CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

THE STARE WAS SO LIFELESS—so utterly devoid of an emotion but that of the mildest intrigue, that I wondered if Angus' had been the same. I doubted it somehow. Angus, enslaved as he was, did not share the same look that was now embedded in this creature's eyes.

Viktor Krum tensed in his embrace of me as I did, sensing briefly the trouble at hand. Then before I could say something to him, Viktor Krum, ever the efficient wizard—trained for battle with swords alongside wands—whipped around to face the creature, his thick wand pointed high in defense, the muscles in his back tensing through his dark formal suit.

The creature's stare didn't falter, instead, I could see it vaguely register Krum's presence, before focusing on me again. Although, there was no way to tell, devoid of irises as these blank cream eyes were.

"Viktor, don't," I managed, swallowing my shock.

The Durmstrang didn't move, his stance remained firm as he only tilted his neck cleanly to a side and shifted his shoulders, readying himself for something he imagined was coming.

"It's one of those things isn't it?" He spoke, addressing me, his eyes refusing to leave the target.

"Yes," I affirmed slowly. "They can sense heuristics."

Krum stole a quick glance at me over his shoulder, his expression was determined, only the barest hint of hesitance as he fixed his face towards the creature.

"So, what? He's going to take you to Fontaine?" Viktor scoffed, his tone etched with the superiority he felt over the creature at present. "That isn't what that fucker hired these things for."

"Krum," I hissed, "Shut up for a moment, will you?"

I stepped out from behind him as he grabbed my elbow with his free hand.

"Stay back," He let out, eyes brimming with firm caution. "We don't know what these things can do."

"Stop calling them that," I narrowed my eyes at him, "And I know what they can do."

He considered for a moment, and then reluctantly let go of my elbow. I turned to face the creature, its form still only reserved to two large eyes in this dark Ilvermorny classroom. I thought of Angus. He was a slave, and had been trained to recognize Grindelwald's mark on me. Angus was trained amongst acolytes, he had belonged to acolytes. He belonged to me now, but that didn't change everything he had been through, and everything he had been taught.

This was one of the free les dorés. He knew neither of the things Angus knew, except for their ability to sense heuristics.

"Show yourself," I said, my eyes fixed on the creature's as I stepped a little closer, still maintaining a distance.

The creature's form didn't shift, and though I could make out nothing of it in the dark—except its eyes, I could tell it wasn't responding to me. I could tell it didn't trust me enough to.

"Please," I began, "I mean you no harm. Reveal yourself."

Heuristics wizards and witches never harmed these creatures did they? When they co-existed in the world four centuries ago? Why would discourse exist between species that coexist in vast numbers? It was now that these numbers didn't match anymore, if there was any discourse to be had, it would erupt now if I didn't do anything about it.

Gradually, the pairs of eyes shifted and I braced myself as Viktor Krum stepped in beside me, his wand still held menacingly high towards the creature.

The creature took a single step forward, falling under the light of the moon that was pouring in through a high window above it.

I held my breath at the sight. It was a Halmasti, not a hybrid cross with a jinn like Angus was. A flame spitting creature. A vicious wolf-like face, marked with scars through its ragged fur, as it towered above us, resting its animal body on its forelegs. It didn't stand on two legs like Angus, instead it was in possession of six—all covered in thick jagged fur the color of tree bark. Its mouth was set apart, sharp teeth on display as it breathed slowly.

A deep scar ran through its face, just barely missing the right eye—like a sick attempt at a cross. I stilled suddenly, realizing the blood sparkling in between the thick cut. It was fresh, unlike the other dried and crusted scars on its body. This Halmasti had been attacked, an attack that had been happening for quite some time, an attack that he had also just witnessed.

"Mon dieu," I exhaled. Was this how Ilvermorny—how the American wizarding government was protecting these creatures?  

Was this how freedom was treating them? Was not Angus better off then? Hadn't he been better off with the Fischers? And now under my command?

