The Veiled Black

Inside the Ravenclaw Tower, Hermione stomped her way in and the other witches made way for her like the Red Sea. Her bright brown eyes easily found their target. Chang seemed so innocent in the way she looked around to see if she was the one Hermione was clearly pissed off at.

“Is there something wrong, Hermione?” The sweet sickly voice that greeted her when she was close enough to her target made Hermione want to vomit. All eyes were on her in an instant when her aura began seeping out of her person as if she was about to blow.

“Yes.” She sneered.

Ginny, who was there to witness everything, stared in awe as Hermione quickly tried to calm herself down and succeed. Marching with a hot head and flaming emotions was a stupid tactic against someone like Chang after all.

“What is it? Is there something I could do to help you?” she asked easily, her words hiding behind venomous words.

Hermione gave her the same sickening smile so they were mirroring each other’s expressions. “Actually, you are the only one that can help me with this, Cho.”

The Asian’s eyes suddenly widened mockingly. “Really?” Chang said, voice low in fake surprise. “Wow, this is going to be nostalgic. Just like the old times right, ‘Mione?”

Something flickered in the depth of Hermione’s eyes as memories of the same shy and kind Cho Chang resurfaced in her mind. This was her weakness. She couldn’t help but see the times she and Cho spent together when they were children. Both raised to be to the possible successor of the Witch Clan.

Hermione clenched her fists. It hurt but it wasn’t like she cared anyway. So she picked her wand and pointed it towards Cho Chang who blinked at it. This time, she wasn’t kidding when her brows furrowed in confusion, her eyes screaming disbelief.

“What—Are you challenging me?” Chang’s voice came out shaky and a bit betrayed, but Hermione just looked at her with eyes full of sadness and conviction. Her eyebrows were scrunched up though, showing just how much the gesture inwardly pained her as well.

“Yes.”

Gasps were heard from all around the Common Room. Soon it turned into hushed whispers and after a little while, their Head of House, Minerva McGonagall, appeared when she felt the fissions of magic in the Common Room.

“What is happening here, Miss Granger?” Her voice brought a complete silence within the Ravenclaws. They all turned towards Hermione in unison, waiting for her response.

“I, Hermione Granger, challenge Cho Chang to bestow a suitable punishment to her for her crimes against her fellow Witches.”

Another bout of gasps ensued. It was fewer than before though because the witches that were born Dark went silent. Good thing only the older ones were awake at that time.

McGonagall could not believe what she just heard. She never expected such behavior from Granger of all people, but this was something she couldn’t stop. The Challenge had been said. The only thing they all could do was wait for Chang to either accept or refuse.

The answer came after a beat of silence.

“I—I refuse, Hermione,” the other witch said, head hanging low. “I couldn’t fight you. We’re friends and besides, I don’t have any crimes. I did nothing.”

When the last word left Chang’s mouth, it took Hermione everything in her to not start throwing hexes. Bloody hell did she meant by that?!

Couldn’t fight her? Friends? Did nothing?!

Even Ginny who couldn’t directly see Chang’s oh-so-innocent expression was growling in anger. The only thing that stopped her was Luna’s hand that held her by the wrist and the knowledge that this was Hermione’s fight. If Hermione could not prove that she is strong and would stand for what is right despite everything, then she would lose the support of the Dark Witches and she would fail once again.

When she could finally word something between gritted teeth, Hermione’s voice wavered at first. “Why?” She took a deep breath before she steeled herself and looked at Chang in the eye. “To a witch, her magic is her everything. Her very being. It is what makes her who she is. Yet, how—how could you stomach to drain multiple witches for their magic only leaving them with the average amount of magic!?”

Even McGonagall gasped at that.

It was silent again after that. The other Ravenclaws who couldn’t move from their places looked between the two witches with varying degree of worry and apprehension. That was until Chang’s body began to shake. At first, McGonagall thought she was crying because of the sudden accusing words of Miss Granger. But, Merlin, was she wrong.

Chang titled her head back as she laughed maniacally.

It felt like forever until she stopped and sneered. “Ah~h. Since when did you know of that place?” Then, with a frown, she regarded all the dark witches around who instantly took a step back. “Did one of you rat me out like the vermin you all are?”

“None of them told me,” Hermione gritted out, finally seeing her friend letting out her true colours.

“Hmm… No wonder I have been having the feeling that someone has been watching and following me. That was you, huh? You were not very subtle, ‘Mione.” She clasped her hand at her back as she giggled. “Oh, and you asked me why? Impure beings like them do not deserve to live, but some of them had a huge amount of magic. I thought of making use of it, you know. It took me quite a lot of time to assure that the magic becomes purified.”

