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The Book of Carmen
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Disclaimer: Harry, Hermione, Ron, and everything else Harry Potter…not mine. Selene, Will McGinn, the plot, and the term "magmanos"…mine. If you want to use them, I'd be flattered, just let me know about it.
Note: I've rated this story PG-13 for some language and heavy themes. There is no slash in this story, the relationships that I do stress, but only slightly, are R/He, H/G, and SB/new character, but they aren't lovey-dovey and are not the major issues of the story. This story takes place two months after my first story, Family Tree. I am not going to spend a lot of time explaining what happened in Family Tree so I highly suggest that you read that one before attempting this story. However, if you want a taste of my style before reading a larger story (Family Tree is 49000+ words) this prologue can stand alone, but don't read the refresher course below. The refresher course is just a few little tidbits about the first story and is intended for those brave souls who will read this one first anyway, and to refresh the memories of my past readers.
Refresher: (warning spoilers to Family Tree)
- A magmanos is a witch or wizard who can perform magic without a wand. Magmani are usually female.
- The Book of Carmen is the book in which Voldemort's spirit has been imprisoned. It plays a big part in this story.*looks at the title* Duh.
- Carmen was a magmanos who created the Book of Carmen in the 18th century. She was really not a nice person, but I'll get to that in the story…
Speaking of the story….
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The Book of Carmen:Prologue
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Rain lashed against the broken shutters of the small building. Wind roared and curled the edges of the remaining shingles that held tightly to the roof. Lightning flashed briefly, but fiercely, illuminating the interior of the shack. A man lay across a bed, one arm draped lazily against his eyes, shielding them from the intermittent flashes of light. He was neither awake nor asleep, lingering instead on the verge of both. The chill of the December air cooled the room, yet beads of sweat fell from the man's face. Every instinct inside of him told him to get out of the shack, out of the town, to get far away from…it. However, he had promised to keep the book safe, so he remained, keeping a silent guard.
For the man was not the only presence in the room. Another, ancient entity shared the small space with him. Seemingly unimportant the book sat on a small table on the other side of the room. Its cover was dirty, the leather discolored from the many hands that it had touched throughout the years. The edges of the pages, however, remained crisp and clean. The book was closed, bound with a strap that was wrapped so tightly it appeared as if someone was trying to keep something within the covers. And indeed someone was, because this book was no ordinary book, even for the wizarding world. This was the Book of Carmen, which held more than just the secrets of the past. Inside the pages there was an evil that called out constantly to be released, to be free as it once was…
"Firen! We are caged! These pages are our prisons. We are bound with leather.
It has not always been thus. Once we were free. Free to seek out what we want…
Firenlust!
Desire…it is nourishment for us; we take much more than we give.
Many mortals came to us, willing to see what we could offer them.
They took our fruit, and then took more.
From them we took ripe riches, and returned empty shells.
We desire more.
Who can release us from this existence, this hellegrut? We can think of one.
The Heofonculu, the one who is our savior and our undoing. Both we know…both we have tasted.
We desire more.
Halsiend! Come to us…we sindon weard."
Suddenly, the man on the bed woke abruptly and immediately felt a wave of nausea pass through him. He sat on the corner of his bed with his elbows on his knees and hands in his hair, waiting for the feeling to pass. It took longer than it usually did, and by the time he was able to stand, his shirt was drenched in sweat. He walked over to his sink and washed his face. He looked at himself in the mirror. His eyes were bloodshot and his hair flattened by sweat. "Get a hold of yourself Remus," he chided himself. He then looked out of the window. For once the moon was a welcomed sight, the white sliver cut through the blackness of the clouds and the darkness of the room.
Remus Lupin cast a cautious glance at the book that lay on the table. These days he hated even looking at it, feeling that in some way its mere presence was damaging his spirit, his soul. He moved over to the table and picked the book up, its weight considerably heavier than it looked. He walked downstairs with it and placed it inside a small cupboard and closed the door to lock it. As he was turning the key he paused. Why had he brought the book out in the first place? He usually kept it in this locked cabinet, as he knew that in someway the book was affecting him. Why then, did he place it close to his bed? Remus shook his head and turned the key, hearing the lock click into place. He checked the knob, and then walked back upstairs.
Within the recesses of the cupboard the book continued to call…
"Halsiend…it is time…we are waiting."
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Yet another note: Yes I know that it was a really short chapter. But then again, it is just a prologue. The next chapter will be up very very soon, and will be of regular length. I just wanted to give you a taste. I hope you all liked it and will return for more. I will translate a few of the words of the BOC's speech.
Firen: Outrage
Firenlust: sinful desire, lust
Hellegrut: pit of hell.
we sindon weard: we are waiting