled with purple smoke, then it cleared to show a grave, with the name Blaise etched into a tombstone. Luna shook her head, convinced it wasn't him that Lily had spoken of. She tried again. "Show me Voldemort". His grave came into view. Luna whispered, desperately not wanting it to be true. "Show me Elias." Green smoke cleared to reveal Elias walking along a frosted garden, pale and exhausted looking. Luna gasped as a young girl flung herself around his neck. She didn't recognize the girl, for she only saw the back of her head. She did, however, notice Elias's happy expression. Luna replaced the mirror in her bag and stared angrily into space. How can it be? Nagini killed him. Unless. . . She went to sit on a table, thinking deep. Lily said someone I thought was dead would turn up. He would turn out, not to be an enemy, but a friend? Luna couldn't imagine meeting him, again. She resolved to use Polyjuice Potion to meet him, and gather information. If she saw him sooner, she would be unprepared.

She ordered a hot chocolate, and sat back, letting her thoughts wonder.

 

[Hikari Chan]

When they arrived at Knockturn Alley, Elias was feeling a bit uneasy and of course weaker since he has not been eating well. He followed his sister inside a store selling ingredients but went out after a few minutes excusing himself that he needed fresh air. And it was then, it that very moment when he stepped out from the store, that he saw her. Luna Lestrange. I must be hallucinating, he thought as he stepped backwards almost tripping on the doorsteps behind him, this cannot be her. He moved sideways to the right side and then backwards instead to turn his back against her to have more control of keeping her within his eyesight. He was trying to get out of Knockturn Alley, but he was moving deeper in the heart of the alley. But he did not get that far because suddenly his limbs went numb and everything blackened in front of his eyes. Lily stepped out from the store at same time as she saw her brother fainting. He hallucinated due to lack of nourishment and sleep
"Elias!" She exclaimed as she rushed towards her brother and got a hold of him before he fell to the ground. "AGUA-menti!!" she cried as she moved her wand in front of his face. An amount of water enough to get him conscious, was conjured from her wand.
As she helped him up, she said: "How do you feel? You don't look to be in moderate state to apparate, you should have stayed home, I have a small bottle of healing potion with me as usual, but I think you need to eat as well, here come with me please, let's have a simple lunch together"
Lily walked with Elias towards the cafe and as they entered, this time, he was not hallucinating. She was sitting there. It was her, in her every own person. Elias stopped at the entrance dead pale, feeling paralyzed. Should I ignore my weak state and apparate home, but I hate to run away and hide, that is so against my pride, I’m not a coward. Besides what have I ever done to her to deserve to be mistreated by her? Nothing of what I can remember, I obeyed her orders and didn't question anything, I saved her life by healing her, I even gave her my charm bracelet to protect her against her insane mother thus risking my own life. Wishing me dead instead for Zabini, I never ordered him to throw away his life, we could have ended this very differently if he hadn't been that hasty. And then she could have him, right, I never asked her to be mine nor did I reveal my feelings for her even if I had interest in her, it was her who took the first step, confessing false emotions for me, if I only knew she loved someone else I would have kept her at distance...
Lily recognized the lady who she met in Knockturn Alley some week ago. She smiled heartily at her before turning her eyes towards her brother almost turning her back to the lady ushering her brother further into the cafe and sat down in a corner.
"What would you like to eat?" Lily asked.
"Soup, I don't have the strength to chew anything."

When Aislinn received Rosa's invitation she considered first to decline the invite but then she changed her mind, sending a letter to Sherwood, asking him if he would like to tag along. He must now get the biggest chock in his life, hahahaha, Aislinn Monroe, the girl of his dreams, asking him if he would like to go to a party with her. She put on her best clothes and hoped that Rosa won't mind her muggle clothing. She apparated at Diagon Alley to meet up with Sherwood just as planned so she could take him to the location. She tried to keep a straight face when she noticed how he flinched at the sight of her tattoos. She had revealed them all today and that was just the beginning. She was about to make him regret to even accepting her invite. They apparated at the ranch and Aislinn walked ahead of Sherwood, so quick that he had to run to keep in pace with her. She could tell that he was feeling nervous, she managed to leave him alone with some guests to make him feel even more nervous as she made her way to Rosa. "Happy Birthday!" Aislinn said, kissing Rosa on the check and gave her a basket full of sweet treats. Then she whispered in her ear: "Any suggestions and advice on how play around with" She nodded her head towards Sherwood, who was chatting nervously with unknown guests.."a mudblood"

