Wow! Two updates on one night! I deserve some reviews! =)
"James!" His mother, Astoriana Malfoy, scolded,"I know you don't want to go to this ball, but you have been invited. In case you forgot the Dark Lord knows exactly who he invited. No amount of sulking in going to get you out of this, so go brush your hair. I don't see why you always have to ruffle it up so much!"
James groaned under his breath. "Yes, mom." He muttered.
They forgot to mention earlier that the host was the Dark Lord. Great.
He was still in a bad mood and the upcoming Test did nothing to change that. Nor did the uncomfortable dress robes he was wearing. He already wanted to start scratching himself, but his parents said that it itched because of all the potions added to make the material lighter and of higher quality.
James admitted that the expensive dark green robes he was wearing looked good. They seemed to move almost like a liquid. The jewels and silver embroidery spoke of confidence and power. James barely recognised himself. He really looked good. He was also really itchy.
Sighing he grabbed a hairbrush and pulled it through his unruly blonde locks. He had no idea why his parents insisted he keep it so neat. Personally James liked the way it looked ruffled a lot more than the neat style his parents wanted.
"James, come on!" This time it was his father shouting.
"Coming!" He shouted back.
James quickly looked in the mirror. Yes, definitely did not like his hair neat. It looked so unlike him. James liked comfortable clothes, a messy appearance and overall chaos in his room. His parents did not and unfortunately for him they were the ones with the power over him.
Just as he was about to leave the room his eye caught one of the textbooks he was supposed to learn from. For a moment he considered it before quickly grabbing the book, casting a minimize spell and pushing it into one of his pockets.
"James!" His father really sounded annoyed.
"Coming!" He shouted again as he raced down the stairs.
"I guess that will just have to do." His mother said taking in his appearance.
"Okay. James, hold your finger to this portkey. We are a minute or so early, but when it goes we don't want to be left behind." His father said, holding out a silver ring with a hissing serpent engraved on it.
James cautiously placed his finger on the portkey along with his parents. He had to admit that he felt a little stupid standing there with his finger on a portkey waiting for the thing to go, but he knew that a Malfoy was never humiliated and never felt stupid. James could kind of understand why other people saw it like that.
A year before his birth Voldemort conquered Canada, the last country that was not under his control. After that the Dark Lord literally ruled the world. His death eaters who were with him from the very beginning in taking over Britain were all honored. Even the lower ranking ones were given a small country or province.
The Malfoys were with Voldemort form the beginning and Lucuis Malfoy had basically been Voldemort's right hand. So, of course their family got a huge piece of land situated where Canada used to be and sizable portion of Europe.
Scorpuis believed that the Dark Lord had been testing their loyalty when he did not reward them with until the last battle. Luckily the Malfoys remained loyal. At least Draco Malfoy had been smart.
The Malfoys were basically royalty. Any death eater family that was with Voldemort from the beginning was in some way, but the Malfoys were really high up. The only people who really rivaled them was the Lestranges and although the Malfoys still had some Black blood the actual Black family had died out when Siruis Black was killed and left the whole Black fortune to the them.
"Okay, should go about-" Scorpuis was cut off as the portkey suddenly activated.
James hated traveling by portkey. It just did not work for him, but of course his parents had paid a wizards named Arch Flazel to teach him to be able to use a portkey elegantly.
Suffice to say the lessons were awful, but it paid off as James actually managed to land on is feet. He did wobble a bit though, but for him it was good.
It took James a few moments to adjust to their new surroundings. He bit back a gasp. Malfoys did not gasp. They were on a beautiful island. Golden sand that James was sure had to magical sparkled on a beach and a sapphire blue ocean gently lapped at the land. The floor beneath his feet was made out of some sort of crystal that absorbed light and sent it back in a soft flicker of rainbow. In the middle of the island a a huge fire glowed warmly on a raised crystaline platform making the crystal floor around it turn to a mix of fiery orange and red. James realized that the whole island was made to resemble the ruins of a Sliverlion castle in the crystaline substance. Silverlion was the fort from which the Aurors and Order of the Phoenix had made their last stand.
"Don't look as if this is not normal." His mother suddenly hissed.
Oh, right, James had completely forgotten. He needed to act as if it was everyday he saw a beautiful crystal replica of the ruins of Silverlion Castle turned into a open air ballroom.
"Come on. We should move towards the fire." James's father said, as some of the people began to move that way.
