AN: Gomen! This took longer then I thought it would! My fingers just won't listen to me anymore and the story just took on a life of it's own! Well I hope you like this chapter it's mostly a filler to let you know some important things before all the action happens! Please read and review as always the more reviews I get for any one story has me updating faster! Lol I hope you like it! I'm trying to get a beta to help me out but for the life of me I can't find anyone so please forgive some errors for now! Thanks! Review and tell me your thoughts I love taking them into consideration when I write!
Harry sat in his rented room staring at blank walls, wondering for not the first time what it was he was doing with his life. He would be going to his new school in two days. A new school, new people, new choices, new attitude, and a brand new life once again.
He had remade himself so many times to survive this would be no different but then again maybe it was Harry wasn't quite sure. If there was one thing he hated it was, not knowing something and he was about to step into a whole lot of the unknown. He would be weak again… everyone would be magical and he would be a target once again. As much as he hated to admit it Harry was frightened no longer would he be able to strike back the only way he could because his opponent would strike right back.
Sucking in a breath he pushed his fear and apprehension aside even if he was to be bullied once again he would endure like always. Besides he would throw himself into his studies and build in strength any who struck out at him would rue the day eventually. Harry griped his knees embracing himself, comforting himself just as he always had.
He missed Suzie; she had given him a purpose before her he had not known just what to do with himself. Suzie whether she knew it or not had kept him going when he didn't know why he still strove on. Prior to finding out about his parents he had not known what he wanted out of life, now he wanted revenge it drove him for now but he knew it wouldn't last.
What good was life if he wasn't living? Harry knew darkness, had looked into the abyss and welcomed it; however he had no drive passed his vague goals. It wasn't enough he realized his life was missing something vital, something Harry thought he'd never find.
He pushed these thoughts aside for another day they would do him no good to dell on right now. After a lot of pestering he had finally found out where Noctiluca was, Avalon, the legendary lost magical land that was said to be myth. On Avalon there are a great variety of things that had taken refuge on its land over the years.
Not only did the school reside there but also a few towns as well. Tribes of werewolves, vampires, rare dragons, and all matters of magical creatures that most wizards could only dream of seeing all lived on Avalon. Noctiluca just kept getting better and better, Harry wondered if he would be allowed out of school to explore.
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Seline had gotten him all the books and supplies he would need for his first year when he had left the orphanage. Needless to say he had read through all of them at least once, classes would be tough and long testing him every step of the way. Today he would see Avalon the place he would call home for the next decade for the first time.
If he hadn't schooled himself into impassiveness a long time ago he'd be shaking with excitement. There were many things he was weary of but much more he anticipated with joy. He had learned from Seline that Noctiluca held themselves above the rest and did things very differently from the rest of the magical schools.
For one the students weren't divided, since Noctiluca typically had lower numbers there wasn't a need for it anyway. So instead students were divided by year, first through third sat together, fourth through seventh sat together and eighth through tenth ended that. Noctiluca prided itself on its unity, the wizards/witches they turned out were unique even in a magical society they stressed kinship in school so one had allies when they graduated.
In fact it wasn't uncommon for classmates to marry one another from the bonds formed while attending school. They only segregated the girls and boys in there own rooms for privacy's sake. Class started at six, ended at eight with an hour break for lunch. Almost all classes were two hours long except for etiquette, which lasted an hour to make room for lunch. Seven classes a day each intensive in their own right, they were as follows (for first years, light and dark arts): Transfiguration, Charms, History, Etiquette, Rituals, Potions, and Elemental Magics. And that was for just three out of the six academic days.
School was held from Monday through Saturday and Sunday was the only day off. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday the aforementioned classes were held. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday there was: Music, Spell creation, Runes, dance, Magical creatures, Healing and Dueling.
All classes that involved casting magic trained their students how to do so using their wands, wandless, staffs, and beginners' instruments. Classes like history and etiquette covered not only the basics of their fields but the strategy behind the works. For example in history not only would they study battles but the thought behind them, what made them good/bad, what could have been done to improve them and their relevance to today.
Etiquette mainly found its use in how to properly manipulate someone without his or her knowledge, exceedingly hard to do in its own right. Mostly this class was needed so that students after graduation could find a job without the pesky problem of where they got their education. The art of conversation and manners could get you as far as you want in life.
In Rituals they would not only study blood magic, runes and basic rituals but also warding and other beneficial studies. The school library was extensive and the teachers encouraged studying on your own in anything that interested you. Also if so desired there was also night classes you could sign up for that weren't required but still offered.
All this information ran through Harry's head as he stood next to Seline on a rickety boat that reminded him vaguely of a Viking war vessel that he'd read about somewhere. They'd been 'sailing' for an hour now in this thick mist and Harry was wondering when they'd finally reach Avalon, not that he would ever ask.
Ten minutes later he got his answer as the mist broke through and the shoreline appeared. However they were not alone, at least eight other boats were floating along beside them taking their passengers to the enchanting island. Noticing Harry looking at the other boats/occupants Seline bent down to his ear, "There are ten firsties this year including you, a record for Noctiluca."
