A/N: This is an expansion of my story The Society of Fred that I posted earlier. Featured prominently, of course, is Charlie Weasley, who is (in my little world) living in America now. He's a professional quidditch player (Go Reds!) and works off season at the only dragon preserve in America.
Based on characters created by J. K. Rowling.
Prologue
The Society of Fred
Founded by
Travis Davis, Homer "Tex" Patzche & Zelmer "Tex" Hollingsworth
In honor of Fred Weasley, a brave wizard who died fighting Dark Magic.
Dedicated and sworn to protect muggles and destroy dark wizards who dare to bring the Dark Arts to America.
The signs of the approach of dark and evil magic were subtle and to the untrained and naïve, indiscernible. The air wore more heavily than before, like the approach of a storm that held the prospects of becoming a hurricane. One could feel something different in the air, but pinpointing its location and potential danger was almost impossible.
Lilith was online again, chatting with DarkLordServant, her internet boyfriend from England or Wales or somewhere out there. Lilith was a self proclaimed witch, a non-magical witch. Actually she was an old fraud who gypped poor unsuspecting muggles out of their money. She found a niche in selling witchcraft artifacts and fetishes to tourists in Austin, Texas.
The DarkLordServant, she must get more information about him, she reminded herself. A real wizard by the name of Charlie Weasley had told her all about dark magic and evil wizards who called themselves "death eaters." She would be ready to face all the dark wizards with no weapons except her wits. Unfortunately, that would be a short battle.
"When are you coming to visit?" she spoke to herself as she typed. "I miss you. We hardly got to talk at all last time."
She waited patiently for the script to appear on her computer screen. Taking a large bite of a gooey cream filled donut, she managed to drip the sticky substance on the front of her robes. Licking her fingers first, she scraped the cream into her mouth. Suddenly, on the screen was his message:
DarkLordServant: I'll arrive tonight. I'm bringing some friends that I know you will like. Good-bye my darling.
Lilith gave a girlish giggle as the popped the remaining donut in her mouth. She couldn't believe that her boyfriend could be the evil bad guy that Charlie made him out to be. She would tell him about Charlie's outlandish accusations and they would have a good laugh.
Lilith signed off her computer and put it away. She didn't want her followers to know that she did something as mundane as chat online. She had a reputation as a witch to think of. Some of the "coven" were coming over that afternoon to chant and pray. She made a note to get some more of those scented candles out so she could sell them. She imported the lot from Mexico for less than 25 cents apiece which she sold for 19.95.
Her sister, Selene was sitting in the living room watching television and eating ice cream.
Lilith skipped into the living room and plopped down on the sofa. "He's coming tonight," she said almost giddy. "He's bringing some friends. Maybe he's got a guy for you."
"Didn't that wizard, Charlie warn you not to invite him here? He was worried he was a dark evil wizard," Selene said, pointing her spoon at her sister.
"Oh, pooh," she waved dismissively. "He couldn't possibly be bad. That Charlie was just trying to scare us. There was something odd about that man anyway." Lilith said.
"He was a real wizard. He used magic, real magic; not that bull shit you call magic." Selene said. After witnessing Charlie Weasley hurl her sister across the room and hang a man upside down using a wand and a spell. Charlie made a believer out of her.
A few minutes later, the visitors Lilith was expecting arrived. Six members of Lilith's and Selene's "coven" showed up at her door. They were wearing the traditional garb, long black dresses. Each girl's hair was dyed either raven black or platinum blond. They wore heavy eye makeup and black lipstick. They resembled a Goth musical group. Two young men, also dressed in black, followed them in. Only one member of the group knew them when Charlie Weasley and three of his wizard friends came to their house. That was Brandon, the boy who was hexed with the "levicorpus" jinx by Charlie Weasley. He apparently was hoping that the wizards would return. Who knew what the boy was thinking? Charlie had successfully scared off the rest of the "coven" when they witnessed the magic.
Charlie was visiting Austin on his way to the dragon preserve when his official American guides took him to visit what they described as "faux wizards"; ordinary muggles who fancied themselves to be non-magical witches. At first he, along with Travis and the two Tex's were amused by the group. Then the "witches" began chanting "All hail Lord Voldemort," and it got kind of ugly after that.
Charlie explained, after "stupefying" Lilith and hexing Brandon, that Lord Voldemort was the most evil and darkest wizard. He was not to be 'hailed' or remembered as a great and powerful wizard.
As bizarre as it sounded, Americans had not heard of the Dark Lord or the death eaters. They were naïve and had no concept of dark magic. If the dark art made its way into America, no one was safe. It appeared that a dark wizard was communicating with Lilith. Charlie had no idea if it was a real dark wizard or a muggle play acting. Dark wizards despised muggles and wanted to subjugate them. Charlie wanted to know what they were up to.
