KISS OF DEATH by Darren Kelly
It was in the wee hours of New Years eve when a small precession of figures entered the Avonshire Cemetery carrying a simple pine coffin. The cold fog bit into their skin as they walked quickly to the heart of the Cemetery and placed the casket on the ground before a simple wooden cross that read 'RIDONKULOUS BUCKET 1964 -1994.'
The aurers who came to pay there last respects to the man they once knew stepped back from the grave. Nick stood stoically beside Wysteria who shivered as she placed a single red rose on the coffin. The night was quickly becoming colder.
"We can't stay here long Wysteria." Nick said urging her to leave. "They'll be coming soon."
"Quite right." Profesor Dumbledor said as he approached. "I believe making haste is most important at this moment."
The group apperated away from the graveyard to safety. They knew what followed and chose not to be witness to what was to come. The same way I encourage you now to look away.
The air became unbearably cold. Any one unlucky enough to be caught outside tonight would be instantly frozen. The families of Avonshire snuggled deep under their covers as frost formed on their windows and snow began to fall in the fog.
Shadows moved in the frigid dark night air. Hooded figures in black glided down into the grave yard. Dementors, dozens of them, encircled the coffin containing Riddonkulous Bucket as he exhaled his last human breath.
The dementors breathed deep. Feeding on the lost love. The dead hopes and dreams. The fear of a death that would never come.
He had fought the transformation as long and as hard as he could, but to no avail. The dementors kiss that he had reversed all of those years ago, had left him cold and empty inside. There the dementor grew and ate away at him, until nothing of the brave aurer was left. Though the spark of life did not pass his lips, Riddonkulous Bucket was no more.
What rose weightlessly from the coffin was something else. Something dark. Its ashen face showed great pain and twisted fear. Its eyes sank in. Its mouth circled as it let out a twisted howl. Its arms and fingers grew long. What was left of its hair fell to the ground leaving only its ashy white scalp. The others hung a robe over its quivering shoulders. Welcoming the newest dementor into their ranks. Together they howled for all things lost and all things they had yet to take. A dementor was born.
*********
Daily Prophet Obituarys
Bucket, Riddonkulous Azmeth - 1964 -1994 Died Tuesday in Avonshire England. He will be greatly missed by his family Father Woodrow and Mother Oblivion Bucket, His twin brother Homunculus Bucket. His wife and child. Closed Casket service to be held at Westminster Abbey Friday morning at 10 am. The family will be in attendance. All well wishers welcome. Donations can be made to the Aurer Disability Fund.
*********
Dementors rarely ventured away from the feeding grounds the ministry of magic had assigned them. Places like Azkaban prison were their homes. The creatures held no memory of who or what they were. So Nick wasn't afraid of the creature that was his best friend attending his own funeral.
Nick walked a very shaky and teary Wysteria, who held on tightly to her daughter Sasporilla, in to the cathedral. The crowd was huge. Aurers, low to high ranking officials in the Ministry of Magic as well as some muggle political figures like The Prime Minister were in attendance. The lead singer of the Weird Sisters Myron Wagtail was there with his girl friend famed broom and robe model Heather Dejour. HeadMaster Dumbledor and Profesors Sprout, MacGonical, Snape and Flitwick.
Sassy saw Lyra sitting with 2 wealthy disinterested adults that she assumed were her parents. Lyra crossed her eyes and stuck her tongue out. Sassy laughed for the first time in days... if only for just a second.
Sasporilla, Wysteria and Uncle Nick were ushered off to the side of the crowd and in to the family pews. Sassy looked down along the line of people sitting with them. She didn't know any of them personally but recognized her grand parents, Her uncles and her aunts from pictures she had seen. Her fathers coffin was very ornate cherry wood, trimmed with 24 karat gold with a Ministry of magic flag draped across the middle, with his framed picture sitting on top.
"That coffins bigger than our whole apartment." Sassy whispered to her mum who gave her a sharp elbow in the side.
As the Arch Bishop gave a very moving sermon about bravery and yay though I stand in valley of the shadow of death, Sasporillas mind wandered to memories of her father.