I felt my wand push up against my skin, hidden in my dress. I didn't realize I had kept it along and now suddenly I was glad for it, as I reached to pull it out. Using heuristics at present would startle the creature, its distrust of me evident in the air between us.

Slowly, I raised my wand and whispered Lumos. The tip of my wand lit up brighter than it had ever before, and I felt the relief dawn inside me at the prospect of having my wand to myself again. But I didn't have time to dwell on it. Taking slow steps, I neared the Halmasti.

"I won't hurt you," I spoke again as Viktor shuffled behind me anxiously.

"Dominique, don't," He blurted out, but I ignored him, bringing my light closer to the creature.

It didn't move, its blank eyes dropping to my form as it watched me approach with a hint of intrigue. I inspected the scars on its form, raising my wand slowly from a distance over the ones marring its lower body. My chest constricted, not a single clear patch on its dark body was free of some sort of scar. Old ones had only crusted up, its dense fur obstructing them from plain view, and the new ones had yet to have that same treatment.

"How could—" I started, schooling my composure as I dipped my head back to meet its eyes. "Who has been hurting you?"

It didn't answer, the creature's form as unmoving as if it was of stone.

"Please," I begged again, I wanted to know and I knew it could tell me. "I know a Halmasti Jinn but he isn't hurt like you. You are free, who is hurting you?"

"A threat nobody is yet ready for," The creature spoke then, and its voice was rusty and startling, as though it hadn't spoken in ages. A door having been closed for years, finally figuring out it had hinges.

"I know who you mean," I spoke, turning over my shoulder to exchange a glance with Viktor Krum. He still had his wand held high, his defense position intact.

"But what would a wizard like that want with you?" I looked at the creature again. "Why would he attack you?"

The Halmasti looked into my eyes, before slowly lowering his head to near mine. I stilled, bracing myself as Krum tensed behind me.

"Hey," The Durmstrang let out, his tone threatening. "Keep your distance, I know you're not blind to see that you're at a disadvantage."

The creature paused, lifting his head only barely to acknowledge Viktor, before meeting my eyes with its whirlpools of cream again.

"That wizard is looking for you," The creature spoke, rusty voice devoid of any emotion. "He is looking for a heuristic witch or wizard, but he knows not to look for you."

I swallowed, maintaining my composure at the proximity. The creature could burn me to a crisp if he wanted to, at this distance it would take me moments to defend myself, and those moments would be enough for it to consume me with his flames—doing irreparable damage before I caught my footing.

"He is using us," The Halmasti continued, "Forcing us to track it, and find whoever it is still alive with the ancient blood in their human veins. He can't use my brothers, for they were not invited out of the shadows. Only I have been, by Agilbert Fontaine. So I am the one employed on the task alone."

"You would be a fool to give me to him," I managed, choking down my fear. The creature was vicious in its looks, and if I was blindfolded, I was sure I wouldn't be struggling as I was at present. 

"That I am not," The creature raised its head again, retreating to its towering height. "That dark wizard will only use you, make you a weapon to destroy the wizarding world."

Then it paused speaking, slowly bending its huge head to the side as his stark tongue darted out of his mouth to wipe at a patch of fur on its back.

"I shall leave you, heuristic witch," The creature spoke again, eyes on me. "We shall conceal your presence, lead that wizard astray."

"Wait—" I broke off, desperation in my voice. "He'll only hurt you more."

"It is only me facing him," The Halmasti's voice was plain. "Not my brothers. So it is not a heavy burden to bear."

My brothers. I swallowed, my throat feeling tight. Was Angus ever one of their clan?

 Then, the creature slowly backed away in the darkness it had emerged from, his form reduced to only the eyes, before his lids shut over them, melting him in the darkness entirely. I took steps forward, my glowing wand raised as I stepped into the darkness. In the light, there was nothing there anymore, just a broken down school supplies cupboard pushed up against the wall.

"Dominique," Viktor Krum's voice sounded in my periphery.

