Destiny's Riders

by

Draco's Daughter

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related names and places is not mine, all original characters are mine and mine alone. The title was given to me by Lady Sienna and will be her original idea now and forever.

A/N: Welcome back to chapter two. The release of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince will have small effect on the plot of this story. Some events of HBP will be rearranged for the purposes of this story (namely Dumbeldor's death and Snape's betrayal).

Chapter Two: Black Riders

Malfloy Manor, 6:00 p.m., Friday

Draco Malfloy was in one of the worst moods in his lifetime. The defeat of Voldermort's forces at Hogwarts had been a crushing blow on their cause. Now, as a seventeen year old, he had more responsibility as a Malfloy. At the moment, he was in the secret, lower dungeons that had been converted to holding areas for the new creatures that were making up the new section of Voldermort's army. Because the dark elves that had been leading them were now gone, they had to find other ways of controlling the Dark Creatures contained there. Draco himself was watching a hooded man crack a whip at a Manticore staked to the ground with a short chain. One wrong step could bring the jaws of death down upon him. The Manticore's claws were reaching for the man and the whip was jerked from his hands by the creature's grip. The beast smiled and purred slightly.

"Draco, show the man how it's done," Came the collected voice of Draco's father, Lucius. The head Malfloy had been retrieved from Azkaban several days earlier. Draco smiled as he got up from the step he was sitting on and crossed to the cabinet where the whips were kept. Instead of a basic bull whip, Draco pulled out a Cat of Nine Tails. The metal tips came in handy with incomprehensive beasts who had not a thought in their thick, animal skulls. Draco smiled cruelly as he tossed the whip above his head and crashed it down by the beast's legs. The metal cut into the lion skin that the manticore bore on its legs and caused the creature to howl in pain. Several more times Draco lashed the creature with the whip and beat it into submission.

"See, any creature can be tamed with the right tool in hand," Draco said as he put the whip in a loop on his belt.

'Bastard, cruel demon spawn,' was the silent but prominent comment in the back of Draco's mind. He didn't know how or why but, he knew it was the manticore talking to him. It caused him to spin around and raise the whip again. The great beast was glowering at him while it licked the wounds it had received. Draco shook his head, who had ever heard of a talking manticore?

"Draco? What's the matter?" Lucius asked, narrowing his eyes at his son.

"Nothing, Father, just a figment of my nonexistent imagination playing tricks on me," Draco replied as he walked away. Two other men put the manticore back into it's cage and began "taming" the second creature, a powerful Chimera. Lucius and Draco went through the secret passages that took them into Malfloy Manor.

"My Lord has been speaking of reviving the Black Riders. Apparently, Harry Potter has revived the Pure Riders and we need an advantage over him now," Lucius said.

"But aren't both types of Riders banned? They were started by those idiot Druids and when they fell out of power, so did their magiks," Draco asked.

"That is where you are wrong. Plenty of Druid Magik is still around, they began many of the studies offered at Magic Schools. The Dark Arts even keep some Druid magic alive. No, only the Riders were disbanded and banned. Most of the articles and books pertaining to them have been destroyed. The remaining few were hidden away and have yet to be rediscovered but no one's really looking save some of the Dark Lord's top Death Eaters," Lucius replied.
"What's the difference between a Dark Rider and a Pure Rider then?" Draco asked.

"Pure Riders believe that trust between a rider and his mount makes them powerful while Dark Riders know that dominance over the beasts they choose to ride is the answer to power," Lucius replied.

"Well, I like the Dark Rider approach," Draco said with a large smirk. He heard a scoff somewhere and turned to see if anyone was behind them.

"Draco? What in the world is affecting you tonight? I hope it doesn't persist," Lucius said before turning on his heel and leaving the passage.

'What is affecting me tonight?' Draco thought before replicating the same move as his father.

----

Villa Pegusai, 6:30 p.m.

Vanessa had just finished showing Harry the more interesting portions of Villa Pegusai. She then led him into the library.

"What are we doing in here?" Harry asked as Vanessa picked up a candelabra and took his hand into the dark room. Thick velvet curtains covered the windows and a fine layer of dust lived on the shelves.

"This is the way to the turret room. They don't call it Tower Folly for nothing. It's folly to attempt to get to it by the direct route, there are spells and barriers guarding the main door. We have to take the long way," Vanessa explained as she went to the far wall and slid a skull with an unlit candle inside out of it's place. Immediately, the book case slid away to reveal a spiral staircase.

"Secret passages? What more does Villa Pegusai and it's masters have to offer?" Harry asked, cocking one eyebrow.

