Calm Before The Storm
AN: We are now over way done and quite frankly I'm unsure of how to feel about that (I finally checked how many Chapters the Original had, 27 if you're interested). I will have 28 Chapters in total, 27 of the story and an epilogue of how it changed the HP side of things with a few nods to Supernatural (which I honestly don't know much about hence why Cas doesn't speak).
P.S. I'm happy to see the Poll is being used but there is still time to vote! I also got my first negative review about a character which makes me happy (It means that I'm not writing a silly Mary Sue/Garry Stu and rereading that Chapter I can see what they mean). Any criticisms will only make me a better writer if I can correct the flaws they point out (Flames, i.e. comments meant to insult for the sake of insult only, shall be deleted).
"So how are Alice and Augusta?" James asked Frank as he returned with a reply to his letter. They had been surprised by how quickly it was answered but decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth.
"They've made a start on their plans and from what they're hinting at it isn't going to be pretty." Frank answered with a small wince and inwardly sighed in relief at having gotten out with Neville before war was fully declared. Gryffindor he may be but he was no fool.
"We'll consult them when we're finished." Sirius said making them all look at him in shock. "What? This is the entire Wizard World and part of the Muggle World, that's not counting Harry's future, we're talking about here. If I thought it would do any good I would get my Mother in on this despite her failing health." Their jaws all dropped knowing how much Sirius hated his Mother. After a moment of stunned silence the Chapter started.
Jade sighed as she practically dropped into her chair. Because she was also helping to produce the movie, she got a chair next to the director. She had lost count of how many scripts she had gone over since people found out she was the one to write and pay for the first Raziel movie.
Most she dismissed out of hand, but there were a few gems she liked that just needed a little touch up. There had already been a few new blockbusters under the "Secret Angels Production" name.
"It's good to see she's spreading her success." Lily said with a proud smile happy that the fame and money didn't go to her head like James in his younger years. James rolled his eyes knowing his wife well enough to know what was going through her head.
Crowley had started the company after the success of the first Raziel movie, and the name had stuck. He skimmed through most of the scripts people sent, but only the ones he knew Jade would be interested in were sent to her.
Jade was just glad she didn't have to read the poorly written ones, and that most of the time the ones she did read had the correct grammar. She didn't mind producing someone else's idea.
Plus Crowley had netted a few souls from people who wanted their movie to actually be a hit. They were known as one-hit wonders, but they had made enough money that the idiots didn't care.
They all let out a sigh at the stupidity and greed of some people. Did they really think that having a bit of money was worth being tortured for hundreds of years before becoming a demon if they were lucky?
It was part of his agreement with Jade. She got to be a big star with her natural talent and he leeched off her fame to get more souls.
Gabriel waltzed up with a smirk, cup of hot tea in his hand with a hint of lemon.
"You are a godsend," she said in relief.
"Well I wouldn't call myself that," smirked Gabriel.
"But I honestly don't mind if others do." Loki said with a matching smirk making Lily's hand go for her wand, which was missing. "Sorry Lily but only one time do you get a free pass." James sighed as Lily stared at Loki in horror for taking her wand. James didn't mind as Lily had been getting more and more emotional as time went on, almost like she did when she was pregnant with Harry…
"So how is everything going with the boys?"
"Sam and Dean are still running down leads, but they kept running into angel signs. Cas has been spending an awful lot of time with Dean-o though," said Gabriel.
Jade snorted. Any idiot could tell Dean and Castiel had a thing for each other. The intense staring contests were a dead give away, not to mention the way Dean never took his eyes off Cas when he left his ears and tail on.
They blinked in unison before turning to Cas who was blinking in confusion himself.
"Gay Angels…this book really does have everything in it." Remus said as he started to chuckle. "All it is missing is romance."
"I'm confused, I though Dean was as big a skirt chaser as I am." Sirius said as he scratched his head. He couldn't see himself suddenly growing to like a guy, even if they did have extras.
"He's likely a bisexual with picky standards towards men." Loki said with a shrug. He was like that after all and he had a sneaky feeling that his other would be in a relationship soon. Sirius just shrugged knowing as long as he wasn't with Jade it wasn't any of his business.
