Chapter 4: Bitter Blood. (4/4)
The grip that Maxwell had on his wand kept getting tighter and tighter, with the blond boy moving his blue-green eyes all over the place in search of two things.
His dear friend, Daphne Greengrass.
And the creature that was inside that box.
He had a very good idea which creature was, but he needed a confirmation first. However, a small part of him was hoping that he was actually mistaken because from what he read about it, that creature was quite vicious.
The only positive thing about that situation was that it was still early in the morning, since the Forbidden Forest is much more dangerous at night. So the aid of daylight was certainly welcoming.
The trail was fresh, which was a good thing. But Maxwell's worry was at an all time high since he doesn't know how long ago Daphne opened that bloody box. Alongside the fact that there was a dead Centaur.
Maybe that Centaur rescued Daphne and she ran while he fought the creature or something... Maxwell thought as he looked around for the creature. It could fly which made things much more difficult.
I'm actually a little lost, what does any of this have to do with my grandmother's family? Maxwell didn't know much about his grandmother other than what his grandfather told him about her. But in regards to her family, Maxwell was completely clueless since he never found any information about her. He doesn't even know her maiden name before she became a Peverell. Which is something odd since she was a Pure-Blood witch, so how come I couldn't find any information about her family.
"Huh?" The First-year student's thoughts were interrupted by a strange sound. Causing him to point his wand towards the direction of it.
The sound was something that was reminiscent of an animal but at the same time, it resembled a human's voice. Maxwell assumed his duelling stance and slowly followed the sound, which seemed to be erratic and strained breathing.
Any normal person would probably use their common sense and turn back but his Gryffindor courage and determination refused to let him turn back with Daphne being in danger. So the blond boy simply pressed forward with his wand ready to attack.
Each step that he took, the sound became louder, until he finally reached the source of it. I hate when I'm right.
Unfortunately for the heir of Gryffindor, his guess of which creature was inside that box was actually correct.
The creature resembled a gigantic humanoid head with long dark hair that had strange looking insects crawling in it. It was chewing something loudly, making a very disgusting sound.
Maxwell recognized that thing to be a Flying Head, a ravenous spirit that is cursed with an insatiable hunger. There are several different versions of the origins of these creatures although the version that is mostly agreed to be the real one is that it originated from a dispute that led to a group of young men murdering their elders, then sinking their severed heads into a Lake as a sacrifice to try to expiate the crime, but it did not work, and the Flying Head rose from the lake to torment them.
I read about them once in a book, but never thought I would actually be seeing one. The Peverell boy thought they were much more terrifying than he imagined since the size was enormous. The book said that they are incredibly dangerous because their skin is impenetrable. Not only to conventional weapons but even spells can't damage it. But the book did mention that their insides are very vulnerable, so if I launch a spell and it swallows it.
Suddenly, the Flying Head turned around, forcing Maxwell to hide behind a tree, and out of nowhere, it spit whatever it was chewing with it's razor sharp teeth. And Maxwell had to cover his mouth to stay quiet as the carcass fell right next to the tree that he was hiding behind. It was another centaur, similar to the dead one that he found, but bearded and with a slightly dark color. It's entire body was practically chewed up with only the part above the abdomen being intact, with it's lifeless eyes staring straight into Maxwell.
The only sound that the Flying Head made was an erratic and strained breathing, that was just as unpleasant to hear as it was disturbing.
Removing his hand from his mouth, Maxwell Peverell prepared himself as he knew what he needed to do to defeat that creature. On three... And he was determined since allowing that thing to roam free was too dangerous. One... He took a very deep breath. Two... He held his wand tightly. THREE... But when he was about to step out of his cover to launch a spell.
Someone grabbed him by the sleeve and pulled him back. Causing Maxwell to immediately turn around to see who it was and to his surprise. "Daph-" It was Daphne, who immediately covered his mouth with her left hand to keep him from making noise and pushed him into the tree.
As she did that, the Flying Head flew towards the tree at a swift speed and began to search around it for the source of the noise. With Maxwell's eyes moving and seeing the creature flying right above them in search of it's next prey.
Daphne then touched Maxwell's head, causing him to look at her. She remained stoic and unfazed by the situation, simply signalling Maxwell to stay quiet by putting her index finger in front of her mouth. However, keeping it still was a difficult task as the Flying Head was literally right above them.
However, Maxwell decided to trust Daphne and stood still, focusing on Daphne's eyes in order to avoid looking at it. Despite the fact that Maxwell's fear wasn't in regards to himself but for Daphne since he wanted to protect her from harm. An idiotic desire to be completely honest since she was more than capable of taking care of herself, but the feeling was still there nonetheless.
