A.N. I'll make this short, lol, I hope you like this new installment to my lovely story and please review I need the motivation.
Chapter 8: Unanswered Questions
Suzie hated moments like this, awkward and uncomfortable, they didn't suit her at all, as she was a naturally very easygoing person. It didn't help that Clark had been following her more lately and was not far from her at any given moment. Her own personal annoying, stalker, really, couldn't he take the hint she wasn't interested in him in any way.
She fingered her locket wondering how to answer Professor Lupin without saying too much; really she couldn't believe he had even asked. It wasn't very professional, not at all, well no time like the present, so she took a calming breath and answered. "Well, I just don't like his attitude professor. Clark is just not someone I want to be around."
"Yes, but why?"
She huffed, "He's annoying Professor he just doesn't give up! He wont take no for an answer and he's just so…so…so arrogant! I don't like hanging around snobs!"
"AH, but you hang around Malfoy."
"Bu-but Draco is really fun to be around and he's so misunderstood!"
"All I'm saying is to give Clark a chance, he really is a nice boy." Remus watched as Suzie huffed and left, Clark trailing behind with his friends. He couldn't stop the small nostalgic smile from appearing on his face; Clark was really his father's son falling for a girl who refused to give him the time of day.
His good mood didn't last to long before he started to think of another young boy, Harry, he had been such a beautiful baby. The search was not going well, they were hitting dead ends at every turn and it was becoming increasingly unlikely that they'd ever find him. Lily was a wreck, James hardly slept, Sirius was even joining in on the search and sometimes they feared that Harry wasn't even alive.
It was looking dark indeed; still he had taken the defense job to help Lily out, by watching over her remaining son. Really this little love affair between Miss Forester and their Clark was one of the only bright spots in their days. They were clinging to him, just as they had always done, but it was more now, as they tasted true desperation to find Harry.
--x--
Grace had taken to wondering the forests to hunt at night, but she still slept coiled around him for the most part. Her little jaunts did help him navigate the parts of the woods that he had yet to explore. He finally found time to go get the second-to-last ingredient and he was armed to the teeth, as a precaution.
Gargoyles were beings of war after all, fighting was instinctive and protecting things their nature. Tristen was effectively stepping into their home uninvited, poising a threat to their safety, they were going to react, and he would be ready to receive them. The moon was rising casting shadows in the dark and making the trees move.
He had learned from Morgan that on Avalon, everything had a conscious life to it and it was ill advised to not acknowledge it. Most would think him insane if he ever bothered to voice some of the things he knew, like how he could hear the tree singing in the moonlight. It wasn't his fault that not many could hear or see some of the things he did, after all, not many actually listened (or used their eyes).
His feet were light and breathing slowed as he approached, best not to let them know he was there, not until the very last moment. He stood just before the break in the trees to watch the Gargoyles fly about, to get a feel for them. They lived toward the east end of the island, there was a cave they nested their eggs in and enough cover to protect them from invasion.
They lived on the solitary mountain on Avalon; most things couldn't due to the steep edges and craggy rock surface. As with any intelligent beings, Gargoyles had a leadership system his plan would only work if he could identify and approach the leader before the others took him down.
Which was easier said then done, not that was going to stop him anyway. It took him an hour but eventually he both identified and found an opening to get to the Gargoyle leader. He was rather large, over ten feet tall, his skin was a dark blue in color with long coarse black hair and brown eyes.
In all he was rather human looking even with his impressive wings, horns, claws and tail. He was still alone on a bolder, he and two others staying behind from the hunt to guard the eggs. Unlike the other two though he was on the ground not on the cliffs outside the caves, taking a place of authority.
The others had left about ten minutes ago and now was his only chance to get at him, it was now or never. Taking a deep breath he strode confidently toward him, the effect was immediate; the leader stood seeing him first, body tensing, even though Harry was pathetically small in comparison to him.
In the magical world it was very foolish to judge by appearance alone, Tristen knew this, and the Leader knew this as well, some very dangerous things came from the smallest packages. The other two had yet to notice him and he was standing about a foot from the leader in about ten seconds.
"I mean no harm to you, I come with a proposition." The leader raised a non-existent eyebrow, curiosity peaked, but body still tensed for battle.
"And what would that be little magician?" his voice was gravely, deep and oddly smooth. Tristen wasn't the least surprised that this 'creature' could talk (you'd be surprised just how many things could most just lacked the knowledge to understand what was being said).
"I need some of your hair and in exchange I offer you a potion, one that if taken will allow easy conception with your females. All that you would need to take is three drops of it before a mating act for each female." Gargoyles guarded their young so fiercely for a very good reason, female Gargoyles were notoriously hard to impregnate and the result was their sparse numbers. There wasn't much a Gargoyle wouldn't do to insure progeny, another useful thing Tristen had learned from Morgan.
"How am I to know you speak the truth Magician, your words are not worth much here."
"I will give you an oath that it will work, all that is needed from you is a few measly hairs. Nothing of importance, easily replaced."
"So you say little one, so you say, very well I am Girisha."
"Tristen Winter." He pulled a bottle out of his cloak pocket that was filled with a gold liquid that glowed faintly in the dark and held it out to Girisha. As the huge knelling Gargoyle was reaching for it with one hand he used the other to pull his long hair over his shoulder. He took a large fistful of hair and used his claws to cut it from him to hand to Tristen as he snatched the glass bottle from the outstretched hand.
When they both got what was needed, Girisha stood up from his knelling position and turned his back slightly to Tristen, a clear dismissal. But as Tristen was about to leave he paused, "You know I could bring you more of that, a bottle every week if you wanted."
