Chapter 2: Judgment Day
Persephone rose early again the next morning. She showered and got dressed quickly; and once again she put her long golden hair into a bun. She then sat down at her desk to compose another letter.
Headmaster Dumbledore,
I am currently a Trainee Healer at the Saint Petersburg branch of Saint Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Due to these dark and trying times, I have found it necessary to move back to England to be with my family. I would like to request permission to finish my training under your Head Healer at Hogwarts. I am available for interview anytime that is convenient for you. Attached are my training credentials. Thank you for your time.
With all due respect,
Persephone Nosova
Persephone nervously looked her letter over once more to make sure it was perfect. She placed her papers in an envelope and went to open the window. The sun was still rising and the view was absolutely breathtaking. Persephone leaned her head out the window and called to Narcissa's owl. She soon watched his silhouette grow larger and larger until he swooped in through the window and landed on the back of her chair.
"Eamon, I need you to take this to Professor Dumbledore at Hogwarts, okay? I promise you'll get a treat when you get back. Don't let anyone stop you and don't come back until you get a reply," Persephone said to the owl while attaching the letter to his leg.
The great eagle owl gave a hoot of acknowledgement and took off out the window again. Persephone shut the window behind him and then went downstairs to breakfast. She was not surprised to find herself the first one awake. Persephone walked into the kitchen and made herself two pieces of toast with jam and some coffee. She had never been fond of breakfast. The morning was for getting jobs done, not for wasting time eating.
Persephone poured herself another cup of coffee and went into the front room to lounge on the sofa while watching the sunrise. Persephone would normally be reviewing her current patients' cases before disapparating to work. She grimaced at the thought of how irresponsible she was being. It was wrong for her to have abandoned her patients like this, especially since she was leaving them with that idiotic healer who nearly killed one of them yesterday. These were special circumstances however, and Persephone knew she had to put her family first. However, until Dumbledore replied she had nothing to do except sit and wait until Narcissa or Draco woke up. So instead, she sat there impatiently, waiting for something to do.
Then sun had fully risen when Persephone finally heard someone walk down the stairs. She picked up her empty cup and walked back to the kitchen.
"Oh, Seph!" Narcissa exclaimed as she turned around from the cupboards to find Persephone standing in the doorway. "You gave me a fright. I thought you would have been at school by now?"
"Normally, I would have," Persephone replied casually. "I've decided to transfer from St. Petersburg, though. It's time I moved back to England anyway."
Narcissa set the cup of tea she was holding on the counter and looked at Persephone with a frown. "Sephoney, I don't want you to transfer for me. I know how much you liked working in St. Petersburg."
"Don't worry about it Cissy. The work was getting repetitive. It'll be good for me to break my routine." Persephone lied nonchalantly.
Narcissa gave her a skeptical look but went back to making herself breakfast. After Narcissa finished eating, the two women sat at the kitchen table talking idly when Draco popped into the kitchen.
When Draco's eyes fell upon Persephone he stopped dead in his tracks and stared at her. Persephone even noticed Draco's hand twitch towards his wand for a moment.
"Draco," Narcissa explained calmly. "This is your cousin Persephone. You wouldn't remember her; her family moved away when you were only a few months old. Persephone is going to be our guest for a while and I expect you to treat her as such."
Before Draco could respond, Persephone interjected. "Draco, don't let your mother fool you," she said with a playful smile. "I'm family and I refuse to be treated with formalities. Go get yourself breakfast and sit down to chat with us."
Draco looked back and forth between the two women and must have decided not to say anything at all. He simply went to the back of the kitchen to make himself breakfast.
The two women talked while Draco sat mostly in silence. He seemed highly uncomfortable with another person in his house. Eventually though, he spoke up.
"So, how exactly are you my cousin?" He asked with genuine interest.
"Our mothers were sisters," Narcissa replied.
"But my family moved back to Russia when I was twelve so I could attend Durmstrang." Persephone explained.
Before Draco could ask any more questions, Narcissa's owl flew in from the open kitchen window and perched on the back of Persephone's chair.
All three of them went quiet as Persephone gave the owl a treat and took her letter from him.
"Were you expecting a letter, Seph?" Narcissa asked quietly.