Thankfully, after searching for a bit, the Flying Head apparently gave up and proceeded to fly away into the opposite direction. Leaving Maxwell puzzled as he doesn't understand how it didn't see them.
Once it was gone, Daphne removed her hand from Maxwell's mouth and practically pressed herself on to him. "Listen carefully," She whispered in a very low voice as her face was dangerously close to Maxwell's. "That thing has bad vision and can only identify a moving object." Which explains why it didn't notice them. "But it's hearing is very good, so avoid making any noise." She whispered as low as possible to him.
After hearing all of that, Maxwell was confused. "What exactly are you doing?" The boy asked in a very low voice. Because Daphne seemed to be completely alright and she should have been able to return to the castle easily.
"The artifact that was inside the box." Daphne bluntly responded. "That thing was swallowed."
Maxwell simply stared at Daphne with a face of shock, apprehension and deep disbelief. And the only thing keeping him from screaming at Daphne is the fact that there was a creature right behind the tree.
"Don't give me that look." She was quick to speak up about it.
Maxwell did give her "that" look and not shouting at her was proving to be a difficult task. The fact that they were practically pressed against one another, left no room for Daphne to turn away.
"Fine... I'm sorry." Causing her to apologize. "But I still need the artifact that it swallowed."
"If it's about money, I'll pay you the amount that the bloody thing's worth." Maxwell didn't see a point in risking themselves for the damn artifact, especially if she wanted for financial reasons.
"It isn't about money..." For a second, Daphne's stoic expression faltered. Which surprised Maxwell since her facial expression never actually changes.
Maxwell was still clueless about what the artifact was and what Daphne needed for it. But he knew that she would not give up on it, even if it meant having to deal with the Flying Head.
Leaving Maxwell no choice but to help. So the blond boy let out a deep sigh and said. "Fine, do you have a plan?"
"Yes..." She signalled to the dead Centaur. "More Centaurs are on their way in search of the ones that it eat." Daphne explained. "Once they arrive we will have distraction."
Maxwell did not like that idea, because it could get a lot more Centaurs killed. At the same time though, he can't exactly argue since it was a cunning approach to a dangerous situation.
The Flying Head was still roaming around, as they could hear it's erratic breathing. With the two friends simply staying still as they were pressed against one another behind the tree. It was obvious, at least to Maxwell, that the creature knew of their presence and was simply searching.
He was proven correct, as the creature. Out of complete nowhere, appeared in the corner of the tree, with it's face staring right at them.
Up close, it was a horrifying creature that had the face of an old man. It's skin was completely dry and rotten, it possessed terrible looking eyes that resembled red lights and a large mouth filled with razor sharp fangs that still had pieces of the death centaur in it. But what actually stood out to them was the fact that it was almost as large as Hagrid .
Both Daphne and Maxwell stood there, staring at the Flying Head straight in the eyes. Not moving an inch and not even breathing.
...
...
...
Thankfully, after a minute or two, it turned around and left. And the two of them sighed as soon as it left.
Maxwell ended up placing his head on Daphne's shoulder. "Daph, I'm going to help you, but you're gonna promise me that you will tell me what the bloody hell is going on afterwards." Originally, Maxwell thought that she wanted the artifact for financial reasons. But now, he was certain that it was something else and it was very serious for her to be so determined in getting it.
"Fine..." She whispered in his ear as she caressed the back of his head.
As he felt his friend's caresses, Maxwell began to formulate a plan on how he is going to deal with the Flying Head. He would rather do that before the Centaurs get there since it would avoid more deaths. A distraction will certainly help but it's weakness was it's insides, so firing a spell into his mouth was still the best course of action.
Wait, that's it! Maxwell widened his eyes as an idea came to his head. So he removed his head from Daphne's shoulder and prepared himself. "Stay hidden." The boy instructed the girl.
"What are yo-" Daphne was about to ask, but before she could, Maxwell stepped out from behind the tree.
Maxwell's plan was basically to use the Bird-Conjuring Charm to conjure a flock of birds and then use the Oppugno Jinx to cause conjured birds to attack the Flying Head, distracting the creature. Since it's mouth was it's only method of attack, that meant that it would try to eat the birds and when it did, Maxwell would be able to launch a well placed into it's mouth to destroy it or at least incapacitate it.
The plan was extremely simple and he was about to put it into motion.
Until...
An arrow appeared out of nowhere and smashed into the Flying Head's temple. Bouncing off it's skin and falling on the ground. "EEEEEHHHHHHHHH!" And the Flying Head immediately moved it's head into the direction the arrow came from.
Before Maxwell could properly react to what just happened. Daphne grabbed him and pulled him back to the tree again. "The Centaurs are here." She revealed it to him.
