At the end of the term one's a Hogwarts student's mind was aflutter with millions of ideas about how they were going to spend their summer break. For a sixth year student who had just finished their N.E.W.T.S. it was a time of relief and prepping for a long and much needed rest. Some of the Racenclaws were rumored to have been in the toilets checking themselves in the mirror to see if they had sprouted any grey hairs in preparation for the dreaded exams. None of course had, but that didn't stop some of the other houses from taking amusement from their stress. It was after all just a test, at last that was Archer's attitude. He had other plans for his future that may or may not include the results of the tests. He was not sure what path he was on at the moment, but he had been eyed as a future auror for most of his time at Hogwarts. His skill with a wand and his raw nerve had not gone unnoticed, but there were character traits about him that had flown more than a bit below the watchful eyes of the faculty and his peers. Perhaps they were distracted by the upstanding student they saw before him, saving that first year from drowning in the black lake as a fourth year had most certainly not gone unnoticed.
What had gone unnoticed however was his ventures into the forbidden forest. The young Slytherin spent as much as his free time as he could get away with in the Forbidden Forest even though of course it was forbidden for students to enter there alone and without permission. Even if the faculty had noticed it is doubtful that they would have been too worried about him, his wand work rivaled most of theirs even if they were too afraid to admit it themselves it had been proven multiple times over. Not outwardly arrogant Archer did not seek recognition or praise of any kind for his abilities, but he didn't hide them either. In fact it was almost as if it was part of his persona, perhaps crafted to hide some less than desirable qualities like the ones that had brought him here deep within the forest today.
The sun was getting low in the sky and the gentleman was late. He brushed his long black hair away from his face and retrieved his wand from his robe. The obsidian black handle handle slid into his hand with a familiar comfort, his fingers closed around it and tightened a familiar grip. His wand was eleven and three quarter inches, unyielding, with a Phoenix Feather core. His wand and him were one, closely bonded, they trusted each other and were devoutly loyal to one another.
"Lumos"
The pureblood Slytherin said with a distinguished London accent. A glow formed at the tip of the wand and extra light allowed him to see his immediate surroundings better. It was at that moment a dark figure apparated behind him. Archer spun quickly on his heel and his wand came to the ready, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Oh it's you, you are late."
The dark figure took three steps forward and smiled, his teeth in desperate need of a good cleaning.
"I been here the entire, watching you from a distance I was. When distinguished student such as yourself, seeks me out. Well it's a bit odd innit? needed to know I wasn't walking into a trap. Working for the ministry already are you?"
Archer scoffed and his sharp eyebrows narrowed.
"Hardly. You have something I need, something they don't teach at Hogwarts. We haven't been properly introduced, you Baron and I am..."
The Dark figure raised his hand.
"No bloody names. I don't want to know you an' you don't want to know me. Understand each other?"
Archer nodded.
"Why of course."
The Dark Figure lowered his hood, his eyes burned with curiosity and the few remaining hairs on his head stood sloppily on end.
"Now tell me, what do need from me?"
Archer breathed out through his nose, quickly he was beginning to lose patience with this encounter.
"I do believe my contact conveyed a certain spell that you are quite adept at teaching "
The Dark Figure stopped and leaned in.
"I want you to say it welp!"
Archer narrowed his eyebrows further.
"I simply do not have time for games. I want to you to teach me..."
The Dark figure quickly raised his wand and....
"CRUCIO!"
...with a hatefully deliberate and cruel tone, magic flew from his wand and Archer convulsed in agony. He dropped his wand to the ground and fell over in the fetal position screaming out in pain. He could not think, he could not move freely, all he could feel was terrible pain as if red hot knives where being thrust into every inch of his body. The Dark Figure stood over him cackling as he held the wand level enjoying the pain he was inflicting on the ambitious young student.
"Had enough have you boy?"
The Dark Figure stopped his cruel demonstration and Archer gasped for air sweat pouring out of every pour on his flesh, he was soaked to his core and he wasn't sure but he may have wet himself.
"You want to learn the Cruciatus curse, one simply does not learn the curse without experiencing it. You have to know what it feels like an' you have to be deliberate in your incantation and your intent. Are you man enough for this or are you just pathetic child dabblin in stuff ya shouldn' be?"
Trying to catch his breath Archer wearily pulled himself to his feet.
"Now I...have experienced it...and I certainly understand...it....I need this curse and....I am ready to use it if I need it. I am not just any child..."
The dark figure pursed his lips.
"Very well, I am glad to hear you say that...for your sake because I'd have killed you if you backed out. There is a muggle prisoner up ahead you'll learn here an' practice on him. Follow my movements and the incantation is of course Crucio."
Archer nodded and moved his wand mimicking that of the dark figure, but with no one to cast the spell on he could only practice the movements. The cruelty and actual curse itself would have to wait.
"Very good, you be ready for the muggle, lets go."
The Dark Figure took a few steps forward, while Archer hesitated, his grip on his wand tightened.
"A muggle?"
The Dark Figure glared.
"Hesitate and die, it's you or him."
Archer nodded and took a step forward, while the dark figure continued ahead.
"We're alone out here then?"
The evil man nodded.
"Just us an' the muggle. We don't need no one telling the ministry about either of us."
Archer's eyes narrowed and a small smile formed on his face.
"Perfect, smart thinking on your part...much further?"
"A little less than a half mile...an' stop asking questions."
Archer stopped suddenly in his tracks he brought his wand up and with all the cruetly and hatred he could muster he....
"CRUCIO!"
...unleashed the full power of the Cruciatus curse on the evil dark figure who immediately collapsed in ear splitting agony. Archer held his wand level and continued inflicting the terrible torture on the man.
"You see, I have no qualm with your muggle and I have no desire to torture him to death. You on the other hand....well, I do have a qualm with you. Not only did you unleash this terrible curse on me just moments ago without warning, but you killed my brother. Don't you remember? Felix Loris. Remember his name because I'm not letting you go."
He smirked as the dark figure writhed in agony.
"In fact, I have something very special for you, something I learned as a fourth year if you can believe it, but I've never used it on a person before. How did it go again?"
Archer stopped and smiled as the dark figure gasped for breath.
"Ahh yes, that's it."
He brought his wand back and his face contorted in anger
AVADA KEDAVRA!!!!
A brilliant stream of red magic poured from Archer's wand and struck the dark man in a blinding flash as life quickly faded from his eyes and he fell still. Archer stood their trembling. He lowered his wand and looked at the body of the man laying on the ground who had been moments ago full of life. Archer backed away slowly, still holding his wand. He had planned this, he knew what he was going to do, but now that it was done. He felt...he felt sick, as if his soul was on fire. The screams of the man echoed in his head and while they most certainly had been the well deserved screams of a child murdering coward, Archer couldn't shake the inky black feeling settling on his soul. He calmed himself taking a few deep breaths, he couldn't risk finding and freeing the muggle. Instead he had to make his way swiftly out of here and back to Hogwarts. Catching the Express home in the morning as if nothing had ever happened was now his top priority, in fact...nothing had happened. A stop off at Hogsmeade and some new clothes would further add credibility to his story if asked, but no one ever asked.
One more order of business. Archer waved his wand dug a hole and buried the man deep in the earth. Now it was absolutely as if nothing had ever happened.
A New Life
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Archer Loris
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Wed Jun 14, 2023 6:31 pm
Re: A New Life
Long after night had fallen on the castle, long after his long and solemn walk back from Hogsmeade, Archer was in bed staring up at the ceiling, his hands resting behind his head. The guilt was starting to set in, he had expected a certain amount of guilt for killing a man in cold blood, but oddly enough that is not where his guilt was coming from. The sticky black substance that covered his soul was not from the killing curse, the man, Baron was his in fact his name he did deserve to die. For over a year Archer had found out as much as he could about the man and near as he could tell Baron possessed exactly no redeeming qualities in his character.
Baron himself made it his business to recruit loyal servants, he did this by finding young witches and wizards who had a thirst or ambition to learn some of the darker spells, but may or may not possess the stomach to actually use them. Archer himself had learned both the Imperious Curse and The Killing Curse during his fourth year and he had done so himself, with no aid. He had also used both curses on none humans in the Forbidden Forest on more than one occasion. None off that however made him evil, they were life and death situations that his attackers had put him and he did what he had to do to survive. Even the ministry would not consider that an Unforgiveable use of the curse, it had to be against another human being. Thus Archer had until this past evening never truly broken any law with his dabbling in the Dark Arts. In fact, Archer was of the mind that these curses should be taught at Hogwarts to the older student with the explicit understanding that they never be used on humankind. They were powerful defensive weapons to be used only in dire circumstances.
Despite that belief, Archer deliberately did not teach himself the Cruciatus curse. That was curse was so vile and abhorrent that he never felt he could find a valid use for it. Even using it on a spider or troll seemed cruel and unusual to the point of being objectively evil and all circumstances that could come to mind. This was where the guilt was coming from. He learned that vile spell, which he planned to do that night as a means to earn enough trust from Baron to kill him. Then just moments after learning it he used it to torcher the man who murdered Felix and unleashed the curse on Archer himself. What was awful about all of this was in the moment, he absolutely enjoyed watching Baron suffer. The man deserved to suffer, but still, Archer felt as if he had betrayed his own soul, even his wand seemed surprised at this situation, but being devoutly loyal it carried out it's master's wishes without hesitation.
The door to the room creeped open and a streak of light hit Archer in the eyes. In the door stood the Slytherin prefect Edward.
"Archer, you awake?"
Whispered Wedward.
Archer sat up in bed and whispered back.
"Unfortunately my friend."
I got up out of bed and threw his black night robe embroidered with a green Slytherin crest on the left breast pocket. He walked out into the hall way his slippers making scarcely a sound against the metal floor as the door shut behind him.
"You have a visitor, a young Gryffindor, he's upstairs at the entrance."
Archer squinted as his dark eyes adjusted to the light.
"At this hour? Is it Thomas?"
Edward shrugged.
"I think so, that kid you saved from drowning two years back maybe?"
Archer tied his robe and nodded.
"I assume he wants to talk, thinks of me as a big brother I suppose. Kind of nice I guess after Felix died."
Edward through his hands up.
"Well that's fine by me but just get on with it, I want to get to bed and I can't sleep with a third year Gryffindor pacing about the entrance to our bloody common room. Make sure he knows not to come back here again, you don't see us waiting outside of theirs for God's sake."
Archer chuckled, sleep wasn't finding him this evening anyway.
"Thank you, I'll be off then, I'll take him to central hall or something."
Archer ran his hand through his long black hair and made his way down the hallway and out to the main Slytherin common room. It was rather quiet and it would indeed be so much easier if Thomas could just be brought down here for whatever it is he wanted it would be so much easier, but that simply wasn't done. Archer passed the fountain and made his way up the long spiraled staircase to the main entrance of his common room. He stood there for a moment before opening the door and stepping out to see the younger Thomas pacing about.
"Thomas, it's good to see you, but at this hour? Are you well my friend?"
The red haired young Gryffindor's face lit up as Archer stepped out to greet him.
"I am, I just...I wanted to talk you, it's our last night at Hogwarts and you went away the last two summers and....well I've raved to my family about you. Not only you saving my life, but teaching me better wand work and spells."
Archer smiled.
"You'd have done the same for me Thomas. This is of course if you learned how to swim a bit better...I never asked you what you were doing in that damned lake in the first place."
Thomas' face turned red.
"Well...funny you mention that, it was actually on a dare. I was actually trying to get a look at the Merepeople that swim in front of the Slytherin common room windows."
Archer shook his head. That prank played on first year Slytherin students seemed to have developed a mind of it's own and now the other houses believed that the merepeople visited the massive underwater windows.
"Well I suppose that's our fault then. That's just something we tell first years so we can see how long they stand at the windows until they figure out that merepeople never swim up to them, at least not in the six years I've been here."
Thomas laughed.
"That's actually quite funny, but not worth drowning over."
Archer raised his eyebrows.
"No...no it's not. Now...my friend, we do both have an early train to catch in the morning, what is it that you want? Do we need to go to central hall or the quad to talk?"
Thomas clapped his hands together and his eyes widened as if he just remembered what he had come here to say.
"Oh heavens no! Nothing that serious, but my Mother, since you're not going away this summer was wondering...and well, so was I if you'd fancy coming up to spend a few days with us? She and the rest of my family are dying to meet you and haven been for two years, we're a family of Gryffindor's and you being a Slytherin...well with all that's happened, they just want to meet you and....I wouldn't mind hanging out, outside of Hogwarts either. We can get into all sorts of trouble. What do you say?""
Archer paused for a moment, he watched the facial expressions of his young friend and understood exactly how much Thomas wanted this. This hero worship was getting a bit out of hand, but at the same time however, it would be nice to get away from London and the strict rules of his parents for a little while. They cared little what he did when he was not under their roof, but when he was everything had to be prim and proper. Then of course there was Delilah, she was coming to visit at the end of July to meet his parents, the two had been dating semi secretly for the entire term and word had reached them so of course they had to meet her.
Archer smirked at Thomas.
"I'd be delighted. Perhaps I can teach you to swim a bit better then. When were you thinking?"
Thomas smiled widely barely able to contain his joy.
"Really?! I mean..."
Thomas cleared his throat as his voice cracked.
"I mean, were thinking maybe Nine July through maybe 13 July. Does that work?"
Archer nodded and offered a smile.
"Perfect, my girlfriend Delilah is coming to visit the last week of July so this gets me out from my Mother's fanatical cleaning spree for a few days. I'll be there...but where exactly is there?"
Thomas laughed, his smile revealing his crooked teeth.
"Well I guess that bit is important. I'll send an owl as a reminder, but it's number 103 Meadow Drive in Peterborough. Not to far is it?"
Archer grinned.
"Not at all even, Hogwarts isn't far enough from my mother during one of her cleaning sprees. She'll be glad to be rid of me for a week. Shall I bring anything?"
Thomas shook his head.
"Nope just the necessities, we'll take care of the rest."
Archer clapped Thomas on the shoulder.
"I shall look forward to it and with that I think we had both better be off to bed. If I don't see you on the express tomorrow, I hope you don't get into too much trouble before I arrive, no swimming looking for merepeople."
Thomas nodded and his face turned bright red once more.
"Not much to find in Peterborough, but I'll save the trouble for when you get there. Goodnight Archer..."
Thomas smiled and walked away.
"Good night Thomas, always good to see you."
Archer turned and spoke the password and the giant snake body raised in the doorway and he pushed in the door to his common room. As he walked in he all but forgot about about what had happened in the forest earlier and finally he had something to look forward to this summer, even if it was four days in a house full of Gryffindors. For a moment, a fleeting moment the guilt seemed to have gone away but then as he pictured Thomas' stupid grin and thought about how much the younger student looked at him, it returned ten fold. What kind of example was he? Torturing a man before he murdered him. How could live with himself?
"One day at a time. You are Slytherin's best and you will act like it. Chin up and back to bed."
He said chastising himself for allowing the guilt to set in at all. He slowly made his way down the long spiraled staircase, across the common and down the hallway and to his room. Quietly he opened the door, took his robe off and kicked off his slippers before falling into bed.
"Knock it off will ya? Some of us trying to sleep!"
Said a muffled and annoyed voice of one of his classmates.
"So stop trying and sleep then."
Said Archer in a sarcastic tone. He laid his head against the pillow and closed his eyes, perhaps now he could rest.
Baron himself made it his business to recruit loyal servants, he did this by finding young witches and wizards who had a thirst or ambition to learn some of the darker spells, but may or may not possess the stomach to actually use them. Archer himself had learned both the Imperious Curse and The Killing Curse during his fourth year and he had done so himself, with no aid. He had also used both curses on none humans in the Forbidden Forest on more than one occasion. None off that however made him evil, they were life and death situations that his attackers had put him and he did what he had to do to survive. Even the ministry would not consider that an Unforgiveable use of the curse, it had to be against another human being. Thus Archer had until this past evening never truly broken any law with his dabbling in the Dark Arts. In fact, Archer was of the mind that these curses should be taught at Hogwarts to the older student with the explicit understanding that they never be used on humankind. They were powerful defensive weapons to be used only in dire circumstances.
Despite that belief, Archer deliberately did not teach himself the Cruciatus curse. That was curse was so vile and abhorrent that he never felt he could find a valid use for it. Even using it on a spider or troll seemed cruel and unusual to the point of being objectively evil and all circumstances that could come to mind. This was where the guilt was coming from. He learned that vile spell, which he planned to do that night as a means to earn enough trust from Baron to kill him. Then just moments after learning it he used it to torcher the man who murdered Felix and unleashed the curse on Archer himself. What was awful about all of this was in the moment, he absolutely enjoyed watching Baron suffer. The man deserved to suffer, but still, Archer felt as if he had betrayed his own soul, even his wand seemed surprised at this situation, but being devoutly loyal it carried out it's master's wishes without hesitation.
The door to the room creeped open and a streak of light hit Archer in the eyes. In the door stood the Slytherin prefect Edward.
"Archer, you awake?"
Whispered Wedward.
Archer sat up in bed and whispered back.
"Unfortunately my friend."
I got up out of bed and threw his black night robe embroidered with a green Slytherin crest on the left breast pocket. He walked out into the hall way his slippers making scarcely a sound against the metal floor as the door shut behind him.
"You have a visitor, a young Gryffindor, he's upstairs at the entrance."
Archer squinted as his dark eyes adjusted to the light.
"At this hour? Is it Thomas?"
Edward shrugged.
"I think so, that kid you saved from drowning two years back maybe?"
Archer tied his robe and nodded.
"I assume he wants to talk, thinks of me as a big brother I suppose. Kind of nice I guess after Felix died."
Edward through his hands up.
"Well that's fine by me but just get on with it, I want to get to bed and I can't sleep with a third year Gryffindor pacing about the entrance to our bloody common room. Make sure he knows not to come back here again, you don't see us waiting outside of theirs for God's sake."
