Chapter one, Meeting
A/N: Yay! First chapter's up! I quite like it but I've made complete enemies of my parents and brother as I wouldn't give up the computer. But hopefully they'll get over it. I have been telling them for years to get me laptop but they're too stingy, so can I be blamed for using it? Again, this is more of a introductory chapter; the action comes later, I promise, so bear with me!
You heard my last disclaimer: it all goes to the lady who thought it all up- J.K Rowling
10th September,
The grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry were shrouded in darkness, despite the early hour (dinner had only recently begun) and chilling mist rose from the earth, stained a soft orange from the fiery glow emanating from each of the thousands of windows. The light was so intense that no-one who looked from the windows would see the black wall of the forest, or the meeting that would take place on its outskirts.
One lone cloaked figure stood tensely in the looming shadows of the towering oaks that built up the Forest; their tall, thin posture posed expectantly, a wisp of pale ginger-brown hair streaked with faint grey protruding from under the hoods shadow. It was not immediately clear to a passing eye what the figure was waiting for; that is until the soft, almost imperceptible hoof sounds issuing from behind the iron gates- the metal shining dully in the sparse light- drifted to the figures ears. The effect was dramatic; the figure straightened abruptly, frozen so intensely he might have been carved from stone. The seconds crawled by laboriously, not an inch of the silhouette's tense form relaxed, the hoof beats growing in volume until a black, deformed shape appeared at the gates. The horse- a pure black stallion- snorted impatiently as the figure sprang from its formal stance and hurried to open the thick gates.
They opened silently, a result of being well oiled and considerably cared for; these were the visitors' gates, designed wholly to intimidate and inspire awe in any being that crossed their threshold. The person who entered the grounds of Hogwarts then, however, gave no inclination that they were intimidated or, indeed, interested in the intricate work at all.
The rider continued into the grounds, ignoring the figure that followed behind it, until it passed under a wide limestone archway into a courtyard, an enormous fountain at its centre, ivy snaking through the glassless windows that looked onto the passive waves of the lake below.
The person dismounted, the heavy black travelling cloak billowing like wings around their thighs as they did so.
"Celia, I am grateful that you have come." The figure's deep, masculine voice rang through the air; the words appearing genuine, but his tone implied something more. The cloak's hood was pushed back to reveal a fair shock of hair and blue eyes. A stretched silence hung in the air as the rider remained soundless, and with his back to the greeter, began to unseal the silver leaf-shaped clasp at their throat.
"You doubted me?" the second voice of the newcomer was quiet, emotionless and obviously belonged to a woman; it was young, yet old, as if the person who owned it had seen more than her years' worth.
"A little," The man admitted in a whisper, causing the woman to snort softly. They were walking now, through glass-less corridors lit with green flames atop beige stone pillars. "Last I heard you were negotiating with the Vampires in the Atlian Mountains."
"I was," she replied, her voice barely heard over the rain that had began moments before as a light patter and increased to a roar. " They had already received a request from Voldemort,-" her eyes flashed with anger as she uttered the Dark Lord's name, but they held not the barest hint of fear like so many of the others the man had seen speak the word. "- he wishes them to join his forces, the usual demands and promises were made; an oath of loyalty and as many humans at their disposal as they could possibly want.
"The messenger he sent was massacred as a result; the Atlians are 'vegetarians' as they like to term it, and they regard it as an insult to mistake them for their murderous brethren."
"Ah," the man sighed, such a waste, too many lives had been lost in this war already. They had entered the Entrance Hall now; dinner was finished and the students were pouring from the Great Hall like water, many stopped and stared at Celia as they passed. The man chuckled; no blame could be set upon them for the rude gesture; dressed in black with the cloak swirling around her, Celia was irresistible to many of the male students; with her youth and air of authority, she was a figure that was awe inspiring and, due to her pale skin and dark grey eyes, easily mistaken for a member of the Undead, who used their ethereal beauty to lure unsuspecting humans into their clutches. The man's chuckle deepened; thankfully Celia had her hood remaining up, so nobody could see her face, if she hadn't, chaos would surely have issued. She regarded the gawping pupils dismissively; she had seen the influence of her beauty take its toll countless times before.
Reaching the sleeping quarters that now belonged to Celia in record time (the students-and teachers alike- had parted like the Red Sea before the pair, making travel considerably easier.) the woman turned to her companion at the door.
"I begin on Monday, correct?"
"Correct. I will see you at the breakfast table tomorrow morning my dear," he declared with a smile. "Until then… farewell Celia."
"Farewell, Albus."
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A/N: So there you have it, second chapter in two days, I'm on a role! Hope you like it, and thanks to; the daughter of Slytherin and amythestpony for being my first reviewers. (I'm happy- maybe sad and have no life- but happy nonetheless!)
I apologise for any spelling or grammatical errors; my nine week old kittens are fascinated by the keyboard and just HAVE to jump on it.
Review, maybe?
GP