CHAPTER 15: YULETIDE ELEGANCE
Harry delicately fastened the parchment onto Hedwig's leg, allowing her to soar away with a graceful fluidity that surpassed any ordinary owl's capabilities. The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the Hogwarts grounds. Harry anticipated a response from his father by dawn, the contents of the letter posing as a seemingly innocuous inquiry about the significance of Nicholas Flamel's alchemical pursuits. His true intentions, shrouded in mystery, remained safeguarded within the carefully chosen words.
"Master, the dragon-boy awaits you within the chamber-room," Coilis hissed, disrupting Harry's contemplation of the quaint covered bridge.
"Very well, let's proceed," Harry whispered in reply, turning away from the bridge and striding purposefully towards the dungeons. Moments later, the wall yielded to his presence, granting him access to the hidden corridor leading to the first-year enclave.
"Guess what, Harry?" Theo muttered to Draco, his excitement palpable.
"What's so urgent, Draco?" Harry queried, reclaiming his seat—the lone chair in the room. The group exchanged glances, a brief silence hanging in the air before Pansy decided to break it.
"I received a missive from my father just before classes. He's embarking on a raid that's slated to make headlines tomorrow," she declared with a hint of pride, her demeanor akin to a peacock flaunting its majestic tail feathers.
"Yes, Pansy, we're aware of the impending raid. What makes it so noteworthy?" Theo inquired, a trace of annoyance in his tone.
Pansy's revelation hung in the air, her excitement contagious, though Draco and Theo seemed less impressed. Harry, as usual, remained stoic, concealing any emotional response.
"Daddy was part of the attack, but before they Apparated, guess who stepped in to lead the raid? The Dark Shadow himself!" Pansy exclaimed, her enthusiasm bubbling over. Draco and Theo exchanged nonchalant glances, while Harry maintained his composed demeanor.
"The Dark Shadow took on Dumbledore and held his own!" Pansy continued, her words hanging in the air like an enchanting spell. Harry's eyelids drooped ever so slightly as he absorbed the information.
As the conversation shifted to the upcoming Christmas break, Theo hinted at a mysterious event, and Draco expressed his disdain for the rumored ball. Surprisingly, a small smile tugged at the corners of Harry's lips—barely noticeable, but present.
Christmas Break arrived abruptly, and with it, the decision among the boys to vacate Hogwarts for the holidays. Theo's unanticipated question about Harry's plans for the break lingered in the air.
"Where are you headed for the holidays, Harry?" Theo inquired, tilting his head with a subtle curiosity, not entirely anticipating a straightforward response.
"My parents await me in Romania. I'll be leaving to visit them—business matters," Harry calmly stated, methodically packing his belongings. The revelation hinted at a dimension of his life beyond the school walls, leaving his friends with more questions than answers.
Having temporarily lifted the wards, Harry allowed a select few to visit him—mostly individuals eager to boast about their holiday destinations. With a calculated precision, he packed a modest trunk, selecting only items he deemed valuable for potential use or resale on the elusive black market. The allure of Hogwarts' trinkets promised a lucrative venture.
Soon enough, Harry found himself in the bustling compartment of the Hogwarts Express. Draco and Theo occupied seats across from him, cautiously avoiding the one next to him while Coilis luxuriated in the scarce sunlight filtering through the foggy glass.
Amidst shared stories and the consumption of sweets, Draco and Theo conspired to coax Harry into trying some of the infamous 'cursed' flavored beans. Unfazed, Harry wrinkled his nose but refrained from gagging when confronted with a particularly repugnant specimen.
"Green? You opted for bright green?" Draco deadpanned, his expression a blend of admiration and disgust.
"It seems bright green wasn't the pinnacle of flavors," Harry remarked, swallowing quickly in an attempt to expunge the lingering taste from his mouth.
Theo, undeterred, sampled a light brown bean and inquired, "What was it, Obsidian?"
"It was an unpleasant variant of lettuce," Harry explained, arching an eyebrow at Draco, who erupted in laughter. The camaraderie within the compartment provided a temporary respite from the looming mysteries and challenges that awaited Harry beyond the castle walls.
