Draco Malfoy could spot deception a mile away. It was this particular skill, which he took advantage of in a rather enormous way, which piqued his interest in the mystery that was Harry Potter.

Not that he cared about the wretched half-blood, but the suspicious (surprisingly only to himself) ease of which his fans got over his death and forgot about him wasn't what he had expected. Knowing Potter, he would have demanded recognition and a huge Gryffindor-styled party to celebrate his Gryffindor victory with all of his disgusting mongrel Gryffindor friends; all the while having the Wizarding World licking his boots merrily and running off to their hovel-like homes to announce their great feat of the day.

And then the idiot went and killed himself?

Things just didn't add up. Potter might have been foolish, but he wasn't so undignified as to kill himself.

More perplexing, he had expected an enormous public uproar in regards to Potter's burial, not the cheerful acceptance and instantaneous partying. Something was definitely wrong here.


August 21st 1997

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore's Office

7:00am

"Albus, I'm well aware of the celebrations going on, you do not need to remind me again!" Minerva McGonagall was frustrated beyond belief. It was the fourth time this week Albus had tried to convince her to join the celebrations, but dammit! There was just too much work to be done for the upcoming school year!

Goddamit if I see that twinkle one more ti….NO!!!!

The headmaster's eyes were almost dripping with enthusiasm. "I promise you, dear Minerva, that should be the last time. Lemon drop?"

Ignoring his offer, Minerva McGonagall switched to professor-mode. "I have already done the paperwork regarding school schedules, as well as send out all of the student letters. As far as I'm aware, we are ready for the upcoming school year…" She paused, a thoughtful look creeping across her face. "You did manage to procure a Defence Professor?"

"Ah, in fact I have. It has been decided that Remus Lupin shall return to teach the course this year, by overwhelming demand of the student populace."

Nodding her approval, Professor McGonagall spoke again. "Now that we have that sorted, I must talk to you about an application I was sent this morning." Taking note of the Headmaster's slightly befuddled look, she went on. "Yes, I'm aware of the irregular circumstances, and I assure you I only bring it up because I believe the applicant is to be accepted. It comes from one Ailè Mystère, who wishes to receive a place as a Seventh Year student. He has listed the courses to which he would like to be enrolled also."

"I see. And what, may I ask, is the reason for your willingness to accept this boy?" Albus replied curiously.

Gulping softly and taking a deep breath, the slightly excited transfiguration professor answered, "Well, Albus, he sent us this" presenting him with a jet-black feather with emerald, crimson and silver streaks, as thin as a strand of hair, coursing through it. It glowed faintly, just screaming with all its might the power of its owner.

If it hadn't been such an incredible situation, Minerva would have laughed at the look on her superior's face. Absolutely Priceless.

"Is that..." she cut him off.

"Yes, in fact it is. I have checked the legitimacy of the feather and we are, in fact, dealing with the only known Valkyrie since the time of the founders!"


Ailè Mystère found it was exceptionally easy to get over the fact that nobody truly cared for him. Not to mention the way all of the depressing thoughts of his uncle's attempt at his life had simply vanished!

Well, that's the way he liked to think of it. Truthfully, it had killed him inside initially, knowing his uncle was right about him. No one loved him. He was just a freak. But eventually the next stage of his life had to start, given his Valkyrie instincts changing the way he thought and felt about everything in his past. It was remarkable how much of a mental slap it was when his conscience told him that if he wasn't going to stop moping about he might as well quit now on finding his mate, especially when his conscience also knew the ferocity of which Valkyrie coveted their mates.

It took him three days. Three days of crying, log-sitting, contemplation and forgetting to eat. Three days of absolute emotional breakdowns.

Then began stage two. Anger.

Strike that. ABSOLUTE RAGE.

Stage two only lasted a day. A somewhat violent day to be specific.

- Tree obliteration. (not destruction or damage. Obliteration)

- Terrifying roars and ranting.

- Forgetting to eat.

- More tree obliteration.

- A couple of dead foxes that had dared bite at the feathery wings of the agitated Valkyrie.

The upside of stage two was that Ailes discovered his feathery wings. Large black masses which happened to morph from his back – when he'd wished he had his Firebolt there to fly off some of the tension. They were magnificent in his Emerald eyes. The most impeccable shade of black, laced with fine streaks of Emerald, Crimson and Silver. Not only beautiful, but oh were they fun to fly with.

Hence stage three. Moving On.

Flying had an affect on Ailè. It could calm him in the tensest of situations. It brought blissful joy to an otherwise stressed and lowly boy. Flying was exhilarating, and Ailes was born to do it. His former life had proven this – a Quidditch prodigy. It was only natural for him to embrace this new method of flight.

It cleared his mind. Allowed him to see the facts of his situation with a better understanding. And with this came a plan for his new life.

First of all, he needed to figure out what exactly he was. The drastic changes to his physique, hair, face, and magic, not to mention the wings – which had now morphed back into his back - ! was enough to prove he was no longer human.

To do this he would need to go somewhere with books. Lots and lots of magical books. The plan was lame, but decidedly effective.

First thing though. Clothes. There was just no way he could walk around in his current state of dress. These shorts (former sweatpants) were barely shorts as they were! He might as well be walking around solely in briefs!

Going on instinct, Ailè flicked his wrist casually towards one of the not-so-obliterated pile of leaves nearby. It immediately soared towards him, changing itself into a deep-green form fitting long-sleeved tunic. This was followed by another wrist-flick, directed towards a not-so-obliterated grey oak. As the leaves, it immediately soared towards him, changing itself into a deep-grey set of extremely form fitting breeches. Another wrist-flick towards the earth had created him a brilliant black pair of knee-high leather boots, extending to a pointed toe¹.

The outfit showed off his new physique to the point where it was almost obscene to look at. Not that anyone would have complained, even if they'd managed to stop drooling at the ethereal sight of the Valkyrie.

Ailè may not have known what he was yet, but he knew that another side of him was simply gleaming with pride at its own beauty – preening you might say.

Preparing to leave the forest, Ailè allowed his wings to morph through his back and clothes. One last check and he was about to take off…before he was stopped by the sound of a lyrical bird song coming from behind him. Ailes turned around as quick as lightening, and almost collapsed at the familiar, shocking, though not necessarily unwelcome visitor.

"Fawkes?"


1. look up Jareth the Goblin King or David Bowie in Labyrinth.. that's the general CLOTHING look, regardless of colour change. :)

okay this chapter was shorter than the first..and i'm SORRY to those i told there'd be info about the Valkyrie. I would have but it just seemed like the perfect place to end the chapter...

don't kill!

please r&r

xox
ValkyrieSeraphim