Child of Night
Author's Notes
Welcome to the first collaboration that Ara and Scrat have actually bothered to start. Bwah. This time, we've actually sat down and developed our characters… o.O;;
Legolas: *prances* Still the prettiest!
Scrat-chan: --;; *mutters* Know-it-all… Anyway, we've been allowed the privilege of having our dear friend, Mr. Claus, do the disclaimer. Although, we must warn you: he suffered a terrible accident today. Please do not stare; it may cause him to suffer a nervous breakdown.
Disclaimer
Santa's Disembodied Wooden Head: *stares around silently*
Ara-chan: …
Scrat-chan: Oh my. Uh… shall I do the disclaimer then?
Ara-chan: *nods, picks up Santa's head and hides it in her brother's bed*
Scrat-chan: *clears throat and begins disclaimer* We own nothing but the plot and any characters you don't recognize from the books.
Warnings
1. Ara-chan is a slash maniac. Therefore, this story shall include homosexuality. If that isn't your cup of tea, then…
Ara-chan: *pops in* Can I make a Trelawney-bashing crack there?
Erm, no.
Ara-chan: Aww… Please?
I said no, Ara. Now hush.
Ara-chan: Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee—
*mallets her* SHUT UP!
Ara-chan: *from the ground* Oww…
Ahem. Anything else they need to know about, Scrat?
Scrat-chan: Child of Night contains original characters in a mostly non-Mary-Sue way. They are not intended as self-inserts. It also contains bi/homosexual characters, brief and undetailed nudity, some dark elements, mild cursing, and death.
Oooooh. Anything else?
Scrat-chan: *ponders* None that I can think of. ^^
Ara-chan: *slightly dazedly* *sings* One… Is the loneliest number…
Scrat-chan: *sings* Ohh, it happens every time, ooh, ohh…
*blinks and stares* Erm, now that all this is over, enjoy the story! *waddles off to narrate elsewhere *
Child of Night
And the Sword of Souls
By Ara Moon and Jesse's Peanut Butter Princess
-Chapter One-
Unlike It Had Begun
Black rain. It appeared as though the night sky was pouring down black rain droplets. The water ran over the outer layer of her fur, and she sighed quietly. Well… she thought, at least I'm a bit closer to a full transfiguration…
Resignedly, fur was replaced by soft skin, paws were replaced by long five-fingered hands, and sharp golden eyes faded to an emerald-flecked hazel. With a pop, a long, gray muzzle returned to the shape of a feminine nose, and bones slid back into place.
"Augh… Another transfiguration ending up like the Muggle idea of a werewolf…" The girl groaned before walking off deeper into the dark woods, muttering as she tugged at her torn clothes. She ran a hand through her hair, turning her face up as she did. Rain pelted her face, though she didn't seem to care.
Suddenly, she stopped walking. Something was screaming out to her from the back of her mind, but the words were unclear. Then she saw it—the moon was full tonight. And it was shining down on her from a crack in the clouds.
"Oh, shit."
Running as fast as she could and ignoring the feeling of a bone in her knee that had not properly popped into place, the girl rushed through the trees. Rain started pouring harder, and she silently cursed it. The wet ground was slowing her down considerably. What she wouldn't give to be able to transfigure completely right about now…
A howl reached her ears as she reached the door to an abandoned-looking house, signifying that she was indeed too late. As she threw open the door, she vaguely noticed a spilled goblet on the floor. She didn't have much time to look at it, though, because she was soon locking the door behind her and dashing up the stairs to her room.
A low growl rumbled behind her, and soon the sleek form of a wolf was rushing up at her. Ducking into a small, empty, single-windowed room, the girl waited, though not for long. As soon as the creature entered the room, she slammed the door closed, locking it automatically. She then leaped out the window and into a tree. The window clattered shut behind her.
