Everything will fall into shadow…And nothing more can hold…To break through an age-worn wall…We hope we'll never know…We hope we'll never feel…A fragile glass breaking…Until all that's left…Is darkness caused by light…Hatred, caused by love…Night, following the day...The hour that the Shadow will come…
454545
Vixen threw up her hands as she dove behind a tree, her ice shield being blasted by the demon's fireball. Despite that the Kodzoman possesses the ability to blow a mystical smoke at their victim's to gather and inhale the negative energy, he also possessed fireballs. If it wasn't for the tattoo on his right forearm, the young witch would have never known what type of demon he was. Mind you, if it wasn't for her grandmother having her own Book of Shadow, with a few pages copied from Melinda's original thanks to Penny, Vixen would have never known who this demon attacking around the Golden Gate Park.
Scrambling to sit against the back of the tree, Vixen tried to think of a way to vanquish the demon as there was no spell or potion to kill him. She knew that she had to think and feel positive emotions, otherwise with his mystical smoke gathering all negative energy, he can inhale it and feed off the negativity to become stronger. In the beginning, it was the Imps and the Imp Master that were terrorizing the Kodzoman's victims first before gathering all of their victim's negativity and then kill them. Killing the Imp Master was an easy task and once she got the Kodzoman to come show himself, it was a bit harder to kill him.
She had to wonder if the Kodzoman was an upper-level demon, which the fourteen year old wasn't strong enough to kill. It was at these times that she wished she could use her wand magic but it was forbidden outside of Hogwarts–and even more illegal in America, thus every American witch and wizard was required to carry a wand permit. Basically, it was a way for the American Ministry to keep tabs on all magical activity and identify the perpetrators by their wand.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a fireball near her, Vixen cried out but moved from behind the tree and waved her hand at the demon's face, freezing his lips from forming the mystical smoke as he was ready to use it on her. She turned and ran further into the trees, trying hard to figure out a way to kill the demon, however, her thoughts returned back to her wand and how she came to possess such a unique and one of a kind wand.
Due to being a Wiccan and wand-user witch, no wand that Ollivander had in his possession would be strong enough to channel her magic as it was double the amount of a regular wand-user. So, Ollivander purposed to make her wand and brought out first he cores for her to find the right one. Although Ollivander was famous for making wands with only four specific cores, he had also brought out others for her to feel through–for occasionally he would revert back to the other cores since every child was different.
With her eyes closed, Vixen had moved her hand over the cores before a bright gold light illuminated one of the core's–Kelpie hair–and a warm sensation moved up her arm and then seemed to almost touching her very soul. Ollivander, however, had a feeling that it was not to be the only core and had her move her hand over the core's once again but getting no results. While questioning this–her father and brother's, Sirius, and Harry seemed to be concerned that she might not be able to go to Hogwarts or Ilvermorny if she was not able to find a proper wand–a voice spoke up from behind the family, all of whom had not heard the bell go off.
It was an American wizard, Shikoba Wolfe, who happened to be a famous wandmaker that uses only Thunderbird tail feathers as his cores. He had explained that he had dreams of him coming to Britain and making a wand for a witch of the Old Ways. As he placed the Thunderbird tail feathers before Vixen, she had hoovered her hand over them before one started to brighten the same gold light and the warm sensation going up her arm and touching her soul. Before either wandmaker brought out the types of wood, the willow wood had immediately started to move and glow gold in its drawer, Ollivander taking it and placing it with the cores.
The two wandmakers then made plans to start right away–as making wands would take time and care, Vixen needing hers before she left for Hogwarts. Both wizards had to be paid, of course, seven Galleons to Ollivander and five Dragots to Shikoba–her father was all too grateful that he still had some in his pocket!–and said that it will be expressed via-owl when Shikoba returned back to the States.
To say that Vixen was disappointed not to have the same experience that Harry did was an understatement. But seeing as she was the first in centuries to have both wand and wandless magic, the way she grew her magic will be completely different.
