(READ NOTE AT END OF CHAPTER PLEASE!)
(TIGGER WARNING: Abuse, Insanity)
Amaya snuck through Hogwarts; her eyes alight with something undiscernible. She allowed her creature to come forward and settle themselves in the forefront of her mind. Leaving her hand on a wall as she walked; her scent laid itself where her hand had been, dragging itself through the halls. A smile curled onto her lips as she slid into the correct corridor.
Checking around for any beings, she paced in front of the wall 3 times. Large doors appeared and she tugged on them, opening them to a simple little room. Just a small sofa with a coffee table and a fireplace. The fire crackled and danced, two little mugs popping onto the coffee table.
Approaching carefully, Amaya peered into the cups, sniffing the steam they were emitting. It was tea. She wasn't sure what kind, but it had a soft herbal smell to it. Sitting down she lifted a cup and sipped it, deciding she would just sit and wait. It wasn't yet 1700 so she was fine.
Momentarily contemplating taking off her wrist band, she vetoed the idea. If he couldn't love her as Hermione Granger, then he didn't deserve her as Amaya Riddle. No, he had to love all parts of her. Though she was fairly sure that he would, she wanted- no needed, to be sure.
Taking a deep breath, she smiled shakily when she saw a calming draught on the table. Downing the potion, she flushed the aftertaste with a sip of tea. Her eyes flickered to the time shown by the Tempus she cast, anxiety and impatience rising in her when she saw that she only had 2 minutes left. Placing her cup down, Amaya adjusted her outfit (a pair of casual robes; expensive casual robes but casual nonetheless) and sat straight. The books about Pureblood etiquette described exactly how you were to sit, stand, walk, and all that. She was working on how to teach it to herself and Astaron.
Staring at the two Heiress Rings on her hand, she watched as they disappeared; disillusioned to all, including herself. Her fingers drummed nervously, and her stomach was practicing gymnastics; she thought it could be a professional with how it was somersaulting.
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts, and she smoothed her outfit obsessively. The door opened quietly, and Amaya watched as her mate came in.
Shock bloomed on his face. "Granger? What're you...?" He trailed off as he realized what was going on.
Amaya gave a soft smile when he looked at her in curiosity.
-Line Break-
Astaron hummed softly as he opened a letter addressed to him. A large owl stared sharply at everyone else, almost biting Ron when his hand came to close to the letter. Surveying the writing, a smile wormed its way on his lips when he realized who it was.
Hey Pup!
How're you doing? Your last letter wasn't what someone would call informative, but it sated my thirst on the knowledge of your life.
The Tri-Wizard Tournament does sound exciting, but I agree with you; keep your eyes and ears open for anything suspicious, especially after the Death Eater attack on the Quidditch World Cup. I wouldn't put it past some wizard to figure out a way to put your life in danger again. So again, make sure you're ready for anything that happens. Stay alert. If anything does happen, write me immediately and I'll find a way to see you.
I got an odd missive from Gringotts. It said you set it up? What's that about, Pup? I'm to be there on October 14th, won't say what for so I'm hoping you'll shed some light on it?
Anyways, I'm in the tropics and am enjoying life. Maybe when I'm free, I can take you here and show all the wonderful things it has to offer.
Love you!
Snuffles
P.S. Refer to me as such when talking about me in Public. Also the owl is Rico. He'll stay in the Owlery of Hogwarts during the year unless flying to me)
Astaron smiled softly, a warmth filling his chest. His godfather was still his godfather and he seemed to be doing better now that he wasn't worrying about the authorities of Britain. But still being alert; or at least he hoped.
He folded the letter carefully and placed it in his bag. He talk about it with Ron and Amaya on the way to Charms.
-Line Break-
Astaron tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for Steeltooth. His sister was with him, and they were both waiting for their Memory Ritual.
Finally the door's opened and Steeltooth walked in, a female goblin behind him. "Heir Riddle, Heiress, this is Opal, she is a mind specialist. You will be going to our chamber, which is different from your cleansing ritual. Though, you will be wearing the same robes. So if you would change, that would be much appreciated." He gestured to a side room, and they went inside, grasping the robes inside.
The robes were still lightweight and flowy, the cloak black with a simple hood. They exited and followed Steeltooth and Opal, both goblins talking rapidly in their native language.
