Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter
It was a calm, cold night. The wind howled and there was the spark of magic in the air. All of the creatures in the forest were strangely quiet as a lone woman treaded through the forest. Shielded by a black cloak, her breathing was raspy. A trail of blood was left behind her as she stumbled forward. It was just past midnight, the full moon gave a dim glow. She reached the end of the forest, and in the valley below her was an enormous castle. Semi oriental looking, there were vast fields surrounding it. The bundle she carried in her arms cried a little. The just born child she held in her arms gazed at the woman, her mother, for the first, and last time. The girl had eyes of silver and blue tinted lips.
The woman limped up to the steps of the mighty castle. There waiting for her was two other women. Looking forlorn. One had hair as black as the night, with some falling across one of her crimson eyes. The other had pure white hair, and emerald green eyes. " Lady Wyvern!" came the white haired ones Irish accent. " Is that her?" whispered the black haired one. " yes." Wyvern whispered back. " In all of the time I've known you.I have never asked for one thing. But just this once-" Wyvern coughed up some blood and shakily continued. " take her.my daughter, its no longer safe for her to stay with me-" she coughed again. " train her well." The red eyed woman took the child in her arms. " very well." Wyvern shifted her gaze to the girl. She took a silver pendant off her neck. It was round, with a snake engraved in it, forming an S. Placing it around the child's neck. " stay safe Ryu Wyvern Slytherin.perhaps we may meet again." She stroked the girl's cheek. " my heir, my hope.my daughter." Studying the child, the white haired woman spoke in a worried tone. " you just had her didn't you? Tonight." She took Wyvern's hands in her own. "please.be careful." Even through their words, they knew Wyvern was never going to come back. " Farewell.my friends." Wyvern then walked away, into the night. " I guess this is it, isn't it Crimson?" the white haired one whispered, tears falling from her eyes. " yes, yes Ivy it is." Crimson replied, tears forming in her own eyes.
~*~ 14 years later ~*~
Ryu now had long brown hair to her thighs. Her bangs fell below her chin on the sides of her face. A silver streak going down each one. Her complexion was pale, but not unhealthily so. Her lips were still tinged with blue. Dark, long lashes framed her pretty silver eyes. The castle from long ago turned out to be a school. It taught children of all ages, even older ones. However, this was not where Ryu was trained. She was trained by her mentors, Crimson and Ivy. The school was located in Japan, along with a small wizarding village. Currently, they were in England. Ryu was a very calm, calculating girl. She didn't smile often, but showed hints of emotion through her eyes. She didn't have a wand, like most. She could not learn wand magic. She learned a special type known as the Twilight Arts. Spells such as Avada Kedavra and all the other unforgivable curses had no effect on her. Her magic had more to do with the elements, and the control of nature around her. It stemmed it's power from the moon. It was a unique, and rare magical type. Most everyone could not handle it. She could still however, learn from those who taught wand magic. She was special, she spoke to dragons and snakes. Two different languages.
Crimson was half vampire half witch. Her mother had been an auror her father a vampire. However, vampires were considered threats. And soon her family had been killed off when she was six. Wyvern had taken her in, as well as Ivy. Ivy was an imperia werewolf. A special breed, that was born a werewolf and had white hair. Her family had also been destroyed by aurors. She too had lived with Wyvern.
The three now stood, overlooking the place where they would go to Diagon Alley. " that's it, will you be alright?" Crimson's English accent asked. " yes of course." Crimson smirked. Crimson had always been the sort to pull pranks on people, and was undoubtedly mischievous. " well, here's some money, we'll send you more when you need it." Pecking her on the cheek, Ivy pushed her off. The two watched her go. " it's not to hard faking using a wand right?" Ivy asked. " I hope not."
