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Location Unknown: The Summoning
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 12-14-12 18:43
A knot of white roses grew with wild abandon in a corner of the cloister. The cluster was both strange and beautiful, with menacing, thorny branches twisting and curling in thick and impossible contortions, and dotted with large, fragrant blossoms. Adriana wondered how the roses had survived over the years without anyone to tend to them. She decided they were hardy and unstoppable, just like she was.
Adriana knew she was long overdue in calling out to Voldemort's former supporters. Why she had delayed this long, she did not know. Time had simply gotten away from her, isolated as she was from the rest of the world.
She felt his presence very much at the moment. Although no words were whispered into her ear, she clearly heard him hiss, "Do it, Adriana. Do it now!"
Prompted by the subliminal instruction, Adriana lifted the hem of her soft sweater and felt a shiver travel through her entire body. Fall had arrived, bringing with it cooler temperatures and gloomy weather.
The rose tattoo on her hip looked darker than ever and ached slightly, as it had when she had first gotten it. In a sense, it almost felt alive.
She removed the Elder Wand from the back pocket of her low-cut jeans and angled the tip to very center of the rose. At first, Adriana felt searing pain. As it subsided, the tattoo began to change. A serpent slithered out from behind the rose and coiled around the thorny stem. Its tongue darted in and out of its mouth, tasting the air.
Adriana moved the wand away and gazed down at the tattoo in awe and admiration. It looked even better this way. While it wasn't Voldemort's Dark Mark, it was tied to his and should do the job. Now to see if anyone would heed its call.
She quickly summoned her cloak, pulling it on and raising the hood just as the first sprinkles of rain fell from the bloated, grey sky. Five minutes passed, and then ten, and still no one came. Adriana could feel her mood dampen, just as the velvety cloth of her red cloak became more and more beaded with raindrops.
And then a shot of black smoke rocketed down from the dark sky, revealing a dark-hooded and masked figure. Adriana tried to assess the sex of the newcomer and decided on male. The new arrival was tall, broad-shouldered, and angular.
They stood yards apart from one another, Adriana next to the twisting rose bushes, and the Death Eater on a stretch of green near which grew purple asters. The flowers mostly obscured the remnants of a small fountain.
The pair stared at one another for a long moment. Then the Death Eater called out to Adriana using a thick, Eastern European accent.
"Who dares use the Dark Lord's summons?"
Adriana threw back her hood. "I do," she said in a commanding tone of voice.
The mask obscured the wizard's expression, but his body language suggested he hadn't expected to see Adriana. Had he actually expected to see his old master standing there in the abbey cloister?
"It's you," he said, not reverently but rather curiously. "How does a young witch best Albus Dumbledore?"
Adriana wasn't about to admit that Dumbledore had basically given up without a fight. She raised her chin and loftily responded, "It wasn't just my hand that ended the old fool's life. I was guided by the Dark Lord. He told me what to do, and I did it."
"Forgive my skepticism, but how did the Dark Lord instruct you when he has been gone these many years?"
The light rain continued to fall, but Adriana hardly noticed. She felt restless and began to pace back and forth in front of the wild hedge.
"While it is true his body and soul are no longer with us, his spirit remains. I know this because at least a piece of it resides within me." Unrestrained, she told the Death Eater everything she herself had learned eleven years ago when Dumbledore had restored her memory and when Voldemort had first made contact with her. When she finished, she turned to face him, the yards of unmanicured lawn still between them, and asked, "Is it not possible, what I've just said?"
The Death Eater didn't speak at first. In the lull that followed, another streak of black smoke fell from the sky, producing a second dark-cloaked figure. This one had a smaller, more willowy figure, suggesting a female. A strand of blond hair had fallen free from the confines of the cloak's hood, and fell over the witch's shoulder like a pale gold curtain. For a brief, unexplainable moment, Adriana thought of Helena.
The male Death Eater acknowledged the newcomer with a nod and then turned back to Adriana, who wanted to hear his opinion before addressing the female Death Eater herself.
"I have heard of spiritual connections," he began, "but I have never met anyone involved in such magic––to my knowledge. It is well known that the Dark Lord had secret projects that not even his inner circle were privy to, like that disastrous Project 25."
