Kuro: Hiya, pplz!
Kaze: Yes, welcome for another chapter!
Kuro: Since we're on Spring Break, you might get lucky. I just might be in a writing mood meaning another update soon.
Kaze: Yes, but it would do us better if we got more reviews, you know.
Kuro: Yep! More reviews needed. Reviews inspire a certain bat to write. Tell your friends about this story, force your younger siblings to read and review, do something creative and torturous.
Kaze: Although that sounds like fun batty, let's not be too evil, ok?
Kuro: (pouts) Ok. Onto the story.
Kaze: Ok, we own nothing but ourselves and a few others. One more thing, we would like about 5 review, if possible.
Kuro: Thank you!
Kaze: Now enjoy.
Review Responses:
Nathan Ridge- Ignore my typos plez.And for your other point,an explanation forHarry's placement with the Dursleys will come along later in the story.
Tanya Potter-I'm glad you like it. Reinaand Kaze do know that Harry will be at Hogwarts.
Truth Lies in the Shadows
Chapter 5
The curtains were closed, the lantern blown out, and the door was shut. Reina's demonic vision enabled her to see in the dark well, so she made no move to light up the room. Instead, the young woman was walking through the small room unpacking her things. There was a bed, a dresser, and a bedside table in the room. Reina placed her clothes in the dresser, and a photo of her parents on the nightstand.
After putting her things away, Reina quietly opened the door and peeked out. Kaze wasn't in the main room so she must have still been in her bedroom. The half-demon went back in, grabbed something off the bed, and left the room for the main one. She sat in the armchair, checking once again to make sure she was alone. After deciding that Kaze would not be out for at least another five minutes, Reina gently opened the cover to the photo album that rested in her lap.
The first picture was of a young Darikk and Marina Potter. They weren't looking at the camera, but had known it was there. The black and white photo was in movement as Darikk held Marina bridal style and spun in a circle. Reina was aware of the enchantment on the photographs. However, she didn't know that all of the photos taken in the wizarding world were like these. That's why she was surprised when seeing the portraits on the wall earlier.
Reina turned the page with a sigh. The next picture was of her mother and a different man. This male was human and slightly resembled Marina. It was James Potter, Marina's brother and Reina's uncle. There were many photos of the two Potter children together. It was obvious they were close. Another picture was of James and his wife Lily. Darikk had told his daughter stories about her uncle and aunt. Most of the tales were about things James did in school while trying to impress Lily. Reina found it hard to believe that Lily once hated James.
The half-demon stopped when she came upon two family portraits, one on the left page and one on the right. The family on the left was of James and Lily Potter with a baby boy in the woman's lap. The other was of Darikk and Marina Krone with a baby girl. Those children were Harry and Reina.
A feeling of longing welled up in Reina's stomach. She ran a hand over her cousin's face. This was the only picture of her cousin that Reina possessed. She didn't even know what Harry looked like now which saddened her.
Reina was knocked out of her self pity at the sound of a door opening. She quickly hid the photo album behind the pillow on the armchair before Kaze walked in from the short hallway.
"I don't care what that woman says, I am not wearing a skirt." Kaze mumbled as she plopped down on the couch. Her friend expressed a small laugh at the wind demon's expense.
"Do what you wish, but I am not gonna save your butt next time." Reina declared.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean you could have gotten us expelled before school even started. The Headmaster didn't seem to mind so much, but Professor McGonagall was furious."
Kaze sighed in momentary defeat. "I guess you're right. But if there is even the slightest chance I don't have to wear it, then I'm going for it." After that declaration of defiance, Reina could only smile and drop the issue.
The half-demon checked her pocket watch that Darikk had given her for her fifteenth birthday. Her thumb rubbed over the symbol engraved on the cover and pushed the button on the side. It was a quarter after nine. Reina looked back up at Kaze.
"What now?" she asked. The wind demon shrugged her shoulders. "Your a big help."
"I know." replied Kaze with a grin.
"How about we walk around and try to become familiar with the layout of this place?"
When Kaze shrugged again, the half-demon got up and pulled her fellow indecisive demon off the couch. Together they left their quarters for the stair filled hallway. They were walking down the marble staircase when the structure began to shake. Reina and Kaze stumbled a bit before they could grab onto the banister.
"What the hell!" exclaimed Kaze.
Reina was thinking the same thing as the marble staircase disconnected from the platform and started moving to the right. She looked around at the other steps to see some of them moving as well. Directing her attention back to the one she was standing on, the half-demon saw that it had come close to another platform. This one was on the opposite side as the original and two doors over from the door the girls were meant to go through. A few seconds later the stairs clicked into its new spot.
There was a moment of silence after the steps changed their directions. Both teenagers froze in their places, still gripping the handrail. Finally, Kaze broke the silence. "What just happened?"
"The stairs moved on their own." answered Reina with a hint of sarcasm. She earned herself a glare from the wind demon. "It's probably just a spell or something. We'll just go through this door and find out where it leads us." Heading down the remaining steps, the half-demon passed her friend and reached the door before Kaze had even moved. "Come on."