Hermione could not believe that. How can she just say those things as if it was something trivial?

But her next words made Hermione shake to the core. Chang’s voice became soft and honest that she was seeing the old Cho from within who she was right now.

“But you know, ‘Mione. I actually did all of this for you.” Hermione’s eyes widened and the others watched with baited breath, awaiting an explanation as to why she did such a thing.

“Wh—at?” Hermione’s voice shook with disbelief.

Chang raised her wand as well and tapped Hermione’s shaking one. “I accept your challenge, Hermione Granger.”

With a blast of magic, a huge dome of barrier appeared around them. The room then shifted to a much bigger space to accommodate their duel and for the onlookers.

“Answer me, Cho!” Hermione shouted as Chang stepped back to give them space for their duel.

“If you win against me then I suppose I will tell you. But if you don’t…” There wasn’t any need for words to that.

Hermione steeled herself once more. She had to win this duel no matter what. She couldn’t let Chang win.

Without a single sound of an argument between them, the duel began. Hermione casted spell after spell and deflected all Chang’s attack one by one. The other witch mirrored her, dodging and casting spells with the intent of crumbling down the enemy.

“You would have to do better than that, Hermione.” Chang was livid, yet beneath her emotions, there was something hiding that Hermione couldn’t understand.

Chang’s magic was growing stronger by the minute and Hermione shouldn’t let that. She immediately masked a binding spell in a flurry of curses and hexes. Chang did not notice it as she deflected it one by one.

Then like a rope at the end of her wand, Hermione pulled on the bind she placed and Chang lost her balance. Hermione bound the other witch again quickly before using Expelliarmus to obtain her wand.

Hermione panted as the duel was over. Had she prolonged it, Chang would’ve used the magic she procured from the other witches to overpower her.

The barrier around them dissipated and the room returned to its usual size. She looked down at a subdued Chang as she then began to speak.

“I had to do it, you know? If we allow dark witches with huge amounts of magic in their bodies challenge us, we will lose,” Chang explained and Hermione shook her head.

“I never wanted to be a leader who will only be in that position because of power. I want to be a leader that one can get along with and help those in need. One who will protect her fellow witches despite their differences in magic. That is who I wanted to be. The reason why I left the dark witches alone was because I thought it would be good for them.” She once again shook her head as she remembered the human’s words that day at the Infirmary. “I was wrong though, and because of that, I have failed you. All of you.”

Chang scoffed at that but something within her shifted, though no one noticed.

“You are naïve, Hermione, and that will be your downfall.”

Hermione then released her from the binding spell before crouching in front of Cho Chang and held her hand at her. “Yes, I am. However, I have all of you, right? Both Light and Dark together in harmony. You all would be there to stop me if ever I am in the wrong, to advise me on what is the best way to handle things. To stop me if ever I lost my way and bring us to destruction.”

Cho’s eyes were filled with tears at the end of Hermione’ speech. She took the offered hand and replied. “Yes... Of course, I will be there.”

Hermione hugged her and held her close.

… 

“She finally did it, don’t you think so, Luna?” Ginny voiced out and waited for the reply of her fellow witch, only to find that Luna was not by her side. She did not think too much on it. She knew how impulsive her friend is. Therefore, she just waited for her to return.

In one of the corridors in the Dormitory of the Ravens, a lone figure walked away with a hand clutching the wall for support as if she was about to faint. Tears slowly streaming from her eyes, a similar yet somehow charmed to be different bracelet clung to her wrist.

“Why now?” Her voice slowly broke at the end. “Why do you have to say all of those things now? It’s too late for me. Way, way too late.”

She entered her room and she stared up at the moon. She felt it, the ringing of the bracelet tightly clamped on her wrist. She easily wiped away her tears as she spelled the door to shut tightly. After that, she sat down in front of a mirror then whispered.

“Revelare et coniungere.”

Not too long after, a voice was heard from the two-way mirror. A familiar looking purple hair, red lips quirked up in a grin, appeared.

“Here I thought you dare to dismiss my summons.”

Luna was unmoving. She merely looked at the mirror with emotionless eyes as she shook her head and spoke with a cold-trained tone.

“I would never, Master.”

“So emotionless as usual. How are you, my dear beloved Luna?”

“I am fine, Master.”

