"Oh look, another glorious morning. It makes me sick!" Katherine Ivypool pulled back the drapes close with a huff.
"Kath, do close the drapes properly. The glare's almost at my eye," Marie Anne called out to the redhead without looking away from her Great Compendium of Unseen Darkest of Arts. The words were written in a secret language only the chosen High Witch would be able to read the arcane texts. That is, if they can open it first.
"Sorry Marie!" Katherine apologized, before she dutifully closed the drapes properly so not one ray of sunshine could pass through into their room.
The room they occupied was the highest one in the entire Slytherin female dormitory. It housed four beds; enough to occupy all of them with a wide enough room. Of course, being a Slytherin, they were entitled to have the best rooms in the entirety of the castle. Salazar Slytherin made sure his students were well provided for as was their right. They have their own study tables situated beside their beds, a comfortable hearth on one side of the room, and floor cushions littered over a thick, green and silver carpet suitable to sleep on. There was even a table that stood silently at the middle of the room where they could call on a house-elf from the kitchen and have them bring them food. Furthermore, because their room was at the topmost, they had the highest vertical clearance out of any Slytherin room, even more than the common room. The clearance was so high that they were entitled to have a set of windows near them showing the black lake and its inhabitants while another set sat above them where they could view the sun with drapes only accessible by the use of a broom.
Katherine, still on her white nightgown, flew casually down to her peers to make ready for the day. Whilst Lyra Black had already readied her uniform and bath soaps and shampoo, Vanessa McGregor was just rousing from her sleep.
"Honestly 'ness, it's not a good habit to sleep in," Lyra tutted, "you wouldn't want a repeat of what happened last year, would you?"
At the memory of Vanessa waking up late in the morning and fretting to pull over her uniform when she realized that it was a weekend was absolutely hilarious. In their defense, they tried to stop her, but the blonde was too panicked to notice them. Katherine didn't even bother to stifle her laughter as she nearly bent over her stomach from laughing. The redhead's laughter dominated over Lyra's chortle and Marie's stifled chuckles.
"You guys are so mean," Vanessa pouted playfully as she stood from her bed in a huff.
"Now, now, Vanessa," Marie placated, multi-colored eyes still not looking up from her book as one hand stroked her black cat, "We're not saying it's bad to sleep in. It's fine once in a while, just don't make it a habit. That's all."
Her siren-like voice filtered through Katherine's gasping breaths. It was like her own voice had magic in them. Then again, if someone once lived by the edge of the Caribbean and caught the attention of the merfolk living there, they ought to train their voice to appease the creatures living by the shores, lest find themselves dragged down to the deepest depths of the ocean. Marie learned that having less than a pleasant voice is like a direct insult to sirens.
"Thanks Marie," Vanessa sighed in defeat as she started to gather her things.
Not that they could blame Vanessa for wanting to sleep in all the time. Personally, Marie loved living under the Black Lake. She had always preferred a nice, cool, relaxing bed over a warm one. Maybe because her elemental affinity- clarified thanks to divination- was ice, and most of her favorite (albeit lethal) spells had either ice or water incorporated in them?
Marie read the last passage about dark creatures existing in the Asian countries, specifically about a dark dog called a Sigbin that was a preferred familiar of witches and wizards in Asia before she closed the book.
The thick, heavy tome with the mark of the Roses of Salem embossed at the center, activated its complex locking mechanism automatically once it sensed that its master didn't want to use it for the time being. Marie took her wand and enchanted the book to lay hidden inside her trunk with more than enough illusion charms to dissuade seekers. Not that they could find it anyway; and even if they did, they would have to solve a configuration so difficult one would go mad trying to solve it.
She took her towel and bathing necessities as she motioned for her friends, fellow roses, sisters- to enter the bath which was through the door enchanted to only work as a one way path so no one would be able to enter their rooms except them alone.
Inside the bathhouse, a few of their Slytherin housemates had begun their bathing rituals. Marie and her friends chose the row of unoccupied cubicles to begin their own bathing. Thanks to the high doors and walls, none would be able to see their inked backs. Especially Marie's full back tattoo. As proud as they were about their mark, and as much as they wanted to show it to the rest of the world, Marie knew that it was too soon.
The Roses of Salem had finally been reborn after centuries but the world is not ready for them yet. For now, it is only wise for them to continue operating in the shadows, and slowly make their way up to purify the world according to their foremothers' wishes.
After their bath, they proceeded back to their dorm room where they stripped and changed into their uniforms without batting an eye at the other's nude bodies. After their baptismal, all shame had been stripped and they had been enlightened as blooded sisters.
