Lashana owns everything except Draco. She wishes she owned Draco, however, because she's certain she could convince him to 'singe' her office building.

Past revisited

Chapter one : Reminiscing and foolish choices

"That'll be thirty-two seventy five please." Forcing a smile onto her face, Erica accepted the payment graciously and quickly rang up the shoppers receipt, sliding it into the bag before handing it over the counter. "Blessed be." Oh, I hope that's the last person today, I'm beat.

A sigh left her as she watched the shopper leave, and she soundlessly walked out from behind the counter and went to flip the overly cheerful sign of 'C'mon in! We're open! ' to a very relieving 'We're sorry, we're closed '. Taking a moment to inhale the scent of sandalwood that filled the store, she turned and surveyed her little domain, remembering her first day here.

In truth, she had been hunting for a summer job, hoping to make enough money to move away from her parents before they drove her to the brink of madness. Their opinion of her had dropped after she had vanished for the month that she had been whisked back in time, returning with no explanation for her disappearance. And then to add insult to injury, she had missed all her finals and had been forced to redo an entire year of high school. Pure torture. It had been sheer luck that she had managed to come to this city to visit her aunt, who had always been sympathetic to her when it came to her life at home.

Thus it was, that after firmly telling herself that she would not take a job at a fast food joint, she had discovered that if she wanted a job, that would be her only recourse. She had been near depression when she wandered into this cozy little store, drawn by curiosity, and perhaps, a bit of fate.

From the outside, it looked rather unimportant, only a weather-beaten sign hung over a beautiful oak door with stainglass windows. On either side were usual store windows that displayed books and cloaks and crystals. But the moment one stepped into the building, the store was far from unnoticeable.

Rows of shelves lined the walls, each bay filled to the brim with items. Most were books, though there were the few shelves that held only statues or larger crystals. A free-standing shelf was placed perpendicular to the wall, so that from the register, one could easily see the entire store with minimal effort. More shelves stood behind the counter, though the items there were much more expensive, and the counter itself was a display case for jewellery ranging from simple rings to the most elegant of amulets.

She had stood there, stunned. In awe of a store that she had never fully noticed before. That day, there had been the scent of cinnamon in the air, the aromatic smell wafting from the incense stick that was placed behind the check out counter, framed by three simple tea lights that flickered brightly, as if the flames were playing with the wisps of smoke from the incense.

It was the store of her dreams. A bonified and true occult store. Not one that played to people's misconceptions of the art of Wicca, or one that made it's earnings from lynching tourists. No, this was the real thing. She had known then, that she belonged there.

That was when she had met Maeve. The woman had moved with a grace that belied her age, gracefully stepping out of the back room and moving to greet her. Her long silver-grey hair had been tied back with a pewter clip, the intricate Celtic designs catching the light as she had turned to call back into the depths of the store, telling another that she had a customer. An extravagant Celtic amulet hung around her neck, accenting the two Celtic earrings she wore, and the numerous rings that adorned her hands. Along with those, she wore a simple dress that flowed to her ankles, the dark green cotton material looking almost black, a stark contrast to the thick white knitted shawl that she wore over her shoulders. It was her eyes that had shocked Erica, the warm vibrant hazel seeming to have flecks of gold and amber embedded into them that danced with good nature as she had reached out to touch her cheek, smiling kindly.

"I've been waiting for you."

Those five words had been the start of a fantastic friendship, and an even greater year of learning. Under Maeve's patient tutelage, she had learned everything she needed to become a full time staff member of the store, and she had also learned the finer arts of being a shamaness. It hadn't surprised Erica in the slightest when Maeve had told her that she was the last of a long line of shamans, and that she had been waiting for a suitable apprentice for years...and that she had chosen Erica, as that apprentice.

Her mastering of magicks had been shaky when she had first come here. Now, while not as strong as Rachel had been, she was powerful in her own right, powerful enough to call upon the elements of nature and bend them to her will if she so desired. She imagined that when she was elderly, she would have the same energy that resonated from her as Maeve had, a seeming glow that brought about feelings of calmness and friendship. But that same glow could turn into an inferno at the slightest instant if it was required, burning away anyone foolish enough to try to attack or harm.

