Lightly jogging, dispelling my sleepiness, I approached the house as always, just at eight o'clock in the morning, but this time, having connected to my security system in advance, I noticed something was wrong and slowed down. Stopping one block from my house, at the maximum distance from where I could remotely control my meager "estate defense", I listened to my feelings. Having sunk a little deeper, frozen in the middle of the pavement, I could determine only two things at such a distance.
First, we had a guest, or rather, a guest, but not an intruder. She was invited, she did not penetrate by force, so she was determined by the runes exactly as such. But this does not mean anything, because guests can be uninvited.
Second, my mother, who let her in, seemed to be in a state of deep sleep, and this is not typical for her, to let a guest in and then fall asleep.
Not to mention that I am well acquainted with her schedule and know that by now she should have been setting the table... This nuance transferred the guest to the category of guests who were definitely uninvited, unwanted and, most likely, dangerous. The last time when uninvited guests showed up, I was home alone, fortunately, and for the wizards who attacked me, this did a disservice. Now they are infernals. It was a funny story with them, because I don't like making infernals out of people, but I made an exception for them, because they were not ordinary people, but wizards. Incidentally, they make much stronger infernals.
I quickly darted there and back, leaving my wand outside the Ministry's control zone, in a special niche made just for such an occasion, having previously cast a set of "home assassin" charms on myself. Quiet steps, averting eyes, invisibility charms - simple, but effective.
Now I can cast a few spells without a wand, without worrying about being expelled, since the wand will stay here until I figure out all this bullshit.
I flew back like a swift comet, afraid of being late. On the way, I managed to squeeze out a little more information. The guest did not feel like a witch, but something was definitely wrong with her. I barely felt the taste of some residual magic. I would have blamed imperio, but no, I know from personal experience what unforgivables are. From personal experience of using them. But I felt a drop of magic in her, just a little, but... like a residue at the bottom.
Squib, perhaps? Well, if so, then she will be able to see the manifestation of magic, but I do not necessarily have to demonstrate it in front of her nose to use it. I activated the rune trap in the place where I roughly felt the guest. It will not work instantly, and it should not, but its purpose is different.
The finest threads of magic will slowly weave around her, like a transparent web, a second garment, a millimeter from her skin and things, but my threads will appear and become noticeable only at the moment when I consider the activation of the trap acceptable and timely.
By the time I arrive, the guest will already be completely in my power, but she will not know about it. I want to talk first. A tied up, captive person can say completely different things and give completely different information than someone who considers himself a winner, one step away from success. Many criminals like to wag their tongues on the threshold of victory, boasting about their genius and plan... They seek approval from other people, stupid noobs.
Dark magicians must act covertly and inflict good and justice invisibly. I'll always have time to captivate her now, but I'm interested to see who's so bold and daring, what she's trying to achieve, and if I don't like her answers... Caroline would still have to learn to raise infernals not only from acromantulas, right? She's the one whose hand won't tremble. Sharphart doesn't feel any reverence for human life, but I still sometimes allow my conscience to raise its head.
I opened the door without a creak, carefully, but my "invasion" was still felt inside. How? It's pretty simple. Someone had the idea to tie a very thin transparent fishing line to the handle of the front door, which stretched somewhere deep into the house. Bitch. And there was no choice anyway, the windows were locked on the other side, so only the front door. I should have dug myself a secret passage, like all normal Dark Mages and necromancers, but, remembering that usually it was secret passages that the heroes of light used to put villains on the kuk... on the sword of justice, I decided not to bother.
I froze, listening. Well, thank goodness, it wasn't a trap with explosives. I had already said goodbye to life in a second. How could I screw up like that? Fuck. I'm too used to looking for magical traps and pitfalls that I completely forgot that you can set up an ambush without magic. Especially considering that the intruder is definitely not a witch. Or not exactly. Damn it. I've definitely been spotted, so the hidden penetration under invisibility failed.
It's strange, the smell inside the house is quite familiar, but it is interrupted by perfume. Quite specific, but pleasant, I've only met one girl who prefers them. But this is probably just a coincidence. Eh, I hope it's a coincidence, because if not, then I'll swear off trying to use my black luck in anything other than dark magic and rituals. There's nothing to do, I need to go meet people and listen to demands, threats, blackmail and nod my head, as if I'm listening and seriously scared. Apparently, one of my ailments decided to use my mother as a hostage for negotiations. Or bait, for the sake of my elimination. Or is it even worse, and then in the club I poked my finger at the sky, and hit a quasar. I didn't believe in a simple robbery at all. Okay, we'll see.
- Come out and show yourself already, I know you're here and that you're hiding with magic. Throw the wand on the floor, and then kick it towards the table, and as hard as you can. - the impatient voice of a petite brunette in a red dress echoed through the living room. As I thought, it was Felicia. I involuntarily gritted my teeth in anger. Why am I so "lucky" when it comes to everyday and personal life? Maybe my black luck sucks out my own, ordinary luck, distorting its essence? Why does some kind of bullshit always happen? As soon as I find a beautiful and interesting girl, she comes to my house with a gun and takes my mother hostage, huh?
Felicity looked calm and collected, but I could see that she was a little nervous, and her finger was on the trigger of the gun, which was pressed to the temple of my mother, who was sleeping in the chair. My new acquaintance stood behind her, hiding behind her like a shield from me, and her voice was clearly threatening and an undisguised hint. Bloody steel glinted in her black pupils.
