So this is my story, it's rated 'M' due to cursing, horror and specific themes. There'll be no smut due to the fact I'm not able to write it. This story will have themes in it that you will probably be able to link to Lovecraft and various Lore.
Harry potter isn't mine, it's that fabulous woman's J.K Rowling, whom supplied us with a childhood generations to come will envy.
Thank you for at least having a gander at my story!
Night. Night was comforting, night was soothing. There was something about it that was pleasurable, the possibility of throwing your head back and losing yourself was quite delicious in an almost…carnal sense. So, tugging her hair out of the red ribbon restraint, she made for the forest where she would merely walk and wander 'till she came across the tree she had become so fond of and then she would sit. Attempting to memorise the vast constellations, the exact percentage phase of the moon and maybe this time she might speak to a visitor.
"One fine day in the middle of the night,
Two dead boys got up to fight."
Singing languidly she traipsed through the under growth that was almost as familiar to her as the streets of the city was, her heavy leather boots crushing and snapping twigs and leaves alike. Her voice echoed off the tree's bodies and bows as she rhythmically tapped her fingers against her thumb; a spark dancing to life with each tap. Swaying with the harsh wind, her body almost resembling a snake, she reached and passed her own personal marker with baited breath. The broken yew tree still clung defiantly to life, a vicious crack slashed diagonally from left to right down the tree, it's roots thick and visible gripped the earth violently in an attempt to desperately hold on to life. The top most branches having long ago withered away to dried black bones knocked hollowly against one another. To her it sounded as if the tree was greeting her, reminding her through its mocking knocks and silent bitter jeering.
Early July was always strange in Edinburgh, festivals both Pagan and Christian would rise and dominate its soil, the weather would nearly mimic the unusualness of the two's co-existing relationship for that festive period. It would flare heatedly for a small while, the heat almost suffocating the natives whom were much rather suited and designed for harsher and colder weather- much like their Irish cousins, or it would freeze and shatter the brittle period of summer the people got; creating way for the near monsoon rain storms and the frigid gales.
Scotland was strange; its land had a mind of its own, lashing out in hormonal tantrums and short uplifting respites.
But it was her home.
"Back to back they faced each other,
Drew their swords and shot each other."
She had chosen it as her home, the streets of Edinburgh providing her with all she needed, the ever close and welcoming highlands offering a wild embrace whenever she could feel herself slipping and in it dwelled the people she would live and die for. This was her home. She couldn't see herself leaving, not knowing where she had been beforehand merely added to the need to hold on to her home, the familiar earth beneath her feet which she felt, every time, embrace her and embrace others who would listen to it.
A wild mass of long dark hair caught the waning moons half-light, bordering on almost matted it regularly snagged on the reaching branches but merely tore through the grasping fingers, the tangles having a much greater sense of solidarity than the twigs and branches that grasped at the swaying black mass.
"A deaf policeman heard the noise,
And went to kill those two dead boys."
She felt off balance, a strange unfamiliar feeling swelled in her belly; her tapping fingers increasing to a speed where a spit of fire danced across her fingertips. Her intuition was sparking; her matted dark hair practically sparking with her unsettlement. Something strange was coming, she could feel it in her bones, hear it in the winds and in the whispers of the trees as the forest sang to her; a change was coming. If the forest sang to you, it was a foreboding. The forest is a constant, stable entity, a unique patchwork of millions of lives; all co-existing to form one greater being. If change was coming, she would warn you, for to the forest change was rarely good or beneficial.
"If you don't believe my lie as true,
Ask the blind lady she saw it too."
Still singing she gave no indication of her slight distress, of the niggling feeling in the pit of her belly. As she meandered past the empty rabbit hole she subconsciously counted down the twenty seven footsteps it would take until she would reach her favourite spot.
Growing irritated with the feeling taking root inside her she flicked her hand; killing the dancing spit of flame that had been previously playing on her fingertips. Another few steps and she was at her spot. An oak stump that would have been a relatively young oak tree… in tree terms of course. It was only about two foot in width, the surface smooth enough to rest on, rough enough to gain the attention on curious finger tips. She faced the east, just as she did every time she sat here, always facing the east she reminded herself; to the sunrise and to the promise of another day of life.
She was tired, her muscles ached and her eyes itched. This week had been long and much too long to allow the small hours of sleep she had actually gotten to go unpunished. There had been far too much to do and too little time to actually do it, but she had gotten it done in the end with nought more to attest to her achievement than a few scratches and bruises. She let out a small sigh and harshly rubbed her face. She was no fool, not in matters such as these, she knew that it was just a matter of time until retaliation came to her door but there was nothing she could do in reality for it was a necessary job that she didn't have a safe option to turn down. She would just have to survive against the threat that was indefinitely being sent against her, and then prove her worth... Again. Gods' she was tired, so blooming tired. Her figure hunched over to an extent where her matted hair pooled on her knees, resting like that for a moment she released a breath and straightened her shoulders.
She rolled her shoulders allowing them the pops and cracks that loosened them, and in doing so she felt some of the tension that had been building slowly ebb away. She would be fine, she could feel that certainly, whatever change was coming it would prove as a distraction to some extent.
The forest's song stopped almost unnoticed, one minute it's song was a current running through her head yet now there was just the sound of animals and the rustling of leaves, no whispering and no soft almost inaudible music, there was however a new sound. She straightened her back as it drew closer, it felt... Different. An owl came into view, swift and sure it headed straight for her. Immediately she cocked her head in surprise and suspicion, she had spent many a night in this forest, on this very oak stump and owls were always wary of other creatures. She studied the large tawny owl, it had a large wingspan as she could hear the air being pushed and repelled as it flapped its wings, and she could see the flecks of gold in its feathers but what was most peculiar was the fact this strange owl was holding a letter that was promptly propelled into her lap.
Raising an eyebrow she stared at the parchment on her lap and promptly returned her attention to the rather obnoxious owl that was steadfastly imprinting the very clear message that it was superior to her as it sat rather imperiously on a nearby branch. Plus, she was adamant that she saw the tawny beast eye her hair disdainfully.
