* DOWN IN FLAMES (SITE PLOT THREAD)

[THE DARK LADY]

and so it begins

Tick. Tock.

The grandfather clock at the opposite end of the room ticked and tocked until it finally chimed, signalling it was time for Keira O'Reilly to meet her pack at headquarters. She stood from her black armchair and looked down at the floor where her snake hissed at her ankles. Keira smirked and knelt to its level, caressing its scales with the tips of her finely-manicured nails. "Tonight is the night, my love," she hissed in parseltongue. Keira didn't hesitate to press a warm kiss to the top of her snake's delicate head before turning, her black cloak whipping in the wind behind her. With a loud slam of the door and pop that punctured the night, she was gone.

The Dark Lady appeared in a plain field somewhere in the countryside of Ireland, at the top of a long-forgotten hill. She turned round and looked past the open area to find the wild, untamed forest. It was there where her Black Army Headquarters lay. For her it was an easy journey to take to get to the hidden building, but for others...not so much. She pressed on and allowed the darkness to take over her, the tangled branches attempting to gnaw at her covered arms. She ignored the shadows and lurking animals and finally reached an old building - large, wrapped up in vines, and old. Keira grinned as she took her wand from her cloak and gave a flick of her wrist, slamming open the door.

A few gasps were uttered from inside and she clearly witnessed a few of her followers step back from the door to let her in. Keira looked round the ten of them - her first ten. They weren't much in number, but they were ultimate in strength and power. "Let us move," she said darkly, turning her backs on them. She listened as their feet shuffled on the floor and she quickly turned back round. "I SAID LET'S MOVE!" she shrieked, sparking another jump from one of the girls in the back. One of the few girls. Their steps became refined and hurried, just the way Keira intended for them to be from the start. Maybe a torture curse or two was needed to get these followers in line.

Most of them were previous Death Eaters. She had to start small, of course - reaching to those who were obviously up for the cause. Keira knew it was difficult to find these who were among her. They were forced into hiding after escaping capture after the second wizarding war. What Keira held for them was more than simply a way to rid the filth of the world, but of a way out. A way for new life. A way for dominance once again, and a way for them to live the way they pleased. All they had to do were do her a few favors...make her their Queen...and so with the new marks on their wrists - the wrists opposing those where the cold and unmoving Dark Mark sat - they gave her a chance.

Abound newly crafted broomsticks, The Dark Lady and her Black Army flew through the night to the University. It was quiet. The guard was let down. No one expected them. The threats Keira personally left were obviously not taken to heart. For shame. She let a wild laugh roar through the night air before shouting "NOW!" Small metal balls dropped from the hands of the Black Army, illuminating the night as the glare from the moon reflected from their skins. They graced the concrete of the University Towers first and exploded. Keira led her troops higher to avoid the debris, witnessing the first-ever Magical Bombs do their damage.

She looked from face to face of the Black Army, the new feelings of revenge and power sinking into every single one of them. Keira admired their new masks - no longer those of the Death Eater but of the Black Knight that each of them was. Their faces were black, with whites around the eyes and lips, and her own the exact opposite, all with their black hoods hoisted up and over their locks to where their hairline ended. She raised her wand into the air and shouted, "Armithe!" At once, a mask matching her own sparked the clouds and hung over the University just as the Dark Mark did - a symbol of their presence. A sign that they would return.

[Deleted]

What was he still doing here? He hadn’t slept in days nor has he eaten or drank. This wasn’t healthy nor was it sensible yet as stubborn as he was Griffin continued to do it. What was the end result; passing out from exhaustion? A better alternative than the entire wizarding world collapsing before him. “Still,” He stifled a yawn, “It couldn’t hurt to take a little break.” Leaning back in his chair Griffin sighed, “Chole must be worried sick...” He hated doing this to her, this was the second time he stayed late without telling her. “She’s a big girl, I’m sure she’ll understand...” He mumbled, the thought of having to incur her wrath for a second time sent shivers down his back. ‘Just like her mother.’ He thought sadly before looking down at the dozen manila folders and papers spread about his desk with a long drawn out groan.

