She had heard the story, had heard the rumors, had heard lies and truths... all awful and terrible... sometimes the lies were even nicer then the truth. But one fact stood clear, he was not dead, and he was finishing what he had started. It made her angry, seeing the death that stilled like a dark velvet glove among the room. It tasted disgusting, the smell of the air was palable on her senses. But even as she watched the destruction she didn't make a move, or an expression, only a single tear rolled out of her completly black eye, freezing on her face, right above her icy blue lips. She couldn't see all of the bodies... but some could be her friend... hell... one could be her sister. Her sister. Herdomine.

What if among the bodies was Herdomine, depressed Herdomine, sad blood in her teary eyes Herdomine. Her only sister, the only real family she had left since her father didn't pay much attention to details anymore. That spurred her into action. Her mind focusing on Herdomines death, who would have killed her? The Draconian girl would be a dangerous adversary to Prince and his oh so loyal followers... well if Herdomine died trying to defeat the enemy then Sapphire would do the same... with a catch back. She would save herself... she would go somewhere else if she died... she would be with Blitz... her Blitz... the only one she really wanted to be with if she couldn't be with Herdomine. "You will pay you disgusting mortal."

Those were her words as she started binding herself to a spell... the spell of her death... if she died... there wasn't much hope of living, especially if Avada Kedavra was used upon her soul. She finished the last cord of the spell. If she died, in a flash of the brilliant green light then she...well let's not get ahead of ourselves in that retrospect. Instead she stood back on her feet, steadying herself. She would go for Prince... attacking those in her way if need be. She added fire to the rage that was burning inside her for her loss. She let herself loose control, and the image doubled of herself. It was only in that second that she started screaming that she changed, embracing her draconian form.

Her white hair turned dark silver blue, standing on ends, both her eyes followed the same path, flaring up with fire that was unknown to those of this mortal earth. She raised her hands into the air, claws of black silver growing from her fingers, the black night sky wrapping down her arm, and around her body, to her face as it was wiped of the white milky color, replaced with negative of it, with shines or the stars. She looked ethral and mystic in this form... nothing like Herdomines Draconian form... but they were only sisters, not twins... not the same. A smile tinted her silver lips, showing the white fangs that now extended past her bottom lip. It was only until the wings formed behind her back that one would take notice of her. They looked as if made of ice crystals, but steel all in the same... the jewel from her necklace melted and appeared on her forhead, and that was when she took off towards Prince.

Ever get the feeling you are about to die, and remember everything that has happened? all your friends, your life, your loves, your joys...your hates. Sapphire went through that right now, images flashing through her mind, Rowane, Obeair... her love of potions, fighting with her dad, organizing the library, she could see Bliznith smiling his serene elvin smile... could see Herdomine with her face running with the blood from her eyes, could see her in all her draconian glory. The first time she casted a spell, the first pet, her first day of school... flying her first broom. She could see her mother, the white angel wings behind her like she was an angel. please let me be an angel and fly on wings. The silver tears ran from her eyes as she flew at Prince... revenge for her dead sister, revenge for the other lives she had taken. A flash of pictures going through her mind, the screams of rage on her lips. She would suck him of his blood... she would kill him for he deserved it.

She outstretched her claws, reaching for Prince's throat, all she needed was a touch and his head would be on the ground. She didn't care if she died in the process. Murderer, killer, corpse. She smiled, if she couldn't kill him, she would like to be dead. That was what her spell she had tied herself to had done. If she died in this attack then she would be sent to the forest... she would be whole again, her soul would find the other half and be with Blitz. She would be happy, no one knew deep inside her that she was suffering more then anyone. What was the use of half a soul if you couldn't love anymore. If she died she would be happy, and if she killed she would be for a moment satisfied. It was a win win situation for her... for once, this was perfect.

~~~

If he had had the time, Prince would have yawned. It was typical really, a classic human reaction for despair. Considering the it-child's powers and general appearence, he would have expected better. Ah well.

In the cruel depths of his heart, Prince had catered to a tendency to deny everyone but himself their deepest desires. By now this tendency had been practiced and embellished enough so that it was a prominent character trait, one he prided himself on. If Sapphire wanted to die, he didn't want her too. It was this reaction that guided his counter attack as the thing threw herself towards him.

The slightest twitch of the Black Wand was enough to alter her course through the air. Instead of drawing his blood, the Rose girl backflipped in the air, speeding towards one of the solid stone walls that supported the Hall. With a satisfying crunch she smashed into it, facial bones shattering upon impact. The draconian figure slid down the wall, leaving a bright track of blood, before crumpling dejectedly to the ground. Turning, Prince no longer concerned himself with her. He was gloating over the lack of effort it had taken to reduce Sapphire to pulp with the Black Wand. Whether she lived or died ceased to matter to him, though it had never been more than a fleeting thought before.

He was engulfed in newfound power, and could not be bothered with the welfare of an idiot child. After all, children die every day, don't they? Why would it concern him? And if she wasn't dead... well, she wouldn't be bothering him for a while.