'Cheeky little bugger...' She thought absentmindedly as she fingered the letter in front of her, 'This is really weird.' she flipped the letter over to check where it was sent from, and not even an ink blot was present. 'If I open it, does it count as an agreement?' referring to the change that she felt coming, she could feel that it was all contained in this letter. This was the start of it she was sure.
Taking a small measured breath she flipped the letter right-side forward again and quickly tore it open. Two pages of finely cut parchment fell out. 'Parchment, who the bloody hell uses parchment anymore?' Gripping the parchment roughly she read the letter, then re-read the letter, then read it all over again.
"To Miss Raevyn
Oak stump in Holyrood forest.
Edinburgh
Scotland
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Miss Raevyn,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress"
'Well Jesus H Christ... That explains an awful lot!' She read over the names of the people on the letter of... Acceptance. Albus Dumbledoor and Minerva McGonnagall, 'They sound like wizards.'
She physically restrained herself from slapping herself in the face due to that horrendously moronic statement, but only did so because of the owl that was still eying her with undisguised distaste and she did not want the beast to gain the upper hand.
'Little fucker! I'll send him back to this bloody wizard school like a roast chicken!' Admitting to herself she didn't exactly know how to do that she realised that she was at a loss at what to do, how was she to reply to these people before July 31st? It was around the 10th of
July now! Around that... She was about as good as keeping track of the days as she was at keeping her hands in her own pockets and not in others, and she was shite at that.
A familiar genderless voice spoke in her mind at that exact moment, 'Write back child.'
So she did. Standing up rather abruptly, causing the owl to glare at her reproachfully, she fished for the old small black and yellow pencil that dwelled within the pocket of these jeans. Rising victorious she flipped the actual acceptance paper over and scribbled quickly.
"I accept. I require assistance; meet at Holyrood forest gates tomorrow at 12."
Forgoing the usual formality of signing a name she pocketed the list of necessities and pondered how to get the damn owl to cooperate. 'Could I magic the beast down here? No I'd probably kill the damn thing..." She just stared at the damn thing for a few moments, the two having a standoff and battle of wills; she of course was considering herself to have the upper hand.
'Command it.' The voice advised emotionlessly.
'Well it couldn't hurt I suppose,' she thought as her fingers teased the letter, 'worse comes to worst, the beast will just think me stupid... And it already does...' She squared her shoulders and straightened her back before holding the parchment out to the owl.
"I have a letter; take it back to the headmaster." Feeling entirely foolish for just commanding an owl to do that she almost dropped her hand, however remaining stubborn to kept it and the letter in the air.
The owl stared for a moment before ruffling its feathers and lifting into the air, diving straight for her, the owl swerved at the last minute gripping the letter from her hand just as it turned. She watched the beast fly in the direction from which it came, and stood at a loss.
'Well what the bloody hell do I do now?' At a complete loss she stood still, finding it was almost best not to move if you didn't know what you were doing. 'Any ideas of what I should do?'
Directing the question to the independent voice in her head, after waiting a few moments and still receiving no response she sighed and decided to just go home. She'd have to speak to mama Lani about this anyway; especially if she was going to be leaving for a while!
It never did take her all that long to get home, all it took was a thought of home and she would 'travel' to it and be there in a matter of seconds. She'd no idea how she did it but found she couldn't give a damn about the science of it, she imagined a place and voilà; she'd be there! Turning the last corner of three story terrace houses she slipped into the estate where mama Lani lived, the estate was built on a multitude of hills so she always found it interesting to look at when she turned this corner. It was a working class estate through and through, the flags adorning the lamp posts and the painted kerbs showed to an outsider, that this was a low class, benefit claiming group of people. They'd be right of course but she couldn't give a rat's ass, number 17 was a single mother with 5 young children -every child's surname was different from the last, but the young mother had given her a loaf and a 2 litre carton of milk when Lani had expressed concern about food.
Number 32 was a fella not much older than her, who had managed to claim the benefits he needed to rent the house he was living in. At first he was placed there by the housing benefit but he had managed to find a job and get the help needed to rent the house instead. He wasn't a bad fella Ciaran, what had happened was his mother had had enough of his father's abuse so she had run off, leaving Ciaran with him. His father had lost his job due to the recession and had started drinking, out of both boredom and frustration but being the only other person in the house, Ciaran took the brunt of his father's frustration. Living with him for four years after his father lost his job, Ciaran moved out when he was 17 and lived on the streets for a while, before a stroke of luck where he ended up here and has been here for three years. Both she and Ciaran had sat in his scarcely decorated living room, consisting of a couch, a TV and a box with a blanket over it to serve as a table, many a time with their curry chip and watched the soaps.
She'd have to call in and explain things to him before she left tomorrow, in case she didn't come back straight away.
Passing Ciaran's house she was tempted to walk on in now and see how he was but she knew mama Lani would give her a clout across the head, so she headed to number 33 and rapped the door. Within seconds the door was flung open.
"Child how many times am I to tell you to come on in?" Lani exclaimed before gently grabbing her wrist and trailing her into the kitchen, "And by the looks of you, you haven't bothered to have a decent meal."
Levelling her fierce brown eyes on her Lani pinned her where she stood, shaking her head, the sort of matted dread lock hair of hers ruffled slightly. Looking to the ground in utter chastisement she mumbled, "No Lani."
Mama Lani tutted in reproach before placing her in a seat and placing food before her, "How many times Raevyn have I told you? A car cannot run on fumes child, just as you cannot run, and quite literally might I add, with nothing in your stomach!"
'The woman is right child; it is paramount that you care for your health.'
Mentally huffing childishly Raevyn mumbled back to the voice, 'What's with all this child business! I'm eighteen thank you very much!' While that was mentally muttered with courage she did not however possess the courage to say that to mama Lani so she merely tucked into the stew that was placed before her; only now realising that she was in fact ravenous. Lani meanwhile bustled about the kitchen, doing only gods knows what but still, for such a small woman she made an enormous amount of noise.
She was a small, stout woman at the middle age of fifty six, her chestnut brown hair was slightly peppered with silver and was pinned back in a bun with small curly wisps flying about her face- she never could figure out if they were deliberate or not. A floor length black gypsy skirt trailed against the Lino floor, the multicoloured threading peaked shyly throughout it but sat perfectly with the small multicoloured butterfly's that were spotted throughout mama Lani's hair. Raevyn smiled as she took in mama Lani's attire, from the gypsy skirt to the knitted flyaway cardigan she wore, she was still the free spirit she was when she was young. Still a scary woman though, always that first.
