Author's Corner:
This is the Second Chapter. I hope you like it. I'll be introducing new characters. Preferably since they'll be important in the whole plot. I'd like to say, PLEASE REVIEW! I still like to know what people think of my works, you know. I really like this idea formulating in my brain.
Chapter II
Aria
Nearly a week has passed since Aria had her vivid dream of the prison, the girl and the knight. She hadn't dreamt of anything significant or relative to it. She's been researching on witches in the Arthurian Era who died. There were too many to be mentioned. She bought a book specifically about it from Flourish and Botts via Owl Delivery service since there was little information on the gruesome events for the Witches back then.
Aria was found most of the time with a book in hand while eating bacon. Her friends called her crazy and addicted. She was getting a bit insomniac but she couldn't find any Witches with the same physical description as hers. She was ready to pull her hair out when her best friend dragged her out of her Aria Zone.
Her books were left on her bed and she was forced into a casual outfit. A white T-shirt, a Gryffindor Quidditch Jersey and a pair of jeans. ("Good Godric! We need to buy you new clothes, Aria!") She grudgingly followed her best friend. Tugging her hair back into its high ponytail, Aria admitted that it is too good of a day to be wasted cooped up reading.
Her friend, Cate Collen, was telling them her plan for the day. "I heard there's a new batch of clothes going to be released in a boutique in Hogsmeade. And maybe we can go to the . . ." she let out a faux gulp. "Quidditch Supply store." And she let out a shudder. "Ugh!"
"Oh, shut it, Caitlin." Aria looked up to see their guy friend, Xavier Wyvern, mock glaring at the brunette. "You don't see me gagging as you do your girly shopping, do you?"
Courtney Collen, Cate's twin, glared at her boyfriend. "You have a problem with it, Xavy Baby?"
Aria, Cate, and their other guy friend, Jacob Alexander laughed at Courtney's pet name for her boyfriend. She only used it when teasing him, yes. But she also used it when pissed off.
"Nothing, Sweetcakes," Xavier said smoothly, wrapping an arm on her waist. "You know I'll go to the seven hells and back just for you, right?"
Courtney snorted. She pecked him on the lips before saying, "Yeah, yeah." She entwined her arms with her sister and Aria's before claiming one of the carriages as theirs. "C'mon, girls," she said. "We're having Girl time."
They all piled in. Courtney and Xavier were sitting in one side while Jacob was sandwiched by Cate and her. Courtney and Cate were chatting and informing everyone details about things. Xavier and Jacob were listening, nodding their assent once in a while or giving their opinion.
As she watched them, Aria smiled. She doesn't know what she's going to do without her friends. Cate and Courtney were different than the other despite being twins. Cate was the girly girl of the two. She was sweet and overprotective, the mama of their little group. She may not be the top of their class, but she knows enough. Courtney, on the other hand, despite loving shopping, loves the freedom of the sky. She was the Chaser in their House team. According to Professor Sprout, she was one of the best Chaser Hufflepuf has ever seen.
Xavier Wyvern was the joker of their little group. He was handsome. Many females from sixth year to the ex-seventh year had said that he and Cedric Diggory were tied to the top 1 spot in the most Handsome Boy category. He was an all-around fun guy but when it comes to his friends, he was very protective. He may seem like the type to flirt with girls but his fidelity was unrivalled. Aria should know; they had tested him when he and Courtney had first started dating.
Aria then observed the last member of their little group. Jacob Alexander was the 3S – strong, silent, and smart. Females of all houses would admit that they had at least fallen for his charismatic charms at least once. She recalled how they dated back in fifth year. That was a disaster. Not that he was a terrible boyfriend. Oh no. He was magnificent; perfect. But she just didn't feel . . . complete with him. When they kissed, it was like kissing her brother.
Belch.
"We're here." Jacob spoke, his baritone voice snapping Aria from her contemplation.
"Yay!" Cate jumped down the carriage. "Oooh! We're sooo gonna have some fun."