Archer chuckled, sleep wasn't finding him this evening anyway.
"Thank you, I'll be off then, I'll take him to central hall or something."
Archer ran his hand through his long black hair and made his way down the hallway and out to the main Slytherin common room. It was rather quiet and it would indeed be so much easier if Thomas could just be brought down here for whatever it is he wanted it would be so much easier, but that simply wasn't done. Archer passed the fountain and made his way up the long spiraled staircase to the main entrance of his common room. He stood there for a moment before opening the door and stepping out to see the younger Thomas pacing about.
"Thomas, it's good to see you, but at this hour? Are you well my friend?"
The red haired young Gryffindor's face lit up as Archer stepped out to greet him.
"I am, I just...I wanted to talk you, it's our last night at Hogwarts and you went away the last two summers and....well I've raved to my family about you. Not only you saving my life, but teaching me better wand work and spells."
Archer smiled.
"You'd have done the same for me Thomas. This is of course if you learned how to swim a bit better...I never asked you what you were doing in that damned lake in the first place."
Thomas' face turned red.
"Well...funny you mention that, it was actually on a dare. I was actually trying to get a look at the Merepeople that swim in front of the Slytherin common room windows."
Archer shook his head. That prank played on first year Slytherin students seemed to have developed a mind of it's own and now the other houses believed that the merepeople visited the massive underwater windows.
"Well I suppose that's our fault then. That's just something we tell first years so we can see how long they stand at the windows until they figure out that merepeople never swim up to them, at least not in the six years I've been here."
Thomas laughed.
"That's actually quite funny, but not worth drowning over."
Archer raised his eyebrows.
"No...no it's not. Now...my friend, we do both have an early train to catch in the morning, what is it that you want? Do we need to go to central hall or the quad to talk?"
Thomas clapped his hands together and his eyes widened as if he just remembered what he had come here to say.
"Oh heavens no! Nothing that serious, but my Mother, since you're not going away this summer was wondering...and well, so was I if you'd fancy coming up to spend a few days with us? She and the rest of my family are dying to meet you and haven been for two years, we're a family of Gryffindor's and you being a Slytherin...well with all that's happened, they just want to meet you and....I wouldn't mind hanging out, outside of Hogwarts either. We can get into all sorts of trouble. What do you say?""
Archer paused for a moment, he watched the facial expressions of his young friend and understood exactly how much Thomas wanted this. This hero worship was getting a bit out of hand, but at the same time however, it would be nice to get away from London and the strict rules of his parents for a little while. They cared little what he did when he was not under their roof, but when he was everything had to be prim and proper. Then of course there was Delilah, she was coming to visit at the end of July to meet his parents, the two had been dating semi secretly for the entire term and word had reached them so of course they had to meet her.
Archer smirked at Thomas.
"I'd be delighted. Perhaps I can teach you to swim a bit better then. When were you thinking?"
Thomas smiled widely barely able to contain his joy.
"Really?! I mean..."
Thomas cleared his throat as his voice cracked.
"I mean, were thinking maybe Nine July through maybe 13 July. Does that work?"
Archer nodded and offered a smile.
"Perfect, my girlfriend Delilah is coming to visit the last week of July so this gets me out from my Mother's fanatical cleaning spree for a few days. I'll be there...but where exactly is there?"
Thomas laughed, his smile revealing his crooked teeth.
"Well I guess that bit is important. I'll send an owl as a reminder, but it's number 103 Meadow Drive in Peterborough. Not to far is it?"
Archer grinned.
"Not at all even, Hogwarts isn't far enough from my mother during one of her cleaning sprees. She'll be glad to be rid of me for a week. Shall I bring anything?"
Thomas shook his head.
"Nope just the necessities, we'll take care of the rest."
Archer clapped Thomas on the shoulder.
"I shall look forward to it and with that I think we had both better be off to bed. If I don't see you on the express tomorrow, I hope you don't get into too much trouble before I arrive, no swimming looking for merepeople."
Thomas nodded and his face turned bright red once more.
"Not much to find in Peterborough, but I'll save the trouble for when you get there. Goodnight Archer..."
Thomas smiled and walked away.
"Good night Thomas, always good to see you."
Archer turned and spoke the password and the giant snake body raised in the doorway and he pushed in the door to his common room. As he walked in he all but forgot about about what had happened in the forest earlier and finally he had something to look forward to this summer, even if it was four days in a house full of Gryffindors. For a moment, a fleeting moment the guilt seemed to have gone away but then as he pictured Thomas' stupid grin and thought about how much the younger student looked at him, it returned ten fold. What kind of example was he? Torturing a man before he murdered him. How could live with himself?
"One day at a time. You are Slytherin's best and you will act like it. Chin up and back to bed."
He said chastising himself for allowing the guilt to set in at all. He slowly made his way down the long spiraled staircase, across the common and down the hallway and to his room. Quietly he opened the door, took his robe off and kicked off his slippers before falling into bed.
"Knock it off will ya? Some of us trying to sleep!"
Said a muffled and annoyed voice of one of his classmates.
"So stop trying and sleep then."
Said Archer in a sarcastic tone. He laid his head against the pillow and closed his eyes, perhaps now he could rest.
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Archer Loris
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Wed Jun 14, 2023 6:31 pm
Re: A New Life
July
Sitting in the corner of the kitchen at the breakfast nook facing the window Archer shipped his morning tea. It was half past 7:00 already and his train did not leave until 11:15, he had time to kill and a morning to enjoy. It would have been far more enjoyable if his mother was not barking orders at the house elves preparing for a visitor that was not due until the end of the month. Sitting by the window dressed as any self respecting young wizard from a semi prominent magical bloodline would, he tried to remain invisible as he could. He did not wish to enter into the line of fire of his mother, she was already miffed at him for leaving the house for what amounted to a long weekend and frankly he did not want to necessarily annoy her father. His night bag was packed and lay at the base of his seat by his right leg, there was bran muffin that had but a single bite taken from it and there were two eggs sunny side up along with thick cut bacon that had yet to be touched.
His dark eyes darted to the corner of the room when his mother and two house elves came barging into the kitchen, she was barking orders at each of them. Something about the cabinets needing a good rub down with a coat of polish. Honestly he was surprised she did not ask them to clean out the water pipes to the sink, she had a penchant for demanding that the most impossible areas that a guest would never see be spotless on the off chance that they might somehow see them. She was a bit mad near as he could tell, there was an aristocratic air about her that demanded perfection in all areas even if mattered to exactly no one else in the world but her.
Her eyes finally caught his just as he was dipping bacon into the egg yolk and taking a quite bite. Cooked perfectly, the explosion of salty and smoky flavor mixed with the richness of the yolk in his mouth was quite satisfying, of course he tried to pretend their eyes had not met.
"One would think that you'd at least have the common courtesy to wish your mother good morning before you go off gallivanting about leaving me to clean up the mess you make of our home. Shacking up with that girlfriend of yours for the weekend no doubt. What was her name again?"
Typical, he thought to himself swallowing the bacon and taking a quick sip of his tea.
"Good morning mother. Her name is Delilah and no, I am off to see a friend from Hogwarts."
She crossed her arms and approached the breakfast nook.
"I know when you're lying Archer, you must at least give me the common courtesy of acknowledging that. Does she come from prominent house? Silly me why would I even ask that, you of course would only date a muggleborn just to get one over on your Father and I."
Archer's eyebrows sunk and he felt a small knot in his stomach tighten. He looked at her with a hidden bitter resentment.
"I do not know what her blood status is mother and frankly I do not care. The friend I am visiting is THOMAS and HE is the boy whose life I saved a couple years ago. His family wants to meet me and they were gracious enough to extend the invitation, it would have been rude of me to decline."
Archer stood up, the nearly two meter tall young wizard towered over her as he played with the sterling silver ring on his left hand. He may have been taller than her, but there was a fear that still lurked deep within him.
"Now you listen here, no son of mine is going to go off and marry a woman without knowing her blood status. Furthermore, you are a pureblood and you will only marry another pureblood. Do I make myself perfectly clear?"
Archer glared down at her.
"I am seventeen years old, who the bloody hell said anything about marriage mother?! I have been courting her for less than a full year. Honestly Mother, the mental gymnastics you go through to get these ideas in your head. Surely the muggles must have an olympic sport for them, you would certainly take the gold."
She reached up and slapped him hard across the face with a loud crack that caused both house elves to stop what they were doing and glance over at him. Archer's head instinctively turned as his long dark hair flashed across his eyes. He let out a deep sigh and his features stiffened.
"The wrong child died. Felix would have never disgraced his family as you have, saving a weakling from his own demise and then residing with his family. You are a disgrace to your name and your family and you will not talk to me like that again Archer. Do we understand each other?"
Archer felt his hand go for his wand, but he stopped himself. He kept hearing this voice in the back of his head, this dark menacing voice. "You know the spell, you've used it before and she deserves it. Just a flick of the wrist, and one simple word CRUCIO and she will be put in her place, she'll never strike you again....do it." Archer swallowed hard and took a deep breath.
"That was particularly cruel, even for you Mother. Felix died because he was mucking about with Dark Magic to make you two proud nonetheless. Is that what you want from me? To be a Dark Wizard like father?"
She raised her hand again and he caught it mid air.
"Don't touch me again mother. We can have a conversation like adults but if you touch me again, I will not hesitate to take out my wand."
She pulled her arm away from his a quiet rage burned within her eyes.
"Your brother did make us proud! What have you done to avenge him? Have you brought his killer to justice or even revealed him? You are a coward Archer. If you raise your wand against me the consequences will be severe. Though I must admit, at least you show some strength making a threat like that."
He breathed out through his nose, the voice in the back of his head was back, and that is when the sticky black feeling returned, covering his soul and making him doubt himself. A curse that severe, your intent had to be clear and he knew now quite clearly that he could use it on her easily, he knew what his intent was and it made him sick to his stomach. He blinked his eyes and bent down and slung his bag over his shoulder.
"I'm off, I have to be at St. Pancras by 9:00 if I'm going to make the train to Peterborough."
He turned for the door and then stopped.
"Mother?"
She stared at him.
"Go on then out with it."
He took a deep breath.
"You don't know who I am, you do not know how much I miss Felix, and you most certainly do not know what I have done for him. I'll be back on Tuesday or Wednesday. Plenty of time to help you clean behind the mirrors and underneath the paint..."
Quickly he turned around and made his way for the door. Once outside the rich London air hit his nostrils and he took a deep breath as he tried to shake that horrible blackness from his soul. This was the very reason he had avoided learning that awful spell in the first place, the first time you used was this awful terrible feeling, you swear you'll never use it again, but it has this powerful pull on you. Having that much power over another person, knowing you can make them drop to the ground in agony with the stroke of your wand and a simple word was disgustingly addictive. It was like a kiss from the bad girl in school, that you know is not good for you, but she's dark and mysterious and you may not like the feeling you feel when you are with her, but you don't like not feeling that feeling either. It was intoxicating.
He shook these thoughts from his head as he walked to the corner and summoned a taxi. He could have had his parent's driver take him to the station, but he did not want to be alone with someone he did not trust. He needed to be with himself and a muggle cab driver was sure to offer.
"St. Pancras please, I have a train to catch."
In truth he had hours to kill, but he wanted to be away from home. Away from his family, even his Father Dark Wizard that he may very well be was far away from his Mother during her cleaning sprees. The cab driver tried to start a conversation with him but Archer politely declined informing the driver that he had a lot on his mind and needed some quiet time with his thoughts. Finally after what seemed like an eternity they pulled up to the station, he paid the driver and tipped him heavily with the more than adequate supply of muggle money that he carried with him, it was his parent's money anyway and he did not care how free he was with their ill gotten gains.
Directly next to Kings Cross, Archer knew this area well, but he could not recall the last time he boarded a train at St. Pancras, he must have been a small boy. Walking in however, the sights and sounds quickly became familiar. He found a bench next to the platform his train was due to arrive on and sat there for a long moment doing nothing. He could still feel the sting of his mother's hand across his face, he sighed and shook his head. He wondered if Thomas' family was anything like his, maybe they normal, but what was normal anyway? Once again he rubbed his right thumb against the snake etched into is ring, for whatever reason this tended to sooth his spirit, calming him down in times of stress. He turned and retrieved a book from his bag and started flipping through the pages, as he buried himself in his book, after several moments he became lost in the pages, then out of the corner of his eye he saw a dark flash. He raised his eyes from the book and turned his head and saw a glowing red chalice sitting on the bench adjacent to him. He felt an overwhelming desire to grab the chalice, he felt his hand reaching for it but he pulled away. The was the roar of the train as it pulled up on the tracks. He gathered his things as the train screeched to a halt and the doors opened. Quickly, he boarded the train and found his seat, he could still see the red cup glowing on the bench before it disappeared in a black flash. He sat back in his seat and took a deep breath.
He retrieved his book once more and began to read, the trip was only a little over an hour so he had time to put the glowing red cup out of his mind as he settled in for the short journey ahead.
Sitting in the corner of the kitchen at the breakfast nook facing the window Archer shipped his morning tea. It was half past 7:00 already and his train did not leave until 11:15, he had time to kill and a morning to enjoy. It would have been far more enjoyable if his mother was not barking orders at the house elves preparing for a visitor that was not due until the end of the month. Sitting by the window dressed as any self respecting young wizard from a semi prominent magical bloodline would, he tried to remain invisible as he could. He did not wish to enter into the line of fire of his mother, she was already miffed at him for leaving the house for what amounted to a long weekend and frankly he did not want to necessarily annoy her father. His night bag was packed and lay at the base of his seat by his right leg, there was bran muffin that had but a single bite taken from it and there were two eggs sunny side up along with thick cut bacon that had yet to be touched.
His dark eyes darted to the corner of the room when his mother and two house elves came barging into the kitchen, she was barking orders at each of them. Something about the cabinets needing a good rub down with a coat of polish. Honestly he was surprised she did not ask them to clean out the water pipes to the sink, she had a penchant for demanding that the most impossible areas that a guest would never see be spotless on the off chance that they might somehow see them. She was a bit mad near as he could tell, there was an aristocratic air about her that demanded perfection in all areas even if mattered to exactly no one else in the world but her.
Her eyes finally caught his just as he was dipping bacon into the egg yolk and taking a quite bite. Cooked perfectly, the explosion of salty and smoky flavor mixed with the richness of the yolk in his mouth was quite satisfying, of course he tried to pretend their eyes had not met.
"One would think that you'd at least have the common courtesy to wish your mother good morning before you go off gallivanting about leaving me to clean up the mess you make of our home. Shacking up with that girlfriend of yours for the weekend no doubt. What was her name again?"
Typical, he thought to himself swallowing the bacon and taking a quick sip of his tea.
"Good morning mother. Her name is Delilah and no, I am off to see a friend from Hogwarts."
She crossed her arms and approached the breakfast nook.
"I know when you're lying Archer, you must at least give me the common courtesy of acknowledging that. Does she come from prominent house? Silly me why would I even ask that, you of course would only date a muggleborn just to get one over on your Father and I."
Archer's eyebrows sunk and he felt a small knot in his stomach tighten. He looked at her with a hidden bitter resentment.
"I do not know what her blood status is mother and frankly I do not care. The friend I am visiting is THOMAS and HE is the boy whose life I saved a couple years ago. His family wants to meet me and they were gracious enough to extend the invitation, it would have been rude of me to decline."
Archer stood up, the nearly two meter tall young wizard towered over her as he played with the sterling silver ring on his left hand. He may have been taller than her, but there was a fear that still lurked deep within him.
"Now you listen here, no son of mine is going to go off and marry a woman without knowing her blood status. Furthermore, you are a pureblood and you will only marry another pureblood. Do I make myself perfectly clear?"
Archer glared down at her.
"I am seventeen years old, who the bloody hell said anything about marriage mother?! I have been courting her for less than a full year. Honestly Mother, the mental gymnastics you go through to get these ideas in your head. Surely the muggles must have an olympic sport for them, you would certainly take the gold."
She reached up and slapped him hard across the face with a loud crack that caused both house elves to stop what they were doing and glance over at him. Archer's head instinctively turned as his long dark hair flashed across his eyes. He let out a deep sigh and his features stiffened.
"The wrong child died. Felix would have never disgraced his family as you have, saving a weakling from his own demise and then residing with his family. You are a disgrace to your name and your family and you will not talk to me like that again Archer. Do we understand each other?"
Archer felt his hand go for his wand, but he stopped himself. He kept hearing this voice in the back of his head, this dark menacing voice. "You know the spell, you've used it before and she deserves it. Just a flick of the wrist, and one simple word CRUCIO and she will be put in her place, she'll never strike you again....do it." Archer swallowed hard and took a deep breath.
"That was particularly cruel, even for you Mother. Felix died because he was mucking about with Dark Magic to make you two proud nonetheless. Is that what you want from me? To be a Dark Wizard like father?"
She raised her hand again and he caught it mid air.
"Don't touch me again mother. We can have a conversation like adults but if you touch me again, I will not hesitate to take out my wand."
She pulled her arm away from his a quiet rage burned within her eyes.
"Your brother did make us proud! What have you done to avenge him? Have you brought his killer to justice or even revealed him? You are a coward Archer. If you raise your wand against me the consequences will be severe. Though I must admit, at least you show some strength making a threat like that."
He breathed out through his nose, the voice in the back of his head was back, and that is when the sticky black feeling returned, covering his soul and making him doubt himself. A curse that severe, your intent had to be clear and he knew now quite clearly that he could use it on her easily, he knew what his intent was and it made him sick to his stomach. He blinked his eyes and bent down and slung his bag over his shoulder.
"I'm off, I have to be at St. Pancras by 9:00 if I'm going to make the train to Peterborough."
He turned for the door and then stopped.
"Mother?"
She stared at him.
"Go on then out with it."
He took a deep breath.
