Outsider Chronicles: Dark Eclipse
The First Year is over and Leo is already working to right wrongs. However, darkness is beginning to stir, and not just at Hogwarts. As Leo gets more powerful, his nature as an Outsider begins to take effect and worlds are drawn together. Add in some family drama and reveals and Leos migraines are only going to get worse. Sequel to Black Zodiac
And we are back with more of this incredible tale! Man what an arrogant thing to say… Moving on, I don't really have anything to say here so lets dive straight in. Enjoy!
Chapter 6
After my headache inducing meeting with the Hunters and Artemis, the Summer seemed to come to an end pretty quickly. Holly was in constant communication with Hermione and Ginny and I couldn't help but wonder what they were planning, especially when a package arrived for Holly which she immediately hid in her Trunk. In other news, the Muggleborn electricians had finally finished wiring up Grimmauld Place and we went out and stocked up on all sorts of electronics, as well as an internet connection. Turns out that electronics only short out if magic is used directly on them and even then it was relatively simple to prevent with a few runes.
With electricity now available, I introduced my family to the wonderful world of gaming and Movies, starting with a few that Gary Oldman had starred in, including Dracula and, unfortunately, Lost in Space which was a horrible film, made even worse by Sirius' constant quoting of Oldmans lines.
Speaking of Sirius, after I returned from my trip out, I asked the old Mutt about Rose and was mildly surprised by the melancholy look on his face. Apparently, Rose had been Lilys twin sister and, like James with Lily, he had been relentless in his pursuit of her. Unfortunately, Rose was even worse than her sister in terms of stubbornness and temper, made even worse by the fact that Sirius was, by his own admittance, a cad and a generally arrogant little shit. Apparently, Rose was assumed dead after the Death Eaters had attacked the Evens house during the Christmas Holidays of their sixth year, resulting in the Evens parents deaths and Rose's disappearance. Lily had remained at school that year due to being behind on her Runes coursework and had been devastated when she found out.
Holly had been curious about her previously unknown Aunt and had looked through her album to see if she could find any pictures of her and, sure enough, she had found a few and it was the same girl I had dangled upside down. I wonder how they'd react if they found out Rose was now an immortal Huntress with a fearsome hatred of all things male?
Anyway, on the day before we were due to return to Hogwarts, I awoke to the sight of Holly sleeping next to me, as usual. Today however, I didn't get up immediately, but instead took a moment to take in the girl. This would be the last day we woke up like this for a while and honestly...the thought made me feel sad. I had got used to having Hollys warmth next to me when I went to sleep and woke up in the morning and the awkwardness had long since faded.
As I watched Holly sleep, I found my eyes drawn to her slightly parted lips and I felt the urge to just close the distance between us and… I tore my eyes away from her lips before the urge could get the better of me. I had found that I had been expressing that a lot lately, especially when I woke up to find Hollys face inches from mine, which is why I tended to get up quickly. In an attempt to distract myself, I allowed my gaze to wander over Hollys face. Magicals naturally matured quicker than Muggles, especially powerful Magicals and Holly was easily the most powerful girl in our year. It wasn't to a ridiculous degree like an eleven year old looking like a 16 year old or something, but it was definitely noticeable.
Hollys features were definitely changing, going from a cute girl to a beautiful young woman, although since they were currently caught somewhere between the two I suppose I should classify her as a pretty teenager. Her midnight black hair contrasted beautifully with her flawless, white skin that clearly showed her heritage as a Black as well as a Potter. Her beautiful emerald eyes shone out of her face, glittering with good humour and life as she looked...right at me.
I blinked as I realized that her eyes were actually open and watching me as I took in her features.
"Err, morning Holly," I said, feeling like a child caught with his hand in the biscuit tin.
Holly didn't answer, instead sitting up and stretching, causing her tank top to ride up a few inches, revealing a stretch of white flesh. It also served to reveal that, yes, she was maturing. Stretch done, Holly lay back down and turned on her side so she could look me in the eye without straining her neck.
"So, what were you thinking about that had you so distracted?" She asked.
"Just...thinking," I said, "I guess that I'll miss...this when we go back to school."
Holly nodded, looking as sad as I felt.
"Yeah, I know," she said, "I'm going to miss my hot water bottle."
I smirked.
"Is that all I am to you? A mere bedwarmer? Oh woe is me!"
Holly giggled and slapped me on the chest as I hammed it up, complete with shimmering eyes.
"Prat," she said.
"Ah, but I'm your prat," I said with a grin, "And bedwarmer."
"Oh you!" Growled Holly playfully, before she jumped on me and sent us rolling across the bed and onto the floor with a thump.
