Chapter two
"So you're telling us that apparently Sirius Black escaped Azkaban to go after you?" Ron questioned while looking at Rowena a little hesitantly.
"That's what everybody is telling me but I don't think it's the entire truth." Rowena whispered while shooting a worried look to the sleeping man in their compartment. "I mean whenever somebody says that he's after me I have this feeling in my heart and magic saying that it's not true."
"Well the only way you would know is if you questioned the man." Hermione stated.
"And that's why I sent a form requesting questioning of Sirius Black when captured. With that form, they can't give the Order of a Kiss on Site by Dementors, and can't kill them. They have to allow questioning." Rowena stated.
"Alright that would give a bit of insight into the matter." Ron agreed while nodding his head but just then the train came to a stop causing the three friends to look at each other worriedly.
"What the… we couldn't have arrived yet." Hermione remarked but just then the lights in the compartment went out and Rowena's eyes widen.
She could feel them, beast of darkness, beast that had been formed many years ago and that nobody knew much about.
"Dementors are searching the train." She whispered before taking her wand out and aiming it at the door. Taking a deep breath, she waived it in a complicated motion before whispering the correct words. With a shimmer of light a wall of pink formed over the door.
"That should stop any Dementor from entering the compartment. Ron wake the man up, if he's this year's Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, he best know his stuff." She ordered and Ron gave a nod before moving to shake the man's shoulder.
Back turned to the two, Rowena's breath caught in her throat as the door opened but she was relieved to see Ginny stumble in but with her was Neville Longbottom. After ordering them in she closed the door and took a deep breath.
"What's happening?" Ginny whispered while wrapping her arms around Rowena who wrapped on of her own arms around the girls shoulders.
"Dementors I am presuming." Came a soft male voice that had Rowena turning to see a man she had meant before.
"Mr. Lupin!" She exclaimed causing him to smile.
"Hello Rowena, care to explain what you did with the door?" He asked her.
"It's a ward sir, to stop the Dementors from entering a certain area." She answered.
"That is complicated magic my dear, where did you learn it?" He asked causing her to smile.
"A book." That remark earned a snort from Ron and a smirk from Hermione who also had her wand aimed to the door. "If I could though, I'd send a Patronus towards the Dementors, Black isn't on the train or somebody would have shouted, and I highly doubt he would come on board the Hogwarts Express. But the Death Eaters on the other hands are probably scaring the students have to death."
"I shall go out and make sure they aren't doing much damage." The man remarked before standing and taking his wand out. With a soft incantation a large wolf like creature appeared beside him glowing a bright silver white that filled the room with light.
When he left the compartment, Rowena let a breath leave her. She hadn't recognized the man when he had been asleep, covered by his battered robe. She knew her Head of House did not like the man overly well, but she couldn't help but think that the man had been hired because of her.
"You know him?" Neville asked voice low and fearful.
"Met him during Halloween, he was visiting my parents graves. He was friends with them." She answered but just then the door was thrown open and a Dementor appeared causing Neville to scream and Ginny to cling even harder to Rowena.
Yet her ward stayed strong and the Dementor could not make it through. It didn't take long until a Doe Patronus appeared and forced the Dementor away from their compartment. The person who appeared next made the four Slytherins relax but Neville tense even more.
"Professor Snape!" Hermione exclaimed earning a nod from the man who looked into the compartment.
"Nicely done with the ward Potter, keep it up until we arrive at Hogwarts." He remarked and she gave a nod of agreement before wrapping her wand arm around the red head and holding her tightly.
"It's okay Gin-Gin, I'm here and I'm not letting you go." She whispered while rocking slowly trying to relax the red head beside her.
"Those things are evil." Hermione whispered while shaking her head but she caught Rowena's eyes and saw a flash of agreement that had her curiosity peaked. What did Rowena know about Dementors that others didn't?
Ladies and Gentlemen we shall be making our way to Hogwarts at a faster past, please remain seated and inside your compartments.
"Thank Merlin." Rowena whispered while resting against her seat as the train moved faster.
Sure enough, the train came to a stop not ten minutes later and the five students got out, Rowena still holding tightly to Ginny who wouldn't let go.
Getting into a carriage, the four Slytherins remained silent. Neville had gone to join another carriage with a few Gryffindors inside leaving them on their own. Arriving up at the castle, the four students were met by Professor Snape who looked at Ginny who was still attached to Rowena's side.
"Miss Weasley are you willing to go to the infirmary or do you wish to remain by Miss Potter's side?" He questioned.
"I would like to stay with Rowena please." She answered and Rowena gave a nod showing that she didn't mind.
"Then I shall make sure that the House Elves send up some hot cocoa for you." He stated then turned to the trio. "Make your way to my office tomorrow morning; we will speak about things there."