~~~

She was holding Brooke by the hand - they appeared to have made up - and she pushed off the childish demeanour of a few moments before and looked at JP, the way that she knew that only she could get away with.

"Can I have a go?" she asked a playful smile on her face, which promised more.

~~~

With that little ice shards formed in the air around her, her silver smile nearly looking evil. "Now, it makes me wonder... If I threw Avada Kedavra at you then, like always... hit it always seems to happen, you will miraculously live. It's bull you know, and a lie. If you live then someone else dies, and if it is me... well it doesn't really bother me." She flexed her wings, and claws, looking away, running a hand through her spked up dark silver blue hair as she pursed her lips in a whistle, the ice spinning. She raised her eyebrows in mock question and crouched down to the ground, she had the same metnal imbalance as her sister Herdomine, only a lesser form of it. She wasn't scared at all, it was wrong. She suddenly laughed again, falling backwards laughing. She just had a hillarious idea... well it struck her as completly funny.

"What is your goal M'lord? Conquering the magic and Muggle world? Killing everyone, being the most powerful... having everyone fear you. Slavery? Oh, that's all well and good... and everything. But what happens after? Hmm? When you have everything you want then what do you do? Kill off your followers or be killed yourself. It just makes no sense, no logic, you are all about the moment, and you have all the power, but what will you be doing in ten, twenty, thirty years? At least you hopefully do have a goal... but what is after that... really. I guess I'm just curious... good thing I'm not a cat."

With that Sapphire grinned, the fangs showing brilliantly against the black skin. She giggled, closing her eyes slightly. At the same time the ice daggers shot off towards the group, she had no particular aim, so she didn't care who she hit. But out of nowhere a white icy blob of a thing came out of the sky, and bounced once on Prince's head before flying at Sapphire. It glowed blue and jumped in the air with little wings. "Pikuno! where have you been? I haven't seen you in a long time little marshmallow!" She was about to touch it, when it multiplied, became two, then four, then eight, then sixteen...then thirty two!. Thirty two of them bouncing, saying Piku.

Sapphire finally turned back to look at Prince, sixty eyes staring at him. Little marshmallow creatures bouncing around happily. "Do you want one? They are quite lovable. I made them... I inherited some creation powers from my father... Armand Rose... created a species of elemental elves... etc. These are my creations... aren't they cute?" What was wrong with Sapphire!?!?! She had just been thrown across the room, face smashed, now that lady wanted to try having some fun. Sapphire shook her head. "I was just curious as to your whole plan... everyone should have some plan of what to do after they complete their goal." She stood up straight, her now 6'5" alien looking form stretched, the pikuno's around her. "Now I just have one more question to ask you."

She paused for dramatic effect... like that was really needed. "Did you kill my sister Herdomine?" It all depended on this answer for her rage. If he said yes she wouldn't stop her attacks, and if there was a general 'no' then she would leave and find her. She may have been foolhardy, and headstrong, but she wasn't stupid. Even though she was fourteen, she had been part of an ancient being for a while. But right now, all that mattered to her was her sister. Her Gryffindor sister, gothic Herdomine with tears of blood and a sad song. If I live through this I will ask her if she wants to go to Scotland with me, and she can do whatever she wants, and relax, and be at peace away from school. "So that's several questions; what comes after your goal is achieved? Did you kill Herdomine? and, do you want a Pikuno?"

Sapphire could be very odd sometimes indeed, and she was going to be paying later for that huge healing spell she had used.

~~~

Sapphire, Sapphire, tut tut tut.

If you were watching Gem you couldn't have told what she doing, only that she wasn't quite conscience.

If Herdomine is dead, you want to destroy yourself in revenge. Why should he kill you when that's what you want. It takes all the fun out it.