"I was, but not quite so soon." Persephone replied.
Persephone's eyebrows furrowed slightly as she opened her letter. She definitely did not expect to get a reply from Dumbledore today. She desperately hoped that he was not denying her an interview. She needed to be at Hogwarts where she could be close to Draco.
Miss Nosova,
Hogwarts has never seen a Healer Intern but I would be delighted to schedule an interview with you. I have already talked to our Healer on staff and she would be willing to take you on if you meet all necessary requirements. I shall meet with you today at 4pm.
Albus Dumbledore
P.S. I am very fond of Jelly Slugs
"…Sephoney?" Narcissa asked nervously.
Persephone smiled slightly. She may not have much time to prepare but at least he was offering her a chance.
"I have an interview later today at Hogwarts. Will either of you be willing to show me where Hogwarts is?" She asked.
"Of course dear," Narcissa said while smiling. "Draco, Persephone will use side-along apparation to take you to Hogsmeade and then you will need to escort her to Dumbledore's office. You can go to The Three Broomsticks to floo back as soon as she finds Dumbledore."
"Yes, Mother." Draco responded coolly.
"What time is your interview, Seph?" Narcissa questioned.
"It's at 4pm. How long will it take to walk from Hogsmeade?"
"Not too long," answered Draco. "It should take ten minutes at most."
"Alright then, we should leave her about twenty 'til four then. I want to be a tad bit early," Persephone said with a smile. "Now if you'll both excuse me, I need to prepare."
Persephone hurried up the stairs to her bedroom where she shut the door behind her. The first thing she did was gather up a copy of her training credentials and sort them into a neat file. She then picked out one of her finer dress robes and changed into them. Her dress was of the finest, midnight blue silk with golden flowers embroidered into it. The dress itself was sleeveless but for modesties sake, a shrug with a tear-shaped cutout in the bust. and long, flowing sleeves was added to give it an air of aristocracy and grace.
Persephone then let her hair down from its tight bun in order to arrange it into an elegant French Twist. She walked over to the full-length mirror in her dresser and decided that she looked too formal. She took her hair down again and pulled it back into a half ponytail, leaving wavy blonde locks to cascade over her shoulders and contrast nicely with her dark dress robes.
Persephone groaned inwardly when she looked at the clock. She was a patient woman, but it was only one o'clock in the afternoon. She had been in too nervous to realize that she probably needn't dress yet.
In order to calm her nerves, she went to make a cup of tea and find Narcissa. She was anxious to talk to her before meeting Dumbledore. Persephone was generally a proud and calm person, but meeting one of the most famous and talent wizards of all times would set anyone's nerves on edge.
Persephone had just begun to finally relax when Draco entered the front room.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
"Just let me grab my bag," she replied.
"Accio bag!" She called out while brandishing her wand.
Her small handbag then zoomed toward her and landed neatly in her hands. "Ready whenever you are, Draco," she said while giving him a broad smile.
Draco's face remained emotionless as he led her out the front doors. Once they stepped on the opposite side of the gates, she held her arm out to him "Hold tightly," she instructed him.
Persephone couldn't help but let a sly grin creep onto her face. She knew there were twelve years between them, but he still seemed so very young to her. She gripped his arm tightly and prepared herself for the uncomfortable feeling of disapparating. With a loud crack, both Draco and Persephone arrived in Hogsmeade.
After a long and silent walk, they finally arrived at a pair of huge oak doors. Persephone was slightly taken back; she had never seen Hogwarts before and Durmstrang had been much less magnificent. Gathering her courage, Draco led her through the front doors and to the gargoyle that guarded the Headmaster's office.
"You'll have to give him the password now. Did Dumbledore tell you what it was?" Draco stated.
"Professor Dumbledore, Draco," Persephone said sternly. "And I believe so," she had wondered why he had mentioned his preference for Jelly Slugs. She didn't think Dumbledore would have had her try to bribe him. "You may go home now. Thanks for the help, Draco."
Draco turned around and walked back out of the castle. Persephone stood in front of the gargoyle for a moment in order to calm the butterflies that were now ravaging her stomach.
"Jelly Slugs," she finally told the gargoyle.