"Lani, I received a letter today." Pushing her empty plate aside, she waited for mama Lani's response.
Giving her full attention to Raevyn she sat opposite her, "Oh? And what did this letter say?
"I have been offered a place in a school."
The rise of an eyebrow was her only response so Raevyn continued.
"I have accepted the offer, I start officially on September 1st but a teacher from the school is coming tomorrow to take me to get a few necessary items for the year."
Mama Lani did not give an immediate response; she merely interlinked her fingers and placed her hands on the table before her, her brow creased in thought and her eyes staring intensely into Raevyn's own eyes. After a heavy silence Lani spoke in an even tone; which Raevyn was hugely thankful for.
"Can I see that letter Raevyn?"
Immediately diving into her pocket to retrieve the letter of acceptance but only coming up with the list of necessary books and equipment she floundered for a second before just handing that sheet over to Lani. Mentally bludgeoning herself for using that piece of paper to respond.
Taking it without a word mama Lani read it carefully, internally slightly exasperated that this wasn't the actual letter of acceptance, rather some strange book and equipment list.
"What happened to the actual offer of acceptance Raevyn? This means little to nothing to me without that first and foremost. Strange as this is."
Still floundering she gave a brief recount as to what the letter said, half of her brain was giving its attention to mama Lani but the other half was completely astounded that this small woman, whom was of no relation to her, was able to make her feel like an irresponsible child. Admittedly it probably wasn't the best idea to use that particular piece of paper to respond.
Once again Lani merely sat across from her and thought intensely and with a stone face. After a couple of tense moments though she finally voiced her thoughts to Raevyn.
"You are absolutely sure that is no farce child? You are one hundred percent sure that this letter is genuine and whomever you are meeting tomorrow is not actually some lunatic child molester that is praying on the young's desire for something magical?"
Always to the point so she was, half of her wanted to smile at Lani's bluntness though she fought to hold her serious facial expression, "One hundred percent Lani, there is not a doubt in my mind."
Giving a firm nod of her head mama Lani rose from her seat, "Nor is there one in mine child. I always knew you were special. And of course... There was that time my curtains mysteriously caught fire when Tracy Barlow managed to get out of prison for the second time." Chuckling slightly Lani smirked at Raevyn, "She never was a favourite of yours, sure she wasn't Hun?"
Fighting the insane blush that was threatening to completely overwhelm her dusty complexion, "I need to go and tell Ciaran, I'll be back soon. Maybe in an hour or two."
Turning back to the stove where Raevyn was sure she was making something for tomorrow's dinner, Lani waved her hand dismissively, "Stay with the boy, child. He's grown quite fond of you. This old woman is perfectly content with her own company, now off you go!" Without looking back to Raevyn Lani waved her off. "Don't you enjoy yourself too much with that boy though!"
Raevyn practically fled from the house, hearing the implication in mama Lani's words and her smirk; her face burned an amusing shade of cherry, well as close to that colour as it could get. As soon as her boot set foot on the tarmac she lit up a much needed cigarette. Mama Lani was always teasing her about Ciaran but there was no way! For instance he was twenty-one, coming twenty-two! There was no way he would see anything in her, they were just good mates! She had just turned eighteen a few months back; there was just no way it was ever going to happen. Though that's not saying he wasn't good looking, he was, nor is it saying that he wasn't an amazingly lovely person- he was. It was just... Well it was never going to happen! Though maybe... She wouldn't say no of course. Giving a violent shake of her head to sort her thoughts, Raevyn meandered round to number 30; Ciaran's house.
It wasn't anything spectacular; just the same as mama Lani's house really, the bog standard council house. Though she smiled as she remember all the times she's had in that house since she came here, her and Ciaran's drunken escapades, their self-piercings, the nights sitting with a curry chip watching Corrie... They were her happiest moments; they were the happiest things she could remember. She didn't want to leave, she didn't want to leave and come back at some point and Ciaran barely remember her. She'd burn the place down, level the neighbourhood if mama Lani or Ciaran forgot her. Fuck magic school... She'd reduce the place to dust. They were her world, they were all she had. She had no memories from 14 and under, they were all she had.
Shaking her head again in an attempt to settle her heart and mind, she knocked on his door and waited, trying to calm her thumping heart. In a matter of seconds the door was ripped open, and she was gripped in an agonising bear hug.
"Rae-Rae! Just the little birdy I wanted to see!" He exclaimed as he carried her via bear hug into the living room.
"I've missed you! You were gone too long Rae!" Scrutinising her from their bear hug position he frowned. "You're hurt."
"We'll bloody well let me down then for fucks sake!" Her yell was muffled slightly by his chest, her head normally just reaching his pec's was actually on his collarbone due to her still being held in a bear hug.
Plopping her down on the sofa he stared at her, and she fought the urge to squirm. Ciaran stood at 6"3, which dwarfed her 5"4 frame. Standing with his arms crossed his ratty Led Zeppelin T-shirt stretched taut over his chest and she nearly forgot to breath. She knew he was ripped; broad shoulders, toned stomach and delicious V lines, she'd seen it before, heck they'd both sat in the bare minimum of clothes loads of times during one of their boozers but this was different. She was officially appreciating his lean, boxer frame. Her breath caught in the back of her throat, her heart was fluttering so ridiculously she was sure she would be sick and she could smell his aftershave from here and her mouth watered. What the fuck was going on?
'Magic, it's this bloody magic business. It's bollocks'ed up my brain!'
She settled to just raise her eyebrow at him and prayed that her face wasn't bright red or that she wasn't panting like a bitch in heat at him.
He frowned in response and puffed out a shot of air, "What happened?"
Sighing, Raevyn relented and patted the sofa, "It was just a job, they wanted something off an old client and I was in no position to refuse."
Sitting down beside her Ciaran sighed and left it at that, there was nothing he could do to fix the situation. That was her game, her area and he would be useless; and that took an immeasurable amount of effort to admit, even if it was just to himself.
Plucking up a dread lock of her jet black hair and whirling it round his finger he tugged it playfully. To which she responded in a snigger and a slap on the leg.