"Six boys, four girls, however you are the only one who has no creature blood in you as far as I can tell quite surprising really. The boys: Simon Mariotte, Alexander Spyri, Logan Kohler, Gabriel Aquatos, and Leon Holder. The girls: Ophelia Eyebright, Cleo Idlewild, Flora and Fauna Steelweather. Simon is an elf; Alexander is a vampire, Logan, a werewolf, Gabriel, a water elemental and Leon fire elemental. Ophelia is part furie and part elf, Cleo part silkie and part wind elemental (don't ask me how it worked); Flora and Fauna are twins half siren and half human."
As she said this she pointed each student out in turn. Simon, the elf, was a tall brunette; light sky blue eyes and a muscular build for a ten year old. Simon had a healthy tan that one gets when staying out in the sun. Alexander, vampire, short spiky ebony hair and shining silver eyes, tall but shorter then Simon, also ten. Alexander was also the only other one that was somewhat pale, but it was to be expected of a Vampire.
Logan, werewolf, had a roguish mane of white hair falling to his shoulders, stunning amethyst eyes, easily the tallest of their class and also had an impressive build for a ten year old. He had a nice even tan that went well with his light hair and startling eyes.
Gabriel, Water elemental, he had dark blue hair and pale sea green eyes, he was a little taller then Harry but not by much. If Harry wanted to describe his look it would have been willowy because while not pale he was not tan and had a smaller frame. At least Harry thought Gabriel would be fast in the water that went well with what he was though so not much of a surprise there.
Leon, Fire elemental, scarlet hair and coal gray smoking eyes had a stocky build and the same height as Alexander. Though not as tan as Simon or even Logan, Leon had a nice coloring to him. Ophelia, Part Furie part Elf, had short blond hair and crystal blue eyes she was slim and beautiful. She was what Harry mused the Greeks poets would have said 'perfect' with crème colored skin and rosy pink lips.
Flora and Fauna were identical, half siren, long purple/black hair and one gold eye one lavender eye they were interesting to say the least. Also they had caramel colored skin that made their eyes stand out elegantly; both were very exotic looking also more gorgeous then beautiful.
Cleo, silkie and wind elemental, brunette, with soft off white eyes rimmed in pale gray, she was pretty but didn't put enough into her appearance to be as beautiful as she could have. She was the only other nine year old and had a nice healthy glow to her skin, not quite tan but not pale either.
The moment he stepped on the shore of what would be his home for the next ten years Harry felt a jolt of magic shoot right up from his feet. He smiled very faintly as he felt the caress of the magic that made up the island, he felt energized and alive with it. Avalon was the most beautiful thing Harry had ever seen, he could see Noctiluca standing proudly in the distance, forests as far as his eyes could see.
It was better than anything he could have imagined, Harry just stood there a moment drinking it in. Logan cast glowing amethyst eyes around studying what would be his 'pack' at this new place. Each year stuck together with their classmates and he wanted to see whom he had to spend with the next few years.
Then he felt it, the pull of power so intoxicating and amazingly it wasn't from Avalon. It was astonishing how few witches/wizards had real magical awareness, sure anyone with an ounce of magic in them could feel magic but very few could pin point were magic was coming from.
Logan was one of the lucky ones; he could feel that magic calling to him so he sought it out among the people there. A minute later he had found it and whoever he was he was beautiful. He was small, longish ebony hair and those eyes were such a vivid green he had never seen anyone with that shade before.
He had one hoop earring peeking out from his curtain of hair. He was already wearing the uniform, dark gray long sleeved shirt with a high collar that went down to his knee slits up the sides, matching slacks, and the black over robe (it reminded him of a Japanese school uniform). He had milky white skin and he was most beautiful person Logan had ever seen.
Harry just watched and waited as the others were given time/privacy to change into their school robes. He had finally revealed his true identity (or full identity if one wanted to be technical) to Seline and they both agreed it would be easier for him to take up his alias for now as Tristen Stillnight.
Eventually he would reveal his true name to his year mates but right now it seemed like too much of a risk to his plans. Harry wasn't foolish enough to believe he could accomplish everything he wanted to on his own but he did want to establish a very firm trust before revealing anything. Seline had even covered up his scar with a blood glamour charm that would eventually deactivate though.
This would be the hardest part of going to school and continuing on his path: relationships. Harry just didn't know how one went about procuring friendships never having had a friend before (Suzie was a sister she doesn't count) and it just never came up. Suzie had been different, Harry had just waited until the right moment to step in to 'save the day' as it were and he had gained her loyalty.
Now he knew that once the friendships were formed he'd have to upkeep them and like with Suzie take care of their needs that wasn't that much of a problem. Once Harry had them he knew how to keep someone happy the issue lied in getting to that point. With Suzie Harry knew beyond a doubt that if he asked it of her she would do it just to please him now he needed to figure a way to get them like that.
While he was standing there impassively thinking of ways to interact with his classmates his classmates were studying him and each other. Harry was taken out of his thoughts when he heard a neigh from the path that would lead them to Noctiluca; carriages appeared being drawn by the most queer looking winged horses Harry had ever laid eyes on.
After he boarded one carriage with Seline, Logan and a middle aged teacher he had yet to be introduced to Harry let his thoughts wonder back to the topic at hand. How was he going to gain something like loyalty from these powerful if untrained witches/wizards?
In the end Harry decided that like with Suzie he would observe and wait for his chance to start these 'relationships' that would carry him through to his goals. It was all a matter of patience really and he had plenty of that. Once he had them in his grasp though he would have to think of a way to make his goals their goals, they would be more productive that way.