Good memories from when she was very young. They played and ran and laughed but there always seemed to be that bit of distance between them. A distance that grew as she got older. She never understood what drove her father away from her. She just assumed it was his love for the drink that was greater than his love for her or her mom. She wished with all of her heart she knew the reason.
Nick Owlmore stood and walked to the podium. He took off his dark sunglasses to reveal red wt eyes that looked like he'd been crying for days. He pulled a piece of crumpled paper out of his pocket and straightened it as best he could. Sasporilla could hear professor Snap roll his eyes. With a deep sigh he began in a shaky, teary voice. "Riddonkulous Bucket was my best friend."
Wysteria began to cry. Sasporilla hugged her mom being that pillar of strength she needed most now. Aunt Impatience moved over and started talking to her big sister in a hushed whisper.
"Donk and I were always best of friends. In class at Hogwarts. In detention after class, ay Professor's?" The crowd chuckled as he cleared his throat. "Donk was a true hero, a great aurer and a brilliant mind. Ya, he wrestled with his demons, or as he said some nights they just cuddled, but he fought. With all his might he fought and lost the battle. To quote Bono of U2. 'I was drowning my sorrows but my sorrows they learned to swim.' It was much more than that with Donk but..."
Nick Owlmore paused. There was something he wanted to say but he just couldn't.
"Damit Donk we all loved you and we'll all miss you. I wish we could have had the old you longer."
****************
After the funeral the family stood in a precision line to accept sympathies from funeral attendees. Everyone had something nice to say about Riddonkulous Bucket. Everyone seemed to like him. Sasporilla could only wonder where they were all the years her mom struggled and only Uncle Nick was around?
Next in line was Lyras mother and father. They were very American and explained how they supported the police and aurers. How saddened they were by Riddonkulous' death and how it had effected them personally. Lyra grabbed Sasporillas hand and shook it vigerously. "Wonderful job you've done with the place! I bet it'll be the best restaurant in England." The girls laughed until Lyras mom grabbed her by the ear and dragged her off.
Myron Wagtail was being urged by his girlfriend to 'SPEED IT UP.' He stopped at Wysteria and gently took her hand. "Mrs.Bucket, I am truely sorry for your loss and on behalf of the Weird Sisters I pass on our deepest condolences."
"Thank you." Wysteria smiled shyly knowing the young man was the rock star Sasporilla admired and enjoyed most.
Myron moved next to Sassy who smiled as the first small tear rolled down her cheek.
"I wasn't going to let my friend go through this alone." Myron smiled taking Sasporillas hand. "How you are you holding up?
"I'm..." Sasporilla sniffed and burst into tears.
Myron hugged the girl as Wysteria stroked her hair.
"There, there angel." Wysteria said.
Myron just hugged Sassy until she was ready to pull away.
"Thank you." Wysteria smiled. "She's kept it all bottled in for so long."
"Remember my words Sassy." Myron smiled sympathetically. "It can't rain all the time."
**************
After the crowds had dwindled only the closest friends and family remained.
"Wysteria dear." Her mother smiled forcedly, "I'd like a word with you."
Wysteria walked away with the old woman and over to a small group of her family members.
"What do you want mother?" Wysteria asked.
"I would like to..." Chrysanthemum Bent began and was quickly interrupted Oblivion Bucket. "We would."
"Yes of course." Chrysanthemum sneered. "WE... want to get to know OUR granddaughter."
"I see." Wysteria said crossing her arms defiantly. "And tell me just WHY I should trust you around my little girl? I haven't forgotten what you lot tried to do to her and what Riddonkulous did to protect her."
"Ah but that's it exactly." Trillium Bent added in. "With Riddonkulous gone the spell has lost its source of power!"
"This is really just a formality dear." Oblivion smiled looking over at her granddaughter. "We aren't really asking your permission."
"Oh really?" Wysteria said stepping between Sasporilla and the grandparents.
"Be reasonable dear." Chrysanthemum urged her daughter. "Ask the child if she would like to get to know her grand parents. What child wouldn't?"
"First off," Wysteria snapped, "the childs name is Sasporilla. Second I imagine any child told that her bloody grandparents plotted to have her murdered as an infant because she wasn't magical would want to stay well clear of the likes of you."
"But she IS magical dear." Oblivion smiled like a shark trying to reassure a seal.