Sam had choked on his coffee the first time he caught Dean staring after Cas with cat ears.
After that it became a game to see how long it took Dean before he finally gave up and started watching Cas, since Jade didn't mind letting them borrow her 'cat'.
"So what's the next scene anyway?" asked Gabriel.
"Well we have to do a few more 'hunts', and Crowley insisted I do another scene with Eris dancing for some reason..."
"I don't think she gets just how good she is." Lily said frowning at the damage Petunia had done to Jade. "Even Crowley was entranced by it."
"Yeah, I kinda helped with the arguments on that one. Do you have any idea how much everyone enjoyed that little dance of yours?" asked Gabriel, raising an eyebrow.
Jade blinked.
"People actuallylikedthat? I just dance because I enjoyed it, and acting pays the bills," said Jade.
"You really didn't notice?" said Gabriel, openly amused.
"Why do you find that amusing? Surely your other knows why she's like that." James asked Loki with a frown knowing that he wasn't trying to be malicious but still not understanding.
"Oh I'm sure he does but given how well she has fought to keep that impacting her life it was likely best to treat her like anyone else." Loki said before smirking. "Besides, I doubt he could resist such an easy target."
Jade shook her head.
"How about we have a little survey among the crew to see if they actually enjoyed your performance?" joked Gabriel.
"I would put money on at least 90% of them giving a stunning review." Frank said as he remembered the scene from before. He made a note to see if there was a way to get a copy of the movies to show Alice.
Crowley walked up to them, and heard the comment.
"She didn't notice?" said Crowley.
"Apparently not," said Gabriel, grinning.
"Jade love, the entire cast and crew were so enthralled during your dancing on the ice we almost added a second song just to continue watching it," said Crowley amused.
"I'm sure she would have stopped if she heard another song." Remus said shaking his head in amusement. That would make an amusing outtake.
"Seriously?"
"Why'd you give up ballet anyway?"
"The girl at the play was so atrocious that I couldn't bear the thought of someone as bad as her performing Shakespeare's plays," admitted Jade, "Besides I still do the stretches, or did you never notice the dance studio in my house?"
"Is that the room with all the mirrors and the weird bars?" asked Gabriel.
"Don't look at me like that considering you lot would be asking the same." Loki said as they turned to look at him in amusement for not getting it.
"Are you an idiot or just pretending to be?" asked Crowley.
"Hey!"
Jade snickered as that started the arguing between Crowley and Gabriel. The two of them got along great...when they were bickering that is.
Like Gabriel said, they somehow managed to get another scene of Jade dancing, only this time they just used a skating rink. It was easy to have the Winchesters find a hunt near one and then trick 'Eris' into coming.
"Exactly how active are Hunters if they can easily think of hunts to fit into the story?" Sirius asked with an incredulous look on his face.
"It really depends on how long they live but last I checked the average was around…ten or eleven states." Loki said actually giving it some serious thought. It did him good to keep an ear out for Hunter news after all.
The hunt was for a Trickster, which was where Gabriel came in. He was the guy in charge of the rink, and it was Eris who vaguely recognized him.
This time they had the entire thing last for half an hour, and Crowley was privately glad that this was actually considered a two-part movie.
"Who are you?"Jade asked.
"Me? I'm Loki. I've heard of you, Raziel. The angel who defied heaven and told Micheal to go screw himself,"said Gabriel grinning.
"Trust you to find that part amusing." Lily said without heat as she wanted to do the same. Thinking it over she was now starting to understand why James took their others lack of reaction so badly. For all his younger self's faults James had always been extremely loyal and protective.
"I didn't defy heaven. I just said I wasn't going to listen to Micheal anymore,"said Jade irritably.
"So what, you're going to join sides with Lucifer instead?"
"And deal with his likely justifiable paranoia since it was my betrayal that allowed Micheal to beat him? No thank you! I'm looking for Gabriel, the cowardly idiot,"said Jade.