"You are one sexy witch!" Katherine said proudly to herself as she struck a pose in front of her full length mirror.
Lyra and Vanessa rolled their eyes at their most hyperactive friend with an ambition that would shame any sport enthusiast.
"Does she ever say anything else?" Vanessa asked as she sat on a stool in front of her own mirror while Lyra brushed her long, blonde hair.
"Leave her be," Lyra replied, "It's just her morning mantra to make herself feel pretty so she could seduce Avery at breakfast again."
At her open declaration, Katherine whipped her head around to stare at Lyra as if she had gone mad. Vanessa however, stifled her laughter as she took it as the redhead's bad karma for laughing at her earlier.
"LYRA!" Katherine shrieked. Her face sported a very crimson color.
"Avery?" Marie mused as she stopped midway of brushing her own obsidian locks. All the while she remained silent and just observed her sisters, "You mean Philip Avery from our year?"
"That's the one Marie!" Vanessa giggled again.
"I am not trying to seduce Philip!" Katherine stomped over their rugged floor.
"Oh so you're in first name basis now?" Vanessa continued to tease, "No need to be so modest, Kath. We all saw you making goo-goo eyes at him yesterday. I bet you thirty galleons that you were on cloud nine because he was staring at you all throughout breakfast."
Katherine stumbled at her own words after that. Rather, she couldn't form coherent sentences at all anymore with the embarrassment she felt by her own blood sisters.
"O-Oh come you guys!" the redhead finally stuttered out. Her face still as red as a tomato, "I-It's not like that! Besides, I'm not even sure if we…"
Her voice trailed as she casted a nervous glance at their High Witch. Even Vanessa and Lyra halted in their actions to look. Marie, however, just became amused with their expectant and nervous glances that she deliberately took her time to answer as she casually braided two locks on the side of her hair.
"No need to fret, sisters," Marie stifled a giggle, "Our coven is not so picky when it comes to unions. So long as your intended has the blood of magic, even a mudblood who has proven themselves worthy to reignite the pureblood lines, are acceptable. The only union our coven forbids is that of a union with a muggle who have absolutely no hint of magic in them. So rest assured, Katherine, that you may well continue your pursuit with Avery. In fact I fully support and encourage you, dear sister."
She finished with a wink sent to the redhead as she proceeded to braid the ends of her hair. They all let out a sigh in relief as they resumed whatever they were doing.
"See? That wasn't so bad. Even Marie is okay with it, Kath," Lyra commented.
"Well, if she says it's okay," Katherine said in defeat as she sat down on Vanessa's bed. A streak of blush was still painted over her face as she started fiddling with her thumbs.
"So does this mean you really do fancy Avery?" Vanessa pressed and instead of snapping at her, Katherine sunk onto the mattress as she admitted.
"Y-Yes."
Squeals of delight erupted from Vanessa and Lyra as they began teasing her. As for Marie, she continued to sit and braid her hair in silence. Saberhagen yawned in boredom and she chuckled at what he said in her head.
"Oh come now, Saberhagen," she cooed the familiar, "you know how we women are when it comes to love."
The cat however, just lounged lazily at her side as he waited for her to finish fixing her hair. Once she was done, Marie motioned for her sisters and they grabbed their bags and books to head up to the Great Hall.
"Have I ever told you how jealous I am of your hair, Marie?" Lyra asked as they walked down the stairs to the common room. The curly-haired brunette admired her High Witch's black hair that was darker than black arranged in a half-up, half-down style.
Marie rose a delicate brow at her confession. In her arms she cradled Saberhagen, "Not that I remember, why?"
Lyra jutted her lip in a cute pout, "Because I can never, for the life of me, fix my hair into anything more than as it is. No amount of hair grooming or even spells could make my hair change. I swear sometimes I think it has a life of its own!"
Marie couldn't help but chuckle at her complaint. She let out a kind smile as she shared a common knowledge about the baptized witches of their coven.
"Don't be so glum, Lyra," she soothed, "Didn't you know that a true witch's hair, even those at the private extremities, contain essences of magic? Our foremothers treasured their hair. Best not share this outside our coven but the hair of a true witch will provide the witch strength, virility, and psychic protection. In fact, just shaking one's hair over a cauldron, could double- sometimes, triple the potency of a potion even if it was poorly made. But I trust that you won't do it to cheat on your potions classes, right?"
She raised a brow at their excitement. Their faces beamed at the discovery of this knowledge.
"Of course not Marie!"
