Pairings: Cedric/Hilda, Possible Hermione/Jasper
Warnings: Dumbledore bashing, Weasley bashing save for Bill, Charlie and the twins, siding with Voldemort-fic
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and any of the characters, but the OC characters belongs to me
Chapter Twenty One: Of Letters and Fireworks
"Hmm…" Sirius Black frowned as he surveyed the letter before him as if it would bite him at any moment now.
"Hmm…" Beside him, Remus Lupin furrowed his brow, staring at the letter as if it would explode at any moment.
This is the scene that one very confused Ethan Nightwing was watching as he got ready to open his bar-cum-inn for the day. It is currently mid-morning, and business for Starlight's Hall was always slow at this time of the day. Hence why the house elves were currently cleaning the bar area, with the others cleaning the inn rooms and even the hallways. Hilda was currently in the back room checking over their potions, and ensuring that they have enough, especially with the full moon night coming up in a week or so.
"All right. What is it, you two?" Ethan finally asked the two men currently seated at the bar counter, both staring at the letter that had arrived for them both two hours ago, staring as if it would explode in their faces. "What has that letter ever done to you?"
"Ethan, we're low on Calming Draughts and Blood Replenishers. And it might be a good idea if we stock up on some Dreamless Sleep and Wolfsbane." Hilda announced, emerging from the back room whilst checking the clipboard in her hand that had the list of potions that they currently have in stock. "Hmm?" The dhampir finally noticed the weird atmosphere around Sirius and Remus. "What's up with them?" She asked Ethan with confusion.
"I have no idea." Ethan sighed, resuming his cleaning of the several wine glasses set out in front of him. He really could have left it to the house elves or even magic to do it, but Ethan liked cleaning the wine glasses himself. "They've been acting this way ever since an owl had dropped off that letter two hours ago."
Hilda glanced at Sirius and Remus, both who were eyeing the letter like it's a bomb, and she sighed, deciding to take matters into her own hands. "Do you both mind telling us what is going on now, or are you going to continue staring at the letter for the rest of the day?" she asked sarcastically.
Sirius and Remus snapped their heads up, looking at Hilda rather guiltily; almost like they've just been caught doing something wrong.
"Well…" Remus shifted uncomfortably as he looked from Ethan to Hilda and back again. "The letter is from Dumbledore." At the mere mention of the wizard's name, Hilda scowled and Ethan frowned. The Midnight Society, the vampires especially, were never fond of one Albus Dumbledore.
"What does he want now?" Ethan growled, dumping the wine glass that he had been cleaning for the past ten minutes on the surface of the countertop harder than necessary. It is a wonder in itself that it hadn't yet cracked, even with the Unbreakable Charms on it. "If this is about the Chamber business in Hogwarts last year, and insisting that Hilda testify to the Ministry—"
"That's not it." Sirius interrupted before Ethan could go on another rant about Albus Dumbledore and his idiotic plans. "Dumbledore can't find someone to fill in the Defence position, and he's asking if either Remus or I can fill in."
"I'm not that surprised that he can't find anyone at this point, seriously." Hilda stated, writing something in her clipboard before handing it to Ethan. "No one's lasted for longer than a year in the Defence position for awhile now. I guess the rumour that the position is cursed is true."
Ethan sighed, surveying the clipboard that Hilda had just handed him, and making a mental note of what potions to stock up on, especially the Wolfsbane. "The changing of professors every so often isn't helping the students' education any," he muttered. "And if what I'd heard from Hilda about a professor called Binns is of any indication, then I'm seriously starting to consider Alec's suggestion about transferring Hilda to Nightshades."
"You are the one who wanted me to attend Hogwarts, Ethan." Hilda pointed out, and Ethan flinched. "So?" She turned towards Sirius and Remus. "What are you both going to do? Are you going to take it?"
While Hilda wasn't overly fond of the idea of either Sirius or Remus being in Hogwarts and thus under Dumbledore's eye for nearly an entire year, the idea that a competent teacher might be teaching them DADA this year is too good to pass up.
"I already have a job, Hilda." Remus pointed out, and Ethan smiled wryly. "Besides, you know what I am once a month. It'll be far safer for the students if I don't take the Defence position. And furthermore, if both you and me won't be at Starlight's Hall this year, Ethan will probably collapse again."
Ethan flushed at the reminder. "That only happened ONE TIME! Just one time!" he nearly shouted, and both Sirius and Remus chuckled whilst Hilda shook her head.
"And it's one time too many." Hilda pointed out, and Ethan sighed. "Furthermore, I agree with Remus. I don't think it's a good idea for him to become a teacher at Hogwarts too. The students there aren't stupid. Sooner or later, one of them will piece together the pieces, and figure out that Remus is a werewolf."
