the one who howled across the darkness

the gathering storm

Chapter 1: The Gathering Storm
The sky above London was a muted gray, heavy with the promise of rain. Harriet stood
on the precipice of the Celestial Sanctuary, looking down upon the mortal world with a
mix of longing and trepidation. The peace she had found in the sanctuary was a
temporary reprieve, she knew it. The real struggle lay ahead, in the world below, where
darkness had begun to stir once more. She could feel it, deep inside her stomach, a
darkness she had briefly felt before, lurking nearby.
Michael, his presence a steady beacon of light and authority, stood beside her. His
wings, folded neatly behind him, shimmered faintly, the only sign of his immense
power. "You've felt it too, haven't you?" His voice was calm, but Harriet could sense the
tension beneath his words.
Michael had become the lighthouse in the middle of Harriet's storms.
Harriet nodded, her green eyes narrowing as she scanned the familiar streets of
London. "Yes. It's like a storm gathering on the horizon. The world is on edge, waiting for
something to happen."
Gabriel, ever the voice of calm and reason, approached them. His eyes, sharp and
discerning, seemed to see beyond the physical, into the very heart of the conflict that
was brewing. "It's not just a feeling. There's a tangible darkness spreading, subtle but
insidious. And at its center are two beings who are far more dangerous than any wizard
or mortal."
"Lucifer and Alastor," Harriet said, her voice steady despite the unease that gnawed at
her. "They're the ones behind this, aren't they?"
She had known it instantly, everyone's power had a particular smell, a trace left behind
in the air. Those two sources of power, ever so different, were unmistakable, even for
someone who had lived most of her life in the mortal world

Michael's expression darkened. "Yes. Lucifer has always been a threat, but Alastor...
he's different. He thrives on chaos and despair, twisting the very fabric of reality to suit
his whims. Together, they're a force that could tip the balance of the world if left
unchecked."
Harriet clenched her fists, feeling the power of her celestial heritage thrumming just
beneath her skin. "Then we have to stop them. We can't let them destroy everything."
Michael placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We will stop them, Harriet. But we
must be careful. Lucifer is a master of deception, and Alastor... he's unpredictable.
They'll use every trick, every weakness against us."
Harriet turned away from the edge of the Sanctuary, determination hardening her
resolve. The battles she had fought before—against Voldemort, against the forces of
darkness—had prepared her for this moment. But this was different. This was a battle
not just for the survival of the mortal world, but for the very soul of existence itself.
For all her determination, Harriet had to admit, even if just to herself, she was terrified.
Chapter 2: Whispers of the Past
The streets of London bustled with life, but Harriet could feel the undercurrent of
tension that ran beneath the surface. The people moved about their lives, unaware of
the growing shadows that threatened to engulf them. Harriet walked among them, her
senses attuned to the smallest disturbances, the faintest whispers of trouble.
Emily walked beside her, her sister's presence a comforting blanket around her. Emily's
usual playful demeanor was subdued, replaced by a wary vigilance. "It's like the city
itself is holding its breath," she murmured, her eyes darting to the shadows that
seemed to stretch a little too far, linger a little too long.

Harriet nodded, her hand instinctively brushing against her wand. "Lucifer and Alastor's
influence is growing. It's subtle, but it's there. People are starting to act differently—
more fearful, more aggressive. They're being manipulated, turned against each other."
Emily sighed; her usual lightheartedness dimmed by the gravity of the situation. "And
we can't just charge in and blast the darkness away. We have to be smart about this.
Lucifer is too powerful to confront directly, and Alastor... he's a wild card. His power
lies in manipulation, in turning the very fabric of reality against us."
They turned a corner and found themselves in a quieter part of the city, where the air
seemed thicker, more oppressive. Harriet could feel it now, the presence of something
malevolent, lurking just out of sight.
"They're here," Harriet whispered, her senses tingling with the awareness of
approaching danger.
Before Emily could respond, the air around them grew colder, and a figure stepped out
of the shadows. He was tall, dressed in a sharp red suit that seemed to absorb the light
around him. His smile was wide and unsettling, a grin that held no warmth, only the
promise of something twisted and unsettling.
"Ah, Harriet Potter," Alastor, the Radio Demon, greeted her with a mock bow, his voice
smooth and dripping with insincerity. "What a pleasure to finally make your
acquaintance, formally I mean. I've been looking forward to this, my dear."
Emily's eyes narrowed, and her hands glowed with celestial energy as she stepped
forward, ready to strike. "Stay back, Alastor. We don't know exactly what you're
planning, but you can be sure that we won't let you corrupt this world."
Alastor chuckled, the sound echoing unnaturally through the empty street. "Corrupt?
My dear, I'm not here to corrupt. I'm here to... entertain. To bring a little excitement to
this dreary world. And you, Harriet, you're the star of the show. Lucifer has taken quite
an interest in you. He sees potential in you—potential to be something far more
interesting than a mere mortal or even a child of Heaven."