The gun was off safety, and she held it quite confidently, so she knew how to use it, and didn't "see how to shoot on TV." And it was impossible to miss from such a distance. Alexander knew how to use a firearm, since he had served in the army, unlike Amos, so he was familiar with both the decisive and cold gaze of a killer and the characteristics of a simple Beretta M-9.
Yes, I understood this perfectly well, so soon the spell of distraction and simple optical invisibility fell off me like water off a duck's back, thanks to the wandless finita, and an exact dummy of my own magic wand fell to the floor, which immediately rolled under the table, kicked away by the toe of my sneaker. Of course, no one would believe that a wizard, even a minor, would leave his wand at home or simply lose it at the most inopportune moment, and it would be difficult to explain the presence of active spells on myself, so I carried a couple of dummies with me regularly. Just for such cases. From the outside, it probably seemed that I removed the spell from myself with the help of a wand, which is what I needed to demonstrate to her. There is no need for my potential enemy to know that I can twist it at any convenient moment, and the danger threatens not me or my mother, but her. I want to hear why she is here. Depending on her answers and questions, I will decide her fate.
Fortunately, the Ministry has not yet been able to track the termination of previously launched spells. The guest did not seem surprised by my demonstration, which indicated that she was either well acquainted with the work of the Ministry of Magic and the D.M.P. concerning the witchcraft of Muggle-born wizards and witches outside of Hogwarts, or, on the contrary, had no idea how everything was arranged here.
Given the current situation, I was ready to bet a hundred galleons on the first option. The girl clearly knew about magic, which means we need to proceed from the worst-case scenario, where she knows the local realities and even some subtleties. On the other hand, if she is so well versed in the everyday life of ordinary Muggle-born wizards, then in this case it can even work against her, because I was not an ordinary citizen. Like my home, I could very unpleasantly surprise an overconfident enemy. In any case, I want to hope so.
- Felicity, I thought that our date was scheduled for a slightly different place, and the date, by the way, too. For tomorrow, to be more precise. In Green Park, and not at my place. I didn't think that you would miss me so quickly, so much that you would even track down the place where I live, come to my house in the morning, unexpectedly, drug my mother with sleeping pills and threaten us with a gun. As a gracious host, I would like to say that I am glad to see you and would certainly compliment your excellent taste in choosing a suitable dress for your first meeting with my mother, but... I'm afraid the impressions of our meeting were slightly blurred by the gun at her temple. - I began the conversation nervously, but with a bit of irony and sarcasm, when our staring and silence dragged on.
Shifting from foot to foot, I carefully looked around, looking for someone else, but I did not find anyone. The "home" magic was also silent. There were only three of us inside the building. Although, we should not forget that there could be someone else outside, in ambush. Problem. - How did you track me down, by the way? I'm quite sure I didn't tell you my address, and I didn't get home in an easy way... I didn't notice anyone following me, again...
And I always check myself for any magical trackers before I apparate home...
- You know, I'm glad to see you, hee-hee. Sit down, Amos - she said with a gloomy, but in its own way attractive smile on her lips, the girl pointed her finger at the chair opposite, - just don't do anything stupid, please. Do you know how hard it is to wash blood off fabric surfaces?
- I know! - he muttered in response, which caused slight interest and surprise of the girl. Of course I know, I already had to wash this damn chair once, after the previous guests.
I comfortably settled down in the chair. Why not take advantage of hospitality... In your own home... after carefully examining the chair and armrests for hidden needles with poison. I don't think there are any. I mean, only mine, but they are safe for me, since they are activated by the house's defenses at my will. Good.
I would have used a paralyzing poison in her place, so I decided to show some caution. It would have been funny if she repeated my trap and I fell into it. It would have been very stupid to lose control of the situation at such a crucial moment due to carelessness. As one very, very annoying Auror used to say: Constant vigilance! May the devils in hell tear him apart when he finally dies, the one-eyed demon.
The girl bit her lip and thought about something of her own, closely examining my face, but it was clear that she was not losing her vigilance either, the bastard. Having finally decided something for herself, she began to answer the question, ignoring my prodding. Surprising.
- You know, I'll answer your question. Tracking you down was easy. Wizards usually forget that there are other ways to track a target besides magic. Technology does not stand still, so I simply planted a "bug" in you. Something like a beacon-anchor for transgression and portkeys, if you are not aware of the latest Muggle developments, this example will be clear to you, but you are a Muggle-born, I think you understood me anyway. Yes, electronics quickly die due to the passive effect of magical radiation, but for some time they are able to transmit a stable signal within the city. That's how it is. - The girl smiled predatory and adjusted her hair, tucking a strand of jet-black hair behind her ear with her free hand, and looked at me expectantly. Is she bragging and waiting for... praise? She is strange. Very strange.
And I'm even stranger, since she still physically attracts me? And that smile of hers... there's something painfully familiar about it. Oh yeah, I see that half-crazy smile every day. In the mirror. Black hair, black eyes, a smile that makes normal people shiver... if it weren't for her age, I'd take her for my sister, honestly.
But that's not the worst part. I get goosebumps from the fact that she attracts me not only physically. As if some natural attraction or ephemeral connection. I don't feel any interference in my mind, no reagents are sprayed in the air, the house's defenses are silent... does that mean these are just my feelings? No, no, you can't make concessions because of attractive appearance and gender, what about equality, ha-ha.
