Chapter 1: A Shade of Gold (3/3)
The night was slightly cold, and there was a certain feeling of excitement on the Peverell heir. Tomorrow is the day that he will finally go to Hogwarts.
He was currently at the main room of the Castle, observing one the portraits.
It was a portrait of both his grandparents and his father when they were younger.
His grandfather didn't change much. He's as tall and robust as he was. Although his blond hair is now grey and he has a few wrinkles, he still retain some of his strong features like his strong jawline. I hope I age as well as him.
His grandmother, who he never met. Maxuella was her name, she was an near angelical looking woman. With pale skin, raven black hair and grey eyes. Just by looking at her, he can tell that she was a woman that you didn't want to mess with. I can totally imagine her, singlehandedly killing a dragon.
And last but not least, it was his late father when he was his age. There's an obvious resemblance between the two, but Maxwell's skin was a bit paler and his nose and cheeks were different. Their haircuts were also different as Alistair had a brushed back hair that resembled his grandfather's but a bit longer. And his eyes were sapphire blue, while Maxwell had almond-shaped bright blue-green eyes. I wish he and mum were here.
Maxwell stopped looking at the portrait and walked towards his grandmother's personal as he wanted to practice a bit. Upon entering, he saw the trophies of all of her hunts. Which still impressed Maxwell to this day. How did she singlehandedly kill all of those? It's not even made up, there were witnesses that saw her doing it. Maxwell couldn't help but think as he saw several things from XXXXX beast in there.
His attention was called into a glass display, which had his grandmother possessions.
First it was her clothes. A black leather coat with a red Raven symbol on the back, a white breastplate engraved with runes, simple black trousers with a holster strapped to the leg and long boots.
Second was her equipments. The thing that stood out the most was the muggle weapon, or revolver as muggles called it. According to his grandfather, she used on magical creatures. It was a really beautiful looking weapon, and ironically, it really resembled Maxwell's wand with the same silvery look and heavy ornaments.
Alongside that revolver, it was a metal chain that wrapped itself on whatever it was tossed on. Great for subduing.
There was also a Circular vials of explosive potions, each with various effects. All strapped to a belt.
She used a few more things but her equipment got lost when she passed away.
I wish I could have met her. I really would like to know how she singlehandedly defeated a ten werewolves. Maxwell thought as he heard that from someone in the Ministry.
After looking at for a bit. Maxwell decided to leave the room.
He made his way to the training room, not for spell training but sword training. He picked up a training sword and started to practice some moves.
The training room was created during the mid of the Middle Ages, by Mars Peverell.
Mars Peverell was a interesting individual, he waw completely obsessed with battle. Be a wizard or muggle one. Ironically, according to history, Mars Peverell once fought ten man at once and he was knighted by a member of royalty as a result. He was also regarded as one of the greatest duelists who ever lived, both with a wand and a sword.
Maxwell himself fell in love with the art of sword fighting after hearing about him.
After finishing his fencing exercises. He made his way to the top tower to do a bit of Alchemy. The top tower was itself constructed during the Renaissance, by Lorenzo Peverell. Who's regarded as one of the greatest alchemist of all time.
The laboratory itself was very elaborated as everything else on the castle. Surrounded by books, shelves with the proper tools and a table filled with funnels, flasks, cupels, etc. There were a few more things but nothing worth mentioning.
Maxwell was practicing the transmutation of metals. It was actually easier than it looks. He easily trasmutated lead into silver. I can't believe this used to be hard. He couldn't help but think.
Suddenly, he heard a small knock coming from one of flasks on the table that he was working on. "Are you hungry?" He asked.
It nodded to him.
Maxwell then picked a piece of chocolate and gave it to it.
The thing the Maxwell was feeding, was a Homunculus. One of his ancestors many works. It looked like a baby, but smaller and it didn't have genitals either, so it wasn't male or female. Maxwell gave it the name of Eden, as it was a unisex name.
He watched as it eat piece of chocolate. "I'm gonna be away for a while, so Dobby will feed you for now on."
After finishing his alchemy practice and feeding Eden. Maxwell decided to go check the dungeons.
He descends the staircase and was soon engulfed by the darkness. "Lumos." He casted with his wand.
This dungeon was built by another one of his ancestors. Draven Peverell, one of the most infamous dark wizards of all time. Draven had a gift for dark magic, which he used to it's full effect.