"We promise."
"For the Rose's honor."
Marie nodded in approval, "Good. So no need to be jealous, Lyra. Be thankful instead. Now that we have been baptized as true witches, we are entitled to powers beyond those of a… meager witch."
She winked in secret conspiracy at her sisters and they giggled at what the future had laid upon them. They stepped into the common room just as Tom and his gang stepped out of the boy's dormitory. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Katherine wave a shy hello to Avery who returned it with a nervous hello back. Unlike Riddle who turned his head ever so slightly at Avery (no doubt to give him a subtle warning which resulted the blonde to lower his head like a puppy in shame), only an amused smirk played on Marie's face at the interaction.
For as she said, their coven does not object to this courtship.
"Good morning Riddle," Marie began with a nod to each of the boys tailing Hogwarts' best student, "gentlemen."
She greeted and her sisters greeted back behind her.
The polite smile on Tom's face was almost too good to be a lie but Marie knew better. Beneath the studious gait and pleasant smile over his handsome face, lies a dark, sadistic grin and malicious, red-tinted eyes.
"A pleasant morning to you too, Nightingale," Tom mimicked, "ladies."
His companions greeted after.
"Might I ask, were you on your way to the Great Hall for some breakfast?" Marie continued casually. Behind her, her blood sisters watched in silence to observe her friendly interaction. Confusion marked their eyes at her sudden approach to Tom Riddle, whilst behind him, his companions looked on with subtle nervousness at the exchange.
"Why yes, we are," he replied smoothly before he motioned with his hand towards the door, "Would you ladies mind if we escort you all to the Great Hall?"
"No, not at all!" Marie beamed with false glee but it seemed to have fooled everyone else as they hung their mouths open. All except Riddle of course, whose steeled gaze hardened even more and a low growl rumbled from his throat when she boldly looped her arm around his, "Shall we?"
"We shall," he replied through gritted teeth and a strained polite smile.
As they passed through the portrait, Tom and Marie held their sole attentions against each other. Everything else around them faded into a blur. They didn't notice- or maybe they did, the scandalized stares and jealous gazes they garnered from passing students. But the thought remained that they couldn't care less at the moment.
While Marie deliberately taunted him with her looped arm and pressed her body against his, Tom held the wrist she placed on his arm so tightly that his knuckles turned white and would surely leave a mark over her wrist once he let go. Nevertheless, neither of them stepped down from their silent challenge as they continued to place their pleasant, polite smiles while they tried to not let their rising discomfort show.
If she would have to guess, Marie would believe that this whole act began when she deliberately taunted the Slytherin prince last night during their rounds. She supposed that her actions were not without warrant. She was, after all, very conscious and well aware of what she was doing last night.
Saberhagen and the Great Compendium of the Unseen Darkest of Arts told her years ago that amongst the blessings she and her coven will receive upon their baptism, were not only power that would break their current mortal magical, limit but also a boost in their existing beauty, charm, charisma, and sexuality.
Like the true witches before them, they will be deemed most beautiful in the eyes of many, and with muggles- almost goddess-like and holy reverent. It is only just, as a rose cannot serve its purpose if there was even a hint of wilt or decay. Also, the increase in their sexuality and carnal desires would grant them the allure of mythical succubi, so they may one day entice, seduce, then bind their souls together and make them most desirable in the eyes of their chosen warlock alone, that the act of copulation shall never be questioned.
But if asked if Marie was trying to test her newfound powers in seduction, would Tom Riddle be the right choice? Well, aside from her silent campaign for her new coven and gaining a respectable reputation with all the staff of the school, she had been using her ever-observant eye and pushing them to its limits. For every student, she had passed her judgment on their level of usefulness and potential seedlings for her coven. As for the professors… she always believed that, like chess, once the king was taken, everything else will fall into place.
That's why once she's assured that she's got Headmaster Dippet wrapped around her finger with a blackmail that could drive him mad, she had concluded that Hogwarts was hers to rule.
But oh was she wrong. She never expected that that the greatest obstacle for order would be in the form of an old man with a growing, greying beard and half-moon spectacles. Furthermore, her competition for power took the form of handsome young man around her age with unspeakable darkness in his eyes that made her spine tingle with excitement the first she saw it Maybe that was why Tom had interested her so? Because of the riveting secret he had and she delighted at the fact that she not only knew about it, but also felt aroused by it. He may not have reacted to her advances last night, but the way his eyes flashed red was more than enough for her
Tom Riddle will be Marie's greatest challenge.
Ergo, he would be the perfect subject to test the waters.