Sirius sighed. "And then all hell will break loose," he added.
"I just don't get the wizards sometimes." Ethan shook his head. "I'm not so against them like my father and a few others that I could name, but even I admit that I'm not overly fond of humans in general." He glanced at Hilda, recalling the first time when he'd met her, and shook his head to rid himself of those thoughts.
"But maybe it'll be a good idea if one of us is in a teaching position at Hogwarts this year." Sirius added, looking from face to face. "Especially after what had happened last year. And I don't know, but I'll feel safer if I am in a place where I can keep an eye on Hilda and Dumbledore. What happened last year is too close for my liking." He shivered, recalling what Hilda and Draco have told them about the entire Chamber business.
Ethan frowned. "While I agree that the Chamber business isn't entirely the fault of just one individual, I agree with Sirius." He looked at Hilda. "There have been too many things happening lately. And Jessica will pitch a fit if something happens to you this year too. She is ready to just march down to Scotland and rip Albus Dumbledore limb from limb when she heard from Hermione that the Weasley clan had accused you of being behind the attacks, and that old fool did nothing to negate that suspicion."
"Well, it's not just them anyway." Hilda rolled her eyes in exasperation, recalling how nearly all of Gryffindor House had treated her last year. "But forget about them." She turned towards Sirius. "Are you serious about taking on the Defence position? While having a competent teacher this year is a blessing compared to the disaster that is Lockhart last year, are you sure?"
"Well, I'll just sign on for a year." Sirius sighed, understanding Hilda's concern for his health, since no teacher had lasted longer than a year in the Defence position. "More than enough time for Dumbledore to find another teacher."
Hilda sighed. "Well, at least I might have some help with some of the others at the school this year," she muttered. Seeing Sirius and Remus' confused looks, she sighed. "There are some non-humans at Hogwarts whom I'd been helping to conceal their true identities ever since I'd started at Hogwarts." She explained.
"This is by means of a highly complex potion created by using a series of Rune Magic, Blood Magic and Black Magic." Ethan added. "Jessica came up with it about a decade ago – just after the end of the war that your kind waged against Thomas."
'Thomas' is code for Voldemort, and everyone at Starlight's Hall knew that. Even Hilda's friends.
"Speaking of old Tom, where is he?" Sirius asked. "I hadn't seen him around ever since the first week of the summer holidays."
"He's planning a prison break." Hilda told Sirius. "I wish him good luck in that, since it'll take a great amount of planning and bravery to storm the Azkaban prison and deal with the Dementors all at the same time."
Voldemort hadn't taken it all that well when he was told that his most loyal supporters, the Lestranges were treated worse than dogs in the Azkaban prison, and that one of his most loyal soldiers had died in prison a little less than a decade ago. Unlike popular belief, Voldemort aka Thomas Black is a compassionate man. He treats his followers well, and had some sort of attachment to the snakes that always followed him around – most probably because they were his first friends before he'd even gone to Hogwarts. Currently however, the only followers that knew of Voldemort's return are only Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape.
"I've been using the potion that our kind came up with, aptly named 'Concealment Potion' on some of the non-humans that attends Hogwarts." Hilda told Sirius and Remus, steering the conversation out of less awkward waters. "Naturally, Dumbledore isn't aware of them, as you know the idiotic laws that were set in place after the war ended. And one of the main reasons why I've been getting so much fire from the Ministry and the Gryffindors in Hogwarts."
Remus sighed. He knew what law that Hilda is talking about. The one that forbids anyone with even less than one hundred percent pure human blood from attending any wizarding school. That's the reason why Hilda had been getting harassed by the Ministry and Dumbledore ever since her first year, as she's half-human half-vampire after all. But as her name had appeared on the magical list of Hogwarts' students, she is protected by Merlin's law…so far.
"But there is a price to pay for using that potion unfortunately." Ethan sighed. "The user goes through pain of the likes that have never been seen before. Even worse than the torture that one goes through under the effects of the Cruciatus Curse." Sirius and Remus both winced at that. They have been under the effects of that curse at least once during the war, and knew how painful it could be. "It gets worse as the user grows closer to their maturity age."
"What?"
"The Concealment Potion is used to hide the young of the non-humans, preventing their identities from being leaked out to the humans. Especially for those who attends wizard schools. The main reason why the several non-human clans would hide their heirs amongst humans is to prevent their enemies from 'offing' their heirs before they reach maturity." Hilda explained. "But as they grow closer to their maturity age – sixteen for vampires and seventeen for elves, the pain that the usage of the potion will cause will be even worse. And this year is Oliver's turn." She glanced at Ethan. "He's approaching his maturity this year. That means that he'll have to use the potion more regularly than before. And he's an elf, which means that he needs to take it at least once a month." She sighed. "I'll be very surprised if the pain that he goes through isn't enough to knock him out."
