All warnings were given first chapter… please refer to it!

The Crow
(Second Arc: The witch from the Eastern lands)
(Part 07)

A week passed before Violet truly adjusted to her situation.

A week of being treated like a lady, of feeling ashamed of her poor manners – though that didn't last long. Violet is adaptive, she has to be, hadto be when once upon a time her very survival depended on her ability to adapt and learn quickly– It also helped enormously that Clow Reed has the patience of a saint and did everything slower so she'd pick it up.

It was also officially included in his new role in her life.

"You will have to call me Master when in front of others, after all your official tittle is my apprentice. When we're in private, please call me Clow"

She'd blush pleasantly and in embarrassment but agree nonetheless.

It certainly helped that in the enclaves, the Master-Apprentice system still functioned, albeit a little undervalued after masters started picking more than one student to pass on their crafts, and one-on-one teaching faded a little.

'I never thought I would get to call someone 'Master' Violet reflected, musingly entertained.

Hermione hoped to complete at least one mastery, but Violet was actually content to go with the flow at the time – as in the unreasonably expectations that once Violet defeated Voldemort, she'd be unofficial child of Merlin and Madam Bones and expected to do something grand.

'Never mind that what I want is anonymity' She admitted to herself once in a while when the occasional opportunity to brood presented itself. 'But if I move away from Magic, I will also move away from my… family' And Violet didn't want to be alone.

'At least I'm with other wizards… what if I couldn't use magic anymore?'

Her "Master" is a teacher at heart, all told. It tranquilized Violet to know that the man she chose to trust – did she really have a choice? – was equipped to help her survive this strange new world.

And then there were the weird veritable menagerie of students that came and went, though a few stood out to the witch who was officially introduced as Clow's disciple, the one who'd inherit his knowledge and magic in contrast to the hangers on whom he agreed to foster.

Amazingly, the one who talked the most to the green eyed young woman was also the one who seemed least likely to do so.

Xiao Ling Li. Heiress to the Li family.

Long, straight black hair that was held up her head in a neat bun. Thin strands framed her heart shaped face, complimenting her dark, almond shaped eyes – it was easy to see how the other girl was related to Clow.

"Teacher Clow is related to my family through his mother" Xiao Ling explained smugly, a superior tilt to her nose as she spoke. She'd occasionally try to catch Violet in the halls in intervals when Clow was busy enough not to escort her everywhere, but Violet was used to being ambushed in the corridors.

And if anything, she appreciated Xiao Ling's attitude. It reminded her of Draco Malfoy too much – a blessing, really, because who could feel homesick thinking of Malfoy? While at the same time it worked nostalgically well.

"So you are his niece?" Blessed ignorance, Violet asked innocently enough that it masked the self-satisfied air she must have exulted when the Chinese girl reddened slightly.

"No! We're very distantly related! His mother was my great grandfather's younger sister!" Xiao Ling snapped angrily, understanding Violet's jab at the very obvious crush the Li girl harbored for her teacher. Calling him Uncle would taste like a bitter, bitter pill.

'Wait, what did she say? Great grandfather's younger sister?'

Straightening her back and downplaying the widening of her eyes, Violet tried to hide her surprise. "Wait, how old is Master Clow?"

At the question that unwittingly left the young witch's lips, the raven haired girl's readopted a superior posture as she felt regained control in their conversation.

"Don't you know? And you're his apprentice!" She gloated. And if she was following the same patterns as Malfoy, then she'd also flaunt her superiority by making a fool out of Violet.

"I don't know everything" The witch returned, annoyed. "That's why I'm his apprentice, he's only teaching me since last week" She couldn't resist rubbing that fact back on the other's face. It was petty and mean, but Violet wouldn't admit to being a paragon of virtue in the first place.

The Chinese young woman growled under her breath "Then you can ask him yourself!" before stalking away without answering Violet's question.

Though it didn't bother Violet for long – for coming from the opposite end of the corridor where Violet was ambushed, came the other three long term students of Clow's. Charlotte Dubois, the ritualist, Eduardo Parole, the elemental mage and little Edgar Manson, the prodigy alchemist.

They seemed to have been paying attention to the intercession between the two girls, for Charlotte came bouncing the rest of the way to where Violet stood and started to babble.

"Don't mind Xiao Ling! She's just jealous because Teacher chose you as apprentice. She's been saying for years that he'd pick her because they're relatives, and you know how stuck up some families are with legacies. The Li clan feels that Teacher's unique magic should belong to them since they are related and all" The blonde barely paused to breathe.

Snorting in irritation, the Spanish looking man shook his head at Charlotte.

