Magical Mysticism

Chapter 13

Questions or Comments go to Leuca_2007@hotmail.com.

Thanks!

~Leuca

This chapter is dedicated to Andrea who left such a nice review… Thanks!!!

Virginia was tired. Here she was, young, beautiful, and powerful. Her negotiations had been working quite well. In fact, she had now gotten the support of a lot of dark creatures, Dementors, werewolves, vampires, and the lot. It had taken a lot of time and peaceful treaties, but now she was ready, with an army that could easily wipe out ,the old fool Dumbledore, and his "great army." Now, it was time for her to relax by herself, something she'd not had a lot of recently.

She lay in the dark, stone castle that she and Draco had established as their headquarters. Their room was a dark, candle filled hunter green suite, elegant, and sinister looking at the same time. Virginia laid down, looking forward to a protected, safe nights sleep. She left the Serpent of Shadow necklace on as she slept, like always. It's coiling and unwinding had grown to be comfort on her bare chest.

Before she fell asleep, Virginia's thoughts turned to Draco, whose location was unknown. Sure, she could do a spell to try to see where he would be, but Virginia was pretty certain that he had blocked himself from such spells. While either of them were here at the castle, they were safe, due to some dark shields and charms, but once they left the protection of the grounds, any ministry official could find them. As for Draco, well, who knew where he could be? His current mission was to gather more young death eaters, and to re-brand the current ones with the new mark, and have them re-pledge their loyalty to him and Virginia.

Meanwhile, she had been busy at work, trying to make peace with Dark creatures. At first, it hadn't been as successful as Virginia might have liked, and she found herself struggling to be taken seriously. After all, she was a sixteen year old Hogwarts drop-out, although, after some shows of her powers, friends had been made quickly, the bodies of the old leaders removed from the room, and treaties signed. Now, she had aid whenever the war began.

Soon, practically as soon has her head had hit the pillow, Virginia was in a deep sleep, forgetting the troubles that she'd accumulated quickly.

She was in a forest. It was dark, and only the mist distinguished objects from shadows. Huge, black, half-rotting hollow trees covered the horizon in every direction. The sky was so veiled, it would be hard to tell whether it was night or day. Virginia gasped, she had heard about this place before. She had never seen it, but in her heart she knew where she was. A place where ancient spirits dwelled.

It was where all things in transition went, a sort of resting spot for witches and wizards, who, due to their pent up magical ability, needed some release. Usually only the very old went here, falling into a dream like state that was always difficult to separate from death. Often, in the past, dreaming wizards were buried alive because of this. But, now, Virginia was here.

She was startled, who wouldn't be? She was at the peak of her life, not some old, pent up weakened witch. But, as she looked around, she couldn't see anyone else. Perhaps she was in a different part of this realm. The Realm of Rest, yes, that was what the elders called it. Her own grandfather had described his rest in there as peaceful, tranquil. It hadn't been nearly so tranquil for the younger Ginny, who had walked in and thought him dead, when no heartbeat or breath could be found. A simple magical test performed by her parents, however, showed that he was still very much alive.

Virginia pressed on, noting her changed wardrobe. She had gone to sleep in the customary nightrobes. Now she had on a terribly old fashioned ball gown, from probably a century or two ago. It's shimmering silver gray expanse looked new though, and not at all antiqued. It fit her body perfectly, coming up to a thick-strapped neck, and a low, revealing back. She was wearing a serpent band upon her ring finger, and the snake upon her neck was still there, quivering with what seemed to be excitement. Virginia also found that her hair, which had been pulled back when she slept, was down, and flowing freely down her back. It was also a shock to see that her hair had grown, flowing down her body.

The snake began hissing softly into the woods, a constant, reassuring hiss that sounded as speech were coming from its lips. Virginia regretted very much that she wasn't a Parselmouth, to hear and understand the words. Turning quickly around, she could see nothing but the customary trees and shadows, and so then turned, and went on her way, carefully picking a path around the rotting trees.

Virginia continued walking, to see where she was, and if she would wake up. She wasn't worried about being buried alive, after all, who would find her? Draco was gone, and the Death Eaters weren't allowed into her private quarters, neither were the house elves.