Ryu clutched the bag containing her training books on Animagus and Necromancy. She didn't like all of the children running around. At the moment she was wearing an oriental, dark blue dress. With black robes over it. " pet store?" Ryu's eyes lit up. She loved animals. As she stepped inside, the store keeper grinned at her. " Ah, I see we are looking for our first pet. Take your time, I warn you though, some of these animals can get nasty." Ryu nodded politely and strode along the shelves. A large black hawk caught her eyes. It had gleaming blue eyes. She sucked in a breath. " ah, I see you've met one of the pets in my new shipment. I warn you, he doesn't like anyone. I can show you scars from trying to get him in the cage." " I'll take him." " eh?" she put some money in front of him. Opening the cage she put her bare arm to it. " ah, don't you want a cage for that?" " no, thank you. We'll be fine." The great bird looked at her, as if sizing her up. Then, he stepped onto her arm and screeched affectionately, nipping at her ear. A small smile found it's way on Ryu's lips. Stroking his feathers a bit, she walked away. " good day." She slipped into the bookstore unnoticed. Which was quite amazing considering she had a large bird of prey on her shoulder. However, a girl with bushy brown hair noticed her. Ryu had been looking at a book on the wall. " that's a good one." She smiled. Ryu turned to look at her. " my names Hermione Granger. What's yours?" she smiled and held out her hand. They shook and Ryu spoke. " My name is Ryu Astra." She said, making up her last name so she wouldn't have to reveal her origins. " Ryu? That's Japanese for dragon isn't it? You don't look Japanese." Ryu smiled a bit. " no, I am not Japanese, but I grew up there. I'll be in England for awhile, I just arrived." Hermione smiled. " Well I'd be happy to show you around sometime." Looking at Ryu's robes, she spoke again. " You must be fairly high class. What are you doing here alone?" Ryu replied " well I suppose you could say that. They're somewhere else, I was told to gather some things." " that's a beautiful bird. Aren't you afraid he'll leave?" Smiling a bit and shaking her head Ryu replied. " no, I trust him." " Hermione!" a boy with messy black hair, green eyes and glasses yelled. Next to him was a boy with red hair and freckles. " oh! I'm sorry, I have to go. It was nice talking to you. I hope to see you again." Hermione waved and ran off.
After purchasing her books and other things, Ryu went into the wand shop. " ah, have you come to purchase a wand?" he asked, a little skeptical about a fourteen year old just now getting a wand. " I am." Ryu said politely. He went in back and came out holding a box. Handing it to her, he smiled. " this is anew type of wand I just made, I hope you don't mind if I use you as my first test do you?" Ryu shook her head. " It's made from oak, thirteen inches, and has the fang of a dragon, and venom from a basilisk." Taking the wand in her hand, it glowed an eerie blue. " ah! Excellent! On my first attempt too! May I have your name young lady?" " Ryu Astra." Recording her name down, then taking the money she handed him. He watched her go, smiling.
Having finished that, she got a ticket and headed to platform nine and three quarters. She and Onyx, her hawk, passed through easily. She snuck onto the train, already in her Hogwarts robes. Glancing around, she spotted Hermione entering one of the doors. Ryu had hidden her pendant from sight. Finding a cabin all to herself, she sat. Slowly drifting off.
When she awoke they had reached Hogwarts. Onyx flew off to go hunt while Ryu made her way to the school. Still, none of the students noticed her. She gazed at Hogwarts, she was excited to say the least. ' the Triwizard Tournament will take place this year.' She thought excitedly.
She waited, Dumbledoor had instructed her to wait while the others were sorted. Once all of the first years had been sorted, he spoke. " Also, we have a new student who will be entering into the fourth year. Miss Astra will you please come up." Ryu gracefully strode up to the sorting hat, ignoring the stares she got from all of the other kids. At the Griffindoor table Hermione looked shocked for a moment. " what's up Hermione?" Ron asked. " I saw her at Diagon Alley, she was quite nice and polite. She must be from a rich pureblood family." As Ryu sat up on the stool, she gave a calm smile at Hermione, who grinned and waved a bit. As the hat was placed on her head, it waited a moment. " SLYTHERIN!" it yelled. Hermione was once again a bit shocked. ' well I guess it makes sense.' she remembered Ryu's otherwise emotionless expression, and other small things. Ryu's smiles always faded quickly before anyone could notice. " you said she was nice?" Ron commented skeptically. Harry just looked for a moment. The Slytherins cheered as she sat down. A lot of boys found her quite pretty. The girls whispered possible stories about her.Un fortunately for Ryu, Draco, Crabble and Goyle seated themselves next to her. Her calm expressionless face remained. " Hello, I'm Draco Malfoy, this is Crabble, and Goyle. Are you a pureblood?" turning to face him, she glared a bit. He flinched, her gaze was like icy steel. It was worse than Snape's. " indeed I am." She said in a regal tone. With that one phrase she established her superiority on the rest of them. All the Slytherins had been looking. Draco said no more as she daintily ate. Hermione had watched and listened to the whole conversation. Ryu never did care for cocky brats. You didn't have to know her to know she was of high class. ' he's the son of that Death Eater Lucius. I must be careful around him.' Hermione had smiled to herself, Ignoring Harry and Ron's babble about quidditch. ' she sure knows how to handle Malfoy.'