"You don't know who I am, you do not know how much I miss Felix, and you most certainly do not know what I have done for him. I'll be back on Tuesday or Wednesday. Plenty of time to help you clean behind the mirrors and underneath the paint..."
Quickly he turned around and made his way for the door. Once outside the rich London air hit his nostrils and he took a deep breath as he tried to shake that horrible blackness from his soul. This was the very reason he had avoided learning that awful spell in the first place, the first time you used was this awful terrible feeling, you swear you'll never use it again, but it has this powerful pull on you. Having that much power over another person, knowing you can make them drop to the ground in agony with the stroke of your wand and a simple word was disgustingly addictive. It was like a kiss from the bad girl in school, that you know is not good for you, but she's dark and mysterious and you may not like the feeling you feel when you are with her, but you don't like not feeling that feeling either. It was intoxicating.
He shook these thoughts from his head as he walked to the corner and summoned a taxi. He could have had his parent's driver take him to the station, but he did not want to be alone with someone he did not trust. He needed to be with himself and a muggle cab driver was sure to offer.
"St. Pancras please, I have a train to catch."
In truth he had hours to kill, but he wanted to be away from home. Away from his family, even his Father Dark Wizard that he may very well be was far away from his Mother during her cleaning sprees. The cab driver tried to start a conversation with him but Archer politely declined informing the driver that he had a lot on his mind and needed some quiet time with his thoughts. Finally after what seemed like an eternity they pulled up to the station, he paid the driver and tipped him heavily with the more than adequate supply of muggle money that he carried with him, it was his parent's money anyway and he did not care how free he was with their ill gotten gains.
Directly next to Kings Cross, Archer knew this area well, but he could not recall the last time he boarded a train at St. Pancras, he must have been a small boy. Walking in however, the sights and sounds quickly became familiar. He found a bench next to the platform his train was due to arrive on and sat there for a long moment doing nothing. He could still feel the sting of his mother's hand across his face, he sighed and shook his head. He wondered if Thomas' family was anything like his, maybe they normal, but what was normal anyway? Once again he rubbed his right thumb against the snake etched into is ring, for whatever reason this tended to sooth his spirit, calming him down in times of stress. He turned and retrieved a book from his bag and started flipping through the pages, as he buried himself in his book, after several moments he became lost in the pages, then out of the corner of his eye he saw a dark flash. He raised his eyes from the book and turned his head and saw a glowing red chalice sitting on the bench adjacent to him. He felt an overwhelming desire to grab the chalice, he felt his hand reaching for it but he pulled away. The was the roar of the train as it pulled up on the tracks. He gathered his things as the train screeched to a halt and the doors opened. Quickly, he boarded the train and found his seat, he could still see the red cup glowing on the bench before it disappeared in a black flash. He sat back in his seat and took a deep breath.
He retrieved his book once more and began to read, the trip was only a little over an hour so he had time to put the glowing red cup out of his mind as he settled in for the short journey ahead.
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Archer Loris
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Wed Jun 14, 2023 6:31 pm
Re: A New Life
Metal on metal screeched together as he felt himself lurch forward in his seat. He brought his nose up from the book and looked out the window. Was he here already? Over an hour had passed and it felt like he had only been on the train ten minutes. He gathered his things and tucked his book carefully back in his overnight bag. He then felt a tug on his shirt sleeve.
"Excuse me, son are you daft or something?"
Archer turned and looked at an elderly man incredulously who had been seated next to him.
"I beg your pardon?"
The old man stood up.
"I have been trying to get your attention for the last half an hour, are you bewitched or something?"
Archer slung his bag of his shoulder and looked curiously at the man, a cold chill ran down his spine. He hadn't remembered the man seated there at all and he certainly had not heard anything other than the sounds of the train for the entire trip.
"I apologize sir, I was lost in my book and to be perfectly candid, I have a lot on my mind. A thousand pardons sir, I did not mean to be rude."
The old man stiffened and pushed his way past Arthur.
"Seems your generation does not have to try to be rude, you're just that way by default. Good day boy, I trust you'll be more mindful of your elders in the future."
Archer resisted the urge to tell the old man off, Muggles were often set in their ways and while he did not hold any strong prejudice against them, he knew nothing he could have said would have improved the situation.
"Of course, again I do apologize, after you of course. I hope you have a lovely day as well sir."
He shrugged as the old man walked off, he took a short breath in and looked around making sure he had collected everything, he could not help but wonder what else had happened while he had been lost in his book? Had he been lost in his book or as the Muggle suggested, had he been bewitched? Rubbish. He thought to himself, the muggle was just using a common expression that he did not not understand had a real meaning behind it. Still though, it was oddly peculiar. He started walking towards the end of the carriage, finally he stepped off onto the platform and there with his slightly dorky little grin was the red headed Thomas a few years his junior, but looking as if he had gained a few inches in height in the last month and half, in fact he was nearly as tall as Archer now, save a two to three inches, he was a bit lanky though, Archer did not miss being fourteen.
"Thomas, you look fit. Summer going well is it?"
Thomas smiled, the young wizard was absolutely thrilled to see his older friend and there simply was no hiding it.
"Ohh absolutely. I've been looking forward to this, been a bit boring around here. Not much to do, but glad you're here, I've saved some mischief for us to get into."
There was a subtle black flash that almost went completely unnoticed by the two young wizards, Archer felt a small chill go up his spine once more, but they were in the muggle world, nothing here was overly....he looked around. There were people on the platform moments ago and now they were all gone, in fact he and Thomas were the only two people left on the platform.
"That sounds brilliant. Thomas, your parents were picking us up yes?"
Thomas nodded.
"I'm not sure where they've gone off to, were here just a minute ago before your train arrived."
Thomas raised his eyebrows.
"I'm not sure where anyone has gone off to for that matter."
Archer nodded quickly.
"I was just thinking the same thing, In fact I..."
Thomas cocked his head to the side and pushed his way past Archer.
"What is that?"
Archer gave way for Thomas
"What's what?"
Archer turned and saw the glowing red chalice that had been present at St. Pancras before he left. He saw Thomas reaching out to grab the chalice and his eyes widened.
"No Thomas don't touch it!"
As Archer grabbed the back of Thomas's shirt the younger wizard grabbed the chalice, there was a flash pure darkness followed by a brilliant white light. Thomas stood there looking down at the glowing chalice in his hand, he looked captivated.
"Relax Archer, it's just a cup no harm ever came from a cup."
It was then that Thomas looked down and saw the twigs and dirt beneath his feet. He looked up and turned towards Archer whose eyes were wide, they were surrounded by trees and the sun hung high in the sky piercing through the tree branches.
"Where are we Archer?"
Archer's eyes darted from side to side as he took in his surroundings his heart sank. He knew this spot, he knew it well, this was the spot he had killed Baron where he stood, this was the spot of his unforgivable crime.
"We are in the Forbidden Forest near Hogwarts. Drop that damned thing. Wands out!"
Quickly Archer retrieved his wand and stood ready for a fight.
"How?"
Said Thomas a bit of fear creeping into the young Gryffindor's voice.
"It was a portkey, I saw it when I left London at St. Pancras, I didn't bloody touch it then. Stay close to me, we need to get out of here. How's your dueling?"
Thomas dropped the chalice and pulled out his wand, mimicked Archer's stance, but he could hold his own in a fight.
"I'm sorry, it's like it was calling for me to pick it up, had I known I never would have...are we going to die?"
Archer took a deep breath, he wasn't expecting this and this exact spot, someone knew or at least maybe they did, at best this was an awful coincidence. He had to keep his wits about them, or at least bring them back from summer vacation, five weeks of being at home did nothing good for any student.
"Chin up, aren't Gryffindors supposed to be the brave house? We'll be perfectly fine, just follow my lead I know the way out of here. I spend quite a bit of time in the Forbidden Forest, but lets keep that between us shall we?"
Thomas shot a skeptical glance at Archer. What would he be doing out here spending time? Why were they both transported out here and why was there a portkey that appeared to him twice.
"We are the brave ones, I see you're living up to your house name wandering about the Forbidden Forest in your free time and the like. What do you do out here anyway?"
Archer shot a quick glance back as he began to move down the path southwards towards Hogwarts.
"My brother died out here, it has a solemn sentimental value to to me."
Thomas looked down.
"Sorry. I didn't..."
Archer nodded and sped up his pace.
"Think nothing of it, just don't get us killed."
The two young wizards picked up their pace to a dead run as they moved through the Forest focusing on getting to the exit. How they were going to make it back to Peterbough was crossing Thomas' mind but that thought had not yet occurred to Archer who was focusing on making his way out of the Forest. He could apparate, he had done it before but all the places he could thing to apparate to might be a trap. He wasn't sure why exactly they had been teleported here in the first place, either way he had wished had just grabbed the bloody thing in St. Pancras, at last then he'd only be responsible for himself. Thomas was a good lad, but he was a liability and hadn't done much to prove himself as a formidable wizard in his time at Hogwarts. He was sure he could hold his own in a duel with classmates, but they weren't likely to run into fellow students out here were they?
As he was taking a stride a sharp pain shot up Archer's back and down both his arms he stumbled forward and fell to the ground in pain. He groaned as his head snapped back and he rolled over on his side, his wand fell by his side. Quickly Thomas was kneeling beside him.
"Archer! What's happening?"
Archer screamed and contorted in pain, he had felt this pain before, the intensity of it was overwhelming.
"It's a curs....curse! Stay...Alert!"
As soon as the pain stopped, Archer gasped for breath, sweat pouring from pore of his body. He immediately found his wand and used what he could muster of his strength to jump to his feet. Out of the trees a menacing figure appeared before the pair, two more black streaks shot across the sky and appeared next to him.
"Archer Loris...and who might your friend be?"
Archer stood there defensively and put his arm in front of Thomas.
"Stay behind me. You seem to have us at disadvantage, you know my name but I don't think I've had the pleasure."
Thomas pushed past Archer's protective arm stood side by side with him. Archer rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"Damned fool Gryffindor thing to do there Thomas."
The Dark wizard approached the two young men.
"Ahh young Thomas Percy is it? I knew your grandfather, we attended Hogwarts together. It's shame what happened to him. What are you doing with the likes of young Archer here? Model student by day, Dark Wizard in the making by night."
Thomas face contorted in anger, he moved forward and raised his wand, but Archer grabbed his shoulder stopping him from going any further.
"Don't you dare talk about him like that, Archer is a hero, he saved my life and is one of the best students at Hogwarts, don't you dare call him a Dark Wizard."
The old man sneered and cackled at Thomas. He leaned forward and smiled his hideous smile at the young Gryffindor. He glanced to Archer.
"He really doesn't know does he?"
Archer stepped forward and pulled Thomas back.
"I'm not even sure I know what you're talking sir whose name I still do not know. If your quarrel is with me then keep it with me, let Thomas here go. He is brave but this is not his fight."
The dark wizard laughed as his eyes found Archer once more.
"Where are my manners, I am Chauncy Baron Robertson. You might recognize my second name lad, Baron. Tell your friend here how you sought out my cousin Baron Robertson to learn the Cruciatus curse. I find it odd that I have not seen him since his planned meeting with you, what happened to him?"
Archer's blood ran cold, he didn't dare let his facial expressions change but he could feel Thomas' glance shift towards him.
"He never showed up. I stood out here for hours waiting on him, but I left before nightfall. I may be daring but I am not stupid enough to be caught out in the Forbidden Forest at night alone."
He glanced over at Thomas.
"I can explain later."
Chauncy turned and glared at Archer.
"Explain now how you sought him out to learn a forbidden curse. Do it, tell him how you've studied the Dark Arts for your entire time at Hogwarts or I will explain it to him."
Thomas lowered his wand there was a sinking feeling in his stomach.
"Archer?"
Archer closed his eyes and breathed out through his nose.
"It's not entirely untrue, but Mr. Robertson is confused in his understanding of my intent. Felix, my younger brother was killed out here. I discovered early in the year that Baron might know something about it. It's true I did seek him out under the guise of learning the Cruciatus curse, and yes it's true I do have an academic knowledge of the Dark Arts, but I am not a Dark Wizard, I do not use them, I simply know about them. Felix was out here with another purpose, he was trying to learn the dark Arts to become more powerful and yes to become a Dark Wizard. I tried to stop him, but I failed. I am not like him, I am not like my family. I am good person, or at least I try to be otherwise I'd have never pulled you from the lake."
Chauncy crossed his arms.
"You left out how you MURDERED BARON!"
Archer recoiled in surprise.
"You think too highly of me, I am just a student. You're suggesting that I murdered a dark wizard more than three times my age?"
The dark wizard leaned in.
"You just said you lied to get him out here."
Archer nodded.
"I did, I knew there was no other way to meet him. I wanted to learn what happened to my brother and I hoped he could help."
"ENOUGH OF YOUR LIES! You both are coming with us!"
Chauncy shouted at the top of his lungs, Thomas stiffened and Archer smiled wryly.
"Of course sir, anything to clear my name..."
Archer loosened the grip on his wand and acted as if he was going to drop it and then a burst of magic shot out...
"STUPEFY!"
Shouted Archer as his bolt hit Chauncy who fell to his back beildered.
"Expelliarmos!"
Almost simultaneously shouted Thomas as one of the two Dark wizard's wands flew from their hands.
A bolt of magic shot between the two of them barely missing Thomas' head as Archer quickly fired back at the third dark wizard.
"CONFRINGO!"
The Third dark wizard reacted slowly and his robes burst into flames while he flailed about Archer grabbed Thomas' shoulder and took off in a dead run.
"Lets go now!"
The two young wizards sprinted out of the Forbidden Forest and towards Hogwarts grounds, they'd be safer there for the time being...at least they hoped so. As they reached the grounds, Thomas caught his breath and put his hands and grabbed Archer's shirt.
"Is it TRUE?! Are you a Dark Wizard!? After all these years?!"
Archer pushed Thomas away.
"I swear to you, I am not Thomas you have to trust me."
Thomas looked at his older friend, the young man who had been his hero and for the first time since knowing him doubt crept into his mind about the integrity of Archer's character.
"Why were you learning the dark arts?"
Archer closed his eyes.
"It's an extremely difficult story, but I knew of know other way to find my Brother's killer. The ministry was useless, the professors were useless. I was on my own. I learned that Baron did actually kill Felix and....I did lie to him and if you must know I did kill him, there it's out in the open I killed a Dark Wizard who murdered not only Felix, but multiple Hogwarts students over the years and the world is a better place for it. What I didn't know is that this was bigger than Baron...I never should have dragged you into this Thomas...I am so sorry..."
"Excuse me, son are you daft or something?"
Archer turned and looked at an elderly man incredulously who had been seated next to him.
"I beg your pardon?"
The old man stood up.
"I have been trying to get your attention for the last half an hour, are you bewitched or something?"
Archer slung his bag of his shoulder and looked curiously at the man, a cold chill ran down his spine. He hadn't remembered the man seated there at all and he certainly had not heard anything other than the sounds of the train for the entire trip.
"I apologize sir, I was lost in my book and to be perfectly candid, I have a lot on my mind. A thousand pardons sir, I did not mean to be rude."
The old man stiffened and pushed his way past Arthur.
"Seems your generation does not have to try to be rude, you're just that way by default. Good day boy, I trust you'll be more mindful of your elders in the future."
Archer resisted the urge to tell the old man off, Muggles were often set in their ways and while he did not hold any strong prejudice against them, he knew nothing he could have said would have improved the situation.
"Of course, again I do apologize, after you of course. I hope you have a lovely day as well sir."
He shrugged as the old man walked off, he took a short breath in and looked around making sure he had collected everything, he could not help but wonder what else had happened while he had been lost in his book? Had he been lost in his book or as the Muggle suggested, had he been bewitched? Rubbish. He thought to himself, the muggle was just using a common expression that he did not not understand had a real meaning behind it. Still though, it was oddly peculiar. He started walking towards the end of the carriage, finally he stepped off onto the platform and there with his slightly dorky little grin was the red headed Thomas a few years his junior, but looking as if he had gained a few inches in height in the last month and half, in fact he was nearly as tall as Archer now, save a two to three inches, he was a bit lanky though, Archer did not miss being fourteen.
"Thomas, you look fit. Summer going well is it?"
Thomas smiled, the young wizard was absolutely thrilled to see his older friend and there simply was no hiding it.
"Ohh absolutely. I've been looking forward to this, been a bit boring around here. Not much to do, but glad you're here, I've saved some mischief for us to get into."
There was a subtle black flash that almost went completely unnoticed by the two young wizards, Archer felt a small chill go up his spine once more, but they were in the muggle world, nothing here was overly....he looked around. There were people on the platform moments ago and now they were all gone, in fact he and Thomas were the only two people left on the platform.
"That sounds brilliant. Thomas, your parents were picking us up yes?"
Thomas nodded.
"I'm not sure where they've gone off to, were here just a minute ago before your train arrived."
Thomas raised his eyebrows.
"I'm not sure where anyone has gone off to for that matter."
Archer nodded quickly.
"I was just thinking the same thing, In fact I..."
Thomas cocked his head to the side and pushed his way past Archer.
"What is that?"
Archer gave way for Thomas
"What's what?"
Archer turned and saw the glowing red chalice that had been present at St. Pancras before he left. He saw Thomas reaching out to grab the chalice and his eyes widened.
"No Thomas don't touch it!"
As Archer grabbed the back of Thomas's shirt the younger wizard grabbed the chalice, there was a flash pure darkness followed by a brilliant white light. Thomas stood there looking down at the glowing chalice in his hand, he looked captivated.
"Relax Archer, it's just a cup no harm ever came from a cup."
It was then that Thomas looked down and saw the twigs and dirt beneath his feet. He looked up and turned towards Archer whose eyes were wide, they were surrounded by trees and the sun hung high in the sky piercing through the tree branches.
"Where are we Archer?"
