T W E N T Y - T W O
Pity Party

"Luci'..." The archangel Gabriel's voice taunted, as he stood proudly in the center of a nice restaurant. "I'm home." He smirked to his brother who across the restaurant glared darkly at him.

Standing across from Gabriel was his brother archangel. This archangel standing across from Gabriel the infamous fallen brother. This brother of his was someone who went by many names, someone who all people trembled upon hearing, someone who was meant to bring about the apocalypse.

He was known as Morningstar, Diablo, Satan, Devil? Any of those names ring a bell? This fallen archangel; however, only had one true name. One true name which he carried among both Heaven and Hell. A name which everyone used with caution.

Lucifer.

Lucifer stood across the restaurant blood painted across his every fiber. His vessel appeared to be having a hard time carrying the weight of Satan inside, as his face looked like it was ripping in multiple different places.

Lucifer moved his eyes to a woman lying on the ground, staring terrified into the very crystal blue irises of Lucifer. The Devil moved, ready to kill the woman behind Gabriel deeming her whimpering nature annoying.

Alike to a hero Gabriel moved in front of what appeared to be a human woman, holding his archangel blade threateningly in the face of Lucifer.

"Not this time, brother." Gabriel tilted his head with mischievous smile, tired of his brother killing anything within a mile radius of him.

Keeping his eyes firmly locked onto Lucifer, Gabriel reached down pulling up who Lucifer now recognized as Kali; the Hindu goddess. Kali was a pagan God, and on her own extremely powerful. However, she stood no chance against either the archangel Gabriel and especially not Lucifer.

Once Kali was held in his grasp, he turned looking to two men who were just standing from being knocked down. These two men were brothers; infamous supernatural hunters. The oldest of the two went by the name Dean Winchester, and despite being older he was the shorter of the two. The youngest by four years was named Sam Winchester, and he stood at toppling 6'4 in height, looking almost like a moose.

These two brothers were nothing but the average human; however, despite this these were the two hunters who scared many monsters. It was the Winchester's job to hunt down any threatening supernatural being and eliminate it.

Even though Gabriel wasn't fond of the brother's, he knew they were good men. Men who put their own lives at risk on a daily basis in order to save the innocent. These two human hunters were attempting to find a way to kill Lucifer and stop the apocalypse from happening.

They wanted to stop the war between Heaven and Hell.

"Guys!" He called to them, not taking an eye of Lucifer. "Get her out of here!"

The two hunters ran, taking Kali out of Gabriel's grasp and making their way to the door. Gabriel blocked them from Lucifer, his archangel blade held high, ready to strike if Lucifer tried anything.

Lucifer watched them leave in disdain, annoyed that the pathetic pagan God was still alive. Rolling his eyes, Lucifer turned back to his brother a disgusted look on his face.

"Over a girl?" Lucifer scoffed, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "Gabriel, really? I mean I knew you were slumming, but I hope you didn't catch anything." Lucifer wiggled his fingers in disgust at the thought of mating with a Pagan God.

It was true, around twenty years ago Gabriel and Kali had been a 'thing'. Well, more like friends with benefits. Of course in recent years because Gabriel's secret child, he had cut things off with her.

Gabriel smirked, shaking his head. "Lucifer, you're my brother and I love you. But you are one big bag of dicks." He spit out the last part, making Lucifer take a step forward.

"What did you just say to me?" Lucifer questioned, narrowing his eyes.

"Look at yourself," Gabriel scoffed, motioning to Lucifer. "Boohoo, daddy was mean to me so I'm going to smash up all his toys." He was referring to God; their father, favoring humans over angels.

Lucifer tilted his head coolly, placing his hands on his hips. "Watch your tone, little brother." He sneered threateningly.

"Play the victim all you want," Gabriel's voice dropped lower. "But you and I, we know the truth." He threw a taunting smile to Lucifer. "Dad loved you best, more than Michael, more than me." He admitted, raising a knowing brow at his brother. "Then, he brought the new baby home and you couldn't handle it, so all this..." He motioned around, referring to the apocalypse Lucifer was bound to start. "Is just one big temper-tantrum." He slowly raised his blade at Lucifer, giving him a glower. "Time to grow up." Gabriel finished, taking a small step forward.

