In the fall, as we know, it gets dark earlier and the sky is always gloomy with low clouds hiding the stars. To be honest, I was hoping for clear skies, well, at least it wasn't raining. At dusk I lit the main fire, anticipating the imminent arrival of the guests. Of course, Malfoy had written down the names of those who wanted to attend, but I hadn't expected THIS.
As Hermione, Daphne and Tracy finished placing the last of the gifts by the fire, and my men had surrounded the clearing for an hour and a half, the first clap of apparition sounded. The Greengrass couple had arrived, along with a thin old man who turned out to be the former head of the family. Suellen was in a wheelchair, her legs covered with a blanket. All arriving were greeted by Mark Pitters, a former SWAT officer for the magical United States, fired for punching and kicking his superior. Thirty-nine years old, a strong and experienced fighter, a good tactician and detective.
Due to his former profession, he has a keen eye for important details. Mark greeted the arrivals, checked the invitation, and then the wizards were led to a table where they waited to begin. A few minutes later the Malfoys arrived, followed immediately by Richard Bulstrode, their children already waiting for their parents, so they had a few minutes to socialize. I felt like I was being stared at, but what could I do?
I wouldn't mind dressing up in an ordinary robe, but I'm an Omyouji, and we have many rules, including a strict dress code for festivities. If I'm just attending a festival — kimono, if I'm leading myself — ritual clothes are allowed, depending on the level of the festival, but not in this case. There are 4 kinds of Omyoji ritual robes: "KARIGINU" 狩衣, "SUIKAN" 水干, "NOUSHI" 直衣, and "SOCUTAI" 束帯. Only a specialist will be able to tell the difference, but as the heir of two high bloodlines, I am entitled to "Sokutai". To be honest, I don't really understand the difference myself, but in a shop in magical Kyoto, the saleswoman didn't even let me argue — only Sokutai! Very wide sleeves of the top — "kariginu", shirt "ookatabira", pants "nubakama", deep shoes on a high platform "asagutsu" and a high cap "takaeboshi". At my belt were two fans: a traditional light kawaehori, and one of my own making, made of silver and gold, with sharp edges. Who knows how much I hate this hat? But I have to put up with it. It's lucky that only cult servants, priests, monks, and "free shooters" like me can choose the color of their choice. Mine are dark blue, embroidered with golden patterns of moons, stars, and clouds, and the whole marvel is made of the finest silk. You must agree that to an Englishman these clothes look ridiculous, or at least unusual. Life is unfair sometimes....
While I was installing the chest with the storage crystal (so that no one would understand or find out anything, the crystal was installed in the chest, having thought of something in the meantime), while I was connecting it to the base, more people arrived. And no, I didn't look at each of them, I just felt them and saw them with my third eye.
Luna stood nearby and watched my manipulations with curiosity. Judging by the lack of questions, she had already understood everything, and how could she not? I don't see any point in saying or repeating anything — the girl is in direct communication with the mystical world and she will be told everything she needs to know. A few strokes of the wand and everything is ready — the crystals begin to glow faintly and pulsate with blue light. The wand returns to the holster on my arm. I turn to the people and we walk slowly towards them.
— Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. — A ceremonial bow to all at once.
— Good evening, Mr. Hoshino. — Lucius Malfoy spoke, wearing an austere black robe, like everyone else here except me and Luna. — Allow me to introduce these worthy gentlemen and ladies. — The man held up his hand and I nodded.
— There's no need, Lucius — the grey-haired man in his fifties said with dark, unfriendly eyes. — I can speak for myself. Yaxley, Corban, head of the ancient and glorious pureblood Yaxley family. — I bowed slightly in response, in pure Japanese style. In reality, I was simply disgusted to touch this man's hand, even through the glove. My heightened senses revealed the foul and base nature of this creature, reeking of blood and sin. — Lucius told us the master was young, and I can see he wasn't lying, but I'm curious — Yaxley narrowed his eyes and grinned uncomfortably. — Do you have anything else besides that dress, boy? — The audience was clearly waiting for an answer. But what kind?
— If you, Mr. Yaxley, have come only to quarrel, I ask you to leave. — I said, my voice calm and my gaze unflinching, and I barely felt his pathetic attempts at legerdemain. — I am not a simpleton clown to entertain you, so decide quickly why you are here: to be entertained, or to address the spirits of the lands as you should?
— You don't seem to realize who you're insulting. — and the Inquisitor's squint again.
— I see you, Corbin Yaxley. — The sight of you through the spirit world has made you even more repulsive. — Your soul is black with sin, it is in pain, even now I can hear it weeping. — The mage's eyes are wide open, staring at me with an unblinking gaze. Deeper still. — You are alone, the last of your kind, personally doing evil, bringing curses upon your blood. — Absolute silence falls over the clearing. — You have no more than ten years of life left to right your wrongs. I'm giving you a chance; if you refuse now, I will never speak to you again.
— Lucius, Yaxley has finally gotten over himself. — When you spoke of...
I didn't want to hear him continue, it was clear enough. I fold the fingers of my left hand, extending the index and middle fingers. I place my fingers perpendicular to my lips and make a sharp horizontal movement. That's it.
— What did you do? — Yaxley asked quietly, ingratiatingly, clearly sensing the magic.
— You've lost your invitation. — I turn to another mage with a similarly "sinful" aura, who already knows the answer, but I still ask. — Mister, what's your decision?
The dark-haired wizard just grinned, spat at my feet and walked back to Yaxley. They both had very unpleasant expressions on their faces. I was even more uncomfortable with the way they looked at the teenagers, who averted their eyes in obvious fear. Repeating the "cut-off". As I later learned, the second sinner turned out to be the same "Eater" as Yaxley, Selwyn Darius, an unstable and cruel dark mage. The astral markings came easily and imperceptibly. There is too much evil and sin on them, and since both have refused to be reformed, such beasts are best kept under observation.
— Gentlemen, ladies, is there anyone else who wishes to leave us? No? Very well. I'm sorry, but we don't have much time for introductions, so please follow the girls' instructions,' I point with my palm at Parvati, Padma, Lavender and Hermione, who are standing a little further away. — They'll lead you to your seats. Before we begin, any questions?
— When will the sacrifices take place? — A small woman, stocky, dark-haired and dark-eyed, asked, swinging a basket in her hand.
— For now, let them be in front of you, and when the time comes, you'll find out for yourselves, and Luna — I pointed with an open palm at Lovegood, who smiled sweetly. — will tell you. She and the girls are already familiar with the ritual. — I smile slightly at the woman's obvious tension. — Don't worry, there are many people waiting for today's feast, — I gesture around the area, which is literally filled with spirits and Yokai. — They will help you. — The largest spirits of the gathered spirits nod at my words: giant Sekach, Deer, and familiar Wolf, Bird, and Serpent. Real Scottish Kami.
— Who are you talking about? — The woman whispered for some reason.
— You'll see them very soon, but we have to get started. ....
The girls nodded in understanding and began to lead people to their seats. Yaxley and Selwyn, with mocking and dismissive expressions on their faces, tried to follow, but the ritual did not allow them to go beyond the outer ring of torches. Confused and incomprehensible, the gray-haired man even held his hand over the transparent barrier, impenetrable to them.
Yaxley reached for his wand, but it slipped from his fingers and fell to the ground. Three times he picked it up, and three times it fell, before the mage realized what had happened. His surprised and disbelieving gaze fell on me. I just shook my head: and "this" is the Elite?
Slowly, to the first sounds of the spirits' songs, I approached the central fire. It's time to begin.