the youngest archangel was titled GABRIEL.

E I G H T 
A Nightly Stroll

"Daddy!" The four-year-old voice of Pandora Claire squealed as she ran about the apartment looking for her father.

Hide-n-seek was no doubt her favorite game to play with him, even if he was the one to always win. Running up to the curtain on the window she pushed it to the side expecting to see him standing behind it. She let out a disappointed huff when he was not there.

Scratching her head, Pandora began walking toward the hallway thinking he was hiding behind the shower curtain. Just as her small self passed the mirror leading into the hallway, her kinder gaze caught sight of something unusual.

Turning to face the mirror her eyes went wide at what she witnessed. On her back was a pair a prodigious feathery white wings; somehow, they seemed to just go through her clothing not ripping it in the slightest. Her lips trembled as Pandora slowly placed a small hand on the mirror unable to look away from the wings.

The feathers ruffled as she moved, causing her to jump. Unfortunately, in her upset state Pandora's eyes began glowing a bright golden color shining—as if she had been provoked. Objects around the apartment began shaking wildly, a loud sob racking through the little girl's body.

"Pandora!" Her father screamed in fright for his daughter, before he appeared in front of her.

He looked over her, his vessel's cream eyes widening when they caught sight of the wings.

The archangel Gabriel took the vessel of man in his early thirties, he was relatively good-looking with dark blonde hair and sharp jaw line.

"Daddy!" Pandora screeched, objects flying around violently. "Make them go away." She pulled harshly at the wings on her back, yelling in pain as her finger nails pulled the soft feathers.

"No, no, no!" He panicked, picking up her small frame holding the young girl tight against his body preventing anymore damage from being done. "Ssshhh, calm down my little girl." He whispered soothingly, her screams ceasing as small cries simply left her.

The room stopped shaking and objects dropped from their place in the air. With a snap of Gabriel's fingers, the room was back to how it looked previously as if nothing had ever touched it.

Gently, he sat them down on the couch as Pandora began sucking her thumb, small sniffles coming from her. He pushed her back far enough so that they could look into each other's eyes. He gaze roamed from her eyes to the wings on her back, a gentle smile formed on his face while he tutted.

"Oh, my Pandora—they're so beautiful." He cooed, touching the wings. As his fingers threaded in and out of the feathers she jumped not used to feeling such a foreign feeling. It was almost like someone running their fingers through her hair, but much more intimate—and it felt much more pleasurable.

Small hums, almost purr-like came from Pandora as she once again leaned into her father. He chuckled as his fingers stroked the white feathers, weaving in and out. "What are they?" The tired girl muttered into Gabriel's chest, her voice sounding exhausted.

"They're your wings." He answered, causing her to furrow her eyebrows.

"I'm not a bird though." She huffed, causing him to laugh.

"No, you're not a bird. But you are half angel, and all angels have wings." He lulled Pandora softly, thumbing her wings gently.

"Even you?" Her eyes went big, causing him to nod.

"Even me." He said, an on cue the sound of ruffling feathers sounded.

Pandora's mouth fell agape as on her father's back was something she had never seen before. Huge wings sat there, bigger than most other angels. Gabriel's feather's were a striking gold, not an inch of any other color. They looked as if they were thread from the finest silk, and worth nothing less of the shiniest of diamonds.

"They're so pretty." The girl exclaimed in awe, her own eyes reflecting the golden color of her father's wings.

"And so are your's, my little love." He told her, laying on his back placing her on top of him.

His large wings engulfed them both, wrapping around their bodies softly, warmer than any blanket.

Pandora nuzzled her head in the crook of Gabriel's neck, yawning loudly. Gabriel gently stroked her head, lulling the young child into a peaceful sleep.

~

I awoke with a start, angrily wiping tears from my eyes. It was no nightmare, but a dream—a memory at that. I hated dreaming more than anything, it was simply a reminder of what was lost.

My father.

Sometimes the good dreams were the ones that hurt the most. They were the reminders of a happiness you couldn't have. A happiness which was lost. I would prefer to conquer the horrors of a nightmare rather than allow myself to fall prey in a dream that was no longer a reality.

Looking around the warm dorm, I caught sight of my roommates fast asleep—the clock on the wall reading two in the morning. I hadn't spoke with Tom since the library, but I had caught sight of his approving gaze when I arrived to dinner that night. He was top of all our classes, me choosing to ignore the fact that he purposely tried to show off to me. As if saying that our History of Magic class made no difference, and he was still smarter than I. Not that I could care, but I would give him the satisfaction if it made him content.

Not wanting to go back to sleep right away, I stood from the bed placing a pair of shoes on my feet. Covering my pajamas with the school robe, I silently padded out of the room.

I would explore the corridors of the castle in an attempt to get to know it better. I figured since everyone was asleep if I managed to find myself completely lost, I would just teleport back to the room.

The girls were asleep anyway so they wouldn't see me.

As I made my way out of the common room my eyes caught sight of the sleeping portraits. The castle was eerie at this time of night. The corridors were cold, the walls creaked with age, and owls hooted ominously across the school grounds. I trudged my way along the moving staircases—which seemed to be a lot less active at night.

Silently, I wandered aimlessly through the corridors, eventually finding my way to the second floor. As I strolled through, desperately trying to rid my mind of thoughts and images of my late father I heard a rather odd noise. Odd in the sense that it sounded like footsteps, and footsteps shouldn't be sounding about at this late hour.

Looking around, I allowed my hearing to guide me closer to noise. I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw Tom Riddle in all his glory creeping slyly along the corridors. He seemed to grow annoyed with the sounds of his footsteps and cast a silencing charm around himself.

