Chapter Five
"So," Serena started. "Yes?" Madison sighed, weighing the question. She hesitated for a second, and then nodded. Serena smiled. "Alright then. Meet me at the portrait to the Head Boy and Girls dormitories at nine on Friday." Madison glanced around her, the small space dark and uninviting. They were on the second floor in an unused hallway filled to the ceiling with tapestries and wall hangings. Hiding behind one of these, the two conversed in a small, dark alcove.
Curious about the castle, Serena had wanted to know about every nook and cranny that Hogwarts castle held, even though the challenge of the ever-changing walls, rooms, staircases and such irked her at times, and had found the alcove when she insisted to herself that some doors were hidden by tapestries and portraits.
"Okay" Madison answered. Serena smiled. "Perfect. And don't get caught! I could care less that you're a goody-goody Gryffindor. I know for a fact that your idol, The-Boy-Who-Wouldn't-Bloody-Die sneaked out and only got caught a couple of times." Madison laughed, and then stifled her giggles when Vianaiv poked her through the other side of the drapery.
Serena smirked. She'd brought along Faith, Rayne, and Vianaiv to be lookouts. They didn't know who hid behind the hanging, because Madison had already been behind it when the Slytherins had arrived. For all the other three girls knew, Serena was snogging some third year. Shaking the thought from her head, the first year turned back to her kin.
Madison had stood from where she'd been sitting on the floor, and was dusting her robes off. Serena held out her hand, and the Gryffindor helped her sister up from where the latter had been sitting on the floor, tailor-fashioned. Doing the same as Madison, Serena cleaned her robes off and then hugged her sister fiercely. Letting go, she winked, and parted the tapestry aside, only allowing Vianaiv a small peek at the alcove, where, because of the darkness and her position, Madison could not be seen. Faith moved forward as to pull the hanging aside, a mischievous look in her eyes, when Serena grabbed her arm.
"If you want to be disappointed, then by all means, go ahead. But, keep in mind that I'll leave you like the Hufflepuff back on the train, just a tad bit worse." Faith rolled her eyes, and moved away, laughing. A sharp intake of breath was heard, though not from the three Slytherins, and then, they mentioned girls started walking away.
Serena tapped her wand against the walls in a rhythm as they left, singing a small tune along with it, and when the tapping had grown faint, Madison stepped out, looked around, and hurried away.
My Lord,
The second child has started having her premonitions. It started just as you said it would. The same as the elder. Both girls, I believe, are highly gifted. The first saw yourself in her first dream. The second has seen Adany. I know for a fact that both the Daughters will not reveal any of these omens or visions they have to any being other than me. The Daughters are planning to meet soon to discuss the happenings and get closer for they are spread and distanced far apart, yet are close enough to touch. Both the Daughters I shall bring towards me with trust and honesty. Well, as much honesty that I can give them. I shall not feed them lies, for there natural instinct with me shall know of my deceit. I shall also train them with the knowledge I have yet to reveal as to prepare them for your coming. Adany's brother has asked to instruct the Daughters in the art of fighting, for much of it will ensue, and as their mentor, I shall have them work on their physical and mental strengths. Barriers and battles alike. The brotherhood of the blood shall survive. With the two Daughters, there is no doubt about it.
O. Loki C.
Assistant of Shadow
"Diana!" Serena ran to catch up with the Slytherin Quidditch Captain that had suddenly stopped walking in the empty dungeons. Stopping in front of the tall, cool, poised Captain made Serena just stop in amazement for a second. "Hey Serena! What's up?" Serena stood up straight, and looked Diana in the eye. "Diana, can I try out for the Quidditch team?"
The chuckle from Diana made Serena feel like rolling her eyes. "So can I?" Diana nodded. "Of course you can. You didn't even had to ask. We need a seeker and a chaser, if you know a friend. I heard from Ostaris that you're a pretty good Seeker when it comes down to a game." Serena smiled. "Okay, thanks." Diana nodded and left the first year in the hallway. Serena hesistated, and then scaring some passerby Hufflepuffs, started laughing.