We rolled around on the floor, giggling like children (which, to be fair, we were, old soul notwithstanding) as we wrestled playfully, before we came to a stop, red faced and panting with wide grins on our faces. Those grins faded though as we realized our position. I was flat on my back with Holly straddling my stomach, our faces inches from one another, close enough that I could feel Hollys warm breath against my face. We stared at each other for a moment, the redness in our cheeks changing from exertion to blushes as we slowly closed the distance…
BANG!
"Wake up you two!" Called Sirius as he stepped into the room, "Its nearly noo...oh!"
He saw us on the floor and immediately gave a knowing grin.
"Excuse me, didn't mean to interrupt," he said as he closed the door.
Needless to say, after that incident Holly and I couldn't look at each other without blushing, not helped at all by the knowing looks Sirius kept sending our way. To make matters worse, it seemed that the stupid mutt had told Mum what he had seen and now she kept looking at Holly and I with stars in her eyes and, after asking to talk to Holly in private, the girl had returned with a glowing red face and refused to even look in my direction. I figured out why when Sirius dragged me into the sitting room a few hours later, sat me down and proceeded to give me the TALK!
As you can probably imagine, it was just as mortifying as it was the last time around, made worse by the fact I'd already sat through it once already and Sirius, despite having matured some from his time in Azkaban, still had the maturity of a six year old when it came to sex and wouldn't stop giggling. The last night was incredibly awkward, even more so than that first night at the Malfoy Manor.
Fortunately for us, the awkwardness was quickly forgotten when we arrived at the Platform the next day and met up with our friends. Blaise, Tracey and the Greengrass sisters were already there, stood in a group near the train. We quickly joined them and we got on the train, finding an empty compartment where we left our Trunks, before hopping of the train to say goodbye to our parents. After goodbyes (And a reminder to 'stay safe' from Mum and Sirius that I highly doubted was without a double meaning) we got back on the train and returned to our compartment. It wasn't long before we were joined by Hermione, who still had her hair in the Haruhi style from earlier in the summer, meaning that I now have four friends who look like Anime characters. Great.
However, I wasn't about to make any comments about it because A, Kill la Kill and Akame ga Kill wouldn't be out for another few years yet and two, Hermione's eyes were red like she'd been crying.
"Whats wrong Hermione?" asked Holly, who had also noticed the tears, "You look like you've been crying."
Hermione sniffed.
"My Uncle died a few days ago," she said softly.
Soft gasps and condolences followed.
"Were you close?" asked Tracey.
Hermione shrugged.
"I guess, I mean, I didn't see him very often cus he lived in Ireland, but he was always a lot of fun when I did see him."
"What was his name?" asked Holly.
"Gordon Edgley."
I nearly choked on my spit.
"The author?" asked Blase, sounding surprised.
Hermione nodded.
"You know him?"
"Hell yeah!" said the Italian boy with stars in his eyes, "He's my favourite author!"
I tuned out the excited chatter in favour of massaging my eyes. I could already feel a headache coming on.
"Are you OK Leo?" asked Holly.
"I'm fine, just a headache," I said.
Before anything else could be said, their was a knock on the door, before it opened to reveal an uncomfortable looking Ginny.
"Um, do you mind if we join you?" she asked, glancing at the Slytherins.
"Sure, come on in Ginny!" said Holly, jumping up and tugging her younger friend into the compartment, "Guys, this is Ginny Weasley. Don't worry, shes nothing like that idiot Ronald and, ah…"
She paused when she saw Ginny's companion. She had long, pale blond hair and equally pale blue eyes that seemed to protrude slightly, giving her a permanently surprised look. She had her hands clasped in front of her, revealing the bracelet set with a yellow gem around her wrist.
"Hello Holly Potter," she said in her typical dreamy tone, "I am Luna Lovegood."
As the others introduced themselves to Ginny and Luna, the dreamy girl glided over and sat down next to me where she proceeded to stare at me in a rather disconcerting way. I suspect that she could sense something off about me, although what that actually was remains a mystery. I cleared my throat, feeling extremely uncomfortable.
"Um, can I help you?"
"No."
She kept staring.
"Then why are you staring at me?"
"I was just wondering what death felt like."
Once again I found myself choking on my own spit and was infinitely grateful that everyone else was more interested in their own conversations.
"Oh, sorry, was I not supposed to know that?" she asked, "Tell me Outsider, whats your name?"
"Leo," I said, "And could you please keep the whole reincarnation thing quite?"
Luna gave me an odd look, but nodded.
"Alright."
We fell into a comfortable silence.
The rest of the trip passed without incident, although I'm pretty sure I caught a brief glimpse of a blue Ford Anglia flying alongside the train a few times. After arriving in Hogsmeade Station, we waited until the crush of students died down like the previous year, before clambering off ourselves and making our way over to the carriages. I wasn't to surprised that I could see the Thestrals, but Holly took a double take when she saw them.
