The Veiled Black

Within the confines of Hufflepuff’s dorm, inside the only room being occupied, a single form could be seen crumpled in the middle of what seemed to be a circle written with countless runes all around. Beau watched as his master—the one laying inside the circle—slept soundlessly, prepared to do anything if his master ever ensued an order upon him.

He remembered the day the first time such an event happened to his master back then. He was so little and yet the darkness seeped out from him just like it did before, but even the dog was able to tell that this darkness was different from what he had felt before when his master first experienced it. The runes kept the darkness from seeping out of his body and awakening to break his walls. It helps him from experiencing the nightmares it brings.

Suddenly, silver eyes opened. The irises are shifting from black to silver, but the dog was sure his master had not awoken yet. The black aura that the guardian dog had seen countless times emanating from his master the past few days was getting thicker and thicker like a black cloud that was slowly but surely trying to devour his master from within.

Slowly, the dog stood up. Its footsteps were quiet as the wind as it approached the rune circle that prevented the dark aura from continually consuming his master alive. Beau stood a mere inch from penetrating the small barrier. Without a single hesitation, the guardian dog breached the barrier. As soon as the dog was inside, the dark aura that seeped out began to latch upon him. The dog showed a huge dislike as the dark aura entered its body.

Soon the dog laid down next to his master, his head placed on top of his paws as the black aura transferred from his master to his own body. The dog remembered the memory he had when his master’s mother asked him to protect and assure that his little master did not befall to the darkness, so the dog who was exposed to such strong and powerful magic decided for himself that he would protect his little master from anything no matter what it took.

….

Hermione was feeling anxious as she watched the potion she stirred began to change color to a light grey, showing the signs that the potion is about to be finished. It just needed a few more days to stay in the cauldron for the stirring parts and it would soon be prepared. She was not worried about the potion, no, what she was most worried about was about Marius. She noticed the human was slightly unfocused for a few days already and he had been looking paler than he ever did before.

What was much more alarming was that the boy seemed to be isolating himself, only letting Orion close to him along with Luna which was not odd at all since he seemed to be more relaxed. There were times when he acted in pure indifference. She knew that he sometimes did that but there was just something cold about it. She could see it in his eyes.

A sudden intrusion in her barriers made her look up from where she was sitting and sat up to see who the intruder was. She was surprised when she saw the familiar mop of Harry’s hair. She released a breath she was holding and the tension in her shoulders left as she lowered her wand.

“Woah,” Harry voiced out, startled as well.

“I apologize. You took me by surprise,” Hermione voiced out but she suddenly felt that her barrier fell. She moved away from Harry to recast her barrier.

“Sorry about that,” Harry replied sheepishly and he started fidgeting, looking around as if to see if someone was with her.

Hermione raised her eyebrow at this. She watched Harry squirmed for a bit before she was sure that the werewolf would not say anything, then she asked, “Is there something wrong?”

Harry’s eyes snapped back to her, quivering like an open book. “What are you talking about? I was just here to check on the potion.” And just after that, Harry knew he was screwed.

Hermione’s knowing eyes swirled a bit with amusement before she sat back down on a cushion that she conjured near the wall. “Really, Harry. Since when have you been so keen and interested in potions?”

Harry really could never escape Hermione so he just released a huge sigh and resigned himself. Hermione then conjured up another cushion for Harry to sit on. “I was looking for Marius, okay?”

There was a gleam in Hermione’s eyes that made Harry sure the witch was not surprised to know why Harry was there.

“He is not here. He has been busy these past few days. Since he has done his part in assuring that I made the potion perfectly in which I did, he decided to leave the rest to me.”

Harry’s mouth formed into an o. Before he could stand up and leave to look for the blonde elsewhere, he was stopped by Hermione patting his arm. “What happened between you and him, Harry?”

Her voice was soft and hold a tinge of concern as her eyes tell it all. Harry could do nothing but remain in his seat and look down, guiltily. “Do you remember the night after I went berserk?” Hermione nodded her head and he continued. “He was there Hermione, that night I attacked him, and god knows what would have happened if Orion or the Headmaster was not there.”

Hermione gasped at this and held Harry’s hand for support.

“I could’ve killed him, Hermione. I have never understood why, but just the thought of that made me feel—dread.”

Hermione’s eyes widened at this. She was sure that the Harry she had always known was brave and determined. Yes, he had felt fear in losing a loved one but she had never seen the light in Harry’s emerald eyes dimmed like this. Now she started to wonder whether what Harry felt for Marius was greater than what she had imagined.

“But it did not happen, Harry. He is safe and protected—“ She was stopped from continuing by Harry.