Without a word, the gargoyle slid over and opened up a passage to a spiral staircase. Persephone arrived a single door at the top of the staircase and knocked, she hoped she was still a few minutes early.
"Enter," called out a soft voice from within.
Persephone pushed the door open and glided into the room. Dumbledore was standing near his desk and extended a hand towards her.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, my dear. I assume your travel was not difficult?" he asked.
"No, Sir," she said while smiling and shaking his hand. "My travel was very smooth."
"Come now, let us sit down and discuss your future," he said while taking a seat behind his desk and showing her a chair. "Now, Miss Nosova, what makes you want to complete your internship at Hogwarts?"
"Well, as I stated in my letter I wish to be closer to my family. St. Petersburg was a wonderful place, but I can no longer stay there. I also wish to seek a different experience. Working here would allow me to spend more time with my family and gain a different perspective than that of a large hospital," answered Persephone.
"I see," said Dumbledore while peering at her over his half-moon spectacles. "I am assuming that you were a student at Durmstrang Institute?"
"Yes, sir," she replied.
"Have you any family that attended Hogwarts?"
"Yes, I am kin to the Blacks, Sir," she stated nervously. She chose to say Blacks for many reasons. The first reason was because she would always consider Narcissa to be a Black, since that was her maiden name. The second reason was that many people did not think fondly of the Malfoys since Lucius had been imprisoned. It was much better to say she was a Black since Sirius and Andromeda had redeemed the family slightly. However, she could not help but let her eyes flicker towards the portrate of Phineas Nigellus Black in hope that he would not contest her claim.
"Ah, of course," said Dumbledore with a look of acknowledgement in his eyes. Persephone hoped he understood her claim of the Black family to mean that she did not consider herself part of the Malfoy family.
"Tell me Miss Nosova, what is your favorite part of healing patients?" Dumbledore asked.
Persephone thought for a moment. She did enjoy taking care of others, but she knew there was something else she enjoyed more about her work.
"The mystery and challenge of the illness and treatment, Sir," she stated.
Dumbledore smiled at this. She knew it had been a test to determine her personality and demeanor. She had answered him honesty though, and she hoped that was enough.
"Well Miss Nosova, I have been through your credentials. You are a very bright and talented witch with an outstanding record. I must now speak to my Head Healer. If you will remain here for a few minutes, I will return promptly with a decision."
Persephone smiled graciously while bowing her head towards him. "Thank you, Sir." While she might appear calm, she was actually more nervous than she had been in a long time.
As Dumbledore slipped out the door he called back to her. "Help yourself to the liquorice wands."
Persephone sat completely still as she waited for Dumbledore to return. She cleared her mind of anything and everything and allowed herself to become completely blank. After what seemed like an eternity, the door finally opened and Dumbledore stepped though.
Persephone turned her head towards the door and waited with hopeful eyes and a small smile.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, Miss Nosova. We are privileged to have such a bright witch as part of our staff," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eyes.
A broad smile finally broke out on Persephone's face as she stood to shake hands with the Headmaster once more.
"Thank you, Sir. This means ever so much to me. I shall serve this school proudly," said Persephone.
"Please, Persephone. You are part of the staff; you may call me Albus now," he said with a grin. "I shall write to the Healer Turov immediately and have him arrange your transfer. Return to your family now, Persephone. I'm sure they will want to celebrate this good news."
"Thank you, Albus. I eagerly await the start of term," Persephone replied.
Persephone took a few calm steps down the spiral staircase before she burst into a run and ran until she hit Hogwart's gates. She then composed herself and walked to Hogsmeade with her head held high.
After apparating back to the Malfoy Manor, it was all Persephone could do to not bounce all the way up the driveway. She really did believe it an honor to be working at Hogwarts. When she entered the house she found Narcissa and Draco talking in the front room.
When Persephone came into view, Narcissa and Draco stopped talking immediately. After a brief pause, Narcissa spoke nervously. "Well, Seph, how did the interview go?"
"I was accepted!" Persephone exclaimed happily. "I'll officially be completing my internship at Hogwarts."
Narcissa and Draco both congratulated her with hugs, and the three of them went to the kitchen in order to prepare a celebratory dinner.