A twenty-minute carriage ride later had them standing before the glorious Noctiluca Academy and entering for the first time its hallowed halls. The other attendants/teachers drifted off into the grand hall where the feast would take place while Seline lead them to the testing chambers.
This would be their final test. "Now I'm sure you're all anxious to join the other students in the grand hall but as your guide has probably told you there will be one final test. This will make or break your stay here at this prestigious Academy. The doors to my right each contain an individual instructor that will administer the test."
"Each potential student will be tested by yourself, the outcomes are always different. Unlike some schools that sort their students we follow no such rule instead this test will determine what your strengths and weakness that you have. In this way we can help guide you when you choose your elective classes second year. Now as I'm sure your all hungry and tired choose a door to be tested then we can be on our way."
Everyone lined up to a door but before Harry could grab one he felt a hand on his shoulder leading him to a door he hadn't seen previously. Seline obviously wanted him to test in this room, not that it really mattered to him. Harry just shrugged and entered the room determined to do well.
The room itself was very dark the only reason he had no trouble with it was he tended to like the dark and had adjusted to it over the years. There was a stern looking woman standing opposite him, she looked about twenty, light blue hair pulled into a tight bun, strict brown eyes and she looked as if she wanted to be anywhere but there.
"Well lets get this done with then, step into the very center of the rune circle," she said gruffly. It was then Harry actually noticed the floor, the room was empty besides them and the floor was the only thing that made this room special it seemed. In the center of the room fanning nearly the entire floor was a circle; the inside had many intricate drawing and symbols etched deeply into the floor.
At the very center was another smaller circle that was blank with just enough room to stand in. Nodding Harry positioned himself there and silently looked up to the woman in question. In return she threw him a small sheathed silver knife that he caught lightly, "Cut yourself with that let you blood fall onto the designs don't worry as soon as you spilled enough blood the cut will heal the knife will see to that."
Harry didn't really care one way or another he had enough scars what was one more? So he just nodded impassively and before she even registered what happened he was holding his profusely bleeding hand over the designs. 'That settles it this ones definitely interesting and a little loony,' Arielle thought as she watched the boy.
Sure enough a moment later the cut healed nicely leaving no mark behind, Harry didn't even blink an eye. Just then the symbols started to shine brightly white illuminating the room as bright as a sunny day. Arielle looked a bit unsettled at that but made no comment on it.
There was a groan, and then a clicking sound as the room rotated revealing an opening as it turned. "okay kid," Arielle said pointing behind her into the dark opening, "in there is a bunch of wood from around the entire globe all you have to do is concentrate on your magic the circle will to the rest."
Again Harry nodded and closed his eyes and focused solely on his magic feeling out the flow of it like the very blood in his veins. Arielle watched him intently; this was one of the hardest parts finding your magic wasn't simple and if you didn't tune to it just right you got the wrong wood.
A minute later Arielle's eyes widened in shocked surprise when two very different very ancient pieces of wood flew out of the opening and straight toward the boy like bats outta hell. She recognized both but it shouldn't have been possible sure there had been instants in the past when a student got more then one piece not like this though.
He had gotten two very different pieces, different in every way from their nature to their color: one black one white. No one had ever done that usually two similar pieces came out if two came out at all not completely clashing like this. The white piece was from the white birch tree, five thousand years old and from Avalon's forest. It would do very well in the light magics, especially healing.
Now the black piece, that was slightly disturbing in and of itself from the dark forest on what had once been Atlantis. The Tartarus tree pitch black it the last of its kind from before Atlantis was lost prefect for the Dark arts it would do well with dueling defense or offense a curse from that was going to hurt…badly. Pulling herself from her thoughts she addressed the puzzle before her.
"Good keep it up now for the next step," that said the room turned once again revealing an opening as the other was closed off. "In this one keep yourself focused on your magic this opening has various magical cores you'll feel a pull towards something…pull back." Just as she said this Harry felt it the pull or call so he tugged back. Suddenly three bright balls of light zoomed out the opening merging together to surround the pieces of wood making just one bright ball floating in between Harry's outstretched hands.
Arielle was just about to explain the last final step when there was a roar and the sheer magically energy erupted from the floor. It felt almost like being inside a hurricane, of at least that's what she imagined the power rushing up to surround Harry making his hair, and clothes fly upward as a result.
The circle glowed brighter so did the ball, then there was a flash and before Harry was an elegant wand. Twelve inches, the black and white pieces entwined beautifully the handle was smooth and there was a graceful design of a rose around the handle. Then, Harry felt the tug again and knew it was far from over.
Another flash and his wand morphed into a staff, taller then him it was solid black but at the tip there was a ball of white that was held in place by what looked like black vines surrounding it. It was perfectly straight and polished; gorgeous really to him again around where Harry felt comfortable holding was an attractive design of a single long stemmed rose.
One last feeling of being pulled at, Harry just let his magic and the circle do what they will. With another flash a stunning violin was floating before him, pure white with a black bow. Once again around where he would place his chin the rose appeared proudly magnificent. With one final flash the wand/staff/violin disappeared into his hand and the small design of a rose appeared in the palm of his hand.
Harry just stared at it in wonder for a moment, 'so that's why I didn't get a wand yet from Seline the final test was to create our mediums through our magic…clever,' Harry thought. After practicing until he could summon his mediums with ease Harry had his instructor show him to the room he would spend the next ten years in.
