The Hand of Destiny

[Andromeda Fiorelli]

Andromeda slammed the door of the back room behind her fuming inwardly. She had just finished another shift at Honeydukes and was ready to do some serious damage to someone or something. It was aggravating her more and more that she had to fake a smile for the customers, bend over backwards to please them and be ridiculously polite when they were allowed to be as rude as anything to her. She was considering changing jobs because this one was just the pits altogether. She had enough of the place. It just wasn't the same anymore since Professor Fletcher had to give up the ownership of it. That hadn't been fair at all but she hadn't questioned it.

Now dressed in the usual magical clothing that she wore while working inside she pulled her black robe around her and stared up into the evening sky. It was miserable and grey again but at least for now the rain was holding off. There was nothing worse than making her way back to the school in the pouring rain. Pulling the hood up slightly she made her way down the dimly lit alley, touching the wands at her side just incase some looney decided to jump out at her. She pulled down her hood again, her pale skin glimmered almost in the dim light as if she were a spectre. Her deep red hair was all that belied this, that and her strange coloured amber eyes. A stranger might mistake her for a vampire lurking about in alleyways at this time of night but they would be very wrong. The slender teenager was just as dangerous though not just was she becoming a formidable witch in her own right, lethal with the pair of wands she possessed in any duel she had so far been in but she was also a werewolf. Having been turned in her first year at magic school Andromeda Fiorelli was no stranger to the strange, yet hearing a small noise now from behind her she turned around slowly, very slowly.

 

[Danielle Zhefarovich]

Danielle had to admit that her first job as a returning Death Eater was a bit out of the ordinary and not something she would usually allow herself to be assigned to. Apparating to Brightstone as soon as she got her orders, she pulled her dark ebony cloak closer to her thin frame as she peered around the ally that she had arrived in. Danielle had been assigned by Julian herself to track down someone named Venus Fiorelli due to a request from the Italian Death Eaters who had gotten word that Fiorelli can be found working at Honeydukes or something along those lines. Danielle's job was to find this Venus, then report back to Julian so he could take things from there and she would be free of not bothering this woman any longer. 'Why someone on the run would work at a sweet shop is entirely against me, hopefully Julian knows what he's doing by having me do this.' Was the only faint thought that ran through her head and she continued to peer around the ally, so far nothing seemed out of place enough for her to worry about so she figured it would be alright for her to venture out more. Danielle gracefully stepped out from the ally way and had Honeydukes immediately in her sights, as well as someone leaving the shop quickly that had easily caught her attention and rose her suspicions to high. According to the information she was given Fiorelli shift was ending soon, so chances were quite high that person who had just left was none other than the one Danielle was looking for, hopefully she would just come along quietly.

Hastily, Danielle waited until the woman had a semi-good distance away from her before she followed her into an ally her wand at ready in case a fight was put up. Usually a first glance, people assumed Danielle to be nothing more than a frail angelic beauty that would be absolutely no threat to them whatsoever, but oh were they so wrong to dare misjudge her. She was cruel, heartless, and could tear a human being to pieces if she felt the need to, the many years she had on her also made her magic skills just as deadly as her physical strength. 'Let's just hope that Miss Venus doesn't make the same mistake all the other fools have.' Danielle thought to herself darkly as she gracefully inched her way towards the girl in the dark ally, almost as if she were floating with the long white dress that glided against the ground. Apparently she had no be quiet enough, because it was not long before she actually gained on the girl, she stopped and slowly began to turn around, it was now or never to make her move. "Hello Miss, Fiorelli." Her voice was elegant but haunting all the same, either way it would be up to the girl if she already decided not to trust Danielle and get out while she still could. Although Danielle was covered by the cloak and her face could not be clearly seen she was sure that the woman would be able to easily her illuminating blue eyes, ones so bright they most likely glowed in the dark. Before she made another move or statement, she would wait to see what the woman would make of her being here, so she could get a sense of her aura and observe her..Danielle would not fight unless Venus made this harder for her than it needed to be.

 

[Andromeda Fiorelli]

From the darkness of the alleyway came a woman cloaked in a dark robe, her blue eyes piercing even in the stillness of the night. Andromeda felt a chill run through her as if instinct, animal or otherwise was letting her know that a beautiful woman alone in an alley was extremely suspect. Especially one that knew who she was. Her own amber eyes took in each detail from Andromeda's position to the end of the alleyway to the distance of the other woman away from her. Andy may have been of age but she was only learning how to apparate, had not attained her license as of yet so could not make an effective break for it, if it was required.

