Welcome to Until The End. We are a moderate Harry Potter role-playing site set in the Marauder's Era. Our plot is generally derived from details in the book, but as an AU site we do take liberties most anywhere we like. Those who died in the books can have a second chance at living, and those who lived are always at risk.
Tom Marvolo Riddle has long since disappeared and in his stead Lord Voldemort has risen, bringing a small army with him. The Ministry of Magic has thus far ignored the growing menace that is the Death Eaters and Albus Dumbledore has taken it upon himself to defend the wizarding community from an evil he knows is building. War is coming. Pick a side!
School's Out For Summer
The Hogwart's Express has pulled up to the station in King's Cross station and the summer holidays have officially begun. What mischeif will you get into in the warm summer sun?
*Coming Soon* - Summer Solstice Carnival
Travel by portkey to the biggest summer celebration in wizard society - The Summer Solstice Carnival! There will be food, games, prizes, fun and more!
Saw the Darkest Hearts of Men and I saw Myself Staring Back Again
D
erek couldn't settle his stomach.
They had apparated a few blocks away from the inn and sent the proper orders out to Christian's men. They were as prepared as they were going to be and yet something was off. They were rushing this, and if they weren't careful - everyone would end up pushing daisies.
What was it? An ambush? An assassin? An explosion set to go off as soon as they set foot in the inn?
Whoever had taken Diana was too intelligent to underestimate Christian and his men. They had sent an artillery for the man and still he, Diana and Burke all survived, so what was the plan? Why invite them to meet? It didn't make sense.
Though Derek had his doubts he had kept his face neutral and determined - his footsteps steady. He might have been walking into certain death, but unless he had a legitimate reason or concern (outside of death) to stop the madman's plan, he was determined to see it through.
Until he wasn't.
Only a hundred feet or so from the inn Derek's steps faltered until he stopped completely.
"Trust…" he said softly, his eyes locked in a dead stare with the ground as his mind whipped furiously through the various scenarios of what awaited them.
"Building Trust…" he said a little louder, then as though a wildfire had spread through him, he called out, "Christian! Wait!"
Post by Christian Anthony Ward on Jun 28, 2019 20:15:49 GMT -8
It was with an enormous amount of restraint that Christian apparated blocks away from the Hollow Tree Inn, as opposed to the front doors of the shabby little business as he had wanted to. After a month of searching, Diana was finally within reach. In what condition she would be in when they found her was still to be determined but finally, for the first time in weeks, the knowledge that she was alive was enough to give Christian hope. The spell that bound his life source to hers was the life preserver he had unknowingly clung to as their search had repeatedly yielded no useful results. Even as he cursed their life bond, claiming it would bring him no comfort until Diana was returned, and truly believing it, the life bond was now a shining beacon of hope. Diana was alive. Merlin willing, Liam would healthy and eager to come into the world in the safety of his father’s home. They would all be together soon. He was only 100 feet away when Derek called out to him.
Christian’s eyes scanned the area quickly, his pace uninterrupted by his friend’s command. There were no visible threats. Christian carried on. “I’m not fuckin’ waiting any longer, Burke. If you want to pussy out, get on with it.” His voice was low, nearly a growl, but he spoke clear enough for Derek to hear as he continued on. Whatever epiphany Burke was having, it could wait, as far as Christian was concerned.
Saw the Darkest Hearts of Men and I saw Myself Staring Back Again
B
urke knew he was talking on borrowed time. Christian's restraint in light of everything that was going on spoke volumes about the growth in their own bromance. According to what Derek knew of the skilled assassin - questions on the job were not good for your health; not that long ago Derek could have made the same objection and been hexed for it without pause. So it was with more hope than any real faith, that Derek's ability to still speak and move meant that Christian was listening on some level.
He moved in stride with the other man and, taking an enormous risk, moved in front of Christian to force him to listen.
"The letter spoke about being allies, building trust right?" he didn't wait for an answer, but kept struggling to keep the man in place.
"Why do you think she's summoning you in the first place? She doesn't want to kill you! This isn't the trap we think it is, Alessa doesn't need to set a trap for you - if she wanted you dead she'd have killed Diana and been done with it. We already know that she wants Diana dead, so why send for you?"
At this point Derek's strength was waning, but his point was solid, "Because she wants you to do it for her."