"Oh dear." Remus muttered, finally understanding what Hilda and Ethan are so concerned about. He hid his surprise that the two have been doing this for a long time, probably even before Hilda had attended Hogwarts.
"That's why Hilda probably needs a professor's help to conceal Oliver's identity this year." Ethan sighed. "Even for non-humans, there is at least a time in the year when they have to transform into their true forms. During those moments, Hilda usually takes them to the Forbidden Forest. The Centaurs and the Unicorns usually help Hilda during those times. But she'll need more help this year because Oliver is an elf. And he's an high elf, the prince actually, which makes his transformation all that more painful."
Sirius nodded. "I'll do what I can," he promised. "But before that, I'll have to pen a reply back to Dumbledore." He grumbled.
"Just don't cause too much trouble this year." Hilda sighed, knowing the prankster nature of her godfather. "Every single time something happens at school, I'm the one always blamed." She grumbled. Like with the Chamber business last year, it doesn't matter even if Hilda had an army of witnesses or whatnot. She's the one always blamed if something always goes wrong in the school.
Ethan sighed. "If things get out of hand this year, mirror call either me or Jessica or even Alec if you can't get hold of either Sirius or Severus," he told Hilda. "You still have that Viewing Mirror that Alec gave you for Christmas, right?"
"Yeah." Hilda nodded. She then looked at the clock. "I have to go. I'm meeting Hermione and the others at Diagon Alley for shopping for our school supplies."
"All right. Ask them if they would like to stay the night today." Ethan told Hilda. "Borgin has some new items shipped in. Apparently, they are magical fireworks or something. That will be something to look forward to, especially with tonight's party."
Hilda nodded before leaving the bar, the bell tinkling somewhere as she did so.
"What party?" Sirius asked, confused. Is there some celebration that he isn't aware of?
"Sometimes, the people of Knockturn Alley throw a small party amongst ourselves." Ethan explained. "It's nothing really; just a small party. Even we have moments when we just want to relax, especially with how the rest of the world treats us." He added as an afterthought.
"Ah." Remus nodded with understanding. He, more than anyone, understood perfectly, the feeling of being ostracised against.
Hilda Evans could honestly say that she had never been so tired after a mere shopping trip before, especially a shopping trip just to get school supplies. But well, there is a first time for everything, she supposed.
"Who the hell thought it a good idea to give us books that would attempt to chew our fingers off the moment that we so much as get close to them?" Padma cried, nursing her bruised and injured fingers, and examining them to ensure that she really got all ten fingers.
The group of them – Hilda, Padma, Hermione, Draco, Neville, Cedric and Jasper were all currently at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, each of them having a sundae each to ease the trauma that they have just gone through after getting the books that they need for the next year.
As Padma, Hilda, Draco, Hermione and Neville would be starting their third year that year, and thus, would be starting electives, they need to get some new books for their new subjects too. Hilda had chosen to take Ancient Runes and Care for Magical Creatures. As the rest of her year mates have Care for Magical Creatures as one of their electives as well, they all require the same books.
The shopkeeper had almost cried as he heard that they need five books of The Monster Book of Monsters. Hilda soon learnt why soon enough when she realised that the book that they required is quite a little monster itself in the way that it tried to bite off their fingers.
It took the lot of them half an hour before they each managed to belt their individual books shut, hoping that whoever is taking them for Care of Magical Creatures could tell them how to open their books.
"Do not ask me." Hilda said tiredly. "I've never been so tired in my life." Hermione laughed tiredly. "By the way, can you guys stay the night today? We have a small party at Knockturn Alley tonight, and Ethan asked me to invite you guys."
"A party, huh?" Jasper mused. "Sounds like a great idea. Besides, we all could do with one, especially with what had happened last year." He glanced at Cedric and Hermione.
"Bad idea, Jasper." Draco muttered, noting the dark look on Hilda's face at the mere mention of last year's business.
Hilda sighed. "Look, can you guys just stop mentioning the Chamber of Secrets business already?" she asked irritably. "I already had enough of it coming from Ethan!"
Hermione and Padma both laughed.
XXXXXX
"Wow…" Hermione stared at the fireworks in the sky, entranced by the colours of red, yellow, orange, blue and silver as it exploded in the night skies. Mr Borgin, the one who had gotten the magical fireworks was loading the fireworks cannon with the next round, a proud grin on the face of the usually grumpy shopkeeper as he watched the happy faces all around. "So these are magical fireworks?" She asked in awe even as the fireworks in the sky exploded and formed the images of people dancing in the sky. Some of the fireworks even took on the forms of flowers and fishes.
The teens are currently all outside, along with majority of Knockturn Alley, and there were laughter all around as everyone were watching the fireworks. Only a few of the adults like Sirius, Remus and Ethan were indoors.
