At Any MomentPrologueBy OzRatbag2Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. Author's Note: Many thanks to Niamh, my beta reader and sounding board. She has good advice and stops me from being too vague. Her own fic, To the Honour of the Mother is well worth reading. This prologue is for Amethyst who kindly pointed out that the poem below would sit very well as part of the introduction to the story. Thank you, Amethyst! I’ve not rendered the diary sections into italics. I find that if I read a whole block of italics, my eyes get tired very quickly. I can only assume others are the same? A very short prologue… If one were to look wistfully at the world, they would find within the unappreciated essence of time, moments that ebb and flow like a gentle tide or raging torrent. Such would be the state of the world if one were to look closer at the play of human interaction, the sylphlike quality of memories, interspersed with the more horrifying aspects of a world gone wrong. It was into such a world that a mischievous spirit interrupted what could have been maudlin, but soon became so much more… Hogwarts fair we call to you Hide this power and strength renew We The Four do thus beseech thee Warded from war and travail be we Arcanus be the name bestowed Warded in since time doth flow He be Master of this fortress Guardian, watcher and restorer At a time of great upheaval Will your gifts be released And from that moment forth Five markers must you seek Look for keys to advantage all Five to mark the magical realm Friend or foe the five must be To offer aid or succour thee One who would suffer, though gifted be The first worthiest gift for he Passage marked and like a book laid bare The key to peace be for him to share Lovers old and lovers new Renew tired souls and speak most true The second worthiest gift for she Forgiveness be the key Evil marked and evil planned Depravity be his sentinel vice Tainted, poisoned and reviled Worthy not, but one of five Release be his key Will to fight and need to prove Tenacity sparks courage true Stubborn countenance, intellect and joy Foresight be her key Wisdom, power and good intent Great honour does Arcanus give Friend, confidante, conduit he Resilience be naught save guide Houses four held united Aid the five whose toil must start Sentient though we know not how Arcanus, friend, defend us all Influence none save to write Good counsel keep, wise choice hold tight Should evil claim the fortress fair Your duty shall forever cease this lair Ghosts and guardians chosen thus House allegiance protects their trust All must e'er thwart evil’s plans Dark will strike if naught are just Should none prove worthy Dark times will dawn And all will be as evils pawn Know well that wisdom, health and light Must e’er be vigilant over might. Author Note: Constructive criticism, comments and reviews are welcome. The poem above is the first piece of verse I have attempted to write for over fifteen years. |