Okay, maybe I won't kill her if she came here with a different purpose than murder, torture or enslavement of the Sunhides. What? I-Amos didn't make such concessions to those two guys who came here before my "rebirth"? Well, yes, but they came just to go through all the points from the forbidden list at once, hitting the jackpot and joining the society of those devoured by death. In my opinion, it's quite ironic. But you shouldn't have used pretentious names for your hobby group. The snakeface is to blame! Call yourself a Death Eater? Be prepared for Death to devour you. And I'm just a respectable executor of her will, yeah.
But I must admit that the move with the bug... it's stupid to expose myself... I'm too used to the fact that electronics themselves are destroyed by my magical background, so I didn't bother, but I should have... as it turned out, even a short period of the device's functionality was enough to lead a trail after me... and what if I had jumped not home, but to the "base"? My cheekbones are aching from such "wonderful" prospects. Praise my laziness, yesterday you saved me from a bunch of problems. Or the opposite? The bug's power probably wouldn't have been enough to finish me off that far... at least this time, but just in case, I'll have to play it safe from now on and consciously destroy all electronics within a meter of myself before I apparate.
- Damn it. I didn't notice anything. Was that when we were hugging? I guess I lost concentration because of... you, ha-ha. Well done. Apparently, you're not only beautiful in appearance, but also in principle... - I don't mind a little praise, and it was easy to figure out when they could plant a bug on me without me noticing. I always knew that beautiful girls were my weakness. Merlin knows, one day I'll find my death like that.
- Well noticed, - the girl nodded with satisfaction, confirming my guess, - I improvised a little, since I didn't expect these idiots to bother me. You're strange, Amos, you keep flirting with me even in this situation, is it bravery, stupidity or...? Well, let's put that aside for now, what girl wouldn't appreciate compliments from a guy she liked? You can continue, I don't mind. - Felicity winked mischievously and giggled quietly, covering her mouth with her hand.
It turns out that she liked me and that's why I'm still alive? Or is there another reason? Well, to be more precise, I'm not in any danger, really, but if I were caught off guard... I might not have time to dodge, and I certainly wouldn't survive a bullet in the eye. Oh, and maybe this is the very case when the killer got too close to the victim and changed his mind about killing? Well, I wouldn't rule it out, but I seriously doubt it. I can't understand what's going on in this girl's head in any way, and I don't really want to understand. I'm afraid I'll fry my own brains. Legilimency without a wand is possible, but she might notice, and then I'll have to use plan B and move on to violent methods of negotiating from a position of strength, and I've only just begun to like our little game.
- How cunning. I'm delighted, though. As for the compliments, well... why not? They're well deserved. And then - who knows, maybe I'll be able to seduce you and you'll even change your mind about painting my walls red? But you know, no matter what assumptions I make, the reason for your appearance here remains a mystery to me. Are you from the Inquisition or MI6, something like that? - I decided to continue asking questions, since some of them can even be answered if you lubricate them with compliments, it would be a sin not to take advantage of the talkativeness of a girl who's greedy for flattery.
- No. I'm not from the Inquisition, and I have nothing to do with the Muggle government. I'm on my own, - the girl giggled again, covering her mouth with her hand and quickly looking herself over from head to toe, - do I look that much like a nun?
Oops, here's the first slip of the tongue. So she associates herself with the magical side of Britain, and not the other way around. I see. I could have thought of my aristocratic well-wishers, but that's impossible. It won't work out in advance, because I'm covered by one of the past rituals even from the prophets. Mostly. It's more likely a coincidence, pure luck. The truth is black, it seems.
- You? No, more like a nightmare for any pious nun... Or a wonderful dream for any guy, - he let out another barb mixed with a compliment, testing the girl's psychological stability and the boundaries that I better not cross, so as not to get a warning shot in one of my limbs. They are dear to me, you know, and not only as a memory.
But... the girl reacted strangely. It increasingly begins to seem to me that we are on a date and are having a nice conversation about the weather, and not all this. Some very strange feeling... as if she does not fully understand what a delicate situation we are in now and how NORMAL people should behave in general.
For her, everything that is happening seemed to fit into some kind of norm. Wonderful, is she also a sociopath or something? Or is there something else for it? Well, you wouldn't say so, she seemed like a pretty normal girl at the club, although... Okay, there were some warning signs, but I chose to ignore them. And now I'm paying for it.
- Ha, really? - the girl twirled a lock of black hair around her finger and narrowed her eyes slyly. - Okay, jokes aside. You're interested in what brought me here today, aren't you? Okay, why am I asking, it's obvious that your interested.
- It would be nice to know what I owe to such... close attention. - I even leaned forward a little, preparing to listen to what this crazy stalker was going to tell me. Of course, I'm no saint either, but at least I don't stalk girls with all sorts of bad intentions!
- I'll start from afar and gradually we'll get to the current situation - the brunette ran her fingers along the back of the chair, as if playing the piano. Try not to interrupt me, I know you'll have a lot of questions, but it's hard enough for me, you know, so save them for later. This is the first time I'm telling my story to anyone, and you'll soon understand why I'm telling it here and now.
