Hey guys. So this chapter didn't go as I had planned but my fingers had other ideas for this story. But that's ok because it turned out fine. (I think.)
Remember reviews=food for my ego=more chapters.
Peace out,
The Random Writer 4.0
Chapter 4
Valkyrie's POV
I sighed as I walked to dinner on Friday. It had been a terribly long week. The story of my threating Draco and my sudden appearance in that first class on Monday had flown about the school, making me a great subject for gossip. On the upside Hermione, Ron, Harry, and I had become closer over the week, although I still hadn't told them what my powers were. It had become sort of a game. They each had one chance to guess what my powers were. So every mealtime we would sit down and begin the guessing. It was really quite funny seeing as they knew next to nothing about mages.
I strode into the Great Hall, acutely aware of the silence that fell over the students as they spotted me. I frowned to myself as I headed to the Gryffindor table. "What's going on guys?" I questioned the trio as I seated myself beside Ron. They exchanged a nervous glance.
"You mean you don't know?" Hermione whispered, with a scared look on her face.
I frowned deeper. "No. Now will someone please tell me what's going on?"
Harry sighed. "Earlier there was a man who came in the castle demanding to see you. But the thing is he shouldn't have been able to get into the school grounds. You see Dumbledore place charms around the school grounds so no one can come in unless he invites them in or…"
"Or what?"
"Or Dumbledore is dead."
His statement was met with my stunned silence. "What did this man look like?" I whispered so lowly that only they could hear me.
"Everyone is saying different things. But there is one thing that everyone seems to be agreeing on."
"And what would that be?"
"He has no eyes."
Harry's POV
Valkyrie had turned as white as a sheet by the time I had finished my sentence. A look of terror settled over her features. I shuddered to think of who this man was if he could scare the fearless woman in front of me.
"Did they catch him? Where is he now? Where is Dumbledore?" She fired question after question at me.
"I think that he's talking to Dumbledore in his office."
I didn't think it was possible but she grew even paler than she had been before. Before I could ask her who this man was she bolted out of the Great Hall. I jumped up and sprinted after her, with Ron and Hermione hot on my heels. She rushed up to Dumbledore's office and barged in. The scene that met us was shocking to say the least. The eyeless man was threating Dumbledore with a razor. He turned when the door had been burst open. When he saw who was standing in the doorway, he grinned unpleasantly at Valkyrie.
"Well hey there lil' darling." He spoke with a Texan accent. He quickly glanced behind her and when his gaze fell on us his grin widened. "I see you brought me some new friends."
"Leave them alone Billy-Ray. I am in no mood to deal with your bullshit today." Valkyrie growled threating.
His laugh echoed through the room. "See this is why I miss ya. I missed our banter. But it isn't half the fun without Funny Bones. Where is he exactly?"
She stayed silent.
"Ah so he abandoned you here with a bunch of brats. I thought so. Though after what you did I'm surprised he didn't just kill ya!"
"Billy-Ray, I'm going to give you two options. You can leave and never return, or I can arrest you for the murder of Tanith Low." She ended her sentence in a whisper; her eyes burning with anger and unshed tears.
The smile faded from his face as he tensed at the name. He started shaking in rage. "You have no right to blame me for that! I didn't even know that she was out of the apartment until I heard her scream. I ran outside and found her like that. Then you, Ugly, and Funny Bones show up thinking that I did it. But I didn't. I loved her."
"You never loved her! And she never loved you! She was just using you, you pathetic excuse for a man!" Valkyrie screamed at him. Losing his cool Billy-Ray launched himself at Valkyrie, tackling her to the ground. As soon as they touched the floor they sunk into it, leaving us shocked and Dumbledore utterly confused. Moments later there was a rumbling sound as Valkyrie reappeared with the man in what looked like a painful headlock. She slapped a pair of handcuffs on the man and turned to Dumbledore.
"Albus is there anywhere where I could put him while I call in back up?"
"Yes I believe there is some space in the dungeons. I can show you where they are if you wish."