Not that he needed to be told that, because he actually saw a group of Centaurs, attempting to attack the Flying Head by shooting arrows at it. To no real avail since the arrows couldn't penetrate the creature's skin. The only thing it accomplished was to alert the creature of their presence.
The Flying Head charged towards them at a terrifying speed, with the Centaurs evading and spreading around to surround them.
Great... How am I supposed to hit it's mouth now? With the Centaurs trying to attack from all angles, it left very little room for Maxwell to launch a spell. Alongside the fact that the creature was moving all over the place to attack them from all sides. "You know it's weakness?"
"It's inside." Daphne was the one that owned the book where he found the information about the Flying Head, so he already expected her to know.
"How do we send a spell into it's mouth when it's moving around like that?" Maxwell was open to suggestions since the Centaurs appearance ruined his original plan.
"By waiting for an opening." She told him calmly, while her arms were wrapped around Maxwell's torso and her chin was resting on his shoulder.
It was almost as if they were having a romantic moment. If it wasn't for the fact that they were watching a bunch of Centaurs trying to battle a cursed spirit. With one of them unfortunately being eaten by the creature.
Maxwell cringed at the awful sight, but Daphne didn't react to it at all. Even though it was technically her fault since she was the one that let the Flying Head out of the box, even though it wasn't on purpose. Or at least I hope it wasn't. Knowing Daphne, he wouldn't be surprised though.
The Centaurs entered a formation, attempting to find a weakness by shooting at several different spots in order to see if any of their arrows would affect it. They didn't, eyes, ears, nose. All bounced off like they were hitting metal.
Maxwell hated that, but he knew that it wouldn't do any good to intervene. Daphne had her arms wrapped tightly around his torso, not because she wanted to hold him but to stop him from intervening because they needed to wait for the opening.
However, doing that was becoming exceptionally hard as he was being forced to watch as the Centaurs hopelessly battled against the Flying Head. Mostly because they are completely clueless about it's weakness, but telling them won't do much good either since they might get distracted and get eaten easily when they turn to look at him or they will probably ignore him anyway because the last thing he himself would do if he was in their place was pay attention to what a random individual is saying.
One of the Centaurs, a hard-faced grey one, attempted to distract the Flying Head by charging towards and kicking it like a horse. It worked and it began to chase after him, as the Centaur ran at a fast speed. Managing to evate it by running towards a tree and turning at the last second. Causing the Flying Head to collide with it, with the force of the impact being so much that it caused the tree to collapse.
The other Centaurs seemed to have wordlessly decided to follow that strategy and they all began to take turns doing the same thing. With one approaching and kicking the Flying Head in order to get him to chase him and forcing it to go head first into a tree.
On paper, it did seem like a good strategy. But Maxwell and Daphne knew that it wasn't really doing anything, it was just making the creature more angry.
"EEEEEHHHH!" Releasing a loud roar like scream and charging angrily towards the Centaurs.
"Wait for it..." Which gave them the opening that they wanted. So Maxwell held his wand up and prepared to launch a spell, with Daphne holding his wrist in support.
As it collided with yet another three. Predictably, it screamed once again, opening his mouth widely as a result.
"Flipendo!" So Maxwell took the opportunity to try to knock it down with the Knockback Jinx.
It worked and it caused the Flying Head to fall backwards into the ground.
"It's not over yet." Daphne whispered in his ear while she still held on to his wrist.
"Obviously." Maxwell could tell that it was going to rise again, but they now has the confirmation that their method of attack works.
"Why not use a stronger one?" Daphne asked in curiosity.
"Oh, it's basically-" Maxwell was about to give her an explanation about why he used that spell , but before he could.
Two of the Centaurs approached Maxwell and Daphne. With the two First-years simply standing there, completely unfazed by the large individuals.
"What are the two of you doing here?!" One of them asked them in a very serious voice.
"I was looking for her and she was looking for that." Maxwell bluntly revealed as he pointed to Daphne and then the Flying Head. "And I suggest yo-" Then he tried to warn them that the Flying Head was going to get up at any second and the other Centaurs were way too close to it.
"You do not suggest anything to me, Wizard!" The Centaur spoke to him angrily.
"Lizando, calm yourself ." The other Centaur calmed himself.
"Three of ours are dead and these two being here is too suspicious!" Lizando, a name that Max thinks it's awful, declared angrily.
"Well, you are not mistaken." Maxwell admitted. "That creature's presence here is actually the result of a ritual gone wrong." Or gone right depending on how you see it.
"So you admit!" Lizando angrily aimed his bow at Maxwell.
"Expelliarmus." And Daphne responded by launching the Disarming Charm right away. Sending his bow flying. Earning them an angry glare from Lizando.
