Chapter 42: Chapter 38 The Escape of Narcissa: Shadows Unveiled II
It had been a long time since the Death Eaters' escape, and Narcissa was exhausted, but she never stopped walking. She held Draco tightly in her arms, the adrenaline from the battle still coursing through her veins, and the magical raven flew close by, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings to ensure their safety.
As they made their way through the labyrinth of trees, which made her increasingly alert, her mind was in turmoil, reminiscing about the moments she had lived through.
She reflected on the events that had transformed her life. 'Since Lucius's downfall, my life has been tumultuous, a constant escape, filled with fear, loneliness, and without a home to call my own. In constant conflict, the only things that give me strength to continue facing these adverse conditions are my children, Elise Rigel and Draco. But each day gets harder. I'm facing hordes of pursuers I can't even imagine. If it weren't for the Wolf Shepherd, my mysterious benefactor, I don't know how I would have survived.'
While the Dark Lord had not personally sought her out, he had sent many of his cruel servants, men willing to commit atrocities she preferred not to imagine.
' I'm not innocent, of course. As a Black, I was trained in the art of understanding both politics and human nature. I have done terrible things to others myself. If it weren't for the Wolf Shepherd instructing me not to kill my husband, Lucius Malfoy, I would have done it. That fool deserved every punishment and torture I could imagine. He is the person I hate and despise the most.'
She wasn't surprised that in her time of need, her supposed friends from the Dark faction didn't help her, and she didn't even consider any idiotic idea like reaching out to Dumbledore and his allies of the Light.
'But I haven't been completely abandoned. Thanks to the mysterious lord who sent the magical raven to help me, I've been able to survive. I am amazed at the raven's abilities: illusions, flames, and, most surprisingly, an almost human-like intelligence. Sometimes, it makes me uncomfortable, as if it's judging me and assessing my worth.'
They continued walking through the dense vegetation, and the moonlight and stars were not visible to Narcissa. Finally, they reached a clearing where a calm stream flowed gently. She sighed and relaxed for a brief moment before looking at the raven by her side, which nodded and croaked in confirmation. Additionally, it handed her an envelope.
"Dear Narcissa, through this letter, I want to express my satisfaction with your bravery and resilience in the face of the terrible challenges imposed by our enemy. I deeply regret that you have lost the comfort that a noble lady deserves. I ask that you remain resilient until we can take more permanent measures to ensure your safety. However, do not lose hope. I have prepared a protection ritual for you. Perform it immediately, and you will become invisible to the eyes, inaudible to the ears, and untouchable to the touch.
Your daughter Elise, who is under my care, is safe and well. I have sent some photos to ease your concern, which I know is intense. Soon, you will be reunited and able to live together.
Signed: Wolf Shepherd."
Narcissa took the other documents and examined a parchment detailing the ritual. She separated it from the others and, before doing what weighed on her heart, looked at the photos of Elise Rigel with affection. She whispered softly, "My little star, mommy misses you so much."
Narcissa then walked with her wand and performed quick gestures, murmuring magical words to conjure a tent a few meters from the stream, still within the clearing. Not stopping there, she cast an expansion spell inside the tent, turning it from a small space into a spacious and comfortable room.
Demonstrating her skill as a witch, she effortlessly decorated the tent, creating a cozy temporary home. Finally, she placed Draco in a crib and said with a sweet, childlike voice, "Mommy will be back soon, my little dragon."
Carefully storing the photos of her daughter on a bedside table, she whispered to herself some words about reuniting with her daughter soon. Then, she exited the tent to perform the ritual.
Narcissa carefully examined the instructions and thought, "I don't know this ritual, and I have my doubts about it. Rituals of unknown nature can be dangerous, but my benefactor has proven to be trustworthy, even though I don't understand his true intentions. In the end, I will perform it." Determined, she pressed on.
The first step was to choose four trees aligned with the Southern Cross constellation on the star map. With precision, she measured the distance of seventy-two steps between each tree, marking them. Then, she superficially cut her hand with a simple healing spell to shed her own blood. Using the blood, she drew the symbols instructed in her guide and isolated the marked trees, removing all others nearby.
She then drew a perfect circle on the ground around each tree, repeating the process for the remaining three, forming a cross. She completed the square, following the created guides, and drew an inner circle connecting them to the smaller circles of the trees, forming a complex geometric figure. In the center of it all, she erected a small altar.
When she finished, the raven brought four animals: a goat, a snake, a bird, and a chameleon. Each animal held magical symbolic meaning: the goat's protection, the snake's cunning, the bird's freedom, and the chameleon's adaptability. Narcissa walked to each tree and, with a quick motion, she sacrificed each of the animals in the name of one of the trees.
In the center, where the altar stood, she sacrificed the last animal, a calf, in the name of Volak Mez'Roth, seeking his protection. "Sacrificium hic facio tuo nomine ac pretio, magno Volak Mez'Roth," she proclaimed.
A line of blood descended and magically connected to all the drawn lines, glowing in intense crimson red. Narcissa entered a trance and began chanting in a guttural language that did not correspond to any known in that world.
At the peak of the ritual, the sacrificed animals were enveloped in red flames and turned into ashes. A translucent dome began to manifest, rising from the corners of the trees and slowly isolating the ground from the outside world, providing the protection she so desperately needed in the difficult times to come. The ritual was complete and had been successful.
Emerging from her trance, Narcissa watched the dome forming with interest but was too exhausted to give it much thought. She headed to her tent and collapsed onto the bed, performing no nightly rituals other than looking at her son and finally drifting into unconsciousness.
Vincent's Pov
It was dark, and the other people in the house were already asleep. Vincent shared his room with Rose, his new official adoptive mother, and things had been good for him lately. However, that wasn't what occupied his thoughts at that moment.
His persona as the Wolf Shepherd was highly convincing and served several purposes. Lately, his attention had been focused on Narcissa, who had performed her first ritual in the name of her true self. It was an interesting experience because a sacrifice in the name of a demon always had a special meaning, marking the one who performed it in a unique way. Even if it was just a protection ritual, Narcissa would carry that stigma for the rest of her life, and a woman of her position and abilities could be useful in the future. Vincent didn't have the mentality to waste valuable resources; people of great value should be nurtured and shaped into good demonic servants.
Something in the distance caught his attention, another ongoing illusory construction, Tom Vegas. His alter ego was currently at the Three Broomsticks. "Tom, I'd like to invite you to Harry's baptism," James Potter said.
"Hmm..." Vincent continued to increase his mental focus until he finally understood what it was about and smiled as he replied to James, "It would be an honor to meet little Potter's son."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
_Arthas_
_Arthas_ Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
Creation is hard, cheer me up!
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