DISCLAIMER: The tallest oak tree on the planet could grow till it reached the sun and I would still not own Harry Potter.
STORY: PRE-HBP! FORGET EVERYTHING YOU READ IN THAT BOOK! EVERYTHING!
A/N: This is my new story. It starts out really weird but just bear with me. It's kind of darker than my other fics which is why it is under this penname. It's a HP/OC pairing, and HG? RW?. Not really sure yet but I don't want to put them together so…. Please read and review and I'll try to be really good on updating if my computer will let me. If not, I'll do it at school. Thank you!
THANKS GO TO MY WONDERFUL BETA, ASHLEY, WHO HAS HELPED ME SO MUCH!
Chapter 1
There is a place, rumor has it, where unusual and unexplainable things happen regularly. A place where darkness prevails and the shadows whisper. A place where no one returns from, and if by chance they do, they remember nothing but the darkness' lingering embrace. The villagers call it Pepo Mbaya Mountain.
The villagers all look upon the mountain in fear. Evil spirits, they say, guard it. From time to time in the witching hour, screaming and drums can be heard coming from the heart of the thunderous mountain, but no one dares to go research the source of the noise.
Oh, there have been many who came to examine the mountain, not heeding the villagers' warnings. They set off on the dingy path hardly traveled. In the end, no PhD or amount of faith could save them.
The few who did happen to survive and make it back came back in an awful state. Their eyes were glazed over and sweat poured from their bodies. They muttered hysterically during their fits of the "darkness" and "magic."
The villagers never held much hope for those who thought they were invincible enough to scale the mountain and discover his secret. But still the adventure seekers came, and most died. Then, one fitful night when no moon shone in the sky, three men came to the village and began asking unusual questions.
"Tell me, what is rumored to live on that mountain," one man drawled to the bartender. He seemed to be the man in charge in the group, his light blue eyes gleaming in the darkness.
"Evil spirits," the frightened bartender told them. "Those who were fortunate to return spoke of shadows and demons and…," his voice trailed off as if he couldn't speak the unholy word.
"Magic?" the man finished silkily, polishing off his drink.
"Yes," the bartender confirmed in a soft voice as he picked up a rag and a dirty glass to begin cleaning.
"What is the legend of the Kivuli?" the man asked his icy eyes boring into the bartender's timid gaze as he stared at the man.
"That is only a legend," the bartender said quickly.
"Yes, I know," the man drawled, his voice hard with impatience. "What is the legend of the Kivuli?" he repeated.
"There is a tale that a man and woman, both possessed with the worst demons, came to the village about three hundred years ago. They were able to do evil things; the darkness prevailed in them."
"One night," the bartender continued, "they bore a child. The child was possessed more deeply than either parent. Weird things began to happen, unexplainable things."
By now, the bartender's voice had become a timid whisper as if he feared he might awaken the spirits. But he went on with the tale.
"Some of the villagers, the young ones that is, began to practice dark magic with the child. They caused great havoc upon the village but it was overlooked until…"
The bartender stopped, his face pale white in the darkened room. The hooded man leaned closer. "Until…?" he prompted.
"Until the killings began," the bartender said in a low whisper. "The council arrested the child and all his followers, charging them with being possessed by Lucifer."
"However," the bartender went on, "the night before they were to die, they escaped. They ran from the village and into the mountain where no one ever heard from them again."
"The mountain is encircled by the darkness they took with them when they escaped. No one is the same if they return."
The bartender was visibly shaking with unabashed fright. The hooded man laughed chillingly.
"Remember, it is just a legend. No use of being afraid of a legend," he said bitterly, his hard gaze penetrating the bartender's.
"Yes," the bartender agreed softly, "just a legend."
The man and his companions rose to leave when a voice stopped them.
"Would I be correct in assuming, sir," the voice drawled, "that you plan on traveling to the mountain and looking for the Kivuli?"
The hooded figures spun around to face the voice hidden by the shadows. The one with the icy gaze stepped forward.
"What's it to you?" he asked icily.
Even in the shadows, they could see the figure shrug. "Nothing really, just wondering."
"Then why don't you mind your own business."
Without anything further, the man strode out the door with his two companions, slamming the door behind them. The figure in the shadows gave a satisfied smile before disappearing into the night.
Outside, the man turned to his companions. "Let's go. The Dark Lord wants us to visit the tribe."
"Are you sure?" One of the men asked. He was the bulkiest of the three though also the shortest.
"Of course," the leader stated fiercely. "They possess great magic that the Dark Lord wishes to have for his own. We will visit them."
The two men nodded and followed the first back through the village towards Pepo Mbaya Mountain. Together they entered the dark forest leading to the tribe of the shadow people.
Along the way, the appearance of Dark Magic became evident. Traps were set along the way to stop intruders to which they narrowly escaped. It was clear that visitors were not welcomed.
"STOP!" someone ordered as no less than ten spears and wands were shoved in their faces.
"Why do you trespass on our land?" one man demanded.
"We seek the king," the man with the icy glare said. "We have come with an offer from the Dark Lord."
"We are not interested in any offer from your Dark Lord," a tall, muscley man snarled at them.
"We seek the king," the man with the icy glare repeated.
The tall muscley man stepped forward threateningly but an older man stopped him. "If they seek the king, we should take them."
"But…"
"No buts Caine, we go."