A tree exploding by another fireball had her falling to the side and out of her thoughts of the past, Vixen quickly turning to see the deadly grin on Kodzoman's lips as he inhaled to expel the mystical smoke at her. Suddenly an icicle shot up from the ground on her right and impaled the demon's heart. He stared at her in shock before exploding with a cry of anguish and fury. Eyes wide of what had just happened, Vixen slowly sat up and looked down at her right hand to see that ice covered the ground beneath her palm and made a path down her side before the icicle shot up near her foot.
"This is new," Vixen muttered, her mind reeling from what her power had just done on its own.
Concentrating hard, the ice reverted back until it reached her palm and disappeared. With a sigh, she fell back and stared up through the trees, wondering if she should walk home or have Trent orb her home instead. Her thoughts then moved to Harry, who was every bit like another brother to her as they grew up alongside each other, as well as having gone through since their first year at Hogwarts. They had been each other's confidences and go-to when they needed to talk, listen, or keep secrets.
Most importantly, Harry was there when her father was killed two years ago. It had happened a couple of days after Harry defeated Tom Riddle–also known as Voldemort–in the Chamber of Secrets and everyone had been un-petrified. One of Voldemort's Death Eaters that have fled from Britain to America in hopes to wait it out for when the Dark Lord rises again. Vixen had remembered crying out and letting Harry hug her as the American Auror's gave her the bad news.
To say that that was the worst day of her life was an understatement, but every day on June first Vixen was excused from the exams for the day as she would be on her own in the Room of Requirements–which she had asked Hogwarts on her first night a space she can perform a protection and guide spell on her and Harry. She would grieve first then she would contact her father and talk to him about whatever has happened during her time at school, despite that he might know already as he watches over her.
Her brother, Paxton, had taken guardianship of her and Perseus, leaving the training that he was for the Ministry of Magic. Instead, he had become a mechanic–something he has always loved to do was fix cars and motorcycles–wanting to be closer to home since Perseus was still in school himself. The Ministry, however, had not wanted to let a star pupil leave their midst so had converted, for the first time ever, a small Ministry office in San Francisco in the Transamerica Pyramid. It was an idea that the Ministry had gotten from the Muggle government, whom had small FBI, CIA, DEA, NCIS, etc., offices across the state and seemed to work for them!
So, Paxton had finished his training and started working in the International Magical Office of Law. It was something that he just seemed to be good at and with having a sister going to school overseas, he already had a foot in the door in Britain so Paxton was a liaison of sorts when needed but mostly helped the many international witches and wizards that come to visit San Francisco just like foreign Muggles.
Her decision of calling Trent or walking home was finally made when she heard the twinkling sound of a Whitelighter orbing just to her right. Shifting her eyesight, Vixen was immediately on alert when she saw the seriousness on Trent's face.
"What's happened?" she asked, immediately scrambling to her feet.
454545
–Moor–
Harry sighs as he felt the warmth of the knut resting against his skin and pushed out of the chair he was sitting on. The fake knut was tied on a sturdy black string and always around his neck with a Protean charm that Vixen's brother, Perseus Navis, had placed–along with a protection spell from Vixen. He excused himself and walked into the kitchen area, Sirius giving him a mixed look of a grim and amusement as he knew what was coming. He pulled out a black compact with a golden tribal phoenix design on the front and back with its wings following along the palm-sized item and nearly touching on the top.
Opening it, Harry first saw his reflection before the glass rippled and Vixen's worried face appeared. "What the hell, Harry?! Why didn't you call Trent?! Damn it, is anyone hurt? Are you okay? Do you need Trent to heal you?"
"Vi, I'm fine!" Harry assured her, "We're all fine, a little bruised, but fine, I promise!" Vixen's bottom lip trembled and knew what was coming, "Vixen, don't, it's late, I want to go to bed. We'll be back at the Burrow early tomorrow."
"I'm sending Trent, don't argue with me," Vixen told him seriously.
Harry sighs, nodding, "That's fine. I'm pretty sure it'll be better that we sleep and see Mrs. Weasley back at the Burrow Tomorrow in one piece and not looking all beat up."