"Vondrea and her husband are Mages. They aren't with the main group of the wizarding world and, as such, have decided it would be best to live as muggles. But Mages weren't made to contain their magic for their lives and so they built Villa Pegusai as a kind of Adventure Resort for muggles. Trick staircases that go nowhere, doors that lead to somewhere else in the house, those kinds of things. You've heard of an American home called the "Winchester Mansion?" This is the European version," Vanessa explained as she led the way. There were exactly sixty steps and Harry was nearly out of breath by the time they reached the top. Indeed, this was the Tower Folly or "The Turret Room". Stained glass windows offered light and privacy while the circular room made decor a challenge. There was a dresser, desk, bed, and an adjoining bathroom. Everything was geared towards a more magical environment. They entered it from a trap door and Harry was immediately lost to it's charms. While Harry settled in and began to unload his things, Vanessa went to a chest and pulled out a furry blanket, pillows, and another thicker blanket. She rolled out the furry blanket, placed the pillows at the top, and then cover it up with the thick blanket. It was her pallet while Harry was here.

"You've got to sleep on the ground?" Harry asked, pausing to watch her. Vanessa nodded.

"Procedure for me, Vondrea is strict about the sleeping arrangements," She explained, getting up and taking off her shawl. Harry saw for the first time the complex tattoos starting at her shoulders and going down her arms while they connected along her collar bone. One side represented things in the daytime, birds, stags, and oak leaves; and the other represented things from the nighttime, wolves, cougars, and night-blooming flowers.

"What are those for?" Harry asked, pointing to her Tattoos. Vanessa hung her head as if ashamed of the scrollwork on her arms.

"They're binds, if I didn't have them I'd be insane because of my dark elf magic. They're mandatory for anyone that is part dark elf. They will remain until I am twenty because at that age alone can I control the powers my father gave me. Unfortunately, they also block the wizard magic so that's why I don't go to Hogwarts. But, if I didn't have them, you'd have been dead when I first met you," Vanessa explained, ominously.

"Oh, sorry. I.. sorry," Harry said hastily, he was afraid he had insulted her in some form or another. 'They must cause her allot of pain.' Harry thought as he hugged Vanessa from behind.

"It's ok Harry, I'm just not used to having to show them off to someone. I usually ware long sleeves that cover my hands and arms so that I won't have to tell people about my father. Many reject half-elves, especially those that are half-dark elf. Nothing good ever came from associating with my father's people," Vanessa said.

"Something good came from me associating with you, I don't think you're like that," Harry replied, turning Vanessa around. The half-elf smiled.

"Come on, dinner starts soon," she said as she went and pulled the trap door back up.

-------

Unknown Location,8:30 p.m.

The Dark Lord was sitting alone in the Riddle Manor. He was using it as his hideout but made sure that no one even knew that they were there. Nagini was curled on a leg of the chair her master sat in and perked up when the chamber door opened. The only one who dared to disturb Lord Voldermort when he was contemplating was Darcy, his apprentice. She was a Native-American girl with long black hair and was a Shape Changer. Voldermort had taken her in during the last war for her ability and had trained her as his apprentice should he ever fall. Darcy carried a tray of food as well as a thick book bound in black leather with a silver clasp and embossing.

"Prompt as ever," commented the Dark Lord.

"It is my fondest wish to please my master. We have located the book you mentioned," Darcy replied, setting the tray down on the table next to her master's chair.

"Finally, I've been awaiting this information. Only a Black Rider can kill a Pure Rider, there is no remedy for it. We just have to make sure that we bring back the Black Riders instead of some other fool hardy villains," Voldermort said, going strait for the book.

"One shouldn't call us villains, my lord, rather we should be known as exterminators of all those who want to aid those mud bloods," Darcy said, before sitting in a dark corner.

"Correct, Darcy. The Mud Bloods and Blood Traitors will be irradiated before long, don't you worry," Voldermort replied, firm in his thinking before becoming immersed in the ancient tome. In the shadows, Darcy turned into a young tiger to attack any intruder that dared set foot into the room while her master was plotting.

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Unknown Location, 9:00 p.m.

Morgana SilverFury stepped silently through the gloom of the Tomb of the Black Riders. The ancient walls were covered in cobwebs and a thick layer of dust and dirt covered the floor. The air was still, but the dark elf was well accustomed to such decorations and continued her journey down into the most ancient monument of the Black Riders. When she stepped onto a hidden seal of the Black Riders, five tomb guardians, placed there by cautious Light Elves, awoke and began moving to strike Morgana down. The Dark Elf calmly pulled down her right sleeve to show a tattoo of the Black Rider's Seal. The guardians stopped and retreated back into heir alcoves, allowing Morgana to pass. She continued on her way, passing skeletons laying upon large slabs as well as skeletons of the last creature they rode into battle. These meant nothing to her as she continued into the lowest part of the tomb, well under the surface of Nockturn Alley. In this portion of the tomb, a large granite sarcophagus sat in the center of a large room. Silently, she knelt before it and set the messenger bag she carried in front of her. From within the bag she pulled out a clear bottle of blood. Slowly and carefully, she pulled to stopper out of the bottle and began to draw symbols on herself and the floor with its contents.

