Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. This work is merely for leisure and not for any profit whatsoever.
Summary: London is a big city. In cities of such size, many small details pass by unnoticed by most of the crowd. Homes become invisible, shops are glanced over and ignored, strange events and people are written off as one-time occurrences, and anomalies are unknowingly brushed aside. SI/OC.
Stars in the Silence
Midnight Manipulations
It was dark. And cold. So very cold.
Water lapped at her feet. Her throat was burning. Water. She needed water.
She fell to her knees greedily drinking gulps of the cool liquid.
Hands. There were hands everywhere. Thousands of hands; grabbing at her, pulling her down.
Corpses surrounded her. Laughing; for she would join them, as she was already one of them. Her lungs burned and briefly a taste of salt pervaded her mouth.
Above she saw the outline of a dog chasing a rat, only for the water surface to ice up. A deranged cackle pierced through the water. The dog fell.
Get up. Get up. Getupgetupgetup-
.
Aquila bolted upright, heart pounding, chest heaving and thoughts in disarray. Belatedly, she noticed Sirius stirring in his own bed and mumbling questions at her.
"I-I'm fine," Aquila rasped, fully aware that her hoarse voice was not helping her in the slightest. She could see the brief outline of her twin peering at her from underneath his covers.
There was a moment of stillness, punctured only by Aquila's shallow breathing.
"If you say so." Sirius shifted and turned on his side, breaths evening out. Aquila wasn't fooled, "Go back to sleep Siri. It was just a nightmare."
"But you don't get nightmares Kii," came the quiet reply.
No, Aquila mused, she didn't. She took a deep breath and laid back down on her bed.
The Horcruxes. Pettigrew. Bellatrix.
She buried her head in her pillow. Shit.
There was no way she could influence any of those now. In fact, there was nothing she could do now. Aquila felt her lip curl in a snarl. Useless. How utterly useless she was right now. She didn't even know where half of the Horcruxes were. Hell, she didn't even know if they'd been made yet. The only ones she could confirm were the Diary and Ravenclaw's Diadem. And even then she had no way to confirm if the Malfoys had the Diary, much less be able to break into Malfoy Manor or Hogwarts to steal them.
Aquila let out a huff of frustration and threw her covers off. There was nothing she could do to procure the Horcruxes now, true, but she could get the required materials that would destroy them. Basilisk venom. Fiendfyre. Avada Kedarva. She could get the first from Inner Knockturn, as long as she had the right contacts and enough money. She would have to wait until she was near her magical maturity to use either of the spells, when she had enough power and control over her core to perform the spell safely.
Even if she couldn't attain those, Aquila was certain that there were other ways to destroy a Horcurx. She just had to find out how.
Pettigrew and Bellatrix – those problems would unfortunately have to wait. Warning Sirius to be wary of Pettigrew would be the only thing she could do until the rat actually took the mark and Bellatrix… Aquila's eyes narrowed. Aquila hated to admit it, but Bellatrix was too strong for her at the moment. Her eldest cousin simply had far too much more magical knowledge than Aquila. Added to the fact that Bellatrix was likely being tutored by Riddle himself at the moment, Bellatrix outmatched her too much for Aquila to act against her now. It was simply too much of a risk; to her and to her brothers.
She stalked across their room, silently making her way to the door, grabbing her notebook along the way. She glided her way to the drawing room, careful to not wake the sleeping portraits. It was easy enough; this wasn't the first time she'd prowled around Grimmauld Place in the darkness.
Her pace slowed as she entered the drawing room. Moonlight pooled from the windows, casting faint shadows around the room. In the silence of the night, the gentle light made Grimmauld Place look hauntingly beautiful. Aquila's heart clenched at the memories that came forth unbidden; how her Ancestral Home fell into ruin, dust and cobwebs littering the pristine furniture, her home becoming a mere husk of what it was. Images of another Walburga, clad in a mourning garb, standing outside of Sirius' and Regulus' rooms, hand paused mere millimeters from the door handle. A pale figure laid on a bed, struck down by an unknown illness, grey eyes full of grief, sorrow and regret for the sons he lost. Rotting, skeletal hands clawing at and dragging her brothers to a cold grave, despair permeating the air and all the happiness her family had shared – so bright, so few, so precious – sucked and destroyed by an unknown maw.