With that, he turned and entered the Great hall. Looking at each other the four hurriedly walked in and made their way to Slytherin table where Draco, Daphne and Blaise were waiting worriedly and pale. Sitting down Rowena looked down at her red haired attached twin and smiled sadly. She knew what Ginny had seen, knew what she had remembered and she couldn't blame her for being scared. She had also remembered many dark things that she didn't really want to remember the most prominent being the orphanage fire.
"It's going to be okay Ginny, you'll see." She whispered before the doors to the Great Hall opened and in walked McGonagall leading the First years and as she looked at them Rowena's eyes landed on a girl that had her tensing and eyes widening. It just couldn't be!
"Rowena, what's wrong?" Hermione asked.
"No… nothing." She whispered yet her eyes didn't leave the girls figure and she felt her heart hammer against her chest. Sirius Black, oh Merlin Black… no maybe, maybe she was a muggle born.
It didn't take long and soon McGonagall was calling names. Alexander Allabony, Bill Anderson, Cathy Azz, Beth Benjamin, Archie Bijou and finally it came. Rowena could see McGonagall's eyes widening a fraction before with hesitation she announced the next name.
"Athena Black."
Instantly whispers started to go around. Students would be students and the fact that a student with the Black name was starting at Hogwarts was too much for them. Forget the fact that the girl was eleven and couldn't have been Sirius Black's child considering her had been in Azkaban, forget the fact that haft her face was bandaged and that she was limping. She had the Black name and it was possible she was part of the Black family.
Of course, it didn't help matters that she had long wavy black hair, or that her eyes were studding blue. She looked like a Black and as she walked to the stool, Rowena could see she was in pain.
Getting onto the stool the girl waited until the hat was placed on her head. For a moment, the hat was silent but then he opened its mouth.
"SLYTHERIN!" It cried causing Rowena to wince yet she clapped at the same time. By this time, Ginny had let go of her waist and was holding a cup of hot cocoa in her hands.
The moment the girl got off the stool, Rowena felt her heart break. The poor thing was having a terrible time in walking and she could tell that she was in pain. Seeing that nobody was going to help the girl she growled and stood earning looks from many.
Leaving her chair, she walked over to the girl and bent down while turning her back to the girl. She seemed to understand and although a bit, hesitant she got onto her back and Rowena stood up. Walking over to Slytherin table, she gave a smirk and went to her chair. Ron had moved aside enough to leave a seat and gently Rowena placed Athena onto the seat and sat down beside her.
"Thank you." The girl whispered.
"No need to worry, my names Rowena by the way, it's nice to meet you Athena and welcome to Slytherin." She chirped earning a blush from the girl.
"It's nice to meet you to, may I ask a question, why is everybody whispering about me?" Athena asked while looking up at her.
"I… your last name is the reason why. You have the same last name as a Criminal who recently escaped Azkaban. But he's been there for twelve years now so they are being stupid. Don't worry about them though and if they give you trouble, you come straight to me. After the feast I'll bring you to the hospital wing so that Madam Pomfrey can look at your injuries." Rowena stated causing the girl to blush.
"Thank you but you don't have to do that." She whispered.
"I may not have to but I want to. You are a Slytherin and I'll look after a fellow Slytherin. Plus you're cute." Rowena teased causing the blush to deepen even more.
"Hey I'm Ron, Ron Weasley." Ron introduced.
"I'm Hermione Granger."
"Ginny Weasley."
"Draco Malfoy."
"Daphne Greengrass."
"Blaise Zabini."
"We're all third years except for Ginny's who's a second year." Rowena told the little black haired girl.
"It's nice to meet you all. You already know my name." Athena whispered shyly.
"So Athena, what's your home life like?" Draco asked and Rowena gave a soft wince while Athena looked down.
"I don't have a home, I lived in an Orphanage a week ago until it was set on fire by the Care taker. That's why I have these burns." She told them and the memory of that night filled Rowena's mind and the scent of smock filled her nostrils.
"Oh you poor thing! Well don't you worry, here at Hogwarts, our house is our family and I can already tell that Rowena has taken a shine to you. She's an orphan as well." Daphne stated and Rowena gave a nod.
"Yep, my parents were killed when I was a year old, I'll look after you kiddo." Rowena stated causing Athena to smile up at her but then something flashed in her eyes and they widened but Rowena gave a slight shake of her head, showing that she didn't want her to reveal anything.
It was three hours later when the feast ended and Rowena noticed how tired Athena was. Getting up she helped the girl to her feet before bending down showing that she wanted her to get on her back again. Athena did so and with little effort, Rowena stood and walked out of the hall with the others.
"Daphne make sure that Ginny gets to bed and that she has a cup of hot cocoa before." Rowena urged and Daphne gave a nod.
