The atmosphere of the concert varied greatly from the last show the aurors had witnessed. Instead of taking place during the day and outside, where the sun and slight breeze made it pleasant, if not cheery, the night's venue was an entertainment hall with a sizeable audience that made even the massive internal structure feel cramped. The amount of people seemed unprecedented, as it was their understanding that the band, despite having a loyal fanbase, was not vastly popular.
"They're not the only ones performing," Ron informed his partner just outside the stage room, "The Weird Sisters are here."
"Is that not a band from the magical world?" one of the American aurors lifted his brow.
"Yeah, they're quite popular," the redhead answered, once more turning to his partner, "It looks like they're introducing Weird Sisters as an up and coming indie band, since they're unknown in the muggle world."
Harry glanced curiously around at the others walking about, "It would explain the crowd. A lot of these people must be wizards."
"How strange," the same American spoke up, "Outside of Voldemort, Davis has never associated with wizards. Even his friendship with Smith was purely coincidental."
"With all due respect, Mr. Styles," Harry suggested, "Perhaps that is something to do with his being banned from such association by MACUSA."
The British and American aurors had met roughly an hour before making their way to the London arena. Their introductions unfortunately went as expected, with the foreigners acting piously while Harry and Ron approached with reserve, unaware of how true the President's claims had been. Irregardless of the fact that they had also noted the same about Gerald, Harry felt speaking as he had would help test the waters.
"Perhaps," Styles' expression remained flat, "But we believe in the utmost precaution to better ward off disaster before it happens."
"Clearly didn't work in this case, yah? He joined Voldemort while under these precautionary measures," Ron muttered, mostly to Harry, though the other aurors could surely hear.
His partner ignored the comment and, with a nod at their guests, took a pace forward, "It sounds like the show has started. We should stick close."
Without word, the rest of the group followed behind the lead investigator and piled into the back of the stadium on the second highest level. By the time they came in, someone on stage was handing a microphone off to Gerald. The demon was dressed more akin to Weird Sisters' fashion than his typical, though it was really only different in the sense that the clothes were wizard robes that had been tattered for a grungy look.
"Good evening," he addressed the audience in a deep, raspy voice, "What beings do we have lurking in the shadows tonight?"
There was a noticeable divide in the response time of the crowd's cheers. Undoubtedly, those who were indeed of magical descent caught on to the man's subtle acknowledgement of them, causing them to hesitate before joining in. Harry cut his eyes to the side, taking in the hardened demeanor of Styles and Emerson. Great, Gerald had hardly spoken a sentence and already pissed them off.
"We're glad to see you all, wherever it is you may hail from," he continued, twisting his neck so that he gazed across the entirety of the persons in front of him, "Even my friends from America, who rudely decided to pop in last minute."
Dammit, Gerald. The bastard couldn't help himself, could he?
"How did he..." Ron whispered.
Harry shook his head. He didn't know. There could be several explanations for it. Most probably, the vampires were the ones who alerted him. The Ministry had suspected the creatures had reach which extended further than was apparent. Maybe after seeing how adamantly the aurors had wished to find Gerald quickly, directly upon his move, it had brought curiosity to the clan who then decided to find out why. They'd already hinted at being perturbed for how Astoria had found information regarding Gerald's whereabouts.
"Those of you who are here for our guests, the Weird Sisters-" excited shouts arose from several groups, including one standing not too far from the investigators, "Are likely unaware how particular I can be," a handful of laughs, along with someone yelling what sounded like he was lovingly calling 'Gerry' an asshole, "So I'd like to take a moment to thank Myron for kindly convincing me not to be such a hard-ass."
From the same direction as the man who had jovially insulted Gerald, a louder voice came, "AHAHA TOLD YOU!"
It was followed by more laughs and cheers. Even Gerald chuckled and pointed a finger toward the source before turning to his side where the lead singer of the wizarding world band had strolled up. As the magical portion of the audience led the next round of claps and screams, Harry straightened himself in anticipation of what the well known wizard had to say regarding the evening.