"Damn Professor What's-His-Name," she grumbled, positioning herself somewhat comfortably in the branches. "If he had only sent Daddy his Wolfsbane Potion earlier, he could have at least been able to keep his mind during the transformation. I hate to think of what he's going through right now, knowing how close he was to turning me into a werewolf, too…"
Standing and leaning back against the tree, she sighed, suddenly angry with herself. She slammed one clenched fist back into the tree, the bark tearing small lines through her flesh. "If only I had remembered that tonight was the night of the full moon…" she growled to herself. Still muttering, she hopped down from her tree, collapsing to the ground when her knee gave way.
Again she sighed, rolling onto her back on the muddy ground. For a while she lay there, rain soaking her tattered clothes and dripping down her face. She let her thoughts wander until scratching and a low whine cut through the storm.
Up in the second-floor room, the wolf was scratching at the glass, whining lowly in a dog-like way. The girl pushed herself up, smiling slightly. "Don't worry, Daddy, I'm fine," she called up to the wolf. You know, anyone walking by here would think you're a complete moron, laying in the mud and calling up to a wolf, a voice in her head said.
Well, no one would walk by here, now would they? This is one of the most secluded forests the Ministry of Magic could find in New York, she replied, and the voice grumbled before fading away. Inside, the wolf whined again. Noting that her father seemed to have gotten at least half of the Wolfsbane Potion down, she said, "Okay, fine, Mom, I'll go inside and clean myself up. I'll see you tomorrow morning, all right?"
The girl pushed herself up on her good leg, and adjusted her other one before slamming it down hard, popping the bone back into place. She cringed slightly and limped into the small house, vaguely aware of the large amount of mud on her back and legs. The rain was still pouring down, harder and darker than before.
Pulling off her clothes, the girl grabbed a towel and sat down on it in front of the fireplace. She gingerly waved her hand through the flame, enjoying the feeling of the fire licking at her flesh. It was warm, but didn't burn her. Mentally, she noted to thank her father for conjuring a fire before he transformed.
Suddenly, a head appeared in the fire. The girl blinked as it focused its eyes on her hand, then sniggered at its cross-eyed expression. "Get your hand OUT of my nose!" it yelled, and she complied, falling back laughing.
Slowly she calmed down, and grinned at the glaring head. "Ah, Sirius-'tousan, to what do I owe this appearance of your lovely disembodied head in our fireplace?" The man's head rolled its deep blue eyes. "Oh, shut up. Where's Remus? I want to talk to you both."
The girl stared at him for a minute. Then, she gestured to the window with her head. "Erm, Dad, have you looked out a window recently?" The shaggy-haired head disappeared for a minute, then popped back in. It looked worried.
"Oh, shit," it said simply, and the girl nodded.
"Those were my words exactly. Are you sure you failed Divination in school, Dad?"
Paying no attention to her words, the man said, "Well, where is he? Did he get out into the woods? Why aren't you looking for him? Is--"
At this point, the girl took one of her soaked socks and stuffed it into his mouth. "Hush, Otousan. Fasha Number Two is fine. He only managed to get down half his Wolfsbane Potion, though. I was in the woods, practicing my wolf transfiguration, when I noticed the full moon was out. I rushed home, but I was too late. He's now locked up in the old storage room we emptied out." The other head nodded thoughtfully, spitting out the dirty sock.
"He didn't bite you, did he?" he asked, still worried. The girl grinned at him.
"I never thought I'd see the day… Sirius Black, ex-convict, illegal Animagus, boyfriend of a werewolf, and one of the greatest pranksters that English wizarding school, Pogforts or whatever, has ever seen, acting like a father…" She faked a sniffle. "Aww… Look, you brought a tear to my eye…"
Again, the head rolled its eyes. "Oh, shut up and answer me. Did he bite you?" The girl rolled her eyes back.
"No, he didn't, Dad. Came close to, but he managed to gain control in time." She glared angrily, though it wasn't directed to anyone in the room. "Dammit! Professor Whoever knew that a Wolfsbane Potion needs to be ingested the week preceding the full moon. Anyone who knows a thing about potions should know that, especially one who can concoct such an advanced potion. I can just picture the guy who sent it late. Probably a greasy-haired Death Eater who's smirking like a jerk right about now."