Thunder boomed in the distance, a sign of the two brothers preparing to brawl. Only one could survive.

"Gabriel, if you're doing this for Michael-" Lucifer held his hands up in a sort of peace symbol, but was cut off by Gabriel.

"Screw him." Gabriel spat about their oldest brother, making Lucifer look up in slight surprise. "If he were here, I would stab his ass too." Lucifer looked appalled at the fact Gabriel wasn't doing this for Michael, but on his own accord.

He scoffed, pointed an accusing finger to Gabriel. "You disloyal bastard."

"Oh, I'm loyal." Gabriel stated, "To them."

"To who? These so called Gods." Lucifer snorted a laugh at the so called 'Gods'.

"To people, Lucifer." Gabriel sighed at his brother who couldn't seem to understand humanity.

Lucifer shook his head in disbelief that his brother chose those... those idiotic apes.

"So you are willing to die for a pile of cockroaches." Lucifer looked at Gabriel in disgust. "Why?" Lucifer added, curious as to why his brother would ever side with them.

'Because the mother to my child was own of those so called cockroaches', Gabriel wanted to snark, but he knew he could never reveal his daughter's existence. Especially not to Lucifer of all beings.

"Because dad was right." Gabriel settled on saying. "They are better than us." He remembered the time God saying humans were far better than angels.

Lucifer's blood boiled in immediate defense. "They are broken, flawed, abortions!" Lucifer began naming all the flaws about humanity.

"Damn right they're flawed," Gabriel sucked in a breath, bringing up a finger. "But a lot of them try... to do better, to forgive." Gabriel walked around his older brother. "I have been ignoring you all for a long time, but I'm in the game now. And guess what. I'm not on your side or Michael's." He paused smirking. "I'm on their's."

It was silent, for a moment Lucifer looking down with what looked like true pain written across his face. "Brother, do not make me do this." Lucifer whispered, he didn't want to kill Gabriel, but if it came down to it he would.

"No one makes us do anything." Gabriel brought the sass like he did, his true mischievous nature shining through.

Lucifer let out an irritated sigh at his younger brother's comments. They would never admit it, but between the four of them. Michael, Lucifer, Raphael, and Gabriel. Lucifer and Gabriel had by far been the closest.

"I know you think you're doing the right thing, but I know where your heart truly lies." Lucifer tried reasoning looking up when he realized something was off.

Behind Lucifer's figure was a copy of Gabriel, one of his tricks. Looking at both Gabriel's you would never be able to tell who was the real and who was the trick. The Gabriel behind Lucifer rose his archangel blade ready to strike, when Lucifer realized just what was happening.

With swiftness alike to lightning, Lucifer turned around grabbing Gabriel's arm and forcing him to plunge the archangel blade; the one weapon that could truly kill an archangel, into Gabriel's own chest.

The version which was stabbed froze up, groaning lowly. Turning his head Lucifer watched as the version which he was speaking to just moments prior fade into blue magic disappearing on the spot.

"Amateur hocus pocus." Lucifer frowned upon his brother's attempt to kill him. "Don't forget you learned all your tricks from me, little brother." Lucifer grabbed his head and in a quick motion plunged the blade in all the way.

Gabriel let out a loud scream, his eyes glowing bright blue. As his mouth opened in the scream the amazingly bright blue grace of his burned through the thin skin of his vessel lighting up the room.

And with one last breath Gabriel fell dead to the floor, as the first archangel to die. Lucifer looked to his little brother letting out small breaths of sorrow. He really didn't want to kill him, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and Lucifer could not have another archangel against him.

As Gabriel lie on the floor in death, an image of his huge beautiful wings outlined the wooden floorboards of the restaurant.

Lucifer's stare bore down on what he believed to be the dead vessel of his beloved younger brother. He shook his head in disappointment, eyes glowing a bright vibrant red. With a sigh, Lucifer teleported away ready to carry out his plans on the start of the Armageddon.

Unbeknownst to Lucifer many miles away in the glamouring city of New York, sat a young Nephilim watching the outside world through her bedroom window. With a loud gasp the little nine-year-old Pandora Claire felt the bond connecting both her and her father's power snap. She no longer felt Gabriel, he was dead.

