` BENEATH THE MOONLIT TOMBSTONES . [open]

☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆ BENEATH THE MOONLIT TOMBSTONES: A DEATH EATER’S SOIREE ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☆

THE GRASSY FOOTING below Valak's boots lay covered in vacuous shadows, cast in the shape of gravestones from the flickering lamp posts in Hogwarts Cemetery. Fog covered the hillside within the wrought iron fences. The Magic Neep sat in the distance with pumpkins littered around the quaint cottage. Atop it, a glowing, absinthe-hued glass dome was mounted proudly as the little shop's crown jewel. Lacewing flies fluttered about the dome, their radiant aura visible from a distance. In its cozy interior near the fireplace, like many shopkeepers, the owner was bundled up inside on that snowy December evening in the Scottish Highlands. Beyond the Magic Neep, which was the main supplier of magical herbs in Hogsmeade, lie the arched stone bridges which created paths across the village's crystal clear stream. Placed at the bottom of a mountain overlooking Hogwarts castle, the quirky, handcrafted, and homey village of Hogsmeade was a blessing to nearby students and remote villagers in the Highlands looking for supplies in the rugged, far northern landscape.

STANDING IN THE DARKNESS of the cemetery, Valak's black cape covered his entire form, spare his head. Highly trained and towering over most his peers at 6'3", the 29-year-old Slytherin was a formidable foe to encounter alone. Wand at the ready in his pocket, his hands were covered in leather gloves from his homeland, enchanted with magical powers to increase his ability with charms. Many years of training had prepared him for this stage of his life. But tonight, he was not on his highest guard--choosing instead to spend a night of leisure with his friends and fellow Death Eaters. The sun had fallen, and the moon was now high in the sky with stars twinkling overhead. Valak's lackluster acquaintances had not yet arrived at the Hog's Head Inn across the bridge. For the time being, he was only a local, wandering through Hogsmeade alone. There was no need for shopping, as he always kept a full supply at home for his many potions--his favorite being Felix Felicis. He tried not to overuse the substance, but he found its qualities rather alluring when one was in a tough spot. It was moments like these he caught himself thinking about his homeland in Bulgaria, and how things had changed there recently. A new faction of Death Eaters had been born.

RUSTLING AT THE GATE caught Valak's attention, and his head snapped up to see what might be entering his midst--only a ghost, perhaps, a member of the Headless Hunt? He stood deathly still with a brave face as he glared in the direction of the noise, no longer leaning lackadaisically against the small mausoleum beside him on the path. There had been talk of trolls outside the town, and not all were kind--even to Death Eaters. Valak did not yet bear the Dark Mark on his arm, thus wasn't yet considered safe if one crossed his path. He had wandered into this corner of Hogsmeade only because the rest had been so well-traveled that he wanted a change of scenery, a moment away from everyone else. Had he strayed too far into the darkness? Unafraid, Valak was ready to defend himself, if a threat presented. Else, he was always keen on meeting people and learning whatever he could from them during a brief encounter--or a beginning to a marvelous friendship.


OOC: OPEN TO ANYONE--not just Death Eaters! All writing levels welcome! You can approach this in any way. They could start as enemies and become friends, already know each other, previous Hogwarts students together, strangers, etc. My replies will be 3-5 paragraphs unless you want shorter/longer. (: Feel free to DM me first if you want to plot it out!