Title: Slytherin's Other Heir
Rating for Story: T (violence, death, darkness, slash)
Rating for Chapter: T
Disclaimer: The characters from Harry Potter are not mine, but the original ones that I created are and so are some spells.
Chapter 2: Locket Surprises
Just as people jealously guard over their treasures, so does a forest. For the past 100 years, it has known not more magic, yet it desires so. The plants yearn for magic, the magic they felt, which most of them wished it was moments ago. There, it was a fantasy land. The birds, rainbow and all, populated the canopy and deer inhabit the undergrowth. When a blanket of darkness was thrown over the sky, just as a mother tucks her children, the cicadas began to play. Fireflies joined in hoping to catch the latest melodic mystical tunes. The plants beamed an emerald green, so sparkly that one would mistake them for the gems.
Once a month at the same clearing where the spell of doom was casted, the animals would gather. Sleek fur coats, shiny talons, eyes that spark of diamonds, gathered at that very stop. The elements were invited, with the winds rustling, the sun beaming and the moon sitting in a corner every so still. They gathered around a campfire, courtesy of the sun, telling tales of their forefathers.
Too much was known, too much was heard, and too much was seen. When dawn broke, the azure blue sky peeked out of quilt, clouds cubby as ever joined the fray. The moon, with its pearly white, drifted into a corner, never to be seen. Its jealously was obvious, the sun had it all. The animals returned to their roost, their daily duties.
The mist from the previous night was seeping away. The forest was regaining its original composure, warts and all. From the graying scene, sprung a magical set. The trees beamed with happiness and glory, the grass swayed to the wind's rhythmic beat, singing a song of slight content. The calm was settling in. But the inhabitants knew all, for at the very same spot of their meeting, sprung a possessive evil, as so they thought.
The natives nicknamed the forest "Nature's Revenge" in their own dialects, as those who ventured in never made it out alive. Their grotesque remains were only their mangled bodies with gnashes and cuts. Yet the people never saw or heard the presence of mystical animals – no werewolves, forest giants or such atrocities. Then one day the truth was uncovered. A young foolhardy native, trying to prove his undying love for his bride-to-b, ventured into the forest. The people curiously gathered around to catch this sacrificial sight, as they had before hundreds of times. Just as he set foot in an inch of mud, out shot a root from the ground. This root was not any tree root, but one that seemed to have survived the seasons for a century. It possessed the characteristics of a monster, the frenzy of blood-starved sharks, the strength of a behemoth and the cunning of Cornish Pixies. It wrapped around the poor fellow and literal digested him whole. From then on, the people knew the terrors of this forest. However, through their ancestors they heard of a mystical treasure located within the depths of this crazed garden – a treasure beyond imagination whose value was close to infinity. This illustrious story was passed through the many generations and did eventually reach the many ears of the city. Explorers from all continents ventured to this mystical forest in hopes of finding the treasure, but with each of them failing to return. Hopes were smashed and soon no one dared. It was renamed "Devil's Woods" and the treasure, "Death's Secret". Because no one could catch a glimpse of the object, the name was retained.
Later, the tribal mystic foretold something so unbelievable that the even the natives cast off as nonsense:
"Nature knows when to behold, for the forest will soon be weary. Secrets leak and a boy of birth will unfold on a single soul. Hazy night will descend when the chosen one sends..."
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With all her strength, Mrs. Higgs hoisted her bulky luggage onto her bed. She quickly began to unpack the blood-strewn clothing, mud filled shoes and dumped them into the washer. Dirt was not of any comfort to her, unlike her husband, who seemed to eye anything that involved getting messy. She had only a word to describe him, "pig". He believed that they owned an invisible domestic helper that would attend to all his whims and fancies, clean-up after his messes. However, it was Beth that did all. It was straining her poor brain. How much pressure could on take? She wondered when her brain would crack.
"This is the last straw!" she grumbled to herself. All she wanted was a quiet romantic experience in Paris and where did her husband bring her to – the Amazon Jungle. "Must be another silly gimmick of a tour package he fell for.", she thought. Wallowing in knee-high mud for days, getting bitten by mosquitoes for nights, had been enough for her. Yet she could not yell; her husband was as fierce as a rampaging bull.
Slowly, she rose to pour herself a cup of lemonade. Summer in London was not enjoyable. The heat was literally killing her and she felt hot and bordered. You see, she had no children to date. After many attempts of IVF or In-vitro fertilization, she gave up hopes on a child. All she wanted was a boy or girl to liven up the house.
Suddenly, she heard a "klunk" on the bedroom floor. Scanning those sky-blue piercing eyes of hers, she spotted something simmering in the light. "A trinket or coin perhaps?" she questioned herself. As she bent those slightly stubby legs, she discovered it was a necklace with a pendent attached in the middle. Its features were dazzling and eye-catching. Never in her entire life had Mrs. Higgs seen such a beautiful piece of jewelery. Without hesitation, she plunked the piece round her neck.
In the evening, Mr. Higgs arrived home after a long day's work at the office. For the first time in weeks, Beth greeted her husband in a warm manner. "What's the surprise, Beth dear?" Jay asked suspiciously. She eagerly pointed at the necklace and gave a smile from ear to ear.
"Isn't it pretty?"
