A/n: Hi everyone dis is actually one I've been working on for a while now, hopefully I might actually finish it, but i need u to review for me to do that lol. Alright on with the story- enjoy! Review!
Warings- violence, Dumbledor bashing, charracter death and occness due to events. Au as of 5th book.
Disclaimer; I own nothing
THE RAPTURE
Chapter one-The superstition
the room was shrouded in darkness.
So dark was it in fact, that one would almost miss the black clad figures that crowed it. They stood in a lose circle. Wordless. Motionless, with only pools of shadow under their hoods that hid their faces from the world, and each other. Which may say something of the kind of people they were. And indeed it might be more they wished it to say. For they were men of shadow and secrecy. They were the Hallowed Reapers. The banned of legendary warriors that were now the last obstacle between the dark order and total domination of Europe.
A new person arrived. They, like the others wore cloak and hood, but there was an air of command and power to their stance. On their arrival a mummer began among the Reapers. A hushed whisper that started from those nearest "Lady. Great lady." It echoed back and forward, from each mouth until all gathered there had voiced her name in acknowledgement of her presents.
She passed through the circle's ranks. Upon reaching it's centre she'd spun slowly, taking in each hood as if she could see past there shadows to the faces beneath.
"Who must the Reaper bear mercy to?" she cried suddenly, her voice strong and imperious.
"The harvest." came the low answer "the harvest."
"And who must the harvest pay the last homage?"
Again came the answer louder this time "the Reaper, the Reaper."
The air lay silent for a moment, caught in the uncertainty of what she would answer before the soft hush of her voice whispered the last line of the ritual"So it has ever been and will ever be. Anon."
"Anon."
She slowly removed her hood and there was a shuffling as those around her mimicked the action. For follow her they must. She was their master. Their ruler. She was the Dark Lady Raven, one of the most powerful witches in Europe and wanted by most of it's governments as well. She was said to have once been one of the famed Order of the Phoenix and had survived the massacrer that had claimed all it's other members during the a decade ago.
Who she was or had once been was a mystery, unknown even to those that followed her, but she had been fighting Voldemort and his followers for thirteen years.
She was cruel, cunning and without mercy and many accused her of fighting evil with evil, due to her violent and controversial methods- but the fact remained- it was the Raven and her Reapers that had achieved the only real victories in the war thus far..
Hood removed, she cast a quick incendeo on the lamp above her head sending her face into sharp releaf. She was a beautiful sight, hair such a deep brown it boarded on black, that fell in a curling mass down her back. Her skin was was almost white after years as a creature of the night world and her lips were full and painted a blood red.
But it were her eyes that were the most exceptional, two bright golden-brown orbs that held a gaze of frightful intelligence, power and ruthlessness. At the moment they held a look of cold amusement with a slight undercurrent of anger. She smiled, red lips parting to reveal perfect white teeth.
"Welcome friends" she greeted and, almost as an after thought added "and perhaps you should stop hiding in the shadows now- Professor."
DOSDOS
There was a silence for a few moments then a man stepped gracefully forward into the light and upon seeing him it was almost impossible to see he had remained hidden in the first place.
He was dressed in full length wizard robes of a startling bright purple and his face was ancient with a long flowing sliver beard, that fell in waving folds almost to his wast. Light blue eyes shone out from behind a long crooked nose and half-moon spectacles. He gazed at Lady Raven with a cordial expression.
Whispers broke out almost immediately for the profile was unmistakable, though the man to whom it belonged was supposed to be long since dead. They were silent again at once, as the Lady gave a look that seemed to sweep through the room. She turned back the watchful face of Albus Dumbledor.
"It is good to see you again my dear," he said stepping for wad once more while the Reapers moved around him until he standing at the inner wall of the circle "And I see you have progressed far with your studies...I believe you go by the name Lady Raven now?"
The Dark Lady twitched slightly.
"I go by many names as well you know Albus." she replied her voice cold and eyes small chips of ice as she watched him. "Why are you her?." The tone of her voice left no room for argument.
Dumbledor made to touch her arm, but she flinched away. He sighed "Are you really still so bitter?" he asked sorrowfully.
She spun away from him. "meeting over." she barked her voice steely as she faced her followers. "I want everyone out of this room now!"
After the Hubble, and babble of the leaving Reapers had ceased, the Lady strode over and slammed the door, locking it voicelessly and wandlessly so that none could re-enter. Then she turn back towards him.
"How dare you," she half hissed, half growled lowly "how dare you come back here old man, after all these years and expect everything to be forgotten and forgiven! You abandon us when we need you most! You left us to die by that monster-"
"My dear" he began he voice pressing "It was for the greater good, surely you must-"
"No."
It was uttered under the breath, but Albus heard it anyway and felt chills run up his spin. "No Albus, because I've herd that lie before and look where it got me then! So no I surely don't see what you do because I've also seen far to many wizards dead and buried for your kind of glory to ever believe any of it again. So I'll ask you one more time WHY ARE YOU HERE!"
Dumbledor twiddled with his thumbs, not used to and not liking anyone seriously questioning him, his eyes roaming the room and delayed his answer in a final show of superiority. " I have come" he began at last " in the hopes of gaining your assistance, We have a plan- you know my associates of course-that could at last dethrone Voldemort once and for all! With the help of you and your people, we will be able to achieve more working together-"
He spoke with such conviction, with such belief in himself " she thought idly watching him. And could see at last what exactly it was that was so aesthetic and dangerous about Albus Dumbledor. Could see why she and so many others had loved and followed him so loyally. Followed him to their deaths.
And he let them die. Believed, believed! it was for the best, that it was right to do so. People said terrible things about the Dark Lady Raven, but she had never promised certainty when there was none. Never promised hope or justice or glory or anything other than death to those who followed her.
-"please my dear" he finished at last " Remember your vow, to the order, please consider this. It could be the new dawn we have all been praying for." And she could see in his eyes he actually thought he had persuaded her.
"Ten years." she spat bitterly " Ten years of nothing- only darkness and doubt and you come here offering us a sunrise?"
she laughed a cruel laugh, that rang harsh in the empty air and her tone dropped mockingly "You new dawn will come to nought, Albus, but a Sheppard's warning."
She turned to leave, then stopped and said evenly "And I well remember my vow, but you stopped being a phoenix the day you left us to be hunted down like dogs and slaughtered as such. What could possible make this time different?" she continued to leave, not expecting him to answer, but he did and his words left her breathless.
"Because Miss Granger, we know how to bring Harry back.
Hope you liked first chapter- if you don't understand Hermione's warning it is based on the proverb – Red sky in the morning, Shepard's warning meaning Dumledor 'New Dawn' will only be a massacrer .
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Frankiebabe