First: I don't own the Harry Potter universe or characters, I do own however any OC's.
Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained
Chapter: The Charade
Once Lyrisadora and Adrian had been led to the end of the forest by the Veela leading them, the Veela had curtly given them directions to the nearest town that held a gateway to the magical world, telling them to present their wand to the statue witch's heart, ominously reminding them of their time limit, before disappearing into the forest. Seeing how they didn't know how to apperate or where exactly they were going, the journey to the town had been on foot, the wind icy as Adrian and Lyrisadora placed heating charms on their robes, sadly this didn't prevent the rain from drowning them and by this point, they were both too tired to care.
When they had arrived at the town, they had been met by more rain and a homeless woman who had rambled on about berries and mushrooms. Lyrisadora hurried away from the raggedy old witch, dragging Adrian along as they searched for the statue of the witch. "You know, that Veela could have been more specific," grumbled Adrian as the rain water dripped from his face. "Why is it Veelas feel a need to be dramatic?" he spat acidly, tiredness and frustration clear in his tone.
Lyrisadora shivered as she wiped the water from her eyes, trying to see through the heavy rain. "Just keep your eyes peeled, this town isn't that big, we'll locate it sooner or later," she said through gritted teeth as they continued to search.
It wasn't until they had wandered towards the edge of the town that the statue was found, they hurried towards it, examining it intently, looking for where the head would be. The witch was a unpleasant sight to look at, this was not because she was foul looking, but by how her face was contorted, the face of stone expression of pure agonising pain, her face stretched, robes frayed and ragged, the witch tied to a steak, looking in her late thirties. Lyrisadora read the text below which was written in Bulgarian, "Bilyana Radomir, 1384-1422…" she tried to read the rest of the writing, but was unable to, only able to speak Bulgarian, unable to read it.
"There," said Adrian confidently, pointing to a section of the statue, causing Lyrisadora's head to snap upwards to see where he was pointing to, he tapped the hard chest of the statue. "See that dent," he said, prodding it, Lyrisadora squinted her eyes, making out a faint worn dent in the chest, he removed his finger, pulling out his wand and placing it on the spot before glancing at her. "So, do you think I need to say open or something along those lines?" he suggested, Lyrisadora just shrugged.
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained," she said plainly, watching as he swallowed before commanding the 'open', which resulted in nothing happening, the two still standing in the rain soaking wet.
"Well that didn't work," stated Lyrisadora dryly, gaining an irritated look from Adrian.
"Care to assist," he hissed, lowering his wand and folding his arms.
Lyrisadora sighed quietly before examining the text on the statue, trying to find any clues, she supposed if she knew how to read Bulgarian, things would be a lot smoother going right now, then again if the Veela had been a little more informative with telling them how to get through the magical gateway, then they could be in a nice cosy warm bed by now, her growing resentment towards the Veela increased at each fat raindrop that landed on her face. She crouched down to examine some smaller writing at the bottom, the word 'gateway' catching her eye, trying to pronounce the lettering. "Heka gateway…enbet-nnt…otopeh," she read aloud with difficulty, trying to pronounce the letters the letters correctly, muttering the sentence over and over. "H is n...so," she mumbled.
"I thought you knew Bulgarian?" he questioned in confusion.
Lyrisadora continued to try and decipher the letters. "I can speak it, but I can't read it," she replied tightly, earning a dawning look from Adrian as he remained silent. She shook her head and sighed as she repeated muttering the sentence, before clicking her fingers in realisation, standing up and taking a deep breath. "Alright, I think I may have got it…hopefully," she said.
"Just make sure we get there in one piece," Adrian sighed.
"I can't make that promise," she replied lightly, before taking a deep breath. "нека…gat-e-wayto свет…илище отво…рен!" she recited, before pulling out her wand, placing it on the witch's heart. "нека…gatewayto…светилище…..отворен!" she commanded, a spark issued from her wand before silence hung, before she felt a tingle fill her. She glanced at Adrian unsurely before slowly removing her wand, opening her mouth to speak, before the ground crumbled beneath them, swallowing them whole as they let out a terrified scream, leaving the rain behind them.