Throwing her doubts aside, Kaze followed Reina through the door and into the next room. They emerged in a long hallway with stairs at both ends. At random the girls chose to go right. It was like this for sometime. At each intersection they would go anywhich way, coming across various places in the castle. When the demons passed the library, the Great Hall, the restrooms, and even the different living quarters for the houses, Reina made an attempt to memorize their location.
Throughout their journey, both demons refrained from using their powers even though they were itching to do so. Two and a half hours had passed before Reina cared to check her watch again. They decided to head back to their room, but the path was blocked as they turned the corner. Sitting on the floor in front of the girls, staring back at them with glowing yellow eyes, was an old cat.
"That's one ugly cat." Reina commented. The feline hissed menacingly at the half-demon.
"Careful, Rei. I think it heard you." said Kaze with a smirk.
"Haha, very funny. Let's go."
When Kaze and Reina tried to walk around the cat, it bared its teeth at them again. The demons ignored it, but could no longer do so as the cat jumped in front of them.
"Mrs.Norris!" someone called from around the corner. The cat's ears perked up when its name sounded through the hall. Even the pointed ears of the demons twitched at the raspy voice.
The footsteps became louder as their owner got closer. A second later, a disgusting smell reached the noses of the unsuspecting demons. Following the stench was a disturbing man. He rounded the corner with a grunt and stopped at the sight of the teens. His matted hair fell like pieces of string over his shoulders, yellow teeth exposed when he snarled.
"There you wretches are. Took forever to track you down. Professor Dumbledore wants the two of you to come to lunch." the man said. He then started walking away, the cat right on his heels. When Reina and Kaze didn't follow, the man looked back at them. "Well, come on." he commanded. The girls immediately went after him.
As they walked through the hall, Reina nudged her friend. She tapped her head with a finger when Kaze glanced over. The wind demon understood. Once Reina opened her mind, Kaze was able to read her thoughts enabling a silent conversation that could not be overheard.
"It's times like these that I wish my sense of smell wasn't so keen." Reina commented through the mental link.
"Agreed. This guy reeks." Kaze projected back. At the look of disgust on the wind demon's face, Reina let out a soft laugh which, luckily, went unnoticed by Filch.
"I assume it's worse for you since your senses are even keener than my own."
"Ya think?"
Kaze severed the link as they came upon the Great Hall. Filch opened the door and stepped back to allow the girls entrance. He looked at them with a strange grin on his face as they passed him. Once in, Filch left, closing the door behind him. Reina and Kaze ignored the strange man and instead focused on the people at the front of the room.
Sitting at the head table was Dumbledore and McGonagall. The Headmaster waved the teenagers over with his uninjured hand. Quickly they made their way to the table.
"How was your tour of the school?" asked Dumbledore once the girls reached them.
"Interesting." Kaze simply stated.
"That's good to hear. Well, are you hungry?" The wizard gestured to the two chairs positioned on the opposite side of the table.
"Thank you, Headmaster." said Reina as she and Kaze sat down. To their amazement, food and beverages materialized in front of them. The two teachers began eating without concern. When he noticed their guests not touching anything, Dumbledore prompted them to eat. The girls obeyed and joined in the lunch.
After five minutes of silence, Dumbledore sipped his drink and then addressed the young women. "All of the materials you will need have arrived and are already in your room. The only things left are the wands, uniforms, and animals. Someone will be stopping by tomorrow to measure for your uniforms, and the same goes for the wands. We'll send for the animals once you've chosen which you would like to own." he explained.
"What kind of animal do we need?" asked Kaze.
"We suggest an owl, cat, or frog." McGonagall said.
Dumbledore focused on the quiet half-demon. She was picking at her food with a fork and staring off into space. There was obviously something on her mind. The wizard had his suspicions about what was bothering her, but decided to ask her later.
"Ms.Krone," he said gently.
Reina looked up from her plate. "Yes?"
"Do you know what creature you'd like to have?"
"Um, I kinda already have an animal in mind. He's not exactly an owl, but he's got wings and feathers." the half-demon said hopefully. Dumbledore wordlessly told her to go on. "He's a raven."
"Ah, an elegant and mysterious bird. That will do." the wizard said.
His approval put a smile on Reina's face. The half-demon took a sip of her drink before going at the food again. The rest of the lunch period went by with little conversation. When all four were finished, they rose from the table.
"That was delicious. Thank you very much." commented Reina.
"I am pleased to hear you enjoyed it. I will pass on your compliment to the house elves." said Dumbledore.
Neither girl knew what a house elf was, so they just nodded their heads and smiled. "You are to do what you wish for the remainder of the day. However, I do request that neither of you use your demonic powers in the castle, with the exception of your room. I haven't gotten around to modifying the enchantments around the school yet." Dumbledore informed them. After being excused, Reina and Kaze returned to their room.