Daughter Of Nyx

My god, or satan depending on who you ask, given name is Ebony Dark'ness Dementia Raven Way. I hate the name my parents gave me. It sucks. If anyone asks I go by just Raven. In year two Professor Lupin helped me legally change it to just Ebony Raven Way. My parents are both traditionalist vampires, Satan, Wallowing in your depression, slightly too sexual costume-like outfits, the whole deal. It was way too much for me.

I didn't ask to be reborn like this, nor did I want to live the life they threw me into leading. In the moment I heard the curse and saw the indistinct black figures descending upon me I had accepted death. I didn’t get to die, no Maude and Drakon stripped me of that privilege.

Now I will never be worthy of a dignified death. While I will always still harbour affection for them it is in a tempered balance with hard pangs of resentment I face for them. I’m lucky that my body has even aged. I don't know when my luck will run out and I fear it. I wanted to be a witch before I died, I was going to be a witch before I died. Early acceptance letter and everything. Drakon had told me to forget the letter but I couldn’t. I would be damned If being undead would stop me from living. I bided my time and while this new family dynamic was foreign to me I settled into it. The Ways taught me well of the delicacies of blood and the hunt. They provided good lodgings and were kind enough, to treat me like one of their own. That wasn’t enough for me though I wanted to, I needed to be a witch. It was all my life ever meant to my family and me before I was reborn.
At first, it was hard, being a vampire is dangerous, just as being a lycanthrope is. Vampires are bound to their need for flesh and blood, human or other. The killing came unnaturally and made me feel unclean and manic but I can’t-couldn’t stop. A moment longer in that house, I would have broken. I ended up stealing away in the night with what little worldly possessions I had to attend Hogwarts finally. I don’t want to be all emo and shit but I’m rebelling against my parents by attending Hogwarts and loving every second of it.

Being out of the Way household is a blessing every day, being away from the constant chaos of mentally unstable caregivers. Not having to see them using, self-harming, fighting, or instead of making dinner sleeping together picks at the knots in my muscles each night slowly unravelling them and letting me slowly, but surely relax. I’ve found my ally at school, being here as a vampire is beyond dangerous and I am incredibly glad for all he’s done.

All this to say I’m an outcast and have no friends here. My only friend is my Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, Remus Lupin. I get it, a bunch of kids who were brought up in a society ingrained with classism and racism don’t want to be friends with a rumoured vampire. The ghostly pale skin, long black hair, gothic style, and wickedly sharp canines weren’t helping my case either. It’s not like I don’t want friends or shun my peers for their differences, god knows I’ve tried but all I turn up is shared looks I can only guess at the meaning of.

Remus suggested that I start some sort of club. Maybe if people had a shared interest with me they would see me in a different light, that’s what we hope will happen. I suspect someone will attempt to turn me into a toad or some other demeaning creature. I know someone will throw a bag of pig’s blood at me. Despite my scepticism, I dutifully post flyers for my new band club around campus. I pinned up the brightly coloured red and black poster reading

“ Cacophony: an all-new band club, auditions on September 21 from 5-8 p.m” The crow graphic looked as if it wanted to screech into my face. Rude ass crow. I stepped back pondering why they would put notice boards up outside of the castle on walking trails and at street corners if they were just going to get dirty enough to become unrecognisable. I concluded that I would never ask because the mystery of not knowing was more enjoyable.

It was beautiful here, with the castle cutting a jagged silhouette in the sky, resolute against the mountainous backdrop. Mossy cobblestone paths surrounded by thick dense forest wound up to the castle, both hungrily encroaching upon the fantastical building. I tried to appreciate the sight for what it was, what I had here. My life felt like eating cold oatmeal at this juncture, but I supposed there were worse situations than this. So I stood looking at the sunset and tried not to take anything for granted, my life, my studies, and my friends all at face value. I huffed embarrassed at how full of myself I sounded and started back to the dorms.