"What has you over Rae? Not that I'm not happy to see you... But you have that face on you..."
"Well thank God for that! Imagine showing up at your door with no face! You'd piss yourself and I'd have to suffer the embarrassment of being there while you pissed yourself!"
Chuckling he tugged at her hair again, "You know what I mean, there's something troubling you."
She studied him, his legs were thrown out languidly and covered in dark jeans, worn and ripped at the knees. His ratty T-shirt stretched taut and hovered just over his midriff due to his position, showing his pierced navel- the black spike she'd picked out sat out against his pale skin rather deliciously. The snakes and lizards, panthers and old Sumerian symbols he'd painstakingly researched, the jungle scenery, the odd wyvern thrown in too, all bright colours inked up and down his arms and she knew they slithered up to his shoulders and down the blades. His tattoos teamed with colour and life. A piercing to the right of his lip which he regularly played with, as he was jiggling it about with his tongue at this very moment in fact she noticed. Small black stretchers lay in his ears and a pierced eyebrow diagonal to his lip piercing shone dully. His hair a dusty sand colour had recently been chopped into the fuzz he was sporting now, and she was dying to run her hands through it. This was Ciaran, her Ciaran. He wouldn't abandon her, he wouldn't forget about her. She just prayed he took this well.
"I'll be going away for a while," avoiding his gaze she continued, "I got a letter to go to this school."
She felt him shift away from her, "For how long is this?"
"I don't know to be honest... A professor from the school is coming tomorrow to take me to get materials so I can go."
Looking up at him she saw how he'd turned away from her, his hands on his lap while he bit his lip.
"And you just decided to go then? To just up and leave for God knows how long to study at some posh school?"
He was hurt, she'd hurt him and it was killing her, she'd tell him everything to make him understand, she couldn't leave tomorrow with him hurt because of her.
"It's not like that Ciaran, I have to go-"
Grabbing her hand he finally looked at her, "No you don't! You don't have to do anything, since when do you let anyone dictate what you do? Stay here Rae-Rae."
Gripping his hand back just as tight she held his gaze as she tried to make him understand, "No this time I do. This isn't a normal school, it's a school where I can go to get control."
He tried to pull his hand away but she held firm but he screwed his eyes up and practically growled, "Fuck. A special school? You're being sent to a-"
She blocked him out and shut her eyes, if he wouldn't listen to her she'd bloody well show him and make him listen. She concentrated and focused in what she wanted, he always loved being outside in gale force winds with her so she'd create them. Within seconds gale force winds were ripping through Ciaran's living room and in the back of her mind she registered he had stopped talking. Opening her eyes she stared at him. He looked at her as the gales swirled around them and Raevyn threw her head back with a grin on her face, her jet coloured hair whirled about her wildly. She looked happy, so happy and free he knew then that he couldn't ask her to stay, he couldn't keep her away from that, whatever that was... Magic or something?
The gales settled down to slight breezes and she calmed her excited frantic breathing and looked at him, her cheeks flushed, eyes wide, her chest heaving and her hair all wild; she looked so uninhibited that even as his heart cracked he knew she'd have to go to this place.
"I have to go Ciaran," the grip she had on his hand softened and she looked at him, all evidence of the late gales gone as the final breezes drifted away, "I need to learn this stuff."
He fought the urge to be selfish and plead with her to stay here, and he knew that she probably would if he did, but he couldn't. Not after seeing that, not after seeing how free she was.
"You're not allowed to forget me." He may be twenty one years of age but she was all he really had.
He almost regretted saying it as he saw her light caramel; hazel eyes fill with tears instantly.
"No. You're not allowed to forget me!" Was all she was able to choke out as silence settled around them.
He sighed before picking her up and hugging her to him, feeling her instantly grip onto him and press her face into his neck as she burrowed further into his lap. He'd never forget her, how could he! But she was going to some place where magic was real, Jesus Christ there'd be fucking dragons and unicorns for all he knew, and he was just plain old ordinary human, how could she not forget him amongst that world? He gripped her tighter as be placed his forehead on top of her head.
"I'll not forget you; this place I'm going to isn't my home. It's just some school, but here, this estate, you and Lani, you're my home." Her voice sent vibrations through his neck and up into his jaw, "I will always come back here, I will always come back."
They sat in silence for a while. Raevyn comfortable on his lap with her face in the crook of his neck and Ciaran with his face pressed into her hair, trying to memorise her scent that was uniquely her.
Breathing in a breath of him Raevyn shifted, "Besides! I'm a home bird aren't I?"
Both laughing they relaxed and released each other, she climbed off him to go and find her purse that she'd left here, scratch that, that she kept here. Returning a moment later victorious she held up her purse and grinned at Ciaran.
"Shall we go get pissed?"
Grinning in return he rose from his sofa and grabbed his jacket, "After you m'lady!" Bowing theatrically he followed as she laughed her way down the hall.
"Why thank you kind Sir!" Opening his front door she curtsied before leaving the house. Waiting until he had locked the door they set off on their quest to the nearest off-licence to get the materials needed to get completely and utterly pissed.
Returning with both alcohol and sustenance they laid their catch on the floor, and surveyed their success. Two bottles of Absolute vodka- ten glasses respectfully. Goldschlager in there for herself as well as the odd alco-pop and a case of beer for Ciaran too. Couple that with their Chinese and kebab, they had returned victorious from their hunt and settled in to get entirely pissed. Sitting Indian style in the middle of Ciaran's living room they started with the Vodka and their take-outs.
"So... You do magic then?"
Snorting she munched on a chip, "I suppose so."
"That's a shit answer! 'I suppose' she says! You made my living room look like a cyclone! I'd say the correct response to that question would be a resounding 'yes.'"
Grinning she downed her glass and poured herself another, "Well why'd you ask then if you already knew the answer?"
Levelling her with a glare Ciaran tore a piece of lamb off his kebab before feasting on it. "How long have you been able to do it...? Magic... Whatever!"
Shrugging her shoulders Raevyn poured herself another glass, "Forever I suppose. I don't remember ever not being able to do it, does that count?"
Grabbing a bottle of beer he threw his free hand up in exasperation, "You're so blasé about it for fucks sake! You, Rae-Rae, can do magic! Fucking magic! Not bullshit rabbit out of the hat tricks magic, no! The real deal shit!"