"As I was saying, I suggest you prepare yourselves because the creature..." As he was speaking, the Flying Head stood up from the ground. With the Centaurs immediately moving away from it because it looked even angrier than before and that anger was directed at the blond boy that was standing on it's line of sight. "Is right behind you." With Daphne immediately pulling him towards the other side as soon as he said that.
Lizando heard Maxwell and immediately turned around. Only to watch the Flying Head charging at him with an unbelievable speed and opening it's mouth widely before it swallowed Lizando as a whole.
"No!" The other Centaur reacted accordingly and tried to attack the Flying Head, but it only resulted in him launching himself by accident straight into it's mouth.
Maxwell and Daphne could only use the opportunity to create some distance between themselves and the Flying Head. The Peverell boy was actually terrified but was doing his best to keep his calm since his grandfather always told him that the worst thing you can possibly do in a dangerous situation is lose your composure. The Greengrass girl on the other hand, was visibly not fazed at all by the situation, maintaining the exact same expression that she always had. Something that Maxwell considered to be unbelivable at times because he knew that she wasn't faking it or anything, she was indeed unfazed by the entire situation.
As soon as they put considerable distance between themselves and the tree that they were hiding behind. Daphne extended her arm with her wand at hand and launched another spell. "Bombarda." That turned out to be the Exploding Charm, a charm that detonated the target in a small explosion. Which Daphne aimed for the tree branches that were right above the Flying Head, causing them to fall over it.
The intention was obvious as it caused the creature to look at their direction in anger. "Together." With Maxwell waving at it to get it's attention.
Thankfully, it did exactly what they were expecting it to do. Which was let out a loud scream before attacking them, opening it's mouth widely in the process. Allowing both Maxwell and Daphne to have a perfect aiming spot.
So they both aimed their wands at it and simultaneously launched a spell. "Bombarda." Once again launching the Exploding Charm, causing a small explosion inside the Flying Head's mouth.
Unexpectedly or unexpectedly, depending whether that was intentional or not on Daphne's part. The Flying Head began to grunt, making a strange noise that Maxwell assumed to be noises of pain. Which was odd considering that the creature is practically undead.
The Centaurs were just watching from afar, probably under the false impression that they had it under control.
After a while, it was clear that the Flying Head seemed to be choking or something like that, as it seemed to be having difficulty swallowing something.
And Maxwell knew exactly what was coming, so he gently grabbed Daphne's arm and slowly stepped away while pulling her. With the two taking cover behind the tree once again. With Maxwell pressing his back on the tree and holding Daphne close.
The reason for it was because the Flying Head began to vomit all over the place. With a very foul liquid and several pieces of the things it eats coming out of it's mouth. Such as the body of the Centaur called Lizando.
The other Centaurs were unfortunately caught in it and we're covered in it's disgusting vomit. Alongside most of the area as the Flying Head began to move it's head left and right which spread it's vomit all the way.
Maxwell and Daphne fortunately avoid it by hiding behind the tree. Until the Flying Head stopped vomiting and once it did, Daphne searched around and saw something on the ground.
Maxwell moved his head to see it and saw something on the ground that he couldn't identify because it was covered in the foul smelling liquid that the Flying Head expelled from it's mouth.
"Wingardium Leviosa." But Daphne used the Levitation Charm to lift off the ground and bring to her hand.
"Is that..." Maxwell was about to ask with a very disgusted face since Daphne was holding something covered in the Flying Head's vomit.
However, before Maxwell even had the chance to do that. Daphne grabbed Maxwell and pulled him away because the Flying Head burstead through the tree that they were hiding behind.
If the Flying Head was angry before, now it was downright furious with a particular killing intent towards Maxwell and Daphne.
With Maxwell staring at it's rotten face with a frown. But as he subjected himself with the awful sight, he realized something. The Flying Head's skin was impenetrable, but what about it's disgusting looking hair? Maxwell smirked before testing it. "Incendio!" By using the Fire-Making Charm, launching a jet of flames that set the Flying Head's long hair alight.
"EEEHHHH!" It clearly affected it since it began to let out a sound reminiscent of a scream of pain. Before it began to fly uncontrollably around the area, shaking and wiggling itself in an attempt to put out the flames.
"I believe this is our cue to leave." Maxwell told Daphne since they got what she wanted.
Daphne used a cleaning spell to get rid of the vomit before putting the artifact inside of her pocket. Before calmly grabbing Maxwell's and pulling him towards the opposite direction. Leaving the area where the Flying Head was practically going wild in a futile attempt to put out the flames in it's hair.
"I think Draco went to warn the staff of what happened." Maxwell spoke as soon as they were away from the Flying Head.
"If that idiot actually did that, I already have a cover story prepared." Daphne was quick to inform him in response. "You just have to tell them that you came looking for me in worry."
"So... I basically tell the truth?" Since that was exactly what Maxwell was doing.