"Should you really be telling her all that?" He asked curtly. "I for one never even heard of the name Potter. She's not from a known family so she must be an unrefined first generation magician – as members of the established families, we'd do well to not lower ourselves to her level" And there, a grade S contempt filled sneer directed at Violet's general direction. Eduardo didn't even meet her eyes.

Stunned, Violet could only stare as she was duped so easily. 'Is this how muggleborns feel? It's kind of horrible!' Then her eyes narrowed. She's not a novice.

She's a witch, and no one messes with a Potter without dealing with the consequences. Magic, vivid, animated, angry magic bubbled beneath her skin. It's been years since she had to resort to this unrefined method but she didn't have a focus – so it will do.

SNAP!

The young alchemist boy, Edgar, was the first to notice and the first to snicker. Charlotte, who was demonstrating an unusual level of indignation in Violet's behalf was second, and she didn't hide the guffaw that merrily left her throat.

"BWAHAHA! Serves you right for being such a snob!"

Eduardo's long, hairy ears swirled confusedly for a second; he looked down himself, searching for what could be so funny, before his eyes caught on his reflection on a window's glass panel.

'There should be a sound effect for the noise his ego did when it broke just now…' Violet giggled shamelessly, before regaining her breath to speak.

"So much for refinement of the established families, eh?" This time, it was Violet who sneered. The donkey ears on the sop were a nice touch – though really hard on the conviction since she lacked a wand with which to curse people with. Last time she used her angry wild magic like this was to Blow up Aunt Marge!

"Miss Potter is Teacher's official apprentice, she must have something that impresses him that we don't" Edgar said, he looked what, twelve? Yet he seemed like the most sensible one.

His reasoning inspired Charlotte, for she grinned happily.

"We should study together sometime!" She gushed before rounding up on the silently fuming form of Eduardo Parole and his twitching donkey ears "You're not invited"

He did not take well on that. But instead of focusing on Charlotte, who was mocking him, he glared dangerously at Violet with a hatred that knocked her breath away.

'Draco is the only one who ever looked at me with hatred… but not even he had so much of it inside of him…' Violet thought stunned. 'Where is Parole's anger coming from?'

"You little bitch" The young man growled, advancing on Violet, his magic a swirling, colorful vortex around him in a rather pretty mixture of fire red and yellows. "Let's see how you like being put in your place like the disgraceful mongrel you are!"

Without a wand, there wasn't much the witch could do but watch as power built up around the stalking man in a fiery, red hot halo. 'Merlin! What is his problem?! Getting this angry over a prank he asked for himself!'

For a moment, Violet felt fear.

She could hear Charlotte's protests, but she wasn't a battle oriented mage – and Edgar was too stunned by the show of violence to react in any proper way even if he was capable of it. 'Just a kid! I can't involve him'

The air around her heated, growing in intensity until the green eyed witch could feel sweat pouring down her face. 'Normal fire can't hurt a witch or wizard!' she thought furiously 'But this is magical fire!'

And as if she wasn't completely sane, a hysterical part of her brain was finding the fact that there was an enraged fire elemental mage stomping a trail of cinders in her direction with a pair of long, donkey ears, extremely funny.

'That one is mental! He's going to kill me! I have to run, run runrunrun…!'

Wait…

'… run? No way! I faced Voldemort without fear, this little shit is not going to make me cower'

"What-" The voice echoed powerfully down the corridor just as the witch felt her own magic cackle around her in a thunderous burst to counter the fire elemental. She could see the surprise and the slight hesitance in Edurado's eyes as he saw she would fight back – and the sheer power she commanded. 'Good!' But Clow Reed appeared like an avenging angel, suddenly there as if summoned by Violet's fear and anger. His voice was silkily quiet as he approached the hyped mage and the furious witch "-is going on here"

"Teacher!" Charlotte wailed childishly, pointing a trembling finger at Eduardo who could only stand there, pinned by Clow's penetrating eyes. "He insulted Miss Potter, she did something awesome and gave him those ears for it, he didn't like it and was about to burn her to a crisp"

The fire mage in question deflated slightly, but still managed to glare at the blonde woman heatedly.

"I was only going to give her a scare" He almost snarled between clenched fists "I didn't even have my sword out, if she couldn't stand against me, what right does she have to Teacher's craft?"

'Because he was underestimating me…' Violet thought viciously. 'I saw the moment you faltered when realizing I'd fight back'

But she just blinked, letting her own anger bleed out now that Clow was there – this was a chance to test his character in a setting she's still hadn't seen. She didn't have the most luck with authority figures in her life and it'd be interesting to see how much Clow respected her.

