Sephylon: "We are back!... Hey where is Skyguy?"
Alex: "No idea, I have been looking for him all day!"
Claire: "What was the last story he updated?"
Alex: "I think it was Tale of a Lily... Oh, shite... A-Anyway, where did you two went?"
Claire: "We went to the new Star Wars movie, Solo."
Alex: "And? How was it?"
Claire: *deep sigh*
Sephylon: *Disappears into crimson fire*
Alex: "So... Your spending a lot of time with Sephy..."
Claire: "I am just spending some time with my dad... I-I mean father figure."
Alex: "Nice save their cous. So anyway, review time."
Claire: "Well girani4, Chuck Norris is something just below a god, but more than a man. While Sephylon is one of the most powerful magic user's in the World, but he is no god."
Alex: "And we will tell Skyguy about how you like his work... If we can find him. So anyway, story..."
Claire: "Wait a minute! What's wrong with Overwatch, girani4!?"
Alex: "Story time! Story time!"
Margaret woke them after only a few hours sleep. Sirius used magic to pack up the tents, and they left the campsite as quickly as possible, passing Mr. Roberts at the door of his cottage. Mr. Roberts had a strange, dazed look about him, and he waved them off with a vague "Merry Christmas."
"He'll be all right.", Sirius said quietly as they marched off onto the moor, "Sometimes, when a person's memory's modified, it makes him a bit disorientated for a while... and that was a big thing they had to make him forget."
They heard urgent voices as they approached the spot where the Portkeys lay, and when they reached it, they found a great number of witches and wizards gathered around Basil, the keeper of the Portkeys, all clamoring to get away from the campsite as quickly as possible.
Margaret had a hurried discussion with Basil, they joined the queue, and were able to take an old tin can back to the Kent Summer Home before the sun had really risen.
They walked up the entrance of the Kent Summer Home in the dawn light, talking very little because they were so exhausted, and thinking longingly of their breakfast.
When they were all in the kitchen, and started eating breakfast, Margaret was reading the newspaper, "I knew it.", she said heavily, "Ministry blunders... Culprits only apprehended because Cruel Angel... lax security... Dark wizards running unchecked... national disgrace... Had to leave it to Cruel Angel to save the day... Who wrote? Of course... Rita Skeeter.", she muttered as she took a sip away at her tea, "I'm going to have to go into the office; tis is going to take some smoothing over."
The following week, when Harry had gone with Margaret and Alex to St Mungo's, Claire had Apparated with Sirius towards a church in a small village
The two walked in silence as they walked towards the entrance to the graveyard. Behind the church, row upon row of tombstones.
They walked deeper and deeper into the graveyard, until they found the headstone they where looking for. It was made of white marble and seemed to have been recently cleaned, fresh flowers laid at its base. Claire did not need to kneel or even approach very close to it to make out the words engraved upon it.
Elizabeth Kent-Black
Born: 5 May 1960 - Died: 24 October 1981
'Those who we love, never truly leave us'
Claire read the words slowly, as though she would have only one chance to take in their meaning, and tears came before she could stop them.
She noticed that Sirius had dropped to his knees, his tears leaking from his eyes as well. She slid down, father and daughter let them fall, looking down at the place where the last of Elizabeth lay, bones now, surely, or dust, not knowing or caring that her daughter and husband where so near.
Claire had taken his hand, gripping it tightly. She raised her wand, moved it in a circle through the air, and a wreath lilies blossomed before them. Sirius caught it and laid it on his wife grave.
When the father and daughter duo came home, Harry, Alex or Margaret waren't home yet. In order to pass the time, after insisting Sirius should use the black pieces, the two began to play a game of Wizard Chess while they waited.
"You know, I used to play chess with James all the time.", Sirius said as he moved one of his pawns.
"I sometimes play it with Harry.", Claire said, taking one of Sirius's towers, forcing him to move his King, " though he is complete rubbish at it."
"So was James.", Sirius said, he moved his Bishop, capturing Claire's queen, smirking as he thought he had as good as won, "Just between us, is there something going on between you and Harry?"
Sirius couldn't help but bark out in laughter at the sight of Claire's pale cheeks who had gained a slight pinkish tint to them.
"W-what? No!", she said quickly, "He is great and all, but we are just friends."
"That's the same thing I said to James or Remus when they brought me and Elizabeth up in that way.", Sirius laughed, a bit more sadly when he remembered his wife.
But his face became one of utter surprise when Claire moved her Bishop, locking Sirius's King in. No matter what he did, his king would get captured.
Sirius once again broke out in laughter, "It seems you inherited your mother's gift for strategy.", he said, rubbing a hand through his hair, "Well played. We shall have to try again sometime."
Claire nodded happily, just as they heard the front door open.
"Hey you Black's!", the voice of Alex reached the living room, "You home? Claire? Sirius?"