"Well, it sounds very intriguing so far, I'm listening carefully." I leaned back in my chair, crossed my legs, finding a comfortable position, and crossed my arms over my chest.
It looks like there's going to be something interesting. The stories of such people are usually quite extraordinary, just like them. The fact that they're going to reveal something personal to me is a good sign, in my opinion. It means they're not going to kill me.
Or, on the contrary, turning my soul inside out, like a psychotherapist, revealing their dirty little secrets, easing the burden on their shoulders, they'll try to eliminate me so that these little secrets go with me to the grave. A disposable psychologist, huh. It's a job like that. Like being the devil's advocate. However, these are just my guesses. Let's listen.
- I don't know if you felt it or not, but I used to have magic too… I can see from your surprised face that you didn't expect that, did you? Who did you take me for at first, a vampire or a church servant, I suppose? - After waiting for my nod, she continued: - Well, my story began, perhaps, as banal as that of most Muggle-borns. Like yours, most likely. True, I was not from a prosperous family, but these are trifles that do not play a special role. Everything was not so bad for me, after all. I had a roof over my head and food, and I was thankful for that. Alcoholic parents - that's, honestly, such a trifle… not the most neglected case, by the way. - Felicity sighed and looked with a complex look at my peacefully sleeping mother. There was a shade of sadness and a drop of envy in her eyes. Having collected her thoughts, she continued.
— Hogwarts, how wonderful it was to learn that you were special, not like all the other children. Not a freak, a geek, an eyesore, but a real witch, a sorceress, a wizard, with all the doors open ahead, and the wonderful world of magic beckoning with its countless secrets of witchcraft and mysteries of the past... such a sweet lie. We were allowed to enjoy it to the fullest, watching with affection how we, the first-graders, scurried back and forth across the ancient castle, looking under every desk in search of the secrets of the arcana, how we enjoyed our freedom and thirst for life... — the fingers on the handle of the pistol clenched so hard that they even turned white. Fortunately, the index finger that rested on the trigger did not even move. I did not want to end the revelations so early and put her out of action.
Felicity took a deep breath and exhaled noisily, as if letting off steam. It seems that her memories of broken dreams are still quite fresh and hurt like festering wounds, although she is a little older than me. However, our broken rose-colored glasses and dreams forever leave us with scars in our hearts and an unpleasant sting in our eyes as a reminder of themselves. I can understand her. I really can.
- I... The second year was a strong blow for me... Those who used to treat me with some condescension, indifference, and in rare cases even goodwill, seemed to have instantly dropped their masks, exposing the ugly mugs of inhuman beings. Complete indifference or disdain from teachers, ridicule and bullying from classmates, dirty words and threats of violence from seniors who used to be role models... I literally ended up in the infirmary because of how often other girls cursed me. Being beautiful turned out to be incredibly disadvantageous, imagine, childhood envy, as unclouded as hatred, fell upon me like a waterfall of trauma, humiliation, and not fatal, but extremely painful and unpleasant curses. - my interlocutor seemed to have hunched over a little under the weight of painful childhood memories, as if a really heavy burden had been placed on her shoulders. But if in childhood tears had gathered on her thick black eyelashes, now instead of them, only anger, rage and cruelty sparkled in her agate eyes, which did not bode well for those who would try to hurt her with a word or deed now. Maybe I didn't imagine it then, in the club, and that reddish tint in her eyes was not at all a reflection of the bright light of neon lamps, but the fire of her deep hatred and resentment manifesting itself in this way? I heard that this is a common occurrence among us, wizards of worthy power. Eyes are the windows to the soul, aren't they? Although, I would say they are more like mirrors or windows to the mind and magic, given my knowledge of Occlumency.
A perfect example is Dumbledore, with his smoky ice eyes that send shivers down everyone's spines, even the most stoic, when he's truly angry. It's as if they're covered in a film of dark arctic ice.
Caroline used to say that around the full moon, you can catch the full moon in my gaze, even when it's hidden behind clouds and the sky is as dark as Grindelwald's thoughts. I was silent, waiting for her to continue, just nodded encouragingly and smiled wearily, sometimes silence is better than a thousand words. We immersed ourselves in silence for a while, each of us thinking about something different.
Her memories overlapped with my own. It seems that everyone goes through this, give or take, yeah... Everyone copes in their own way. Some people break and bend under society, and some…
"You've probably been through this too, I can see it in your eyes." That brazen little brat snorted, leaning her elbow on the back of the chair she was standing behind, her head propped up in her hand. I just snorted. Some detective, I never really hid it. "Neither you nor I could be broken by those small, well-groomed bastards and their older versions, who for some reason imagined themselves to be the masters of the world and us, Muggle-borns, in particular. They consider us second-rate, no, third-rate people, but how are they better than us? The only difference is in the accumulated knowledge and wealth of their ancestors, nothing more. Pure blood? Ha! Just another pretty label. Most of ours bend and become empty shells of their former selves, devoid of aspirations, meaning and dreams… just husks." The girl hissed the last phrase, almost spitting poison.