I thought of the creature's scars and I thought of Angus, and I thought of Voldemort. My fists tightened at my sides, fury blinding my vision. I had been thrilled to rouse the dark wizard when I had written him that message, but now, knowing that he was dragging out innocents in his search for me—knowing that he was torturing them, in a desperate attempt to get to me, was sickening. I felt my stomach churn in the dense fury of the notion.

The Durmstrang approached me, his fingers wrapping around my elbow as he pulled me to him. I let myself collide with his chest as he held me.

"I could tear him apart right now," I let out then, my hands shaking with hatred and fury. "I could carve out his decaying carcass, hang his organs on display."

"Not right now," Krum muttered in my hair. "But when the time comes, I will be right beside you." 

He led us out of the classroom then, when I expressed that I didn't want to be in there anymore. I couldn't get the Halmasti's image out of my mind. If he wanted to, he could've taken me right then and there. I couldn't stop calculating how little my odds had been back there. Easily wounded with his fire, I wouldn't have been efficient in defending myself. The creature could've taken me and given me to Voldemort, it could've saved its own hide that way. It could've saved its brothers' hides.

It had chosen not to, thinking of the wizarding world. And here Agilbert Fontaine was, orchestrating a fucking illusion for its brothers and clan—to make them feel important without actually meaning it.

The slow dancing in the ballroom had ceased, as the orchestra played a gentle piano and the clustered magical stars were glowing silver again. Chatter was intense in the air as sounds of laughter echoed all around us. The sudden shift was strange, yet it calmed me a little, made me see things clearly without letting my anger consume me.

I wondered why I didn't have a vision back there. The visions that fuelled from my anger. Grindelwald had said that it was the one thing he couldn't take back, yet after his death I hadn't had any. Then again, after his death, a few moments ago had been the only time I had felt that intense anger that drove the visions.

As we walked into the ballroom, Krum outstretched his hand and wrapped it around my waist, pulling me close to his side as heads turned to watch us enter together. He seemed to lavish the attention, and I distinctly remember him being indifferent to it before. What had changed? Did he merely want people to see me with him? A sudden blush crept up my neck at the thought.

"I don't see Bridgette, or Elias," I started, trying to spot my friends in the crowd now classified into cliques of tens and fives, scattered over the ballroom floor with crystals and refreshments in hand.

In fact, I didn't see any of my Beauxbatons peers. My eyes glanced around for Zubair Dimitrova, to ask him of Bridgette, but the Durmstrang was also nowhere to be seen. Had they all left? It was unlikely.

Hushed conversations surrounded us, as students turned to whisper in each other's ears. I realized then that everything we had been caught doing had only confirmed the rumors about me and Viktor, and at present, there would be no doubt left about it. But what were he and I really? Now that we had confessed our feelings to each other, what did that make us?

"Mon dieu," I hushed, "We are attracting too much attention."

"I know," Viktor Krum grinned, tightening his hold on my waist, "Let them see what they've already believed."

I nudged him slightly with my elbow. "Don't enjoy this Krum, I might decide I don't relish your company after all."

He chuckled, and I stilled at the sound. When was the last time he laughed in front of me?

"So you relish my company, huh?"

Before I could reply, a guy hurried up to us, a grin plastered on his thin ivory face, blonde hair gelled to perfection and a dark blue Ilvermorny headboy badge pinned to the breast pocket of his suit jacket.

"Mr Krum," The guy spoke, nodding once and grinning at the Durmstrang at my side.

"Benjamin," Viktor acknowledged him with a mirrored nod. "How is it going?"

"According to plan actually," The headboy replied, before turning to meet my eyes. "Ah, and you are Miss Dominique Lavigne."

"I am Lucas Benjamin, friends call me Benjamin, Ilvermorny year seven headboy, proud Thunderbird. Puis-je dire que tu es exceptionnellement ravissante ce soir," The Ilvermorny student took my hand, bringing the back of it to his lips briefly, a charming smile on his face.

"Merci," I beamed, flattered that he would switch to French so efficiently to pay me the compliment.