Girisha paused, stern face impassive as he studied Tristen, "And what would you want for such a service? More Hair perhaps?" This was said with a touch of amusement, that Tristen wouldn't have heard, had he not been so great at reading people. Tristen smirked, "No all I'd want was an alliance, become my allies and I would be a great asset to you. All I ask in return would be the alliance of your clan and myself. Your clan is very powerful Girisha, it would be very foolish of me not to ask for such a valuable ally."
Girisha stood stone cold for a moment regarding him, gaze so piercing that had Harry been anyone else he would have shuddered under it. After a minute or two the giant of a Gargoyle inclined his head ever so slightly, no words necessary between them. Then his heavily leg muscles rippled, tensing under the loincloth, knees bent and then releasing like a spring he leaped into the air taking flight.
It was a sight to see, and made Tristen envious, to have such freedom to go where the wind takes you was something very precious indeed. He left as silently as he had came, Grace coiled around him, Tink asleep tangled forever in his hair and the night singing to him as he started his journey home.
Home, something he never thought a single place could ever be but over the last five years Noctiluca Castle had become his home. It was the one place in the entire world where he felt somewhat safe, the one place that was his, and the one place he felt truly connected to.
He went to sleep satisfied, another alliance was just won, another step taken on his path to his life's ambition and just one more thing he need not worry over anymore. The next day was hectic, he hadn't slept much the night before but he managed to get through his day.
He was immensely grateful for Madeline's pushing, without having to take potions, a lot a free time was opened up to him and he used it wisely. Already he had begun to socialize more with the student body; the younger years came to him more frequently for guidance and encouragement.
He gained more respect among the older crowd by joining various study groups and being able to keep up with them. By the end of the day though he was dead on his feet and wanted nothing more then to finish his work and sleep. Alex visited him that night as usual, but Tristen noticed something off about him, he kept blushing when he drank and shied away from him during his group's study sessions.
The next week was awash with activity, the time of the marking was growing near, and everyone could feel the anticipation in the very air around Tristen. Because he had long ago stopped half hiding his aura (unless he wanted to remain unseen) being close to Tristen was like being in the presence of something greater then oneself.
His presence was immense, even with his small frame there was a dangerous commanding quality about him that drew more people to him. Like a moth, attracted by the perilous powerful flames, knowing it could mean their deaths, so too they were drawn to Tristen.
It was his immense presence that was alight with anticipation, even though his face was as impassively blank as ever and everyone felt it. Something was coming, they knew it but they didn't know what it was exactly as Tristen had to yet reveal what he was planning.
It was Saturday night before he got the chance to get his last remaining ingredient and this one he wasn't to sure he could pull off. His entire body was tense, he left Grace to hunt, not wanting her to get caught in the crossfire but Tink refused to leave his side.
This walk felt longer then the last one, the trees were silent, and the moon hidden behind dense clouds, and the sheer darkness of it all engulfed the night. The trees seemed to groan in protest when he passed, warning him away, but not succeeding. There was no fear in him, just a grim determination and a battle ready tenseness that came from knowing just how much damage these opponents could inflict.
Draconian Fire-cats were more like scaled lions, with armored scales instead of fir and fiery eyes that shined in the dark. These predators were not to be taken lightly; most thought that they were blind because their eyes had no pupil Tristen knew better. The Fire-cats saw more then a common wizard could ever hope to see and were all the more dangerous for it, as it made sneaking up on them nearly impossible.
Just as he was nearing their den he pulled out three potions from his coat pocket and downed them in quick succession. The first, a strengthening potion that would last two hours and give him twenty times his normal strength which would help him greatly in the coming battle. The second would help his reflexes helping him to react faster then normal, and the last would speed up his healing something he grimly knew he would need badly in the end.
They came upon him before he knew they were there, the Alpha was huge and his mane glistened in the night shining silver in the almost non-existent light. His hissing growl would have frozen a lesser man, Tristen was already surrounded by the pride, the females keeping just within the shadows but he knew they were there.
He knew what he had to do, but he also knew it was going to hurt…a lot. Hissing in evolved parseltongue, he voiced his challenge for dominance, it wasn't like when he normally spoke the snake language. No this level of speech was different, it was more primal and using this he could communicate to other reptiles. He could still understand perfectly but it wasn't as easy as normal Parseltongue, as it was harder to create the sounds, but it was worth it to be able to communicate with all manner of reptiles.
The Alpha understood perfectly what he was doing and bristled in challenge, roaring his anger at his audacity to even attempt it. Time seemed to slow, sound dimmed for Tristen and nothing existed but this huge beast and him. Everything seemed to stop and still for one moment then a roar, muscle tensed, and the Alpha charged forward suddenly.
Before Tristen could react the beast claws struck catching him on his side ripping into his skin with a sickening whoosh as he moved to the side to evade. Then, in that one moment Tristen saw his one and only chance, right as the fire-cat was landing there was one small opening. Using his momentum from being hit Tristen twirled around invoking his magic as he went to sharpen and elongate his teeth giving him razor sharp rows like a shark.
It took all of a second to do all this and latch onto the big cats' exposed neck. Using everything in him, he pushed the beast to the ground pinning him and drawing blood as his teeth sunk into the throat. The lion roared it's pain and protest, struggling to get up but Tristen was using everything in him to keep him down.
He bit down harder as the cat continued to struggle, it lashed out with his deadly claws but Tristen was too small. Another non-verbal spell later Tristen's nails grew long and sharp allowing him to use those also to pierce the cat's armored scales. He was forced to drink the blood flowing more freely in his mouth now or else he'd drown.
The alpha was getting weaker, his fighting was dimming and a few minutes later it was over, the Alpha submitted, the pride was his to control. The blood tasted so sweet, it was really wonderful, but victory and domination felt euphoric in comparison. He had always hated being weak, hated it to the point of obsession and it was in this moment he felt truly strong.