"Lettuce? I pity you, Obsidian," Draco smirked, finding amusement in Harry's culinary misfortune. Coilis, though slightly amused, winced as he involuntarily swallowed a pale yellow jelly bean.
"No! Stop it, master! N- Gah! Lemon custard!" Coilis spat, trembling violently in an attempt to rid himself of the unwelcome flavor. Theo observed with mild amusement as Harry continued to hold the thrashing Coilis.
"You just fed your snake a yellow jelly bean," Theo noted, a hint of amusement coloring his words. Harry, unfazed, continued to restrain Coilis.
"Yes, he isn't very fond of lemon custard."
Draco chose that moment to refrain from questioning, opting for a dignified exit. The Hogwarts Express rolled into the magical station, slowing to a halt, allowing passengers to disembark swiftly.
"See you after break, Obsidian," Draco called, striding out of the compartment with as much Malfoy grace as he could muster. Theo sighed, shaking his head.
"Don't mind him; he's behaving like any Malfoy would. Enjoy your break, Harry. Hope to get an owl?" Theo concluded hopefully, earning a subtle curl of Harry's lips—a small smile in return. Theo vanished into the departing crowd.
As the compartment emptied, a voice interrupted Harry's solitude. "How dare you pull a stunt on me?"
"Hush, Morsus. People are worried," Harry muttered, using the fake name for Coilis. The absence of Parseltongue caught the attention of a few wizarding families, who regarded Harry with mild confusion, unable to recognize him or his name. The air was charged with an air of secrecy as the train station buzzed with activity.
"We are not done with this discussion! However, I wish to speak under my real name and form. I smell the fire dens in the south corner," Coilis hissed, directing Harry's attention towards the Floo fireplaces set up for wizards. Harry signaled to Hedwig, who landed with grace, her amber eyes scanning the surroundings. His trunk, now shrunken and tucked away in his pocket, demonstrated the advantages of possessing an unregistered wand.
Navigating through the crowd, Harry moved swiftly, his hood pulled tightly to shield against the falling snow and biting winds. Coilis, sensing the chill, coiled tighter for warmth, the earlier anger dissipating. Hedwig adjusted her wings, the Gyrfalcon accustomed to the cold gusts.
With a pinch of ash-colored dust, Harry delicately sprinkled it into the seemingly eternal embers. "Father's manor," he muttered, observing as the flames transformed into an acidic green, a shade lighter than his piercing eyes. A small smile graced his lips, and with a single step, he was engulfed in a rapid swirl and the scent of smoke.
"I hate fire-spin almost as much as I hate this 'Butter Beer,' as you call the foul liquid," Coilis complained.
"Oh, hush, Coilis," Harry retorted as the flames whisked them away to their destination.
Harry grinned, surveying his room with satisfaction—everything remained in its proper place, ready for use. Coilis, now in his natural form, twisted with contentment. A swift wave of Harry's wand sent his clothing and selected articles soaring through the air, each finding its designated spot. The spectacle was particularly gratifying as 'Shadow's' cloak gracefully glided into a hanging case, meticulously protected by multiple charms.
"Yes! I missed this den!" Coilis hissed with glee, stretching out on a black ledge just in front of the silent fireplace. The room, adorned in silver and green, easily surpassed the elegance of Slytherin dorms.
"I know what you mean, Coilis. The room at Hogwarts is nice, but I missed the respect we held here."
"And the food… the unlimited food," Coilis added, his excitement evident as he sprawled on his back against the black stone.
Harry chuckled and nudged his trunk, prompting it to slide neatly into a small closet, now empty. "Done," Harry declared, a sense of satisfaction accompanying the completion of this minor task.
The door swung open, and Harry instinctively pointed his wand, years of habit overpowering the few months spent away.
Harry tensed, his eyes widening as the door swung open, revealing Bellatrix with a look of unbridled joy in her eyes. Time seemed to slow, and Harry knew he had only seconds to react.