After the feast they had all retired to their dorms. Making sure everyone else was asleep, Ryu snuck out of the Slytherin common room. She heard footsteps and ducked behind a statue of a Griffin. " eh, did you hear something Ms. Norris?" came Filch's voice. ' please go away, please go away.' after hearing him crumble, she confirmed he was leaving. Stepping out from behind the statue, she continued her trek off the school grounds. Suddenly, she bumped into something. She heard a complaint. " ow!" looking around, Ryu hissed out. " who's there? Show yourself!" it came in a deadly whisper. Her wand ready. Ryu was a bit surprised to find Hermione underneath Harry's invisibility cloak. " Hermione?" "Ryu?" " I would ask what you're doing out here at this time of night, but seeing as I am as well it would be inappropriate." Hermione said in a joking sort of voice. " what's all the commotion?" Filch's voice sounded again. " quick, under the cloak." Hermione told Ryu. Who obliged willingly. They moved out of the way. Once they were outside the school, they took the cloak off. Hermione studied Ryu for a moment. Ryu doing the same. Hermione decided to spill first. Sighing, she spoke. " I've been trying to learn how to become an animagus. Harry always gets so much attention.I guess I'm kind of envious. I want to be strong. So I've been sneaking out every night to train myself." Ryu nodded, looking out into the lake they were next to, she spoke. " I was out here to retrieve my pet, and also to go into the Forbidden Forest." Hermione was a bit startled. " why would you want to go in there? Especially at this time of night." To her surprise, a small, calm smile appeared on Ryu's lips. " I grew up in forests filled with magical creatures. I find it calming to be out in the wild." Hermione's eyes shone with understanding. " I can understand that, I've worked hard at my grades every year, I hardly ever get time to myself.not to mention.." she trailed off. Ryu looked at this strange muggle born girl. Deciphering her emotions. " you want to feel.free in a way. Like there is nothing holding you back. No reputations to uphold." Hermione looked back at her, startled. Then smiled. " that's it exactly." Ryu looked her in the eye. " I have a proposition for you. I too am studying to become an animagus. I will sneak out of my common room with you every night, and we will learn together." Hermione's face lit up. " of course." In Hermione's mind, Ryu had proved that not all Slytherin's were just plain nasty. True Ryu was the darkest out of all of them. But she was the calm kind of dark, the contently powerful kind. Like the night. The two sat in silence for a moment. " may I ask.where are you staying?" Hermione asked. " No where at the moment. I'll find a place after the school year is over." " you don't have a place to stay?" Hermione repeated, shocked again. " No." Hermione pondered for a moment. " Maybe I can arrange for Ron's family to put you up." Ryu looked wary. " It's okay, they're nice people, they don't like Slytherin's but they won't do anything about it." Hermione assured. Ryu looked away a bit sadly. " I take it Slytherin's are rejected a lot." Hermione gave a sympathetic stare. " to tell the truth, I didn't either, but you're different from the rest." Suddenly dropping the topic. Ryu's eyes shone with mischief. " you want to have more fun, correct?" Bewildered, Hermione answered truthfully " yes, I do." " then what do you say we start a little.team of sorts. You and I. Like Fred and George, like the Marauders.." Hermione's eyes now mimicked Ryu's. " That would be fun. What should we call ourselves?" Ryu thought for a moment. " Mana." " that's good. Now, for nicknames." Hermione looked Ryu up and down. " Ice." she mumbled to herself. " Ice, would be a good nickname for you." Ryu nodded, then looked at Hermione. " Page, as in the fact that I always see you in the library. You also speak like a text book." Ryu smiled and Hermione blushed a bit. Crookshanks trotted up to Hermione, and Onyx landed on Ryu's shoulder. " well, Page, shall we?" Ryu asked calmly, nodding towards the forest. " yes, Ice, we shall." With that the four took a stroll into the forest.