They reached the Great Hall and their followers didn't dare to take another step as Tom and Marie turned to each other. Their smiles now strained over their pretty faces.
"Here we are," he announced, "Would you like me to escort you to the table as well?"
"Thank you, Riddle, that's very sweet of you but I couldn't possibly bother you with anything more so early in the morning."
"Oh it's no bother at all, Ms. Nightingale."
"No, it's fine, really. My friends and I will be joining our friends at the Hufflepuff table today," she taunted in the most subtle way and she had to suppress her giggle when she saw his teeth flash for a second.
Marie slid her arm off around his but before she bid him farewell and another mocking thanks, Tom took hold of her wrist. It made her wince for a minute second but he seemed to have caught it as smugness curled at the corner of his lips. He then deliberately leaned into her and their close proximity was just begging to cook up another gossip in the rumor mill.
"I don't know what's gotten into you, Nightingale," he growled lowly to her ear, "but whatever's going through that brain of yours, you know better than to cross me. I will not be as tolerant just because you're a girl."
She surprised him with an unexpected reaction which came in the form of a devilish smile.
"You know, Riddle," she whispered to his own ear, "I'm no angel myself. Unless you want to be humiliated, you wouldn't dare to make an enemy of me. I'll tear down everything you've worked for one piece at a time and you wouldn't know what's happened until it is too late, and there won't be anything you could do."
The grip on her wrist tightened ever more and he was about to make another retort. However his backlash was interrupted when she greeted Professor Beery coming their way with a charming smile on her face. Tom abruptly let go of her and greeted the professor followed by the others.
"Good morning students!" greeted back the enthusiastic Professor. His face beamed when he spotted Marie behind Tom, "Oh Marie Anne! I'm glad I ran into you. Would you mind if I have a quick word with you before you go to breakfast?"
Marie answered without protest, "Of course, professor. I wouldn't mind."
She turned to her coven looking at her anxiously and she sent them a nod, silently telling them to go on ahead and meet with their fellow sisters. From the corner of her eye, she spotted Riddle glance her with a subtle sneer and she taunted him with a bold wink. That effectively ruffled his feathers and Tom turned sharply into the Great Hall followed by his cronies.
Marie turned to the Herbology professor who steered them a bit away from the great double doors.
"What is it, professor?" she asked politely.
"Oh Marie, I'd like to send my congratulations to you for becoming a prefect. A bright student like you deserves it and now I'm hoping next that you become Head Girl," he beamed proudly.
"Thank you, professor."
"That aside, well, I took the liberty of coming to you myself because I need to give you an instruction for the choir beforehand," he said and his eyes darted around cautiously, "I need you to start training the choir for this year's Yule Ball."
"There's going to be a ball?" Marie rose a delicate brow at him.
"Oh yes!" he almost exclaimed from excitement, "You see, the Hogwarts Board of Governors had pressed that a Ball should be held exclusively for seventh years as a last celebration before they graduate out of school. You could imagine that parents favored the idea for their children since after Christmas, there will be no rest for them in preparation for their N.E.W.T.S. It's been decided that this will be instated this year and will soon become a tradition for the years after. I'm telling you this now since you've become a prefect, you will have more responsibilities on your shoulders and I wouldn't want to pressure you in the last minute. You and the members of Midsummer Night's Dream will be playing a crucial part in the Ball. I'm proud to say that the choir had gained a surmountable reputation in a year. I heard you and the girls sang during the Ministry's celebration during the summer."
Marie had to suppress her smile from turning into a smirk. Oh if only he knew that she had deliberately manipulated the school's choir into the perfect guise for her coven. The Roses of Salem did more than just singing. Though it surprised Katherine and Lyra's families that they decided to join the choir.
For the Roses of Salem are entitled to have the qualities of mythical female creatures. Such as the allure of nymphs and the siren-like voice of mermaids, among other things.
"Yes sir, we did," she continued to smile politely, "Your instruction has been duly noted, sir. I'm assuming that this task is centered for the Midsummer Night's Dream's knowledge alone?"
"I'm afraid so, yes. Headmaster Dippet made us swear to not hint to any student regarding the Ball until he makes the announcement himself. But I thought that it is only wise to tell you this beforehand."
"No worries, professor. I'll inform it to the choir tomorrow for practice."
"Wonderful! Now, I best not keep you any longer. Enjoy your breakfast Ms. Nightingale. I shall see you later in class."
"Thank you again, professor. Have a pleasant day to you as well."