"What are they?" she asked, pointing at the skeletal horses.
"What are you talking about?" asked Hermione.
"That thing pulling the carriage."
"They're called Thestrals," I said, stepping up to one of the creatures and holding out my hand, "They can only be seen by someone who has seen death."
The Thestral sniffed my palm and let out a snort of surprise, before allowing me to pet it.
"T-thestrals?" asked Tracey, looking scared, "They're supposed to be bad luck!"
"Don't be silly," I said, "They just have a bad reputation. Besides, I think their kinda cute."
Now that got me some odd looks.
"Thank you my Lord."
I nearly jumped out of my skin at the soft, feminine voice that seemed to come from the Thestral I was petting.
"Did you just talk?" I whispered, not really wanting my friends to hear me.
"I did my Lord," said the Thestral, "It is an honour to meet the child of our Lord."
It bowed its head, as did the second Thestral that was attached to the carriage.
"Great," I grumbled, rubbing my eyes, "Thats one more headache for me."
"Apologize Lord," said the Thestral.
"Never mind, it doesn't matter," I groaned, "Just...keep up the good work."
I decided not to ask who their Lord was considering how picky Gods can be about Claiming their kids. And I'd say that this proves that I was probably a Half Blood, unless Thestral speak was a magical ability that was incredibly rare and utterly unheard of.
After a trip to the Castle, we entered the Hall and separated, each heading to our own tables as we waited for the Sorting to begin. Fortunately, the weather was fine, so we weren't waiting for long. Shortly before the First Years entered though, the Ghosts phased through the wall, only to freeze in place, their gazes locked onto me with fear in their eyes, before they turned and floated back through the wall as quickly as they could. Great, looks like the Ghosts could sense something different about me this year and it scared the death out of them.
Fortunately, the entrance of the First Years at the same time as the Ghosts hasty exit meant that most people missed the spirits odd antics. The sorting began with 'Aino, Minako' and was fairly normal, right up until it was Lunas turn.
"Lovegood, Luna," said Mcgonagall and the flighty girl glided up to the stool and took a seat.
Their was a moment's pause, before the hat seemed to relax.
"Oooohhhh, mannn," he moaned, "That feels gooooood!"
I blinked as the hat started giggling. Was he high? I think the Sorting Hat just got high from Lunas mind! Dumbledore, the bastard, cleared his throat.
"Excuse me, Hat, your supposed to be Sorting her," he said.
The Hat turned on Lunas head so he could see the Staff Table.
"Heyyy, Albie, can I keep her?" he slurred.
Dumbledore scowled as the hall started to fill with a low level buzz of mumbling.
"No, now sort her."
"Aww, fine, Rabenclaw!"
Luna stood and handed the Hat back to an amused looking Mcgonagall, before skipping over to join Holly and I. The rest of the Sorting was rather odd, with the Hat mangling the names of the Houses and giggling incessantly. After the last person (Ginny incidentally who ended up in Gryffindor), the Hat leaped of Ginnys head and crawled over to Luna.
"Put me back on!" he begged, practically snapping at Mcgonagall when she tried to reclaim it, "Come on, I sit on a shelf for the whole year, at least let me have some fun!"
"Oh, alright," said Mcgonagall, who was clearly finding the situation highly entertaining, "Miss Lovegood, when dinner is over, return the Hat to me."
"Alright Professor Kitty," she said.
Mcgonagall headed back to the staff table as Luna put the hat back on, who immediately went completely limp with a sigh of pleasure.
Other than the Hat getting high on Lunas brain, the Feast was uneventful, other than Snape being called away by Filch to deal with something, and before we knew it, we were back in the Common Room. Holly and I stood at the bottom of the staircases, neither of us really eager to go to bed without the other (Mind, gutter, out, perverts!). Eventually, Holly sighed.
"We can't stay down here all night," she said, "Goodnight."
She moved to the stairs, before pausing and running back, giving me a kiss on the cheek, before running up the stairs, leaving me blinking at the bottom.
"Yeah, night…" I mumbled, before going to bed.
It took me a long time to get to sleep without Hollys warmth next to me, but when I did it was to dreams filled with black hair and green eyes.
And their we go, thats the end of this chapter! So much foreshadowing in this chapter! We get an idea as to who Leos father is, as well as a glimpse of two other worlds that are going to play parts in this story. The references are kinda on the nose so I'm sure that people will get them. You may even be able to figure out who the Peverell Heir is if you look hard enough!
The whole Hat getting high on Luna thing is based on a similar event that happened in a story I read, but for the life of me I can't remember what it was called. Kudos to the original writer whatever it was.
I hope you liked the fluff between Leo and Holly and rest assured, I plan for them to get together at some point this year.
Until next time, I'm signing out, so leave me a review!