Archer's eyes darted from side to side as he took in his surroundings his heart sank. He knew this spot, he knew it well, this was the spot he had killed Baron where he stood, this was the spot of his unforgivable crime.
"We are in the Forbidden Forest near Hogwarts. Drop that damned thing. Wands out!"
Quickly Archer retrieved his wand and stood ready for a fight.
"How?"
Said Thomas a bit of fear creeping into the young Gryffindor's voice.
"It was a portkey, I saw it when I left London at St. Pancras, I didn't bloody touch it then. Stay close to me, we need to get out of here. How's your dueling?"
Thomas dropped the chalice and pulled out his wand, mimicked Archer's stance, but he could hold his own in a fight.
"I'm sorry, it's like it was calling for me to pick it up, had I known I never would have...are we going to die?"
Archer took a deep breath, he wasn't expecting this and this exact spot, someone knew or at least maybe they did, at best this was an awful coincidence. He had to keep his wits about them, or at least bring them back from summer vacation, five weeks of being at home did nothing good for any student.
"Chin up, aren't Gryffindors supposed to be the brave house? We'll be perfectly fine, just follow my lead I know the way out of here. I spend quite a bit of time in the Forbidden Forest, but lets keep that between us shall we?"
Thomas shot a skeptical glance at Archer. What would he be doing out here spending time? Why were they both transported out here and why was there a portkey that appeared to him twice.
"We are the brave ones, I see you're living up to your house name wandering about the Forbidden Forest in your free time and the like. What do you do out here anyway?"
Archer shot a quick glance back as he began to move down the path southwards towards Hogwarts.
"My brother died out here, it has a solemn sentimental value to to me."
Thomas looked down.
"Sorry. I didn't..."
Archer nodded and sped up his pace.
"Think nothing of it, just don't get us killed."
The two young wizards picked up their pace to a dead run as they moved through the Forest focusing on getting to the exit. How they were going to make it back to Peterbough was crossing Thomas' mind but that thought had not yet occurred to Archer who was focusing on making his way out of the Forest. He could apparate, he had done it before but all the places he could thing to apparate to might be a trap. He wasn't sure why exactly they had been teleported here in the first place, either way he had wished had just grabbed the bloody thing in St. Pancras, at last then he'd only be responsible for himself. Thomas was a good lad, but he was a liability and hadn't done much to prove himself as a formidable wizard in his time at Hogwarts. He was sure he could hold his own in a duel with classmates, but they weren't likely to run into fellow students out here were they?
As he was taking a stride a sharp pain shot up Archer's back and down both his arms he stumbled forward and fell to the ground in pain. He groaned as his head snapped back and he rolled over on his side, his wand fell by his side. Quickly Thomas was kneeling beside him.
"Archer! What's happening?"
Archer screamed and contorted in pain, he had felt this pain before, the intensity of it was overwhelming.
"It's a curs....curse! Stay...Alert!"
As soon as the pain stopped, Archer gasped for breath, sweat pouring from pore of his body. He immediately found his wand and used what he could muster of his strength to jump to his feet. Out of the trees a menacing figure appeared before the pair, two more black streaks shot across the sky and appeared next to him.
"Archer Loris...and who might your friend be?"
Archer stood there defensively and put his arm in front of Thomas.
"Stay behind me. You seem to have us at disadvantage, you know my name but I don't think I've had the pleasure."
Thomas pushed past Archer's protective arm stood side by side with him. Archer rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"Damned fool Gryffindor thing to do there Thomas."
The Dark wizard approached the two young men.
"Ahh young Thomas Percy is it? I knew your grandfather, we attended Hogwarts together. It's shame what happened to him. What are you doing with the likes of young Archer here? Model student by day, Dark Wizard in the making by night."
Thomas face contorted in anger, he moved forward and raised his wand, but Archer grabbed his shoulder stopping him from going any further.
"Don't you dare talk about him like that, Archer is a hero, he saved my life and is one of the best students at Hogwarts, don't you dare call him a Dark Wizard."
The old man sneered and cackled at Thomas. He leaned forward and smiled his hideous smile at the young Gryffindor. He glanced to Archer.
"He really doesn't know does he?"
Archer stepped forward and pulled Thomas back.
"I'm not even sure I know what you're talking sir whose name I still do not know. If your quarrel is with me then keep it with me, let Thomas here go. He is brave but this is not his fight."
The dark wizard laughed as his eyes found Archer once more.
"Where are my manners, I am Chauncy Baron Robertson. You might recognize my second name lad, Baron. Tell your friend here how you sought out my cousin Baron Robertson to learn the Cruciatus curse. I find it odd that I have not seen him since his planned meeting with you, what happened to him?"
Archer's blood ran cold, he didn't dare let his facial expressions change but he could feel Thomas' glance shift towards him.
"He never showed up. I stood out here for hours waiting on him, but I left before nightfall. I may be daring but I am not stupid enough to be caught out in the Forbidden Forest at night alone."
He glanced over at Thomas.
"I can explain later."
Chauncy turned and glared at Archer.
"Explain now how you sought him out to learn a forbidden curse. Do it, tell him how you've studied the Dark Arts for your entire time at Hogwarts or I will explain it to him."
Thomas lowered his wand there was a sinking feeling in his stomach.
"Archer?"
Archer closed his eyes and breathed out through his nose.
"It's not entirely untrue, but Mr. Robertson is confused in his understanding of my intent. Felix, my younger brother was killed out here. I discovered early in the year that Baron might know something about it. It's true I did seek him out under the guise of learning the Cruciatus curse, and yes it's true I do have an academic knowledge of the Dark Arts, but I am not a Dark Wizard, I do not use them, I simply know about them. Felix was out here with another purpose, he was trying to learn the dark Arts to become more powerful and yes to become a Dark Wizard. I tried to stop him, but I failed. I am not like him, I am not like my family. I am good person, or at least I try to be otherwise I'd have never pulled you from the lake."
Chauncy crossed his arms.
"You left out how you MURDERED BARON!"
Archer recoiled in surprise.
"You think too highly of me, I am just a student. You're suggesting that I murdered a dark wizard more than three times my age?"
The dark wizard leaned in.
"You just said you lied to get him out here."
Archer nodded.
"I did, I knew there was no other way to meet him. I wanted to learn what happened to my brother and I hoped he could help."
"ENOUGH OF YOUR LIES! You both are coming with us!"
Chauncy shouted at the top of his lungs, Thomas stiffened and Archer smiled wryly.
"Of course sir, anything to clear my name..."
Archer loosened the grip on his wand and acted as if he was going to drop it and then a burst of magic shot out...
"STUPEFY!"
Shouted Archer as his bolt hit Chauncy who fell to his back beildered.
"Expelliarmos!"
Almost simultaneously shouted Thomas as one of the two Dark wizard's wands flew from their hands.
A bolt of magic shot between the two of them barely missing Thomas' head as Archer quickly fired back at the third dark wizard.
"CONFRINGO!"
The Third dark wizard reacted slowly and his robes burst into flames while he flailed about Archer grabbed Thomas' shoulder and took off in a dead run.
"Lets go now!"
The two young wizards sprinted out of the Forbidden Forest and towards Hogwarts grounds, they'd be safer there for the time being...at least they hoped so. As they reached the grounds, Thomas caught his breath and put his hands and grabbed Archer's shirt.
"Is it TRUE?! Are you a Dark Wizard!? After all these years?!"
Archer pushed Thomas away.
"I swear to you, I am not Thomas you have to trust me."
Thomas looked at his older friend, the young man who had been his hero and for the first time since knowing him doubt crept into his mind about the integrity of Archer's character.
"Why were you learning the dark arts?"
Archer closed his eyes.
"It's an extremely difficult story, but I knew of know other way to find my Brother's killer. The ministry was useless, the professors were useless. I was on my own. I learned that Baron did actually kill Felix and....I did lie to him and if you must know I did kill him, there it's out in the open I killed a Dark Wizard who murdered not only Felix, but multiple Hogwarts students over the years and the world is a better place for it. What I didn't know is that this was bigger than Baron...I never should have dragged you into this Thomas...I am so sorry..."
-
Archer Loris
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Wed Jun 14, 2023 6:31 pm
Re: A New Life
Several moments passed as the two young men stood their in total silence after Archer last spoke, neither of them wanted to stand out in the open for long but neither knew quite what to say or do next. The awkward pause was only permeated by Thomas shifting his weight where he stood. The younger of the two looked down at the ground and then back to Archer, his features seemed to express a deep disappoint and a veiled sadness that lay just beneath the surface.
"I don't know what I am supposed to say to that."
Thomas said solemnly as he kicked the grass beneath his right foot.
"You've lied to all of us. How did you kill him?"
Archer bit the inside of his lip and glanced at the boy whom he considered to be a brother. Had he truly failed him at such an overwhelming level? He thought back to Baron rolling on the ground in agony, his pained screams only to be stopped by the killing curse. He scrunched his face and closed his eyes. Could honestly tell Thomas that? He still felt no guilt over using the killing curse and he wasn't sure that even the ministry would find it unjustified in this specific scenario, it was still just the cruciatus curse that made him feel as if his soul was covered in thick black sticky evil.
"Thomas, how do you think I killed a Dark Wizard three times my age?"
Thomas nodded knowingly, he did not want to hear it but somehow he already knew what the answer was even before Archer spoke. Before Thomas could speak again Archer interjected.
"The circumstances were extreme. Baron recruited young students, offering to teach them things that weren't taught at Hogwarts. Some of it was just Magic that was darker in nature but not inherently dark, some of them were spells that Hogwarts simply does not always teach for safety reasons. The spell I used on one of his henchmen today was one he offered to students, it's not forbidden, just particularly safe. However, once Baron gave the students the knowledge they sought from him whether their intentions were dark or not, he would force them use their new knowledge on a muggle that he had captured. Refusal meant instant death for the student. Baron killed no less than five students that I know of in the last twenty five years for refusing to torture and kill an innocent muggle. Felix refused, near as I can gather. However if the student did not refuse, Baron had evidence against them that he would use to force the student into committing all sorts of crimes lest their transgressions be brought to light."
Archer stop and took a short breath.
"I don't regret killing him Thomas, I do not even feel bad about it. The Aurors should have taken care of him for me, but they did not. However, I did do something I regret. You might have noticed that the Cruciatus curse was used on me in the Forrest, that is the second time it has been used on me. The first was by Baron who did not let up as I lay on the ground in screaming, it was so awful.....so awful that I wet myself. When I got up, he taught me the curse and was leading me to the Muggle. Before we got there...I...."
Archer sighed.
"I was filled with rage, knowing he tortured Felix in the same way...I lost my mind and I unleashed the curse on him then after several moments I killed him. I have not felt right with myself since then Thomas, I can justify the killing, but the I cannot justify my use of Crucio on another human for any reason whatsoever. It was wrong and my soul felt like it died that day because of it. That is what I am sorry for, that is what I did that was wrong. So if you want to leave and turn me in, I wouldn't blame, nor could I."
Thomas studied Archer intently, he listened to the awful story and was appalled by the simple fact that a human being like Baron could ever exist and would do the things he did. Could he believe Archer? He looked at his friend and hero skeptically. He had to believe him, no one could make up a story like that just at the drop of the hat and ontop of that Archer's body language subconsciously indicated to Thomas that it was true. He crossed his arms and cracked his knuckles. He was starting to realize they had more important things to worry about.
"I should turn you in, but I'm not going to Archer. I...understand why you did what you did and I mean...I do not agree with it, but I understand it Archer. I can't say I'd have even done much different than you."
Thomas reached up and put his right hand on Archer's shoulder, the two stared at each other for a moment.
"Gryffindors don't betray their friends, even if they're a Slytherin. Come on, I think we need to get inside."
Archer looked relieved and light out a long breath.
"Thank you, and quite right. We need to get to the Dungeons, there is something there I need, if we are going to fight I need to teach you some things Do you know the disillusionment charm?"
Thomas raised his eyebrows, he had never except for the one time to see Archer ventured down to the Slytherin Dungeons before, but he had heard awful things about the area and rumors Basilisks and even Salazar himself. If Thomas was in fact being honest with himself, he was a bit afraid of spending any significant amount of time down there especially when the castle was empty of potential witnesses.
"I do, why would we need it?"
Archer motioned towards the school and started running.
"Well the term is over, but no doubt some of the professors will be here we can't be seen lest we have to explain just what the hell we are doing here in the first place. I don't know about you, but I am not entirely sure I can explain it. A portkey, dark wizard, forbidden forest...easier to not bother."
As they approached the massive doors, Archer nodded to Thomas, both cast the disillusionment charm and were all but totally invisible as they crept into the castle. They made their way into central hall and towards the grandstaircase. Archer suddenly stopped as he saw the headmaster chatting with the potions professor. Not being able to see him, of course Thomas bumped into Archer causing him to lean forward and catch himself on the stone floor which sent an echo through the cavernous room. Both the headmaster and potions professor stopped mid conversation and looked around, both hearts of the two young men sank simultaneously. Then without warning Peeves appeared dancing through the hall, loudly and annoyingly, both members of the staff shrugged the sound off as typical Peeves shenanigan's.
Archer tugged on Thomas' clothes and the two used the distraction to make their way down the stairs and into the dungeons. As the two approached the wall Archer waved his wand and ended the effects of the charm on himself, Thomas did the same.
"I just bloody hope our prefects aren't here, I could get into trouble for this."
Thomas shook his head.
"Oh as opposed to the unforgivable curses?"
Archer lightly punched Thomas in the arm as the body of the serpent seemed to raise out of the floor and formed the arch to the doorway.
"Ambition."
Said Archer as the doors opened.
"First Gryffindor in the Slytherin common room, hope you don't burst into flames or anything Thomas."
Archer grabbed Thomas and pulled him into the entrance of the common room. He looked around, Thomas looking visibly nervous.
"Bursting into flames?! That was a possibility?!"
Archer shrugged.
"I don't know but nothing happened, lets head down."
Moving swiftly Archer made his way down the long spiraled and elegant staircase past the water fall on his left and into the common room itself.
Thomas followed taking in all of the sights and sounds for the first time. As he got to the bottom of the stairs he immediately looked left towards another elegant staircase with a statue of Salazar Slytherin at the top of it.
"Doesn't that scare you? He looks menacing."
Archer shrugged as he turned right and made his way past the sitting main sitting area and towards sculpture of a serpent that did not look out of place at all, in fact no other students had thought anything of it, but Archer put it there midway through his fifth year.
"Our house founder? No, he does not scare me at all. A bit dense and narrowminded regarding blood status if you ask me, but I have certainly never been afraid of the statue."
Thomas looked at the high ceilings, the cold and forbidding environment that was the Slytherin common room. The left right of where Archer was standing in front of the stature were three massive sets of windows looking straight out into the lake.
"That is where tell the first years they might see merepeople?"
Archer chuckled.
"Yes, stand there long enough and tell me if you see one...just don't jump in the damned lake. I don't have time to rescue you again."
Thomas rolled his eyes.
"Very funny. So, what are we doing here?"
Archer smiled wryly.
"Watch."
The Slytherin prodigy raised his right hand to the statue, slowly the green emerald on his ring began to glow. As the emerald glowed, the ring looked as if it began to move, the snake on his ring sniffed the air by sticking it's tongue out in the direction of the statue. Archer slowly closed his eyes and and took a short breath. He stood there silent for a long moment and then as if out of nowhere he started speaking in the most sinister and wicked sounding voice imaginable. He opened his eyes and stared directly at the statue of the serpent as he continued speaking. Slowly the serpent seem to come to life and uncoiled itself revealing an old book hidden underneath of it. The serpent retrieved the book with it's mouth and offered it Archer who took the book and said a few more words and the dark sinister sounding language and the serpent froze in it's original pose. Thomas stood there with a look of complete shock on his face, as if his soul had just left his body, he was not sure at all what he had just witnessed nor was he much sure that he liked it.
"What in the bloody hell was that Archer?!"
He said near hysterically. Archer turned and smiled at Thomas.
"It's a spell book, you have some learning to do."
Thomas blinked and his jaw dropped.
"Not the bloody spell book! I know what a damned spell book looks like. What language did you speak to get that snake to give you the book?!"
Archer moved and sat down on one of the sofas casually.
"Oh that, I'm a parselmouth, meaning I can speak to snakes."
Archer grinned and Thomas cautiously moved over towards the sofa but hesitated taking a seat next to Archer.
"That was parseltongue? Do you have any idea how rare that is and...most people who can do it aren't good people Archer. How long have you known?"
Archer flipped through the book casually before landing on the spells he felt Thomas should know.
"Yes, it is extremely rare, I am the only one in my family who can speak it, and so far as I know I am the only current member of Slytherin House that can speak it, but come now not all people who speak it are bad. That tosser from your House who killed Voldermort is a parselmouth. I suppose I've known since I was about four years old. I was playing in the garden and happened upon a snake. I was not scared, just curious, slowly I began talking the snake and she began talking back. We became friends, I'd spend all day in the garden talking to her before she moved on."
Thomas raised his hand to make a point, but fell silent when Archer referenced one of the greatest Gryffindors to ever live, but....did he just insult Harry Potter? Thomas blinked rapidly and shook his head looking as if steam was about to come out of his ears. He reluctantly sat down next to Archer still staring at his friend.
"That is almost unbelievable. Have you ever told anyone?"
The seventeen year old shook his head slowly.
"No. It scares most people. With my family being how they are, they would have used it to force me into their Dark nonsense even more. You are now the only living soul that knows."
Thomas nodded quietly. He wasn't sure how he should feel, he had learned so much about Archer in the last several hours, so much more than he'd maybe ever hoped to know. Unforgiveable curses, murder, parseltongue. What else could their be? The young man stretched nervously.
"Alright then, I am honored I suppose.. What are you going to show me?"
Archer turned and took on a more serious demeanor.
"Confringo and Bombardo. Both of which are incredibly dangerous and have the capacity to kill your enemies. You must use them wisely."