Aria smiled at that. She followed her friends into each stores. When they were in the boutique Cate had spoken of, Aria bought a hoodie. It was in Gryffindor colors, of course she'll love it. Aria planned on enchanting the hoodie to be non-flammable and for the size to be one size bigger than her supposed size.
"Are you sure that's all you're buying, Aria?" Jacob asked from behind her. She almost jumped in surprise. She turned, cocking her head in question. "The hoodie; is that all you're buying."
"Uh, yeah," Aria nodded. "I'm saving up to buy this antique book, see."
His eyebrows furrowed. "You do know that will barely scrape your Gringotts account. And if so, I can buy you that book. As a gift, of course."
Aria blinked in surprise. Their relationship may be over but their friendship was still strong. But him buying her things was new. In their whole group, Aria was the thriftiest while Cate was the least. Jacob's family was rich, but Aria hated being given things; even if it was gift of sorts without any real occasion.
"No," she shook her head. "This is fine. I haven't seen anything that'll catch my eyes anyway."
"If you're sure," Were his last words before leaving her alone.
"We'll be going to the Three Broomsticks for lunch." Xavier announced.
"Sure, I'm starved." Cate said as Courtney nodded her affirmation.
"Fine by me." Aria answered.
It was around 12:30 PM and her feet were aching. Cate and Courtney had dragged her from one shop to another. Xavier and Jacob, being the boyfriend and gentleman they are (respectively), carried all the bags. They were making their way towards the Three Broomsticks when Aria felt a tug. She wasn't sure what it was, but she felt it was directing her towards an old shop.
"Guys," she called, making her friends stop in their tracks. "Can I just catch up with you guys later? I . . . forgot something."
"You forgot something?" Jacob asked.
"Uhm, yeah,"
"I'll come with you." He volunteered.
"No, no, no," she was already taking off. "I'll just catch up with you guys. Save me a seat, 'kay?"
But before they answered, she ran for all she was worth. She went back the old shop. It was a bit rundown outside. She peered inside the glass and saw that it was a bookshop. Curiosity overcame her self-preservation instinct. She was sure that if their current DADA professor, Mad-eye Moody, could see her now, he'll be shouting at her 'Constant Vigilance'.
She opened the door, a bell ringing on top of her head. She felt sprinkles of magic dusted in the air making her blink. She observed the store. There was a sign hanging above the counter. A large square sign with the words, Tomes and Scrolls scripted on it. It was an admittedly small shop, but Aria could feel the magic swirling inside.
She looked around and found that the small shop was arranged much neater than the Flourish and Botts. Books were stacked in each bookshelf by categories. The owner, or whoever was in charge, was nowhere in sight. She welcomed herself in. She felt like she was in a compulsion charm. She wanted to come in and search for something. No, she had to search for whatever it is.
She was perusing the shelves out back when she felt magic tingling, bells ringing, and the cord – whatever that is – pulling her in. She was in a daze, her body moving on its own. She walked to the farthest bookshelf. There wasn't anything special with the books there, her mind said. But her body reached out for an old book.
That was when she snapped back to reality.
Aria stared at the book with curiosity and apprehension. She wasn't sure whether or not the book was dangerous. It was old, yes. But it wasn't rundown. Well, outside anyway. She leafed through the pages and found it to be a diary of sorts. It was written in cursive form and it was a bit smudged in some parts. The pages were yellowed, some were burnt, some were peeled and some words were hard to read.
She closed it and checked the cover. It had a velvet red jacket and golden inscription. Written on the spine was the word weeping. The front cover had a sketch of a flower, although divided in half. Its tendrils had was wrapped around the book. She was perusing it more when she heard a voice behind her.
"A wonderful taste you have, young lass." She screamed, clutching the book close to her chest for dear life as she whirled around, her wand pointing at the speaker. "Now, now," it was an old man with wrinkled face and grey hair. He had his hands in an 'I surrender' position. "I'm sure you don't want to harm an old graying man, do you?" Aria blushed before putting away her wand.