"Ex-Death Eater, actually," Sirius said, blinking. "I really hope you don't end up as some Divination freak when you go to Hogwarts… They're all so annoying… Divination is a bunch of crap, if you ask me…" Turning back to face him, the girl blinked.
"What do you mean, 'When I go to Hogwarts?' That's in Scotland, Dad! We're in America. Well, Remus-'tousan and I are. You're wherever you feel like most of the time--" Her sentence was interrupted by a loud crackling of flames, and she blinked again. Another head had joined her father's in the fireplace, and it had a familiar scar in the center of its forehead…
Her expression changed to a blank, emotionless one, except for the slightest trace of a glare in her eyes. "Harry Potter," she said, nodding slightly. The green eyes, previously roaming around the room, settled on her. Then they opened widely as blood rushed to his face, painting it crimson.
The girl raised a single, well-shaped eyebrow. "What's the matter with you, Potter? Fireplace too hot for your oh-so delicate face?" Sirius shot her a warning look. Harry stuttered, "Y-you aren't wearing… anything…" and immediately looked down.
Rolling her eyes, the girl replied, "Oh, please, Potter. Don't tell me that the Boy-Who-Lived is the Man-Who-Never-Got-La—"
"ARIANNA OOKAMI BLACK!" her father roared, and the girl gave him a sheepish grin. "Sorry 'bout that, Dad." Arianna looked around, shrugged, and tossed her long gold-shimmering brown hair over her breasts. Crossing her legs, she asked, "Better now?" The raven-haired male nodded.
"So, yet again, I ask: to what do I owe the appearance of your lovely disembodied heads in my fireplace?" Sirius thought for a second before blinking with recognition.
"Oh, yeah… Well, guess what?" Arianna stared at him for a second, sending him an I'd-rather-not look. He seemed not to notice this, and if he had, he continued anyway. "I told Harry about the, erm, relationship between your father and I, and he doesn't care, so now you've got yourself a godbrother!" Again, Arianna stared at him. There seemed to be a message she was sending to him without a word: Should I be happy?
The voice re-arose, yelling, No! Not him! That bloody little prat destroyed the Dark Lord!
Arianna blinked again. Do you even know what a "bloody little prat" is?
Not a clue, the voice replied, but that doesn't matter. It sounds like it would be a bad thing, right?
To this, she shrugged mentally. I guess so. And what's so bad about his destroying Lord Voldemort? His finest moment, if you ask me.
Your forehead and wrists, the voice retorted dryly, and Arianna gulped, rubbing her wrists together absentmindedly. Shortly after Remus and Sirius adopted her from the Muggle orphanage she had lived in for about two years, slightly over four years ago, Sirius had sneaked her two thick gold bands for her to wear around her wrists, which she liked covered. They were enchanted, unbreakable pure gold and encrusted with various magical jewels. It even doubled as an assistant in concentrating magical energy into her hands, as she had yet to buy a wand.
"That's lovely," Arianna said finally, the sarcasm nearly undetectable. "Anything else to say before I pour water on the fire and get in the extra thirteen hours of sleep I've been missing?" Sirius smiled widely.
"You won't be able to get in that much sleep tonight, I'm afraid." The brunette glared at him tiredly.
"And why not?" she demanded. The grin spread.
Dramatically, Sirius announced, "The day after tomorrow, once your father has recovered, you two'll come over to England to get your supplies for Hogwarts at Diagon Alley!" Arianna just stared at him, partially overcome with shock. She hadn't really thought much about her schooling. After the way it had been six years ago… Well, she hadn't thought that she would ever have to leave her new home.
Blinking for the umpteenth time, she said, dazedly, "I'm going to a wizarding school in Scotland."
The ex-convict stared at her.
"Yes, yes you are."