"SHADOW!" Bellatrix squealed, ecstatic at the prospect of being reunited with her 'friend' without the constraints of war or a battlefield.
"No!" Harry yelped, swiftly casting a freezing spell, a protective shield materializing just in time.
"Can't I get an ickle little hug?" Bellatrix whined, attempting to appear innocent, but Harry remained wary.
"Stay away, Bella!" Harry shouted back, transfiguring a chair into a sturdy stone block, only to have Bellatrix blast it away effortlessly.
"Little Shadow doesn't want to see me?" She pouted, sticking out her lower lip as she deftly dodged a stunning spell.
"Not when you're going to kill me with hugs!" Harry retorted, the tension escalating.
Coilis observed with slight amusement as the next ten minutes unfolded—a dance of dodging and spellcasting designed to hinder the other's advance. Eventually, Bellatrix found herself cornered against the wall, four summoned knives pinning her in place. Her eyes reflected surprise and shock, yet a grin adorned her face.
"Oh, how I have missed you, Shadow," she cooed, her laughter mingling with Harry's own smile.
"Glad to see you too, Bella." The reunion, unconventional as it was, carried an undercurrent of camaraderie and understanding that only those with shared experiences could truly grasp.
Harry shared a more composed greeting with his father, a stark contrast to Coilis practically tackling the larger Nagini. The enthusiastic serpent's exuberance helped break the awkward silence that lingered over Harry and his father; thankfully, there was no need for formal introductions.
Adapting seamlessly to the Christmas break, Harry's arrival instilled fear among the Death Eaters, but it was the serpents that exhibited unparalleled excitement. A mischievous treat resulted in the summoning of over a hundred rats, scattered throughout the manor. Over half had already met their fate, and Coilis seemed more than willing to join in the feast.
Harry chuckled, observing the winter landscape through his window as snowflakes descended gently. Hedwig had departed with a letter for Theo—Harry was not one to break promises. Coilis, engrossed in the rat hunt, would be occupied for a while, and just in time for the winter ball. Tradition dictated Harry's attendance, but his extended absence and 'undercover' status meant it was not obligatory, giving him the perfect excuse to abstain.
Leaning back, clad in black attire and a thin overcoat providing some warmth, Harry gazed out at the falling snow. His face was charmed, as agreed upon; he had no intention of concealing his identity with a hood all the time.
Abruptly, shouts erupted, accompanied by the loud snaps and crackles of activated spells. Under normal circumstances, Harry might not have been concerned, but the realization that the winter ball was underway at that very moment jolted him to his feet.
"What the," Harry mumbled, swiftly fetching his cloak and pulling it over his face as he ascended the small staircase. Throwing open the doors to the Throne Room, temporarily transformed into the ballroom, he didn't concern himself with the resounding clang as the doors hit the stoppers.
His gaze swept across the chaotic scene within, surprise registering on his face as visitors scrambled to evade the charmed large animal figurines prancing around, attacking anyone in their path. Ostensibly innocent toys from Diagon Alley, a simple engorging charm had turned them into a chaotic mess. However, the real question lingered— who had dared to disrupt the event, and for what purpose?
Harry scanned the crowd, recognizing a few Death Eaters among the chaos. More importantly, he locked eyes with his father, who, for the night, had assumed an appearance reminiscent of his final years at Hogwarts, concealing his true identity. The red eyes locked onto Harry's, and in a fleeting moment, a whispered message was exchanged. Harry grasped the urgency and the instructions.
"Spy, Order, kill him," his father mouthed, turning to dispatch a large Pegasus figurine with a swift beheading spell.
Spurred into action, Harry swiftly spun around, unaware of the unspoken communication between brown and grey eyes as he darted out of the room, determined to track down the spy himself. The winter ball had taken an unexpected turn, revealing an intricate web of deceit and danger.
Theodore Nott, a young man built for action, found himself in a state of distress at the prospect of a small ball. On the other hand, Draco Malfoy navigated the event with a more composed demeanor, armed with the knowledge of proper ballroom etiquette.
