Hogwarts: The lost Tales [IC/Open]

[New Roman Empire]

Hogwarts: The Lost Tales

OOC/Sign-Up

---

Adam Tarkin
Compartment #54

Adam was shocked when he had gotten his letter, the school had cut the year short and that was at the end of last year. His parents were very reluctant to send him and his step siblings to Hogwarts after the events that unfolded last spring. The explosion during the election has made the wizard community very much on guard and precautions were taken to insure that it would be a lot harder to do the same act again. The ride over to the station had been an uneventful one, there was talk about what they were hoping to accomplish this year and such. But he didn't pay much attention to it at all. "Sabrina, are you going to try out for the quidditch team this year?" He asked as his sister thought for a moment and rubbed the back of her neck.

"I thought about it yeah, but I am not sure if I want to do it or not. The house team sucks enough already, I don't want to make it any worse than it already is. But I guess it couldn't hurt to try it out I guess," she concluded as she looked over at Adam and then looked out the window watching the passing cars. She could see the the train station in the distance, she was nervous the attack had made her very scared to going away to a place with out her parents. But she didn't let it show on the outside as she thought people would make fun of her and tell her to grow up. Once they reached the station and walked onto the platform, they all went their separate ways talking to friends or associates before boarding the train.

Adam found and empty compartment and took a seat near the window, it would be a lie to say Adam himself wasn't somewhat on edge after the whole attack. He was glad Rachel had gotten ahold of him after the attack, he felt like he was going to throw up and couldn't really do anything but listen and wait.

Sansa Blitzburg

Sansa sat in the car, "Now listen Sansa I don't want you coming home only to find out a month later your pregnant. Your sister learned her lesson the hard way, especially after losing the baby in a miscarriage. She was never the same after that and she hasn't been right in the head since. If you do your going to be grounded until your thirty-six!" Barked her mother as she was going on a rant once again, her sister had come home pregnant last year and it only seemed to go down hill from there. Sansa was too preoccupied with her book to look up and respond to her mother, her Father had died when she was very young in some accident or another. She never really knew his, she could just put a name to a face and that was about all she could do.

"No, mother that wont happen I don't like anyone touching me let alone you," she stated bluntly as she looked up from her book only for a few seconds to see her mother's reaction to what she had just said. It wasn't a lie, she didn't like anyone to touch her, and even if they were one of the few people that could it was only when she was in the mood. She was often called a freak when she was younger and she didn't really care about being called that at all, she as the top of her class when she went to a muggle school. To be frank, she would always respond by saying, "Im a high functioning Sociopath. You should get on my level of understanding and maybe you wouldn't see me as such a freak." Many of the people would just stare at her as she read a book that would be way beyond a 10 year olds reading level and they would walk away and make a comment or two.

The car had been silent until they reached the station, "now don't do anything stupid or ill hear about it some way or another!" Her mother barked once again as she got on the train and walked down the cars til she came to a compartment with a boy she had seen. What was his name, he is the seeker for Hufflepuff. Was it Ron, no William, no Mike, oh it's Adam! She slid the door open promptly took a seat at the opposite corner of the compartment and just opened her book. Adam looked over for a few seconds but didn't say anything and went back to looking out the window.

[Skylus]

Derek Forester
It had been a very long summer.
Ever since McGonagall had ended the school year early, my mum and da had been on a vigilant watch for various actives.
Thankfully, nothing had happened over the summer.

Now, it was once again time for me to head back to Hogwarts.

Forester Estate
I was very rudely awakened by my mother.
"Derek James Forester, do you know what time it is?"
A blinding light sliced into the darkness and I was blinded for a bit.
Then, when my vision cleared, my mum was standing over me.
"....What time is it..."
"Five in the morning. Now get up, you don't want to be late, do you?"
My mind was still waking up so it took me a second to realize it.
"....You woke me up this early? Why?"
My mum was rushing around my room, doing various things.
"I have a meeting at the Minstry today. At seven. I can't be late for it, your father's taking you down to King's Cross."
"But why did you wake me up so early? The Express doesn't leave until ten!"
While my mother's back was turned, I got out of my bed and rushed over to my dresser and got dressed.
By then my mum had turned around, and she walked over to me and started to mess with my hair.
"Mum!"
"Hush, no son of mine is going to walk around with hair like that, now stand still."
My father poked his head into my room then.
"Heather! Leave the lad alone, he's just woken up!"
My mother turned to my father.
"William, don't you have better things to do than bother me?"
"Heather..."
Something in my father's voice caused my mum to leave my side and go over to my da.
"What is it?"
"I got a call from Granger. Urgent. She said to bring you as well."
"What time?"
"...Eight."
My mother threw her hands up.
"How are we supposed to get our son to King's Cross?!"
"...I'll think of something, my dear."
"So my meeting's cancelled then?"
"...I suppose so..."
Then my father's face lit up.
"I know who can take Derek...I just how his wife doesn't kill me for waking up his house hold this early..."
My da darted out of the room and my mother followed him.
"His? WILLIAM WHO ARE YOU CALLING?!"
Leaving me to my own devices for the next few hours.