"Thank you, Gerald," he nodded casually at the demon, and then addressed the room as the other man walked off and the rest of the Weird Sisters approached their instruments on stage, "He's definitely not the person I expected," an odd silence settled, wizards and witches awaiting some affirmation that the dark wizard was harmless from someone they could trust, and The Devil's Children fans surely curious as to what this newcomer had to say about their idol, "And I can't as of yet tell much more than that, but it's always been my feeling that everyone deserves a chance. I suppose that brings us to our first song."
While the popular tune of 'This is the Night' began playing, Harry leaned himself against the wall and glanced at the trio with him. Emerson and Ron likewise looked to him momentarily. It appeared that Gerald was doing fairly well in playing the masses, which shouldn't have been surprising, granted he was, on most all accounts, a performer. Then again, how much was he 'playing' and how much was true? The best actors used facts to portray fiction, making it extremely difficult to keep proper tabs on the underlying motives.
"When all is dark and there's no light,
Lost in the deepest star of night,
I see you.
Your hands are shaking baby;
You ain't been sleeping lately.
There's something out there,
And it don't seem very friendly does it?
If I could help you I would help ya,
But it's difficult.
There's something much more powerful
Than both of us possessing me."
The concert went on, with Weird Sisters performing a handful of songs prior toThe Devil's Children taking the stage and belting lyrics lesser known to the magical citizens and most with harsher deliveries than the rock genre of their predecessors. Everyone present seemed to enjoy both musical renditions, making it harder for Harry to determine which people were from which origins. As the next two hours went on and the night was brought to a close with a farewell accompanied by a final song, the aurors prepared to exit and find Gerald, hoping nobody would recognize and distract them.
"Fast asleep, it's all in your head now. "I'm the American nightmare with American dreams
Past the street where they cursed my name,
But I won't be forsaken.
Craven my revenge from the shallow grave
Where I went down in flames.
The beast has been awakened.
Of counting the bodies while you count sheep.
"Fell in love with hate 'cause evil fit like a glove.
It's fate that I'm still here.
Wicked when I was just a man,
But sickening now and fed by fear.
The beast has been awakened;
They all think it's just pretend.
When night comes creeping,
My cruel hand will rock you to sleep."
If it hadn't been for the strange mixture of hostility with reference to slumber, Harry probably would have joined Emerson in her obvious eye-roll at the lyrics. Outside of the investigators, nobody seemed to be taking much heed to Gerald's song as anything more than simply a performance. Perhaps that was all there was to it. Nonetheless, the lead auror began questioning if there was indeed something more sinister about his dreams like Ron had suggested.
The redhead was the first to speak once they were on the other side of the wall again, heading quickly toward where the bands would be joined after the show before the crowd dispersed and made the trek difficult, "A might pretentious, that last one, don't you think?"
"Regardless of his age or knowledge, Davis is little more than a punk who enjoys stirring the pot," Styles agreed in a growl.
"I think it's usual for metal music to have violent words," Emerson observed in a less critical tone, "Either way, I wouldn't put much stock in it. Art is meant for venting frustrations rather than having them build and come out in an unhealthy manner."
It was the first time the witch had spoken since they'd left the Ministry. She seemed to be more agreeable than her companion, who was fairly vocal without care for how his statements might sound.
"Would hardly call that art," her partner scoffed.
Point proven...
The four soon found themselves just outside the backstage area where a large, dark-skinned man stood with arms crossed. He wore a black t-shirt with 'SECURITY' stamped across the chest in yellow lettering. In a strangely polite fashion, the Americans allowed the British wizards to approach first. The group had previously discussed the possibility of having to sneak through. Actually, it was Styles who had brought it up, Harry, having agreed that it could be the outcome, now inwardly hoped that the demon was with enough sense to whitelist them, seeing as he knew they would be there.