"Third." Wysteria said holding up 3 fingers. "Riddonkulous didn't want any of you near my baby ever again, and I intend to honor his wishes."
"Poppycock." Oblivion said as the grand parents pushed past her as if she was so much garbage.
"Sasporilla." Wysteria yelled alarmed.
Sassy looked up and saw the precession of grandparents walking towards her. Sasporillas scalp burned with an uncomfortably increasing warmth.
Her grandparents were less than five feet away when the stopped. Sasporilla felt the cold chill first then saw the ice fog breath of her grand parents. She looked up to see a dementor hovering feet above her head.
"Child." Oblivion gasped as the creature howled and flew at them hands outstretched. Wands were drawn as it flew around them feeding from their fear as they grew weaker and weaker.
"Leave us alone." Chrysanthemum Bent cried.
"Yes take the child." Oblivion yelled.
The dementor turned its attention to Sasporilla. The grandparents fell to the ground as the creature glided away from them towards Sassy who held her ground.
The dementor tilted its head as he looked at her.
"Sassssspor...." the creature hissed and choked.
The booming voice of Albus Dumbledor cut through the din. "Expecto Patronum!"
Brilliant white light flooded the air as a phoenix of light flew between the dementor and Sasporilla driving the creature away.
Wysteria rushed to her daughter followed closely by Nick Owlmore. Wysteria grabbed her daughter and looked intently into her face. "Are you alright?"
"Yes mum I'm fine." Sasporilla smiled.
"I think," Albus Dumbeldor said, "it best I escort Sasporilla back to Hogwarts."
"Good idea." Nick agreed. "I'll see to it Wysteria gets home safe."
"Wait." Sasporilla said. "It new my name."
"I'll explain it all to you some day darling." Wysteria said. "For now I think it's best you go with your head master."
"Yes mum." Sasporilla conceded.
With a gentle touch on the shoulder Albus Dumbledor apperated away with Sassy.
Wysteria and Nick turned to the grandparents who struggled to stand.
"Take the girl???" Wysteria yelled as she jumped off with what would turn out to be a 25 minute tirade.
Nick just stood there amused.
It was in the wee hours of New Years eve when a small precession of figures entered the Avonshire Cemetery carrying a simple pine coffin. The cold fog bit into their skin as they walked quickly to the heart of the Cemetery and placed the casket on the ground before a simple wooden cross that read 'RIDONKULOUS BUCKET 1964 -1994.'
The aurers who came to pay there last respects to the man they once knew stepped back from the grave. Nick stood stoically beside Wysteria who shivered as she placed a single red rose on the coffin. The night was quickly becoming colder.
"We can't stay here long Wysteria." Nick said urging her to leave. "They'll be coming soon."
"Quite right." Profesor Dumbledor said as he approached. "I believe making haste is most important at this moment."
The group apperated away from the graveyard to safety. They knew what followed and chose not to be witness to what was to come. The same way I encourage you now to look away.
The air became unbearably cold. Any one unlucky enough to be caught outside tonight would be instantly frozen. The families of Avonshire snuggled deep under their covers as frost formed on their windows and snow began to fall in the fog.
Shadows moved in the frigid dark night air. Hooded figures in black glided down into the grave yard. Dementors, dozens of them, encircled the coffin containing Riddonkulous Bucket as he exhaled his last human breath.
The dementors breathed deep. Feeding on the lost love. The dead hopes and dreams. The fear of a death that would never come.
He had fought the transformation as long and as hard as he could, but to no avail. The dementors kiss that he had reversed all of those years ago, had left him cold and empty inside. There the dementor grew and ate away at him, until nothing of the brave aurer was left. Though the spark of life did not pass his lips, Riddonkulous Bucket was no more.
What rose weightlessly from the coffin was something else. Something dark. Its ashen face showed great pain and twisted fear. Its eyes sank in. Its mouth circled as it let out a twisted howl. Its arms and fingers grew long. What was left of its hair fell to the ground leaving only its ashy white scalp. The others hung a robe over its quivering shoulders. Welcoming the newest dementor into their ranks. Together they howled for all things lost and all things they had yet to take. A dementor was born.