Throwing one of her chips at him she fixed him with a look, "Would you rather I run about the streets setting things on fire, ripping up trees and turning water into wine?"
"You could do that?" He scrutinised her fiercely.
Shrugging her shoulders she contemplated it briefly, "I suppose, I worked out that if I focus on wanting something to happen then it does, something's are trickier than others and something's just hurts like a bitch whenever I try it but I suppose I could."
He tongued his lip ring for a minute before looking up at her through his lashes, and she knew he'd done it on purpose but fuck... She didn't care.
"Could you show me? Anything at all!"
She almost wriggled under his intense stare but she couldn't say no, he sounded too excited and she already felt guilty for not telling him beforehand; he obviously would have taken it well. So she set her curry chip down in front of her and held her hands, palm facing up towards the ceiling, out and focused on the space in her hands. A slight pressure built in her head before escalating to a slight headache but a spark of emerald green energy flared to life like a tiny star in her hands. Hovering in the cradle of her hands she focused on it to try and enlarge it, it flared larger as if it was breathing, it being the size of a small football now. Seeing the emerald colour changing to a lighter hue she focused on it trying to shape it, like a sculptor would with clay. A bead of sweat rolled down her temple and her head felt like it would explode but the green spark thinned out and lengthened, coiling into the shape of a snake, a flaring vivid green snake raised its head and hissed at Ciaran enquiringly before her headache became too much and she lost it.
Reaching for the bottle of vodka immediately she uncapped it and downed a good few slugs of it, the burn nearly cutting her throat, before looking to see Ciaran's reaction. Sitting with wide eyes, a grin and inched forward he laughed in delight before she closed her eyes in pain again.
"That was fucking amazing!" He leant forward and grinned, "How did you- and it hissed! It fucking hissed and holy shit! That was-"
She opened her eyes to see why he'd stopped so abruptly to find him staring at her intensely; she tried to smile reassuringly at him but only managed a grimace as her head seared. He raised his hand and held the side of her head, unconsciously leaning into his hand she closed her eyes as she tried to get rid of the pain in her skull.
"It hurts you? To do magic?" His voice was soft as he threaded his fingers into her hair.
Breathing in as her head eased somewhat she opened her eyes to look at him, "It only hurts the first time I try something new, but it gets better and easier every time I do it."
Ciaran nodded before smirking, "So like sex then?"
Immediately throwing another chip at him she fought to control the blush that flamed across her face, "Shut up you bloody moron!"
Rolling back laughing he fought tears, absently he noted how those tall four glasses of vodka and bottle of beer were beginning to kick in.
Her face flaming she held her face in her hands, "I can't believe you just said that! Oh my God you're such a guy!"
Rolling onto his side to stare at her incredulously, she couldn't help but notice through the crack in her fingers the glimpse of his midriff, "Well I'm fucking thrilled you've just finally realised this!"
Lifting her head to eat her chips she flicked her hand in his direction muttering about males and their sex drive, a tiny shock jolted him and he stared at her with wide blue eyes.
"What?" Her own eyes growing significantly larger in an attempt to look innocent.
"You shocked me!"
Looking surprised she shook her head, "I never! You're losing it! Maybe this has scrambled your brain."
Narrowing his eyes he raised himself up and crawled towards her slowly, shoulder blades swaying like a hunting lion. "You did. You shocked me. I'm going to have to get you back you know."
Scooting back a bit she too narrowed her eyes, "Stay there! Don't you move!"
Ignoring her he stalked towards her slowly, precisely in his movements. "You used your magic on me. Retaliation is owed Rae-Rae."
"Fuck off!" Shimming back with her bottle she glared at him, "Don't take another... Just, stop!"
Grinning at her he did. Before pouncing on her and pinning her to the floor and then preceded to tickle her till she had tears running down her face, her screaming probably had the whole estate at the windows waiting for the cops to make an appearance...again. Ciaran's deep rumbling laugh joining hers, just before she was sure she would pee herself she hauled her knees up and kicked him off her and leant up against the couch trying desperately to breathe. Ciaran still rolled about the floor laughing, she opened her bottle again and tipped it only to realise there was none left. Snorting she threw away the empty bottle before going for her bottle of Goldschlager.
Swigging some she both winced and smiled as it burnt her throat, "Glorious! Whoever thought first to put cinnamon in to vodka are gods!" Swigging it again she looked to Ciaran who had stopped chuckling and was lying watching her.
Holding her hand out she wordlessly offered him a swig of her drink. Shaking his head to decline silence descended on them for a few minutes, Ciaran just lying there and Raevyn chasing the small gold particles in her drink with her eyes.
"You have to promise, come back tomorrow; don't let them keep you there."
Looking over to him she felt sad again. That was the down side of alcohol, it always gave you a roller coaster ride of emotions. She slowly shuffled over to where he was lying on the carpet, trying to keep her balance, and lay down beside him.
"I promise I will."
Turning and curling so her forehead touched his chest she closed her eyes and just floated with the weightless feeling the drink was giving her. Feeling him shift so he was angled towards her she let herself free fall, her body feeling like it was submerged and slowly summersaulting. Her fingertips brushing his T-shirt to reassure herself he was there, Ciaran's thumb rubbed the tattoo on the outside of her wrist. Here was where she felt safe. Here was home.
Her head hurt. Fuck her head really hurt. Lifting her head slowly she took in her surroundings; they were still in the middle of the floor, still curled round each other. A blush flamed across her skin, not for the first time she felt grateful for the fact blushes didn't show easily on her skin. Lifting her hand to rest it beside Ciaran's face she noted, not for the first time, the stark contrast of the two colours. He sported a very pale golden colour while she was coloured a dusty mocha colour, only years spent in the Scottish climate had paled her slightly. She felt rather out of place whenever she did this, her colouring being so strange, especially in their estate.
"You have somewhere to be child."
"Balls!" Leaping up to try and find her phone to check the time she quickly doubled over in pain, it would seem that her drinking had done nothing for her aches and bruises.
Reacting to her shout Ciaran too leapt up into sitting position, one side of his hair flattened due to sleep and the other half spiked up in all directions- well as much as his fuzz could. Eyes wide and glazed he whipped his head round in confusion only to find Raevyn curled up on the floor.
