Fandom The Gathering of Death Eater Children

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna apparated, appearing in front of her house. Aaron appeared by her side, a second later. He turned to Luna confidently "Shall we?". Once again, he held out his arm for Luna to take. She took it, and he led her towards the labyrinth. He made his way through the hedges, knowing it all too well for a visitor. "How do you know the way through?" Luna asked, puzzled by his expert navigation. Aaron smiled at Luna and said charmingly "Your memory is guiding me." This made Luna feel very uncomfortable. He sees through my expert shields like they are transparent. Throughout my entire life, the one thing I have always loved is that my thoughts where always private, and my own. He's just trying to make himself seem more powerful, thus I will find no point in resisting? Aaron stopped, looking at Luna, intrigued. "What's wrong?" Luna had showed no facial cues to her thoughts, but he knew. "Do I make you feel uncomfortable?" he brushed aside a lock of Luna's hair that was out of place.

"Never you mind." Luna said quickly, walking ahead briskly. The rest of their walk was silent. They finally reached the center, and Aaron passed Luna, standing exactly in the middle of the clearing. He closed his eyes, concentrating.

The exits sealed themselves, replaced with mirrors. The floor became a reflective glass, and the ceiling as well. It was a vast hall of mirrors. Aaron disappeared, and in his place a candle grew tall, casting confusing shadows around the now dim maze. Aaron's voice came echoing through the passages. "Find me. " Luna smiled as she made to draw her wand but was startled to find that it was missing. "Without magic!" Aaron laughed. Luna took a deep breath. No wand, but so much more. This room is suited to reflect the occupant's needs. Besides a wand, and food, this place has everything.

Luna smiled, knowing he was testing her ability to act without a wand. Most people would panic, but not Luna. In this room, I have the advantage. Luna looked at the ground, then the ceiling. She had read many novels, where the villain would trap heroes in confusing places. They would always be in the last place one would expect. Luna concentrated, and the ceiling began to crack. First small lines, which split and separated into many. Bits of glass came showering down, and Luna thought of a large umbrella the size of an elephant. It shielded her from the glass, but Aaron's discouraging voice echoed louder. "Nice try. Guess again."

Luna thought, and the ceiling mended itself. She looked intently at the ground. With concentration, it broke, just like the ceiling, except for a small area surrounding her. "I can assure you, this is no book, Luna. You're taking far too long for a simple task. " he jeered. Luna's face became red, and she wished she had a bit of water with her. She began going through her bag and found her mirror. "Show me Aaron." she whispered. Aaron's contented face stared straight at her from the inside of the mirror. "I didn't say I was inside the maze." he said slyly. Luna held it away from her, and Aaron materialized out from it. He bowed to Luna, as the room restored itself to its normal state.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"What the bloody hell have I ever done to you to deserve this treatment?"
Silence
"Right you don't need to answer me, I already know why. A muggleborn is forever a mudblood in your eyes, but even if I was a pureblood you would have looked at me as a bloodtraitor because I was sorted in a different house. You are so wicked. I don't understand how you have the face to work as spy for us at the same time as you hang around with deatheaters and befriend them. Leave me alone, I don't want to see your face anymore you filfty...."
"Shut up!" Aislinn said with a dangerous tone yet a calm voice. That was enough to make Sherwood to close his mouth and remain silent. He was half-laying, half-sitting on the hospital bed, resting his back against white clean pillows. Aislinn was sitting on a chair beside him.
"You have no right to blame me for anything that happened to you at the party, " she said coolly. "First of all it was your own fault to let yourself to be fooled by a dangerous centaur. You are an educated man, you know a lot about magical animals, you know the nature of a centaur and that not all the centaurs are the same as Firenze. You can't deny this. Secondly it was your own fault too that you got hurt during the hunt because of you being clumsy and careless. Am I wrong?"
William was silent. He had no good answer. Deep inside he knew that Aislinn was speaking the truth. He hated her for having the right in this subject.
Aislinn raised up to leave, but turned one last time at Sherwood before she said:
"By the way, you know very well that I need to befriend the deatheaters to get closer to them so I easily can gather the best information for D.A. and P.O. ?!.."
No answer...
"You have to answer Miss Rosier for your abusive behavior and rude language at her party. She will be here very soon...and don't blame me for whatever she does to punish you, remember that it was all your own fault.." and with these last words Aislinn left.

The next day Aislinn apparated at Knockturn Alley, the exclusive ring still in her pocket after the yesterday's events. She put her hand in her pocket and picked up the ring. She frowned as she examined it. It was a golden 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. This is just to much for me, to gross, to disgusting. A man who tries to impress on a woman with jewellery is worthless, it's like he is trying to buy her love. So vulgar...
Aislinn put the ring back in her pocket and went to Borgin and Burkes to find out the value of the ring.
"Miss Monroe, I don't have any room for hiring today, besides you are in debt for that room I borrowed you some months ago, " was Mr. Borgin's greeting.
"I’m not here to seek shelter, there are hotels you know, besides it was not my fault that the aurors broke in here back then, after all they are capable of turning the whole Knockturn Alley upside down if they wished to. I was not the only deatheater who they were looking for," Aislinn replied with an you dare blame me face.
Mr. Borgin muttered something inaudible. Aislinn decided to ignore him. She put her hand into her pocket and let the ring slide on her ring finger. She brought her hand out of her pocket and pretended to be interested of jar full of vampire fangs. She caressed the jar with her hand which was wearing the ring. She glanced sideways, discovering how Mr. Borgin's was looking at her ring with a greedy interest, his mouth watering.
"You don't sell shark fangs, do you?" She asked.
"Do you sell that ring?" He seemed to ignore her question.
"This..," Aislinn smirked, holding up her hand, "is my engagement ring, so unfortunately Im not selling it. I'll repeat my question; do you sell shark fangs or not?"
"That ring is not worth that much for an engagement. I bet it only cost a few galleons. Im willing to pay 500 galleons for it and you may have a shark fang for free.."
"I see, guess then I'll have to visit another shop which sells shark fangs," Aislinn turned on her heels to leave.
"Oh, wait please," Mr. Borgin pleaded, hurrying to pick out a jar full of shark fangs which he was hiding behind his counter. "I sell my shark fangs much cheaper than the other stores. One fang for only 100 galleons. You may go and check the other stores and you'll see that the price is higher.."
Aislinn turned back, this time she hid the ring in her pocket, before examining the shark fangs which Mr Borgins had brought to his counter.
"Aren't they being little too cheap for being real fangs?"
"They are real, I can assure you, and I’m selling them for cheaper price to get more customers. I don't sell anything fake here, you know that very well."
Aislinn knew he was speaking the truth now.
"Prepare me necklace with one kind of this fang. I want the cord to be of leather. I'll come back later," she said as she stepped out from Borgins and Burkes not waiting for an answer.
Aislinn lingered a little bit in Knockturn Alley, looking through some windows of other mysterious dark shops before she went to Madam Ruby's jewelry store in Diagon Alley.
Madam Ruby looked up from her counter as Aislinn entered. She was a fat lady in her middle-age with silver-blond curly sort hair, dressed in crimson velvet robes, her fingers were full of rings of all sort. Gold, silver, diamonds, rubies. She looked suspicious at Aislinn who picked up her ring from her pocket and placed it on the counter.
"I would like to know the value of this"
"From where did you get this from?"
"I inherited it by my grandmother," Aislinn lied with a it's not of your business to know old hag face.
Madam Ruby picked the ring and held it in her palm as she examined it.
"This is fairy gold, very valuable. The pearls are not fake. A very beautiful ring indeed. It is worth 500000 galleons...."
"I would like to sell it."
Madam Ruby raised an eyebrow and asked confusingly: "Sell a fortune which you have inherited?"
"Yes, I have no use of it since I don't wear this kind of jewelry. So I thought it's better to make it into galleons which might be more useful in future."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am,"
"Well then, " Madam Ruby caressed the ring with her fat fingers. "How would you like to get the payment? All at once immediately or shall I transfer it to your vault at Gringotts? It is more safe to transfer it you know than walking around with to much money in your pockets."
"Of course, transfer it."
"Please write down your vault number, name and signature, date here," Madam Ruby placed a piece of parchment and quill on the counter. Aislinn scribbled down everything she needed on the parchment.
"And here's a receipt on the deal, your galleons will be transferred shortly."
Madam Ruby handed another piece of parchment to Aislinn.
Aislinn thanked Madam Ruby and then left 500,000 galleons richer and much more satisfied than she was a few minutes ago.