A whirlwind of darkness and colour surrounded Lyrisadora as she choked, unable to breathe, her scream caught in her throat, air only returning to her lungs once her feet his the ground. She stumbled as she tried to regain her balance, clutching her head. Adrian landed next to her, himself nearly falling over as he stepped forward. "Well that was unexpected," he stated breathlessly, shaking his head as he tried to regain focus.
"Agreed," she coughed, looking around, her eyes widening as she took in where they were, they appeared to be in a street, one very similar to Diagon alley, with its cobble stone roads and pathways, aged brick building and range of shops, street lamps providing light. But holding a striking difference, being that there was no sky, the whole place looking to be underground, thus being completely void of rain, instead having a cool air, the only source of light being the street lamps and an artificial lightly above, seeming to look like a starry fog, with a mixture of dark marine colours, silver stars sewn in and an enchanted moon prominent, brighter and bigger than any muggle moon she had ever seen before.
Adrian let out a low whistle. "Wow, this is pretty cool," he said, looking up to the sky. "Impressive work," he commented, Lyrisadora nodded slowly in agreement.
"True," she breathed, before shaking her head and remembering why they were here. "But unimportant, come on we need to find somewhere to stay," she said, beginning to walk down the street, but still unable to stop her eyes from wandering around to examine all of the streets details, it being relatively dead, besides the odd light in a building window, the buildings looking made from old dark stone, the roofs flat.
Adrian followed her as he looked around, them both coming to the town square, seeing a flowing fountain in the middle, a large majestic building behind it, the bricks a ghostly white, along with its pillars, the doors a dark blood red. Adrian looked around, noting three passed out beard men outside a pub, all snoring loudly. He looked around, straining his eyes in the dim light. "Over there," he said, pointing the near distance to his right, Lyrisadora looked to where he was pointing to a tall building just in eye distance at the turning of a corner. "I don't care if it's five star or two, I need a bed," he stated in exasperation as they hurried towards the building, stopping in front of it to read the sign. The sign having two headings, one in Bulgarian, the second in English. "I have no idea what the Bulgarian is, but Welcome to hotel nut tree Bed and Breakfast does seem optimistic," he exclaimed, grinning as he opened the door and stepped inside.
Lyrisadora followed into the building, her hair dripping wet, water dripping onto the worn wooden floor of the hotel. Adrian shut the door behind him as they both looked around the hotel. The entrance was small, square shaped with two wooden doors on either side, an abandoned reception desk in front, which led into a back room. A winding staircase going next to it, the staircase disappearing into the wall as it went upstairs. The walls of the entrance being a faded tea cream, that glowed in the dim candle light, the wallpaper slightly ripped in places. Lyrisadora's wondered towards the reception desk, her eyes searching for anybody nearby, before resting on a scratched golden bell near the side of the desk, looking around once more before ringing the bell.
Adrian stood next to her, them both waiting in silence, Lyrisadora frowned as she heard a small chirp from behind her, her head whipping round, but finding nothing, she narrowed her eyes slightly before turning around again as she waited. Adrian folded his arms and tapped is foot in impatience. "Well this is terrible service," he said indignantly.
Lyrisaora sighed in frustration. "They're probably just sleeping," she argued. "Stop being so im-"
"Hello there!" yelled a jubilant voice, as a white haired bearded old man jumped up from under the counter, smiling broadly. Lyrisadora and Adrian jumped back and screamed in surprise, eyes wide as they stared at the old man in bewilderment.
"What the-why-would?-who!" Adrian began to splutter, unable to speak clearly as he stared at the man in confusion, a feeling shared with Lyrisadora as she looked at the man in befuddlement, them both recovering from their shock.
The old man simply chuckle in amusement. "Ah it gets vem every time," he exclaimed brightly, broad smile lines appearing on his wrinkling face, his squinted hazel grey eyes staring at them in amusement, he smiled at them, smoothing down his bright flower patterned dressing gown. "I am sorry, forgive my obscure humour, I like to give my guests a bright experience ven staying at my hotel," he explained happily.
Adrian arched an eyebrow at him. "I assume not many return then," he commented dryly, Lyrisadora couldn't help but concur as she stared at the man in frustration.
The man stroked his beard as he mused on this. "Hmm, I suppose vat would explain why…but oh well, enough of vat, how can I help you?" he inquired cheerfully.