"I actually hurried on over here to invite you both to the farewell party I have personally organized for a select few, on account of your leaving Ilvermorny tomorrow," Lucas Benjamin spoke, his tone casual as he brought his hands together.

"It would be an honor if you both would attend, your friends are also in attendance, and I guarantee an exceptional time."

The boy dragged on that last word, implying everything and anything. I wondered how effectively he ran the Ilvermorny parties, first the punch turned into wine and free lines of cocaine and weed for all attendees, and now a secret farewell party with Merlin knows what else being passed around inside.

"Benjamin," Viktor Krum laughed, "You're the best, show us the way."

The headboy grinned, before stepping aside and making an elaborate gesture for us to follow. I didn't protest as Krum threw me a smile, tugging me along as we followed Lucas Benjamin outside the ballroom and into the hallways at the opposite side of the classroom corridors. The boy had whipped out his wand as we stepped into a darkened back hallway which had purposely been neglected of burning firelight.

In the light of his black wand, we followed him until we arrived at the dead end the darkened hallways had to sport. The boy lifted his wand and muttered a spell, and the stone end started caving in to form an opening—a terrace opening that faced the smaller peaks of the Greylock behind the Ilvermorny castle. Loud noises, that consisted of lively chatter and music met us as we crossed the threshold, and stepped underneath the open night sky hanging over our heads. The stone opening closed behind us, trapping us temporarily on this hidden castle terrace.

The headboy hadn't attempted much in regards to decoration, though there was a table setup in the medium space that sported everything he had promised before in small packets, a giant glass bowl full of alcoholic wine, and two Ilvermorny students—wearing matching serving ties—standing at the edge of the table making extra blunts—thin fingers rolling paper, tongues licking each close. A record player was hoisted up at the other edge of that rectangular table, and it played Gorillaz's She's My Collar.

"Dominique," Bridgette hurried over me, taking my hands in hers. She was tipsy, having had a head start of the alcoholic wine. "Where were you? I sent Benji here twice to find you."

"Benjamin, if you please," The headboy raised a brow, before resorting to converse with the two Ilvermorny boys he had assigned at the blunts job, clearly not preferring the tipsy shortening of his last name.

Zubair Dimitrova approached Viktor, the two guys slapping their hands in a shake before Dimitrova pushed a rolled and smoking blunt in between Krum's lips, as the latter received it grinning. They both ventured over towards the cushion seating by the edge of the terrace, where a solo Yordanka Hristova sat, exhaling clouds of smoke from off her own blunt.

"Oh gosh," Bridgette ventured close, whispering, "You were with him?"

She pointed at Krum, offering me a flimsy wink.

"Miss Lavigne," Benjamin approached me, holding out a crystal full of his alcoholic wine, "Here you go."

I took it, bringing the rim of the glass to my lips and taking large sips. The song played in the background, loud and crisp, each beat thrumming against my heart as I attempted to loosen myself up for the present.

"She's the serpentine, she's my collar
I send a message, never call her
And now I wanna taste another
And it's safe in a persona, she's my collar."

"Woah, easy girl," Elias Dupont approached me, raising a brow. "You don't want to be completely hammered by the end of this. I doubt Fontaine's going to appreciate us all hungover tomorrow in face of our assignment."

"Chill, Dupont," Gabriel Chevrolet called from where he sat on the cushion seating at my left, a drunk Ilvermorny girl sitting in his lap. "Untangle your panties, will you?"

Elias' jaw tightened in anger as the Ilvermorny girl laughed, he turned his eyes away, sipping his own drink before he gestured behind us with his glass.

"Hey Benjamin," He said, "Aren't those two sixth years?"

I turned to look at where he had pointed, only to find the lanky forms of the ginger haired and insufferable Hogwarts twins, clinking their crystals together and downing their glasses.

"I don't think they should be here," Elias raised a brow at Lucas Benjamin, to which the headboy merely shrugged.

"They are paying me to be here," The Ilvermorny student uttered casually, "Twenty bucks every twenty minutes."