After happily buying a simple necklace with a fang of a shark, which those who preferred more valuable jewelry such as gold, might have looked at it with disgust, Aislinn apparated outside the manor. Attending Rosa's party was not a bad idea at all, I wonder for how long I can collect jewelry as gifts and then sell them, just like I did with that ring, but it would be problematic if I happen to meet that purple-eyed blockhead again hehehe...., Aislinn thought as she walked towards the gates when she suddenly felt an unfamiliar presence. Just who is here other than Luna and Nagini, did Luna recruit some new members? Aislinn reached out her hand to open the gates, but she was feeling impotent to open them. Her hand was on the handles, trembling. She had a bad feeling about this unfamiliar presence and her guts told her to not cross the gates. She withdrew her hand and took several steps backwards. Well I’m not going in there inside as long as I don't know what's lurking. Let's sacrifice someone else who is foolish enough to willingly enter this place, Aislinn smirked at her own brilliant idea as she sent her Patronus with the message: "Meet me outside the mistress' manor, now! Hurry, please! It's urgent!"
Elias had recently finished lunch with his family when he received Aislinn's Patronus message.
He was astonished over this sudden message that he could not help but suspect.
"Is that Miss Lestrange?" Lily asked, her eyes sparkling of excitement. Her mother raised an questioning eyebrow.
Elias tried to keep his face expressionless. I wish, but unfortunately, it's not her
"No, I'll see what this is all about," he replied as he apparated away.

"You are too late," Aislinn said dryly.
"Too late for what? Why did you ask me to come here?" Elias hissed.
"It is already gone, whatever it was, it gave me shivers. It was at the other side of the gates, I had feeling that it was inside the labyrinth"
"Like what? And you had to call me here, I guess, for having me to check because you did not have the guts to go by yourself?"
"A presence of something or someone unfamiliar. My instincts told me not to enter.."
"But told you to send me in?.."
"Kind of.."
"How ridiculous..." Elias turned on his heels to leave.
"Wait, where are you going?"
"Home. I have no right to be here, you know very well that I’m not welcomed here anymore, and whatever danger you sensed, it is already gone. You are just wasting my time.."
"Well that's your own fault if you were trying to get in between Luna and Blai...."
"I never tried to get in between them!" Elias cut off. His voice was calm and steady, but there was a slight dangerous tone which did not escape Aislinn.
"I know, I know, calm down mate, teheh.."
Elias prepared himself once more to apparate away, but turned to Aislinn and asked:
"I forgot to ask you before by the way...why did you bother yourself with saving my life?"
"I listened to my instincts. I don't know what has happened between you and Luna since that day you arrived to join us, but I had a strong feeling that you were innocent. And if I saved your life, you won't turn against her but rather be at her service once more, am I wrong?" And suffer because she will never gives her love to you..
"No you're right....."
"And I guess that you still care about her, don't you? Otherwise you won't willingly come here no matter if you felt welcomed or not.." I already know his weakness..
"Yes, I actually do, I still care about her......" Elias voice faded away as he looked through the gates.
After several minutes of silence he looked at Aislinn and said: "..anyway I have to leave, don't bother yourself with sending me Patronus messages like the one you sent today. Your animagus form gives you an ultimate superior strength and power..."
"But what if that lurking thing turns out to be a dragon slayer?"
"Seriously...heheh...you slaughtered half of Bellatrix Lestrange's puppets during the battle and you fear that someone will slay you?.."
Aislinn could not help but laugh: "but they were weak..hehehe..."
"Still, hehehe, not to exaggerate but even a troll or a giant won't have a chance against you.."
"hahah how can you know?"
"Merlin's beard Monroe, use your brain. Never tried to blow fire?"
"Are you making fun of me?"
"Yes and no, " Elias sneered. "But seriously why would I make fun of you, dragons blow fire, don't they?"
"They do, but I never tried it out because I’ve never been on an open field, if I had blown fire during the battle for instance I would have killed you all because we all were inside the labyrinth.."
"..true..."
"..besides I’m still a human actually, so when I’m in my Animagus form I don't think I can be compared to real dragons.."
"...Unless if you try..."........"Anyway, like I said," Elias continued, "don't ask me to come here anymore, please. If she needs me, she will summon me, we have already met twice by the way...."
"Oh really??....when.....How......what happened?" Aislinn tried to keep her face straight. The faint tone of curiosity in her voice did not escape Elias.
"Nothing in particular..." Elias said quietly with a it is not of your business to know, Monroe face before he apparated away.
D*** if he had just been earlier, well anyway another time... Aislinn turned to cross the gates but stopped in her tracks before she did. What if that unfamiliar presence comes back once more, no I can't stay here, I have to gather more information first and see whatever I can find out about what is going on here. Sigh..before the battle this was my only home and now I’ve to seek shelter somewhere else because an unfamiliar presence is haunting this place. I can stay at the P.O. as long as Sherwood keeps his mouth shut and doesn’t fudge things for me until I find a safe place which I can afford, She thought before she apparated away.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna stood as Aaron disappeared just outside the labyrinth. She heard whispers, and used a charm to make herself blend in to her surroundings. Just outside the gate, she head Elias and Aislynn talking in whispers.

"A presence of something or someone unfamiliar. My instincts told me not to enter.." Aislynn said.
"But told you to send me in?.." Elias said unamused.

Luna listened to their conversation, slightly bored.

"I forgot to ask you before by the way...why did you bother yourself with saving my life?"
"I listened to my instincts. I don't know what has happened between you and Luna since that day you arrived to join us, but I had a strong feeling that you were innocent. And if I saved your life, you won't turn against her but rather be at her service once more, am I wrong?"

Luna's eyes grew wide. An anger inside her erupted. She had to fight a strong curse to hex Aislynn, but finally decided otherwise. I'll talk to her later . . .and make sure she had an hidden motive. I cannot believe she did it because she wanted him alive . . .

When they left, Nagini hissed next to Luna. "She wanted him to suffer further, Luna. I can tell." Luna looked at Nagini, who smiled back. "I am sure. You have always been right. But . . .she needs to know that I know. People shouldn't have secret conversations in places home to the people they wish to keep it from." Luna walked away, and barely slept that night.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn apparated outside a muggle hotel. She had changed her mind. She won't stay a day at the P.O. or D.A. The meetings she had to attend there were enough for her. She went inside the lobby of the hotel where she easily manipulated the staff with the imperio curse so she could have a room for free for several nights. Not caring about changing her clothes or washing, she just threw herself down on the bed with its fresh and clean sheets in her new room. Her mind was too busy to rest. Oh shoot, I haven't told Luna that I saved Elias' life, I ought to have told her, well sooner or later she'll know what I did if she doesn't already know. Would she be mad and angry with me? Will she understand why I saved him? So, they have seen each other twice, have they spoken to each other? How were their reactions in seeing each other? And twice? I can't believe it, and he is still alive after seeing her twice...did she regret what she did to Elias?..Did she understand that she acted recklessly and hastily without thinking....I have a strange feeling that she killed him without thinking a second and I understand why. She let her sorrow and rage to wash over Elias because of the sudden death of Blaise. I wonder if she would have killed Elias even if Blaise had survived the battle. But why? Just why? From what I know, Elias has never betrayed us and when he arrived to join us, he never knew about the relationship between Luna and Blaise, because since Elias arrival I haven't seen Luna and Blaise with each other..The only things I saw from him, before the battle, were his arrogance and pride....and I know Elias from Hogwarts, even of the four years of difference between us, being in the same house and observing him good enough during three years was enough for me to learn that he would never try to chase girl if he knew that she already was in relationship, that's so against his pride. And he is not a rascal, no, but a gentleman with etiquette. And very proud and arrogant..but how strange that he still cares about Luna after what she did to him after the battle...swallowing his own pride....instead for taking revenge or betray her he would rather offer his service for her once more. Does he still love her? I doubt it, not after learning that she actually loved someone else....but if Blaise had survived would Elias still care about Luna? Eeehhhhhhh, Aislinn pulled her hair. This is so diffuse....but come to think about it..Elias is not that proud like he was before....after that I saw him twice...well actually he would never change his attitude towards muggles and blood traitors and so do I...but towards me he changed a bit, did Luna's harshly treatment teach him a lesson?...I wonder...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna sat in bed, awake. She had barely slept, and it felt as if she had been in bed for hours with no luck. She stood up and noticed that the time was eleven o' clock. She showered and dressed, thinking. "I cannot rest until speak with her. I will not act rashly, but hear her out . . .first. She has been exceptionally good . . .I won't lose her. " .