She came onto a mirror. A huge, silver plate, the perimeter covered in emeralds. It was hanging from a tree, looking like it was meant to be there. Moss even covered the bottom portion of it, having grown from the tree over the mirror. Looking into it, Virginia saw herself and someone else at the same time. It was herself, only her features had changed, looked harder, more dangerous than her current self. Her face was still unflawed, excepting for her eyes. They looked as if they had seen too much to be fazed by anything anymore. She looked a good five to ten years older.

As she was looking, she could see the serpent move. It's eyes were flashing dangerously. With a final jerk, though, it's chain broke, and it slithered down her body, caressing her chest, and around her hip. It dropped to the ground, and was soon lost amid the undergrowth and dirt.

Virginia was to surprised to do anything. She was too familiar with its constant writhing against her body to stop it from escaping, or leaving, whatever you could call it.

"Ah, Virginia. So you have found me." A dark, yet known voice from behind her. She turned around quickly, only to be faced with the one she had conspired against, the one she had been responsible for killing.

"My Lord." Even if this was a dream, and he was dead, she was still faced with her very master, and she kneeled down in front of him. It seemed that he was in no hurry to stop this show of subordination, either.

"Virginia," he said, with just a small nod of his head, his eyes glinting in the darkness. "I knew what I was doing, giving you my most truest and trusted servant. My snake. I knew he would lead you to me eventually. I never knew that it's use would come so soon."

"Yes, my Lord." Virginia stood, after kissing the former Dark Lords hem. Why had he not said anything about his death? Had he known it was her and Draco?

"I can always tell if there is a plan on my life, dear daughter of mine. Both you and Draco reeked of the scent of betrayal, it wasn't hard to figure out what had happened."

She was expecting to be killed. Questions swirled in her brain, a million tiny firefly's that buzzed around in her mind, lighting up, needing to be answered before her death.

"No need to fear, daughter. I did nothing to quell the oncoming tide against me. I needed to test my true powers, and my plan. My plan of which I had not told anyone." Here, in front of her Voldemort stood, as he had done on his last day of life. If the setting were changed, he could have easily been leading the feast at the Death Eater meeting.

"Why did you not stop us, my Lord?" Virginia burst out. Such a question.

"For that, Virginia, there is quite some story. I needed to tell you, however, and thus I brought you here.

You see, it had been quite some time since my last attempt at immortality, and I was growing desperate. Even then I was feeling the oncoming of my last days, and I was worried as to the future of the Dark side. But then, I found you and Draco. I knew that even if my demise was unavoidable, the powers and ideals of Salazar Slytherin would carry on. In fact, the power you radiated, the hatred for my leadership, convinced me that I was doing the right thing. So I turned my mind to other matters. But then, fear once again crept in.

I decided to have one more try at eternal life. I was reading at immense speeds, devouring every iota of information on the subject. I came across a old, heavy book in the library of my castle. It was on the Resting Realm, and how the occupants seem so close to death on the other side. An idea formed.

I decided to try it. A complex spell, potion, and soul-binding necromancy took over my every thought. It had to be perfect. It was not for the weak minded wizard, or Mudblood. It took months to perfect. Finally it was ready. I could sense that you would kill me as soon as possible. I gave you the serpent, who had been a close friend of mine since I found out my ancestry. That final meeting, do you remember? I did everything promptly the hour before it started.

Then, I saw Wormtail stand up. I knew it was the end. Your powers and minds could be sensed through him. I let it go, I didn't avoid the spell. Even if my plan went wrong, I would welcome the rest of death.

My body stayed there, dead, or so it seemed. My soul, however, traveled here. It is not quite the Resting Realm, but so similar, they border upon each other. I had everything I needed. My body was of no use to me. But I could stay here forever, and when those I missed died, I could bring them to me, to my world. But, I needed to contact you. Thus the snake.

