Another preview of my Lions series. Which I need to figure out how I will share with everyone since you can't put up stories with people reading books on fanfiction.
I plan on doing all of Percy Jackson, The Inheritance Cycle, The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings (which I have to buy), The Hunger Games.
Crossover: Harry Potter/Inheritance Cycle
Key:
Bold=story
"Word"=non-story
Lions: Eragon
Prologue: Shade of Fear
It was the first day of the new term after Christmas break. They had met twice a week to read the books in the Room of Requirement and were ready to begin the third book series which Hermione had said in their first meeting was the Inheritance Cycle. While Harry and Hermione waited for their book club to pop into the Room of Requirement, they got some house elves to bring snacks and cups of hot chocolate. A fire glowed warmly in the hearth.
"So how was your Christmas Hermione?" Harry asked. He had stayed at Hogwarts since he wasn't welcomed home at the Dursleys during the Christmas and Easter holidays.
"It was good. My parents took me to Madrid after they picked me up at Kings Cross to visit my Aunt Willow," Hermione said.
"What about you Ron?" Harry asked.
"Charlie and Bill came home for Christmas. Mom was so happy to have the entire family home," Ron said. "She gave me a couple platters of brownies to share with my friends. I thought we could eat them with the others when they arrive."
"Tell your mom thanks," Harry said.
"I will," Ron said. At first the group had been tense around each other but as they had read the Percy Jackson series, they had eventually become secret friends though they knew that they could never be friends in public due to house rivalries.
The others gradually came into the room by pairs until everyone was situated and greeted each other warmly before they took comfortable seats by the fire and gathered around with cups of hot chocolate and a brownie in each hand. "Who wants to read first?" Hermione asked.
"It's my turn," Blaise Zabini said and the book was passed over to the Italian boy who looked at the cover in surprise before turning it to the back to read the synopsis.
One boy…
One dragon…
A world of adventure.
"Oh does this have something to do with dragons?" Tracey asked. When everyone gave her amused looks she blushed. "Sorry."
"Don't worry Tracey. We know you like dragons and are planning on working on a dragon reserve when you graduate," Ron said with a laugh.
"Yeah it does though this looks like an odd dragon. No ears," Blaise said as he frowned at the front cover of the blue dragon. "They must be a different version of dragons than we have here."
"Huh," was the only answer everyone said.
When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, eh thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself.
"What's the Empire?" Hermione asked.
Everybody shrugged. "I don't know but the book sounds interesting," said Neville.
Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds.
"What's a sword got to do with magic?" questioned Harry.
"Maybe we'll find out in the book," suggested Blaise as he interrupted himself.
Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands.
"Dragon riders?" asked Tracey in surprise. "They can ride dragons?"
"Not even Charlie can do that," Ron said in astonishment.
"That's impossible," Hermione said. "Dragons are wild beasts. They can't be ridden or tamed by anyone."
"Should I begin the story or stop here?" Blaise asked.
"Let's begin the story," said Terry Boot.
Blaise nodded and read the title. " Eragon by Christopher Paolini," he said as he looked at the cover of the blue dragon and then showed it to the group.
Prologue: Shade of Fear.
Wind howled through the night, carrying a scent that would change the world. A tall Shade lifted his head and sniffed the air. He looked human except for his crimson hair and maroon eyes.
"Creepy," said Neville.
"Wonder what a Shade is," said Susan Bones. "Whatever it is doesn't sound good."
"Yeah," said Hannah as she shivered.
He blinked in surprise. The message had been correct; they were here. Or was it a trap? He weighed the odds, then said icily, "Spread out; hide behind trees and bushes. Stop whoever is coming…or die."
"He sounds unpleasant," Harry said.
"Wonder who he's talking to?" Luna questioned.
Around him shuffled twelve Urgals
"What's an Urgal?" Tracey questioned.
Nobody said anything as they hadn't read the books. Blaise took a sip of his hot chocolate before continuing.
Around him shuffled twelve Urgals with short swords and round iron shields painted with black symbols. They resembled men with bowed legs and thick, brutish arms made for crushing.
"Crabbe and Goyle," said Daphne. This brought snickers from around the room.
"Nah I think they're part troll," said Ron which brought another round of snickers.
A pair of twisted horns grew above their small ears. The monsters hurried into the brush, grunting as they hid. Soon the rustling quieted and the forest was silent again.
The Shade peered around a thick tree and looked up the trail. It was too dark for any human to see, but for him the faint moonlight was like sunshine streaming between the trees; every detail was clear and sharp to his searching gaze. He remained unnaturally quiet, a long pale sword in his hand. A wire-thin scratch curved down the blade. The weapon was thin enough to slip between a pair of ribs, yet stout enough to hack through the hardest armor.
"What's armor?" Neville asked.