Luna packed her bag with everything she needed, and checked her mirror before she packed it . "Show me Aislynn." The mirror showed Aislynn sleeping. Luna looked around her for signs of where she was and found a stack of muggle magazines on a table next to the bed. Sleeping in a muggle hotel? She must be miserable sleeping in a place full of all those filthy people. She will come back here with me if all goes well . . . Luna looked closer and found an advertisement for the hotel on the same table. She smiled. Nagini hissed questioningly, and Luna extended an arm for her to coil around. She wore a boring muggle coat to conceal Nagini, planning to take it off the moment she had passed the muggles.

She apparated to the muggle hotel and walked gracefully to the front desk. "Hello." the man said politely. "Hello." said Luna. "I would like to know which room Aislynn Monroe is in." The man looked at Luna suspiciously. Under her coat, she used her wand to make the man do as she wished. "In room 207." "Thank you." Luna said as she walked off.

She knocked on the door politely, awaiting an answer. She quickly too off her coat, and used a vanishing spell. Nagini slid off her arm, and sat beside her.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn had fallen asleep without noticing. She suddenly woke up hearing someone knocking on the door. She rose up, smoothed out the bedsheets so the bed looked good, combed her hair with her fingers and smoothed out her clothes as well. With her wand ready behind her back, she opened the door carefully.
"Luna!" She beamed, she opened the door wider to let Luna pass by with Nagini. "Come in, come in please." Then she picked the muggle phone and made an order of an exclusive dinner before she at down with Luna at the sofas in the grand room. It was a five star hotel, not a cheap one.

Aislinn took a deep breath. She had to confess now, or it would be too late.
"I apologize for not telling you before," she started quietly. "It must have been a chock for you to find out that Elias is alive. It was never my intention to chock you or make you mad. I should actually have told you earlier. I saved Elias' life, not because of I got some liking to him or because of he was my crush when I was thirteen years old teheh. I had other reasons behind saving his life. I don't know what has happened between you and him since the day he arrived to join us. All I know that he never betrayed us. All I saw from him was pride and arrogance and the confident feeling of being superior. So, my first reason was that he is actually innocent, even if he was such a looser, please correct me if I’m wrong, because as I said I don't know what has happened between you two before the battle. And I don't think that he even knew about that you loved Blaise until you confessed after the battle. I know Elias from Hogwarts; he won't run after girls who already are in relationships. I was surprised over seeing his fear when he met the boggart, but I guessed that he might have been worried for you to choose another man than him. Second, I wanted to test his loyalty, which was a dire risk I took but he turned out to be the most loyal man. He has not badmouthed you or revealed anything about you or whatsoever of what I know from the researches I have done so far. And from what I learned today he will neither seek revenge nor betray you. Third; I want to crush his pride and make him suffer, a sudden death would be to soothing and comforting for him. I already know his weakness, his weakness is you, so it would be a great use and advantage for us. Today I was about to enter our place, but when I arrived, I felt a presence of something or someone unfamiliar. My instincts told me not to enter, so I decided to send him in to whatever thing, which was lurking there, because I knew that he, such a fool as he is, would immediately come even if he was feeling un-welcomed, all for his precious mistress. I saw pain in his eyes." Aislinn told Luna about the whole conversation which has passed between her and Elias outside the manor. "Unfortunately, that thing, whatever or whoever it was, was already gone when he arrived. Even if he asked me to not send him Patronus messages in future, he would just forget about it. He was not sounding confident when he said that you would summon him if you needed him. There was a slight shiver in his voice and a haunted look in his eyes. There was nothing better than your treatment towards him after the battle. You teached him a great lesson that no one else would be able to teach him."

There was a knock on the door.

"Dinner, Miss Monroe."

"Come in and leave it on the table,"

The staff which was under Aislinn's imperius curse delivered the food and then left quickly with a blank expression.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna looked at the dinner tray and saw that all of the dishes where covered. It smelled good, but she wasn't going to relax yet. Luna smiled at Aislynn. "The reason my father was unsuccessful was because whenever someone acted against his instructions, or questioned him, or even showed a glimmer of insubordination, they would die at his hands. " Luna paused, staring at Nagini, who looked at Luna, then they both turned back to Aislynn. "I find your third reason very interesting indeed. I also admit . . that I acted rashly after the Battle. " Luna paused, again. "I forgive your secrecy. I wouldn't have spoken, either. But, in the future. . .don't repeat your mistake. You say Elias still has feelings for me? How can that be, when he has suffered unspeakable pain at my hand?"

"You must be tired of being surrounded by all of these muggles. You are welcome to your room in my manor when you wish for a more suitable place for a Slytherin. " Luna paused once more, remembering her comment about 'the presence'. "About the danger you sensed . . .There is a man that has been meeting me, and the nature of our relationship is purely for business, but he is a womanising fiend. He will not be around for long."

 

[Hikari Chan]

"I promise to not repeat my mistake or do anything without thinking in future. I don't know how it can be that he still has feelings. Maybe he has not feelings anymore and only choose to be loyal to show his good side and to repent for his mistakes. Maybe he has regretted his behavior before the battle so deeply. He might feel so much shame of how he has acted before. I can't be sure, I’m just speculating now. He says himself that he still cares about you, so merlin knows. If Elias truly loves you then he is suffering right now, suffering because of the distance between you two. A broken heart can't be compared to a snake bite. He might have forgotten the pain of a snake bite, but he might not have forgotten the truth which you confessed to him and how you blamed him. Just how did he fall in love with you? Did you try to fool him with false emotions?" Aislinn replied.

She removed the covers from the dishes.

"Yes, I am getting less on the muggles, constantly feeling tired to be surrounded by them thank you dear, I won't feel at home at any other places but at yours. Care to share this dinner with me before we leave this place? You look like you have not been eating and sleeping well lately. The food is very spicy by the way. That man, I hope he is not crossing the line?"

Sherwood was getting to be an annoyance.

She had creep into the hospital using her shadow clock when a familiar voice interrupted her games.

It had been Deniece Sweeting. She had helped many during the war when no one else would roam the battle fields and save the wounded. Rosa had joined her in this. That was before she knew that everyone was mostly out for them selves. She had been young and foolish back then.

Well she when to back to see the kids that were ill. Deniece had talked with her that she could not get in touch with Lucius Malfoy to help. Deniece had also talked her into say why she was there. She had brought Sherwood back to the children's ward to apologizes and after she accepted his apology as he sat their playing the part of the evil wizard of the ivory tower in the story book she was reading the kids.

After ward Deniece had asked her when she would be back and she said she would not. Deniece was disappointed in Claire but she decided it was best even if a pureblood kid had been caught by the deadly creeper.

Only questionable treatment would help, and Rosa was sticking her neck out for no one. But she was now getting owls from the mudblood to have a change of her and he was sticking close to the order.

RosaClaire was getting irritated. She was hoping the party would help her come up with someone before her strict traditional Aunt Olivia got involved. All of them were either after money or a prized trophy wife they could buy.

She sat talking to the Family Portrait in the entrance hall to the ranch. She was talking with her dad about Seamus when her mother intervened. 'Merlin, I forgot to lock down the others.' Rosa rolled her eyes.

"What does your heart tell you, Dear? I mean does it really matter that much to have someone of breeding." Her large framed gorilla of a mother that looked like she was about pop out of her corset at any moment smiled and put her hands together.

Then she saw her father's green eyes narrow. As he took off his red hat with the large black ostrich feather bring it to sit on his leg. He sudden leap up from his chair, waving his hat at his side, and started pacing. Looking over at Millie and suddenly milling around why she had decide to talk to him on this subject.

He looked into Rosa's hazel eyes and then started pacing some more.

"You can't be?" Evan Rosier said.

"She, is... just laying her opinion open." She went to close the curtain.

