Chapter 6
Monotony
October 24 1943 Scotland Hogwarts: Adira Mayfield
The entire school had been looking forward to the Halloween Feast coming up, all but Adira.
Resting her head on her hand she watched as the last of the summer birds flew off for warmer weather, somewhere where she assumed it was better.
The past few weeks she had had no contact or messages with the group and she was beginning to wonder what he was playing at.
She hadn't been too excited over what he had asked her to do, especially when Nefas had only just returned, but what's done is done. Leaning back against the windowsill she took a much needed break, between Pavidus and his childish games and her work she had no energy to deal with the giddy student population.
When she came here she thought it would be like vacation and that she would only have babysit her cousin but so far she hadn't gotten a moment's rest and he kept asking for her to do more and more outrageous things.
When she saw Nefas in the compartment she had thought that she would be able to spend some time with her friend
but life had other plans and she just wished that she could go back to simpler times.
Kids ran around screaming and chasing eachother, Adira ran off to the corner of the park and hid behind a bush, Jack counted as other neighborhood kids hid.
Her mother had let her spend time with the no mag kids but her mom made sure she promised not to tell anyone that she did.
Peering over the bush she watched as the kids scampered to find a good spot, there was no way Jack would find her!
Adira sat patiently and waited,
slowly every other kid was found and joined the search,
she chuckled to herself, proud of her hiding spot.
Soon she dozed off and found herself waking up in the same bush only to find the park was empty and with the sun was going down.
Adira looked around and called her friends names but no one answered. Tears fell down her cheeks and she started grabbing onto her dress bunching up the dirt stained cloth,
"hello"
she quickly turned to see an ill looking girl who had an equally sad looking dress
"wh-who are you" Adira was starting to become scared, she didn't know the way home and it was rapidly becoming dark.
"Who are you" the strange girl asked,
Adira could feel her temper take over in the stressful situation and yelled back "I asked you first".
The girl looked startled, then smiled a smile that Adira had never seen on another kid before. Not one of malice or pity or mockery but of humor.
"I suppose you did." the girl held out her hand and continued "Nefas, pleasure to meet you"
Adira was hesitant at first to shake her hand but caved after a few moments.
"Adira."she pointed to herself
"Do you want to play" Adira asked and the girl had that smile again
"yeah, that sounds fun".
They spent the rest of their time together at the park and slowly the Nefas girl became looser and more relaxed.
"What were you doing here so late anyway" Nefas looked up at her and thought on it before responding
"they wanted me to be something I'm not" she looked down at the grass she was picking at,
"what are you talking about" Adira said confused.
Nefas seemed to realize what she meant and clarified "I ran away from my guardians,
but they'll find me soon"
guardians? That was an odd way of putting it but Adira was focused on other things at the moment
"Soon! Will we see eachother again"
"we could if you want"
"I do, meet me here tomorrow".
The girl was surprised by Adidas directness but nodded.
Right after Adira could hear her mom call in the distance and when she looked towards Nefas agian the girl was already gone.
She went back the next day just to make sure she wasn't loony, but sure enough Nefas was there.
It was the summer before her first year at Ilvermorny and she sure had gotten a surprise when the year started and her friend from the park was there.
Adira got up and headed outside,
walked through the courtyard and over the field towards the owlery.
Approaching the cold tower she opened the door letting the old hinges squeak, walking into the tower she stepped around the small animal bones and up the stairs.
At the top of the tower the many owls fluttered in and out and squawked at the newcomers arrival.
She walked over towards the great grey owl, flicked the bird a treat and handed a letter and small, delicately wrapped brown paper box.
"Bring this to your master" she whispered
and the big beast let its wings encompass the entirety of the air and took off with a weighty might,
she was done with the games and had finally figured out what she valued more.
October 26 1943 Scotland Hogwarts: Pavidus Dempsey
Staring into the globe, Pavidus watched the crystal ball swirl within and he strained his eyes to see an image.
Divination was a subject he badly wanted to be gifted in, his mother and her father and his mother were all gifted and he was supposed to continue the line
but nothing ever came to him.
His mother tried to comfort him saying his inner eye just hadn't woken up yet and that he would one day be a great seer.
That was five years ago and he now noticed even she seemed to lose hope, he would never stop trying though.
He looked over to his neighbor Inprobulus lovegood who seemed engrossed in his work, Pavidus slumped back wanting to scream.
Of all things divination just had to be innate and impossible skill to learn,
he tried his hardest to make his mother happy but every time his divination teacher said he did not have 'the gift' he could see her heart break a little.
Good scores in all other subjects never made up for the disappointment he was and he could see his mother start to groom his younger brother to take over the family seer title.
He slammed his hands on the table and knocked the crystal ball over letting it roll, Dempsey grabbed his coat and bag storming out of the class.
Nothing ever changed and every year it was the same disappointing letter home and embarrassing attempts at the practice.
His foul brother had taunted him all summer about how he acted like muggle con-artists, making false predictions and had deluded notions that he possessed the gift.
Pavidus stormed through the halls making it towards a secluded tower that started on the seventh floor.
Sitting on the edge of the empty towers steps, he leaned back on the cool stone letting the autumn air come in and sooth him.
Taking out his wand he looked at the deep orange wood that twisted around to a point that straightened out, running a hand through his dark scraggly hair he stood and started his wand movements again.
It had become routine for him when he got stressed out, practice, practice, and more practice. If he couldn't do something naturally he would go over it again and again, it was therapeutic in a way and had developed his dueling nicely.