She showed a little smile of content as Sapphire stopped still to listen to the echoing voice in her head

And there is no point taking Herdomine to the Scottish countryside. The weather is awful and if she's alive she may want to stay here. Though I can't see why, not much of it will be left by the time he leaves.

~~~

So... are you trying to make me believe I'm insane... make me think this is my own voices inside my head... or just have fun because sorry to dissapoint you Gem... I've already had someone in my head before, and his presence was much louder then yours... especially when he got mad. It is sad though Ms Taurus. What is it that you crave? Power... or are you just trying to make yourself feel stronger by believing that you are the child of legend. Why not Herdomine who is part Draconian, or Ellestril whose family are all in league with Prince? What makes you oh so special? nothing, just the want and the hope... pathetic if you ask me. Just because your own mind and willpower is so weak does not suddenly make you a child of lore... it makes you another plaything for the puppet master to control. Tell me... does it feel good... does it feel grand...

Sapphire smiled, her eyes turning black, her expression suddenly in amusement. This was interesting, it had been a long time since anyone had talked to her inside her mind, it was a good feeling, a welcome feeling. She suddenly grinned and held her hand out at Gem, a crystal of ice forming on the end, pointed at her.

What will you do when he goes to kill you? will you pronounce that you are special... because you gave him the ravenclaw coin... or will you beg and cry like a little groveling worm you acting like now? Oooo ooo oo... pick me pick me... I am a child that comes forth from evil. My parents are evil... oh mommy oh mommy, you are evil... daddy is evil too... so of course I must play the braindead child and follow in their footsteps. Embrace me embrace me... love me love me... be with me be with me... I want the power... I want the glory. Pathetic. Just another mindless droid, sad really.

She let the ice crystal go, shooting off at Gem, missing her on purpose. She tilted her head and laughed, a cruel laugh that could have made its mark in evil in years to come. She held out her hand as if examining her fingers, now nails and tapped them in the air.

Are you willing to die for Prince... quite ugly isn't he? And rude, and just powerful because he has a scary wand. Are you having the fun like you wanted to have by coming into my mind? Maybe you would like to read some Emily Dickinson while you are in here... I have some great Poe stories stored back there as well. Enjoy.

Gem's plan to have fun with Sapphire's mind failed, as she seemed completly comfortable with another person in her mind, there was the space that Blitz had used for residence still open so Gem could make a nice little home for her. She wondered if anything she just said would make such a puppet think, or was her mind gone?

~~~

He had been on the point of holding out The Black Wand to her, but then the rude thing had drawn her attention away. It was an exceedingly ugly thing too. Daiva had never been a fan of the fang look, prefering pristine beauty to ugly terror as a way to getting what she wanted.

And what was it on about anyway? Who cared who was dead and who was not? It was so entirely irrelevant. And those ludicrous questions about power. the child thing was obviously a little slow in the head. The point was to have power and when you had it, well the point was then to have more of it. To win. To conquer. To rule. The power and the glory.

Daiva pouted and then grinned. What a wonderful idea.

She flicked her wand round with her trademark faster than lightning leap into her hand, that had caught Ministry officials themselves offguard in previous years.

"Imperio!" she commanded hitting Sapphire squarely in the body.

She saw the body jerk and slowly keeping her wand raised she pulled and twisted, pulling her mind under her control. It was, if anything, the spell in which she excelled. Several high ranking members of the wizarding community had been operating under it for years, without any suspicion that they were doing so. There was no way a child, younger even than her own daughter, could in any way resist an Unforgivable curse cast by Daiva Danuliete.

"Now," she said, tucking one arm into JP's and keeping hold of Brooke by the other.

"Now," you will get down on the floor and apologise for your disrespect. Grovel. Go on! Do it!"

