A light in the Dark
** this is a fanfic of a fanfic... lol head trama... running in the HP universe of "Adopted by the Darkness". I took such a liking to some of the characters my mind created this... Much of it is creation of mentioned but not explored other regions of the HP universe. This story happens the year before Harry starts first year, between January and August, between chapters 4 and 5 of "Adopted by the Darkness".**
- I do not own Harry Potter, that universe or any of the characters there in. -
Chapter 4 – Letters... learning control
Back on the Durmstang ship, Lucius marched to his brother's office. The ship had barely left Trotenhiem, Antonio sat in his office marking papers. As the door was open, Lucius walked right in. Lucius closed his elder brother's door behind him, and sat down in the chair across the desk. Throwing a leg over the arm of the chair, as was his preferred manner, he draped himself.
Such an action was more suited for home that during school. Usually such action would earn a detention with any of the other professors. Antonio usually just sat quiet ignoring his younger brother, finishing whatever he was doing. "Is there something you would like?" Antonio asked bored as he finished the page he was working on.
He could tell that he was not going to like what Lucius was going to say. "We both know that I will not be able to make it. I want to, I really do." He ground his teeth and had a look of some foul taste. "I will n-need your assistance."
Antonio lay down his quill. Giving his brother an amused and interested look. "Assistance how? I have no intention of lying to the lady."
"No, nothing like that." Lucius replied.
** letter **
Mistress Valkyrie;
We have only just returned to Durmstang, yet I dare I say I miss you?
Perhaps too forward. For we have only but met. I have not yet preformed any pranks. I had planned a great surprise for the welcome feast of our next competitors, the Swiss.
It would have been great fun. I do so enjoy the screams, and chaos. But I will not!
For I wish to see you more than hear their screams. I will not violate our deal.
Lucius Sharp
Dear Miss Valkyrie,
Thank you for your assistance, in my experiment.
My brother seems determined to rise to this challenge. He has even given me his prank supplies, to hold. Although he was very clear that he did not want me to dispose of them. I do believe he is even taking his studies and roll on the team more seriously.
I do hope to hear from you soon. I will keep you updated.
Antonio Sharp
Professor of Types and Uses of Dark Creatures
Durmstang
** NARATIVE **
Lucius looked as if a boy going through with-drawl, by the second day back. He wondered if any of the other teachers noticed that Lucius hand was twitching. Antonio watched him closely the Swiss team was to arrive tomorrow and he was not sure that his little brother, would be able to resist. He could see that the temptation was great for Lucius. The younger blond would pinch or pound on his leg, more often. Antonio noticed it when, what would likely have been a perfect opportunity to prank. Antonio, supposed that he should check that was the worst of the damage that his less-than-sane brother was inflicting on himself.
However, Lucius's teachers were asking if he'd taken a blow to the head, for he was attentive, and quiet in class. Far less disruptive than his usual self. If only it could last. They were thrilled. He bet that none of them would ever guess that it was because of a girl. Granted not a traditional romance by most standards, but heck it was working.
He knew that the Nordic team would likely be en route to the next challenger, so it may take some time in transit. Though he, himself felt anxious for a reply. So no doubt Lucius was biting at the bit for a response from Valkyrie.
He entered his office at lunch to find a raven on his sill with a tiny satchel around it's throat. Strange, none he knew used ravens, too temperamental. But clearly it was a messenger. It allowed him to take off the pouch, and he found 2 letters inside.
The first read:
Professor Sharp
Thank you for the letter and the update. You are most welcome.
I find that although I was a leery of this idea, it is most interesting. I have great hope for the outcome of this experiment of yours.
As a friendly reminder: I will not give you any information on the teams you play, and please do not send any such to me.
Valkyrie
PS. Please excuse that I sent these letters together. It seems pointless to send two messengers when they were headed to the same place.
Antonio smiled at the letter, so terribly practical she was. Although he was amused that her hand writing was quiet terrible. Usually women had neat writing, not Valkyrie. Her scrip was worse than Lucius. It was childish, very crude. This was in direct conflict of her carefully chosen words. Valkyrie was a conundrum.