— I won't go into detail about how much effort it took me to endure all of this until I gained enough strength to hit back — that's a story for another time. Suffice it to say that I found solace in magic and music. I even adapted my player so that it wouldn't break in the Hogwarts magical environment, although it was very difficult, so I had music in my ears and not just in my head for the entire seventh year. It's much more familiar than using Occlumency for such trifles, which puts a lot of pressure on the brain with prolonged use. Migraines certainly didn't make me more friendly in those years, to be fair. I had a very bad character. Yes, yes, don't roll your eyes, it's even worse than now. — the girl looked at her watch and yawned sweetly, stretching a little, which made her dress stretch over her chest, outlining a very pleasing to the eye two-plus. I honestly tried not to look, but honestly lost this fight, almost getting myself a cross-eyed in the process.
Felicity caught my gaze and snorted, winking playfully, which made me feel my ears burning with shame. They're baring my soul here, a life-or-death situation, and I'm looking at boobs... shame! You need to be more serious, Amos, more serious. Although my interlocutor, it seems, was not against defusing the situation.
- Knowledge is power. It was not for nothing that I got into Ravenclaw. I always loved to read. I... let's say, got almost unlimited access to the forbidden section of the library. Found a secret passage and every night plunged into the boundless abyss of magical art.
Oh, I see. Either she's not lying and there really is a secret passage there (which is also quite possible, because it's part of my own legend, ha!) or, more likely, she simply found the Room of Requirement too. I think it's more likely the latter. It's not just called that, it's Rowena Ravenclaw's miracle. The Room of Requirement is mostly found by those who need it most and who were able to formulate their desire into a clear image of what exactly he or she needs most, backing it all up with a burst of magic. And we're both from her home faculty... Maybe that added some points to us?
Let's say that the Gray Lady is responsible for the Room of Requirement, opening it to those she deems worthy of knowledge and new opportunities? As the heir to the founder, who became a ghost at Hogwarts, I think she retained some of the administrative rights to manage the school. At least those parts that her blood, Rowena, was responsible for creating. It's possible. I wouldn't be so surprised by that.
I'm not so vain as to think that I was the only one who found this treasure and that it's only for me. I wouldn't be surprised at all if there were a few other students at the school besides me who use it in one way or another. Most likely, as a library, because besides me, we have really strong and talented wizards studying here. I may stand out a little, but there are plenty of other unique ones. We don't cross paths, because you can get into it from almost any point in the castle, and the spatial pockets for each entry point are separate, except for the lost things room. That's the common one. No, that's not quite how I put it. The Door to the Book of Requirement can be opened for the first time in almost any random place, but after that it will be fixed for you there, and changing the entry point will be sooooo difficult. I don't know of such a way, so I keep running to the dancing trolls when I feel like reading something new and educational. Maybe it's for the best, charging, again.
— Ahem-Ahem. I was most attracted to combat magic. Probably because I really wanted to take revenge and knock all the teeth out of those vile, disgusting grins from the faces of my viper-classmates. Damn snake tangle... and I wasn't even in Slytherin... there, Muggle-borns probably hang themselves right away if they get into their house. Back in the first year. Although I haven't heard of such cases yet. Probably because our people don't go there. Black-legged servants, as some would say. Maybe the hat protects, or maybe it's the headmaster's order? Who knows. Anyway. Soon I came across a section with books of special content. Sooner or later, everything would have come to this - there are no masters of combat magic who do not master dark magic. After all, you need to be able to defend yourself from it at the very least. My arsenal was quickly replenished with an increasing number of dark spells and curses, I even performed a couple of simple rituals that strengthened me enough to become seriously interested in ritualism, but... my talent is very specific. Narrowly focused, I would say. Voodoo magic. Also ritual magic, it seems, and also very dark, but... not quite what can strengthen itself on a permanent basis, but it can perfectly weaken enemies. - Felicity smiled maliciously, showing the top row of even snow-white teeth. - By the seventh year, few were ready to openly challenge me to a duel. And the insults almost died out. More precisely, they simply stopped saying it directly to my face, and behind my back they poured slop even more than before, but that's another story. For such smart guys and bitchy bitches, I had Voodoo magic. Do you want to whisper in dark alleys, insulting from behind the corner, in your back? Well, then get the same unnoticeable and quiet revenge. - The brunette bit her lip and for a moment it seemed to me that now she would even close her eyes to immerse herself in her pleasant memories, but no, she held back. Voodoo magic is unpleasant. For enemies. But I should think about how to expand my arsenal. Sounds promising.
Her black pools continued to patiently watch me, noticing every movement. Afraid. Hmm, why? Intuition? Or did she sense something?
So far, her story is damn similar to my own, with reservations in the time frame. I still have three years before the end. I even became interested in how it all ended for her. Maybe this will help me prepare myself for what the wonderful faraway has in store for me? Somehow I don't want to lose my magic, I like it.
- I had many ill-wishers, envious people and enemies, and not a single friend. Sadly, but it's my own fault. In my pride, I didn't even want to look at other Muggle-borns. Weaklings, crybabies and weaklings didn't interest me, so... I was always alone. The teachers' attitude also got worse when I started showing success in the dark arts. Well, screw them, that's not the point now. And so, when I finally finished school and was ready to leave the country and go freelance, to become a mercenary somewhere in France or Norway, unexpected guests came to me with an offer I couldn't refuse. But I refused... - the girl's nails dug into the upholstery of the sofa, deeply stuck inside. A great indicator of her anger, however. You need to stay away from her during these fits of anger, otherwise she'll grab onto you... maybe she won't break through your skin, I'm a bit of a complicated person, but it won't be pleasant anyway. I still feel the pain, yeah.