“He is not safe with me.” Harry looked down and Hermione remained quiet, waiting for Harry to continue. “I fully know that. He felt something for me and yet when I pushed him away, I easily regretted that decision of mine. I did what was right because if my mate appears where would that lead us?”

That was then that Hermione figured out what had happened, but at that moment she could understand why Harry did what he did. She could also understand where Marius stand, he must’ve felt devastated when Harry mentioned his mate. She looked at her friend whose head was bowed, defeated and she scooted closer to give the werewolf a hug he needed.

“I am so sorry, Harry.” The werewolf clung to her and she allowed it. Her friend was right in front of her and yet she had not seen just how much he had fallen. “What you did was right, Harry. You are not wrong because if your relationship with him had escalated, it would be much harder to let him go and he will be the one to end up broken.”

“I know that, but why letting him go hurts so much then?”

Hermione could feel her shoulder slightly wet with tears that the werewolf seemed to repress. She patted Harry’s head to soothe him. She allowed him to have this moment. She knew that Harry had always had to be strong for all the people who relied on him. He was never allowed to be weak, to weep, to be this vulnerable. This was something that they both shared as a future leader of the witches and him the future leader, prophesized to destroy the Dark Lord.

“I know,” she whispered quietly in the silence of the room. She knew that he had heard it.

A few minutes later, Harry seemed to have calmed down as he slowly eased out of the hug and took in a deep breath. He looked up at Hermione. She gave him a small smile.

“I apologize for that, Hermione, and thank you.” He returned the smile.

Hermione just shook her head at him. “No need to thank me, Harry. We are like siblings.”

Harry chuckled at that as he stood up. Pocketing his hands on his robes, he bowed slightly at Hermione once again in thanks as he began to leave. Then Hermione felt something odd in the surroundings.

“Wait.”

Harry stopped in his tracks and looked back at her, his eyebrows rising, and Hermione watched as the traces of magic, her barrier once again broken. She raised her wand to her left as she cast a spell.

“Resero.” She watched as the spell bounced back and showed no intruders or anyone who have broken her barrier. Harry looked alert of his surroundings, his hands clenching prepared to attack.

“What is wrong?” he asked and Hermione shook her head. Her mind whirring as she watched the remnants of her magic swirling close to Harry as if he was absorbing it. But she shook her head since such a thing was possible. She looked up at Harry to assure him that it was nothing.

“Nothing, Harry. I just thought… Never mind.”

Harry gave her a small teasing smile as he replied.

“You are losing your touch, Hermione. Get some rest,” he said as he waved his hand while he was walking away.

Hermione shouted back. “Says the one who needs it most!” She smiled a bit knowing that the werewolf had heard it.

She then looked down at her wand, flexing her hand around it. She must be tired of her magic to feel this weak, but she steeled herself and recast the barrier. Conjuring a small couch, she settled on it as she set an alarm for her to be woken before dinner. She still needed to stir the potion 12 times clockwise. As soon as her head hit the pillow, she drifted off to sleep.

….

Draco woke up to the sight of the inside of the rune circle he made days after he had felt the effects of the change in his magic and soul. He looked around to search for Beau, only to see the dog walking towards him. His mouth carrying a cloak he was familiar with. He smiled and ruffled Beau’s fur as the dog settled next to him. He leaned slightly to his guardian and he was reminded that soon after he casts the ward, he would leave.

He clutched the cloak close to him as he whispered to his guardian. “Soon, Beau, it’s just going to be the two of us again.”

The silence of the room and the breathing of Beau was the only thing he heard but that gave him some sense of comfort despite his imbalance with his magic. He had been staying inside the rune circle for as long as he could for days to prepare himself for this day. He could never cast a Blood ward perfectly if his magic was not in balance, but for tonight he felt the calmness of his magic from within him and he prayed.

He prayed to no one that he would succeed in his promise to the Headmaster that he would protect one of the places that his mother loved. That this place is a beacon of hope for those who have lost it because this is the place where he felt alive.

Standing up from where he sat, he gave his dog a pat on the head along with a small smile. He placed on his cloak over his clothes, removing all pieces of evidence that he was even a student at Hogwarts. Walking towards his trunk, he kneeled down in front of it, Beau following him and watching closely as if knowing what he was about to do.

Draco opened up the latch of his trunk. He pushed it up to reveal nothing inside of it. With a swish of his hand, a hidden compartment appeared in the corner of the trunk. Draco lifted up the small rectangular box, something he thought he would never have to resort to using but to cast a ward he would need it. He placed the small box on top of his trunk as he closed it.

With trembling fingers, he held at the middle part of the box and he felt a needle prick his finger. He watched his blood flowed at the lines carved around the rectangular box leading to a keyhole. A click echoed in the room and he lifted the cover of the box to reveal what he had never seen in years.