Balthazar watching the little girl's expression knew that his brother had died. He said nothing, but pulled Pandora into his body as she let out loud gut retching sobs. Pandora wished for nothing more than her father to pick her up and hold her in his arms.

~

I sat in the common room, for the first time since I came to Hogwarts unable to fall back asleep. I watched the red flames burn bright, hugging my knees to my chest. Tilting my head, I made the flames turn into the a little girl dancing with her father.

The dream of my father dying by the hands of Lucifer played itself through my mind every single year on this exact day.

June sixteenth. My birthday.

Now, don't get me wrong by my pity party sort of attitude. I love my birthday, always have, always will. However, in recent years the mornings after waking up are always the worst part of my day.

Since I was nine every single year on my birthday, the memory of my father being murdered burned through my mind. A simple reminder from my subconscious that I would never experience another birthday with my dad.

I shivered goosebumps arising on my arms at the traumatizing image of my dad lying dead on the floor, his huge wings outlined around him.

Shaking my head, I tried thinking of anything other than the fact of my long dead dad.

A small smile formed upon me remembering that I was turning sixteen on the sixteenth. Looking to the clock, I nearly jumped at the time. I had been sitting out here for just a little over two hours, students would no doubt be waking up around this time.

After all, it was the last Hogsmeade visit we'd be getting for a while. Flying to a standing position, I jogged upstairs eager to be the first girl in the showers.

I was determined to make myself look at least a little presentable. After washing up in the shower, I made my way out of the bathroom running into multiple girls who had decided they wanted to take a shower.

"I was here first!" My eyes wandered to a small cat-fight breaking out upon who would get the last open shower.

"You tart! I was here first!" They began screaming like maniacs, causing me to rush away not eager to see where this would lead.

Making my way into the dormitory I saw only two out of three other girls who slept in here were. Lavender who had brushed her pin straight hair and already got her uniform on sat on her bed reading a potions text book. Anamaria Valdez slept in her bed like any sane person would spend their Saturday doing, I would be sleeping in as well if it weren't for that damn cursed dream.

Lavender looked up from her reading momentarily raising a brow at the towel covering both my body and hair. "You're up early." She turned a page in her book.

"Yeah, couldn't sleep." I muttered, walking to the mirror at the end of the room.

After towel drying my hair I was able to brush it out into the natural fluffy curls. Instead of doing the usual braid, I decided to shake it up a bit—pinning my hair in a large ponytail.

I was quick to throw on a nice summer dress paired with some random flats. Appeased with my appearance; Lavender and I made our way downstairs.

She looked at me with a small look of surprise. "A little dolled up are we?" She questioned, but a grin ate at her lips.

I shrugged in response, happy to find Walter waiting across the room for us. We had all agreed a few days ago to eat breakfast at The Three Broomsticks. Walter looking as surprised as Lavender drinking in my appearance, looking to me for an explanation.

Again, I only shrugged. Jesus Christ what was with these people? The only difference was a small mix in hairstyles and something other than my Hogwarts uniform.

Just as we were headed to the portrait hole, the one and only Albus Dumbledore merrily strolled in. The three of us stopped walking when he stepped to us, or more appropriately me.

"Professor." Both Walter and Lavender greeted in unison.

Professor Dumbledore gave a joyous smile, nodding to them both. "Good morning Miss Rowle and Mister McQuillon." He turned to me a twinkle in his eye. "And of course to the birthday girl, happy sixteenth Rhiannon." He said my name in a knowing tone.

I was surprised he remembered; when I first met him in the pub all those months back I had vaguely told him my birthday. However, I was even more shocked when he held out a small neatly wrapped box.

Blushing furiously, I took the birthday present from Dumbledore a small 'thank you' escaping me. Lavender looked exasperated and Walter just at a loss for words.

"It's your birthday and you didn't tell me?" She hissed, getting worked up. "I would have got you something!"

"Oh no, that's really okay-" I waved her off only to be cut off.

"No matter, I will buy you something in Hogsmeade." She said, Walter nodding in agreement looking slightly upset at the fact he didn't know it was my birthday.

I smiled at their thoughtfulness, opening the present from Dumbledore. Inside lay a box labeled 'Cauldron Cakes'.

