More Than Meets The Eye

The sun shone high in the Hogwarts skies as River Song May Black, a pureblood witch set to get ready for her classes. She had been at Hogwarts for quite a while now, and usually kept to herself, only hanging with her brother Shades Wolf Riddle, and only her closest friends. Today though as she walked in the grounds of Hogwarts she noticed a Snow White Owl watching her.
Probably Potter’s owl, she though quietly to herself. Continuing on her way. Her first class of the day was potions, a class she really enjoyed, though she wasn’t the greatest at potions, but she still got good marks. Shades though, well… he was an expert at it and Snape’s favourite student, followed by Draco Malfoy. Urgh, River hated Malfoy. He was always a pristine student, spoilt and rotten. Yes like her he was from a pureblood family. But then so was she, her father was Sirius Black, and her mother, well, River didn’t remember much of her mother, apart from that she was a wise and powerful witch, or so her father had told her. In a few months she would turn 17 and then well… she didn’t really know what would happen.

As she walked towards potions she noticed a blonde haired boy wearing Slytherin robes picking on a girl. You noticed her to be Hermione Granger a mud blood.
Yes Draco loved teasing others who were ‘below’ his standards. River only heard the last muffled cries of Hermione as she took off in the other direction. River glared at Malfoy.
“Picking on mudbloods again, Draco?” she said, voice hiding her disgust. Two other Slytherin boys moulded from Draco’s back. One was big boned and had a fierce expression on his face, Crabbe. River looked at the other boy, he was smaller, but still just as big, Goyle. The muscle of Draco’s assets. Draco sneered at her.
”What if I am? You can’t stop me. Besides you should be on my side, you’re a pureblood witch, so why do you care, River?” he sneered.

Man she hated him.
“So what, Draco? At least I have self-respect!” she said back, turning on her heel and walking to her class.
“Maybe so, but wasn’t your father who was put in Gryffindor?” he said. River turned around.
“So what? He is a Black! And we are purebloods, we respect the choices we are given.” She said.
Now Draco came over, his eyes glinting with anger.
“His family, dis-regarded him as their son. No Black in history was ever put in Gryffindor until him. You still carry his shame!” He shouted.
“How dare you!!! How dare you Draco Malfoy!! You have no right, to decide what I do.” River said, wind began to pick up around her and she drew her wand.

It was 12 and a half inches, made of pear wood, and in the core was a phoenix feather. It also had a symbol carved in it, though River didn’t know what it was. Her Sapphire Blue eyes, turning gold with anger.  A firm, yet gentle hand pushed her hand down. River turned a young man with black hair, piercing yellow eyes and fair skin looked at her. It was her brother Shades.
“Leave it be, River. He only wants to get you angered. Calm down.” He said, golden eyes looking at her own. River hadn’t noticed how much she had been shaking.  She closed her eyes and breathed, lowering her wand.
“Thank you Bro.” she said, eyes turning back to their natural Sapphire Blue. Shades and River had been sibling since forever, though she never understood why. They both had black hair, and eyes that turned golden with their mood, they were both animagus as well. But they shared a bond that was deeper then blood.

“Draco leave her alone. We have potions now.” Shades said, taking River by the shoulder.
“Lets go, sis.” He said still eyeing Draco.
“Yes. See you in potions Draco.” River said, following her brother. She heard Draco snickering. Today River felt an odd sensation, like she knew something was going to happen today, she just couldn’t put her finger on it.

The breeze had slowed and was almost gone now as River’s raven black hair swayed as she walked.
She loved her long hair, but always had it styled in some type of braid. A few minutes later River had arrived in potions.  The Potions room hadn’t changed at all, it was still dreary and cold, but it had a strange warmth with it to. Placing her books on the table, she opened up her book to how to brew a Sleeping Draught, for some reason Snape had told them to read about it. River sighed, I wonder why he told us to read about brewing a sleeping draught? She thought to herself. Just then a loud bang of a door brought her attention up to Professor Snape. His dark oily hair and flowing robes showed that class had now started.  River’s Brother was in his usual seat across from hers, though usually she sat alone.
“I do hope all of you have done your homework tasks I set yesterday.” Snape’s deep voice said. Yep, it’s done. River thought happily to herself.