"I was away when that all came to a head," Adriana admitted, "but I wouldn't call it disastrous. The only reason it fell apart before it really had a chance to go anywhere is because of Ethan Somerset. He should have been put down a long time ago."
"Perhaps," the Death Eater replied. "Even so, I question what you are doing, no matter if what you have told me is truth or lies."
The female Death Eater remained silent, watching the exchange with avid curiosity while wondering what she had missed before her arrival.
"I'm picking up where the Dark Lord left off," Adriana said, "and it is my greatest desire to see him in power again."
"Are you suggesting your bit of spirit is enough to return him to his body once more?" the Death Eater asked, skepticism heavy in his voice.
"Maybe not," Adriana admitted, "but he can live on through us if we reunite and continue with what he had planned before he was murdered."
"They say you're Harry Potter's cousin," the female Death Eater blurted out, speaking up for the first time and evidently recognizing Adriana from The Daily Prophet. "If it's true what you say, that we should follow in the Dark Lord's footsteps, then Potter should die. Would you kill your cousin? Your family?"
Adriana stared at the female Death Eater, unfamiliar with her voice. "I won't hesitate to do what needs to be done," she said.
She turned back to the male. "If you believe me at all, you will tell your friends and colleagues about what you have learned today. Together, we can do great things. We can change the world… for the better."
The male Death Eater mulled over Adriana's words. What she told him seemed utterly impossible, and yet he wished to believe that part of the Dark Lord, however small, might still exist. Maybe Adriana really was a living connection to Voldemort.
He stepped forward. "I elect to believe what you say is true, but I fear I will be made a fool."
"You won't," Adriana assured him. "I swear it."
She sounded so sure of herself that the Death Eater felt a twinge of excitement at the prospect of his old friends and colleagues reuniting under the leadership of someone who wasn't exactly Voldemort but might be the closest thing to him at the moment.
He raised a hand to his mask, when the female Death Eater hissed, "What are you doing?"
The male didn't hesitate. He removed his mask and revealed the face of a 40-something man, who did not at all look like a nice person. His eyes were dark and beady and his upper lip seemed curled in a permanent sneer. However, he bowed his head to Adriana and stated, "I am Ivanova, at your service."
A Familiar Summoning - The Plot Thickens
Author: Xiomara Sofia Serano
Date: 12-14-12 19:24
Digits swept over the spines of aged volumes kept in pristine care, her gaze narrowed as she sought a particular volume for what she was currently dealing with, the one she wanted not yet gained, she'd heard from Cassandra recently and of course encouraged the witch to continue her search despite the warning that had been issued that there was always blood shed that followed this particular tome - it made Xiomara want it all the more and she would have it no matter the cost.
The mirror she'd acquired had been a wonderful little device and it had provided quite a bit of information, and been a very useful tool in some of my more recent divination. The halls of the estate were quiet as she ventured free of her library, the sun already past its zenith was beginning its descent toward the horizon. Her daughter was more than likely several stories in the attic playing with well kept ancient treasures that had belonged to me and those of generations past.
Fingertips trailed along gilded edges of portrait that contained sleeping witches and wizards, those that had not disgraced the Serano name in the past, those who had upheld the tradition of pride and secrecy. Those who had served and followed those who wanted to bring the dark arts into something more substantial, more than those things that had been labeled forbidden, dangerous, unfit for general practice. She stopped before the portrait of her father, a smile curling her lips as she watched the man slumbering within the thick oaken frame.
"Voy a seguir la tradición familiar papá. Mi hija va a conocer sus raíces y honrar a nuestra familia. Descansa en paz Papá, te echo de menos.*" The words slid free of her lips, a soft sigh escaping her before she would turn, drawing herself away from the portrait and moving to stand at the foot of the stairs.
A rather irritating 'pop' drew her from her thoughts as the frame of Poppy the house elf appeared within her line of sight.
"Poppy has tea ready for Miss." It squeaked, trembling pathetically beneath the icy gaze of its Mistress.
"Good, see to it that dinner is served promptly at six..." she murmured, obviously dismissing the creature.
She'd been half way to her parlor to indulge in tea when the mark, hidden beneath charms since the passing of the Dark Lord began to tingle, began to ache in away it had not done in several years.