"Love you," she whispered.
Harry smiled softly back, knowing that Vixen doesn't normally say those two words all that often anymore. "Love you too. See you in a few hours."
The glass rippled and Harry saw his own reflection once again, making him sigh with relief. He honestly believes if Vixen hadn't placed the protection spell on the knut, he could have injuries far worse than a kick to the head. He cried out when the compact was snatched out of his hands, turning to see the twins looking over the item with impish grins. Right away Harry knew he was in for it.
"Isn't a bit girly to have such a fancy mirror?" Fred questioned with an amused grin.
George took it from his brother, "Really, Harry, who knew you were so vain when it comes to your looks–ow!"
The open compact flew from George's hands, everyone noticing his hands slightly blue from cold and white with ice, "It would do you well not to take anyone's property if you don't want your hands to freeze over and fall!" a cold and hard female voice stated from the mirror.
The others had moved over to Harry to see a woman of thirty-four with crystal blue eyes glaring at the twins as her broad shoulders were pulled back and her back ramrod-straight. Her head was held up high, as her dark brown hair was pulled back into a very tight bun, not even a strand out of place. She was wearing a white blouse that was tucked at her much-narrowed waist, which turned into a long, plain black skirt.
"It's all right, MeMaw," Harry said with a grin, plucking the compact from the air. "I'm used to it by now."
Agnes Russell sniffed, looking away from the boys and to Harry, softening slightly. "Even so, you should have Aquarius place a protective spell or anti-theft spell like she has done for her belongings."
Harry smiles, "I'll keep that in mind, MeMaw. Have a good night."
"Goodnight, little fawn. Blessed Be."
As she disappeared, George's hands returned to normal, making him shake his hands to get some feeling back into them. "Bloody hell, who was that?"
Harry grins at him before closing the mirror and putting it back into his pocket, looking up when his godfather placed an arm around his shoulders. "I say that you got off easy, little pup."
"That is Vi's great-great-aunt, she's been stuck in the mirror and looking out for us," Harry shoved a hand through his shaggy hair, nodding to his godfather. "And I did get off easy, for now." a tinkling sound was heard and everyone saw blue and white lights falling from the sky before forming a man, "Everyone, this is Trent. Trent, this is everyone."
Trent grins at Harry, "I know who they are, Harry. I keep track of everyone involved with Vixen, remembered?" he nods to Bill, "I can help you first then Percy, Harry, and Charlie."
The older Weasley's stared in fascination as Trent's hands glowed gold, the wound on Bill's arm healing and leaving no scar. He did the same to Percy and Harry's nose and then the bruises on Charlie's chest. Hermione, of course, was questioning Trent how he was healing without a wand and entered their camp the way he did. All Trent explained was that he was a guardian and that's the reason why he was able to use powers without a wand, not giving away the fact that he was a guardian for Wiccan witches, for they will then start to questions about Vixen.
Harry and Vixen had decided to keep her Wiccan powers to themselves until it was needed to expose them, that is. It was actually thanks to Phoebe's premonition when she had touched Harry when he was visiting a month before their second year at school started. She had recognized Vixen in China Town–as she had needed Wiccan supplies–and wanted to talk with her but had taken hold of Harry instead and had seen his past and his future. Vixen had quickly recited a spell to extract the memory of the premonition and then to erase her memory of ever seeing them or what she had done.
They've waited four years for the premonition to begin and now it seems that it has finally had come true. They would need to be careful going forward once they reached Hogwarts, Harry would need to speak with Vixen as they would need to let destiny takes its course until Voldemort finally showed his face. If he was honest with himself, despite having four years getting ready, Harry wasn't sure if they were even ready to stop or face what Vixen's fourth cousin's had seen with her powers.
"It's late," Arthur Weasley tells the group at large after Trent left. "And we'll be leaving early to go back home, so we better get some rest."
Harry felt as though he had just placed his head on the pillow when Arthur and Sirius started to shake them awake. There was still chaos so early that morning but, thankfully, Arthur was able to get them a portkey to Stoatshead Hill before the sun had really risen. In the light of dawn, the large group made their way to the Burrow, talking very little due to exhaustion. It was when they rounded the corner that they heard two frantic voices crying out for both Harry and Arthur.