She waved to him farewell before she turned to the Great Hall with a slight spring in her step. Marie crossed the aisle between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables. Over the middle of the table that bore the colors of yellow and black, she gingerly sat herself at the space reserved for her by her coven. Each of her sisters brightened with a smile on their faces at the sight of her. All the while she garnered stares from the other students.
Last year, during at the middle of the term, word spread around the school like wildfire when, during lunch and free study period, Marie and her coven (which only composed of Katherine, Vanessa, and Lyra back then) sat at the Ravenclaw table. Two months after, she was able to cross to Hufflepuff and by the end of the year, she was able to sit at the Gryffindor table.
Needless to say this did not sit very well for the other students due to the house-rivalry and her choice of companions. However there was still a portion of the school who did not participate in the competition and blood prejudice, who instead gave her respect. Nonetheless, with her gain in power not only through the pureblood names of her coven, but she had proved to be an individual not to be crossed with, the other students left her and her coven be.
Though, it still didn't mean they fully accepted her jumping over fences like nothing.
"Hi Marie," Rebecca Smith, a girl in their year from Hufflepuff, greeted, "So what did Professor Beery talked to you about?"
Marie smiled only smiled at her, "I'm afraid I'll have to withhold that information till our next choir practice."
Some of her sisters pouted at the secrecy but nonetheless complied. Despite most of them being in the same age as her, they looked up to Marie as if she was an older sister. She shad proved to them time and time again that not only was she superior in intellect and skill, she was also wise, approachable, and always knew the best course of action for them. Her sisters never made it official, for Marie pressed that they were blood sisters more than anything, but they deemed her as their leader of sorts. Especially now that she's officially the High Witch of their coven.
Marie tapped her sycamore wand on their table and their breakfast appeared before them in the form of their favorites. Alana Fawley, another member of their coven from Hufflepuff, had a knack for studying Helga Hufflepuff's power in food magic. It goes without saying that it only takes a helping hand from the coven and trips to the kitchens for Marie and the others to make friends with the house elves working there. This in turn granted them their own menu which the elves were more than happy to oblige. They were the first of the students to actually go about their way and treat the elves right.
For Marie, she learned that the most difficult out of the coven was for her to garner a member from was the House of Badgers- yes, even more difficult than the Gryffindor. Honesty, loyalty, humility, and hard work. She wanted and admired their traits, but they were the ones whom challenged her to sway them the most. Nonetheless, a manipulative play in the coven's cause and acts to prove her humility, friendliness, and hard work, seemed to have done the trick.
Bianca Drew, Pricilla Holfstead, Colleen Wicker, Ambrose Diggory, Diana- Ravenclaws; Rebecca Smith, Alana Fawley, Celestina Sprout- Hufflepuffs; and Teresa Williams from Gryffindor.
At the end of the year, Marie felt smug about her progress. Not only was she able to establish a foundation for herself in the school but she was also able to sway the best witches in the school to join her as the First Thirteen for the revival of her coven.
Saberhagen was incessantly proud of her ever since. He always joined his mistress and her coven and he currently listened to their idle chatter as they ate breakfast over his own bowlful of salmon at the table. Though the black cat familiar was more impervious to hidebehind meat, he will have to make do until Marie was able to receive her monthly deliveries from a dark butcher in America.
Halfway through their meal, owls swooped into the Great Hall for the morning mail. Marie received letters from a good friend of hers from Durmstrang, Beauxbatons, Ilvermorny, Mahoutokoro, and many other associates of hers around the world (who fully support the cause of the coven), congratulating them about their dark baptism and promised to send the First Thirteen gifts on Christmas.
Of course, Marie did not waste her time in her travels around the world. Through the dark market where she heavily participated, she was able to meet more influential people around the world than the International Confederation of Wizards. In Marie's mind, why start at something small? When world dominion can be done at the first step.
Katherine, Vanessa, and Lyra received a letter from their parents, congratulating them for the new milestone of the coven. One of Marie's proudest achievements was to be able to convince their parents about the cause of their coven over the summer, and she hoped to be just as successful with the rest. She might have to be more patient and manipulative with the members with muggle heritage- namely Teresa, Celestina, Bianca, and Colleen, but she'll cross that bridge when she gets there.
After breakfast, Marie and the rest of her coven separated for their classes, and ever since she showed off at Slughorn's class yesterday, she had started upping the ante with her reputation with the other professors. At history, Professor Binns praised and actually let her tell the story about the Goblin Wars; at Herbology, Professor Beery asked her to help the other students in repotting snapdragons; but at Divination and for the rest of the classes, Marie let the rest of her coven take the cake like Bianca Drew who made a prediction that greatly impressed Professor Bowing.