Someone had summoned the Death Eaters, someone who had the power to do such. It was a curious thing to feel that sensation, to feel that calling that was so familiar to her. She took but a moment to send word to Alexander that she would not be home for a while, something had come up with one of her clients and she was needed to tend to the catastrophe that had sprung up - there was no such thing but Alexander would not question her it was not his place.
She retreated to her room, drawing from the back of her closet a wide, flat lacquered black box. Lifting the lid she withdrew a cloak and mask that she'd not worn in the years since the Dark Lord had been defeated. Yet they were well preserved, pristine and perfect. She drew them about her form, her wand tucked within easy reach, ready to be drawn should she be summoned into a trap.
Black smoke column offered signal to those below, already gathered that there was another arriving. She listened to them, attempting to find out what it was she'd missed as the current conversation had started before her arrival.
Adriana Fairchild, murderer of Albus Dumbledore and cousin to Harry Potter had summoned the Death Eaters, claimed to have part of the Dark Lord's spirit twined with her own. Things had just gotten very, very interesting.
"If it's true what you say, that we should follow in the Dark Lord's footsteps, then Potter should die. Would you kill your cousin? Your family?"
Adriana stared at the female Death Eater, unfamiliar with her voice. "I won't hesitate to do what needs to be done," she said.
Xiomara was pleased with the answer, and was mildly irritated when Ivanova withdrew his mask, but it had already been done and who was she to stop the fool from providing a name and face. As she stood, she knew that this was not a trap, something set up by the Ministry to catch those that were still wanted - though her name did not appear upon any of those lists - however, that could change at any time of course.
She contemplated for a handful of breaths later, before drawing that mask from her features, allowing Adriana to gaze upon her in the drizzling rain. "Xiomara, at your service. Let us hope others will heed the call." The words slid free of lush lips, before the mask was once again settled into position.
"Tell me Adriana, what did you expect to achieve summoning the death eaters to your location? Did you think they would leave their seclusion and risk being caught and carted off to Azkaban simply because they were summoned?" She could not keep the slight sarcasm from slipping into her voice, hardening the words more than intended.
Adriana fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Do you really think I would summon wanted criminals somewhere at risk of being stormed by Aurors and Hit Wizards? I know you don't know where you are, but I can assure you this location is safe and completely isolated."
"Besides," she went on, "why would I risk my own freedom? And why answer my summons if you are concerned about serving time in Azkaban? Why not stay in your seclusion?"
"Seclusion doesn't suit me, besides, I'm not one that is found on any of the lists that bear the names of those most wanted. Why would a lowly diviner be someone that could be dangerous? They for some reason over-looked the bookworm, even when that fool Smythe-Jones was Minister I was not added to their dangerous list."
Lightest shrug of her shoulders. "I worry not for my own fate, but for that of my daughter, though should you succeed her future will be much, much better than if there shall be failure once more."
There was silence that stretched and filled every inch of available space before Xiomara spoke once more, though this time the words were in Spanish instead of English. "Estás orgulloso y testarudo. Tal vez usted tendrá éxito donde el Señor Oscuro no, tal vez sea el que va a provocar la muerte de Harry Potter y los que querían que dejara de obtener el poder que deseaba.**"
Translations:
*I will continue the family tradition father. My daughter will know their roots and honor our family. Rest in peace Father, I miss you.
**You are prideful and headstrong. Perhaps you will succeed where the Dark Lord failed, perhaps you will be the one that will bring about the death of Harry Potter and those who sought to stop Him from obtaining the power he desired.
Questions
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 12-14-12 19:58
"Why is this place so crowded?" Bronwyn asked. She and Desi were walking around the Westfield London Shopping Centre, where they often went to spend Desi's money.
"Because it's Saturday afternoon," Desi said. They walked into a store called Accessorize and stopped in front of a sale table laden with purses.
"Yes, but still," Bronwyn complained. "It's like everybody had the same idea we did."
Desi hid a smile behind camouflage-colored crossbody purse she'd picked up. The purse type wasn't exactly to her liking, but she was a big fan of camo.
Bronwyn picked up a glittery, golden clutch and held it to her body as if she were wearing something that matched, even though she wasn't. It was a different story in her head, however. After a moment's deliberation, she returned the clutch to the table and shot Desi a sideways glance.
