I don't own Harry Potter, Hogwarts, etc, blah blah, but I do own the original characters (now isn't that funny?) Don't flame, because flaming is immature and will just make me think you're not worth listening to. Do review, because it will make me happy, and hopefully will be useful in improving the story. And yes, I really do use this blurb at the beginning of every chapter! Wow…isn't that weird?
Snow drifted down gently outside and settled onto the sill of Kiora's window. He was, unlike the majority of his days, not in his office, but in the spacious tower bedroom that Dumbledore had kindly granted upon request. When the headmaster had inquired as to why Kiora wanted a room in a tower (few did, they got very cold during the winter without magical heating) Kiora had simply answered that he enjoyed the view. Dumbledore had blinked and smiled in the disconcertingly omniscient fashion of his before going on with life as though nothing had changed.
It was one of a precious few long weekends for students and teachers alike during the wintry months, and Kiora was very much enjoying not having to work too hard. The students were quick, but some of them, particularly a certain two who had a more than healthy rivalry going, were trying. It was still dim enough outside that the flickering candlelight showed Kiora his own pensive, perhaps slightly melancholy face in the window, like a ghostly mirror hung on the landscape itself. He missed the mountains, with their soaring majesty and razor-keen air. It was the snow, he decided, that brought back such memories.
Kiora sighed and turned away from the window. His grade book sat upon his desk, reminding him that he actually did have some duties to accomplish. His class had proceeded at a satisfactory pace, although after everyone had gotten the hang of sensing mana, things had slowed down. They had had a significant amount of trouble manipulating magic without their wands. Most of them were now at the level of very simple magics, floating small objects, making lights and very rudimentary illusions. Mrs. Granger had developed an unusual thirst for information on the history and theory of magecraft, which, according to Kiora's extensive questioning of other teachers, was normal for her if she enjoyed a class. He suspected however, that her motive was not just to learn about magecraft. She often asked questions that seemed to be attempts to illicit information about types of magecraft he knew. Not a comforting thought, seeing as Hermione had witnessed a rather exotic branch of magecraft that Kiora practiced.
"I found something! Finally! It's a not a direct of lengthy reference, but I think it might be related to what we saw!" Hermione exclaimed, flew into the Griffindor common room, breathless with excitement, clutching a tome in her arms. Harry and Ron blinked.
"Slow down Hermione! We can barely understand what you're saying!" Ron implored.
"So what did you find?" Harry asked.
"Its here," Hermione opened up the book, setting it down on the table a little to hard and upsetting the chessmen of Ron and Harry's game, and began flipping rapidly. Ron rolled his eyes. "It's very short, its from a record of some minor wizard's war. 'November 12, 1205- Mountain Outpost #5 lost to the shadows.'"
"That's it?" Ron asked incredulously. "How does that tell us anything? It makes no sense."
"That's a translation of the word, the best I could get. Its strange that they stuck what looks like a Latin word in the middle of something written in some other language, and that the word was left un-translated. Almost like a-"
"Name." Harry finished Hermione's sentence before she had the chance. "So it must be some sort of creature or group. Or at least, that would make sense."
"And how does this relate to what we saw?" Ron asked. Hermione sighed.
"Well, when Sinavre did his appearing trick, it was like the shadows condensed into him right? So I was looking for any reference to magic with shadows. This was all I came up with besides stuff that was obviously referring to the dark arts, which I disregarded." Harry's eyes narrowed at the end of Hermione's explanation.
"Why? Isn't it possible that it was a dark art?"
"Oh come on Harry! Don't you trust Dumbledore at all?" Hermione was exasperated again. Harry's face took on a look of thoughtfulness. He had reasons to trust Dumbledore, but he also did not think the headmaster infallible. He sighed.
"I suppose so. But still, I wouldn't rule out the dark arts completely."
"We still don't know any more than we did before." Ron complained.
"I think I could find more if I could find the right books…." Hermione mused.
"And those would be where?" Harry pointed out.
"I have no idea."
Sinavre stood opposite Snape on the dueling platform, having been convinced to prove the effectiveness of combat magery. He wore another piece of jewelry besides his ever-present hand piece, one that none of the observing students recognized. A coronet of white gold with onyx filigree sat on his brow. A jet black jewel was its impressive centerpiece. Snape raised his wand, Sinavre his hand, and they turned and began walking towards the ends of the platform. Upon reaching their respective ends, they each paused for the requisite few seconds, and the whispers of speculative students died down to nothing.
The words of Snape's spell were lost in the roar of the fireball that it produced. Sinavre looked doomed to the onlookers. He hadn't even got in time for a counter spell as far as they could tell. Hermione gasped. The fireball hit Sinavre and engulfed him before it dissipated. Much to the surprise of everyone present, Sinavre stood, un-phased, by the attack. Snape was thrown to his feet by a wave of Sinavre's hand. The potions professor quickly recovered however, and Sinavre was buffeted by howling winds. The duel continued back and forth, for a few more minutes. Harry saw a very quick shrew look pass over Snape's face, and so he knew something was coming. As Snape raised his wand and pointed at Sinavre, Harry shifted his gaze.
"Legilimens!" Snape roared. Harry saw Sinavre's pupils widen to huge proportions as tendrils of crimson snaked through the mage's amber eyes. Sinavre stood rooted to the spot. A rustle passed over the crowd. Ron nudged Harry, who shifted his glance to the now collapsed potions master. Madam Hooch, who had agreed to ensure the fairness of the duel, hurried to Snape to insure that he was unharmed. Most of the assembled crowd's attention now focused on the defeated professor. Harry, on a hunch, turned back to Sinavre. He witnessed as single tear fall to the ground and land with a tiny crash as it shattered into pieces. Harry surreptitiously brushed then off the platform and into his pocket. When he looked back up, Sinavre was gone.
So it's a little short, but Oooh! The mystery! Review, and maybe you'll get more answers sooner! Thank you!