Much to the dismay of one Slytherin prince, she should've expected that Tom wouldn't let her kicks carry on throughout the rest of the day. Whenever she made an impressive remark, Riddle would start badgering the professor with questions that effectively steered their attentions away from her, thus taking away her glory. But if he managed to give the correct answer before her and there wasn't anything better to argue with, she'd let him have his fill.
.
Marie being frustrated was just the cake batter before it could be cooked in the oven. She hated the fact that Riddle could manipulate these professors without batting an eyelash. It came with the knowledge that Riddle had a better standing with the older wizards and witches than her because he was their student longer; no matter how impressive the change she had shown. At first his attempts amused her, but overtime it began to annoy that nerve at her temple. She also knew that the rest of her coven noticed her hidden ire under her polite smile, but they were wise enough to stay quiet and let her be.
By the end of classes, Marie was given permission to use the bulletin boards to make an announcement that all members of the school choir are to meet tomorrow after classes. The announcement took the form of a piece of parchment that magically appeared on the bulletin boards in all the common rooms. When Friday rolled by, Marie passed through her subjects in a breeze and met with the choir in a classroom once used for divinations which has been converted for the choir's use alone.
The name Midsummer Night's Dream came from Marie when she convinced the other members last year that the choir deserved to be recognized by their talents and be given a formal name. After the seventh years graduated last year, the lead soprano gave her position to Marie and it was by unanimous decision that she was deemed as the leader.
When she arrived at their room, the other members were already there mingling amongst themselves. It took some time for her to smoothen the edges but she was able to convert the choir as a haven where inter-house rivalry didn't exist. It was nice to see everyone talk amongst each other without prejudice and it made her proud that her sisters' ability to be social butterflies had greatly improved.
"Good day everyone!" Marie gathered their attentions by clapping her hands together, "I know that you're all wondering why I announced the choir to gather early this year. Rest assured that there will not be an actual practice today for I have a very special announcement to make."
Their slight frowns on their faces smoothened at her revelation (though they knew better than to look displeased before her). Their choir practices do not usually start till the first Friday of December after all and it's still the first week of November.
"Professor Beery had informed me that a Yule Ball shall be held on the day before Christmas break. This ball will only be exclusive to seventh years to provide them one last merry memory in their time in Hogwarts for their upcoming graduation. It is the task of the Midsummer Night's Dream to take them into a night of fantasy and sweet escape from the pressures of their N.E.W.T.s. However please bear in mind that this information is strictly within the limit of the choir's knowledge. This information is forbidden to leave this room. I trust that you will all abide by this condition?"
Stiff nods answered her underlined threat. The last time Marie made them promise to keep a surprise, someone snitched behind their backs and she suffered with a bad case of acne for an entire week that not even Madame Alyandra could fix. It was still a mystery how Marie was able to find out who leaked the information.
"Excellent!" she chirped, "Now, because of this wonderful turn of events, I have decided to hold a contest for each and every one of you. Who so ever composes an original song of their own a week before the Yule ball, shall be rewarded with their own solo performance during the ball and on the Ministry's Gala."
The choir's stiff faces suddenly brightened with her news. Even her sisters began to chat and giggle excitedly over this chance. No one but Marie had ever been privileged to have a solo performance since the choir's establishment. Not to mention that the Ministry's Gala will provide them an opportunity to show-off their prized skill outside potions and charms. Since Marie's performance at the gala over the summer, people had talked about her in great envy as she even earned an article for her outstanding song. Britain's hidden gem! The songbird Nightingale lulls the Ministry down to their knees.
For Marie though, it was just a chance to showcase rather than a chance for an opportunity. She relayed the rest of the instructions to her choir, saying that they can approach her every week on Friday in the choir's practice room for judging, before she dismissed them to enjoy a wonderful weekend.
"Excuse me, Marie?"
She whipped her head around to stare up at the tall brunette with gentle green eyes, "Yes, Desmond?"
"I-I was wondering if you'd like to go to Hogsmeade with me tomorrow?" there was a streak of red tinting across his nose.
Marie can't help but raise a brow at his attempt. She was not oblivious to his wandering gazes however subtle they can be. Desmond Greengrass was from Slytherin a year above her. He has a beautiful baritone type of voice and would often get partnered with her in some of their songs. She always wondered when he will have the courage to ask her out. Of course, she will not shy to admit that she had enough charm to turn heads her way. Plus the fact that she doesn't look at anyone differently from other houses. But now that she had been baptized, she must seem all the more alluring to him. From the corner of her eye, she saw some of his friends sniggering at him by the door.