Each year had their own dorm where there are rooms and a common room, which gave them privacy. The common room was like a living room; it had a fireplace, comfortable chairs/couches and a small library of books. From the common room you could gain access to the rooms each room had their name engraved on the doors.
It reminded Harry of a hotel with names instead of numbers, each room had a good sized bed, a wardrobe, a desk and a bookshelf filled with the books needed for their classes. There were two bathrooms one for the boys to share and one for the girls to share.
Harry's room was just like the other's but his colors were different he had chosen the darker shades of green, silver and black. And of course his door read: Tristen Stillnight instead of Harry Potter. As soon as the instructor left Harry fell upon the bed in exhaustion letting the day's toils finally show upon his normally stoic face. He had been too tired to join the other in the grand hall for the feast but he figured that he could get to know these new 'comrades' tomorrow.
Just as his eyes were drifting shut there was a pop behind him so curious he turned to the noise knowing he was safe in Noctiluca, which was why he wasn't to worried. Searching his new room he found a small strange looking creature standing near the window of his room it had big floppy ears, was green, had huge open eyes and was shorter then him.
"Hello, what are you doing here?"
"Hello young master, Twinkle's here to serve. Is there anything young master wants?"
"No, I'm alright Twinkle."
"Okays young master…did yous want me to bring you breakfast in the morning?"
"If you would Twinkle?"
She smiled nodding vigorously; she curtsied and popped away once more. Sighing, Harry stripped down to his shirt and climbed under the thick fluffy emerald covers to sleep. He awoke in the morning around four like always and set to work organizing his books/clothes for the day.
Twinkle appeared at five for a wake up call and was surprised to find her charge already awake. "Young Master be wanting his breakfast now?" With a nod from Harry she popped away and returned a moment later with a tray laden with all sorts of food stuffs.
"Twinkle, does every student have a house elf?"
"No young master is being the first master Twinkle has served."
Curiosity aroused Harry questioned her further, "What do you mean?"
"Twinkle is not allowed to say young Master…but yous be very special."
Realizing he would get no further with the elf he let it go for now. Classes began, with only ten students they had more focused tutelage and no one was left behind. For the first week in all classes they mainly had theory work so they could understand the basics before moving on to more challenging work.
Even though it was just theory, it became apparent by the end of the week to the teachers that Harry would be the top student and a favorite. He was always…always polite and proper it had the Manners Mistress in Etiquette crowing by week's end on how Harry would be her star pupil.
Each class was very interesting and challenging in their own right. Healing had them focusing on studying the human body thoroughly before even attempting to learn theory. Each class had its own appeal focusing equally on each student to make sure they understood.
Music was an important class so they would be able to use their instruments in other classes. Music was one of the most difficult because unlike the staff, wands or a raw form of magic music was far more focused and potent. To cast a spell using their instrument to get amounts of concentration, a good grasp of your own flow of magic and a strong will.
Magic through music was rare in the world now, but once it had been very important. Music unlike other magic can cast spells over large crowds of people for good or ill. It had been used a lot in war and was very effective, especially now that the art was almost forgotten.
Harry threw himself into his studies like he always had focused on being the best of the best as it were. However, he still let himself observe his year mates whenever he could. He was the only one apparently that could tell the twins apart and took lengths to greet them by their correct names.
Cleo was content to be the wallflower and to shy to approach just yet. Ophelia had a strong sense of justice not surprising considering her mother WAS a Furie. The boys he hadn't paid that much attention to because he had always gotten on better with girls then boys so he'd focus on them later.
No one really talked to him though mostly because he kept to himself remaining to the background. Logan did like watching him though when he thought Harry wouldn't notice but he did (though he thought it'd be good to use for future alliances). That and he wasn't comfortable talking to them yet, not used to that sort of thing.
It came as a surprise to Harry the following Sunday, their first day off, what he found when he was wondering the halls. There was little Cleo, surrounded by older snobbish looking girls being hassled. He took a moment to really study Cleo then, her skin was a little dry, her hair a tangled mess and eyebrows wild, lips chapped. Most when they saw her saw an ugly average girl, not Harry though all he saw was a potential to be beautiful.
The girls surrounding her ranged from second to third years, all were somewhat pretty but to Harry their horrid personality made them unbearable to look at. One snobbish girl (ringleader apparently) advanced on Cleo, "Well, if it isn't my ugly little cousin. No friends at all? Then again who would want to be near you."
She pushed her and Harry decided it was time he stepped in. If there was one thing he hated it was a bully, the fact that this girl was Cleo's cousin brought up memories best left alone. Ignoring the pounding of his nervous heart he briskly walked up to Cleo pushing his way through the thuggish girls completely ignoring their presence.
He let himself be noticed for once letting his magic flare and presence speak for him. "There you are Cleo, I've been looking all over for you. I thought we were meeting in the common room…or was it the Library?" Grabbing her hand he held her at his side protecting her from the other girls' view.
"Whose this cousin? Someone finally take pity on you?" the girl taunted at their backs. Harry tightened his hold on Cleo's hand, he turned, "Actually, I'm her friend and I suggest you leave her alone from now on…so many accidents can happen in such a big palace don't you think?" Harry said icily giving them a glare so frigid and unforgiving that it caused a shiver to run up their spines.
