the seven devils [completed]

𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖔𝖓𝖊

CHAPTER ONE

"when I was a child, I heard voices. some would sing and some would scream. you soon find you have few choices. i learned the voices died with me"

arsonist's lullabye - hozier

Varya sat on a cold seat in the Bucharest train station, obsidian eyes trained on the panel that read the time her train to London would arrive. Her hair, dark as the night, hung in a loose braid over her right shoulder, stopping above the middle of her ribcage. She was still wearing her uniform, ignoring the August heat. As strangers passed by, they stole quick glances at the ghostly girl that seemed to be in a trance. She had a mystic aura surrounding her as if her skin absorbed every ray of sunshine that hit her flesh. Her legs would not stop trembling, she did not know whether to blame it on excitement or anxiety over what was to come.

Looking at her right, she saw Dumbledore reading an old newspaper. She could see the headline and held back her disgust, seeing the support for the nazi party. She could not understand how the royal family had been so easily influenced by the parliament in supporting such things.

"The muggle world is surely at a difficult point in history," mumbled Dumbledore, folding the newspaper and setting it aside. He leaned forward and looked at the panel. Only ten minutes until they could leave. He had debated using the Floo Network, but he preferred to leave no magic trace, as he feared being followed. Albus could not let his guard down, not until he had brought the girl to Hogwarts.

"What is the school like?" he heard Varya mutter, her gaze still lost in thought.

"I believe you will enjoy it. It is quite opposite of yours, if I may say so. And Varya..." he said, gaining the girl's full attention. "I must warn you of something. We do not allow dark arts in our school. As a matter of fact, we only teach of its defense."

The girl tilted her head slightly and narrowed her eyes at him. "How can you defend yourself against something you do not understand?".

Albus raised an eyebrow at her demeanor, noticing her authoritative stance. Yes, he thought, she is more similar to him than I thought.

"And besides," she continued, getting up as she saw the train in the distance. "Did you not tell me that it is my knowledge of this subject that will draw Raidden to me?"

"Riddle," he corrected her, amusement taking over his features. "And yes, but you cannot practice it openly. Tom will find out about it himself, I am sure the mere name of your school will make him ponder."

He grabbed his bag and they walked towards the train, stepping on to the stairs and into one of the compartments. They sat down across from each other and Albus noticed the small bag the girl carried. The trip to Diagon Alley would be quite long.

"Tell me more about him," said Varya, curious to find more about her task. As far as she knew, he was an orphan that did not have anyone to care for him.

"Tom Riddle is quite brilliant, he is one of our top students and favored by students and teachers alike. He is charming, although it seems to be only a facade, as his true intent is much darker." Varya chewed on this piece of information, understanding the illusion that was Tom Riddle. "He will use his charisma to fool you, you must be aware of that."