Although the three American wizards were skeptical, they stood by Charlie as he described Lord Voldemort's reign of terror and how he was killed by the powerful wizard, Harry Potter. He explained that Lord Voldemort's followers, called death eaters, were defeated by members of the Order of the Phoenix. He told them that his own brother Fred was killed that night fighting the death eaters.
The members of the "coven" didn't stay too long because Lilith begged off saying she had a headache. They stayed long enough to chant a little and buy ritual candles. Lilith told them to come by the next day. Disappointed, the group did as they were told.
Lilith's boyfriend didn't show up until it was almost midnight. Selene had already gone to bed, but Lilith was napping on the sofa. The wizard apparated in her living room. As promised he did bring three wizards and a witch along.
"I told you she would be waiting for me," he said to his companions. "The stupid cow."
Lilith was shocked now and completely awake. "What? Ares, is that you?"
"Ah, you're awake," he said coldly. "Get up and meet my friends." He pointed to his the witch, "This is Muireann Angharad, a very dear friend of mine." Ares stroked Muireann's face seductively. "You will make her welcome, won't you?"
The witch smiled at him, closing her eyes, as her stroked her. She was much younger than Lilith. Her skin was pale and flawless and her hair fell sensually around her face. Her eyes were coal black and not kind. She wore a flowing gown of the palest brown. It accentuated her figure. Next to Muireann, Lilith did resemble a cow.
Ares bent his head, with his eyes on Lilith and began kissing the woman passionately. She responded, moaning slightly at his touch.
Lilith stared at them in disbelief. "Ares? What's going on?"
'I told you she was stupid." Ares said with disgust to the others, as he reluctantly pulled away from Muireann. The witch looked at him disappointedly and then turned to look at Lilith. She was smirking.
The three other wizards laughed. They were a very strange lot. They were hooded, so Lilith couldn't tell what they looked like. When they removed their hoods, Lilith was surprised to see that they men standing before her were triplets. They looked so much alike, they could be clones rather than brothers. Their hair was light, sandy colored, thinning on top. Their eyes were the palest of blue in color, but cloudy, like they had cataracts. They faces were bony and their noses were elongated, straight and pointy. They reminded Lilith of the character actor, Peter Cushing, but a younger version.
"My dear friends and I have been in hiding since that bastard Harry Potter and his asinine friends destroyed the greatest wizard of all time. We are not welcome at home any longer, so we decided it is our destiny to preserve the legacy of the Dark Lord here in America where he will be adored and revered in death. We have every intention of carrying out our Dark Lord's vision.
"Alas, if Lord Voldemort had one flaw, it was that he was too merciful and generous with muggles. We assure you that we will not make that mistake." With that, Ares pointed his wand at Lilith.
"Crucio!" he shouted and Lilith began to scream. The pain in her head was indescribable. She felt like her head was going to explode. She could not speak the pain was so intense. She wanted to beg for mercy for him to end her suffering, but she could not.
The witch watched her with lazy indifference. The triplets watched with greedy anticipation. They laughed at her suffering, anxious to help Ares inflict the pain that the cruciatus curse inflicted.
"Exsisto silens!" he said with another flick of her wand, and she was immediately struck mute. The pain still reflected in her eyes, but she could not utter a sound.
"We wouldn't want to disturb the neighbors, now would we?"
When it appeared that her nerve endings were dying, he released the spell, and she fell breathing heavily. Still could not speak, her eyes were filled with question and terror. Why, she asked him silently, pleading for mercy.
"Why, Snookums?" he said affectionately. "Let's just say because I can. You're a sorry excuse for a human, so inferior. You need to be ruled. It's apparent that you don't have the intelligence to take care of yourself. You're only good for one thing—"
Her eyes widened again.
"Not for sex," he said, disgustingly. "Although I'll admit my friends here do enjoy a little muggle pussy from time to time." His crude words shocked her. "But I'm afraid they are not very gentle. Too impatient I think. I, for one, would never touch a filthy muggle. Those times when I was forced to play the attentive lover literally made me sick. I threw up afterward. Dear, sweet Muireann was the only thing that cleansed me." He looked at Muireann adoringly.
"So, why did I choose you? You must be wondering. Well, I needed a portal. The laws of magic are too complex for your little pea sized brain, but all our avenues were blocked so I had to use an alternative. I discovered the ingenious device called the internet, and found the right kind of muggle I was looking for, and the rest, was easier than you could possibly imagine.
"The wonderful, most delightful part is that American wizards have no idea who we are and that we are here now. We've caught them completely off guard and America is ripe for the pickings. We can recruit many wizards and they won't know what hit them."
Lilith struggled to regain her voice. She shook her head violently. Finally, Ares released the spell.
She jumped up. "You're wrong! They already know about you. They are ready to fight you. I know I saw them. You're not going to win."
Muireann looked at her. "She's lying," she said in a bored tone.
