Okay, here we go, the second chapter is here! I had a fun time writing it, and it's mostly in dialogues so I believe it will be much easier to read! I will give some basic information about what happened and about the amulet, but there is still much to be discovered! I hope you'll enjoy ^^
Oh and thanks a lot to all my reviewers! Whenever I read something from you, I feel like writing more and more :D
2. Situations and Decisions
"That is ridiculous," she snapped, her voice angrier then she intended it to be.
"Oh, no Ms Mason, it's quite true," Dumbledore patiently answered.
Biting her lip, she tried to make something logical out of the situation at hand. She was always a no-nonsense girl, not really interested in fantasies. All she believed in were facts, things she could see with her eyes, things that could be proven. That was buried deep in her nature, and Cass partly blamed her parents for that trait. It wasn't easy living with two archaeologists.
"So, you are telling me that the year is 1944, and that this is a magical school in Scotland," Cass scowled at her words "And that somehow that all has something to do with the necklace I am wearing."
He just nodded a simple smile on his lips. Mysteries and puzzles were what she adored solving most of the time, but taking something as frivolous as magic in the equation, made it out of her range of expertise. And for Cass, that was so infuriating. Everything inside of her told her that those were lies, and that she was somehow being deceived. Her gaze slightly narrowed as it met the gaze of the professor.
"That's splendid. Now, I would like to return back to where I came from," her voice was completely flat. This was just a bad joke someone was playing on her, and once she finds out who is behind it she was going to make some things clear.
"I am afraid that is impossible," he frowned.
"You are the one with magic," she pointed out, her voice stronger "Can't you just say abracadabra or something and throw me back?"
"The situation is more complicated, I'm afraid," he slightly chuckled at her words.
"Fine," she spat angrily "I'll play your little game." Cass concurred, deciding it might be her only possible way out.
She glanced over the office which, strangely enough, did seem quite as something out of a fantasy story. Scrolls, gigantic books covered in dust, potions on the shelves… And, the appearance of the man in front of her. Well, at least his robe seemed convincing enough. Cass huffed.
"Why can't you return me back?" she asked, slightly cocking her head on the side. She wasn't interested in knowing anything more about 'magic' or anything else this man could tell her, except her way home.
"It might cause time distortions," he answered frankly "The time was probably already ripped when you came back, using the necklace. Doing that again might cause a disaster."
"Okay," she nodded, trying not to explode "What does the necklace has to do with anything?"
"The necklace you are currently wearing is something I believed I would never see," his gaze flew over the amulet "It is also a very powerful artifact, very old, made for an Egyptian Queen and a very powerful witch…"
"Nefertiti… Yes, I know," Cass rolled her eyes "I found it in one of the newly found tombs in Egypt."
And then I stole it, because I heard it speaking to me in my dreams.
"As I was saying, the amulet was made by Queen Nefertiti herself," the professor said "It is said that the amulet allowed her to go back though time and space. It allowed her to control her husband and his religious revolution in the right way. Her way."
"Akhenaton and Nefertiti were heretics, trying to completely change the religion in Egypt. From hundreds of Gods, to only one – Aton," Cass said, almost absent-mindedly remembering her lessons.
"True. But, the Queen never wanted that, but since her husband was very passionate about the matter, she, as his wife had little right to oppose him," Dumbledore continued "Being also a powerful witch, she also couldn't let the matter slip through her fingers. She wanted to protect herself, but also the people of Egypt. This is why she sometimes needed to re-do things, so that they could be perfect."
"But they weren't." Cass shook her head "She was killed just two years after her husband."
Dumbledore didn't answer anything, he just gave her a mysterious look, which made Cass even more irritated.
"Okay. Let's suppose for a minute that all of this is true, which I don't truly believe in," Cass said "Why just leave the amulet unprotected. If it was so important, why wasn't it protected?"
"The amulet was secured by magic. It was cursed in such way that no one but Nefertiti could use it," he answered.
"And yet, here I am," she smirked.
"And yet, her you are Ms Mason," he agreed "So how could all this happen?"
Cass was irritated by the fact that Dumbledore seemed so calm. Perhaps, if she was out of her mind enough to believe all of this, she would've been scared. Yet, the professor in front of her seemed completely unaffected by the situation at hand. After a long silence, whilst Cass was lost in her thoughts, she finally spoke.
"You mentioned magic far too many times," she just said.
"Ah, yes I can imagine how strange that would seem to someone like you," Cass frowned a bit on his words. 'Someone like her?' "But that is what this school is about, after all."
"Well then, my place most certainly isn't here," she smiled, finally seeing a possible way out "I definitely possess no such talent, so I should be out of this place. I am sure that you don't let just any non-magical human enter."
"That is one more thing that puzzles me more than anything, Ms Mason," he told her "Non-magical beings cannot enter Hogwarts, not under any circumstances. Which would either mean you broke our shields," Cass could tell that that was not an option here "Or, you are not so much non-magical as you thought."