That something, or someone, was Harry Potter himself.
He even showed up with that bike of his.
Now, I don't know the exact details of how the bike came to be in his position, so I'm going to assume that it was restored after the battle and given to him.
But yet, here he was, in his Auror clothing.
"We're sorry about the short notice, but the meeting."
"I understand. Truth is, Hermione wants me to be there too, but..."
Harry looked down at me and I waved.
"Someone has to get him to King's Cross...And I'd reckon that someone is me."
My da nodded.
"Of course...I'll see you, then?"
"Yes, yes, I know. I'll be there no later than eleven."
With this, I got on the back of the bike and we were off.

Of course, we had time to kill, so Harry took me sight seeing for the next hour.
"Are you alright back there? First time riding a bike, isn't it?"
I nodded, wondering if he noticed.
"Is it true that you fought a dragon?"
"A dragon? Ah, you mean during my fourth year? Yes...I suppose I did...Didn't really fight the thing you see, I just stole its egg..."
Harry moved the bike into the next lane to pass someone then moved back.
"...Don't really understand why Muggles like to drive in just one lane...Isn't proper..."

The two of us visited various wizard monuments and stuff while killing time.
After a while, Harry turned to me.
"Come on, it's at least an hour back and I don't want to you miss the train."

King's Cross
Platform 9 3/4
Harry had rushed my home to get all of my things and we had somehow managed to get all of it onto the bike.
Around twenty minutes later, the two of us were at King's Cross.
"Well. I'll be taking my leave now. Have everything?"
I nodded.
"Yes."
"Good...I'm worried that Granger's going to curse me into something...I'm usually not this late..."
I allowed Harry to leave and I boarded the train with everything that I needed.
Grace was sitting on my right shoulder as usual.

I wandered down the train until I found an empty compartmant and sat down on the booth.
Well...A new year...I wonder what's going to happen this time around...

[Britanania]

Caitie

It's not like it was uneventful summer. More rallies, the campaign tour, the...

The final thought trailed off into the nothingness as the door opened and the valet let Caite out of the car. Her father was too busy to drop her off, the valet told her this morning, so he would be driving her to the station. With a sigh, Caitie exited the car and walked towards the trai

She had changed a lot over the past summer. Caitie had grown noticeably taller, as she now reached 5'10" with long silver hair, and her Veela ancestry blessed her with a slender figure, generous hips, and gorgeous face--a far cry from the near emaciated girl of the past term, now almost unrecognisable. Not that Caitie noticed or cared; she had changed mentally as well.

---

The bodies would be found across Britain.

The first to be discovered was that of a bastard son of a Pureblood wizard and a muggle woman. He grew up hating his father and used his magical abilities to get back at the Wizarding World. As a young man he took to petty crime and learned explosives.

He was found buried alive in a small pit; it took about a week for him to die. Lacerations were found on his body, as well as broken bones and heavy bruising.

The second was a muggle born pure and simple, the daughter of IRA supporters. She grew up rebellious; her parents, Hogwarts, and society in general. She didn't believe in the cause, but only enjoyed fighting. She was found cut to ribbons, her entire body sliced and diced found all across the room.

The final victim's body didn't even exist. His blood was found covering the walls of his den, bits of bone and organs scattered around. The windows were blown open and neighbours reported hearing a large explosion. Small bombs were teleported into his organ and detonated--he was bead before he even realised it.

[World Anarchic Union]

William Darkenstone

"And don't forget to send a message should you need anything, alright dear?" the woman told the young wizard.

"Yes, aunt Eliza. Don't worry. After all, Fenly is here to watch over me, right Fenly?" the wizard responded turning to the elf, who nodded her small head slowly up and down.

"I am sure, Will. And, know that I will always be here for you." Elizabeth continued.

"I know, aunt. See you in a few months. Goodbye." William waved, before being hugged warmly by his aunt.

"Love you, Will. Have fun and study hard! Goodbye..." Elizabeth said, with almost a broken voice before returning to her usual self. However, something seemed to be troubling her. It seemed like she wanted to say something to William but hesitated. Soon, she was smiling from ear to ear and waving at her nephew.