"Oh, so you found the gift!"
"It was for me?"
"Got it in the Amazon!" Jay smugly declared.
Beth gave an unnerving glance. "Not that place again! At least their jewelery is gorgeous."
"Thanks honey!" as Beth threw herself over her husband. Now, the more important part was the necklace being pretty and the origins second.
"My pleasure, dear!" Jay replied.
The next few days began to brighten up for Mrs. Higgs.
Surprises knew no boundaries.
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As Jay peered opened his eyes from his slumber, the sun's rays danced into them. Though the glare caused an ache, his face broadened into a smile. A dream, a dream of hope and happiness. He had dreamt of having a baby boy. His very own son. Jay stood up and walked towards the outstretched window. The sky was usually blue; the clouds seemed twice as white and fluffy as cotton. He could even hear the fuzzy buzzing of the bees and butterflies as they visited flower after flower. He turned around to wake Beth, but she was nowhere in sight.
Feeling a sense of uncertainness, he yelled, "Beth where are you?"
No answer.
He tried again.
Still no answer.
In a rush, tripping over his night pants and feet, he clamored over the house. Finally, he detected a retching sound from the main bathroom. Gingerly, he pried open the door and found Beth vomiting into the toilet.
Rushing over he said, "What's the matter?"
"I'm not sure? The feeling came this morning"
"Let me get you some warm water."
"No (vomit) need (vomit). I (vomit) am (vomit) fine (vomit)."
"I think you need a doctor."
Beth was rushed to hospital in Jay's car.
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Jay paced back and forth. He had never seen such pain in Beth's eyes before. What did they mean? "Morning sickness, was it true? Nah, can't be." he silently thought to himself.
"Mr. Higgs, please enter", he heard the doctor's voice ring in his ears.
He crossed his fingers and hoped for the best.
"Mr. Higgs, to cut the story short…Congratulations!" Dr. Crackaltooth replied.
"What! Really?" answered Jay, filled with surprise, awe and shock. He held onto Beth's hands and warmly caressed them. Miracles do happen.
"I will have to perform regular tests on Mrs. Higgs, so please bring her here every month." Dr. Crackaltooth said.
"I am a Dad!" Jay chanted under his breath. He was still in a trance.
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After nine months of pain, both for Beth and Jay alike, the baby was born. Beth had hers through caesarian, resulting in some pain. For Jay, it was psychological torture. Having to endure rapid mood swings and a desire-crazed wife was no mean feat. He juggled work, household duties and caring for Beth. It was relief.
The baby turned out as the dream proclaimed. A baby boy of bright blue eyes and pudgy cheeks was their apple of the eye. Wrapped in a blanket, Jay cuddled his son with happiness, hoping that one day; his son would make a name for himself.
Finally, after much contemplation, both Jay and Beth settled on a name, they felt "auspicious" – Whiz Jason Higgs.
And so Whiz Jason Higgs began his life in a world full of competition and haste. Year flew by like jets in the sky. Time was non-stopping and always on the rush. 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, 15 years had passed and the once laden with baby fat boy was now a slim yet slightly muscular boy but slightly shorter than his peers. He had attended primary school and secondary, scoring top grades in all subjects. He was the top of every year and also a prefect.
On Sunday, a letter changed his life. Cascading down their chimney, Whiz caught the letter in his hand. On it was printed a crest, with a serpent, lion, raven and badger. Prying the letter open, he pulled out a strange piece of paper.
Dear Mr. Higgs,
We invite you to our prestigious school of Hogwarts Witchcraft and Wizardry. You possess immense talent in the magical arts. You will be pleased to know that you are a wizard and we cordially invite you to join our school.
Deputy Headmistress,
Minerva McGonagall
Another sheet of parchment read:
Here is a list of books to obtain if you are interested in the particular field of study
Transfiguration: Transfiguration Advanced by Bells Switchman
Charms: Charms in Context by Imelda Charming
Potions: Challenging Potions by Boils Stew
Herbology: 1000 Magical Plants of the World by Ted Green
History of Magic: World Ever-changing by Markus Time
Divination: Seen and Unforeseen by Cassandra Shroud
Muggle Studies: Learning their Ways by Bill Magic
Ancient Ruins: A Discovery by Sandy Mystic
Care of Magical Creatures: Beast from Afar by Newt Scamander
Please by ready by July 1st and wait for Hagrid the Gamekeeper who will assist you.
We await your reply no latter than two weeks from the received date.
P.S. Please purchase this book "Darkness in your Hands" by Dark Specter. DO NOT let anyone know it except for Hagrid, myself or Professor Dumbledore (Headmaster). Report to the Headmaster's room with the book once every week on Fridays for private lessons.
Deputy Headmistress,
Minerva McGonagall
Whiz stared at the paper. Was this a joke? But then it would be absurd for the sender to write such things information. Was it real? Just then, he heard a soft tap on the window. He quickly peered out and saw an owl, carrying the crest of Hogwarts. So it's true. He wrote a reply slip immediately.
He ran towards his parents' bedroom and presented the letter. After arguments and much yelling, the two old folks relented to this sudden surprise. September 1st could only tell.
Author's note: Please review this story. I promise from the next chapter onwards, Hogwarts and all characters from Harry Potter will come into play and so will relationships blossom.