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This had been the best day that Zeb had in ages. Granted he always enjoyed shopping, but when you had bottomless coffers. Who didn't? But what had made today really special was getting to see Carynn so happy. At first she had tried to resist letting him spoil her. But after the first store or two he had worn her down. He enjoyed watching the sales clerks lavish her with attention as she selected items.

He had also gotten plenty for himself. He bought some new clothes, shoes, furniture (if Carynn was going to be spending any amount of time with him, he wanted his quarters to be suitable), but nothing was as exciting as when he bought his broom. He had bought the same one for Carynn, top of the line of course. It had been painful to set it down without trying it with his other parcels. He hired a porter to deliver everything back to The Three Broomsticks while he and Carynn enjoyed London. They took lunch in the city and then dinner before they came home.

The best part, Carynn hadn't hid behind the glamours that she used. She had felt comfortable enough to be herself, and he had been proud to have her on his arm. She had smiled and laughed and he hoped that a day like today had gone far to helping to build new happier memories for her. Finally they were strolling down the streets of Hogsmeade again. Zeb was pleasantly exhausted from the long day, but also didn't want it to end.

And didn't plan on it ending until much later that night. A thought which was hammered to the front of his thoughts as Carynn popped a candy in her mouth, sprouted a set of sassy ears and a tail which only emphasized the sway of her hips and started mewing at him. Zeb laughed along with her as he reached forward to rub her little ears and pull her body close to his. He didn't think he had ever smiled and laughed so much in a day.

As he released her, he plucked the bag of enchanted candies away and looked through them before tucking them away in his coat pocket. Looking back with a leer, he explained reaching out for her. "Just making sure there are more kitty ones for later. They will look great with that black thing you tried on last." he said with a smirk and another look at her 'tail'.

It was a fine evening and the stars were coming out in the sky. There was a beautiful girl at his side and all was right with the world. He didn't think things could get any better. When she asked sweetly about returning to London, he paused, gathered her up in his arms, her body close to him as he stroked her face, his eyes trailing fondly over her. "Of course. Anytime you like. Except for right now. I don't think I'd be inclined to go anywhere except back to the inn." Leaning down his lips pressed softly against hers, a thrill running over his body as he did so. "I'd love to get another look at some of the things we bought today." he growled playfully, thinking about the contents of the little pink bags.

Zeb pulled Carynn close to him, dropping them back into the shadows as he kissed her deeply. His hands roaming other her body. He couldn't restrain himself. This woman stirred something deep and powerful in him. Just the coy jokes and eager acceptance of what the later part of their evening would consist of, heated his blood and made him feel eager like a man twenty years his junior. But with a smile he laced his fingers in hers and led her down the street.

"Well, my dear, where would you like to go to eat? London has plenty of restaurants. Or are we sweeping away to the Riviera for a treat? Or perhaps should we be really reckless and had Ro make us something that we can eat in bed?" he said the last with a smile. He would go wherever she wanted. He was not hungry for anything but her.

"And hush on all of this weight talk. You are still lighter than a feather." Though he had noticed lately that she had lost the painfully thin appearance and took on a healthier look. Her appetite had indeed been increasing. He hoped that it was the result of finally being secure and content after everything that you have been through.

"Now, I have noticed you eating more. Am I 'working' you too hard these days? I can't promise to change that, but I could try." His tone, as usual, full of implication and teasingly. He was certainly crazy about her. They had been spending lots of time together, as was typical with young lovers. But his interest in her was only increasing and deepening in meaning towards her, unlike previous relationships where once the mystery was gone so was his interest.

Looking at her, bathed in the faint starlight and glow from the sidewalk lamps, he couldn't help but marvel at how beautiful she was. Pausing, he held her hand to pull her to face him again. Reaching out he felt the words that he had been yearning to say resting on the edge of his tongue. But he sudden felt an odd sensation, like feeling the radiating warmth of a fire from across the room. But this was not warm. This felt...dark.

His head snapped in the direction and wondered if his years of being paranoid and running from danger were catching up to him again. After all, what was a feeling. But his eyebrow cocked at Carynn, "Did you...feel that? Something....just feels...wrong." He wasn't quite sure how to explain it.

Professor Carynn Marie Shields

~~~

“You feel so lonely and ragged, you lay here broken and naked...