"Gabriel hasn't been seen for well over a thousand years. What makes you think you'll find him before Lucifer breaks free?"asked said arch angel."Besides, last I heard, you were working on half forgotten memories of who you really are!"
"I'm guessing Raziel's head is really scrambled as that whole conversation just screams 'I know more than I should'." Sirius said impressed with the fact that she didn't get it. Then again it could be a nod to how long it took Jade to find out that Loki was Gabriel.
"Faith. That is something I still have, even if my life was less than perfect."
"Faith, huh?"mused Gabriel, before the Winchesters tried to stab him from behind.
'Eris' was confused and surprised she had been arguing with 'Loki' the entire time, but it had felt so right. Like she was disagreeing with a brother she never had but always wanted.
"I'm flattered." Loki said batting his eyelashes making the Marauders snicker while Frank rolled his eyes.
"So... Luci breaks free from the cage no matter what we do? That's not encouraging," said Dean.
"Yeah, but somehow Raziel stops him. I keep trying to find out how she convinced him not to fight, but it seems to be blocked for some reason," said Jade.
"Why do you keep mentioning your screen name? Isn't it you who stops him?" asked Sam.
"Remember the last scene before we show Lucifer getting his vessel? The one where Raziel is reawakened as an arch angel when she confronts Zachariah?"
"Oh Goody, that is coming up soon." Frank said dryly before sighing. "The sooner the better but I am not a fan of having to have it happen." He frowned and turned to Loki who was one step ahead of him.
"It will be dealt with." Loki said but it was clear it wasn't the Trickster side of him talking. "I'm curious to how she will stop Lucifer given how I remember him."
"Yeah?"
"What I neglected to mention was half the time, I'm not actuallyactingas Raziel, I am her."
"Jade is a borderline angel. It's why her soul is so pure, and being taken out of heaven only sped up the conversion. All she needs is a little push and she might become a full one," said Gabriel.
"Say what now?" said Sam.
"That's what I said. Or I would have if the whole thing didn't give me a headache." Sirius said with a groan.
"Jade here, is what's known as a fledgling. Basically a baby angel, one who hasn't fully awakened just yet."
"If she's a borderline angel, then why is she working for a demon?" asked Dean.
"Can you think of a better place to hide?" asked Jade. Dean opened his mouth, thought about it, then shut it with a snap.
Hiding among demons would do the trick, especially since she hadn't actually become full angel just yet.
"Always hide in the last place they'll think of." James said getting a dirty look from Lily who had been the one trying to find him those times he felt the need to hide while at Hogwarts. James wasn't going to admit to hiding under her roommates bed.
"If you're hiding among the crossroads demon, then did you ever make a deal?"
"I'm famous, rich, comfortable with my looks, can get almost any man I want, have a stable home life and something like a family. Exactly what would I need to sell my soul for?" asked Jade raising her eyebrows.
"Good point."
"Like I told Crowley years ago, there was nothing he could give me that would make me willing to give up my soul, because the one thing Ididwant was something that he couldn't trade for it," said Jade.
"I'm surprised she's opening up to them." Frank said knowing that her trust wasn't easily earned at this point.
"They've been through quite the bonding experiences though." Remus said making them agree once they thought it over.
"And what's that?" asked Gabriel.
"Heaven. The one thing I've ever wanted was to go back to my parents, but selling my soul for that would be very counter-productive towards that goal. And I'm not going to mess around with death, because I have the feeling if the horseman exists he wouldn't exactly appreciate it," said Jade.
"He does, by the way."
There was a loud thud as James banged his head off the table knowing that Potter Luck would have Jade getting involved with Death somehow. At least it wasn't Lucifer.
"Say what now?" asked Sam.
"Death exists. All four of them do in fact. War, Pestilence, Famine and finally Death. They're stuck in hell unless Lucifer comes out," said Gabriel, sipping his hot cocoa.
"Great..." said Dean sarcastically.
"In the meantime I have to arrange for Gabrielle and Fluer to be in the movie."
"Aren't they the Veela?" Sirius asked curiously while wondering if they had an aunt or older cousin. Remus nodded with a roll of his eyes.
