PROLOGUE
1980
Catalyst… a term used to denote a substance that increases the rate of reaction in a chemical process. Our body is one large vessel where numerous chemical processes occur within each nano second, to explain conveniently. We breathe, we think, we react because of such reactions within us of which we still vaguely think about every ten years or so… maybe not ever.
In broader aspect, a group of people form a family. There are different thoughts, expectations, emotions and countless differences between individuals, yet a family is formed, however, there is always one person who tends to be the reason for a chain of events to take place.
Some theories state that it is only a matter of time before the assigned catalyst comes into play and invoke its right and cause dissension. Whereas, some quote Murphy's law- what will go wrong will go wrong. So what is right? How do we assess the definitive variable? How do we pinpoint the cause for mayhem? How do we select the divergent?
Simple… we relax and we leave it all on the quantum entanglement. Easy, right?
In the most easiest words, quantum entanglement means when there is a connection between two things, no matter the distance, what affects one will have an effect on the other as well. Period.
We may come across different stories or different outcomes, there may be versions of depictions that may altogether be parallel, but sometimes, all it takes is a second for the catalyst to appear and challenge the whole sanctity of knowledge.
Here, on this biting cold night of January, our catalyst was rain.
Had it taken only half a second for the sky to break and pour, the young lad would have vanished into nothingness and would have missed the owl that just smacked into his chest.
But despite the curses that left the young man's mouth, he hurriedly unrolled the scroll and felt a wave of terror assault his senses. His lean face was cast orange under the street light, his eyes wide and his breathing shallow, he clutched the now crumpled parchment tightly in his left hand and disappeared with an echoing shot like a gun fired, only to stumble in the countryside in front of an old dilapidated barn.
His steps quickened and took him inside. If possible, the barn was even colder than the open countryside but his senses were on the lone figure, slumped amidst the hay and a single horse nudging it with its snout.
Had he been the optimistic sorts, he would have rejoiced at the whimper that was feeble in the large cold barn, but he had always had the sense to accept the harsh truths of life. As he hurried towards the figure, drenched in blood, he could only hope the horror didn't really show on his face even as his knees gave away.
She was a young girl, a year younger than him, her once fine robes were tattered and her body skeletal. He focused on the girl and did everything to clear his mind of the image of blood rapidly seeping out of her. But as he took out the wand, his wrist was gripped in a surprising tight grip, his gaze was trapped in those blue orbs that seemed ferocious even in her state.
"save her" she rasped and then her other arm moved, there, covered haphazardly by her outer robe, a tiny bloodied baby was nestled against her chest and suckling greedily from her breast.
He didn't know what horrified him more, that there was a baby or that the girl he knew did not even have the strength to cut the umbilical cord that was still connecting the baby to her.
He did not have to time, because then the girl, unlatched the baby from her breast and with arms that shook with the strain to even hold it, thrust the baby in his arms. Her eyes were fierce and kind at the same time.
"protect her, my friend"
And he was on his knees, blood seeping in his trousers, a newborn covered in blood in his arms as he watched the light fade away from his friend's eyes turning them glassy and unseeing.
As if aware of the loss, the baby gave a loud wail and he jolted as the lamp, which had been the lone source of light, exploded causing the hay to catch fire. The horse neighed and galloped away in haste and he quickly worked. With the baby wailing away in his left arm, he used his other free hand to cut the umbilical cord, and with deep regret transfigured the girl's body into a coin. He rushed out of the barn, heart heavy with loss, his eyes taking in the rapidly burning barn and felt not just the weight of the still wailing baby but also the weight of her future.
His decision, would be the catalyst for the future events.
Just as the young man disappeared, far away north, in a castle between the mountains was a tower that was locked. Just as the baby wailed, the Augurey quill moved and the book with peeling dragon hide did not protest as a new name was entered in the mysterious silver ink.