“I see. Your mate is not giving you a hard time, is she?” A cackle was then emitted by the female as she laughed wickedly. “Don’t worry. The spell I did to you was very similar to my Brother's, though he is much worse. The mate bond was cleanly severed. While I wanted to do that to you, your possible connection to your mate could prove to be a huge advantage to all of us—no, to me. Ah, your Father say’s ‘Hi’, by the way.”

A flicker of emotion passed through Luna’s eyes.

“So weak, my Luna. Anyway, continue on what you have been doing for now. Hermione Granger is my rival for the Throne of the Witches after all.”

An evil glint was seen in the other female’s black eyes as Luna remained cold without any kind of emotions.

“Though I wonder what she would feel if she finds out that her mate is currently my most prized spy, right my, Luna?”

Luna did not deny of this as she fully knew her role in the war. When she was young, it was her own mistake of wandering alone in the forest because that was where she was found. With her Father used as an advantage, she was the perfect puppet and no one could ever expect her to be a pawn.

“…And that is all that have occurred here in Hogwarts.” She finished her report of the day with little emotions as possible.

The woman in the other mirror smiled wickedly at her. "I have sent an owl to you. Use the vial discreetly, I will not forgive failure. Well, I will see you then, my Luna. We will be together soon again, my pet.”

The connection broke and the mirror reverted to its normal one as Luna released a huge sigh of relief.

“Why do I have to be born your mate, ...Hermione?” She clutched the bracelet that suppressed her connection to Hermione and the bracelet that bounds her to Nymphadora Black.

Tugging her knees to her chin, she hugged her knees tightly as she felt so alone. One wrong move from her and her Father would die. Her tears flowed freely as she wept for the things she could never have.

Her thoughts then drifted to Orion, at how similar their positions were but then she shook her head. Marius. She knew when she was in the infirmary. She felt the power, the magic of the human male. So similar to Nymphadora yet so kind, so gentle. Unlike hers. Something she had never felt before. It was powerful like a heartbeat.