"This is your first time seeing it, right?" Jasper asked with a grin, handing Hermione a glass of Butterbeer. "Magical fireworks are rare and difficult to create. And not to mention that it's expensive too. Thus why we only release magical fireworks at special occasions. For aristocrats like the Malfoy family, they release magical fireworks during their heirs' Coming-of-Age Ceremonies. Not even Ced and myself have seen magical fireworks before."
"They're beautiful…" Hermione murmured, entranced by the magical lights of the fireworks in the skies. Draco, Padma and Neville who were near her nodded in agreement, as much entranced by the fireworks like how Hermione was.
Cedric and Hilda meanwhile were seated on the steps leading up to Starlight's Hall, watching the fireworks in the night sky. "This reminds me of the last Ritual Night, when they've released the fireworks in the sky." Cedric commented.
"I guess so." Hilda mused. "It's beautiful." She was entranced, looking at the fireworks like she had never seen them before.
Cedric turned his head to look at Hilda and found that he couldn't take his eyes off of Hilda, with the lights and colours of the fireworks in the sky currently being reflected in her red-blue eyes. He knew that he is attracted to Hilda. He had been ever since his third year and Hilda's first year. It's just that he doesn't know how to deal with it, and coupled that with Hilda's adamant refusal to be anything more than friends, it had him confused beyond anything.
Hilda finally caught him looking at her, and looked at Cedric with confusion. "What?" she asked.
"Nothing." Cedric shook his head, turning his attention back to the skies. "Ah. There goes another." He grinned as the red and blue fireworks exploded in the sky, and he felt his grin slipping off his face when he saw that the fireworks had morphed into that of a couple kissing. Cedric sighed. 'Is this someone's idea of a joke?' He thought to himself, eyes on the fireworks in the sky.
"Seems like they're having fun." Remus noted, glancing out of the glass windows of Starlight's Hall to see the crowd out there cheering and laughing together. "That's nice. I hadn't seen such cheer for a long time." He said wistfully.
It is true.
Even after the war with Voldemort had ended, there hadn't been such cheer and joy even in families like the Weasleys. For lack of a better word, people are more paranoid and more materialistic than before. They're forever thinking of chances and situations of how to benefit themselves first. And the new laws put in place back then didn't help any matters either.
"Well, this party came at a good time too." Ethan sighed. "Hilda's been really down lately. I think it's because of the Chamber business. Also partly because of whatever that Alec had said to her at Ritual Night. And maybe also because she needs to start considering the path that she'll pick once she comes of age at sixteen. She has to pick either the Night path or the human path."
"About that, I've been wondering for some time now," said Remus, turning towards Ethan. "What is it all about? Picking the path and all that? Can you tell me more?"
Ethan glanced at Remus and Sirius. "For the Midnight Society, especially for the half humans like Hilda, once they reach maturity, the half humans have to pick which path they'll live. Whether they choose to live as a vampire or a human," he explained at last. "Whichever path that they take, they have to declare that at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, stating their vow before Lilith, our Mother Goddess. That's as much as I can tell you, I'm afraid. It's a really simple process. But it all depends on choice. Whichever choice that they pick, they have to live with it for the rest of their life." He smiled a small sad smile, looking out of the window.
Remus nodded slowly. He understands, better than anyone, the power of choice.
Sirius remains silent for several moments before he reaches for the Daily Prophet next to him to distract himself from some negative thoughts. He downed half a glass of ale absent-mindedly as he opened the paper only to spit his drink all out again the moment he saw what's on the front page.
"What? Did you choke on something, Siri?" Remus asked, bewildered, even as a house elf began cleaning the mess up.
"No!" Sirius cried even as he tried to stop himself from coughing. "Look!" He spread the newspaper out on the countertop, and both Ethan and Remus leaned in curiously. The paper is nearly a week old, apparently left behind by one of the patrons of the bar. On the front page was featured a certain redhead family, and their win at the lottery.
Both Sirius and Remus weren't so much focused on the redhead family and the article as they were focused on the moving picture however. More specifically, on a certain something that they could see on the youngest Weasley boy's shoulder.
Remus narrowed his eyes in dislike. "Is that…?" he trailed off, glancing at Sirius whose face is now as black as his last name.
Sirius nodded, letting out an animalistic growl even as he glared at the picture in dislike. "…Peter."
A/N: Okay, there's this Harry Potter story that I've been looking for, and I would appreciate it if you could help me with it. It's about how Harry got adopted by the king and queen of the light elves. I think one of the chapters involved Dobby becoming a true elf as well, and they've even helped Voldemort cross over 'to the other side' so as to speak.
Anyway, I hope that you like this chapter, and please read and review!