Disclaimer: I don't own harry potter or any of JKR wonderful characters.
~ Nevermore ~
~ Prologue ~
Cloaked in black, the figures leaped, they flew gracefully through the air weightless for mere seconds before landing and dashing on. They ran soundlessly and leap, becoming weightless once more before landing and carrying on. Again the figures leaped, but this time one of their numbers fell short and only managed to catch the side of the building, letting out a started gasp.
Some of the figure continued on taking flight again and again, leaping from building to building. A few stopped though, to wait for their comrade to climb up on the roof and join them. The figure managed this task without too much trouble, but was a bit out of breath when he came to rest on the roof top ledge.
"Raven" Asked one of the people, a boy by the sound of his voice. "Sorry" replied the other boy who's name was revealed to be Raven. Raven stood up and brushed down his midnight black cloak "Let's go." The boy who had spoken first nodded and they were once again flying from building to building.
~~~~~~~~~~
The glass shattered in a sprinkle of shining diamonds. It's high-pitched shriek ringing throughout the night air.
Silences.
~~~~~~~~~
"Did you like quidditch?"
"I don't think it matters. It's not like I can play now." Came the bitter reply.
"True, but still I remember the rush of it all, it felt great. I felt free." A nod in response.
"What about dueling? Any good?"
A shrug
"Potions. That was always an interesting subject. Fascinating how you can create the very essence of life yet not, you know?"
"Sucks to potions!"
"I know what you mean never like it much myself either."
A snort.
"What's so funny?"
"Oh nothing, nothing."
"Come on you can tell me. I promise I won't tell anyone!"
"Too bad, it's you the secrets being kept from."
"Hey!"
A chuckle. "Ever hear of a joke."
"Finally you're coming out of that shell of yours."
"What shell?"
Shaking his head "Simply amazing."
A shrug "okay then."
"I'm the Noble Mad Hatter by the way."
"Alice in wonderland?"
"Hey! I'm more then crazy enough to fit the name!"
"Sorry, sorry it's just a little weird that's all?"
"Hey you better watch out, you know I'm in charge here, right?"
"Could have fooled me."
"I'll let that slide...this time."
Another shrug.
"So then what do I call you?"
"I don't care, you decided."
"Raven."
"Raven?"
"Sure your as mocking as one."
"If you think so."
"Oh trust me, I know so! Anyway welcome to the mischievous world of the lost boys."
"Peter pan?"
"Shut up!"
~~~~~~~~
"Hurry up we don't have all night!" Hissed Mad Hatter.
"Do you want me to do this or not?" hissed back Raven. Mad Hatter sighed.
"Sorry it's just we've never hit this big before you know?"
Raven nodded a pulled out a slim piece of wire. Quickly but quietly he pushed it into the lock and began working at it. There was a pause, people holding their breaths in anticipation as Raven worked at the lock, only the scrapping of metal on metal could be heard and then, a soft click.
"Success!"
"Shut up! We celebrate later. Hurry up an' loot!"
There was a rush of hands grabbing coins and hastily shoving it into bags. The coins tinkled as they hit against each other and the sound of excited thieves stealing for the first time.
"Okay enough, enough let's go!" yelled Mad Hatter.
The group stood and rushed towards the exit. They smashed through the front glass in celebration of a job well done and were met by police who had surrounded the building.
"Scatter" Someone, yelled. And scatter they did. Some ran back into the building they had just robbed while others tried to dash off to a side alley.
"Raven, follow me!" Yelled Mad Hatter rushing back into the building.
"But we'll be trapped in here!" Protested Raven
"Don't worry. It just takes a leap of faith and we'll be free once more."
"Why do I feel there's more to that." Mad Hatter grinned devilishly at him.
"Don't worry it'll be just fine!"
"Let's hope so."
~~~~~~~~~~~
"So do you miss your family or anything?"
"Hell no."
"Can't say I do either. What did you do anyway that go you expelled?"
"You say first."
"Hey I asked first."
"Well you won't get and answer until you answer."
"Fine have it your way."
~~~~~~~~~~~
Though Hogwarts was the main school of magic and number one choice for witches and wizards some wizard families preferred to send their children to more private magic school where they could get one on one training and learn that much quicker.