The dungeon is where he kept prisoners and people who he experimented on. Apparently, the things he did to those people, were so depraved that you could hear their screams on the dungeon to this day. Whoever said that, probably never came inside out of fear. Maxwell thought as it was actually just a silly rumor.
When Maxwell finally arrived at the bottom of the stairs. He started to make his way through the corridor, where the cells were located. Even though, there was a air of dread surrounding both the corridor and the cells. They were all extremely fancy looking, the walls had elaborated ornaments and the cells had nice looking furniture on them, even the bars looked shiny and clean. Extravagance seems to be a Peverell trait. Maxwell couldn't help but note, since all of the castle was a embodiment of exaggerated extravagance. I guess, when you're as rich as us, you would develop this sort of habit.
At the end of the corridor, there was Draven's chamber.
The Peverell's are actually students of dark magic for centuries, Draven was just the prodigy in it.
Maxwell just went down there to get a book that Draven wrote, so he could read in his spare time in Hogwarts.
Upon entering the chamber, Maxwell had a thought in his mind. There's a fine line between madness and genius, Draven was probably an walking embodiment of that. Maxwell thought as he saw the chambers.
The chamber was the darkest place in the castle, filled with ritualistic objects and symbols, tools and torture devices. Draven studied all sorts of dark magic, from Egyptian, Mayan, Japanese and so on. The amount of obscure magic in those cultures is exceptional.
He wrote all about it in the book that was on display in the middle of the room. Maxwell's grandfather said that he could read it, the day he received his Hogwarts letter. The day has finally come.
He picked up the book from the display. The book was heavy and possessed a strange cover, that resembled a strange symbol that Max never saw before. It was bound in leather of various types and having metal claps. Maxwell quickly took the book with him as he walked back from where he came from. I'll check you later.
After putting the book with the rest of his objects. Maxwell went to the east side of the castle. That was built by his Ancestor, Cassandra Peverell. She was one of the greatest transfiguration witches of all time. As she could turn anything into anything that she wanted, even things deemed impossible.
The entire area was decorated as a doll house. Which was appropriate. Maxwell passed through the girly decorated area until he arrived at a big door. He opened and entered.
That room was something really hard to explain, it was filled with human sized dolls, all of them were unfinished. Well, all but one. It was standing in the end of the room, sitting on a throne, a throne worthy of a princess.
Maxwell approach it the doll. The doll had the appearance of a little girl, with long light brown hair and purple eyes. It was wearing a white dress that resembled a gothic-style one . "How are you today?" Suddenly, the unmoving doll talked.
"Fine, how are you?" Max replied.
That doll's name was Callista. She used to be a person, but unfortunately, her mother refused to let her beautiful daughter grow up. Callista was the daughter of Cassandra, making her and Maxwell related. No one knows how Cassandra turned her daughter into a doll, much less a living doll. Which is a great example of how powerful Cassandra Peverell was.
"Well..." Callista lifted her arm and revealed that her hand was missing.
"Again?"
She nodded with a innocent smile.
"I'll help you look." Maxwell told her.
Cassandra had two more children, who she never really gave much thought. Apparently one of Callista siblings, confronted her about it and a duel occurred where she was killed. Trapping Callista in that form forever.
Although she doesn't eat or sleep, her body needs to be cleaned regularly. Otherwise it will start to decay.
The two looked for her arm inside the room for a time. Until Maxwell founded. "Why was your hand here?" Maxwell asked as it was on the top of a shelve.
"I was trying grab a rat." She told him.
"Why?"
"Because I want a rat." She told him.
Callista kind of became a family heirloom as a result of her condition. She's been living in the castle for generations now.
"I'm going to Hogwarts, you really need to stop losing your parts." Maxwell told her.
"Don't worry, if I do. Dobby can help me look." She told him in return with a innocent smile.
"Oh no, he won't." Maxwell was quick to respond. "He nearly fall from the highest tower looking for that shoe you lost."
"You're mean." She whined while folding her arms.
"Whatever, are you ever gonna finish building them?" Maxwell asked.
Callista developed a habit of building dolls, which are the only things that she interact with besides Maxwell and Dobby.
"I'm preparing for a tea party, it's for girls only." She told him. "So get out."
"Aren't you gonna miss me? Just a little bit?" Maxwell asked in a somewhat dissapointed voice.
"Why would I miss a mean boy like you?" She kept on folding her arms and looking away.
Maxwell looked down a bit, before turning around and leaving. But before he reached the door, he felt someone hugging him from behind.