Studying wasn't his strong suit but since he used a lot of magic in practice he did well on tests from knowing what to do.
Soon Pavidus is panting and the room around him is beautifully transformed into a mimic sort of garden, with vines that bud tiny white flowers covering all of the wall space, all but the glassless windows. Mossy damp ground replaces the stone, and at the center a tree spreads its branches covering the ceiling and makes him feel an odd comfort.
Raising his wand he stills, gazing at the tree that appears to be glowing in the golden hour and he didn't know why but his body was physically refusing to remove the spells. Tears start to fall from his eyes and his hand shakes, the wand is almost touching the bark but falls from his hand landing on the soft floor.
A shaky breath escapes his mouth and he decides to keep the abandoned tower as is,
it would offer an escape when needed, it also meant his body wouldn't betray him again.
Slowly he sat down and leaned against the trunk, letting his head fall and eyes close,
here none of it mattered or existed and he was in peace.
If he couldn't return the tower to its previous state then it would be his sanctuary.
He felt the chilling air of night settle in the room and through his eyes he saw the light dwindle, dinner had definitely begun but he didn't feel like going.
He was sure that his scene in divination would be going around the school, they could draw any conclusion they wanted about it he couldn't care about it in the moment.
Later he was sure he'd be humiliated but that could wait.
Leaning forwards he looked down at the moss, poking at the damp plant and sighed.
This year was not going how he expected, first off Valdis returned and everyone focused on her and what she did or thought.
He hated her for it even more, when his friends should be working with him they seemed distracted and uninterested and when Valdis scampered off everyone would care about her useless activities.
Second he doubted that he had made any progress with what was happening in the school or was any closer to knowing who was responsible.
Crouch had somehow slipped through his watch and Pavidus wasn't sure if he got the dragon egg or not,
he knew he was missing something,
some drive that would help the group work efficiently.
He hated to think it but maybe Valdis had her uses and would have helped to make the group work. Dempsey thought it might have to do with the fact that Valdis his cousin and Cyprus were too close to split apart,
he looked up at the tree's branches and their winding net of arms.
He felt he made it worse for himself by asking Adira to watch Valdis but he knew the girl was dark,
he just needed evidence.
deciding that he had spent enough time cooped up in the tower and that he'd rather sleep in a bed tonight he stood up and headed for the door.
Opening the door to a crack he looked out at the calm hallway, taking a cautious step out he moved towards the natural light the moonlight made through the windows.
The clicking sound of footsteps drew closer and he slipped behind a pillar,
soon a light coming from the tip of a wand came closer and disgruntled paintings called for it to be off.
The steps paused not five feet from where Pavidus hid, a figure stood draped in a dark cloak facing the wall and slowly approached it.
As the person drew near Pavidus shuffled around the pillar,
the figure stopped in front of a suit of armor and whisper.
In the little light the night provided Pavidus could see a hole appear by the armor and the scraping of stone slide into place. Torches burst to life in the new formed tunnel and a spiraling staircase could be seen now.
The figure seemed to float over the steps and the dark cloak blacked out light as it passed then and the clicking footsteps faded as the figure went further down the staircase.
Dempsey stood there unsure to follow, he had no courage to speak of but didn't want to miss an opportunity. The opening was soon closing and before he made up his mind he quickly ran into the passage,
he then felt the stone behind him seal.
Looking down the staircase he carefully went down each step,
the only choice now was to go down and find out what lay at the bottom.
The damp stairwell felt like it went on forever and he couldn't count the times he felt dizzy from the constant circular motion that went further and further down.
His vision seemed to blur and he slowed down when he saw a gaping hole marking his end, the one eyed witch greeted him on the opposite wall.
Pavidus took a cautious step forward and let the opening close behind him,
he just stared at the other side watching a slowly closing hole next to the one eyed witch.
October 26 1943 Scotland Hogwarts: Fleamont Potter
Peeking over the pillar Fleamont felt a tad ridiculous but Cyprus had told him to watch Nefas's movements for anything 'out of the ordinary'. So that was just what he was doing,
no matter how odd it felt for him and he was still a little hesitant after the last time he did this.
When Cyprus she said she had a plan he expected a little more than this
but he knew any plan was better than none.
The plan was simple but he felt a little dangerous,
watch her movements for anything odd.
Nefas had been waiting in the hallway for some time now and he had debated getting some lunch and coming back, assuming she would still be there.
He watched her stand perfectly still like an unmoving tree, it kind of creeped him out, even if she didn't have those beware vibes anymore.
He could feel his hungry protesting stomach fight to make noise but he willed every fiber in his being to not make a sound.
In the shadows he could see a human figure form and approach,
they remained only half visible and he couldn't make out who it was.
Nefas soon approached the person and he couldn't hear what they were saying so he tried to creep closer but he couldn't get far without being seen.
He strained his eyes to see who she was with,
Fleamont made out a few features but only faintly remembered seeing them before.
The discussion they were having seemed to upset Nefas and the girl was throwing her arms in the air exaggeratedly and the sounds of yelling now drifted over.
He heard Nefas shout "what do you mean you're out-"
"That's not how this works,"
"-what you have done can not be fixed with a change of heart."
"- you'll be dead before the month is up."
the fragments he heard were enough for a chill to run up his spine.
Then the other person spoke in hushed tone in response and whatever they said sent Nefas over the edge.
In an instant spells were flying by and the other person was inching towards an easy exit while Nefas threw every spell she seemed to know at them.