"I'm going to a wizarding school in Scotland," she repeated.
"Erm, Arianna?"
"I'm going to a wizarding school in Scotland."
"Yes, we've already established that, dear."
"Err, Sirius, is she okay?"
Arianna grinned broadly, shooting up. "I'm going to a wizarding school in Scotland!" she exclaimed, kissing the two floating heads on the cheeks. Sirius stared strangely at her while Harry blushed.
"I solemnly swear," she said, looking almost seriously at her father, "that I will be the best prankster Hogwarts has seen since the days of Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs."
He nodded, smiling slightly.
"I know you'll make me proud."
Harry coughed gently, and both others in the room looked to him. He blushed red again, and Arianna wondered if his head would fall into the fire if he were to pass out from all that blood. She almost giggled at the mental picture of the great Harry Potter's disembodied head laying in her fireplace.
"Erm, if you like, I could help you through your years in Hogwarts. Since I, you know, went through seven years of schooling there, and I know who to look out for, and everything… And, after all, I eventually will be moving in with you guys, as I'm now your godbrother…" Harry's shyness was surprising, to say the least. Arianna almost felt sorry for him.
"Sure, whatever you want, Potter," she said, nonchalantly. A loud howl tore the air behind her, and she looked towards the stairs. "Any clue what time it is?" she asked, imagining sadly what her father was going through. Sirius' head disappeared. Harry sat—er, floated there, looking at her nervously. Arianna rolled her eyes.
"Oh, stop it, Potter. It's annoying. There's not much about me that you should be that nervous about." Phht. Yeah, right, the voice said. Oh, shut up, she retorted.
And if I don't? What would you do, hmm? Cut off your head? That wouldn't work, anyway. I'm not in your mind, Arianna, dear. I'm so much deeper than that.
Before she could question what the ever-appearing voice meant, Harry unknowingly interrupted the mental conversation. "Er, Arianna, what's that on your, er, forehead?" he asked sheepishly. If he continues "er"-ing nervously, I'll— "Wait, what?"
Harry looked at her sheepishly. "In the center of your forehead, right where my scar is." Arianna tried to look up, but ended up cross-eyed before she realized what he meant. Smoothing her bangs down to cover it better, she quickly said, "A scar, like yours. A mark of powerful magic that will haunt me forever." She silenced herself, a haunted look apparent in her eyes. Harry looked at her sympathetically, and looked like he was about to say something, when Sirius popped back in.
"Nearly two in the morning," he said, yawning tiredly. His long black hair fell back, revealing haunted sapphire eyes, and deep in her mind she thought that he would have been much more handsome now had he never spent all that time in Azkaban. Emotional and mental torment can do wonders on ones body. That's evident in everyone in this family, she commented bitterly to herself.
Arianna yawned in turn, and so did Harry. Moments later, the two large owls that had appeared on the windowsill yawned simultaneously. They all laughed before she walked over to it. Untying a note from the larger, brown one, she read aloud:
Lupin-
Professor Dumbledore requests your presence as teacher of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts for the coming year, as the previous teacher met an unfortunate end at the hands of a lawnmower and a can of soup.
Arianna paused, and Sirius raised an eyebrow.
"A lawnmower and a can of soup? How in bloody hell is that possible?"
Arianna shrugged.
"No clue. Oh, and have I told you lately that your British accent has gotten worse lately, father dearest?" He growled, and Arianna smiled innocently. She continued on.
Apparently Professor Dumbledore is unfazed by your past failure as teacher of this position, and after I offered to take the position myself, he insisted we call upon you. Please feel free to turn down this offer, as I am sure your… ailment… might prove as quite a problem during the school year, what with the absences every once a month and the complaints that are sure to come in from the parents.
Both Sirius and Arianna were growling in a rather canine way. Harry was glaring at an invisible writer of the letter. "How much would you like to bet that Snape wrote that?" Arianna read the rest.
Send back your response as soon as possible, or the offer will be revoked as pre-school preparations must be started.