Beside the twins, stood the unmistakable form of Oliver Wood. He met my eyes, before quickly breaking our gaze, downing his glass of wine and turning to face the view beyond the terrace. I sighed, making my way towards him.

"Are you mad at me?" I spoke when he had heard me approach, he turned to look at me, shaking his head.

"No—I just," He broke off, running a hand through his hair. "I'm just disappointed I guess."

"I'm sorry," I started, "About how Viktor behaves, he isn't—"

"Nah," Wood waved a hand in dismissal, "Don't apologize for your boyfriend."

I stilled at the word. Boyfriend. Was that what Viktor Krum was to me now? My heart fluttered inside my chest, and I found my eyes seeking him out as he laughed at something Zubair Dimitrova had said in the distance.

"So, are you both official now?" Oliver asked, his tone thankfully devoid of any disappointment. "I'm good with it, but you gotta tell me I never had the chance."

He was grinning at that, and I smiled. "I really like you Wood, do you think we can be friends?"

"Ouch," He playfully grabbed his chest, "I thought we were already."

I giggled, rolling my eyes at him.

"Also," I started, my brows furrowing, "How did you know to ask me if Viktor and I were official? A dance couldn't—"

"I'm sorry," Wood pursed his lips, raising his hands in a surrendering gesture before pointing to the ginger haired Hogwarts twins at his side, who were both now looking at me and grinning.

"Gosh, do you both have nothing better to do?" I narrowed my eyes on them.

They laughed, high fiving each other, exchanging congratulations about a pair of eyes they had left in the ballroom to be privy to two parties at the same time. Lucas Benjamin increased the volume of the music, and the beat thundered the ground underneath our feet.

"Alright everybody," He stepped on a makeshift stool and raised his hands, addressing all of ten of us, excluding the two serving students, the Ilvermorny girl sprawled in Gabriel's lap, and himself.

"This ain't no party if you guys don't dance. Please take to the floor."

Despite myself, I put my glass aside, kicked off my heels. Then I hurried on the floor as Benjamin stepped aside, removing the makeshift stool with a grin on his face. I spread my arms and spun around, feeling the music seep inside me at every word of the song.

"I'm yellow, he was blue
It's nothing that he could hide
We made a green meadow
Whenever we would collide
(she's my collar)."

My emerald dress flared around my legs. I forced every last though out of my head for the present. I laughed, spinning around, as Bridgette joined me, having kicked her own heels off to the side. We danced, not caring about our hair or our dress. I lip synced the words to the song, knowing the song by heart as I did. I had forgotten the last time I had heard it—the last time I had heard any song at my leisure. 

"I died a thousand times
I did what I had to do
Hey, that's just how it goes
I'm still coming back to you."

Elias joined us, a wide laugh frozen on his face as he threw his head back and jumped alongside us, dancing wildly—startling me with his moves. I laughed hard, trying to think of the last time Elias had let himself loose like this. With bits of my hair in my face, I saw Oliver and the twins join us as well, and I spotted Gabriel pulling the Ilvermorny girl against him as they danced. The song pulsed against my ears, in sync with my heart.

"If I could take her down and run, then I'd call her
'Cause she's standing drama, she know I'll call her
She's getting on the sun and then she ordered
Imagine me, imagine me now (she's my collar)."

Suddenly, my arm was grabbed and I was pulled against a rock hard chest. My eyes met Viktor Krum's as his ebony orbs bore into mine with lust. He spun me around, pulling my back against him as we danced, his head buried in the crook between my neck and shoulder. I felt his hot breath on my skin as he held me close, his thick arm on my stomach as we continued to dance pressed up against each other. 

"I don't take her number, just don't think I'd call her
I take her down to somewhere dreading all day
I clear my system, I don't need no other
This is my persona, secret lover (she's my collar)."