Getting the scales from them afterwards had been easy, the ex-alpha he had decided to call Ares cleaned Harry's wound and Tink healed it completely. After that the whole pride had a grooming session where everyone, including himself, was thoroughly cleaned the excess scales were easy enough to pick up.
Ares became his Beta and Tristen would remain Alpha of the pride until he was defeated in a challenge. He spent Sunday with them and then left Ares in charge when he returned to the school that night. It was almost time, he had everything he needed, now, all there was to do was to prepare and soon an accumulation of five years of work would see completion.
It took two weeks to get into the testing rooms again, the place that had given him his wand and his home all in the same day. The symbolic circle still etched deeply into the stone, humming with power when he stepped onto it, giving him no small amount of satisfaction.
He sat in the dead center once more, bringing out a familiar vat of precious metal, crushed scales and Gargoyle hair. This would take a lot of power and it would nearly drain him dry, hopefully, it'd be worth the trouble in the end. Deep calming breathes, slow and sure, concentration was key in this, one slip up and it could all be for not.
The symbols glowed, and then became blindingly bright, eyes closed, concentration is key, the metal twisted and floated into the air becoming molten. The scales and hair flew up next beginning a dance that would bring about his victory. His mind, cool and focused, Tristen was unaware that he had begun to float too, unbound hair flying wildly in a non-existent wind.
Low words escaped his mouth, serene face stayed the same as always as, history was made, hissing and power…just so much power, more then ever before flooded him. Suddenly his eyes snapped open, glowing silvery green; surprisingly there was no pain, only a purpose.
It came together, the base formed and hair attached to the end, intricate designs along it entwining with powerful Runes and his brush was made. The outside world came back into focus, and the powerful paintbrush floated harmlessly into his outstretched left hand.
Then something unexpected happened, the symbols flared back to life in a flash, the room spun and a piece of something flew at his brush. Before he could even think of reacting, the brush and the something, merged, the brush morphed and a guitar was there in its place.
Tristen blinked not quite believing what had just happened, hesitantly he reached out with his magic and it turned back into his brush just like his wand. Then it glowed, and shot right into his left hand making him clench his teeth so as not to cry out in pain as he felt his hand burn.
Dumbstruck, he stared at his left hand and the new symbol etched into the palm, it was a snake coiled around his thumb stretching across the palm. It would seem this room had a life of its own (not surprising, really, this WAS magic) and it had decided to give him this gift. Whether this was a good thing or not was yet to be seen.
Sighing Tristen accepted it and moved on, it would do him no good to dwell on it, all things considered; it wasn't to bad of a deal anyways so it mattered not. It was only after he got up and exited the room that the full force of what happened hit him, he could see, his magic sight was still on and there was no pain.
No weakness, no blood, and no headache, he could see magic, the gift was finally truly, completely his. How it came to be he did not know but he was glad of this one more step on the road toward his ultimate victory. Soon he would be ready for the marking, the items were set, the allies selected, and all that was left was to choose a day that would work with his objectives, not against.
He used his spare time that week to hole himself up inside Morgan's Library, something that annoyed her to no end because he mostly ignored her to focus on his task. At first he didn't find anything intriguing, nothing very new at least, but on the forth day he stumbled across something very interesting.
It was a small leather bound journal, only a centimeter thick at most and very, very old. The yellowed pages had to be handled with care and the whole thing was annoying to open with all the enchantments it had on it. However, it was worth all the trouble in the end, it was Helga Hufflepuff's notebook.
It was filled with notes on musical magic, going further then they had and pointing out one thing that Tristen had overlooked, bands. Now, musical magic was powerful as it can affect a large area, in this there was no equal, but it did have its faults, which is why it wasn't very popular.
For one mastering an instrument to the point where one's magic can flow freely through the notes is very challenging and hard to accomplish. You had to be very careful too, one note missed and you could do the exact opposite of what you where trying to and mess a lot of things up. In fact, it was very easy to die when you made a mistake with musical magic because the magical drain left you weak.
Another thing was, for the most part, musical spells can't be cast with a group of people as their magical signatures tended to clash and it was hard to harmonize enough to make even the simplest spell work out. If the people performing the musical spell together, didn't have the right compatibility the result of an attempt could be catastrophic. It was much like when a wand didn't suit a wizard, one could perform spells, yes, but the outcome wasn't very impressive.
Helga had found a way to connect herself and the three other founders of Hogwarts by using their common blood as a base. By doing so they could perform with their various instruments and synchronize enough to perform some very potent spells. Toward the end he actually found some notes on a spell that could have been used to create Hogwarts castle, the preliminary notes but the base of it nonetheless.
Helga Hufflepuff was obviously as brilliant as her Ravenclaw counterpart; she was the one to start the groundwork for the famous castle. While Hogwarts is nowhere near as impressive as Noctiluca, it still held the world's attention as a work of art. The important thing about it was that when his mark was in place he could use it to connect the group enough that they could perform together also. This would open the way for some exceedingly great things; greatness would be within their grasp.
Eventually he found the right day and all that was left to do was prepare, the time had finally come.
--x--
James had gotten way past desperate, the hopelessness of finding Harry had long since gotten to him, making him frantic to find even just a hint that he was alive. That's what had driven him to the Goblins; to deal with them was headache inducing to say the least.
It had taken five months of delays, a thousand Galleons and a bit of begging to get an audience with Ragnook. He hoped it was worth it, that this goblin could help him find his son. He had failed Harry once, turned his back and not a day went by that he didn't regret it.
Lily was a wreck, not when Clark could see but they had cried together that night Harry hadn't shown for school. James caught her crying more then once over it, they just wanted to know he was okay. He fidgeted outside the Goblin's door, nervous, this was the last things he could think of to get any clue about Harry…if this failed he didn't know what he'd do.