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna looked out the window as she sipped her hot cocoa. The bell above the door jingled as someone entered the cafe. Luna looked up, and her eyes met with Elias's who was paralyzed in fear. Luna noticed his pale face, and the dark circles under his eyes as he stood there. She noticed he was too weak for proper shields, so she heard his thoughts as he stared at her. Should I ignore my weak state and apparate home, but I hate to run away and hide, that is so against my pride, I'm not a coward. Besides what have I ever done to her to deserve to be mistreated by her? Nothing of what I can remember, I obeyed her orders and didn't question anything, I saved her life by healing her, I even gave her my charm bracelet to protect her against her insane mother thus risking my own life. Wishing me dead instead for Zabini, I never ordered him to throw away his life, we could have ended this very differently if he hadn't been that hasty. And then she could have him, right, I never asked her to be mine nor did I reveal my feelings for her even if I had interest in her, it was her who took the first step, confessing false emotions for me, if I only knew she loved someone else I would have kept her at distance.

She concentrated as hard as she could on the Menu, while Elias entered the store, intent upon ignoring him. She wouldn't leave. For a moment Luna felt bad over his dependant state, he was unable cast even a simple spell. Luna removed that thought from her mind as she became even more shocked to see Lily smiling at her behind Elias. Luna waved at her, very nervous now. The way they interacted with each other, Luna could tell that they were siblings. She now knew where she had seen her: she shared a great likeness with her brother.

The waitress came to pick up Luna's empty hot cocoa mug and smiled warmly. "You look worried. Is something wrong?" Luna took a deep breath. "No. Thank you for your concern. " The waitress walked away, into the kitchens. Luna placed her mirror on the inside of her Menu, so that it looked like she was still reading it. She watched Elias as he ate his soup, clearly unable to chew. She also noticed someone casting occasional glances her way. She didn't recognize him, but Luna could tell when she was being watched.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Elias ate his soup in silence. He was staring down in his bowl to avoid looking at the dark mistress. She was more beautiful than ever. He was feeling feverish. He tried to concentrate on eating his soup, tried to listen to his sister's gaily chatter. But his mind was drifting away to the dark mistress. He glanced up at Lily, discovering that she glanced smilingly several times at the dark mistress. He had been wondering why she had been waving nervously at his way when he entered the cafe, he in return had been very nervous, thinking it must be very weird of her to wave at him after the last time. But I did not enter alone, Lily was just behind me, could it be..., he looked at his sister, half listening to her as she talked then he asked quietly: "Lily dear, do you know her?" nodding his head towards the dark mistress.
"Oh yes," Lily burst out excited. "We run into each other in Knockturn Alley last weekend, she had those lovely shades as she is wearing now, I still wonder where she bought them, I would like to get one as well, they look pretty cool...well I talked most of the time when I met her, she did not say much but I got the chance to read a fortune for her," Lily's eyes were sparkling.
"Do you know who she is?
"..." Lily's smile faded a little as she looked perplexed.."If I remember right, she never introduced herself to me, no she didn't....Do you know.....?"Lily did not finish her question, she was staring at her brother with big round eyes.
"She is the heiress of the dark, daughter of the late Dark Lord, Miss Luna Lestrange"
"How do you know?.....dark lord you say, do you mean Lord Voldemort who our parents were working at before I was born? Professor Binns have taught us a lot of things about Lord Voldemort in history, but he doesn't speak so highly like Papa about the Lord.....but how do you know that she is her?"
"I..," Elias got speechless for a second then he finally said: "I am her deatheater, just like our parents were deatheaters to the late Dark Lord." He avoided to say was because he wanted to avoid further questions and inquires by his sister and on the other hand his heart refused to badmouth the dark mistress. I'll forgive her and forget about the past..
"Oh," Lily's eyes were once again sparkling with excitement.
Elias bowed slightly on his head, letting his hair to fall as drapery hiding his face, then he glanced sideways. He discovered a man, unknown to him, looking at the dark mistress. He did not take his eyes away from the man, Elias kept staring at him till the stranger met his gaze and looked away, unable to keep eye contact with Elias. Lily noticed how her brother was staring at someone, she followed his eyes and tried to keep her face straight as she understood then she said in quiet voice, almost a whisper:
"You are fond of her, aren't you?"
Fond of her? Fond of Luna Lestrange? No, absolutely not
Elias had finished his soup and was struggling to stand up to leave, feeling very clumsy, avoiding looking at anyone, especially at the dark mistress as he hurried out of the cafe.
Lily looked half amused at her brother as she raised up to leave with him. Before she stepped out of the cafe, she turned towards the dark mistress and bowed to her in respect as she was bowing to a queen.