"It's a type of defense used by soldiers during a muggle time period known as the Medieval Ages. They came in chain mail which was light and flexible and plate mail which made of heavy plates of metal. Even horses had plate armor around them," said Hermione.
"People fought in this armor?" asked Hannah.
"Yes," Hermione said. "It was very heavy and took a lot of years to be able to wield a sword or lance properly."
Tracey pulled out her notebook to write questions and words down before motioning for Blaise to continue with the book.
The Urgals could not see as well as the Shade; they groped like blind beggars, fumbling with their weapons. An owl screeched, cutting through the silence. No one relaxed until the bird flew past. Then the monsters shivered in the cold night; one snapped a twig with his heavy boot. The Shade hissed in anger, and the Urgal shrank back, motionless. He suppressed his distaste-they smelled like fetid meat-
"That's disgusting," Hannah said as she wrinkled her nose in disgust.
Nods of agreement from the others. Harry who remembered what rotten meat smelled like looked like he was going to be sick. Blaise read the sentence over.
He suppressed his distaste-they smelled like fetid meat-and turned away. They were tools, nothing more.
"Sounds like Voldemort about his death eaters," Harry said.
"That's true. Voldemort doesn't care about his followers or his enemies," Terry said.
"What would you know about that Terry?" asked Susan.
"My cousin was a death eater before Voldemort killed him," Terry said.
"Oh. I'm sorry…I didn't…"
"It's okay," Terry said. "I didn't really know him that well. He was five years older than me."
The Shade forced back his impatience as the minutes became hours. The scent must have wafted far ahead of its owners. He did not let the Urgals get up or warm themselves. He denied himself those luxuries, too, and stayed behind the tree, watching the trail. Another gust of wind rushed through the forest. The smell was stronger this time. Excited, he lifted a thin lip in a snarl.
"Sounds like something's about to happen," Neville said.
"Get ready," he whispered, his whole body vibrating. The tip of his sword moved in small circles. It had taken many plots and much pain to bring himself to this moment. It would not do to lose control now.
Eyes brightened under the Urgals' thick brows, and the creatures gripped their weapons tighter. Ahead of them, the Shade heard a clink as something hard struck a loose stone. Faint smudges emerged from the darkness and advanced down the trail.
"Oh no," Susan said. "Turn back. Don't go down that trail!"
Hannah put a comforting arm around Susan's shoulders.
Everyone else leaned forward in their seats to hear what would happen next. They'd just started and already this series sounded good.
Three white horses with riders cantered toward the ambush, their heads held high and proud, their coats rippling in the moonlight like liquid silver.
On the first horse was an elf with pointed ears and elegantly slanted eyebrows. His build was slim but strong, like a rapier.
"What's a rapier?" Neville questioned.
Tracey wrote that down. "It's a sword," Hermione said. "Do they expect people not to know what an elf is?"
"Well Hermione, muggles think elves are not real,' said Harry.
"Oh…yes…" Hermione said and flushed with embarrassment as everyone else laughed.
A powerful bow was slung on his back. A sword pressed against his side opposite his quiver of arrows fletched with swan feathers.
Tracey wrote down the words 'quiver' and 'fletched' as she could see some confused faces on the purebloods.
The last rider had the same fair face and angled features as the other. He carried a long spear in his right hand and a white dagger at his belt. A helm of extraordinary craftsmanship, wrought with amber and gold, rested on his head.
Between these two rode a raven-haired elven lady, who surveyed her surroundings with poise. Framed by long dark locks, her deep eyes shone with a driving force. Her clothes were unadorned, yet her beauty was undiminished. At her side was a sword, and on her back, a long bow with a quiver. She carried in her lap a pouch that she frequently looked at, as if to reassure herself that it was still there.
"Whatever is in the pouch much be important for three elves to take it with them," Susan said thoughtfully.
"The question is though what is in the pouch and where is it being taken too?" Ron asked.
"Why Ron I never knew you were so observant," said Terry. Ron shot a glare at Terry as the others laughed at the red head's expense.
"The elf lady sounds pretty," Luna said.
One of the elves spoke quietly, but the Shade could not hear what was said. The lady answered with obvious authority, and her guards switched places.
"Ah so she must be a noble or royalty then," said Harry when he thought of all the fantasy books he had read in the public library back home.
The one wearing the helm took the lead, shifting his spear to a readier grip. They passed the Shade's hiding place and the first few Urgals without suspicion.
The Shade was already savoring his victory when the wind changed direction and swept towards the elves, heavy with the Urgals' stench. The horses snorted with alarm and tossed their heads. The riders stiffened, eyes flashing from side to side, then wheeled their mounts and galloped away.
"Go!" shouted Susan at the book and everyone again looked at her in surprise.
"Susan's an animal lover," explained Hannah.
The lady's horse surged forward, leaving her guards far behind. Forsaking their hiding, the Urgals stood and released a stream of black arrows. The Shade jumped out from behind the tree, raised his right hand, and shouted, "Garjzla!"