"You didn't have to do that you know…" Cleo mumbled as she followed him obediently. Harry resisted the urge to scuff, and just pulled her unceremoniously into his room. She looked around suddenly anxious, not sure what she was doing there. "Why did you bring me here?" She squeaked panicking.
Pulling a chair out from his desk he said, "sit", and she complied not knowing what else to do. "You have a problem, they will pick on you that much I am certain. Now they will claw at your insecurities, until all that is left is a bloody mess of low self-esteem. Now I will not allow that to happen."
"Why? Why are you helping me…" she asked weakly. His eyes took a vacant look, "I was you once, but no more I will take away their ammo when I am through with you they will have nothing to taunt you with." His normally stoic face took on an expression of determination for a second before it disappeared.
He placed the chair in the middle of the room, had her sit down once more and got to work. First he combed her hair, shockingly gentle taking his time brushing her hair until it shone. Her hair was somewhat long but it didn't suit her at all, taking scissors he cut her hair short, layering it to fall framing her face and stopping just above her shoulders. He did an A cut so the back stopped just level with her ears it gave her round face a more elegant look.
Next he took out the lotion he had made to treat his scars on his wrist (potions and healing books helped with that) it made the skin soft and smooth so it worked wonders with her dry face. Next the lip balm he was experimenting with to help her lips; lastly he carefully plucked her eyebrows to graceful arches.
Through all this Cleo said nothing, she was not used to being pampered like this which was why he never objected to anything Harry did. When he was done styling her hair and fixing her clothes (getting all the wrinkles out) the end result was stunning. He knew there was beauty hidden in her but Harry hadn't expected her to be this beautiful.
Pulling out a mirror from his trunk her handed it to her without a word. Cleo looked at it, and then looked behind her because the pretty girl she saw just couldn't be her. Tears sprang to her eyes when she realized it was her, she had never thought she could be beautiful.
She was the last girl of four, with seven cousins all beautiful, all talented and all adored by her family. She had always been ignored; after all she wasn't pretty like her mother, nor as talented as her father she had never let herself believe she could anything more then a wallflower (an ugly one).
From then on Cleo, like Suzie before her, followed Harry/Tristen around like a devoted puppy. Harry always helped her with her work, brushed her hair and kept the other girls from taunting her. A month later Ophelia joined their group after hearing Cleo singing Harry's praises recounting how he helped her.
Ophelia always one a stickler for justice (hello Furie) appreciated Harry stepping in and he had gained her respect not an easy thing to do. Eventually the Twins also joined their group; mostly because they loved that Harry could tell them a part (not even their mother could boast that).
Gabriel came soon after that and with him Simon who was surprisingly his childhood friend. Logan, Alexander (or Alex as he preferred) and Leon joined in with them after that so they wouldn't be left out, well mostly because 'Tristen' fascinated Logan. Though he wasn't the most imposing of the group Harry just naturally took over leadership of the group.
Harry was very considerate of everything the others needed, making sure that they all were up to speed with the work and happy. He took his time in class to explain anything they hadn't understood, helping with homework and generally keeping them from stressing out too much with his perpetual calm.
Two months into school the nightmares started, of things he'd rather forget, of beatings, being alone in the dark and that horrible haunting loneliness. Somehow he kept himself from screaming, but he put up silencing charms just in case. He didn't want to show weakness so his group who never really noticed the slight difference in his behavior.
One day it was just too much and he took Sunday off from the study group to explore the school once again. Harry often brought Grace (the black mamba snake) hidden under his clothes with him everywhere just to have someone he could talk to without anyone understanding.
It was by accident that he discovered the secret passageway; it opened after he had told Grace to be silent, and it was in the north tower by the bird pens. Curious as always Harry decided to explore this new passageway wondering where it would lead. The hall was dark barely illuminated by the setting sun, at the end a fire flared to life as he stepped out into what appeared to be living quarters.
He was in what he thought of as a study, books lining their shelves, a desk and comfy looking chairs. "Hello what are you doing here?" came from behind him, Harry spun around quickly. There was a portrait of a gorgeous woman; rich dark brown hair framed a delicate face and strikingly fierce blue eyes. He was used to the talking paintings by now and wasn't too startled to see her talking.
"Who were you?"
She smiled, this child was a clever one, "I was once the greatest witch in the world, Morgan Le Fey."
He stood there stunned for a moment, "Why did you build a school with your enemy?"
Morgan looked taken aback for a moment then smirked, "To preserve our collective knowledge of course."
Harry let a skeptic look cross his face for a moment, "Do you REALLY expect me to believe that? Nothing would ever let me work civilly with my enemies yours are no different…besides why not build it on your own."
She was silent for a moment and Harry waited patiently wondering if she'd answer at all. Finally she smiled, really smiled, "You know no one has asked me that in a long time…did you want to listen to a story?"
He looked at her a moment, weighing his options then nodded his acceptance.
"I think I should start with how I came to hate Merlin more then Arthur and more then anything in this world I hate him. My mother was beautiful, she was desired by many but she loved one man…and one man only. He won her hand in the end, my father, he was so kind and loving."
"They were happy, at least until that stupid ball that ruined everything…that ruined my life! The king at the time was a greedy, foolish man and he desired my mother…desired her so much he put my father on the front lines of his stupid war in hopes he'd die!"