The Teller came out and led him into the meeting room; he felt his stomach drop in anxiousness. Ragnook was a fierce looking Goblin and had numerous scars littering his face making him look all the more intimidating. Goblins were small but they were also very ferocious, not to be underestimated.
"So Mr. Potter, you've come seeking my services and I am here to listen to your proposal. If it is satisfactory and doesn't work against our interests we will be happy to oblige; if you can afford the fee of course." All this was said with a contemptuous sneer famous among the Goblins. James often wondered when he was younger if they had a special school devoted to teaching them those sneers.
"All I want to do is find my son, please help me in any way you can…I just want to know he's okay." His voice was broke as he pled with him. "Very well Mr. Potter, I will look into the disappearance of one Harry James Potter. Remain here while I look into something."
He stood and left the room stiffly, looking every bit put out by this situation. Ragnook met Thimblenack in the halls pausing briefly to greet him but moving on quickly heading to the inner chamber of Gringotts. He was uneasy about broaching this with the honored mistress, but it had to be done just so he could turn Mr. Potter away with a clear conscious.
Preparing himself for her displeasure he entered the chamber, it looked somewhat like a study, priceless books lining the walls and a ordinate desk in the center with a large portrait hanging above it. She was there waiting, like she had known he was coming, he shuddered; she had a way of knowing these things, always had.
Her beautiful face a stone cold mask, she did not want him here, and it was that which set him at unease, no one escaped should the mistress decide she was displeased with you. "Ragnook, why have you come before me?" Her tone was chilling and he fell on his knees before her to show his submission.
"Honored Mistress, I am but your humble servant, please forgive me my impertinence. One of your blood has come to enquire about your ward, he is concerned for his…child." He flinched he should not have said that her ward was that man's child. His Mistress looked down at him so chillingly that he feared he would not live to see the sunset this day. Damn his conscious, damn his pride, it was that which had led him here on this suicide mission.
"Ah, so the whelp had the audacity to come here to ask for your services has he…well it wouldn't do to disappoint him now would it? You shall tell him his child is alive, but also tell him that you will not be able to assist him in any endeavor that would return my ward to him. You are dismissed leave my sight this instance." He all but ran toward the door, thinking he had gotten off very lightly.
"Oh and Ragnook," He froze fear creeping up his spine at the sound of her voice, "do go down to the Handlers it seems you have forgotten your place." Her tone was casual and so very cold bringing icy fear into his veins. He turned several shades whiter as he bowed to her in acceptance and made his way back to Mr. Potter.
He was waiting anxiously in his seat where Ragnook had left him, trying very hard not to fidget and still not succeeding in the slightest. Ragnook sighed inside, it was well worth it, his honor would not allow this man to suffer not knowing if his child was alive and he liked to think Mr. Potter would do the same had their positions been reversed.
He took his seat and faced James, still looking as pale as when he left Morgan's presence. "You have cost me much this day Mr. Potter I do stress you appreciate what I have found for if you do not…" he left it hanging, hopefully this would keep the outbursts to a minimum.
"Your son is alive and (he hesitated for a moment) well. I would caution though Mr. Potter that you do not come here again for aid to search for him. I will only tell you this know that he is closer then you think, keep your eyes open and you will find him again." Potter left without a word leaving a very weary goblin behind who pulled out a flask of whiskey to drink. That last line would cost him a lot when he went to the Handlers, another swing, then again he was never one for obedience so all he could hope for is that this was worth it.
--x--
Suzie looked around, smiling her widely innocent smile at her friends that surrounded her, all of them were strong and strength was all that mattered. Her brother would be so proud of her, she had gathered a diverse group of people together that had power enough to do what needs to be done.
He had lectured her endlessly about power, and magic, but mostly power who had it and who didn't. Teaching her constantly that power was everything in this world, by example and by the books she learned. At the orphanage Harry/Tristen had the power, the others had bowed before him and through fear he had kept her safe.
There was no right and no wrong only those who had the power to do what they wanted and those who didn't. The government had the power to enforce their beliefs onto the masses, a leader could force their rules on their followers, and it all boiled down to power.
Suzie smiled sweetly at Draco when he asked if she needed help with her charms work, even though he knew she was the best in her class (perhaps the whole student body when it came to charms). She declined of course but she did thank him sweetly, making him blush just a little. No one but her noticed his blush so she kept it that way, Draco would not want to be seen as weak after all.
Harry had told her how the world worked, if one had the power they could do as the pleased because no one could stop them. Power wasn't just how strong you are though, no, it was how well you could bring other powerful people to you and into your services. If you surround yourself with people who would die for you then you have more power then most because you are not alone.
It was like a pack of wolves, together they could hunt the mightiest of prey but alone even though they are still fierce they are weak. Harry had lectured her enough to know that when she came to Hogwarts she gathered to her plenty of powerful people, no matter the house, because she wished to be strong for her brother.
Who knew, maybe when she saw her brother again she could present her friends to him and he could take them too. After she graduated she would return to her brother's side to help him any way she could. She loved her brother very much, he could do no wrong in her eyes, and if she loved him, so would her friends.
Yes, they will be very honored to be in her brother's presence when the time came and they would serve him well. For now though she just praised him when they asked, telling them of how wonderful her brother really was and his vicious protectiveness. It would do them well to be prepared after all.
--x--
Harry felt the itch again, crawling there beneath his skin even as his serenely blank mask stayed in place. His hands twitched wanted to feel the sticky warmth that blood brought when he indulged himself. It was all he could do to calmly listen to Sarah, the school's resident gossip.
Sarah was an American Veela pureblood; she was from the south so her accent was amusing at times and her creature blood made her impossibly attractive. Not that he was affected in the least, that's what Sarah liked about him, Harry could listen to her and not drool and try to get in her pants.
Not even most girls could attest the same, as she was one of those rare breeds that could attract anyone even if they were not so straight (i.e. gay guys) or straight as an arrow in other cases (i.e. girls). She was just that beautiful, and she was a very valuable ally to say the least.