These school conditions were harsher though and every so often a wizard or witch would run away. These run aways often liked to refer to themselves as the lost boys. Though the term was quite sexist, it was the meaning of courage and mischief that made the title popular. The lost boys however were not just a group of run away wizards. They were also the expelled, out casts and in general misfits of the wizarding society, muggle born and pure bloods alike.
~~~~~~~~~~
"So you ran away did you?" Asked Raven with a somber look on his face. Mad Hatter looked down and sadly nodded.
"They were so strict, I just couldn't take it anymore. I had to leave...so I ran."
"Interesting."
"What about you?"
"This might shock you but I ran first and then I was expelled."
"How so?"
~~~~~~~~~~
Harry Potter lugged his trunk down the sidewalk. He had just blown up his uncle's sister, Aunt Marge and was currently fleeing the scene.
~~~~~~~~~~
"You blew up your aunt?"
"Well I think she was more then asking for it if you ask me."
"Muggles they really know how to get under your skin sometimes" muttered the Mad Hatter under his breath. Raven could only nod in agreement.
"Wait you said you were expelled though too right?"
"Yeah, I received a letter of banishment actually."
"WHAT?"
"Well, this owl found me one day and it had this letter."
~~~~~~~~~~
Harry sat in the forest just outside of London. He had used a lot of unauthorized magic to get himself there and was positively absolutely sure that he was now expelled from Hogwarts. Actually he really didn't want to think about it, but it was the top most thought weighing on his mind. As Harry rested by a tree a large barn owl fluttered down and dropped at letter in Harry's lap.
The letter was grim and to the point.
Dear Mr. Potter
It has come to our attention that not only have you inflated you uncle's sister but also now have 57 counts of unauthorized magic use.
This unfortunately is not a letter of warning but a letter of banishment from the wizarding world. It appears that you are too reckless in your dealing with people and are there for a danger to Hogwarts and the community in general.
Sincerely
Headmaster A. Dumbledore of Hogwarts School of Witch-craft and Wizardry
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Just like that? They boot you out of the whole Wizarding world, just like that?"
"It seems so."
"Cripes..."
Raven nodded solemnly and shrugged.
"It's in the past now on any account"
Mad Hatter nodded and then grinned "What does it matter is right! We're outlaws here! Let's have some fun what do you think?"
Raven smiled, what did it matter? He was free from rules of school and the Dursleys...maybe it was time to have some fun.
"Let's do it!" Grinned Raven smacking a high five with Mad Hatter.
~~~~~~~~~~~
They were at an underground wizard rave party. Magic swirled around the room in neon colors. Flashing and sparking. Music blared from unseen sources all around and Witches and Wizards alike danced wildly. Raven watched as a witch walked by in a sleeveless rode that was cut in a mini skirt style. He was willing to bet that if she bent over he would be shown more then he dared to dream about. But still it made him shutter with excitement all the same.
"Get your mind out of the gutter Potter." Raven scolded himself as he followed Mad Hatter through the crowd to the open second level of the building that over looked the dance floor and housed the pub. Sitting at a table that was next to the railing, Raven was able to scan the building more closely. The building looked to have the structure of a warehouse, which, Raven though to him self it most likely was. There were no muggle lights or equipment in the building and the lights instead looked to be flouting glass balls charged with electricity that was bouncing around inside randomly. A Wizard DJ was stationed on a stage with several glass orbs floating around him. On his hands were strange gloves. He seemed to be moving the orbs around in sequences that produced the music and the same effects of a turn table muggle DJ's used.
Raven watched the DJ with interest for several minutes. He had never even thought that the wizarding world had such things as raves, but now that he had seen one, the muggle raves he had seen on TV paled severely in comparison. Raven turned his attention from the DJ to the crowd of young adult Witches and Wizards dancing just below him. Some wore muggle clothing while others wore modified robes. Raven noted that some were using there wands as glow stick's while others had cast charms on their jewelry and even clothing causing them to glow in neon colors.
"You like it!" Laughed out Mad Hatter. Raven turned to him and grinned for the first time like the still young teen he was.
"It's amazing." Mad Hatter nodded.
"And the best part is all this belongs to us, The Lost Boys."
"You're joking right?" Asked Raven bewildered.
"Would I lie?" Raven shrugged and looked back out on to the dance floor.
"So this would be home then?" Mad Hatter nodded and then spoke.