"Apprentice, your account?" The sorcerer asked calmly enough. Violet relaxed even more when he reached her side to stare down the fire mage. Not that she couldn't take care of herself, she was ready to show that pompous arse just who Violet Potter is.

Yet, she was glad someone had her back.

-Justin's terrified eyes as he heard her hissing to the snake about to bite his head off-

'Think Violet' Now, thanks to the power Clow has given her, she had a choice. 'I can use this to really screw with that fire guy's arse, or I can be the bigger person and give a second chance'

A large, warm hand sneaked out the bulky sorcerer robes to wrap tightly around her own, hidden by folds of fabric from the three other students. Electricity coursed through their skin upon contact - His power leaked in controlled little pulses and snaked into her heart, making the beats practically double. He was getting under her skin and it felt good.

But the message he wanted to give was clear. He'd stand by her word.

It made her very soul ache in pleased glee.

Clearing her throat, Violet eyed Eduardo's glaring form with a lot more attention. He might look nonchalant, even angry on the outside, but there were also notes of fear. He was scared.

Scared of Clow Reed.

'Ambition demands he learn from the greatest sorcerer alive, but he fears Clow Reed. No more than that, he's terrified of him' Just like people feared Dumbledore's powers – they might have been from "Dark" families – but the principle applies. No one sane dared go against Dumbledore when the old wizard was at the peak of his power.

That was then, this is now.

'There's only one thing to do, then'

Violet took a deep prepping breath "It was just a misunderstanding. We both lost our tempers and got away with ourselves, I'm sorry Master, it won't happen again"

Taking her cue, Eduardo Parole overcame his surprise and swallowed his pride in one go. 'Impressive' "Yes… I am also sorry Teacher, it won't happen again"

The sorcerer stared down at the elemental mage for a couple more seconds before nodding, understanding pulsing away from his body and brushing against Violet' senses.

"Very well, see that it doesn't. My apprentice and I will be on our ways" With that, Clow pulled Violet by her hand and down the corridor. He guided her for a while, keeping silent and just walking. The steady sound of his breathing and the silent motion of his steps lulled Violet into a semi-stupor, helped by her exhaustion after the recent events.

'I never noticed how long these corridors were before' The witch noticed nervously, hoping her hand wasn't a sweating mess.

He finally stopped, opening a pair of double doors to a very well maintained solarium. The ceiling was mostly made of clear glass, allowing the sun inside to reflect prettily against the rich decorations. In the middle of the room was a table already set with pastries and tea, John Evington bowing at his lord and his guest.

"My lord" The older looking, mundane man greeted, offering Violet a polite nod.

"Thank you" The sorcerer said to his butler, who nodded again and left the room.

"You really a lord?" Violet asked interestedly, her host just smirked mysteriously knowing it would irk her. He ignored her halfhearted pout and guided the witch to the table.

'Ancient and Noble house of Reed…' The thought crossed her mind and made her smile. 'I'm having tea with a lord, how did I come to this?'

"Miss Potter, was that a wise choice?" Clow pulled her chair for her like the gentleman he was. Violet sat down with as much gracefulness as her tired body allowed, but ended slouching a little either way.

The sorcerer smiled with fond exasperation at her attitude, but sobered when she spoke next.

"I'm not sure. But it was partly my fault; I did lose my temper and I didn't want…" 'I didn't want to create trouble for you' went largely unsaid. Violet fought she urge to fidget as the older man read her face as if it was an open book.

'Dumbledore has taken a fall for me before. Hell, Snape has taken more than one too! Hermione, Ron, Neville, Luna… everyone. I don't want to be a burden'

Satisfied with what he found, Clow nodded in understanding.

"You don't have to feel guilty about Mr. Parole. He was out of his bounds openly challenging you like that without noticing me" the sorcerer told her carefully, serving them both tea that was still steaming hot. "It is unfortunately not uncommon for the new generation magic users to be discriminated against. Most chose to affiliate with a well-known family, but there are those who can become out of control"

Taken aback, Violet blinked as she accepted her filled cup. The aromatic scent of a nostalgic herbal mixture filled her senses. 'What does it remind me of? Amortentia… damn it'

"What do you mean?" she asked wearily, an unpleasant image forming in her head despite herself. She had enough discrimination in her world, thank you. 'I don't need it anymore, specially here with Clow!'

"Greed can be a good motivator, as I'm sure you already know. Magecraft secrets are jealously kept, it could ruin a family if their craft fell into another's hands – on the other hand, it is usual practice for families or well-known mages to foster students. It's a risk we take to appease those who fear our power… most cases of magic theft are from baseless mages who want to quickly make names for themselves" Clow explained patiently "Strangely enough, a lot of masters chose first generation mages as their successors for their fresh and uncompromising view on magic. It ruffles a lot of feathers"

Violet froze as dread pooled in her stomach along the distractingly warm tea. She swallowed dryly. "… So that Parole guy think I'm after your magic"

'He can't think that, it's not true! What if Clow thinks the same and send me away? I won't know what to do!'