She admired Snape, after all he was a great potions master, and head of Slytherin so yeah. River respected that.  After that, class ran smoothly, River found herself enjoying more and more as she brewed away at her sleeping draught. Well the bliss didn’t last long, she felt something hit her head, it was a crushed up, parchment ball. She ignored it. No way was she going to let Draco annoy her anymore. Once the class ended, she packed up her things and headed towards Defence against the Dark Arts, one of her more favoured classes, that and duelling club. She was an expert dueller and usually left her opponents stunned, she knew every spell and often thought about which one to use tactically.

After Defence against the Dark Arts, River’s day flowed smoothly with little dispute between Draco and her. While heading towards the Slytherin common room, River noticed the same white owl watching her. There couldn’t be two white owls at Hogwarts? She thought to herself. The owl’s golden eyes looked innocently at her, as though it was seeing into her soul. She felt a touch on her hand, the owl just stared. She looked her brother’s golden eyes looking at her.
“Shades, I’ve been seeing this owl all day. Why is Potter’s owl watching me?” River asked quietly.  Since she was little River had always wandered about her mother, but her father Sirius had asked her not to ask, but know only this. Her mother was a powerful witch, who carried wisdom beyond her years. Again she watched the owl, something stirred inside.

Who was she? What was her true destiny in life? River thought quietly. With a blink the owl flew off into the night.
“Perhaps we should go for a walk, sis. I’m sure there’s a lot of things you wish to learn” Shades said, turning towards the Forbidden Forest. River noticed her brother’s eyes glowing in the darkening night.  In one fluent moment he shifted into his wolf form. The wolf had a dirty blonde coat, with black ear tips and tail tip, and it had socks on all four paws. Yes, this was her brother’s wolf form, but it never scared her, she had grown use to it. They had been siblings almost forever. Shades and her grew up together, played together and well were bonded by something deeper then blood. The dirty blonde wolf looked at River, golden eyes shining.
“Ok Shades, I’ll be right behind you.” River said stroking the wolf’s fur.

Closing her eyes, she morphed into her wolf self. A black wolf, with silver streaks in the fur, and glowing Sapphire eyes, that became golden.  A second later both her brother and River took off towards the forbidden forest, the cool autumn breeze blowing over their coats and they silently raced over the grass of Hogwarts. Yes, River was an animagus, just like her father was. Only difference was that his was a black dog, an Irish wolf hound and hers was a black wolf.  After a little while both River and Shades entered the forbidden forest, and morphed back into themselves.  Shades had a little tree house here, hidden away from view, only he and River knew where it was.  When River arrived she climbed up onto the balcony. Again her eyes, spotted the snow white owl.
There was a soft thud, as her brother stood beside her, stroking the owl.
“Shades… I’m not really sure what to ask.” River said, looking down.
“Try. There is a lot of things you need to learn of.” He replied, golden eyes looking into her own.
Sighing quietly, she swallowed. What should she ask? So many thoughts swirled inside of River, thoughts she had rarely known of.

One thought struck her.
“Shades, who am I truly? I know I’m a pureblood witch, but it feels like there’s something else to.”
“Well, your father told me to never tell you, not until you were older. But since your eighteenth birthday is coming up, I guess I can tell you.” Her brother replied.  The owl seemed to be glaring at both of them.
“What is it brother? What do you mean, my father never wanted you to tell me?” she said, slightly angered. What did Shades mean?  River thought to herself.
“It’s a long story, sis.” He replied.
“I’m ready to listen. I know there’s something more to me. I have felt it, and why do I have a strange sign carved into my wand?” she asked, looking at him.

A soft voice echoed in River’s head.
“It’s time you knew, who you really are, my daughter.” The voice said, it was soft, and gentle. Female, like her mother’s was. She looked at Shades, his eyes were closed only for a moment. When they opened, they shone a honey gold.
“Of course, Milady.” He said, looking at the owl. River looked confused, the owl flapped it’s silent wings and took off.
“What do you mean? And who is Milady? And what…” she started, pausing and shaking her head. Wait, did that owl just speak to me? It couldn’t have. River thought, confused. Her brother’s eyes gleamed in the dark, they looked slightly saddened. River walked to her brother, and placed a cool hand on his wrist.