"Honey blossom, I think it's time he knew. " Her mother pleaded with her.

"Ebony? Is she?" she looked over at Rosa tilting her head over to him.

Rosa took her hand off the curtain, " Yes, father. I am your daughter. Although there have been doubts. August Yaxley found you body and did a test."

"I do not approve in that case. Why did not telling me to start with you were first born" Evan looked harshly at her.

Suddenly there was yelling and screaming from more then one person in the painting. She shut the curtain.

"I should have never asked..."

Rosa went to bed early only to find Sherwood's owl waiting for her. 'Foolish lad.' Rosa was of Slytherin's philosophy on mudbloods it was not them that was a danger of themselves but rather what they brought with them. Muggle parents that may not understand or even may fear wizards. She stunned the bird.

"Hope he does not expect you back soon." she placed the owl in a cage.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna looked at Aislynn, pondering whether to answer her question truthfully or not. "Elias was always brushing himself against me. Not physically, emotionally. He was putting himself out there, begging for attention. The way he looked at me . . .he wanted me. So, to ensure he fought well, I lied. I told him I loved him, because, either way, he would have told himself I did. He wanted me SO much, he wanted it to be true. " Luna looked down, and said no more on the matter.

"No thank you. The food does look lovely, but I don't care for spicy food. "

"The man is doing fine. I can handle myself. Don't worry about me. " Luna sat in silence, stroking Nagini while Aislynn ate.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn ate in silence as she listened thoughtfully. How foolish of Elias, and I’m not surprised, once falling in love will make you blind from all the flaws. And that stranger, my instincts never lies to me, I wonder...

Two weeks later

The winter holidays passed away so fast and was already over that Lily felt she did not get enough time to rest or have fun. She had been lazy all the days, not doing anything but brewing sleep draught to her brother or fancying around in front of her mirror, trying new make-up and new clothes and she had spending every evening playing cards with her brother to her mother's disapproval. Every evening, she would come down to the parlor, her brother would try to persuade her with teaching her arithmancy, she would agree because her brother was so kind-hearted to her. But after a quarter or so she would give up on learning the subject, giving her brother the excuse that she was not in mood for arithmancy, that she was to tired to concentrate on a such hard subject, pleading him to save it for the summer holidays and then she would pick out her pack of cards with a smirk. Her brother and father would just chuckle while her mother would sigh loudly with a disapprovingly expression. Lily yawned as she made her way to the girls' dorm when she arrived at Hogwarts. She was already bored, missing her family and her home. Parting away from her family was as usual like every time when she had to leave for Hogwarts. She would almost tremble a little, her voice getting a little thick, the tears threatening in corner of her eyes. As she had grown up, she had learned not to cry and to handle this kind of partings somewhat better. When Lily entered the girls' dorm, she suddenly saw a small gift, which was wrapped in shimmery green wrapping paper with glowing black dark marks, on her bed.

"Oh.."
Lily picked up the gift, hold it in her hands as she examined it for a while before she sat down on her bed. A small green piece of parchment with the Slytherin crest embossed at the top right corner was attached to the gift. Lily removed the piece of parchment carefully from the beautiful wrapping paper not wanting to destroy it. There was a message in elegant and neat writing which read:

Lily Shadowwalker,
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

"Ohhh..." Lily was feeling so excited that when she opened the gift her hands were shaking of excitement. The lovely shades which she had wished to have was in her hands. She caressed the shades slowly, looking at them with excitement. They were not only beautiful but charmed with magic. She put away the letter and the wrapping paper in her trunk before trying out the shades. As a fancy and vain girl, she was she always had a small mirror on the wall beside her bed in the girls' dorm. She was looking at herself wearing the shades in the mirror, giggling of excitement, when her best friend Clarissa entered the dorm. Lily turned around and burst out:
"Your face is blue, Clarissa! You feel determined about something"
"What?"
"Now your face is orange! You are curious!"
They both burst out laughing.

"Pretty shades, where did you get them?" Clarissa asked after she had caught her breath.
"Uhm they are a gift"
"From a secret admirer?, tehehe..."
"Hahaha no, you know what I do with all the gifts I receive from those dense admirers."
"Yes I know, you keep what you find useful for your selfish desires and throw the rest in the nearest rubbish bin, obviously very discreetly in front of their noses...."
Lily and Clarissa burst out in laughter again.

"So, who gifted you?" Clarissa asked insistently after they both calmed down.
"My brother," Lily lied convincingly without hesitation. There had been rumors about that Lord Voldemort's daughter had risen to power, gathering deatheaters to aid her in her dark mission. The first attack had been on a gala, which was held at Hogwarts sometime in August, where the Slytherins of course did not attend at all. They were of course to proud to attend events together with blood traitors and muggles. Heads of missing bodies have been found within the walls of Hogwarts. Some blood traitors had gone missing. Some children, among them the infamous Potter's children, had been kidnapped. Almost everyone had been suspicious towards the Slytherins, treating them coldly for a period even if it was not their faults. And since the awful happenings aurors had been guarding the gates of Hogwarts. Everything has been secured both outside and within the walls of the school. Clarissa was never good in keeping secrets and therefor Lily could not tell her that she had met Luna Lestrange, the new heiress of the dark. If she told Clarissa, she would certainly gossip to the other girls in their house and the story would spread like a wildfire among the rest. And what if someone from their own house betrayed them. Lily was not stupid. She had paid extra attention in the history class when professor Binn lectured about the second wizarding war. One of the deatheaters had betrayed Lord Voldemort by helping Potter to defeat him. That was why Lily was so cautious and did not trust everyone in her house. Even if everyone in Slytherin would support Luna, which Lily could not be certain of, they were still few in comparison with the members of P.O. and D.A. and the rest of the houses. And if anyone would suspect her or the worst learn that she knows Luna Lestrange then there would be dire consequences both for her, Elias and Luna and of course for everyone who supported Luna Lestrange. When being few it is better to act low to gain power and victory.

A while later Lily went with Clarissa and other friends to dine in the Great Hall. Lily was wearing her new shades of course, feeling to excited to resist them. As they entered the Great Hall, it was clearly who the leader was among the girls, Lily Shadowwalker, who was the prettiest one and always surrounded by her girls at Hogwarts. She added an extra sway to her hips as she walked, making sure that she had everyone's attention as she observed their faces through her shades. Of course, all the lads in Slytherin had bright red faces, they admired her and they were not feeling embarrassed over their feelings towards her in comparison to the other boys whose faces were deep red of being ashamed for their feelings towards a Slytherin girl. Most of the girls' faces were poison green, they envied her. Lily let each of her friends to try out her new shades once when they sat at their house table. They were laughing so hard every time they discovered colors and emotions among those who they observed through the shades. Most of the teachers looked disapprovingly at Lily but could not say anything because of the Slytherin's head of house, professor Quinn, who was looking at her colleagues with a do you have an attitude problem with my pupils face.

Later that night when all the girls but Lily fell asleep, Lily rose up from her bed. "Lumos" she whispered as she sneaked out from the dorm with her schoolbag. She lit a candle and sat down in the common room to write a letter to her brother.

