My vote is for 7 Hermione Grainger new novels from J K Rowling - Not 7 More Harry Potters

[Daniel Thomas Andrew Daly]

It's time for something new. 7 New Hermione Grainger novels from J K Rowling, followed by 7 Ron Weasely novels would be a far better idea for J K Rowling to pursue.

Here are some suggested titles for Ms Rowling to consider:

Hermione Grainger and the Flawed Diviner
Hermione Grainger and the Centred Centaur
Hermione Grainger and the Wisdom of Dumbledore
Hermione Grainger and the Hogwarts Underworld
Hermione Grainger and the Hidden Spellbook
Hermione Grainger and the League of Shadows
Hermione Grainger and the Final Conflict




Danny Daly
http://noahidebooks.angelfire.com
http://jkrowling.angelfire.com

[Daniel Thomas Andrew Daly]

Dark Love



(A Short Vampire Story dedicated to Stephenie Meyer - Author of the 'Twilight' Series)



Kardos. A most unusual vampire. Young, naïve, but full of spunk. His trial should be interesting.



* * *



The Hunt was on. Kardos ran through the mansion's extensive grounds, his senses keenly aware of the fresh blood. The blood which was pouring forth from a neck, a beautiful neck, of a specially chosen virgin maiden. He would feed well soon enough.



He came to a clearing, and sniffed the air. The child was close, and suddenly, just over by a thicket, she betrayed herself. Time for his meal.



She looked up at him, the fear on her face suddenly frozen in his mind, and suddenly he noticed her. Her dark, raven hair. He bloodred lips. Her shockingly beautiful face and physique. And the terror in her eyes - eyes gleaming at being confronted by the horror of a vampire. She was still clutching her neck in a vain attempt to prevent the bleeding his master had seen to. A small cut, but enough to bleed for the moment's necessary enough for the chase. Kardos knew his master was watching. He knew it, every time he was. Every time. Was this a trial? Was this a test? Did his master know what this girl would do to him?



He looked at her, and his new DNA, genes which had changed and metamorphasized since becoming Vampiric, had their desired impact and a resonance came forth from his bloodsoul connecting to the young virgin. She was of a human clan which carried the bloodtype necessary for mating. Perfect mating. Yet, not of Vampire. For if she became Vampire she would die. Nay, while the offspring would indeed be Vampiric, she herself could only remain human.



He was thirsty. He needed to feed. But the beauty and temptation was too much. He looked silently around him, gathered her in his arms, and fled the mansion grounds.



Escaping to Validya's abode, just across the meadow, he spoke with her and she gave him the keys to her wagon.



And he left the valley of 'Darkthorn', leaving it for he knew not how long, leaving it with his new bride and his new love. And if Darkthorn tried to claim his soul again, well he would allow, but would not suffer the capture of his bride. For he would have seed, once denied him, but now miraculously available once more. And Darkthorn would see hell before Kardos would give this child back to him.



* * *



Darkthorn smiled, seated on his throne. Kardos had acted predictably. But he was young, naïve, taking a mate simply because it was available. Naturally, he would not have denied the young lord's desires for this bride, but running from his master taught him much. Still, he could retrieve Kardos when he needed to. He knew his scent. Best to let him have his fun and family with his new woman. Best to let him have that for now. He would retrieve him soon enough, and continue with his dark, deadly, agenda.



THE END







Dark Love II: A Death at Twilight



'Kristen. My name is Kristen.'

Kardos nodded. She was awake now, having recovered from her fainting. They were miles away now, from Darkthorn. Lost in the wilderness, just as the day had ended. The Hunt had begun as soon as the sun had set, and the Twilight hour had been born. And now, 30 minutes into Twilight, darkness was gradually encroaching upon the land.



Suddenly a car jerked out in front of them, and a figure climbed out the driver's window of the car. He was dressed in black, laughing madly and began shooting at them.



'Fuck,' said Kardos. 'Myantea is having games.'

'Who is Myantea?' asked Kristen, now hiding down out of sight.

'Someone you don't want to know. Helgard is with him, driving by the looks of it. It looks as if Darkthorn sent him.'

Kristen nodded. She knew who Darkthorn was. She knew that one too well.



'Hold on,' yelled Kardos.



The wagon swerved out, and Kardos pushed the lever to the maximum. It burned power and quickly overtook the sedan. As they passed them, Myantea grinned madly and pointed the gun right at Kardos. 'Are you ready to die?' he yelled at Kardos. Kardos wasn't. He pulled out a gun from his overcoat, pointed it at Myantea, and pulled the trigger. The silver bullet hit Myantea in the eye, and penetrated the brain, blood spurting all over the window of the pursuing sedan as it stopped its chase.



200 yards down the road they pulled up and looked behind them. Helgard had dragged Myantea's body out of the sedan to the side of the road and was frantically attending to him. But it was too late. As they looked on Helgard gave a howl and they both knew Myantea was dead. And then Helgard looked at them, stood and started running towards them, but they got back into the wagon and sped away.



Kristen looked back, and then turned to Kardos. 'You killed him, didn't you?'

'For a while only. Only for a while. You don't kill a vampire that easily. But he will be dead for a few months as his body recovers.'

'And then?' she said.

'He will probably be pissed off. So we will have to hide well.'

She nodded.

'Back at the mansion. Why didn't you take my blood. I thought that is what you were going to do.'

He looked at her, looked at her beautiful looks, and responded. 'I have my reasons.'

Again she nodded, turned behind her to see if the sedan was following, and, her energy having been on high for so long, asked if she could get in the back of the wagon to sleep. Kardos nodded.



As they drove Kardos knew the brothers would find them, eventually. Helgard and Myantea were like that - they had a demented sense of humour. But they were Darkthorn's pawns, and he was only intending to keep tabs on Kardos. He knew that. His father had known that. And his mother too. But that was what it was like serving Darkthorn. He had you were he wanted you, and no matter were you ran, the world was no hiding place.



But he was free for now, and thinking about the bride he had claimed, he was happy enough.



He had his plans, Darkthorn had his own evil agenda, and hopefully the two could be reconciled. Or, just perhaps, he would die trying. Only time would tell.



The End





Dark Love III: Magician's Gambit



'Dear Beleriand. Dear, dear Beleriand. Whatever shall we do? I do believe the game looks well beyond even the most cunning Gambit's of the master of Magicians.'

Beleriand, dressed in crimson robes, decorated with demons and angels at war with each other, smiled fondly at Darkthorn's oh so familiar charm.

'Kadros. He has taken the virgin, has he not?'

Darkthorn nodded.

'They are compatible, Darkthorn. I presume you knew this.'

Darkthorn smiled at Beleriand, yet did not comment.

'Then this is my cunning Gambit, if you will dear Darkthorn. Let us enter a wager. And I will place 'Goldenhorn' as the prize versus your delightful 'Brightfire'.

'What, my magnificent mansion against your hovel of an abode.'

Beleriand smiled. 'Yet, that is my offering for the wager.'

Darkthorn nodded. In truth, Goldenhorn was a magnificent abode.

'And the wager, dear Beleriand?'

'A testing. An ancient testing. The oldest in fact, sealed in the bloodlines of all of Adam and Eve's children. The one which is the making of them.'

'Mmmm. Love,' said Darkthorn.

'Yet, Dark Love, dear friend,' replied Beleriand. 'Of good and evil, light and shadow.

'And how shall we know of the outcome?'

'You provide the vixen, Darkthorn. And she shall tell of the love which comes forth between the two of them. And I, well I know of an old angel. Still fallen in many ways, but he will preserve the love between the two of them. Should he prove successful, and their love triumph on that day, then Brightfire is mine.'

Darkthorn nodded, and returned his gaze to the chess set.

'It is an interesting Gambit, dear Beleriand. You will lose.'

'We shall see, dear friend. We shall see.'



The End



Dark Love IV: Jovius' Wicked Sense of Humour



'Sure Beleriand, I can take the assignment. Hey, what do you get if you run over a duck? Blood and Feathers.' Beleriand nodded. That was Jovius. Full of dark humour. But he was an angel, in the end, on the dark side of the light side. There was no changing that.

'Love must triumph, Jovius. My abode is on the line.'