Opal began speaking to them just as they arrived at the door. "You are to go one at a time, the magic must concentrate on one person each time it is activated; if both of you were to go in at the same time, the outcome... let us just say that it would not be very... ah, beneficial for your minds." Astaron nodded solemnly, his sister copying the action. "Which of you would like to go first?"
Sharing a look with his sister, Astaron stepped forward, "I'll go first." Opal gave a short nod before leading him into the chamber. It was large with runes inscribed on the walls and floors; a long, short, wooden slab with runes carved onto it, except for the top part.
"Lay on the table and wait as I prepare the necessities for the ritual." He did as he was told, slipping off the cloak and setting it aside. The edge of a container touched his lips, and he opened his mouth. A liquid was poured into his mouth, and he swallowed the slimy solution. "It loosens any protections or barriers you may have placed on your mind, intentionally or not. Close your eyes and do your best to relax."
Astaron closed his eyes and loosened his limbs, trying his hardest not to react when his wand was taken from the pocket of the robes. Thin, sharp fingers laid themselves on his temples and chanting came from above him. He winced slightly before he was drawn into his mind. It was just pure darkness before it exploded into light. Then he was watching his memories from 3rd person.
00-Memories-00
"Who the darkest little prince in the world? You are. Oh, yes you are." Childish babbles filled the air, slurred gibberish words of 'mama'. A soft laugh came and twinkling green eyes looked down. "Who's my little one? My little prince? You are, oh yes you are!"
Red hair was tugged on by little hands, happy gurgles coming from the child as a fist was put into a small mouth.
A large man strode into the line of sight and an excited screech filled the air. "Papa! Papa!" A smile came onto the face before the man turned to the redheaded woman.
"My love, are you sure you are content with the plan?" Green eyes darkened and the happy sounds, died down to a near-silent coo at the anger in the eyes.
The child was set down and little fists grabbed air as they tried to cling to their mother.
The shouts that were heard was frightening; The only thing more frightening was the magic that crackled, felt even through a memory.
XxXx
"Un'ca Pa'foo! Un'ca Moo'y! Un'ca Sev!" Joyous laughs filled the air as a little child was lifted from a crib, wiggling in the large hands of an amber eyed werewolf.
"Lupin, you are going to crush the child. Unhand him this instant and hold him correctly."
Laughter came from the two other Men. "If you wanted to hold him, just say so Severus. Arms out and baby in." An odd look came onto the pale man's face as he held the child awkwardly.
"Pa'foo, mama coo' Slurp' and pracorn! F'ur Movi nigh!" An excited screech came after the sentence as the nearly two-year-old child squirmed and wiggled to be let down.
The moment his feet hit the ground; he ran clumsily to the man standing in the doorway. His stomach had a gentle swell to it and was pushing out. "P'ongs! Up!"
"There's the little one. Mama says its bath time. Should I bring you to her?"
"No! No bath time!"
XxXx
"James! Lily! How wonderful to see you! I'm afraid I have some terrible news for you..."
The little child watched from the sofa; green eyes drawn to the old, white, long-haired man. "Albus? What's the matter?"
"There seems to be a prophecy..." The memory began slurring and glitching. "To defeat the Dark Lord..."
It glitched once more and the old man waved his wand. "Verum Invenio Extrahere."
XxXx
"I'm s-sorry, m' sorry, p-please... PLEASE" A cry of agony came from the chapped lips of a 4-year-old, broken promises falling from his mouth like the tears in his eyes; begs escaped, warped with the pain ringing through his body.
"Never again, boy!" Came the shrill sounding voice of a stick-like, blonde woman. "Go to your cupboard! And stay there till I come get you!"
The child stumbled and crawled into the tiny space called his bedroom.
A raw, red hand was cradled against the small form, cupped by a little hand; Glassy eyes stared unseeingly into the darkness, soft pain-slurred pleas still leaving the mouth.
Astaron watched as the shadows ruffled, a black hand coming and stroking the hair of the boy. Tiny eyes blinked from the pools of darkness, and soothing whispers emitted from them faintly.
XxXx
Whimpers came from the curled-up figure, vibrant green eyes staring dully at the old man his Aunt and Uncle were talking to. Only fragments of the conversation was caught by the young ears.