Rosa stopped talking with Tom Riddle in the family portrait turning to Aislinn.

"I was about to think neither one of you would show" she smiled accepted the Basket of sweets. "My Birthday was back in August. Although most of the guest that matter decided to show. There are even a few wizards I have no idea who are and do not speak English. And a few old friends as well. She issued her gaze over at Rabastan Lestrange the youngest of the two brothers. He was having drinks with Yaxley and Avery. "Also, there are plenty of young bucks. Be careful of them most of them are of Dolohov's brood. A few of them are Rosier cousins." she watched as some of the people came back with riding gear. A Bulgarian bowed deeply to her. She tipped her head back. He stormed off.

"As for the mudblood." she whispered. "How about introducing him to my centaur. He is in a good mood. So we can have a little fun without my rogue prisoner killing the piece of filth just yet. If we are lucky, he will amuse us with his crude French sausage jokes. Galaxius is dangerous as the best of times. Just keep that in mind my dear."

"Introductions are in order, no?"

Aislinn smiled, listening with a mild interest as Rosa introduced her to the guests. She picked a glass of orange-red liquor topped with strawberries, tasting it.
mmm this is sweet, different than the firewhiskey, she thought as she felt how the drink spread through her body and made her relax.
"Yeah I like your idea," Aislinn said trying to keep a straight face, the right corner of her mouth twitching into a smirk, as she was looking at the other young men with interest. And I might have some fun myself, flirting a little with some guests..but first a little fun with Sherwood teheh
Aislinn looked over at Sherwood, motioned him to come over to her as soon as they got eye contact. He made his way towards her, looking a bit exhausted. She picked up another glass of liquor, this time green topped with an umbrella miniature and sliced kiwi. She promptly shoved the glass in his hands, smiling at him. Sherwood smiled nervously at her as he carefully sipped the drink.
"Rosa, this is William Sherwood"
"William, this is Rosa,"
William stared at Aislinn for several seconds, not believing his own ears...Aislinn who always used to call me Sherwood, did she really call me by my first name right now..
Aislinn glanced at Rosa with a look which was saying Allright let's introduce him to your centaur

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna smiled as Lily bowed to her. Shortly after they left, Luna apparated to her manor. She went upstairs, followed by Nagini. She opened her chest, in which she neatly stored anything of value. Luna pulled out her extra set of sunshades, a green piece of parchment with the Slytherin crest embossed at the top - right corner, and her custom - made gift wrap paper. The wrapping paper she used to magically wrap the shades in was shimmery green, with glowing black dark marks. Luna attached the small piece of parchment to the gift. It read, in her elegant, neat writing:

Lily Shadowalker,

Remembering the comment about my shades made me buy another pair for you. Besides being tastefully classy and fashionable, they are also charmed. These use colour to magically assess the emotions of people around you. The colour spectrum works like this... *

Luna Lestrange

Luna apparated just outside the Hogsmeade post office. She went up to where the owls where kept and chose a white owl with pale green eyes to deliver the package to Lily's dorm room. She handed the impatient owl three bronze knuts, and it flew off into the afternoon light. She had never cared much for owls, preferring serpents. Luna went back to her manor, with lunch plans in mind.

But what she saw when she returned caused her to become paralyzed in fear. There, leaning against a hedge, was the man she had seen earlier at the cafe. He disappeared and appeared a foot away from Luna. Luna seized her wand and disarmed him in a second. He stood still, with his hands up, smiling. "Who are you? What is your purpose for being here?" Luna asked, failing in keeping the desperation from her voice. He laughed, quite unafraid of her. "I am here to offer you a deal.” Luna laughed back, growing more relaxed. "I tell you what I want. I have upper hand here.