It waited until you were in need of deep rest- nothing else can bring your soul here. But you were also too young, therefore a slight aging spell brought you to your twenty-fifth year, although it's still extraordinarily rare for someone so young to be brought here. I also changed your clothes, to something appropriate for this meeting. I sincerely hope you didn't mind. My snake, Nagini, in her current form helped to bring you he rest of the way." His story was done. The two had been walking while he told the story, but now Virginia felt the need to stop, and talk about what she'd heard.

"My Lord, what have you the need to tell me that I am here?" You could hear the questioning in her voice, and see it in her eyes. Voldemort looked down upon her, his red eyes scanning her face, deciding if it was time.

"You are here to listen to my advice. A great war is brewing, is it not? I do not think that Dumbledore or the Ministry would have backed down about their 'noble' cause."

"Yes, my Lord."

"In that case, you need to listen. Nagini informed me that you had been making peace with several dark creatures. That is a good move, but they need to be trained, too. Give them wands. Gregorovitch from Bulgaria will make them, no questions asked. His family has been in the Dark Arts for years, although he has decided not to bear the Dark Mark, he owes us his allegiance.

Also, do not forget Harry Potter. He will be their secret weapon, or so they think. Learn about him. Have spies at Hogwarts study his style, become familiar with him. Last time, you cursed him, because he trusted you, and underestimated your power. It will be quite harder to get him to let his guard down this time." Ginny nodded. She was storing up all this information. Gregorovitch, wands, spies, Harry Potter. If this "advice" as it had been called continued, she would have this war in the palm of her hand.

"You have opened a connection with me here, Virginia, my dearest daughter and subject. Now, whenever you sleep, you shall be directed here, and we can talk. But it must only happen when you are protected. That is in fact a warning. A dire one, that needs to be followed."

He turned on his heel, and seemed to disappear into the mist without moving. Virginia was once more left alone, and then she too, left the dream world that had overcome her.

********************

Harry Potter was lying in bed at the Burrow. He had not been able to sleep very well that night. Another dream of his with Voldemort in it. He opened his eyes to find Ron, and Hermione, who had finally decided to come for Christmas, over him. They were watching him intensely in the blindingly bright orange room that had been caught afire in the early morning sunlight.

The worried looks in their eyes proved to Harry that he had, in fact, been having another nightmare.

"You okay, Harry?" Ron asked, softly.

"Yeah, Harry. Ron came and got me when he woke up. You were moaning, and clutching your scar."

"Was it You-Know.. Voldemort?" Ron asked, becoming much braver about saying the name now that the Dark Lord was supposedly dead.

"Yeah." Harry's monosyllabic reply indicated that he wasn't going to talk about this anymore. Unfortunately, Hermione had never been one to take a hint, especially if it involved something important like this.

"But You-Know-Who's gone, hasn't he? I mean, everyone said that he was killed."

Harry was starting to get annoyed. "Listen, I know what happened, ok? I just had a dream."

"But your connection things not supposed to work, now that he's gone!" Hermione was seriously freaking out, trying to explain, and prove her point.

"Hermione, it's okay." Ron the mediator stepped in. "Harry, just think about owling Dumbledore, right?" Ever since Ginny had disappeared into the night a few weeks ago, Ron had been quiet, ending fights, not starting them. Harry and Hermione were seriously worried about him, especially that he never mentioned Ginny. He had just seemed to forget about her.

"Sure." Harry said with a sigh. He wasn't sure what part Voldemort played in this, let alone Ginny. He wanted to find out, and he did agree with Ron that Dumbledore should know.

He got out of bed, and rummaged in his bag, pulling out a quill and some rolled up parchment.

"Professor Dumbledore," he began. "Do you know if it's possible to be affected by curse scars even after the inflictor has died? You see, I was at the Burrow last night, and…"

**********************

When Virginia awoke, she was lying on the bed, her hair pulled back, and she was dressed in her nightclothes again. The snake was not around her neck, but rather in her hand, and she was clutching at it.

She leaped out of bed, looking out the floor-to-ceiling window at the sky outside. The sun was streaming down, a perfect, over-lit freezing winters morning. Virginia shuddered, in spite of herself, and pulled her over-robes on.