"Who came to you and with what proposal?" I asked when the silence dragged on. The girl perked up and emerged from her heavy memories.
"There was one asshole in our year who, a long time ago, back in my fifth year, tried to persuade me... to do anything, in short, but got the cold shoulder, ha. An unsightly fat freak. A rather harsh refusal cooled him down. Or a challenge to a duel according to all the rules, you can't say. Thanks to the volume of the dueling codex, which is freely available in the library. I studied it back in my second year. Thanks for the opportunity to hit presumptuous aristocrats over the head. I bet they came up with all these rules and quirks with the exact opposite goal, to hit the presumptuous Muggle-borns over the head, but they forged a double-edged sword. Ha-ha-ha. - Having finished laughing, the girl continued.
— He dropped out of my sight for a long time and I, frankly, completely forgot about him. After all, there were more than enough problems without him. This guy was not the only one, actually. But it seems he did not forget about me, he just went into hiding. In the end, representatives of his family came to me. Who the hell knows how they figured me out, in a rented apartment, in a huge Muggle city with a million people. They tried to foist off on me a "tempting" offer, which in essence and in letter was a pure slave contract, and even my personal life would have completely passed under the control of the Selwyns... You yourself understand what this would have meant for me, had I accepted their offer. The alternatives were vague, since they only hinted at big problems in case of refusal... But their messengers turned out to be real weaklings, although they looked impressive. But a couple of curses folded them in half, and then I simply threw this trash out of the doorway of my house. — The girl lowered her head and her eyes were covered by the shadow of her long bangs. But even so, I saw the burning rage in her eyes, giving off a red glow, and I heard her white teeth grinding.
— I was a fool. I expected that yet another magical collector or hired thugs would come for my soul to teach me a lesson and force me to sign by force, I prepared a very hot reception for them, prepared for the fight carefully, even experiencing some anticipation, but... It was worth trying to just throw everything to Mordred's mother and run without looking back, spitting on pride and pitiful belongings. These bastard aristos acted much more cunningly than I expected from them. They did not break me over their knees and force me to serve, because such a servant is like a fifth leg for a dog, he will bring more harm than good. If you follow the letter, and not the spirit of the contract, there is always a way to bend everyone. Instead, they decided to make an example out of me for the others. And they set me up. Bitches! - a growling note crept into the girl's pleasant voice.
- Hmm, you should have kept in mind that they would play dirty, failing to deal with you on the fly and leaving through the forests and fields and transgression. You know how to transgression, right? - Hah, it is to be expected that to combat the rebellious elements they would use the repressive machine of the bureaucracy - the judicial system of the Wizengamot. If she had stepped on at least half as many calluses as I had, then it is not surprising that their decision was not in her favor. Everyone there is connected to each other. Mutual responsibility as it is, in its most neglected form. Everyone is related to each other. I am sure that they have already prepared something in the same spirit for me.
- I knew how! I knew how before... - the brunette drooped again, licking her dry lips. The black lipstick turned out to be very durable, so it didn't smudge. This color suited her very well, I must admit - I used to be able to do a lot of things, but they took everything away from me... the bitches. It was almost impossible to resist two Auror stars in full combat gear. My traps were swept away like a house of cards by a ten-point hurricane, and I myself was tied up pretty quickly, simply by numbers. Half of them were also superior to me in skill, by the way. Nothing surprising, real veterans were sent to catch such a "dangerous dark witch", led by Moody the Mad-Eye. He caught me, forcing me to stumble, and then they simply threw paralyzing and binding agents at me. This Auror detected all the traps with the help of his eye-artifact while they were still approaching. Then they tied me up and brought me to court, where they brought a bunch of fabricated and far-fetched charges against me. By the way, it's funny, but in half of the cases they even hit the nail on the head, ahahaha. Of course, the trial was expected and very fast. Only Dumbledore tried to somehow justify me and give me a chance, but he quickly gave up and waved his hand under the pressure of the absolute majority. This surprised me, to be honest. At school, he looked at me with a wolf because of dark magic, and here he stood up for me, although it was of little use. Probably, he was just trying to act in his paradigm of "a kind, simple-minded grandfather who gives everyone a second chance." Ugh.
- And what did they do to you? What was the verdict? - I already guessed how they "executed" her, but decided not to guess, but to ask directly.
— Those sons of bitches took my magic! I hate it! — Felicity slammed her fist on the back of the chair in anger. Her beautiful face was distorted by a terrible grimace of anger, for a moment becoming truly frightening. A real fury in anger. — You know what happens when a child refuses to study at Hogwarts, or runs away, and they are caught? They block his magic, erase his memory and throw him back into the ordinary world, condemning him to a quick death. That's what they did to me. Yes, usually they erase the memory of the magical world, but not in my case. They left it for me to suffer and torment! If only you knew what it's like to lose your magic... Your power, your meaning in life, the very concept of purpose. It's like experiencing constant thirst, baking in the sun, only ten times worse and with no way to quench it. This feeling... I think vampires experience something similar.
- Well, well, I seem to have some thoughts on this matter, but you go on. - I looked thoughtfully at the unfortunate girl. If my guess is correct, then... They treated her even worse than she thinks. Although it would seem, how much worse, but no, I suspected something. A Dementor would be more merciful, perhaps, than the fate prepared for her. With a Dementor, everything is simple. Once and for all. You are gone.