Unfortunately, that power couldn't change the ways of the human body. The magicks that could call upon storms, heal others, draw good fortune and happiness, was helpless against the frailty of age. That had been the worst day of her life, coming into work to learn from a waiting lawyer that Maeve had died in her sleep. The causes were natural, he had told her, though that had done little to sooth her. The shock that had followed had nearly caused her to faint. Maeve, caring Maeve that had been like her grandmother, had left everything... to Erica. The store, her savings - which were considerably larger than anything Erica could have imagined - her estate, even her home, were now all in Erica's name.

That had been a year ago. In total, three full years since her adventure. Three years since she had said goodbye to her best friend, and left her under the care of a wise dragon.

Sighing at the memories, Erica shook her thoughts back to the present and stepped away from the door, lightly running her fingers across one of the display tables before wandering over to a shelf and re-arranging some disorganized books. Light reflected off the little circlet of silver that she wore on her left hand, and she frowned a little as she stared at it, remembering the one who had given it to her. It was supposed to provide a link between worlds... but I've never been able to go back....

"Miss Johnston?"

"Tony, I've told you a thousand times, call me Erica." She turned from the shelves to look at her assistant as he walked over to her, inwardly sighing as she gazed at the teen. He was just hitting that stage of growth where he was like a walking bottomless pit of uncoordinated energy, a late bloomer, she figured, considering that he was seventeen. His constantly tousled dirty-blond hair hung in front of deep brown eyes and curled around his ears, giving him a boyish appearance that was accented by the baggy jeans and loose t-shirt he wore. I swear, one day, those jeans are just gonna slide right off of him.

"Right. Erica." He shifted a little and reached up to rub at the back of his neck sheepishly, lowering his gaze to the floor as he did so in an attempt to hide the faint blush that was colouring his cheeks. "I finished inventory in the back. You need help with anything else?"

"No. You're free to take off," she murmured distractedly as she turned back to the books. "I'll see you tomorrow afternoon. And please, don't skip anymore classes."

"Sure, Miss Johnst-- er... I mean, Erica." He grimaced at how stupid he sounded and inwardly whacked himself as he turned and went to retrieve his backpack and jean jacket from behind the counter, glancing back at her when she let out a soft yelp. "You okay?"

"Yeah..." Wincing, she stuck her bleeding finger into her mouth and sucked on it, grimacing at the metallic taste yet relieved that the painful stinging had lessened. "Just another cut. This hasn't been my week."

"That bad, huh?"

"Not bad. Just annoying. Blew a fuse in the fusebox on monday for no reason, couldn't find my car keys on Tuesday, flat tire on Wednesday, my favourite plant died this morning..." She peered at the cut on her finger for a moment before turning to get a Band-Aid from the junk drawer behind the counter. "I'm just really looking forward to Sunday now. A day off will do me lots of good."

Tony frowned at her a bit before edging closer. "I could watch the store... if you wanted the entire weekend off."

"By yourself? For an entire day?" She quirked an eyebrow at him and smiled. "Sorry kiddo, but you're not ready for that yet. You're still learning. Not only how to run the store, but how to keep your own magicks from going haywire when you're stressed. I don't want a repeat of the time your teacher came in here to find you playing hookie."

He grimaced at the reminder and glanced away, remembering how panicked he had been, and how the entire shelf of books had pulled from the wall and toppled, nearly crushing his math teacher. "It only happened once."

"Yes. I know. But you're still learning control." Once the Band-Aid was firmly wrapped around her finger, she reached out and bodily turned him around, pushing him towards the door. "Now get going, it gets dark out quickly this time of year and I know you don't want your folks to worry, right?"

"Uh... right. I'll see you tomorrow, Miss Johnston!"

"Kids," she chuckled, watching him bolt through the door and take off down the street. Was I ever that young? Maybe, it's been such a trying three years that I can't remember much of anything past that little adventure... A twinge of pain made her glance down at her finger in annoyance, wondering how a simple paper cut could hurt so much. With the luck I've been having lately, it'll probably get infected.... Oh, quit worrying, 'Rica. Just go home, have a nice long bath, eat some chocolate and go have a nice long sleep. Nodding to herself in agreement with her inner pep talk, she did a final check of the back room, made sure the back door was locked, then grabbed her things and headed out to her car.