"I still can't believe about Driver," Bronwyn said. "Him having sex dreams about you isn't what surprises me. Him telling you about them does. Of course, it's totally obvious why he did. And for the record, can I say it's terribly romantic that Orion isn't happy about any of it?"
"I think you just did," Desi wryly commented. They went over to a rack of silk scarves.
"Sometimes I wish we could have harems of men. I mean, you practically do."
"I do not. I'm only dating one guy."
"I know, but right now you have to beat the rest off with a stick."
Desi rolled her eyes. "Just Driver, and he might actually like that."
"Oh, look. Desi made a funny." Bronwyn grinned. "Oooh. You should get Driver and Orion in a room together. Have them take off their shirts… They can wrestle for your affection, but Orion should win, of course. He's been taking really good care of you."
"Too good," Desi muttered. Bronwyn quirked an eyebrow at the comment, but before she could inquire, Desi said, "Toby told me about the letter. Why did I have to hear it from him and not you?"
"I was going to tell you," Bronwyn truthfully answered, "I just didn't want to burden you with it during your recovery."
"You wouldn't have, you know that. Besides, I'm all-better now. So, let me hear it from you."
Bronwyn navigated to a shelf full of hats. She pulled on a lilac-colored cloche and studied her reflection in the mirror. "There's not much to tell," she told Desi. "Theodore Nott wrote to me, asking if I would visit him in Azkaban. Why he would think I would even consider it, I don't know."
She faltered then and said, "Except a part of me wants to know what he has to say to me." Bronwyn turned to Desi, the hat still on her head. "Am I crazy?"
Desi gave her an honest answer. "I think you're always going to have answers about why he did what he did."
"It's not about the Summer Solstice stuff," Bronwyn said, turning away and returning the hat to the shelf. She picked up a red and white striped sun hat that was 50% off because it wasn't summer anymore. "Do you rememeber when I was in that Dating Game at Hogwarts and I got paired up with Theodore? We weren't compatible in the romantic sense, but I learned he was actually kind of nice."
"Some pyscho killers act nice but aren't really," Desi said. "It was just a façade, Bron."
"He didn't kill me when he had the chance," Bronwyn went on, thinking about when she had been held captive with other girls destined to be sacrificed on the Summer Solstice. "He let me go."
"And took away your memories."
"Probably for my own good," Bronwyn said. "He made me forget the horrors I'd witnessed."
"He wanted you to forget that he was involved in the murder of a bunch of other innocent girls," Desi countered. "Now I think you are acting crazy."
Bronwyn shook her head. "I'm not saying I want to be his friend or that I can ever trust him, but I could be dead right now and I'm not, and it's because of him. Why do you think he saved me, Desi?"
She didn't have an answer for Bronwyn. "I don't know."
"Maybe I don't need to know, but I kind of want to."
"You don't even know that's what he wants to talk to you about," Desi said.
"I know, but it might come up. Or maybe I'll ask him."
"Well, you're not going to Azkaban alone. If you go, I'm coming with you."
Bronwyn smiled and threw her arms around her friend. "I knew you would."
Please? (Catriona)
Author: Fionna
Date: 12-14-12 19:59
Strolling through the Great Hall hand-in-hand with Christopher, Catriona doesn't put up resistance when he guides them in the direction of the tables along the walls where lunch food has begun appearing. In a little bit she's doing a turn at the booth for the school's annual. Cat has enjoyed being with the Yearbook so didn't mind a bit when Professor Miller asked her to do a shift today. In addition to Yearbook, Cat is in a few other clubs and is considering adding another to the list. This being her sixth year, she doesn't have the worry of last year's OWLs or next year's NEWTs.
Christopher releases her hand to start filling a plate. Cat is reaching for a plate when she spots someone. "Be back in a minute or two," she tells her boyfriend.
He glances up but as he's already got food in his mouth Christopher simply nods.
Errol Anderson is at the Athletics Club booth as Cat approaches. Not wanting to interrupt she waits for him to finish, which turns out to be not above a few seconds. When he turns to survey the hall she speaks up. "Hi, may I talk with you?"
An expression of curiosity crosses Errol's features. "Um, sure. About what?"
"More like who. Megara is just beside herself. Won't you consider forgiving her?"