"Part of the truth." Daphne clarified.
"I was really worried about you." Maxwell confessed as the two walked past several trees.
"You worry too much." Daphne squeezed his hand after saying that.
"Ah, indeed." Maxwell rolled his eyes in response to what she just said. "It is not as though we have just encountered a most fearsome beast that devoured numerous Centaurs and sought to partake of our flesh for breakfast as well."
"It was indeed an unforeseen occurrence, as I was entirely oblivious to the presence of that specific creature ensconced within the confines of the box." Daphne confessed that she didn't know about the Flying Head, which brought a certain amount of relief to Maxwell.
"Are you going to tell me what exactly that artifact is?" Maxwell really wanted to know.
"I would prefer to elucidate the matter when we are not ensconced within a forest, pursued by an avian, flesh-devouring cranium." Daphne made a good point that it was better to leave the explanation for later.
"Avian?" But Maxwell was a little confused with her choice of words. "Nothing pertaining to that entity bears any semblance to a bird."
"Might we kindly refrain from initiating a discourse on the matter at this juncture?" Daphne clearly wasn't in the mood to discuss this in a place like that.
Thankfully, it didn't take long for them to actually pass by the spots that Maxwell himself passed by in search of her. The blond boy actually wondered how long has it passed since he got separated from Draco and Delphini.
"Mind explaining to me why Malfoy's cousin is following us?" Only for Daphne to reveal something to him.
"What?" Maxwell asked in confusion.
Daphne pointed towards one of the trees on his left. With Maxwell moving his head to see what she was pointed at, only to make a dumbfounded expression when he saw Delphini hiding behind one of the trees. Or standing next to a tree and not exactly hiding.
"It is evident that she has been discreetly observing your movements." Daphne pointed out to him.
"Get over here." Maxwell ordered Draco's cousin right away. And she obeyed him without saying a word. "Were you following me all this time?"
"Yes." Delphini didn't even try to deny it.
"Why?" Maxwell asked in confusion.
"It is my belief that you may prefer to remain uninformed." Daphne responded for her, only adding to Maxwell's confusion.
"What are you-" Maxwell was about to rebuff, but then a familiar noise was heard by them.
"Come on..." Daphne pulled him to get him to move and he extended his other hand and grabbed Delphini's in order to get her to follow.
Maxwell looked back and heard the sound of something colliding with the trees. Making him wonder if the Flying Head actually put out the flames. But that wasn't important right now, what was important was that the Flying Head was somehow following their tracks, and that meant that they might be leading it straight to Hogwarts. If it actually chases us all the way to the school, it will put others in danger... Without even realizing, Delphini and Daphne began to pull him to get him to move as Maxwell was deep in thought, trying to come up with a strategy to put down the Flying Head. Wait... Maybe... I haven't tried that spell in years due to the accident that occured the last time I tried but now that I have my own wand, it could work better this time and be strong enough to put that foul creature down for good. It was a risky move, but it was the best that he can come up with in a situation like that.
While he was busy coming up with a plan, he didn't even realize that Daphne and Delphini basically pulled him all the way towards the spot where the ritual took place.
"How much I hate you, Draco Malfoy." Daphne spoke with a considerable amount of bitterness in her voice. Because as soon as Maxwell came to his senses, he realized that there was a very large group of people approaching that area.
Maxwell could already tell what happened. Draco probably went inside the Great Hall, immediately informed the staff of what happened and the other students overheard and decided to see what was happening because Maxwell was involved.
The last thing that Maxwell Peverell wanted was to attempt that spell in front of an audience due to the possibility of it backfiring, but since he had no choice now. So the blond boy took a deep breath and they all approached the group of students and the staff. While simultaneously looking at the sun in order to get the perfect angle.
"Mr. Peverell, what exactly-" Minerva McGonagall, who practically walked past all of the confused students, attempted to ask Maxwell what was going on.
"I shall gladly elucidate this matter in due course; however, at this moment, I implore you all to retreat as far as is feasibly possible, for what is to unfold may not be aesthetically pleasing." Maxwell interrupted the Head of Gryffindor House, and removed his hands from Daphne and Delphini before gently pushing the two of them away.
Then he turned around and took a few steps away from them. "Okay..." Then he stood in a perfect angle where the sun was shining the most. Thankfully, the sky was relatively clear that day.
He assumed his duelling pose in preparation. Hearing the murmurs of the confused students behind him, alongside some of the staff asking each other what exactly was going on. But everyone fell silent as the sounds of something crashing into the trees was heard, leaving a very morbid silence in place.