Aquila shoved those thoughts out of her head as she walked towards the Black Tapestry. Stormy grey eyes trailed across the Tapestry and lithe fingers ghosted over the images of Orion and Walburga, before following the branch that extended from their images to brush against the images of Sirius and Regulus. Aquila eyed her own image, depicted right next to Sirius', her name proudly emblazoned directly below. A multitude of emotions flashed through her eyes and she looked out of the window at the tranquil façade of Muggle London. The seeds for the First Wizarding War had already been sown close to three decades ago and the first of the conflicts would sprout in 1970.
She had one and a half years of 'peace' left.
Aquila's grip on her notebook tightened. One and a half years was enough time to prepare.
First, she had to be able to circumvent the wards around Grimmauld Place. And she had the perfect opportunity – her father's apprentice would be visiting the following day, and Aidan had always been courteous enough to answer any questions she had on runes and how they interacted with other branches of magic.
.
The day leading up to Aidan's visit saw Aquila camped out in the her and Sirius' room, pouring over a tome titled Manipulations of Symbols. It was an old tome, published in the twelfth century with half of the words written in Latin and the other half in Old English, and it was exactly the type of book that would capture her attention so much so for her to spend hours secluded from her brothers, translating it and experimenting with reference to whatever she had decoded.
So when she turned up for dinner with the rest of her family red eyed and slightly frazzled, it was chalked up to her spending almost the whole day working with her runes and not because she'd spent the night scouring the entire Black Library for an ideal 'distraction' and then immediately translating half of it before escaping to memorise the schematics of various First and Second Year Charms.
There was barely an eye batted when she questioned Orion about the Unlocking Charm, after all, if she could recreate the effects of Lumos when she was five, why wouldn't she be interested in other low level spells? It wasn't as if she was asking about Bombarda or Confundus. What harm would Alohamora do, when all the locks in Grimmauld Place already had the anti-charm to that applied?
And thus when Orion explained how the charm worked, it was only Sirius who caught the satisfied gleam in Aquila's eyes.
.
Orion was a creature of habit and more importantly, he placed great emphasis on being a proper host; so when the fireplace erupted in a shower of emerald flames at exactly four in the evening, Aidan stepped out to see Aquila and Orion in a discussion on how wand movements correlated with the structure of a runic scripture.
Aquila smirked internally when Aidan's eyebrow raised in surprise at their conversation, even as her father shooed her out of the room, admonishing her that her own lesson would be starting soon with a faint hint of fond exasperation.
As part of his apprenticeship, Aidan would have both theoretical and practical 'lessons'. Orion would tutor Aidan for an hour and a half, reviewing whatever theory he needed to know for his practical later on in the evening, and leave for forty five minutes, to check on whether the logistics for Aidan's practical was set. Aidan would spend the time revising his lesson before getting ready for dinner with Aquila's family. Kreacher would serve dinner at half-past six.
Aquila's lessons lasted till six. That left her with a short window of fifteen minutes to carry out her plan. Aquila smirked, she'd done more in a shorter time frame before.
Sirius caught the expression and gave her a cautious look. "Whatever you're planning," he whispered as they waited for their tutor to arrive, "I hope you know what you're doing."
"Have some faith in me brother dearest. I've carried out far more complicated plans before."
"If you say so," Sirius rolled his eyes, "But I will laugh if you get caught."
Further conversation was halted as their tutor entered and began their lesson. It passed by quickly with the twins waltzing across the floor while their tutor pointed out flaws and corrections in their techniques, and soon, Aquila found herself back in their room wearing a fresh set of clothes and staring at the antique clock piece that hung on the wall while Sirius lazed on the bed.