"Has she thought about coming to me herself?" His tone carries no hint of anger, irritation, or sarcasm. If anything, it's guardedly neutral.
"She has but she said she made a bloody muck up of things and worries you aren't ready to talk with her again about whatever it was she made the muck up over."
"Megara didn't tell you?"
"No. All she's said is she should have listened to me and not kept pushing you. I took that to mean she made a right pest of herself about what had happened to bring you to school all black and blue."
"A right pest. That's putting it mildly."
"Will you please talk to her? I'm not sure I can stand another night of her moaning about driving away her special needs baby brother."
Errol's entire face colors. "I can't believe she calls me that around other people."
"She means well, you know. Anyway, just consider it. Please."
"I'll think about it."
"Thanks."
Cat offers him a small smile before seeking out Christopher who is now seated and eating. He points to another plate of food. "I picked out some things for you."
With so many eyes about, especially those of professors, Cat gives Christopher a quick peck on the cheek before taking her own seat. "Thank you. Before you saw lunch was available, you were starting to say something about Quidditch."
Christopher slowly chews as he thinks. Nodding as he remembers what it was he'd been going to say, he hastily swallows so he can make his comment. That leads to a discussion of the house teams and who put on great showings at the trials last week but didn't make their teams because of the limited spaces available.
(Aderyn Carter) Looking and Maybe Joining
Author: Cai Pembroke Carter
Date: 12-15-12 04:58
I'd still not come down of the high over the fact that I'd made the house team and Cai had made hers. Broderick not so much, but it's alright, there had been a lot of people trying out, but I still can't believe that as a first year I'd made the team!
I'd already heard some of the other first years in my house grumbling and complaining about the fact that I'd been selected and they hadn't. They didn't think me capable of performing well in the position and some I'd heard even thought that I'd cheated because I didn't look like your ideal beater, well they will see when the first game comes, and I prove them wrong.
I'd decided to head into the Great Hall and see what clubs were available, browsing the various tables I debated on if I wanted to begin adding a club to my already busy schedule for the first year here. Thinking about what I'd already have going on if I were still attending school in Japan I couldn't help but chuckle.
Plucking up a red fairy cake with what looked to be cream cheese frosting I wandered away from the snack table enjoying my sweet treat as I stopped before the Gobstones booth, which seemed, despite the pungent odor that came with it, a widely popular booth. I'd opted not to try the game, and despite the smell did consider signing up for it, but opted instead to continue my wandering.
"Aderyn..."
I looked up at the sound of my name and smiled when I saw my roommate Araxie heading over.
"Hey! Thinking of joining any of the clubs?" I asked her.
"Yeah, I am thinking of joining the Drama Club, solely for the purpose of doing set design if Mister Valentine will let me do that. I've still gotta talk to him, and I've already signed up for the Art Society - which you should expect." She grinned and sniped a bit of the red, spongey cake from my fairy cake and popped it in her mouth.
"Brat!" I said with a grin and handed her the other half of my fairy cake, I could always get another. "I think I'm going to indulge my inner bookworm and join the Book Club and I think the Language club. Two clubs, course work, and quidditch should be manageable enough."
"Sounds good to me. Congrats by the way on making the house team, that's awesome out of everyone that tried out. We will have to get a pick up game going at some point."
"Yeah, it's good if you talk to some. Others, I've heard think that I had Cai or Broderick or maybe even Angharad brew me a potion to help me cheat during the trials. It's stupid, and if they want to be petty and jealous because I showed more talent than they did, and got the position that I wanted, that I am good at it is their own bloody fault. If the rumors don't stop I will be talking to our Head of House and Coach Krum because I am not a cheater."
Araxie nodded and hugged me. "I know Aderyn. I swear some people are keen to talk behind other's back and too afraid to say something to the person they'd rather bad mouth."
"I know it."
Together we looked at the rest of the tables in the Great Hall, grabbing lunch from the tables as they filled with food. I'd, true to my word, signed up for the Language Club after talking briefly with Plum Lancaster who was manning the booth with some of the students from the club. Then, I signed up for the Book Club after talking to Miss Bramble for a little bit.
Once that was done Araxie and I headed back to the Ravenclaw commons to start working on some homework.
