To realize one's destiny is a person's only obligation.

Mutely, Algernon sat within the tenebrous confines of the cave like structure, staring absentmindedly in the dark void which enveloped him and his home alike. The cave was large, the opening within the Forbidden Forest protruding outwards from between two large Oak trees, it was a nondescript entrance, and suitable for him to dwell within for the time being. It stretched roughly half a mile into the ground, the large, dark stone pathway eventually leading into a large circular room. A white carpet was laid across the rocky floor, a table residing in the center of the room with a single chair. Upon the table was a freshly slain unicorn, the beasts lifeless body producing a fair amount of blood which was funneled into a glass container at the bottom of the table's crimson stained surface.

"Hmmm.." Sighing to himself, Algernon stood from his seated position at the table, and bent down quickly to retrieve the vile of blood before placing it to his parched lips. Then, tilting the lucid container, he slowly poured the contents down his throat, his Adam's apple exposing itself lightly as he swallowed the beast's blood. It would sustain him now for quite awhile, and no more was needed. None for now, at least.

Reaching upwards, he wiped the remainder of the dark fluid from his mouth, and reached downwards, curling his spindly fingers around the surface of his rosewood wand, the long, Chimaera Scale powered stick gleaming within the candle light of his abode as he tardily made his way towards the exit, his sensitive ears deciphering the sound of scuffling feet as he neared the entrance to the forest.

"And who are you..?" He spoke now, his voice echoing malevolently in a low, obscured tone as his smoldering black eyeballs locked their steely gaze upon the visage of a person nearing his home.

She’d always preferred autumn as a human. Since it was currently late autumn she couldn’t resist the call of habit and had set off into the forest shortly after the student’s dinner. Ever since the incident she taken to wandering the forest at nights; maybe in the hopes of finding her attacker, or more likely so she didn’t lose control of her more inhuman instincts and slaughter her dorm mates.

Fawne still hadn’t quite come to terms with her new form; being human had always been much simpler. Her new instincts had become so pronounced, the blood lust being the worst. Thankfully her human will power remained and so far she had feasted only on animals. However the transformation itself had taken its toll, she was pale before but now she looked permanently ill, the white of her skin so very pronounced it made her ethereal. Her form had always been little but now it was lithe, and her movements were so much more graceful. Aside from the feasting on blood thing she could have well of been a forest nymph as she walked through the undergrowth barely making a sound…

It was probably night by now but in the darkness of the forest she could only guess. She’d set off long ago that much she knew, despite being faster than the normal human it still took her such a long while to reach the inner depths of the Forest. She didn’t run her way there but instead walked. Danced even, through the undergrowth despite the fact she was bare foot. After all she found it easier to make less sound without shoes; she didn’t need a fellow student seeing her at her most vamperic. Her secret had to be kept safe.

The further she got into the forest the more the signs of hunting would reach her senses. She could smell the blood and see the disturbances caused by the feasting animals. Such small amounts of blood did nothing to excite her blood lust so when the sweet metallic scent of blood filled her nostrils she was more than shocked. Only humans and similar creatures could cause such massacres; they’d slaughtered a unicorn. Even she hadn’t stooped that low in blind blood lust. A unicorns blood smelt so tantalising though, so pure and sweet; like candy to children. Before she knew she had chosen too her feet had changed direction, her fluttering steps leading her towards the blood. She would only observe, not feast, she mustn’t feast; after all unicorn blood changed humans, what would it do to a new born vampire?

The scent trail led her to a small clearing rather than a carcass and she was slightly disappointed her curiosity unsettled. She sighed as she accidentally crushed a plant underfoot. It was the most noise she’d made all night and if she was anyone else she would have openly cursed when it drew attention to her. A voice spoke out, it was low and dark and it unsettled the fledgling vampire, until she forced herself to remember her almost immortality.

It had to be the unicorn murderer; why else would he be here? Of course with her eye sight she could see the changes in his form, he had to be drinking the blood. A small half smile grew onto her lips, something of her previous life she’d never lost. With a few fluid steps she was walking into the clearing, dressed only in a white summer dress the hem flecked with red stain spots. Her eyes darted around the clearing looking into the shadows as she fluttered about around the clearing edge, staying away from the man.

“How strange, I had not realised unicorns were still hunted…I am rather curious, where is it?” her voice was soft, melodic, a tinkling sound in the night as she stopped moving suddenly, her grey flecked amber eyes shooting up quickly to met his smouldering black ones, she had to repress her shock at the colour.