"Well, I'm afraid I have some research to do in the library tomorrow," she hummed and almost laughed when his face fell, "but I suppose I might be available in the afternoon onwards."
Desmond's faces brightened up so much that it looked adorable, like a puppy, "Great! So tomorrow then? I know a delicious restaurant in the village. We can have lunch together then."
"Sure," she shrugged and thanked her before walking out the door with a light spring in his step. When Desmond turned around the corner, there was a moment of silence before there came a loud roar of cheerd.
Marie couldn't help but shake her head and chuckle to herself.
"So… Desmond Greengrass?" came Lyra's teasing voice when she came back to the center after locking the door. Marie merely raised her brow at her sisters amusedly as they wore smirks over their faces with some giggling slightly. After choir practice, Marie and her coven always lagged behind to use the room last. No one ever dared to question them what they were doing after practice.
"Do you fancy him, Marie?!" Teresa, being the youngest and most childish of the thirteen of them, giggled.
"I fancy to use him as a subject to how far I can use our new gifts," Marie stretched, indicating their newfound sexual high and confidence in seduction.
Katherine had a face of both amusement and disappointment, "Here I thought you finally found interest in the opposite sex because of the need to find ourselves a warlock. Might I say there's also something going on between you and Riddle?"
Marie couldn't help but scoff, "Oh I will find my warlock soon, but not until I have mastered our gifts. As for Riddle, we were just testing the waters, dear Kath. He doesn't like the idea of me trying to steal his spotlight from him."
The rest of her coven giggled. The High Witch raised her right arm to where a bracelet dangled over her wrist. In one of the stones was a small cube the size of a marble. Marie plucked the magical artefact and let the black cube sit on her open palm. With a small blow of air from her lips, the cube shriveled and melted on her palm. The darkness it ensued dripped from her hand. it stretched and crawled on all surfaces except for her sisters as it covered the entire expanse of the room until they were enveloped in a void of darkness.
Then, with one small flicker of green fire over a black candle's wick, the void illuminated in its ungodly green hue where the poufs, tables, and musical instruments once sat and became a circular room of floating black and red candles, floor cushions and dark spell books that could easily earn them suspension from the school.
Saberhagen materialized from the shadows to sit on Marie's lap as they all took their places, sitting comfortably over lush cushions. They shed off their cloaks and shoes until they were left with their plain white shirt underneath, which only left them with their knickers under their skirts and knee-high socks over their feet.
Any hot-blooded male who happened to pass by would instantly be taken at their sexy sight. With a picture of thirteen girls spread across the rugged floor under dim lights positioned in postures so invitingly, their cocks would instantly tear a hole through their trousers.
"Now, sisters, it is time for our first order of business," Marie announced and with a flick of her wrist, floated thin journals to give each of her sisters. They stared in question as each page showed them a picture of an animal, their genus, strengths, and weaknesses, "Now that we have become True Witches, it is time for you all to have the privilege witches nowadays are deprived off. Familiars."
She said this as she stroked Saberhagen's fur on her lap.
"But I thought familiars are just a myth?" Alana asked curiously.
"That is nothing but a spout of lie insisted by the cowards we know today as Ministry officials," Marie hissed through gritted teeth, "The contract binding with a familiar had been banned because of their fear that familiars corrupt witches to the temptation in the Dark Arts. The fools. Familiars are spiritual ghouls- do not mistake them as the ones we learn in DADA- for they take the form of an animal to best serve their mistresses. They are bound to us by our magical core and soul; that our death will also bring about their own death no soon after ours. For without their mistresses, they lose all their will to live. They will become our most trusted friend and companion, another member of our family, and they will give us gifts of power and protection from any harm that would come our way."
Marie motioned for the parchment in their hands, "Those are catalogs of available forms familiars nowadays can take the shape of. They are only limited to common creatures in the muggle world to better blend with the society, so they may be able to stay by your side, protect and serve your wills better. So I will give each of you an ample time of three days to decide which form your familiar will take. Choose wisely for this creature shall forever be by your side till you release your last breath."
Marie let her sisters sink in the news whilst she took advantage of their silence to bring out a box wrapped in red paper that was delivered to her via her personal eagle owl when she visited the owlery this morning.
A wide grin plastered on Marie's face as she took the liberty of opening the package. She removed the lid of the box which contained her personal accessory she called as Ear Cuffs. All of which had her original design of an obsidian cat- its slender body curling over their right ears- with red ruby eyes.