It was a calm, cold night. The wind howled and there was the spark of magic in the air. All of the creatures in the forest were strangely quiet as a lone woman treaded through the forest. Shielded by a black cloak, her breathing was raspy. A trail of blood was left behind her as she stumbled forward. It was just past midnight, the full moon gave a dim glow. She reached the end of the forest, and in the valley below her was an enormous castle. Semi oriental looking, there were vast fields surrounding it. The bundle she carried in her arms cried a little. The just born child she held in her arms gazed at the woman, her mother, for the first, and last time. The girl had eyes of silver and blue tinted lips.
The woman limped up to the steps of the mighty castle. There waiting for her was two other women. Looking forlorn. One had hair as black as the night, with some falling across one of her crimson eyes. The other had pure white hair, and emerald green eyes. " Lady Wyvern!" came the white haired ones Irish accent. " Is that her?" whispered the black haired one. " yes." Wyvern whispered back. " In all of the time I've known you.I have never asked for one thing. But just this once-" Wyvern coughed up some blood and shakily continued. " take her.my daughter, its no longer safe for her to stay with me-" she coughed again. " train her well." The red eyed woman took the child in her arms. " very well." Wyvern shifted her gaze to the girl. She took a silver pendant off her neck. It was round, with a snake engraved in it, forming an S. Placing it around the child's neck. " stay safe Ryu Wyvern Slytherin.perhaps we may meet again." She stroked the girl's cheek. " my heir, my hope.my daughter." Studying the child, the white haired woman spoke in a worried tone. " you just had her didn't you? Tonight." She took Wyvern's hands in her own. "please.be careful." Even through their words, they knew Wyvern was never going to come back. " Farewell.my friends." Wyvern then walked away, into the night. " I guess this is it, isn't it Crimson?" the white haired one whispered, tears falling from her eyes. " yes, yes Ivy it is." Crimson replied, tears forming in her own eyes.
~*~ 14 years later ~*~
Ryu now had long brown hair to her thighs. Her bangs fell below her chin on the sides of her face. A silver streak going down each one. Her complexion was pale, but not unhealthily so. Her lips were still tinged with blue. Dark, long lashes framed her pretty silver eyes. The castle from long ago turned out to be a school. It taught children of all ages, even older ones. However, this was not where Ryu was trained. She was trained by her mentors, Crimson and Ivy. The school was located in Japan, along with a small wizarding village. Currently, they were in England. Ryu was a very calm, calculating girl. She didn't smile often, but showed hints of emotion through her eyes. She didn't have a wand, like most. She could not learn wand magic. She learned a special type known as the Twilight Arts. Spells such as Avada Kedavra and all the other unforgivable curses had no effect on her. Her magic had more to do with the elements, and the control of nature around her. It stemmed it's power from the moon. It was a unique, and rare magical type. Most everyone could not handle it. She could still however, learn from those who taught wand magic. She was special, she spoke to dragons and snakes. Two different languages.
Crimson was half vampire half witch. Her mother had been an auror her father a vampire. However, vampires were considered threats. And soon her family had been killed off when she was six. Wyvern had taken her in, as well as Ivy. Ivy was an imperia werewolf. A special breed, that was born a werewolf and had white hair. Her family had also been destroyed by aurors. She too had lived with Wyvern.
The three now stood, overlooking the place where they would go to Diagon Alley. " that's it, will you be alright?" Crimson's English accent asked. " yes of course." Crimson smirked. Crimson had always been the sort to pull pranks on people, and was undoubtedly mischievous. " well, here's some money, we'll send you more when you need it." Pecking her on the cheek, Ivy pushed her off. The two watched her go. " it's not to hard faking using a wand right?" Ivy asked. " I hope not."