Astronomy Club
Author: Illyria
Date: 12-15-12 07:14
The Astronomy Club's table was just within the Great Hall's doors. A midnight blue, silver spangled cloth covered it, and if one looked closely, the stars twinkled occasionally. Pamphlets and astronomical devices completed the table, behind which Professor Jones sat.
"How is Astronomy Club different from Astronomy class?" questioned Mickey Moon, a happy-go-lucky first year student with an apt surname for Astronomy.
"In Astronomy Club, you won't have any homework or exams. It's supposed to be fun, not that Astronomy class isn't," Professor Jones added with a wink.
"Of course not, Professor," Mickey happily replied. "Your class is fun, even if there is homework and exams. I like looking through telescopes."
"Our first meeting will be about different kinds of telescopes," Professor Jones said. "I'll have a variety up on the observation deck for you to use."
"That does sound fun."
Professor Jones smiled. "Does that mean you want to sign up?" She nudged the sign-up sheet forward a little.
Mickey gave her a half shrug. "Sure, why not?" He picked up a quill and put his name down on the list.
They talked a bit more, and then Mickey went off to see what other clubs were being offered. Illyria watched him bound away and wondered how he could be so content all the time. She envied him his merry disposition, but then he was young and hadn't yet gotten his heart-broken. At least him being only eleven years old, she very much doubted it.
She wished that Nathan would leave her well alone or break things off with Urania for good. Illyria didn't want to go behind her sister's back, especially not with a baby in the picture. Nathan had owled her just that morning, wondering if they could meet up for lunch today. Illyria had at least had the excuse that she would be busy with Club Day.
She had thought he might inquire about dinner instead, but he hadn't, probably because he would be dining with his wife (as he well should).
Illyria sighed quietly to herself but brightened as soon as a pair of second year girls approached the Astronomy Club table.
(Aleydis & Sadie) Wandering
Author: Griet
Date: 12-15-12 08:19
Aleydis and Sadie wandered around the Great Hall, visiting the various booths but not at all certain which clubs they might wish to join this school year. As sixth years, they didn't have to worry about any serious end of year exams, other than regular finals, but their classes were nevertheless difficult and required a lot of work. Both had made the Hufflepuff Quidditch team again and would therefore devote some of their freetime to practices.
The girls picked up a few lemony biscuits from a snack table and then began another circuit around the Great Hall.
"Maybe we should go back to the dorm and do something like work on homework," Sadie suggested with a frown. "I suspect we are being time-wasters."
"We're just procrastinating a little bit," Aleydis said with a smile. "The day's not yet over and we still have all day tomorrow, as well." She wasn't one to wait till the last moment, but she did not feel particularly motivated this afternoon.
"What about Dance Club?" Aleydis said, as they drew up to Professor Flitwick's table. The little professor was in charge of several clubs and seemed quite keen on drawing in as many students as possible. "I like dancing."
"So do I," Sadie agreed, "and it might be nice to learn some new dances."
They queued up in front of the table and then put their names down for the Dance Club. When Aleydis stepped out of line, she noticed Basil standing several students back and tried to picture him participating in any of the clubs Flitwick sponsored. She didn't know if Basil could sing or play an instrument, and no boys had signed up for the dance club yet.
She smiled at him, but before she could say anything, Sadie pulled on her arm and led her away.
"How much do you want to bet he's going to sign up for dance club so that he can dance with you?" Sadie asked as she led Aleydis away from Flitwick's booth.
"Do you honestly think he would put his name down just to dance with me?" Aleydis asked.
"Do I even have to answer that?" Sadie questioned with a roll of her eyes.
"He'll have to dance with all the girls, since he'll probably be the only boy in the club!" Aleydis exclaimed.
"A sacrifice I'm sure he's willing to make," Sadie said, "if it means getting to put his arms around you."
Aleydis rolled her eyes. "We don't even know what club he was signing up for, if he even was signing up for anything. Maybe he just wanted to ask Flitwick a question."
"Riiiight."
"Well, I was going to ask, but you pulled me away," Aleydis said.
Sadie pouted at her and asked, "Shall we do the inevitable now?"
"Homework?"
"Yes, the very same."
Aleydis sighed. "If we must."
They walked out of the Great Hall, with Aleydis wondering if Basil really was signing up for Dance Club.