Dear Eli,
You can never guess what surprise I was met by when I arrived at Hogwarts. There in my dorm a little precious gift was waiting on me on my bed. Did you tell her that I loved her shades? I remember that I asked her where she had bought them the first time, I run into her, so I doubt she heard me when I told you about the shades unless if you have told her about it. It was very sweet of her to gift me and I would love to thank her for the gift, but I do not know where she lives, but even if I knew I cannot send her an owl for some reasons. This also why I have not mentioned her name in this letter for the same reasons. Though I will give you a clue: remember when I read your fortune the last time..."When you two meet a beautiful full moon shine over the planet Venus". Now I need your help please, how shall I thank her for the gift she sent me?
Lots of love,
Lily

The next morning Lily sent the letter to her brother as soon as she woke up before eating breakfast. It was a beautiful Monday morning and her first class was divination, so she hurried through her breakfast and rushed all the way up to the divination tower, taking two steps at once. She wanted to ask Professor Trelawney about something which has been on her mind the whole winter holidays, before the class started.
"huuuuuuuuuuuuuuh a beautiful full moon shining over the planet Venus?" Professor Trelawney looked very confused at Lily.
Merlin's beard, she doesn't know...Lily was trying to be patient.
"Venus is a female planet..." Professor Trelawney said thoughtfully after a moment of silence. "and a moon.....a moon is considered as a male..in many languages moon is masculine as the sun is considered as female..."
"Yes, professor.." Oh Merlin what does this have to do with the sun....
"But in Latin moon is female...."
"That's interesting, professor.." Seriously...
"Yes it is, indeed.."
"So what do you think it can mean..that a beautiful full moon shines over the planet Venus when two person meet in real life?"
"Who are they?"
"It's..it's about my brother...I actually read his fortune with a crystal ball and that's what the crystal ball showed me.."
"Who will he meet?"
"I don’t know professor, the person is unknown. What I only could see was that his path will be crossed by someone and when that happens a beautiful full moon shines over the planet Venus" Lily almost told the truth to avoid mentioning or even revealing Luna Lestrange. "So what do you think it can mean?" Lily repeated her question.
"Ohh...maybe you should ask Professor Sinistra, she is more specific in astronomy than I. Perhaps she will know if the planet Venus has a moon or not as the earth have a moon...."
Soon other few seventh years arrived to the divination class. Lily tried to keep her face straight during the lesson. Merlin's beard, professor Trelawney can be so hopeless sometimes...

Two days later Lily received a reply by her brother.

Dear Lily,
How kindly and generous of her. And how cautious and prudent you are, you do absolutely right in not mentioning any names here. If you can have some patience and endure some months, please, I will gladly help you. Let's meet outside Borgins and Burkes in Knockturn Alley the first day, preferably morning time, during the Easter holidays. Meanwhile you may figure out how you would like to thank her.
Lots of Love
Elias

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna slept quietly, not stirring now that she had talked to Aislynn. Nagini lay beside her, curled up on her velvet pillow, which was on Luna's bed tonight. The wind blew the branches of the trees, and the window flew open. Dark purple smoke seeped in, making Nagini open one eye. It drifted nearer to Luna, and Aaron materialized very close to her, his face staring at hers, inches away. In one second, a number of things happened: Nagini hissed in Luna's ear, and she sat up, wand in hand, hexing Aaron, who dodged her curse, only to reappear at the foot of the bed. Luna hastily got out of bed, and Nagini stood beside her as she held her wand threateningly to Aaron's face.

Before she spoke, she cast silencing spell to the door. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? HAVE YOU ANY RESPECT FOR-" Aaron laughed loudly, unafraid. "What do you find funny?" Luna asked impatiently.

Aaron smiled broader, amused. "You where so peaceful before you woke. Now you're a monster."

"What do you expect from someone who was threatened in a weak state?"

"I have come with news you won't want to wait for." Aaron waved off her question.

"Speak up, you're wasting my time!" Luna threatened.

"Lily is growing fond of you. Tonight, she wrote a letter to her brother, explaining her growing gratitude toward you. You might want to take advantage of that. She could become one of your servants."

Luna looked at him as if he was mad. " I don't want to cause that family any more harm. I wouldn't dream of corrupting such innocence. She is lovely, and pure. She willstay that way. Only my father looked at them as servants . " Luna paused, thinking of the stories.

"What do you mean, any more harm?" Aaron asked smartly.

"None of your business. Begone with you. " Luna said without hesitation.

"How sweet." he said sneakily, "You see yourself in her. Before you became like this. Trusting, honest, and vulnerable."

Luna hexed him several times, only to miss because of his habit of disappearing into smoke and reappearing somewhere else. She finally managed to strike, freezing him with a Petrificus Totalus spell. Luna walked close to him proudly.

"You may like to think of yourself as if you are in charge." she summoned her poisoned dagger from a nearby cabinet. She held it up so he could see. "But you are wrong. You will be loyal to me, and you will clean up your act. "Luna used the blade to make a small cut right below his left eye, where beads of blood appeared. "Don't mistake my forgiveness for weakness. I could have killed you long ago."

She unfroze him, and he quickly vanished, leaving a smoking room. Luna cleared it magically, and locked up. She went back to sleep, dreaming of Elias attacking her for corrupting Lily.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Rosa was awoken by her terror hounds. Whatever it was had yet to enter the main ward as she tried to tap into them to see what the fuss was about. She put on a heavy enchanted robe and ran down the stairs. The last thing she needed was Galaxius getting lose and wounding about. When she walked past the centaur paddock, she saw her hounds surrounding Sherwood. He was trying to stun them but they jumped out of the way. Then they turned with angry snarl.

"Nice doggies?" He gulped. As they spread out making it impossible to hit them all. She cast a stunning spell on him. The lead hound howled in her direction bringing on a horrid chill to her bones.

"You give me shivers, lovely. Best not do that again. I attack what scares me." They turned heading off into shadows. She levitated Sherwood into the house.

She strapped him to a high back chair. Then came back with a pepperup potion.

He turned his head as sje forced it down. "You awake?" She whispered.

"Where is my bird?" She laughed at his brave front.

"You should not of come back here. On my lands I am queen. The only thing I can't legally do here are unforgivables and kill you. On reason for raids every once in awhile." She hit him with a pain hex.

"What do care about legal you just proved you don't care." She laughed. "What's a matter. You never got past sting jinxs? Not even a slashing hex?"she cast a spell leaving three gashes in his arm. "They are minor hexes." His eyes widened. She laughed.

"No. Dear, boy. I did not cast an unforgivable. I don't intend to. But I intend to put you through much pain. Also let's have a chat. Do you like your muggle parents? Are they even muggles or is one or both squibs living on the muggle side." She keeps him for 48 hours which was legally all she was allowed. Expecting him to complain to the order but legal nothing could be done. But they probably waste their time trying anyway.

January was a very cold month, but it did not affect Aislinn at all. She was usually dressed in her leather jacket, turtle neck top, high waisted pants and combat boots. No scarf, no gloves, no hat. She loved the feeling of the ice-cold gusts of winds blowing through her hair. And as an old habit, she always put her hands in her pockets thus gloves were unnecessary. People would glance at her sideways wondering if the girl did not freeze at all. Aislinn had not seen Sherwood since she had left him at St Mungo’s since more than a month ago. She had been in Diagon Alley so many time since then but not seeing him around at all. This morning when she was in Diagon Alley, she had received a letter on the post office. For her safety and for the P.O. and D.A. members safety they left letters to each other in the post office in Diagon Alley when they needed to reach each other without using Patronus message or owls. And like that they will never find out Luna's place or try to track me down.

It was crowded in the post office. People were shoving each other. Infants were crying as their mothers tried to comfort them. Aislinn snatched her letter annoyingly and stepped out from the post office. She went to a cafe where it was not as loud or crowded like the post office. She ordered a cup of hot chocolate as she sat down in a corner to read the letter in peace.

Sherwood had been reported to be missing this morning. The P.O. and D.A. members had not been seeing him for several days thus they suspected that something awful might had happened him. That explains why I have not seen him in Diagon Alley as usual. I hope Rosa had taken good care of things and cleared all traces otherwise Sherwood would turn all the P.O. and D.A. members against me if he started to suspect things. And even if I can act like that I have "gone missing", never show them my face anymore and lurk in the shadows of Knockturn Alley, it would cause me a little difficulty to move around with ease. The members are crowded everywhere...but I can actually disguise myself, right, hopefully if they don't start to suspect a new face in Diagon Alley...anyway let's hope for the best, this has not happened yet. If Rosa has killed Sherwood, then I have nothing to worry about but that stranger who I've seen around outside the manor...

Aislinn sipped her hot chocolate as she wondered who the stranger at Luna's manor was. A womanizing fiend she had said.. Aislinn had been peaking behind the curtains in her room at the manor. These were the only moments where she had caught glimpses of the stranger when he had been meeting Luna in the garden. Whenever Aislinn used to peak, he would look up and met her eyes just as she hurried to hid behind the curtains, hoping that the curtains were thick enough to hide her completely. She had been curious about him, but she had not dared to use her magical spying act because she had feared that he would find out and trap her leaving her body inside the pentagram and her mind outside the real world. Her instincts told her that he was a very powerful wizard and she had a bad feeling about him. Bellatrix Lestrange had been dangerous after coming back to life from being dead in so many years, but Aislinn could tell that Bellatrix was nothing in comparison to this man. Trapping someone in the middle of an spying act was possible and that was the last thing Aislinn wanted to experience. I would rather die than having my mind and my body splitted and trapped.