The moment the clock showed six fifteen, Aquila rose from her seat. "I'm going to go check something in the Library, please inform Mother and Father if I'm late," she informed Sirius.
He scoffed, "Of course." The suspicion was evident, but Sirius just waved her off with a brief, "I'll cover for you for a few minutes."
"Thanks Siri. I won't take long."
As she exited the room, she caught sight of Aidan's form walking out from the study room down the corridor and away from her.
As Aidan disappeared down the stairs, Aquila's gaze flickered towards the room he'd just vacated. Her feet padded silently as she walked towards it, slipping through the half-opened door with nary a whisper. She crossed the room just as quietly, coming to a stop in front of Aidan's desk. She eyed the notebook he had left on top of it and turned to the last page. Carefully, she sketched her Impulse Scripture onto the back cover before flipping the pages and arranging the book back to its original position. She left the room quietly, leaving no trace that she'd been there in the first place.
With two minutes to spare, Aquila strolled relaxedly to the dining room for dinner.
.
It was only after dinner when the final part of her plan could be carried out. Aquila rapped on the door to the study room, catching Aidan's attention, before walking into the room. "Are you free for a moment?" She inquired, "I've a question about wand movements I wanted to ask, could you help me out?"
The teen in question merely smiled and motioned for her to enter, putting his notebook aside. "Of course," Aidan replied, before adding teasingly, "I suppose it's how the movement affects the spell in question?"
Aquila nodded. Flipping through the notes she'd brought, Aquila elaborated, "I wanted to see if there was a pattern to specific movements; I know Wingardium Leviosa makes use of the 'swish' motion to generate the 'lift' portion of the charm, and the 'flick' keeps the object in place after its been levitated. Likewise with Transfiguration – jabs are meant to define the parameters of the transfigured object and other hand gestures symbolise the changing of the source 'material', so to speak, into the transfigured form. But I wanted to see if-"
"If your runic scriptures could bring about the same effect without the wand movements?" Aidan guessed. Aquila hummed in agreement, a small smile playing at the corner of her lips.
There was a minute of silence as Aidan lounged in his chair, pondering the question.
"Wand movements," the teen began, "aren't absolutely necessary for a spell to work. They're a way to help the wizard focus his magic to produce the right effects. After a while, the wizard is able to perform the spell without the whole movement-"
"Because his magical channels are used to magic moving in a certain way," Aquila mused, "Similar to how the body has muscle memory, magical channels exhibit a similar ability to remember movements…"
"Exactly; that's why Masters don't need to go through all of the wand movements when they want to perform a spell," Aidan nodded sagely. "So if you want a spell to work with just runes, there needs to be set parameters already present in the scripture, which would help direct and focus magic like how wand movements would." Here he paused, eyes narrowing in consideration, "Although… I suppose that if you become adept enough, they may not be completely necessary…"
Aquila frowned. "That's what I suspected as well," she murmured, "But I suppose the outcomes would be better if the parameters were in place, even if I'm already proficient in using a scripture."
Aidan bobbed his head in agreement. "However, I think that such a leap would need to wait till you're at least in your mid-teens and your magical channels begin to settle," he chimed, chuckling slightly at the affronted look Aquila threw him.
"I know that," Aquila groused, rolling her eyes, "But thanks for your input, Aidan."
"No problem kiddo," Aidan beamed, "Always glad to help."
A soft chime echoed through the room and their eyes flickered to the clock piece hanging on the wall. Aidan let out a low whistle, "Wow, time flies."
Aquila sighed disappointedly, "It's time for you to go already?"
There was a dim flare of light from behind Aidan, which went unnoticed by the teen.