"Will you stop that?" Draco hissed at Theo, who incessantly fiddled with the cuffs on his dress robes. Theo, insistent on wearing common black robes beneath the formal attire, was now suffering the consequences, scratching at irritated flesh.
"It itches!" Theo hissed back, keeping their exchange discreet amidst the elegant surroundings.
"I know, okay? Look, I don't even know why we're here, but let's just keep our cool, and maybe we'll make it out of here unscathed," Draco muttered, exuding an air of calm composure as the wife of a Death Eater glided past.
"I got a letter from Obsidian the other day," Theo commented, seeking a distraction as they idly waited. Judging by Draco's surprised expression, it seemed he hadn't received a letter himself.
"Oh? What does he have to say?" Draco inquired, biting his lip slightly. Theo glanced up, mildly surprised, and shrugged nonchalantly.
"Basic things, a few wishes for a good holiday and such. Makes me think I'm one of those teachers he has wrapped around his fingers..." The casual remark hinted at a dynamic between Theo and 'Obsidian' that Draco might not fully comprehend.
Draco shivered, averting his gaze from Theo's eyes, much to Theo's amusement and confusion.
"What is it, Draco? Why are you so afraid of him? Don't try and lie to me; I know that it's not just you," Theo prodded, his curiosity evident.
Draco still refused to meet Theo's eyes, opting to watch a young couple twirl on the dance floor instead. His gaze then slid to the bar.
"He's not normal," Draco finally stated, causing Theo to look up, suddenly surprised.
"What do you mean, Dray?" Draco chose to ignore the nickname and struggled to find words that captured his unease.
"It's just... well, him. He feels unnatural, illogical almost. When he looks at you, it feels like a ghost went through you..." Draco's voice trailed off, his discomfort evident in the weight of his words. The mysterious figure known as 'Obsidian' seemed to elicit a peculiar kind of fear from Draco, something beyond the ordinary concerns of a wizard in their world.
"Are you trying to say that he's changed his core or something?" Theo offered, receiving a frown in response.
"No… Have you ever heard of Magic-Manipulating?" Theo furrowed his brow, trying to recall where he had encountered that term before.
"You mean the rare style of magic children get at a young age?" The two boys jumped, turning to see Daphne, a friend, approaching. Her corn silk hair was neatly pinned up, framing her pale face. She wore a light blue dress under an evening robe, secured with a silver Panther clasp—the symbol of the Greengrass family.
"Yes, the trait children get when experimenting with magic and understanding it as a child," Draco explained, surprising Theo with the depth of his knowledge.
"How come I've never heard of this, Magic-Manipulation?" Theo argued, earning an irritated glance from Daphne.
"It's a small thing. Most Pure-Blood kids did it; they might dismiss it as a pattern in accidental magic," Draco added, receiving a quick nod from Daphne, who fiddled with a few strands of her hair.
"Okay, I get that, but how does it fit in with Obsidian?" Theo asked, prompting a surprised reaction from Daphne, her blue eyes widening slightly.
"Obsidian? Harry Obsidian? You guys think he had Magic-Manipulation?" Draco nodded in confirmation. Daphne, her lip curled slightly, wore a frown of contemplation.
"So, this is why you're afraid of him? Because he could do something as a kid?" she questioned.
"No, all kids have the ability; it bleeds over into talents and influences which subjects you excel in. But depending on how often you used the magic or how well in control you are with it determines your proficiency with a wand," Daphne explained. Draco nodded vigorously, his blonde hair fluttering with the movement.
"So, if things flew towards you as a kid, you'd be good in charms?"
"I've heard of kids actually Apparating when in trouble; they grew up to be powerful wizards," Daphne added, hoping to shed light on the matter. Theo frowned, looking away.
"So, you could summon things to you or light up a room if you really needed to," Daphne suggested. Theo averted his gaze, biting his lip.
"Or stab a bird," he interjected, a dry chuckle escaping as if he shared a personal joke. Draco nodded strangely, confirming the thought but evidently surprised it came from Theo. The mysterious layers surrounding 'Obsidian' became even more intricate, leaving Theo and his friends grappling with a tapestry of unspoken histories and concealed abilities.