The only thing Sherwood could focus on was Rosa and Deniece. He had forgotten everything prior just like Rosa had programmed. He was obsessed with the fact that he was trying to get Rosa to do the right thing. Although Rosa's passing words rang in his ears.

"To help the children I would have to do something that is not in the realm of wizarding morality and the supplies are on the banned list in Wizarding London. Go now and do not darken my presence again." Rosa had released his owl which followed him over head.

She had programmed him to ponder if it was right or wrong to break legal standard to help save lives for next day. Every time he would think back to the party, he would relive the worse part of his torment. She had stopped just short of breaking him. It was too easy. He was very sheltered unlike Rosa had been at his age. In some ways she envied such innocence.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

As January went by, Aaron and Luna continued to meet discretely, and trained in the labyrinth. In the month, Luna learned to summon her wand from a distance, which had taken her a while. She was trying to master legillimency, and turning into smoke at will, but with little progress. On the 21st, Aaron visited Luna at noon, which was unusual, because they usually met at dusk. Luna was sitting in the kitchen, concentrating on a piece of parchment and several coloured, sketching quills. She was coloring, something she liked to do when she needed to think. A violin sat nearby, playing itself in mid - air, playing a soothing, calming melody.

Aaron materialised, his face peering over her shoulder at the drawing. "Hmm." he said. Luna jumped, but recovered quickly. She stood and faced him confidently. "How lovely . . .it looks as though the dragon escaped hellfire. It is lovely-" he reached out to kiss her hand "-just like you." "What is your purpose for coming here today?" Luna said, barely letting him finish.

"I have come to invite you to another gala. It will take place on the twenty - seventh of next month. "

"What is your purpose for not just mailing the invite?" Luna said quickly, before he could interrupt.

"I wouldn't miss out on the opportunity to see your lovely face."

"Save it. Do you only have one invite? There are others who I would like to come." Luna said, with Aislynn , Rosa and Lily in mind.

"You mean your servants? I don't know why you give them any thought. They are far below-"

"Don't you speak of them as if they are rats. They have showed nothing but loyalty to me. Don't make the mistake of underestimating them, or me."

Aaron looked taken aback, but his expression switched to a mocking grin. "I'll bring four more invites. Happy?"

"Only three are necessary." Luna guiltily pushed Elias's petrified face from her mind, remembering their last encounter at the cafe.

"Really? I get the feeling you wished you could invite a fourth-"

"Enough! " Luna raised her wand, prompting him to leave, again. She still hadn't grown used to him being inside her mind all the time. Luna went back to her coloring, and by one, she had coloured this one:

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn finally saw Sherwood one morning the 21st January when she went to the hair parlor in Diagon Alley. They passed each other and he did not seem to recognize her. His expression was blank, his gaze a little absent yet he was alert and at full sense. It's like he is being manipulated, Aislinn thought as she watched him passing by. It must be Rosa's doing hehe, I just hope that the P.O. and D.A. members won't notice that he is acting a little weird.....

Aislinn was back home at noon. When she entered the hallway, she suddenly heard voices in the kitchen. She recognized Luna's harsh voice. The second voice, belonging to a man, was unfamiliar to Aislinn. Could it be him, that man Luna told me about...
Aislinn sneaked soundlessly upstairs as she eavesdropped on the conversation:

"I have come to invite you to another gala. It will take place on the twenty - seventh of next month. "
"What is your purpose for not just mailing the invite?"
"I wouldn't miss out on the opportunity to see your lovely face."
"Save it. Do you only have one invite? There are others who I would like to come."
"You mean your servants? I don't know why you give them any thought. They are far below-"
"Don't you speak of them as if they are rats. They have showed nothing but loyalty to me. Don't make the mistake of underestimating them, or me."
"I'll bring four more invites. Happy?"
"Only three are necessary."

Aislinn did not listen to the rest of the conversation, she hurried inside her room and locked the door behind her. She had a feeling that the conversation was nearing its end and she did not want to be caught eavesdropping, especially by that man whom she had a bad feeling about. Another gala, had Luna already attended a gala with him before, if so when? and how could I miss it? Anyway, this does not matter right now. What matters is the coming gala the 27th February. I don't know who more Luna wants to bring with her third invite, but I’m going to make sure that Elias will attend this gala with us hehe, how sweet it would be to bring pain to his heart when he would see this strange man flirting with the one he highly admires and adores and how hilarious it would be to humiliate and embarrass that stranger, who is trying to win Luna's heart, when he would see what high manners and etiquette Elias has...the most important of all is to humiliate that stranger, make him regret for ever talking about me and Rosa in such a depreciatory tone....servants huh......tsk tsk...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna was standing at the sink, magically clearing up after breakfast at eight the following morning. Aaron appeared holding the five envelopes, fanned out so Luna could see. "Hello, Luna." he said charmingly. Luna turned around to look at him. "Good morning" he bowed, after seeing that Luna would not greet him properly. He lay them on the table, and walked over to her. "A proper greeting would be nice-"

"After what you said last night? "Forgive and forget isn't something I believe in-"

"I can tell." Aaron said quietly. Luna missed his insult.

"Last night, you said 'another Gala. ' What did you mean by that?"

"Have you not attended a certain Gala before? " Aaron said slyly.

Luna was taken aback, but resolved to look puzzled "How did you?-"

"I've been watching you for longer than you think. Just know that I've always . . . been there. "

He disappeared before Luna had the chance to let out her anger. How much longer is this going to last? Always acting like he's some sort of king. He makes Elias look like a true gentleman.

Luna picked up the envelopes and prepared to address them to each of her team members. But, before she got the chance to even pick up a quill, this was written on the back of the first:

Aislynn Monroe

Luna was so surprised that she dropped the envelope. She bent to pick it up and stood again. She hastily checked the rest, which where all labelled. How does he know all them? And, their full names at that?

Luna slid Aislynn's invite under her door discretely, then placed the rest on her bedside table, waiting until nightfall to visit the post office. . .

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn woke up at eight the following morning. She was about to go down for breakfast when she heard familiar voices in the kitchen downstairs. She quickly returned to her room, feeling very annoyed, and closed the door quietly behind her. I only used to see him in the garden to meet Luna before they both vanished into the labyrinth. Now he enters indoors freely, and of course uninvited! Acting like it is his own place, that he can come and go just as he wishes. Seriously, he is crossing the line! I wo.. Aislinn was interrupted in her thoughts when she suddenly heard something slide under the door. She looked down to find an envelope. She picked it up and examined it closer.

Aislynn Monroe, she read on the back of the envelope. She opened it to find an invite to a gala the 27th February. She frowned.

This is not Luna's handwriting. It must be his since he brought up the subject about the gala yesterday. By the way, my name is actually misspelled. The correct spelling is Aislinn not as Aislynn. Only Luna calls me Aislynn, pronouncing the syllable "y" instead for "i". But still I don't recognize this as her own handwriting...and if it his handwriting from where does he know my full name....I can't recall that Luna has ever introduced me to him, but she could have told him my name, but come to think about it why should she tell him my name when she has not introduced us to each other, something seems fishy here......could it be possible that he... Aislinn dropped the envelope on the floor. Cold shivers went down her spine when she slowly figured it out. Her hand was shaking when she reached her wand but dropped it. She was debating on whether she should warn Rosa and Elias in advance.

Aislinn never warns Rosa or Elias..

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

At the Manor

At nightfall, Luna put on her black travelling robes, and packed the letters in her bag, along with a small pouch of money. She apparated, just past the gates, and appeared in Hogsmeade her hood concealed most of her face. Most of the people where gone by now, because the temperatures dropped drastically at night. Luna walked faster, growing colder with each step. She had heard rumours of a potion to keep her body warm for up to two hours and had been doing research to find out more. She opened the door of the nearly abandoned shop, causing a small bell above the door to ring. Luna walked to where the owls where kept and took out the invites. She gave Rosa's to a tawny owl, Aislinn's to a white owl, Elias's to a barn owl, and Lily's to a rare one that was all black, with lovely green eyes. A coin was given to each one respectfully, and they flew off, into the night. Luna watched them until they where out of sight.