Daiva smiled happily and twirled a piece of hair in her long fragile fingers.

~~~

She was lying on the ground, looking through pieces of her dark silver blue hair, the brass colored eyebrow piecing catching the light above her eyes. The headache surronded her mind as she stood up, not completly aware of what just happened, she had never been under the Impervius curse either. But glancing at the group and fearing the worst she opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She hadn't been given permission to speak. yet. Instead as Daiva spoke that order Sapphire felt like scoffing. No way she was going to do that, she wasn't insane enough to grovel at the feet of Prince. But by the time she had decided this her mouth was already forming words. "I apologize for my disrespect Prince." She was on one knee before him, and felt like spitting until she realized the truth. This was worse then death, worse then anything she could ever imagine. Somehow Daive had found the only way that Sapphire was going to be in hatred existence and turmoil.

Being under control was something that terrified her the most, more then spiders even, and nothing scared her more then spiders... her eyes showed the terror that her dead grovelling apologetic voice didn't.

She hadn't wanted to die, but would have accepted it, this... this... was the ultimate punishment for her, to not have any control over herself. She wanted anything else then this. "I'm sorry, my groveling will in no means make up for the disrespect I have shown you. I'm under you rule, and my own means come after yours as always." NO!!! Please god no!!! Anything but this! Say something! Get away! Not this not this not this!!! No no no! Anyone help me... please... oh lords! Anything but this... I would rather be dead, I would rather have anything then this!!! If I can get to my other potions... even the one in the middle of the room... get them to drink it... then I can make an escape. If she drank the one in the middle of the room would her mind change... would the curse change? Just have to get to it She must have had a little leadway as her head looked up and to the potion, maybe Daiva would see her gaze and Sapphire could pretend that it was very important and trick her to drink it... that was... if she wasn't under the curse. my life is over... I... this is wrong! This was pure undilluted terrifying for her... they were evil... all of them.

~~~

As Sapphire groveled, Prince watched. Written in between the lines of her actions and words was the bearing of pride. She hated herself as she spoke, understood what she did as she did it, and was powerless to stop it. Self-loathing filled her, he guessed. What could increase that, what could provide her with torture the rest of her pitiful life? What could override the pride she had?

"Have her kill, Daiva." He said suddenly, "If she is so eager for blood. Pick a victim, and have her kill." He grinned wolfishly, holding the Black Wand tight.

~~~

There was plenty of potential. Despite the evacuation that was going on many pitiful children still lay huddled in clusters behind unsubstantial barriers of tables and benches toppled on their sides. Yet there was no obvious target... until that moment.

Then she saw her. An elderly woman, stooping down slightly among the tables. She moved slowly, even such a pathetic creature as the ugly thing which grovelled at JP's feet could not miss her - especially when she had commanded her to do so. Daiva smiled again. Oh she was having such fun today. She was really glad they had come to this theme park of pleasure. It had really been such a good trip out.

She lifted her wand and the creature's head rose with it.

"Kill her. Do it now. Let there be no hesitation!" Daiva commanded in a voice which bore no room for objection.

She pointed at the old school medic. She pointed at Eugene Connor.

~~~

Of course, Echo had not used her mental gifts since her third year, and when she had, it was weak. As far as she was concerned, they could be gone altogether. But it was worth a try.

Echo took a deep breath and focused, sending energy rushing to her head. Beads of sweat began to form on her forehead. Normally, this would be much easier. Come on, Echo, what's your problem? she thought to herself. Finally, she wrenched her eyes shut and broke through.

Sapphire! The second voice echoed faintly through the girl's head. Listen and trust me. Your sister is still alive. Don't do this. Try and fight it. Plea- The voice broke off and Echo finally breathed again. Her hand rested over her ribs to see if her lungs would collapse. "That's all I can do for now," she hissed quietly.

~~~

"What shall I do?" she asked tonelessly in the general direction of her mother and the man whom she could not yet bring herself to address directly.

~~~

"We can not be fought. We can not be defeated. You are a Danuliete, Brooke. This is your future." He swept his arm in a wide motion to emcompass the room.