I felt his lips nibble my ear, as I shut my eyes tight, drowning myself with everything he made me feel—everything this moment made me feel. The dread wouldn't catch up to me then, but I knew it wasn't far behind. The impending doom that was going to consume the wizarding world, courtesy of a resurrected dark wizard. But at present, that felt like an impossibility almost—something so far away that it wasn't even worthy of being considered. But that wasn't true. The music, the wine and the smoke from all the lit blunts—everything was efficient at disguising that fact.

"She's the one I'm running with
She's the one I'm running with
She's the one I'm running with
She's my collar
She's my collar."

The song ended, and we stopped dancing as we clapped, a round of genuine applause against the light of the moon shining above. Viktor continued his embrace, his arm holding my stomach, his face dipped in my shoulder, as I smiled. Benjamin took out his makeshift stool again and addressed us all.

"Woah," He let out, grinning, his eyes meeting mine before he cast them upon everyone else. "If that wasn't the classiest wild dancing I've ever seen, I don't know what is."

"Give your speeches a rest dude," Gabriel trailed, his tone indicating his intense intoxication, "Put on another song."

"In a moment," The headboy briefly eyed the Beauxbatons student, before grinning. "I have to get the words out before you all stop registering them, don't I?"

"I only want to wish you all a proper farewell from yours truly, Lucas Benjamin—headboy of Ilvermorny, year seven, proud Thunderbird," The student clapped his hands together. "This party had to be restricted to a select few since most of the Hogwarts delegation are too underage to attend—or," He broke off glancing at the ginger haired twins, "Have no money to spare for bribes."

"Regardless friends, we may or may not meet again," The student continued, "But I dare you to forget this night, and me—of course."

Viktor Krum laughed beside my ear, whistling at Benjamin's speech before placing a kiss on my neck. 

Then, the Ilvermorny boy pulled up his wrist and looked at the watch he wore.

"Alright everybody, I want you to count backwards from ten with me," He instructed.

"Ten."

Everyone joined in, having vague ideas about what was about to transpire at one. Viktor, however, had the firmest of them. He spun me around to face the terrace edge, his thick arm still around my stomach.

"Seven."

"Six."

"Five."

"They are fireworks baby," The Durmstrang spoke in my ear. "In case you couldn't guess."

"I figured, just like everyone else," I rolled my eyes at him. "You're not as smart as you think you are."

"Really?" He husked, kissing my ear.

"Mhm," I hummed. "If you were, you'd realize how inconceivably smart I am."

"Alright, you're saying I need to be smart to know that?"

I giggled. "Not necessarily."

"Baby," Krum exhaled then, laughing in a whisper. "I think you're very tipsy right now."

"I think you're very tipsy too," I mused back, refusing to believe it as anything but a compliment.

"Two."

"One!" The chant ended and right on cue, the sky burst into a dozen patterned bright colors—forming a cacophony of exaggerated constellations right below the real ones that hung in the sky.

The fireworks kept coming, as figures clothed in the darkness on the castle grounds lit them from their wands.

"Hey, Benjamin," Elias called, looking below as he held the balustrade. "You think they can see us? The ones below making the fireworks?"

"Nah," Oliver Wood chimed in. "Benji's rendered this spot blind with a multitude of charms, haven't you?"

"Benjamin, if you please," The Ilvermorny headboy raised a brow, before looking quite pleased with himself. "And yes, yes I have."

I turned my eyes to the sky, observing the bright colors as they burst in and dissolved against the dark backdrop.

"So beautiful," I whispered.

"Yeah," The Bulgarian seeker holding me agreed, "But not more than you."

"Viktor, do you think we will ever have a night like this again?"

I didn't know why I asked. How would he know? How would any of us, present on this terrace, know what the future held? But we liked to assume and speculate didn't we? When we knew one thing about what lay ahead—regardless of it being good or bad—we built everything else around it like a house of cards at the mercy of the winds.

"We will, baby," Viktor Krum answered, his voice low. "You can be sure of that."

***

A/N:
I had so much fun writing this chapter. Please vote, comment, let me know your thoughts! Also, thankyou for being here.