Thomas nodded, both spells sounded reasonable enough given the situation that they were in and he had heard of both of them and had less than an hour ago seen Archer use the other with great effect on a dark wizard.
"Did that man in the Forrest die Archer? The one you used confringo on."
Archer shrugged lightly.
"I don't know, quite probably."
Thomas nodded, not sure how comofortable he was with the thought of killing someone.
"Now Thomas, I have two other spells I need you to learn, but these two spells come with a catch. They are easy to use and they are incredibly useful, but you must promise me that you never use either of them unless all other options are exhausted an your life is in grave danger. In fact...we're going to start with them because the wand movements are critical. Now stand up."
Both young men stood up facing each other. Archer's face took on a tone of deadly seriousness.
"Follow my wand movements."
Archer deliberately moved his wand back and forth, he then brought it back next to his head and thrust it forward with all of his might, Thomas followed closely with Archer watching.
"The incantation is Avada Kevadra."
Thomas nearly dropped his wand as his face turned white as a sheet. His heart sank in his chest and he stared at his friend in total disbelief. Why would he want to teach him this curse? This was a curse that if used could bring about at a life sentence in Azkaban.
"I won't."
Archer grabbed Thomas' hand and lifted it up.
"You must learn it, every Wizard needs to. Now buck up. The thing about this curse along with the Imperious curse which we will be learning next, is that you absolutely have to mean it. You have to WANT to kill your enemy and that desire must be totally clear. That's why it's forbidden, if callously this is the ultimate weapon. You cannot block it and it kills quickly. Now...trust me..."
The two young men continued practicing for over an hour going through each spell on Archer's list until he felt comfortable that Thomas could execute in battle.
"Good. I guess we should head back to the forest and put an end to all of this....shall we?"
"I don't know what I am supposed to say to that."
Thomas said solemnly as he kicked the grass beneath his right foot.
"You've lied to all of us. How did you kill him?"
Archer bit the inside of his lip and glanced at the boy whom he considered to be a brother. Had he truly failed him at such an overwhelming level? He thought back to Baron rolling on the ground in agony, his pained screams only to be stopped by the killing curse. He scrunched his face and closed his eyes. Could honestly tell Thomas that? He still felt no guilt over using the killing curse and he wasn't sure that even the ministry would find it unjustified in this specific scenario, it was still just the cruciatus curse that made him feel as if his soul was covered in thick black sticky evil.
"Thomas, how do you think I killed a Dark Wizard three times my age?"
Thomas nodded knowingly, he did not want to hear it but somehow he already knew what the answer was even before Archer spoke. Before Thomas could speak again Archer interjected.
"The circumstances were extreme. Baron recruited young students, offering to teach them things that weren't taught at Hogwarts. Some of it was just Magic that was darker in nature but not inherently dark, some of them were spells that Hogwarts simply does not always teach for safety reasons. The spell I used on one of his henchmen today was one he offered to students, it's not forbidden, just particularly safe. However, once Baron gave the students the knowledge they sought from him whether their intentions were dark or not, he would force them use their new knowledge on a muggle that he had captured. Refusal meant instant death for the student. Baron killed no less than five students that I know of in the last twenty five years for refusing to torture and kill an innocent muggle. Felix refused, near as I can gather. However if the student did not refuse, Baron had evidence against them that he would use to force the student into committing all sorts of crimes lest their transgressions be brought to light."
Archer stop and took a short breath.
"I don't regret killing him Thomas, I do not even feel bad about it. The Aurors should have taken care of him for me, but they did not. However, I did do something I regret. You might have noticed that the Cruciatus curse was used on me in the Forrest, that is the second time it has been used on me. The first was by Baron who did not let up as I lay on the ground in screaming, it was so awful.....so awful that I wet myself. When I got up, he taught me the curse and was leading me to the Muggle. Before we got there...I...."
Archer sighed.
"I was filled with rage, knowing he tortured Felix in the same way...I lost my mind and I unleashed the curse on him then after several moments I killed him. I have not felt right with myself since then Thomas, I can justify the killing, but the I cannot justify my use of Crucio on another human for any reason whatsoever. It was wrong and my soul felt like it died that day because of it. That is what I am sorry for, that is what I did that was wrong. So if you want to leave and turn me in, I wouldn't blame, nor could I."
Thomas studied Archer intently, he listened to the awful story and was appalled by the simple fact that a human being like Baron could ever exist and would do the things he did. Could he believe Archer? He looked at his friend and hero skeptically. He had to believe him, no one could make up a story like that just at the drop of the hat and ontop of that Archer's body language subconsciously indicated to Thomas that it was true. He crossed his arms and cracked his knuckles. He was starting to realize they had more important things to worry about.
"I should turn you in, but I'm not going to Archer. I...understand why you did what you did and I mean...I do not agree with it, but I understand it Archer. I can't say I'd have even done much different than you."
Thomas reached up and put his right hand on Archer's shoulder, the two stared at each other for a moment.
"Gryffindors don't betray their friends, even if they're a Slytherin. Come on, I think we need to get inside."
Archer looked relieved and light out a long breath.
"Thank you, and quite right. We need to get to the Dungeons, there is something there I need, if we are going to fight I need to teach you some things Do you know the disillusionment charm?"
Thomas raised his eyebrows, he had never except for the one time to see Archer ventured down to the Slytherin Dungeons before, but he had heard awful things about the area and rumors Basilisks and even Salazar himself. If Thomas was in fact being honest with himself, he was a bit afraid of spending any significant amount of time down there especially when the castle was empty of potential witnesses.
"I do, why would we need it?"
Archer motioned towards the school and started running.
"Well the term is over, but no doubt some of the professors will be here we can't be seen lest we have to explain just what the hell we are doing here in the first place. I don't know about you, but I am not entirely sure I can explain it. A portkey, dark wizard, forbidden forest...easier to not bother."
As they approached the massive doors, Archer nodded to Thomas, both cast the disillusionment charm and were all but totally invisible as they crept into the castle. They made their way into central hall and towards the grandstaircase. Archer suddenly stopped as he saw the headmaster chatting with the potions professor. Not being able to see him, of course Thomas bumped into Archer causing him to lean forward and catch himself on the stone floor which sent an echo through the cavernous room. Both the headmaster and potions professor stopped mid conversation and looked around, both hearts of the two young men sank simultaneously. Then without warning Peeves appeared dancing through the hall, loudly and annoyingly, both members of the staff shrugged the sound off as typical Peeves shenanigan's.
Archer tugged on Thomas' clothes and the two used the distraction to make their way down the stairs and into the dungeons. As the two approached the wall Archer waved his wand and ended the effects of the charm on himself, Thomas did the same.
"I just bloody hope our prefects aren't here, I could get into trouble for this."
Thomas shook his head.
"Oh as opposed to the unforgivable curses?"
Archer lightly punched Thomas in the arm as the body of the serpent seemed to raise out of the floor and formed the arch to the doorway.
"Ambition."
Said Archer as the doors opened.
"First Gryffindor in the Slytherin common room, hope you don't burst into flames or anything Thomas."
Archer grabbed Thomas and pulled him into the entrance of the common room. He looked around, Thomas looking visibly nervous.
"Bursting into flames?! That was a possibility?!"
Archer shrugged.
"I don't know but nothing happened, lets head down."
Moving swiftly Archer made his way down the long spiraled and elegant staircase past the water fall on his left and into the common room itself.
Thomas followed taking in all of the sights and sounds for the first time. As he got to the bottom of the stairs he immediately looked left towards another elegant staircase with a statue of Salazar Slytherin at the top of it.
"Doesn't that scare you? He looks menacing."
Archer shrugged as he turned right and made his way past the sitting main sitting area and towards sculpture of a serpent that did not look out of place at all, in fact no other students had thought anything of it, but Archer put it there midway through his fifth year.
"Our house founder? No, he does not scare me at all. A bit dense and narrowminded regarding blood status if you ask me, but I have certainly never been afraid of the statue."
Thomas looked at the high ceilings, the cold and forbidding environment that was the Slytherin common room. The left right of where Archer was standing in front of the stature were three massive sets of windows looking straight out into the lake.
"That is where tell the first years they might see merepeople?"
Archer chuckled.
"Yes, stand there long enough and tell me if you see one...just don't jump in the damned lake. I don't have time to rescue you again."
Thomas rolled his eyes.
"Very funny. So, what are we doing here?"
Archer smiled wryly.
"Watch."
The Slytherin prodigy raised his right hand to the statue, slowly the green emerald on his ring began to glow. As the emerald glowed, the ring looked as if it began to move, the snake on his ring sniffed the air by sticking it's tongue out in the direction of the statue. Archer slowly closed his eyes and and took a short breath. He stood there silent for a long moment and then as if out of nowhere he started speaking in the most sinister and wicked sounding voice imaginable. He opened his eyes and stared directly at the statue of the serpent as he continued speaking. Slowly the serpent seem to come to life and uncoiled itself revealing an old book hidden underneath of it. The serpent retrieved the book with it's mouth and offered it Archer who took the book and said a few more words and the dark sinister sounding language and the serpent froze in it's original pose. Thomas stood there with a look of complete shock on his face, as if his soul had just left his body, he was not sure at all what he had just witnessed nor was he much sure that he liked it.
"What in the bloody hell was that Archer?!"
He said near hysterically. Archer turned and smiled at Thomas.
"It's a spell book, you have some learning to do."
Thomas blinked and his jaw dropped.
"Not the bloody spell book! I know what a damned spell book looks like. What language did you speak to get that snake to give you the book?!"
Archer moved and sat down on one of the sofas casually.
"Oh that, I'm a parselmouth, meaning I can speak to snakes."
Archer grinned and Thomas cautiously moved over towards the sofa but hesitated taking a seat next to Archer.
"That was parseltongue? Do you have any idea how rare that is and...most people who can do it aren't good people Archer. How long have you known?"
Archer flipped through the book casually before landing on the spells he felt Thomas should know.
"Yes, it is extremely rare, I am the only one in my family who can speak it, and so far as I know I am the only current member of Slytherin House that can speak it, but come now not all people who speak it are bad. That tosser from your House who killed Voldermort is a parselmouth. I suppose I've known since I was about four years old. I was playing in the garden and happened upon a snake. I was not scared, just curious, slowly I began talking the snake and she began talking back. We became friends, I'd spend all day in the garden talking to her before she moved on."
Thomas raised his hand to make a point, but fell silent when Archer referenced one of the greatest Gryffindors to ever live, but....did he just insult Harry Potter? Thomas blinked rapidly and shook his head looking as if steam was about to come out of his ears. He reluctantly sat down next to Archer still staring at his friend.
"That is almost unbelievable. Have you ever told anyone?"
The seventeen year old shook his head slowly.
"No. It scares most people. With my family being how they are, they would have used it to force me into their Dark nonsense even more. You are now the only living soul that knows."
Thomas nodded quietly. He wasn't sure how he should feel, he had learned so much about Archer in the last several hours, so much more than he'd maybe ever hoped to know. Unforgiveable curses, murder, parseltongue. What else could their be? The young man stretched nervously.
"Alright then, I am honored I suppose.. What are you going to show me?"
Archer turned and took on a more serious demeanor.
"Confringo and Bombardo. Both of which are incredibly dangerous and have the capacity to kill your enemies. You must use them wisely."
Thomas nodded, both spells sounded reasonable enough given the situation that they were in and he had heard of both of them and had less than an hour ago seen Archer use the other with great effect on a dark wizard.
"Did that man in the Forrest die Archer? The one you used confringo on."
Archer shrugged lightly.
"I don't know, quite probably."
Thomas nodded, not sure how comofortable he was with the thought of killing someone.
"Now Thomas, I have two other spells I need you to learn, but these two spells come with a catch. They are easy to use and they are incredibly useful, but you must promise me that you never use either of them unless all other options are exhausted an your life is in grave danger. In fact...we're going to start with them because the wand movements are critical. Now stand up."
Both young men stood up facing each other. Archer's face took on a tone of deadly seriousness.
"Follow my wand movements."
Archer deliberately moved his wand back and forth, he then brought it back next to his head and thrust it forward with all of his might, Thomas followed closely with Archer watching.
"The incantation is Avada Kevadra."
Thomas nearly dropped his wand as his face turned white as a sheet. His heart sank in his chest and he stared at his friend in total disbelief. Why would he want to teach him this curse? This was a curse that if used could bring about at a life sentence in Azkaban.
"I won't."
Archer grabbed Thomas' hand and lifted it up.
"You must learn it, every Wizard needs to. Now buck up. The thing about this curse along with the Imperious curse which we will be learning next, is that you absolutely have to mean it. You have to WANT to kill your enemy and that desire must be totally clear. That's why it's forbidden, if callously this is the ultimate weapon. You cannot block it and it kills quickly. Now...trust me..."
The two young men continued practicing for over an hour going through each spell on Archer's list until he felt comfortable that Thomas could execute in battle.
"Good. I guess we should head back to the forest and put an end to all of this....shall we?"
-
Archer Loris
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Wed Jun 14, 2023 6:31 pm
Re: A New Life
As night began to fall over Hogwarts the Slytherin and his Gryffindor companion snuck their way out of the castle even more carefully than they snuck in. There had been a casual debate among the two about whether getting an adult involved would have been a better idea, but both had reasoned that it was impractical given some of the extraneous factors of the situation. It might have made dealing with their problem safer, but then again it might not have. Archer was widely known throughout Hogwarts as being quite magically talented. There was even a rumor going around that he had bested a professor in a friendly duel and from what Thomas had seen from him he did not doubt it for a moment. Archer was quick and quite brilliant in his use of spells and wand work. He had just bested three dark wizards by using the element of surprise, no one would have expected a student to take them on outnumbered like that.
Thomas watched his friend as they moved into the Dark Forest, he quiet confidence that Archer carried himself with. There was a hint of an arrogant swagger that the older of the two exhibited. Like a typical Slytherin, he was ambitious in a way that let you know who he was and what exactly he could be capable of if you stood in his way. For the first real time in that they had known each other Thomas saw Archer for who he truly was. A driven young wizard with a strong but highly personal moral code that at times might have conflicted with traditional morality. Thomas was not entirely sure how to feel about it, but getting to know his hero, his savior on a more personal and in depth level was bound to have it's downsides. Nobody was perfect and it was not fair to paint Archer as anything but another young man who had his own agenda, his own pain, and his own struggles. Archer was human and the more Thomas thought about it as they approached the warning signs at the entrance to the forest, the more he came to appreciate this opportunity despite the downsides.
Thomas took in a measured breath as they stopped briefly to read the warning signs. The two knew the risks of what they were about to do, they knew that their journey could end here in these woods tonight, but they also knew that there was no other option. If they did not confront Chauncy then they would never be safe again. It had to be done and Thomas knew he would not trust anyone else by his side. The younger of the two felt a quiet calm start to soothe his nerves as he stared straight ahead.
"I suppose it is now or never."
Archer nodded quietly, the older of the two having second thoughts about the entire situation for a moment. He had dragged Thomas into this and he was not sure if he could live with himself if Thomas wound up getting killed fighting his fight. His moral compass compelled him to turn towards his younger friend and place a hand on his shoulder.
"You do not have to do this Thomas, but I do. I think it would be better if you made your way back to the castle and told one of the Professors what has happened. I will face Chauncy and his men, but you do not owe me anything and you are too good a person to lose your life fighting at my side tonight."
Thomas stared into Archer's concerned eyes and without warning he punched the older Slytherin in the arm as hard as he could. Archer recoiled in mild pain as he stared at Thomas bewildered. Thomas' eyebrows narrowed.
"You're bonkin mad if you think I'm going to leave you to have a got at these monsters alone. So kindly shut up and don't say that again. What did I say? Gryffindors do not abandon their friends. Now shut up and lets get going."
Archer smiled and rubbed his shoulder for a moment, he felt his stomach tighten as the younger boy's stubborn honor shined through despite the gravity of the situation they found themselves in.
"We're not friends Thomas, we're brothers. Always."
Thomas threw his arms around Archer in a hug, they patted each other on their back's and quickly broke contact. Archer stood up straight, pulled out his wand and nodded.
"Right then, on with it shall we?"
Slowly they entered the Forest, a dangerous and formidable opponent of it's own right. Beasts and giant spiders lurked waiting in the shadows, the forest itself had taken it's share of lives, especially after nightfall. One might say that the forest was it's own brand of evil darkness and once inside the only way out was through. This was multiplied by the fact that the two were being hunted by evil men whom meant to do them harm, so not only did they have to survive the forest, but they had to survive and overcome the evil nature of these men. Twigs snapped beneath their feet and more than once Archer spun his head to see what was to his left or right, they crept along slowly in the darkness saying little to one another. The sun had fallen behind the trees and their eyes had adjusted as much as they could to the darkness, but it was getting to the point where they would have to cast Lumos in order to see, neither wanted to do that as it made themselves into a target that could be spotted from far away.
Lurking in the distance, a heard of winged horses, nearly demonic looking in nature grazed in a small clearing, their eyes glowed red and Archer stopped to stare at them for a long moment. He had never seen them before, but he knew what they were. He glanced at Thomas who clearly could not see the macabre animals.
"Thestrals. After tonight I imagine you'll be able to see them too."
Thomas looked to where Archer was staring.
"If it's all the same to you I'd rather not, I've heard they are terrifying."
Archer shrugged and kept moving, but there was beginning to be a lingering feeling within his gut that they were being watched. He took three steps forward before stopping dead in his tracks. He could feel something, something lurking behind a tree line. He raised his wand and stood defensively and then he heard it...
Stupefy...
....Stupefy.
Was heard nearly simultaneously and almost instantly a bolt of red magic shot out at different angles one at each of them, Archer tried to react...
"PROTEG...."