"Now, I know it isn't much, but I thought that you would enjoy some wizard sweets which didn't try to attack." Dumbledore said merrily.

A large smile wrapped itself around my face as I looked into his ocean blue pools. "Thank you." I stepped forward pulling him into a hug.

"Oh!" Dumbledore said in surprise before letting out a small laugh.

He hugged me back for a few moments, me enjoying the feel of his friendly nature. Stepping back a smile tugged at my lips.

"Well, happy birthday Rhiannon, I'll leave you three to Hogsmeade." Dumbledore smiled, leaving the common room.

Right as he left, Lavender hit me lightly on the arm. "That was for not telling me it's your birthday."

I shook my head, running upstairs to put away my gift.

~

"I think this hat suits you rather well, don't you agree." Lavender fussed over a hat which she forced me to try on.

"Lavender you really don't need to get me anything." I sighed, handing her the hat.

"Oh be quiet, of course I do." She took the hat off my head, giving it a once over. "Okay, this hat it is." She ran to the cash register to pay for it.

Walter's gift to me had been him completely paying for my breakfast plus some odd wizard birthday smoothie. Just for the record that smoothie was not half bad.

Walter sat at the front of the store waiting for Lavender to get through with buying me something. Waiting for Lavender's return, my thoughts wandered to Tom. There was something wrong, not long after I had left him I felt this sharp pain in my chest.

I figured he was making a Horcrux, and it took all my might to not stop him. If I wanted my plan to work I had to allow history to write itself out. Of course I would try to stop small deaths from happening, but the over all picture had to stay the same.

"Come on, ice cream time; my treat." Lavender pulled me out of my thoughts, holding the hat box in her arms.

The three of us walked over to the small ice cream parlor that had very recently opened cracking jokes. "I'm telling you two, my mom is seriously making me take muggle summer school. She says and I quote 'you need to be both prepared for the wizard world and the muggle world'." Walter mocked his mom in a high-pitched voice.

I snorted, slapping the boy on the back. "Have fun with that." He glared at me, Lavender joining in on the laughter.

As we entered the ice cream parlor the scent of sweet sugar met my nose. However, we all froze upon seeing who was in line. Tom Riddle and his cronies stood toward the front of the line.

Tom wore his usual crisp Slytherin uniform, minus the robe. Around him his associates as they should be names argued and cracked mean jokes with each other. As odd as it was, Abraxas Malfoy in his blonde glory seemed to have a nose for anything Lavender related.

He was the only one of the group to turn his head, grey eyes boring directly into Lavender's. Walter; however, focused his attention on Tom Riddle then turned his head to look at me. He gave an innocent smile, but under that I knew he planning to do something.

He nudged Lavender, drawing her attention away from Abraxas and to him. Motioning to Tom she seemed to catch what he was thinking, looking to me. My eyebrows furrowed not entirely seeing what they were getting at.

Unfortunately, my realization came too little to late.

"Guys, no-" I was cut off by Lavender.

"Tom." Lavender strolled straight up to Tom, who looked mildly surprised at her approaching figure.

All of Tom's group went silent as she walked, Abraxas in particular looking slightly scared for her. However, Tom's eyes only fluttered to my crimson cheeks which were heated in embarrassment then back to Lavender's form curiously.

Walter smiled at me, me only glaring fiercely causing him to flinch. Slowly, the two of us drew our eyes back to Lavender who spoke in hushed whispers with Tom Riddle.

"Oh my god." I brought my hands up covering my face at what she was saying.

"Listen, Riddle. It's Rhiannon's birthday and you being her potion's partner and all figured you ought to know." She stated calmly, turning and giving a small wink Abraxas's way much to my surprise.

"Why? Why? Why?" I muttered to myself, while Lavender walked back up to us with a look of utter confidence.

Not even a second after she had gotten to us, Tom began following in her path toward me looking thoroughly amused. She gave me a Cheshire grin, nodding her head like some matchmaker.

I hate everything.

After what seemed like hours, Tom finally got to us. Doing the most unusual thing ever, I turned my head toward the door scratching my hair in an odd pose.

"Tom." Walter sighed in greeting, looking to me his mouth hanging open at what I was doing.

"Hello." I meekly said, facing Tom's cocky smirk.