Letting his outlook titter downwards a bit, he stepped forward and removed his eyeshot from the young girl. “It is a putrid stench isn’t it? So sweet, and filled with shame.” Shaking his head to himself lightly, he looked upwards, once again looking at the child curiously. Her skin was pale, and she harbored a different aura than any normal person. The way she held herself, it was odd and unfitting. “Does this grotesque smell make you hungry? It is enough to make me vomit.”

“You’re something different, aren’t you?” Reaching around with his right hand towards the back of his head, he clenched the sullen fibers the robes hood and removed it, allowing it to fall loosely before resting across the back of his neck. “My name is Algernon, and what might your name be?” Ignoring the subject of the recently destroyed unicorn, he read the girls movements.

The wind blew now, caressing his skin frigidly, and though it was chilling, it also felt refreshing. The coolness of the breezes caress seemed to awaken his senses, and rejuvenate him, coupled with the arrival of a peculiar lady. The human did not flee from his presence, and instead questioned him about his deeds, though evil as they may be. “I am a little surprised, I have not seen a student of Hogwarts for years..” Smiling slightly to himself, he was amused by the understatement of his remark, it had been much longer than a few years after, it was more than he could count. He was painfully isolated from the world as he once knew it, but that was about to change very soon.

“I was leaving.. As I do in search of a group of people..” He stepped forward again. “There is nothing for you to see here, but if you must indulge your sickly desires, the unicorn’s body lies within the cave behind me. It is sapped of it’s life force and useless, I’d hope you would not want to see it..” Blinking, he slowly began to continue on past her, leaving the dead unicorn in his wake as he did so. He had been in this forest for far too long now, and a particular group had caught his attention, though secret as they were. For now, he required their assistance, but hopefully this would only be a temporary thing.

“Accompany me?” He turned his head back towards the girl, still curious of her nature. “And tell me about yourself if you do so. You are a very peculiar thing..”

She titled her head curiously as he spoke, dark brown curls falling easily over pale skin. Her eyes were curious and alive, such a change from the misty ones her fellow students would see. It was clear she was young, whatever species he happened to think she was. Just from her un-squashed personality traits; most immortals were surprisingly bitter. His words enticed her with the lure of something more curious than the dead unicorn, her sense suddenly paying attention to the man.

“Oh? I find the smell delightful; the scent is purer than most. I wouldn’t dare drink it of course.” Her voice was still the same as before, hardly bothered by his comment of shame or her hunger. She knew he wasn’t human either and she knew this deep into the forest everybody had their own secrets to keep, hers would not cause harm being released here. Besides for some reason she highly doubted this man would betray hey secret, he looked like he had too many of his own.

She giggled when he called her different, the noise seemed strange coming from the girl that could have been the walking dead. The sound was much like her voice tinkling and light, a wind chime noise almost. Her voice matching as she spoke, her eyes travelling over his now hood free form quickly. “I have always been different sir... As for my name, I rather suppose most, with knowledge, would call me monster, beast maybe leech. Nevertheless my name is Fawne.”

She was taking a light step forward when the wind blew into the clearing, she didn’t shiver despite her lack of outdoor clothing in fact she barely reacted, she twitched her nose lightly as the smell of blood assaulted her once more from the wind. It was like the cold didn’t even reach her senses; it did of course, the wind tingling over her permanently cold skin it was just that her senses had more pressing things to focus on. Her vampire instincts were screaming at her to respect the man, was he an immortal too?

She watched him smile slightly and caught herself wandering how his mind worked, what he was thinking. She’d always been too curious as a human and she was no different now. As he stepped forward her light steps stopped, her form suddenly still though still giving off the aura of never ending movement. She was used to being careful when people go closer, pulsing blood drove her senses insane. His next words didn’t cause her smile to lessen as it should have, if anything it didn’t falter. She should see her desires as sick but her instincts told her other wise.

She froze to a stone like stillness as his form walked past hers, she couldn’t help it was just her reaction. When his head turned back to her and he asked her to follow she moved so quickly it was clear she wasn’t human. He twirled around to face his direction on the spot, she moved with an inbreed grace before as his she reached his side with a few fluid steps.

“If you wish Algernon…Though I do have to return eventually, I am a Gryffindor student after all… I am rather curious, what kind of ‘peculiar thing’ do you believe me to be?”

"Everyone has monsters, Fawne. Some just have chains to contain them." His cloak whipped violently at his rear as the wind bellowed powerfully, causing the nearby trees to groan in protest as they were forced to bend to the forces will. They bended much like things have done for him in the past, his darker past, and he found the wind to be his own personal element. Though he attempted to change his ways over the years.

My chains are breaking, slowly rotting away.

And I thought I mended back so much stronger... How ignorant of me.

Questions plodded through his mind at a lazy pace as he walked silently forward, each step ushering him closer to the end of the forest. "Gryffindor? By the look of you I would have thought Slytherin, but looks can be deceiving, can't they little one?"