"Do you?" he said challengingly. Luna ignored his comment. "Who are you, and who do you work for? "My name is Aaron Glass. I work for no one but myself. I am here to make a deal with you." Luna raised her wand, ready to hex him into truth. A deal? Right! Not waiting to be killed. Before Luna brought her wand down, Aaron had evaporated into smoke, appearing to her left, ten feet away. Luna tried three more times to hex him, only to fail. He appeared very close behind her, and seized her wand arm, twisting it behind her back. She dropped her wand in pain and gasped slightly. He whispered in her ear. "How about that deal?" He continued in a charming voice, his grip becoming less painful, but still firm. "There has been a prophecy made that you will rise to power. When that happens, I wish to be by your side-" "Why in hell would I allow you to do such a thing?" he smiled slightly, and he put his head on her shoulder, his cheek touching hers. "Because I'm not only powerful and charming, but I know exactly what you are. Inside, you are just a girl, scared of appearing vulnerable, weak, or letting darkness overpower you." He spoke with a certainty in his voice, clearly, he could read inner thoughts better than anyone Luna had met. "You want to experience, just once, the ecstasy of this mysterious darkness. I want to teach you how to use your powers to their fullest extent. " he let go of Luna, but they both stayed where they were. His hands stroked her arms. "Think about it." he disappeared, and Luna took a deep breath. She walked back to the house, her thoughts well beyond lunch. . .

 

[Hikari Chan]

Elias was walking in circles in a labyrinth, not unfamiliar to him. The sky was dark and threatening.
"Elias....Elias...", a familiar voice called out in despair.
"Luna?!...."
"Please...."
The sound of sobs...
"Luna?!..." Elias rushed through a path, letting his feet to lead the way. He rounded a corner and then a next corner. Turning left and turning right, running forward and rounding another corner. The path seemed so long and endless, the hedges on each side growing higher and higher. He finally reached the center of labyrinth and there she was, in her very own person.
"Luna..."
"Elias.."
He was holding her soft delicate hands. In that very same moment, the sky thundered, and a flash of light crossed the sky. He quickly embraced her, jumping away, almost losing his balance that they fell on the ground further away. As they both rose up, he saw that the spot, where they had been standing before, had been struck with a thunderbolt. Smoke arose from that spot, taking shape into a mysterious man who Elias tried to remember of where he had seen him. The stranger sneered at him and evaporated smokes and appeared right behind Elias. Elias produced his wand, but he could not get a grip of it as it fell down to the ground. The stranger laughed with malice as he knocked Elias off, snatching Luna away who was struggling and crying, vanishing away with her in the darkness...
"Luna!!..."

Elias woke up with a start with her name on his lips. He struggled out of the bed, discovering that he had fell asleep with his full clothes on. His sister was standing in the doorway with a scared and worried look at her face
"You....you...were screaming her name in your sleep...did you have a dream about her...I mean about your..uhm...Luna Lestrange?" Lily blurted out.
"No I just had a dream...I never talk in my sleeps"
"Elias, I heard you with my own ears..you were calling out for her..."
"You told me you read her fortune, didn't you?"
"Yes..?"
"What was her fortune about?"
"Uhm..maybe you should ask her about that...?"
"Lily please, if you want to read my fortune now tell me first about hers."
"You think it does have something to do with you or your nightmares?"
"Yes...but I’m not sure, I’m just feeling uneasy.." Elias bit his lower lip. He had been feeling uneasy the whole time when he was in Knockturn Alley, especially when he discovered a stranger giving the dark mistress certain glances.
Lily told him quietly about Luna Lestrange's fortune she had foretold some week ago, still not understanding what good it will do her brother if she told him about it, then she brought her crystal ball and closed the bedroom door behind her. She sat down on the floor in front of Elias and let her crystal ball to float in the air. After several minutes of silence she spoke:
"You have enemies…they show up as foxes and wolves…so beware..."
"Ah, what more do you see..."
"I can see that your path will be crossed with Luna Lestrange...but beware because the enemy is trying to get in between....."
"How do you see me and how do you see the dark mistress?"
"I see you as a beautiful peacock, proud and graceful....her as a charming and unpredictable snake...that is before you come across her path. When you two meet a beautiful full moon shines over the planet Venus. That is all I could see...." Lily looked up as she saw her brother rushing out of the bedroom, hearing him how he hurried down the stairs..
Elias was about to apparate to the manor of the dark mistress when he suddenly understood what he was about to do. He did not apparate. He clutched his hands so hard that it almost hurt..I...I just can't...bloody hell...if she hadn't mistreated me after the battle, I would have been by her side now, whatever if she loves me or not, I'll respect that....but now what shall I do...I know deep inside that she needs help, I could feel that in my mark in the sleep.....As an old habit, he rolled up his left sleeve and looked at his dark mark. It was calm on the surface. Elias produced his wand out of his right sleeve and summoned his Patronus, a silvery shining peacock. Then he whispered his message into it:

You appear in my dreams, calling for help. If you need me, summon me and I'll immediately be at your service

Then he sent his Patronus.