With a wave of his hand, the men lowered the spears and wands. They set off down the path, waiting for the intruders to follow.
The village came into view. The burning fires cast an eerie glow upon the huts, illuminating the large village. Villagers crowded around a large bonfire in the center, some sat while others danced. A man sat at the head of the festivities on a large chair. He was clearly the king of the Kivuli.
"Your majesty, we found these men intruding on our land. They demanded an audience with you."
"Let them pass," the king said with a wave of his hand.
"King Agamen, we bring greetings from the Dark Lord in England. I am his loyal servant Lucius Malfoy. This is Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle."
"We will talk later," King Agamen said. "Now, we celebrate the black moon. Come, sit and enjoy the festivities."
Lucius took a seat beside the king that was indicated. Goyle and Crabbe went and stood in the shadows, observing.
"This," the king said, indicating a dark haired man of about twenty-one, "is my son and crown prince, Azize."
"Your highness," Lucius greeted with a slight nod of his head.
"And this," the king continued, indicating an ancient beauty with silver hair, "is my prophet and consort, Ramla. I believe you already met down in the tavern."
"Greetings, my lady," Lucius said with a smile playing at his lips.
"My daughter is around here somewhere," the king said. "She comes of age tonight."
"A wondrous celebration then, your majesty, for you to celebrate the dark moon and your daughter."
The king sneered slightly. "Indeed."
"Father," Prince Azize spoke up, "I'm going to see how Braeden and Donovan fair.
The king nodded and watched his son go. "He will be king one day," he told Lucius.
"A great king, your majesty," Lucius agreed.
Lucius, by now, was entranced by the exotic dancing. The women used long scarves and what little of the clothing they wore to entrance the observer. The men used long knives to dance and excite the crowd.
"The men," King Agamen explained, seeing Lucius captivation, "represent skill and strength while the women represent passion and patience; four components needed to make the best of hunter."
"I've never seen anything like it," Lucius admitted, still watching the dancing closely. "It's…."
"Entrancing," the king finished with a smile.
"Yes," Lucius agreed.
"Ah, my son returns and with food."
Prince Azize placed a bowl of meat and corn each in front of his father and Lucius before sitting down.
"The meat is prized above all and only eaten on special occasions," the king told Lucius after he inquired about it.
They ate in silence, happily watching the dancing before them. When they finished, a woman came and took their bowls, bowing low as she did so.
"Now, you will tell me what your Dark Lord wants," King Agamen said.
"The Dark Lord likes the ways of your people. Dark Magic is to be respected and feared, not hidden. He would like for you to unite with him to rid the world of impurity."
The king nodded slowly, his eyes fixed on the large bonfire before him. "By impurity you mean non-magic folk I assume."
"Muggles, mudbloods, and half-bloods," Lucius said with a nod. "Those who do not wish for the Dark Lord to rule and see his power."
"The rebels," the king summarized.
"Yes," Lucius agreed, bowing his head slightly.
"And why should I join him?"
"He can promise you great things if you will join him, powerful things."
"I have everything I want here," King Agamen answered. "We live in the mountains away from those who would persecute us but it has reaped us benefits as well."
The king continued to stare into the fire, mulling over his next words. Lucius sat there in silence, observing the king under lowered lids.
"No, I will not join your Dark Lord," the king said finally.
Lucius went to open his mouth but the king raised a hand to silence him. "I will, however, send him a gift."
"A gift?" Lucius repeated incredulously.
King Agamen nodded. "Yes, a gift. I will send him a queen."
qpqp!.!.!.!qpqp
Far away in Surrey, Harry Potter awoke touching his scar tenderly. What an odd dream, he thought as he awakened fully, remember the details.
He remembered darkness, Lucius Malfoy, and…dancing? Yes, a festival of some sorts and there had been a king. And…
The girl. She had come out of the darkness and into the light of the fire where more than a few males stared unabashedly, including Malfoy. She was a goddess.
Her raven black hair hung in silky curls to her waist over the flawless skin of golden honey. Silver eyes shone in the moonless night, full lips parted slightly, the mysterious air clinging to her.
The skirt of pale white rode low on her his with a split nearly all the way up. A white cloth wrapped around her top, showing a lot of her flawless skin. A silver snake with ruby eyes sparkled from around her arm.
She was the clearest to him as he sat awake, remembering the odd dream. The only distinct name he could remember was Kivuli. What did it mean?
Lying his head back down upon his pillow, Harry decided he would worry about it tomorrow when he went to the Weasley's. Surely one of them would know what Kivuli meant. Hermione would more than likely would start spitting out information about them, Harry mused with a slight smile.
As thoughts of the Weasley's left Harry's mind, a fleeting image of the girl came to him as Sleep wrapped her arms around him, drawing him down.
qpqp!.!.!.!qpqp
Word origins and Meaning:
Pepo Mbaya - Swahili for "evil spirit"
Kivuli - Swahili for "shadow"
Caine - Hebrew for "spear hunter"
Agamen - Shortened name from someone off Troy
Azize - Swahili for "highly valued"
Ramla - Swahili for "prophet"
Braeden - Celtic/Gaelic for "from the dark valley"
Donovan - Celtic/Gaelic for "Dark Warrior"
A/N: Look for some hidden clues throughout this. I've incorporated a lot of stuff into this that will come up later on. Remember: THIS IS PRE-HBP! Forget everything you read in that book! REVIEW!