"It's more complicated then this though."
"There's more?" A nod.
"You wouldn't believe how big The Lost Boys territory really is."
"Are you going to show me the rest?"
"Eventually, though we didn't come here to discuss territory. Here this'll make this night truly magical." Mad Hatter pulled out a small vial filled with blue powder. Raven picked up the small container and studied its contents for a minute.
"What is it?"
Mad Hatter smiled darkly.
"This my friend is real magic mushroom, if you will."
"I don't understand."
"There is nothing to understand. This" Mad Hatter snatched the vial out of Raven hand "Is the bomb of all drugs. It does 10 time what any muggle drug could; yet the risk of overdose is lower. No worries mate. Just take a pinch, eat it like Pixie Stick or sniff it like Skat. You could even mix it with Butterbeer if you wanted or better yet hard liquor. Come on try a little."
Raven looked uneasy for a minute.
"I'm not sure." He said hesitantly. Mad Hatter frowned.
"Just try it!" He urged. Raven just studied the blue powder before him with uncertainty.
"Where'd you get it from?"
"Does it matter?"
Raven shrugged "It could, what if it's poison?"
Mad Hatter glared at Raven.
"I though I was doing you a favor bringing you here and taking you under my wing after the rest of the worlds deserted you. Thought you wanted to have some fun?"
"This is fun?"
"Raven, trust me just a pinch and you'll be having some real fun before you know it. Remember you have no boundaries any more. Come on try it."
Raven folded and took a pinch of the powder. Mad Hatter leaned back with a grin and handed Raven a straw. With shaky hands Raven laid the powder out a napkin and clumsily sniffed it up. He blinked rapidly and then grinned as his pupils dilated and his eye color brightened.
"Having fun yet?" Asked Mad Hatter.
Raven chuckled, Mad Hatter smiled and ordered a round of beers.
"Tonight's going to be fun indeed." Mad Hatter whispered to himself taking a pinch of the blue powder himself.
~~~~~~~
Raven groaned loudly as he woke up. He had no idea where he was or even how he gotten there. One thing was for sure though. He was in a bed, a ratty bed but he had endured worse. He was still fully dressed. He didn't feel sick, Raven tried to sit up but was over come with dizziness. Plopping back down Raven sighed, scratch that, he was sick.
The door to the room suddenly burst open and Mad Hatter strode in, Raven cringed at the light and rolled over in the shabby bed pulling the covers over himself.
"Up and em!" Yelled Mad Hatter trying to pull the blankets off Raven. Raven forcefully held them over his head groaning. Mad Hatter chuckled.
"What's wrong mate? Bit of a hang over?" A groan came in reply. Mad Hatter shook his head and smiled.
"I keep forgetting how young you still are." Raven pushed the covers down and looked at Mad Hatter with a 'what do you think expression'. Mad Hatter just chuckled and pulled Raven out of bed. Raven slumped on the ground nearly knocking his head on the bed frame.
"Watch yourself mate. You could have knocked your block off and put yourself out for another day."
"Another?" Asked Raven bleary eyed.
"Oh yeah 'another'" Raven groaned once again burying his head in his arm's resting against the bed.
"Oh come now you can't mope in bed all day, we have work to do." Raven sighed once again and stood up. He wobbled for a minute but stopped after Mad Hatter offered him some support.
"Easy now mate we need to get you fixed up or you'll be no use today."
"What happens today?" babbled Raven.
"You learn the tricks of the trade."
~~~~~~~~~~~
To be in a street gang of any kind generally meant that, you were to either stick to your own clan or trust no one. But the word, trust on the streets hardly held any meaning. The law of the land was 'every man for himself' when it can to war, fighting and stealing. If you were caught while stealing with a group you were on your own. No one would come and bail you out or break you out. It was your situation and yours alone.
Though sometimes bond's of friendship were forged through the lies and deceit, friendship that was stronger then any other kind on the planet. It wasn't the kind of friendship built through pretend tea parties and sleepovers. It was the type of friendship where you would constantly take one another's life's in each other's hands, and juggle it with chainsaws and knifes. The trust was solid and there never was or would be doubt.
