SPECIAL CHAPTER
CHAPTER 20: MERRY-GO-ROUND
STORY 1: WIND
August 27, 1976, 3PM
(Severus POV)
"Just do it," said Ilya in her monotonous voice.
It is 3 o'clock in the afternoon. After two days of training, Severus is now able to effectively use Reinforcement, although he is still unable to do so effectively on anything aside from his own body. For Severus, it was fine for now, as he did have the reparo spell in case he needed something broken fixed.
Right now, Ilya is making him focus on utilizing his elemental affinity with wind.
According to the white-haired girl, it would be best if Severus would focus on improving wind-based spells. So now…
Ignite, thought the raven-haired boy, as he closed his eyes. Severus had now associated the word with his mental trigger, using it to make the process of activating his Magic Circuits faster.
The raven-haired boy could see it in his mind, as an array of lines began to glow in a bluish-white light. Gradually, the amount of magical energy accumulated, and when he thought he had gathered a sufficient amount…
"FLIPENDO!" shouted Severus, as he flicked his index and middle finger together in the same motion as he would his wand.
This is a particular spell which the raven-haired boy invented. It creates a wall of air which blows towards and knocks down the target, or if the target is too heavy and strong, or the spell was too weakly cast, knocks them back a few meters.
When James Potter managed to get the grasp of the spell Severus created, he made a mockery out of it, by using an extremely weakly cast version of it, to flip up skirts, targeting in particular, (The raven-haired boy grimaced slightly as he recalled.) the skirt of his former best friend Lily Evans.
This time, however…
"KYAAAAAAA!" screamed a cute, feminine voice.
"ILYA!" cried Severus.
Severus made two mistakes.
First, he did not control or calculate the amount of magical energy he placed into his spell. Therefore, instead of just a powerful wind hitting its target, he created a small whirlwind.
Second, Severus did not take into consideration where to aim his spell, and he accidentally sent it at Ilya. The white-haired girl was now caught in the middle of the wind's vortex.
Fortunately, the raven-haired boy managed to regain enough of his wit, as well as still having enough prana to cast a sufficiently strong cancellation spell.
"FINITE INCANTATEM!" Severus shouted.
Finally, the wind died down. Fortunately, it was not that strong, otherwise the roof of Severus' house would have been blown off. However, the raven-haired boy was really worried about something else…
"Ilya! Are you all right?" cried Severus, as he rushed towards the white-haired girl. "You're not hurt are you?"
"No, it okay Sev, I'm fine," replied the white haired girl. "I'm just feeling a little dizzy."
"I'm really sorry Ilya," said Severus sincerely, his voice resounding the guilt he felt, as he held out his hand. "Here let me help you get u…"
But the raven-haired man suddenly froze, as he got a clear view of the white-haired girl.
"Thanks, Sev," said Ilya. "It really wasn't your fau…"
The whirlwind, thankfully, did not inflict any injury on the white-haired girl. However…
"KYAAAAAAA!" screamed Ilya again in a cute voice, covering her body with her arms, as she quickly fled towards the house, slamming the door behind her.
The spell did a number on Ilya's clothes. Her blouse was completely gone, and her skirt was in tatters, her white undergarments, semi-transparent, clearly visible…
Fortunately, the cloaking spell of the Bounded Field was always active whenever Severus and Iya were training, so nobody else would've seen..
Meanwhile, Severus just stood there, stiff as a statue, not noticing the blood dripping from his nose, his mind still fixed on the seductive image of the white-haired girl, and something else stood up…
-BREAK-
(Severus POV)
"I'm sorry…I'm sorry, I'm really sorry," said Severus in a pleading, sincerely apologetic tone, for the tenth time in the last thirty seconds, still wiping the blood from his nose with a handkerchief.
This is a disaster, thought the raven-haired boy, as he feared for his own safety. Having lived under the same roof for almost a month, he knew just how terrifying the white-haired girl could be. Fortunately for him, however…
"No, it's okay Sev," said Ilya in her 'Professor Emiya' voice. She had now changed into a new set of clothes, since the other one was stripped off h… cut up by Severus' spell.
"Are you sure you're okay?" asked Severus worriedly. Thankfully, Ilya did not seem to be angry, and was still talking in her teacher persona. However, the raven-haired boy was afraid that Ilya might have been injured in some way.
"Yes, I'm okay," replied Ilya conversationally, stretching one of her arms as if to demonstrate that she's fine and that there was nothing to worry about. "Anyway Sev…"
"I know," replied Severus automatically. "It's almost four o'clock, it's time for my jog, right?"