Had it all really been a dream? Virginia mused to herself, pondering all that was said. She had certainly forgotten parts of it, but certain keywords kept replaying themselves in her mind. Her dress. The fog. The snake.

It had really happened. She wasn't imagining it. She now had a connection with the Dark Lord, a great and brilliant mind at planning battles. They had all the power they needed to now bring down the Mudbloods, and Dumbledore's side. This would be the one time that the Dark side actually prospered.

Virginia smirked evilly. If Ron had been able to see that exact look on her face, he would have noticed that it looked oddly familiar, she thought. Only one other person had he ever seen with that expression, and that was Draco Malfoy.

***************************

Speaking of whom, the aforementioned Draco Malfoy had that same look on his face that very moment. He was at the home of Terrence Parkinson, father to Pansy, and a very loyal Death Eater. He had just been promised a lifetime of service to the Dark Side, even if the light did win the war. In fact, Parkinson was so pleased that his Lord had paid him a visit, he was nearly trembling on the floor. His face had gone white, and he had been very helpful.

Parkinson had money. Most of the old, pureblooded Dark families did. Parkinson also had a great deal of influence with the younger generations of Slytherins, having four children at Hogwarts right now. Their support had all been pledged to him, and they were all marked with the new Dark Mark. All the children had been home for Christmas holidays, when Draco had paid a visit.

All of them received the mark, with its Cruciatus side-effects, even the youngest, who was barely 11, and a first year. The oldest, Pansy, and a sixth year, had been the first of the family to receive the new mark. She had changed much since starting Hogwarts, and was now an intelligent young woman. She had taken the curse without so much as a flinch. Draco suspected that, to prepare her for receiving the mark, she had been placed under the Cruciatus before.

It was common practice, although you didn't mention it among others, even if they were of the same house and blood. Most Slytherins probably had undergone this before. Draco knew that he had. The Slytherins, when they had talked about their home life at all, tended to gloss over the certain aspects that might later make trouble for their families.

Draco already had the support of all old Death Eaters, who had seen what he could do to them, courtesy of Wormtail's example. The younger crowd knew him personally already, or most of them did. They were more than willing to accept him. If they had been a few years younger, it would have been like a twisted game of "follow the leader".

But the support kept growing, and from what he'd heard of Virginia's endeavors since he'd last seen her, she was phenomenal. All Dark creatures, who were normally at each others throats, had banded together to fight under the Dark side, and Virginia's leadership.

He missed her. It had been too long since he had beheld her naked body upon his, too long since he'd smelt her hair, too long since he'd been able to tell her he loved her. These were not normal feelings. Draco had long been taught to suppress all emotions other than hate and contempt, and superiority. He wanted to her to know how he felt though.

He'd been gone too long. Now he would return to his castle and his love, and they would celebrate their accomplishments, and further prepare for a war.

From his spies, he'd gathered that the Wizarding World was confident- overly so. In fact, most didn't even know of their existence, and if they did, they probably laughed at it. After all, how much damage could two not-fully-trained wizards deal? There had been no word from Dumbledore.

"Excellent," Draco murmured into his wine. "I've been meaning to pay Severus a little visit, anyway."

Severus was a spy. Every right-minded Slytherin knew that. Draco had his own opinions on the matter, though. A little persuasion could always affect how Snape saw things. Plus, one of the added "benefits" of the new Dark Mark was that it prevented information from being spread.

Draco smiled as he imagined what would happen if Severus tried to tell Dumbledore, or write him a note, or even thought about selling out to the light side. Let's just say being turned inside out alive was not necessarily a pleasant experience. Plus, this curse had the fun of being able to make your insides feel as if they were burning, until your very blood felt like a pool of magma being swirled inside you. It wasn't bad for the body, it just hurt… a lot. In fact, most people who had this placed on top of them found themselves in St. Mungo's after a few very short seconds.

"Yep," thought Draco. "I need to have a little talk with Severus."

So, another long chapter. What'd you think? Let me know at Leuca_2007@hotmail.com, or write a review… it's easier. Thanks for reading this!

~Leuca