-Severus Snape, Potions Master
PS: It seems as though I miscalculated when the night of the full moon was. I do hope you managed to get the potion in time, for I believe Azkaban might still have a cell clear from the days when your dear friend Black was there, and spreading your ailment is sure to land you a room there.
Arianna made note of the name as she said, "Can we write him back? 'Dear Professor Snape. You are a greasy little git who deserves to burn in eternal He--'" At that moment, a tiny, hyper owl flew into the room, directly into her mouth. Arianna spat it up, and glared at it.
"What is it? 'Attack Arianna With Owls and Strange Information Day'?" Another owl fluttered in, and she let her head fall into her hands.
Harry exclaimed, "Hedwig!"
Arianna glared.
"What did you just call me!?"
Harry looked at her nervously. "Er, Hedwig… My owl… Behind you…" Arianna blinked, then grinned sheepishly. "Sorry."
Quickly, Arianna scribbled a reply to Professor Snape in a manner that she hoped made her sound like her father, and tied it to the proud owl's leg. Then she grabbed the note from the newest owl and read through it.
Dear Mister Sirius Black-
It has come to our attention that you have requested to become Mister Harry Potter's legal guardian. While in most cases, this would have been a quick decision, certain complications in the situation makes this much more difficult.
Arianna skimmed over the rest, and rolled her eyes. "Oh, please," she said, and Sirius shot her a questioning look. "According to some crackpot Ministry rule, because you spent time in Azkaban, have no legal martial equal, reside in the home of a werewolf, and care for a bastard child like me, you'll have to wait three years before the Ministry will make you Harry's legal guardian." Ooh, on a first-name basis with Mister Potter, are you? the voice teased. She shot it a mental glare, making note to later evaluate her sanity.
Sirius growled, probably clenching his fists, and Harry looked crestfallen. Despite her dislike for the boy, it broke her heart to see his hopes and dreams shattered. Putting on the most sincere-looking smile she could muster, she said, "Hey, look at the bright side: At least they didn't say no. And anyway, the Ministry is filled with imbeciles. You saw how long it took them to take action with Voldemort." Harry smiled at her, but he had a faint trace of shock in his emerald eyes. Arianna detected it, and rolled hers.
"Okay, what's shocking you now, Mister Potter? I am perfectly aware I am still nude, by the way."
Harry blushed, and said quietly, "Erm, well, you said… you said Lord Voldemort's name. I've only heard Professor Dumbledore, your fathers, and myself speak his name aloud." Again Arianna rolled her green-flecked hazel eyes, and made note not to anymore as they were beginning to ache.
"Potter, Potter, Potter," she said, grinning. "I spent my late developing years in this house, with this family. These two are about as unafraid of the word 'Voldemort' as I am of prancing naked down a busy Muggle street screaming, 'The cheese is coming! The cheese is coming! Arm yourselves, as the cheese is coming!'"
Sirius glared at her. "That was YOU?!" he asked, yelling. Arianna grinned sheepishly before continuing.
"Anyway, it catches. Most people are afraid of saying the name because their parents always discouraged it. By putting more fear in the name, they put even more fear in the person. I also suppose that it was like one of those old tales you hear; that if you are to say the name, it summons back the evil, and very, very few people besides Death Eaters wanted old Voldie back."
Harry nodded, thoughtfully. "You're wise for an eleven-year-old, Arianna. With a mind that's as deep as yours, you'll probably end up a regular Hermione," he said with a chuckle, and Arianna grinned. She might not have been too fond of the guy, but a compliment was a compliment, and from what she had been told, Hermione Granger was a magical genius.
Sirius pouted. "She will not," he said, and she couldn't help but grin wider. Her ebony-haired father could act like such a child at times, she thought. It was those times, those moments when the hollow, haunted look disappeared, that she enjoyed the most.