Post by Christian Anthony Ward on Jul 3, 2019 21:37:08 GMT -8
Determined to make it to Diana and to bring her home at any cost, Christian forged ahead. They were nearing the Hollow Tree but then suddenly Derek placed himself in Christian’s path, halting the man so abruptly that the broader wizard nearly toppled the younger one. He was on about the letter again, causing Christian to snarl. “What of it?” he growled, dark eyes looking past the man to the building where his pregnant wife awaited them. The blond man prattled on, Christian only half listening. Finally, Burke made his point. “Well she’s piss out of luck then, isn’t she?” Giving Derek a firm shove to the side, Christian continued on. If Alessa wanted Christian to murder Diana, she’d have to use the Imperius Curse to achieve such a feat, but Christian had trained against the unforgivable curse and with enough determination he could resist it, at least long enough for someone else to intervene. He was sure of it. He had to be. There was no validity in Derek’s attempts to cause Christian pause and soon enough he was at the door of the Hollow Tree in. He yanked the handle outward with such force that he nearly ripped the door from the hinges. Wand in hand, Christian was ready.
Saw the Darkest Hearts of Men and I saw Myself Staring Back Again
D
erek gave a justified sigh, but he didn't interrupt any further. In the end he never intended to stop Christian, just to warn him. Hopefully that warning wouldn't fall on deaf impatient ears.
If this had been any other mission, Derek wouldn't have bothered. Christian was the Dark Lord's top man for a reason, he could surely handle himself. He was the last person to get distracted or caught off guard. He was the last person to become emotionally involved. But hell had indeed frozen over and Christian wasn't himself, he wasn't even close to rational. Derek wondered more than once how the man seemed to be standing at all given his steadfast diet of spirits and not much else. He worried that now, when it was so crucial to play things slow and smart, that Christian wouldn't have the patience for it.
But come hell or high water, Derek was involved now. He could caution Christian all he liked, but the truth was he was emotionally involved as well, and if the plan was to go in guns blazing he'd have followed Christian to their bloody yet glorious demise - at least that was his intention. He never made it past the door.
Crossing some invisible threshold just a step behind Christian he was pulled back and met with an unseen force. He tried again, but the invisible bonds tightened around him preventing him from going further.
"It would appear, that I am not invited..." he drawled with an annoyed clenched jaw. He made a motion for Christian to continue while he worked on a counter spell to get inside another way. This was Christian's opportunity and Derek wasn't going to slow the other man down.
Post by Christian Anthony Ward on Jul 19, 2019 19:45:14 GMT -8
Christian hadn’t exactly been sloppy with his work for the Dark Lord during Diana’s absence, but he had shown a considerable lack of finesse recently. He had never been one of those blokes that relished in torture and murder, for Christian it was simply a means to an end. He didn’t enjoy it but not everything in life that was necessary was enjoyable. Regardless, he had always had a talent for getting people to talk, getting whatever he needed from them and disposing of them when he was finished. As of late, his style was more smash and grab. He couldn’t be fucked with wasting time trying to extract information from people who’s lives were worth less than that of a slug. He killed quickly and left others to pick up the pieces, to deal with the aftermath. He wasn’t as thorough in his work at the family business either, but all of that paled in comparison to finding Diana. He would hang every last person in this Inn by their big toe and peel the skin from their bodies by hand if it would ensure him his wife at the end of it all. He was actually quite looking forward to it, until Derek spoke yet again and broke his focus.
Christian barely glanced over his shoulder at Derek as he was blocked from entry. Christian trusted the man to find a way in regardless, he was clever and resourceful. Christian would never say it to the man’s face but Derek was a brilliant fighter and Christian’s work had only improved once the two Death Eaters had joined forces. He could certainly figure out how to get through whatever enchantments Alessa had put over the Hollow Tree. Christian continued inside undeterred. The inn looked alarmingly unassuming. Nothing sinister or obviously askew in the atrium, without a soul in sight. Wand in hand, Christian scanned the room looking for any signs of danger or hints to Diana’s precise whereabouts.
Post by Diana Marie Ward on Jul 19, 2019 21:15:40 GMT -8
She slithered down the steps. The dress was the same. Her hair. The makeup. Everything was so familiar, but something was different. She didn't move like Diana, but she sure as hell looked like her. The scene itself was also hazy like a distant memory or daydream. For Christian perhaps it was deja vu, but for the woman who slowly sauntered to him, it was a calculated move.
Alessa Crawford was in her 60s, but didn't look a day over twenty five. Genetics, great skincare, and the odd potion or two kept the age from keeping her. Fortunately at twenty five, Alessa was the spitting image of her niece - with Alessa's skill at age potions Diana could have been the older of the two by appearances - and age potions were infinitely easier to brew than polyjuice potion. Though stealing her niece's face held a sort of poetic justice in Alessa's mind, she was interested in far more than the chit's face. She wanted the girl's life. Literally. And her guest was the key to her success.
She closed the distance between them, and while her movements were graceful and her smile disarming, she was very much aware of the man in front of her. She covertly studied his every breath for a reaction to her presence.
