Chronicles Of Arth: Prince Of Shadows

It was finally the day of the Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff.

The weather was a nice shade of black and grey and everyone felt the warmth of their jackets slowly leave them as everyone got drenched in rainwater.

Such was the popularity of Quidditch that the whole school turned out to watch the match as usual, but they ran down the lawns toward the Quidditch field, heads bowed against the ferocious wind, umbrellas being whipped out of their hands as they went.

The wind was so strong that people staggered sideways as they walked onto the stands. Even if anyone was cheering, nothing could be heard over the fresh rolls of thunder.

Arth chuckled before taking an umbrella out of his bag. He beckoned towards Hermione and invited her in.

The umbrella just barely fit the two of them and they had to squeeze in tight in order for them to avoid getting wet.

"What nice weather we are having. Isn't that right Hermione?"

Hermione frowned at Arth.

"Are you going insane? This is good weather?"

"Yep, don't you just love the rain?"

"... this is a little bit more than "rain" don't you think?"

A dreamy voice suddenly spoke out.

"I like the rain. Reminds me of the times I used to play with my mother when it rained."

Luna was carrying a multi-colored umbrella that was mottled with all sorts of shapes and bright colors.

Highly noticeable, very unique.

"How are you doing Luna?"

"All is well. Although, I can't say the same for the players."

The Gryffindor team had just walked out of the locker rooms. The wind was so strong that they staggered sideways as they walked out onto the field.

The Hufflepuffs were approaching from the opposite side of the field, wearing canary-yellow robes. They also had difficulty walking.

The Captains walked up to each other and shook hands; Diggory smiled at Wood but Wood now looked as though he had lockjaw and merely nodded.

Madam Hooch put her whistle to her lips and gave it a blast that sounded shrill and distant — they were off.

Honestly, this was the dullest Quidditch match Arth had ever seen.

He could barely see nor hear anything and when he did see something, it would be a flash of red or yellow.

With the first flash of lightning came the sound of Madam Hooch's whistle; Arth could just see the outline of Wood through the thick rain, gesturing the Gryffindor team to the ground. The whole team splashed down into the mud.

Arth sighed.

"Hermione, hold the umbrella for a second."

"What?"

Arth ran down the stairs slipping through the crowds like a slippery eel. In an instant, he was behind Harry.

"Harry. Give me your glasses."

He handed them to him, and as the team watched in amazement, Arth tapped them with his wand and said, "Impervius!"

"There!" Arth said, handing them back to Harry. "Now they repel water which allows you to see in this weather."

Wood passionately looked at Arth as if he wanted to kissed him.

Arth decided it was no longer safe for him to stay near Wood and immediately disappeared back into the stands. He quickly found his way back to Hermione and Luna.

"Where were you?"

"I just told the Quidditch team to use the Impervius spell on their faces."

"Ooh, That was smart." Complimented Luna.

"I know right? I wonder why the older students didn't think about it-"

Arth froze mid-sentence.

Something odd was happening. An eerie silence was falling across the stadium. The wind, though as strong as ever, was forgetting to roar. It was as though someone had turned off the sound, as though Arthur had gone suddenly deaf — what was going on?

Arth frowned and glanced up at the sky. He saw why.

At least a hundred dementors, their hidden faces pointing up to the sky, were gliding above Arthur.

And above the dementors were... Harry.

Arth furrowed his eyebrows.

"ALFRED!"

Immediately, Alfred appeared at his side with his head bowed down.

"What is it you want sir?"

"Why are there dementors here?"

"What do you mean sir? The dementors are guarding the entrances-"

Alfred froze when he looked up towards the sky and started to tremble.

"M-my Prince. I swear I didn't know anything about this. I-it was a mistake on my part-"

"I don't care. Fix it now."

Alfred did a humble bow before appearing in the sky a moment later.

Alfred had a cold look in his eye as he addressed the Dementors beneath him.

"HOW DARE YOU COME HERE AND ABANDON YOUR POSTS! HOW DARE YOU!"

The dementors stopped in their places and started to tremble in fear. Alfred's voice was sharp and piercing and held unfathomable wrath.

"YOU HAVE BROUGHT SHAME TO ME AND MY PRINCE! GO BACK TO YOUR STATIONS! ALL OF YOU! IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN! I WILL KILL YOU ALL!"

With those words, the dementors immediately dispersed. Alfred coldly watched them leave before heading down to the stands where professor Dumbledore was watching with a surprised look.

For once, Arth had an idea of what dementors felt like to other people. A wave of cold air was radiating from Alfred and anyone could tell how angry he was. Arth couldn't believe that he was the same being as the one who usually kissed his a.s.s.

Alfred did a bow towards Dumbledore before speaking coldly.

"I am sorry for the imprudence my kind has shown you today. I will make sure to prevent events like these from happening in the future."

Alfred frowned before disappearing and reappearing on the floor. In his arms was an unconscious Harry.

Alfred laid Harry gently on the floor before giving a curt nod towards Dumbledore and disappearing.

At that moment, Arth realized a crucial fact. They had lost the Quidditch match.