She was a large part of the reason he was so well liked because she could tear someone up with her gossip or raise them high all on her opinion. She made a great informant; with her alluring hazel eyes and luscious curls of golden hair no one could deny her anything. That was why everyone knew to go to her if they wanted to know anything, she could draw out the deepest secrets of the school with a glace and she reveled in it.
However, when she grew weary of only listening and never truly talking, that, she came to him. He could listen, he was a great listener, and he could be in her presence without batting an eye. Something she also reveled in, Harry had become something of a novelty to her and yet he owned her as he owned all who sought him out.
It was something he was very good at, drawing people to him like flies to honey, with the way he moved, with the power he exuded and the mystery that surrounded him. Harry was not a fool; he used his undeniable charisma to get many things that would be denied to anyone else. Sarah was very much a prize to him, another ally gained, another life willingly placed in his hands, and it was this that soothed the hunger in him… for a time.
Yet, he stilled craved the screams at night, craved the blood, yearned for the tears of others if only to silence his own. Sarah gazed upon his face once more, silent, just staring at him, taking in every feature, trying to see something she must have missed before. She sometimes commented that he must have some Veela in him to look so beautiful, and to be so irresistible. Many desired to be his companion, to know his secrets and share in his pain.
But he never let them in, sure, at times he let them taste it, glimpse the pain in his very soul but he never fully shared anything with anyone. Suzie saw the most, Simon, and Alucard caught flickers of it marred in his flesh for all to see if they knew how to look. Alex tasted it on his tongue every night and it was his suffering that drew them, his hate that enraptured them.
"You know Tristen, that the teachers often discuss you in their staff meetings?" Sarah asked him, an unreadable emotion brewing in the depths of her eyes.
"Oh, I was unaware that I was so fascinating." His tone was flat, monotone as always. That dead look in his eye sparkled for a brief moment drawing her in, loosening her tongue more then was wise.
"Yes, you frighten them all sometimes you know. You are too bright, you learn things too fast, and you are so powerful for one so young. Stronger, in fact, then some of our teachers, all the upper years can feel that tight hold you have on your magic and it scares them."
"Do I frighten you? Mon Belle, do I creep in the shadows of your nightmares?"
"No, and yes, you scare me Tristen with all that rage bottled up so. But it is also our fear that makes us love you, you are going to make this world shatter one day and we will be happy to help you."
Sarah was not lying; it was unwise to lie to Tristen because somehow he always knew. Veela are natural empaths, it was rare to find anyone that she could not read but Tristen had always eluded her senses. All she ever felt from him was power and hatred so deep it set her very soul aflame with it. It drew her to him too, drew many to him and every person who came to know Tristen could not deny his beauty, his power, could not deny him.
--x--
Alucard gazed out at the melancholy night; he could feel the pain in it and hear his little one calling. His little one, his little Merlin, such a fascinating creature he was so fragile and yet so strong. No one had moved him like this in millennia, not even his little police girl; his little one would be greatness one day.
His body tensed, his sense screamed out that he was no longer alone on the rooftop but he did not move to them as he had once. "Lestat, how very quaint. I have not felt your presence in years my friend." He did not move to face him and continued to gaze out at the night listening to the sounds of London.
"I have heard the Great Alucard has been caged, though, I didn't believe it until I saw this. Oh, how the mighty have fallen."
"Yes, you would gain amusement from this, to extent even I gain some from it. But I doubt that is why you are here."
"You've caught me. I am not deaf to the whispers Alucard, they say something is coming; someone has begun to move the pieces placed centuries ago. A great change is on the wind, can you not feel it?"
"Feel it…yes… I suppose I do."
"Ah, you are not stunned by this, that is not very surprising all things considered. Tell me, Alucard, who is this young one I smell on your flesh. Who is it that moves one so ancient as you? Is that the one stirring the forces of this world, and awakening things that had been sleeping for far to long."
"Do not presume to think that I'd ever tell one as low as you." His voice held a warning there, but Lestat ignored it.
"So he is the one, the center, the changer, the Chosen one, one so young will move the very foundations of this world? How very…amusing…yes I think I would like to meet this little one you are so fixated on." Alucard whirled around ready to drain the life from him, but he was already gone.
He hissed in anger, Lestat, how he despised him. He had drank from someone far more ancient then even himself and gained something not meant for one as low as him. Lestat could read him like no one but HER could, his skin crawled thinking of what Lestat could do to his little one.
Then, a wide face splitting smile stretched across his face containing so much cruelty it could have stopped a mortal's heart when he thought of what his little one could do to Lestat. No, he didn't much mind if Lestat went in search of his small thing because his little one would tear him asunder if he laid one hand on him.
--x--
"You are here for many reasons, most I know, some I cannot comprehend, and some…well…your reasons are your own. However, It matters not the reasons only the fact, the one truth of this day matters, and it is this: once you accept there is no going back. Once you have taken my mark there is no quitting, no turning away, no saying no, you will be a part of me forever and there will be no escape from that. Think carefully my friends, think very carefully because once this begins there is no going back."
Tristen searched their faces looking for even a flicker of uncertainty in their eyes and all he found was determination. The time for marking them had come, now all that was left to determine was whether or not they wanted to be marked. Each face was searched for any sign of uncertainty, there could be no regrets in this because he would allow none.
Simon, Logan, Leon, Alex, Gabriel, Ophelia, Cleo, Flora, Fauna, Madeline, and Sarah all had resolved faces determined to see this though to the end. They would be his inner circle, his most loyal, his closest followers, and they would be honored above all others when the end of this campaign was reached.
