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 for more of this crazy adventure! Enjoy!
Chapter 9
The day after the attack on Mrs Norris, I woke up far too early thanks to my racing thoughts, as well as a strange sense that something was wrong. I got out of bed and headed down to the Common Room where I was surprised to find Holly sat in her PJ's staring into the embers of the fire.
"Holly?" I asked, making her jump and turn.
"Leo? What are you doing up?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
I crossed the room and sat down next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as she snuggled against me.
"You know you can tell me whats on your mind," I said after a moment of sitting in silence.
"What are you..?" started Holly, before stopping and sighing, "I can't hide anything from you, can I?"
"Thats what friends are for," I said, "So spill, whats on your mind?"
"Well, remember when we found Luna in the cupboard?"
I let out a growl at the reminder. Not likely to forget that any time soon.
"Well, when I was going to get Flitwick, I could have sworn I heard a voice talking about killing and wanting blood," continued Holly, not looking at me, "Then during our song, I thought I heard it again, but ignored it."
I waited as she trailed off.
"I...can't help but think I should tell someone about it," she said at length.
I sighed.
"That might not be too smart," I said, "Even in the Wizarding World, hearing voices isnt really a good sign. Besides, what good would it do? You heard a voice talking about blood? So what? Theres not really that much one can to with information like that."
Holly was quiet for a moment, before letting out a shuddering sigh.
"I guess your right… Thanks Leo."
"Again, what are friends for?" I asked with a smirk.
"Yeah, friends…" muttered Holly, looking down.
For the next few days after the attack, no one would talk about anything else. Many people asked me why Madam Bones had kept me back, including Susan who really should have known better, but I gave them all the same answer. Madam Bones had told me to keep my mouth shut and I wasn't about to disobey one of the few people in the Ministry I actually respected. For some bizarre reason, there was a rumor going around that I was the heir, something that nearly made me piss myself laughing when I heard it. Meh, I don't give a damn about what people think of me and it was a lot better than them focusing on Holly. Besides, my friends stood behind me, despite Rons attempts to get Neville, Hermione and Ginny to stop, even going so far as to call them traitors. That had actually been rather funny to watch, especially when Ginny had got tired of listening to his rant and judo tossed him into the fountain.
Hermione spent a lot of time trawling the Library, searching for an answer to the Riddle of the Chamber (harharhar) but, as expected, everyone and their cat was also looking into it so all the additions of Hogwarts: A History had already been taken out.
"I wouldn't bother looking in their," I said as she sat down with a huff after finishing her rant, "Theres nothing in their about the Chamber."
"How do you know?" asked Hermione.
I tossed my copy of the book in question onto the table.
"Here, check it if you want."
Hermione snatched up the book and began leafing through it. I rolled my eyes and stood, stretching out my arms with a groan.
"Man, I think I've been sat still for too long," I groaned.
"Go for a walk then," said Holly as she flipped through her potions book.
I decided to do just that and left the library to wander through the halls. I didn't really have a destination in mind, just wondering and allowing my mind to wonder. I certainly had a lot of wondering to do. After all, how was I supposed to react when my world continued to get more and more messed up? It was bad enough when I was just a Malfoy, but to discover that I was a Demigod as well? A Demigod important enough that Chiron himself would come to see what I was about? Not only that, but I also have to worry about figuring out who it was who had the Diary and something told me that I was going to be suffering a lot more headaches in the future.
I was broken from my thoughts when I walked into something, knocking it back. I blinked and shook myself out of my trance as someone let out a groan of pain. I looked down and saw a Gryffindor First Year girl with long, blond hair sat on the floor where I'd knocked her.
"Hey man, watch where you're going," grumbled the girl.
"Sorry, that was my fault," I said, offering her my hand, "Here, let me help you."
The girl took my hand and I helped her to her feet.
"Thanks," she said.
"Not a problem," I said with a grin.
Said grin faded a moment later when I was hit by a sudden feeling of deja vu as a brief vision of a silver palace flashed into my vision.
"What the..?" I muttered, staggering back a step and pressing a hand to my forehead.
"Hey, do I know you?" asked the girl.