Until the Flying Head came through the Forbidden Forest and presented itself to everyone. It's hair was completely destroyed and it now sported a bald head that made it even more hideous than before. Maxwell's blue-green eyes were completely focused on the Flying Head, but he could hear very loud screams coming from behind him, with him easily identifying a few of them that belonged to Draco, Ron and Neville.
"EEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHH!" The Flying Head let out a scream of complete fury, and wasted no time in charging towards the direction of the screams, which Maxwell was standing right in the center of.
The blond boy then lifted his wand all the way, before extending his arm to the right and making a horizontal line to the left, then he lifted his wand all the way up again.
"FLAMMASOLE!" As Maxwell yelled the incantation that caused a very strange looking golden light to descend from the sky and form into a very bright golden ball from the tip of his wand.
Come on, come on, come on, come on! Maxwell spoke internally as the Flying Head charged at full speed towards him as the golden ball grew larger.
In the split second before the Flying Head could swallow the blond boy. Maxwell finally launched his spell by descending his wand down and aiming the golden ball forward.
Whichproduced an extremely powerful golden beam of light that went straight into the Flying Head's mouth. That seemed to be swallowing it for a second, until it actually went through, practically obliterating the Flying Head completely. Alongside the entire spot where Daphne did the ritual and the trees surrounding it.
After a few more seconds , the golden light dispersed, leaving nothing but a gaping crater in it's place.
Letting out a loud sigh, Maxwell was satisfied with a spell well casted, despite the considerable collateral damage that it caused.
The blond boy twirled his wands on his finger before placing it in his pocket. Then he took a deep breath and turned around to face the involuntary audience that he gathered.
Practically everyone, save from a few exceptions, had astonished looks in their faces. Obviously due to the Flying Head and the spell that Maxwell used. Though, he didn't know which caused the most shock though.
Before the Professors could question the First-year about what just occurred in front of them.
Maxwell's friends wasted no time in surrounding him and bombarding the boy with questions.
"That was the thing?!" Draco was the first one to ask.
"What the bloody hell was that?!" Ron was the second one to ask.
"A-are you okay?" Neville asked as he looked at the damage with complete shock.
"What were you doing in the Forbidden Forest, Blondie?!" Nymphadora asked him.
"What spell was that?!" Susan asked since the damage was beyond impressive.
"Why were you with those Slytherin girls?" Hannah asked with a frown while staring at Daphne, who simply stared back.
And it went on and on, until one stood out the most.
"What was that, Max?!" Which was Hermione.
"Mione, are you okay?" That was the first thing that came out of his mouth.
"Are you okay!?" And she seemed to be mad at that. "What was that?!" Hermione asked him with the complete intention of scolding for it.
"It was a-" Maxwell was about to give her an explanation about the Flying Head, but before he could, Professor McGonnagall approached him.
"Mr. Peverell," The Transfiguration professor called his attention. "I shall require your esteemed presence to accompany me to the Headmaster's office." Since that was what he was planning to do originally before finding out about Daphne being missing. "Now." Making it clear that he had to follow her at that instant.
"Oh right..." Maxwell gave his friends a final look. "I'll explain later." And unceremoniously walked past everyone to follow the older woman.
"Seriously?"
"Come on?"
"Max!"
"Hey!"
"Wait, what about that spell?!"
His friends kept calling out for him as he quietly followed Professor McGonnagall. With every other student that was outside murmuring about what just happened. Maxwell could already predict that he would have a hard time from now on since everyone would probably be bombarding him with questions about what just happened.
The blond boy's blue-green eyes moved to look at Daphne Greengrass, who just gave him a slight nod, before she turned around and disappeared among the crowd of students. You are not going to keep me in the dark about this, Daphne. That was Maxwell Peverell's resolve in this annoying situation.