Harry had barely given Sirius his bag when Vixen slammed into him, his arms barely catching her, as she cried into his neck–as he was slightly taller than her now. He held her tightly, her feet off the ground, nodding to both Paxton and Perseus who were hanging back a bit by the Weasley's home, looking just as relieved as Molly Weasley was. Kissing the top of her head, Harry slowly placed Vixen back onto her feet and pulled her back slightly.
He brought up his hands to her face and wiped away her tears, smiling softly, "I'm sorry I scared the hell out of you but I promise that I am fine! We all are!" Vixen merely nods, trying not to start crying again, "Come on, let's have some breakfast or dinner then you need to sleep because I know for a fact that you haven't gone to bed as it's only ten pm back in San Francisco."
Harry hugs her shoulders and turns her towards the house, kissing the side of her head once again, letting her know that he was there and she hadn't lost him. Vixen didn't argue and just followed after the family and friends, resting her head on his shoulder as she was now mentally exhausted after all the worry and concern that she did back home before Trent had orbed them to the Burrow just minutes before Harry, Hermione, Sirius, Ginny and the Weasley men had returned. She had given some comfort to Molly, letting her know that she had spoken with Harry and that everyone was okay but, of course, the women were still waiting to see them for themselves.
"No, sure, we're okay," Fred started saying sarcastically to her right.
George, who was on Harry's left stated, "It's not like we were there when those masked idiots came and started a riot."
Vixen smiled softly, "I'm glad you guys are safe too."
As Paxton and Perseus greeted and were grateful that everyone was safe as well, the large group entered the cramped, but homely, kitchen. The group nodded to Trent, who was smiling at the group from the table in greeting. Several chairs were conjured around the table, Harry and Vixen sitting across from the two oldest Weasley brothers, who were looking at the three newcomers that they have never met. Harry seemed to have noticed this and, though he did slightly flush for forgetting introductions, smiled proudly at the two older men.
"Vixen this is Bill and Charlie Weasley. Guys, this is Vixen Aquarius Black, my sister," he told them proudly.
The surprise looks from the older Weasley's had her chuckling slightly, "Harry's like my brother but we're not really related. It's nice to meet you guys," Vixen shook Bill's hand first then Charlie's, blushing slightly at the second oldest.
"Black, you say? Are you actually related to Sirius?" Charlie asked, tilting his head with a slight smile, letting her hand go slowly.
Vixen smiled shyly, blushing a bit darker from his staring, "Sort of, he's my grandpa's nephew."
"I'm glad that you're all safe," Paxton started with a grateful smile as Molly turned from the kitchen with several plates floating ahead of her. "But we really need to get back home. Vi has No-Maj classes in the morning and Perseus has early training with the Meteorites."
"No-Maj?" Percy asked confused.
"Muggles," Harry supplied with a grin as the empty plates and food of plates floated on to the table. "It's what the American calls them."
"Why are you still taking Muggle classes, Vixen?" Bill asked curiously.
Vixen flushed as she looked from Bill to Charlie then at the rest of the group, aside from Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Sirius who all know. "In case I wanted to work outside of the Wizarding world," she shrugged softly, bowing her head slightly. "I still don't know if I even want to live in the Muggle world or the Wizarding world yet."
"Why wouldn't you want to live or work in the Wizarding world?" Percy questioned with a disgusted look on his face.
Blushing with embarrassment, Vixen bowed her head in hopes to hide what she was feeling. Her brothers and Harry were about to scold the third oldest Weasley when they were beaten by Charlie, who had smacked him upside his head, "Not everyone has lived their entire life in the Wizarding world, Percy! Sometimes living in the Muggle world is better than that in the Wizarding world!"