In the past few weeks an afternoon run around the neighborhood had become part of the raven-haired boy's daily schedule, and he had been accustomed it…
"No, not this time, Sev," said the white-haired girl monotonously.
"Huh?" asked the raven-haired boy puzzled.
Suddenly, Severus' body reacted, as if on reflex, and dodged to the left, just as a black ball of light missed him by inches.
"Well, done," said the white-haired in her monotone. "As I said, you will not be doing running exercises this afternoon. Instead, we will test out how well you have improved your physical abilities, as well as the level of your Reinforcement. We will have your first lesson on experiencing what it is like to be on the battlefield. Do not worry, I will be reducing the power of my Gandr shots to a bare minimal."
Severus gulped, unable to say a word, unable to accept, unable to refuse. He just remained silent.
What Ilya said was logical. The raven-haired boy, after all, had been training his body physically, and there had already been a number of improvements. His skin was less pale now, and his muscles that weren't there before were developing. Also, it is better to have some simulation before the real thing. After all, Ilya as well as Severus knew that the Dark Lord would probably come after them eventually. However…
Severus also remembered that Ilya had just attempted a surprise attack on him, as well as the fact that that particular surprise attack, which Ilya claimed was at a bare minimal, left a nasty scorch mark on the wall of his house. Also…
That smile… oh no... thought Severus to himself, every real nerve and Magic Circuit in his body tingling with panic and fear. The raven-haired boy had seen that particular smile on Ilya's face a number of times before…and it did not bode well…especially for him…
"Now, then Sev," said Ilya, her voice now eerily cheerful, as she raised her arm. "Hold still…I mean try and dodge as well as you can…"
"He-hey! Wait a min…" Severus stammered, but the white-haired girl ignored him.
"Begin."
DEAR MERLIN! thought Severus, as he dodged left and right, avoiding the barrage of black lights that the girl was sending at him.
Severus thought it wasn't possible. He thought it would never happen. But for the first time in his life, Severus was actually thankful for the fact that the Marauders existed.
Thanks to them, especially James Potter and Sirius Black, Severus was somewhat used to sneak and multiple attacks. Because his body was weak before, his body could not keep up with his instincts, but now that he had built it up the results were paying off…
And Severus was just thankful for the fact that the white-haired girl wasn't trying to kill him.
And if Ilya really wanted to kill me, sighed Severus inwardly, as he dodge another Gandr shot that was aimed for his face. After what I saw… any other girl who can do what Ilya can would have made swords rain down on me by now…
STORY 2: GHOST
August 27, 1976, 4PM
(Ilya POV)
Ilyasveil von Einzbern-Emiya was wandering aimlessly around the neighborhood. She had given up on trying to locate Sev, who managed to escape her, and must've used a Disillusionment Charm to conceal himself. While in normal circumstances Ilya might have been able to spot him, she wouldn't be able to in her current state of mind. She just hoped that the raven-haired young man was really doing his scheduled afternoon jog like always. It would be for his own good, after all.
Ilya had now been able to calm herself, and therefore she was now more logical. However, in her mind, she was still fuming, because…
My dress… it's ruined…thought the white haired girl bitterly. I know it was an accident… I know Sev didn't mean to… but that doesn't change the fact that it's ruined…
Yes. Ilya, like every other girl, loved to pick clothes to wear, and take very good care of said clothes, treating them preciously. She had already managed to collect a nice set, but as a collector, it still hurts when you lose one of your precious collections, especially in such a manner.
Ilya didn't actually blame Sev. In fact, she was not angry at him for what happened. She wasn't even angry at the fact that the raven-haired boy had just seen her with nothing but her underwear on. In fact, she would have only been too happy to show Sev had he asked (The white-haired girl blushed at the thought.). However, one of her favorite dresses had been torn to shreds, beyond repair, and that made Ilya furious.
Although Ilya wasn't angry at the raven-haired boy, it did not change the fact that she was angry, and she needed an outlet. Therefore, since Sev was in close proximity, she vented her anger out on him.
Now, the problem was that although her fury had now been diminished somewhat, there was still some (meaning a lot) left. She needed an outlet, and fast…
"WAAAAAAAA" wailed little girl with light blonde hair. "MOMMY…DO WE REALLY HAVE TO MOVE?"
"I'm sorry, dear," said a nice-looking lady, who was definitely the child's mother. "But we just can't stay here anymore. The ghost just won't go away. Even the priest couldn't do anything. There's nothing we can do…"
"Um, excuse me, Madam?" said Ilya inquiringly. "But did you say that there is a ghost in your house?"
"Yes, child," said the woman sadly. "It's been about three weeks ago now I think, when it suddenly appeared."
"What does this ghost look like?"
