A/N: So, thanks to a review, I have just realised that this has been posted for a while on Archive, which allows for more tags, thus more cross overs. I completely forgot this site does not have the feature and to post a note at the start as I'm basically just uploading what I have from one site to this one right now. This is also a cross with the House of Night Series by P.C and Kristen Cast, so already crossed with an established world. In this world, Vampyres are known to humanity. As teenagers, some people are 'Marked'. This is the trigger of a physical change, the first signs of which are usually almost flu like in appearance. Then, a full grown Vampyre, who is a tracker, locates them and initiates the full change. This traditionally results in a blue crescent moon tattoo appearing on the forehead of the new fledgling. The change from human to Vampyre takes four years, but not all make it. Some reject the change and die. The fledglings who make the change become full Vampyres. Their marks expand on themselves and fill in, all in the Sapphire blue, though there has been precedent for other colours. Each Vampyre's full tattooing is unique to the individual- Celtic knotting, horses, birds, waves, flames- even a priestess clasping her hands around the moon which is at the centre of the forehead. While a Vampire will not burst into flames in the sunlight, the further into the change they go, the more sensitive they are and they do have very adept night vision. And of course, let us not forget the traditional craving of blood. While I do not anticipate established characters making too many appearances, except one rather main one, this is a crossover only in using the already established world the Cast mother and daughter team created. I do believe that the fledgling handbook is accessible on google books, which is a text book, along the lines of what J.K brought out with Fantastic Beasts. That may provide a bit more of an explanation to the Vampyres in this story, from the change to some of their rituals and History. (For those who have read HON, this is after all the books.)
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Chapter 4
Mabon. It was the first truly large celebration they had the chance to attend. It was days before Hermione's birthday, and Asta was ready for it. But first, they got to attend the celebrations of Mabon. They had been to normal rituals and full moon ceremonies of course, but this would be different. The feast of the Autumn Equinox was to celebrate the Harvest and the bounty provided by the Goddess' love. Morgana had just completed the ritual circle when it happened. A woman and a man formed into place. The woman was beautiful, with midnight black straight hair and multi-coloured eyes that shone with happiness and compassion. The man was tanned and very tall, with long dark hair and dark eyes. The most startling feature were his wings. They were huge and as silver as the moon.
"Merry Meet, my children," the woman said, smiling, and looking at them all with a smile.
"Goddess," Morgana said, her voice carrying to all of them gathered in the temple which was at the exact centre of the castle.
"Morgana," She said, smiling at her. "You do me proud every day, child, using your gifts to help your people."
"Thank you, Nyx," Morgana replied, standing even straighter at the praise.
Nyx then turned round the circle, until her gaze came to rest on Asta and Hermione, who she walked towards, the dark warrior, obviously Kalona, walked beside her. Nyx reached out, smiling gently at them, and placed her hands on their shoulders.
"Oh my daughters, it gladdens me to see you here where it is safe. You must be wondering why you are marked so differently?"
Both of them nodded, awed that she was speaking to them.
"It is because your spirits are the spirits of our daughters, taken and hidden from us in mortal form by servants of Darkness, cast through time to hide you even further from us, centuries in the future. A spell I cast allowed me to find you, but only when you were marked. I have since been able to see what you have had to suffer through and it saddens me greatly. Know this, my daughters, your lives will have love and happiness from here on out, if you will it," Nyx told them. Her hands moved to the runes each of them had. Kaen on Asta's left shoulder, and Thuris on Hermione's left forearm. Asta had worn an off the shoulder black velvet dress for the occasion, revealing the runes and Hermione a short sleeve black dress with silver trim, both of which kept the runes bare. "These are not what those in the wizarding world believed. They were not placed, but spontaneous. The two they belong to are your soulmates. Their people have physical marks that allow them to know who their soul mates are, without having to go through the hazards of trying to just figure it out and being fooled by someone with bad intentions. But these runes does not mean you have to be with them. They just mean that if you choose to be, you will have a much greater chance at happiness. They are both powerful warriors in their own right, and will protect you with their lives, and help avenge the wrongs done to you," Nyx smiled slyly at this. "But, until your warriors find you, which should not be long, I have a gift to protect you when you are apart."
At that, Crookshanks ran into the circle, right up to Nyx. She picked him up and stroked his fur. A silver light entered his eyes and she handed him to Hermione, before a jet black cat also ran into the circle. Nyx repeated the process and a silver glint appeared in the green eyes of the smaller cat, which she then handed to Asta.
"Your familiars will be a formidable force if you are attacked. Apart from your own powers, which you will begin to learn to use soon, they will be a last line of defence, should something go wrong," Nyx told them. She smiled and kissed the both of them on the foreheads. "Most importantly, my daughters, know you are no longer alone in this world. You are watched over, cared for, protected, and most of all, you are loved. Always loved."
She stepped backwards, allowing Kalona to take her place in-front of them. He touched their cheeks gently, and fleetingly. "Even though you are currently consigned to this realm, know you are princesses in ours. You have a divine spark within you. With that knowledge, I implore you to acquit yourself properly, knowing your true potentials. Make us proud daughters, as you have already done. Know we cannot love you any less than we already do, but our love grows by the night."
With that, Nyx once again approached them, her voice quieting so that only they could hear them. "I have one final gift for you. All Vampyres are naturally barren, and I cannot completely reverse that in you. But what I can do is lift it slightly. Should you choose a Vampyre or human mate and consort, as is your right, to love and be with, you will be like other Vampyres. However, should you choose your soulmates, you will be able to conceive. If I could give you the chance to have children with whoever you chose to love I would, but even my power is limited to certain rules," her hands touched their abdomens for a moment, and they felt warmth. Both of them were already crying at this point at the love radiating from her, but this made them sob. She had given them the chance of a family. The best chance she could and was allowed to give. She stepped away again, and looked round the circle. "My blessings upon you all, my children. Know I will be watching you all, and waiting to greet you when you eventually join me in my realm. Merry meet, merry part and merry meet again!"