'12 Golden Sovereigns. You know, the type the Leprechaun keeps. That is my fee.'

Beleriand nodded. Jovius liked those particular Sovereigns. 'You will have your sovereigns. But remember, Darkthorn will likely unleash Jezebel on the two of them. And that old witch has a thing for young flesh like Kadros. She will devour him if she can.'

'Jezebel has always been like that. A queen after as much lusty flesh as she can get.'

'But remember, she has her charms. She always has. Kadros doesn't know of her, I would imagine. She has been reclusive for centuries now, since the death of Stalrod. She loved him much, and mourns him still. But she has numerous life debts to Darkthorn, and I doubt he will choose another vixen.'

'Don't sweat it. Hey, what do you get if you give cigarettes to a teenager? Friends for life.'

Beleriand nodded. It was typical Jovius sarcasm, and usually quite bad at that.



As Beleriand left purgatory, Jovius took another hit of gin from the bottle he was drinking. He looked at the bartender, Marni Bonniker, who he had been trying to get into the pants of for several decades, thought over a pickup line, but thought better of it. He had several Sovereigns now, and was anxious to work on his collection. Time to find this Kadros. Time to earn his keep.



The End







Dark Love V: 'Celestevere'



'What is this place?' asked Kristen. 'It is so. So........'

'I know,' responded Kadros. 'It's ancient, ok. From a world before Christ. From a time of the ancients, when dragon's roamed the earth. My grandfather says there dwells a dragon still, down in the depths of the cavern beneath this place. I doubted him for many years, but the things I have seen in this life now. It might be there. This place is called 'Celestevere'. It is a haunting place. A place of darkness and dark magic. A place known to us of the underworld. These upper levels are uninhabited, which is why all the cobwebs. But we will find life further down. Down in the depths, were other vampires and werewolves and zombies and ghouls all dwell. We don't use this upper entrance here that much. There are - other - ways of getting into Celestevere. But I have no choice with a human.'



Kristen looked at him, seriously. 'Why am I with you, Kadros? What do you want from me?'

He looked at her, thought on answering, but remained silent.

'Come on. Follow me. Lower down we will book into an inn, and hide there for now. I have enough finances with me to give us shelter for a while. And then I will decide what we will do.'

'You could, you know, just let me go. I mean, if you don't want me as a vampire, why bother holding me?' He looked at her, looked at her beautiful face, and smiled.

'Perhaps I have - other reasons, Kristen. I might tell you some time.'



He led them onwards, down into the strange ancient world abode, of walls covered in mosaics from ancient cultures, of statues of old world legends, and of carvings and designs from times forgotten to modern man.



The End





Dark Love VI: 'An Intimate Encounter'



As they descended down seemingly endless stairwells, Kristen suddenly noticed they were not alone. Suddenly walking along behind them was a fowl looking creature, all ghostlike and deathly looking. The creature nodded at Kadros as it passed by them and continued on its way downwards.

'That is a ghoul,' said Kadros. There are many down below.'\

As they continued onwards, more and more dark creatures seemed to suddenly be alive in the place, and Kristen held back her fear, knowing that Kadros would protect her.



Soon they came into a very large hallway which opened up into an enormous room, full of all sorts of activity and what appeared ghoulish businesses.



'Celestevere is a city - a city of the dark, Kristen. Typical things for our kind take place here, and we can find shelter. But, be careful. They don't hate humans, but humans are useful, for many reasons, if you know what I mean,' he said, putting his mouth to his wrist to indicate the kinds of use humans would be in such a place. Kristen shuddered, and drew closer to Kadros.



They passed all sorts of fireplaces with ghastly creatures gathered together, and the businesses seemed similar in many ways to human types, but always with a darker edge.

'I suppose we are just like you, in the end,' said Kadros. 'When you fall into the dark, some things still remain the same. Those things which unite good with evil. We still eat. We still sleep. We still do stupid things like read books and watch television. We still have many of the same cravings.'

'But usually with a darker bent, I take it,' she responded, as they passed a fireplace with two ghoulish creatures engaged in a dice game.

'Generally, yes. We Vampires like to claim a degree of civility amongst our kind. The werewolves generally assume they are the superior of the underworld, and we contest with them. Ghouls, goblins, zombies and the other kinds don't really care. I think many of them are beyond caring.'

'And how, how do they get that way?'

'Dark choices in life. They were all human, once. But not everyone chooses the light, Kristen. Not all of us.'

'And you? Did you choose the dark?'

'No,' but he said no more.



Soon they came to a large building which looked like an inn of sorts. Following Kadros, they came to the reception area and a female ghoul greeted them.

'Is this enough?' asked Kadros, placing a silver coin on the desk. The ghoul nodded, handed them a key, and he motioned for Kristen to follow him. As they climbed the creaking stairs, Kristen felt as if the hand of death was upon her in many ways. They were all like that - undead. Creatures fallen from grace, creatures of the dark.



They came to their room, and Kadros motioned for her to take the bed. 'I'll sleep on the couch. The shower probably works, but don't rely on the water being the cleanest.'

'I'll pass then,' she responded.

She sat down on the bed and he stared at her.

She looked back at him, noticing the way he stared at her figure, and suddenly became acutely aware of what it seemed he was after. He wanted her - physically.

'It's sex, is it? Is that all? You just want to fuck me?'

He looked at her, and his blood rose in him. And he came over, tore at her dress, and soon had her naked. She gazed at him, knowing him for what he was. A savage creature of the dark.

'Then fuck me,' she said.

And he did.



Later on, as she put her undergarments back on, she noticed he had fallen asleep on the bed. 'Was this it? She thought to herself. 24, just out of university, just started a new job, and she was the bride of a Vampire. And her virginity, now gone to the one who had claimed her as his own. She could only hope to God that she wasn't pregnant.



The End





Dark Love VII: A Friend from Heaven



'Hey sweetie. Was he any good then?'

Kristen jerked up from her near slumber, alarmed at a voice which had spoken from the shadows. And then, coming out of the shadow, a man. A man with wings. And while she had told herself just earlier that she had seen everything, now she really had. It was an angel.

'Are you. Are you my guardian angel?'

'God no,' responded Jovius. 'Too much work in those bloody assignments. Let's just say I am here to help for a while. You'll get used to me. The name's Jovius. Servant of God the Most High, Lord of Glory and all that yada yada yada.'

'What. What do you want from me,' she said nervously.

'Relax, sweetie. It appears as if Kardos has taken that particular commodity of yours now anyway. I am just a friend, on assignment from a certain agent who has your best interests at heart.'

'God sent you? Like the Blues Brothers?'

Jovius took a seat, lit a cigarette, and smiled. 'The Blues Brothers. Now that brings back memories. You know, I knew this old nun once. Just like the lady from that movie. Anyway,' but he paused, looking at Kristen's perplexed look, and thought better of it.

'Anyway, sweetie. Kardos is an ambitious young Vampire. Probably bit off more than he could chew in kidnapping you. But Darkthorn doesn't mind that much. As long as you don't go off and get killed his young protégé.'

'Kardos? Darkthorn's protégé? I don't understand.'

'It is a long complicated story. But suffice to say Darkthorn is now sterile after an earlier encounter with some dark fellas. His seed has all been killed and he has had to look to an old friend's offspring to build up his house.'

'So Kardos is to inherit Darkthorn's wealth.'

'And more than that, sweetie. His power, and believe me Darkthorn has a lot of power. Probably the most influential of the Vampire Lord's in North America, still. They are caught up with old world values, sweetie. Ancient ways. Family honour. Family power. Clans of wealth and privilege, ruling seats on the council of the dark.'

'The council of the dark?' she queried.

'I don't think you want to know too much about that. The agenda of hell to cut it short. Sending the world to damnation to cut a long story short. Still, you got to admire their determinations. 17,000 years at war with Archangel Phanuel, and Satan is still at it, determined to destroy heaven if he at all can.'

'Phanuel?'

'Head of the 7 Archangels. Firstborn. God's main son.'

'Wasn't that Jesus?'

'Now that is a hell of a story, but we will leave theology to another time. Anyway, my job here is to protect you and Kardos until a certain point in your destiny when a certain choice will be made. These things come up all the time for children of Adam and Eve. When you make this choice, either one way or the other, a certain wager results, and either I get paid or not. My job is to see to it you make the right choice?'