"Of course I'll miss you." Callista told him while wrapping her arms around him.
"Me too." Maxwell told her. "But seriously, don't make Dobby chase after your body parts again."
"Fine." She answered with an annoyed tone.
After talking to Callista. He went to the dinner room to have dinner. Passing through the main hall, Maxwell couldn't help but look at the portrait of the famous three brothers. Antioch, Cadmus, and Ignotus.
Three portraits of them, hanging on the wall. Each with something written underneath.
Memores Virtutis. (Wary of Might.)
Animus Vinci. (Conquest of Soul.)
Prudentiam Cordis. (Prudence of Heart.)
Each of these mottos represent the three brothers.
Wary of Might - Antioch's overconfidence in his power, becoming a victim of his own greatness.
Conquest of Soul - Cadmus's inability to accept the loss of his love, giving into grief.
Prudence of Heart - Ignotus's open-mindedness and self-awareness of his limits.
Maxwell is a direct descendent of Antioch. And he always remember those words. "Memores Virtutis." He spoke out loud to his ancestor's portrait while bowing to it.
"Master Max." He heard Dobby calling him.
"Yes?"
"Dinner is served." His loyal house elf told him.
"Great," He started to walk besides Dobby to the dinner room. "Remember Dobby, in my absence, you will be responsible with keeping the castle."
"It will be Dobby's honor Master Max." Dobby replied.
"Remember, you will have to keep everything clean and organized. You will have to feed Eden, make sure Callista and the others are clean properly and everything." Maxwell instructed his house elf.
"Dobby won't let Master Max down." He assured him.
"I hope not, what have you done for dinner?" He asked.
"Master Angelo's favorite." Dobby told him.
"Pork chops?"
After enjoying his dinner, Maxwell went to bed, as tomorrow will be the day that he will go to Hogwarts.
1976:
"I liked your outfit."
Both Alistair Peverell and Lily Evans were walking beside each other in order to reach the party that their potions professor is throwing.
"Thanks, your dress is... lovely." Alistair told her. "It really match your eyes."
"Thanks, Mary helped me pick." She explained. "She did my hair too."
"She did a fantastic work, your hair looks really nice." Alistair commented.
Suddenly, Lily looks a little upset with something. Which Alistair was quick to notice.
"It's something wrong?" He asked her.
"Umm... Alice told me that you wanted to... cancel and she talked you out of it." She explained.
More like, yelled me out of it. Alistair almost pointed out. "I was... a little worried about James, Sirius and Peter." Alistair explained as well. Worried that Severus said something and put whoever is the guy you fancy in a terrible situation.
"Oh," Lily instantly was relieved for some reason. "Don't worry about that, Sev and Potter have been on each other's throats since our first year." She assured him.
It's why they were on each other's throats this time that worries me. He thought. Wait a minute? He realized something. "You know, you're really well dressed for this occasion. Is the guy you fancy gonna be on the party?"
After he asked that, Lily kind had a strange reaction. She made a very annoyed face. She took breath and answered. "Yes."
It's my chance to find out who he is then. Alistair thought.
The two kept on walking until they finally arrived.
Alistair and Lily were greeted by Professor Slughorm, as soon as they entered. Slughorm had an obvious soft spot for the two of them for some reason.
Currently they were surrounded by the students of each of the four houses that were handpicked by the Professor.
Alistair was eating some sweets that were on one of the tables. Lily was besides him at all times, which gave him the impression that the guy that she fancies, hasn't arrived yet.
"Hey, you two." Someone holding a camera told them, before snapping a picture of them. "Would you like another one?"
Alistair looked at Lily for a second. Lily looked back at him.
"Yes," Lily was the one who spoke. Before wrapping her arm around Alistair's and putting her head on his shoulder.
The boy holding a camera, takes another picture. "You two gotta be the cutest couple I seen today." He told them before turning his back at them.
"But we-" Alistair tried to tell him that they were not a couple, but he didn't seem to care.
Lily just smiled a bit, before poking his cheek. "Don't worry about it."
Alistair smiled back. "Well, thanks for keeping me company." He told her. "Although, I'm little confused."
Lily made a confused expression. "About what?"
"I mean... why are you keeping me company? I thought you would spend time with your other friends or... with the guy you fancy." He explained.
Lily confused face turned into one of thought. She sighted a bit before speaking. "Alistair, the truth is... The boy I fancy... It's y-" She was about to tell him, until they got interrupted.