"Hey... Do you guys think that man looks suspicious?" Daphne mumbled, her eyes fixed on a brown-haired man, approximately twenty years old, glancing around nervously. His hand remained concealed in his pocket, raising immediate concern. Draco and Theo tensed, scrutinizing the man closely.
"What's he doing?" Draco muttered, observing as the man withdrew something from his pocket, nonchalantly dropping it to the floor while tying his shoes.
"Animals?" Theo suggested, his eyes on a small toy tiger that suddenly roared. Daphne gasped, her eyes widening.
"Spy!" she hissed, just as the man cast an engorgement charm, causing the seemingly innocent toys to grow to larger-than-life proportions.
Daphne screamed as a Chimera creature lunged, pinning her to the ground. In an instant, Death Eaters turned their attention, some firing spells while others sought an escape.
"Draco! The spy!" Theo hissed urgently, their eyes meeting in a silent exchange. They couldn't let the spy escape; he knew their identities, and if he got away, their lives would be ruined. The urgency of the situation unfolded as chaos erupted within the ballroom turned battlefield.
"Come on!" Draco hissed, slipping through the doors and racing down the halls with newfound speed.
Theo spun down a corridor, faintly hearing the footsteps of the spy. They rounded another corner, catching sight of the swishing black cloak of the man.
"We've almost got him!" Theo hissed, picking up speed and darting behind a statue. A grinding noise and a scream followed. Draco looked at Theo, who suddenly regretted chasing after the man. A large rock was blasted down the hall, colliding with the wall strongly and causing a nearby portrait to retreat to one side of its canvas.
"You!" the man shouted, seemingly at his unseen attacker. Draco and Theo gulped, slowly moving around a statue to observe the unfolding confrontation.
"It's the Dark Shadow!" Draco whispered quietly to Theo, his excitement evident in every breath. Theo peeked around the statue, his breath catching.
Indeed, Draco was right. The familiar cloak and piercing green eyes regarded the panting man, apparently having screamed from the flying rock nearly killing him.
"A single man? Albus must be questioning our forces," a small, young voice called out—sickly calm and yet remarkably mature for its age. There was no doubt that this voice belonged to Shadow.
"A mere child? He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named must be scraping the bottom of the barrel if he's recruiting youngsters!" the man bellowed, his wand trembling in his grip. Shadow cocked his head slightly, sidestepping gracefully as he ran his fingers along a canvas adorned with a serpent. Theo observed how the snake seemed to writhe in anticipation, urging for a touch.
"I detect the fear in your eyes. You recognize me, yet you attempt to provoke me. Quite foolish on your part," Shadow remarked, tutting disapprovingly.
"Let's delve into this, shall we? Samual Dervon, a member of the Order of the Phoenix," Shadow smirked, sending a chill down the man's spine.
Theo turned to Draco, whose breath caught in his shock. They were on the brink of witnessing a Dark Shadow confrontation—one of the first, perhaps!
"C-come at me, kid!" the man stammered, his attempt to conceal his shock and fear falling short. Shadow tilted his head, a hint of a smirk playing beneath the hood.
"You were unaware of my presence. That's why you snuck in; your informant misled you, claiming I was away on a mission," Shadow intoned, slowly drawing his wand as his eyes narrowed.
"You believed my father wouldn't deign to strike, that he wouldn't trouble himself with the likes of scum such as yourself. Fortunately for me, you stumbled into my path. I despise social events, and I happened to be in my room, yearning for something like this. It's been too long since I last took a life."
The man hastily conjured a feeble shield, successfully thwarting the bone-breaking curse, much to Shadow's amusement.
"So, you're adept with defensive spells. How about this one? Exure Viscus." The malevolent, noxious curse hurtled faster than its predecessors, colliding with the man's leg. The spell promptly intensified, and the man let out a blood-curdling scream. His tan skin turned ash-white before disintegrating into a repulsive concoction of pus and burns.
"Stupefy!" "Sectumsempra!" "Expelliarmus!" "Expulsio!" "Engorgio!"