James vaguely wondered how many people worked on this. He knew that this was really the event of the year. Well, he knew since his parents had told him about two hours back. This event celebrated the anniversary of Lord Voldemort's victory over Britain. He really had to learn more about these things. Luckily he did not have to worry to much since Armand was the heir he would have to deal with all these things.
He put up the aloof expression his parents had taught him and secretly marveled at the island. The high towers and spires looked magnificent and it was mixed just right with the crystal fallen bricks and broken bridges.
A sort of amphitheatre had been carved out around the giant fire in the same crystal material as the rest. Now that James had the chance to look closely at the crystal he realised a pattern of almost invisible snakes moved around just under its surface.
"He should arrive around now." Scorpuis Malfoy murmured to his wife.
"Probably...I place a hundred galleons on the fire." She murmured back.
Scorpuis looked around for a few moments before replying,"...it will be the fire. Not very original this year is he?"
James looked at them in confusion. The sun was slowly setting and he began to wonder what exactly they were waiting for. "Mom." he whispered.
She was just about to reply when the fire suddenly seemed to grow bigger and angrier. The flames turned into a bright emerald green and silver. The whole amphitheatre was bathed in a green light and James suddenly realised that there was thousands of diamonds embedded in strategic places that shined and shimmered silver.
The fire turned into two giant snakes that flied away from it and over the crowd's heads. Then after circling the crowd twice they raced back toward the fire. James watched in awe as they exploded back into the fire in a shower of sparks and caused a light so bright that everyone was momentarily blinded.
When he could see again Harry immediately noticed that a man had appeared where the fire was now burning low against the ground. Voldemort.
Cold chills ran down his spine.
Everyone's attention was on the Dark Lord. It felt impossible to tear his eyes away from the wizard. The Dark Lord was dressed in simple dark green robes that had fine darker green patterns on them that were impossible to make out. A lighter green cloak shimmered around his shoulders. James realised it was made out of something similar to the liquid material he had got. He suddenly wondered if the Dark Lord was also uncomfortable, but quickly dismissed the thought. Seriously. The cloak was embroided with a ever changing pattern of striking snakes that looked and acted like a fire every time the Dark Lord moved.
A few moments swept by in which most people just admired the wizard in front of them. James felt the dark wizard's aura wash over him again, but this time it was different. It was still powerful and dark and cruel, but tonight it seemed almost welcoming, festive...happy.
"Welcome to all those gathered here." The Dark Lord's voice did not seem loud, but everyone heard him,"Welcome to the most powerful witches and wizards alive, to the most intelligent and innovative of our race. "
The Dark Lord let the words sink in. No one turned away or looked anywhere else. He had everyone's attention.
"Tonight we remember a time when wizards were not great. When potential was wasted and power given to those who do not deserve it. We remember those who were brave enough to stand against it and perished in a battle for what they believe in." Voldemort's was softer now, almost sad.
"But, tonight we also remember the beginning of a new time, of a new era. While we are sad for the blood that was spilled in the war we must also be glad. We should remember the ones who sacrificed themselves for this world and the valuable blood that was spilled. The pain of the families that were torn apart and the cries of the innocents who were killed. This night should remind us to forever strive to ensure that the pain, bloodshed and sacrifices meant something." It felt as if Voldemort was directly addressing him, but he knew it could not be true. The Dark Lord was not even looking at him.
"But, for now, let us celebrate our victory." The Dark Lord stated before elegantly stepping off the raised platform he had been on and allowing the fire to grow back to its original state.
Slowly chatter and small talk began to break out again.
"James, you should probably go find some people your age to talk to." His mother said,"Me and your father need to go socialise."
James nodded and watched his parents leave.
He knew that this was one of the only events that allowed the younger children to attend. Of course they were all incredibly well trained and mannered so it was not really a problem.
Scorpuis thought that the Dark Lord probably invited the Heirs of prominent families to see what they really thought before they were old enough to hide their motives and opinions. Some people even believed that this was part of the Test to see how they act in such a situation.
Either way, as a Malfoy, James knew he was expected to find a group of friends who all came form powerful families. He really was not in the mood for socialising.
James tried to push the Test to the back of his mind, but it did not work all that well. He remembered the textbook in his pocket and decided to go meet some people and then as soon as he could get away get back to studying. He was sure that the small forested area at the edge of the island would be safe.
Hey, if anyone wants to write a "Dark Side Wins" AU I'll still be willing to advertise it on this story. Seriously, I really want to read more of them! Anyhows please review!
And I am officially challenging you to write a "Dark Side Wins" AU! Come on! I'm having so much fun making this world up and stuff. Even if you write a one-shot! There is like no DSW fics out there!