"Is that supposed to be a spell?" Blaise interrupted himself. He kept his spot and then set the book on his lap so he could take a drink of his hot chocolate.
"Maybe," Hermione said thoughtfully, "but they don't seem to be using wands."
"Maybe they don't need a wand to channel their magic like we do." Neville said.
"But that's impossible Neville," said Hermione. "Wandless magic is impossible for any wizard or witch who isn't gifted with that ability."
"We'll find out if it's magic or not," said Luna. Blaise set his hot chocolate down, picked up the book and continued.
A red bolt flashed from his palm towards the elven lady, illuminating the trees in a bloody light. It struck her steed, and the horse toppled over with a high-pitched squeal, plowing into the ground chest-first. She leapt off the animal with inhuman speed, landed lightly, then glanced back for her guards.
"Oh sure. Now you care about your guards when you left them to die," said Ron.
The Urgals' deadly arrows quickly brought down the two elves. They fell from the noble horses, blood pooling in the dirt. As the Urgals rushed to the slain elves, the Shade screamed, "After her! She is the one I want!" The monsters grunted and rushed down the trail.
"Why does this Shade want the elf lady?" asked Luna.
"Maybe he's under orders to capture her," suggested Harry.
A cry tore from the elf's lips as she saw her dead companions. She took a step toward them, then cursed her enemies and bounded to the forest.
While the Urgals crashed through the trees, the Shade climbed a piece of granite that jutted above them. From his perch he could see all of the surrounding forest. He raised his hand, and uttered, "Istalri botek!" and a quarter-mile section of the forest exploded into flames. Grimly he burned one section after another, until there was a ring of fire, a half-league across, around the ambush site. The flames looked like a molten crown resting on the forest. Satisfied, he watched the ring carefully, in case it should falter.
"Well I guess that explains that the people in this story don't use wands like we do," said Harry.
Hermione looked stunned at the book. "But...that's…impossible…," she stammered to everyone else's amusement.
The band of fire thickened, contracting the area the Urgals had to search. Suddenly, the Shade heard shouts and a coarse scream. Through the trees he saw three of his charges fall in a pile, mortally wounded. He caught a glimpse of the elf running from the remaining Urgals.
She fled toward the craggy piece of granite at a tremendous speed. The Shade examined the ground twenty feet below, then jumped and landed nimbly in front of her. She skidded around and sped back to the trail. Black Urgal blood dripped from her sword, staining the pouch in her hand.
"Yuck," said Hannah.
The horned monsters came out of the forest and hemmed her in, blocking the only escape routes. Her head whipped around as she tried to find a way out. Seeing none, she drew herself up with regal disdain. The Shade approached her with a raised hand, allowing himself to enjoy her helplessness.
"Get her."
As the Urgals surged forward, the elf pulled open the pouch, reached into it, and then let it drop to the ground.
There was silence in the room as everyone waited to hear what was inside the pouch.
In her hands was a large sapphire stone that reflected the angry light of the fires. She raised it over her head, lips forming frantic words. Desperate, the Shade barked, "Garjzla!"
"That's it? A stone?" questioned Hermione.
Ron was imagining how much money he could get with a large stone made of sapphire.
A ball of red flame sprang from his hand and flew toward the elf, fast as an arrow. But he was too late. A flash of emerald light briefly illuminated the forest, and the stone vanished. Then the red fire smote her and she collapsed.
There was some confusion and murmurs among the group of what the stone could be and why it was so important to the Shade, whatever he was.
The Shade howled in rage and stalked toward her, flinging his sword at a tree. It passed halfway through the trunk, where it struck, quivering. He shot nine bolts of energy from his palm-which killed the Urgals instantly-then ripped his sword free and strode to the elf.
Prophecies of revenge, spoken in a wretched language only he knew, rolled from his tongue. He clenched his thin hands and glared at the sky. The cold stars stared back, untwinkling, otherworldly watchers.
Harry was reminded of Dumbledore's twinkling gaze.
Disgust curled his lip before he turned back to the unconscious elf.
Her beauty, which would have entranced any mortal man, held no charm for him.
"Is he an Inferni?" Neville questioned.
"What's an Inferni?" Tracey asked this time.
"A corpse that's been bewitched to serve a dark wizard's bidding. They were part of You-Know-Who's army in the first war," said Neville with a shudder.
He confirmed that the stone was gone, then retrieved his horse from its hiding place among the trees. After tying the elf onto the saddle, he mounted the charger and made his way out of the woods.
He quenched the fires in his path but left the rest to burn.
"That's the end of the chapter," said Blaise as he closed the book and took his hot chocolate before heating it with a warming spell and beginning to drink. "Who would like to read next?"
"I will," Luna said.
"Okay," Blaise said. Tracey levitated the book over to Luna who smiled as she took it and turned the page to the second chapter.