[A/N- yes, I know, I keep starting things before I finish everything. But I've just found this story so intriguing that I haven't been able to get off of it or out of it. So, here's to hopes for more reviews, and a decent romance, if doomed! Read through my other two stories, this is something of a prequel. I think it's a good start. The song this chapter revolves around, as well as at the beginning, is Serenity, by Godsmack.]

"I'm the one who loves you

No matter wrong or right

And every day I hold you

I hold you with my inner child."

- Godsmack, Serenity

Histalni breathed deeply, evenly. The silence in the great hall of Hogwarts school was deafening, and the small table in front of her was radiating criticism. She understood that most of them had not believed in her existence until they'd seen her. A Silver Blood Sorceress. Ha! Right! Her wings shifted nervously, her pale gray and black hair falling into her eyes. It was so short, she couldn't really stop it- but she could still see. After all, it only came to her cheekbones. She'd given it purple highlights, for sakes, and it matched her purple blouse and black jeans quite well. Her shoes were strapped, comfortable sandals, and her looks were finished off with a touch of silver nail polish. She was vain, she knew. She was also young to be testing into the Fyre. She breathed again, staring the head judge in the eyes.

"You may begin when ready, Miss Jekinart," he stated, his white wingspan bunched uncomfortably against the chair back.

She nodded. Just this. This is all. And then I'm done. She focused, and the guitar chords floated through the air, hurtful and menacing. Then the drums started. She opened her mouth to sing the first few bars. The bass was strong enough to shake the floor.

"As I sit here

And slowly close my eyes

I take another deep breath

And feel the wind pass through my body

I'm the one in your soul

Reflecting inner light

Protect the ones who hold you

Cradling your inner child

I need serenity

In a place where I can hide

I need serenity

Nothing changes, days go by..." then she began the dance, as the music held itself, and the lights faded into harsh blacks and whites, stage light and shadow, severe, with soft violet. Her hands twirled intricately and her hips swayed in her own personal style of heavy spell casting. This was meant to impress- and she meant it to. This was her song. Her life. Her pain, and she felt her memories fading into the music.

Where do we go when we just don't know?

And how do we relight the flame when it's cold?

Why do we dream when our thoughts mean nothing?

And when will we learn to control?

Tragic visions

Slowly stole my life

Tore away everything

Cheating me out of my time

I'm the one who loves you

No matter wrong or right

And every day I hold you

I hold you with my inner child

I need serenity

In a place where I can hide

I need serenity

Nothing changes, days go by

Where do we go when we just don't know?

And how do we relight the flame when it's cold?

Why do we dream when our thoughts mean nothing?

And when will we learn to control? Her voice lilted the air, but she wasn't singing. Her wings ruffled lightly with the act of keeping balanced. She was so entranced with her own involved spellcasting she didn't notice the spare presence in the room.

Where do we go when we just don't know?

And how do we relight the flame when it's cold?

Why do we dream when our thoughts mean nothing?

And when will we learn to control? (I need serenity....)

Where do we go when we just don't know? (I need serenity...)

And how do we relight the flame when it's cold? (I need serenity...)

Why do we dream when our thoughts mean nothing? (I need serenity...)

And when will we learn to control? She stood there, as her strength ebbed away, into herself. She looked up at the table.

"The Sphynx welcomes you to the Fyre, Miss Jekinart. Go back to your instructor, we will inform you of your position at a later date."

She nodded, turned on her heel and walked out the door. When she opened it, she found herself staring into the brown eyes of a strange boy, not much older than herself.

***

Tom had run back into the Great Hall to retrieve some books he had forgotten, as the school year was almost over, and found the room transformed. He was rooted to his spot in the doorway as the most beautiful girl… woman... he had ever seen danced gracefully across the floor, a huge pair of glittering silver wings trailing behind her. Music coated the room, a personal favorite song of his, and lights shifted and changed throughout the hall. He thought, for a moment, that it might have been some ceremony of the Headmaster's, but he noticed that the music and the lights changed with the motions of the dancer. He could almost feel her concentration. And the beauty of the scene, it had him intoxicated. Riveted to the spot. Suddenly, the music was over, and by the time he came out of his trance, he found himself staring into the most vibrant, beautiful violet eyes he'd ever seen in his life.