"It's really scary, my dear," replied the middle-aged woman gently. "It would be better if you didn't know the details."
"But I want to know," replied Ilya in a sweet, slightly disappointed voice. "Please Madam."
"Alright then, child," she said.
And the middle-aged woman started talking about a ghost with its head severed from its body, wearing a black cloak, its skull for a head with a hood, that started haunting their house and telling them to leave.
"I see," nodded Ilya. "Would it be okay if I invited myself into your house for a little while? I might be able to do something about that ghost."
"Okay then dear, but I don't know if there's anything you can do to help dear," said the motherly person. "I've called in exorcists and priests from different religions but they couldn't make it go away."
"WILL YOU REALLY MAKE IT LEAVE? WILL YOU REALLY MAKE IT GO AWAY?" cried the little girl to ilya. There was no doubt in the white-haired girl's mind that she doesn't want to lose her home.
"Don't worry about it," said Ilya, smiling gently, as she gently stroked the girl's blonde hair. "I will make it go away."
-BREAK-
(Ilya POV)
"BOOOOOOO," growled a voice that it apparently thought would frighten the white-haired girl. "Leave..this…place…at..once…or…suffer…my…wrath… BOOOOOOO!"
Well, this is something new, thought Ilya to herself, feeling amused.
In front of Ilya was the figure of a man, like in the fake magic tricks Las Vegas magicians use. It was pearly white and glowing, and it was juggling its head as it laughed like a demon.
In response, Ilya decided to yawn. Her action made the ghost drop its head, as it floated independently from the main body.
"What, are you not afraid of me child?" asked the spectre.
"Ummm...noooo…why?" inquired the white-haired girl.
"Then, I will make you FEAR ME!" shouted the ghost in the most horrible voice sound it could produce.
Ilya watched, as the ghost, who she now recognized as one of the Death Eaters killed by her Bounded Field, did a lot of interestingly difficult and amusing acrobatic stunts, including using its head as a top and a volleyball.
It was true that Ilya had never actually seen one before. She had been near some spirits before, and one of them even tried to possess her. However, all of them had remained invisible, unable to project the form they originally had in life. They only ever managed to manifest themselves in dreams.
The closest thing to the ghost in front her Ilya had seen were Servants, and they, while spirits, actually had a physical body.
The one in front of her however, did not.
"Hey, could you at least try and throw something at me, like a knife for example?" Ilya called to out to the ghost. "I'm getting bored here."
The ghost paused for a while…
"What did you say?" it asked.
"I said throw something at me Hmmm…oh, don't tell me you can't?" mocked the white-haired girl.
The ghost appeared shocked by her words.
Just confirmed it, he can't, smirked Ilya to herself.
"YOU…WILL…PAY…WITH…YOUR…LIFE." it said in desperation, trying to make itself sound as frightening as possible. Then, it launched itself towards Ilya.
Ilya did not know what would happen if this kind of ghost got close to a person, but she automatically assumed that it was probably trying to possess her. Although Ilya knew she could experiment and let it try, confident that she was too strong for it, the white-haired girl decided not to take chances.
"Trace, on…" said Ilya, and in her empty hands appeared two daggers. Black Keys, weapons used by the Church, effective against spirits, Dead Apostles, and demons.
The Death Eater's ghost immediately backed away as its ghostly instincts sensed the aura emanating from the weapons.
"WHO ARE YOU?" it roared in anger.
"Who am I?" said Ilya quietly. "If you must know, I am the one who killed you."
Silence reigned for a while. Then….
"HAHAHAHA," the ghost laughed. "Now that's a funny one, child. You, kill me? Do you even know who I am? I am a…"
"…Death Eater," Ilya cut off the ghost, as its floating head gasped in surprise. "I am a Servant of Lord Voldemort, the greatest Dark Lord who ever lived...You were about to say something like that, right?"
"Just who are you?" the ghost asked again, but this time its voice was soft, a mixture of anger, fear and curiosity in it.
"You really want to know, spirit?" said Ilya once again in a quiet voice. "My name is Lily Evans."
Suddenly the ghost took a closer look at Ilya, as if seeing her for the first time, and Ilya could tell that the spectral eyes behind the mask of the floating head were wide with shock, as if something suddenly clicked from its memory.
"Lily Evans?" the ghost gasped. "You were the one at Diagon Alley?"
Normally Ilya did not like giving credit to someone she dislikes, but in this case, using her name would add more impact, and add to Ilya's amusement.
Now, to add icing to the cake, smirked Ilya to herself. "Trace, on…"
The white-haired girl then Projected the exact same swords she had placed together with her Bounded Field, making it seem like they appeared out of thin air.
A look of mixed rage and horror filled the spectre's eyes, as it recognized the very weapons that took away its life.