"I...don't think so," I said, still feeling a little off kilter, "Did you...see that?"
The girl cocked her head on one side.
"See what?"
"Never mind."
I sighed. I must have been imagining things.
"I'm Leo Black by the way."
"Minako Aino, Gryffindor First year," said the girl with a smile.
I felt my heart drop and my head throb. Maybe I wasn't imagining things. I really, really hope that it was just a coincidence. Alas, my hopes were dashed when I felt something brush past my legs and looked down to see a white cat pad up to Minako.
"And this is Artemis."
FUCK!
"Whats wrong with you?" asked Holly when I joined her and Hermione in the History of Magic Classroom.
"Oh nothing, just reevaluating my place in the world," I mumbled, dropping my head onto the desk.
Holly gave me an odd look, but before she could ask what I meant, Chiron rolled up to the head of the classroom and started the lesson.
"Now, since I know what you're going to ask me about, I thought I'd head you off at the pass," began the teacher, "Since I believe that we can learn just as much about history from legends as facts, today I shall be teaching you about the legend of the Chamber of Secrets."
The class broke out into quiet murmurs of interest and many people leant forwards to listen. Personally, I was more interested in figuring out exactly how I could be connected with THAT, but a story could be just the ticket for reducing my throbbing head.
"You all know, of course, that Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago by the four greatest witches and wizards of the age," began the old Centaur, his voice holding a hint of nostalgia.
I have to wonder if he knew the Founders way back when. Its certainly possible, hell, chances are that they were Halfbloods considering how powerful they were.
"The four school Houses are named after them: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin," continued Chiron, "They built this castle together, far from prying Muggle eyes, for it was an age when magic was feared by common people, and witches and wizards suffered much persecution.
For a few years, the founders worked in harmony together, seeking out youngsters who showed signs of magic and bringing them to the castle to be educated. But then disagreements sprang up between them. A rift began to grow between Slytherin and the others. History tells us that Slytherin wished to be more selective about the students admitted to Hogwarts. He believed that magical learning should be kept within all-magic families. He disliked taking students of Muggle parentage, believing them to be untrustworthy. After a while, there was a serious argument on the subject between Slytherin and Gryffindor, and Slytherin left the school."
Chiron paused, as if remembering some past event, probably the very fight he was talking about. The look on his face said that it was likely not as everyone 'knew' it went down.
"It is at this point that historic fact is replaced with legend," continued the Centaur, "The story goes that Slytherin had built a hidden chamber in the castle, of which the other founders knew nothing. Slytherin, according to the legend, sealed the Chamber of Secrets so that none would be able to open it until his own true heir arrived at the school. The heir alone would be able to unseal the Chamber of Secrets, unleash the horror within, and use it to purge the school of all who were unworthy to study magic."
"Muggleborns," muttered Hermione.
"Exactly Miss Granger," said Chiron, making her jump and blush, "However, it would be wise to remember that not everything we know about history is accurate and very few documents have survived to this day. In addition, due to the time period, I do not believe that Slytherins paranoia was entirely unjustified. After all, not all Muggleborns would accept their Magic and may have led Witchhunters to the school. The truth is, that many of the things we 'know' about the Founders comes from legend and sources that came well after their time. I ask that you all keep an open mind on the subject and remember that times have changed from back then."
Holly put up her hand.
"Professor, does Legend say exactly what is in the Chamber?"
"Well, the tale doesn't say, but logic would indicate that it would be something that only Slytherin's heir could control. In other words, some kind of monster."
Silence fell as everyone in the room absorbed the tale. While they were doing that, I focused on Chiron, who appeared to have slipped into a memory with a melancholy look on his face. Judging from the look and his reminders that what we know is mostly supposition, I guessed that the old teacher likely knew the Founders and that Slytherin likely wasn't how he was portrayed in history.
Later, at dinner, our Gryffindor friends joined us at the Ravenclaw table and immediately started up a whispered conversation. Apparently, Holly and Hermione had returned to the scene of the crime, met Myrtle and seen the fleeing spiders and were now trying to decide who could be the Heir. They had just bought up Draco as a possibility, which I immediately cut off.