"Rae?"
She almost chuckled, he was most definitely not a morning person, he'd need one of his special coffees before he was functional.
"I'm late." Was all she said as she tried to get her breathing under control, it was her ribs that were in the most pain.
Flopping back to the floor Ciaran groaned, "Tell'em to fuck off!"
Chuckling she slowly uncurled herself, "Can't. I have to this time, remember?"
Standing up and slowly pulling her leather jacket over her dark blue wife beater she slowly, very very slowly, shook her head so not to aggravate her hangover.
"I can't be late. What time is it anyway?" Rooting through her pockets for her phone she almost set the thing on fire when the light of the screen nearly seared her eyes, "Jesus fucking Christ I'm dying!"
"All the more reason for you not to go now, go tomorrow." His words muffled by his arm almost amused her, if it didn't make her heart hurt.
"I can't. Their commutation systems are jacked."
Removing his arm from across his face he merely looked at her and raised his pierced brow. She refrained from biting her lip at him.
"They use owls! Tell me how I'd reschedule this bloody meeting? Do you see an owl about here right now?"
Studying her for a few moments he snorted, "You're shitting me! Owls?"
Pulling her boots on she nodded, "Owls."
"So how are you going to keep in contact when you get there?" She nearly grinned, "Lani will murder you if you don't."
She turned her head away so not to show how much that hurt, this time she did bite her lip, just to keep herself from getting any more emotional. Nearly freaking out when she felt her hair being tugged she whipped round to find him looking at her intently.
Tugging her hair via a shake of her head, out of his hand she pulled her loose dreadlocks and hair into a thick ponytail and secured it with her ribbon.
"So will I if you don't." Still she avoided his eyes, "I won't let you leave this house if you don't promise to stay in contact with me Rae-Rae."
Looking at him for a second before tying her laces she nodded, "I promised didn't I?"
"But I'm asking you to make another promise."
From her position of tying up her laces she could see his arms and the numerous scars that were almost invisible through the tattoos.
"I promise."
She heard his breath whoosh out of him in a sigh of relief before straightening up and hugged him. His arms wrapping around her like the snakes he was so fond of.
"I have to go; I'm going to be late."
Releasing her he nodded, before his face split into a grin, "Bring me back something magical!"
She merely laughed before stepping out of his reach and disappeared, leaving Ciaran flabbergasted as he stared at the spot she once was.
"We'll fuck me!" Was all he mumbled out before going into his kitchen to make himself one of his special coffees.
Landing just outside the park she immediately checked her phone, before gathering the time she doubled over and fought the urge to vomit.
'Note to self. Never do that while hungover!'
Groaning out a few choice words she slowly stood up when the nausea passed and once again checked her phone. Cursing she saw it was ten past twelve. Sure she had missed them she almost went straight back to Ciaran's, after all a wizard would always be on time, right? Sighing she sat down and decided to wait till half past, if they came then she'd just pretend she had the decency to show up early never mind on time.
Another fifteen minutes had passed before she heard a pop and felt her ears pop in result. Standing up from her position on the ground she stared at the wizard... Er... Witch since this magical person was clearly a woman.
Reasonably tall with a severe tight bun at the top of her head, the silver colour of it gleamed in the daylight; the witch's clothes looked more like robes. A deep emerald and red melding and whirling subtly with the edges outlines in thin gold rope.
'Looks like a wizard- witch! Whatever!'
The woman set her eyes on Raevyn and raised a grey eyebrow at her, her steel blue eyes dulled with age they may be but still almost managed to pin Raevyn where she stood before Raevyn herself lined her spine with steel and raised one back in challenge
"Miss Raevyn?" Her voice was crisp, her strong Scottish lilt adding to her severity.
Nodding her head and crossing her arms Raevyn squared her shoulders, "And you are?"
It was a battle of wills, two incompatible forces meeting and refusing to retreat. The witch looked down her nose at the shorter witch before answering.
"Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall."
Raevyn wasn't impressed, she didn't think she liked this woman, no idea why, she could be a bloody brilliant witch for all she knew but she could feel that she wasn't what the professor had been expecting and she didn't like it. What was going on? Before she could ask the professor voiced it.
"This is most unusual, those letters are only sent to our would-be first years, and you clearly are no first year."
'No shit.' She muttered mentally before answering, "So you're saying someone made a mistake and I haven't been accepted?"
Her heart stopped, now that she'd been made aware of this magic school she wanted to go. The professor however shook her head.
"There are never any mistakes, the castle itself sends the letters. You are merely an oddity."
Raevyn bristled at that. Merely an oddity? That's all she was? Really! If she didn't really want to go to this bloody school she would of disappeared right then.
"Nevertheless you have received a letter and you have accepted, therefore the contract that each pupil makes with the school has been sealed. You are now a pupil of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry and it is our duty to assist you in acquiring the appropriate materials necessary for the upcoming school year."
Feeling the lead vanish from her stomach and her heart do a summersault she almost grinned but only stared at the professor.
"Well come along then!" Staring at the Scottish professor's outstretched hand Raevyn merely raised her eyebrow at it.
"Do you wish to go to Hogwarts or not?"
With a minutes hesitation Raevyn stepped forward and only brushed the woman's fingertips before they were spinning away. It was horrible, this was nothing like how she appeared at places, she felt like she was shoved into a tiny tube and it was set on blend mode while she was in there. Just as she recognised the horrendous feeling they had arrived and she was spat out. She had arrived to a brick bloody wall. Before she could say anything the professor had started rapping on the bricks like a bloody loon, she was almost embarrassed. However the wall soon melded away and there stood the most bizarre and exciting thing she had ever seen.
A wizarding market, well street... A wizarding high street? Yes! That's what it was. The buildings were a skewed and looked to be falling down stylishly, colours were deep and rich and gold accented everything, absolutely everything. It gave the impression the street was gleaming, the sun which only seemed to shine inside this high street as just before it was grey skies, glinted off the gold and highlighted the many robes the witches and wizards were wearing.
'Holy fuck.' She both mentally muttered and verbally muttered in her shock.
