Gathering

[Mandrake Black]

Mandrake stood in the forest with his brother in the chilly August air. It was close to sunset and the meeting needed to start. Followers were need for this war. Mandrake and Caleb could not do it single handedly. He sent up Sparks into the air to show where they were, and they waited.

[Marishka Mayfair]

There had been carefully passed around notes in the Slytherin common room, hushed messages passing from one trusted friend to another about something that was stirring within Hogwarts. It was not just the ministry that seemed to be the focus of peoples' attention, but something else - something only certain people had been permitted to know about. Marishka herself had not been directly told this secret that was drifting slowly, but upon spying on two elusive seventh years in the library she had decided to investigate.

Marishka had been stood out of the grounds for some time, pretending to watch the stars as she sat huddled on the lawn. It was only when the red sparks appeared fleeting through the trees of the forest did she rise from the ground, checking there were no teachers and ministry officials as she swept down into the shadows.

'Hello?' Marishka called gently into the air as she moved within the trees, treading carefully so that she did not step on any twigs or crisp leaves. After a moments searching she spotted the tall figures standing about fifty feet away, silent and still. 'Who goes there?' she demanded coldly, pulling her wand from her robes.

[Mandrake Black]

"We've been waiting Marishka. Welcome to meeting. As soon as others come we will begin. Is there anything you would like to know?" said Mandrake searching the area carefully for spies.

[Aaron Douglas]

Mort stumbled in the forest picking up the pace with every step. He saw the sparks and he knew he was late. The moment was finally here and he was late! Mort finally stumbled into the clearing and realized that not many people were there. He sighed a sigh of relief.

[Marishka Mayfair]

Marishka raised her wand, but not enough to leave herself entirely unguarded. She was still uptight about the whole situation. Now that she was closer she could see the two men's faces more clearly, one she knew to be Professor Black, her Potions professor. She sent him a half smile, narrowing her eyes. 'You're pushing your luck, aren't you?' she said cynically, pacing forward. 'With all these ministry blokes, I mean. I don't expect they'd appreciate a teacher of all things going behind their backs...'

She looked at the other man now, finding something strange about him. He seemed dangerous and untrustworthy to her - then again, didn't everyone? 'Is there something I would like to know?' she repeated, looking at him sideways. 'Who you are would be a start.'

At that moment someone new ran into the clearly looking flustered and panicky. He was a Slytherin, but Marishka still rose her wand slightly, pointing it at him...

[Mandrake Black]

"A yes where are my manners. I am Count Mandrake Black, Calebs brother. I used to be the flying teacher before I was killed. Any more questions?" and Mandrake noticed the newcomer. "Hello Mort. Glad you could make it."

[Kim Rivers]

Kim had heard about the meeting and walked slowly into the forest. She wandered lazily over to the place she could see the sparks. She held her wand in her right hand, never knowing just what would jump out at her in this place. She didnt have many fond memories of the forest.

She got to the meeting area and saw some people already there, looking at the old flying professor, whom she had only seen once or twice before leaving a few years ago, she had heard he was dead however. "Yeah i have a question, how can someone who is meant to be dead be standing where you are in a non ghost like form?" She asked curiously.

[Mandrake Black]

"Welcome Ms. Rivers. That is a good question. The answer is a simple one however. Its is possible by a horcrux. I'm sure you know what that is but I will explain it anyway. Its is also known as soul splitting. Witches and wizards do this so when they die they have another life. When a person kills another human being, you get the choice of splitting your soul and preserving it into an object. Lord Voldemort who was alive one hundred years ago did this dark magic seven times. Thats the only known happening of it. Its very serious magic. Any other questions? No? Alright let the meeting begin! As you all know the ministry is in Hogwarts. Have you ever wondered why? Well I'm about to tell you. There is a weapon hidden at Hogwarts. A dangerous weapon. The ministry wants to find it and use it against their enemies. Our job is to stop the ministry and find the weapon first. As I'm sure you know the Red Rose League is on the same mission. We have to find it first however." and Mandrake took a deep breath. "That is why I've called you here."

[Kim Rivers]

Kim looked at Mandrake and folded her arms across her chest. So there was a weapon at Hogwarts now, this place never ceased to amaze her. Even now it was still coming up with things that could surprise her. The Ministry's looking for the weapon too? she thought to herself as she looked down at the muddy ground. Kim glanced back up, listening to him. "What is this weapon?" She asked "Why's it so important to the Ministry? Or to anybody else for that matter?"

[Mandrake Black]

"No one knows exactly what it is, but they do know that it exists. This weapon has great power. Anyone would want this kind of power. They would rule the magical world for an eternity. Eternal glory awaits the finders of the weapon. Thats why its so important. Thats why the ministry wants it, but we can't let them get it. We need enough people to form a small army and attack the ministry. This is our first mission. Tell no one about this. More will come soon, and I expect in a month we will be ready. But I still have to train you all up. You cant expect to fight an auror at your skill level now and hope to win, but lets save that for the next meeting. This meeting is for you to ask questions and learn whatever you want from Caleb and myself. This is the start of The Alliance, and trust us, you will be glad you joined." and Mandrake gave a smile, and waved his wand and in gold lettering this appeared in the sky

[glow=yellow,2,300]THE ALLIANCE[/glow]

and underneath formed two dragons intertwined in battle.

[Lidia Cullen]

Lidia knew she was going to be late, she always was. She headed toward what looked like dragons, as she entered the forest. This was going to be her first time entering it. "Am I late?" Lidia asked as she came upon the group. She didn't know anyone but she recognized some faces from school.

[Mandrake Black]

"Glad you could make it Lidia. Did you hear anything of what I just said?" said Mandrake turning to her.

[Lidia Cullen]

"About the Weapon? Yeah, I heard." Lidia said. "I'm not sure if this is going to work, but if you lead I'll follow." She said with a half smile. "How did you find out about the weapon anyway?"

[Mandrake Black]

"The weapon was brought to my attention by a secret source and I cannot reveal how. Thats the one question I cant answer. Any other question I will answer however." and mandrake shifted his gaze to the insignia

[Brian Chase]

Brian walked in late, hearing the word weapon. He looked around and saw some friends and some enemies. This was going to be fun. "What'd I miss?" he said in a sly tone.