"I am she" her words were clear unwavering, not showing an ounce of the fear that gripped her. Sure Andromeda was a lethal witch but she knew her own failings, knew her spell repertoire was not as extensive as a grown witch; a woman much older than herself. She would have to see what this woman wanted but as she stood there she put into practice the non verbal technique learned earlier that year and which was every day improved. Summoning her wands carefully to each hand, she hoped she had done so without drawing too much attention to her actions.

"Who are you and how do you know who I am?" a litany of people ran through her mind of who would have sent this woman or why she might be there but each scenario came up blank. As stupid as she had been behaving of late her behaviour had not warranted her any enemies just yet and if the woman were friendly then surely she would come to the front of the store, surely she would have arrived during day light? Prepared now for any eventuality or at least she hoped she was Andromeda stared the woman down awaiting her answers.

 

[Danielle Zhefarovich]

At least the woman was not a complete idiot like some were and tried to charge at Danielle with even the slightest indication that she was actually there for harm. But she did seem a little young to fit the description of what Venus actually sounded like from what Julian had told her, but there couldn't be any way she was mistaken but the girl confirmed that she was in deed who Danielle was looking for and needed to bring with her at any cost necessary. Even if the girl was young and probably not extremely skilled with magic, it was known by any good Death Eater that you need to keep on your toes regardless, the girl could cause harm to Dani if she underestimated her and wasn't observant of her actions. After all it was only a mere Half-blood boy that defeated the Great Dark lord, god only knows what other kids is age could do to the Death Eaters these days. "Thats for me to know and for you to not worry about." Danielle commented as her eyes shifted around her to observe everything once again to make sure the girl had still remained on good behaviour, she wasn't willing to risk getting injured because she failed to observed her surroundings. However she would not reveal how she knew who she was just yet or who she was just for safety purposes, she had to give the girl credit for actually having the guts to ask her. The girl did not sound afraid, but no matter because she had no reason to be as long as she came along willingly and didn't cause much trouble for anyone tonight or any night, Danielle would not spill blood as long as the girl could listen to directions.

"My name is not of importance." Danielle muttered gently in her light French accent before she reached up and pulled her hood down to finally reveal her soft angelic face to the other girl. Most told her that her beauty was out of this world, in fact she wouldn't be surprised if the girl lost all fear of her just by how soft and frail she looked, if the girl had been a man it may have been easier to temp her with seduction to come with her. But as it was, she was a female and Danielle was just going to have to hope that she would comply with her. "Venus Fiorelli, so sorry but your going to have to come with me. Whether you like it or not." Danielle non-verbally summoned her wand to her hand quickly and let out a haunting smile to the girl, one that had beauty but mystery and malice behind it as well. Her sharp blue eyes kept a strong gaze on Venus, now that her wand was drawn she would expect that the girl would begin to get more uncomfortable, or even angry. The reason question that continued to ring through her mind was; will she come willingly or will there be a dispute?

 

[Andromeda Fiorelli]

Andromeda did not like the manner in which the woman spoke to her, she was a stranger after all and had been the one to approach her. Her shrewd eyes took in each detail as the woman continued to speak. Her accent reminded her a little of Carlisle's and his sisters, not necessarily as thick as theirs but it had definitely a French lilt to it. Wondering if Carlisle had put the woman up to this, that perhaps this was just a joke of some sort she relaxed a moment and when the woman lowered her hood, Andromeda relaxed a little bit more. The woman was beautiful in a way that Andy never could be, she was like an angel and at any moment Andromeda expected her to begin to shimmer or glow. Compared to her the Gryffindor girl resembled more a demon straight from the depths of Hades underworld.

And then she called her by her aunts name. At first Andromeda wanted to say as much but was not willing to give up her own flesh and blood on a whim. There was obviously something going on here. Standing up straight and tall she smiled sardonically at the nameless woman.
"I am afraid you have the wrong Fiorelli. I am Andromeda" her amber eyes seemed to pierce through the falling darkness. She raised a wand slowly in the woman's direction.
"And I do not appreciate being accosted so leave before I do you a serious injury" she had no clue who this woman was or how powerful she was either, it mattered not to Andy who had only thought to safe her own skin at that point.