"Hermione, Draco isn't the Heir," I said, "Neither the Blacks or the Malfoys are related in any way to the Slytherin line and if he had in some way managed to discover some connection to the Line then he'd be crowing it to the heavens. That boy wouldn't know subtly if it bit him on the behind."
"Who do you think it is then?" asked Hermione.
"I have no idea," I grumbled, "Hell, I'm not sure if it really is a real Heir or someone claiming the title to spread fear."
"I suppose thats fair enough," mumbled Hermione.
"By the way Leo, are you alright?" asked Holly, "You looked really annoyed in History."
I sighed.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I said, "It was just a bad headache, but its gone of now so nothing to worry about."
Holly didn't look convinced, but let it go.
Following the headache inducing incident with a certain future Guardian, time rolled by quickly, with Lockharts lessons being the worst. I liked Drama in my last lifetime, but the sparkling ponce was so gods damned annoying that I spent most of the lessons reading something more relevant with earplugs in so I didn't have to listen to him and legging it as soon as the class ended with Holly before he could attempt to lasso her into a photoshoot or something. This actually proved to be a bit of a mistake, but that story is for a later date.
The first Quidditch match of the season came and went with little fanfare, other than Gryffindor just barely snatching victory, and Colin's petrification quickly became the next hotly debated topic before even that was supplanted by the announcement that the Dueling Club would be starting. I was almost tempted not to go, but the idea of seeing Lockhart humiliated was to good to resist so I accompanied Holly and Hermione to the Great Hall.
"I wonder who'll be teaching us?" said Hermione as we waited for the club to start, "Someone told me Flitwick was a dueling champion when he was young. Maybe it'll be him."
"As long as it's not..." said Holly, before cutting herself of with a groan as Lockhart danced onto the stage wearing robes of deep plum and sparkling like a gay vampire.
Accompanying him was none other than Snape, wearing his usual black and a sneer that hid a look of glee that I could only attribute to having the opportunity of putting the arrogant, sparkling twit in his place. Lockhart didn't seem to notice though and waved an arm for silence.
"Gather round, gather round!" he called, "Can everyone see me? Can you all hear me? Excellent! Now, Professor Dumbledore has granted me permission to start this little dueling club, to train you all in case you ever need to defend yourselves as I myself have done on countless occasions, for full details, see my published works."
"Shameless plug," I coughed, making Holly and Hermione snicker.
"Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape," said Lockhart, flashing a wide smile, "He tells me he knows a tiny little bit about dueling himself and has sportingly agreed to help me with a short demonstration before we begin. Now, I don't want any of you youngsters to worry, you'll still have your Potions master when I'm through with him, never fear!"
"Yes, but will we still have our DADA teacher?" muttered Holly
Snape's upper lip was curling and I had to wonder exactly how stupid Lockhart was. If Snape had been looking at me like that I'd be running as fast as I could. Lockhart and Snape turned to face each other and bowed, or rather, Lockhart did, with much twirling of his hands, whereas Snape jerked his head irritably. Then they raised their wands like swords in front of them in a salute. Huh, looks like Lockhart does know a bit about Dueling after all.
"As you see, we are holding our wands in the accepted combative position," Lockhart told the silent crowd, "On the count of three, we will cast our first spells. Neither of us will be aiming to kill, of course."
"I wouldn't bet on that," Holly murmured, watching Snape baring his teeth.
"One... two... three..."
Both of them swung their wands above their heads and pointed them at their opponent. Their was a flash of light and Lockhart went flying. He flew backward off the stage, smashed into the wall, and slid down it to sprawl on the floor. Most of the boys cheered, along with Holly, Hermione, Ginny, most of the Slytherin Neutral Girls and Minako, who was stood across the stage from me.
"Do you think he's all right?" squealed a girl nearby.
"Who cares?" said Holly and Hermione together.
Man, she must really hate the ponce to say that. Lockhart stood unsteadily and slowly made his way over to the stage. His hat had fallen off and his wavy hair was standing on end.