Hawthorn, ten inches with unicorn hair as its core, he held the wand in his hand and he closed his eyes feeling the familiar tinge of his magic in it. He opened his eyes and a smile graced his lips. Looking back in the mirror standing next to his closet, he waved his wand and felt his magic settled to his whole being as the glamour set in.

Now, he has long blonde hair braided on one side. His once silver eyes melted into that of icy blue. His pale complexion stayed the same and his robes now turned into a simple white dress that reached his knees. His sharp features softened giving him a petite look of an innocent girl at the age of 15. Seeing the pendant in his reflection, he knew he had to remove that as well. Closing his eyes, he prayed to whatever god that his aunt would never find him, for him to keep this promise. Removing the clasp of the necklace, he felt the flow of his magic return back to his veins as if the chains that held him down were no longer there and he felt free. He felt as if he could do anything and for that night, he would do anything to cast the Blood ward.

He looked back at his dog and gave him a small smile. He leaned down and with his voice changed when he spoke he thought at once that he sounded a bit like his mother. “Wish me luck, Beau.”

With those as his words, he apparated to the Headmaster’s office with a pop.

….

After dinner, the hallways of Hogwarts was quiet, like the calm before the storm.

Albus Dumbledore assured that all of Hogwarts occupants would be asleep other than him, Minerva and Draco. The new recreation of the wards was going to be cast for tonight and he was anxious. He understood so little about the Prophecy that Narcissa whispered upon them when the Blood ward of Gryffindor lands was renewed to its former strength.

A pop of apparition was heard in the room, cutting him off from his musings. What he saw almost knocked him off of his feet, literally. There standing in front of him was a face he thought he would never think he would see again. She was without a doubt a witch who held immense power. He was reminded of the day he first met Narcissa Black. However, as he looked closer he could see that the one standing in front of him was not her but her child.

The shock was imminent his face for a while before he gathered himself up and looked straight at those icy blue eyes that held kindness within them. “I apologize, Draco, you looked just like your mother.”

Draco just gave him a serene smile and he shook his head. “I am always told of that by Mrs. Clarke whenever I took this form. I understand Professor.”

“Then shall we go, Draco?”

Draco looked up at the Headmaster. “Call me Lyra. It is what my name would’ve been if I was a girl.” He smiled at the Headmaster as he nodded and they walked side by side, Lyra raising her hood to cover her face and the two headed off to the Great Hall where Minerva was waiting for their arrival.

….

Harry awoke with a start. He could feel his wolf squirming deep inside of him to be released, to be let out. Harry knows that if the urge ever comes he knew he could never stop his wolf from trying to come out. However, he could not allow himself to transform inside of the dorms. Releasing a tired sigh, he removed his blanket, changed his clothes as quietly as possible and stepped out of the rooms.

He thought it was enough to come out of his room but this was something else, something out of Gryffindor Tower was calling upon him. The urge to transform and prowl in the night to search for what made him agitated was strong but he controlled it. So he just opted to go out and have a walk outside. Opening the door, he stepped out of the Tower only to have the agitated feeling increase. He wrinkled his nose to smell the air but there was nothing in it. He ignored his wolf and decided to walk around.

….

Minerva McGonagall waited in front of the huge doors of the Great Hall for Dumbledore. She was baffled as to why the Headmaster would call upon her alone at this time of the night. But knowing that odd, unpredictable vampire, she just stood by and waited. Soon she heard clicks of two pairs of shoes which made her raise an eyebrow as she was not informed of another person coming along. She waited until the two figures came into one of the torches of light in the hall.

She was surprised when she felt the power emanating from the child that stood beside the old vampire that her hands fell to her sides. Soon Albus’ face was seen and the child, no it was not a child as she stood quite tall next to Albus. Her face obscured by a huge hood. She waited until the vampire introduced them as she could not form any words.

“Shall we proceed inside?” Albus began to voice out.

Minerva was cut off from her staring. She coughed to hide her surprise. She, along with the child, followed Dumbledore inside the Great Hall. As soon as they were inside, the door closed and the magic weaved in it assuring that no one would be able to enter.

“Severus,” Dumbledore voiced out and Minerva was again taken by surprise when she saw the brooding vampire in one of the corners of the Great Hall.

“Do you really think that I would not sense something like this?” the vampire voiced out his hands crossed.

The Headmaster merely smiled at him. “No, I never thought that this would escape your notice. After all, you have worked the longest as a spy for the Order in the past.”

Minerva had her suspicions but hearing this made everything clear.

“How were you able to sway from complete submission to the Dark Lord?” Minerva began to ask her voice unwavering and Severus scowled at her.