 

[Danielle Zhefarovich]

Danielle tried to get a sense of the girls Aura or emotions, but for some reason there was something deep inside that was unnerving her to the point of her focus being very off. Although she was not sure exactly what yet, Danielle could sense that this girl was oddly different than many others that she encountered on her Death Eater missions. 'Obviously I need to keep a close eye on her.' Her eyes were piercing and lured her in for a moment or so, she had only seen one other person with eyes quite like hers and it struck her oddly. As the wind blew around them Danielle was revealed some information that made her eyebrow lift in confusion, this was the wrong Fiorelli that she had cornered in this street? How was that even possible, Julian specifically told her that the woman could be found at Honeydukes. There was have been something wrong or this girl was just lying to her to save her own arse from sudden doom. 'I can't sense that she is laying though...could this really not be Venus?' Why would they send her after some girl that was not Venus then, Danielle was honestly befuddled and a little ticked off that she had come here for the wrong person. "Well unless your lying to me, tell me where she is then." Her voice had a bit of sharpness to it, revealing that she was a bit annoyed and was losing her patience more and more as the seconds ticked on. She should really be home right now keeping an eye on her family, for the past couple of months she had been nowhere else but the Zhefarovich Manor and they were probably losing their patience with her not being around.

When the younger girl threatened Danielle with a serious injury, she snorted lightly. This was extremely typical and not that she could blame the girl for getting angry, she knew it was a foolish decision. "I admire your bravery but, that wasn't a very smart thing to say, Andromeda." Danielle said the girls name slyly, she was not one hundred percent sure that the girl wasn't Venus yet but why not humor the poor thing for a little bit. Her threat was a little alarming because very few actually had enough guts to fight with her, but Danielle wasn't going to let it get to her. "As frail as my appearance is, I assure you that fighting me would be the dumbest thing you ever will or have done." She liked this girls spunk, but a fight being evoked would just be bad news for the both of them, would the girl actually be able to hold out if they did battle. Whatever the case was, Danielle was giving her a clear warning that she was not leaving regardless of any threat she was given.

 

[Andromeda Fiorelli]

Andromeda sighed impatiently as if the woman was nothing more than a thorn in her side, something aggravating and cumbersome.
"If I knew where she was I would certainly not disclose it to you but I do not and that is the truth" the unfortunate curse that lay upon the Fiorelli family members went back a long ways. Descendant after descendant marked forever with the inability to lie effectively. Always having to speak the truth, always no matter what. Though of course over time the skill of omitting certain truths altogether aided some what but direct precise questions were always difficult to sway.

"Oh trust me.. I've already done the dumbest thing in my entire life and fighting you or anyone else for that matter would never come close. Even if death was the final outcome" her words were spoken with a clear and precise tone, a finality that could falter anyone in their tracks. To Andromeda being bitten by the werewolf Draco would always be the most foolish and stupidest thing she had ever done and close to that her betrayal of Crispin. Nothing else would ever come close to those, so much so that death itself was preferable. And if death was to take her then she would go down fighting.

Her wand did not lower once instead her fingers tightened a little more, as the fingers on her other hand twitched to hold her second wand.
"Am I free to go woman?" her tone was bordering on insulting now and she could truly careless if she hurt the blonde woman's feelings.

 

[Danielle Zhefarovich]

As much as Danielle rarely put trust in anyone that she didn't know very well, there was something that told her that this girl wasn't lying about not being Venus. For some reason this girl just did not strike her as being the infamous Venus Fiorelli that the Italian Death Eaters were so interested in finding anyways, for some reason she seemed like even more then the person they were looking for. Maybe she just need her potential to be unlocked a little before it became obvious that this girl had something special about a useful quality later on. When Andromeda stated that she already had made the worst mistake of her life, Danielle stared at her wand casually as if she hadn't heard a word she said. "Somehow I doubt that, until you let the dark swallow you whole, you have haven't even come close to doing the dumbest thing in your life. Unless you have something worse." Letting the dark swallow you whole was the one thing so many people thought they could do and come out normal and able to function afterwards, once you've let the darkness take over you dully you become lost and start to hate the world around you. Whatever it was that this girl claimed that she had made Danielle suspicious, was it worse than the dark?

"Not yet, your interested and I'm not done with you yet." Danielle flourished her wand and pointed it at Andromeda, she would not fire a curse at her or anything but hopefully it would strike something in the young girl that she better dash it out of here or be prepared for a fight like no other. "You've got spunk, let's just see how much you have when I'm finished with you though." If it was one thing that Danielle was good at was being able to cause harm to others if she found it necessary or just in need of some random entertainment.