My eyebrows furrowed at his neatly pressed school-robes, and perfectly styled hair. It was nearing three a.m. and he still looked well. Shaking my head I quickly hid behind a corridor wall to hide myself from his view. I watched as he looked around before he started his descent down the abandoned corridor.

Where could he be hurrying off to at this time of night. Knowing I couldn't waste this opportunity to get a lead on him, I tapped into some of my dormant Enochian magic. I had to be careful about it, so it wouldn't flood my system and therefore become no longer dormant. Something like that happening with Tom just around the corner would be horrible.

With a breath small amounts of my Angelic power were brought into my system, it was just enough to allow me to turn invisible to the human eye. Now, when I say invisible I didn't mean I literally go invisible. No, my form simply goes into the third dimension—or the Veil as most referred to it.

The Veil was where 'muggle' ghost went, as unlike wizards who turn to ghost; muggles cannot make themselves visible to the human eye. In rare cases if a muggle's spirit has been around long enough; then yes, with enough focus they could possibly make themselves known in some form.

When my form was fully divulged into the Veil, I began to follow Tom not worried about whether or not he would catch me. Unless he had the 'inner eye' he wasn't going to be seeing me anytime soon. His steps were quick and silent as I followed him to some unknown place.

I came to a stand-still when he paused just outside the door to the girl's bathroom. Gracefully, he turned looking around to make sure no one saw him. I froze when his gaze bore directly on me, but relaxed when I noticed him looking through me rather than at me. His stone cold blue eyes always managed to make me jump.

His eyes were made of such a cold ice color, that it was rare to see anyone with it. They were beautiful, but deadly. They lured you in by incredible beauty, only to snap at you in the end. His eyes were a treasure in my opinion, a color in which I could look at for day's and never get sick of.

Slowly, he moved his gaze away from me—taking one last glimpse around. My jaw dropped when he slipped into the girl's bathroom, eyes going wide at his lack of shame. What in the hell was he doing in the girl's restroom?

Thoughts circled my mind a hundred miles a second, my legs nearly giving way at his actions. He was pervert. The handsome, role-model student Tom Riddle—was a pervert. I should have seen it.

Quickly, jumping forward before the door could close I entered the bathroom watching Tom look into every stall. I was wordless as he peeked into every single stall, covering my mouth to stop the sarcastic words which wished to fly out.

When he found no one in any of the stalls, he turned back to walking along the rows of sinks. His tall form froze in front of a single sink, wand at the ready. A smooth noise almost like hissing left his mouth, so sharp that it was scary—yet almost endearing.

I immediately recognized the noise as Parseltongue, the language used to communicate with snakes. Suddenly, it hit me. Tom Riddle was no pervert, but this was the very year he opened the Chamber of Secrets.

I had forgotten about the Chamber of Secrets. Much to my dread the very top of the sinks floated in the air, the large circle of sinks moving forward spreading away from each other. The original sink Tom was standing in front of, sank, right out of sight, leaving a huge hole in the ground exposed. The hole was large enough for almost six people to fit into at the same time.

This was the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets, and Tom Riddle had just opened it.

Tom wasted no time in jumping down the tunnel, me waiting a few seconds. I heard the sound of his feet hitting the ground before taking a deep breath. Following in his lead I leaped down the hole, holding in a scream as I fell down the cold dark entrance. Much to my disgust I landed upright in a pile of small bones, freezing seeing Tom just inches away from me. If either of us moved in the wrong direction we would be touching.

My heart hammered when he moved away walking through the twisty tunnels. I was right on his heel—not keen on getting lost. Slowly, we walked through a door covered with metal snakes—him unknowingly showing me into the Chamber of Secrets. The face of Salazar Slytherin was carved into a stone wall at the end of the Chamber, statues of snakes heads lining the sides accompanied by murky water covering the floor.

Tom stood before the statue as the sound of scales sliding along the ground was heard. I gulped staring straight into huge yellow eyes. For any human, staring into the eyes of a Basilisk would kill them. However, me being Nephilim—I am not affected in the slightest. It takes a hell of a lot more than huge snake eyes to take me down.

My only worry was whether or not the huge creature would catch my scent. Hopefully, the veil hid it, but the last thing I need is it sniffing out the angelic grace in my soul and tattling to Tom about it. I shivered at thought, God forbid if Tom ever found out... that was one thought I did not want to consider.

Much to my displeasure I could understand nothing as the two conversed. I bit my cheek trying not to laugh when Tom walked over to the Basilisk petting it's head as if it were some house pet. I desperately tried not to snicker as Tom seemingly cooed something in Parseltongue to it.

Tom smirked as if the Basilisk has said something funny, all the while patting it's scaly body. Once he rested his head against the large snake—I lost it. Covering my mouth with my arm, small giggles escaped me. Luckily, they didn't hear me over their conversation, but I shook my head looking at Tom.

In this moment he looked nothing like a monster, who will kill thousands. He only looked like a boy, who was finding joy in cuddling with his pet. Of course, in this case his pet happened to be a huge blood-thirsty monster, but I suppose everyone had their own preferences. In this moment I realized Tom was not a lost cause. He was still just a scared, lonely, orphan boy who has never had the privilege of being loved. That was who I needed to appeal to, his lost self.

Not wanting either to hear my small giggles, I teleported myself back to my dormitory room. A smile rested on my face at the private sight I had just witnessed. Throwing my school robes on the ground along with my shoes, I jumped in bed finally ready to finish my nights sleep.