Professor McGonagall looked scandalised beside her before moving briskly onwards. Striding forwards to catch her, Raevyn took in everything in the street, the brooms to the cauldrons, the vendors promising all sorts for a price and now that she was in a magic alley, she found herself being won over by them and their promises. She did however notice how different she was dressed to everyone else, the wizards and witches darting about in their robes while she waved through them in her torn dark jeans, biker boots and leather jacket. They fitted her perfectly but they made her feel like a fish out of water, she couldn't see herself coming home with robes though... No definitely not. How would those people run if they needed to? Or how the hell would they fight? The sleeves would definitely get in the way, never mind the length of the actual robes!
They'd stopped outside a shop, well the professor had stopped and she had nearly mowed the professor over but had managed to stop just in time, though had in fact managed to gain a very uncomfortable closeness to her. Personal space was important to wizard and witches as well it would seem. It was a dusty looking shop, in fact it almost looked derelict, the once gleaming gold lettering at the top were flaked and worn.
"Ollivanders Wand Shop, makers of fine wands since 382 B.C."
'A wand? They use wands?' She was slightly confused, why would they use a wand? Why not just use their hands?
Nether the less she followed the professor into the shop and was immediately met with the odour of must and dust, coupling that with her hangover she nearly vomited all over the lazy man's shop.
"Hello well isn't this unexpected!" A stooped man appeared out of the many many aisles of selves. He wispy white hair stuck out in all directions and she was sure that the strength of those glasses was prescription only, the strength of them must be mad to give the man such a bug eyed deranged look.
Squaring her shoulders and clenching her fists she stared at him, refusing to speak. It wasn't necessary apparently as McGonagall ploughed ahead.
"Ollivander! I have a new student here for Hogwarts and she is in immediate need of a wand. I shall leave her in your capable hands as I have business to attend to. I shall return shortly." She had already turned and exited before either one could object, especially before Raevyn could object.
She was left staring at this strange, bug eyed, dusty little man.
"How curious, a fully grown witch entering Hogwarts, it's been a long long time since that has occurred. The castle rarely ever makes mistakes..." He had trailed off and disappeared down a random aisle before she could respond, though she didn't think she would to be fair so she didn't hold it against the strange man.
Returning quickly carrying a box and whipping out a wand he reverently presented it to her, "Phoenix tail feather, yew, 12 inches, rigid. Ideal for defensive spells."
She stared at him. Just stared. What the bloody hell was she meant to do? Bow to the bloody thing? She heard a laugh echo through her head and she almost cursed at it, she was much too confused though.
Sighing Ollivander held it out more to her, "Gave it a wave then dear!"
With a moment's hesitation she gripped the wand, and immediately she wanted to throw it out of her hand. Gritting her teeth she waved the wand.
The wand exploded.
Not in a fountain of sparks and pretty colours, no it exploded in a burst of splinters and heat. She didn't think this one was for her.
"Oh my!" The little Ollivander man ran into an aisle and scuttled back with another box.
To say she was hesitant was an understatement.
"Dragon heart string, oak, 13 inches, this one's particularly good with offensive spells." Looking at her expectantly she sighed and gripped the wand.
And that was all she was able to do before it too exploded, a bigger explosion, a greater amount of heat; in fact she was pretty sure her hand was burnt. Was being a witch meant to be this hard?
"What on earth?" He was already scuttling away with surprising speed muttering the whole way.
This time it took him a while to come back but he did come back looking confident, "I've deduced it was the cores of the wands that you weren't compatible with, after all you're a fully grown witch so your magic is of course fully developed. My fault entirely my dear! Don't fret! We'll get you a wand, you're not even my hardest customer to date, in fact there was this one wizard in 1817-"
She cut him off quickly, not wanting to prolong this, or injure herself further, "That isn't my wand."
Ollivander looked mollified, "You haven't even tested it child, here, give it a wave and see." He sounded quite cheery as he tried to place the wand in her hand.
Jerking her hands back she shook her head vehemently, no this was definitely not her wand. She could almost feel the explosion waiting to happen.
"Child I assure you! This is the perfect wand. Willow wood, unicorn hair-"
"No. That's not my wand."
Still trying to forcibly put it in her hand she heard a snarl rip through her mind scape, no she definitely didn't want that one, especially that one in fact. Deciding she wanted space, a lot more space than what he was giving her, she waved her hand in front of her; resulting in Mr Ollivander being pushed back a good three feet.
Both stared at each other for a few moments, Raevyn's face closed off while Ollivander looked shocked first then narrowed his eyes.
"No, I guess it's not." Ollivander straightened, keeping his eyes on her. "I don't know what to tell you dear, it seems that all the cores I have, you are incompatible with."
She too was at a loss. It would seem that every witch and wizard was meant to have a wand, yet it would seem that she wasn't getting one. She couldn't show up to this school with no bloody wand!
"What about a fake one?"
This only enhanced Ollivander's confused look, "I'm sorry? A fake wand?"
"Yes, so I can pretend to use that one so not to look out of place. A fake wand."
Ollivander frowned, as it would seem he did not like the idea of giving her a fake wand, "My dear there has never been a case where we at Ollivander's have failed to place a wizard with their wand, this is unprecedented."
'Yes well now there has been.' As she was exercising her right to be as sarcastic and dry as she wanted in her own head her mouth was a head of her, "Are you able to give me a wand with no core in it? You've got to have one sittin' around here somewhere."
Grumbling and mumbling, Mr Ollivander slowly walked down the seventh aisle before becoming lost in the dusty haze that seemed to settle in the very air. She was left standing there like an eejit, this wizarding world didn't seem all that inviting so far, maybe she just met the wrong people, or maybe everyone was having an off day... Like maybe it was some famous witches death anniversary today and here she was, lumbering around making racket and asking for things undone.
'Look on the bright side. Find the silver lining.' Her mantra, one of many as she enjoyed them far too much, looped round her head.
Yes, she'd give this world a go, even if she got to this school and it was utterly shit and the people were horrible, she'd stay the first term and then if everything went tits up, she'd go home and forget about the whole thing. Yes. She had a plan of action, something to work with.
"Here. Just a hollow blackthorn, nothing at all in it, not even a wisp." He sounded quite sad that she'd be leaving with this.