'And what choice is that?' asked Kristen.

'That is the thing. I can't tell you that. We never have been able to tell any of our clients about the choice they should make on the big ones. If it isn't one of your choices, it never pleases HIM anyway. So that much you will have to work out for yourself. But I will be here, and I have faith in you sweetie. You'll do the right thing.'

She nodded. Whatever else, despite all the drama he was filling her head with, she had seen so much already that an Angel with a Mission from God could not really surprise her.

'Shall I wake him?'

'Best let him sleep, sweetie. I'll be going now. But I'll be watching. And remember, as corny as it may sound, keep the faith sweetie. Somebody has to.' And then he was gone, back to the shadows, and she was alone again with her sleeping Vampire lord.





The End





Dark Love VIII: Jezebel's Temptation



He had left her in the hotel and had travelled down to one of the lower levels of Celestevere. Draznack, his uncle, would help him - hopefully. He lived in Celestevere with his new wife and had not seen it the same way as Kardos father when they had entered into allegiance with Darkthorn. He would be only to eager to help Kardos, he hoped.



* * *



'No, Kardos. Sure, you can stay here with me and my wife if you need to, but the clan has obligations towards Darkthorn now - wether we like it or not. Your father entered into Darkthorn's assembly - he was fully informed of his choice. And because of that I won't interfere. You are ultimately Darkthorn's seed, wether you like it or not.'

'I know,' responded Kardos. 'I guess there is no escaping that. But can't you support me - give me some finances, at least. Darkthorn won't bother with me for a long time now, I am sure. I think he knows I want children.'

'I won't hide you from him. But I can give you some finances. Go up north - to Canada. Have your offspring. We'll know were you are - you can't escape your scent.' Draznack went to a side bookcase, brought forth a bag, and handed it to Kardos. 'It is gold. Enough for a decade or so. When you have seed, come back. You have obligations.'

Kardos nodded. It wasn't perfect, but it would do.



* * *



As he climbed upwards and walked another long hallway, suddenly, from the shadows emerged a vixen - she was unmistakable, dressed in scarlet, as their kind was want to do. 'Kardos. Dear Kardos. Lie with me. Leave that maiden - you have had her now. You will find my sweet nectar and delight far more intoxicating.'

He looked at her, looked at her voluptuous breasts, and figure, but shook his head. 'Begone Vixen. I'll have nothing to do with your kind.'

'As you wish,' and she departed.



* * *



'What now?' asked Kristen.

'We go north. We find somewere to stay.

'And then?'

'You give me seed.'

She looked at him and understood. She knew now what he wanted. Wed to a vampire.



The End



Dark Love IX: Getting to Know You



'So, Kristen. What is your last name? You have never said.'

'Stewart. But I don't want to talk about myself. If I am going to be your bride it is only reluctantly. You will have to force me to divulge anything of myself.'

'Relax. I am not, despite appearances, a beast.'

'Yet you have me prisoner.'

'Yes,' he responded.



The wagon steadily made its way during the night hours northwards along the highway, heading for Canada and wherever they could find a suitable home.



'So why me? Why do you want seed with me?'

'We are compatible.'

'What do you mean?'

'My line - not every human is compatible for breeding. Very few. You have the right blood type - the right DNA.'

'Oh,' she responded.



She looked out the window and gazed at the night stars. Somehow she knew she would become familiar with them. A child of the night, now. Stranded in darkness, never to return to the light now, never to return to civilization.



She turned to him and looked at him. Strangely, and she knew she shouldn't, but she was starting to find herself drawn to him. He was tall, dark and handsome. And she sensed him willing to protect her. To put his arms around her and call her his own. And, while she knew she should try to escape at the first opportunity, she let herself believe just briefly that she wouldn't. That she would stay with him and be his bride of the night. After all, he had already claimed her. And that was important to her.



'The Children. What will they be? Will they be human?'

'Probably Vampires from birth. But not always. Maybe human. Maybe.'

She nodded, and returned her gaze to the stars. This was her destiny then, to be the bride of Dracula. Funny thing, fate. You never knew what quite to expect.



The End





Dark Love X: Home



She looked at the shack. Really, that was all you could call it - a shack. Still, Kardos had told her it had been cheap. And it was miles away from anywhere, except for a local store were they could buy what they needed.

'There's a lake. You can swim there in summer, if you wish. I still need food, regular food. Not as much as a human, though. Oh, and I need to feed on blood. There will probably be enough deer in the forest to satisfy that.'

'I thought you only fed on humans.'

'They're a luxury. And for making more of our kind. Deer blood is tasty as well. Some animals don't work well as food, but a lot do. The deer will satisfy me. I need to eat about once a month. Usually on a full moon.'

'Ok,' she said. She was starting to learn about Vampires directly. She had known something of them growing up, but mainly from the movies. Meeting one in the flesh, though - well every question she could have ever asked, she could find out now.



They came inside. It was sparsely furnished, but there was a bed with linen on it and some blankets. They would be fine for the night.



He looked at the fireplace and said 'I will go and gather some wood for a fire. Remember, as I said, I know your scent. There is nowhere you can hide. Nowhere. So don't run. You will be wasting your time.'

'So it seems,' she said.



As he left, she took the bag of groceries and took them to the side bench. Taking the cloth they had purchased, she wiped down the bench and starting making their sandwiches. It was her new beginning. Her new home. She guessed she should, if she could, get used to it. Still, as bizarre as it could be, there were possibly worse fates. Possibly.



The End





Dark Love XI: Days in Heaven



It was a time in her life when, Kristen looking back, despite the very fact that she really was in truth a prisoner, a time she could never possibly forget. Perhaps she fell in love with Kardos in those years. Perhaps. She never knew for sure, but it was certainly true later on.



It was a simple life, the first few years, living together, eating together, sleeping together. He wanted her most nights, and bemoaned the lack of children. But then it happened, late in September, as the days were getting cooler, the bump in her belly becoming obvious. She was with child.



'What shall we name it?' she asked, excited.

'If it is a Vampire, I will name it. But if it is human, then I don't mind you giving it its name.'

She smiled at that. Really, a human baby girl is what she wanted. That would be - perfect.



She spent many days at the lake and then, late one night, feeling the pains too much almost to bear, the child was born, and Kardos was relieved. It was a girl, like Kristen wanted, but Kardos could tell. He smelled the child and knew. It was of his kind.



They were a family, then, and as the child grew, looking more and more like its mother, they were possibly as happy as any normal family. Possibly. And then she fell pregnant again, and this time a boy. But human. Most definitely human, Kardos claimed. Of no real use to him, apart from being his seed in some way.



They were promised a decade and it came and went and, as Magenta turned 7 and Roary turned 5, they were as happy as Kristen supposed she could be. But darkness was to return. Darkness and dark choices, ones hoped forgotten, but always there, at the edge of the night, watching, waiting. And time for dark memories to be awakened once again to the power of the night.



The End





Dark Love XII: Myantea's Vengeance



'Remember, don't harm the girl. And if you harm the boy, well, Kardos will probably be pissed enough to kill you for good.'

Myantea ignored Helgard's words. He wouldn't kill the boy, but he would have his fun.



* * *



'Who, who are you?' asked Roary innocently at the two strange looking men at the door. 'Is your sister here?'

Magenta wandered into view and the men came inside, pushing open the locked screen door, grabbed the children, and returned to the vehicle.



Just then Kristen returned from gathering mushrooms in the forest and noticed the men. And then she noticed they had her children and she screamed.



Kardos came running but it was too late. The car sped off and Kristen was in tears. He ran to the car, but the tires were slashed and in frustration, yelling obscenities, he kicked the car.



Looking over to his bride he came over, put his arms around her, and said, 'You knew this day would come. They won't harm them, ok. But this is Darkthorn's way of telling me it is time to return. I won't ask you to come with me, but if we are to be a family then you will know what to do.'

'I will come,' she said, and that was that.



He left her, going inside, and Jovius stepped out of the shadows to speak to her.

'He has a temptation coming, Kristen,' who was shocked to see the angel once more. 'I can't tell you what to do, but do the right thing, ok,' and he was gone, back into the shadows.