The next morning I woke with a knot in my stomach. I honestly had no idea what would happen and, I hated to say it but I honestly had a little hope for what was to come. It unsettled me but there was nothing to do about it. I pushed the velvet-lined lid of my coffin up and groggily climbed out. Walking over to my wall I pulled the lever by the window in my dorm. The wall gave a concerning groan and began to turn around taking my coffin and poster-plastered wall. I waved goodbye to a placid Stevie Nicks, but she did not wave back. The bookcase facade sets into the wall and I turn around to get dressed.

At least our uniforms aren’t itchy, only boring. I try to loosely abide by the dress code. I roll the waistband of my skirt up once shortly after pulling on my favourite stockings: featuring a beetle pattern. There wasn’t much I could get away with concerning my jumper and shirt, so I usually left my collar unbuttoned and my tie loose. What I could do was put on a crap load of jewellery, bracelets stacked up my arm, chains and pendants tangling together, three pairs of earrings, not a single bare finger. Anywhere I could fit bits of me in; I did. I wore a minimal amount of makeup to school, only blush, eyebrows, eyeliner and mascara. If I could get it past McGonagall I could get it past virtually anyone and lucky for me the woman needed her prescription updated badly. She reminded me of my real mother Eliza, with Catholic values and an affinity for alcoholic beverages of the Grape variety. I didn’t care much about my hair, I left it in its naturally wavy full state, piling it on top of my head into a messy bun that I pinned in place. The pin was a gift from Maude; she had whittled it herself from the fallen branch of a great redwood tree. I try not to think of the physical bearing this gift from my maker has on me as I gather my things for classes that day. I beat the phrase

“Keys, wallet backpack, phone” into my psyche enough to make my body maybe finally understand what that means. I think back to all of the times I've been lectured about leaving the lights on and promptly circled back to shut off my string lights and lamps. I look at my room one last time before I leave. Shafts of light were kissing the dark planks of the floor as the sun began to blaze its well-worn path in the sky. It reached up to the four posters of my unused bed and practically bursting wardrobe.

I dragged myself from the moment shoving my feet into my oxfords and lacing them up hastily. I snapped on my headphones and started to play my music. I set off down Slytherin hall noting for the nth time that where we were boarded felt like a dank dungeon more than a scenic castle, as did where the rest of the dormitories were located. The rubber soles of my shoes squeezed against the floor when I took each step. My figure casts a long shadow against the stone wall washed by yellow light from the sconces. I yanked the door to the common room open Ignoring the poised and quickly composed looks thrown at me by peers and briskly moved on, the room becoming a blur of green and grey as I moved through it.

Coming to the mouth of the lower grand staircase I grabbed the smaller wooden railing bolted into stone and trudged my way up both massive, long staircases at a moderate pace. I thought about how much I hated this staircase and why they had to make it so steep. Finally getting to the top of the staircases was like being transported to an entirely new world. Did the light shine brighter up here or was that just my mind? I decided I wanted to listen to my music for a bit longer. At the moment I enjoyed how Siouxsie’s voice curled its way into my ears, so I took the slow route.

It was foggy that day, so much so that the mountains the castle sat cradled between were almost completely obscured, wrapped in it like a comforter. The moisture clung to my skin and hair. I loved this kind of weather. It gave pause to the world, putting it under a dreamy spell. Everyone and everything would slow down, and be put in a dreary mood. I happily entertained the idea of lighting a nice candle and reading later that night. In Classics of Western Lit, we were to begin reading Dracula. I snickered, a vampire reading Dracula, how novel. I could’ve just put a stake in my heart.

I arrived at the great hall before I knew It. After four years I still couldn’t decide if this room carried warmth in its grandeur or the same cold gaudiness of the Way manor. I was incredibly hungry, even more so now, enticed by the scent of the breakfast meats. Not only that but the blood of my teachers and peers. I could feel the saliva pooling in my mouth, fangs poking against my tongue. I attempted to compose myself as I joined the line. I bit down on my tongue hoping that would satisfy my… needs for the moment. Shuffling down the buffet table I piled every kind of meat possible into my lunch tin, scooping the blood and juice at the bottom of the heated trays with it. I hastily left the line making a beeline to the exit. I stopped suddenly when I heard someone call out to me

“Hey Soot Girl,” I instantly knew who it was. His voice dripped with privilege, that tone that told me he was daddy’s special princess.