Marie had worked together with Vanessa's father, Vincent McGregor- the first to yield; who was very supportive of their cause and was more than happy to sponsor them- and had him create these customized accessories enchanted so that members of her coven would gain the instinct to know where their fellow sisters are.
Of course, Marie doesn't have to tell them that hers did more than just a tracker.
She gave each of her sisters a piece and for the next two hours, Marie taught them how to create real monsters and how to control them, using makeshift dolls to chase any sorry victim who they so ever desire to torture.
The great horned owl screeched in panic from its perch the second the house rattled. Armando Dippet rose from his chair in alarm that it fell hard on the wooden floor of his study. With his wand drawn and at the ready, he watched in great caution as everything in his study shook. The paintings fell from their nails, books flew from the rattling shelves, and even his cup of tea spilled by his feet.
Then just as soon as it began, it stopped. Wicks of flame from his lamps blew out with a silent hiss and the ember in his fireplace became scarce. The temperature grew cold to the point the Hogwarts Headmaster's breath fogged before his eyes despite it being perfectly warm not too long ago.
His eyes narrowed at the sudden shift of the space in front of him and raised his wand cautiously. It's as if a portion of his study became a mere picture with its center twisting into wrinkles down to a solid point. The disturbance in the space eventually became the familiar twisting of an apparition however instead, it colored with white snow and shades of blue.
Unlike in an apparition where its caster could just appear in a blink of an eye, the caster revealed themselves one at a time. First, a dainty black shoe, followed by a pale leg that eventually hid behind a long, dark robe. When the person fully stepped out of the twisting space, it faded behind them. A black cat lounged lazily across the person's shoulders. It had a fur of black just about the same shade as the person's robe that one wouldn't have noticed it there if not for the pair of green eyes that blinked at him.
"Drop your wand, Mr. Armando Dippet," the hooded figure spoke in a melodic, almost siren-like, calm voice, "There is only the three of us here."
Fire relit the lamps and burned the firewood at the hearth. The room warmed back to its comfortable temperature as if it hadn't become a freezing tundra not too long ago.
"A portal," Armando mused but never lowered his wand, "I could count in one hand the times I have ever encountered such an artifact."
The hooded figure hummed in answer and showed him a small ball that fit the palm of her hand. Within the glass ball was like a sea of glittering stars over whirlpool blue. She briefly threw it up and caught it back. A sound akin to wind chimes bounced off the walls of the room as she placed the ball back within the safety of her robe.
"Pardon my intrusion, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but allow me to introduce myself," the hooded figure deftly pulled back her hood and revealed her face. She let out a polite smile that didn't match her eyes and bowed courteously, "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Armando Dippet, I am Marie Anne Nightingale, and this is Saberhagen."
Dippet lowered his wand as he nodded his head back at them in return. He observed his intruder through his wizened eyes after casting a glance at the feline over her shoulders. She was a young, beautiful girl roughly thirteen or fourteen of age. Her long, black hair flowed down like a waterfall up to the small of her back, with a pair of braided twin tails circled behind her like a crown.
"Though I am not vain with attending guests, I'm afraid you'll have to understand that I am not as pleased with such a short notice," he stated bluntly and flicked his wand to return all the fallen objects from earlier back into their rightful place. A piece of rug flew over and wiped the spilled tea by his feet.
Marie let out a small chuckle, "Of course, of course, I understand. I wouldn't be too keen myself to receive guests at such an ungodly hour three days before the start of the school term- uninvited. However, I know you are a very busy man, Mr. Dippet. And I decided to take matters into my own hands since I am in need of an immediate audience with you."
"And what, my dear, could it be that required you to seek audience with me, unannounced?"
She walked up to his desk with poise and grace befitting a child of noble birth, all the while she kept her eyes in contact with his. From under her robe, she placed a piece of parchment on his desk.
"I am here, sir, to claim my birthright."
Armando studied the weathered parchment at his desk before he slowly took it and unfurled its contents. To say that he was surprised was a big understatement. He wasn't quite sure how many times he had reread the letters over the piece until he stared at Rowena Ravenclaw's signature at the bottom of the letter- or more like, her decree.
When he looked up at her again, he was met with a pair hypnotic heterochromia eyes of a central ring of gold and an outer ring of dazzling blue.
In his mind, the screams of unjustified, innocent witches- burned and hanged during the tragedy of the Salem Witch Trials, haunted him.
Will continue depending on your responses!
Ciao~!