SHADOWS OF SORROW [S.S]

29 - In the Shadow of Black

[not proofread]

The mentions of shadowy figures and whispered voices, requests, lures can be traced back to the 16th century. They were recorded as a form of insanity by healers of the early times since no one with a clear mind or without any traces of dark magic within them was ever able to confirm the existence of any shadows or voices. Based on the vague explanations from patients in the psych ward at St. Mungo's a supposed folk of creatures, shadows, grants them with unknown magic and access to inexplicable traits such as the immunity to the effects of dark magic and exhaustion within combat. Patients were recorded to have the ability of casting multiple Unforgivable curses in a row without any lingering effects on their physical health or magic which to this day is a mystery to the healers and attendants supervising such patients. The first witch to show mentioned signs of being involved with the shadow folk can be traced back to 1675, transferred from France to undertake questioning and analysis. Records of her state show an inexplicable amount of dark brain activity, swallowing and shadowing the parts of her mind that are responsible for her magic and emotions. The possibility of Occlumency was taken into account but never proven to be the source of such brain activity. Later subjects to arrive at St. Mungo's with similar symptoms were recorded to speak of the shadows as a higher realm, supervising the wizarding folk and their ability to serve them in exchange for their powers. A sort of hierarchy within the Shadow folk is not proven to be present and was never confirmed by any patients. The life expectancy of the subjects was captured to be an interval of 30 to 40 years which is drastically low for wizards and witches. [...]

Amaya snapped the book shut as Poppy was shaking her by her shoulders like a maniac. "Hello? Did you lose your marbles? I've been asking you to accompany me to dinner four times now, by Helga..." The witch slowly eased her rather harsh grip as her eyes assessed the book. Creatures and Myths through the centuries. "What's that for? Divination? Did you see something ominous in your tea leaves?" Poppy proceeded to lean onto the desk Amaya was sitting at since the early hours of the morning, continuing her studies for the N.E.W.T's with her friends as well as assessing some books of her own interest. But after such a big amount of time and the Slytherin seemingly getting caught up in her research too much, her friends lost their patience and left without her. They studied together in the library under the glass ceiling, the complex illuminated by light the last time she looked up. Now there was only darkness, the flames of candles the only source of light, flickering and casting shadows everywhere. "No, it's for... A private project. With professor Fig. Don't mind it. Let's fetch some food." Amaya scrambled her hands over the table in hurry as she stood up, gathering all of her books and notes to stuff them carelessly into her robe pocket. "Sounds intriguing. Do you get extra credit for it?" Poppy took Amaya's arm as they made their way up the stairs and out into the night. It smelled like rain which was absurd considering it was winter. For some reason the temperature has been leveling itself at a constant mild feeling and every single time clouds made their way through the sky, heavy with water and dark, rumbling, they only rained down on the castle. The snow that has been decorating Hogwarts roofs, courts and towers was washed away entirely, leaving the whole student body to think they took a step back into autumn. "Sadly not. I'm researching something of my own interest and Fig was nice and gallant enough to offer his help since he is somewhat my mentor."

As they made their way over the stone bridge, 4 posts with raging flames the only source of light, Poppy sighed in defeat, detangling her arm from Amaya's. "What's wrong?" They halted and the Slytherin crossed her arms over her torso, closing her robe as a shield against the cold because even though it wasn't freezing enough for snow, it was still cold enough to make Amaya shiver. "I'm not supposed to tell you this because Ade entrusted me with it but... It bothers me a lot especially since she made me aware of it. You know- Cressida does sometimes behave rather strangely, doesn't she? Especially with you Slytherins around?" Amaya furrowed her brows for a second, weighing the options and odds for some thought that crossed her mind. "Does she think we believe in pure-blood supremacy? By Merlin we don't!" - "No, no! That's not it..." Poppy let out another frustrated sigh, leveling her eyes with the illuminated windows of the Great Hall to their right. The chatter in the distance was almost not audible and a few crows made noises in the back as they leaned upon the stone railing. "Cressida has a crush on Riva." - "No shit." Amaya snorted as Poppy looked at her in confusion, hitting the Slytherin as she just kept on giggling to herself. "How would you know that?" - "Well, for one, I'm not blind. And also, Cressida makes it absolutely obvious every time Riva leaves the room. I realized the moment before we left my dorm to go to the Founders Ball. Took me a little while, I have to admit that much." Amaya had a feeling this conversation was going to take a while, searching her robe pocket for that pack of cigarettes she got from Garrett at the Common Room Party in defeat. As she lifted it to her lips, Poppy was quick to raise her wand with a small flame, helping the Slytherin out. "You know... I'm surprised Riva hasn't caught on yet. Or Gar- No. Scrap that. Garrett would never notice." Amaya laughed at that, fumbling with the glowing cigarette as some ashes from its tip dropped into the dark nothingness beneath them.