Four hours later, the mechanic having been paid for replacing the tires, having been paid quite a hefty sum from his midnight work, they were away. Headed south. Headed home, in a way. Kristen looked out the window as the dawn approached she shuddered at once more coming into the presence of Darkthorn, the man who had taken her from her life and dreams. But what of Kardos' temptation. What exactly would that be all about? She let her mind wander and gradually drifted off to sleep as Kardos stared blankly ahead, his mind on his children.



The End





Dark Love XIII: Dark Choices



They entered Brightfire, the two of them, and came into the familiar entrance hall, a number of Vampires seated around, gazing at them, nodding at the familiar scent. Shortly a Vampire came forward, indicated for them to follow him, and they came up stairs to Darkthorn's den. And when they entered there were the children. Kristen ran forward, put her arms protectively around them, and gazed up at Darkthorn.

'They are just getting to know their grandfather, Kristen. Don't worry. I would never hurt them.'

'You're not their grandfather. You never could be,' she hissed.

'Oh, but I am. Isn't that right Kardos.'

Kardos said nothing, but after a while nodded grimly.



'I am glad you are now back with us, Kardos. And I already have your first assignment. There is a human. The daughter of a senator. I have chosen her to become one of us. She will be - useful - in our plans.' He handed him a file, which Kardos reluctantly picked up and glanced through.

'Have no fears, son. Your wife and children will be safe with us. This is their new home, after all. Isn't that right, Kristen?'

She looked at Darkthorn, gripped her children tightly and looked at Kardos. And defiantly she spoke. 'So is this it, then? You will serve him? You will voluntarily serve him?'

'I, I have no choice. My father entered into agreement with him. Our family honour is at stake.'

She stared at him, ready to insult his honour, but realized she loved him then. She realized it looking at him, the man who had become her husband in reality. She turned to Darkthorn, hating the very face, but nodded. 'Very well. I will stay. You will have your family, Darkthorn.'

'A wise choice, child. Or should I say, daughter.'

And he laughed, a mild, but dark laugh. A dark, wicked laugh.



The End





Dark Love XIV: The Second Temptation



When he bit deeply into the woman's neck and ensured the daughter of the state senator would be one of them, he sensed a spirit. A scent, familiar. And suddenly, out on the beach, Jezebel appeared. Once more. She was naked, and the girl looked at her. 'Hey, honey, he's taken ok.'

'Why don't we lie together. All three of us. We could have a wicked time.'

And she came forward and took his manhood and he was overcome. The girl was excited also, and he knew he was falling into a world of darkness, and his Vampiric blood rose in him, and he bared his teeth, and the girl screamed.



'Take her,' yelled Jezebel. 'Kill her. Claim your prize.' And the beast within Kardos succumbed, and Jezebel grinned madly. From the shadows Jovius watched on, and made a cut into a piece of wood. One each, now. The final temptation would decide the wager. He would have to keep faith in love to see his sovereigns.



The End





Dark Love XV



Darkthorn was only mildly upset, but later in the day, happy with Jezebel's successful temptation, he decided that he could indeed use his new abode soon. Goldenhorn was such a place of delight, and boasting against Beleriand for the next millennium such a temptation, that he could wait no longer. Time to bring the testing of Kardos to completion.



* * *



They were naked. Several of them. Female, all between 16 and 20. Bloned. Lusty. Perfect. Darkthorn sat on his throne with Kristen by his side and Kardos was brought into the room. 'What is this?' asked Kardos, and Jezebel suddenly appeared. And then, stepping out of the light, Jovius. He looked at Darkthorn and spoke. 'Beleriand will honour his wager. I assume you will?' Darkthorn nodded.



Jezebel came forward and put her hand to Kardos crotch. 'These women. Look at them. They are so young. So delectable. And your bride over there. She is surely past her youth, Kardos. She has given you seed, but what more do you need her? She is only human, nothing more. She is no mate for you, after. What can a mortal possibly offer you. So feast with me, child of darkness. Feast upon this nubile flesh, and enjoy your carnal pleasures. And we will toast hell and live for what are made. For it is our destiny, Kardos. We are Vampire, and nothing more. And to devour such flesh, well this is what we are made for, is it not.



And he nodded, and took to the floor, and grabbed one of the drugged blondes and put his mouth to her neck. But then, just then, he looked at them. He looked at the Angel, a stick and knife in his hand, waiting upon something. And he looked at Jezebel, grinning wildly, and he looked at Darkthorn, with his grim satisfaction. And finally, he looked at Kristen. He looked at the bride he had claimed and then found something within. A quiet, still, gentle voice. A voice saying 'Why not give Love a chance.' And finding within him love for Kristen he put the woman away from him and came over to his bride. He took her hand and cradled her in his arms. And he kissed her.



Jovius cut the marking into the piece of wood and walked over to Darkthorn. He handed the wood to him and Darkthorn looked at the cuts. 2 to 1 against him.

'You WILL honour the wager, won't you?'

Darkthorn looked bitterly at the angel, but his honour was everything.

'I will need a few months to finalise things. But Beleriand will have his prize. I am, after all, a man of honour.'

'Good to hear,' said Jovius. He walked over to Kardos, patted him on the back and turned to Kristen. 'Funny thing, love. Funny. It sometimes gets it right. Sometimes when you expect it the least.'

She nodded, holding her man still.

The angel took one last look at the group and turned, returning to the shadows, while Darkthorn sat upon his throne, looking ever so glum.



Eventually the dark lord spoke. 'We are bound for Celestever, Kardos. But you are a bane to me. A bane to my life. You have your freedom. Do what you will. You are no child of mine.'



Kristen looked at Darkthorn, suddenly making sense of what he said, and turned to Kardos. 'We. We are free. We are free.'

He pulled her close, and kissed her once more. 'I love you,' he said. 'And perhaps love is enough in the end. Perhaps even Dark Love is enough.' And she nodded.



They left Brightfire with their children and returned north. And as the years passed and they heard no more of Darkthorn, they grew to love each other. And love born of darkness, so Kristen presumed, was still love. No matter how tainted it may seem to some.



The End

[Daniel Thomas Andrew Daly]

That weblink was meant to be: http://jkrowlingfanfiction.angelfire.com

[Daniel Thomas Andrew Daly]

Ascension Tales Universe
Lucy Potter and the Gem of Wonder

by
Daniel Thomas Andrew Daly

Prologue

Lucy Potter was a bright, sensible and devoted young witch to the principles and laws of magic, and after meeting her cousin Harry for a great encounter in which they battled Voldemort and won a fortune, Lucy was now starting to look even greater into learning her crafte with skill and adeptness. And so, with permission from her mother Caroline, and with the newfound wealth she had won, she did the boldest of things and applied for entrance into Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry in England, to undertake her fourth year's magic studies.

The past few years had been quite an intense rush of magic and mayhem. First she had battled Lucifer Malfoy, who had ultimately dishonoured her, fought Voldemort and his death-eaters, and then uncovered the mystery of the missing hammer of the Chakolan sprites. All in all, a quite and very busy time for young miss Lucy.

And then, Redaxxiel, and the time of her life in New York.

But now a new challenge beckoned - Hogwarts - perhaps the most esteemed magic school in the world.

She knew she would meet new friends, make new acquaintances, and have new challenges - but that was the exciting thing about being a witch. You never exactly knew just what would happen next.

And so, faring Madalene, her best friend, and all her family fare well, she came about the aeroplane at Canberra airport, en route to Sydney, and then off to Heathrow in England. And then, Hogwarts, and a new beginning for Lucy Potter.

Chapter One

Lucas Malfoy sat in his chair, on the flight from Sydney to London, thinking over his latest meeting with his brother Lucifer. They were triplets, Lucas, Lucifer and Lucius, proud bastions of House Malfoy. Of course, Lucius had disgraced himself recently with the vanquishing of Voldemort, who had inevitably returned, and Lucifer was as bad as he had ever been. It seemed it had always been down to Lucas to be the redeeming member, somewhat, of the Malfoy clan.

He resided, usually, in America, with his wife and children, but occasionally visited his other family members in the vain hope of passing onto them valuable lessons in morality and decency, seemingly forgotten by the family over recent generations. Too much black magic is all he ever thought on that subject.