"We're here to speak to Gerald Davis," the lead auror informed.
The man, without missing a beat and keeping his stern attention on the strangers, inquired, "Name?"
"Harry Pot-" the wizard answered, interrupted by the guard stepping aside after hearing the first name alone.
"Third door on your right," he gave nonchalantly, watching the four enter before moving back into place.
"Well, that was less bothersome than anticipated," Emerson grinned at her partner, who kept his grim demeanor.
Taking the turn into the designated room, the four aurors set sights on the Weird Sisters idly lounging on furniture arranged around a wooden table covered in cups and bottles. While each member acknowledged their entrance, it was Myron who spoke.
"Harry, Ron, it is good to see you again," he approached, offering his hand.
"Again?" Ron was the second to shake it.
"Yes, don't think I didn't spot the fourth champion in the Tri-Wizard Tournament those few years ago when we performed at the Yule Ball," he smiled at Harry, then the redhead, "And his good friend."
"I guess this is a formal introduction then," the lead auror returned kindly, gesturing at the two behind him, "This is Charth Styles and Elita Emerson; they're aurors from MACUSA."
"Pleasure to meet you as well," Myron nodded, joined by the other men still sitting.
"Pleasure," the Americans said in unison.
At that moment, the door behind them opened, revealing first Brad Angston, then the unnamed guitarist, and lastly Gerald, who strolled in with a critical gaze cast upon the wizards from his home country. He didn't speak and simply walked to the table to retrieve a beer bottle. As the white-haired man drank, Brad addressed the guests with a chortle.
"Looks like the party was brought to you, huh, Ger?" the subvamp smirked, almost displaying fangs.
"Shut the fuck up, Brad," Gerald conveyed his foul mood.
The drummer shrugged, also opting to take a bottle and a seat beside Orsino, drummer of Weird Sisters. Myron, in a diplomatic attitude, raised a polite concern to both Gerald and Harry, "Shall we leave you now to your business?"
"Yes," the demon was the one to answer, "That would be preferred. Thank you again for your graciousness."
"Undoubtedly," the wizard patted the singer on the back, "We will be in touch, yes?"
"Hm," Gerald hummed, his vision fixed on Styles.
As the last of the magical band departed, The Devil's Children's new member slung a backpack over his shoulder and stepped after, "I imagine I don't need to be here for this either."
The man had a clearly American accent, drawing the attention of the MACUSA employees, "Actually," Emerson caught him by the shoulder when he passed by her, "Perhaps you should. We haven't been introduced yet."
The man's eyes darted awkwardly from her to Gerald and back. To be truthful, Harry was a bit curious of him as well; namely to know if he was muggle or wizard...or something else.
"Tomas, ignore her, you can go," Gerald took a final swig of his drink and set the glass back down.
"Alright," he cleared his throat and kept on his way, "Later then, bro."
When the door had slammed, leaving the four aurors alone in the room with the demon and subvamp, Gerald slipped his hands into his pockets and took a relaxed position standing near the opposite wall, "It's been my understanding that American wizards don't care to have to do with muggles," his voice was cold, "So you needn't bother Tomas."
"Hmph," Styles relented, "And I see there is someone to inform you of our arrival. We know it wasn't the Ministry, so who might it have been?"
"You act like I'm in league with some sort of nefarious spy," Gerald replied, "Perhaps it was the same individual who told you that I was still around."
"Or the one who warned you so you could escape the country," Styles spat, taking an angry pace toward the demon.
Before Harry could step in and diffuse the situation, a new voice sounded from the door that the company was too riled up to notice had opened again, "Or perhaps more than one person is tired of all the distrust and suspicion going around."
AUTHOR'S NOTE:: Ice Nine Kills just released a new album where every song is based on a different horror movie. 'American Nightmare' is FREDDY FUCKING KRUEGER! XD I have a major obsession with Freddy and I do also write Nightmare on Elm Street fanfiction ^_^ The info on Weird Sisters is canon.