Post by Christian Anthony Ward on Jul 20, 2019 8:53:47 GMT -8
That damned staircase. How many times would Diana saunter down those steps in front of him? Christian watched apprehensively, keenly aware that something was amiss. This was not Diana. She was not largely pregnant, that much was obvious, but even with an illusion charm to hide her belly (was one even possible at this late in her pregnancy?), Christian could tell this was not his wife. Christian watched in aggravated silence as the imposter strode toward him. What was she playing at? What was her plan? “Hello, darling,” he said shortly, playing along with her act though not well. There was no affection in his tone. His grip tightened around the handle of his wand, eyes locked on the woman in front of him. His disgust was barely contained.
Post by Diana Marie Ward on Jul 24, 2019 13:37:29 GMT -8
She sauntered past him with a knowing smirk. This was his territory, but for the evening it was hers. The lack of control Christian must of felt or that Alessa imagined he felt, was almost a turn on for the sadistic brunette. She paused a step from the bar and tossed a look over her shoulder, "Care to join me?"
Post by Christian Anthony Ward on Jul 24, 2019 14:51:24 GMT -8
"Not particularly," Christian snarled through clenched teeth, but his feet carried him forward in spite of himself. He didn't like drawn out games, he was too direct for that. It wasn't that he couldn't play a role when the plan demanded it of him, or that he couldn't keep up a facade if need be. His plot with Copperbottom had lasted nearly a year before it had all gone awry. That was proof enough of Christian's abilities and yet here he couldn't even play nice long enough to utter a simple sentence. Or keep his mouth shut, for that matter. It was a testament to how far gone he was in Diana's absence and the imposter before him was not making things easier on him. Or on herself.
Post by Diana Marie Ward on Jul 24, 2019 18:11:07 GMT -8
She gave a half shrug as though to say suit yourself but grabbed a bottle behind the counter and two glasses and pouring a heavy hand of bourbon in each.
"What's a matter darling?" she asked lighting a cigarette bringing the bud to her lips. She inhaled deeply and expelled the flavored tobacco smoke,"You don't seem too pleased to see me."
Her brow rose in challenge. She was gauging his reactions, but she was also certain he was gauging hers. He hadn't rushed to embrace her, but that didn't mean he didn't love Diana, perhaps he simply didn't buy Alessa's act - he was rather clever after all. She also wasn't the least bit pregnant.
Post by Christian Anthony Ward on Jul 24, 2019 19:21:18 GMT -8
The signs were none too subtle. Her walk was different. Her stomach far too flat. She was acting aloof without an ounce of anger towards him, nor undeniable love. And she poured him a glass of bourbon when the very next bottle on the shelf was Lagavulin scotch. She was a shit actress, or at the very least did a shit job researching. Either way, Christian came alongside her and took the glass from the counter, but he didn't drink it. "Should I be?"
Post by Diana Marie Ward on Jul 24, 2019 19:36:10 GMT -8
Alessa smirked, "You rushed over after receiving my letter."
Actually he hadn't. Christian and Derek's planning slowed them down somewhat, but Christian still came and that was the important part. He was still interested in his wife's whereabouts, the question was why? Was he worried about his own life and the attachment between them? Was he concerned about his son? Or did he love Diana despite the volatility between them?
It didn't help that he was impossibly difficult to read - not that she was surprised - he was a high ranking assassin in the Dark Lord's rising rebellion. The cunning side of her knew that carrying out this charade herself was a bad idea, far too risky. But the side that craved a challenge couldn't resist. Finally a worthy opponent.
Post by Christian Anthony Ward on Jul 24, 2019 20:13:59 GMT -8
Alessa was playing with him and he was growing tired of it. He was already running low on tolerance for these delays and his patience at this point has just reached completely non-existent. Throwing the undrank glass of bourbon at the back wall, Christian grabbed the Diana look-a-like by the throat with his left hand, squeezing it firmly as his right hand pressed the tip of his wand to her cheek. "What are you playing at? What the fuck do you want?"
Post by Diana Marie Ward on Jul 24, 2019 21:33:56 GMT -8
Alessa flinched when the glass shattered, but she hummed when Christian's hand grabbed her throat.
Finally. Anger. Violence. This she did recognize from her brief ventures into Diana's mind. Truthfully it had been more difficult than Alessa expected. She had very little luck getting information from Diana until a couple weeks ago when Diana spontaneously went into labor. It was only then that Alessa had been able to probe her niece's innermost thoughts and memories.
But with new information came new troubling concerns. Diana was not only married to Christian, she was bonded. If Alessa killed Diana, Christian would die too. That would bring a whole different kind of heat down upon her head and it was a wrath she did not intend to provoke. She did not spend years in hiding only to go back into hiding when she was so close to getting everything she wanted. She had to play it smart.
"I think the question is - dear husband - what do you want?"
Her eyes were an open invitation, while her hands boldly reached further to assess his desire.