"The mark will not only connect you to me but also provide many services which I will expand upon once every mark has been taken. Understood?" all heads nodded in agreement, "Good. Gabriel, come with me." The blue haired boy got up silently from his knelling position and followed him into Harry's room where everything was set up for the ritual. It was a real honor to be the first to be marked with their Prince's symbol.
Tristen's room had changed over the years, every wall was painted with scenery from the forests outside, the room felt darker, more calm now, and the bed was gone for now replaced by two chairs in the center of a runic sequence. A low table was set up with various paints that were actually potent potions that would be used as ink. There was another bottle full of a clear liquid that would cleanse his brush when he transitioned colors so certain potions wouldn't be mixed.
Harry turned to Gabriel, who seemed nervous but resolved to ask, "Where do you want your mark placed?" Gabriel paused to think that over slowly, the placing was very significant, but eventually he decided. "I think right below my heart on my ribs would be appropriate." Tristen nodded, secretly pleased with his placing but none of it showed on his impassive face.
"Sit in the chair in the center of the runic sequence and lean back so I can start." Gabriel did as asked and the anxiety he had felt slowly left helped along by Tristen's calm approach. Harry summoned his brush and started to arrange his paint/potions in the order he wanted them before he turned to Gabriel.
"This will hurt you know…it will hurt a lot." Gabriel just nodded thinking that the pain was a small price to pay if it meant he would be closer to Tristen. They were not idiots they knew what they were getting into when they agreed to the mark, they expected pain, they expected servitude on a higher level but to them that was just a drop in the ocean if it brought them closer to Harry.
They watched him suffer alone in silence for so long the would do anything to see him truly smile, just once, they wanted to see their little leader happy. Gabriel hissed when the cold potion first touched his skin but he did not move fearing that it might disturb the process.
Harry started with the stem of the rose, it wasn't a simple drawing of a line, no, inside the stem were interlaced runes that would be the start of the process. They would be so small though, that one could not see them if one didn't know where to look. This stem was the core of it and a deep emerald green matching his eyes perfectly.
His blood had been required for this particular potion and it would ensure every one of his marked would be connected to him on a subtle level. Next he began the rose bud after cleansing his brush and moving the green aside. This rose would be in full bloom and a deep crimson red it would also have hidden symbols within it.
After that he began his first snake, hissing in parseltongue under his breath as he went, the first one was a deep black that seemed endless. It coiled around the stem and reared up just over the blooming rose with an open hissing mouth. The body was very intricate with every scale detailed holding a different Parseltongue symbol and made the snake seemingly alive. Next he cleansed his brush and added his white accents to the snake.
It got pearly white eyes and wide spread wings that had every feather in detail only possible with magic. He repeated the process on the opposite side of the rose this time with a white snake with black eyes and wings. Then he leaned back and cleansed his brush while the potions dried on Gabriel's skin. Every potion had burned a bit but he was okay so far, he had a feeling though that the worse had yet to come.
Oh, how right he was when he saw Tristen turn to face him with an unreadable sparkle in his eyes. "This will be the most painful part, prepare yourself, you will scream." Gabriel nodded even when the fear gripped his heart sending its icy tentacles out he felt his determination harden, "I am ready."
Harry smirked bringing out his wand for the first time that night and with a swift movement jabbed at his newly painted mark hissing out "INUSTUS!" Gabriel did scream, loud and long, the mark sizzled, the runes on the ground shone and the mark was etched perfectly into his skin for the rest of his life. No one outside the room could hear his screaming as Harry had long since sound proofed his room due his frequent nightmares.
Tristen held in his glee at the sweet screams filling the room, even though he was rather fond of the quiet Gabriel he had an addiction to the melody of pain issuing from him. Harry very much enjoyed making others scream in pain, though usually he restricted himself to lowly filthy muggles there was no way to avoid hurting his followers this time. Eventually the spell ran its course and the mark was in place forever on Gabriel's skin.
Tristen's eyes glowed bright as he watched the mark begin to work its magic, healing Gabriel, soothing him, and he couldn't resist caressing his work. Which brought a moan from Gabriel's lips as pleasure shot through him at the touch as the mark reacted to its master's approval. Dazed, Gabriel slowly opened his eyes that he had closed against the pain to see Harry standing over him gently stroking his new mark sending shockwaves into him. However, what stopped his heart and took his very breath away was the diminutive smile on Tristen's lips.
Harry had never been more beautiful then when Gabriel saw him now, smiling a very small smile and it made all the pain in the world worth it to see it directed at him. He'd take the image, engraved forever on his heart, to the grave. Tristen hadn't seemed to realize he was smiling so Gabriel kept quiet staring intently at him hoping to memorize every detail.
It wasn't to last though, eventually Tristen did notice and the serenely blank mask was back firmly in place but Gabriel could still see the approval shining through his eyes. It filled him with pride and made him positively glow under Harry's approving stare.
"WE are not finished quite yet, you will be receiving a custom mark from me that will be placed on no other." Gabriel smile couldn't possibly have gotten bigger then it was at that moment. "Of course my Prince, I am honored." Harry nodded his head serenely, "I will be placing it just below your right eye it is to be your status symbol." That said Tristen lifted his brush once more and drew the rune ansuz on Gabriel's cheek.
Ansuz is the rune of wisdom; communications and poetry Harry thought it was a wonderful power base for his spell as it fit Gabriel to a tee. When the black potion dried he traced it with a glowing green fingertip while chanting under his breath in parseltongue. Then it was done; Harry was so pleased by it he let his hand linger in contact with Gabriel's cheek far longer then usual. Gabriel, of course, noticed this as Tristen as a rule keep up minimum contact because he hated touch so much.
"Your one of my elite now, only my elite will be marked with power base runes and only those whom known it to be there will see it. Now, Gabriel await me in the lounge common room and do send in Cleo." He hurried to do as asked and was very quick to send in Cleo (whom rushed in like an over-excitable puppy).