"Well, there you have it!" he said, tottering back onto the platform. "That was a Disarming Charm. As you see, I've lost my wand. Ah, thank you, Miss Brown, yes, an excellent idea to show them that, Professor Snape, but if you don't mind my saying so, it was very obvious what you were about to do. If I had wanted to stop you it would have been only too easy. However, I felt it would be instructive to let them see . . ."
Snape was looking murderous and the ponce quickly shut his mouth before the Potions Master decided to use him for ingredients.
"If I may Professor, it may be wise to teach them how to block unfriendly spells," drawled Snape.
"Ah yes, an excellent idea," said Lockhart, regaining his bluster, "Lets have some volunteers...Hmm, ah, Potter, Weasley, you're up."
Holly smirked and stepped up onto the stage. Before Ron could do the same however, Snape spoke up.
"That may be unwise. I'm afraid that between Weasleys nonfunctioning wand and Miss Potters...dislike of Weasley that one of them will end up in the Hospital Wing in a matchbox. Might I suggest someone from my own house? Malfoy for instance?"
He turned and jerked his thumb at my former brother, who clambered up onto the stage. He had a smug smirk on his face as if he actually stood a chance. That was unlikely, even if Holly kept Eclipse Staff in its wand form. The two Second Years approached the center of the stage, passing by the teachers on the way until they reached the middle. Holly looked calm, but I could sense the magic swirling around her, ready and willing to be unleashed. Yeah, Draco was soaked.
"Wands at the ready!" called Lockhart, "When I count to three, cast your charms to disarm your opponents, only to disarm! We don't want any accidents here. One . . . two . . .
three."
As expected, Draco cheated, having begun on two instead of waiting. However, it looked like Holly had been expecting that as the spell, which was definitely not a disarming charm, splashed against a triangular shield.
"That was dumb Malfoy," she said as the barrier dropped, spinning her emerald and silver wand around her fingers, "Eclipse Staff!"
The wand morphed into staff form as a huge volume of water appeared around Holly, before surging forwards and slamming into Malfoy with enough force to send him flying down the field to land at Snapes feet. Snape rolled his eyes and pulled Draco to his feet, shoving him back onto the field.
"I said disarm only!" shouted Lockhart, "Alright, lets try this again. One...two...three."
Malfoy raised his wand quickly and bellowed, "Serpensortia!"
I blanched as I recognized exactly what snake he had summoned. A Black Mamba, one of the most dangerous non magical snakes in the world. Yeah, I don't really want that thing anywhere near me thanks. Holly, quite sensibly I might add, froze as the snake turned its angry eyes on her.
"Don't move, Potter," said Snape marching forwards with a look of annoyance on his face, "I'll get rid of it. . . ."
"Allow me!" shouted Lockhart.
He brandished his wand at the snake and there was a loud bang; the snake, instead of vanishing, flew ten feet into the air and fell back to the floor with a loud smack. Enraged, hissing furiously, it slithered turned to the closest person, who just so happened to be me. I froze, meeting the snakes eyes. It hissed, opening and closing its mouth as if confused, before it seemed to make a decision and raised itself again, fangs exposed, poised to strike. Before it could though, Holly let out a hissing sound that reverberated against my eardrums and practically thrummed with magic. It wasn't like the silly sounds Harry made in the movies, but a true snakes hiss, albeit one filled with magic. The snake froze, before turning to face Holly as the entire room went silent, everyone staring at Holly with shock and fear. This was going to make things interesting.
And that is the end of this chapter! I hope you liked it, my on the nose reference to a future addition to the world aside. I hope you liked the short duel between Holly and Malfoy. My original plan was to have Leo and Holly go all out, but that would probably result in the Great Hall being destroyed so I'll have to save it for another time. So, what do we think the fallout of this will be? Nothing good I'll wager.
Now, I'm not to sure about where the Black Mamba actually falls in terms of dangerous snakes since I couldn't find a definite answer on the internet and was to lazy to do any in depth research into Herpetology, but all the information I found pointed to a snake that you do not want anywhere near you. Its highly venomous, very aggressive and fast as hell.
With that, I'm going to sign out so I'll talk to y'all later. Leave a review!