They were a few hours out of Sydney, enjoying a meal, when he noticed the young lady seated next to him with what could only be a magic book of spells.
'Hello, fair maiden. What, may I ask, are you reading?'
'Oh, gosh. Hello. I am sorry I didn't introduce myself. I'm Lucy. Lucy Potter.'
'Mmm. Well. Small world. Lucifer mentioned you.'
Lucy looked at the stranger more carefully, and suddenly noticed he was the spitting image of Lucifer. 'Oh, God. You look exactly like the freak.'
'We're triplets. Myself, Lucius, and Lucifer. I am Lucas Malfoy. Hopefully the redeeming member of the Malfoy clan.'
'I forgive you,' she said smiling.
'What is the book?'
'Oh, one of Shelandraghs. It's on magic.'
'Shelandragh May?'
'You know her.'
'Again, small world,' he responded.
She laughed a little. 'Its on Gems. The power of Gems. I'm studying the Aquamarine. That's my favourite.'
Lucas smiled. That was his favourite as well.
'Do you know her?' he asked.
'Who?' she responded.
'The elemental. Aquamarine.'
'Who is Aquamarine?'
'The elementals are one of the powers of this universe. And there are a number. A great number. They teach ascension.'
'What's ascension?' she asked him innocently.
'A far better way of life as far as I am concerned,' said Lucas, looking up at the inflight TV reporting on a religious terrorist groups recent activity.'
Lucy looked at the TV. 'I've noticed that. Why can't we just get along, you know. Have love for each other. Have grace for each other.'
'The Earthmother teaches such things,' said Lucas.
'Who's she?' asked Lucy.
'Someone who I would love to introduce to you one day,' responded Lucas Malfoy, and gazed once more up at the TV set.
* * * * *

'Yenwah has consistently been bugging me, Daniel. Isn't it about time you talked to her.'
'Him, you mean,' responded Wizard in training, Daniel Daly, from house Hufflepuff.
'HIM!!!'
'Well, actually, an hermaphrodite if you want to know the truth. Yen is a craazy lady. I listen. She tells me about Aurora all day long, and that my Yahweh obsession has gone on far too long as far as civilized members of the Ascended ones are concerned.'
'And you don't agree with them'
'My spirit man from the realm of understanding ascended when I was 16, ok. I am well aware of advanced Ascension knowledge. Gabriel fills me in constantly.'
'Reptillian servant,' she commented.
'Perhaps. Perhaps Yahweh is a magnificent delusion the world is under.'
'They are only muggles,' she said.
'So was I,' he responded.
'Yes. But the Golden Torc around your neck has awoken your truly magnificent abilities. You always had unbridalled power. You were just too conditioned by your upbringing to recognize your gifts. You need to express yourself and your heart. Not repress yourself.'
'Yes Madonna,' he said sarcastically.
'Huh?' she asked him.
'Nothing,' he replied.

They sat their quietly, returning to their magic books. Daniel, when he had recently purchased a golden torc from an ancient magic store in the heart of Sydney, had put it on, and suddenly come alive to magical power. And then Yenwah had started speaking to him, and she hadn't shut up since. He was bugged. A faithful Karaite Noahide and then, suddenly, overloaded with a new faith, and endless emails from Lucas Malfoy on why he should first get to Hogwarts, and then visit him in America and come to Earthlove, where thousands were following Ascension. He was trying to avoid it, he was faithful to God, but a stronger spirit had become involved, and he knew he was losing the battle.

'Your a bright spark,' said Yenwah suddenly.
'Very funny,' responded Daniel.
'Hello Yenwah,' said Lucy.
'Do you want me to manifest. Your old enough in the gifts now.'
'If you must,' responded Daniel.
For the first time Yenwah apeared. And the long hair and feminine looks seemed to settle the issue.
'A MAN?' she demanded.
'Uh, sorry,' said Daniel.
'So you should be,' she responded.

'Are you ready for a challenge? Both of you?'
'Uh, sure,' said Daniel.
'What is it?' asked Lucy.
'Find the Gem of Wonder. You'll know what I mean if you do a bit of digging.'
'Will do,' said Daniel sarcastically, not looking up from his book.
'Seeya, PUNK,' said Yenwah,' and just as soon as she had come, she was gone.

'Now what was all that about?' asked Lucy Potter to her fellow Hufflepuffite.
'Beats me,' responded Mr Daly.

* * * * *

'Magenta is the Architect of Magic,' said Daniel, reading through a tome of the Earthmother's.
'What?' asked Lucy.
'Magenta. The Architect of Magic. It flows from the power of Magenta. One of the 45 Architects of Creation.'
'Oh,' said Lucy. But after a moment she was curious. 'There are several forms of energy which run through the universe. I have been told by somebody that the Force exists in galaxies a long way from here, and that they govern their principles of life.'
'It likely flows from one of the other Architects. The Architect probably influenced Mr Lucas in forming his saga, to retell old legends, probably.'
'Fascinating,' said Lucy. 'Real Jedis.'
'Possibly,' said Daniel. 'But the book also mentions the Gem of Wonder. It was created by Magenta. It was placed on earth a long time ago to govern the Faerie creatures of earth. It is the central orb of the power of Magic.'
'But its lost,' she said.
'It doesn't really need to be found. Its indestructible and is probably on some Illuminati shelf, as an object of curiousity. A trinket he looks at and, funnily enough, probably wonders upon.'
'Any clues to where it might be?' she asked him.
'Merlin owned it once,' he responded. 'Morganna Le Fey claimed it from him, when she seduced him, and it was reclaimed by the Magicians of Avalon. Its probably hidden down with Excalibur and the Lady of the Lake.'
'Very funny,' said Lucy. 'But I have an idea. I know from Harry a few secrets about Merlin. He still lives. Harry has met him. He told me not to tell anyone, but I can share it with you.'
'So, if we find Merlin,' began Daniel.
'He might be able to give us clues about where the Gem is,' she responded.
'Mmm,' said Daniel. 'Where is Harry now?'
Lucy bit into an apple. 'New York. He is teaching at Redaxxiel, a school of magic.'
'Then we go to New York,' said Daniel.
'We go to New York,' responded Lucy


Chapter Two

Harry Potter, wizard extraordinaire, honorary title holder of 'Champion Wizard of the House of Gryffindor', a posthumous award Hermione Granger had invented after he kissed her recently, daring the wrath of Ron, who had been at the canteen buying popcorn just before they went into watch the movie at the huge Manhattan Cinema Googolplex, was, most extraordinarily, drunk.
He was blotto.
Lying on his bed in his Redaxxiel dormitory, where he taught ethics in the use of magic, Harry had been involved in a drinking session in a seedy part of New York, in an even seedier tavern, where angels feared to tread, with a dwarve who, quite obviously, had a large genitalic endowement, and was boasting to all and sundry he could 'drink em under the table' or he was not the biggest stud in New York City. Harry took him on. He lost.

Strangely, although Harry was enjoying the sensation of the cool rag mopping down the slight sweat on his head, for it was a hottish day in New York, and the cooling system of Redaxxiel was temporarily on the blink, he still felt no obligation to rise for his guests, and just fobbed them off, waving his hand at them, telling them he would be up later on in the evening.

They went downstairs. They sat in the guest lounge. They waited.

'How long has Harry been teaching here, then?' asked Daniel to Lucy.
'Oh, a while now,' responded Miss Potter. 'He finished up with Hogwarts and then did some things of his own for a bit, but he is here now. Loves the work, so he wrote me. Everything he wanted to represent in magic it offers him, so he claims.'
'It's always useful to find your niche,' responded Daniel.
Lucy looked at Daniel Daly momentarily. 'Do you think you have found your niche? In life I mean?'
'I dare say I will have to ascend to the glories of heaven before I ever find my niche in things.'
'Heaven, huh? You really think that is how the universe works?'
'I have a crazy feeling, call it instinct, call it faith, call it logic, call it reason, that God Almighty runs things in the end. Maybe he did in fact create all these 45 Architects and set them up to run the Ascension cult, sorry, religion. Maybe its his idea of humour. Don't know really. I know there is indeed a lot of power in Ascension, and that unexplained things often happen within it. But this is true of many religions, you know. Unexplained encounters.'
'You don't really believe it then?' asked Lucy.
'Stuff happens in it. Ok. I acknowledge that. But the Ark and the Flood, were God redeemed Noah and his family. That is my faith. The Rainbow is the sign of my covenant with God. Those things will never really change in the end, you know, Lucy. Never really change. Sure I'll have fun with Ascension. See what wisdom on life it teaches me. See what truths it contains. But I'm sold to Yahweh who the Earthmother calles a reptillian overload or some such being. He is God to me. Elohim. I don't think I will ever really change my views on that.'
'Fair enough,' said Lucy, and reached down into her bag, picked out one of the magic tomes she had bought with them and, as Daniel started on an orange, set her mind to study and the life of magic.