"As the saying goes, 'Radix Malorum est cupiditas' (the root of evil is desire), even with my father fighting for his life the king couldn't wait couldn't rein in his desire so he went to Merlin. Merlin was a meddling idiot, he cast a glamour spell and made Pendragon look like my father."
"He came then, got through the guards easy enough and made it to my mother's bed chambers. But what Merlin didn't know was that my mother had the gift…she was magical to though uneducated…I got my gift from her. We both saw through his guise but it didn't matter he tossed me from her room. HE RAPED HER! All allowed to happen so Merlin's precious prophesized child king could be born."
"I knew Merlin was to blame…it was his fault that Pendragon got so close… sometimes I still hear my mother screaming for him to stop. I had pounded on the door until my hands bled, screamed until my voice was hoarse, and cried until I had no more tears left in me. But Merlin had warded the room I could not save my mother. My father had survived the war to come home but it hadn't mattered the king he had gotten what he had wanted."
"My mother was broken, my father wasn't the same after what he had seen on the battlefield and what he had learned from my mother. He became so cold so distant. My mother…sometimes she'd rock me in her arms at night muttering nonsense…she had gone insane from what Merlin had put in motion."
"Of course she survived to bear that bastard of a king, Arthur, but not a day later my mother finally could not take the shame any longer she hung herself… just outside my bedroom window the next day. Merlin took the little bastard after that with my mother gone and my father distant Merlin killed what was left of my innocence before I even reached the age of eight."
"I vowed my revenge the day my mother died, vowed to kill the bastard Arthur Merlin's precious 'king', vowed to do anything within my power to see Merlin fall. I knew I could not fight Merlin without the very thing that had made him so powerful…magic. So from that day on I dedicated my life to learning anything and everything I could."
"It had taken me nearly twenty years to do it but eventually I became powerful enough to do what I vowed. However, the fates had seen fit to bequest me with second gift, the sight. With it I saw many things and one was the most disturbing I will not divulge what the vision was it has long since passed but I knew that this school this SANCTUARY was important to Magic's survival. So important that I built it up with everything I had, and everything he had we needed to bring this school to life."
"What happened to your revenge? Did you fulfill what you had set out to do?"
She smiled a wicked smile, "Yes in fact I did…in a sense that is. In building the school I had gained Merlin's trust the old coot believed in the good in people way too much. I saw what needed to be done to complete my revenge all I had to do was take the necessary steps. Unfortunately the only way to destroy Arthur was to taint him…I seduced him and conceived his destroyer, Mordred. I never loved him…in fact I despised the child not that he ever knew or guessed I groomed him to kill his father that was his purpose. One bastard to destroy another ironic in its own right."
Curiosity peeped he thought back, "Was Mordred your only child?"
"No of course not! I didn't want my line forever tainted with his brood! I had another child with a suitable wizard later Cassandra was everything I saw she could be and more! With Arthur tainted I made sure that Merlin's well laid plans would crumble round him that was reward enough. Unfortunately Merlin had sired offspring already with his wife so his line would live on… I am many things but I would never kill a child for the sins of the father."
"However, I did slowly kill his wife and then after I made sure that I had torn apart his life and everything he loved I killed Merlin too. I knew when I was to die, had accepted it a long time ago to kill Merlin I had to take him with me to death that was a price I was more then willing to pay. Of course I made precautions with my belongings and my own knowledge beforehand; hence my portrait, this study and my collective books only my heir can open."
"What ever happened to your line? Did it survive?" Harry asked a faint suspicion forming in the back of his mind.
If it was possible the smile she gave him was even more wicked then the one before. " Cassandra, my one true heir, lived a long happy life she had two children who had children and so on. The most notable from her line that you would know of would have to be Salazar Slytherin and Rowena Ravenclaw." She puffed up in a little pride at that then she scowled soon after.
"Of course, then there is Godric Gryffindor and Helga Hufflepuff from Mordred's line. It would seem somewhere down the line my line crossed with Merlin's to create those." She said with the utmost disgust whether from Merlin's line mixing with her own or the fact that Mordred had survived to breed he didn't know.
Harry lad a look of realization then, he had researched the Potter line but he hadn't known about how they were related to Morgan! Now all of it made sense, why he had felt so unnaturally (at least to him) comfortable here, why he had a House elf and the others didn't and most importantly why Morgan was being so open with him. "I'm your descendant." He said firmly and with finality more for himself then for Morgan.
Morgan smirked at him, "More then you think. I know who you are of course everyone who has even a drop of my blood I know them. I had made sure in making this place I had put enough of myself into it that I could reach out to the world even after death my consciousness remains. You are descended from both my Cassandra and Mordred's lines. Your mother would not know this but she was descended from the squibs of both Salazar and Rowena. Of course it is to far back for anyone besides myself to trace."
Inwardly Harry sneered in relief he had hated more then he realized the idea of being related to Muggles even if it's a generation away. Morgan smiled smugly; somehow he had a feeling she knew what he was thinking. "So I am your heir then?"
"Hmmm, possibly I haven't had a true heir since Cassandra died really. I don't just accept anyone with that title you know, it has to be earned…though Salazar and Rowena both came close." She trailed off there leaving him wondering why they had failed.
A slow self-assured smile was allowed to grace his stoic face for a moment, "I will not fail you." She looked slightly taken aback by that but it was quickly gone replaced by a challenging look. They talked the rest of the afternoon about trivial things before Harry had to leave but he promised to visit again soon. Harry loved a challenge taking her test would surely give and was something he was looking forward to.