"I come bearing the blood of the innocent and use it to refresh the blood of the wicked. I come seeking the mightiest of evils, the blackest of hearts. With his aid evil shall once again grip the land and rule all!" Morgana intoned. The symbols glowed as she reached into the bag again to pull out a clay bottle with a stopper in the shape of a dragon's head. Morgana removed the stopper and poured out the ashes of a human child into her hand. She blew the ashes over the granite Sarcophagus. Slowly, with a great effort and sound, the lid of the sarcophagus unsealed itself from the body. It had been sealed by a black-flame dragon so that no one could remove it through force. As soon as the lid slid off, a skeletal hand, with only a hint of human flesh on it, gripped the side of the sarcophagus. With a great groan and heaving of bone, the mightiest Black Rider ever to walk the face of the earth rose from his grave and opened the eyes that had remained intact. All Morgana could do was lower herself into a respectful bow.

"What age is it?" He asked as he climbed out of his sarcophagus.

"2005, we are now in the Age of the Griffin," Morgana replied, remaining in her bowing position.

"The Age of the Griffin? The predicted time for the return of the riders?" Was the Black Rider's next question as he looked around, viewing his grave for the first time.

"Yes, milord. The boy, Harry Potter has begun the return of the riders to power. Sadly, he has brought about the Pure Riders about by finding two others out of the primeval gloom, Vanessa Tailor and Ronald Weasley," Morgana said, standing to face the rider.

"The Pure Riders first! How dare they! I will not stand for this, they shall pay dearly for that offence!" The rider replied, searching for a weapon.

"Do not worry, the Dark Lord Voldermort has begun to brig about the Black Riders again. We will not allow the Pure Riders to rein for long," Morgana said.

"Ah, someone with sense. I shall have to meet with this Voldermort. Take me to him," the rider ordered.

"Milord, you are unwell. When you have recovered your flesh, we shall meet with him. For now, stay here and rest. I will return with the blood of another innocent to aid your body's reconstruction. Remain here and rest," Morgana said before bowing again to the Black rider and retreating back through the monument.

"I can wait," The rider said to Morgana's retreating back before getting back into his sarcophagus and laying back down.

Morgana carefully crept out of the tomb, looking for any spies. She left the tomb at a quick trot, heading for the cover of the dark woods that surrounded the monument. What she didn't notice was the black dog hiding in the underbrush. Yes, Sirius Black was spying for the Order of the Phoenix. Instead of heading back off to Number Twelve Grimwald Place, he began using his deceased status to wander around and gather information. The only people who knew he was alive were the Council, the Order, and whoever else the information was important to. Sirius had been on Morgana's tail for the Order for some time now. He had tracked her from a murder of an innocent mortal child. The girl had been a fourth year at Hogwarts and it was suspicious for she was a half-blood and there wasn't a since trace of evidence that pointed to the work of a Death Eater. Further investigation by the Ministry discovered trace amounts of elf magik used to lure the girl into a trap then a non-poisoned Dark Elf blade had killed her by slitting the girl's throat. The most unexplainable part of it was why the girl's wrists had been slit as a post-mortem act. The body was missing a large amount of blood but the crime scene was fairy clean of blood puddles. Apparently, there was more to it. Many thought that the body had just been moved to make it look like a suicide, but the wise would know that it was probably part of a Necromancer revival ritual. Dumbledor had leaped onto this theory and sent Sirius and Lupin out to collect more evidence. The Daily Prophet had written the murder off as just another by product of Voldermort's return to power. Sirius had obtained the scent of a female dark elf from the crime scene and tracked it halfway across the country to this Black Rider monument. Now that he had some evidence he turned back into a man and pulled a mirror out of his pocket.

"Albus Dumbledor," He whispered before blowing on the surface of the mirror. It fogged up before rippling like water and then contorting to show the face and trademark crooked nose of Albus Dumbeldor.

"Go Ahead, Sirius," Dumbeldor said, inclining his head to the spy.

"It's as we suspected. The Dark Elf entered the Tomb of the Black Riders and, from her scent, she must have used that poor girl's blood in a Necromancer ritual to revive a Black Rider. I think she may want to counteract Harry's act of bringing the Pure Riders back," Sirius said.

"Hmm, I want you to follow the Dark Elf and find out who or what she's working for or if she's just doing it for her own gain. That is all for now," Dumbeldor said as the mirror contorted and rippled again to reflect Sirius's face. The animagus put the mirror into his robes before changing back into a dog to follow the Dark Elf.

Soooooo. Whatcha think? Why did no one review? NO ONE REVIEWED! I spied favorites and C2's and stuff but not a single REVEIW! If some of you have been anticipating the sequel then why aren't you showing your love and support for the poor author. I don't do this for money or anything, but I do want to know what people think of my work! How do you think I found the time and energy to update "Black Phoenix" every single weekend? Come one people, where's the love? (sniff, sniff)

I was also wondering if anyone would like to see me do a cross over of Amelia Atwater-Rodes's "Hawksong/ Snakecharm" Saga with Harry Potter? I thought it might be a fun idea with all the Animaguses running around! XD