"How do you know those chicks anyway?" asked Dean. Fluer was hot, but since she was married she was off limits. And Gabrielle was too young for his tastes.
"We meet when I was fourteen and stuck in some crappy tournament for people three years older than me. I helped get Gabrielle out of a freezing cold lake and after that Fluer became good friends with me. They're one-quarter Veela you know," said Jade.
"What's a Veela?"
"Think succubus only they don't steal your soul and have this pheromone that will drive men to do stupid shit," said Jade helpully.
"And some women." Frank said not going into detail of how he knew that. He was too busy repressing memories of his mother's reactions to notice their curious looks.
"Sounds more like a siren," said Sam. He was suddenly slapped on the head.
"Please do not equate us to those shrieking idiots," said Fluer primly with a distinct French accent.
"Sam, Dean, meet Fluer Delacour, now Weasley. Where's Gabrielle?"
She was suddenly slammed with a hug from behind.
"It seems she's more popular than we were informed." Remus said in amusement.
"Never mind."
Gabrielle chatted excitedly in French, and to her delight Jade was able to keep up with her since she had taken a few classes for the second Raziel movie.
"She speaks French?" said Dean.
"It was so they didn't have to hire someone to do her voice for the French audio on the DVD's," explained Gabriel cheerfully.
"Now that is dedication." Lily said in amazement after they all stared at the book for a minute. They all felt some pride in how far Jade was willing to go for her deserving fans.
Yet another reason why Jade was so popular internationally. She actually took time tolearnthe skills needed rather than rely on stunt doubles all the time. Most actresses as popular as Jade were very lazy, not to mention total prima donnas.
Besides, it made it easier to get around if you knew the language.
"So what exactly will they be doing?" asked Sam. Now that they had shown up, he was curious what their part would be.
"They'll be in the next Loki scene as the ones that the Winchesters interview," said Jade.
"They're really going to tease Raziel for the audience, aren't they?" Loki asked with a small laugh. Perhaps he could do something similar on his next Prank.
"I'm going to be a college girl and Gabrielle is visiting from home," said Fluer helpfully. Which meant she got to make a total fool of the other men on set.
"Wait, please tell me that you're not..." started Dean.
"We're recreating your meeting with Loki at the campus!" said Jade cackling.
"Isn't that the one where Loki groped Dean?" James managed to get out between snickers while the Marauders laughed. Even Lily had a little chuckle given his reaction earlier.
"Aren't you doing this at a karaoke club?" asked Gabriel.
"Yup!"
"Oh, karaoke! That sounds like fun actually," said Fluer.
Sam and Dean walked into the karaoke club where Fluer and Gabrielle were having fun hanging out with 'Eris'. The two had hit it off with the 'hunter' who was the human form of Raziel upon meeting. Which had lead to them going to a nearby club that allowed minors in provided they didn't order alcohol.
"Smart, they can get extra clientele without risking their licences." Frank said making the others blink at him not sure how he knew that. "Where do you think I got drunk as a teen? If I tried anywhere in the Wizard World it would have got back to Mum."
"Who is that singing?"asked Sam outside the door.
"Whoever it is, can at least sing without sounding tone-deaf,"said Dean.
They opened the door to reveal... Jade?
"Wow. I didn't expect her voice to be that bad,"admitted Sam.
"Her voice is fine." James said with his eye twitching making Sirius roll his eyes.
"She might not sound like a cat being strangled but I'm sure I hear a few kicks." Sirius said getting a look of betrayal from James. "Cruel to be kind my friend, Cruel to be kind."
"She can't be perfect all the time,"said Dean grinning.
"She still sings better than you do,"quipped Sam.
Jade could at least sing without sounding completely tone deaf, which was one of Sam's bigger complaints about his brother. The worst part was that Deaninsistedon singing to his favorite albums to his annoyance.
Fluer seemed to be of the same opinion as the brothers, but she kept her mouth shut about it. She found it hilarious that Jade couldn't sing, yet she could dance like it was nothing.
James's eye was twitching like mad at the insults towards her singing. Her voice was fine!