Arianna opened the next letter with mild interest. The tiny fluffball that had nearly choked her had been carrying a note from Karamin Random Wizardry, a shop that sold just about anything that had to do with magic, from potion ingredients to broomsticks to books to toys. Since she worked there, the owner managed to order some enchanted Muggle CDs for her, ones that never scratched or broke. Making note to visit the store before she left, she untied the note from Hedwig's ankle, and read it aloud in a perfect British accent.
Harry-
What? Your scar hurt? I'll check in Magical Scars, Marks, and Ailments, Volume 22. Of course, there might not be much about scars from the Avada Kedavra curse. After all, you are the only one to survive it. The voice in Arianna's head scoffed. Maybe you should write Sirius—
"Yes, Harry, you should have written Sirius…" The brunette blocked out the rest of her father's lecture to Harry, petting the owl as it hooted quietly in pleasure. Arianna smiled. She loved all animals and magical creatures, from nundus to owls to boggarts. They were all so interesting, and they were each so connected with nature and everything beyond human's limited minds.
Hedwig nipped gently at Arianna's fingers, and she walked over to the cabinet to get some owl feed. Finally, Sirius stopped lecturing Harry and said, "Well, Ari, get some sleep. Be packed and ready by noon on Friday, and remember to tell your father. Harry and I have something to discuss."
Harry said a sheepish, "G'night," before popping out of the fireplace. Arianna smiled at her dad.
"Don't go too hard on Potter, Sirius-'tousan. He probably didn't want to worry you with his scar hurting." She put Hedwig's food down, and all the owls attacked it. Arianna pecked Sirius on the cheek.
"Oyasumi nasai, Otousan. Love ya. Have many sweet, Remus-youfu filled dreams." Sirius blinked.
"'Remus-youfu?'" he asked, raising an eyebrow. Arianna sighed before yawning. "I looked it up in Karamin's; 'youfu' means adoptive father. It just popped up in my head, so I figured I'd get used to it. It gets confusing; I'm thinking of naming you Father Alpha and Father Beta. Though then I'd have to see which one of you is the dominant one, and there are some things in life I need not witness."
Sirius grinned at her, said his goodnight, and Arianna was left in the small cabin, the house bathed in silence except for the quiet whimpers from the upstairs room. She doused the fireplace, opened the windows, and tossed herself onto the ratty couch. Hedwig fluttered over and perched on the other arm of the couch as Arianna pulled an old blanket out from beneath the couch.
And, nude except for a blanket, Arianna let the black rain of night lull her into much-needed slumber, the pattering blocking out the whimpers and hoots.
"Kagami!"
She turned around, looking around for the voice with the full curiosity of a five-year-old girl. Soon spotting the cloaked boy, she ran through the rain, giggling. "Hey, Ijirashii!" she shouted, grinning.
Ijirashii grinned at her. "Elder Marvolo sent me to get you! Is it true? You passed the initiation test, so now you get your marks?" he asked excitedly, light sparkling in his molten silver eyes. Kagami grinned, and replied, "Yup! Where are they?" The four-year-old boy grabbed her by the wrist, and they dashed off towards a clearing where about twenty other cloaked figures stood.
The duo paused, catching their breath and fixing up their cloaks. Stepping into order with the five other hooded children of her learning group, they awaited the cool voice of their leader. Kagami shifted her weight from foot to foot in anxious excitement.
Finally, the voice floated through the group, like flames through the rain. "Today, we have another member to properly initiate," the man said, shiny bald head protruding from his cloak. "She has gone through the initiation tasks with flying colors, and is most deserving of the honor of becoming a Shadow Mage. Number six three nine, Kagami, step forward." The girl complied, stifling a grin.
"Your wrists, please," he commanded in an uncaring way. Kagami pulled back the sleeves of her cloaks, exposing the sensitive flesh of her wrists. The man took out his wand and placed the tip on each wrist, muttering an incantation. A black star appeared at the center. She could feel her best friend beaming at her from behind.