Q AND A:
So with that Unicron foal first when it comes to what Maxwell names her might I suggest Serenity
As for the foals age maybe something like a year and 9 months so she's about to lose the gold coat and turn silver and should be rideable by Maxwell third year be nice if that's just one of the things Maxwell does just riding the Unicorn around the Hogwarts grounds haha and again I imagine the sight of Maxwell riding a unicorn is something many will find enchanting haha
A funny moment could come as well from when someone says even with Maxwell having saved his Unicorn when it was a foal it's still highly unusual that she attached herself to him so strongly since they have a preference for witches and Maidens and Maxwell is just thinking to himself about the hopefully blow job Nym gave him at the end of his first year and if this is in his third year the sex he's been having and just thinks to himself that he certainly doesn't fit the definition of a "maiden" haha
Speaking of magical creatures Maxwell can ride around on still hope amongst the creatures that live on the Peverell estate there's a herd of Graphorn and Maxwell does have a beloved pet Hidebehind and Nundu
Just fun to picture some of his friends who haven't been to the estate before looking stunned at Maxwell as he has a Hidebehind jump out of nowhere on him just to hug him and a dam Nundu is licking his face haha
Of course the friends Maxwell has known the longest like Draco just take it all in stride they just aren't surprised anymore when Maxwell has a bond with a magical creature
Like hopefully when Nagini takes to shadowing Max they don't blink like when they see Nagini with him all they say is you really should have been a Slytherin
A random thought I had is what Maxwell Boggart will take in Lupins lesson in the third year and I thought a interesting suggestion could be a grave stone with his name on it and underneath it says "was it worth it" ie Maxwell "fear" is the idea that he dies before he feels like he's gotten the most out of life essentially he wants to make sure Lily's sacrifice for him was worth it in the end
Might I suggest to this isn't some big shock for Maxwell when he sees the form the Boggart takes he just looks at it and says "yeah figured it be something like that" then when he casts Ridiculous on it the grave turns into a cannon that fires confetti
But yeah it's not the idea of death that terrifies him Maxwell has the attitude of when he dies he dies and he will greet death with a smile it's just he wants to make sure the life he had was one worth the sacrifice even if he also knows regardless of how he lived his life Lily would have still made that sacrifice for him she loved him that much hence the not to big reaction to the form the Boggart takes as Maxwell knows that it is in part a silly fear
Been wanting to ask to is Hedwig Maxwell's owl becuase I don't remember her being his and if she's not could she actually be the owl Delphi owns and the owl loves affectionately nipping at Maxwell's ear as much as she does with Delphi but yeah haha might be due a re read soon and sorry if I did forget a previous mention of Hedwig
Oh yeah example of what Maxwell could do with the room of requirement with say Susan he makes the room conjure up a swimming pool for them so Maxwell can enjoy the sight of Susan in a swimsuit alongside Hannah to perhaps
In regards to Centaurs by the way again another example of the Peverell family being around and Angelo changing things for the better with his rule unlike in canon where the Centaur lands where getting reduced in this Centaurs can roam much further however it's been made clear they have to reign their territorial instincts
So sorta like with the Goblins where they respect the Peverell name as they know things are better for them thanks to the family even if past Peverell have also had to smack them down if they got out of line
With the fun Maxwell will have some prefect patrols when Ginny is thrilled to get her badge can Hermione actually be the one to quip to her she knows she's looking forward to her first patrol with Maxwell
Just imagine Ginny on her first patrol with Maxwell with a heavy amount of innuendo saying she's eager for him to show her the ropes haha
Oh yeah bag along I mentioned Maxwell always being happy to receive cards on Valentine's Day and will always thank the girls who sent one to him for them like for example again Ginny when it comes to the cards Maxwell sends out can the girls notice he does put effort into their cards and each one if actually individually customised
By the way if Daphne does end up as a vampire for her Patronus cam it be a Vampire Bat
If she has in fact be turned into a Vampire because this is Daphne we are on about can she take it very much in stride as does her family she just asks I'd Maxwell can be her blood bank as it where and when it comes to who else she feeds on the girls in the harem of course
Her mother and sister also take it in stride her father well he could just walk in even more fear of his daughter now haha
I love it, I was actually struggling to come up with a name to be honest.
That is literally what I'm planning to happen.
Haha! It is actually going to be consider unusual how Maxwell bonded with the unicorn.
They are more of Angelo's pets actually, since he couldn't have magical creatures when his beloved wife was alive.
Something like that will actually happen.
Yup.
Not quite.
That was actually what I was planning, except that Severus will actually be present (Because he had something to speak with Remus.) when that happens which will make things even more awkward and emotional.
Unfortunately, no. The boggard will actually return to the wardrobe by itself, leaving a very distraught Maxwell, Remus and Severus behind.
Maxwell isn't afraid of death, he is afraid of dying without leaving his mark in the world.
You are not mistaken. Maxwell doesn't actually own an owl since he mostly used his grandfather's owl to deliver messages. (Because it was a very unique owl that deliver the letters extremely quickly.) But I did like the idea of Delphi owning Hedwig.
Sounds like a funny idea.
Maxwell did not make a good first impression with the Centaurs after what just happened.
Basically.
That would be really fun.
She will be the one with the innuendos though.
Yup...
Oh, I like that.
She won't be turned into a vampire. Remember... "Hufflepuff Vampire."
Her mother passed away so no, her sister maybe...
Nice
Nice...
The story in this chapter is quite interesting. Why let us see that Maxwell is a person who dares to think and act consciously? And made it known not to let Ron find out. If Ron knew, the world would know When Delphini Lestrange followed Maxwell, he didn't realize she was following her. Her father already looked like a ghost. She acted like a ghost again.
- Daphne, a Slytherin girl who causes trouble, still makes us not know what exactly is in the box hahaha.