“Why do you even call me that?” I retorted, turning around to face Draco Malfoy. He wasn’t ugly, standing about Eight or so Centimetres taller than me swathed in our green Slytherin uniform. His Platinum blonde fringe hung down into leering brown eyes. I got the impression that his face would've been kind if not pulled into an ugly sneer as it was, but it was so I lingered no more. He wasn't exactly my type though. I secretly thought to myself that I probably wasn’t his either.
“ I call you that Raven, it’s Raven right? You’re always around Professor Lupin so none of us can bother to remember. Do you have a thing for him or something?” He paused for a minute to cackle at his joke “ I call you that because two of your names mean black, plus you always look like dirt. So come to your conclusion,” He looked incredibly gratified, probably thinking that he had bested me, the one to end it all. I raised my eyebrows at him as if to say “Really? That’s the best thing you could come up with”. I turned on my heel and walked out of the great hall

I stopped in front of the door to the Defense Against the Dark Arts class and knocked out of force of habit.

“Come in,” Remus called leaning over from his desk chair. He smiled and gestured for me to pull up my usual chair and eat at his desk with him.

“Morning,” I replied in greeting and sat down shortly after, slumping my backpack down onto the floor. I pulled my lunch tin and utensils out and began to eat. Remus was already eating, he was having toast with marmalade and sliced apples. He drank a cup of what I had come to know was dirt cheap Twinings English Breakfast tea. He said it was good but we didn’t exactly see eye to eye on this matter.

“How’s your day been so far, excited for our club today?” He asked. I sighed contemplating my answer for about thirty seconds before finally speaking.

“The weather’s nice, so that has me in good spirits,” I paused for dramatic effect before speaking again “ However people-wise, we’re doing not so good”

“What happened?” Remus said, a concerned tone lingering in his voice.

“Miss Congeniality felt bold today and wanted a bite,” I replied with annoyance colouring my words.

“You mean Draco right?” he questioned

“The one and only,” I said. “ Called me ‘soot girl’ which I didn’t fully understand, he explained it by telling me that ‘two of my names mean black’ he just loves the sound of his voice, daft bloke,”

“I have no id-,” he cut himself off. He looked out the window and began to speak again “Actually, I do. We can’t help what your parents named you, and we have improved upon it as much as possible,” He looked irritated for a moment before turning back to me.

“I know it is what it is,” I said. “But I am excited for the band today, against my best efforts have given me a glimmer of hope. Be proud of yourself,”. He looked pleased with himself and we chatted a bit more before going over the details of auditions that night. The breakfast period was so short, that soon I found myself getting up to leave.

“You sure you don’t need me to come?” Remus asked for the fifth time.

“I’m sure, It's just gonna be me and people who wanna audition to be in an alternative style band so I’m assuming not that many people will show up, you're only gonna be our sound guy, you’re good,” I answered, trying to be reassuring

“Well in that case during lunch we’ll move all the equipment to the empty classroom and you can set up however you see fit,” he said

“Does the school even own band equipment?” I questioned, it seemed like an odd thing for a wizarding school to possess.

“ Actually yes, surprisingly,” Remus remarked.

“I’m genuinely shocked I think,” I said, sentiment ringing true

“The Seventies were a time to be alive,” he muttered looking wistfully out the window, surely recalling times and people past. I looked at my wristwatch and saw that it was passing time

“I ought to be going, I’ve got flying, pray someone doesn’t knock me off my broom for me” I yelled jogging out the door.

“On my mum Raven, see you later” he responded. And just like that I was off on my way to another day.