~~~~~~~~~~
Raven crouched on a ledge over hanging a rift in the earth's crust that plunged down more then a mile. Gringotts, the Wizard bank. Ain't no place safer. Raven mentally rolled the fable around in his head. Even Hogwarts could be penetrated one way or another. Though that didn't matter at the moment. They were in the labyrinth called Gringotts and Hogwarts was just a distant memory.
"This is the main passage we use to penetrate here." Explained Mad Hatter motioning to the tunnel they had just come through. Raven looked back and returned his focus to Mad Hatter.
"Okay, so were inside...how do we get down?" Asked Raven with blunt honesty.
Mad Hatter grinned coyly at him and then leapt gracefully over the gap clinging to the opposite wall.
"We jump of course!" He Laughed. Raven starred at him long and hard trying to determine whether his new found friend was serious or rather a blundering fool. Mad Hatter laughed again and jumped back just as gracefully. He smiled down at Raven then spoke.
"Perhaps it would be easier to show you our secrets in other way. Come if we plan now, tonight you'll learn our secrets." Mad Hatter looked at Raven carefully and smiled again before turning and walking away. "If your brave enough to of course."
"What's that suppose to mean?" Asked Raven, more crossly then he had meant to.
Mad Hatter turned eye boring into the younger Lost Boy. "It is not time for you to know. Come no more questions. Actually I have one for you."
"And that would be?" Asked Raven following Mad Hatter out of the cave and into London's under ground.
"Are you familiar with muggle locks?"
"You mean like opening them?"
"Yes"
Raven grinned.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Raven stood at the edge of the roof looking down onto the street far below.
"A leap of faith?" He asked timidly. Mad Hatter grinned.
"Here's what you do mate. Don't think about what you're going to do or how you're going to do it. Just feel the moment as if it's already passed and don't fear. Have a little faith and you'll be amazed at what you can do. Now watch.
Mat Hatter leapt as gracefully as he had that morning in Gringotts. It looked as though it was an effortless feat and that he was perhaps just running over a rainbow. Raven looked down and shuddered. It was so far.
"Faith!" Called Mad Hatter.
Raven looked around himself and watched as several other Lost Boys whom he did not know leapt just as Mad Hatter had.
"You weren't in Gryffindor for nothing." Raven muttered to himself.
You were suppose to be in Slythern a voice whispered in the back of his head.
"Slythern" He breathed out slowly.
"Raven hurry it up. It only takes a little faith! No jump!"
Ravens breath quickened. He didn't want to jump or rather he didn't want to fall. It was so far down. An image of his broken body lying on the ground far below flashed through his mind.
"I can't do it." He whispered to himself. Moving back from the edge he turned away from his comrades in shame, only to be faced down by ten of London finest Police officers all with guns trained at his scarred head.
"Freeze!" They yelled with one voice. Raven didn't hear the rest. He was lost in the moment as he back flipped of the building and was slingshot over to where the others laid in wait for him.
"Now that was a leap of faith!" Congratulated Mad Hatter patting Raven on the back. Raven grinned he had done it. He had taken the leap of faith.
~~~~~~~~~~~
It's a commonly known fact among wizarding folk that, accidental magic is common place among wizarding children. It's not unusual for them to apparate at random or some how get themselves out of, or into rather sticky situations. A natural reflex most would call and then think nothing of it from then on. After all it is common belief that children grow out of their natural defense mechanism once they receive their wands. Had more study been put into the subject peculiar answers would have popped up. But, no one ever did put much study into a common matter that was easy to brush off and so the wonders that could have come were lost, or rather just not found.
Although the Lost boys the wizarding world so hated, unknowingly used the power of accidental magic and in many ways had turned it into wandless magic, more or less. Lost in the moment and pumped with adrenaline they were fearless as they jumped over long distances and up great heights, even when they dropped, free falling for miles they felt no fear and always came back unhurt. But why? The answer is simple, accidental magic. The very magic they themselves believed they had out grown aided them through their seemly impossible feats. Of course had they know the situations could have been different. Doubt would cloud their vision and the feats they deemed so easy now would seem impossible. Better not to ask questions and just believe that it was faith that helped you. Ignorance is a bliss they say and in this case it was true.