With that, she and Kalona faded, but they all still felt the love left behind. The love of their goddess and her warrior mate.
"Thank you goddess!" Morgana called out, and was soon emulated by all in the circle. When it was closed, Asta and Hermione were approached by a red headed sixth former, her hair falling halfway down her back in heavy curls. Celeste was known to both of them, but they had only exchanged a few words.
She fisted her right hand and placed it over her heart, smiling warmly, bowing her head. "Merry Meet, Asta Emrys and Hermione Granger, daughters of Nyx."
"Merry Meet, Celeste Jones, Leader of the Dark Daughters," they replied together formally, fisting their own hands over their hearts and bowing their heads in greeting, extending her the same courtesy.
"I have wanted to approach you for some time. I have come to formally invite you to join the Dark Daughters. I know it seems as if I am only asking in light of our Goddess' revelations, but I was truly going to ask you tonight anyway. I had simply wanted to give you time to settle in and adjust to life here. You had less chances as you currently have private tuition thanks to the backwards ways of the wizards."
Both of them smiled. "We understand. With everything, we haven't really had much of a chance to properly look at the clubs offered," Asta told her. "And, I don't know about Hermione, but I'd be honoured," she said, shifting her new cat so she was holding it in one arm and brushed away her remaining tears, still overwhelmed at what had happened.
Hermione nodded. "I would be honoured as well. But would it be alright to stave off your ritual tonight. I'm still really overwhelmed. I just want to get something to eat and go to bed."
"Of course, I understand. Finding out your parents are an immortal goddess and her warrior must be a huge shock. I will find you tomorrow night to give you our meeting schedule. We will have to choose a meeting to formally induct you into the Dark Daughters. Asta, do you want to rest as well with your sister?"
"If you would not mind. I also have to get this one," she hefted the small cat, "settled. Learn how to cater to my cats every whim."
Celeste laughed. "Of course. Don't we all? Now, if you will excuse me, I have a ritual to perform. I will see you tomorrow night. Rest well."
"Have a good night," they both said. After she had walked away, they were approached by their mentors.
"How are you faring?" Morgana asked them.
"Overwhelmed," Hermione told them.
"Understandable," Athena replied. "Come, dine with us tonight so we can discuss what happened, and where we go from here."
They were led to the Vampyres dining room, and given menus instead of the buffet that the fledglings had. Asta ordered the Pasta Cabonara while Hermione chose the Fillet Steak.
"Tell me," Athena said when the order had been placed and the wine brought and poured for each of them. "Apart from your emotions, do you feel at all different? Concentrate on yourself, your inner self."
Asta found herself closing her eyes, hands absently petting her new familiar. It took a few deep breaths, but then she felt it. It was like her magic had felt, except it was fuller, and more powerful, reaching into every part of her. It responded to her examination excitedly, welling up, ready for use. She heard a gasp and her eyes snapped open. She saw her body was encompassed in a gold and green glow. The sound of crackling electric reached her and she turned to see electric currents running across Hermione's skin, her hair frizzing badly and going wild. Both of them looked at each other for a moment, before their powers faded from view, and they went back to normal, Asta making a conscious effort to pull the power back, having no doubt Hermione was doing the same. They looked at their mentors, who were wide eyed.
"That was… wondrous," Morgana breathed. "I could feel your auras. They were more powerful than any other I have felt. We must arrange training for you to learn to use your powers. Now, tell me Asta, what are you going to name your cat?"
Asta lifted the black cat up and checked its gender. She was female. "Hmm… how about Fade? I'm sure in the night she'll just appear to disappear, looking at her coat."
"An apt name," Morgana told her, smiling. "I will see to it that a litter tray and food and water bowls are sent for her. It is up to you to sort the rest as I am sure you want to spoil her like Crookshanks there." She smiled at Hermione and the large brown fur ball. When the food was brought, Asta realised just how hungry she was, and began wolfing down the pasta. Fade jumped up from her lap to her shoulders and lay down there, like a scarf, draped over her neck and part of her shoulders and began purring, rubbing her face against Asta's contentedly. Life was finally becoming good for her.
Hermione frowned at the large box in curiosity. "You should open it. I don't think you'll guess." Asta told her, smiling.
"Alright then," the newly turned eighteen year old said, opening the wrapping paper, to find a non-labelled box, which she opened carefully. Her eyes widened as she reached in and pulled out the beautiful black leather saddle which was obviously finely made. Attached to it was a note. 'For Dawn, your new mare. Happy Birthday, Asta."
"Asta! You bought me a horse?" Hermione gaped.
"Yep! I know you wanted one of your own, and you love riding. Now, come on, get dressed and we'll grab something we can eat on the way to the stables, and you can see her for yourself. She's adorable."
She really was. Dawn had a white coat and large eyes. Hermione gave her some hay and smiled as she ate the offering quickly. "Oh Asta, I love her."
"Only the best for my sister. She is well trained, can walk, trot, canter, gallop, and jump. She doesn't spook easily and has a nice temperament. Boudicca confirmed it for me. She examined her before I bought her, tested her out. She says she's good for your level rider. But it's entirely up to you to look after her."
"That won't be a problem," Hermione said, smiling as she stroked Dawn's neck.
"After classes, we'll saddle her and Star up and go riding along the cliff top path, yeah?"
"Sounds brilliant!" Hermione smiled. "Oh, we'd better go, or we'll be late for history!" They headed off, their cats following them, not knowing that their ride was going to bring them to a meeting that they did not feel they were ready for.
A/N: Please review!