William sighed as he entered the train, Fenly close by. In the station, Elizabeth waved him goodbye with a radiant smile that could instill hope and optimism to most people. William nodded towards her, as he climbed upon the stairs for another year at Hogwarts to begin.

This summer had been a most enlightening one. He had traveled to Europe, starting from France before heading to Central and Eastern European nations, visiting their respective wizarding communities, alongside Ava. He had been surprised, despite having read about it, by the widespread use of darker and more arcane forms of magic by wizards there. Being outside the United Kingdom and the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Magic, he had been able to practice in between the traveling around the continent, having gotten mostly used to his blind spot, being able to identify a shadow now, and improving in a significant degree his practical knowledge over curses, charms and jinxes.

He had also started divulging on the notes and books of Fenly's former master. Arthur Woodrow had been a most intriguing wizard, exceptionally knowledgeable about the Dark Arts, his notebooks mentioning things that other books avoided. Meanwhile, the plans that he had been conjuring before being betrayed and having to let all that go, were very twisted stuff. Whole towns getting slaughtered by a team of no more than two or three wizards. It could prove to be useful later. But, it's quite disturbing, nevertheless. Was he a man or a monster? Judging by these notes, a bit of both.Fenly often reminisced about her master and William could consult her on any part the notebooks mentioned.

Mainly, though, he had been able to see more of the world. Confined to a corner of it, William could never properly understand other places. Now, it was clearer. And his knowledge over the Dark Arts had increased as well, bringing him closer to his desired state; that of a most powerful Dark Wizard. However, while Woodrow's notes on certain methods and techniques regarding necromancy were written, he hadn't written anything regarding Horcruxes and how one could make them.

He returned back to reality as Fenly cleared her throat.
"Master William" she had reverted to calling him Master and William had decided to accept such a name because it was futile to try and change her habits "Fenly is most excited to coming to Hogwarts. It is the first time for Fenly. A whole different world. Master Arthur often talked with great nostalgia about it."

"You will see it and judge for yourself. Anyway, any news about Barrow?"

"No, master William. The rat Barrow seems to have vanished. The rat must not be afraid of the new master as he was of the old. But, he will be found." Fenly continued, her eyes darkening when talking about the wizard in France.

"Yes. But, he could be dangerous. Fear or not, he knows I have information about him. We must be careful. But, he is a pathetic creature. I expect him to be holed up somewhere, and thinking about staying there forever." William continued, not thinking all that much about the wizard that had left his house in a hurry after his visit to him. Let's hope I don't regret that visit... he thought as he boarded an empty compartment and looked outside the window with a melancholic expression. Another year...just beginning.

[True Christopia]

Andrew

Since the bombing, Andrew had become a bit distant. He'd never realised what had happened until afterwards, and felt sorry for Caitie. She was suffering the same pain he was - they both lost family. And family was everything, wasn't it? Without it, who are you?

But Andrew had shaped up. A couple of weeks after the bombs, Andrew took some initiative in his life. Taking a step into a small ice cream shop in Diagon Alley, he inquired about a job. An actual, paying job. Something to earn his keep.

With that, he worked for most of the summer. And every weekend, the Ackerly family would find a small envelope on their table labelled "Rent" with twelve galleons inserted inside.

However, despite this initiative - his toxic mind and his weight still hadn't dissapeared. Still, he felt worse, and worse, and worse. And he didn't feel any better with Rachel scrutinising him.

Andrew, several days before the end of summer

He was walking to the rhythm of the music, each step imitating the beat. He could feel the words of the song resonating within him - a new few songs "I got some things to do, but I don't want to do 'em"
All of his worries and woes, all of his grievances and pain, - it all slipped away with the music.

The houses that moulded with the reality around him formed and grew, the colours dancing between them as the music grew ever louder in his ears "I got some things to say, I will never say 'em to your face"

But then, all his pain came back.

With a painful yank, his headphones were ripped from his ears - the music and his warped reality crumbling from his eyes. Looking up to the culrpit, he saw a group of kids - around his age - eyeing him up.

"Yo, yo - look at this fat shit here," one grinned - a grin of malice.

"He's muckin' up our turf!" one remarked,

"I think we should teach 'im a lesson, lads."

Andrew didn't want a fight. He felt a strong urge to leave - but he wasn't leaving without his music "What's he even listenin' to?" the first asked, before taking the headphones up to his ears and listening for a few seconds, before pulling them off "Some shite indie band." he laughed,

"It's not - " Andrew attempted to get out, before being drowned out by their laughter "Could you please give me back my headphones?" he asked, as politely as he could.