~ End Prologue ~
~ Maab ~
~ Maab is looking for a Beta-reader! If anyone is interesting in just reading over my work for me and picking out small spelling errors or anything it would be much appreciated! If you're interested Please email me at butterflydeath@yahoo.ca
thanx ~
~ Nevermore ~
~ Prologue ~
Cloaked in black, the figures leaped, they flew gracefully through the air weightless for mere seconds before landing and dashing on. They ran soundlessly and leap, becoming weightless once more before landing and carrying on. Again the figures leaped, but this time one of their numbers fell short and only managed to catch the side of the building, letting out a started gasp.
Some of the figure continued on taking flight again and again, leaping from building to building. A few stopped though, to wait for their comrade to climb up on the roof and join them. The figure managed this task without too much trouble, but was a bit out of breath when he came to rest on the roof top ledge.
"Raven" Asked one of the people, a boy by the sound of his voice. "Sorry" replied the other boy who's name was revealed to be Raven. Raven stood up and brushed down his midnight black cloak "Let's go." The boy who had spoken first nodded and they were once again flying from building to building.
~~~~~~~~~~
The glass shattered in a sprinkle of shining diamonds. It's high-pitched shriek ringing throughout the night air.
Silences.
~~~~~~~~~
"Did you like quidditch?"
"I don't think it matters. It's not like I can play now." Came the bitter reply.
"True, but still I remember the rush of it all, it felt great. I felt free." A nod in response.
"What about dueling? Any good?"
A shrug
"Potions. That was always an interesting subject. Fascinating how you can create the very essence of life yet not, you know?"
"Sucks to potions!"
"I know what you mean never like it much myself either."
A snort.
"What's so funny?"
"Oh nothing, nothing."
"Come on you can tell me. I promise I won't tell anyone!"
"Too bad, it's you the secrets being kept from."
"Hey!"
A chuckle. "Ever hear of a joke."
"Finally you're coming out of that shell of yours."
"What shell?"
Shaking his head "Simply amazing."
A shrug "okay then."
"I'm the Noble Mad Hatter by the way."
"Alice in wonderland?"
"Hey! I'm more then crazy enough to fit the name!"
"Sorry, sorry it's just a little weird that's all?"
"Hey you better watch out, you know I'm in charge here, right?"
"Could have fooled me."
"I'll let that slide...this time."
Another shrug.
"So then what do I call you?"
"I don't care, you decided."
"Raven."
"Raven?"
"Sure your as mocking as one."
"If you think so."
"Oh trust me, I know so! Anyway welcome to the mischievous world of the lost boys."
"Peter pan?"
"Shut up!"
~~~~~~~~
"Hurry up we don't have all night!" Hissed Mad Hatter.
"Do you want me to do this or not?" hissed back Raven. Mad Hatter sighed.
"Sorry it's just we've never hit this big before you know?"
Raven nodded a pulled out a slim piece of wire. Quickly but quietly he pushed it into the lock and began working at it. There was a pause, people holding their breaths in anticipation as Raven worked at the lock, only the scrapping of metal on metal could be heard and then, a soft click.
"Success!"
"Shut up! We celebrate later. Hurry up an' loot!"
There was a rush of hands grabbing coins and hastily shoving it into bags. The coins tinkled as they hit against each other and the sound of excited thieves stealing for the first time.
"Okay enough, enough let's go!" yelled Mad Hatter.
The group stood and rushed towards the exit. They smashed through the front glass in celebration of a job well done and were met by police who had surrounded the building.
"Scatter" Someone, yelled. And scatter they did. Some ran back into the building they had just robbed while others tried to dash off to a side alley.
"Raven, follow me!" Yelled Mad Hatter rushing back into the building.
"But we'll be trapped in here!" Protested Raven
"Don't worry. It just takes a leap of faith and we'll be free once more."
"Why do I feel there's more to that." Mad Hatter grinned devilishly at him.
"Don't worry it'll be just fine!"
"Let's hope so."
~~~~~~~~~~~
"So do you miss your family or anything?"
"Hell no."
"Can't say I do either. What did you do anyway that go you expelled?"
"You say first."
"Hey I asked first."
"Well you won't get and answer until you answer."
"Fine have it your way."
~~~~~~~~~~~
Though Hogwarts was the main school of magic and number one choice for witches and wizards some wizard families preferred to send their children to more private magic school where they could get one on one training and learn that much quicker.
