Secrets
Disclaimer: I do not own anything that you recognize from the Harry Potter books. The brilliant J.K. Rowling owns all things Harry Potter.
Chapter 1
Skye sat cross legged in the puffy, straight backed chair. Her stolid green eyed gaze met the pale blue one of the man seated before her. Professor Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Strained silence enveloped the room. Nothing moved, nothing broke the timeless still. The truth was beginning to sink in; the haunting, dastardly truth. She could vividly remember the vivacious fire crackling, its flames lapping up the stale air of the dimly lit room. Two forms stood parallel one another on either side a cerulean colored sofa. "Skye." The older of the two cooed in a pitiful whisper; a single tear slid down her cheek as her usually bright green eyes dulled.
"Skye." The headmaster spoke once more, Skye's head jerked from side to side momentarily.
"Terribly sorry. You were saying sir?"
Professor Dumbledore smiled, more to himself than anyone else. "I see you take after your mother. As I was saying, your mum left this in my position, she wished for you to have it when the time came, and I believe it has." He explained, extending his right hand. Held between his thumb and pointer finger was a ring. Hesitating momentarily, Skye reached forward and grasped the object gingerly.
The ring was flawlessly silver plated and featured an oval cut sapphire which reflected a swirling fog. Engraved to the left of the gem was a ferocious lions' head and on the other an elegant rose. There were words in a foreign tongue etched circling the sapphire, Teken moed van waarheid; sterkte van binnen. Delicately Skye slipped the ring onto her ring finger; amazingly it was a perfect fit.
Skye paused, blinking back tears as she searched for the words and the strength to speak them. "So," Her voice shook slightly, she took a deep breath. "my mum, she knew…" Skye's statement trailed off and she focused her watering eyes intently on the professor directly before her, searching for an answer; any answer. All the headmaster offered was further silence, the only evidence of change being the sorrow reflecting in his eyes.
Skye's eyes began to burn with un-cried tears. "If you'll excuse me there is something I must attend to. I'll return shortly." Professor Dumbledore strode across the room, exciting via the door. Skye continued to stare straight ahead, the clink of the door closing on its hinges signaled that she was alone. Skye remained un-moving, she didn't move a muscle. Her mind swam behind her tear ridden eyes, swirling with thoughts all centered around one focal point; her stupidity. Her last words, how could she have said those painful, spiteful things? You didn't mean them. She didn't know that. She had to though. She looked so crushed. You didn't know you wouldn't see her again. That's not an excuse, there's no excuse. Why? It was the question that would torment her for the rest of her life.
Skye was broken from her trance like state to the sound of numerous whispers. Startled, she cautiously looked about her, no one. Her eyes ran across the room surveying the shelf clad walls which contained odd gizmos and whats-its. Nope, not coming from them. Movement caught her eye, she averted her eyes to the un-stationary portraits which also engulfed the walls. Suspicious, she narrowed her eyes and focused in on the portrait directly before her. It's occupant sat before a green and silver banner which showcased a snake; his robes much the same in color. He sported a pointed beard and a aura of clever intellect hung about him. Un- expressed rage welled deep within Skye as she stood quickly to her feet, knocking over the chair she previously occupied. What right do these…these people have to discuss me! "YOU DON'T KNOW ME!" Skye jolted momentarily, she hadn't meant to say that out loud; the portraits shared a unanimous gasp, the mouths of a few stood agape. The room reverted to a stone cold, uneasy silence.
The door opened, but Skye didn't move, instead her eyes continued to bore into the aforementioned portrait. "Skye?" No answer, Dumbledore attempted a different approach and followed her gaze. "Phineas?" The portraits mouth opened and closed yet no sound projected. "Right then." The professor walked around his desk and sat behind it. "Skye, this is Professor McGonagall, if you'll go with her she has some information for you regarding your relatives." Skye spun around to face the headmaster and than followed his gaze to face the woman whom stood by the door.
"I have relatives?" Skye uttered in astonishment.
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Unseeingly Skye stared out the bus window, watching the scenery fade around her. I have relatives. I never knew; she never told me. I can't believe this is really happening, any of it. Skye clenched her fist a bit, grabbing a tighter grip on the folded parchment held in the palm of her hand. That little slip of paper told her where she could find her relatives, her flesh and blood, her mothers sister.
One thing slightly disturbed her though, it was as though this Professor Dumbledore wasn't telling her the entire story, he knew something. The bus halted and her chair toppled over, a few of the others on the bus looked slightly shaken but they maintained their seats; must be old pros at riding this…thing.
Throwing her bag over her shoulder Skye dismounted the purple double-decker and watched from the sidewalk as it disappeared. Once it had vanished she turned to face the perfectly kept house which stood behind her. She checked the address on paper one last time, than looked down the road to the street marker and finally to the number placed upon the house. She had arrived to her destination, the sun was beginning to set illuminating her bright red hair. "Its now or never." She mumbled to herself as she walked up to the door and rang the bell. "Now or never."
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I know, it's not very long, but hopefully you liked it anyway. I haven't gotten any reviews yet, so I can't be sure. I'll try to have the next chapter up soon. Don't hesitate to reply, even if you don't like it, let me know how I can make it better. Thanks.
Peace