Pairings: Cedric/Krista
Warnings: AU Universe. Gender switch. OC characters. Some character bashing. Mature scenes. Violence.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and any of the characters, but the OC characters belongs to me
Chapter Eight: Preparation
"I see, so that's your decision." Krista's eyes flashed red even as she took three steps back from Remus Lupin, her lips curling with contempt and disgust.
Remus Lupin shook his head. He could smell the contempt and disgust from the dhampir child before him, along with every single Downworlder in the room. And the sour scents are almost making him faint.
It isn't like that! He's a wizard. That is all. He's human.
"My lady." A smooth voice from one of the vampires in the room caught Remus' attention, and he looked up only to see one of the vampires in the bar addressing the dhampir child. He doesn't look any older than the dhampir. "If you would allow me—allow us—"
"Don't dirty your hands with filth like him, Lenox." Krista sneered. "Let him loose. He's no longer welcome here. He is Oathbreaker now—"
"Krista."
Krista snapped out of her thoughts, and then looked down the ladder that she is currently perched on, returning some of the books to its proper place in the shelf in the small library available in Moon's Dew. Amongst other things, there is a small library available in Moon's Dew for the Downworlder fledglings to study since Moon's Dew is after all technically an 'outpost' of sorts for them in the British wizard community.
Nathaniel and Alec were staring up at her from the ground, apparently amused that she had let her mind wander off to the point that she didn't even notice their appearances in the mini-library. Amongst the seven Nightguardians and even all those that the two knew of, Krista is the best at sensing someone's presence and even pinpointing someone's location as long as she had met that someone once.
It is how Krista and Nathaniel have found Fenrir and his pack so easily after all. The dhampir is invaluable to the Nightguardians and even Avalon as their tracker or even their sensor.
"When did you both get here?" Krista asked even as she placed the last tome back into its place and letting herself drop back down onto the ground without a sound.
"Ten minutes ago. You would have realised that if you hadn't been so out of your thoughts." Alec pointed out, amused. He then turned serious. "I heard about it from Lenox and even Ethan. They told us that Lupin had been here nearly a week ago."
"Yeah, I gave him the ultimatum that the Praetor told me to bestow to him on their behalf." Krista sighed. "I knew what his answer is going to be even before I told him. And I know what the new British Minister and even the Council are trying for the last couple of years. But I somehow feel like it's a futile attempt. They hate us. They barely tolerate our presence. At this rate, I will not be surprised if a full-scale civil war breaks out in this English country."
"Yeah, well. Rome isn't built in a day." Nathaniel pointed out. "All of us know that there are going to be problems. Hence why Julius and Elijah have both repeated themselves over and over that we are to always be on our guard in Hogwarts, and to never go about anywhere alone."
There was a frown on Alec's face at that. "I heard about it from my father," he begun, and his two best friends turned towards the Mikaelsson Heir. "But you both are seriously going to be one of the representatives sent this year to that backwards thing they call a school?"
Even amongst wizarding schools, Hogwarts is considered a laughingstock no thanks to their out-dated lessons and everything before Rufus Scrimgeour had came to power, and had decided to take no nonsense from the Wizengamot and Albus Dumbledore, and had started shaking things up in Magical Britain together with his very powerful allies.
"Well, someone has to." Nathaniel pointed it out, and Krista nodded with agreement. "And at least with us, we will not let the wizards walk all over us and take it lying down."
"We'll still be getting our regular lessons from Reyers and Maksim though." Krista pointed out. "And thank the Morrigan for that!" Krista had a scowl on her face as she remembered when Klaus and Ethan have both first told her about the Avalon Council's 'request' to her to be one of those sent to Hogwarts. It might be termed as a 'request', but everyone and their grandmother knew that it is really an order, since who would turn down an order from the Avalon Council? "I'll likely refuse to go if it wasn't for that, Avalon Council or not."
"Speaking of which, we ran into Lenox on our way up." Nathaniel looked at Krista even as he spoke of her attendant—one that overprotective Lord Nikolai Nightray had assigned to his precious grandchild a few years ago. "He said something about you being the guide for the mundane-born students this year?"