- I like this version of Draco. He looks less annoying. But it's still pretty useless.
- Right now my only concern is Delphini. What exactly do her want? Maybe she wanted Maxwell to be her husband.
Good morning, and in case I don't see ya: Good afternoon, good evening, and good night!
What?
An artifact and a Flying Head.
Pretty much...
Kind of...
As ever knew it was a great day waking up to see this got a new chapter
Again love the new cover image
Glad of course the Unicorn foul survived and I like that Maxwell didn't mess around when it came to asking Hagrid about Fluffy and I'm glad he was able to put the pieces together and figure out the man who he just fought in the forest was actually Voldemort couldn't help but laugh though when he was thinking about if Voldemort would want the Philosopher Stone and how he assumed it wouldn't be the life extension elements of it because of the downsides he thought of
Of course the thing is he perhaps should have settled on the fact that using the stone for the elixir is really the only thing Voldemort would use it for plus even if it's not a ideal form of immortality what with the dependency on the stone probably why Voldemort never went for it before plus given Voldemort present condition of being very much a half dead husk at the moment the stone is ideal for him at the moment haha
Okay I don't get why Maxwell decided to talk fancy after McGonagall caught them out of curfew that was just random even if he was doing it sarcastically he could have stuck to normal sarcasm haha anyway good of him to try and get Hermione and Ron out of getting detention still least they are only getting a week and really his months detention isn't really going to be a detention is it haha it's with Hagrid and magical creatures plus he can look after the foul so yeah Maxwell isn't being punished haha
The fact McGonagall let this be his "detention" definitely shows she's got a soft spot for him she knows she's essentially let him off the hook haha
Nice to see word got out so quickly that Max fought a dark wizard in the woods last night haha got a feeling to some girls are definitely going to eat up the image of the young unicorn attaching itself to Max and him caring for it haha glad to learn that the unicorn will bond to Max to
Liked Maxwell leaping into action to when Draco came along and told him Daphne never turned also like how with no hesitation and without even being asked Draco joined Maxwell in going out and Delphi joining them was just great to haha
Fair enough on not adding any more Ocs
If there's a side quest in the summer about seeing the interaction between the Tudor era Peverells and the Keepers hope it's something like that ancestor left a note saying they left their memories hidden away around the baste grounds of the family home and if you want to see them you just got to find them and nice simple fetch quest haha
Well if Angelo ever mentions his parents generation I do hope he says something like he had ant who was the younger sister or his parent and she was in the same year as Natsai and Poppy and he mentions that due to their very close relationship with his aunt Natsai and Poppy perhaps even Anne where his aunts to and the user of ancient magic at the time was a girl to who his aunt charmed haha and they all lived a long happy life together before all passing away relatively around the same time
Happy that you liked the idea of the Giant Squid helping Max out in the black lake haha just picture when Max gets everyone back to the surface and Igor is foaming at the mouth Max just casually points out rules said nothing about getting help from the apex life form of the lake haha
I'm also really glad you liked the Yule Ball related ideas with Maxwell once again casually bringing up that they said nothing about him bringing more than one date hence why all the girls he's with in the year below can go to the ball and he can have multiple dates will say with the dance partner order think it be fair to say Hermione should get the first dance of the night then whatever order is made uo after wards point is each girl gets some dance time with Max and they all have that nice moment with him and glad you liked my suggestion for what Maxwell wears to the ball
Shame to hear the current plan has the night ending in a bittersweet manner
If Draco is heading back to the school to alert the teachers he might end up meeting some staff half way as McGonagall did say she was going to take Max to see Dumbledore after breakfast so Maxwell's absence would be noted anyway glad Delphini got the chance to tell Max she doesn't care in the slightest that his dad killed hers and her uncle and she's already so comfortable around him she'll freely admit to being a dark witch
Also yeah guessing that box Daphne cracked open had something vampire related in it
Oh and glad you liked the ideas around essentially what Max prefect patrols will entail haha
I'm glad to hear it.
Thank you, it's basically how I imagine Maxwell when I'm writing him.
It was basically his initial assumptions though.
Except that Maxwell is unaware of his current condition, otherwise he would think of something else.
Maxwell will actually develop a tendency of doing that, although it will land him in quite a lot of detentions with Snape.
Alistair was her favorite student, and it partially rubbed on Maxwell as well.
Pretty much.
That is basically their dynamic in a nutshell.
Yup...
Hahaha!
Ohh, I like that idea.
Maxwell is actually stuck having to save all three hostages because Viktor gets incapacitated by accident.
Hermione will definitely get the first dance.
Minor Spoiler: The bittersweet end will be because Fleur's date will actually try something with her due to her allure and Maxwell will be forced to intervene.
Exactly.
It was a Kanontsistonties.
Haha.