Slytherin Forever! Book Two: Shadow

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Chapter Nine: Disappointment.

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We've gone through places

Where the cold wind blows

Is this the end of it all?

I don't know, I don't know

- Fields Of Desolation, Arch Enemy.

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"I don't know where to start with my tale, nor do I know how to finish it. The only thing that is clear in my mind is that I have always been here in this world. I have been here since the beginning of times, right back to where the world was young, to where its inhabitants were nothing more than beasts: the spirits of demonic forces.

Your people have forgotten about us; they have never looked back at what they had once been. Despite that the origins of their nature cannot be lied about, nor can they be undone. In some humans the spirit of the forces is more visible than in others and one day the world shall be as it once was... unless you fight your destiny.

I fear that you do not understand me as much as I had hoped you would. I will come to you again when I see that the tide is turning. Until then, I want you to keep safe. Remember my name, daughter of Reníen.

Remember the name of Gabriel."

"Miss Cruz, I'd like you to pay attention to this. Save your daydreams for after class."

"I'm sorry, Professor McGonagall. It will not happen again."

As the teacher walked back to the blackboard with a satisfied nod Natalya sighed with relief. She glanced around carefully and smiled softly as she realized that nobody was paying attention to her anymore. She slid down a bit and put one hand in her bag only to extract a small red book.

"What are you doing?" Alisha hissed next to her. "Stop that nonsense before you get a detention or points are taken!"

Natalya did not reply but opened the book and began to write instead. Alisha sighed. Ever since the day Natalya had fainted she had been acting oddly, as if she knew something others didn't. Well, that much was true, really, for Alisha also knew that Natalya was a Seer. But it still annoyed her to no end. Ginny also whirled around in her seat as McGonagall turned her back to the class and whispered urgently:

"Not here, Lya, not now. Close the book for a moment, you'll be able to recall everything later on as well."

"I might not remember all of it when I do that," Natalya whispered back. "I have to do this for our own good, Gin, and you know it."

"Be that as it may, we cannot afford to lose any points," Ginny hissed. "Don't you get it? What will happen if McGonagall finds out about this? What do you think she'll do?"

"Virginia Weasley! May I know what is causing another disruption of the lesson?"

Ginny didn't jump in her seat as McGonagall addressed her sternly, which caused Alisha to smile slightly. Of all the girls in their year, maybe even in all Slytherin, Ginny was one of the few people who did not flinch when they were being reprimanded. Also, Ginny was the only one who could lie with a straight face and get others out of trouble.

"I was asking Natalya about the possibility of existing unregistered Animagi but she said that something like that was impossible. I was arguing with her about it when you interrupted our conversation."

And yes, only Ginny could make polite words sound like an insult. Alisha grinned broadly as McGonagall blinked. The teacher was taken aback ever so slightly, that much was clear, and Ginny herself was enjoying every minute of it.

"I thought that there is quite a large possibility of Animagi living among us... unregistered of course," she continued blandly. "What do you think about that, Professor?"

McGonagall was spared from replying as the bell rang and everybody began to pack their bags. Ginny grinned almost shark-like at Alisha and Natalya before sweeping past them out of the classroom. Alisha sighed and waited patiently for Natalya to finish writing. When she finally did, however, they were the only ones left in the classroom.

"Are you happy now?" Alisha asked through clenched teeth as they left. "You were almost discovered, Lya!"

"To the outside world the words written in the book are the latest edition of 'Sensual Wands'," Natalya muttered with a smile. "Zeynep taught me how to do that."

"Zeynep reads 'Sensual Wands'? Now there's a scary thought...!"

***

Salem Academy Of Magic. Salem, Massachusetts. United States of America.

"He's gone off his rocker."

Mel stared at Gudrun's head in the fire for a minute before shaking her head slowly. She seated herself in one of the plush chairs and leaned forward as Gudrun replied:

"I assure you that he has not gone 'off his rocker', Mel. He was just a bit touchy that night and he wanted to make Ginny feel better."

"But he hasn't done that!" Mel exclaimed. "You said it yourself, Gudrun."

"Do you think that I don't know what I said anymore?" Gudrun hissed vehemently. "Ginny drew other conclusions from his explanation and left. I believe that he's now at the point where he completely ignores her existence."