"Yes. I'm due to meet them in an hour. Thank the Morrigan that Susan will be tagging along too. At least I won't have to endure having terrified stares at me for five hours straight like I'll eat them or something." Krista huffed, getting quite tired of the baseless and senseless fear and hatred for the Downworlders that nearly every single wizard and their grandmother seemed to harbour.
"Whoops." Alec grinned. "I don't envy you both this year."
Both his best friends shot him annoyed glares.
"Shut up, Alec."
XXXXXX
Susan Bones didn't really have to tag along for the standard before-start-of-term tours for the mundane-born students due to attend Hogwarts come September, seeing as how she's both a half-blood and magical raised, and hence, didn't have to attend the mandatory tours that teach the mundane-born students just entering the magical world how to go about Magical Britain and even the little things that those magical raised take for granted.
Susan however had insisted, as she had a good idea how it must have been for the Downworlder unfortunate enough to be slated with the horrendous job of being the guide for Grim Avenue ever since the Cleansing—the term that the British wizards used for Minister Scrimgeour doing a full-scale cleaning and upheaval for their society, not caring whose toes he stepped on in the process.
Susan remembers her auntie being very pleased with what Rufus Scrimgeour is doing, saying that it is about time they get a Minister with a backbone in office, and one who would not accept bribes.
And she had heard from her auntie that it will be Krista who is slated as the guide this year, and hence, had insisted on tagging along on the tour to give one of her best friends some support—since no doubt that the mundane-born students will likely be looking at her like she's about to eat them or something.
That is the one issue about the mundane-born students that had always peeved Susan.
They're always so ready to believe the worst of the Downworlders, probably believing the fairy tales that they've grown up with in the mundane world that portrayed creatures like vampires and such as monsters that eat children. It likely doesn't help matters that Magical Britain is still going through a lot of cleansing for their out-dated beliefs, and majority of the population still loathes the Downworlders.
"…And this is Grim Avenue, also known as Downworlder Street to us." The official sent from the Mundane Liaison Office spoke, breaking Susan out of her thoughts, and she glared at the woman. She is likely one of those still deeply sated in her own beliefs. It honestly didn't matter to them with the countless evidence and documents presented since Minister Scrimgeour had came to power that other countries lived and worked alongside Downworlders, and they never had a single problem. "This place is entirely run and operated by Downworlders, and—"
"And they also offer some of the best products for sale that we need solely for home and school use with good prices." Susan said loudly, drowning whatever that the obnoxious woman is about to say. She blushed slightly with the attention on her, but Susan choked down her embarrassment with her determination to protect her friend. "The potions ingredients that we need for school for instance will not blow up in our faces if we buy it here as compared to the one that we get at the apothecary at Diagon Alley that is both poor in quality and expensive."
Susan had first hand experience of it after all. While she can't deny that she is apprehensive and afraid of Krista and even Nathaniel when she'd first met them through her auntie and Ethan Nightray, she had kept an open mind like what her auntie had taught her. Now, those two are one of her best friends.
The official glared at Susan, but didn't say anything, as she has no wish to incite the wrath of the head of the DMLE for picking on her niece. Furthermore, Susan isn't exactly wrong in anything that she is saying, and she didn't phrase it in a rude manner either.
"Uh…" A blond boy raised his hand hesitantly. Susan remembered him introducing himself as Justin Finch-Fletchley. And with the clothes that he and his parents have on, Susan can only assume that they've came from money, and yet, none of them seem arrogant in the least—something that Susan had seen often from the purebloods in Britain. "How should we treat them? Is there anything that we shouldn't do to prevent offending them?"
Susan hid a smile to herself. Obviously, the official from the Magical Education Office sent to brief his family on magic is someone with brains and likely doesn't hate and fear the Downworlders because of some deep-sated out-dated beliefs.
"Treat them with respect and don't pretend to be someone you're not." Susan said immediately, seeing the brainless official about to open her mouth. The official snapped her mouth shut, and glared at Susan with an offended look. "They can smell it on you if you do. Don't do anything to them, and you'll be fine. Unlike contrary belief, they much prefer to be left alone and they have their own strict laws in place that govern their kind—much like we do. If they break those laws, the consequences for them will be much harsher than anything that we used to have for them. My auntie told me that—she's the head of the DMLE." Susan explained to dispel all bad notions for the Downworlders that the parents might have.