He briefly thought about reading the letter for Lucius. It was unlikely that Valkyrie would write anything inappropriate. To have many meanings and imply things, without meaning anything to an outsider, brilliant. He admired her cunning.
Curiosity, itched at him to read the letter for Lucius. He resisted, perhaps in that moment he understood part of Lucius sadism, but it passed a moment later. For Antonio definitely did not want to look down that road. He tucked the letter away, deciding that Lucius must wait like all the students until after dinner for this letter.
He went to lunch thinking that Lucius would be ecstatic to receive this letter. That resolution lasted until he saw Lucius about to prank another student, by spiking the punch. He stopped him with a snap of darkness, none other present would know.
Lucius eye's snapped up to him, angry and daring. Than a smirk crossed his lips, almost as if Lucius wished to be caught. Antonio tilted his head, and uttered one word, "Valkyrei". Lucius stopped. His body shook, with either rage, or frustration. He got up and left the hall.
Antonio excused himself. He found Lucius in a little use hall pacing up and down the hall. Muttering. Pounding on his leg and pulling at his hair. Antonio watched as his brother warred with himself. Lucius turned abruptly to look at him. "This is intolerable." He spat out.
"Calm down." Antonio tried to sooth. "You wish to give up this quickly. Valkyrie will be so disappointed."
Apart from teachers, there was a strict police of no mail until evening meal. That way, it was thought that the students could focus on their course work, without outside distractions. However, Antonio felt certain that Lucius would concentrate better if he received word back from Valkyrie. Antonio was sure that his brother would do better if with the letter as motivation.
"No." He snarled. He then seemed to center himself.
"Here." Antonio handed him the letter from Valkyrie. "You are not supposed to get mail until latter tonight. But in this case, I think it shall help you focus." Lucius glared at him as if he'd intentionally held it back. "It just arrived." Antonio affirmed.
Lucius eyes light up.
He read:
Mr. Sharp;
It is good to hear that you are taking this challenge seriously. This is a great sign of maturity.
We played the Swiss team, Magihorne, earlier. It should prove a good game.
Still have fun, good clean none trouble fun. Yes it does exist.
Keep me posted.
Valkyrie
Lucius looked much calmer. Strange the effect that it had.
Again, Antonio wondered if he should be doing this. His brother seemed to be obsessing. But then, his brother was crazy, unstable, and troublesome.
"Remember, you need to finish your work before you, respond to Valkyrie." Lucius nodded to his brother compliant. "If you read that in class, I will hold your mail an extra day. Are we clear?"
"You can't-"
"I can. I am your professor." Antonio reminded. "That means I can read your mail if I suspect inappropriate content. If it then happens to get lost in my paper work for a day, or two, well I was just maintaining propriety." Lucius scowled at him but held his tongue. "Are we clear about the rules?"
"Yes." Lucius ground out. His eyes darkened, the anger pitted the end. That was fine by his mind let Lucius focus on him as target for vengeance if he needed, Antonio was used to that. This would make it safer for everyone else.
"No writing back, until after class. No reading her letter, until dinner." Antonio stated, counting on his fingers.
"Yes." Lucius growled, sounding nearly feral.
Lucius went through the rest of his day focused on his work. It seemed easier to control his impulses. Though his mind did wonder and wander of the fun and screaming that would occur from an animation potion going astray. Ah, the most beautiful chaos.
However, he was certain, Valkyrie would not appreciate it. She would think him a child for engaging in such things. He did wish to see her again, though he dreaded to think if she would insist on this strict behaviour forever.
That could be discussed later. For now it was his burden to carry. He would endure this gauntlet, so he could see her again. Then, only then could he look ahead.
After class he hurriedly completed his assignments. Focused he attended practice with the letter tucked tightly in his breast pocket, near his heart. Lucius noted that Antonio had come to the field. Likely to check up on him.
Antonio watched the young substitute seeker. Krum was good, very good. Likely better than the full time seeker. The only thing was, he seemed to lack finesse. A trait he would likely learn with time. That and the young man liked to show off, especially in front of the young ladies. That was a weakness other teams could exploit. Shame for there was such potential.