She went back to her home and went to her bedroom. The time was eight. Still too early. It's as if time has started going by slower . . . Luna walked over to Aislynn's room, hoping that she was there. She knocked, planning to invite her to the dinner she was about to make.

At Aaron's House

Aaron sat on the roof of his large estate. He smiled as he remembered all the people he had killed for enough money to erect this vast masterpiece. Unlike Luna's manor, his was cold, towering, and dark, like a vampire's castle. He looked out, at the glowing moon, which was full tonight. A butterfly flew near him, its gracefully fluttering figure outlined by the moon's light. He smiled and spoke softly to it. "Luna. You are not like the others. You are that special one. So graceful . . .so lovely. " he admired it for a moment, then reached out his hand, and grabbed it. "I will hold you close, until you fall apart. " he opened his palm, and there lay the devastated, lifeless butterfly. "Until you fall apart." He closed his hand again, and held it close to his heart. "My lovely, graceful Luna."

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn decided to not tell Rosa or Elias about anything. The 27th February was not here yet. She had plenty of time and besides she needed to talk with Luna first to ease her mind.

Later that evening, when Aislinn was going through her clothes to see if she needed to buy new robes for the gala or not, there was a knock on her door. She looked a little sullen but her face brightened up as soon as she saw it was Luna when she opened the door.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Hello." Luna said formally. "Care to join me for dinner? I'm making something lovely."

When she saw that Aislynn agreed, they ascended the stairs, walking to the kitchen. Luna began summoning several ingredients, and set some to wash, some to chop, and some to begin cooking. Within five busy minutes, the table was set with a gorgeous array of foods, the smell making it unbearable to wait any longer to begin eating. . .

 

[Hikari Chan]

"With pleasure, thank you Luna, I appreciate it" Aislinn replied as she followed Luna down to the kitchen.
Aislinn watched in silence as Luna prepared the dinner. Mmmm this smells so delicious..

As they sat down to eat, Aislinn mentioned with a may you explain face:

"I received an invite for a gala this morning," She started to eat, tasting of every delicious dish. mmmm

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"There will be a Gala event on the 27th, just as the invite says. We shall be attending. The man you have been seeing has procured them for me. His name is Aaron Glass. Again, he won't be around for long. He won't be a problem."

 

[Hikari Chan]

I see, so that is why it was not Luna's handwriting on the envelope, so his name is Aaron Glass, but how could he know my name, is it really possible that he could have read my mind through the short eye contact we had when I peeked behind the curtains from my window?

Aislinn did not question anything about Aaron Glass or the gala anymore. She ate in silence, trying to focus on the delicious food and ignoring her worried feelings. I hope Luna is right, Merlin please.. Aislinn prayed silently.

Next morning

Elias woke up to find two letters addressed to him. The first one was by an unknown sender and the second was by his sister.
He opened his sister's letter first to read it. He noticed her hurried scribbles as he read:

Dear Eli,
Last night I received an invite to gala which will be held the 27th February, but I do not recognize the handwriting and I do not know who the sender is. I do not mind attending, I would love to attend, what if SHE you know who will be there, I cannot miss the chance to see her again!!! Since it will be on a Saturday, I will be able to attend BUT I won't unless you and papa come with me PLUS Clarissa is throwing her birthday party the very same day. What shall I do, I’m awaiting your response, I know you will come up with a great solution for me, please take care.
Lots of love
Lily

Elias frowned as he reread Lily's letter several times. Then he opened the second envelope to discover that he also received an invite to a certain gala on the 27th February...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna awoke after a good night’s sleep, at seven. Twenty minutes later, she sat on the same bed, fully dressed. She was holding her magic mirror, hoping to get answers.
She checked on Aislynn, Rosa, Lily, and Elias, but found nothing important. She checked a few others, and finally Aaron. When she asked the mirror to see him, she saw only purple smoke. He's travelling.

Aaron appeared on a chair near the bed, sitting with one leg over the other, as if he owned the house. "Hello, Luna." he stood to greet her, holding out his hand, which she ignored, as usual. Luna put her mirror back in her bag, for she never left without it. "Going somewhere, are we?" he asked with mild interest. Luna was ignoring him, for she didn't speak to him unless she needed to. "Before you go-" He waved his hand toward a place by the window, and green smoke filled an unoccupied space in the room. The smoke materialised itself a moment later, leaving this . . .

Luna looked at it surprised at first, then showed no interest in it at all. She turned to him and said plainly "Thank you for thinking of me. However, I do not desire such gifts." Aaron looked disappointed for a moment, then said charmingly. "It was no trouble. You deserve more, but that will come later. For now, please accept this as a thank you for agreeing to accompany to the Gala. "

He disappeared, leaving Luna to walk over to the dress hesitantly. She looked at the fabric, which was a very comfortable silk. It looks lovely. -What am I thinking? I won't touch it, just in case. I can't trust him. She took the dress and wrapped it up in simple paper. She left the house, carrying it under her arm. She apparated to Knockturn Alley, and went into the store she usually visited for clothing. The kind, elderly shopkeeper looked up from her desk as the bell rang, and she greeted Luna with a smile. "What can I get you today, dear?"

"Today I actually wanted you to inspect something for me."

"Oh?" clearly, she was very interested. "What would that be?"

"I've received a gift, but I don't trust the giver. I need you to look it over . . .make sure it isn't cursed, of enchanted in any way." Luna put the package on the witch's table.

The witch nodded, not taking her eyes off the package. "An hour is all I need, dear, No need to worry."

"Thank you." Luna said politely, and exited the shop, walking straight Borgin and Burkes. Luna entered, and walked over to the front desk briskly. She looked into Mr. Borgin's eyes confidently. "I want to cash in that favour you owe me." Mr. Borgin looked both relieved, yet scared. "What do you desire?" he asked quietly. Luna pulled out the Resurrection Stone, and put it on his desk.

"Fashion this stone into a necklace. The only requirement it that it must touch my skin whenever I wear it." Mr. Borgin looked curiously at the stone, then tore his eyes away from it to shuffle through one of the many drawers in his desk. He finally pulled out a magnifying glass and picked up the stone for examination. After a second, he looked around, at things Luna couldn't see. His face turned white, and he dropped both the magnifying glass, and the stone, petrified. The glass shattered on the floor near him, but Luna summoned the rock with her wand before it hit the floor. Luna looked sternly at him.

"You know what it is?"

"It can't be-"

"But it is. You will do as I ask, and you won't tell another soul I have it. If you do . . ." she put it on his desk sternly "You're worse than dead."

She walked out, the only sound where her shoes clicking on the floor. Mr. Borgin looked at her as she left, the colour coming back to his face.

Luna was back at her manor garden, the hedge leaves rustling in the cold wind. She let out a relieved breath and sat down on one of the chairs surrounding the table. Aaron appeared sitting in the chair Blaise had once occupied. "That was interesting. You still don't trust me?" Luna realised he was talking about the fact that she had went to have his gift checked before even touching it. "I take my precautions." she said plainly. Aaron raised his eyebrows "But you never checked his work. " Once Luna realised he was talking about Blaise, her wand was at his throat faster than he could disappear. "Don't you ever compare yourself to Blaise! He was a gentleman who respected boundaries and other people's feelings. You are nothing like him. " Aaron disappeared, and Luna sat down, again. She missed Blaise now more than ever, which was why she was having the necklace made. So he could always be with her.

 

[Hikari Chan]

It was a late afternoon when Lily received a letter by her brother. She waited until everyone had fallen asleep that night before reading it. She was hoping that he had come up with a great solution, but as she read her disappointed grew gradually with the time as she reached the end of the letter.

Dear Lily,
First of all I have to tell our mother about this. She will not be easy to persuade, so I cannot promise you anything, but I will try my best. Second, from what I know it is only I and you who have received invites. I will see if father has received an invite or not. If you want him to join us we cannot leave mother alone at home, it would be rude and injustice. The very reason that I have to tell mother about this. As I said I cannot promise you anything though let's say that if everything goes smooth we have to meet somewhere else outside Hogwarts before going to the gala. You will both have time to celebrate your friend's birthday party and attend the gala. Since you do not have classes at Saturdays why do you not ask her to have the celebration at afternoon and explain for her that you will be away at the evening? You may tell her you have been invited to a gala, that you are going with your family and the one who has invited you is a foreign old friend of your father. If we won't attend the gala at all, then you may tell her that the gala has been cancelled. I'll let you know when it's decided as soon as possible. Whatever decision is made, promise me to not try to attend the gala on your own. Since it is only a simple invitation and you, I hope, have not made any agreement on attending the gala, it would be fine to decline the invitation. Anyway, I'll write to you soon again. Please be patient and take care.
Lots of love
Elias

Merlin's beard, Eli knows very well that mama will never agree. And I can never break a promise to him, sigh..