* * * * *

'Serpent Tower?' asked Lucy.
'And it's deadly,' said Harry. 'He doesn't want any visitors at the moment, and its tougher to get into then one of the towers of the Vale of Aldur.'
'Huh?' asked Daniel to Harry.
'Just a joke,' said Harry. 'Its high up in the Andes. Here are the longitudinal and lattitudinal co-ordinates. But good luck getting in. Even with a plug from me at the perimeter gate, he will still tell you to fob off, and you will have to find your own way to the tower. Its tough, though. Filled with all sorts of weird creatures which guard Serpent tower. And then you will have to get inside. It took me months of planning, and while I got to the base of the tower, he came out to greet me, smiled and cast a relocate spell saying, 'I'm busy Harry.'
'Well, hopefully we'll have more luck. We're on a quest, after all.'
'What quest, Lucy?' asked Harry.
'To find the amazing Gem of Wonder,' said Daniel Sarcastically.
'I've heard of it,' said Harry. 'I think it is probably just a myth in the end, but Merlin will point you in the right direction. If you can contact him.'
'We'll get to him,' said Lucy. 'Right Daniel?'
'Sure,' said Daniel. 'And we'll end up dragonfood as well.'
'Probably,' said Harry honestly.
'Oh, poobum,' said Lucy, now looking at the coordinates to Merlin's Andean sanctuary.

*
The bus, with fading and blistering green paint, steadily, and nervously, crawled along the dirt track high in the mountain range, hitting an endless supply of potholes in the road every second metre it seemed to Lucy Potter. They had their backpacks with them, passports and id as well as their finances with cards and things, but Daniel had ensured they'd gotten cold hard cash for dealing with the country dwellers, who were 'Less likely to be that Visa friendly', in Daniel's own opinion. Lucy didn't argue much. They'd been at it three days now, getting deeper into the mountains, and they were now not far from their stop off point, a track not far short of a small village.
'Do you think they are telling us the truth?' asked Daniel. 'Merlin? Real? I mean, come on. They are just sending us on a wonder quest for a bit of fun. I mean, its just all old legend. Myths and fables.'
'Is that what you believe Daniel?' asked Lucy.
He looked at her seriously, and pulled out his book of magic. 'No. No, he is probably real. I think that now. But a rationale mind probably shouldn't. Seen stuff, now, though. Stuff hard to explain.'
'So read your book of spells and leave me to worry about us finding Merlin,' smiled Lucy, taking a sip of her bottled water.
Daniel shrugged, opened his book, and began reading.

Half an hour later, the base winding its way along the ricketty track, it pulled to a halt by a track going off along a craggy and densely forrested valley, and the bus driver signalled to Lucy.
Daniel had fallen asleep, so she nudged him awake. 'Wake up, sleepy head. We're there.'
Daniel looked out at the track, and grabbed his backpack.

They thanked the bus driver, got off on the road, promising the driver they would be at the same place next week in the afternoon, when he came back that way.
'It looks ok,' said Lucy, staring down the excuse for a road.
Some sort of buzzard suddenly floated down from the sky and landed on a tree nearby the track, seemingly staring at them.
'It sure does,' said Daniel. 'Totally welcoming.'
'Shutup,' she said. 'And let's get moving.

And, as they set off, along the track to find Serpent Tower, Lucy Potter was full of confidence, but not unduly nervous about what she just might be getting herself into.


Chapter Three
It was evening the following day. They had spent the last half of yesterday walking along the track and then, around dusk, they set up camp, shared their rations carefully, and slept in the cold mountain wilderness. Daniel was worried somewhat about wild Puma's coming upon them, but Lucy assured him she would watch out for him. Who would watch out for her was another question, but she was brave enough. The following day they had continued on again down the track and, coming to the end of a mountain range on their right, the view opened up into a valley nearby, were the spotted Serpent Tower. It was obvious - a tower on top a mountain cliff, shaped like a Serpent riding into the sky. Very intense Mr Merlin, Lucy Potter thought to herself. It was about half a day's march from where they had set up for camp that evening, and Lucy was in the tent, in her sleeping bag, thinking. Just thinking about life. Daniel was next to her, in the other bag, trying his best to sleep, again worried about rogue puma's and buzzards and all sorts of things. But they were safe - they were mages in training - they should be able to handle themselves.
'Daniel. Are you married?'
'Jesus, what a question,' responded Daniel to Lucy's inquiry. 'Well, if you must know, no. No I'm not actually married at this moment.'
'What does that mean? Have you been?'
'There was a lady called Kirsty who I was intimate with not that long ago. I thought I loved her, for a while anyway. We had a kid together. But it wasn't love. It was attraction. She was very good looking. I thought, God I love her. I told myself that a lot. But she was just very attractive, and pleasant, and soft and humble and beautiful. But, I don't know. She came into my life, and then she left it, and I never really missed her much afterwards. I told myself often, don't you love this lady? But, no. The connection just wasn't there. She was too - perfect. Just too damn perfect. And Daniel Daly needs a lady with flaws if you expect him to be at his best. Someone to argue with and complain about my behaviours. Not too much, mind you, because mum certainly takes care of that. But I need a lady who is sharp and wise and can keep me on my feet.'
'Oh,' said Lucy, taking mental notes. 'You don't want Barbie then, I take it?'
'I don't think we're compatible. She's too damn perfect for me. Too pretty. Too precise. Give me a witch any day. Not that I mean that literally, Luce. Just an expression, you know.'
'Sure,' smiled Lucy Potter to herself. That was like Daniel, though. Offbeat. Perhaps just like herself. Perhaps just like she was - by nature. Different. At odds with the mainstream. Not boring. Not predictable.
'Tomorrow we have a busy day, Dan. We come to Serpent Tower.'
'And the elusive Merlin.'
'Yes,' said Lucy. 'So brush your teeth, and sleep tight.'
Daniel laughed. It had been a few weeks since he last brushed teeth. Not tonight Josephine.
And so they slept, and Daniel dreamed about wild Puma's licking his toes, while Lucy dreamed all sorts of dreams of Barbie mocking her and saying 'Witch my butt.'
*
They walked, steadily, the following morning, finding the path going to Serpent Tower but, as they walked, Daniel kept on looking behind himself all the time.
'Whatever the hell is the problem?' Lucy finally asked.
'Nothing,' he said. 'Come on, lets keep moving.'
So they continued on, up the track, getting nearer and nearer their destination.
And then, there he was, doing it again. Looking behind himself constantly.
'I'm sure there are no bloody Puma's Daniel.'
'That's not what I'm worried about,' said Daniel. 'Those things are,' he said pointing.
Lucy looked. She wished she hadn't. There, now emerged from the forest by the track, 3 serpents. But not ordinary serpents. Large ones. Very large one. Bloody very large ones. In fact, on the scale of snakes..............well, you get the point. They were, in fact, bronze coloured, and not Serpents at all. They were created inventions of Merlin, fixed with camera's, spying out those approaching his abode. But Daniel and Lucy didn't know that.
'What do we do?' asked Lucy.
'They have been following us a fair while,' said Daniel, as he continued marching along. 'I think, if they wanted to attack us, they would have by now. And something's not right about them.'
'What do you mean?' asked Lucy.
'Come on. Look at them. There not - real, in some way.'
Lucy looked back and, while the Serpents looked real enough, she listened as well. A whirring and ticking sound came from their direction.
'Their machines,' she said triumphantly.
'That's what I concluded,' said Daniel. 'I think they are just monitoring us.'
'As we get near Merlin's abode,' said Lucy.
Daniel looked at her. 'I guess so.'