*********
Daily Prophet Obituarys
Bucket, Riddonkulous Azmeth - 1964 -1994 Died Tuesday in Avonshire England. He will be greatly missed by his family Father Woodrow and Mother Oblivion Bucket, His twin brother Homunculus Bucket. His wife and child. Closed Casket service to be held at Westminster Abbey Friday morning at 10 am. The family will be in attendance. All well wishers welcome. Donations can be made to the Aurer Disability Fund.
*********
Dementors rarely ventured away from the feeding grounds the ministry of magic had assigned them. Places like Azkaban prison were their homes. The creatures held no memory of who or what they were. So Nick wasn't afraid of the creature that was his best friend attending his own funeral.
Nick walked a very shaky and teary Wysteria, who held on tightly to her daughter Sasporilla, in to the cathedral. The crowd was huge. Aurers, low to high ranking officials in the Ministry of Magic as well as some muggle political figures like The Prime Minister were in attendance. The lead singer of the Weird Sisters Myron Wagtail was there with his girl friend famed broom and robe model Heather Dejour. HeadMaster Dumbledor and Profesors Sprout, MacGonical, Snape and Flitwick.
Sassy saw Lyra sitting with 2 wealthy disinterested adults that she assumed were her parents. Lyra crossed her eyes and stuck her tongue out. Sassy laughed for the first time in days... if only for just a second.
Sasporilla, Wysteria and Uncle Nick were ushered off to the side of the crowd and in to the family pews. Sassy looked down along the line of people sitting with them. She didn't know any of them personally but recognized her grand parents, Her uncles and her aunts from pictures she had seen. Her fathers coffin was very ornate cherry wood, trimmed with 24 karat gold with a Ministry of magic flag draped across the middle, with his framed picture sitting on top.
"That coffins bigger than our whole apartment." Sassy whispered to her mum who gave her a sharp elbow in the side.
As the Arch Bishop gave a very moving sermon about bravery and yay though I stand in valley of the shadow of death, Sasporillas mind wandered to memories of her father.
Good memories from when she was very young. They played and ran and laughed but there always seemed to be that bit of distance between them. A distance that grew as she got older. She never understood what drove her father away from her. She just assumed it was his love for the drink that was greater than his love for her or her mom. She wished with all of her heart she knew the reason.
Nick Owlmore stood and walked to the podium. He took off his dark sunglasses to reveal red wt eyes that looked like he'd been crying for days. He pulled a piece of crumpled paper out of his pocket and straightened it as best he could. Sasporilla could hear professor Snap roll his eyes. With a deep sigh he began in a shaky, teary voice. "Riddonkulous Bucket was my best friend."
Wysteria began to cry. Sasporilla hugged her mom being that pillar of strength she needed most now. Aunt Impatience moved over and started talking to her big sister in a hushed whisper.
"Donk and I were always best of friends. In class at Hogwarts. In detention after class, ay Professor's?" The crowd chuckled as he cleared his throat. "Donk was a true hero, a great aurer and a brilliant mind. Ya, he wrestled with his demons, or as he said some nights they just cuddled, but he fought. With all his might he fought and lost the battle. To quote Bono of U2. 'I was drowning my sorrows but my sorrows they learned to swim.' It was much more than that with Donk but..."
Nick Owlmore paused. There was something he wanted to say but he just couldn't.
"Damit Donk we all loved you and we'll all miss you. I wish we could have had the old you longer."
****************
After the funeral the family stood in a precision line to accept sympathies from funeral attendees. Everyone had something nice to say about Riddonkulous Bucket. Everyone seemed to like him. Sasporilla could only wonder where they were all the years her mom struggled and only Uncle Nick was around?
Next in line was Lyras mother and father. They were very American and explained how they supported the police and aurers. How saddened they were by Riddonkulous' death and how it had effected them personally. Lyra grabbed Sasporillas hand and shook it vigerously. "Wonderful job you've done with the place! I bet it'll be the best restaurant in England." The girls laughed until Lyras mom grabbed her by the ear and dragged her off.
Myron Wagtail was being urged by his girlfriend to 'SPEED IT UP.' He stopped at Wysteria and gently took her hand. "Mrs.Bucket, I am truely sorry for your loss and on behalf of the Weird Sisters I pass on our deepest condolences."