"Oh, your headphones? Nah, mate, I think they're mine. Finders keepers, eh? You gotta pay the toll." Andrew bit his lip

"C'mon, man, just give them back." Andrew pleaded with them,

"Or what, fatass? You gonna go crying to your dad? Get your mummy?"

That hit him like a brick. Rolling his hands into his fists, he spoke up again - failing to hide the quivering in his voice "My dad's dead."

"Ooh, look at my face - " he ran his finger around it in a circular motion to emphasise his point "does it look like I give a shit?"

And that was it. That was all Andrew could take anymore - he didn't even know what washed over him. Something new. A form of untamed, uncontrollable, untapped rage.

His fist came up in an instant and with a crack, it had slammed into the boys jaw. Soon enough, Andrew was on top of him "Fuck you!" he yelled as he pulled back his fist for another blow, but before he could make it - one of the others had landed a kick into his stomach, and he was kicked aside.

With no time wasted, Andrew was back on his feet - and he returned the favour. Raising his foot, he crashed it into the others stomach, leaving him winded on the floor. The third had already turned tail and ran - the coward. Again, his foot came upwards - connecting with the boys nose and forcing him to lurch backwards against the concrete.

Only then, with the first beginning to get back up, did Andrew see sense again. Mortified, he stumbled backwards sluggishly. What have I done? he asked himself, not really expecting an answer. And before long, he himself had fled.

Andrew
Kings Cross

Andrew had arrived with Rachel, making his way onto the train in silence before sitting down in a random carriage.

[The Flutterlands]

Alexander Markus and Raphaël Raymond

Summer

Though both boys were shocked by the letters their parents received that ended school early, Alex and Raphaël had a very enjoyable summer to say the least. Alex, wanting to stay at his boyfriend's house at least every weekend, changed the narrative of their charade about his Raphaël's blood status. Due to his parents extreme blood ideology, Alexander had to hide the fact that Ralph was muggleborn with the story that his parents were in fact both squibs as a reason for living among muggles instead of actually being muggles themselves. With the recent attacks, however, despite buying his story, Alex's parents, Francious and Esmeralda were reluctant to allow their son out among muggles away from from the refuge of Castle Markus. Eventually, though, they eventually relented and allowed Alex's visits only under the condition that he remains under the supervision of Raphael's parents. Raphael's parents, who were in on the lie, agreed and vowed to make sure Alex never leaves the house without permission.

Alexander was well pleased and enjoyed his time with Raphael and his younger sisters, one of them newly born when visiting their house. He found muggle society to be quite fascinating, especially their technology. He had a blast watching tv, going on Raphael's computer to try out the internet and playing video games with him as well as reading comic books together and listening to music. In fact, the young pure blood have came to believe in the possibilty that muggle technology was far superior to some of wizard kind's way of life. Still he was quite confused by how it all worked out for a people without magic, even with Raphael's explanations.

Raphael, who received his letter later upon his return from a trip to his home country of France also enjoyed Alex's company every weekend which was quite obvious. His family instantly loved Alex and made him one of their own, even if the younger sisters found him to be a bit weird. It was a little frustrating having to explain Muggle Society and technology to him more than once, but it was quite fun playing video games and watching movies with Alex. Still nether he nor his boyfriend really liked the idea of lying to the Markus family about his heritage and felt a little dirty doing it. However, they both knew it was for the best and knew better to keep the lie in place till the time was right. Whenever that time will be was anyone's guess though.

In the meantime, both boys worked hard on practicing their magic, potions and other homework. They practiced making patroni, casting charms and even play dueled with each other, with Ralph proving to be almost the superior duelist. Raphael made sure to get himself registered as an animagus, even if he even questioned what exactly was the point of it all. Alexander, in the meanwhile, begrudgingly helped his own family with the support of candidate Malvolio, now fully convinced, along with his boyfriend, the threat that muggle and muggleborn terrorists have recently posed to the Wizarding World.

Kings Cross

After the lovely summer break, both Alex and Raphael were quite glad to be returning to Hogwarts. They boarded the train and walked down the aisle till they found their friends Rachel and Andrew's compartment. Both boys smiled brightly. "Good morning, Rachel and Andrew." greeted Alex, "Think it's okay if we join you? Did you enjoy your summer break? We sure did. I spent some time at Raph's house and I can't believe how marvelous muggle technology is. Like imagine what wizards can do with something like 'YouTube' or email."