"Hey!" Both the blond and the red head, turned to see who it was. It turns out that it was one of the people that Alistair was worried about.
Oh bloody hell!? She almost who it was! Alistair thought in frustration.
"Sev? I thought you were in detention." Lily asked her friend.
"I, got out earlier." He answered her.
"Are you okay? I heard that you got into a fight with James." Alistair asked him.
"None of your business, Peverell." Severus replied to him in a very rude tone.
"Hey, he's just being nice." Lily was quick to scold him. "What was it about this time?" She asked.
Severus looked at Alistair with his dark eyes for a second before speaking. "I was looking for you, and Potter decided to annoy me."
Alistair didn't know if it was true or not, but James did have a habit of bothering Severus just for the sake of it.
"Oh? Why were you looking for me?" She asked him.
"Who is it?" He asked her.
Oh shit. Alistair thought in anticipation.
"What?" Lily asked in confusion.
Before Severus could speak again, Alistair decided to do something. "Did you really got released from detention early?" Alistair asked him. If she finds out I told him; she might not tell me who is it.
"Yeah, I was asking myself the same thing." Lily spoke in her prefect voice. "You didn't run away from detention, did you Sev?"
"Ummm..." He took too long to answer, which answered Lily question.
"Sev, you're my best friend. But if you don't go back to detention right now, I'm going to report you to Professor Slughorm." Lily spoke in a low voice.
"But Lily-" He tried to argue but she wouldn't have it.
"But nothing! Whatever you have to ask me, it can wait until tomorrow." Lily stated. "Now go!"
Severus didn't say anything else, he just turned around with an annoyed look before leaving the party.
She's scarier than Alice. Alistair thought as Lily usually was sweet but when it comes to her prefect duty, she's a no-nonsense girl. "Wow, if only Remus was like that." Alistair commented.
"Remus usually does a good work, when doesn't involve your friends." She added. "Actually, speaking of which. Why did you refused the position?"
Alistair was actually the one that was chosen to be this year's prefect but he refused the position and it was given to Remus instead.
"Nah, I would have been terrible at it." Alistair answered. "I'm just not as fierce as you."
Lily laughed a bit at that. "No, but you're the only one that can keep your friends out of trouble." She explained. "Which is probably why she picked you."
Alistair had the same suspicion. "You're probably right."After saying that, he looked around a bit and noticed something. "How did that got here?"
"Slughorm probably brought it for music." Lily answered.
Alistair was talking about the piano that was close to the window. It was playing by itself, which gave Alistair a little idea. It's been sometime. He then walked towards the piano's direction.
"What are you doing?" Lily asked.
Alistair didn't answer, he just sat down and pulled out his wand to make stop playing. He then turned and spoke out loud. "Excuse me, Professor?" He called.
"Yes, Mr. Peverell?" Slughorm responded.
"Would you mind if I play a song on this piano?" He asked, which surprised Lily.
"Wait, you play piano?" Lily asked.
Alistair just nodded to her before turning to the Professor.
"Not at all, go on ahead." Professor Slughorm gladly allowed.With that, Alistair started to play.
The moment he started, people were surprised. It turns out that Alistair is a really good pianist, as he was actually playing way better than when the piano was under a spell.
Lily just stood there besides the piano watching him as he played.
Alistair learned how to play piano from his mother. He hasn't played since she died, and he was glad that he didn't forget how to do it. While he concentrated in the music that he was playing, he had a thought. Maybe I should just let things be. I mean, Lily is a wonderful girl and whoever is the guy that she fancies, he's very lucky. I'm just going to wait until she tells me or maybe until something happens between the two and I'll help whatever I can with dealing with James. Alistair thought as he let the music flow through him.
He got a little caught up in the moment, he closed his eyes and started sing.
Sad Dream.
I had Sad Dream.
Bigger than inaccessible thoughts.
Take your pure heart and get up again.
He sang out loud.
Sad Dream.
You will follow me to the end.
Sad Dream.
Although it's shape changes.
Instead of the past, tomorrow awaits them.
You are all dream travelers.
Even if you are thrown into the sea of time, keep moving forward.
The remembrance of a deep love is proof that you are alive.
I can see.
My heart will take me.
I can not say.
How much is impossible to imagine.
In my dreams.
How to forget?
Everything was for you.
I will open my eyes and see.
That I have to face.
I'll go my own way and fight.
The time is to live.