Aidan shrugged, "Seems like it is." He stood up and grabbed his belongings, shooting Aquila a mildly apologetic look. As he exited the room, he teasingly ruffled Aquila's hair, "Don't be too glum; I'm sure you'll figure out how to link runes and wand movements. Your dad's been boasting about your abilities," Aidan smirked as he spotted a flash of pride that appeared across Aquila's face. "It's rather brilliant, in my opinion. If you need help, feel free to ask; though I won't be as good as your dad." Aidan winked as Aquila pushed his hand off her head with a disgruntled sound, "You'll be fantastic Aquila. I'll see you around."
With that, the teen walked off. Aquila waited for a few moments to ensure that Aidan wasn't coming back, before moving to pick up the innocuous notebook he'd left on the desk.
"Mipsy."
The Elf appeared with a pop, "Miss Kila called?"
"Could you Vanish the ink on the back cover please?" Aquila asked, quietly thanking her when Mipsy did so. "How is your progress?"
Large green eyes blinked and a delighted smile stretched across Mipsy's face, "Mipsy is dones with meltings galleons and sickles; Mipsy has stored them in Miss Kila's private vault. Mipsy is also half dones with finding best Dwarfies smithies – Mipsy is left with the Nordic countries ands Soviet Union."
"I see, good job Mipsy," Aquila smiled gently, "Go back to your work, I won't disturb you; I'll call you again at the end of the week."
Mipsy bobbed her head, "Yes Miss Kila! Mipsy be finding best Dwarfies smithies nows!"
With that, the Elf disappeared, leaving Aquila alone in the study room.
Walking out of the room and down the stairs, Aquila heard the faint roar of flames from the foyer, signalling her father's and Aidan's departure. She ducked into a vacant room, empty of portrait frames.
Aquila gave a wry smile. It was the moment of truth now. "Kreacher!" Aquila called out. The moment the Elf appeared, she continued, "Take me to Potter Manor. Unless Mother or Father explicitly asks you for my whereabouts at this time, you are not to inform them, or anyone else."
The old House Elf gazed at her with concern, "Kreacher will bring Young Mistress to Potter Manor. But Kreacher is worried; wards at Potter Manor may harm Young Mistress if Lord or Lady Potter is not informed."
"Thank you for your concern Kreacher," Aquila said, masking her own nerves expertly, "If there is any immediate threat to me, return me back to Number Twelve Grimmauld Place at once."
The Elf bobbed his head, withered face still worried, but offered her his hand to hold onto. Aquila took it and with a whisk of Elvish magic, she found herself standing in an unfamiliar room.
Tension eased out of both Aquila and Kreacher as the minutes ticked by and the pair found themselves under no attack.
"Kreacher, could you call Great-Aunt Dorea please?" Aquila asked. Kreacher nodded and disappeared with a snap of his fingers.
In the moment it took Kreacher to reappear with Dorea in tow, Aquila had schooled her features into an appropriate mask.
"Well," the aged witch said, "This certainly is a surprise. Aquila, it's lovely to see you, dear, but next time please inform us beforehand? You could have triggered the wards you silly child."
Aquila ducked her head meekly, "Apologies Great-Aunt, Aidan left his notebook so I thought I ought to return it to him personally, since he's always been offering to help me with runes. I didn't think."
Dorea huffed, "Really, I expected this behaviour from your brothers, not you." Aquila wilted, and Dorea soften slightly, "We'll I suppose no harm was done, but please don't try your luck again. You're lucky that the wards didn't recognise you as a threat."
"I'm sorry for bothering you. And also if I disturbed the Lord and Lady Potter as well. I'll take my leave now," Aquila said.
Dorea rolled her eyes. "You hardly bothered anyone, child, Fleamont and Euphemia didn't even notice until Kreacher appeared whilst we were having a drink. Go home now," Dorea admonished, "Lest you worry your mother. Merlin knows that woman has a tendency to over-react."
"Yes Great-Aunt," Aquila acquiesced, "Good night."
Taking Kreacher's hand again, she found herself whisked back to her room in Grimmauld Place.