Madison was sitting by the fire, reading, when a tap on the window made her look up. A crow was waiting outside the window, pecking at the glass in agitation. Madison walked rapidly over to the window, thankful that it was well into the night, and that no stragglers had been left behind in the Gryffindor common room. If anyone saw Serena's crow, they'd go crazy and probably try to hex it. "Hold your horses you stupid bird!" Blackwind stopped pecking at the window and beating his wings in what seemed like amazement. Opening the window, Madison cringed and grabbed the crow. "I'm really sorry Blackwind. You're a cute bird. Just, you know, Gryffindor Tower. No family ties." Blackwind cawed, as if in agreement, and let Madison take the small piece of parchment from his clawed foot.
"Well, let's see." Madison opened the note and sighed in exasperation when she saw a single word written upon the parchment. Blackwind cocked an inquiring head.
"That's it? That's the password?" Madison started laughing, and sat back on the couch by the fire, using her wand to open the window for Blackwind to fly out. She knew he didn't like the tower any more than the other Slytherins liked it.
Muttering to herself, Madison opened her book and began to read. "That's the stupid password? I could have figured it out myself with so many of them at home! Crow! Crow!"
"Alright. The seven of you are assembled here to try out for the team. I will push you to your hardest today. Each and every one of you. I don't choose you because of your year or strength or popularity. You all should know that. I choose you because of your skill. Not like many other Quidditch captains. Now, three of you are here for Chaser, and four of you are here for Seeker."
Diana, in her Quidditch robes, barked out orders at the group, and then turned to mutter some words to the assembled group on the bleachers. Serena looked up. There, the whole Slytherin Quidditch team sat in their Quidditch robes, each giving everyone who was trying out a once-over. Serena turned a light shade of pink that was barely noticeable upon seeing Raithos. His wavy black locks were whipping in the wind, and he seemed to be studying everyone diligently. Tearing her gaze away, Serena turned back to Diana and tried to listen to what the Captain was saying. Now, everybody split into your two groups and I'll test you each."
Serena and Rayne gave each other looks of encouragement, and then split into their respective groups. Serena recognized all three of her opponents. Firstly, there was Ivory Lex, who came along with them as promised, and decided to try out on a spur of the moment, much to Faith's amusement. Janine Flint, a tall, slender girl with large green eyes and short cut black hair was here and chatting with the other opponent, Dante Gregor, the sixth year Ostaris had introduced to Serena on the platform to school.
Serena chatted with Ivory for some time, before Diana was calling out to the three who were trying out for chasers, and then, both just stood and watched as the three tried their best. The first, a fourth year boy, scored eight out of ten, and narrowly missed colliding with Diana, who was playing Keeper. Scowling, he returned to the ground and shrugged off any comments people had. The second, a third year boy, made the same score as the former, but without any accidents of any kind.
Next was- "Rayne!". Serena bit her lip in what she was sure was something her father would be disgraced at, and stood on her toes to watch Rayne. As her friend mounted the broom that Vianaiv had let her borrow, Serena crossed her fingers. Ivory and her shared little remarks and comments while they waited with held breaths as Rayne scored. One-score, two-score, three-score, four-score, five-miss (Serena groaned), six-score, seven-score, eight-score, nine- Ivory and Serena stood and waited for the last Quaffle to be handed to Rayne. A fierce and determined glint in her eyes, Rayne shot forward then feigned a left, did a right, and scored perfect shot. Serena and ivory burst into shrieks and yells, waving their fists and bursting into laughter. Rayne looked over from where she'd landed, and laughed at their antics. Diana swirled around the golden hoops, and came to a stop at the height of Rayne's ear and extended a hand. "Welcome to the team!" Cheeks flushed, Rayne shook the offered limb and smiled.
Diana rose again to the goal posts and signaled to the four trying out for Seekers. "All right. I've got a Snitch here. For every one of you, I'll be letting it go, and I'm going to time you. The two who get the Snitch the fastest will then compete against each other during a makeshift game of two minutes. Whomever gets the Snitch wins the part of Seeker. Questions or objections? No, then let's get on with the game." Gregor. You go first."