For auditions, I would dress in plain clothes. I didn’t do much because I figured I’d be sitting around, only a few people seeing me. I threw on a band tee that I’d cut the neck off and a loose black maxi skirt. I didn’t touch my hair or jewellery because I thought it would be too much work. Besides that, I rubbed blue eyeshadow on and sized what I’d done to look decent enough. I grabbed my guitar carefully, laid it down in its case, and snapped it shut. I left my room wilfully ignoring a certain bleach blonde with thinning hair in the common room.

I admired my work, and how Remus and I had transformed the dusty disused room into something that could be used as a club room for years to come. Sometimes my vampire powers did come in handy. Sometimes. I had only the faintest hint of hope that anyone, for any reason, would show up. I set up at the audition “judge” desk with my book, my candle and my metal water bottle. My water bottle was full of blood that I had stolen from the Hospital Wing but nobody needed to know that.

I sat down at 4:56 P.m., and at five nobody. One hour passed and I felt my stomach drop a little. Two and I had completely lost all hope. At 7:30 I wanted to go home but that little glimmer of hope kept me from leaving. I had gotten used to the soft crackle of my candle and the sound of rain on the roof so when I heard the sound of footsteps I jumped. My mind was racing, who was it? Were they here for genuine reasons? Were they just lost? My thoughts ebbed away when I heard the footsteps grow loud and a feminine voice speak outside the doors
“I think this is the one,” the voice said. Two lower-pitched murmurs made sounds of agreement. I put my book down and arranged myself as if I had been very busy. Busy doing something else than reading Dracula and sipping on some random’s blood like a divorced mom with a bodice ripper and martini for two hours.

The door handle turned and I craned my neck, anxious to see who the only people who showed up were. It was a girl and two boys trailing behind her. No, it was Hermoine Granger, Harry Potter, and Ron Weasley. I was shocked, to say the least, they weren’t the most popular or well-liked but they were legit. I hadn’t seen any of them up close, they looked so comfortable with each other packed closely together.

They all had different airs to them.

Ron was the tallest, about two centimetres taller than Harry and I would say seven more than Hermione. You could tell Ron was smarter than he looked even if he didn’t know it himself. Harry was often perceived as the leader of the group but I got the feeling that wasn’t true. He was practically drowning in his jumper looking as if he wanted to withdraw into it like a crab in its shell. his eyes gave a tentative look of curiosity from behind his large round glasses, gaze bouncing around the room.

Hermonie was the “leader” if you wanted to call her that, though the group seemed more like a democracy than the former. I took a second to look at her. She had this confidence about her painted onto her face. She was striking, I admired the way her eyebrows made her eyes stand out, her eyelashes framing the windows that scrutinised me. A soft pink touching her nose and cheeks. The way the candlelight got caught up in her curly tawny hair, the way it swayed as she shot a knowing look at Harry and Ron. What she was wearing too, was so effortlessly cool, but casual, it wasn’t like I would have worn it but that didn’t matter. It was only a leather bomber jacket, a pink hoodie and a pair of light-wash flare jeans, yet it still hooked me. An awkward silence I did not perceive formed as I contemplated how she could be so naturally beautiful. I only became aware of it when she reached for her jacket pocket. She pulled out a piece of paper which I saw was my poster.

I then realised two fundamental truths at the same time. One was that no matter what this group liked or how they were I would have to take them because the universe could pry this from my undead hands. Two, the former being true how apparently and surprisingly enamoured I was with Hermoine Granger I couldn’t be. I was being silly and it was nothing, that train of thought wasn’t anything, It was not proceeding. Even if I allowed myself to think like that nothing would ever happen, that was it.

“Sorry we're late, these two love to eat,” Hermoine said. She pointed back at her companions and chuckled, who looked guilty. “I found your poster and thought it would be fun, I proposed it to the boys and they were amenable to it. We come as a package set for this kinda stuff,” Harry and Ron made sounds of agreement.

“Let’s get started then,” I said, speaking for the first time.