Lyrisadora took a deep breath as she stepped forward, leaning on the counter. "I'd like two rooms please, I- well we- plan on vacationing for the next nine days," she explained.
The man arched an eyebrow. "And if I may inquire, ver is vour luggage?" he questioned.
Lyrisadora's gave him a fixed smile. "We've had to travel lightly I'm afraid, this vacation is more of a shopping spree so to speak," she explained.
"A shopping spree…for nine days," the man repeated sceptically, finding her story weak. Adrian rattled his brains before a smile etched its way onto his lips, stepping forward.
"Princess, we should just tell him the truth," he said, giving her an anxious look.
Lyrisadora's eyes widened as she gave him an alarmed look, wondering why he would tell a stranger of their mission. "What? No-"
"It's best if we're honest-I'm sure he won't tell," Adrian interrupted, his tone hesitant and warm, Lyrisadora looked at him in confusion, wondering what he was doing. Adrian turned back to the man. "The truth is, we're not here on vacation," he said, casting Lyrisadora a worried look. "We're eloping," he said, wrapping his arm around her waist. Lyrisadora froze, her mouth parting, as she looked up at him in confusion. "We're hoping to stay here for a few days, rest, buy some supplies and be on our way to start a new life," he continued, he pinched her to signal her to go along with it, Lyrisadora closed her mouth, forcing herself to smile shyly.
"It's true," she said quietly, slumping her shoulders, reminding herself that she needed to make this look convincing. "Mother and father disapprove you see," she began weakly. "We tried to make them listen, but they wouldn't, they forbade us to associate and I just…" she continued, making her eyes water slightly as she looked the man in the eye. "They're no doubt worried sick, but I just can't force myself to stop loving him," she gushed, forcing back some vomit down he throat, as she stared adoringly up at Adrian, who stared adoringly back. "We just hope they'll come to accept it over time, please don't think harshly of us, we're just in love," she sighed, leaning her head on his chest.
Adrian hugged her close as he stared back at the man. "We just need a place to rest, if you want us gone in the morning we'll go-"
"Now I will have none of vat," snapped the man, putting his foot down as he stared at the two with pity. "You may stay as long as possible," he declared strongly, smiling at them fondly. "I remember ven I eloped with my wife, ven I vos vour age," he said, sighing. "Ah young love-come, I shall show you to your room, ven will arrange room costs ven you are vel rested and fed in ve morning," he exclaimed brightly, grabbing some room keys and coming from behind the counter with open arms, Lyrisadora and Adrian nodded timidly as they followed him up the stairs.
As soon as his back was turned they unembraced, Adrian smirking at her. "I just can't force myself to stop loving him," he whispered in amusement. "Where did you get that from?" he questioned.
Lyrisadora rolled her eyes. "Same place you got your acting skills," she muttered.
"Just play along," he whispered in her ear, placing his arm around her waist.
Lyrisadora scowled at him. "Stop enjoying this," she ordered through gritted teeth, her lips barely moving as she cast Adrian a warning look.
"Can't, having too much fun," he replied in a hushed tone, walking along as the man, who seemed to be in charge of the hotel, led them down a dark brown hallway, the wallpaper decorated with a tree branch pattern, beautifully illustrated squirrels on, the metallic lining on the wallpaper faded, it becoming more clearer that this man was obsessed with squirrels.
"Here we are," the man declared cheerfully, stopping in front of a room door, the number being room eighteen, Lyrisadora quickly plastered on a smile as she hugged Adrian closer as the man turned around to face them. "Breakfast is vat 7am, if you need anything, do not hesitate to ask, at this hotel, we put ve customer first," he recited, handing over some keys to Lyrisadora.
"Thank you, I promise we won't be a bother," she said pleasantly, giving him a shy smile. "Mr…?" she inquired slowly.
"Ivo Poliakoff-Mr Ivo for short," he replied.
She gave him warm smile. "Mr Ivo," she said.
He nodded curtly smiling, before pulling out his wand. "Good night and enjoy vour stay," he declared before smirking, nudging Adrian in the shoulder. "And you both have fun," he chimed. Lyrisadora's smile became more fixed as she gritted her teeth, her patience starting to wear thin. Adrian smirked.