So they continued walking all that morning and then, when they finally came to the front gates of Serpent Tower, the Serpents following them slithered right up to them, through a section of the gate they went through, and on into the mysterious grounds of Serpent tower.
'I guess he has a sense of humour,' said Lucy.
'Hilarious,' responded Daniel.

With the threat of the Serpent's now resolved, they looked around to get their perspectives. Through the gate, up the mountain somewhat, for they had climbed a fair way already, they could see the tower, which seemed to be at the end of the track. The large grated gate, through which they could probably slide right through, marked off the entrance to a large perimiter of what appeared to be pine trees which, so they had fathomed in their approach to the place, likely surrounded the entire grounds of Serpent Tower.
Daniel pointed. 'Its the intercom,' he said, pointing to the boxed radio looking thing.
'We use it I guess,' said Lucy.
'Why not,' said Daniel. 'We've come this far. May as well go all the way.'
Lucy approached the box, and it seemed easy enough to use. A microphone, with a button on it.
'Push the button,' said Daniel. 'And talk into it. Oh, and say 'Over' when you have finished speaking.'
'Very funny,' responded Lucy.
'No, seriously. The best way to use the thing. Say over every time you are finished. Standard thing they do with radio communications.'
'Oh. Ok then.' She picked up the microphone, pushed the button and said 'Hello. Merlin. This is Lucy Potter and Daniel Daly. We are wizards in training from Hogwarts in England. We need help finding the Gem of Wonder. Can you help us? Over.'
She finished, put down the microphone, and waited. No response.
'What do we do now?' she asked Daniel.
He looked at her, perplexed, but the microphone was suddenly issuing static.
'It's him,' said Daniel.
'Yes, hello,' said a voice suddenly. 'Look, go away, whoever you are. I am very busy, and only receive certain visitors. That isn't you, is it Harry Potter again?'
'Close,' said Lucy, pushing the button. 'I'm his cousin. Lucy Potter. With my friend Daniel Daly. Over.'
'By my own long beard,' said Merlin. 'Go away. Or I will come down and turn you into cockatrices.'
'But we need to see you about the Gem of Wonder?' persisted Lucy.
'Oh, fiddlesticks,' said Merlin, and the static suddenly went silent.
'He's had enough,' said Daniel.
'What now, then?' asked Lucy.
'We take on Harry's challenge,' said Daniel. 'And brave the grounds of Serpent Tower.'
Lucy peered in through the gate, up through the long walk way up to the tower.
'I mean how hard can that be,' said Lucy.
The Serpents suddenly came again into view, slithering across the track inside the grounds to the other side.
'Exactly,' responded Daniel.
But she was on her quest. And no mechanical serpents would deter her from getting her answer. No matter how cleverly designed they were. Not a chance of deterring her at all.
Hopefully.

Chapter Four

They had slipped through the grates and were 100 metres up the track.
'It looks about 5 kilometres,' said Daniel. 'To the tower. It shouldn't take us forever.'
'You are remembering what Harry said to us, aren't you?' asked Lucy.
'I haven't forgotten. Beleive me, it is perfectly on my mind.'
The response to that came immediately. Storks. 3 of them. Predictably enormous, as they had gotten used to from Merlin. Coming from the west, emerging from a thicket of trees. As they hopped along, they seemed to have spied Daniel and Lucy.
'Oh no,' said Lucy.
'Stork food,' said Daniel.
'What do we do?' asked Lucy.
Daniel quickly pulled out his book of spells, as the storks, who had obviously seen them, drew closer over the green lawn between them.
'Hurry, Daniel,' said Lucy, who had her wand ready. 'I don't think I want to end up in a stork's belly. I'm far too much of a lady for that.'
Daniel grinned. 'Yes Barbie,' he said smiling.
'Oh, shut up,' she said.
'Right, I think this one is ok. I have prepared for it a while ago. We'll see how it goes.'
Lucy just glared at him, as the storks approached.

Daniel came and stood next to Lucy, his spellbook now back in his backpack and had his wand raised as the distance between them and the storks diminished rapidly.
'What's the spell?' she asked.
'Don't worry about it. You can handle the next challenge.'
'If we get out of this one,' she gulped, as the storks were nearly upon them.

When someone is confronted with giant storks, perhaps the natural thing is to run. To run bloody fast. And Daniel Daly was the kind of fella who usually did those natural things. But he had a spellbook now, and a number of weeks meditation and concentration on initial spellcasting and, with the energy he had built up, which would get them through a few of these encounters but nothing more, he was somewhat confident he knew what he was doing.
And then he cast the spell.
'Maximus!' he yelled, pointing his wand at the storks. All of a sudden they tripled in size. The looked at each other for a moment, and gawked, surprised obviously by their new stature. But shortly they returned their focus to Daniel and Lucy.
'That was your idea?' yelled Lucy. 'Brilliant, Daniel. Eaten by bloody 100 foot storks.'
'Shaddup. I read the latin wrong. Just a sec.'
He pointed the wand again and yelled 'Minimus!'
The storks, this time, shrunk right back down to the size they had been to start with, still too much for them to handle.
'Do it again!' yelled a concerned Lucy, as the storks continued to menacingly approach.
'Oh, God. I'm exhausted somewhat,' said Daniel, but managed to point his wand, yelled 'Minimus!' again, and the storks, dutifully, shrank down to normal size.
'Thank the Architects!' exclaimed Lucy, looking at the now normal size storks coming up to them, hopping around at their feet.
She looked at Daniel. He was on the track, laid down, exhausted. The three spells had taken it all out of him. He was not an experienced magic user, and could only handle so much. She came over to him, and knelt down. 'Well down, hero,' she said, and kissed him on the cheek.
'Thank's. I'll need a few minutes to recover, but you'll have to handle whatever comes next. That's the best of me, I'm afraid.'
'My hero,' she said, and kissed him again, and sat down next to him, waiting for him to recover.
They had handled their first challenge successfully, albeit at a cost. Time would tell what would challenge them next.

* * * * *

'What's wrong with the track?' asked Lucy.
'I.........don't know,' said Daniel.
'It's like every step forward we take we are taking two steps back?' said Lucy.
'I think we have passed through some sort of portal,' said Daniel.
Time had passed, they had rested a bit since the encounter with the storks, and now they had continued their journey up the track to Serpent tower.
'Look,' said Lucy, pointing back the way they had came.
A shimmering doorway, slightly lighter in appearance, was behind them, about 50 metres back. They seemed to have entered a twilight world.
'I'd noticed the change in the sky,' said Daniel. 'It's subtle, and I thought it was just clouds or something, but we've entered a zone.'
'So we go back,' said Lucy, 'And get out of it.'
'I think I have a theory on that,' said Daniel, as they started backwards. And, no sooner had they walked 10 metres, than the portal entrance seemed even further away.
'Clever, Merlin,' said Lucy. 'We could be stuck in this forever.'
'That's the idea, I suppose,' said Daniel.
'Let's think about this,' said Lucy, and the two of them sat down next to each other on the road, brainstorming.

Time passed.

'I'm hungry,' said Lucy.
Daniel passed her and orange. She munched away for a bit.

Lucy was lost in thought, about their adventure. It had been somewhat that, an adventure. She'd found that finding this Gem of Wonder was not going to be any easy undertaking, but what was life without a challenge? She'd had a few of them, now, especially the quest of the golden sovereigns as they had now called it, but it was better to have a life full of excitement and drama rather than being bored out of one's mind, wasn't it? She liked to think so.
She considered her company. Daniel was an old friend in some ways now. She'd known him well enough for a few years, uncle to Madalane, Georgia and Jayden. He was always a kind and thoughtful uncle, and Maddie liked to talk about his sarcasm and lack of female friendships. But Lucy knew, now, that wasn't completely the case. Just the impression Maddie had about him. He was a mysterious sort in some ways, and while they shared the same basic religion of Karaite Noahide faith which she had adopted from him some time ago, there was more than that in the life of Daniel Daly. For he'd taken up, now, as a wizard. Perhaps inspired by her. For it had become apparent he'd had magic within him, and the friendship which had been between them had grown even closer. It would be horrible for it to end stuck in this Twilight Realm.