Seeing as how Minister Scrimgeour had repelled all the creature bills and all legislations that involved the Downworlders, he had made it so that if anything revolving around a Downworlder is brought to their attention, the standard protocol is to refer it to the Avalon Council where they'll handle it.
And from experience, the punishments that the Downworlders had for those who break their sacred laws are harsh—harsher than anything that the wizards could come up with.
Due to Susan's friendship with Krista and Nathaniel and even Alec, she knew this much at least, though she had been a little curious why those three seemed to command so much respect amongst their own kind, even from the adults. She had assumed in the beginning that it might be because two out of the three hailed from the noble clans and that Nathaniel is just given the same respect because of association, but it seemed to Susan that there is more to it.
Susan didn't ask Krista however, sticking to the one rule that Amelia Bones had told her niece when she had first introduced Susan to Krista. Do not interfere in Downworlder affairs. They'll tell you if they want to.
Justin nodded, looking quite pleased that his questions are answered. Susan noticed that several of her fellow first years and their parents seemed both relieved and pleased with this answer, though several more looked afraid and even apprehensive that they're venturing into Downworlder territory.
"That's ridiculous! They're not human! They just act on instincts and do what they want! Dickson Hickory said so in his book A Guide to the Downworld!" A bossy voice voiced out, causing all heads to snap towards the source.
Susan narrowed her eyes dangerously at the speaker—a girl with bushy brown hair and with rather large front teeth. Another person who stereotypes the Downworlders just because of idiotic authors like the one she's speaking of. Seriously, Susan honestly feels for Krista and her kinsmen.
"Better watch your tongue while you're here, girl. You might lose it otherwise." A smooth voice said from out of nowhere, nearly causing the entire group to jump—the bossy girl especially.
Susan blinked before she smiled as the sight of Nathaniel Krauss greeted her. Nathaniel greeted Susan with a silent nod and smile before turning cold eyes onto the bossy girl.
"I wasn't aware that you're the guide." The official cut in with a frown. "I was under the impression that it'll be Krista Nightray."
"And it is." Nathaniel answered patiently. "I just decided to tag along, that is all." He glanced at the group of nervous parents and their children, and gave a slight bow that is merely that of a nod of the head—one hand against his chest, with the other hand behind his back. "Welcome to Grim Avenue. I'm Nathaniel Krauss. I'm a Warlock. You'll likely see me around Hogwarts this year. And if you'll follow me, I'll take you to Krista who is your guide for today."
Susan followed Nathaniel's line of sight only to see Krista seated at the circular stone fountain in the middle of Grim Avenue, reading a black book. The redhead then almost groaned when she saw the disapproving and disgusted expression on that bossy girl's face—the expression she always sees on the people who only have a one-track mind.
Oh boy. This is going to be a long four hours.
Justin was the first to finish his necessary school shopping, also getting more books than necessary that is on his list and also getting outfitted at the clothing store in Grim Avenue that is run by an extremely friendly elf.
Apparently, Justin and his parents aren't the only ones to be swayed by Susan Bones' words about the Downworlders. Their interactions with Nathaniel Krauss and then their 'official guide', Krista Nightray have proven to them that Downworlder or not, treat them with respect as you would anyone, and you have nothing to be worried about. And Susan is also right in saying that the shops here are grades above those that are available in Diagon Alley. It also helps that they actually accept mundane currency, and not just wizarding money.
Justin had actually seen old pictures of how Hogwarts uniforms used to look like, and he had dreaded parading around in a 'dress' for an entire year, especially during the warmer weathers when it would be sweltering. Thankfully, after the reformation six years ago, as what Krista had explained, lots of changes have been implemented. Amongst them have been the changes to the school curriculum and even the school uniforms.
It now looked more like those uniforms that mundane children wore to prominent boarding schools—so that it is all right for mundane-borns to wear their uniforms when boarding the Hogwarts Express. The colours are still in black and white, with boys having ties the colours of their Houses when Sorted, and with girls having butterfly neckties instead. There are seasonal uniforms too, so that they will not get too cold or too warm when the weathers change.