“I found a loop-hole. When the Dark Lord disappeared years ago, it gave me time to research more about the Mark, but I only found little knowledge about it.” Minerva’s eyebrow rose at this feeling a huge respect to the vampire in front of her. She listened as Severus explained. “Long story short, I found out that perfecting what you witches call Occulemency would be the perfect shield from him truly controlling me further.”

Minerva caught that word as she voiced out wanting to know more. “Further?”

“Yes, unlike the Lestranges and the other families who now are now wholly loyal to him, since our previous Elder died, they all have the capability of resisting but they have already given up hope and in fear of death. They have no choice but to obey. They all went insane when they realized their treachery against our Elder and in their time of weakness, the Dark Lord whispered to all of us. He promised us power and told us that the crime we committed there will be no going back.”

The room fell silent at this as both Minerva and Dumbledore knew how hard the blow of losing the vampire Elder caused to the vampire clan.

“Well, I leave you to whatever it is that you plan to do,” he turned back but before he could walk away a line of light appeared in front of him. His eyes followed this to see that it was a circle surrounding all four of them. Severus’ eyes found those icy blue eyes that seem to understand his whole being and asked.

“What is the meaning of this, witch?”

But the witch did not answer, instead, her eyes turned to Albus and the Headmaster nodded and answered.

“Understood.” Those twinkling eyes then turned to Severus before he replied, “It seems Lyra here found you worthy of being a part of the Blood Ward.”

Before Severus could retort, a barrier enveloped them from the line of light that surrounded them.

“Shall we begin?” Lyra, for the first time, spoke. She certainly did not need a response as she closed her eyes, lifted her wand and began chanting. The three adults watched as some other new lines erupted and are slowly creating runic patterns as if etching themselves on the floor.

“Who is this witch, Albus?” Minerva asked as she could feel the magic weaving itself slowly into the internal magic of Hogwarts without a single resistance from the magic that protects the castle.

Dumbledore answered her back without looking at her as he as well watched the witch weave her magic. “Her name is Lyra. That is all the answer that I will provide you with as she wishes her identity to be hidden.”

“So this could also mean that it is possible that, that is not her true form?” Minerva asked and Dumbledore merely smiled at her his eyes twinkling.

“Do not worry. I have no idea what your plans are Headmaster, but is it wise for a stranger like her to weave her magic amongst these walls?”

She raised her eyebrows at the Headmaster but he only replied, no lies nor doubt in his eyes. “I trust her with my life itself.”

With that, Minerva no longer asked any more questions. She looked at the witch who was almost finished with the spell, but also she turned at her side to look at Severus, whose eyes looked closed off, his face stern.

The witch then held out her hands to both Severus and Minerva and the two Professors without any hesitation held out their hands to her. She held the upturned hand of Professor McGonagall and with her wand in her other hand she pointed it at Minerva’s hand and whispered. Blood began to flow from it. Before it spilled, she then turned to Severus Snape and did the same.

Both hands flowed with blood as they held it up at the center of the rune circle. As soon as their blood dripped, the color of the runes turned red, then it flowed to the etched marks on the floor until it reached the edges of the circle.

They all watched as Lyra then closed her eyes again and chanted. The rune circle expanding and a bright red light flashed from the ground. They all covered their eyes until all they could feel was the new ward surrounding the whole of Hogwarts.

“It is done,” Lyra voiced out.

Dumbledore nodded as he could also feel the new ward as it was stronger since it was merged with the old one. He looked down to see the ground empty of the etched runes and asked. “I thought this was going to be the center of the ward. How come there are no marks?”

Lyra’s smile was not lost on the three of them. “The ward’s center is here on the Great Hall. I made it so small that even if they try to find it and destroy it, they would never be able to find it.”

Dumbledore had to chuckle at that. “That was smart of you.”

Minerva coughed, getting their attention. “It was an honor to meet you, Miss Lyra, and thank you for what you have done for Hogwarts.” She just smiled at her as if it was nothing and before Minerva could even voice out, questions Dumbledore then began to steer Lyra away.

“Come along, my dear, your Portkey awaits.” He then began to walk away along with Lyra who followed him.

“Might I have a word with you, Headmaster?” Severus’ voice sounded that he was not having any objections.

The Headmaster just looked back at him and nodded. “We shall head to my office then. Minerva, I am sure you are exhausted. I bid you good night.”

The Headmaster’s words were final and even if Minerva wanted to ask more questions, she knew she had to ask them some other time. “Of course, Headmaster.”

She watched as the three left the Great Hall. She followed but with one last glance at the Great Hall, she could still see that things that occurred and could feel the magic humming. She was sure she could never look at the Great Hall the same way again.