The revised edition. :)
I would like take a moment to point out that as a starving author and high school student I do not, although I dream otherwise, own the rights to the Harry Potter series.
-.-.-.-
:: The Prodigy Trilogy ::
- In Shattered Silence -
By: AJ Seawiel
-.-.-.-
Prologue
1229
Scottish Highlands
Silence filled the ransacked village; a burst of heat and a following tremor caused the ground beneath his feet to glow a deep gold. The once-lush, green hills that lay ahead of him were aflame. Everything around him, for three hundred sixty degrees, was dead. Though his blood-streaked face showed no fear, he was petrified right down to his core. The man had known this day would come, ever since the fleeing of his former friend. The day he would stand alone, facing death head on.
With a steady hand, the man pulled his wand from inside his crimson robe and flicked it once. He heard two faint pops and turned to face the women that had materialized behind him. One had long, curly brown hair that fell nearly to her waist; the other had tanned skin and beautiful brown eyes. Yet those eyes seemed filled with a dreary emotion that was barely registered by the man.
He smiled before asking softly, "Rowena, you've checked the preparations again?"
"Yes," the brunette replied, "They were settled even before Salazar left. Why the sudden panic to check them? You know I had done them correctly." Her tone was almost accusatory.
The man nodded apologetically and sighed.
"You're not planning on going alone, are you?" the second woman said in scandalized tones. "You know we're with you until the bitter end. We made an Unbreakable Vow to remain together; do you not remember that day? When Salazar left you –"
"Helga," the man chuckled, "I know you would follow me to the very depths of Hell, and I, in turn, would follow you. Apparently, God does not strike down those who desert their friends in times of need. An Unbreakable Vow might have been an idea." Godric sighed, "Even magic cannot foresee all ends…" He turned back to face the burning hills as he touched his forehead. Beneath his hand, usually hidden under his fringe, was a small, lightening bolt-shaped scar. "I think... this is something I must finish alone. I can't ask you to put yourselves in mortal danger –"
Rowena exploded, "Godric! What is this you speak of? Have you no shame! We've been together for many years and still you treat us as delicate women! Have you learned nothing over the time we've spent? Do we seem delicate housewives to you?"
"No, not at all my dear. You do understand the prophecy though, being as clever as you are," Godric replied gently.
Rowena huffed. "Yes, considerably better than you I'm afraid."
"Godric, we go together, or we don't go at all. How else are you supposed to finish the task set ahead? You can't possibly have any chance at all if you go alone," Helga concluded sensibly.
Rowena stepped up to Godric and placed a loving hand on his shoulder. "I know you want to be brave and do everything alone. I know you want more than anything to protect Helga and me but…" Her eyes were now frosted with tears. "I can't let you go alone, and it would break my heart knowing I wasn't able to do anything to prevent your death. If I could just be there..." Words failed her as she turned away from him to let her tears fall.
Godric turned to stand in front of her and tilted her chin so he could see her face. "You know better than I that without Salazar, we'll all die. I don't want to see death consume you. I care for you too much to watch it." Rowena looked deep within his emerald eyes before placing a gentle kiss on his lips.
"Godric, I have to do this; we both do, Helga and I," Rowena said.
Godric sighed. "I understand - we'll all fight together."
"To the death!" Helga finished before whipping out her wand and taking the lead. Rowena drew her wand and she and Godric followed her into the burning orange glow.
-.-.-.-
400 years later
Undûr, England
Tears of joy fell from her hazel eyes. Her appearance was less than presentable; beads of sweat lingered on her forehead from the extensive labour. Her hair and nightdress were askew from twisting, yet there was a brilliant smile spread across her lips. She looked up from the infant in her arms to motion for her husband. He was leaning up against the small chest of drawers opposite the bed. The living area had been accumulating filth for over a fortnight, due to the woman's inability to scrub the floors during the last weeks of her pregnancy. It now looked more like a mud house than a wooden one. The man quietly walked over to her knelt by the bed and gently took the second child from her mother's arms.
"Why don't you name her? I'm going to name this one Raelin," the woman whispered, her voice raspy from her screams. She delicately pressed the child she was holding closer to her chest and watched her husband contemplate a name.
He looked into the baby's bright brown eyes, love clearly present in his own. The infant then opened her eyes for the first time and took her first look around the room. The man noticed her arm wriggle out from under the tightly-wrapped towel and reach up to touch him. He smiled and reached one finger down to her; the baby's tiny hand grasped a firm hold around his finger and she yawned. As his daughter closed her eyes again, he found the strength to speak her name. "Hermione."
The woman smiled nodding approvingly; the name suited her baby perfectly. She never dreamed the day would come when her daughters would have to face a destiny worse than death.
-.-.-.-
A/N: I'll admit, there's only a sentence or two I changed but it's quite important for later chapters. You've probably figured it out already. I didn't really think a lot into details when I first wrote this but as I continued writing chapters I realized the dates were all wrong and I missed a few key items. However, all is fixed and I hope you enjoy the rest of the story. Reviews are greatly appreciated and loved. :)