"That isn't right," Mel whispered. "He must regain her trust, Gudrun. Tell him that!"

It sounded like a desperate plea to Gudrun. She stared at Mel for a minute, eyebrows raised, before continuing:

"Loki has never been good with apologies. I should know that by now seeing as he still hasn't apologized about that night in San Francisco."

"Really?"

Mel grinned and sank down on her knees as Gudrun winked at her. Then, turning like a leaf on a tree, Gudrun said seriously:

"I'll tell him what he has to do. He won't like it, I'm sure of it, but we have no other choice. Thank you for your advice, my friend. Keep safe, will you?"

***

Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry, Britain.

"Loren yûn rissavenyra mín ira renú Gabriel yndir féti wessín Ysit's masírer. Njen pol rína tré yss crûn tér nín omas íttí tuira. Tzum pal ay.

Pär míssu féti cius mûn ní seide pal ri yûn níen yûn pär kyl quin. Pär frest mínfét ná dûr xan qwe bevren féti cenci loren zhara tranira nímun. Qwe rerûn loren forín hygändi féti minna ním icit, crûn pär forín mínfét ná sári loren xence Visae Ancantéra."

"Telling yourself the history of your family again?"

Loki looked up, startled. He had not heard the door close behind his visitor, nor had he expected for her to come to him after what had passed between them years ago. He regarded the woman coolly, not willing to admit that he was glad to see her, and said:

"I am just trying to see what was so wrong about performing Visae Ancanté on Virginia Weasley. I have not found anything of importance though, in case you were wondering."

"I wasn't," the woman whispered softly and took a seat. "What part of the tale was it? I never really understood the language of your family so forgive me if I didn't follow it as well as I should have."

"And as the sun set in the west Gabriel started to question Ysit's judgement," Loki replied. "Nine were left among them but seven would fall before the morn. It was hopeless.

He began to believe that his beloved was not as loyal as he had thought. He sneaked into her room once she went out to feed and saw the deceit himself. She returned and looked surprised to find him there, but he looked into her eyes and performed the Words of the Sight."

"The Treachery of Ysit then," the woman stated grimly. "It is funny that you thought about this part just now, relating to what happened with Ginny Weasley."

"What are you doing here, Catherine?" Loki growled. "The last thing I need right now is you watching every move I make with hawk-like eyes, waiting to report anything that goes wrong to Colin and Severus. Get out of my sight."

"Colin has not sent me," Catherine said to him. "And as for the other... Severus is perfectly capable of seeing the things you do wrong by himself."

"How come that I don't believe a word you tell me?"

"Because it is not true," Catherine grinned. "Colin sent me to you to hear you out about the thing that happened with the Weasley girl the other night. Gudrun sent me here to give you a friendly warning on Mel's orders."

"Gudrun? Is she okay?"

"Such an admirable question," Catherine continued, "and a very stupid one at the same time. Your relationship with her is nothing more than a way of life, Loki. You don't need her."

"Get away from me, Catherine," Loki whispered. "Give me that warning and leave."

"I don't think so," Catherine said softly. "Gudrun asks for you to apologize to the Heiress and keep quiet against Severus. She says that the last thing you need right now is another attack."

Catherine pouted and brushed her purple hair out of her face as Loki stared at her and got up slowly. She leaned back expectantly for he was towering over her with a disgusted look on his face, eyes sparkling with hatred.

"I told you to get away from me twice. Now I won't be so friendly. Thanks for the warning you gave me, love."

He took her arm, not gently but harshly, and made her get up. He marched over to the door, Catherine trailing behind him, looking scared, and opened it. He pushed her out, sneered at her, and slammed the door shut behind him, locking it after a brief moment of consideration.

"The nerve of that woman," he muttered. "To come up here to the school to give me something that she calls a friendly warning is one thing... but to be sent here by Colin, assuming that she could sack me without blinking..."

Still muttering ominously to himself, he went into his bedroom and fell asleep instantly when his body met the bed. He must have been dreaming something good, however, for sometimes his lips would curl into a smile that had not been seen on his face for years...

The cold weather stayed, even though January had already faded into February, and everybody started to wish that the sun would show itself soon. Ginny found the temperatures in the castle quite normal and walked around in t-shirts in the weekends but other people were heard complaining to each other about the bad weather. Natalya was still sighted with a Slytherin scarf around her neck, claiming that it was a good luck bringer and that everyone should wear something like it, even though the bitter winter had passed.