These school conditions were harsher though and every so often a wizard or witch would run away. These run aways often liked to refer to themselves as the lost boys. Though the term was quite sexist, it was the meaning of courage and mischief that made the title popular. The lost boys however were not just a group of run away wizards. They were also the expelled, out casts and in general misfits of the wizarding society, muggle born and pure bloods alike.
~~~~~~~~~~
"So you ran away did you?" Asked Raven with a somber look on his face. Mad Hatter looked down and sadly nodded.
"They were so strict, I just couldn't take it anymore. I had to leave...so I ran."
"Interesting."
"What about you?"
"This might shock you but I ran first and then I was expelled."
"How so?"
~~~~~~~~~~
Harry Potter lugged his trunk down the sidewalk. He had just blown up his uncle's sister, Aunt Marge and was currently fleeing the scene.
~~~~~~~~~~
"You blew up your aunt?"
"Well I think she was more then asking for it if you ask me."
"Muggles they really know how to get under your skin sometimes" muttered the Mad Hatter under his breath. Raven could only nod in agreement.
"Wait you said you were expelled though too right?"
"Yeah, I received a letter of banishment actually."
"WHAT?"
"Well, this owl found me one day and it had this letter."
~~~~~~~~~~
Harry sat in the forest just outside of London. He had used a lot of unauthorized magic to get himself there and was positively absolutely sure that he was now expelled from Hogwarts. Actually he really didn't want to think about it, but it was the top most thought weighing on his mind. As Harry rested by a tree a large barn owl fluttered down and dropped at letter in Harry's lap.
The letter was grim and to the point.
Dear Mr. Potter
It has come to our attention that not only have you inflated you uncle's sister but also now have 57 counts of unauthorized magic use.
This unfortunately is not a letter of warning but a letter of banishment from the wizarding world. It appears that you are too reckless in your dealing with people and are there for a danger to Hogwarts and the community in general.
Sincerely
Headmaster A. Dumbledore of Hogwarts School of Witch-craft and Wizardry
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Just like that? They boot you out of the whole Wizarding world, just like that?"
"It seems so."
"Cripes..."
Raven nodded solemnly and shrugged.
"It's in the past now on any account"
Mad Hatter nodded and then grinned "What does it matter is right! We're outlaws here! Let's have some fun what do you think?"
Raven smiled, what did it matter? He was free from rules of school and the Dursleys...maybe it was time to have some fun.
"Let's do it!" Grinned Raven smacking a high five with Mad Hatter.
~~~~~~~~~~~
They were at an underground wizard rave party. Magic swirled around the room in neon colors. Flashing and sparking. Music blared from unseen sources all around and Witches and Wizards alike danced wildly. Raven watched as a witch walked by in a sleeveless rode that was cut in a mini skirt style. He was willing to bet that if she bent over he would be shown more then he dared to dream about. But still it made him shutter with excitement all the same.
"Get your mind out of the gutter Potter." Raven scolded himself as he followed Mad Hatter through the crowd to the open second level of the building that over looked the dance floor and housed the pub. Sitting at a table that was next to the railing, Raven was able to scan the building more closely. The building looked to have the structure of a warehouse, which, Raven though to him self it most likely was. There were no muggle lights or equipment in the building and the lights instead looked to be flouting glass balls charged with electricity that was bouncing around inside randomly. A Wizard DJ was stationed on a stage with several glass orbs floating around him. On his hands were strange gloves. He seemed to be moving the orbs around in sequences that produced the music and the same effects of a turn table muggle DJ's used.
Raven watched the DJ with interest for several minutes. He had never even thought that the wizarding world had such things as raves, but now that he had seen one, the muggle raves he had seen on TV paled severely in comparison. Raven turned his attention from the DJ to the crowd of young adult Witches and Wizards dancing just below him. Some wore muggle clothing while others wore modified robes. Raven noted that some were using there wands as glow stick's while others had cast charms on their jewelry and even clothing causing them to glow in neon colors.
"You like it!" Laughed out Mad Hatter. Raven turned to him and grinned for the first time like the still young teen he was.
"It's amazing." Mad Hatter nodded.
"And the best part is all this belongs to us, The Lost Boys."
"You're joking right?" Asked Raven bewildered.
"Would I lie?" Raven shrugged and looked back out on to the dance floor.
"So this would be home then?" Mad Hatter nodded and then spoke.
"It's more complicated then this though."