Later that evening Mr and Mrs Shadowwalker arrived home after their long vacation in Florence. The whole family were having a delicious dinner in the dining room. Lily was chatting gaily with her parents, as the talkative girl she was, she told them everything about her last semester at Hogwarts.
Elias was very quiet, half listening, half drifting away in his own thoughts. He tried to eat but was poking the food. His mother noticed that something was not as usual thus she asked him:
"Are you allright Elias?"
Elias looked up surprisingly at his mother, smiled nervously at her as he shoved some food into his mouth, chewing it, feeling that every chew was growing bigger and bigger in his mouth until he managed to swallow it.
Then her mother noticed that he was wearing a scarf indoors
"You are not cold, are you?" Everyone in the family was looking at Elias.
"No...I’m fine.." he said failing to keep away the anxious tone in his voice.
"Then take the scarf off please, you know it is not good for your body heat to wear outer garments indoors" Elizabeth Shadowwalker did not wait for her son to take off his scarf, she leaned forward and snatched it off gently with an elegant hand movement. She suddenly froze in fear, making big eyes as she saw the scars at his throat. Her husband only raised a questioning eyebrow. Lily was staring with chock.
"I'll explain..." Elias managed to say and simply told his family that he had received these scars in combat during a battle where he had given his own protecting charm bracelet to the dark mistress in order to protect her from any harm. And to his relief his family believed him. His parents were looking at him proudly and Lily started to chatter gaily as usual, this time telling about her trip to the Knockturn Alley earlier today though leaving out the part of when Elias had fainted. Her eyes were sparkling with excitement.
Elias finished his food quickly, excusing himself as he was feeling sleepy and needed to rest for tonight.
He went into his bedroom and closed the door quietly behind him. Lily had brewed the sleep draught and placed it on his bedside table this afternoon. He was considering to sleep without taking any drop of it, curious to find out if he would have the same nightmare as he used to have before he met the dark mistress today..or if his dreams had changed..but he did not want to worry his family by screaming out her name in his sleep. I didn't tell her who I was when I sent my Patronus to her, will she recognize me or not...at least she will hear my voice as whisper..I wonder what her reaction would be...what if I’m worrying for nothing then I’m just embarrassing myself, making a worse impression of myself....and with this last worried thought Elias took a little amount of sleep draught before he went to bed.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna sat up in bed, as her window lit up. The sliver peacock Patronus floated through the window, and spoke in Elias's voice:

You appear in my dreams, calling for help. If you need me, summon me and I'll immediately be at your service

Luna watched as the Patronus dissolved slowly, leaving only the darkness, and the imprint of the peacock on her eyes. So, he's dreaming about me? He still cares, and he readily offers help to a mistress that has betrayed him? Perhaps not as proud as I thought? Maybe, I should tell him? No, what am I thinking? There was a reason I got rid of him. Luna got up, knowing she wouldn't get much sleep, now. She got ready, and drank an energetic potion, meant to give her strength, and energy.

Luna picked up the Resurrection Stone and saw her father. "Father?" this was the first time she had called him that, and she said it timidly. "Tell me about the threat you saw coming." Lord Voldemort smiled, and took a few steps closer to Luna. "I told you all I saw. I cannot see much into your world. " Luna shoved the stone into its box, and replaced it into her trunk. Useless

"Come, Nagini, we've got work to do." With Nagini concealed beneath the arm of Luna's travelling cloak, Luna set off to the cafe, intent upon talking to Aaron. She wasn't going to give in, just use him. She wasn't a fool, but would put her desperate mask on, as if she had thought of nothing but him.

Luna appeared next to it, but since it was still dark, no one was around. The only sounds came from the pub nearby. Luna sat on one of the cafe's outdoor tables and waited for the sun to rise. Slowly, but surely, 6:00 came. People trickled in, opening stores around her, while Luna sat, talking to Nagini in whispers. At seven, the cafe opened, ad Luna took to her familiar seat. She checked her mirror impatiently. Aaron was walking through the streets of a cobbled, dingy street. Luna smiled, recognising the street as one very close to Knockturn Alley. She sat back, and waited, ordering a small omelette, with a side of toast.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"RosaClaire Rosier nice to make your acquaintance. This way Mr. Sherwood. I am hosting this affair." She looked over at him. He has a look of uncertainty until Aislinn smiles over at him still trying not to giggle.