His gaze remained unwavering upon the path before him, and over the curvature of the horizon, he could see the very pinnacle point of Hogwarts, the astronomy tower. It was late now, and he was sure he would not be spotted leaving the forest by any bystanders. "So you have to be back do you? Well, I am sure that no one would find out you were gone tonight, would they?"

Looking down at her, he offered her an empty smile, but it was the best he could muster and it would have to do. "I must admit, I haven't strayed far from these woods for some time, everything feels very alien to me, this isn't my domain any more.."

Exiting the forest, he then emerged from the dense foliage into a vast clearing, standing within the monolithic grounds of Hogwarts as the wind rocketed around him, and standing their in the midst of the great school of magic, a feeling a sad nostalgia filled his body.

Oh Joseph, where did you go astray?

She chose not to comment when he spoke of monsters and chains, she still couldn’t bring herself to view herself like the world would. She may no longer be human but no human blood had crossed her lips yet, she was careful and calm. Human traits keeping her in control through out the student day. Animal blood keeping her alive as a food source. She followed his steps easily, though her own were smaller and quicker. She imagined it would be odd to see them walking together but she also imagined nobody ever would.

Her eyes were drawn to his moving form as he spoke once more, questioning her house. She giggled again; not at all bothered by the lack of emotion Algernon seemed to show in response. “I find it rather odd that nobody ever believes I belong in Gryffindor. Most seem to favour Ravenclaw but you are the first to suggest Slytherin. I rather think most houses are the same, just under a different disguise” She twirled lightly as she walked, in a much better mood now she found company. Company that didn’t seem to care for her inhumanity. She felt a strange companionship for Algernon, despite the fact she didn’t know his story and he only knew parts of hers.

“Hardly anyone ever notices when I disappear, even before.” Before what she never added, but it was implied that she meant before she was how she was now. She hummed to herself serenely as they walked; her clam nature still there despite her quick movements. “I rather believe that if I were not to return by morning they would just assume I was ill, or off in an insane trance.” Her soft voice had held a musing tint to it as she spoke.

As they broke through the trees she was aware it was night, the moonlight illuminating her pale skin. She noted his words silently unable to think of a wise repose. Instead she reached for his hand with hers, on instinct, attempting to lead him away from their current standing.

“I doubt we will be seen but you said you were in search of others? I think I would like to accompany you, blood friend.”

"Hmm." Turning away from the site of Hogwarts spitefully, he took the girls hand as well, allowing her to lead him away from their current location. The school of magic was just another thing of the past, a relic, and nothing more. He tried to recall the past, and how he was before his youth, before his tragedy but it was all so far away now. It was an image hazed over by the intangible noise of time, too much time to fathom.

"The group I am looking for.. They call themselves the Neo Death Eaters." He spoke without hesitation to the young girl, only pausing for a moment as he recalled Voldemort before his death. What a vile thing he was, a lost soul with purpose, death was fitting for such a man. It was all too unfortunate that he could look in the mirror now, and see those like the vagabond within himself. But somewhere in this world there was a purpose, and it was to be discovered all too soon.

"Perhaps you don't know about such a group... Or such things, but perhaps you do. It doesn't matter either way, they will be discovered in time." Averting his gaze downward, he cast his empty stare over the girl at his side. "And I trust that you won't discuss any of this anyways. It would only harm us both, after all."

Continuing walking, the image of Hogwarts slowly vanished behind him, the buildings stone walls now invisible over the curvature of the horizon. Stopping in his tracks as he reached a sign which directed towards Hogsmeade, he lazily dragged his head upwards, and locked his gaze upon the beaming celestial object in the lucid night sky above. "Now I only need to find where to start."

She didn’t let go of his hand as she lead him away from the school, although he seemed to dislike Hogwarts she still adored it. Despite the carefully woven lies that allowed her to stay there it was one of the only places she was accepted, she still had her friends and her family. Life after Hogwarts would be much more difficult for her, someday someone would figure out her darkest secret and then she’d have to hide until time forgot.

Her light, almost soundless footsteps, were unhampered by the fact she was still holding onto his hand; almost like a child to an adult. This in terms of immortal age was very true. She would probably continue to hold his hand until he removed it; after all it wasn't often she could safely touch another without wanting to feast on their life force. Just feeling a live pulse made her hungry.

His words drew her from her thoughts and although she had once found his voice unnerving she found it rather calming now. Maybe kinship did run in the different. Her tone was light and flippant as she spoke like she was discussing the weather, although it was still tinkling in tone; her voice making her even more inhuman.

“Oh? I rather hope your not going to join them; they do not like my kind at all. Nevertheless I have been in a similar organisation before, it was rather horrid really.”