"There's more?" A nod.
"You wouldn't believe how big The Lost Boys territory really is."
"Are you going to show me the rest?"
"Eventually, though we didn't come here to discuss territory. Here this'll make this night truly magical." Mad Hatter pulled out a small vial filled with blue powder. Raven picked up the small container and studied its contents for a minute.
"What is it?"
Mad Hatter smiled darkly.
"This my friend is real magic mushroom, if you will."
"I don't understand."
"There is nothing to understand. This" Mad Hatter snatched the vial out of Raven hand "Is the bomb of all drugs. It does 10 time what any muggle drug could; yet the risk of overdose is lower. No worries mate. Just take a pinch, eat it like Pixie Stick or sniff it like Skat. You could even mix it with Butterbeer if you wanted or better yet hard liquor. Come on try a little."
Raven looked uneasy for a minute.
"I'm not sure." He said hesitantly. Mad Hatter frowned.
"Just try it!" He urged. Raven just studied the blue powder before him with uncertainty.
"Where'd you get it from?"
"Does it matter?"
Raven shrugged "It could, what if it's poison?"
Mad Hatter glared at Raven.
"I though I was doing you a favor bringing you here and taking you under my wing after the rest of the worlds deserted you. Thought you wanted to have some fun?"
"This is fun?"
"Raven, trust me just a pinch and you'll be having some real fun before you know it. Remember you have no boundaries any more. Come on try it."
Raven folded and took a pinch of the powder. Mad Hatter leaned back with a grin and handed Raven a straw. With shaky hands Raven laid the powder out a napkin and clumsily sniffed it up. He blinked rapidly and then grinned as his pupils dilated and his eye color brightened.
"Having fun yet?" Asked Mad Hatter.
Raven chuckled, Mad Hatter smiled and ordered a round of beers.
"Tonight's going to be fun indeed." Mad Hatter whispered to himself taking a pinch of the blue powder himself.
~~~~~~~
Raven groaned loudly as he woke up. He had no idea where he was or even how he gotten there. One thing was for sure though. He was in a bed, a ratty bed but he had endured worse. He was still fully dressed. He didn't feel sick, Raven tried to sit up but was over come with dizziness. Plopping back down Raven sighed, scratch that, he was sick.
The door to the room suddenly burst open and Mad Hatter strode in, Raven cringed at the light and rolled over in the shabby bed pulling the covers over himself.
"Up and em!" Yelled Mad Hatter trying to pull the blankets off Raven. Raven forcefully held them over his head groaning. Mad Hatter chuckled.
"What's wrong mate? Bit of a hang over?" A groan came in reply. Mad Hatter shook his head and smiled.
"I keep forgetting how young you still are." Raven pushed the covers down and looked at Mad Hatter with a 'what do you think expression'. Mad Hatter just chuckled and pulled Raven out of bed. Raven slumped on the ground nearly knocking his head on the bed frame.
"Watch yourself mate. You could have knocked your block off and put yourself out for another day."
"Another?" Asked Raven bleary eyed.
"Oh yeah 'another'" Raven groaned once again burying his head in his arm's resting against the bed.
"Oh come now you can't mope in bed all day, we have work to do." Raven sighed once again and stood up. He wobbled for a minute but stopped after Mad Hatter offered him some support.
"Easy now mate we need to get you fixed up or you'll be no use today."
"What happens today?" babbled Raven.
"You learn the tricks of the trade."
~~~~~~~~~~~
To be in a street gang of any kind generally meant that, you were to either stick to your own clan or trust no one. But the word, trust on the streets hardly held any meaning. The law of the land was 'every man for himself' when it can to war, fighting and stealing. If you were caught while stealing with a group you were on your own. No one would come and bail you out or break you out. It was your situation and yours alone.
Though sometimes bond's of friendship were forged through the lies and deceit, friendship that was stronger then any other kind on the planet. It wasn't the kind of friendship built through pretend tea parties and sleepovers. It was the type of friendship where you would constantly take one another's life's in each other's hands, and juggle it with chainsaws and knifes. The trust was solid and there never was or would be doubt.