She didn't want to be abandoned. Not by him.

Not one to sugarcoat things, the sorcerer tilted his head very slightly forward, catching her panicked eyes with his own.

"Yes, though he's not alone in that line of thinking… In reality all of them are after the same thing" He said, smiling grimly.

Flushing and then paling in quick succession, Violet shook her head "I'm not… after your magic I mean…"

'Can I even use the type of magic they have here?'

The tension in the room broke suddenly as Clow let out a sinfully low chuckle.

"Oh I know, my dear girl, I trust you. And even if you were to inherit my magic, it wouldn't do you any favors" He said, humor still coloring his voice "Your magic's element is Light, while your ascendant is Mars. My element is Darkness; while I ascend with the Sun and the Moon – I can help you grow stronger, but not reach your full potential"

In a plane beyond human's capability to see, the turbulent globe of what composed of her magic was letting out angry, confused sparks. Clow spread out his amusement and the care he felt for her, calming down the storm before it could do harm. It wouldn't do for his special gift to be feeling scared.

Calming down, the witch let out an explosive, compressed gust of air.

"Ah..." Was Violet's intelligent response after being thrown for a loop. "I guess that answers if I can learn magic here"

Clow waited until she was solidly in control of her emotions before taking a sip from his own tea – now considerably cooler. Violet took note of those small things, inwardly adding them to her mental Clow Reed folder.

Surprisingly human of him. 'I'm tired of this emotional roller-coaster… why do I feel so needy for him?'

He did also add half the tea cup's worth of sugar in his tea.

And she's caught him humming under his breath as he worked in his office, and how he'd always have a smile decorating his face no matter what – though the smiles he directed at her were warm and inviting – he was always searching for opportunities to touch her… a small brush of his fingers against hers to the memorable occasion when he held her hand in that corridor.

It feels like the first time she ever touched her holy wand. A tugging from her core yearning to get free, and finally finding an outlet…

It was glorious and intense and Violet wondered for a brief moment how she'd be able to exist again without his touches – but then she'd come back to reality and wonder why she was so attracted to him if they barely knew each other – plus, what he'd want with a scrawny, pathetic little thing such as her?

Violet closed her eyes, resting for a moment and letting his voice wash over her like a fresh spring rain.

"It's a lot to take in and you must have a lot of questions. That's why I was seeking you earlier, so we can discuss your knowledge and what you wish to learn from me" The sorcerer explained with a tentative tug at the corners of his lips. It seemed his default expression was a smile.

'And how many of those smiles are true?'

Breathing, the green eyed witch stared at her host.

"May I ask something first?" she hesitated "It might be a little personal"

"Don't worry, if it is too personal I will let you know" He assured, fond amusement shining in his eyes… He could actually predict what she wanted to ask and the mischief painting his face was a dead give-away.

It has been bothering her for a while now, since her talk with Xiao Ling.

Now or never…!

'Here it goes!'

"How old are you?"

Airily, Clow said smilingly "I was born in the year of 1559, so that makes me 317 years old as of this year"

'Oh, so he's three hund- wait, what?'

"W-what?" Violet coughed, wide eyed "How?"

"You age accordingly to your power levels, it is not uncommon to find powerful enough sorcerers living in their fourth or fifth century. I am actually one of the youngest" His cheeks had to start hurting sometime, so he ought to drop that amused smile.

Violet blushed slightly, but managed to control herself enough to keep talking.

"Alright… in my world there is something similar, though the oldest wizard I knew who lived naturally to an extended age was almost a hundred and thirty" Violet was still gaping inelegantly as she shared this tidbit of information – for someone with double Dumbledore's age Clow sure looked good! Though as she continued with this line of thought, something came to the witch that made her frown "There are other methods to live longer, but I don't think you'd use them"

A blood red stone that shone under the dim lights in the innermost room behind the teachers' trap – she'd touched it briefly, it's surface chaffed and teased at her skin, a niggling voice in the back of her head pleading, begging, screaming 'Use me and live forever!'

Murder. An uncontrollable feeling of rage and hatred, the wish to tear, to destroy, to kill strong enough that the very soul would fracture. Only murder of an innocent could break a soul deep enough that the creation of an abomination was possible.

Clow observed her face, nodding to himself before offering a bright, graceful smile "I see those other methods displease you greatly, I'm thankful you hold me above them"

Violet didn't blush too darkly this time…

"Of-of course!"