Feeling that the situation was more pressing, more infuriating then before, she sighed. The pressure over her head was enormous, and all she wanted now was to drop somewhere and sleep until she was back in Egypt. What made her even more irritated was also the fact that the more she heard, the more she believed that it was all truth. It terrified her that it didn't feel wrong. Being here felt familiar and comfortable.
"Enough of this nonsense," she told him, a deep frown scarring her features "I want to go back. I don't give a damn about magic, this school or anything in between. I just want to go back."
The last few words sounded more like a sob, then an angry order, as she wished they sounded.
"At the moment, I am afraid that is not possible," there was something that looked sincere on his face. It was almost like compassion, or pity. Like he would know something about how she was feeling.
"Why? Can't I just take off this damn thing and go back home?" she took off the amulet and threw it onto the desk, almost praying for something to happen.
Nothing did.
"The matter is much more complicated, as I previously explained," he continued "The problem is also that the amulet wasn't made for such long journeys in time and space."
"So, what am I to do?" the look in her eyes lost the angry note almost completely, now it was sad and scared.
"You will, for now, become a student here," he calmly said "Sixth year will be fine, I suppose. We will sort you into one of the Houses and you will normally go to classes like the others here."
How dare he? Cass couldn't believe what he had just told her. It wasn't fair for him to choose what will happen to her. She didn't want to have anything with magic, or crazy old men. Cass just wanted to run and run until she came back to her time and to Egypt. She only stopped angry tears spilling from her eyes because she didn't want to see him give her another one of those pitying looks he gave her earlier.
"No. Can't I just go somewhere… Normal?" she asked.
"Current events in the world are preventing me from putting you anywhere else. This is the safest place for you now," he said "But, even if the situation wasn't as it is, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to let you go just like that with one of the most treasured relics, and with the knowledge of this world you now possess."
"So what am I… A prisoner?" she spat.
"No, you are a transfer student Ms Mason,"
"Certainly doesn't feel that way," her gaze narrowed "I don't give a damn about that amulet, just take it, for all I care. I just want back to my life, my normal life with no magical amulets or magic schools."
Her voice sounded defeated and she knew she had little choice. Cass didn't knew whether this all was a fraud or was it, by some miracle, the truth, all she knew was that she had little choice in the matter at hand.
"I will make the necessary arrangements," he nodded "The Ceremony is over by now, so we will sort you here in a few moments. You will be given a uniform and a room you will share with four more ladies."
"I don't know any magic," she suddenly remembered "How am I going to go to classes like everyone else?"
"You will come here every weekend and I will teach you slowly," he smiled slightly "Perhaps you will find the experience… Enlightening."
"I doubt that," she huffed, crossing her arms, but then added more seriously "You know I don't belong here."
"That remains to be seen, Ms Mason," he smiled once more, leaving Cass speechless.
"Why do I need to be sorted in a House?" she asked as she looked at the ugly hat in front of her with obvious distaste.
"Every student needs to be sorted, that is how the school works," he smiled again lifting the hat from the table.
"So, it doesn't really matter what House am I in, right?" Cass crossed her arms.
"Houses are very important, Ms Mason, since every House accepts only a certain type of student," he answered patiently "A House is your home and family while you're attending Hogwarts. You will probably need some time to understand how the system works."
"No need for that," Cass answered with assuring voice "I'll be out of here fast."
"There are four Houses you can be Sorted in," he continued, as if he didn't hear her "Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. According to your own wishes and ambitions the hat will choose your House."
"Why does a hat get to choose where I will spend my time?" Cass asked sarcastically.
"But, this is no normal hat, it's magical, and it can discover your desires and ambitions, your own personality," he answered with a slight smile "It doesn't make mistakes, Ms Mason."
"Yes, magical artifacts never do, except if I am somehow entangled with them," Cass murmured under her breath.
Her logical side was still screaming at her to stop this nonsense, but her adventurous side just wanted to see what's around the corner. That's what got her in trouble the last time, she realized with a frown. Some people never learn…
"You may put the hat on, Ms Mason," professor told her, interrupting her line of thoughts "It won't hurt you."
Cassandra took the hat in her hands, carefully, not quite ready to believe to another magical artifact. She looked over it, a simple leather hat that looked so old as if it could crumple right there in her arms. Cass hesitated for a few seconds before she put it on her head, waiting for something bad to happen.
'Ahh, a time traveler and a muggleborn witch. We don't see many of you in the last few years. So, tell me, what House would you like to be in?'
It took Cass a few seconds to realize that the Hat was speaking… It was speaking in her head. She frowned, wondering whether she was finally gone nuts. With a sigh, she decided she had little other choice but to answer, the same way.
'Isn't that your job? I don't really care where you put me, since I will be leaving soon.'
'Hmmm… No, not Hufflepuff, perhaps Gryffindor. You seem to be very intelligent and there is a certain ambition in you that would make you great if you enter Slytherin. But still, it seems like the choice for you is..'
"Ravenclaw," the Hat said out loud, surprising her.
Quickly, she took off the Hat and pushed it back into professor's arms. She didn't like the feeling of someone or something entering in her brain. This was more messed up than she hoped it would be. Dumbledore, on the other hand, watched her with obvious interest.