"Sure thing, come on Gin-Gin, let's get you to bed." Daphne stated and Ginny gave a nod before following the Slytherin girl.
"I'll meet you two back into the dorm I'll bring Athena to the hospital wing." Rowena stated and both Ron and Hermione gave nods before Rowena left, making her way to the Hospital wing in silence until Athena spoke up.
"You were the one that saved me." She whispered.
"I didn't save you, the fireman did." Rowena whispered back.
"But you helped by opening that window and telling me to scream. How did you do that?" Athena asked.
"It's complicated, but you can't tell anybody about that. Nobody but two others knows my secret and it has to stay that way for the moment. I'm sorry I couldn't do more." Rowena answered. "I couldn't physically touch you or anything."
"You did so much for me. The doctors said that if it wasn't the window opening I wouldn't have made it because of the smock." Athena whispered.
"Then I'm glad I could help. Here we go the hospital wing, knowing Madam Pomfrey she'll be able to help you." Rowena announced before walking inside.
The moment she did though she noticed that Madam POmfrey was waiting for her with Professor Snape and Rowena had to smile. The man cared deeply for his snakes, no matter what he showed on the outside.
"Place her here Miss Potter." Pomfrey directed and Rowena did as told before smiling at the little girl who looked up at her with hope. Gently placing a ward inside her mind, blocking anybody from seeing what the girl knew, Rowena gave her a smile of her own.
"Will she be out tomorrow?" She asked.
"Should be, may I ask why?" The woman asked.
"I'll come and get her, lead her to the Great Hall. Can't have her getting lost now can we plus as I said before, she's cute and grows on you." Rowena answered while pressing the girl's small noise causing her to giggle softly. "See you tomorrow Athena, sleep well."
"Goodnight Rowena and thank you." The little first year murmured earning a warm smile.
"You can call me Row, or something if you want. Rowena is a mouthful." Rowena remarked before leaving the hospital wing and making her way to the dungeons.
Arriving she went to the entrance and went inside. There she found both Ron and Hermione waiting for her on their sofa's and swiftly joined them.
"You knew here before Hogwarts Row." Hermione plainly stated and Rowena gave a nod.
"I only met her once, a week ago, I was in my guardian form and I was pulled to an orphanage where the caretaker had set fire to the orphanage with children inside. Many children died that night but I was able to help and save Athena. It wasn't her time to die." She answered causing both their eyes to widen.
"She recognized you?" Ron asked.
"Yes but I put a ward around that memory, nobody will know and I doubt she'll tell, I confirmed it and was able to tell her not to share it." Rowena answered.
"Alright so Rowena back on the train, I saw something in your eyes. You know something about Dementors that nobody else knows. Spill." Hermione ordered causing the black haired girl to sigh.
For a moment, she didn't speak just gathering her words and forming them into phrases. She should have known that Hermione would have noticed. She was just too observant.
"Dementors were created over nine hundred years ago. They were created using a dark ritual and over the death sacrifice of an entire village using Alchemy. The village used was abandoned after that and remains so and remains hidden from even the Ministry of Magic." Rowena started her voice filled with sadness.
"How do you know this then?" Ron asked.
"Because it wasn't a normal witch, and it was a witch, who created them. It was the Guardian of Souls. She thought that by making Dementors, which she would have an easier job of gathering the souls of the world but it turned against her. The only copy of the ritual that remains is in my book and it is filled with the history of the Dementors. The witch, who performed the horrible act, was named Murry Slovakis. The village that was hidden from even the Ministries radar, was hidden by the next Guardian who surfaced; Adele Annex. The reason for this is because she didn't want people to see the alchemy used because even today it has not been discovered and it's because nobody knows that Alchemy had formed those beasts. They are pure evil, sucking the soul from a person, but the worst fack is, the only way to destroy the Dementors is alchemy and even then, it's hard. Really hard." She told them a sober air surrounding her.
"That would explain their soul sucking abilities; do you know where the village is?" Hermione asked and although Rowena hesitated, she gave a nod.
"It's a village not far from here actually, it was a magical village. Lady Adele also formed a memorial for the village; normally the Guardian of souls will visit the location at least once in their career to pray and to leave a present." Rowena stated before taking a deep breath and looking up.
"When do you plan on going?" Ron asked.
"When I was of age, so that I can give my full ability." She answered. "Those people died because of a Guardian who was meant to protect the world against those sorts of things. Ever since that happened, the Guardian of Souls have been trying to repay the world for the error committed by one of us."
"Oh Row." Hermione whispered tears forming in her eyes but Rowena just shook her head.
"I'm going to go to bed. Night." She whispered before leaving them and making her way to the bottom level of their room.