Next day: At the Shadowwalkers

"That is out of question!"
"Relax, Eliza, Lily would just be away Saturday evening and then be back the very same night"
"No! Absolutely no! Elias you may attend if you like, but Lily cannot, absolutely not..."
"Eliza dear, our daughter is actually seventeen and already mature, in other words an adult, she may do as she please then."
"Not until she graduates! Besides I still see a seventeen as a too young. It's not the age that makes one mature, but the mind. So no, I don't allow her to attend any gala the 27th"
"But she is not going alone, is she? Elias, you'll accompany your sister, won't you? You have both received invites, so I don't see any problem with Lily attending a gala. And it's on a Saturday, it won't intervene with her classes or homework. Besides it won't hurt if she had a little fun one Saturday evening"
"You are spoiling her too much, Alex. By the way isn't it a little mysterious that only Elias and Lily received invites from an unknown sender? I feel suspicious about this event .."
"Maybe it is only a gala for young witches and wizards?"
"How can it be, there's only information about a date and place on the invitation card. And by the way, I’ve neither seen any announcement about anywhere nor I have heard about it from our acquaintances."
"You are right dear, absolutely right."
"So you agree with me to now allow Lily to attend that gala?"
"Yes and no, darling."
"Merlin's beard, are you serious?"
"Yes, I am. Lily shall attend it, but not alone, we will all accompany her together, are you happy now?"
"Are you making fun of me? Four persons, but two invites? It doesn't make sense at all"
"No I’m not. Yes, it is true that two invites are not enough for four. We'll just get two more invites"
"You are joking, aren't you? From where shall we get two more invites, when we even don't know who the host of the gala is?"
"No I’m not joking dear. We'll just use magic, as simple as that. Elias, show us your talent, if you please"

Elias smirked. He had already discussed this with his father before bringing up the subject to his mother. He put the envelope and the invitation card on the coffee table. He started with the invitation card since it was very simple and only had information about an invite to a gala with date and place. He produced his wand from his right sleeve, flicked it at the invitation card and spoke:
"jeh-MIN-ee-oh."(Geminio)
The invitation card was duplicated. Once again he flicked his wand at the copy of the card and repeated: "jeh-MIN-ee-oh."
Then he repeated the same procedure with the envelopes and turned the copies so the back of them were facing him. He pointed his wand at the first letter on his copied name and moved the tip of the wand alongside the rest of the letters as he uttered:
"Recensero Litterarium"
He repeated the same procedure with the second copy of the envelope. Now he had three envelopes, each of them with a different name.

Elias Shadowwalker
Elizabeth Shadowwalker
Alexander Shadowwalker

Elias put the invitation cards back in the envelopes and gave one of them to his mother.
"You are hereby invited to a gala at the 27th February." He smirked triumphantly.
His mother looked at her name on the envelope and then asked suspiciously: "You are sure this will work?"
Elias smile faltered. Merlin's beard, she sounds like a muggle now. She is always so prejudiced and suspicious.. "Trust me, mother." If this won't work, I have another triumph card in my sleeve..

"Well I trust you," his mother finally said after several minutes of silence. "I actually had on my mind that I won't allow Lily attend a gala without me." Then she looked at her husband and said: "And I have another condition as well, no buying Lily a new gala gown, she already has one from the Yule Ball two years ago. She can use that one, it is still as good as new!"

Meanwhile

Aislinn was considering telling everyone in P.O. and D.A. about Aaron Glass without revealing Luna. Would she betray Luna if she told them? Aislinn bit her lower lip and clutched her hands. She wanted Luna to be safe. That man could not be trusted and Aislinn's bad feelings about him did not leave her mind. I could tell her about my idea, but she would just disagree and tell me that she has control of the situation and that Aaron Glass won't be a problem. So, I won't tell, I can never tell, it would be like betraying Luna even if I never reveal her name and I rather die than betraying her. I just hope she does not mind me bringing a certain guest with me, using him as my puppet..

William Sherwood was tidying his apartment when the bell rang. He frowned as he never expected someone to come to visit him at this time.
"Long time no see," Aislinn smirked when William opened the door.
"Oh hello..." He got so surprised that he almost stood speechless.
"Are you letting me inside or do I have to stand here all day hehe?"
"Uhm I’m sorry, please, come in.." He bit his lower lip as he looked behind him. He had not finished to tidy his place and felt a little embarrassed as he showed the way to the kitchen which was pleasant looking in comparison with the rest of the rooms.
"Would you like some hot chocolate?"
He put cups on the table as he prepared the hot chocolate which with magic did not take more than few minutes.
"Thank you"
"You're welcome"
After moment of awkward silence Aislinn spoke: "I’m sorry about the last time, I did not mean to be that harsh.."
She looked down in her cup, trying to figure out if he had not dropped veritaserum or love potion in it while she pretended to look ashamed over how she scolded him at St Mungo’s.
"It is allright dear, it is me who should apologize to you, I was stubborn, I said things I should not have said...Im sorry"
"It's allright, it's the past now, let's forget about it please" She looked up, smiling at him. "Let's shake hands"
When they had apologized to each other, Aislinn picked out her wand and explained:
"hehe, I'll just check so it's moderate warm to drink,"
"heheh you're so cute"
Aislinn grinned as she pointed the tip of her wand in her cup. I see, there's neither veritaserum nor love potion in this, safe to drink.

When Aislinn was about to leave after a while, she asked: "Would you like to go with me to a gala please?"
"Uhm..."
"It's on the 27th February.."
"I..."
"See it as date" She said charmingly, noticing how Sherwood blushed.
Then she left.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Good Afternoon Turtle." Rosa said as the spindly dark skinned teen sat her lunch down before her.

"Afternoon." he smile at her.

"How long has that ruckus been going on?" she nodded her head toward the yelling that was coming up from the hall.

"Since the raid yesterday." he answered. Rosa had been out of the house when the ministry decides to visit. She had been having lunch at the Leaky Cauldron. She needs to catch up on some paper work and had not wanted to be disturbed. Then she had spent the night at Natasha Zabini's estate. To be there for an early rise breakfast.

Yaxley sat Avery down at the table. "I'll freeze to death if I stay in the muggle world much longer. I tell you. I can't do much beside archery with out my wand."

"Don't worry there is nothing they can do. Over 10 years has passed. The only thing they can do now is ban you from a wand and potions making." Rosa said poured him a cup of hot tea placing it in front of him. She slipped in a little something extra for Avery's nerves.

"That's what I've been telling him. But they have him convinced he is going to be thrown out of the wizarding world on his ear." Yaxley sat down and Turtle put lunch in front of him. Pat came down with the mail.

"Can I go riding after the chores are finished." she handed Rosa the mail. Her brown eyes pleading.

"Sure, but I want the washing done before the end of the day." There was a ministry note sighting violations, a letter from Granny Longbottom, and a letter from Luna; along with the advertisements.
She opened Luna's first it was an invitation to a gala on Feb. 27. But it was not in Luna's handwriting. Rosa made a mental note to write Luna back after lunch. Make sure she had sent out the invitation. If so, she RSVP and needed to buy clothing. She would also have to pick out what else she wanted to wear as well. Right now, any trinket she put on was more then a fashion statement. Maybe Stan Lestrange would like to attend.

"Godfather is Stan still in town?"

"Lestange?" Yaxley asked. Rosa nodded at him. "He is staying at The Burnt Ghast in Godric's Hollow."

"Thanks." Rosa finished up lunch and went to her owlery. She noted a tawny owl sleeping in there that was not hers. She sent her eagle owl with a letter to Luna.

Saying she would attend if she had sent the invitation.

Then she sent a letter out to Stan that she would meet and have drinks with him tomorrow night at the White Wyvern in Knockturn. To send a letter back if he wanted to meet up. She gave her pygmy owl the letter.

Then went about her affairs.