Raphael, who was happy to see old friends again, chuckled. "B-bonjour, Mme Rachel and Monsieur Andrew." he greeted, more open to them than the previous year, as he's picky about his friends, "Alex lives in a Castle in the middle of nowhere. So muggle tech is still a bit foreign to him. Anyway, I got myself registered like I said Rachel. I still got no reason what exactly is the reason for that though. Kind of ruins the some of the perks for like for when not wanting to be found..."

[Halonica]

Alteran, Kings Cross Station

Alteran and his family walked up to Kings Cross, looking out at the crowd. It was noticeably thinner than last year. Given the attack on Hogwarts, and the advent of Muggle Supremacist terrorism, it wasn't hard to guess why. Alteran shook his head, and directed his cart towards the train. As he walked, his parents talked with his little sister. Alteran's mind was elsewhere, however: That terrorist attack took the lives of three Glacies... I know one of them goes to Hogwarts, in my year. Shit, this must be terrible for her.

Alteran and company came to a stop at the side of the train. He turned to his parents, both of whom were fussing over Adelaine. He was grateful they'd already fussed over him, earlier that summer. They were not happy to hear that not only was Hogwarts attacked, but their son partook in the battle. His father was a little proud to hear that his son had made a difference, though. As they finished musing over Adelaine, Alteran's father took him aside and spoke to him in a low voice: "Watch out for your sister in there this year. That attack by the Squibs was one thing, but these Muggle Supremacists..." the man spat the word with more venom than Alteran had ever seen out of him. He agreed though: the Muggle Supremacists were deserving of a massacre for their ever growing list of crimes. Alteran looked to his father and said, "I understand. I won't let those terrorists hurt my sister. May God help any of them that do."

Alteran's father nodded and clasped his son's shoulder, "Remember the spells I taught you over the summer." Alteran nodded again, glancing at the serpent and skull on his father's forearm. Alteran gave his mother a swift hug, and boarded the train with his sister. He glanced into each compartment, hoping to spot someone he knew, when he came upon Derek. Alteran briefly knocked on the sliding door before easing it aside and ambling into the cabin. He grinned at his friend, "Long time no see, mate. Last year was a hell of a time, eh? Who knows what this year has in store for us!"

[Skylus]

Derek
"Alteran!"
I moved my things so if he wanted to, he could sit down nearby.
"I have no idea what's going to happen. By the way, guess who brought me here?"

[Halonica]

Derek
"Alteran!"
I moved my things so if he wanted to, he could sit down nearby.
"I have no idea what's going to happen. By the way, guess who brought me here?"

Alteran

Alteran sat down nearest to Derek, while Adelaine took the seat across from them, studying Derek. Alteran spoke up, "Someone famous, I hope? Good to have friends in high places after all!" he nudged Derek with his elbow and grinned widely.

[Skylus]

Derek
"Don't you think I know that by now?"
I was grinning back.
"The most famous Wizard alive right now."
I swear that if my grin got any wider that it would shatter my face into a million pieces.
"Harry Potter himself. Took me on that bike of his, we had a few hours to kill, so we went sight seeing. Asked him about the Triwizard Tournament and stuff, about the Dragon and all of that. I also asked him how he played Qudditch so well. He just told me to "trust my instincts". I have no idea what he meant by that though.
Reason why is both my Mum and Da had to go to this meeting around eight. There was no one else to take me save him."
I then proceeded to tell Alteran why the three of them were so close- they had saved each others lives during the Battle of 98'.
They had been close friends ever since.

[Halonica]

Alteran

Alteran whistled, "Hot damn! You got to meet Harry Potter?! Places don't get much higher than that! You've got a lucky family, to have such connections." Alteran gestured to his sister, "All I've got is an annoying brat to take care of."

"Hey! I'm not nearly as annoying as you make me out to be!" Adelaine protested, to which Alteran only grinned. He turned to Derek, "Derek, meet my little sister, Adelaine. Adel, meet my best friend, Derek." Adelaine waved to Derek cheerily and said, "How d'you do?"

[Skylus]

Alteran

Alteran whistled, "Hot damn! You got to meet Harry Potter?! Places don't get much higher than that! You've got a lucky family, to have such connections." Alteran gestured to his sister, "All I've got is an annoying brat to take care of."

"Hey! I'm not nearly as annoying as you make me out to be!" Adelaine protested, to which Alteran only grinned. He turned to Derek, "Derek, meet my little sister, Adelaine. Adel, meet my best friend, Derek." Adelaine waved to Derek cheerily and said, "How d'you do?"

Derek
I waved back.
"Hi. I'm doing fine, thanks for asking."
I leaned over to Alteran.
"You're lucky. You know, to have a sibling. I'm all alone."