The second-years were waiting in the queue before the classrooms on the third floor when Ginny felt a cold hand land upon her shoulder. She whirled around, as did the others, and was surprised to see Loki. He looked very out of place in Muggle clothes, even more so because he was pureblooded himself, and for some reason he seemed to feel quite uncomfortable.

"I just wanted to say," he began hesitantly, "that I was way out of place the other day. I should not have told you all of those things without consulting my boss and I certainly shouldn't have treated you the way I did. What I am trying to tell you is that I owe you an apology... so here it is. I'm sorry for behaving like that."

Natalya giggled softly but was silenced by an angry glare from both Ginny and Loki. Alisha also had a grin on her face, just like Trevor and Nelson, and had to look away as Jayden, next to her, let out a snort of laughter.

"Your apology is accepted," Ginny replied softly. "We have to be more careful next time."

"There shall not be a next time," Loki said to her. "The Zeppo was not ready to forgive me as I had thought they would and I have to get back into the good books before I try anything else. I'm really sorry, Ginny, but there is simply no way for me to perform Visae Ancanté again without them knowing about it beforehand. The deal, however, still remains."

"And what about my nightmares?"

Ginny's voice had dropped down to a mere whisper, to keep the information private and away from other listeners, and she looked every bit like the little girl she was with her green eyes shining with tears. Loki sighed mutely and replied:

"Professor Dumbledore has, after consulting Professor McGonagall, decided that I should be sacked were I to tell you anything else about them. I do not know how they found out about those nightmares, nor about their motives to forbid me to tell you what is your right to know, but I want to stay here at Hogwarts as long as I can to help you. My door will always be opened for those who need me."

He strode away from them quickly, not willing to answer any other questions. Ginny stared after him for a moment, dumbfounded, until she found herself facing her brother Ron and his two friends Harry and Hermione.

"What were you doing that for?" Ron asked her incredously. "Talking to that Romanov fellow as if he is a friend of yours..."

"Maybe I was talking to him because he is indeed a friend of mine," Ginny retaliated; suddenly back in character. "What is it to you, Ron?"

"Look at him, Ginny!" Ron exclaimed. "He is clearly filled with knowledge about the Dark Arts. I want to bet you anything that he has been in league with You-Know-Who!"

"Oh really?" Natalya sneered. "How clever of you, Weasel. I didn't know that you had a brain in the first place, let alone one that could draw such an idiotic conclusion."

"Ron's got more brains than you," Hermione replied. "What on earth were you thinking, Ginny?"

"I was thinking nothing at the time," Ginny said with a serious undertone in her voice. "When I think I begin to worry about all kinds of things and it is quite confusing for the people talking to me because then I begin to talk about nonsense and I am doing that right now so this is a perfect example of what happens when I begin to think."

"Did you actually draw breath while saying that?" Jayden asked with a smile.

"Let me think... er... no."

"Anyway, I want you to stay away from him," Ron said.

"From who?"

Ginny looked confused, which even upset her brother further.

"From that Romanov guy of course!"

"He's got a first name, you know," Natalya interrupted. "It's a beautiful one, too. Loki..."

"I don't care even if his name was something stupid like Archibald!" Ron exploded. "Point is: he is evil. Stay away from him."

"One: you just said that there was only one point but you named two," Ginny replied. "And two: a person that might be evil in your eyes might not be so in other people's minds."

"You know what I mean," Ron shrugged. "Do you understand?"

"You're confusing me now," Natalya frowned. "First you say that Gin knows what you mean, and then you ask her if she understands. I don't get it anymore!"

"Neither do I," Ginny said to her. "Ron has always been like this. Terribly confusing, really..."

"Are you going to stay away from him then?" Ron asked hopefully.

Ginny turned to look at him and sighed.

"Final answer: no."

"Why not?"

"Because she likes him and so do we!" Natalya replied. "Now get out of my face, Weasel. You're blocking the light."

"I don't agree with that."

"With what? The part about blocking the light?"

"The other one."

"What other one?"

"The part about liking him. I don't agree with it."

"The 'we' did not include you, Weasel."

"I meant the part where you said that Ginny liked him!" Ron said, frustrated. "I don't see it."