Immediately after becoming the Minister For Magic Griffin put several new policies in place. One of these new policies was the Seeker Initiative. The Seekers, talented men and women who would do whatever it takes to flush out the darkness and bring it into the light. Many within the Ministry didn’t agree with the idea of their Minister raising a private army that would only report to him; because of this Griffin ensured that only his most trusted advisers and associates knew of the Seekers. There was too much at stake to risk being exposed, the Seekers had complete anonymity in their actions. Meaning they could break any law, do anything so long as their assignment whatever it was is completed. Of course such freedom came at a cost, their actions had to remain under the radar and should anything happen Griffin couldn’t bail them out. The Ministry couldn’t be implicated in their actions. The Seekers were a necessary evil in order to prevent an even worse evil from arising.

Still the Seekers were still very much in the planning process. Apart from Griffin they merely had around ten members in total. However that number will soon grow once he finds a good source of income for the group (right now he was paying for it out of his own pocket along with taking more than a ‘few’ galleons from the tax collection service). He had a few prospect members in mind though his yet to contact them. A thorough background check was required before Griffin would approach anyone with such an offer.

Without so much a word Griffin dozed off into much needed slumber. Unfortunately for him as quickly as sleep came it was gone. The door (more or less kicked) opened allowing several robed men to crowd in. “Minister sorry for the interruption but we have a situation.” Griffin raised his hand in annoyance silencing the man, “What is the meaning of this? What situation could warrant you storming into my office at this hour?” One of the men Griffin recognized as an Auror spoke, “A band of unknown assailants have assaulted Alistair University!” Griffin’s eyes widened at the news. “Where’s Potter?” Griffin asked already springing into action as he grabbed his wand, robe and quickly began collecting his thoughts. “His alerting all departments of the attack.” Griffin nodded at the man’s choice of action, “Good idea, I want the Ministry in lockdown until further notice. Tell Potter to send a detachment of Auror’s to the school at once. I will go on ahead!”

The Aurors nodded before dispersing. Once alone Griffin rolled up his sleeve and spoke into the Seeker tattoo on his forearm (which was the eye of providence), “Everyone meet up at the University of Alistair immediately there has been an attack!” Without waiting for a response Griffin closed his eyes and focused on an image of the university in his mind before apparating away. Nearly instantaneous Griffin immediately scowled at the success of the apparition. Though skilled he shouldn’t have been able to do that. “The barrier is down...” Taking in his surroundings Griffin noticed he apparated inside one of the classroom towers. “This is Chloe’s law and literature class...” Sounds of explosions quickly drew Griffin out of his head and back onto the situation at hand. Taking notice that during his daydreaming several Seeker’s had also apperated to his location and had already began investigating the situation.

“Xavier, status report!” The dark-skinned man known as Xavier immediately snapped to attention before replying though the telepathic link all Seekers possessed. “It’s bad, luckily most of the students were inside during the initial attack though I think the towers could go at any moment!” Griffin scowled at this, “Any dead?” A pause, “Uncertain, though if these towers collapse there will be casualties.” Then that’s what they had to do, “Alright, Xavier I want you to round up all the students and staff. House them in the cafeteria and await Auror reinforcements. Maxwell take Vex and reform the barrier around the school. Focus on the towers we cannot afford their collapse. Everyone else on me, we have to drive them away from the school!” With that the Seekers were in action, Griffin along with his small band of wizards and witches quickly scaled the top of the tower and peered out. “What in god’s name?” In the sky, what was that? “The Dark Mark?” One of the Seekers asked in bewilderment. ‘No...” Griffin started, “It’s different.” It wasn’t Voldemorts but it’s purpose was still abundantly clear.

Griffin gritted his teeth before pulling his wand out and driving it high into the air, “Lumos Maxima!” Griffin cried out, his Seeker’s following suit soon after. Seconds later several large balls of light formed into the sky before melding together to form one giant orb. It revealed the entire area, almost acting like a mini sun (apart from not giving off heat). Griffin then smirked at the dark robed figures on brooms before them. “Seekers we’re on the hunt!”