Feeling pity for whoever was at the receiving end of it, he knew from first hand experience how bad it was to have the girl attack you and he swore it seemed like Nefas was aiming to kill. A rush of adrenaline pushed him to step out, immediately he knew it was a mistake but he continued.
Potter called out to her and she paused.
He watched with relief as he saw the other person slink into the shadows and run far away from the psychotic girl.
"Yes" she ground out and Fleamont hesitated as his eyes drifted towards her hand,
he now paused.
An unfamiliar dark wood that appeared rotting created the grip and the tip seemed brittle and twisted. Following a trail down he saw her wand in pieces on the ground,
Nefas's actual wand.
He looked back up to make eye contact with the stranger. A wicked smile spread across her face and she said in a weird garbled voice "you like her little boy, don't act surprised I've seen the way you've hovered around me." raising the unfamiliar wand they say "too bad no one will believe you" and a wicked smile spread
" not that you'll remember".
Panic set in and he drew his wand quickly, his hands slightly shaking
"who are you" his voice sounded more sure and strong than how he was feeling.
A wicked cackle enveloped the hall and an angry red spell was sent towards him in incredible speed.
He just barely dodged it by falling to the ground and he quickly scrambled up sending a stunning jix her way.
She blocked it in a lazy motion and he sent another and another hex towards him till he grew tired but she just raised her eyebrow and said
"I would say you fight like a schoolboy, but… well you are, so no point in saying the obvious"
spells rampaged towards him and he kept getting cuts all over,
none enough to end the fight but only to weaken him further and in one fell swoop from the witch a large grey spell flew towards him reaching both sides of the hallway, destroying all it touches.
Fleamont closed his eyes preparing himself for what was to come.
When nothing happened after what he felt like was a few minutes he cracked one eye open only to see the imposter was gone and a furious looking Dumbledore stood in their place.
"Mr Potter, I hope you have some explanations as to what happened here" Fleamonts face flushed as he realized what this might've looked like and also from the fact that he felt like he had been had.
"um, sir"
"before you say anything here, let's discuss this in my office" was all that was said before Dumbledore started down the halls in a purple robe with little silver dragons.
Once the office door closed and the deputy headmaster turned towards Potter offering "would you like some tea?" the boy merely shook his head no and continued to look at the ticking widgets sprawled throughout the office and the messy papers and books that appeared to be thrown about.
"I'll send you to the hospital wing right after this, but as you can guess I have a few questions regarding to what happened" he paused before continuing
"you can understand it's not an everyday occurrence that we find a torn up hallway, with a young student standing in it, eyes closed"
the man slowly poured some tea out before rising the cup to his mouth and saying
"can you share with me what happened" and loudly sipped the cup looking at Fleamont in an odd way.
"Sir I- there's not much to say" he looked at the man but he said nothing so he continued
"I was in the hallway when I saw, um a girl and she was attacking a student. So when I confronted her she started attacking me. That's about all there is to it"
Dumbledore put his cup down and said "Now, Fleamont I'm sure that story will work perfectly well when others ask about what happened" Sweat started to form on his hands "but I'm asking, what happened" his kind tone made Fleamont feel guilty but he asked
"Sir, I'm not sure what you mean"
the man looked over crescent moon spectacles and chuckled gravely "we both know what I mean, I can recognize dark magic when I feel it. Now I'd loathe to think it was actually you or just a fellow student who did that" and Fleamont felt his resolve break
"Ok sir, I'll tell you"
he drew a breath in and began "It started when Nefas Valdis asked me to take her to the library" Dumbledore leaned in ready for what was about to be told to him
"I had asked her about what she was reading, she told me that she has been stuck with a Tutelary deity-"
he could hear a sharp intake come from Dumbledore and continued
"I offered to help get rid of it if she helped me with Ancient runes-"
Dumbledore interrupted seeming to forget himself in the moment "how did she know it was a Tutelar"
Potter took a moment to remember the title then said "A book called Creatures of greater Magic talked about it." the man gained a contemplative look then
"um well, it had been a few weeks and everything had been fine until one weekend she missed one of the times we planned to meet. In fact I didn't see her the entire weekend but then she returned Monday.
She acted like she had no idea who I was and started spending more time with Riddles group."
Dumbledore piped up saying "I remember noticing that but didn't look into it"
"yes well it was not too long ago when Cyprus and I followed Riddle and Nefas into the library and Tom confronted her saying he was suspicious about her behavior.
That's when he said she no longer had the snake around her.
I didn't know how that was possible so I talked to Cyprus about it and she said we should watch Nefas. I was doing just that when a person approached Nefas and they started arguing,
she attacked the person and I yelled for her attention. She started attacking me when I noticed that Nefas's wand was broken on the ground and the wand that she was holding...
was one I have never seen before."
Potter took a deep breath and said
"Sir I think someone's been impersonating Miss Valdis and that they didn't work alone"
at this news Dumbledore seemed to be troubled and he tapped his fingers across his chin.
"What has happened tonight stays between you and I, no one is to know not even Miss Ludovisi"
"But sir-"
"as your head of house I forbid you from telling, anyone. This information is too dangerous and if the wrong hands got a hold of this information it could be devastating"
"sir I don't understand, are you saying Cyprus is bad?"
"I'm not saying anything about her, but the more who know the more at risk we are of this getting out.
Do you understand"
the man leaned further over the desk staring into Fleamonts eyes and he debated with himself before saying
"ok sir"
Dumbledore slumped back and dismissed him "you may head to the hospital wing now".