“Shades, what is it?” she asked, rarely she saw him saddened. He gave her a faint smile.
“Shades, if you know something, please tell me? And…” she paused, should she tell him? That the owl spoke to her? Shades turned.
“And what, River?” he replied, concerned look in his eyes.
“This may seem strange, but I think that owl spoke to me.” She replied. Shades smiled at her.
“Of course it did, it’s a messenger for you.” He replied.
“Messenger? What do you mean?”
“Well…” he chuckled softly.
“Well?”

“You know how you said you felt something different, and that there was more to you, then just being a Pure blooded witch?” he said.
“Yeah?” River replied.
“Well there is and to me as well, River.” He replied, eyes glowing faintly.
“I know there’s more to you than meets the eye, bro.” she replied. After this comment, the atmosphere lightened up a bit.
“So, Shades. What is it that you want to tell me? What else is there? I need to know who I am.” She replied, letting her brother go and sighing as she turned towards the railing of the tree house. Leaning on it gently, she looked out across the darkness of the forest. The full moon shone in the sky.

Her wolf eyes helped her to see things clearer, then most witches, wizards or humans. She heard her brother sigh, as he joined her.
“Your father, Sirius never wanted you to know what you were. Or who your mother was. He always told you that she was a powerful witch, who carried wisdom beyond her years. She left you and your father when you were only a baby, asking your father to never tell you what you were. So you would be protected.” He started off.
“Protected? What from?” River asked. Now her Sapphire Blue eyes turned to pale gold ones.
“From others.” He replied, keeping his eyes staring into the distance/
“Others? What do you mean, Shades?” she replied, fear slowly stirring.
“Gods, titans, Cronus.” He replied, now turning to look at his younger sister.

“What do you mean?” she asked.
“Well, River. You’re like me. Not only are you a witch, but also a goddess.” He replied.
“What?”
“Your half goddess, that’s why we share such a deep bond. Your mother is Athena, Goddess of Wisdom. Mine Is Hades, God of the Underworld. That’s why you have such strategy in duelling. But there’s more.” He said. River stopped breathing for a minute, her heart pounding deep in her chest. A goddess? What? Why didn’t my father tell me? And why, what was he trying to protect me from? She thought, fear building as his words lingered on the wind.
“Shades, what do you mean there’s more?” she asked, softly. Still trying to let those sudden words sink in.

“Not only are you a goddess and witch, you are also the head huntress of Artemis, Goddess of night and the moon. That’s why you’re so good with the bow, sword and dagger. Your father wanted to protect you, because as we speak, Cronus is setting up raids and armies for a battle that will soon be upon us.” He replied, golden eyes light.
“Why?” River replied.
“I am not sure, but my father will soon seek an audience with me to find out why. Are you alright, my sister?” Shades asked her. River’s eyes shone pure gold, she looked at her brother’s lighter ones. So I was right, there is more to me. I’m a witch and goddess. That’s why the owl was watching me today and why I have that symbol carved into my wand. River thought. Blinking she looked up.
“Yes, I am Shades. I guess my mother will seek an audience with me sometime to.” She replied.

Her brother nodded.
“No doubt. Now let’s get back. Our house will be wandering where we are.” He said, jumping up onto the rail. The fall was quite high, but Shades knew he’d be fine. Before he jumped, Shades turned to look at his sister.
“Are you sure you are alright, River?” He replied, golden eyes concerned. River smiled and nodded.
“Yes, thank you. It’s just a lot to take on. But I’ll get used to it. Yes, let’s get back.”
“Of course, Milady.” He said, smiling and jumping. He landed silent as a cat before morphing into his wolf form.
“Come on, I’ll race you back.” The wolf said, inside River’s head. She smiled, and leapt following suit.
She landed as graceful as he had and morphed into her wolf animagus.
“You’re on!!!” She replied taking off.
“Hey!!” her brother replied, speeding after her.

Soon enough they arrived back at Hogwarts and morphed to their original forms and headed inside, both wearing their Slytherin robes.  River now knew that there was more to her and her brother and would learn to accept that this was who she was. Both River and her brother Shades would be caught in a war that would soon follow. But now until then River would go on being in disguise of her pure blood form, hidden from view, and her brother would be by her side all the way.