She let out a ragged sigh as the cool night breeze ripped through her tacking away all the tension. Her Raven locks whipped wildly in front of her, occasionally flicking her face, as she sat atop the astronomy tower. Bare feet swung childishly despite the body shattering drop below and stormy eyes seemed to sparkle in the starlight. Blue, for the first time in months, was relaxed. Her guard was down as she basked in the moonless night sky. No paranoia or anxiety straining her senses. No instinct to 'be alert no matter what' gripped at her tiered, sleep deprived self. None of her guardian's words rung in her head reminding her of all her training. She was simply a consciousness void of thought and feeling in the few moments of solitude.
A stiff tabby cat leapt up onto the stone half wall that displayed Hogwart's grounds in all their glory. The cat's markings appeared to portray glasses around its eyes as it looked over the edge cautiously before resting its gaze on Blue. The young second year gently scratch the cat behind the ears and along the spine. It let out a content purr before stiffening; almost look miffed by its behaviour before swatting Blue's hand away with a paw.
The raven haired girl let a small smile twitch its way onto her lips. "Your transformation is amazing but you're not too good at the acting side." The tabby hunched on its shackles at the girls amused remark. "So why are you here McGonagall? Surely it's not for my company."
The cat leapt back down onto the safety of the stone floor beside a telescope, transforming into the stern Headmistress of Hogwarts. A red flush had graced her cheeks in embarrassment and annoyance. "You're certainly in a good mood." The grey haired woman with gauntly cheeks and pursed lips said trying to forget about her previous behaviour. "How did you get pass Filch?"
She rolled her stormy grey eyes but continued to star gaze. "Do you even need to ask?" Blue inquired as the professor stiffened.
"I appreciate the fact you are expressing yourself but I am still the Headmaster." McGonagall scolded firmly but Blue simply shrugged. "You've almost lasted a year now." The older women said soberly, her voice tinged with pity. Blue automatically clenched her fist upon hearing the tone.
"I'm fine. I don't need your concern." She hissed out through gritted teeth. "I don't even understand why I'm here. I have a perfectly fine career for myself already. I can control my magic. As far as I'm concerned I could drop out right now and live peacefully."
"Perfectly fine. Peacefully. Bullocks." McGonagall scoffed as her sharp eyes stared piercingly at the young student. "You do remember what this 'career' is, don't you?"
For the first time in their conversation Blue turned her gaze away from the sky. Her grey eyes were harsh as she looked at the stern women with perfect posture despite her age. "Yes, I do. What do you think I have spent my life training for? Hell, it's been the past few years of my life. Sure it is unorthodox, but the pay is good."
"It is against the law!" McGonagall chided.
"No, it is the law." Blue interrupted calmly.
"It is not a suitable environment for a child." McGonagall continued, trying to find a loop hole in order to make the small girl see sense.
"Lucky I left childhood long ago." She sounded nonchalant as she shrugged off the rebuttal.
"I still refuse to let you be a part of such a business. You could graduate from Hogwarts, get a career in the wizarding world. You don't have to take such a horrid path. You do have a choice, Leona." McGonagall finished off calmly and solemnly; almost begging, but the young student refused her pleas.
"Don't call me that name!" Blue spat, her dark hair instantly becoming a dangerous red. "I don't have a choice and nothing you say can change that! I'm already a part of it and there is no way for me to back out. In this business it kills you one way or another. Forget it; I don't know why I even bother to explain. No one can understand. And most certainly not a closed minded adult, magical or muggle." Blue grumble in exasperation and hopped back down off the wall.
"Goodnight Headmistress." She growled as she stormed passed the elder woman.
The atmosphere was thick with tension as Al entered the great hall. Everyone was frozen in silent fear as their eyes kept glancing at the doorway in dreaded anticipation. Glancing cautiously around as he found his way next to Rose in the dead silence he took his seat and grabbed a strip of bacon.
"Hey Blue, are you alright? You're quieter than usual." Al's head spun in the direction of the four Slytherins as they walked into the hall. Her face was blank, expressionless like a porcelain doll but the young Potter noticed how her first trembled with the force of her clenched knuckles. Unlike her companions she noticed the nervous aura emitting from every student and paused in the doorway.
"Shorty!?" Zambini questioned her sudden stop before glancing around the room. "Whoa, who died?"
The whole hall flinched and Blue walked up to the closest person, a Ravenclaw holding the Daily Prophet, causing everyone to try and scurry away. She was given a wide birth as if she had some form of force field. Calmly she picked up the discarded paper, stormy eyes scanning the front page before meeting McGonagall's sombre ones.
"What's going on?" Malfoy questioned warily and Al couldn't help but agree with the blond. He looked questioningly at his cousin but she was frozen in silence like every other student, her eyes never leaving the short Slytherin.
Blue shrugged nonchalantly before turning to leave the large room. The three standing boys were still filled with confusion and uncertainty. Everyone watched as she simply handed Scorpious the paper then walk out of the room. Instantly the three stared at the Daily Prophet, seeking answers. Al followed there example and nicked a paper from the paralysed Gryffindor across from him.
Al found himself in a daze as his eyes skimmed the page. Fear, worry and curiosity all gripped at him as the information sunk in. He found his breath struggle to enter his lungs as his head spun. In a way it made perfect sense, in another it seemed impossible. He felt confusion and clarity at the same time. Just how was this possible?
The tall foreboding trees surrounded but she simply continued deeper into the darkness. Despite better judgement she leisurely walked through the Forbidden Forest. Her sock cladded feet made no sound as she as they snaked through the dead leaves of autumn. The fear on everyone's faces as she entered the Great Hall flash in her mind. Her secret was out. Everybody knew what a monster she was. She never believed it would faze her. She always thought that she would find it more peaceful to not have to hide. She thought the fear wouldn't bother her. Nor the feeling of abandonment. But now she knew. And it did affect her.
All it took was half a year. Half a year of company. Half a year of ignoring her training as best she could. Half a year of being treated as a human being. Her lungs felt heavy and the air seemed to clog in her throat but she knew it wasn't exhaustion. It couldn't be exhaustion. She could run for five hours straight. An hour stroll was nothing. Her heart was beating painfully fast in her chest. Even her sight was blurred with a layer of water. But she was silent as a ghost wondering the trees.
Finally she couldn't stop it anymore. She collapsed against the closest tree. Years of unshed tears fell from her eyes. Her sobs were a soft echo as the trees claimed them. She slid down to the trees roots, unable to support her own weight. She just let the tears fall as she stared at the filtered sunlight through the blanket of branches. She just stared through watery eyes as though something above her could help, would help, her.
But she knew nothing would happen. No God would spare her a thought. No dead would take pity on her. No almighty being would show her mercy. Because she was a monster. She was Death. She was an assassin.