The Swiss team arrived, via enchanted train car, for dinner. They wore the school colors of red and white, of the flag. The students wore the pointed robin-hood cap, with feather. Though in robes it seemed that the Swiss style had more a frock type over robe, that was reminisces of the flowered lederhosen chest-bar. The Chaperones were an old withered lady, that looked brown and rather leather like, the wizard was tall, lithe and utterly conceded. Overall Antonio did not gain a high respect for the team, which continued to remain low, as over the course of the meal, they whole lot of them were unremarkable.
Antonio watched his brother very closely for signs of maniacal plotting. The only thing he did notice was that Lucius barely ate dinner. This was unlike the younger. Not that he gorged on food, but he did like to skip to desert. Lucius was very hedonistic in most every aspect of his life, he denied himself rarely.
Truth was, thoughts of all the fun things he could have done to the Swiss team bounced in his head, along side thoughts of writing back to Valkyrie. It was thoughts of her that stayed any plot or scheme of mischief. But oh, what thoughts...
Filling the train with cheese the more removed the more would regenerate and the more odoriferous it would become. He knew he could modify the growth potion, used to amplify low yield plants, combined with Swiss cheese from the kitchen for this. Rather simple but funny prank. The kicker was, if eaten the cheese would simply be gone.
But alas this would have to remain a thought, for Valkyrie would not like that.
He sat down that night, to write a response. However, he couldn't seem to find the right words. Frustrated he crumpled and disintegrated the paper. Lucius kept the letter with him at all times, well not in the shower but otherwise. He used it as a focus piece to calm himself. Sleep evaded him, as he tried and tried to compose a letter for Valkyrie, over the next few days.
Lucius, sleep deprived, took flight against the Swiss team. Swift movements seemed beyond him. It didn't take long before the coach called him in. Lucius faced the woman, "Are you playing some joke, boy?" She hissed at him. "I will not stand for it. Do I need to replace you?"
Lucius knew the stakes, Durmstang had never lost a home game in these tournaments, they may not reach finals, but never lost at home. If he was the reason for such a historic action, his fellow students may kill him. "No mame." Lucius replied. "I am fine. I can do this. Just letting them gain a false sense of security." He claimed. "Let them think that we are weak, off our game."
Antonio listened, typical of his brother to think on his feet. This skill had saved him, by either creating enough doubt or outright dispelling suspicion that Lucius had successfully got out of trouble, before he was in it. "You are certain?"
"Yes." Lucius said. "It was a ploy."
She looked thoughtful. Than to Antonio, who gave no, indication of his feelings. "I will not hesitate to pull you, if I see any more of this." She stated. "Head in the game."
"Yes Mame." Lucius returned. He caught his brother's eyes. Lucius felt a wave of energy surge from the dark, that swept his exhaustion away.
The older nodded to the younger, "Don't screw it up." Antonio smirked as he walked by.
Lucius returned to the game, energized. As a beater, this renewed energy was vital. As agility and power were critical. It wasn't his fault that a beater for the Swiss knocked the Durmstang seeker to the ground. Heck, he was clear on the other end of the pitch.
The Durmstang seeker was knocked clear out. As they pulled him off to the infirmary, Krum got ready. Fortunate, that they believed in training and keeping subs, some schools didn't and that had been cost them the tournament.
Krum, though young was not nervous, joined the team. He kicked off as the game resumed. He took off like a hawk after the snitch. Lucius pressed his hand to the letter hidden near his heart, this also helped him focus. He would not be telling Valkyrie that they lost. Especially that it was his fault. That would not be happening.
He was focused on the win. Lucius upped his game. He was very effective at interference. Bludgers to block the seeker, so Krum could catch up. Knocking a passed quaffle from the Swiss chasers. Lucius was on fire. It seemed that Krum was a good choice. He was good. Very good, it didn't take long for him to catch the snitch.
That night Lucius was able to compose a suitable letter. Antonio had waited, somewhat impatiently, for Lucius to finish his letter. It really did make more sense to send them together.