‘The Family’ had not been a pleasant memory, in fact now she was a vampire looking back on the memory she was enraged. They’d locked up her kin and tortured him, leaving her to betray them and help Dorien. She supposed with some sort of sick satisfaction she was always fated to end up like this, after all she loved a vampire, betrayed her blood for him and was left behind by him. The smile faltered slightly, her eyes flashed misty and she subconsciously tightened her grip on his hand slightly. However as soon as the changes took effect they were gone, her smile was back in place and her eyes were alive once more. She wasn’t the type to dwell in pity for long.

She glanced at him to see if her lapse had been noticed but she didn’t really think on it as they walked, the Hogwarts scenery slowly disappearing as sign posts pointed out the way to hogsmead. She stopped dead when he did, her form small next to his. However her glace turned to her surroundings rather than the moon; she’d seen enough of the moon already. She suddenly chose now as the perfect time to reply to his words about secrecy, it seemed rather ironic in the dead of night.

“My lips are sealed Algernon. I would rather like to think you will not mention me when you find them. I do not like the idea of being hunted unwillingly…" she paused a certain emotion flashing through her eyes before she went on the speak."Oh, I have a delightful idea of where to start looking; those of the ‘dark’ tend to flock together, and i know only once place which is always dark; Knockturn ally. ”

“I have no reason to mention you.” Savoring the image of Hogwarts one more time, he returned his back in the opposite direction and cast his gaze over the wooden sign which proposed information upon Hogmeades whereabouts

“Knockturn Alley..? Recalling the memories of wandering the dilapidated streets of the shady alleyway in his youth, he smirked, remembering the spark of excitement he felt when he acquired his first wand. It was made of Yew, and within the woods hardened exterior, harnessed the core of a Runespore Fang, a peculiar wand as it’s core seemed to amplify the use of dark magic. But after all, the wand chose him, though he couldn’t help but smile at the irony. He missed his youth severely, and instead he chose a path of power, and sorrow. Anger had corrupted him at an early age, enveloping his youthful and naïve mind mercilessly, and like all others, he paid a severe price, one that would last him a life time.

Shrugging off the clouded memories, he exhaled from his nostrils lightly and released his gently grip from the young girl’s hand. “You won’t be able to accompany me to Knockturn Alley..” Reaching back, he tugged on his robes hood, and replaced it over his head, hiding his long, white hair within its confines, and allowing it to shade is fascia. “Hogwarts would search for you, you better depart now. I have to go to this place alone, but you will see me again.. Soon I would think.”

He spoke calmly to the girl, his voice deep, echoing and gentle. “If I’m going to travel there, then I better do so now before daybreak. I doubt I will attract any attention in the alley, as I will fade into that place as a ghost would.” Lifting his arm, as if it’s own weight was too much for him to bare, he turned and smiled warmly at the child. “Yes.. I think our meeting will be inevitable.” Then, he waved his hand before him as small strands of grass and dirt engulfed his body, spiraling around his thin frame in a torrent of debris. It then dispersed within the air, before settling gently back onto the sullen ground below, and with that, Algernon was gone.

This is only the beginning.

When he told her she wouldn’t be able to follow him, she knew it was the logical answer. But she still felt a little out of the loop, despite the fact they’d travelled through the forest they’d not really spoke of anything, it was a conversation of riddles and half truths. She found it amusing to say the least, both of them talking yet trying to hide their secrets. He brought out the more vamperic side of her that was for sure. She knew she wouldn’t mention Algernon to anyone, he was perhaps one of the only people who wouldn’t judger her for being a vampire, and she had no right to judge him. They were kindred spirits, well species as such.

She watched his movements carefully, as he covered up the white hair with his hood. Unlike him she didn’t have to hide, she’d always been odd looking, people just assume she’d gotten worse as she grown older. Not that she get any older, physically at least. She wondered why he added on ‘I think.’ She would look for him again, in the forest of course, she liked being able to be inhuman. When he then spoke about it being inevitable she giggled, for one reason or another he would see her again. With a half smile back on her lips, her dreamy suddenly nature set into place over her instinctive one.

“Rather soon I think. Fare well Algernon” her voice a tinkling soprano as she stepped back from his form, preparing to leave him. However before she could leave he had waved his hand and been engulfed in debris and dirt, vanishing as the first settled. She grinned at his exit, very dramatic.

“How odd.”

Her lips turned back into a vague half smile as she faded backwards into the shadows, her pale form running through them back to the forest. Past Hogwarts without a second glance and silently back into the trees. She still had a few hours of night left after all, and if she ran, maybe she’d be able to bury the unicorn before dawn.