[Halonica]

Alteran

Alteran whistled, "Hot damn! You got to meet Harry Potter?! Places don't get much higher than that! You've got a lucky family, to have such connections." Alteran gestured to his sister, "All I've got is an annoying brat to take care of."

"Hey! I'm not nearly as annoying as you make me out to be!" Adelaine protested, to which Alteran only grinned. He turned to Derek, "Derek, meet my little sister, Adelaine. Adel, meet my best friend, Derek." Adelaine waved to Derek cheerily and said, "How d'you do?"

Derek
I waved back.
"Hi. I'm doing fine, thanks for asking."
I leaned over to Alteran.
"You're lucky. You know, to have a sibling. I'm all alone."

Alteran

Alteran leans towards Derek in an equally conspiratorial manner and speaks in a stage whisper, "You say that now, but when you find out how annoying she is you'll rethink your opinion."

Adelaine pouts, "Teran! Don't make me throw my books at you again!"

[Skylus]

At this remark I merely looked at Alteran.
"...She threw books at you?"

[United Democratic Christian States]

David

David as well as his parents had been caught off guard by the letter Mcgonagall sent during Easter. However David wasn't unhappy about it, after all summer came sooner than expected and it gave him a chance to take a step back from life and start to challenge his depression head on. Sometime after July he came out about it to his parents. Who needless to say where almost as saddened about it as he was, but taking that of his chest alone helped him feel better about himself, yet he didn't allow this to fool him. He still very much had depression. He was just now feeling he could actually do something about it.

Soon enough summer ended and the school year would start the next day. David got on the Hogwarts Express initially sitting by himself until he got bored enough to move compartments. Before long he found one with Derek and the same kid that started the tower Brigade.

"Oi! Nice to see you lot. How was summer and Easter? Hope it was well. Anyway...."

Bloody hell....it's like telling this to my parents all over again

"....tonight I have some, errrr....news."

[Skylus]

David then walked into the compartment and took a sit opposite Alteran and I.
"News? What sort?"

[Halonica]

At this remark I merely looked at Alteran.
"...She threw books at you?"

Alteran nods, "On multiple occasions. It's her fall back whenever she's mad at me."

Adelaine simply glares at Alteran till David walks in and takes a seat. The siblings both wave to him, and Alteran speaks, "Summer was... interesting. My old man has been drilling new spells into my head since the day the Headmistress sent us home. Anyways, what news dost thou bring?" Alteran deliberately spoke in Old English in hopes of dissipating some of this boy's apparent nervousness.

[United Democratic Christian States]

David

Bloddy hell did u think I meant by tonight?

"All will be known in due time. This sourt of news requires timing or it gets awkward"

Watch they are gonna think I'm gay

David then sat down next to Derek.

"So what's this about throwing books? She can't be too much of a devil can she?"

[Halonica]

Alteran

Alteran points to his sister, who David is seated next to, "The she-devil we're referring to is sitting to your left."

"Alteran Carter Ashfield, I swear to god I'm going to put slugs in your robes if you keep this up!" Adelaine responds

"Fine, fine, I'll stop. She's really a nice person. Most of the time." Adelaine rolls her eyes at that but says nothing.

[Miekzhemy]

Lucas Ackerley and Rachel

After the bombing incident blew over (no pun intended), Rachel's summer was mostly uneventful. She was somewhat happier for Andrew after finding a job, but continuously insisted he didn't need to pay any rest. When he continued to leave envelopes of galleons in the mailbox, she got an idea. Collaborating with her mother, they saved the money in the envelopes, deciding to keep it for a Christmas gift of some sorts in the future. Meanwhile, her father was ten times busier than usual. Being one of the top aurors in his field of investigation, Lucas swiftly begun the investigation to find those responsible for the bombing. In a further display of zealousness, he insisted he pursued it alone. Needless to say, he was away from home for the remainder of the break.

The first day after the bombing, he gathered all of the information relating to the steward. As he was clearly the one handling those bags, he was a good first suspect. He also obtained countless documents of his criminal history and accomplices. It didn't take long for him to connect the dots, and he pursued the man within the same week. However, he appeared missing. A later smell complaint in Nockturn Alley then led him to the "remains" of what he confirmed to be the corpse of the steward, cleanly cut and dismembered. Regardless of the confusion and surprise, Lucas continued the case.