Shadow leaped backward, bewildered by the use of an engorging spell in the midst of battle. He uttered a string of curses as a life-sized model Hydra sprouted into existence, towering over him.
The man smirked, but his breath was ragged; the lethal cutting curse had taken its toll, leaving five massive wounds across his chest. He collapsed soon after his final incantation.
"Confundus!" Shadow hissed, casting a yellow light that struck the Hydra. The beast thrashed around, roaring and spewing deadly acid. Fortunately, Draco and Theo were safely out of harm's way.
"Coilis! About time you showed up!" Shadow hissed in English, reaching into the shadows with a fluid roll. A long, sleek black snake slithered up, rearing back defiantly at the monstrous Hydra.
The Hydra hissed and flicked its tongue, swiping at Shadow with its colossal tail, which knocked the base of a nearby pillar. The structure teetered dangerously, threatening to collapse at any moment.
"Extraho Cruer!" The spell collided with the far-left head, prompting it to gasp for air and writhe in pain. Its eyes burst, releasing black blood that oozed from its nose, mouth, and eyes. The flesh withered away, leaving behind a thick husk of dried skin. Another head looked on with concern before snarling and redirecting its fury toward Shadow.
Shadow spun, unleashing the spell at several other heads. He wasn't satisfied until five of the seven heads were drained of life and blood.
Coilis, as Draco deduced was the snake's name, reared, and with a well-timed lunge, sank its long, deadly fangs into the neck of the main head. It released its grip and dropped, only to be caught by its master. The Hydra convulsed in pain as the venom caused the skin to bubble, and the eyes exploded with blood. The wound inflated and leaked blood like an open tap, a constant gush. The tail swung again, smashing into the already weakened pillar, causing the top to topple toward the surprised Shadow. He looked up with a gasp but remained silent.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" Theo shouted, suddenly standing and halting the fallen rock. It wobbled for a moment before soaring into the lifeless corpse of the Hydra.
Shadow snapped his head around, catching sight of Draco and Theo for the first time. He blinked slowly before hissing something to the snake and approaching.
"Theodore Nott, why is it that I always encounter you during these moments?" Shadow inquired, crossing his arms and wearing a mildly amused expression. Theo blushed, avoiding eye contact, while Draco remained in a state of shock.
"You've met him before? Why didn't you tell me?" Draco hissed at Theo, who simply shrugged.
"I assume you're Draco Malfoy. The distinctive blonde hair gives you away," Shadow added, causing Draco to blush and look down. Meanwhile, Theo found himself engrossed in examining the deceased Hydra, prodding it lightly with his shoe.
"If it were a real Hydra and not a model bought in Diagon Alley, I might have let you keep its corpse. I hear its acid has remarkable properties," Shadow remarked, sliding his wand into a concealed holster and shaking his head at the two.
"Yeah, Hydras are pretty challenging to tame, almost as troublesome as Cerberi and Chimeras," Theo observed, stepping back from the lifeless creature. Shadow fixed a stern gaze on Theo, eventually making him flinch.
"What?" Theo asked, attempting to discern what was on Shadow's mind.
"What do you know about Cerberi?" Shadow demanded, taking a step forward. The two boys stepped back, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads.
"Uh-uh. My Uncle tames wild creatures. Cerberi get really big and nasty," Theo stuttered, struggling to force the words out. Shadow's eyes narrowed.
"How do you get past a Cerberus? What is its weakness?" Draco, seizing the opportunity, took Theo's place.
"They're really big babies, a hint of music, and they're out," he noted. Shadow's eyes widened, and he cursed himself under his breath, looking away and sighing.
"Are you two familiar with a man known as Nicolas Flamel?" Shadow asked, a hint of hope in his tone. Theo nibbled on his lip, and Draco thought quickly.
"I think he was in the paper a while ago. He made something important... a rock! It was this rock, the size of your fist, and it made you live forever!" Draco added, and in that instant, Shadow froze.
A rock that granted immortality? Now, that would be one heck of a Father's Day gift.
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