"YOU FILTHY LITTLE MUDBLOOD!" the ghost screamed. It was about to launch itself at Ilya again, but realized that it couldn't move, as a glowing blue circular line had formed around it.
"Yes, me," smiled Ilya sweetly. "I am Lily Evans, the filthy little Mudblood. The filthy little Mudblood who humiliated you at Diagon Alley, the filthy little Mudblood who made the Servants of Lord Voldemort, the greatest Dark Lord in existence, look like a joke, the filthy little Mudblood who made that little trap that you and your two pathetic companions fell for, hook, line and sinker… and now that filthy little Mudblood is going to kill you again."
"Now, that's a really funny joke, you can't kill someone who is already dead," said the spectre, now using its original human voice, although still echoing, trying to mock the white-haired girl. But Ilya could tell that it was shaking in fear.
A ghost, shaking in fear, thought Ilya, feeling amused. However, it is time to end this…
"Do you have any last words?" inquired the white-haired girl in a cheerful, mocking voice. "Any message to your two other departed friends before I deal with them as well?" Ilya wasn't sure, but there was the possibility that the other two Death Eaters she killed could have become like this as well.
The ghost, however, could not speak anymore, as the small Bounded Field Ilya cast, meant specifically for trapping and weakening spirits, had already exhausted it beyond the ability to speak.
"None? Very well then," said Ilya, her tone now carrying no emotion, as she focused on the ritual for exorcising spirits, for forcing them to move on to the afterlife, the Baptismal Sacrament.
I kill, I give life. I injure, I heal.
There are none who escape from my hands.
There are none who escape from my eyes.
May it be so that you are shattered.
The Death Eater's ghost had now began shaking violently, as it felt the pressure from the chant.
I welcome the defeated, the aged.
Surrender to me, learn from me, obey me.
May you be at rest.
Do not forget the song, do not forget the prayer, do not forget me.
I relieve you of all burdens.
The ghost was now starting to shake even more violently.
May it be so that there is no deception.
Retaliation unto forgiveness, betrayal onto belief, despair unto hope,
darkness unto light, death unto life.
May you rest in my hands. Let there be mark of your sins.
Eternal life is found only in death.
Forgiveness is before you, and so my incarnation vows.
"May God have mercy of this soul (Lord, have mercy)"
As Ilya finished her aria, a flash of white light engulfed the room, as the ghost screamed, flailed and convulsed violently, as it clutched its head, and then… it was gone…
"I hope He doesn't show you any mercy," said Ilya to the ghost, but she knew that it could no longer hear her words…
-BREAK-
(Ilya POV)
"OH THANK YOU SO MUCH! YOU MADE THE BAD GHOST GO AWAY!" cried a young girl happily, as hugged Ilya (a choking hug which reminded the white-haired girl of a certain brown-haired girl who gave similar painful embraces).
"It's…no…big…deal," replied Ilya, as she struggled for breath.
"Now, now, Geraldine," said the girl's mother gently, as she took her daughter from Ilya, before addressing the white-haired girl. "We really can't thank you enough for what you've done."
"Like I said, it's no big deal," smiled Ilya. "I'm just happy I could help. If anything like that happens again I'm just around the neighborhood."
"By the way, what's your name, dear?" the blonde woman asked gently.
"Ummm…it's Ilyasveil von Einzbern-Emiya," replied the white-haired girl, surprised that there was someone who ask her her name and not called her Lily. "But you can call me Ilya for short."
"Okay, then Ilya, thank you very much for helping us. We are really grateful for what you've done for us."
"I hope I'm not being rude," began Ilya, her curious. "But how long have you been around in the neighborhood?"
"Oh, we moved here just at the end of last month," replied the blonde middle-aged woman.
"Oh, I see," said Ilya. So that's why. She is also new here, so she hasn't seen that red-headed bi…girl yet, Ilya added in her thought.
"By the way Ilya, I have something here which might be to your liking…"
-BREAK-
(Ilya POV)
Ilya walked happily as she headed for the park where she and Sev always met after his running exercise. The white-haired girl knew that Sev would undoubtedly be waiting for her there, even if the raven-haired boy was afraid of what she might do.
He had nothing to worry about, however, for Ilya's anger had already completely disappated, having vented her stress upon the Death Eater's ghost.
"Wow, this is a really nice dress," chirped Ilya to herself happily, as she looked at the clothes that kind blonde woman gave her. "This must be my lucky day…"
AUTHOR'S NOTES
Nothing to say, I guess. Just read, as a new chapter's out. Oh, and if you do find some mistakes or if you have some thing to suggest, please do review.
Later then people...