"I'm in Ravenclaw, what does that mean?" she asked, her voice still a bit on the edge.
"Well, since you've obviously a very clever girl, I cannot say this surprised me," Dumbledore smiled "Though I must admit I did want someone like you in Gryffindor."
"I still have no idea what does all that mean," she pointed out.
"Never mind, Ms Mason," he chuckled "For now, you will be escorted to the Ravenclaw tower where you will find you things, and you will be free to rest. Tomorrow, you will come and visit me so we can decide on your subjects and start practicing."
Cass just nodded, still a bit confused that she is doing this. There was a light knock on the door before a girl entered in the office. She was tall and slender, probably older than Cass, and she held her head high as she entered.
"Professor, you asked for me," her voice was polite, but somewhat cold.
"Ms Belby, as the Ravenclaw Prefect, I would like for you to meet the newest member of your House. This is Miss Cassandra Amber," he said "She will be in the same year as you, so I hope you are ready to show her around Hogwarts."
Cassandra didn't miss that he changed her last name. Damn, this is soon going to become very confusing. Cass was never that good with lies…
"Of course, professor Dumbledore," the Prefect girl looked at Cass and smiled slightly "My name is Emilia Belby. Come with me and I'll show you the way to the Tower."
"Nice to meet you," Cass returned the smile stiffly.
"Off you go, then," Dumbledore said "Go and rest Ms Amber, and I'll meet you here after breakfast tomorrow."
"Right. Good night, professor," Cassandra answered and then followed the Prefect girl out.
They walked in silence for a while. Cass was too busy strangling the life out of her journal, still, and she didn't bother too much with remembering the way through school. A decision she will certainly live to regret.
"Most other Common Rooms have passwords," Emilia huffed finally after a silence "We do not need something like that, because we have nothing to hide. Besides passwords can always be easily overheard and stolen, while knowledge cannot."
Cass kept quiet. That sounded strange. Were they forbidden to visit other Common Rooms?
"Our door will ask you a question you will need to answer before entering the Common Room," Emilia said "It's usually not something hard, at least not for a Ravenclaw. But, sometimes the door gives us something really tough. Last year we needed two hours to solve a puzzle it gave to us. It was almost ridiculous," she chuckled.
"What if I can't guess the answer?" Cass paled slightly.
"Oh, don't worry, you wouldn't be in Ravenclaw if you didn't have a certain aptitude for puzzles and riddles," Emilia said casually.
The large staircase was spiral and after a while, Cass was having trouble keeping up with Emilia. Then, they reached a door, and Emilia looked over at her with interest. She was going to test her and Cass just knew it.
"Come on, try it," she said "Just take the door knob and you will get your puzzle to solve."
Cass moved towards the door and reached slowly to grab the door knob shaped as a bronze eagle. That was when a voice, seemingly feminine answered.
'What always eats and yet is always hungry?'
Cassandra glanced over to Emilia who was smiling. She knew the answer but she wasn't going to tell her, not until she guessed herself. Cassandra concentrated while her journal was still in her left hand. She bit her lip and tried to search through her head. Her puzzle solving was always great and she had good aptitude for such things. Thrilled with the idea, she smirked.
"Fire," she said and the door knob slightly moved. Pushing it slightly she opened the door in front of her.
"You are a true Ravenclaw," Emilia said as she entered the room "Welcome to the Ravenclaw Common Room, Cassandra."
The room was large and round with big windows. The colors were, not surprisingly, blue and bronze, and there was a large female statue. The ceiling was painted blue and there were stars scattered around that gave the impression of a night sky. There were many book cases next to the walls, so the room somewhat resembled a beautiful library. It was still empty, so she deducted that the dinner wasn't over.
"The girls' dormitories are here," Emilia showed a door on the side "You will be in room with four other girls. You are free to look around and explore, but since it's late I have a Prefect meeting tonight, so I need to leave you alone for now."
Emilia smiled once more and left Cassandra alone in the large room. She entered the girls' dormitories albeit hesitantly. There were five beds, five chests and three closets that she would undoubtedly have to share with some of the girls. Also, near every bed there was a small table. The bed in the left corner was the only one that was empty. While the others had bags and things that were already scattered around, she assumed that the empty bed was hers.
She finally put her black journal onto the table, and before she could really change herself in her uniform that was resting on the table too, she just fell on the bed in her dirty clothes full of dust and closed her eyes. The smell of dust and Egypt filled her mind. She just wanted to go back home.
Silent sobs and tears streaming down her face somehow managed to lull her to sleep.
I am aware not much has happened, but I really need some time to get to the core of the story. Cass has been a muggle her whole life, so it wouldn't be realistic if she just accepted things as they are and just went with it, right? Anyways, I already started writing the next chapter and it will be the first appearance of You-Know-Who... So I am super excited about that! Also, Cass will have some pretty hilarious mistakes as she starts her first classes in Hogwarts. Ever wanted to go to Hogwarts yourself? Well, let's see how that would've turned out!
R&R, and thanks for reading! :D ^^