....But it was too late, the red bolts hit both boys who fell to the ground unconscious. The stupefy jinx was much more sinister in nature than the stupefy spell which only stunned it's victims briefly. The jinx immediately rendered them unconscious and as a result was a far more popular with nefarious sorts like dark wizards when they needed to take their victims alive.
Out of the trees came two men who bound both boys at their arms and legs and picked them up and carried them off further into the dark abyss that was the forbidden forest.
After quite some time had past, perhaps an hour maybe two. Archer's eyes fluttered open to a muffled voice, his vision was blurry at first, the tall and dark man that was Chauncy slowly became visible in the firelight. Archer shook his head and desperately turned to find Thomas waking up as well bound on the ground next to him.
"Well well well."
Sad the evil wizard in a most sinister tone.
"It looks like you lot are back, but what to do with you?"
Archer's vision slowly returned to normal and the clouds over his thoughts started to dissipate.
"Giving us our wands and letting us go sounds like a fine option to me."
Archer gave Chauncy a sarcastic and arrogant smile.
Thomas turned his head towards Archer.
"I don't think they're going to do that."
Chauncy leaned in and knelt down in front of Archer.
"If you was anyone else, you'd be dead."
Archer narrowed his eyebrows and smiled back arrogantly.
"And if I had my wand you would be dead. Is that why you've tied us up? Coward."
Chauncy started chuckling, quickly it turned into a deep laugh that came from the pit of his belly as he reared back and punched Archer in the face with all of his might. The stinging hit caused the young wizard to see stars for a brief moment as he doubled over and fell face first into the dirt. The grittiness of the forest floor stung the fresh cut that had been opened by Chauncy's fist.
Chauncy pulled Archer to a seated position and smiled menacingly at him.
"Better watch your tone child, lest I lose my temper."
Archer grinned back at Chauncy through the stinging pain.
"Given that pathetic punch, I'm not too worried about you losing your temper."
Thomas' head snapped to Archer.
"SHUT UP!"
Chauncy reared back to punch Thomas again and then out of the darkness and into the firlight stepped a regally dressed figure with a black cane. His meticulously combed blonde hair and arisocratic appearance clashed with that of Chauncy and his henchmen.
"I say, enough of that shall we? We do not wish to maim the boy any further."
A cold chill shot down Archer's spine as his eyes caught the man walking into the firlight, when he spoke Archer's heart fell into the pit of his stomach.
"...Father?"
The tall man smiled, a sinister glow behind his eyes and hardly friendly smile. Warmth was void from his overall demeanor as he took three graceful steps forward before nodding affirmatively.
"Surprised to see me? Get rid of those dreadful ropes on his arms. It is no way to treat a wizard of his stature. "
Two of Chauncy's henchmen moved forward and cut Archer free and pulled him to his feet, but Archer quickly broke free of their grasp and shot them both a glare.
"Cut him free too."
Archer motioned to Thomas.
"Not quite yet Archer, not quite yet."
Thomas sighed audibly, his eyes looked as if they had just gazed upon a ghost.
"Archer would you mind telling me what the hell is going on?"
Archer glanced back at his father who was retrieving a handkerchief from his breast pocket. He handed it to Archer. He then walked over just a few steps and crouched down next to Thomas. He smiled at the young man menacingly, yet he still patted him lightly on the shoulder with his cane. Meanwhile Archer began to wipe his face of the dirt and blood.
"You must be Thomas, the boy we have heard so much about. Saved from certain death in the black lake by none other than Archer here. It really is quite the tale and yet....so ironic."
Archer turned and stared at his father. He took a deep breath in and walked over to put himself between Thomas and his father.
"Leave him alone and yes...what is going on here?"
Archer's father stood up and smiled placing both hands on Archer's shoulders.
"Archer Orpheous Loris. The boy who has called me father for these last seventeen years. I must say I certainly grow tired of it. Do you have any idea who you are?"
The seventeen year old broke contact with his father and backed away slowly. His upper lip beginning to twitch in anger.
"I know, the wrong child died that night I've heard mother say it before and I know you think it. So what is the point?"
The Loris family Paitriarch let out a hearty laugh.
"No no my boy, you miss the point entirely. The long black hair, the sharper facial features. Surely you must realize you look nothing like me. Haven't you ever wondered why?"
Archer stood there almost perfectly still his eyes locked onto his father.
"I am Archer Loris, son of Percival and Sylvia Loris...unfortunately."
Percival grabbed his chest in feigned grief and smiled once more.
"Half right. You're a Parslemouth, don't think for but a single moment your mother and I did not see you talking to snakes in the garden when you were a child. You're more magically talent than any wizard I have met and as much as I would love to claim you as my the fruit of my loins I cannot any longer. You see Archer, seventeen years ago your mother had an affair with a one Jerek Sly. Well...to be more precise Jerek Orpheous Sly. You see you are named for him, I of course knew and she had my full blessing because the two of us had plans for you"
Thomas shifted on the ground and shook his head.
"That's all bollucks he's trying to get into your head."
Archer stood there motionless, staring at the man he had called father his entire life, how could this be true and why would this be true? He felt his stomach turn as he flexed his hands. On one hand this was a relief on another hand it shocked him to his core. What struck him more however was that his father knew about his ability to talk to snakes, why would he have never mentioned it?
"Who Jerek Orpheous Sly and what plans? This does not make any sense."
Percival began to walk around Archer slowly leaning lightly on his cane. The grin he shot the boy he has raised as his own for the last seven years was striking.
"All that magical talent and you do not know the name Sly. Your birth father passed away nine years ago, he came from a long line of wizards and witches, most if not all of them attended Hogwarts and were sorted into Slytherin house just like you and I. Nearly six hundred years ago, however the Sly family changed their name. You see Archer before the 1400's the Sly family went by a different name entirel."
Percival paused and stared into Archer's eyes.
"That name was Slytherin."
A cold chill struck Archer to his core and his dark eyes widened.
"Your birth father is a direct descendant of Salazar Slytherin himself which makes you Archer Orpheous Loris a direct descendant of Salazar Slytherin."
Archer felt his breath leave his body and he struggled to get it back. All this time, everything...everything was starting to make sense. This is why he was as talented as he was, this is why he could learn spells so quickly and this is why the forbidden curses tempted him in the way they did. Before he could say anything Thomas did.
"It can't be true, don't let him get to you..."
Percival raised his hand at Thomas.
"He knows it's true Thomas, he knows it. Can't you see it in his eyes? Your and I had high hopes for you Archer, you were going to help bring our family into the limelight. You are destined for greatness Archer! Within you lies the power to be one of the greatest wizards of all time and you can use that power to take us to our rightful place as rulers of the Wizarding World. You Archer will bring Hogwarts to it's former glory."
Percival motioned to the henchmen.
"Untie the other boy."
Both of whom did as they were commanded and the lifted Thomas to his feet. They pointed their wands at him and backed away slowly from the young wizard.
"Now Archer, you have given us hope. You learned the curses on your own and you used them on Baron whom I must admit deserved his fate, now it's time for you to fulfill your lust for power that every true Slytherin has."
Percival retrieved Archer's wand from inside his jacket pocket and slapped it into Archer's han. Archer noticed that Percival also had Thomas' wand as well. The dark wizard took several steps away and standing off to the side partway between Archer and Thomas who were now a good ten feet apart.
"Kill this FILTHY mudblood and take your place as the greatest wizard in all of history."
Archer stood there for a long moment he glanced between Thomas and the man he called Father several times. His stomach was turning itself inside out while all the while seeming to somehow tie it's self into nots as well. A single tear rolled down his right cheek as he glanced down at the ground. Was this his destiny was this what he had to do. He closed his eyes and raised his head, he then opened them, his dark eyes filled with pain burned directly into Thomas.
A sinking feeling struck Thomas as he stood there staring back at his friend and his hero and he could almost see the decision being made in Archer's eyes.
"Archer?"
Said Thomas softly.
Archer scrunched his eyes for moment before returning Thomas' gaze.
"I am so sorry Thomas."
Thomas sighed loudly and stared back a Archer not saying a word. He took several deep breaths and brushed the dirt off of his shirt and locked eyes with Archer and nodded quietly.
Archer nodded back and raised his wand bringing it back beside his head, targeting all the rage and hatred that built up in him. His intent was clear he knew exactly what he wanted to do...
"AVADA...KEDAVRA!!!
Screamed Archer as he pivoted slightly to his right and thrust his wand forward, dark green magic shot from the wand and straight at Percival whom it struck and immediately he fell to the ground dead.
Archer spun and pointed his wand at a tree, both henchmen caught off guard.
"BOMBARDO!"
The trunk of the tree exploded into a million splinters raining into the henchmen and stunning Chauncy who was near by. He then turned and ran for his Pervcival's corpse
"ACCIO!"
Thomas' wand flew into his hand and he tossed it to Thomas
"THOMAS!"
Thomas caught his wand and immediately turned towards Chauncy and fired bolts of magic at him.
"EXPELLIARMOS!"
Shouted Thomas as Chauncy's wand flew from his hand, Thomas turned his attention to the stumbling henchmen closest to him.
"CONFRINGO!"
The bolt of magic landed at the base off the henchman's feet and and dirt exploded in his face knocking him to the ground.
Archer turned towards the other henchmen who was on the ground, a large chunk of tree buried in his neck, as Archer raised his wand the henchman breathed his last breath. So he turned towards Chauncy who was fumbling for his wand on the ground.
"DIFFINDO!"
The dark wizard felt powerful blades of magic slice through his arm he grabbed his wand and turned to face the two boys who leveled their wands at him. Menacingly he glared back at them and disappeared into black mist.
Archer and Thomas turned to final wounded henchman on the ground, he was badly burned and struggling to breath. Archer raised his wand and with a simple flick of his wrist put the man out of his misery. The two young men stood there staring at each other for a long moment, then amdist the smoke and crackling fires a Thestral flew over head, both young wizards looked up and nodded.
"I'm glad I lived to see them, they have a dark beauty...I thought..."
Archer nodded.
"You thought I was going to kill you. I know and...I know, but I had to stop him."
Tears formed in Archer's eyes and they began to flow freely down his cheeks.
"You're my family Thomas, I don't need my real family and I'd appreciate it...if you told no one I am who I am...promise me Thomas."
Thomas nodded quietly and hugged his friend, the two held each other for a long moment.
"Your secret is safe with me Archer, all of them are."
The two broke from one another.
"It's time to go..."
Said Thomas and Archer nodded Archer held out his arm and Thomas grabbed it. In a nauseating flash both of them stood on the platform of Petersborough station...
Thomas watched his friend as they moved into the Dark Forest, he quiet confidence that Archer carried himself with. There was a hint of an arrogant swagger that the older of the two exhibited. Like a typical Slytherin, he was ambitious in a way that let you know who he was and what exactly he could be capable of if you stood in his way. For the first real time in that they had known each other Thomas saw Archer for who he truly was. A driven young wizard with a strong but highly personal moral code that at times might have conflicted with traditional morality. Thomas was not entirely sure how to feel about it, but getting to know his hero, his savior on a more personal and in depth level was bound to have it's downsides. Nobody was perfect and it was not fair to paint Archer as anything but another young man who had his own agenda, his own pain, and his own struggles. Archer was human and the more Thomas thought about it as they approached the warning signs at the entrance to the forest, the more he came to appreciate this opportunity despite the downsides.
Thomas took in a measured breath as they stopped briefly to read the warning signs. The two knew the risks of what they were about to do, they knew that their journey could end here in these woods tonight, but they also knew that there was no other option. If they did not confront Chauncy then they would never be safe again. It had to be done and Thomas knew he would not trust anyone else by his side. The younger of the two felt a quiet calm start to soothe his nerves as he stared straight ahead.
"I suppose it is now or never."
Archer nodded quietly, the older of the two having second thoughts about the entire situation for a moment. He had dragged Thomas into this and he was not sure if he could live with himself if Thomas wound up getting killed fighting his fight. His moral compass compelled him to turn towards his younger friend and place a hand on his shoulder.
"You do not have to do this Thomas, but I do. I think it would be better if you made your way back to the castle and told one of the Professors what has happened. I will face Chauncy and his men, but you do not owe me anything and you are too good a person to lose your life fighting at my side tonight."
Thomas stared into Archer's concerned eyes and without warning he punched the older Slytherin in the arm as hard as he could. Archer recoiled in mild pain as he stared at Thomas bewildered. Thomas' eyebrows narrowed.
"You're bonkin mad if you think I'm going to leave you to have a got at these monsters alone. So kindly shut up and don't say that again. What did I say? Gryffindors do not abandon their friends. Now shut up and lets get going."
Archer smiled and rubbed his shoulder for a moment, he felt his stomach tighten as the younger boy's stubborn honor shined through despite the gravity of the situation they found themselves in.
"We're not friends Thomas, we're brothers. Always."
Thomas threw his arms around Archer in a hug, they patted each other on their back's and quickly broke contact. Archer stood up straight, pulled out his wand and nodded.
"Right then, on with it shall we?"
Slowly they entered the Forest, a dangerous and formidable opponent of it's own right. Beasts and giant spiders lurked waiting in the shadows, the forest itself had taken it's share of lives, especially after nightfall. One might say that the forest was it's own brand of evil darkness and once inside the only way out was through. This was multiplied by the fact that the two were being hunted by evil men whom meant to do them harm, so not only did they have to survive the forest, but they had to survive and overcome the evil nature of these men. Twigs snapped beneath their feet and more than once Archer spun his head to see what was to his left or right, they crept along slowly in the darkness saying little to one another. The sun had fallen behind the trees and their eyes had adjusted as much as they could to the darkness, but it was getting to the point where they would have to cast Lumos in order to see, neither wanted to do that as it made themselves into a target that could be spotted from far away.
Lurking in the distance, a heard of winged horses, nearly demonic looking in nature grazed in a small clearing, their eyes glowed red and Archer stopped to stare at them for a long moment. He had never seen them before, but he knew what they were. He glanced at Thomas who clearly could not see the macabre animals.
"Thestrals. After tonight I imagine you'll be able to see them too."
Thomas looked to where Archer was staring.
"If it's all the same to you I'd rather not, I've heard they are terrifying."
Archer shrugged and kept moving, but there was beginning to be a lingering feeling within his gut that they were being watched. He took three steps forward before stopping dead in his tracks. He could feel something, something lurking behind a tree line. He raised his wand and stood defensively and then he heard it...
Stupefy...
....Stupefy.
Was heard nearly simultaneously and almost instantly a bolt of red magic shot out at different angles one at each of them, Archer tried to react...
"PROTEG...."
....But it was too late, the red bolts hit both boys who fell to the ground unconscious. The stupefy jinx was much more sinister in nature than the stupefy spell which only stunned it's victims briefly. The jinx immediately rendered them unconscious and as a result was a far more popular with nefarious sorts like dark wizards when they needed to take their victims alive.
Out of the trees came two men who bound both boys at their arms and legs and picked them up and carried them off further into the dark abyss that was the forbidden forest.
After quite some time had past, perhaps an hour maybe two. Archer's eyes fluttered open to a muffled voice, his vision was blurry at first, the tall and dark man that was Chauncy slowly became visible in the firelight. Archer shook his head and desperately turned to find Thomas waking up as well bound on the ground next to him.
"Well well well."
Sad the evil wizard in a most sinister tone.
"It looks like you lot are back, but what to do with you?"
Archer's vision slowly returned to normal and the clouds over his thoughts started to dissipate.
"Giving us our wands and letting us go sounds like a fine option to me."
Archer gave Chauncy a sarcastic and arrogant smile.
Thomas turned his head towards Archer.
"I don't think they're going to do that."
Chauncy leaned in and knelt down in front of Archer.
"If you was anyone else, you'd be dead."
Archer narrowed his eyebrows and smiled back arrogantly.
"And if I had my wand you would be dead. Is that why you've tied us up? Coward."
Chauncy started chuckling, quickly it turned into a deep laugh that came from the pit of his belly as he reared back and punched Archer in the face with all of his might. The stinging hit caused the young wizard to see stars for a brief moment as he doubled over and fell face first into the dirt. The grittiness of the forest floor stung the fresh cut that had been opened by Chauncy's fist.
Chauncy pulled Archer to a seated position and smiled menacingly at him.
"Better watch your tone child, lest I lose my temper."
Archer grinned back at Chauncy through the stinging pain.
"Given that pathetic punch, I'm not too worried about you losing your temper."
Thomas' head snapped to Archer.
"SHUT UP!"
Chauncy reared back to punch Thomas again and then out of the darkness and into the firlight stepped a regally dressed figure with a black cane. His meticulously combed blonde hair and arisocratic appearance clashed with that of Chauncy and his henchmen.
"I say, enough of that shall we? We do not wish to maim the boy any further."
A cold chill shot down Archer's spine as his eyes caught the man walking into the firlight, when he spoke Archer's heart fell into the pit of his stomach.
"...Father?"
The tall man smiled, a sinister glow behind his eyes and hardly friendly smile. Warmth was void from his overall demeanor as he took three graceful steps forward before nodding affirmatively.
"Surprised to see me? Get rid of those dreadful ropes on his arms. It is no way to treat a wizard of his stature. "
Two of Chauncy's henchmen moved forward and cut Archer free and pulled him to his feet, but Archer quickly broke free of their grasp and shot them both a glare.
"Cut him free too."
Archer motioned to Thomas.
"Not quite yet Archer, not quite yet."
Thomas sighed audibly, his eyes looked as if they had just gazed upon a ghost.
"Archer would you mind telling me what the hell is going on?"
Archer glanced back at his father who was retrieving a handkerchief from his breast pocket. He handed it to Archer. He then walked over just a few steps and crouched down next to Thomas. He smiled at the young man menacingly, yet he still patted him lightly on the shoulder with his cane. Meanwhile Archer began to wipe his face of the dirt and blood.
"You must be Thomas, the boy we have heard so much about. Saved from certain death in the black lake by none other than Archer here. It really is quite the tale and yet....so ironic."