The man turned with a swish of his cloak. He turned his head back towards her, a malicious smirk on his thin lips, unadulterated evil sparkling in the cold depths of his ice blue eyes. "Chekkumeito," he said, and a burning sensation tore through her veins, white-hot pain blinding her. She howled, and collapsed to her knees, tearing at her wrists, wanting relief, wanting to be free of the pain.
The elders left, dragging a reluctant Ijirashii with them. Kagami tossed her head back, tears blending with black rain. The pain was pumping through her like blood, and it seemed like it would never end. Another howl tore from her throat, followed by painful, choked sobs. Two cloaked figures stood nearby, watching. Kagami turned to them.
"Mommy, Daddy!" she cried desperately, but they just watched on. The pain ripped through her in a new wave, and she dug her nails into her arms. It subsided with an empty low, and she finally passed out after one last howl into the moonlight.
"Arianna, wake up!"
The brunette blinked, rubbing her eyes. Her tired-looking father was standing above her, a worried look tainting his features. Arianna sat up slowly, rubbing her temples. "Yes, Dad?"
Remus frowned. "You were howling in your sleep again. Still having dreams that you're a werewolf?" he asked, and Arianna chewed on her lower lip. She hated lying to her father, especially about anything that might hurt him like nightmares about lycanthropy that he convinced himself he was the cause of, because the dreams were always the worst around the full moon.
Nodding slightly, Arianna tossed her legs over the side of the couch and stood, blanket wrapped around her. "What time is it?" she asked, groaning. She started walking into the kitchen, following her apron-clad father.
"About eight o'clock. Why?" Arianna stopped, turning around.
"What?!" she exclaimed, dropping the blanket and rushing up the stairs. "I've got to get to Swagsville and tell Mr. Karamin that I'm leaving for Scotland…" The hazel-eyed girl dodged into her room, pulled a suitcase from her closet, and started stuffing it full with all her clothes. Remus came rushing into her room.
"What did you say?!" he asked, startled. Without looking up from her packing, Arianna replied, "Sirius 'called' yesterday. He talked to Potter; he'd be more than happy to become your godson—" Remus' face lit up, "—but then we got a letter from the Ministry saying that due to the 'family circumstances,' you'll have to wait three years." Her father's face fell, and she silently cursed the Ministry.
Then she remembered the other letters. "Oh, and Hogwarts sent along two letters. I've been accepted and Dad's picking us up around noon in two days to go get supplies in Diagon Alley, and some git named Snape wrote about your getting a position as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year." She handed him the letter, and finished packing.
"Now, my dear father," she said, pecking him on the cheek, "I must go alert my employer that I'm going to Hogwarts and will no longer be able to work during the year. Ta ta." As she headed out of the room, her father called, "Arianna! Wait!" She paused, rolling her eyes.
"Yes, father dearest?" she asked impatiently. Remus grinned sheepishly at her. "Err, Ari, you forgot your clothes." Arianna blinked, looked down, and rushed back into her room. Remus laughed and left to go pack.
Tomorrow, they were going to Scotland.
¤~End First Chapter~¤
And so ends the first chapter of Book One in our Child of Night series. Dun dun DUNN. *cue evil laughter* ^_^ Next chapter should be better than this one, as my dear Scrat is writing it! Yay! Well, stay tuned. La la la. Aww, dammit, Scrat, you take over.
Scrat: *takes over* BWAHAHA, I HAVE TAKEN OVER! *cough* Now, whatever Ara-chan may say, I'm not better than her, dammit! Simply… more taking-over-ish. Am I making sense? Wait! Before we end this chapter, I have a quick Reader's Poll *trumpets blare importantly* that I would like you to answer in your review. (…You ARE going to review… aren't you? …*gets no reply* AREN'T YOU?! *panics*)
READER'S POLL
Who would you like to pair Harry with, romantically?
Responses can be any character his age, male or female.
Results may not necessarily coincide with the character with the most votes; rather the character that we (Ara and Scrat) feel most inspired to write.
Thank you.