That night as he laid in bed, dreading to close his eyes to be greeted by all that haunted him so but eventually he gave into sleep knowing he would need it. It was curious though unlike what he was expecting his latest nightmare was almost tame almost a dream. He still felt the suffocating loneliness at the start but then there was a pair of deep crimson eyes accompanied by a low hissing voice that both haunted and allured him.
He woke the next morning more confused then anything wondering what those deep crimson eyes could mean. It was Monday and as such the day just seemed to drag on. As usual nothing seemed to escape Harry's observations so it wasn't really a surprise that he took note of Alex's grimace of distaste as he sipped his morning cup of blood. He'd been doing that since the start of term; drinking from the cup then grimacing in distaste over and over again perhaps it was time to get to the bottom of that.
Harry waited until the rest were occupied with studying or various discussions before he pulled Alex into his room discreetly. Alex looked mildly confused standing there in the dark not really knowing what to do. Unlike the rest of the group that had gotten along rather easily Alex was always felt like the odd man out. Harry eyed him for a moment wondering how he should start this conversation, so eventually he decided to go with the direct approach.
"Why do you look like you'd rather spit out that blood in the morning then force it down?"
Alex looked a bit startled at the question not quite expecting to discuss his eating habits with Tristen who rarely talked out of anything other then academics. "Ummm What?" he asked with a befuddled expression. Harry let a sigh escape, "Aren't vampires supposed to like blood I mean you guys have to drink it to survive right?"
"Yeah we do…but I'm not used to it being so cold I usually get it from the source you know. But since I'm in school my parents just set it up so they could send some packaged blood from one of the blood banks we own in the Muggle world…"
Realization hit him, Alex hated how cold it was used to just biting it from the warm body of someone or something. Now that wouldn't do Harry prided himself on how he took care of his own (so they'd follow him willingly to hell of course but still). He looked up then straight into Alex's eyes determined, "you can get what you need from me."
Alex literally fell back from shock for a moment before he gathered himself together, "You're sure that you won't mind the pain?" Harry nodded and reached for his high collar but then he paused looking nervous something no one had seen in his group. Unsure, with hands unknowingly clutching his shirt tight with apprehension Harry said, "Just swear not to tell anyone anything you see…" eyes downcast not willing to look Alex in the eye in his moment of weakness.
"I swear," he agreed not entirely sure why Tristen even asked it of him. Harry reassured slowly unbuttoned his collar baring his neck for the hungry vampire. Alex got his answer when he saw the thin scars outlining Tristen's neck and clearly they were just the tip of the iceberg.
Sitting down on his bed Harry felt exposed and vulnerable baring his neck awaiting the bite. Somehow more nervous then he had ever been before when Alex sat down behind him. "This will hurt some…ummm I haven't learned how to make it feel better yet," Alex said and murmured an embarrassed "sorry".
He bit down quickly wanting to get it over as fast for Tristen as he could handle. However all good intentions fled when the first drop of his exquisite blood landed on his tongue. It tasted heady with magic, with power it was addicting in its sweetness… it was like nothing he'd ever tasted before.
All blood taken carried with it something of the user, for instance blood taken in a fight had adrenaline laced in it making it taste heady. Blood taken during a moment of pleasure was sweet and somewhat spicy, or blood from a person with a lot of magical power tasted like a fine wine (or at least that's what his father said).
However, Tristen tasted like freedom to him or something equally liberating. His blood had a cool sweetness to it with just enough spice to make it absolutely that best thing he'd ever tasted. There was also something else in it he couldn't identify a calming harmony with the world was as close as he could describe it. All in all he was finding it hard to stop.
Harry started to feel drained and pried Alex off his neck only to have him lick the remaining blood from the twin cuts closing them without a trace. "I'll feed you at night before bed…don't say anything to the others it'll be our secret." Alex let himself out looking altogether dazed and somewhat high.
The next months passed in a blur making things seemed to go so fast. Harry was the top of his class and he found lessons despairingly easy. The others seemed to fall in line around him so naturally that no one even knew exactly when Tristen/Harry became the unquestioned leader.
The only highlight for Harry was every Sunday without fail he was in the secret suite talking to Morgan trying in vain it seemed to get her to start his test to become her heir. Most of the time the talked just about themselves which turned into Harry informing Morgan how he found things too easy here. Which in turn lead to him getting private tutoring sessions in parselmagic from her as well as more on advanced magic.
With Morgan's help Harry was designing a few different Talismans/amulets that would help him a great deal on his quest of life. Christmas came and went barely acknowledged by Harry. In fact the only reason he knew it was Christmas was because everyone in his group had gotten him a little something for the occasion (though none stayed during the holidays).
None of them knew quite what to get him because as much as he knew everything about them they knew nothing of him. Harry after the first few months went back to his regular self, meaning he was just as cold and distant as ever. However, that didn't mean he didn't take an interest in their lives or who they were as people just the opposite in fact.
It had become something of an odd ritual for him to every so often take each of them aside one day and have them talk endlessly about themselves. He knew everything there was to know about any of them because for some reason they just couldn't stop themselves from pouring their heart out to him. It helped that no matter how small it was Harry was willing to just listen to their problems and offer advice when he was asked.