Honestly however, Justin was almost worried for Krista's temper when that bossy girl—Granger or something, had kept questioning Krista on everything—from what she eats to Downworlder habits. Nathaniel and the vampire that was with Krista looked as if they want nothing better than to skewer Granger.
Seriously, even Justin knows better than to disrespect someone—especially if that someone could make you disappear, and no one would ever know. True, he was wary and almost worried for a moment when the official sent to his home to brief him and his family on magic have told them about the Downworlders.
But thankfully, the official while blunt was also very honest and non-prejudice on that topic, and he had answered every question his parents had, also making sure that they understood that while yes, the Downworlders can be very dangerous if the need calls for it, they generally preferred keeping to themselves. And as their society is going through a bit of a revamping at the moment, there will be problems and arguments, the official had warned.
Justin saw Krista seated at the stone fountain, staring up at the sky whilst waiting for them to be done with their shopping. Well… It couldn't hurt to make a friend before starting Hogwarts, right?
Krista heard Justin's footsteps as he approached, and she looked up. "Done already?"
Justin shrugged. "I know how to be quick," he answered. His father had taught him about prioritising his affairs and even time management after all, with the Finch-Fletchley family being one of Britain's most prominent noble households. When Justin was younger, he remembered attending one of the Queen's balls with his parents when they couldn't get a babysitter for him, and he knows how to act in the presences of nobles and even royalty. "I probably hadn't introduced myself. Justin Finch-Fletchley. It's a pleasure to meet you, my lady." He bowed in the way that his father had taught him to greet young ladies.
Krista looked vaguely surprised before she smiled. "Krista Nightray," she introduced. "It's nice to see someone who had manners." She commented, and Justin knew immediately that she's referencing to that bossy girl who seemed to have no manners at all. Justin knew that more than one parent seemed quite annoyed with the girl who seemed to have no filter for her mouth. "I almost feel for that girl once she's in Hogwarts. She won't just be getting in trouble with my people if she acts the way that she did, but also with the Hogwarts students. Especially those from the pureblood houses. I hope for her sake that she has a thick skin when it comes to derogatory comments or even awful words, or she won't have an easy time at Hogwarts. That is if she doesn't learn to control that tongue of hers."
Justin flinched at that frank analysis. "You're pretty blunt, aren't you?" he commented, seating himself next to Krista, but giving enough room to show his deference to a lady.
Krista shrugged. "I don't mince my words. Most Downworlders wouldn't. Whether you like to hear them or not, we'll say it as it is. I'll be attending Hogwarts with Nathaniel and a few others this year as part of the peace treaty—you'll likely learn more about it in History class." She told an interested Justin. "And you've probably learned about it from books or even from Susan, but you'll likely face a lot of prejudice at Hogwarts. Be prepared." Krista got to her feet. "I'll be back in a few since they likely won't appear for another hour."
Justin nodded even as he watched Krista walked towards a building that had the words 'Moon's Dew' written on the signboard, and disappeared into it.
"At least you don't fear her." A voice spoke, almost causing Justin to jump, and he turned only to see Susan Bones seated on the other side of the fountain—that is why he hadn't noticed her until now. "I know most people need some time before they stopped fearing Krista just because she's a Downworlder."
"My dad always taught me to form my own opinions." Justin answered. "I did notice this earlier. But… You know her?"
"Krista?" Susan questioned, and Justin nodded. "Yes, I do. I knew her since we're kids. My aunt knew her uncle—he runs Moon's Dew. I'm not as close to Krista as Alec and Nathaniel are, but she had still been one of my best friends." Susan admitted. "She's not a bad sort, despite what people will no doubt tell you once Hogwarts starts back up. Krista's actually pretty decent. Downworlders as a whole tend to keep to themselves due to the bigotry. It's been years since the Cleansing, but there's a lot to do. Rome isn't built in a day after all."
The rest of their time was then spent in silence after that.
A/N: Sorry for the late update, people! I was away at the USA for the last two weeks, and was too exhausted to do anything but sleep upon my return! Additionally, I'll appreciate some suggestions for Krista and Cedric's first meeting. As you can tell, Krista's circle of friends is going to be different from the first version.
I hope that you like this chapter, and please read and review! Reviews give me inspiration to update!