The second suspect was that of a half blood - ironic. The history of his use of muggle-made explosives earned him a nice spot on the Auror Office's "Most Wanted" list, for a lack of a better term. When Lucas felt himself hot on the trail, he found this one in a similar state as the steward - dead. While it was a rather creative way to have been killed, he shared the similar signs of cuts and gashes. This made him uneasy. Was this the work of the Makusa? Vigilantes? Or perhaps they were trying to cover their tracks. Either way, something wasn't right. He couldn't stop now.

His further attempts were still in vain. With every lead, it led to another corpse, and it only seemed to grow worse. The next suspect had been a rebellious muggle-born, and that one too was later found cut into pieces. His final attempt brought him to a house. Lucas was then shocked again to find that this corpse wasn't just cut into pieces, but blown to pieces. Nothing pointed anywhere after that. It was his last lead. Disgraced and defeated, he returned home a month and a half later with nothing more than the sight of mutilated corpses branded into his memory.

/\/\/\

"Dad? You look sick..." Rachel said while silently eating dinner one night. It was just Lucas and Rachel at the table at the time.

"No...I'm fine."

"Did you find something during the inve--"

"No!" her father snapped, prompting Rachel to quickly shut up and glare forward with a somewhat shocked look on her face. Her father sighed. "Sorry... No. In fact, I didn't find anything..."

"Anything? Lost the trail or...what?" Rachel asked. Lucas shook his head.

"I...yes," he said plainly. "I suppose you deserve to know. I went out and tracked them down. Each one - starting from that steward to all of his friends over the course of the summer." He paused for a long time, staring at his plate of food that he had hardly touched since they sat down. "They were dead - all of them. Someone killed them...whether it was some vigilante or the perpetrators to cover their tracks... But one trend seemed to come up: They were all cut into pieces in some way..."

Rachel went still.

'Cut to pieces...'

Now where had she remembered that before? Lucas went back to speaking. "I've never seen corpses like that before... Clear signs of a severing charm..."

'Severing charm...'

"Whoever did it was always a step ahead... I could never find who it was. But one thing's for sure: Whoever did that...whoever had to gall to do something like that... He must've been angry... Very, very...angry..." He concluded. Rachel had promptly gotten out of her seat and walked towards the stairs.

"Hey, where are you going...?"

"I need to shower."

"Rachel, I'm sorry--" Lucas tried to say, but her daughter had already stormed upstairs. Bowing his head, he finished his dinner - alone.

/\/\/\

They were all dead. The steward, and every last one of the terrorists responsible for plotting against Malvolio - dead. And her father didn't have a clue. He had no idea who killed them - but Rachel knew. After what she saw done to James, and hearing her father describe the cuts and lacerations made on the victims, there was no mistaking it.

She stood silently in the shower of her bathroom, glaring into a tall mirror with a blank expression. As her own eyes scanned over her slightly athletic form, she finally came to notice the numerous scars that were on her body - the scars of her injuries keeping her friends safe. Or, trying to keep them safe, that is. She started at her feet and went up. Her eyes settled firstly on the scar running along her side on her abdomen with the look of a sword wound. Then she remembered taking that sectumsempra in the Great Hall again, which nearly caused her to bleed out. Then she saw another scarred-over wound elsewhere on her stomach - the stab wound. That had easily been the most painful one. Her hands and fingers had callouses on them from sports relate injuries. She finally reached her face, glaring at the scar that ran from her forehead down the right side of her face. Where the scar ran over her eyebrow, it left a small gap where the hair no longer grew. Then it continued down past her eye and down her cheek. It was from Lauren, when she transformed and Rachel was forced to subdue her. That too was eventually in vain.

Just like her attempts to reason with Andrew and Caitie.

A feeling of defeat came over her - like everything she had done was something in vain. Not only did they not listen or heed her warnings, they didn't want to either. She didn't know what to do anymore. Tears ran down her face, and eventually she slumped into a sitting position against the back wall of the shower. As the warm water streamed down her hair and her curled up body, she wept.

Hogwarts Express

As per usual, Rachel boarded the train alongside Andrew once they arrived at Kings Cross Station. She was rather silent, but that was mostly due to the fact that it was early in the morning. A moment after she boarded, however, Rachel spotted something peculiar - a particular girl. Even Rachel couldn't help but look in her direction and notice how absolutely striking she was. When it later revealed itself to be Caitie, her jaw dropped.

"Holy shit," was all she could mumble out in complete awe before she proceeded out of sight in the crowd without another word. Typical of her.

She sat down beside Andrew in her usual tired mood when they entered a random compartment, and they were both silent for a while. Then she turned to him with a somewhat amused smirk on her face.

"So, I heard you knocked the bollocks out of some tosser in town last week--"

The expression returned to something a bit colder when it was interrupted by Alex and Raphael. As they sat down, she spoke up again.