Soon enough, Alistair stopped signing. Great, they probably think I'm stupid. Alistair thought as he opened his eyes expecting to be mocked because of this song.
But to his surprise, the first thing he sees is Lily sobbing.Instantly confused, he asked. "Was I that bad?!"
"W-what? N-no!" Lily stuttered in between sobs.
Alistair then looked to the others and noticed that the girls in the room were also sobbing and some of the guys including Slughorm looked like they were holding back tears.
He looked at Lily again. "It...It was beautiful." Lily told him as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
Alistair was very confused right now. His mother used to sing this song from time to time and this was Alistair first attempt.
"Okay, I certainly wasn't expecting that to happen." Alistair told Lily.
The rest of the party was pretty much composed of everyone asking Alistair to play another song, which got so bad that he had to leave the party with Lily following behind him.
"Me neither, where did you learn to play like that?" Lily asked him.
"My mum taught me." He replied.
"Although I only know how to sing that song."
"It was beautiful." Lily told him with a smile. "I don't want to sound like everyone else but... Could play again some time?" She asked.
Alistair looked at her. "Okay, but only if it is you."
Lily's cheeks turned red when he said that. "Ummm... Just for me?"
"Who else would I play to?" Alistair asked. I mean, I just feel more comfortable with a friend.
Soon enough, both arrived at the common room entrance. But before they could go in, Lily stood in front if the entrance, facing Alistair.
"Is something wrong?" Alistair asked.
"I need to tell you something." Lily spoke.
Alistair stared at her beautiful green eyes and noticed that she looked nervous. "What is it?"
She took a deep breath before speaking. "So... the guy I fancy," Alistair prepared himself to hear what she was going to say. "I... I have fealings for him since the day I met him on the train when I first came to Hogwarts." She explained.
Wait, she liked him for that long? Wow, he must be an amazing guy. Alistair noted.
"At first, I didn't know how I felt but... I realized that I fancied him in the third year. Then your cousin started to chase after me around that time which really kept me from saying anything to him." She kept going with her explanation.
Dammit James. Alistair scolded his cousin internally as he was probably the reason to why Lily hasn't told what she felt to this guy.
"But... I got into a point where, I can't think of anything but him..." Lily looked down a bit. "Alistair Peverell, the guy I fancy... It's y-"
"Hey!"
Whatever Lily was going to say, got interrupted by someone calling out for them. Alistair turned around and saw that the one calling out for them was none other than his cousin.
"Hey," Alistair greeted him.
Following behind him was Sirius and Peter. Probably coming back from detention.
"Seriously, I spend one day away from you guys, and you all end up in detention?"
"Don't you start, Snivellus asked for it." James was quick to reply. Then he took a look at Lily. "Wow, you're looking really nice." He complimented on her dress.
Lily didn't react to the compliment well, as she looked like she was about to hex James. "You're unbelievable Potter!" She yelled in anger.
"What did I do?" James asked in confusion.
Lily didn't answer, she just entered the common room looking extremely angry for some reason.
"Jeez, what's wrong with her?" Sirius asked.
"I don't know." Alistair responded. I think someone put a curse on the guy's name or something. How many times will she be interrupted right when she's about to tell me?! He thought in deep frustration.
"Whatever, let's go inside as well." Sirius spoke as he walked in.
The others followed behind him.
"What was it about anyway?" Alistair asked his friends.
"Snivellus was angry about something and pushed Peter into the ground as he passed by." Sirius explained.
"Did he hurt you?" Alistair asked Peter, who just shaked his head.
"We got a few hits in before the Professor stopped us." James added. "Although, it wasn't worthy."
"Why not?"
"McGonagall made us clean the transfiguration room." Sirius explained, sounding really frustrated.
The four went into their dormitory where Remus was sleeping peacefully.
"Shhh, don't make noise." Alistair whispered to them. "Full moon is in a few days and he's gonna need a few peaceful sleeps."
The three just nodded as they all started to change into their pyjamas.
"Did you see Snivellus? He left us there before coming back." James asked.
"He tried to talk to Lily, but she kicked him out and made him go back to detention." Alistair explained.
James had to hold back his laughter, Sirius chuckled a bit and Peter just smirked.
All four finished getting dressed, and layed in their beds."Good night." All four whispered at same time.
I almost had it, but was interrupted. Oh well, I think I'm going to wait until Lily decides to tell me or until she confesses to whoever is guy. Alistair had a final thought before falling asleep.