Standing up Potter left the man, who now had a contemplative look on his face.
Fleamont walked down the halls with a slight limp. The cuts started to sting now that his mind was unoccupied and he realized he must have looked like quite the mess to any passerby.
He quickened his pace to avoid any run ins or embarrassments knowing that in his state that it wouldn't be the best situation. Once in the hospital wing Potter hobbled towards a bed and collapsed onto it and promptly passed out.
When he awoke again it was midday and various bandages were wrapped around him. He moved to sit up, but sore muscles fought him down and after a lengthy struggle Fleamont gave up and opted to turn his head to his side table. Cyprus sat on a chair by his side asleep, he stared at her face taking in her pale skin and tall thin frame.
She slightly stirred before opening her tired eyes,
for a moment she adjusted to the bright light before focusing in on him.
"Fleamont" she said excitedly grabbing his hand,
she quickly continued "what happened, people have been saying it was a house rivalry thing, did that happen or… something else"
the last part was said in a hushed tone and she leaned in. Potter stared at her for a moment before responding
"A slytherin student found out that I was responsible for the pranks and attacked me"
She looked slightly disappointed at what he said and she questioned him more
"But weren't you following Nefas at the time…"
"I was confronted in the halls and she got away before it happened"
Cyprus still seemed skeptical but Potter stopped her from pushing further "look I think we need to stop following her, it clearly isn't the best idea" he gestured at himself to make the point.
"But what does that have to do with-" ,
"It's just a bad idea and I encourage you to reconsider following her" she looked dejected but said
"I understand if you want out now, but Fleamont, I'm not going to stop"
October 27 1943 Scotland Hogwarts: Abraxas Malfoy
Abraxas was stuck with the Valdis girl,
again.
He had to retract his previous statement that she wasn't that horrible. In fact he would have to say she had become the bane of his existence and Riddle seemed to take no mind making him the resident sitter of the girl.
The girl clung to the group and Riddle let it happen, why he had no idea but it was grating on his nerves.
Right now he was stuck with her dragging him around the school to do as she pleased.
He had been by the lake for two hours now and it was growing dark, though girl didn't seem to care and made no indication that she planned on leaving any time soon. Grumbling to himself about how unfair it was Abraxas slowly burned individual grass strands and sat by a tree.
The girl stood by the shore digging through the water,
just like a child he thought.
If he hadn't hated the company he would be enjoying the beautiful fall day too but his dislike for the girl outweighed any lovely day.
She was now pulling out chunks of dark grey sand and throwing the slop to shore. He sat up trying to see more of what she was doing, remembering Riddles words of warning Watch every move she makes and look for anything out of the ordinary.
Malfoy stood and brushed off nonexistent dirt from his pants and made his way towards the girl.
When he was closer he could see her back away from the indent she was digging at, without noticing him she pulled out a wand that was dark and bark like and she directed it at the spot.
He knew for a fact that that was not Valdis's wand, he definitely has seen that wand before but just couldn't remember where.
He spoke making her tense "Digging at the ground like a dog Valdis?" he would not give away anything before getting more information.
"Oh, Malfoy it would be of no interest to you" and as per usual she tried the sweetest tone, he saw through the muck of her façade instantly.
The normally soft sounds of nature seemed amplified and the awkward pause right after her statement was exemplified by the slight sloshing of water.
Abraxas just stared at the girl for some time and then looked down to where she was digging.
"Come, walk with me" he held his hand out for her watching her tighten her grip on the familiar wand, he knew later he would have to find whatever she was digging out but had to stop her from doing it first.
Reluctantly she placed her hand in his, he pulled her out of the shoreline and lead them in the direction of the castle.
"Lovely day" he started,
"yes, I suppose it is" she says,
"When I was younger I used to hate fall, but like most thing I grew out of it" he paused "I've heard this time of year is quite beautiful in Massachusetts, tell me, what is it like there right now" he looked over at her, surprised to see she was uncomfortable with his line of questioning and still clutching the wand.
"It's, lovely as you said" her response was tight and forced piquing his curiosity.
"What specifically do you find lovely" he said with the scuffle of leaves crunching below their feet and wind howling, waving the trees around.
The castle grounds felt abandoned from where they were, not even a bird was around them chirping, they were completely alone at the moment.
Even in the cold weather he could see sweat form on her forehead and if possible her grip tightened further on her wand.
He looked at the girl unsure of what to make about the situation, he was observant enough to be holding is wand in his pocket just in case she did attack.
At the moment he didn't know what to think, she was acting oddly and that was just the behavior he was looking for, but then what? Tell Riddle what he's seen, what would that do and more importantly for what?
The loud clock chimed, signaling dinner echoing across the Scottish lands and resonating within Abraxas's body.
He turned to see Valdis frozen on the spot, something he had observed that she did every time the clock chimed.
He looked back at her with both hands now in his pockets and called out to her, also watching tears form in her eyes as she stared off in the towers direction.
"Lets not miss dinner Valdis" her attention snapped back towards him and she seemed to realize where she was again.
She started walking towards the castle and made sure she was a few paces in front of Malfoy, not that he cared.
It was only later that night when he told Riddle the 'daily' report on the girl he realized where he had seen the wand.
Mid sentence he just stopped and stood mouth agape,
"Malfoy I believe you were in the middle of saying something" Riddle impatiently said.
"That wand" Malfoy mumbled the group around him just looked at him questioningly.
When it clicked, everything slammed into place.