"My word, Ron," Ginny sighed. "Calling you stupid would really be an insult to stupid people."

"It's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid that to open it and remove all doubt," Alisha said thoughtfully. "You didn't know that rule, Weasel, now did you?"

"Shut up, Avery," Ron grumbled. "You know, Ginny, it is easy to notice that you're a Slytherin. The way you behave..."

"Thank you," Ginny said and bowed. "It means a lot to me, Ron."

"I'm leaving. It's no good talking to you anyway."

"We are not going to miss you," Natalya said softly. "Earth is full. Go home."

Ron left, tips of his ears reddening slowly in anger, and Hermione together with Harry shot Ginny annoyed looks before walking off as well. Ginny shrugged and turned back to her friends, asking:

"Now what did I do?"

***

The Dark Arts Deparment at Durmstrang School For Magic, somewhere in Bulgaria.

"What does Visae Ancanté mean, Toni? What are the purposes for doing it and how can the use of Visae Ancanté be justified?"

Toni Federov stared at Shanna for a whole minute before he shrugged and went back to his work. He had just marked another paper when Shanna closed the book she had been looking in with a snap and hissed:

"You'd better tell me everything right now and don't leave anything out instead of sitting there marking test papers while one of my friends is over at Hogwarts doing that exact thing!"

"Come again?" Toni smirked. "I did not hear the word I'd love to hear come from your lips, Shan."

"Er... please?"

"Very well then," Toni responded with a smile. "Have a seat first, though, for I don't know how long my explanation is going to take... Maybe you should have some tea as well."

Shanna took a seat reluctantly, not accepting the tea Toni offered her or one of the old biscuits from a silver plate. Toni sighed, shoved his papers away, and began:

"Visae Ancanté, commonly referred to as 'Words of the Sight', is an old way of getting to know people's worst fears or memories. It is quite dangerous and should not be attempted by people who do not know anything about the heritage we carry with us.

The use of Visae Ancanté by Dark Wizards and Witches has been discussed a lot for the past few centuries and has led to many fights, especially in the Middle Ages. Nowadays we believe that the use of Visae Ancanté, despite its connections with the Dark Arts, is completely legal and in some cases even necessary."

"I cannot think of any occasion where I'd use such a thing," Shanna whispered. "Never have I heard of this before and never will I want to know it again..."

"What about the trials against Death Eaters?" Toni asked her suddenly. "A person able to perform Visae Ancanté has been a vital item in those in the past and will be again if the Rising continues."

"How did you...?"

"...Know?" Toni finished for her and explained: "Jaime Volcanov, one of Loki's friends, told me about it ages ago. There is always a connection between us, Shan, even if the bonds we have now aren't those we had in the past."

"Sometimes I wish that we were all back in school together," Shanna whispered. "That none of this would have happened. That Sirius... that he would still be here with me."

"And so he will be," Toni whispered. "Deep down in your heart you know that you are still his girl. Nothing can change that, not even his supposed Death Eater past, and that is absolute love."

Shanna nodded slowly, eyes shining with tears, and sniffed a couple of times. Toni looked at her for a moment, silent, before he sighed and said:

"Come here, Shan. Don't you even dare to think about it for one second, you hear me?"

He gathered the now crying woman into his arms carefully. Friends they were and friends they'd be forever... no matter how many surprises the future held.

***

Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry, Britain.

Gryffindor played Ravenclaw and, to the Slytherins' great dislike, won. Harry Potter's new broom, a Firebolt, had ensured Gryffindor's victory and the Slytherins were seething with anger. Draco and Flint had, together with Crabbe and Goyle, lost fifty points and received detentions when they come onto the pitch looking like Dementors.

That night, however, nobody slept. Sirius Black had entered Gryffindor Tower and the castle was being searched thoroughly again. The Slytherins were all seated in the common room when, finally, Loki entered and announced:

"Sirius Black has escaped us a second time. There will be increased safety measures from this moment on all around the castle and I urge everyone with information about Black's supposed hide-out to come forward."

"What will those safety measures mean for us?" Zeynep asked. "Will we still be able to walk around the castle freely? Or will it be more like last year?"

"I don't know, Mr Zabini," Loki sighed. "I have to tell you the following, though. If we do not catch Black soon it is likely that our biggest enemy will have another ally..."