'What do you think we should do?' Lucy asked Daniel.
'I don't know. Fly through the portal, I guess.' He was being sarcastic.
Lucy sat there, and munched down the last of her orange.
'Mmm. Well. Ok Dan. We'll try that.'
'I was joking Lucy.'
'What harm could it do?' she asked him.
He looked at her in unbelief, and then shrugged. 'May as well then, he conceded.'
'Bring out the tent,' said Lucy. 'And place it on the ground.'
Daniel did as instructed and Lucy motioned for them to board it.
She pointed her wand at the tent beneath them and yelled 'Levitatis'. They rose from the earth, and Daniel was amused.
'Now what?' he asked.
'Use a tent pole,' she said.
Daniel shrugged, but did as told, and with an extended pole as their steering device, he pushed them toward the portal door. After a few moments it became obvious - they were getting close to it.
'Well I'll be a monkey's uncle,' said Daniel. 'It's working.'
'Keep going,' said Lucy, a victory smile on her face.

Daniel continued poling and, shortly, they were at the portal entrance and, gliding carefully through, they landed a distance back away from it, and celebrated.
'Brilliant,' said Daniel, and kissed Lucy on the cheek.
'Steady on soldier,' she said, but she didn't mind the attention.

Daniel pointed. 'Can you see? It's sort of visible if you look closely. It goes all around here, and about 100 metres in each direction.'
'So we go around,' said Lucy.
'Righto,' said Daniel.

They went out on to the vast green lawn to the west of the track and, bypassing the twilight realm, came back on to the track after a while.
'Remember, keep your look out for this in the future,' said Lucy. 'We don't want to be caught by the same trick again.'
'Will do captain,' said Daniel, saluting.

Lucy was pleased. They had come this far, now, and Serpent Tower was looking closer all the time. Soon enough they would be talking with Merlin.
So, two challenges down, and they would see what awaited them.
She grinned at Daniel, who smiled back, and with their backpacks firmly on their shoulders, they set off once more up the road, waiting to see what would happen next.

*

'Is that a giant?' asked Lucy. Daniel watched as, thundering towards them in a sudden rush, a huge figure of an ogre. It cornererd them, and the giant swallowed them both whole, right down his throat, into his belly, and duly laid down and went to sleep to digest his meal.
In the bellly of the giant, Lucy had brought out an 'Everlight' and lighted up their predicament. They were just about in the stomach, and a small pool of stomach acid had started forming.
'Aw, pong,' said Daniel, holding his nose. 'What does this fella eat?'
Suddenly a rotten deer head surfaced amongst the stomach acid, and Lucy said 'Don't ask.'
'What now?' asked Daniel.
'I think we have two ways out,' said Lucy. She quickly rummaged through her purse and brought out two packs of tablets in foil.
'What are those?' asked Daniel.
'Alka Seltzer, to help vomit,' said Lucy.
'And the other?' asked the dubious Daniel.
'Constipation tablets,' responded Lucy. 'Sorry.'
'Oh, brother,' said Daniel.
'Choose,' said Lucy.
'The Alka Seltzer will have to do,' said Daniel. 'I don't think we'll last the other way.'
'Thank God for that,' said Lucy, and holding the tablets, pointed her wand and said 'Multiply' and, as the tablets started literally multiplying before them, she threw them into the pool of stomach acid.

10 minutes later, the belly started rumbling, and they had climbed up the throat as much as they could. And then, the Giant suddenly siezed with a sick gut, retched and retched, and out came Lucy Potter and Daniel Daly, covered in gunk and goo too horrible to mention, spewed up in front of a thicket, to which they duly escaped. The giant was no longer interested in them.
'There's a stream here,' said Lucy.
'Thank God for that,' responded Daniel, and they started washing.

10 minutes later, somewhat cleaner, and at least somewhat wiser for the experience, if somewhat embarrassed, Lucy pointed to the tower. Only about 100 metres to go,' she said. 'This was probably the last challenge.'
'Don't be too certain,' said Daniel.
'Lead on then, cautious soul,' said Lucy, as they got to the feet and braved the last, final, yet what would prove to be the most difficult part of their challenge so far.

Finally, the reached Serpent Tower. The place was open, and as they worked themselves upwards through the labyrinth, they found a room at the top, and, entering, an ancient looking wizard sitting at a desk. 'Merlin?' asked Lucy. The old wizard turned to them. 'I do blieve it's Lucy Potter,' he said.
'I have come about the Gem of Wonder. Apparently you know where it is.'
Merlin looked at the inquiring young youth thoughtfully. 'You wish to find the deepest hearth of Avalon, I see. That is very interesting. It's all about balance in this universe, dear Lucy. Balance. Like life and nautre. When one species of animal becomes too dominant, they tend to die out for lack of food from the others they have oppressed too much. The same if they overgraze. And the same is very true in human society. Empires, especially in Europe, balanced themselves against another. If one became too powerful, another would have to rise up to challenge them to keep the peace, ultimately. America could have ruled the world, but Communist Russia had been born. Christendom could have conquered all by now, but Islam has just about matched it. As I said, competing forces need something to balance them out. To keep everyone in check. Ironically, Divided we stand, United we Fall.'
'So what are you saying?' asked Daniel.
'If you find this Gem. Do you really, in the end, think you should? The faery folk are now at peace. Do you really want to go exciting them very much? A gem of wonder will only stir things up which will take forever to resolve. Are you sure you want that on your conscience, young master?'
'The deepest hearth of Avalon, then?' asked Lucy to confirm what Merlin had said.
'Yes, the Gem of Wonder lies in the deepest hearth of Avalon,' sighed Merlin.
'Then we are off,' said Lucy, and smiled, gave Merlin a hug, and tugged at Daniel, who was still considering the old man's words.
'Come on danny, time to leave,' said Lucy.
'Uh, sure,' responded Daniel, giving the concerned and ancient face of Merlin the Wizard one last cautious look.


Chapter Five

A year later, Yenwah popped up in their Hogwarts room, and started bubbling away.
'You took your time getting back. I take it you found the Gem of Wonder?'
'We looked everywhere,' said Daniel 'Avalon mystery was rich and alive in all the witchery culture throughout Britain, but we couldn't actually find Avalon.'
'It's been very frustrating,' said Lucy.
'And what is Avalon?' asked Yenwah, mysteriously.
'The heart of witchery,' said Lucy forthrightly.
'So if Avalon is the heart of Witchery, where is the hearth of Avalon?'
Lucy looked at Daniel, perplexed. Daniel returned the look.
Just then another student came in, and performed a new magic trick for them. It was something wild and alive and new to Lucy and Daniel, and when they got caught up in the new thing, Yenwah softly said 'You'll work it out.'
And then the angel was gone, back to its own world, and Lucy Potter and Daniel Daly had found the Gem of Wonder.

The End

http://jkrowlingfanfiction.angelfire.com

[t***@gmail.com]

Post by Daniel Thomas Andrew Daly
It's time for something new. 7 New Hermione Grainger novels from J K Rowling, followed by 7 Ron Weasely novels would be a far better idea for J K Rowling to pursue.
Hermione Grainger and the Flawed Diviner
Hermione Grainger and the Centred Centaur
Hermione Grainger and the Wisdom of Dumbledore
Hermione Grainger and the Hogwarts Underworld
Hermione Grainger and the Hidden Spellbook
Hermione Grainger and the League of Shadows
Hermione Grainger and the Final Conflict

Hermione Granger and the House Elf Liberation Front.

[r***@yahoo.co.uk]

Monday, July 04, 2016 at 2:13, ***@gmail.com wrote:
Re: My vote is for 7 Hermione Grainger new novels (at least in part)

Post by Daniel Thomas Andrew Daly
It's time for something new. 7 New Hermione Grainger novels from J K Rowling, followed by 7 Ron Weasely novels would be a far better idea for J K Rowling to pursue.

Anything as long as its not another "The Casual Vacancy" please

[t***@gmail.com]

Albus Potter and the Sorting Hat: The Sorting Hat places Albus in Slytherin over his protests.