"Adela Nessenthal" was all Abraxas got out,
"Malfoy what are you talking about" Riddle said in a warning tone.
Abraxas remembered seeing Nessenthal in a German paper a few years back before the war was really bad. From his rough German skills he was only able to understand a few things from the paper and from what he did read she had apparently set fire to a town and was on the run from aurors.
The image on the front page was of a gaunt looking woman with dark features who was casting spells in the camera's direction and laughed in a manic sort of way.
But the wand she held was the same one he saw in Valdis's hand.
He looked up at Riddle with a dumbstruck look and croaked out "Valdis was holding a German fugitives wand, Adela Nessenthal" the room took on an eerie silence and Riddle just stared at Malfoy with no hint to what he was thinking.
"Do you know where she is now" Riddle asked.
October 28 1943 Scotland Hogwarts: Cyprus Ludovisi
I stood with Cheryl excitedly decorating the common room, preparing for the holiday was bringing the lift she needed.
I was aware of Cheryl's crush on Pavidus and I just couldn't get how the boy was still oblivious to it and lately I noticed he had been especially dismissive towards her and she had been quite down because of it.
So this moment of them just enjoying an innocent moment was nice and desperately needed, Fleamont had gotten out of the hospital wing today and had been helping them, but had gotten into a heated quidditch discussion with an upperclassmen,
John Weasley I think.
"Who do you want to go to hogsmeade with, I've been thinking you and Fleamont should go" I blushed at the girl's suggestion
"I would love to go as friends but that's about it" Cheryl gave me a 'knowing' smile and turned to the pumpkins she was enchanting to float
"sure, and I found the cure to dragon-pox".
"I'm telling you it's not like that" I said affronted "mhhm" Cheryl just kept smiling to herself,
"I'm telling you, I already have someone I'm going with too"
she paused her movements and seemed to be scared when she asked me "who?"
"Well I, um I'd rather not talk about it" I looked down at my feet trying to stop this conversation.
Cheryl seemed to be angered by something and stormed off out of the common room. I just stared after her, why would she get so upset over that? And I'd rather not tell her about the letter I got in the mail of my mother wailing about her only spinster daughter who's never going to wed a respectable man.
My mother had made it clear that if I did not meet with and court the man she chose that I would not be coming home this winter.
I had no clue as to whom she chose, so I wouldn't be able to tell Cheryl even if I wanted to.
My only hope was that my mother hadn't arranged a marriage proposal with the boys parents.
It wasn't until the weekend so I didn't want to worry about it till it was a problem and if it would make my mother happy then what's the harm.
After I wrapped up with the common room I bid farewell to Potter and he took a short break to say goodbye before returning to the heated debate about how the seeker was more important than the Keeper.
Running down the halls I was trying to make it on time to the lake where I agreed to meet Adira, when my path was blocked by Riddle and some of his friends.
"Ludovisi, where are you off to in such a hurry, you should know not to run in the halls" he had his hands in his pockets and a blank expression on.
"Just on my way out, no need to stop me Riddle" I tried to move forward but he pulled out his wand pointing it at me.
"Come with me" he said in a quiet tone.
I stared at him trying to figure out if he was serious or not but he just looked at me expectantly motioning for me to follow.
When I was close enough he grabbed me by the arm and dragged me along with him and his lackeys followed behind.
He went further into the castle, soon weaving through the dungeons until he stopped in front of a tucked away door and knocked three times.
The door opened and I was face to face with an exhausted looking Lestrange and Avery, "still hasn't talked" Avery said moving aside for Riddle to enter.
"That won't matter now. The cousin will" and Riddle forced me down in a seat and rope fastened itself to my limbs and the chair
"hey, what do you think you're doing?!" I yell and Riddle just flicked his wand and my chair spun around to face a strange woman who looked worse for ware with her bruises and bleeding face.
She spit at the ground and spoke in a unfamiliar accent "you'll get nothing from me, what do you think this brat will do?" she laughed and I saw blood trickle out and down her face,
"though I have to admit it's quite shameful on my part to have been caught by school boys" she leaned back in the chair in a way that looked uncomfortable but she did not readjust or look in discomfort.
I look back at Riddle and ask "uh, I don't see how I'm involved in this. I've never seen or met this woman in my life before"
"This woman was impersonating your cousin, so I think" he came closer
"you should look at her again,
carefully"
and I turned back, the woman was now hunched over like a feral animal staring me down.
"How did you find her out"
This was definitely the proof Fleamont and I needed while we had been cornering her when we could and questioning her, trying to catch inconsistencies or falsehoods Riddle managed to completely unveil the faker.
"I figured out the glamor she wore, I have to admit it was strong magic. More than she is capable of, meaning she did not work alone" and he looked pointedly at me.
"I still know nothing more than you and am just as much in the dark"
Riddle stared at me giving nothing away and he walked over towards the woman's chair
"Then I'm going to need you to tell me if you think this woman has been impersonating your cousin the entire time, perhaps even killing her a year ago trying to take her life."
"ah, uh no that was definitely Nefas on the train, other than that I haven't interacted with her all that much in school"
he looked thoughtful for a moment before saying
"So she" he pointed his wand at the woman and she flinched slightly
"arrived after"
he looked at a wall for a moment before walking out with some more of his friends saying
"watch them both, we need to see if little Mayfield can support this claim" I moved in my seat trying to become more comfy.
Honestly what was with this school?
Out of the corner of my eye I see Malfoy approach and I turn to see him looking awkward and fidgety, like he wanted to say or do something.
