The Hunt

Contrary to popular belief, Knockturn Alley was not a perpetually dismal corner of the Wizard World. Though it was true that the breath of winter rode upon the back of every breeze that swept those streets, and it had consequently been made the law of the locals to dress each morning for snowfall, the kingdom of the damned could not always avoid the sun’s prying rays. The autumn season was upon London, and yet summer’s golden hues still glittered off of the frost-adorned windows and shop signs, each fleck of ice acting as a prism which reflected the brilliant light throughout the Alley. It was ironic, that the cold that had once painted those streets in grey now forwarded the sun’s attempts to ‘brighten things up a bit’ – and simultaneously foiled Vito Dee Symon’s efforts to encase his castle in a fatal chill.

Vito thought himself to be anything but ordinary; a belief which could be supported with ease by nothing more than his existence. But the displeasure that he’d experienced upon waltzing from his nightclub and onto the familiar cobblestone street to discover the present state of the weather was borderline stereotypical of the villain. Nonetheless, it was with narrowed eyes and a threatening frown that the poltergeist swayed away from Satan’s. His polished, Italian shoes clicked off of the street with his every step, leaving behind him a trail of frost so thick as to conceal the stone beneath entirely from view. He extended a hand at his side and tickled the glass of the adjacent apothecary’s door with flicking fingertips, dusting the surface in a quickly spreading chill which, when it had reached the door frame, violently cracked the glass down it’s center.

But his kingdom did not possess the dark shadows or the eerie feel that he’d grown so fond of. These days… Vito regarded the sort with an exaggerated roll of his eyes; these were the days that Vito preferred to remain behind the walls of his dimly-lit nightclub to exist amongst the sinners and the cigarette smoke – a luxury which would have to patiently await his return while he fulfilled the day’s purpose. He had grown hungry and lustful in the absence of his usual redheaded plaything, whom he had slaughtered unintentionally the previous week when he had succumbed to his craving for blood. Thus, the morning belonged to the hunt – and the sun, as Vito scowled, slithering amongst the only remaining shadows that he could find.

It would be a long morning.

Knockturn Ally had never held that image of danger for Adriana that the rest of the wizarding world seemed to hold. Sure, it was home to an incredible number of oddities and freaks but for several months a couple summers back it had been a home for her. So who was she to judge the level of strange that these people were when she might as well be one of them? Today her reason for a visit was nothing more than to pick up an order from Borgan and Burkes that had arrived late and she had already found herself a school. Package securely in hand, her exit from the shop was signaled by an unreasonably cheerful ding from the bell above the door.

To say that the air had an autumn chill would be a gross understatement. The delicate ice crystals that crunched underfoot made Adriana glad that she had selected the warmer of her winter jackets to wear on this outing. Tightening the cloak around her waist, she held the small brown paper wrapped package under her arm. The winter temperatures kept many inside and the streets lacked their normal crowds. Or perhaps it was just the annual return to Hogwarts that sent the riffraff back into their hidey holes. The average teenager stupidity proved more than enough fun for those looking for a thrill - blood, body, or otherwise.

The relative solitude was comforting to Adriana. Although she enjoyed having a small circle of minions, true crowds always left a sour taste in her mouth. Having too many people would take the spotlight off of her. And being a creature as miraculous as Adri believed herself to be, she felt that having even one pair of eyes not focused on her was a disgrace to her bad name. She continued to walk on, ignoring the beggar that was leaning nearly motionless against the wall. There was no room for charity in a world that offered none to her. Her passing focus on this sad specimen of man drew her attention from the dark, handsome figure that walked on the other side of the alleyway. But when he moved, Adriana's eyes were caught and she spun to face the man.

For a moment their eyes caught and Adriana saw the depth of darkness that they contained. He was beyond handsome.. But so was the devil. Bowing her head slightly in both respect and acknowledgement she turned back towards her previous direction as if to resume walking.