"No I'm not. There's one wizard. He knows about you. He tried to warn me."
"You don't know any wizards. You're playacting, calling yourself a witch," Ares laughed. "You're disgusting. Crucio!"
Lilith began to scream, writhing in pain.
"What's going on?" The wizards turned. Selene walked into the room. Looking frightened, she was carrying a baseball bat. "Lilith!" she screamed when she saw her sister lying on the ground, obviously being tortured.
Muireann lazily flicked her wand and the bat shot out of her hands. Stunned, she backed away.
"Charlie was right!" she said to her sister. "He was right!"
"Charlie? Who are you talking about?" Ares asked.
"Let my sister go," she pleaded. "I'll tell you."
Ares shrugged. "Tell me first," he added a sadistic flick to his wand and Lilith screamed louder. "Poor, poor Lilith, you can save her from all this unnecessary pain. Tell me about Charlie."
"I'm sorry," she looked at her sister.
Lilith shook her head violently. "No! Please, Selene, please don't. He's our only hope."
"I don't think so," Ares said, "You, my dears are without hope. Where's your Harry Potter now?"
Selene had heard that name before. Charlie told her all about the powerful wizard who destroyed the Dark Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters. It was all true.
"You're going to have to kill me," Selene said braver than she felt.
"Okay." Muireann said. She pointed her wand at her and said, "Avada Kedavra!"
Without another single word, Selene fell where she stood, dead.
Their attention turned to Lilith, who turned sheet white. Ares released her from the cruciatus curse. She made a run for the back door, but she was frozen in place with a body binding curse.
"Okay, Snookums, let's say I believe you about this Charlie character. Is he a real wizard?"
She nodded.
"Tell me what you know," he whispered seductively in her ear. "Tell your master all about this Charlie. You want to tell me, don't you? It'll make you feel so much better."
Lilith's eyes went suddenly out of focus. She had a dull glazed look about her.
"Ares," Muireann complained. "Why can't we just torture it out of her? This isn't any fun. You promised me it'd be fun. I'm bored."
"Later, my love," he kissed her. "You can torture all the muggles you desire, but right now this muggle has information that we need, and we don't have the time. I'm sure the neighbors have heard her screams by now."
"Well, all right, if you promise." Muireann was placated for the moment. "But hurry up, then, so we can go."
One of the triplets pointed to Selene. "Can we have her?"
"Not this time. She wouldn't give you much of a struggle, her being dead and all."
"Oh, right. We see your point." He nodded, and the other two nodded as well.
Ares turned away from them and rolled his eyes. Oh well, he thought, you use what you've got, even if they aren't very bright.
"Now, where was I? Oh yes, Lilith, you want to tell me all about Charlie."
"He came to our house with three other wizards. He was English. He told us all about Lord Voldemort and how the powerful wizard, Harry Potter killed him in a great battle somewhere. He said you were evil. He was very angry. Made me promise that I would find out more about you and let him know. I didn't believe him." Her tone was dull and lifeless.
"Who were the other wizards?"
"Friends."
"Where are they?" he asked, beginning to get impatient.
"I don't know. They just show up sometime. Charlie's only been here once. The others come from time to time."
"Okay," he said. He nodded. The news wasn't good, but it wasn't devastating either. "American wizards had no concept of evil, not like English wizards. They had never faced dark magic. That is, until now.
"I'm finished with the bitch," he said to the triplets. "You can have her now."
The three's eyes lit up as they walked toward the bound woman.
The next morning, Brandon knocked on the sisters' door. He was supposed to get a ride to San Antonio with them to pick up some supplies for their shop. He knocked hard, but there was no answer. He tried the door, and to his surprise, it opened.
When he walked in, he saw Selene, crumpled on the floor. There wasn't a mark on her. She died with a look of surprise on her face. Probably a heart attack, but where was Lilith? He called out to her, but the house was deadly quiet. The only sound was the ancient grandfather clock in the parlor. He picked up the baseball bat that lay next to Selene, and made his way to the kitchen. The sight was ghastly. Lilith was spread eagled on the table, a drying towel stuffed in her mouth. Her robes were pushed up to her neck. There were burn marks and scratch marks and bite marks over her entire body. Surprising from the amount of damage, there was little blood. It looked like the dried blood on the table had been wiped up with a small sponge. He was horrified. It looked like the blood had been lapped up with someone's tongue, because it was smeared on her thighs and breasts.
He threw up in the sink. Shaking violently, he pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and called 9-1-1. After he spoke with the police, he hung up and dazed, he walked through the house, being careful not to touch anything. The house was in pristine condition, like there was no struggle or invasion. His first thought was to call someone else. He dialed the only other number he could think of, a bar on 6th Street. This was the only bar he knew that never closed.
"Is Travis there?" he asked.
"Who wants to know?" asked a surly voice.
"Tell him it's Brandon. And something bad has happened."