incendio; tom riddle

prologue

It was a dark and dreary night in London, with gloom hanging in the air. Rain was pouring down from the skies and darkness swallowed nearly everything in sight. Most people wouldn't notice the street lights flickering on and off in front of London's largest department store. And only some select people would hear the screams that filled the department store.

About three blocks away, towered a man that walked with a purposeful gait. He nearly blended in with the shadows as he strode towards the department store, only raising an eyebrow when the shrieks flooded his ears. He seemed irritated when he heard the shouts, clenching his fists tightly. Even though the department store was closed, he managed to disappear straight in.

Inside the department store, the screams stopped and the cries of an infant could be heard. The peace vanished in another instant as the screams started again. Irma Black, laid at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries exhausted as she pushed her second baby out.

"Mrs. Black, you're almost there, just a little bit more. I can already see a beautiful baby. Merlin, that is one beautiful baby. Okay, okay, there we go!" Healer Vanoss handed two bundles, one baby blue and one pink to Irma Black, who looked at her children with a cold expression.

"They took too much time. How can these children possibly serve our purpose. Disgraces." Irma Black sneered at her children. "Take them out of my sight. Have them prepared to leave in the morning."

Healer Vanoss exited the room cradling the two beauties, both with dark hair and aristocratic features, sleeping soundly away.

"Even if your mum doesn't adore you two,-"

"Children of the Black family do not get adored. Do not coddle them or they shall never achieve my goals. Hand over my children, and tend to my wife. We leave in the morning." Pollux Black towered over the Healer, who quickly handed over the two bundles and hastened away.

He glanced down at the baby boy and let a small smile grace his face, "I'll name you Alphard, and may you stand by our family solid and strong." Curling his lip at the baby girl with distaste he warned, "And you shall be Celeste Black, gracing our family into the celestial heavens. Never forget, Toujours Pur."