Author's Notes: Come on, guys…I write you chapters and you're supposed to review. Compared to the number of subscriptions and traffic for this story, I can't help but feel our exchange is one-sided. Every time I see a review in my mailbox, I practically squeal with delight because it seems so rare.
Please review :(
(Kisses to the readers who write comments at the end of each chapter. Muah! You guys keep V.O. going).
We're shifting the rating to 'M,' kiddies! I hope you're as excited as I am!
Chapter 9: Voices in the Night
Smoke filled the small shack within seconds, sending Tavis scurrying to the nearest window. He threw open the pane then began fanning the smog into open-air instead of huffing it up his nose. Maybe he had cooked the steak a little too long…
He preferred his food well-done; charred was another story. He'd have to throw it out for scraps since it was clearly hard as marble. Tomorrow he would take the ruined meat into the Forbidden Forest where he was sure some cynogriffon or snotling would devour it. It was best not to waste food no matter its condition. Still…what was he going to eat for dinner? He leaned further out the window, taking a deep breath of fresh air. The night was chilly and the stars bright. Being the Keeper of The Grounds was relaxing on days such as this one. There were no loud children romping about or grumpy teachers barking orders. Tonight, it was just him, a fire, a burnt stake, and a peaceful view. Life didn't always have to be painful.
Tavis was a simple man who possessed simple needs. Landing the groundskeeper position had been one of the happiest days of his young life. He no longer had to worry with fancy etiquette, eloquent speech, or proper attire – things he'd never been very good at. Out here, in the quiet oasis surrounding Hogwarts, he could be himself. He didn't have to be ashamed of his blood status or of his social class or struggle with daily humiliations of inadequacy. Out here, Tavis Hawkins belonged, and there wasn't a day that went by that he didn't thank God for this opportunity. He wouldn't screw this up; not in a million years. He couldn't. Life had dealt him a crummy hand, but he had decided to make the best of it. This job was his only hope if he wished to live a decent existence.
And so he smiled, taking in the obscure scenery around him.
Movement from the corner of his eye snapped the man back to reality. He scanned the area surrounding his hut, but failed to find the source of distraction. Nothing was there. Was he seeing things? A small circle of sight was illuminated by the fire in his living room; it both focused and hindered his vision. Everything outside was clear where the light shown, but it was as if a black, impenetrable curtain clung to the edges of the glow. Whatever it had been (if it had been anything at all), had crept into the darkness. Was it still there…looking at him? He had no way of knowing from his post at the windowsill and that thought made him feel uncomfortably vulnerable. He would have to investigate if he wanted answers; after all, it was his job as groundskeeper to make sure students didn't sneak out of the castle or – god forbids – a creature from the forest didn't venture onto the grounds.
"Who's there? Show yourself lest you want the headmaster on ya!" he barked.
Tavis would have sworn he heard whispers then. He'd been unable to make out the words, but they had been rushed and terse in their communication. It sounded as if several people were hissing violently.
"This is your last warning! Don't make me come after you."
Something dark fluttered into the light before it danced away on the wind. His eyes squinted at the sight; had that been a…cloak? Suddenly soft laughter surfed through the air. They were mocking him. Little snot nosed brats! He ducked low to move away from the window and find his torch. If they wanted to play games, he'd make them regret it. That's when a sweet voice stopped him in his tracks, his hand still grasping the windowsill, "Tavis, don't. We were just funnin' you."
Tavis turned to look out the window once again, but this time noticed a lovely, blonde girl skirting the edge of the light. She was tan and curvy and her silky hair reflected silver. He instantly recognized her. "Dianthus! What are you doing out here this early in the morning!" He traced his eyes over her body, realizing she was poorly dressed for the weather, "and where's your coat and shoes?"
Suddenly he became aware she wasn't wearing a dark cloak, then remembered she had said, "we were just funnin' you." Who else was with her?
Dianthus stood still for a moment, his questions seemed to pass through her mind unnoticed. Her eyes were half lidded as they gazed at him. He wasn't sure if she was tired or trying her hand as seduction – and a rather poor hand at that. He settled on tired. One thing about Dianthus was that she didn't need to seduce anyone. She was beautiful and rich and fairly lax with whom she entertained. It was a lethal combination for the boys who attended Hogwarts.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she spoke ever so slowly, "Noein wants to catch a glimpse of the giant squid. Will you join us?"
What the hell? It was two in the morning and they were taking a pleasure stroll…without shoes?
"Dianthus, is there something the matter?" He leaned out the window as if that would somehow answer his own question.
She looked at him with the same blank, drunken stare. "Nothing's the matter. Noein wants to catch a glimpse of the giant squid. Will you join us?"
Tavis didn't move or say a word. Something was off about this girl. She gave him more chills than the night air.
"You should join us. I think you should join us, Tavis. Will you join us?"
She was stiff and her words were that of a puppet. What the fuck was going on?
"Where is Noein?" he asked.
The Slytherin girl closed her mouth then frowned confusedly as if the question had appeared on a NEWT exam. Tavis stared at her, growing more uneasy the longer he waited for a reply to this simple query. Suddenly, Dianthus's face contorted into horror then pain before her body crumpled onto the ground like a wet leaf.
"Stupid, Mudbloods, always complicating things," a venomous voice hissed from the dark. "You should have listened to Dianthus, for I'll not treat you as kindly as she."
A dark figure advanced from the shadows, pointing a wand at Tavis's face.
"Holy shit!" the groundskeeper gasped.
Tavis jumped up quickly, barely escaping a stunning bolt, but in the process caused the windowpane to slam down upon his back. His torso was jammed under the pane as he struggled to free himself before his attacker decided to strike again.
Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!
He heard laughter…at least he thought he had. His senses weren't as in tuned to his surroundings as he would have appreciated; he was too preoccupied with trying to free himself to pay attention to anything else going on around him.
"Colloportus!" The cloaked figure shouted, causing the heavy window to lock in its place. No matter how hard he struggled beneath it, the man couldn't budge the frame. Tavis was trapped.
"Quencio!" the voice roared. The fire which flickered within the house was instantly extinguished, bathing Tavis in dense darkness.
He needn't see to realize death was stalking him in the night.