He repeated the process he went through with Gabriel with Cleo next, she chose her lower back as her marking place and then he put a custom rune beneath her right eye. He sent her out and had her end in Simon next, who chose to place his mark on his left bicep also getting his elite rune beneath his right eye.
Logan chose the back of his next and puffed up with pride when he got his elite mark. Then came Ophelia, her mark on her right shoulder blade and just smirked with satisfaction when she got her elite status symbol. Alex chose to have the mark placed in the dead center of his back and fidgeted somewhat bashful when he got his extra mark.
Flora felt less confident getting her mark without her sister and it showed on her face for a few moments when they got started. She chose her left ankle and her darker skin dusted very prettily rouge when she found out she was also getting a higher-ranking mark. Fauna strode in with confidence after her sister and chose her right ankle only to tilt her chin upwards in pride when she was also graced with her rune.
Sarah decided to get her mark elegantly twined along her right side so it began on her lower back a snaked around to her front ending just below her breast. She only quirked her full lips into a half smile giving her a very pleased look when she was branded with an elite placing rune too. Madeline came in after her and enveloped Harry in a firm hug as soon as Sarah was out the door.
Harry hid things very well, but he was finding he could hide very few things from his 'mother'. She could see as plain as day he was exhausted even though nothing showed on neither his face nor his posture. So tired in fact he relaxed faster then was usual into her hug, this time Madeline did something more then normal too as a marker for the occasion. She hummed a low melody beautifully as she rocked him summoning a bit of her magic as she went to replenish his stores so he could finish the marking ceremony.
It was a very strange feeling, Harry decided, being rocked and hummed to it was awkward… yet a small note of comfort in it remained. There had been a time when he had craved this, he remembered the longing well, and it seemed a desire that deeply buried itched to rise to the surface. Sometimes, when Madeline held him after a particularly grueling day it brought him back to his delirious fatigued dreams of being rocked to sleep, it brought him back to longing in the dark stuffed in a cupboard.
When he felt his strength restore he pulled away from her embrace to glide to his operating chair and gesturing to the only available one for her. Madeline wanted it on her left forearm, tradition, she said was best to be upheld by someone and she pulled him into another hug when she got her rune.
When Leon came in Tristen was still sitting in the chair and just motioned for him to sit in the chair opposite him. He did so with a relaxed smile that Harry had become quite fond of as it almost always meant just for him. Leon said not a word just staring into his eyes like he was the only thing in the world that mattered.
Complete devotion, that was the look Leon's eyes always had, and it was that devotion that made Harry closer to him above all the others. Madeline was his mother, his champion until he came of age and could defend himself so they had a very different relationship. It was more like Mentor-Student or even Mother-Son to an extent so Maddy could never really be his follower, an adviser maybe not a follower though.
With Leon it was different, he was different from the rest who followed him for mostly shallow reasons and even though they were loyal they were not devoted to him. Leon was a constant for him since the day Harry had saved him from letting the flames consume his very being. They talked more then the rest, actually talked, not just Harry listening and commenting on his problems.
They never went past anything but superficial when it was Harry's turn to discuss things as he still had issues with revealing anything about himself to anyone. Some wounds ran very deep and for Harry, allowing Leon to get somewhat close had been a big step for him this summer. That was why this marking would be special, and would differ somewhat from the others.
Harry said not a word and waited for Leon to choose the place where his mark would stand for the rest of his life. He made his choice; it would be placed directly over his heart and that only made Tristen more secure in his decision. The normal mark went smoothly just like all the rest but it was when the second mark was to be placed that it deviated from what had happened before.
Leon tilted his head to the side exposing his cheek to make it easier for Harry, "No, you will not be getting one there Leon," for a moment hurt flashed in his eyes. "You will be getting your elite marking on your forehead so the rest will know just how special you are, you will be my right hand if you so choose." Leon's pride swelled, his chest puffed up slightly in confidence and he answered, "There is nothing I would want more." And so it was done, Harry choose his second-in-command.
"Now, go prepare the others I have much to tell you before I may rest this night. Let them know that interruptions will not be tolerated there will be time for questions later, right now I will just be telling everyone the basics of what this mark can do."
Leon strode out confident, to do as commanded while Tristen was nursing a headache from the magical drain of marking so many people in just one night.
The mark was his masterpiece no one else had ever created something as devastating as his mark could be and it was the symbol of a lot of things. It symbolized him as a whole; it was the most beautiful thing he'd created as to date. His next creations would be hard to bring up to this level but he would make sure anything he created met with this standard.
When he entered the common room everyone was at attention waiting patiently for him to tell him or her what it was his mark did and how that would help them. "As I've said your marks connect you to me, not just on a symbolic level but on a magical one. This will benefit us in unfathomable ways but that will be expanded upon in the future. For now I'll tell you the basics of the power it holds. First, it can and will heal any injury to an extent, as long as you're alive it will heal your body. Now that doesn't mean you can't die from injury, as it cannot replace any blood lost only repair the damaged tissue whether you're alive or dead. So I suggest carrying blood replenishing potions if the occasion calls for it."
"Next, It will bring you to me no matter where you are, wards will be of no use, and no charm can ever hide you from me. If I call you, you will come no matter where you are, this has the added bonus that no one can keep you imprisoned should I choose to free you. Also, it has a few automatic shields laced in with it so should you not see an enemy fire at you your mark will feel it and shield for you. Now, I would suggest you practice your defense work because your shields are of low power within the mark so any high powered hexes will still get through."
"Built into every mark is a link that connects all bearers to each other, your mark will burn should one of you be under attack so aid will always be available to the one in need. Do not worry about how you will know whom is in danger the knowledge will be instinctual. That said never doubt it."