It was then I noticed he looked way more pale than usual, and that was saying something. Tom just looked sick if I was being honest, and I knew it had something to do with the damn Horcruxes.

"Hello." He replied in a low tone, raising a single brow. "I believe it is your birthday?"

"Yeah, I wonder who told you that?" I sarcastically said, glaring at Lavender who only smiled pulling Walter and herself out of the ice cream parlor.

"Wait, Lavender!" Abraxas cried, throwing himself out the door racing to catch up to Lavender who was running away from him screaming.

Tom and I both watched them through the glass windows, our expressions dumbfounded. Well, Tom's was more sneering at the blonde in disgust. Rolling his eyes, he looked to me.

"Happy birthday." He told me, before looking toward the doors to the overcast summer sky.

"Shall we?" He questioned in a mocking tone, earning a grin from me.

"We shall." We were out and about the tiny town of Hogsmeade.

As we walked around the small town, I looked up to Tom curiously. "You did it, didn't you?" I sighed, him knowing I was referring to the Horcrux.

He didn't answer, but we both knew what the answer was. Twiddling my thumbs, I let out a breath stopping Tom just in front of a random knickknack shop.

"Listen, I don't say this a lot, but I'm sorry. Truly, what I said was out of line and rude." I admitted, causing Tom to look at me in shocked disbelief.

He shook his head chuckling darkly. "But what you said is true, my dear." He purred the pet name in a sort of sinister tone and I knew right away that the Horcrux had made a difference on him.

"I never said it wasn't true." I quipped smartly, making him raise a brow. "I simply said that my comments to you were out of line. I had no right in saying that to your face." I paused, before muttering. "Even if they are true."

Tom only smirked in a sort of victory. "Well, of course I accept your apology; Rhiannon." He said my name in an odd sort tone that was almost flirtatious.

What the fuck? He was being rather odd at the moment.

"Great." I rolled on the balls of my feet, resting my hands behind my back.

Suddenly, a sort of shimmer caught my attention coming from inside the trinket shop. Motioning Tom with me, the two of us entered the old shop. I was surprised when Tom suddenly stepped in front of me, almost protectively walking around expecting me to follow. As we made our way through the shop the same shimmer which I saw through the window came from one of the shelves.

Pulling Tom with me, I peeked upon the shelf curiously trying to find the item. Tilting my head, I smiled seeing as the item was a tiny silver compass, a small heart carved in the center of it. Stroking it lovingly, I new I wanted it, but didn't have any money to buy it.

Setting it back down gently, I smiled to Tom. Tom had been watching the whole ordeal, hands stuffed in the pockets of his trousers.

"Ice cream?" I questioned, motioning to the door.

"You go, I need to do something first." He was eyeing a rack of what looked to be old beaten books across the store.

With a small shrug, I left going to the ice cream parlor. Looking over all the flavors, I decided on mint for myself and vanilla for Tom. I had no clue as to what Tom would want and decided you couldn't go wrong with vanilla.

"That'll be-" I cut the lady off as she was giving me a price making sure no lurking ears were near by.

"I am taking these ice creams free, thank you very much." I said, looking into her eyes my own turning gold upon using my true Nephilim powers in order to compel her.

"Of course!" She smiled brightly. "Have a fantastic day!" My eyes turned back to hazel as I left the parlor.

Leaving the parlor, I licked my mint ice cream with a large smile. The wind flowed freely, ruffling my dress as I walked toward the direction of the knickknack shop. As soon as I was in sight of it, Tom walked out putting a small box in his pockets as well as taking a small leather bound dusty book under his arm.

Licking my ice cream, Tom and I met up in the middle. I handed him the vanilla with a smile, he took the ice cream eyes disappointed as he looked at it.

"Let me guess, you don't like vanilla." I rolled my eyes at my own shitty guessing.

He handed me a smirk, licking his ice cream. I couldn't help but watch the way his tongue rolled down the ice cream slowly licking the excess cream off his lips. Tom noticed my wandering eyes chuckling while raising his brows at me.

I cleared my throat, awkwardly licking my own ice cream. "Sorry, your ice cream just looks good." Was my lame excuse.