The old man came near, and he hurriedly stood, ignoring the debilitating pain that threatened to cripple him.
"Hello Harry. You seem to have done something that's not allowed; can't have you being a necromancer can we. But no worries. I can fix it."
A long stick was taken out and waved easily. "Obliviate."
-Line Break-
Amaya paced outside the door, agitation making itself known on her face. She could feel the magic coming from the room, even if only barely. She froze, however, when a pained scream came from the room. Fear and shock gripped her heart as she forced the doors open, despite a frantic Steeltooth trying to stop her.
Her brother was on a table, his back arched into something painful and a sheen of sweat coating him. "What're you DOING?" Her magic lashed out, swarming around her brother protectively, tendrils shooting out at the female goblin chanting above him.
"Stop! You'll damage his mind irreparably if she stops her chanting now!" She stopped her magic from attacking but watched attentively as the goblin magic drilled into her brother's head. She relaxed when his cries and screams ceased, his face now only screwed up in discomfort.
Opal stepped away after a few moments and nodded shakily. "Heir Riddle attempted to fight the magic. I do not know why; I only know that he did. Leave him to rest. He should wake within the hour; if not, then I worry for his mental state."
Amaya looked at him worriedly, before nodding gently. "Alright. I trust I will be alerted when he wakes? This is supposed to be off the books, and we must return to Hogwarts lest our absence is noticed."
Steeltooth nodded. "Barely more than an hour has passed since your arrival. Do you wish to forgo your ritual and reschedule?" She pursed her lips, thinking through the pros and cons.
"I will do it, but in the event that I pass out, I wish to be brought back to consciousness immediately. Do I have your word?" Opal and Steeltooth remained silent. "Well? I do not know how to read minds."
Opal nods. "You may undergo it but I cannot swear for it goes against my vow to Lady Magic herself." Steeltooth nods, his only indication that he swears or promises.
A few minutes later, she is laying on the wooden slab, swallowing a slimy concoction. A few chants later, she is sucked into her mind, viewing memories she didn't know existed.
-Line Break-
Astaron leaned heavily on his sister, half-limping alongside her. He attempted to push off her only for it too be proved futile when she didn't let go or his legs threatened to give out. They stopped at the portrait of the Fat Lady and he whispered the password, slurring it mostly. She swung open, and they entered.
He grunted when they finally made it up the stairs to the boys dormitory, and he was unceremoniously laid on his bed. He scooted under the covers, curling up in their warmth.
"Good night."
He smiled sloppily and tiredly at his sister. "Guh' Nigh'."
The door clicking closed was his only notice that his sister had left.
He closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep and surrounded by dreams neither good nor bad.
-Line Break-
Somewhere inside the head of Astaron Riddle, a frozen over lake formed, a thick layering of snow covering it. Dense fog surrounded the lake, shimmering silhouettes of incomprehensible monsters hidden inside.
If one was brave enough to move the snow, they would have seen the horrors hiding underneath the black waters of the ice; the memories of which the monsters of the fog were born. Screams rippled through the water, all sounding to be of different ages but from the same young child; pleas all laced with pain, misery, and agony; begs for mercy, for help, for something, anything. Tortured sounds echoing through the black waters of suffering.
They would have felt grief, pain, sorrow, agony, distress, beyond anything a child should feel; The crushed hope, smothered will, would weigh them down heavier than any physical thing could; The self-loathing, the twisted craving of pain, the depression, the longing for death would have drowned them and dragged them to the cold depths of the water.
That's what formed in his mind, and it needed to be found.
Found before it destroyed his sanity and him.
-Line Break-
A/N: Yeah, I know I've been absent for quite the whiles, but I promise to make up for it! Yes I do. It will just take me longer for my sister spilled milk on my computer and now my keyboard doesn't work soooo... just bear with me a little longer.
We are drifting farther and farther away from canon and slowly creeping up on my version of things. Occlumency lessons are going to have to be made... torturetorturetortureMyhandsarekillingmetorturetorturetorture
Anyways my lovelies, all is coming well I suppose. I'm working on another story though I know I shouldn't. But that doesn't matter. Actually, I'm working on 3 stories, perhaps I will publish them sometime soon.
Next Chapter: Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, and A Flaming Sippy Cup! Always exciting!