"Something you need?" the woman deadpans,
he looked oddly nervous and the woman across from me smirked at him.
"You um, aren't going to talk at all… right. About anything"
the woman gains a wicked look and grins wide "who knows boy, I might 'accidentally' escape and no one would know anything"
Malfoy looked back at Avery and Lestrange before making eye contact with me and I raised one eyebrow in question.
The boy turns quickly and stuns his comrades, I can hear their body's thud and everything fades.
? ? ? ? ?: Nefas Valdis
Frost started to form on the handle of the tools, I still hadn't harvested all the crops yet and the man was becoming ill-tempered.
I rubbed my hands together to create some warmth before grabbing the tools.
They stung my calluses and I cursed internally for the millionth time about my predicament.
"Hurry'm up, I don't want to lose money because I used a scrawny girl", I wanted to mock him and his lackluster language but I knew he would soon sell the crops and that meant going to civilization.
So I kept my mouth shut and worked as fast as I could, with the idea that that would mean I leave here faster.
The hardening dry ground made my work much more difficult, I assumed I was cutting wheat but you never really knew with grains.
I could feel my back start up again and the pain made my movements become jagged and uneven. I only wanted for my work to be done and I knew if I worked quickly I could finish today,
so the idea of leaving propelled me to keep moving at a fast pace.
Tiny cuts reopened on my hands but I ignored them keeping my focus on my work and distracting myself with thought.
If I was careful, and kept my head down, and let him drink I might be on my way out of here by nightfall.
The town could be anywhere and if I observed the man correctly then he should at least show me the direction it's in,
if I get caught and he heads out.
I looked down at the last bundle and bent to pick it up "dont, girl" I look back to the drunk and in a split second he seems to gain all sobriety.
"I said, don't" I slowly back away and put my things down "go inside while I finish" I started towards the cabin when he abruptly grabbed my arm bringing my face close to his grimy one.
"Do not come out till I tell you" he looks intensely into my eyes
"Clear"
I can only nod my head and he releases me, I don't give him the satisfaction of watching me rub my arm and I head in letting myself panic a little once out of sight.
Pacing the length of the small cabin I reason to myself trying to calm down,
I would just look out the window and watch where he went, yes that would do and I would see how long it took him to get back. From there I could estimate the walk on foot and stow away enough food then run away.
Simple, right?
I just couldn't stop pacing, I think it had to do with the fact that I currently couldn't use my magic and that brought up the fear I was trying not to think about
Will I be stuck like this forever?
I had no idea how the magic was bound so that meant I had no idea how to undo it, you would think at this point I would know how to if I spent a year recording magical history.
But that would only help if I had more answers, if I guessed wrong with how it was bound then there would be a good chance of making it worse or even getting myself killed.
I needed to know more than I did at the moment, be near book's, go through my notes, test what the specific effects were, but I couldn't do that in the middle of nowhere acting as a farm hand.
I couldn't use magic so my bag, book, and wand were inaccessible and I was nearly one hundred percent sure whomever put me here took my registered wand and I wasn't getting it back.
When my small escape plan and hopes were even slightly threatened it seemed all my problems and doubts surfaced, especially if it didn't help me.
I paced more running my hand through my hair making it become even less tame.
I heard heavy boots walk towards the door and I stopped cold looking at the one door.
It clumsily opened and the man set logs down, behind him I could see out and a loaded cart appeared ready and about to depart.
"Enough food in pantry for many weeks, I will be gone for a while"
he seemed to be about to say something before he changed his mind then walked over towards me.
I backed away slightly and he continued forward, then I heard metal clank as he approached.
He pulled a short chain out and I saw where this was heading,
I started to look around and quickly picked up a wooden log holding it up in a threatening manner.
"Now girlie don't be difficult" he spit and seemed to grow in height, resembling a bear.
I ran behind the chair and he stood opposite,
we did an odd dance around it, me avoiding him and him trying to grab me as I swat the log at him.
After some time he lunged over and grabbed my wrist, I screamed and kicked as he pulled me in closer.
I scratched and tried to scream even louder, I got a good kick to his nads before taking his moment of distraction to bolt for the door.
I only get to slam the door open looking out on the vast grey dying land before I feel him yank me back by my hair.
My legs kick and flail and I continue to scratch at his hands, each splinter beneath me snags a little on my outfit.
He roughly throws me into the chair and fastens one end of the chain to the leg of it and the other to my ankle. Not satisfied he slaps me hard on the cheek and walks off towards the door and before leaving he turns and says
"He never said you had to be alive"
then slams the door shaking the house.
I fight the tears I feel come, I had cried too much and it will do nothing but weaken me.
I stand to go to the window to see him boarding the only two windows in the cabin up and I want to scream but I decide not to draw his attention again.
I sat in the darkness for a while and could feel the air cool, soon my breath would come out in clear clouds and I started to shake.
Some wood logs lay a tad scattered about from the fight but were close enough to reach, so I piled the logs and kneeled by the ash covered hearth leaning my head against the stone top.
In the dark I let a quiet tear fall and try to focus my attention on my magic, I knew it was there it was just like it was hiding and I needed to find it. I felt it burn within me as I fought the man which was the only good outcome of it.
That did help narrow down the options but it still left multiple too, and not many of them encouraged me taking guesses so I decided my alone time was a good time to dig more to narrow down the possibilities.
I slowly went through my body starting from my toes all the way up to my head, in a few places I could feel it and would focus more on them.
I decided that it was likely abderemagus where the person's magic was still usable but only with great focus, it was like knocking me back in my magical maturity to when I was a baby.