** Letters **
Mistress Valkyrie,
Durmstang has beaten out Magihorne. Though you will have likely heard that by the time you see this letter. It still means I am another step closer to the finals and our reunion.
It was most difficult not to send them off with a bang. I had planned sparks – literally. Sparks and eggs and bunny fur – in honour of Easter. Oh, it would have been glorious.
Bunnies chasing students. Some of the candy eggs causing uncontrollable laughter. Others causing vision distortion. Others still resulting in stink clouds. **sigh **
BUT I DID NOT DO IT!
Lucius S
Dear Miss Valkyrie;
My younger brother has managed to behave himself thus far. I am impressed. I do not remember the last time that he went this long without wreaking havoc.
Word is that Trotenhiem won in short order, against the Spain. Congratulations!
I would never dream of trying to spoil the spirit of the games or cheat. I would never wish to put you in a position that could threaten your dream, even if you do not seem willing to share it with me yet. You have been so selfless, I could not do that to you.
Alas I think he is becoming obsessed. Do not worry, I will watch him. I will let you know if his behaviour is trouble. I will handle him.
Antonio Sharp
** NARATIVE **
The team would be moving for the next game, leaving the day after the Swiss team. So that afternoon, the team was excused from classes to prepare. Sadly, the Durmstang seeker had yet recovered enough to go. It would be up to Krum to win the next game.
He was the youngest player on the team, but Krum did not let it show... at least on the outside. Lucius sat next to him during the standard "You are Durmstang representatives. Do not embarrass the school" speech.
Lucius felt it. The darkness holds secrets, even from ones-self. He felt in the darkness, that Krum was not as sure as he appeared. He felt Krum's doubt. Lucius had only ever used this sense to find fear before. So he could cause chaos.
Lucius thought it strange, for the first time he realised, that he could help the boy. That his knowledge could be used for good not chaos. But he still loved, chaos. He wanted the chaos. But destroying Krum, would serve no purpose, it would hurt the school but above all... it was unfair. Lucius realized that thoughts of chaos from Krum's discomfort, actually made him feel bad. Strange.
Was this that conscience that others spoke of?
He wasn't sure he liked it, such an odd feeling. Perhaps, he could help Krum. Lucius smiled, perhaps that would impress Valkyrie. Not entirely self-less motives, but hay it was a start. Lucius figured it should count.
"You know it's interesting to visit other schools." Lucius said after the meeting. "It's a great opportunity."
Krum looked at him, appraisingly. "Are you plotting? Am I to be your knew pigeon?"
"Wise words, and very bold... but no. Not this time." Lucius smiled. "You did well. Keep up that. I meant only to be friendly. I can understand your hesitation." Lucius laughed.
"I am looking forward to this opportunity." Krum admitted. Lucius could feel the conflict behind the strong words. Krum hesitated, and liked his lips, "Have you been there? To the Greekschool?"
"Yes," Lucius replied. "I was with the team last year. Though, admittedly, it was short lived." Lucius laughed. "They only liked to have me play at the school. I get the feeling that they too do not trust me." Krum laughed at that before looked embarrassed. "It's alright, I worked hard to earn my reputation." Lucius laughed.
"I have never... What is it like? What are the witches like?" Krum asked quickly. He shut his mouth and tried to look unconcerned.
"Much warmer, like summer." Lucius said. "Personally, I dislike it. But the girls are much warmer too." Krum perked up. "There are fewer contracts and such. Though, they still tend to be rather traditional."
Lucius noticed his interest. "But I was only there a short time."
After a moment's pause. "There is nothing wrong a healthy interest in the fair sex. But do be careful that it does not become a distraction."
"What do you mean?" Krum bristled.
"No offence, I assure you." Lucius smiled warmly. Holding his hands up in defence. "Some other teams have been known use any means to weaken their opposition, or distract them. I meant to warn you, not to embarrass you."
"As the youngest member of the team, I suppose that I would be a likely target." Krum sighed.
"We had best pack to go." Lucius sighed, leaning against the wall. He pushed off. "Maybe I can catch a nap before we go."