- I... Finding myself in the ordinary world, without magic, but with memories of the past, I made the most sensible decision. To run. From Edinburgh, I got off to London on the first express train, a stowaway. So that they could not track me even like that. I decided to hide in the crowd, but in plain sight. There was a chance that they would come for me to increase the level of my suffering even more, now that I was completely defenseless. As I could see, these freaks have the highest level of imagination when it comes to tormenting someone. — the girl calmed down a bit and returned to her calm and quiet voice. There was still a hidden anger in it, but it was cold and calm, like a windless snowfall at minus fifty.
— The thirst for magic was so strong, I suffered a lot, you know... And such resentment and hatred awoke in me, and also envy. Towards those who were not deprived of magic and who do not even appreciate it... And I learned one ritual, in my spare time, which could, in theory, help me restore magic. In general, it was intended for another purpose — to strengthen the existing reserve. Roughly speaking, with the help of the ritual, you could pinch off a little power from the wizard who was sacrificed. Just a couple of percent, and the more you use it, the less useful it was... — the girl bowed her head. Because of the bangs that had fallen over her eyes again, it was difficult to read her expression, as I had lost sight of her beautiful eyes.
- Let me guess. And then you decided to try it? And how did it feel? - With a slight scientific interest, I tried to probe her with magic, but... No, there was almost no mana in her. Like scale in a kettle. Some crumbs, barely distinguishable against the general background. A sediment, nothing more. A very dark sediment, however.
But this is strange, I feel that her mana channels seem to be undamaged and not clogged, just empty. But the mana is sucked out of her dry. Hmmm. And it would be fine if it poured out into the space around, like water from a broken vessel, but no. Her magic was leaking somewhere else. And my guesses began to take on clearer outlines, almost completely confirmed.
- Yes. I know that I turned into a monster, worse than a vampire, I know... I started hunting Muggle-born wizards to absorb their power. For a while, the magic would return to me, but it would always leave me again after a couple of weeks, leaving only devastation in its wake. It's like a drug, I just... I can't stop, you know? - the girl looked into my eyes with hope, searching for understanding. I just nodded. I understood her, of course, although not completely. She must have really wanted to, but she just couldn't stop, and it's not as much her fault as she thinks. You can feel someone's hand skillfully directing her on a path from which it was impossible to turn off on her own. On her own, no way, but if someone pushes her off the beaten track...
- And you came to "drink" me? Then what's the point of all this conversation? Wanted to unburden your soul before you drain me dry and slaughter me in a ritual circle by candlelight, like a ram? - She's strange. Is it possible that guilt is breaking through even through thirst? She's buzzing with conflicting emotions. Right now, most of all, I feel some resentment. Hmmm.
- No. I'm not going to kill you. Or sacrifice you, so relax. That's not why I'm here. - The girl hesitated, biting her lip, not daring to say what she had in mind. Well, well, that's what I thought?
- Well, why did you come if not for that?
- My sensitivity to magic has increased, I think I've developed something like a sense of blood, like vampires, only I have a sense of magic. And when we met at the club, I immediately realized that you are also a Dark Mage, like me in the past... I... I need you to help me return my magic, for real, and not some pitiful crumbs. Only someone like you can pull off something like that. I don't know where I got this feeling from, but I'm used to trusting my instincts and intuition, and here I am. I can't live like this anymore, a little more and I'll break down, I can feel it. I'd rather die trying to get my magic back than lose myself completely in pursuit of it.
"You have a very strange way of asking for help, Felicity." I looked meaningfully at the gun in her hand.
"What else could I do?!" the brunette exclaimed in a hidden voice. "What were the chances that you would agree, huh? That you would at least listen, and not turn me in to the Auror for a reward? Surely you have the same problem with magical currency as I did in my time, and they would fork out a decent amount of galleons for me. I've already got a dozen wizards on my account... As many as ten ruined lives... This is a risky business, and if anyone finds out, then the same fate awaits you as I did, as a warning to others. Would you risk your skin just like that, for the sake of a barely familiar girl from a club, whom you met just a couple of days ago to have a good time before school? — There was such despair in her voice that my heavy gaze involuntarily softened. If I were in her place... Would I hope for the good will of another dark wizard? No, I wouldn't, but I would act differently. It's a one-way street. Dark wizards aren't known for their friendliness, you know. I'm still quite adequate and almost kind. He-he, a kind dark wizard, he-he. What a joke, I almost believed it myself.
— Let's say I wouldn't help you just like that, but if you offered something worthwhile, I would agree to help you. I feel sorry for you. I could very well have ended up in your place, Mordred, and I'm almost sure that a similar scenario has already been prepared for me. Maybe it's solidarity speaking in me, as a dark one to a dark one, or maybe it's your pretty face that's encouraging me to take a chance, but... I would most likely take on this matter. After all, it would also satisfy my scientific interest, which is also important.
- Fuck. I'm sorry, I... You understand that I couldn't do otherwise? And now it's too late, nothing can be fixed... - Felicity massaged the bridge of her nose with her free hand and tousled her hair. She began to look even more pathetic than before. Guilt? She's funny. There are dark shadows under her eyes. At first I thought it was part of her style, but it looks like these are just bruises under her eyes due to chronic fatigue and lack of sleep.