She couldn't really care though as she was trying to subtly check that she hadn't just shit herself, the bloody man appeared from right behind her; on purpose she was sure of it!
"Great. How much?" Short, sweet and to the point.
He looked forlornly at the piece of wood, before deciding, "Well I suppose since its hollow, 4 galleons if you please."
Her heart stopped. They had a different currency?
"Bollocks." She whispered before looking the man in the eye and assessing her options. She could steal it, even with magic she could feel he was long gone out of his prime and wouldn't stand a chance, though she didn't know how the law worked here, that was not something you just wanted to jump into blind when magic was incorporated into it. Simply explain the situation to him? Ask him to keep the thing behind the counter while she went out and found some way to convert her sterling into... Galleons? Why didn't that professor tell her this!
"I afraid I don't have you're currency," trying her utmost to be polite, "could you hold it for me while I go and change my money?"
Ollivander frowned and for a second she thought he was going to yell and scold her for being stupid before throwing her fake wand into one of the many aisles behind him. He just nodded his head however and instructed her to go to the bank and ask for her money to be changed. With a nod of thanks she went out to find said bank.
'Gringotts... Gringotts, now that's a name and a half! Where the absolute fu-'
Her mental commentary was interrupted when she caught sight of this infamous Gringotts.
'Jesus Christ...' Now this! This was a bank! Her awe subsiding she felt her excitement bubble over. It was inlaid with gold, and by the looks of it, it was real gold, not that gold leaf shit, no the real deal! Thick and shiny pieces of solid gold. The bloody doors were gold!
'Holy mother of Christ! Wait till I tell Ciaran! Holy sweet fuck!' She could feel her hands starting to sweat, all that gold, just lying there... Some things probably small enough to fall into her pocket... She was going to have a heart attack, all the gems in there, all the gold, god knows what else! She was going to collapse.
Deliriously she almost floated to the solid gold front doors and nearly started salivating right then, it was really real solid gold! Floating on through she licked her lips as she caught sight of the front foyer. Emerald gems were scattered loosely into the flooring, streams and rivers of gold flowing around them, specks of rubies and sapphires were placed among them, like precious, priceless glitter had been scatter across the floor. This was it, this was heaven, she had been killed by that dusty old man because of that wand business, and she was completely okay with it! Oh yes, she was in fact happy about it. Only half resisting the urge to lay down on the floor she walked forward to one of the desks that where quite highly placed, balancing on her tip toes she tried to look over the counter.
"May I help you?" A voice croaked from above her, nearly scaring her half to death, again.
Looking up she was intrigued to see a... A gremlin or goblin of some sort. She'd read the 'Spiderwick chronicles' a few years back, not by her own will mind you, mama Lani made her but the point being! They looked like the creatures in the book, only these looked more vicious.
"Hello."
It merely sneered at her in response, and here she was thinking she was being excessively polite.
"I'd like to exchange my sterling into your galleons."
Looking at her for a moment it snarled at her, "Do you have an existing account?"
This... creature was really starting to aggravate her, "No."
Once again, it sneered at her, "You must have an existing account before making any transactions."
Growling at it before it could growl at her again, "Well then I would find it delightful to actually create an account from which I could be able to convert my sterling into galleons."
She was horrendous at this legal, technical jargon but by hell or high water she would get her galleons, and if she had to wring these creatures' necks, then by fuck she would. Squaring her shoulders and locking eyes with the... Goblin with the intensity to drill through a bloomin' wall.
"Shall we?"
She was exhausted, buzzing with adrenalin and bemused slightly. Those goblins had given her a fight at every turn, and she'd nearly thrown the towel in on numerous occasions but she had gritted her teeth and hey presto! She was now the proud owner of vault 379, though she really didn't have all that much in it, but that was beside the point. She now owned a vault in a wizarding bank, which she'd be able to fill up quite quick. Oh yes, those goblins would soon warm up to her when they noticed irregular sums of money going into it in large amounts. She'd see to it that it was filled, by any means necessary. The personal aggravation it caused her to learn the exchange rate of one pound sterling into wizarding currency- it had nearly toppled her. She was dirt poor, even after putting a good chunk of sterling into it. Although the whole procedure was frustrating in general, the goblins were sticklers for the rules and in her case, they couldn't get past the fact that she couldn't supply them with a surname. She just didn't have one, she had a middle name, she had a first name, but a surname; she just... Didn't have one. It was difficult to explain, she knew she had one but she didn't, because she couldn't remember it and she couldn't give herself another one; it literally refused to come out of her mouth. They instead, after an hour of irritated goblins running in and out and books the width of her head being slammed onto desks, they had decided to take a vial of her blood.
She was of course hesitant about that idea, they assured her however that half of it would be used to establish an identity that the bank could use and the other half would be used to create a key that would only open her vault with her express permission, and she'd be allowed to watch it being done. It appeased her somewhat.
That being done and dusted, at least two hours later, she left the establishment and promptly whipped out her battered and ripped list of necessary materials and worked her way down the alley like a champion- well she thought so anyway. After picking up her fake wand she had spent at least an hour discovering the alley as she bought all of her necessities. She had found a sweet shop and immediately grabbed two handfuls of chocolate frogs and sweets that apparently make you sound like various animals, yes her and Ciaran would get a laugh out of them for sure. During the process of buying her school books for the year she had browsed the store looking for history books and books on wizarding culture, as well as anything else she thought might bring her up to speed in this new world. She refused to allow herself to walk into this school ignorant! Everything went without a hitch and then predictably snagged when she went to buy some school robes. It would seem she'd have to swallow her pride and come home with robes, and she was still sore from it.
She didn't like them, they were frumpy and coarse and just... Boring, they were so bloody boring! She hated them! And that was further enhanced by the fact she'd noticed that when she bought those robes she was down to her last 5 galleons and 7sickle things.
She'd went back to Ollivander's to ask if the professor had been back in to look for her, after finding the elusive wispy man he'd informed her that she hadn't. No skin of her nose, if the woman had forgotten about her then that just meant she didn't have to exchange or ignore any unwanted pleasantries or endure any more of the woman's disapproval. And she could just pop back home! Which speaking of, she could do right now. She was positively dying to watch Ciaran try and eat a chocolate frog, and see his face when it jumps away from him.