 

[Andromeda Fiorelli]

The mere mention of darkness had the hair at the back of her neck stand on yet. Oh she had seen plenty dark, the eyes of the werewolf as he tore her apart; her own eyes in the Silver Snake when she or an illusion of herself tried to kill her friends. The torture she had survived as a human and a werewolf in Durmstrang... all dark, all moments that could have pushed her to the brink. Caused her to push everything good away from her but none of them had. Bit by bit they each had helped to edge her the rim of it's realm but it was her own callous betrayal of Crispin that she knew would be her own downfall.

The darkness that had threatened to engulf her time and again, was ready to consume her since then.
"I don't care whether or not you are done with me... I am done with you" her eyelids lowered, scrutinizing the woman who flourished her own wand now. Within a breaths space Andy's second wand was in her free hand and she had swiveled herself into a predatory like stance. So she had only dueled her peers up until now but she was made of stronger stuff, she had survived the cruciatus curse and a damned soul. Surely she could and would survive a duel against a strange woman.

"Again I will ask you, who are you and what do you want with me now? I am not who you seek so let me go" Andy wondered if this woman was dangerous, she didn't look as if she was but then again Andromeda's step mother and step father had not looked dangerous either and yet if rumours were to be believed then Luxen was a monster who had hurt lots of people over the years. Her own mother had begun to remember things that had all seemed like horrid flashbacks until finally after seeing a specialized healer she had been able to restore memories that had been befuddled. Luxen had attacked her brutally as well. In Andy's opinion, anyone was capable of great wrongs even this seemingly angelic like woman before her. Why would any witch be down a dark alley looking for her aunt?

She knew Venus was a law unto herself, had wanted to follow in her grandfathers footsteps. Suddenly her head seemed to clear and Andromeda glared at the woman. The Fiorelli's were noted death eaters in Italy once upon a time but that had all stopped with Andromeda's great grandfather or had it? Was Venus one of them? Was this woman tracking her in some way? Unless this woman who spoke of the 'dark' but looked like a saint was one as well.

Andromeda took a tentative step backwards, her eyes never leaving the woman for a second.
"Who are you? Better yet ... what are you?"

 

[Danielle Zhefarovich]

An almost sinister laugh, but with a hint of gentleness to it rose form Danielle's throat as she listened to Andromeda continue to ask who she was and even what she was. It wasn't the first time she had been asked a question like this by someone she had encountered, a vivid memory of the day she had murdered her own father came into her head and reminded Danielle had always been thought to have been something other than human. It was true that a lot of people found her to be a demon or something even worse, but she could honestly care less because she was happy being the way she was, she would never let another control her or take way the power she had without one hell of a fight first. When the girl claimed that didn't care if Danielle was done with her or not, because she was done with her, Danielle narrowed her blinding blue eyes out of anger. "Shut your mouth, unless you'd like me to sew it shut for you." Danielle hissed and nonverbally cast Reducto at the girl as a further attempt to shut her up, whether or not it would hit her didn't bother her because either way she wasn't going to deal with someone running their mouth at her, she already tolerated a lot for this girl when she usually tore people apart for even looking at her in a way that displeased her. After the spell had been fired, Danielle didn't wait to see if it hit or not before she lowered her wand to rest at her side as she was skilled enough in magic to be able to easily deflect most spells that someone as young as her could dish out.

"Does it matter why I haven't let you go yet, either way your going to hear me out. Your interesting enough for me not to rip to pieces..you should be grateful I'm being so kind." Danielle spat out, her French accent making the words come out beautifully even if they were fueled by anger and annoyance for the girl in front of her. Some people were unlucky enough to unleash this woman's anger and they have all regretted it, it would not be wise to test her but Andromeda kept on for some reason, did she really not care about what Danielle could do to her if she stayed put? Finally deciding that her name and full decision for being here could be revealed a haunting smile appeared on her lips. "I am called Danielle Lefevre, you might have heard about my Family if you know anything about powerful families in France. As for what I am...I'm not sure even I could tell you that." Whether she was a demon, human, witch, or even just a heartless zombie was unknown to her or the many others she had come across in her lifetime. The wind blew some of her silky blonde hair into her face and without thinking Danielle reached a pale hand up to brush some of her hair away from her face, unknowingly to her the sleeve of her cloak slid down a little and revealed a large piece of the Mark that she bore on her left arm, the one that could spill her alliances so quickly.