The man laughed. "I am Lawrence, owner of the Tomes and Scrolls." He said. "Now, I see that you are rather taken by Lady Lacrimosa's journal."
"Lady Lacrimosa?" Aria asked. "The owner of a diary entitled weeping has a name of Lacrimosa?"
"Truthfully, child," Lawrence said, guiding her towards the counter. "No one knows the genuine name of the owner of that journal. Many try to decipher it, but it is all gibberish to unworthy eyes." He patted the cover of the book. "Would you believe this journal is centuries old?"
"Really?"
"Quite sure." He nodded. "It has been passed down from generations to generations starting from my great-great-great-grandfather. I was told that this, and another journal, was given to our family by a woman. She had said that the book will not answer to unless it is them. Who they are, I am not sure. The journal has an everlasting charm, you see. But it's been there since… well, since it has been given to us. And it is slowly fading. Hence, the small injuries of the book."
"Erm…" was all Aria could say. She couldn't follow what the man was trying to say. "Er, sir? Why are you telling me this?"
"Why?" he repeated, smoothing his beard. "I'm not quite sure why." He admitted. "But I hear whispers saying that you may be the one worth of Lady Lacrimosa's words."
"Uh…" Aria stared blankly at the senile old man. "I think that's way too crazy, sir."
"I don't think so…" he shook his head. "Its sister book has been bought a few years back – between 1977 to 1978 – by a young man. Sly, though. He bartered with me for a few information as well." He let out a belly full of laughter.
Aria simply stared weirdly at the man. "Ooo-kay…?"
"Don't worry, lass, I'll give you a discount," he said. "Six Galleons for a priceless antique."
Aria's muscles twitched. Figures! He was just messing with her head about those entire stories about Lady Lacrimosa. And shit, she almost believed him. She looked down at the journal, it did pique her interest. And she had been in need of new materials to read.
"Fine," she took out galleons from her purse (bought from Gringotts). "And how much for that one?" she pointed at a set of journals. Three journals with different colors; one was cerulean with a silver fern on the lower part, an gold one with a black aster on the front, and a scarlet one with amber amaryllis.
"Twelve Galleons." He answered.
"I'll buy it for nine." She haggled.
"Deal," with a flick of his wand, the box levitated down. "That'd be fifteen galleons if you please."
Aria gave him the money and took the wrapped books. She turned her back away from the store, her mind going in a flurry.
"Wonderful doing business with you." Was what Lawrence said.
Aria left in a hurry. She looked at the time (after casting a tempus charm) and found out that she'd spent nearly an hour in that grubby old shop. She was sure her friends were worrying over her now. She was running towards the Three Broomsticks when she bumped with destiny.
She wasn't looking where she was going. She was simply in a hurry. And so, she didn't see the particular person until she toppled over him.
"Ouch…" she complained, rubbing the back of her head.
There was a small chuckle from beneath her and she opened her eyes. "Having fun, Whitlock?"
And her heart beat faster than it has before. Underneath her was a Slytherin year mate, Achiles Aurion.
Author's Corner
Just so you know, information about the OCs's name.
Arianna Sylvia Whitlock (Gryffindor)
Arianna means 'Very Holy one' in greek. Aria means 'Lioness' in Italian.
Sylvia means either 'wood' or 'forest' in Latin.
Whitlock means 'White Enclosure' in Old English.
Lacrimosa means 'Weeping' in Latin, which is why she find it ironic that a diary entitled Weeping belongs to a person named Lady Lacrimosa.
Cate Collen (Gryffindor) means 'Pure' for Cate, 'Hazel' for Collen.
Courtney Collen (Hufflepuff) means 'Blonde' or 'Fair Headed' for Courtney.
Xavier Wyvern (Gryffindor) with Xavier meaning 'Bright' in Spanish. And Wyvern is a legendary dragon.
Jacob Alexander (Ravenclaws) means 'to track or follow' in Hebrew. Alexander means 'warrior' in Greek.