Harry never judged, never lied, and never sugar-coded anything. It was part of the reason why that no matter how cold he seemed or how distant his friends refused to part with him. He knew each one inside and out. He knew why Ophelia was afraid of cramped spaces, and why Leon was so much closer to his mother then his father.
As much as they had tried in return to get to know Harry though they had been entirely unsuccessful, hell, he barely let them even touch him. That was another thing that had become more obvious as Harry got more confident that they wouldn't turn him away as soon as he showed his true colors. The only one who was by far the closest to Harry so far was Alex but that was more out of necessity then any real warmth.
So it wasn't really a surprise how odd his gifts were when Christmas rolled around. Cleo got him platinum white gold hoop earrings, Ophelia had gotten him a book on Runes, and the twins got him an assortment of sweets (he'd never admit it but he did have a huge sweet tooth).
Logan had gotten him a very nice emerald dress shirt that brought out his eyes, Gabriel got him an egg of some sort (he wasn't really sure what to do with it), Leon got him fingerless dragon hide fighting gloves, Alex gave him a set of throwing knives and Simon had gotten him a bow/arrows set.
Harry was an orphan and couldn't pinch money for his needs like he used to so he hadn't gotten them anything in return they understood of course. The castle was mostly deserted for the holiday so he didn't need to sneak around as much as he usually did when he went to visit Morgan.
She knew he was coming as usual ready and waiting for him to come. Harry never wanted to admit it but Morgan had become something of a mentor to him always helping him further himself in anything she could. That's why he was visiting her on today even though he never really celebrated the passing of holidays he did want to spend this one with her.
He knew something was up the moment he saw her face though, that faint sly smile was well known by him now she only wore it when she was going to do something potentially vindictive. Harry sighed knowing there was no use in putting it off if she wanted to do something to him the castle would comply it was almost a part of her that way.
"What is it today Morgan?" He asked wary for whatever was to come. Her smile widened, "Oh you know me so well Harry…" she chuckled. "I've decided that today you'll have your first test…if you aren't crippled we'll talk about some more advanced Magics I'm sure you'll be eager to learn."
Harry was almost shaking with excitement finally he could start to move forward it would finally feel like he was taking more steps towards his goals. He smirked, she smiled and there was a WHOOSH sound suddenly a thick ancient looking tome was sitting there innocently on the desk.
"One could say that book is cursed…or gifted it depends on how you look at it. Before Noctiluca there were no magic schools this academy was the first of its creed that doesn't mean there wasn't some powerful wizards/witches out there willing to teach. This book came to me through one of my various teachers along with a story and a gift that helped me achieve many things."
"Even before we separated from the normals our kind was not taken to kindly, something that will never change. Long before even I existed there was a witch named Pricilla, a very powerful witch she had a rare ability to see magic really see it in all its glory. However, she feared her gift as many feared her because of the unique understanding she had on how magic worked."
"Eventually she began to hate her gift and in doing so she hated herself. Throughout her entire life she wrote in the book you see before you detailing everything she experienced and all that she knew into it. As her self loathing grew driving her slowly into insanity Pricilla did something entirely unforgivable to herself."
"She couldn't stand her gift any longer and in an effort to free herself she tried to place it all into this book. Something went wrong during it, she hated herself to much was to far gone in her madness to understand in rejecting her gift she was rejecting her magic."
"While she was placing her gift into the tome she went to far she destroyed her core and killed herself long the way. Pricilla did however place her gift into the book as she had intended just not the exact way she wanted to. The magic pulsates in it and whoever touches it will be granted her gift of sight."
"The problem comes as the magic in the book imprints itself on your own if you can't accept it fully and with open arms it'll damage your core along with blinding you for life. You see this was not a gift meant to be given around like this it WILL feel terribly wrong as the magic in the book tries to latch onto you because it has been rejected by the original character it is very sensitive to your wants. It will be very painful getting a gift that wasn't meant for you and if in pain you reject it in the slightest if you wish for one moment for it to stop it will lash out at you."
"Once you touch it there is no going back, I got this gift when I was alive as have all my potential heirs this will be your first test. If you can get this book to grant you its gift and not its curse I will recognize you as worthy to try to become my heir."
Grim faced Harry approached the book studying it much more closely now that he knew the dangers the innocent looking thing held. He could see it now that he was closer there on the cover was a pair of very disturbingly lifelike eyes, pale blue and full of sadness. Harry knew without having to be told that these were Pricilla's eyes the reason she killed herself and the reason Morgan rose so high.
With a subtly trembling hand Harry reached for it knowing that within moments he'd be taking a step towards his goals or failing them forever. A deep breath his hand steadied determined to see this through this would help him reach further then even he'd planed. That decided he placed his open palm on the cover of the book calm and resolute in seeing this through to the end.
For a moment nothing happened and he thought maybe Morgan was just testing his resolve to be her heir then the pain came. It was blinding and made him fall to within an instant biting back screams as his eyes cried rivers of blood. It hurt, it felt like something was digging into his skull and dissolving his eyes within his sockets.
Harry held firm though he wanted this gift and accepted the pain as the price one must pay to further his goals. White-hot pain in his eyeballs made him give a strangled scream before the pain left and he passed out in relief. Morgan looked down at the young beautiful boy sprawled on the ground, 'Yes' she thought 'he has such potential.'