"It was...okay. And yeah, muggle tech is pretty neat, in'nit? Also, congrats again on your transformation. You should be good to go now that you're registered."

[The Anarcho-Syndicalist Commune]

Henry had hugged his mother goodbye. She said to him "You have a good year now, make your daddy proud on the quidditch pitch."

Henry smiled and told her "Of course mum, when do I not make him proud. You see what the Quaffle says about me, if he wasn't proud of me he would be ashamed if Dangerous Dai was his son."

Henry himself had grown quite a bit during the summer, now standing at 6'0'', with his hair now looking much darker. His chin and jawline had become more defined and angular, while his eyes had settled at a dark storm grey shade.

Boarding the train, he waved to his mother one last time before joining up with his gang. His summer had been rather uneventful, despite taking a tour of Norway and seeing the sights of the wizard world of the scandinavian country. It had been a little unnerving, as Norway was one of the few countries in the world actually under the control of a "Dark Wizard", but the trip had gone well and Henry had even seen some wild Norweigan Ridgebacks. Henry smirked at his memories before walking down to the car where he and his friends usually sat, along with Caitie and a few other Slytherin girls. Opening up the compartment he noticed a beautiful blonde girl who looked to be in her fifth year, until Henry saw her eyes. His jaw dropped as he realized who he was staring at.

"C-Caitie? Ummmm, So your sum- I mean wow, you must have- I mean, you're looking rather good today! You mind if I sit down in here?!"

[Britanania]

Caitie

After finding an open seat, Caitie quickly occupied the space and placed her satchel next to her.

Hopefully no annoying wanker sits next to me, she grumbled silently as she looked around to see if Marcus or Henry were coming by. She noticed that Rachel, Andrew, Alex, and Ralph were sitting together and Adam was with his sister. So far none of them greeted her. Unusual, certainly, but she didn't mind the quiet.

They probably don't know what to say, she cynically thought. Putting it out of her mind, she removed a book on magic in Egypt and began reading, losing herself in the words when she heard the door open and Henry entered, acting stranger than usual.

"Henry," she said, putting the book down. "No, I don't mind at all" Caitie gestured with a perfectly manicured hand to the seat across from her, before moving a stray hair out of her face.

"How was Norway?" she asked, crossing her long legs.

[The Anarcho-Syndicalist Commune]

Henry was looking at Caitie's chest when she mentioned something about Norway. He suddenly snapped out of a strange chest that had seemed to have gripped him. Shaking his head he looked back up at Caitie, whose face had become much more fair, like Elizabeth's or an elf out of Tolkien's older historical epics, specifically the old queen Galadriel. Shaking his head, Henry said:

"Oh, it was all right. We got to see where the old norse performed rituals and crafted Wandaxes, as well as some old giants sites up in the mountains. I saw a lot of Ridgebacks as well. But who cares about me, how was your summer? A lot c-clearly happened right? I mean, you seem quite, quite different now. I mean, geez, wow Caitie."

[Britanania]

Caitie

Almost by instinct, Caitie was compelled to fold her arms across her chest as Henry was talking about his trip to Norway.

A lot did happen over the summer. I wonder how he knew? I'm sure he knows about them...no doubt the Makuza know, and it wouldn't be too much of a stretch for his father to make the connexion

"So, you know, huh?" she replied, ignorant of Henry's real meaning. She uncrossed her legs and crossed them again, right over left this time as she looked down and shifted in her seat, before finally looking up and meetin Henry's eyes with her own icy glare, her blue eyes standing out compared to her pale complexion. She bit her full lips before continuing, looking slightly nervous.

"It had to be done," she said with finality.

For mum, and the boys.

[The Anarcho-Syndicalist Commune]

Henry blinked once. How could he not know? She was rather flagrant about the changes that had happened to her over the summer, Henry wouldn't be suprised if everyone on the train knew about how Caitie looked now. Brushing his hair back int attempt to tame the mop of dark hair on his head, Henry grinned at her, before being perplexed at her second line.

"Wait, what do you mean, 'it had-' You know what never mind, if you don't want to talk about it that's cool. So how are you feeling, good? Cause I mean I'm great. I'm doing absolutely amazing" Henry's eyes wandered back towards Caitie's chest "So are you sure nothing else happened this summer, something rather exciting, because I mean... Well, you know? Anyways, I was wondering, the next Hogsmeade Weekend, do you wanna? I dunno, do something, you know, you and me, three broomsticks with a butterbeer or two, just hanging out, you know, being cool?"