‘Orion has him after all. At least one of us would have a chance…’

~~~~~~

Marius was seething with fed up energy. He wanted to blow off some steam. However, he could not do just that. His cousin, as soon as he had calmed himself and assured Marius a dozen of times that he was okay, headed off to the dungeons. He couldn’t do anything after that.

Marius paced the room. It felt so suffocating that he couldn’t think.

If his Aunt truly did sever the link of mates from Orion and Fred Weasley, would it be possible to reconnect it?

He carded his hands through his blond hair. He knew it was so much more messed up than usual, but he did not care. Beau looked agitated as well because somehow, he could feel Marius’ anger and tension.

The human took huge gulps of air as he tried to relax, but to no avail.

‘How could a Mother do that to her own child? Denying him the only happiness of his life? Denying him the right to have a mate?’

His energy was fluctuating on the surface of his body. If he did not calm down, a light bulb might pop. Or better, he could break the windows. He needed to get out of the common room. Closed places could never actually calm him down.

Looking down at Beau whose tongue was lolling out of his mouth, he spoke. “Stay here. I just need some air.” He patted the dog who seemed to have calmed down better than he did.

Marius grabbed his school robes after that and went out. It was past curfew, he knew, but he couldn’t care less. He blew air to his fringe to keep it away from his eyes as he headed to the Astronomy Tower to calm himself.

When he arrived, the same exhaustion he felt as usual after the trek up helped him cool off. He leaned against the wall and after a while, he closed his eyes as he let himself be drowned by his previously locked thoughts. He instantly felt tears prickled down his cheek because it hurt. He wept for those he could have helped, for those he and his mother could have helped had they not decided to hide.

‘Was it my fault? If not for me, Mother would have ended the feud between Bellatrix and Andromeda. Was it because of me? Had I not been born, Mother would have never had to disappear. She could have helped in earnest after and before the war. Am I at fault?’

Something at the back of his mind was screaming. ‘Yes, it was your fault. Had you not been born, the war would have been over. Orion would have been saved and Bellatrix would not have been where she is now.

His hands flew to his face immediately as sobbing sounds broke free from his lips.

‘Mother and I had the power to stop all of this. Yet, why? Why did Mother hide me so? Why did she stop me from my fate? What did she even meant by it? Why do I have to hide away? Why can I not claim my rightful place as a wizard in the world? Why? Why? Why?’

He sobbed and sobbed. Until he stopped.

At first, he felt something warm touched his shoulder, causing his tears to slow down and his thoughts to pause. He recognized it as a hand, comforting and so familiar.

When he looked up, it was to see Harry who had an odd expression on his face, like a bit of mixed worry and confusion. It made Marius wondered why he looked like that.

As if having its own mind, his hand found Harry’s cheek. The wolf’s expression changed again after that. Surprise made Harry’s eyes widened slightly before he leaned his head to Marius’ hand.

“Hey, Harry. Why do you have such expressions?” Again, it was as if his body had its own mind, he found himself asking. Or really, maybe it was because Marius just couldn’t think straight. The werewolf replied him, maybe, just as absentmindedly.

“Hey, Marius. Why do you have such expressions?”

Marius blinked and blinked. When he could finally think clearer, there was a faint smile appeared on his face as he let his hand fell away. The smile didn’t last long, however. He finally proceeded that he had let someone witness his vulnerable moment, so hang his head low.

Harry didn’t miss the small slip, though. A millisecond was all he needed to know he wanted to see that smile again, no matter how shocking that fact might be even to himself. He had never felt that way to someone else before, after all.

“Hey,” Harry called softly. And when his hands suddenly moved to cup Marius cheek, mimicking the other’s action before, well, he would blame it on whimsical movements and stupid instinct.  

Marius looked up at that. Driven by pure shock, probably, but Harry’s hand remained on his cheek as they both stared at each other, stunned.

Harry’s eyes were beautiful, Marius concluded easily. He had never thought of spending some time staring at them before, but now he was aware he had been wrong before. As cliché as it sounded, he couldn’t even think of anything else but stare and stare. Funny that he almost thought as if he was being sucked by those pools of green that seemed to be glinting as they reflected the light.

Had Harry’s eyes always been that green before? How could Marius miss that before? Those eyes reminded him so much of the spring fields where he and his Mother used to go and have a picnic. Stunning. Beautiful. Tragic.

Marius didn’t know he was crying again until Harry began wiping his tears softly, carefully.

He bit the inside of his cheeks.

Had this werewolf always been this considerate? This… sweet?

How could he miss all of that? How?

“Tears do not fit you, Marius.” Even his voice sounded so soothing, so calming. Only his mother ever managed to sound that caring of him before. “Try smiling again, will you? That works better.”

Harry gave him a smile of his own when Marius’ tears immediately stopped. His hands finally moving to swipe back the human’s fringe before falling to his side.

A small chuckle escaped Marius almost unconsciously, followed by a small, sincere smile. “You’re horrible, Potter.”

“Hey, now.” The werewolf had the tendency to look sheepish. “Sorry. I don’t really know what to say. Hermione always said I’m much better at expressing my feelings through actions rather than words.”

Marius hummed at that as he stared at the wolf who fidgeted at his scrutiny. He couldn’t have said the werewolf actually did a magnificent job at calming him down so bluntly now, could he? He had more than enough embarrassment of the day.

He changed the topic instead. “Why are you here, anyway?”

“I always come here to think.” Marius quirked up his eyebrow as if shocked. Harry scoffed amusedly. “I’m just kidding.”

Marius rolled his eyes. “Of course.”

They fell into a comfortable silence soon after.

Well, a comfortable silence in the outside only. Inwardly, Marius was arguing with himself.