The good news was it wouldn't take another sixteen years to get back to where I was
but it was difficult to get started.
I would have to start unblocking my magic by using it more, once I start it shouldn't be hard to get back to where I was.
I closed my eyes focusing on the logs sitting in front of me, I reached down into a pocket where I could still feel my magic and cajoled and pushed it.
I put my hand in front of the cold fireplace and put all my energy into it trying to keep a hold on my slippery magic.
I could feel my feet becoming cold and I didn't know how long I had been in front of the hearth for and I let my hand fall and I crawled back leaning against the chair,
letting out a sigh and pulling a blanket over me I fall asleep there wishing to not wake up.
October 31 1943 Scotland Hogwarts: Abraxas Malfoy
Malfoy stirred in his sleep, slowly he gained awareness again, he looked around at the unfamiliar stone and squeaky beds.
It took him a moment to remember how he ended up in the hospital wing,
stunning the others,
setting the woman free,
stunning himself.
All to cover his tracks,
thinking he was talking to 'Nefas' he had said some things that would have the potential to change everything and get himself killed by Riddle.
For that mistake he now sat in the hospital wing in a bed alone in the dark and he knew Riddle would soon come to 'question' him about what happened.
As long as Cyprus kept his secret he was safe, he needed to make sure she never would spill that secret too.
Looking over to a nightstand with his wand, he grabbed it and summoned parchment and a quill
starting the letter to his parents.
In the morning he called madam Pomfrey over to have her send the letter with instructions of as soon as possible.
Right as he was finishing his breakfast Dippet and Dumbledore walked in and Malfoy cautiously watched them.
They paused to talk to madame Pomfrey for a bit but eventually walked over to the reason they were really there.
Malfoy put his tray on the side table and waited for what they would say "we are here to clear some things up, miss Ludovisi has filled us in on most of what's happened but we are just being thorough." Dippet said and Dumbledore began to speak
"can you tell us what happened".
Malfoy swallowed hard, unsure of what to say or what the story Cyprus was going with was.
He opened his mouth a few times then said "I have to admit I don't quite remember" and he licked his lips looking down at the blanket.
"How odd" is all Dumbledore said before Dippet talked
"Well that's understandable, I'm sure you're curious as to how you got here. I'll send miss Ludovisi to fill you in for I'm afraid we are quite busy right now. With the ministry and all" he said in a dismissing manner, Dumbledore seemed to want to ask more questions but Dippet was pushing to end this part of the investigation.
Both men stood though one reluctantly so and walked off.
Malfoy breathed a sigh of relief and leaned back into the bed draping his arm over his face.
Some time later Malfoy heard footsteps approach and looked up to see Cyprus approaching he sat up quickly, feeling oddly self conscious.
The girl elegantly sat down crossing her legs and staring straight at him, "So I was told you, told them what happened"
"what they know is that an imposter was caught in the school and she escaped and we were all found knocked out"
"not, um-"
"I didn't say anything Malfoy you have no reason to worry, my family name comes first and I'd be disowned if I sullied your family's image" she seemed ill from the words she was saying but he was relieved nonetheless.
"Do you have any questions or can I go" she made eye contact with Abraxas and he nodded weakly in response.
She stood abruptly and started to walk off when he remembered to ask the one question that he should have asked from the start
"and Riddle" he called out,
she just slightly turned with a pained look of pity then forced herself to walk out.
A shiver went up his spine at the look she gave him, he reminded himself never to cross Riddle again.
When noon came Crabbe, a girl in fifth year came to see him,
she had been trying to catch his fancy for a while.
The reason for this was a mix of her own ambition to marry and climb the social ladder and her parents pressuring her.
She had told him more details about what was going on and it turned out the ministry had brought aurors to investigate but didn't say why. The entire school thought that they had a Grindelwald spy break in especially after they found traces of dark magic in certain areas. The security had doubled down and the school was frantic looking for Valdis trying to avoid a scandal.
A dead student was one thing and last year was bad but not knowing at all as to what happened was worse and Abraxas remembered Riddle mumbling about that, no wonder he was so upset by it.
The girl left him a copy of the prophet and he read the following.
GRINDELWALD SPY FOUND IN HOGWARTS
This Wednesday it was discovered that American transfer student Nefas Valdis was in fact not Nefas Valdis. That is to say she was not an ordinary 16 year old girl but an imposter and a spy for the infamous dark wizard Grindelwald. A group of Students uncovered the truth after finding some of their friends behavior odd, to say the least. One student says "at first she was friendly and normal, then over the past few weeks she changed. Like some cold soldier"-Anonymous, personally I would have to question the safety of this once proud school if it went unknown to faculty for that long. Sadly this also brings the question of how safe is wizarding britain and is Grindelwald starting his campaign for our country? The school has yet to solve this problem and is refusing to comment on the recent events. Is Dippet getting too soft for his own good and for the safety of our children.?
American officials are now asking as to where has the girl has gone and why haven't we found her? Relations between our governments are now questionable and strained as this investigation continues further. Officials have only stated they are looking for her and are using all resources to investigate. An inside source has told us that the ministry in fact has no leads or information about what has actually happened to the girl and are asking around in criminal scenes for information. This is reflecting badly on us all and other wizarding communities are starting to doubt us and our system. I have to say I agree, if our own government works with the very people who harm this society then what does that say about us?
Abraxas put the paper down having read enough to get the picture.