"Thank you for your help Kreacher," Aquila said kindly, "You may return to your duties now."
The aged Elf gave a delighted smile at her praise and bowed deeply before he disappeared with a soft 'pop', leaving Aquila alone. Her mind whirled with half-finished thoughts as she paced across the room. Various plans swam through her head as she considered the latest developments of her situation. Minutes ticked on by as she discarded several plans, and she settled on her bed, pondering on which was the best course of action. There were already several things in motion, but what action would bring about the most profitable outcome?
As she sat on her bed mentally debating the pros and cons to her actions, Sirius and Regulus entered the room. They blinked in surprise at her presence, and it was Regulus who broke the silence, "Kii! We were looking for you just now."
Aquila raised an eyebrow, "I see. Sorry, I just came here. Guess you must have missed me."
Regulus pouted slightly, before dragging Sirius to her bed and pestering them to read him a story.
As Regulus flipped through the storybook he'd brought, Aquila gave Sirius a slight nudge, "I suppose Father is still out? Did Mother act differently?"
"Yes to the first, no to the second," Sirius replied, grey eyes intent, "You snuck out didn't you?"
"Perhaps," Aquila smirked, "I'll tell you later."
"You'd better. I want to know exactly how you managed to sneak past the wards without Father or Mother noticing."
"I plan," Aquila quipped in return, "And I suppose I was really lucky that it worked."
Sirius rolled his eyes at her. "Reggie have you decided what story you want?" Sirius asked.
"Alice in Wonderland! With the shadow puppets!" Regulus declared.
Aquila huffed in amusement, "Again? Alright." The twins looked fondly at him, and Aquila moved to get her puppets and Light Scripture as Sirius flipped to the beginning of the story.
As Aquila moved through the familiar motions, her mind settled on her next step. Aquila let a satisfied smile pull at her lips. She had a way to get out of Grimmauld Place, unnoticed by her parents. The first hurdle had been crossed, and soon the next stage would be ready.
A/N: Erm… Hiiiii~ Really sorry I missed last week's update; school has been very busy. And I'm still going to be very busy for the foreseeable future, I hope you guys understand. Thanks for all the reviews, favs and follows. I read all of your reviews and every single email notification I get, so please know that I really appreciate them, even if I don't reply. You guys make me ridiculously happy and please, please know that I treasure all of you.
So the plot is progressing! Yay! Aquila's exact plans for the pre-Hogwarts years are starting to show, and now she's developing even more plans for when the First Wizarding War finally breaks out.
If you guys are wondering why she needed to do that to Aidan, consider this: Aquila doesn't know how the wards around Grimmauld Place work. Oh she knows that they prevent unwanted guests from entering their home and informs her parents when guests arrive via floo, but other than that? Nothing. So she took a gamble, if she left and came back with the use of Elvish Magic unnoticed, good. If not... well she's been extremely interested in converting Charms to Rune Scriptures now hasn't she? Is it that surprising that she'd want to personally return the notebook Aidan had forgotten, especially since the teen has always been willing to help her? If she'd been found out because the wards registered her as leaving/entering or if Kreacher had to inform her parents, the most she'd get was a telling off on how she shouldn't be bothered with doing that since Kreacher could do that for her and maybe a jinx/hex form Walburga. And NOT because she was caught testing the wards.
Putting it into perspective, it's like being caught for sneaking off to meet a friend to inform them of something when you could have just called/texted and getting told off for that because you didn't have to go through all that trouble to begin with and not because you were trying to find a way to get out of the house to begin with. Your parents would probably think "my kid doesn't think sometimes, how silly" and not "my kid just found a way to sneak out because there's a war brewing and she wants to do something to keep her family safe and I won't be able to know when she did so." And it would work because Aquila is nine. Would you think that a nine year old would do that for the second reason?
(I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who thought that wards were practically useless in restricting Elvish magic.)
Thoughts, questions, anything? Feel free to share! Love you guys!