"Okay," He snorted. "We'll go with that reason." My ears turned pink upon his comment. "To answer your previous question, vanilla is fine." He paused smirking at me. "But, mint is better." With that he somehow had switched our ice creams quick as lightning.

"Hey, give it back." I yelled, trying to get my ice cream from him as he mercilessly licked away at the delicious mint.

"Of course," He mocked, licking it one last time before returning it.

With a glare I took it back, from him licking the mint angrily. He laughed, but in the midst of his laughter I took his vanilla and took a huge bite from it.

Tom glared at that, stopping his laughter before realization hit both of us. You shouldn't just take a huge bite out of freezing cold ice cream. Especially, 'no-melt ice cream.' And with that the biggest brain freeze ever, hit my head.

"Screw you." I groaned at the Tom's laughing form.

There the two of us stood, me glaring at Tom while eating my ice cream; him only smirking in return. It as we were walking back to the castle debating on whether or not London was better than New York.

"I'm telling you, you'll never see a prettier sight then the statue of Liberty lit up at night." I told him, causing him to scoff.

"Actually yes I can, Big Ben lit up in the rain." He snickered making me shake my head.

"Okay, yeah whatever." I rolled my eyes, making Tom smirk.

"Answer me this," He stopped us just outside the main doors leading into the school. "If you don't like London more why leave New York and come to Hogwarts." I scoffed, crossing my arms.

"If you haven't noticed, this is Scotland." I motioned around us dramatically.

He rolled his eyes about to say something, but cut himself off. Tom was looking to a sight behind me. Following his gaze, it landed on his group of friends who were all no doubt breaking hundreds of school rules by horsing around.

Tom growled at them, turning back to face me. He said nothing, but fished around the pockets of his trouser taking out the small box I saw him putting in earlier. I noticed it had been neatly wrapped with a little bow on top.

Looking into his eyes, I smiled about to say 'thank you' before he cut me off. "Happy Birthday, Rhiannon." He stated quietly, gaze momentarily drifting to my lips.

Not even a second later, he spun on his heel walking to where the rest of his goons were awaiting their masters presence. Tom gave me one last look, before he strolled inside the school with the others.

Curiously, I opened the gift my smile widening when I saw just what it was. The little silver compass. I knew Tom didn't have much money, so the fact that he actually spent some to buy me this made me sigh with glee.

~

Once I got to the dorm room, I stroked the little compass with a smile. I truly did love it. It would be my new good luck charm. Setting it on the dresser by my bedside, I noticed the hat box sitting on my bed.

Lavender must have brought it up for me.

Looking around the room, I paused my eyebrows raising upon a small necklace box sitting innocently on the window sill. Making my way over to the little purple worn necklace box, I read the note it was on top of.

Dear Pandora,
Happy sixteenth birthday! I hope you find faith with this necklace, it was your father's. I can't wait for you to be home for the summer soon! I figure I'll be teaching you how to drive over summer!
With love,
                     Balthazar

P.S. - Alexius recently dropped by and is angry you went to Hogwarts without him. He also says this gift is apparently from him as well, and to be expecting him at Hogwarts with you next year.
P.P.S - Sorry.

I laughed in excitement at his note, doing a little happy dance. Alexius would be coming with me next year! My thoughts ran a hundred miles a minute at all the trouble the both of us would stir.

My Antichrist best friend would no doubt be one of the most entertaining people to attend this school.

Ha, Lavender thought I was bad; just wait until she met Alexius.

With a smile, I opened the purple box revealing the necklace my father had always worn. Taking it out of the box, the golden chain seemed to warm up to a 'holy entity' holding it. Being held by the chain was a small simple wooden cross.

However, it packed more punch than it looked like it did. If any sort of demon or creature from Hell were to touch the necklace it would burn them. This sort of a necklace was mainly used by priest performing exorcisms.

Of course, I didn't need it for protection considering I was able to make demons burn with just a glance, a trait which Alexius and I found out when we were on one of our 'adventures' that consisted of running through a cemetery with a demon finding us. Yeah, long story short, I burned him alive. Not one of my proudest moments.

Shaking my head at the memory, a smile ran across my lips as I placed the cross around neck, hiding it under my dress securely, away from peeking eyes.

***
Author's note:

Which city is your favorite? Comment your answers, I would love to hear them!

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