"That sounded way more racist than it actually was.", Harry said as he, Alex and Margaret came walking in.
Claire noticed at once that there was something different about Harry, his eyes seemed to be more... radiant. Then it hit Claire, her best friend wasn't wearing his glasses.
"Looking good, Harry.", Claire complimented with a small smile.
Harry tried his best to hide the faint blush on his face.
Nearing the end of the holiday's, Harry and Alex were in Harry's room, with Alex feeding Hedwig some Owl Treats, while Harry was packing his trunk. Apart from The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4, by Miranda Goshawk, he had a handful of new quills, a dozen rolls of parchment, and refills for his potion-making kit.
"I think your going to have to keep the girls off you tis year.", Alex said teasingly, "I have a good feeling about tis year."
"I think Claire will be able to scare them off with a mere glare.", Harry said, he was just piling underwear into his cauldron when he spotted something unusual, "What is that supposed to be?", he was holding up a black dress suit with a green tie.
"I think it might be your formal wear.", Alex said, as he started to think, "I remember reading something on our school list that we're supposed to have formal clothing tis year."
"For what?", Harry asked.
"For formal occasions.", Alex said rolling his eyes, "What a stupid question."
There was a definite end-of-the-holidays gloom in the air when Claire awoke next morning. Heavy rain was still splattering against the window as she got dressed in jeans and a t-shirt.
Taking a Portkey, they arrived at platform nine and three-quarters. The Hogwarts Express, was already there, clouds of steam billowing from it, through which the many Hogwarts students and parents on the platform appeared like dark ghosts.
Harry, Claire and Alex set off to find seats, and were soon stowing their luggage in a compartment halfway along the train. They then hopped back down onto the platform to say good-bye to Sirius and Margaret.
"Yeah, I sort of wish I were back at Hogwarts this year.", Sirius said, hands in his pockets, looking almost wistfully at the train, "You're going to have an interesting year."
"Yeah, because our previous years were such a bore.", Claire snarked, rolling her eyes at her father's remark.
"I am gonna miss that snark when your gone, pup.", Sirius laughed, the last summer holiday being the best time in recent years for the head of house Black.
The trio quickly boarded the train as the pistons hissed loudly. The train began to move, as they waved at them through the window, before the train had rounded the corner.
Later that day at the Kent Summer Home, where Margaret and Sirius were standing on the front porch, watching the rain drop on the forest around the house.
"Thank you for allowing me to stay at your home, Margaret.", Sirius said thankfully to his old friend and sister-in-law.
"I must admit, the reason I offered had some selfish reasons behind it.", Margaret admitted with a soft smile, "It's was so that Claire wouldn't have to chose between living with me or with her father."
"Smart like always...", Sirius said, sounding sad, "...You did an amazing job, raising her. She is more your daughter than she is mine..."
Noticing the sadness in his voice, Margaret placed a hand on her brother-in-law's shoulder, "Hey, it's not your fault.", she said gently, "Your a free man now, your going to have the rest of your life to spend with her."
But then, a wave of magic perpetrated the area, the rain drops freezing in place as a hooded figure appeared out of crimson flames before the steps of the porch.
"Sephylon.", Sirius said.
"Yes, it's me.", Sephylon the Cruel Angel said, as he approached, Margaret pulled out her wand, "Are you going to turn me in, Margaret?"
"I would certainly like to.", she said, not taking her wand aim off him, "What are you doing here?
"I know why. Your here to ask if I am ready to finish what we started?", Sirius said, surprising his sister-in-law, "I am insulted that you have to ask, Sephylon.", extending his hand to the Cruel Angel.
"Glad to see you still have that fire in you, Michion, we are going to need it.", Sephylon said, shaking hands with Sirius, before turning to Margaret, "Please, give me a chance to explain."
"You have a lot to explain, both of you.", Margaret said, not putting her wand away, "So your one of his Knight's, are you Sirius?"
"Yes, I am.", Sirius said.
"Was... Was she one of you too?", she asked.
Sirius look at the masked man, who gave a nod, indicating him to tell her the truth. "She was.", Sirius answered, "Sephylon has shown us the future, it's going down a dark path Margaret, we all agreed that, that future is not allowed to come to pass. Even if it meant sacrificing our own mind and soul, it would be worth it."
"I want you to join us, Margaret Kent.", Sephylon said, extending his hand, "The Knights can use people with you moral fiber. We might not be able to prevent your children from knowing war, but maybe... We can ensure that your grandchildren wouldn't know it."
With the thought of Claire, Alex and even Harry in the front of her mind, she spoke, "Then explain. All of it",
The rain became heavier and heavier as the train moved farther north. The sky was so dark and the windows so steamy that the lanterns were lit by midday. The lunch trolley came rattling along the corridor, and Claire bought a large stack of Cauldron Cakes for them to share.