November 1 1943 Scotland Hogwarts: Cyprus Ludovisi
Cyprus leaned against the main door, she had come early to wait for her 'date' and since then the boy was already fifteen minutes late.
She tapped her foot against the stone floor playing the count the seconds game.
Forty Five minutes later she sat on the ground fuming to herself over the giant waste of time that was waiting for the unknown boy.
All she had been told was that she was to wait in the main hall at 11:00 and it was almost 12:00 now.
She decided to give up and spend some time outside, even if it wasn't in hogsmeade.
She started to explore the grounds when she came across a small hut like structure with smoke flooding out of the chimney and door.
Cyprus rushed towards the building, worrying that someone was in danger and was trapped inside.
When she burst through the door of the shabby building she was met with an abnormally large person swatting at the smoke coming from a cauldron over an open fire.
The room had dried herbs hanging in random places and beat up furniture took up space in random areas, as a whole the room was underwhelming.
"What in the name of merlin is going on" Cyprus yelled and the other person turned towards her "er, my soup star'd ter burn" ,
"not much of a chef I guess" she says running over to the pot pulling out her wand and levitating it off the fire and outside.
"S'pose not" he chuckles.
"Name's Rubeus Hagrid" he held out a large hand and she accepted it "Cyprus Ludovisi" she said and a big smile spread across Hagrid's face.
Soon Cyprus found herself cooking a proper meal for him while he talked about various things. "An' then he said ya gre' big fool wha'ave ya don'" he slapped his knee laughing at his story "mmhm" Cyprus said as she placed a now done and unburnt soup in front of him.
"What s'an mercan doin' ere, you 'er mighty far from home" he said changing the subject,
she paused before answering
"I've been wondering the same thing lately" she said a tad quietly.
Rubeus looked confused and asked
"wh'd ya mean"
she looked at him unsure of how to answer then looking down at her hands saying
"I feel like I've lost sight as to why I came here, like my life's gone off track. If that makes sense"
Rudeus seemed to understand in an odd way "yer makin' sense" he said and both of them looked away.
Cyprus awkwardly sat opposite of him and ate soup with him.
Soon conversation started again but more lighthearted...
"s'all fascinatn' specaly the ridgeback"
"I never knew there was so much to dragons" Cyprus laughed
"an' tha's jus' the beginnin'" he said excitedly.
"Well then tell me all about it" she said and at this news he became even more excited
"well ther's many habita's around th'world an' one could go on fer hours"
Cyprus pretended to think then said
"I've got time" and with that Rubeus went on a long explanation on how certain dragons were considered to be dangerous but in reality were only defending their nests and how the treatment of such creatures is appalling.
This sort of conversation was just what she had needed,
constantly being asked how she was or did she know anything was just becoming tiring and being stood up was rubbing salt into the wound.
She was sure the date had heard about the drama and decided not to go.
Sitting here with someone acting like everything was normal was of more help than any 'how are you'. Even though she was suspicious about Nefas's behavior it was still unsettling to know for sure now.
It only left a bigger mystery than before, Potter had avoided her ever since the news came out and that just frustrated her more.
The lack of information she had left too many unsavory possibilities. The school insisted that they would find Nefas still within the school but as more time passed Cyprus began doubting that that was the case.
But sitting there with Hagrid was a welcomed escape to the storm that was going on inside the school.
"Er we erm," Hagrid said after a pause "friends?" he seemed quite nervous asking and Cyprus couldn't help but smile
"I believe we are Rubeus" she said and Hagrid seemed giddy with excitement from such simple words.
? ? ? ? ?: Nefas Valdis
It had been a whole week,
ONE WHOLE WEEK.
Of being chained to a chair that was mysteriously stuck to the ground,
of trying and failing to light the fire.
Of catching a nasty cold from the lack of heat and full meals,
of cursing ANY deity that could be listening.
Laying on the musty chair I stare at the cold hearth trying to push my magic to light it.
Each day I tried to busy my mind and focus on anything but the predicament I was in, it was difficult and I only had about two options. Work on my magic or talk to the snake around me and a few times the snake would leave when I saw a scrawny rat scurry by and the mamba would return to me with a lump in it.
Sadly the only time it's ever left me was when I couldn't get away from it.
I turned to the chain attached to me and halfheartedly pulled at it,
I knew nothing would happen but I just needed something to do.
All my emotions were bubbling right below and beginning to pour out that at this point if a no-mag were to walk in they would be able to feel the volatile magic that seeped out of me.
The fact that I felt like I was beginning to suffocate on my own magic but still couldn't use it was downright infuriating.
I started to talk to the snake around me again "What if I went up north to Maine, spent some time in recluse. That would be nice, I could clear my mind maybe get a litt-"
a giant crash brought my attention to the giant beast that was flying towards me and the gaping window that no longer had plywood over it or glass.
"AHHHHHHHH" I jump away from the chair and bring my fist up in a defense position,
I pause and am to stunned to see I'm looking at my owl Boris.
He hoots in irritation and drops a paper package with a letter attached.
I look from my owl
then back to the mail
a few times still in shock.
Boris seemed to grow impatient and hopped over to me and pecked my forehead.
I rubbed at the spot he pecked and continued to looked at the bird in bewilderment as I reached for the mail.
Slowly pulling the string of the brown paper it opens up to a small wooden box, I look at the front and back of the letter trying to decipher what was going on.
Pulling off the wax seal I read the letter.
I set you free
-Adira
"What the hell?"
Carefully lifting the lid I peek inside looking at its contents and am left even more confused.