Ryu clutched the bag containing her training books on Animagus and Necromancy. She didn't like all of the children running around. At the moment she was wearing an oriental, dark blue dress. With black robes over it. " pet store?" Ryu's eyes lit up. She loved animals. As she stepped inside, the store keeper grinned at her. " Ah, I see we are looking for our first pet. Take your time, I warn you though, some of these animals can get nasty." Ryu nodded politely and strode along the shelves. A large black hawk caught her eyes. It had gleaming blue eyes. She sucked in a breath. " ah, I see you've met one of the pets in my new shipment. I warn you, he doesn't like anyone. I can show you scars from trying to get him in the cage." " I'll take him." " eh?" she put some money in front of him. Opening the cage she put her bare arm to it. " ah, don't you want a cage for that?" " no, thank you. We'll be fine." The great bird looked at her, as if sizing her up. Then, he stepped onto her arm and screeched affectionately, nipping at her ear. A small smile found it's way on Ryu's lips. Stroking his feathers a bit, she walked away. " good day." She slipped into the bookstore unnoticed. Which was quite amazing considering she had a large bird of prey on her shoulder. However, a girl with bushy brown hair noticed her. Ryu had been looking at a book on the wall. " that's a good one." She smiled. Ryu turned to look at her. " my names Hermione Granger. What's yours?" she smiled and held out her hand. They shook and Ryu spoke. " My name is Ryu Astra." She said, making up her last name so she wouldn't have to reveal her origins. " Ryu? That's Japanese for dragon isn't it? You don't look Japanese." Ryu smiled a bit. " no, I am not Japanese, but I grew up there. I'll be in England for awhile, I just arrived." Hermione smiled. " Well I'd be happy to show you around sometime." Looking at Ryu's robes, she spoke again. " You must be fairly high class. What are you doing here alone?" Ryu replied " well I suppose you could say that. They're somewhere else, I was told to gather some things." " that's a beautiful bird. Aren't you afraid he'll leave?" Smiling a bit and shaking her head Ryu replied. " no, I trust him." " Hermione!" a boy with messy black hair, green eyes and glasses yelled. Next to him was a boy with red hair and freckles. " oh! I'm sorry, I have to go. It was nice talking to you. I hope to see you again." Hermione waved and ran off.
After purchasing her books and other things, Ryu went into the wand shop. " ah, have you come to purchase a wand?" he asked, a little skeptical about a fourteen year old just now getting a wand. " I am." Ryu said politely. He went in back and came out holding a box. Handing it to her, he smiled. " this is anew type of wand I just made, I hope you don't mind if I use you as my first test do you?" Ryu shook her head. " It's made from oak, thirteen inches, and has the fang of a dragon, and venom from a basilisk." Taking the wand in her hand, it glowed an eerie blue. " ah! Excellent! On my first attempt too! May I have your name young lady?" " Ryu Astra." Recording her name down, then taking the money she handed him. He watched her go, smiling.
Having finished that, she got a ticket and headed to platform nine and three quarters. She and Onyx, her hawk, passed through easily. She snuck onto the train, already in her Hogwarts robes. Glancing around, she spotted Hermione entering one of the doors. Ryu had hidden her pendant from sight. Finding a cabin all to herself, she sat. Slowly drifting off.
When she awoke they had reached Hogwarts. Onyx flew off to go hunt while Ryu made her way to the school. Still, none of the students noticed her. She gazed at Hogwarts, she was excited to say the least. ' the Triwizard Tournament will take place this year.' She thought excitedly.
She waited, Dumbledoor had instructed her to wait while the others were sorted. Once all of the first years had been sorted, he spoke. " Also, we have a new student who will be entering into the fourth year. Miss Astra will you please come up." Ryu gracefully strode up to the sorting hat, ignoring the stares she got from all of the other kids. At the Griffindoor table Hermione looked shocked for a moment. " what's up Hermione?" Ron asked. " I saw her at Diagon Alley, she was quite nice and polite. She must be from a rich pureblood family." As Ryu sat up on the stool, she gave a calm smile at Hermione, who grinned and waved a bit. As the hat was placed on her head, it waited a moment. " SLYTHERIN!" it yelled. Hermione was once again a bit shocked. ' well I guess it makes sense.' she remembered Ryu's otherwise emotionless expression, and other small things. Ryu's smiles always faded quickly before anyone could notice. " you said she was nice?" Ron commented skeptically. Harry just looked for a moment. The Slytherins cheered as she sat down. A lot of boys found her quite pretty. The girls whispered possible stories about her.Un fortunately for Ryu, Draco, Crabble and Goyle seated themselves next to her. Her calm expressionless face remained. " Hello, I'm Draco Malfoy, this is Crabble, and Goyle. Are you a pureblood?" turning to face him, she glared a bit. He flinched, her gaze was like icy steel. It was worse than Snape's. " indeed I am." She said in a regal tone. With that one phrase she established her superiority on the rest of them. All the Slytherins had been looking. Draco said no more as she daintily ate. Hermione had watched and listened to the whole conversation. Ryu never did care for cocky brats. You didn't have to know her to know she was of high class. ' he's the son of that Death Eater Lucius. I must be careful around him.' Hermione had smiled to herself, Ignoring Harry and Ron's babble about quidditch. ' she sure knows how to handle Malfoy.'