- So, what are we going to do now that I've read your heartbreaking story? - I tilted my head to the side and stared at her face with my eyes.
- I p-planned to hold your mother hostage while you look for a way to help me... But if you give me a magical geas that you will do everything possible to help me with my problem, then I will let her go. I will trust you.
- You say that you will trust and demand a magical geas... - I shook my head and there was obvious skepticism in my gaze, which made the girl a little embarrassed.
- You know that any geis can be bypassed. I'm ready to take the risk. I don't like doing something like this myself. Do you think I dreamed of such a life? To drag out a miserable life as an eternally hungry energy half-vampire? - Her fingers clenched into a fist and her gaze showed a certain determination to go all the way. All or nothing. Putting her life and freedom on the line.
- I'll tell you what, Felicity. I didn't waste any time and scanned you a little while we were having a nice conversation at gunpoint. I compared some facts from your history and... I have two pieces of news for you. Good and bad. Which one should I start with?
- The bad. - She answered in a hoarse voice, holding her breath. There was hope in her eyes, mixed with resignation and despair.
- It's not as simple as you think. A regular magic block doesn't cause such... complications. You were supposed to just slowly wither away and die in about five years. It seems that someone was really upset with you, because the ritual of cutting off magic was clearly amended, literally changing it on a conceptual level. In fact, they performed a completely different ritual on you than the one regulated by the Wizengamot. They did not cut you off from magic, did not block it, as it should be, because your mana channels are fine, as I understand it... No, they did something different. They really TOOK your magic for themselves. Surely, those who performed this ritual divided it among themselves, since it is impossible to pass an entire reserve through yourself at once and assimilate it. By the way, one of the reasons why even without these "thieves" someone else's magic would not have stayed in you for long. It is even strange that your channels did not suffer under such constant loads. Of course, Muggle-borns are not examples of great power, rather the opposite... But it is still strong. It seems you were a really promising witch. Maybe that's why they got greedy and decided to take a risk and steal your magic. And by the way, they are still connected to you, because your "borrowed magic" continues to leak away somewhere almost completely. I think they knew very well what effect and consequences their dark ritual would cause, and what fate they were condemning you to. And also... This interesting ritual of yours for sucking power from other wizards, is there a chance that they knew that you possessed it? Or, could it be that you learned about it "accidentally", having found the book after your expulsion?
- Yes... You're right. I was interrogated with the help of truth serum, so... They separately found out what rituals I was familiar with. This ritual in particular. I thought it was just part of the prosecution process. As another aggravating circumstance, hammering the final nail into my coffin... - Felicity swallowed loudly. Incredibly, she turned even paler.
- Well, congratulations, they made you into something like a magic collector. All the power and magic that you took from those poor souls settled not with you, but with your executioners. I wouldn't be surprised if they also gave you a couple of "ideas" about where to look for this borrowed power. Well, a very elegant solution. And they managed to torture you, stretching out your suffering for years, and they reduced the number of Muggle-borns with your hands, and they increased their own power quite a bit... even if with each new ritual its growth decreased more and more, it's still a jackpot.
The rod that helped her stand up straight and move forward all this time will be pulled out of Felicity. She fell to her knees as if she had been knocked down, leaning her shoulder against the leg of the chair and closing her eyes. Her pale fingers unclenched and the gun fell from her hands onto the parquet floor with a dull thud. She stared lifelessly at the floor, ignoring everything around her.
Yeah, she must be feeling pretty shitty right now.
"But there is some good news in this foul-smelling mess of other people's ambitions, cruelty, and greed." I stood up from my chair and slowly walked up to her, bending down so that our faces were on the same level. I touched her chin with my fingers and lifted her face so that she could look into my eyes. There was barely any life in them. My words and actions brought her out of her stupor, and she concentrated on me. "I'm familiar with this ritual they performed on you, and I… know how to turn it all back, and even more… How to turn this "pump" in the opposite direction. That's its weakness and why it's not used everywhere. In connection with which I have a counter-proposal for you, heh-heh-heh.
A creepy and sinister smile appeared on my face, one that even Voldemort from the movie didn't have when he killed Harry Potter yet again. My teeth sharpened a little, giving my image and smile the most predatory look. Strangely, Felicity didn't pull away, as anyone else would have done in her place. No, she grabbed the collar of my shirt with such force that I was a little confused.
"If you succeed, I'm ready for anything!" the girl whispered with heat and flame in her eyes, confirming her words with deeds, biting into my lips with a passionate kiss.
Well, it seems that the ritual master just got a little overtime. Of course, she shouldn't hope that she'll be able to buy me off with such a trivial thing as sex, but if it comes as a pleasant thank you bonus, then I won't refuse.
The avid fishermen decided to fish in troubled waters… But because it was so troubled, they didn't notice that this time they had caught a great white shark, heh heh. Soon I will turn their boat upside down and reap my harvest.
I plan to get it all. Their lives, their power, a devoted comrade, and maybe even a lover, grateful to me for life and bound to me by a contract, and, of course, invaluable experience in conducting an extremely complex but promising ritual that will strengthen both me and her. Even Carol will get some, because there is not enough room for both of us if this works out. Oh, I just had an idea how to deliver the side effects of the Veritaserum ritual to those smart guys from above through my new sexual mana pipeline. Now that's what I call a real royal flush, and I'm going to play it.
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