~~~~~~~~~~
Raven crouched on a ledge over hanging a rift in the earth's crust that plunged down more then a mile. Gringotts, the Wizard bank. Ain't no place safer. Raven mentally rolled the fable around in his head. Even Hogwarts could be penetrated one way or another. Though that didn't matter at the moment. They were in the labyrinth called Gringotts and Hogwarts was just a distant memory.
"This is the main passage we use to penetrate here." Explained Mad Hatter motioning to the tunnel they had just come through. Raven looked back and returned his focus to Mad Hatter.
"Okay, so were inside...how do we get down?" Asked Raven with blunt honesty.
Mad Hatter grinned coyly at him and then leapt gracefully over the gap clinging to the opposite wall.
"We jump of course!" He Laughed. Raven starred at him long and hard trying to determine whether his new found friend was serious or rather a blundering fool. Mad Hatter laughed again and jumped back just as gracefully. He smiled down at Raven then spoke.
"Perhaps it would be easier to show you our secrets in other way. Come if we plan now, tonight you'll learn our secrets." Mad Hatter looked at Raven carefully and smiled again before turning and walking away. "If your brave enough to of course."
"What's that suppose to mean?" Asked Raven, more crossly then he had meant to.
Mad Hatter turned eye boring into the younger Lost Boy. "It is not time for you to know. Come no more questions. Actually I have one for you."
"And that would be?" Asked Raven following Mad Hatter out of the cave and into London's under ground.
"Are you familiar with muggle locks?"
"You mean like opening them?"
"Yes"
Raven grinned.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Raven stood at the edge of the roof looking down onto the street far below.
"A leap of faith?" He asked timidly. Mad Hatter grinned.
"Here's what you do mate. Don't think about what you're going to do or how you're going to do it. Just feel the moment as if it's already passed and don't fear. Have a little faith and you'll be amazed at what you can do. Now watch.
Mat Hatter leapt as gracefully as he had that morning in Gringotts. It looked as though it was an effortless feat and that he was perhaps just running over a rainbow. Raven looked down and shuddered. It was so far.
"Faith!" Called Mad Hatter.
Raven looked around himself and watched as several other Lost Boys whom he did not know leapt just as Mad Hatter had.
"You weren't in Gryffindor for nothing." Raven muttered to himself.
You were suppose to be in Slythern a voice whispered in the back of his head.
"Slythern" He breathed out slowly.
"Raven hurry it up. It only takes a little faith! No jump!"
Ravens breath quickened. He didn't want to jump or rather he didn't want to fall. It was so far down. An image of his broken body lying on the ground far below flashed through his mind.
"I can't do it." He whispered to himself. Moving back from the edge he turned away from his comrades in shame, only to be faced down by ten of London finest Police officers all with guns trained at his scarred head.
"Freeze!" They yelled with one voice. Raven didn't hear the rest. He was lost in the moment as he back flipped of the building and was slingshot over to where the others laid in wait for him.
"Now that was a leap of faith!" Congratulated Mad Hatter patting Raven on the back. Raven grinned he had done it. He had taken the leap of faith.
~~~~~~~~~~~
It's a commonly known fact among wizarding folk that, accidental magic is common place among wizarding children. It's not unusual for them to apparate at random or some how get themselves out of, or into rather sticky situations. A natural reflex most would call and then think nothing of it from then on. After all it is common belief that children grow out of their natural defense mechanism once they receive their wands. Had more study been put into the subject peculiar answers would have popped up. But, no one ever did put much study into a common matter that was easy to brush off and so the wonders that could have come were lost, or rather just not found.
Although the Lost boys the wizarding world so hated, unknowingly used the power of accidental magic and in many ways had turned it into wandless magic, more or less. Lost in the moment and pumped with adrenaline they were fearless as they jumped over long distances and up great heights, even when they dropped, free falling for miles they felt no fear and always came back unhurt. But why? The answer is simple, accidental magic. The very magic they themselves believed they had out grown aided them through their seemly impossible feats. Of course had they know the situations could have been different. Doubt would cloud their vision and the feats they deemed so easy now would seem impossible. Better not to ask questions and just believe that it was faith that helped you. Ignorance is a bliss they say and in this case it was true.
~ End Prologue ~
~ Maab ~
~ Maab is looking for a Beta-reader! If anyone is interesting in just reading over my work for me and picking out small spelling errors or anything it would be much appreciated! If you're interested Please email me at butterflydeath@yahoo.ca
thanx ~