"Have you ever gone on a fox hunt in wizarding society, William? May I call you that?" She smiled quaintly at his awkwardness.

"No? You never been on one or no I can't call you by your first name.” she shook her head.

"I didn't mean.” he looked over at Aislinn for support.

"I know what you were trying to say." Rosa giggled coyly. As they passed her guests, she paid them attention addressing each one.

A lanky stout woman in an owl feather draped coat and hat started at them with her wand drawn as Rosa took a sweet from the tray be for her. "You cow! Pig dog, you snubbing my son." Sparks flew from the tip of the old witche’s wand as Rosa held a hand up. Several people had a wand on her.

Rosa finished her sweet then spoke " If you my Dear woman, had trained your son to treat a lady as a lady and not some vulgar tramp then maybe your son would not be a laughing stock. I do not like men with the manners of a pig swine." The witch turned marching off. She started cursing in Bulgarian.

Several men offered her a handkerchief. She took one of them smiling at the attractive gent with the curly blonde hair. "Thank you. Davin. If you will excuse me, I need some air." Aislinn followed and William followed nervously.

"Don't mind all of that," Rosa said as she examined a silver bracelet that was folded in the delicate silk monogramed cloth.

"Isn't that the Rosier crest?" William said mumbling.

"Why, yes. It is." Rosa said surprised. She scanned his mind without him noticing. A good guess. She chuckled inwardly at his attempts to make chit chat.

"This is a last-ditch effort on part of my godfather to try to arrange something." She answers his unspoken question. Like he knows anything of pureblood society. She keeps herself smiling as the crazy and inbreed comment had already crossed his mind.

"Any experience with the crossbow or archery?" She waited for an answer.

"Well, Mr. Bradley will be giving lessons. Later on. If you like."

"And here we are." She stepped up to a large Italian stable house. " You sure you want to see him. After all William maybe more comfortable hunting. A large hunt will be set up in a short while to go hunt the main course. As long as you know a stunning spell you can attend. Men only..." At that point a centaur with blue eye starts to speak.

"I have not had company in a while. Want you join me? I almost have my latest song for the Wyrd Sisters finished. I'd like an opinion on my work." There was something charming about Galaxius as he staried out among the pillars. Aislinn almost got caught up in the centaur's charm and grace until she remembers Rosa's words of caution.

The roof was enchanted to show a sunny day. The sun gleamed off the black back of centaur compared to his muscular olive skinned chest. His tail swished back and forth showing aggravation.

Aislinn glanced sideways at Sherwood and then looked back at the centaur. She tried to keep a straight face as she slowly backed away, keeping a respectful distance from the beast as she watched Sherwood with gloat. The blockhead, as he was, greeted Galaxius and started to chat gaily with him like he was talking with a human being.
"I have a very broad taste in music and songs. I would love to give you my opinion, it would be an honor, " William said gaily then he turned around and called: "Hey Ash, won't you like to join us, you who like to listen to that muggle band Nightwish, I would also like to hear your opinion in this?"
But Aislinn Monroe could nowhere been seen. She had ditched Sherwood and left the stable.
He'll be fine, he is old enough to fend over himself, I'll rummage through his memory later tehehe, she thought sadistically as she made her way back to the guests. Some of the Bulgarian and French men among the guests, winked at Aislinn, trying to catch her attention, but she did not give them air, ignoring them coolly as she sipped her drink. She was soon joined by other guests who seemed to have taking some liking in her and since they could speak proper English, she did not ignore them but kept them at an arm-length distance as she studied them with caution to get to know them better

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna looked up, and saw Aaron entering the cafe. He immediately noticed Luna, and made his way over to her table, sitting down smoothly. He spoke first, before Luna got the chance. "My offer has been accepted?" he smiled, not really asking. "We will start today. The lessons." he added at Luna's questioning expression. Luna wasn't sure what to do, so she decided on honesty, since this man knew more than she had ever told any living soul. Well, except for a certain someone. Aaron had the legendary powers of a seer, someone who could tell a person's true intentions and emotions from miles away. Luna put on her troubled mask and spoke quietly. "I am afraid. Perhaps" Luna looked into his eyes with her hopeful mask "you can also teach me to abandon my fear?" Aaron reached out and grasped her hand. "Don't worry. You will sense no fear and feel no regret." He bought it. Luna smiled as she stood to leave. Aaron stood up as well and offered her his hand. Luna took it after slight hesitation, and they exited the cafe, Aaron opening the door for Luna. They paused outside, as Aaron spoke softly to Luna. "What's wrong?" Luna was looking worried, for she was thinking about what would happen if he fooled her into believing that there was nothing wrong with corruption. "Never you mind." Luna lied convincingly. She took a deep breath and prepared to apparate.