After the feast they had all retired to their dorms. Making sure everyone else was asleep, Ryu snuck out of the Slytherin common room. She heard footsteps and ducked behind a statue of a Griffin. " eh, did you hear something Ms. Norris?" came Filch's voice. ' please go away, please go away.' after hearing him crumble, she confirmed he was leaving. Stepping out from behind the statue, she continued her trek off the school grounds. Suddenly, she bumped into something. She heard a complaint. " ow!" looking around, Ryu hissed out. " who's there? Show yourself!" it came in a deadly whisper. Her wand ready. Ryu was a bit surprised to find Hermione underneath Harry's invisibility cloak. " Hermione?" "Ryu?" " I would ask what you're doing out here at this time of night, but seeing as I am as well it would be inappropriate." Hermione said in a joking sort of voice. " what's all the commotion?" Filch's voice sounded again. " quick, under the cloak." Hermione told Ryu. Who obliged willingly. They moved out of the way. Once they were outside the school, they took the cloak off. Hermione studied Ryu for a moment. Ryu doing the same. Hermione decided to spill first. Sighing, she spoke. " I've been trying to learn how to become an animagus. Harry always gets so much attention.I guess I'm kind of envious. I want to be strong. So I've been sneaking out every night to train myself." Ryu nodded, looking out into the lake they were next to, she spoke. " I was out here to retrieve my pet, and also to go into the Forbidden Forest." Hermione was a bit startled. " why would you want to go in there? Especially at this time of night." To her surprise, a small, calm smile appeared on Ryu's lips. " I grew up in forests filled with magical creatures. I find it calming to be out in the wild." Hermione's eyes shone with understanding. " I can understand that, I've worked hard at my grades every year, I hardly ever get time to myself.not to mention.." she trailed off. Ryu looked at this strange muggle born girl. Deciphering her emotions. " you want to feel.free in a way. Like there is nothing holding you back. No reputations to uphold." Hermione looked back at her, startled. Then smiled. " that's it exactly." Ryu looked her in the eye. " I have a proposition for you. I too am studying to become an animagus. I will sneak out of my common room with you every night, and we will learn together." Hermione's face lit up. " of course." In Hermione's mind, Ryu had proved that not all Slytherin's were just plain nasty. True Ryu was the darkest out of all of them. But she was the calm kind of dark, the contently powerful kind. Like the night. The two sat in silence for a moment. " may I ask.where are you staying?" Hermione asked. " No where at the moment. I'll find a place after the school year is over." " you don't have a place to stay?" Hermione repeated, shocked again. " No." Hermione pondered for a moment. " Maybe I can arrange for Ron's family to put you up." Ryu looked wary. " It's okay, they're nice people, they don't like Slytherin's but they won't do anything about it." Hermione assured. Ryu looked away a bit sadly. " I take it Slytherin's are rejected a lot." Hermione gave a sympathetic stare. " to tell the truth, I didn't either, but you're different from the rest." Suddenly dropping the topic. Ryu's eyes shone with mischief. " you want to have more fun, correct?" Bewildered, Hermione answered truthfully " yes, I do." " then what do you say we start a little.team of sorts. You and I. Like Fred and George, like the Marauders.." Hermione's eyes now mimicked Ryu's. " That would be fun. What should we call ourselves?" Ryu thought for a moment. " Mana." " that's good. Now, for nicknames." Hermione looked Ryu up and down. " Ice." she mumbled to herself. " Ice, would be a good nickname for you." Ryu nodded, then looked at Hermione. " Page, as in the fact that I always see you in the library. You also speak like a text book." Ryu smiled and Hermione blushed a bit. Crookshanks trotted up to Hermione, and Onyx landed on Ryu's shoulder. " well, Page, shall we?" Ryu asked calmly, nodding towards the forest. " yes, Ice, we shall." With that the four took a stroll into the forest.