"Thank you." Wysteria smiled shyly knowing the young man was the rock star Sasporilla admired and enjoyed most.
Myron moved next to Sassy who smiled as the first small tear rolled down her cheek.
"I wasn't going to let my friend go through this alone." Myron smiled taking Sasporillas hand. "How you are you holding up?
"I'm..." Sasporilla sniffed and burst into tears.
Myron hugged the girl as Wysteria stroked her hair.
"There, there angel." Wysteria said.
Myron just hugged Sassy until she was ready to pull away.
"Thank you." Wysteria smiled. "She's kept it all bottled in for so long."
"Remember my words Sassy." Myron smiled sympathetically. "It can't rain all the time."
**************
After the crowds had dwindled only the closest friends and family remained.
"Wysteria dear." Her mother smiled forcedly, "I'd like a word with you."
Wysteria walked away with the old woman and over to a small group of her family members.
"What do you want mother?" Wysteria asked.
"I would like to..." Chrysanthemum Bent began and was quickly interrupted Oblivion Bucket. "We would."
"Yes of course." Chrysanthemum sneered. "WE... want to get to know OUR granddaughter."
"I see." Wysteria said crossing her arms defiantly. "And tell me just WHY I should trust you around my little girl? I haven't forgotten what you lot tried to do to her and what Riddonkulous did to protect her."
"Ah but that's it exactly." Trillium Bent added in. "With Riddonkulous gone the spell has lost its source of power!"
"This is really just a formality dear." Oblivion smiled looking over at her granddaughter. "We aren't really asking your permission."
"Oh really?" Wysteria said stepping between Sasporilla and the grandparents.
"Be reasonable dear." Chrysanthemum urged her daughter. "Ask the child if she would like to get to know her grand parents. What child wouldn't?"
"First off," Wysteria snapped, "the childs name is Sasporilla. Second I imagine any child told that her bloody grandparents plotted to have her murdered as an infant because she wasn't magical would want to stay well clear of the likes of you."
"But she IS magical dear." Oblivion smiled like a shark trying to reassure a seal.
"Third." Wysteria said holding up 3 fingers. "Riddonkulous didn't want any of you near my baby ever again, and I intend to honor his wishes."
"Poppycock." Oblivion said as the grand parents pushed past her as if she was so much garbage.
"Sasporilla." Wysteria yelled alarmed.
Sassy looked up and saw the precession of grandparents walking towards her. Sasporillas scalp burned with an uncomfortably increasing warmth.
Her grandparents were less than five feet away when the stopped. Sasporilla felt the cold chill first then saw the ice fog breath of her grand parents. She looked up to see a dementor hovering feet above her head.
"Child." Oblivion gasped as the creature howled and flew at them hands outstretched. Wands were drawn as it flew around them feeding from their fear as they grew weaker and weaker.
"Leave us alone." Chrysanthemum Bent cried.
"Yes take the child." Oblivion yelled.
The dementor turned its attention to Sasporilla. The grandparents fell to the ground as the creature glided away from them towards Sassy who held her ground.
The dementor tilted its head as he looked at her.
"Sassssspor...." the creature hissed and choked.
The booming voice of Albus Dumbledor cut through the din. "Expecto Patronum!"
Brilliant white light flooded the air as a phoenix of light flew between the dementor and Sasporilla driving the creature away.
Wysteria rushed to her daughter followed closely by Nick Owlmore. Wysteria grabbed her daughter and looked intently into her face. "Are you alright?"
"Yes mum I'm fine." Sasporilla smiled.
"I think," Albus Dumbeldor said, "it best I escort Sasporilla back to Hogwarts."
"Good idea." Nick agreed. "I'll see to it Wysteria gets home safe."
"Wait." Sasporilla said. "It new my name."
"I'll explain it all to you some day darling." Wysteria said. "For now I think it's best you go with your head master."
"Yes mum." Sasporilla conceded.
With a gentle touch on the shoulder Albus Dumbledor apperated away with Sassy.
Wysteria and Nick turned to the grandparents who struggled to stand.
"Take the girl???" Wysteria yelled as she jumped off with what would turn out to be a 25 minute tirade.
Nick just stood there amused.