Coming from the compartment next to their's, they heard a familiar drawling voice drifting in through the open door. "...Father actually considered sending me to Durmstrang rather than Hogwarts, you know. He knows the headmaster, you see. Well, you know his opinion of Dumbledore, the man's such a Mudblood-lover, and Durmstrang doesn't admit that sort of riffraff. But Mother didn't like the idea of me going to school so far away. Father says Durmstrang takes a far more sensible line than Hogwarts about the Dark Arts. Durmstrang students actually learn them, not just the defense rubbish we do..."
Alex got up, walked to the compartment door, and slid it shut, blocking out Malfoy's voice. "I wish Malfoy went to Durmstrang... Then we wouldn't have to put up with him.", he said.
"Durmstrang's another wizarding school?" Harry asked.
"No, it's a Muggle school.", Claire said dryly, "It's got a horrible reputation. It puts a lot of emphasis on the Dark Arts."
"I think I've heard of it.", Neville said vaguely, "Where is it again? What country?"
"Well, nobody knows, do they?", Alex said, "There's traditionally been a lot of rivalry between all the magic schools. Durmstrang and Beauxbatons like to conceal their whereabouts so nobody can steal their secrets."
"Come off it.", Ron said, starting to laugh, "Durmstrang's got to be about the same size as Hogwarts - how are you going to hide a great big castle?",
"Magic.", Claire responded dryly, moving her hands in a arc.
"But Hogwarts is hidden." Hermione added, in surprise, "Everyone knows that... well, everyone who's read Hogwarts, A History, anyway."
"Just you, then.", Alex grinned, "I think Durmstrang must be somewhere in the far north. Somewhere very cold, because they've got fur capes as part of their uniforms."
"Think of the possibilities.", Claire said, dreamily, "It would have been so easy to push Malfoy off a glacier and make it look like an accident... 'Oh no! He tripped, he will surely be missed'!"
"By his mother anyway.", Harry said.
Several of their friends looked in on them as the afternoon progressed, including Dean and Seamus, still wearing his Ireland rosette. Some of its magic seemed to be wearing off now, it was still squeaking "Troy - Mullet - Moran!" but in a very feeble and exhausted sort of way.
After half an hour or so, Hermione, growing tired of the endless Quidditch talk, buried herself once more in The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4, and started trying to learn a Summoning Charm.
"We saw him right up close, as well.", Ron said, "We were in the Top Box..."
"For the first and last time in your life, Weasley."
Malfoy had appeared in the doorway. Behind him stood Crabbe and Goyle, his enormous, thuggish cronies, both of whom appeared to have grown at least a foot during the summer.
Evidently they had overheard the conversation through the compartment door, which Dean and Seamus had left ajar. "Don't remember asking you to join us, Malfoy.", Harry said coolly.
"So... going to enter, Weasley? Going to try and bring a bit of glory to the family name? There's money involved as well, you know..."
"What are you talking about?", Ron snapped.
"Are you going to enter?" Malfoy repeated, "I suppose you will, Potter? You never miss a chance to show off, do you?"
"Not really, I have enough fame as it it, don't need more of it nor do I need the money.", Harry said, calling his wand to his hand.
Claire and Alex, did the same, and at the same time shooting red beams out of their wands, blasting Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle out of their compartment.
"I might enter.", Claire said.
"And they call me a show off.", Harry grinned.
They changed into their school robes, just before the Hogwarts Express slowed down at last and finally stopped in the pitch-darkness of Hogsmeade station.
As the train doors opened, there was a rumble of thunder overhead. Hermione bundled up Crookshanks in her cloak, heads bent and eyes narrowed against the downpour. The rain was now coming down so thick and fast that it was as though buckets of ice-cold water were being emptied repeatedly over their heads.
"Hi, Hagrid!" Harry yelled, seeing a gigantic silhouette at the far end of the platform.
"All righ', Harry?" Hagrid bellowed back, waving, "See ya at the feast if we don't drown!"
"I wouldn't fancy crossing the lake in tis weather.", Alex said, casting a heating charm over his robes, fighting off the cold as they inched slowly along the dark platform with the rest of the crowd.
A hundred horseless carriages stood waiting for them outside the station. Harry, Claire, Alex, Ron, Neville, and Hermione climbed gratefully into one of them, the door shut with a snap, and a few moments later, with a great lurch, the long procession of carriages was rumbling and splashing its way up the track toward Hogwarts Castle.
Alex: "Is he hiding under that rock?"
Claire: "No."
Alex: "Under that tree?"
Claire: "No... Oh, hey readers! Hope you enjoyed the story. Many thanks to those who read, review, favorite or follow tis story!"
Alex: "Yeah! Seriously thanks! I am not suppose to tell you guys anything, but if we find Skyguy he might upload another chapter later today."
Claire: "Maybe if you leave a review, he might come out of whatever hole he is hiding in. Seeing as reviews are his crack."
Alex: "Heh, might be a good idea! Well later guys."