Suddenly the girls noticed the open door.
"Eris?"said Dean.
"I heard that comment about my voice, Winchester, and you are so dead once we leave,"said Jade crossly. Sam winced. Dean grinned.
Because Sam and Dean were acting themselves, they were never given lines. Jade preferred their reactions and dialogue to be completely natural.
"That's one way to keep complete amateurs from messing up the film." Loki said impressed with how she sorted that small problem out. During the jokes earlier they hadn't even considered if the two brothers could act or not.
It was another thing that made the Raziel movies so appealing to the audience. Jade let her real personality show and rarely did anything she would call acting.
Fluer coughed into her hand.
"Not you too!"
"Eris, you're a nice girl and all... but your voice could use some proper training. Perhaps singing simply isn't your forte,"said Fluer delicately.
"Give it a rest James." Remus said tiredly while rubbing his forehead. James looked around for some support but found none, not even from Lily who was having flashbacks to Petunia's diva days. Let it be noted that Petunia seesawed between awesome and screechy as she sang.
Jade pouted and Gabrielle snickered.
Gabriel grinned as he leaned against the rails watching Jade openly chat with Fluer. Jade eventually looked his way, and you could see the open surprise on her face.
"Who is that guy leaning on the bridge?"
"Him? He is the janitor. Very mysterious and I've seen him eat copious amounts of candy,"said Fluer.
"Loki, Loki, Loki…" Sirius said shaking his head in mock shame. "Don't you know that you're meant to leave the candy till after the Prank so it tastes all the sweeter?"
"I tried that once." Loki said with a wince. "In my withdrawal caused rage I sort of wiped out a town when they tried to burn a kid to death. Now whoever goes there in avertedly faces their inner demons, which usually kills them." They decided to take his word for it and not take his sweets from him.
Jade went to 'tell' the Winchesters about the janitor having a sweet tooth. You could tell Gabriel was very amused at recreating his pranks.
'Eris' finally caught up to Loki and she looked annoyed.
"You've been faking your deaths, why?"
"Do I look like Ienjoybeing stabbed?"Gabriel shot back smirking.
"I don't know~." Sirius said giving Loki a curious look over. "You can never really tell by looks."
"You remind me of him you know. He enjoyed pranking idiots too,"said Jade.
"Who?"
"Gabriel. You were right that I'm working on half-forgotten memories, but I do remember he loved to prank people. He was a big kid like that. He would like you, I think,"said Jade.
"I know I would." Loki said with a smirk that just screamed trouble.
"Maybe I'll run into the arch angel and tell him Raziel is looking for him,"said Gabriel quietly.
"If you see him, tell him I wish I had chosen to leave with him rather than stay behind. Leaving would have been better than being known as a traitor to both sides, even if it was on Micheal's orders,"said Jade. 'Eris' left the building, likely to tell the Winchesters Loki was gone.
Gabriel watched her leave with a hint of sadness in his eyes as he said quietly (but still loudly to be heard by the microphones)"You already have, Razi."
"CUT! That was perfect!" said Eric.
"Perhaps you could try an acting career after this between Pranks." Frank suggested to the Pagan making him pause in thought.
"You know, I might give it a go. Maybe see if I could get these Raziel movies made." Loki said while wondering who could play Jade. Perhaps he could wait for a certain bloody tale to be made into a series and have one of the two Stark sisters play the part.
Crowley handed Gabriel his usual hot chocolate.
"You're an annoying ass, but you're acting is almost as good as Jade's," he said.
"Who said anything about acting?" asked Gabriel.
"That's how he finds out? And we don't even get to see his face." Loki whined making the others shrug. They preferred to leave it up to their imagination.
"Can I get my wand back now?" Lily asked him after rolling her eyes. Loki turned to her deadpanned and shook his head.
"You're not getting it back until your hormones level out again. You're currently acting like an 'I'm smart and know better so you should listen to me and only me' sort of person."
"It isn't her week so the only reason her…" James said before his eyes went wide. He turned to Lily who scratched her head nervously.
"Um…surprise!" Lily said causing him to faint with a large smile on his face.