"You can not escape it."

~~~

It was those words that Sapphire reached into her pocket and pulled out a black bottle, tipping it back and forth, she was grinning like a maniac by now, moving her wings as she moved, the scars over her eyes bleeding a little bit... the only part of her mashed up face that she wasn't able to heal. As she got to Connor she kicked the elder lady, putting on a semi act to make it look as if she was all mean and evil and following gruesome orders, though that was not the case. It was silly for Echo to try and stop her, Sapphire had never been under this curse, she had had no practise in it, and she didn't know how to fight it or stop it. Except for what she was doing right now. She would kill Medic Connor, that was for sure, just in the easiest way possible... she wasn't that weak minded that she suddenly turned evil and wrong in the process. Instead she leaned down to Medic Connor, raising her claws and pressing it against the throat. "Grandmother... you have lived your life... it is time to meet your end."

With that Sapphire uncorked the botttle and tipped it slightly, opening Medic Connor's mouth with abnormal strength. She knew that Eugene would understand what this was, it was death in a bottle, a sleep of death. It would kill her quickly and painlessly. She pressed the bottle against her lips and tipped it a little more so that the black liquid could flow into the elders mouth. "Death is only the beginning of a great journey." One of the icy steel wings fell off and floated down as Sapphire tipped the rest of the liquid into Eugene's mouth. Nothing violent of a sort... .wouldn't Daiva be sad... especially at Sapphire's objection to violence even though she had the claws to do so. She stood back up and tossed the bottle away, it smashing on the ground. "She is dead Mistress." Sapphire spun around and bowed down on one knee, her wings lying flat on her back, the tips on the ground behind. A smile of pride of resistence on her face. "It was done quickly and she will not awake. I have done your comands of me." Now it was back to the screaming and bitter refusal to believe that she was under control, and the guilt that suddenly swarmed he body... not believing she just killed someone. It was then she tried to start fighting the curse and pushed back a bit. She bit her lip, trying to wake her up... but it felt so right and good to follow orders and so wrong to disobey. She wanted to obey... but she didn't want to obey. It was no use... she just killed... there was no going back... and her soul was heavy, her pride rageful and her heart breaking.

~~~

Such a quaint child, with his notions of this and that, and his predictions of her death. Connor had lived through plenty by now, Prince scared her, but she wasn't terrified. Mostly she was angry and frantic as more died. How dare he take the lives of little Jims and Jeffs, of other children somebody love? He was a monster, an abomination, and he deserved to be handed twice over what he dealt out. Yet now that could not happen. He had the wand. Everyone had to get out of Hogwarts. Now.

Stooped, she crossed the Great Hall to get a lost looking first year. She was an obvious target in her Medic's robes. Once they had been white, though blood stains and grime covered them now. Her white hair, thick as a Unicorn's mane, was braided and wrapped into a bun at the nape of her neck. Blue eyes shone dark in her lined face, and her hands were bony and wrinkled. Medic Connor was indeed old.

Sudden intuition caused her to turn, and though she pulled her wand, it was too late. Something had her, was forcing her down, and her struggles were not enough. Though a vibrant woman, she could not match the stength of the giant that held her now, its wings askew. One of Prince's, no doubt, but looking up she gasped. It was a student, a student doing his bidding as she forced open Connor's mouth and poured a death draught in. Medic Eugene Connor recognized it immediantly, appreciating the skill that went into brewing it even as she died.

Hazy thoughts drifted across her mind in the thirty second before her lungs stopped pumping air and her heart froze. Thoughts of her home, with cookies baking in the oven, or a Turkey for Thanksgiving. Thoughts of her family, the many generations that traced themselves to her. Outings in the countryside, picnics by the Beach. All of the happy things she remembered came bubbling up, replacing the fear and heartache of the night. Thoughts of her husband, long since in the grave, and thoughts of her younger days. Gaity galore, parties...

Let them be all right. She thought slowly as her brain shut down, unable to defy the effects of the poison. Even now, she placed others before she placed herself. After a long full life, this was not such a bad way to end for her.

Let... them... be... all...

The them of her last thought was of course, the children. Though she loved Jim and Jeff dearly, with all her being, they were not the ones that so desperatly needed her prayers tonight. Instead she prayed for Hogwarts, for first and foremost she had always been a Medic, and always looked after people.

Her hand slowly unclenched the wand she held, its grip loosening forevermore. Mist shrouded her eyes, and her head lolled to one side, blood dotting her lips where the bottle had been forced into her mouth. Thus, under the night sky and admist all the anguish, Medic Connor died.

~~~

Then there was Brooke. Stuck between a rock and a hard place. Trying to decide if blood was thicker than water. Ready to join Prince and her mother.

It was then that Serenity felt a curious fatigue spread over her, making her limbs feel heavy and her head light. Blue, slightly out of focus, eyes turned on Prince. Was he doing this as part of his control over her or was this a side effect of being awake for more than fourty-eight hours straight?

She screwed her eyes shut, trying to collect her thoughts. Opening them, she looked right at Brooke. Her oldest friend, the two of them had met on the train on the way to Hogwarts.

"Don't do this, Brooke," she said imploringly. "You're not just a Danuliete - you're a de Black as well. Surely that must count for something?"