 

[Hikari Chan]

A couple of rangy, gangly wizards approached Aislinn and began to flirt with her. They spoke with a slight Albanian accent. Most of the people she notes are not English speaking as their first language. The only ones that do not have an accent are August Yaxley and Avery Bradley.

Avery ask them a question. "Giving up so soon?"

"I am afraid it is of no use. She said we were too much like our father for her taste." said the one with wave hair down to his collar and eyes as deep blue as the ocean.

"Your father and her were teamed up for a while during the war. She did not seem to like it much." Avery laughed.

"She does not seem to like a hands-on approach. You don't mind that do you? My sweet." the wizard with short military cut hair and deep purple eyes took Aislinn's hand kissing it. When Aislinn brought her hand back up it had a beautiful ring with a large moon stone with fleur de lis pattern on both sides. The patterns were embossed with little tiny pearls across the middle of each side. The ring itself seemed to be made of gold. He smiled at her.

"A gift. You can keep it." he whispered in her ear placing his arm around her waist. " Would you like to go riding with us? Is a beautiful day outside for this wonderful party we have. It would be a shame to waste time not to enjoy it. Staying coupe in the house."

A couple of the Rosiers went with them. To saddle some Arabians that had been brought in.

Aislinn did not see Sherwood until the end of the day after all the ladies had settled down to drink tea and chat. Rosa had a ginger tea with a spiked lemonade garnished with strawberry and mint. Gifts were offered and talk about the other men was abound in English and French.

William had made it out of the centaurs stable but came back with severe burns and a badly gored leg. He had been out hunting with the men.

"He fell into your fire lilies Madam Claire. The horse bolted for good reason; but I must say we got one grand hog out of it. The hog was placed in front of her by levitation charm on the ground in front. It took five wizards concentrating to do so. Its ivory tusk was akin to an elephant beneath it. Three crossbow bolts in its head and one in its back." Avery smiled. Proudly at their catch. Some of the others were gored as well. It must have surprised them.

"Magnificent. Have it prepared for dinner." she nodded clapping softly. "William it seems you have found the aloof War boar that are here on the ranch from way back. Let's patch you up."

"I don't want some Death Eater touching me. Take me to the hospital. If you even care to keep me alive." Mr Sherwood gave her a harsh look and some of the men looked like they did not want him left alive. They looked offended. Waiting for a sign from Rosa.

"Well, he is your guest?" Rosa looked over at Aislinn. "What shall we do? I am for healing him by force and punishing him for insolent nature, myself." He was lucky she even offered. But the boar is good fortune it would lack tradition not to.

William looked over at Aislinn with the same betrayed look she had seen when Galaxius decided to grab him and ask him if he liked French sausage. But the centaur really had not been in the mood to kill him, so she'd forced him to join in the hunt.

Despite what everyone thought of Rosa she had never forced the centaur to kill anyone.

Aislinn looked at the ring with a slight interest, she dropped it in her pocket. This must be a really grand fortune, it would look to gross at my hand, but it might be useful, she thought already setting up a plan, about what to do with this expensive ring, in her mind. She accepted the offer of going to ride with them, though surprised all the men who have been flirting with her that she chose to ride alone. Handling a horse was nothing in comparison with handling a dragon. At the end of the day she saw Sherwood, wounded and hurt, giving her the look of having both his pride and feelings hurt.
"I don't want some Death Eater touching me. Take me to the hospital. If you even care to keep me alive." Sherwood said with gritted teeth looking harshly at Rosa.
Some of the men looked offended.
"Well, he is your guest?" Rosa looked over at Aislinn. "What shall we do? I am for healing him by force and punishing him for insolent nature, myself."
"I'll take him to St Mungo’s," Aislinn replied quietly and then gave Rosa the look which was saying Then he is yours to punish for what he deserves.
She looked coolly at Sherwood before grabbing him by his arm and apparated away to St Mungos.