~~~~~~~
Carynn shivered against him as he ran his hands over her. She giggled a muttered something about waiting until later that night. She playfully pushed him away, but really she was enjoying the attention he was paying her.

“ I'm actually craving Shepherd’s Pie, maybe we can have it at the Broomsticks?” She pulled him in the general direction of the Broomsticks, blushing as her stomach growled. “ My tummy is demanding attention.” Carynn laughed softly at her statement.

Carynn tipped her head at him as he pulled her to face him. He looked like he was about to say something but was having trouble finding the words. She was about to ask him why he was staring at her the way he was when a sudden feeling a dread descended over her. “ I...I feel it too...it feels like that night at the Broomsticks....except worse.” Carynn gunted as she tripped forward. She had been caught off guard by a girl running past her. Carynn fell into Zeb and turned her head to see who the girl was. Instead she noticed a man and a woman run by. “ L..Lucivar?!” She stammered as she caught her balance. Lucivar was running in the general direction of wherever that dark feeling was originating from. Carynn pulled on Zeb's hand as she turned to run after Lucivar.

~~~
...my love is just waiting to turn your tears to roses..."

A well-deserved smile happened across Aiden's well-sculpted face as he shut the door to The Three Broomsticks. Rowena had not only hung his flyer up for him, but she delivered an amazing breakfast and an indulging conversation, all of this on top of the fact that she had provided him something well-worth staring at.

Getting his mind on track, Aiden glanced at the ancient brown watch that he wore on his left wrist. He had both decorated the streets with fliers and enjoyed a well-cooked meal, all before noon. This gave his spirits reason to rise even higher, and he decided that he could still afford to stop by a few more shops before his grandfather would start wondering where he was. Glancing around, he saw a big sign advertising the Hog's Head Inn and he smiled as he approached it, remembering his visits here as a child.

A large smile crossed Aiden's face as he watched Harley hop courageously alongside him. Even for a wolf, he was quite the adventurist. He laughed to himself as he strolled along the street, turning towards Wiseacre's when he stopped dead in his tracks. "It's a miracle!" He said aloud as he noticed the fresh maroon paint job and new sign. Excited that his grandpa had taken his advice, he entered the shop in hopes of finding more changes.

Nott ran through the back alley, down to the main street and up another alley. His heart was pounding and his lungs were burning. Behind a large trash bin, in the deepest shadows of the alley, he pulled Charlotte in next to him to stop. Pushing her up against the building, furthest from sight, he leaned back to, for the first time, look to see if anyone was following them. The alley was dark and still, quiet. He knew that the town would not remain so for long.

Turning, he looked a Charlotte's face. Oh how he wanted to yell and rage at her. To scream at her for being and idiot and a bloody fool. To ask what she possibly thought that she was doing and how she could have been so stupid. But looking at her, her delicate, frightened face, he grimaced in pain at the look of horror she wore. The night wasn't over, she had saved him from one death but another could be around any corner.

He reached up with a trembling hand to wipe the wetness from her cheek. A small gesture, but one that conveyed much about how he was feeling. Thanks for saving him, understanding for her decision, forgiveness for anything and apology for his part in this disaster. His eyes held hers, he felt the same energy between them that had existed that night in the classroom. Would this be the last chance that he ever had to kiss her?

But he also didn't want to risk upsetting her one more time, particularly when this might be the last time that they saw each other. His hand dropped away but wrapped around her and he pulled her close into an embrace. There was a gentleness and a fierceness as well.

"Lottie...oh Lottie... You need to listen to me now...for one time tonight. Get away from here. Run back to the castle as quick as you can. Don't stop for anything. Hopefully Levera has already summoned Yaslana. Just get somewhere safe.....I'll be right behind you."

Releasing her, he caught her eye and once again felt the familiar urge, but he turned away and dashed stealthily through the shadows. Pausing at intervals behind objects to hide and make sure the streets were still clear. He hoped that his last statement to Lottie would be true.

“I am your devil, I am your god, I am your alpha and omega, through me you will learn fear”
~~~
Raven wanted to laugh in absolute excitement and uncontrollable glee, finally she was free! After countless years of being trapped in stasis, she was free! An even better, he brother had given her permission to wreck havoc amongst the unsuspecting people...announce who they were to the entire world.