Ivory shot Serena a smile, and Rayne gave her a thumbs up. Serena watched as Dante got on his broom, and circled in the middle of the field. Diana went and put a blindfold over his eyes, and let go the Snitch. After counting to thirty, she removed the blindfold and started the small timer she held in her palm. "Go."
Flying in lazy circles, it took three minutes for Dante to spot the Snitch, and another twenty seconds to catch it. Serena watched as he dived and soared, making notes of flying tactics she'd later try out. Dante gave the Snitch to Diana, and she called out the next competitor. "Lex!"
Serena patted her friend on the back and gave him a nod, and he did the same. Watching again, Serena barely noticed when Rayne appeared at her side. "He's good." Serena unconsciously nodded. "Yeah, look, he's staying in one place, in the center of the field, waiting for movement." Needless to say, it took Ivory a minute and twelve seconds to catch the Snitch. Rayne raised an eyebrow as he handed it over to Diana. The Quidditch captain smiled and opened her mouth for the next name. "Crow!"
Ostaris' broom in hand, Serena walked to the middle of the pitch and mounted the broom. Rising, she waited for Diana to blindfold her, and counted down the seconds. Thirty…twenty one… thirteen… seven… three, two, one! The blindfold was removed, and Serena shot up into the air above the pitch, making sure she could see every small thing under her.
The wind blowing all around and the feeling of flying made her relaxed, and she let all emotions and worry and frets go. It was just her, the field, and the Snitch. Scanning the pitch, Serena spotted a glint of gold and didn't move toward it. It flashed for a second more, and then disappeared.
Squinting, she waited a few seconds more, and then shot towards the goal posts. He Snitch had been hiding against the gold of the hoops. Swerving, she followed the Snitch form where it had changed its course to the field. Swearing, Serena raced after it, and pulled up from nearly making herself a pancake on the grassy field. Following the Snitch, she thrust out an arm and grinned when her fingers touched feathery wings. Moving slightly forward on her broom, she wrapped her fingers around the small golden ball and held it up. Making a beeline for the Slytherin Quidditch Captain, Serena laughed as she finally deposited the struggling Snitch into Diana's hand.
Diana grabbed Serena's hand and shook it. "Fifty nine seconds. Welcome to the team."
Madison smiled from her perch atop the Gryffindor Tower where she'd flown on her broom. Serena and her friend had made the Slytherin Quidditch team, and Serena had beaten the pale boy by mere seconds. Father was going to be proud. Ostaris was going to buy Serena a new broom, and Serena would now be officially a Slytherin. Madison sighed. But the downside. Now, the rivalry would be even worse than before, and who knew how hard the two Seekers were going to be pushed to do the best they could. However, Madison still smiled. Nothing could be better for Serena. Especially nowadays. The small gifts and pleasures she received were to be taken gratefully, for the dark days would be coming for her soon, just as they had for Madison.
"Hey Serena!" Serena whipped around at the sudden calling. Raithos stood, hands in his robe pockets, smiling, the steady glow from the torches on the wall softly lighting his features. "Hey Raithos! I haven't seen you in a long time! Where did you hide?" Raithos laughed. "I've been studying and practicing. Quidditch you know. I mean, I am on the team." Serena nodded, turning a faint pink again. "Yeah, I know. You were watching everyone who was trying out right?" Raithos nodded. "You were really good you know; I was rooting you on. I never doubted you for a second, even when Ivory almost won." Serena looked up at Raithos, and they suddenly stopped in the middle of the corridor. "Thanks." Serena felt the air rush out of her lungs when he stepped forward, oh-so-very close to her. Raithos took Serena's hands in his own, and leaned forward some. He put his mouth next to her ear, and when he started whispering, Serena felt herself melt. "Serena, I want you to know that I'm-" "Raithos!" Serena swore under her breath, making sure not to let Raithos hear. The latter still had his hands joined with Serena, and stepped back reluctantly. "Until another time." Serena smiled as he waved goodbye, and when he was gone, swore to herself that she'd find whomever had interrupted them, and hex that person all the way into the next century.