"Your mark will also alert you of an enemy nearby, I used a similar magic that is used in foe glass for that one so even if they showed no outwards signs of being an adversary your mark will warn you. That said, those bearing the mark can never seek out to harm another, any offensive magic cast at one bearing the mark will not be effective. Should anyone turn traitor, however, it will turn on you and cause untold amounts of pain."
"Betrayal is not an option for any of you, should you betray anyone bearing the mark or myself the mark has some interesting properties that will make itself known. If you're a traitor by the end you'll wish for death. Now, be forewarned being placed under the mark automatically places you under a confidentiality spell that will not allow you to disclose anything not cleared by me onto anyone."
"Truth serums will not work, and any other methods that can be used to extract the information from you will not work. This is to protect both you and I from ever having our secrets exposed to opposing parties. You will still be able to talk about the mark just not what it can do, and you'll still be able to share your own secrets with someone just not mine."
"Now there are too many things to go over tonight that this mark can do so I'll leave the rest for tomorrow for now I think it's time to rest. So for the moment the meeting is adjourned, you're dismissed my Dark Archangels." He left them then so he could clean up his room and get some needed rest.
Of course Harry had no way of knowing that he had just taken the first steps towards creating history and a group that soon the whole world would know. "You know, I like it," Flora said casually as they all rose from their seats, "Yes, Dark Angels, it has a poetic ring to it." Fauna replied contemplatively.
"Yes, the D.A. will definitely benefit us in many ways, the question is now is how we expand this little group of ours." Sarah said as she pulled her coat to straighten some non-existent wrinkle. "Why should we expand it anyways?" Logan replied looking quite put out about thinking he would have to share Tristen with more people.
"Well, Tristen will need to build up an army to accomplish what he wants. Besides what's a prince without an army, every great Dark Lord has one why not our Tristen? I mean really, we're not blind Tristen will become someone great and do what needs to be done to save this world from collapsing in on itself." Ophelia replied looking haughty and justified the Furie side of her rising up.
"Besides, Tristen will need our help he cannot do everything on his own." Cleo added shyly blush rising to her cheeks. "Who's to say he'll give them the same mark he's given us anyway, such things should be earned after all." Gabriel said to voice his piece. "Yeah, it could be a mark in status, the elite like us get the full mark. The beginners only a rose and as they prove themselves they can more up. Not to mention no one else will have the extra Rune, you heard Tristen these are only for the inner circle." Simon said while caressing the mark beneath his eye.
"So we're in agreement then, we will gather the ones we think are worthy to have such a mark and present them to Tristen. That way he will have his army and we can show them who is the favored ones. After all, we are to be like his generals it would show him we are committed to his clause…whatever that may be." Alex said as they all nodded in agreement.
It had been a long night so they wished each other goodnight and made their way to their beds. Every one thinking on how they could expand on Harry's network of people for him, thinking of contacts they could bring into the fold and assets they could add. A war was brewing, even if the world did not know it yet and while everyone was focused on old conflicts a new side was about to form.
--x--
Harry knew he was dreaming, he knew it but for the life of him he could not understand why. Most nights he revisited some horror from the past, or even had mysterious out of body ones of the man with the crimson eyes. He never really dreamed before, his nights were never pleasant and almost always grueling.
Which was why he could not fathom why he was stand in an endless stretch of white, there was nothingness here, no pain, no joy, not anything and it seemed as a dream to him. There were murmurs though, on a imaginary wind, murmurs in a different ancient language he had never heard before. This all made him uneasy and his was tense waiting for this newest form of mental torture he was sure was about to brought to him.
Then there was a woman, he could not recognize any real feature, just that she was there and she had been waiting for him. She spoke, but then she didn't speak as the words were known but not heard. He cursed dreaming, she was telling him she was the mother of things and had a task for him. How he knew this he did not know and confusion was abound, how he hated dreams he much preferred his nightmares, as at least they were straightforward in nature.
The murmurs were still there, of course he could not tell what was being said just that they were there…and gaining in volume. The ground beneath his feet fell out; if there was a ground to begin with and suddenly Harry could see what he understood was the earth. But things had changed, this was not the world he knew, people laid dying and in fact everything was decaying.
This wouldn't have bothered him much if the people hadn't been wizards, the earth, and his world was dying and all he could do was stand by to watch. Not just his people, everyone, there was no sky anymore only blackened smog, plants and animals lay dying in the streets. The world as he knew it was at an end, and there was nothing he could do to fix it from where he stood over it.
She was talking then, not really speaking but he knew what was being said. She told him the 'normal' humans had long outlived what they were supposed to, they were meant to have gone extinct long ago. Her magical ones were supposed to be in control now bringing the world back to the balance it had been. The 'normal' humans were killing her earth, polluting her air, water, food and their very lives. Nature has selected them for extinction it was time that the dominant superior species won out, it was the only natural thing to do.
He had been chosen to kill them to prevent them from killing the very planet they live on with what they called 'technology' it was this task she wanted him to fulfill. Harry could feel this was nearing the end of his dream so he scuffed and replied, "I will kill them, of that you can be certain but do not think I do this for you. You are nothing to me, will never mean anything to me whatever you are. I kill them because I wish for it not for anything else. I am not a hero, I am not your savior (he spat that out with disgust) I am just Harry, just a boy that loves to hear them scream."
What he didn't realize was that as he spoke a darkness oozed from his body seemingly devouring the pure white surroundings. His words were filled with hate and contempt but the woman-thing was unfazed and just nodded her non-descript head in agreement before everything went black.
--x--
Hey everyone! Lol I hope you liked this chapter my fingers wouldn't stop no matter what I told them! Lol the next chapter will hopefully be out soon I have so many ideas and so little time!! Lol so next chap.: Someone new comes along, a family starts to crumble and a long awaited meeting finally happens! REVIEW and I might update next week…all depends on you really lol I know I'm evil! (3