As soon as she was given permission to leave, Raven had morphed into her panther form and raced out of the shop. She knocked a few expensive looking vases over just for fun on her way out. But her real goal was to find some mortal man and slaughter him. Preferably in front of a woman that loved him. Then her reemergence into the would be satisfactory in her mind.

Raven dashed out of the shop, her massive paws barely making a sound as they hit the ground. A female presence was the first thing that caught her attention and Raven snarled loudly. It was the female that Ferreus had been obsessing over earlier. The girl skidded to a stop from her sprint when she saw Raven's panther form.

Raven chuckled as she morphed back into her human form. She would destroy this girl for even dreaming of Ferreus. He brother was far too good for the little witch. Raven raised her stolen wand and pointed it at the girl with a harsh flick and screeched, “SECTUMINCORPUS!.” She watched the violently red sparks fly from her wand and took satisfaction in the sheer terror that crossed the black haired girl's face.

~~~

““There is no good and evil, there is only power... and those too weak to seek it.”


First Year Slytherin Student: SaLevera Sykes


Levera sprinted up to Fenniwick's shop just as a giant panther stolled out the front door like it owned the place. Levera reached for her sword, a panther she could handle. She might not know all that much about dueling magic, but killing a vicious animal with a blade was no issue.

Levera's hand had barely touched the hilt of her sword when the panther morphed into a human. A very angry, very bitchy looking human woman. She had icy green eyes that almost glowed because of her pale grayish skin. Suddenly Levera felt that she should run, very hard, very fast in the opposite direction and not stop until she dropped from exhaustion.

The concept was completely irrational to the girl. SA Levera Sykes, apprentice swordmistress did NOT experience fear and certainly did NOT run from any fight, no matter how badly outnumbered or outclassed she was.

But then angry red sparks flew at her and Levera experienced a moment of sheer terror and fear for her life. The last thing she knew before she blanked out for a few seconds was that something hit her from the side, shoving her away from the curse that had been aimed her way.


~~~~~~
“Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing. Use the pain as fuel, as a reminder of your strength.”

Professor Carynn Marie Shields

~~~

“You feel so lonely and ragged, you lay here broken and naked...

~~~~~~~
Carynn blanched as she saw the panther turn into a woman who exuded such evil and malice. It took her a moment to realize that this woman was what had attacked her and Zeb that night at the broomsticks. Carynn's featured steeled as she bolted toward the crazed woman, her mind was made up, she would destroy this b***h for hurting Zeb.

Then Carynn noticed the young girl from before standing there, reaching uselessly for a sword that couldn't save her. She must be a student at the school...but how...did she get mixed up in all of this?. The girl didn't stand a chance at defeating the crazed woman, especially not with a simple muggle sword. Carynn's hands clenched tighter around her wand. She picked up her pace and had almost reached the girl when Carynn saw the crazed woman's wand raise and heard her scream a spell that Carynn had never heard of before, but knew could not be good. “ EXPELLIARMUS!” Carynn yelled and tossed the spell at the crazed woman. She didn't have time to see if the disarming spell had any affect on the woman, she had sent it too late, the dark spell was all ready heading for the girl who appeared to be frozen in terror. Carynn had no choice but to physcially save the girl.

She leaped and shoved the girl out of the way, just as the spell would have hit her. Instead the dark spell blew Carynn backwards and threw her on the ground. Carynn's head impacted hard against the cobblestone, but the impact wasn't enough to make her black out...which would have been a blessing. But instead an incredible agony blew through Carynn's body. It felt like someone was taking a dull knife and trying to skin her alive, it felt like her insides were slowly rising to a burning temperature, it felt like agony that can't be described or understood without feeling it yourself.

Carynn's body spasmed and seized, she flinched to one side and coughed up blood that burned her throat and mouth on the way up. Then all of her muscles seized at once and then cramped that way...but her body flinched again and it felt like her muscles were being torn apart as they were stretched too hard too fast. All Carynn could see was white hot blinding agony and she wanted to beg someone end this pain in any way possible, “ p...please...” she whimpered, her voice like gravel, rough and it broke as a scream tore through her. “ gods...kill me...” She whimpered as her voiced worked again before she spasmed to one side. That was the last coherent thought she had and all she could hear was her own agonized screams.

~~~
...my love is just waiting to turn your tears to roses..."