~*~

'Kiddo'? Aw man, she thinks I'm just a punk kid... Tony grumbled to himself as he slowed to a walk and shoved his hands deep into his jacket pockets, shoulders hunched as he headed up Watson Avenue, a short cut home. True, he was just seventeen while she was twenty two, but wasn't like it was that much of an age difference. He'd be graduating from high school in a little over a year, and then he'd be in college or something, maybe then she'd be interested. Nah, she'd still think I was just a kid. Especially since I can't even keep full control of these stupid magicks of mine. Why, oh why, did my father have to be descended from a warlock anyway?!

He shifted his backpack where it was slung over his right shoulder, feeling a heavy weight bang into his back as he did so. I'll show her what a 'kid' can do. Then, maybe she'll notice me. A grin spread over his lips at the prospect, and he immediately broke into a full run again, pounding down the street and cutting through a neighbour's yard.

"Anthony? Is that you?"

The call came from the kitchen as he banged the front door open, and he rolled his eyes in response. "Yeah, mom."

"Dinner will be ready in half an hour, sweetheart."

"Yeah yeah." Muttering under his breath, he shucked out of his runners and left them in the middle of the entrance before heading upstairs, taking the steps two at a time as he did so. Once in the seclusion of his room, he dumped his bag onto his bed and wriggled out of his jacket, tossing it onto a pile of clothes in the corner as he kicked books and other clothes aside, clearing a space on the floor.

Excited, he tore open his bag and upended it, letting the book, five candles and a golden eagle's feather drop onto his rumpled comforter. Okay, now I have to do this just right... A quick dig through his desk drawers awarded him with a lighter, and he knelt to place the five candles on the floor in a triangle shape, joining them together by tracing the lines of a pentagram on the floor with chalk before lighting them and snatching the book and feather. Hands shaking, he stepped into the centre of the star and opened the book where he had marked it that afternoon, reading through the spell once before steeling himself. If this works, then I'll have perfect mastery of my magicks, and I'll be equal to Erica!

~*~

Unknown to the lovestruck teen, a dark presence had taken quite an interest in his little endeavour to become stronger. In truth, it had been something the presence had tried to become while he had been alive ; though that achievement had been snatched away from him by that red haired bitch. Unrightfully stolen and given to another! Had the presence had a physical form, it would have been shaking with rage, but as it was, all it could manage to do was make the room he was observing grow colder by a degree or two.

But the boy. The boy worked with the witch. If he could turn the boy to his wishes, then perhaps his revenge could be served out. Better yet, the presence mused to itself, if I can take over this child, I can deliver my justice... personally....

~*~

Tony frowned as he finished the last passage of the incantation, looking around him curiously for a moment before cursing. He didn't feel any different. In fact, he felt like plain old Tony. Great. I can't even get a basic spell to work right...

On the contrary, young magician. I'd say it worked rather well.

"W-who are you?" The teen spun in a circle, trying to see the source of the voice. It sounded way to smug, and slightly sinister. "Where are you?"

That doesn't matter. What does matter is that I'm here to help you.

"Help me?"

Of course. You want power, don't you? To impress your lady friend? The voice whispered, almost seductively. I can help you gain that which you seek.

Despite his better judgement, Tony was intrigued. "....how?"

You need guidance. True guidance. From someone who knows your true potential...

"And that would be you?"

Who better? I can sense the power in you boy, you can do great things... great things indeed. We may be of use to each other. It trailed off in an amused whisper again. Of course, if you'd rather be thought of as a child, as a boy, instead of a man, I shall not interfere.

Feeling the presence seemingly pull away, Tony lunged to his feet, knocking a candle over and stepping out of the protection of the pentagram. "Wait! Don't go!"

There was an unearthly chuckle then, and the sense of something pressing down on his thoughts. Oh, I'm not going anywhere, young mage... no where at all...

Panic welled up in him as Tony realised his mistake, and he quickly went through the teachings that Erica had shown him to focus his thoughts and energy onto a single task. This time, it was the task of keeping whatever he had called out of his mind and body. He could feel it, all around him, like a cold evil that seeked to become one with him, to own him as it's own. For one terrifying moment, he feared that it would win, but then, as suddenly as it had appeared, the presence vanished, leaving him gasping and trembling in the middle of his room. Oh my god.... What was that?!