Because of the unexpected gesture, Harry gave him just then, something within him wanted to know what would happen if Harry learned the truth about who he really is. Would he be hated by those green eyes if he found out that he was really the Draco Black he had been looking for all along? Would those eyes lock him in a heated glare, look at him with disappointment, or drown him in the blame for the things that he could have done if he had shown himself earlier? 

So, he braced himself for the answer.

“Hey, Harry,” he called carefully.

The wolf hummed in reply. “Yeah?”

Marius locked his eyes at the ground beneath him that suddenly looked more interesting than ever. “What…” he took a breath, “what would you do if Draco Black is closer than you think?”

Silence. It wasn't a deafening one, nor was it like the previous one. Marius couldn't help but bit the inside of his cheeks again.

Fortunately, Harry broke it not long after. He approached Marius rather hurriedly, closing the two feet gap they unconsciously made after Marius had calmed down. Marius then braced himself to be shaken for information. Oh, how wrong he was when Harry suddenly asked, “What do you mean?”

Marius sighed in defeat. “I meant, Harry…” His eyes easily found those green orbs again. They were still shining despite the place they were in. again, so beautiful. Marius felt like taking back what he said about those eyes having the same color as the Killing Curse.

Then, his mind came to a halt. ‘Wait—what? How do I know the color of the Killing Curse?’

Biting his lip unconsciously and lost in his thoughts, Marius was only snapped back to reality when he heard a groan coming from Harry. His head was on his knees and he seemed to be looking down.

The werewolf watched as Marius called his name again. The sound of it was so right and perfect coming from the human’s lips. And then, suddenly Marius stared right at him in the eyes and he couldn't help but get lost in smoking gray irises that were both gorgeous and mystifying at once.

He was so worried—no, panicked when he saw the blond cried before. He was wanted to know what caused such thing so desperately that he shocked even himself.

Harry didn’t even realize that he leaned in closer and closer to Marius’ face. Maybe it was because those eyes gravitated him or maybe he was just so screwed in the head somehow. Whatever that was, he quickly regained his body control or else, Merlin knew he would do something he wasn’t supposed to do. Like, kissing Marius, maybe.

Bloody hell. He was screwed indeed. Where was that thought come from?! Did Professor Snape whack him hard enough to make him this delirious? Or maybe the house elf put something silly in his meal?

He looked away after that and sat beside the blond, leaning against the wall. His eyes were dead set trained on the wall without any intent of straying anytime soon.

 “Uh... So, you were saying?” Well, at least he didn’t stutter. Or worse, squeaking.

Marius hummed for a bit. “I said, what would you do if Draco is here, at Hogwarts?"

“Well, I would convince him to help us,” the werewolf replied simply.

“But what if he doesn’t want to? What if he says it’s not his war or he doesn’t want anything to do with the war?”

Harry bit his lip in thought and Marius soundlessly swallowed the nervousness that rose from his belly.

‘What if Harry gets mad? Would he blame me if I told him all I ever did is to fulfill my promise to Mother?’

His thoughts were once gain interrupted when Harry spoke and finally looked at him.

“Then, I will let him be.”

At that, Marius instantly jumped from his seating position, face painted with disbelief. “What?!”

Harry chuckled before he tugged the sleeve of Marius’s robes to make him sit down in front of him. The werewolf then let out a sincere smile and Marius thought he would love to see that kind of smile directed at him more often.

“What I meant is, I would not force him, Marius. He does not deserve that. I understand.” Harry leaned back on the solid wall behind him. “Ever since I was born, I was fated to be the Dark Lord’s bane. Responsibilities and stuff were pushed on me since a young age. I have never felt freer than when I am here at Hogwarts. So if he ever decides not to help, then that’s his decision and I will respect it.” He looked back at Marius with those green eyes and Marius could not help but feel sad for him.

‘Orion was not the only one suffering through all of this. We all are. Why does fate have to be this cruel to us?’S

“You don’t want him to be tied down by fate just like you are?” Marius asked.

Harry nodded, his smile growing fonder.

Marius' heart stopped for a second at the sight before he quickly looked away and bit his lip. His vision began to blur right after, but he shouldn't let himself cry. Not anymore. He had to be tough because for sure, more cruel things were to come after him. He had to stand strong for everyone, for himself, for Mother.

Still, Harry’s acceptance of his fate pained him.

He was about to stand up when suddenly, he felt strong arms enveloped him in warmth. He froze before the feeling of care, of protectiveness and affection, put him at ease. Marius knew then, without Harry saying anything, that everything would be alright. That it was okay to be strong and to feel at the same time. That sometimes, accepting sadness wouldn’t be a weakness.

Marius released a soft sigh as he let his head fell onto Harry’s shoulder.

There, he let himself cry again. He cried for everyone, for himself, for Mother.

But mostly, he cried for nothing.

…

They stayed like that for a while, surrounded by a bubble of lulling heartbeats and light feelings.

Harry even dared himself to card his fingers through Marius messy blond locks, making the other hummed in appreciation and sleepiness. Marius had never felt this comfortable in a long time. His breathing was coming even and when he was about to close his eyes, Harry’s warmth disappeared. He was then faced with Harry and another one of his fond smiles.

“Hey, sleepyhead. I am not carrying you to Hufflepuff.” He then put on a show of thinking something. “Unless you want to be carried like a sack of potatoes, then sure. I will carry you. Or maybe you want to be carried like a princess instead?”

That woke Marius up enough to let him send the silly werewolf a glare. “You—you!”

Harry laughed merrily at him. “Adorable. Come on, I’ll walk you to Hufflepuff.”

Before Marius could say anything, he was dragged by Harry down the stairs. Harry looked so happy that Marius could not break out any words back but a smile plastered itself on his lips as he looked at their hands—entwined like their fates itself.