SHADOWS OF SORROW [S.S]

31 - In the Shadow of the Dark Sky

Whatver was in the air made this year's Christmas flair almost non-existent. They would celebrate the holiday in three days and yet it felt like Christmas wasn't due for another two months. It was storming all over the Highlands and Hogwarts Valley, the Black Lake was flooding the beaches around the castle and the sun didn't cross their path for a whole week by now, the sky always crowded with dark clouds and fog in the early mornings. The atmosphere was straining, and the air smelled of tension. The kind of tension, where it was clear to Amaya that her time slowly ran out. As she was pacing up and down in front of Ollivander's counter, her eyes narrowed as she analyzed the streets of Hogsmeade and the sky above multiple times, fearing someone might walk in and see what the wizard in the back was working on. Using the Ancient Magic Artefacts Amaya got from each of the Keepers Pensives, Olivander was trying to craft a wand, of single purpose, which would allow the witch to enter the cavern beneath Hogwarts where Isidora's repository laid. Where Ranrok was heading soon enough.

Amaya kneaded her hands in discomfort as she watched the rain drip from the ledge, into puddles on the stone pathway that was arching into a small plaza before the Three Broomsticks. It was unusually quiet in Hogsmeade. Of course it could have been due to the weather or the fact that today was the 21st, close to Christmas, but the way she came to know the village, Hogsmeade never slept and certainly never isolated itself when it came to festivities. With a heavy sigh Amaya folded her hands behind her back and turned away from the window, looking around the shop again like she did the 47 times before. This was where she got her wand, and the memory would probably forever live vividly in the upper levels of her Gringotts mind. One of the happiest and scariest she was able to recall since the school year started. "It's done." The witch didn't realize the ominous sounds of magic and woodcarving had gone silent before the old man stepped to the front of his shop, a green box in his hands, seemingly careful, almost cautious. "I should warn you. I've never seen a wand like this before. My suspicion – as Professor Fig implied in his letter – is that it serves a unique purpose. I doubt you shall find much use for it otherwise."

He opened the box and revealed a wand, Lime Wood, relatively short, probably around 10 1/2 inches, decorated with blue swirls around the wooden shaft that looked identical to the traces of ancient magic she yielded in some Hotspots around the Highlands. Olivander carefully closed the green box as he handed it over to Amaya. "I'm aware. Thank you Sir. I will take good care of your creation." She smiled at the old wizard who nodded at her with a smile in means of a goodbye. The witch left the shop faster than she anticipated, but after pacing in between those small walls, she might have just yearned for some fresh air. The small drops of rain immediately hit her face with a sudden coldness, she couldn't suppress an unpleasant shiver, aiming to look for the next floo flame in Spire Alley, the lights that normally illuminated the entrance to the three Broomsticks suddenly dim, almost lifeless. It was rather scary if Amaya had to be honest. As she looked down Lower High Street, a dark, large figure caught her attention. The robe and the significant hat... Rookwood was strolling her way, a mischievous grin on his face and theatrically swaying from side to side in his light steps as he approached her. Suddenly cautious, Amaya drew her wand, aiming it at the Dark Wizard. If she had to, she would fight her way through to the next floo flame. It wasn't a long way if it came to that.

"I'm afraid you're on your own. I've ensured that we have a moment to ourselves." Rookwood waved his wand like this was a scholar play and not an empty alley in which he was approaching her like some kind of prey. Amaya narrowed her eyes at him, reinforcing her stance, forcing Rookwood to halt in his stroll. "Come, come. No need for such theatrics." The witch scoffed at him. He was acting like she was the one putting on an act instead of him. "In light of what Ranrok now knows, you must agree our interests are aligned." He continued to approach her, his eyes fixed upon the two Streets dividing left and right from the Three Broomsticks, leading up to Rivers Edge and Hogsmeade Square. Like he was scared someone might disturb them after all.