Archer turned and stared at his father. He took a deep breath in and walked over to put himself between Thomas and his father.
"Leave him alone and yes...what is going on here?"
Archer's father stood up and smiled placing both hands on Archer's shoulders.
"Archer Orpheous Loris. The boy who has called me father for these last seventeen years. I must say I certainly grow tired of it. Do you have any idea who you are?"
The seventeen year old broke contact with his father and backed away slowly. His upper lip beginning to twitch in anger.
"I know, the wrong child died that night I've heard mother say it before and I know you think it. So what is the point?"
The Loris family Paitriarch let out a hearty laugh.
"No no my boy, you miss the point entirely. The long black hair, the sharper facial features. Surely you must realize you look nothing like me. Haven't you ever wondered why?"
Archer stood there almost perfectly still his eyes locked onto his father.
"I am Archer Loris, son of Percival and Sylvia Loris...unfortunately."
Percival grabbed his chest in feigned grief and smiled once more.
"Half right. You're a Parslemouth, don't think for but a single moment your mother and I did not see you talking to snakes in the garden when you were a child. You're more magically talent than any wizard I have met and as much as I would love to claim you as my the fruit of my loins I cannot any longer. You see Archer, seventeen years ago your mother had an affair with a one Jerek Sly. Well...to be more precise Jerek Orpheous Sly. You see you are named for him, I of course knew and she had my full blessing because the two of us had plans for you"
Thomas shifted on the ground and shook his head.
"That's all bollucks he's trying to get into your head."
Archer stood there motionless, staring at the man he had called father his entire life, how could this be true and why would this be true? He felt his stomach turn as he flexed his hands. On one hand this was a relief on another hand it shocked him to his core. What struck him more however was that his father knew about his ability to talk to snakes, why would he have never mentioned it?
"Who Jerek Orpheous Sly and what plans? This does not make any sense."
Percival began to walk around Archer slowly leaning lightly on his cane. The grin he shot the boy he has raised as his own for the last seven years was striking.
"All that magical talent and you do not know the name Sly. Your birth father passed away nine years ago, he came from a long line of wizards and witches, most if not all of them attended Hogwarts and were sorted into Slytherin house just like you and I. Nearly six hundred years ago, however the Sly family changed their name. You see Archer before the 1400's the Sly family went by a different name entirel."
Percival paused and stared into Archer's eyes.
"That name was Slytherin."
A cold chill struck Archer to his core and his dark eyes widened.
"Your birth father is a direct descendant of Salazar Slytherin himself which makes you Archer Orpheous Loris a direct descendant of Salazar Slytherin."
Archer felt his breath leave his body and he struggled to get it back. All this time, everything...everything was starting to make sense. This is why he was as talented as he was, this is why he could learn spells so quickly and this is why the forbidden curses tempted him in the way they did. Before he could say anything Thomas did.
"It can't be true, don't let him get to you..."
Percival raised his hand at Thomas.
"He knows it's true Thomas, he knows it. Can't you see it in his eyes? Your and I had high hopes for you Archer, you were going to help bring our family into the limelight. You are destined for greatness Archer! Within you lies the power to be one of the greatest wizards of all time and you can use that power to take us to our rightful place as rulers of the Wizarding World. You Archer will bring Hogwarts to it's former glory."
Percival motioned to the henchmen.
"Untie the other boy."
Both of whom did as they were commanded and the lifted Thomas to his feet. They pointed their wands at him and backed away slowly from the young wizard.
"Now Archer, you have given us hope. You learned the curses on your own and you used them on Baron whom I must admit deserved his fate, now it's time for you to fulfill your lust for power that every true Slytherin has."
Percival retrieved Archer's wand from inside his jacket pocket and slapped it into Archer's han. Archer noticed that Percival also had Thomas' wand as well. The dark wizard took several steps away and standing off to the side partway between Archer and Thomas who were now a good ten feet apart.
"Kill this FILTHY mudblood and take your place as the greatest wizard in all of history."
Archer stood there for a long moment he glanced between Thomas and the man he called Father several times. His stomach was turning itself inside out while all the while seeming to somehow tie it's self into nots as well. A single tear rolled down his right cheek as he glanced down at the ground. Was this his destiny was this what he had to do. He closed his eyes and raised his head, he then opened them, his dark eyes filled with pain burned directly into Thomas.
A sinking feeling struck Thomas as he stood there staring back at his friend and his hero and he could almost see the decision being made in Archer's eyes.
"Archer?"
Said Thomas softly.
Archer scrunched his eyes for moment before returning Thomas' gaze.
"I am so sorry Thomas."
Thomas sighed loudly and stared back a Archer not saying a word. He took several deep breaths and brushed the dirt off of his shirt and locked eyes with Archer and nodded quietly.
Archer nodded back and raised his wand bringing it back beside his head, targeting all the rage and hatred that built up in him. His intent was clear he knew exactly what he wanted to do...
"AVADA...KEDAVRA!!!
Screamed Archer as he pivoted slightly to his right and thrust his wand forward, dark green magic shot from the wand and straight at Percival whom it struck and immediately he fell to the ground dead.
Archer spun and pointed his wand at a tree, both henchmen caught off guard.
"BOMBARDO!"
The trunk of the tree exploded into a million splinters raining into the henchmen and stunning Chauncy who was near by. He then turned and ran for his Pervcival's corpse
"ACCIO!"
Thomas' wand flew into his hand and he tossed it to Thomas
"THOMAS!"
Thomas caught his wand and immediately turned towards Chauncy and fired bolts of magic at him.
"EXPELLIARMOS!"
Shouted Thomas as Chauncy's wand flew from his hand, Thomas turned his attention to the stumbling henchmen closest to him.
"CONFRINGO!"
The bolt of magic landed at the base off the henchman's feet and and dirt exploded in his face knocking him to the ground.
Archer turned towards the other henchmen who was on the ground, a large chunk of tree buried in his neck, as Archer raised his wand the henchman breathed his last breath. So he turned towards Chauncy who was fumbling for his wand on the ground.
"DIFFINDO!"
The dark wizard felt powerful blades of magic slice through his arm he grabbed his wand and turned to face the two boys who leveled their wands at him. Menacingly he glared back at them and disappeared into black mist.
Archer and Thomas turned to final wounded henchman on the ground, he was badly burned and struggling to breath. Archer raised his wand and with a simple flick of his wrist put the man out of his misery. The two young men stood there staring at each other for a long moment, then amdist the smoke and crackling fires a Thestral flew over head, both young wizards looked up and nodded.
"I'm glad I lived to see them, they have a dark beauty...I thought..."
Archer nodded.
"You thought I was going to kill you. I know and...I know, but I had to stop him."
Tears formed in Archer's eyes and they began to flow freely down his cheeks.
"You're my family Thomas, I don't need my real family and I'd appreciate it...if you told no one I am who I am...promise me Thomas."
Thomas nodded quietly and hugged his friend, the two held each other for a long moment.
"Your secret is safe with me Archer, all of them are."
The two broke from one another.
"It's time to go..."
Said Thomas and Archer nodded Archer held out his arm and Thomas grabbed it. In a nauseating flash both of them stood on the platform of Petersborough station...
-
Archer Loris
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Wed Jun 14, 2023 6:31 pm
Re: A New Life
Both boys looked around the station in disbelief, it was early in the morning and sitting on bench just beside the track was rather decerped looking man who appeared to blink rapidly at seeing the two appear out of thin air. He picked a bottle out of a brown paper bag stared at the contents with shock on his face, then he glanced between the boys and the bottle multiple times before shrugging and throwing it onto the tracks making a loud crash as the glass shattered.
Archer could not help but laugh at the absurdity of it all, the two shared a moment of comic joy that was much needed after the day they had. Archer for one did not look best, is face was bruised and slightly swollen, crusted blood on his cheek. Thomas had rope barns around his wrists and was covered in dirt, these had been his good clothes, past tense being emphasized rather deliberately. He ran a hand through his red hair and smiled his dopey grin. For a moment both of them seemed lost in time, both have them had come within inches of death themselves but here they stood alive and well, safely back home once more.
Then seemingly out of nowhere footsteps were heard moving swiftly towards them. Archer instinctively reached for his wand, the smile faded from his face and he readied himself for the next threat when all of the sudden a woman looking quite flustered appeared from the stairs and ran towards them. Nonchalantly, Archer put his wand away.
"THOMAS! They you are! My dear we were worried sick! What in heavens name happened to you?"
Without hesitation the woman brushed the dirt off of his clothes and hugged him tightly. The emotions were too much for the young Gryffindor, after all they had been through this day, he finally allowed himself to feel all of it, he broke down in tears.
"Mum! It was awful. There was a portkey and we got transported."
Hey eyes widened with motherly concern but quickly she pulled away and put a finger to his lips.
"Shh, not in front of the muggles."
Archer nodded in the background, but stood there rather awkwardly looking far from his best with the dried blood on his cheek and the filthy clothes. Then more footseps and a man came darting up the stairs.
"Son! You're safe and...what happened to you?"
The auburn haired man looked between Archer and Thomas several times, of the two of them Archer looked much worse for wear than his own son.
"An' who might you be lad.?"
Archer extended his dirty hand for Mr. Percy and gave the best smile he could given the circumstances.
"Archer Loris sir, and you must be Mr. Percy."
Mr. Percy shook Archer's hand vigorously as Thomas and his mother continued hugging it out for a moment, but before long, Thomas' teenage anxiety forced him to break off from his mother and stand there awkwardly.
"Right I am, pleasure to meet you lad. What's all this then? You're hurt lad."
Archer ran his hand through his long dark hair and brushed it away from his face slightly nervously. He wasn't sure what to tell him and there was in fact at least one muggle present. He swallowed hard and cracked the knuckles on his right hand.
"Sir, it's a long story. But the short of it is we were abducted, by some very bad men. They were into..."
He lowered his voice to a whisper.
"Well, dark magic, but we took care of them and made it back here safe and sound."
Thomas moved beside his father and leaned in and whispered in his ear, seemingly telling more of the story than Archer. Archer wasn't clear exactly how much Thomas had told him, but he had certainly hoped he left out the bit about the killing curse and all the nasty bits like it. He was not keen on spending the rest of his life in Azkaban, but he doubted highly that the Ministry would take any exception to the actions of the day. He had killed a dark wizard. Archer studied the body language of Mr. Percy as Thomas continued whispering to him, he watched the facial reactions change, first his eyes widened and immediately after his eyebrows lifted until it appeared they might shoot up off of his forehead entirely. Then his mouth opened and his jaw dropped, practically to the floor.
Archer's stomach sank as Mr. Percy pulled away from his son and took another step towards Archer with a serious look on his face.
"Mr. Percy, I can explain. It was..."
The elder Percy raised his hand and silenced the young Slytherin. He stared at Archer for a long moment, sizing him up and down. He was not sure he had known a Slytherin like Archer before, not from what Thomas had told him.
"I do not need your explanation lad."
Archer swallowed hard and felt a tickle in his throat, his chest tightened. Mr. Percy then grabbed the young Slytherin by the right arm and gazed upon the ring on his right hand.
"You're a Slytherin right?"
Archer nodded.
"Yes sir, but Mr. Percy..."
The elder Percy patted Archer's hand.
"John if you please. Did the sorting hat have any trouble sorting you into your house?"
Archer shook his head adamantly.
"No Si...John. It did not, it scarcely touched my head and within a second or two sorted me into Slytherin. There was no pause like with some of the other students."
John Percy took a deep breath.
"Remarkable. You saved my Son's life on multiple occasions and you have shown bravery that I cannot fathom having at your age. In fact, you might be the bravest young Man I have ever met Archer. Taking on your own father like that and choosing good over power, I'd have thought you for a Gryffindor, but you're not. I can see that loud ambition just behind your eyes, but you don't let it blind you, no...you are selfless when it comes to right and wrong. I am honored to meet you Archer, did Thomas tell you anything about what I do for a living?"
Archer breathed a sigh of relief and offered John a smile in return. Meanwhile he spied Thomas whispering something quick into his mother's ear.
"No, he did not...sir...John..."
John laughed and smiled.
"Relax lad. I am an Auror working for the ministry and we have heard of the group that you fought this evening. It's sad your father was one of them. I think you would fit in nicely in our ranks, your nerve, raw determination, along with your steadfast moral compass."
Archer stiffened at hearing that man called is father again.
"I am honored John, but please don't call him that, he's not my father I don't claim him. I was...sort of adopted apparently...I just learned that this evening or last night...or whenever, it's a blur honestly."
Finally Mrs. Percy pushed her way toward Archer, she stood beside her husband.
"I'm Annabelle. I am so delighted to meet you Archer, what you have done for Thomas...what you have done for us well I....Thomas said you don't have a family anymore and that you two are brothers. Well, if you are Thomas' brother then might I suggest you came stay with us, but not just for the weekend."
Archer took in a deep breath, he felt butterflies in his stomach as he leaned in to hug her in gratitude...all of the feelings mixed together in a swirl of emotions and the young Slytherin began to cry into Annabelle's shoulder for a moment before he collected himself. Quickly he pulled away and wiped the tears from his face.
"Are you sure Ma'am? I'm not perfect, but I would be honored."
John placed his hand on Archer's shoulder firmly.
"We are quite sure lad, you're already family, we're just making it official."
The four joined each other in a hug, they broke away with smiles on their faces. Finally John spoke up once more.
"So you said you were adopted? A talented young man like yourself do you know anything about who your biological parents were?"
Archer took a deep breath, he looked at Thomas who nodded to him giving.
"You're family Archer, you can tell them."
Archer exhaled through his nose and looked John in the eyes.
"My mother is the one you've heard about, but my biological father is apparently a man named Jerek Sly..."
John's eyes widened.
"Jerek Orpheous Sly?! So you're a....?"
Archer nodded.
"Apparently a descendant of Salazar Slytherin himself, I'm not to keen on it and I'm not sure I've processed it yet to be honest. I never liked the man, I know a lot about him and his evil viewpoints on muggles. It honestly makes me a bit sick to my stomach to know that I am related to him at all."
John shook his head in understanding.
"It doesn't matter where you come from, it matters where you're going and I see bright things in your future Archer. Come then, lets go home."
The four smiled almost in unison, they were together where they belonged. As they started walking towards the staircase there was black flash behind them. They stopped and looked around, the man on the bench was gone and then suddenly there was a powerful explosion.
Archer was thrown backwards landing hard against the tiled floor. He felt the back of his head hit the ground. He was dazed and confused, his vision blurry as he tried to gather his thoughts, but he could barely move. His entire body stung, it felt as if he had been thrown off a Hippogriff as he was in the first year and landed flat in the lake, a belly flop is what the muggles called it, it stung horribly. He struggled deperately to his knees, he heard basic casts being traded back and forth, but it sounded as if he was underwater. His vision finally returned to normal and that's when he saw John on the ground unconscious, Thomas trading blows back and forth with a dark Wizard and there from behind the pillar on the platform emerged Chauncy in his sinister evil stroll. He limped forward raised his wand and leveled it at Thomas.
"CRUCIO!"
Thomas' wand fell to the platform floor and he contorted on the ground in pain quickly Archer gathered his strength and shot off a basic cast to the second attacker followed by a quick...
"DEPULSO!"
As the train arrived and the dark attacker found himself thrown in front of it and he vanished from view, the muggles on that train were in for a surprise. John and Annabelle struggled on the ground and Archer turned his wand on Chauncy who broke of his attack and fired a quick cast at Archer which struck him in his left arm and knocked him back to the ground again.
"LEVIOSO!"
He said as he raised Thomas up off the ground who was still struggled to catch his breath now hanging there in mid air.
"And now, the both of you shall pay, but first. You are going to watch your little friend and his family die Archer, only then after you've suffered watching the light fade from there eyes will I kill you....PAINFULLY."
Archer struggled to try and stand up but his legs felt like gelatin and his arm throbbed. He felt the warm sticky blood oozing from the wound. Chauncy smiled darkly at Thomas.
"You first."
Chauncy moved his wand quickly and brought it back by his head.
"AVADA KEVADRA!"
Green magic shot from the tip of his wand, Archer watched in slow motion as he pulled himself to his feet and sprinted towards the incoming magic.
"NO!!!"
Archer quickly moved his wand to block the wicked magic as he leapt through the air in front of Thomas
"EXPELLIARMOS!!!"
Red magic fired from Archer's wand and intercepted the green magic just before it impacted Thomas. Archer's beam of magic was small and he could feel the heat and wickedness on his hands as he fell to the ground still holding his spell against Chauncy's. He grimaced as he felt small burns on his hands began to form and muscled himself up to a standing position trying his best to hold on, his red beam of magic starting to receded to his own wand for a moment and then back out again. He couldn't hold it, he was hurt and in....he knew what he had to do, he was fast....he was always fast. Out of the corner of his eye he saw John struggling to his feet with his feet....Archer lowered his wand and the green beam of hate threatened to consume him as he quickly moved his wand in a slashing motion
"SECTUMSEMPRA!!!"
There was an explosion of magic Chauncy fell to the floor, blood pouring from his neck and chest.his wand falling by his side. John having gathered his strength sprinted over to the fallen dark wizard and watched the life leave his eyes as he died in a pull of his own blood. Archer stood there for a second and then fell to his knees. Thomas fell from the broken Levioso spell and caught Archer preventing him hitting the ground.
“Archer!”
Archer smiled faintly and patted his friend and little brother on the shoulder, his hands were black and his face was pale.
“Thank you…for giving me a family Thomas…thank you for…everything….please…take me home…”
Archer fell limp in Thomas’ arms and exhaled for a final time and sat there still and lifeless. Thomas cradled his friend, his brother and his hero and sobbed loudly. Annabelle, finally pulled herself to her feet and ran over to do what she could.