"I will," he joked back, Lyrisadora's eye twitched as she felt and urge to strangle him. "Won't we princess?" he questioned sweetly, enjoying the charade.
Lyrisadora dug her nails into his arm, her anger boiling as she smiled sweetly. "Oh yes, lots," she replied, giggling as she pretended to blush. "Oh but Adrian, we must make sure you don't have any more accidents," she added pleasantly, her tone turning to worry, as she looked toward Mr Ivo. "He has terrible gas problems you see, his bladder-"
"Yes well that's enough sweetheart!" Adrian interjected quickly, his cheeks turning a bright pink. Mr Ivo stared at him with an arched eyebrow. Adrian took the key from her. "We've taken much of Mr Ivo's time already-good night," he said. Mr Ivo smiled in amusement before nodding.
"Sleep well," he exclaimed, starting them slightly as he turned into a squirrel and scampered away, Adrian and Lyrisadora watching him scamper away with elements of surprise, before shrugging it off.
Adrian opened the door to the room, grinning as his eyes locked on the double bed, collapsing on it and sighing in relief. Lyrisadora shut the door behind her as she looked around the room, it being open and square shaped, the walls holding the same wallpaper as the hallways, except this one being of a dark red colouring, the floor a dark wood. The varnish slightly faded, a door to the bathroom at the end of the room, a medium sized window at the end, with the brown curtains drawn. As she walked further in she noticed a single wooden wardrobe opposite the bed, an identical table next to it with a chair pushed in, the bed being a double and holding a small table on both sides, which each had a candle on them, the candle seemingly charmed as it lit up once someone stepped into the room.
After taking the room in, her eyes landed on Adrian who was laid on the bed. "Get off the bed," she ordered sharply, pulling out her wand as she went to stand by the bed.
Adrian looked up at her, raising an eyebrow. "Why?" he inquired smoothly.
Lyrisadora looked at him sternly. "I'm not sleeping in the same bed as you, so get off so I can separate the bed," she snapped.
Adrian eyed her with bemusement for a moment, before shrugging and complying with her wishes, watching silently as she transfigured the bed into two singles, pushing her bed and table towards the bathroom door and collapsing on it. Adrian just smirked, a yawn escaping his lips as he glanced at the time, moaning as he found it to be four in the morning. "I think a lie in should suffice for tomorrow," he drawled, taking off his outer robe and dropping it on the floor, before running a hand through him hair.
Lyrisadora turned over and shot him an annoyed look. "We don't have time for lie in, need I remind you that this isn't a holiday," she snapped.
He rolled his eyes at her, taking off his wet shoes as he removed his damp clothes. "Yeah, it's hard to forget when I have a blood vow scarred on my hand," he bit back, flashing his scarred palm.
Lyrisadora grumbled tiredly as she rubbed her eyes, feeling completely exhausted, every bone in her body aching. "Alright, argument invalid," she replied dully, a loud yawn coming out as her eyes drooped. "Let's just gets some sleep already, we'll start planning in the morning," she said, removing her shoes and taking off her soaking wet robes, her hair tangled.
Adrian climbed into bed, placing his wand under his pillow as his damp cloth lay on the floor. "Yeah sure whatever," he muttered, blowing out his candle and happily collapsing his head on the pillow, closing his eyes.
Lyrisadora silently removed her tights, stripping down to a vest and underwear, placing her wand under her pillow she buried herself under the bed cover - the bed eloped her in warmth as she snuggled in, and then blew out the candle. She lay awake, closing her eyes as her mind wandered towards how people would react to her and Adrian missing. In one scenario they could be accused of stealing the cup, or disappeared without a trace, kidnapped and so on. She bit back a groan, she hoped no one thought her and Adrian actually had gone and run off together, stupid rumours that held little logic to them, always seemed to become real, born from the idiocy of humanity.
Her mind began to haze as sleep overtook her, herself deciding to put such matters aside to deal with in the morning.
нека gatewayto светилище отворен
Google translate: Let gateway to sanctuary open
Urk now I've caught my dad's cold, parents, they claim to take care of you, when in reality they infect you with viruses :(
Meh anyway, hope you guys like this one, the next one is going to be all about planning and the everyone gradually finding out Lyrisadora and Adrian are gone.
Rview please! :D