Valkyrie smiled gratefully and my stomach started fluttering. I started to follow them but Hermione stopped me before I could get very far. "Harry if you want to talk to her wait until later. I'll tell her to meet you in front of her room just after curfew." She muttered under her breath. I nodded and headed off to my room to get my homework done.
Valkyrie's POV
How the hell did he find me here?
Maybe a certain Grand Mage didn't want you to be a problem any more.
Seriously? That's what you came up with? You realize that he knows if I die he will release you right?
Maybe he forgot?
Wow. I think you're actually getting dumber.
Shut up.
Only if you will.
It was still puzzling me how the hell Billy-Ray found me. Ravel assured me that the only people who knew where I was were the Dead Men and…China. That bitch sold me out. I grabbed my phone out of my pocket and quickly dialed his number.
"Hello?" his silky smooth voice greeted me.
"Hey Skulduggery. You'll never guess who found me."
"Would it happen to be Billy-Ray Sanguine?"
"How the hell did you know?"
"Saracen. He came in a few minutes ago saying that he knew you were being attacked by that idiot. Are you ok?"
"Yeah, a couple bruises and a broken rib or two. I'll be fine. That's not why I called. I need Ravel to send a couple Cleavers take Sanguine away. As much as I would love to I'm not exactly the best interrogator. I also figured that Ghastly might want to have a little chat with him."
"I'll tell his eminence right away. I hope that you haven't punched too many people yet."
"Don't worry. I've only threatened one student with torture."
Skulduggery let out a deep chuckle. He paused when I didn't laugh with him. "Seriously Valkyrie? That's actually a little scary."
"Oh is da wittle skeleton detective scwared of the big bad Valkyrie?"
"Shut up."
"Sorry I can't. It's in my contract that I have to tense you as much as possible."
"Ha, ha very funny. Ravel is going to send them now. They should get there by tomorrow. Do you think you can possibly survive until then?"
"It will be the most difficult quest but I will rise to the challenge and slay the dragon."
There was a long pause. "You're really weird, you know."
I giggled. "And that's why you love me."
He grunted. "I swear you're getting odder every year that you live."
"Yep." I replied popping the p.
"I'll talk to you later. Oh and Val?"
"Yes?"
"Try not to strangle anyone before the Cleavers get there."
"No promises."
Skulduggery hung up, chuckling to himself. I smiled to myself before I remembered whom I had cuffed in front of me. I pushed him down the stairs after Dumbledore. Once I found some chains I placed a magic binding charm on them, that Skulduggery had taught me and chained Billy-Ray so that he was hanging slightly off the floor. Just incase the chains didn't work.
"Is all of this necessary detective?" Dumbledore questioned from behind me.
"Trust me when I say this Albus. This man is extremely dangerous. He would kill us both in a heartbeat and sleep like a baby. He is a heartless bastard who got my sister killed. If you weren't here then honestly I would kill him myself."
"Oh. Well then I suppose it was good of you to stop him, and I thank you profoundly."
"No problem Albus. I'm just wondering how he managed to get past the Authors in the castle."
"Ah yes, well I invited him up to my office so we could have a small chat and a cup of tea."
I blinked. "You invited a psychotic mass murderer into your office for tea?"
"Yes well it probably wasn't the best of ideas. Anyway, thank you for saving my life and I expect the lives of some of the students. Is there anything I could do in return?" he led the way up the stairs as he said this.
I tilted my head in thought. "I'll think about it." I finally answered.
"Good, good. Now I think that Mrs. Granger wishes to speak with you." He nodded off to his side as we came to the top of the stairs. Indeed, he was right. Hermione was standing, waiting for me. I nodded respectfully to Dumbledore and strode over to her.
"Hey Hermione. What do you need to talk to me about?"
She observed me silently before answering. "Me, Harry, and Ron have decided to accept your offer for you to teach us a little more self defense."
"Ok, great. Let's talk later about when and where." I started to leave when her arm shot out and grabbed my arm. I tensed, and then turned to look back at her.
She released my arm quite quickly.
"I was just wondering how you can tell if we're magical like you."
I smiled softly over at her. "I promise I'll explain during our lessons."
She nodded, looking at little put off as I headed back to my room to collapse.
