Hogwarts: The Blood Mage

Hello everyone! I would appreciate it if you guys could go back to chapters 1, 3, 10, and 15, because I added pictures of many things! If you want to support this story engage with it! Leave a comment, drop a Power Stone, or write a Review!

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The Hemeris became a living shadow, his shape stretching unnaturally as he lunged forward. His claws, larger than Aidan had ever seen in a feline, shone like obsidian. He pounced with impossible speed, jaws wide, wings flaring behind him.

The Empusa twisted, her face contorting from beauty into monstrosity, but the chains slowed her just enough. Morgott failed to slash her, but collided against her body, slamming her through the the door and into the next carriage. The impact had been so strong that the entire carriage had been shaken.

Every sow often, the lights flickered on and off. For a second the trio thought she would have been freed by the clash, but Aidan could feel it —the chains were holding. For now, that was.

Silas had already placed himself in a duel-ready pose, wand raised, eyes flicking between the tangled shadows and the magical chaos. Alva, though pale, hadn't screamed. Her wand was ready, her body tensed like a spring.

"She's not human." She whispered, more to herself than anyone. "What is she?"

Aidan didn't answer —not because he did not want to, but because he could not. He himself did not know what the talking creature was.

Then they heard it laughing, resembling a mad cackling and broken glass being rubbed. It was such a demonic sound it sent chills down their spines. 

"You are lucky, young Lord Haimadros." The woman stated, having calmed down. "I cannot stay much longer... but be sure I will be back... you will never be at peace!" 

And so she disappeared. They trio remained tense for a while, not quite believing she had truly left the train. 

Then, in front of the group, the train started to flicker between the destroyed, cold form they had just been in and the way it had been before. Even the carriage's door seemed to have been fixed —no, it was as if it had never been broken. 

They had been in an illusion the whole time. 

The sudden realisation provoked the teens to look at each other, worry etched in their faces. It was not until Morgott meowed, back to his normal size, that they calmed down. He was reassuring Aidan the creature was truly gone through their empathetic link. Luckily for the group, all the other students in the Prefects' Carriage seemed to have lost consciousness. 

The group moved out of the carriage into an empty compartment, this time leaving between them a pregnant silence, full of unasked questions. The first one to recover his composure was Silas, who had no better idea than to ask about the one other surprising thing that had happened —but had not tried to kill them.

"So... you gonna tell us what that cat is?" Silas asked while looking at Morgott, who decided to remain out of Aidan's shadow since he had already been seen by the other two. 

"Sigh... He is Morgott." Aidan answered before sighing once again and deciding to provide just enough information. "He is a Hemeris, an ancient guardian creature linked to House Haimadros."

"He spends most of his time in my shadow when we're in public spaces." Aidan commented, noticing their questioning gazes. "But he comes out when people already know him. The only others who've seen him are my parents —and Mr Ollivander."

"How come Mr Ollivander knows him?" Silas asked before Alva could even form the first syllable of her own question.

Aidan sighed softly. Since he had no intention of Obliviating Alva —and she did not seem to be the type to gossip —he decided to explain a little more. He once again took out his wand, which he had tucked inside his sleeve, and held it out for them to see.

"You've probably realised this isn't my usual wand, Silas." Aidan said, watching his friend's reaction carefully. Then he looked over at Alva. "When I claimed my inheritance and officially became Lord Haimadros, my magic went through some kind of... reawakening."

"Your old wand couldn't keep up with you anymore." Alva said, understanding the situation far too quickly.

"Yes… indeed." Aidan replied, his sharp eyes lingering on her face for a fraction longer than usual. "Anyway, my new wand is made with a Hemeris feather as its core."

There was a moment of stunned silence before he cut it short.

"Now, I'm sorry, but the Q&A's over." Aidan added, tone cool and final. "We were just attacked. I'm tired. You're probably tired too."

"I'm going to get some sleep." He didn't give them a chance to respond, curling up in his seat and closing his eyes, leaving the questions —and answers— to wait.

*

The train had already stopped when Aidan was woken up, someone gently shaking his shoulder. Blinking the sleep from his eyes, he looked up to find Alva staring down at him, a displeased expression clouding her otherwise elegant features. Her pale skin, prominent cheekbones, and soft symmetry formed a kind of effortless beauty that rivalled the manufactured harmony of magazine models. Cascading black hair —interrupted only by a striking white strand that framed her face— fell over her shoulder, drawing more attention to her vivid, bright blue eyes.

For a moment, Aidan could do nothing but stare, speechless.

Then, realising himself, he stretched and let out a loud, theatrical yawn —as if he hadn't just been caught gawking. Silas was nowhere to be seen.

"Yawn... what hath thee in such a foul mood, fair lady?" he asked, tone playful as he adopted the exaggerated speech of a bygone noble.

"It is thine lack of honesty, my valiant knight." Alva replied in kind, an amused smile tugging at her lips. "That fouls my mood and saddens my heart."

"Sigh... I will give answers at some point, Alva." Aidan said, running a hand through his hair. "But you should first ask yourself... do I owe you any answers?" 

He was realising that being secretive wasn't easy —and he certainly didn't like it. He was no saint, he knew that much. But he didn't enjoy lying to people so blatantly, and especially not to those who seemed honest in return.

Upon hearing his words, Alva had gone quiet. She looked at him, a flicker of guilt in her eyes, and muttered a very small 'Sorry' before slipping out of the compartment.

Once alone, Aidan put on his robes and reached for his trunk, which had somehow been brought to the compartment. Before stepping out, he glanced at his shadow —Morgott's presence still faintly pulsing within.

"She's so beautiful." Aidan muttered under his breath. "I wouldn't mind spending more time with her."