Vixen smiled softly at Charlie, who grinned back at her, before standing up from the bench. She hugged Harry, whispering words of gratefulness, before bidding everyone goodbye. Trent bid the group farewell and orbed the siblings back home, where they were going straight to bed as they all needed to wake up early the next day. That night, Vixen had smiled in her sleep as she dreamt of a stocky and muscled red-head with startling blue eyes against his tanned skin.
454545
–Hogwarts Express–
Vixen was humming unconsciously as she stared at the book she had brought with her to read–The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare–her head over Harry's lap. Her mind had gone back to earlier that day instead of the book when Trent orbed her and her brothers to the Burrow to see a flurry of activity with Arthur rushing about. Trent had offered to orb everyone to 9 and ¾ rather than take the Muggle taxis–as they would no doubt be irritated by the many unique animals.
It only took him one trip as he orbed the trunks first to the private room just off to the side of the train. No one paid any mind when the large group exited the room, Molly commenting how she liked orbing better than any other type of transportation. The seven kids had gone off to show away their trunks first before returning to say goodbye when Charlie made the comment about seeing them sooner than later.
As his brother's questioning him, both Vixen and Harry were promising Paxton and Perseus about keeping safe and making sure that they kept them updated about vanquishing Voldemort. Vixen had cringed as she remembered how her brothers found out about the vision she had extracted from their cousin, Phoebe. They weren't too happy about it and when they told Sirius, he wanted to go to Dumbledore and try to stop whatever was going to happen this year. Vixen and Harry were able to convince Sirius–after she iced him from leaving–and explained why it was Harry's destiny that he had followed through.
Thanks to Tom Riddle's diary in their second year, Vixen had enchanted journals for all of them so they can talk without waiting for the owl post, their names on the front of the journal turning gold when there was a new message to read. Should they wanted to speak with someone privately, they had to write the person's name at the top of the page before writing their message. The writing would disappear as soon as the other started writing back and be visible to the user's eyes only. Not even the reveal charm by wand users could show the caster what has been written.
As the conductor blew his whistle and last goodbyes to everyone, Charlie had taken hold of Vixen's hand before she turned away and asked to write her some time before they saw each other again. Blushing, Vixen had remembered telling him yes then–not even giving herself a second to think–had quickly gone on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek before rushing into the train.
"You're seriously hung up on Charlie, aren't you?" Harry suddenly teased as they didn't get an answer from her a few minutes ago.
Vixen snapped out of her thoughts and blushed, "I don't know what you're talking about!"
The group laughed at her obvious lie, Ron saying, "Don't think too much on it. Charlie's more into dragons than women, honestly."
"I very much doubt that," Hermione said with a secret grin,
Throughout the rest of the train ride, the group was visited by their other friends, especially those they met at the World Cup–sans Vixen. When Draco Malfoy had interrupted, Vixen had warned and threatened him what she did the last time he had annoyed her with his bullying. Draco promptly shut his mouth, glared at the girl laying over the seats still with her head on Harry's lap, and left without saying another word. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville had gaped at her, both Ron and Harry demanding to know what she had done.
Vixen had grinned, turning the page–finally reading it–and said, "I charmed his mouth to tell the truth for the day."
Harry laughed as the others wanted to know how she was able to do it. Of course, Harry knew then that she had used a spell but wouldn't share it with him as it would go against the Wicca Rede, An it harm none, do what ye will. Basically, not using the spell for personal gain–which Harry would have happily used for his own personal gain. By the time they reached Hogsmeade, the rain hadn't let up and the four friends hurried to the carriages, with Neville right behind them.
Vixen had veered away and smiled at the impatient Thestral, which she was able to see since she is always near death's door due to the demons and warlocks after her. Muttering a warming spell for all the magical creatures, the Thestral neighed and bowed its head against her. She whispered a welcome and retreated into the carriage. This was the year that both she and Harry have been waiting for two years and wondered what different future they would have if they were to succeed in killing Voldemort for good.
454545
A/N: Sorry for the late update, I was on vacation and didn't have access to the story. And don't worry, I'll be updating again the following Saturday in order to keep to the schedule. How are you all liking the new story so far? Please let me know via-review or PM. Thanks for the read!