“Thomas is he…”
Thomas grit his teeth and nodded. He squeezed Archer’s body as mor Aurors showed up on the scene wands at the ready. John finally ran over and knelt beside his fallen son, he ran his hand over Archer’s face and smoothed his features before closing his eyes.
“He was a hero.”
John said solemnly and placed his arms around his wife and son. Thomas looked at his mother and father through tears he said to them.
"We..should take him home...to the family plot, he's one of us....he was my brother..."
John nodded quietly and the family sat there for a long moment, nothing could be done to ease their pain, especially that of Thomas. There were interviews from Aurors, an investigation as to how Chauncy had tracked them. All of it was a bit much, a bit too much to think about and a bit too much to deal with at the moment. They had to get Archer home, and so they did. They gave him a proper burial in their family's plot and his official Hogwarts Portrait sat on their mantle next to Thomas and then before they knew it everything was just a memory.
Early September The Great Hall.
Thomas felt numb as he sat there, normally where the banners of the house who had won the cup last year would hand, today they were black with and embroidered with a Slytherin symbol and Archer's name. He watched other student and professors give their testimonials about Archer, but none of them knew him like he did. None of them knew the depth of his soul and what he had to fight and overcome. Finally a Slytherin prefect made his way to Thomas seated at the Gryffindor table.
"I believe he'd have been honored if you said something."
Thomas snorted and held back tears, he stood up and made his way to the front of the great hall standing in front of the podium.
He looked out at the rest of the students and tried to speak.
"Archer...was....I...I am sorry I can't..."
A professor came and gently put her hands on Thomas shoulder and then as he looked back at the rest of the students seated at their table a blinding white light appeared and a magnificent white Thestral appeared to fly across the hall and hovering in the air behind a sea of brilliant white light was Archer, that slightly arrogant smile on his face.
"I thought Gryffindors were supposed to be brave Thomas. I saved your life little brother, you can do this for me."
Thomas laughed and his breath was taken away. The dorky red haired Gryffindor took a deep breath and nooded.
"I miss you Archer."
Archer smiled back at him.
"Don't I'm with you now, always now go out there and make me look good."
Thomas nodded and pulled away from the professor and approached the podium. He felt a warmth on his right hand, he glanced down and there was Archer's sterling silver ring with the green gemstone wedged between the body of a snake on his finger. He nodded confidently and looked at his fellow students.
"Archer was my friend, my brother and my hero. But he was so much more than that, he was a person just like you and I had and he had his own burden to carry with him. Since the Dark Lord attacked years ago, Slytherin house seems like they have always had this dark cloud hanging over them. It seems we've all been thinking, what evil wizard are they going to churn out next?"
Thomas paused.
"I'm here to tell you, that Archer alone changed that. I swore I'd never tell this, but I don't think it matters anymore. Archer was a descendant of Salazar Slytherin himself. He helped build a new legacy and brought down the old one for all of you. He was the best Slytherin had to offer and he was the best Hogwarts had to offer.I look at all of you now, all of my friends, my fellow students and today we are one because of what he did. Archer saved my life more than once, not just when I was a dorky first year in over my head in the black lake, but two other times since then and I think...I think with what he did he may just have saved all of you too. The sacrifice he made wasn't just to protect me, it was to protect all of you. Hogwarts was his home, after his brother died he didn't truly have a family."
Thomas swallowed hard.
"My parents adopted him into our family, so finally he had a home outside of here. I know his legacy will live on, and today we're all Slytherins in his memory."
He stopped.
"For Archer!"
Thomas raised his wand and a bright light began to glow at the end of it, the professors behind him stood up and raised their wands as well followed by the students and soon the great hall was filled in a bright shining light and once more a white Thestral swepty down low through the back of the hall and straight towards the podium before darting up and flying through the ceiling.
A new term was beginning, new students starting their magical journeys would soon be exploring the forbidden forest and sneaking into the restricted section of the library and all would be as it always was as one hero's journey came to a close another's was sure to begin.
Archer could not help but laugh at the absurdity of it all, the two shared a moment of comic joy that was much needed after the day they had. Archer for one did not look best, is face was bruised and slightly swollen, crusted blood on his cheek. Thomas had rope barns around his wrists and was covered in dirt, these had been his good clothes, past tense being emphasized rather deliberately. He ran a hand through his red hair and smiled his dopey grin. For a moment both of them seemed lost in time, both have them had come within inches of death themselves but here they stood alive and well, safely back home once more.
Then seemingly out of nowhere footsteps were heard moving swiftly towards them. Archer instinctively reached for his wand, the smile faded from his face and he readied himself for the next threat when all of the sudden a woman looking quite flustered appeared from the stairs and ran towards them. Nonchalantly, Archer put his wand away.
"THOMAS! They you are! My dear we were worried sick! What in heavens name happened to you?"
Without hesitation the woman brushed the dirt off of his clothes and hugged him tightly. The emotions were too much for the young Gryffindor, after all they had been through this day, he finally allowed himself to feel all of it, he broke down in tears.
"Mum! It was awful. There was a portkey and we got transported."
Hey eyes widened with motherly concern but quickly she pulled away and put a finger to his lips.
"Shh, not in front of the muggles."
Archer nodded in the background, but stood there rather awkwardly looking far from his best with the dried blood on his cheek and the filthy clothes. Then more footseps and a man came darting up the stairs.
"Son! You're safe and...what happened to you?"
The auburn haired man looked between Archer and Thomas several times, of the two of them Archer looked much worse for wear than his own son.
"An' who might you be lad.?"
Archer extended his dirty hand for Mr. Percy and gave the best smile he could given the circumstances.
"Archer Loris sir, and you must be Mr. Percy."
Mr. Percy shook Archer's hand vigorously as Thomas and his mother continued hugging it out for a moment, but before long, Thomas' teenage anxiety forced him to break off from his mother and stand there awkwardly.
"Right I am, pleasure to meet you lad. What's all this then? You're hurt lad."
Archer ran his hand through his long dark hair and brushed it away from his face slightly nervously. He wasn't sure what to tell him and there was in fact at least one muggle present. He swallowed hard and cracked the knuckles on his right hand.
"Sir, it's a long story. But the short of it is we were abducted, by some very bad men. They were into..."
He lowered his voice to a whisper.
"Well, dark magic, but we took care of them and made it back here safe and sound."
Thomas moved beside his father and leaned in and whispered in his ear, seemingly telling more of the story than Archer. Archer wasn't clear exactly how much Thomas had told him, but he had certainly hoped he left out the bit about the killing curse and all the nasty bits like it. He was not keen on spending the rest of his life in Azkaban, but he doubted highly that the Ministry would take any exception to the actions of the day. He had killed a dark wizard. Archer studied the body language of Mr. Percy as Thomas continued whispering to him, he watched the facial reactions change, first his eyes widened and immediately after his eyebrows lifted until it appeared they might shoot up off of his forehead entirely. Then his mouth opened and his jaw dropped, practically to the floor.
Archer's stomach sank as Mr. Percy pulled away from his son and took another step towards Archer with a serious look on his face.
"Mr. Percy, I can explain. It was..."
The elder Percy raised his hand and silenced the young Slytherin. He stared at Archer for a long moment, sizing him up and down. He was not sure he had known a Slytherin like Archer before, not from what Thomas had told him.
"I do not need your explanation lad."
Archer swallowed hard and felt a tickle in his throat, his chest tightened. Mr. Percy then grabbed the young Slytherin by the right arm and gazed upon the ring on his right hand.
"You're a Slytherin right?"
Archer nodded.
"Yes sir, but Mr. Percy..."
The elder Percy patted Archer's hand.
"John if you please. Did the sorting hat have any trouble sorting you into your house?"
Archer shook his head adamantly.
"No Si...John. It did not, it scarcely touched my head and within a second or two sorted me into Slytherin. There was no pause like with some of the other students."
John Percy took a deep breath.
"Remarkable. You saved my Son's life on multiple occasions and you have shown bravery that I cannot fathom having at your age. In fact, you might be the bravest young Man I have ever met Archer. Taking on your own father like that and choosing good over power, I'd have thought you for a Gryffindor, but you're not. I can see that loud ambition just behind your eyes, but you don't let it blind you, no...you are selfless when it comes to right and wrong. I am honored to meet you Archer, did Thomas tell you anything about what I do for a living?"
Archer breathed a sigh of relief and offered John a smile in return. Meanwhile he spied Thomas whispering something quick into his mother's ear.
"No, he did not...sir...John..."
John laughed and smiled.
"Relax lad. I am an Auror working for the ministry and we have heard of the group that you fought this evening. It's sad your father was one of them. I think you would fit in nicely in our ranks, your nerve, raw determination, along with your steadfast moral compass."
Archer stiffened at hearing that man called is father again.
"I am honored John, but please don't call him that, he's not my father I don't claim him. I was...sort of adopted apparently...I just learned that this evening or last night...or whenever, it's a blur honestly."
Finally Mrs. Percy pushed her way toward Archer, she stood beside her husband.
"I'm Annabelle. I am so delighted to meet you Archer, what you have done for Thomas...what you have done for us well I....Thomas said you don't have a family anymore and that you two are brothers. Well, if you are Thomas' brother then might I suggest you came stay with us, but not just for the weekend."
Archer took in a deep breath, he felt butterflies in his stomach as he leaned in to hug her in gratitude...all of the feelings mixed together in a swirl of emotions and the young Slytherin began to cry into Annabelle's shoulder for a moment before he collected himself. Quickly he pulled away and wiped the tears from his face.
"Are you sure Ma'am? I'm not perfect, but I would be honored."
John placed his hand on Archer's shoulder firmly.
"We are quite sure lad, you're already family, we're just making it official."
The four joined each other in a hug, they broke away with smiles on their faces. Finally John spoke up once more.
"So you said you were adopted? A talented young man like yourself do you know anything about who your biological parents were?"
Archer took a deep breath, he looked at Thomas who nodded to him giving.
"You're family Archer, you can tell them."
Archer exhaled through his nose and looked John in the eyes.
"My mother is the one you've heard about, but my biological father is apparently a man named Jerek Sly..."
John's eyes widened.
"Jerek Orpheous Sly?! So you're a....?"
Archer nodded.
"Apparently a descendant of Salazar Slytherin himself, I'm not to keen on it and I'm not sure I've processed it yet to be honest. I never liked the man, I know a lot about him and his evil viewpoints on muggles. It honestly makes me a bit sick to my stomach to know that I am related to him at all."
John shook his head in understanding.
"It doesn't matter where you come from, it matters where you're going and I see bright things in your future Archer. Come then, lets go home."
The four smiled almost in unison, they were together where they belonged. As they started walking towards the staircase there was black flash behind them. They stopped and looked around, the man on the bench was gone and then suddenly there was a powerful explosion.
Archer was thrown backwards landing hard against the tiled floor. He felt the back of his head hit the ground. He was dazed and confused, his vision blurry as he tried to gather his thoughts, but he could barely move. His entire body stung, it felt as if he had been thrown off a Hippogriff as he was in the first year and landed flat in the lake, a belly flop is what the muggles called it, it stung horribly. He struggled deperately to his knees, he heard basic casts being traded back and forth, but it sounded as if he was underwater. His vision finally returned to normal and that's when he saw John on the ground unconscious, Thomas trading blows back and forth with a dark Wizard and there from behind the pillar on the platform emerged Chauncy in his sinister evil stroll. He limped forward raised his wand and leveled it at Thomas.
"CRUCIO!"
Thomas' wand fell to the platform floor and he contorted on the ground in pain quickly Archer gathered his strength and shot off a basic cast to the second attacker followed by a quick...
"DEPULSO!"
As the train arrived and the dark attacker found himself thrown in front of it and he vanished from view, the muggles on that train were in for a surprise. John and Annabelle struggled on the ground and Archer turned his wand on Chauncy who broke of his attack and fired a quick cast at Archer which struck him in his left arm and knocked him back to the ground again.
"LEVIOSO!"
He said as he raised Thomas up off the ground who was still struggled to catch his breath now hanging there in mid air.
"And now, the both of you shall pay, but first. You are going to watch your little friend and his family die Archer, only then after you've suffered watching the light fade from there eyes will I kill you....PAINFULLY."
Archer struggled to try and stand up but his legs felt like gelatin and his arm throbbed. He felt the warm sticky blood oozing from the wound. Chauncy smiled darkly at Thomas.
"You first."
Chauncy moved his wand quickly and brought it back by his head.
"AVADA KEVADRA!"
Green magic shot from the tip of his wand, Archer watched in slow motion as he pulled himself to his feet and sprinted towards the incoming magic.
"NO!!!"
Archer quickly moved his wand to block the wicked magic as he leapt through the air in front of Thomas
"EXPELLIARMOS!!!"
Red magic fired from Archer's wand and intercepted the green magic just before it impacted Thomas. Archer's beam of magic was small and he could feel the heat and wickedness on his hands as he fell to the ground still holding his spell against Chauncy's. He grimaced as he felt small burns on his hands began to form and muscled himself up to a standing position trying his best to hold on, his red beam of magic starting to receded to his own wand for a moment and then back out again. He couldn't hold it, he was hurt and in....he knew what he had to do, he was fast....he was always fast. Out of the corner of his eye he saw John struggling to his feet with his feet....Archer lowered his wand and the green beam of hate threatened to consume him as he quickly moved his wand in a slashing motion
"SECTUMSEMPRA!!!"
There was an explosion of magic Chauncy fell to the floor, blood pouring from his neck and chest.his wand falling by his side. John having gathered his strength sprinted over to the fallen dark wizard and watched the life leave his eyes as he died in a pull of his own blood. Archer stood there for a second and then fell to his knees. Thomas fell from the broken Levioso spell and caught Archer preventing him hitting the ground.
“Archer!”
Archer smiled faintly and patted his friend and little brother on the shoulder, his hands were black and his face was pale.
“Thank you…for giving me a family Thomas…thank you for…everything….please…take me home…”
Archer fell limp in Thomas’ arms and exhaled for a final time and sat there still and lifeless. Thomas cradled his friend, his brother and his hero and sobbed loudly. Annabelle, finally pulled herself to her feet and ran over to do what she could.
“Thomas is he…”
Thomas grit his teeth and nodded. He squeezed Archer’s body as mor Aurors showed up on the scene wands at the ready. John finally ran over and knelt beside his fallen son, he ran his hand over Archer’s face and smoothed his features before closing his eyes.
“He was a hero.”
John said solemnly and placed his arms around his wife and son. Thomas looked at his mother and father through tears he said to them.
"We..should take him home...to the family plot, he's one of us....he was my brother..."
John nodded quietly and the family sat there for a long moment, nothing could be done to ease their pain, especially that of Thomas. There were interviews from Aurors, an investigation as to how Chauncy had tracked them. All of it was a bit much, a bit too much to think about and a bit too much to deal with at the moment. They had to get Archer home, and so they did. They gave him a proper burial in their family's plot and his official Hogwarts Portrait sat on their mantle next to Thomas and then before they knew it everything was just a memory.
Early September The Great Hall.
Thomas felt numb as he sat there, normally where the banners of the house who had won the cup last year would hand, today they were black with and embroidered with a Slytherin symbol and Archer's name. He watched other student and professors give their testimonials about Archer, but none of them knew him like he did. None of them knew the depth of his soul and what he had to fight and overcome. Finally a Slytherin prefect made his way to Thomas seated at the Gryffindor table.
"I believe he'd have been honored if you said something."
Thomas snorted and held back tears, he stood up and made his way to the front of the great hall standing in front of the podium.
He looked out at the rest of the students and tried to speak.
"Archer...was....I...I am sorry I can't..."
A professor came and gently put her hands on Thomas shoulder and then as he looked back at the rest of the students seated at their table a blinding white light appeared and a magnificent white Thestral appeared to fly across the hall and hovering in the air behind a sea of brilliant white light was Archer, that slightly arrogant smile on his face.
"I thought Gryffindors were supposed to be brave Thomas. I saved your life little brother, you can do this for me."
Thomas laughed and his breath was taken away. The dorky red haired Gryffindor took a deep breath and nooded.
"I miss you Archer."
Archer smiled back at him.
"Don't I'm with you now, always now go out there and make me look good."
Thomas nodded and pulled away from the professor and approached the podium. He felt a warmth on his right hand, he glanced down and there was Archer's sterling silver ring with the green gemstone wedged between the body of a snake on his finger. He nodded confidently and looked at his fellow students.
"Archer was my friend, my brother and my hero. But he was so much more than that, he was a person just like you and I had and he had his own burden to carry with him. Since the Dark Lord attacked years ago, Slytherin house seems like they have always had this dark cloud hanging over them. It seems we've all been thinking, what evil wizard are they going to churn out next?"
Thomas paused.
"I'm here to tell you, that Archer alone changed that. I swore I'd never tell this, but I don't think it matters anymore. Archer was a descendant of Salazar Slytherin himself. He helped build a new legacy and brought down the old one for all of you. He was the best Slytherin had to offer and he was the best Hogwarts had to offer.I look at all of you now, all of my friends, my fellow students and today we are one because of what he did. Archer saved my life more than once, not just when I was a dorky first year in over my head in the black lake, but two other times since then and I think...I think with what he did he may just have saved all of you too. The sacrifice he made wasn't just to protect me, it was to protect all of you. Hogwarts was his home, after his brother died he didn't truly have a family."
Thomas swallowed hard.
"My parents adopted him into our family, so finally he had a home outside of here. I know his legacy will live on, and today we're all Slytherins in his memory."
He stopped.
"For Archer!"
Thomas raised his wand and a bright light began to glow at the end of it, the professors behind him stood up and raised their wands as well followed by the students and soon the great hall was filled in a bright shining light and once more a white Thestral swepty down low through the back of the hall and straight towards the podium before darting up and flying through the ceiling.
A new term was beginning, new students starting their magical journeys would soon be exploring the forbidden forest and sneaking into the restricted section of the library and all would be as it always was as one hero's journey came to a close another's was sure to begin.