Chapter Six:
Free Witch
Abella laughed as she walked with Ron and Harry to Defense Against the Dark Arts. They were excited about being taught by Mad Eye Moody himself. Abella glanced around, wondering where Hermione had run off to, when she popped up.
"Been in the-"
"Library." Harry finished her sentence for her. "C'mon, quick, or we won't get decent seats."
They hurried into four chairs right in front of the teacher's desk, and took out their copy of The Dark Forces: A guide to Self-Protection. After a moment a distinct clunk could be heard coming down the corridor.
"You can put those away, those books, you won't need them." Moody stated as he sat down behind his desk. Moody took out a list of students as he began reading names, looking at each student's face as they answered.
Abella swallowed, as he paused on her name longer than necessary meeting her eyes as he licked his lips, before calling a few more names.
"Right then I've been speaking to Professor Lupin, and it seems you have covered a lot of dark creatures, Red Caps, hinkypunks, grindylows, Kappas and werewolves is that right?" The class murmured their approval before he continued. "But you're behind -very behind- on dealing with curses, and I am here to bring you up to scratch on what wizards can do to each other. I've got one year to teach you how to deal with Dark-"
Ron suddenly interrupted "What, aren't you staying?"
Abella sucked in a breath as Moody stared at Ron, she was afraid he might curse him right then and there. Suddenly his face relaxed into a smile,
"You'll be Arthur Weasley's son, eh?" Moody said. "Your father got me out of a very tight corner a few days ago... Yeah I'm staying just the one year. Special favor to Dumbledore... One year, then it's back to my quiet retirement." He laughed before clapping his hands together.
"So, straight into it. Curses. They come in many strengths and forms. Now according to the Ministry of Magic, I am supposed to teach you counter curses and leave it at that. I'm not supposed to show you what illegal Dark curses look like until you're in your sixth year. You're not supposed to be able to deal with it until then. But Professor Dumbledore's got a higher opinion of your nerves he reckons you can cope, and I say, the sooner you know what you're up against, the better-"Moody stopped mid-sentence as he watched Abella.
Abella's quill had begun levitating off her desk. She turned around and saw Arnold Godfry winking at her, his wand raised. Abella huffed loudly before looking at him, his book began levitating, before falling on top of his head. Abella snatched her quill from the air before turning around, and staring into the eyes of Mad Eye Moody, mere inches away from her desk.
"Miss Weasley, your wand? "Moody held his hand out, expecting her to produce her wand from her sleeve or something of the like.
"I do not have my want Professor. I left it in my trunk. "She looked up at him honestly.
"Then would you like to explain how you cracked Mr. Godfry over the head with his book, obviously using the Wingardium Leviosa spell? A wand is a crucial part of a witch, or wizard." Moody stared at her expectantly
"You're wrong. You don't need a wand or fancy words to use a spell, although I know all of those. "Abella stared at him, honestly curious. At her old school they discouraged using wands, and her teachers thought it was amazing that she never had to say a spell.
"Prove it."Moody stared down at the young girl.
"Okay. "Abella squared her shoulders and stood up, walking around to the front of her table. She stared up at Moody, as Harry's book began to float into the air. "See?"
Moody licked his lips as he stared at Abella. "Miss Weasley will you stay after class please?" Abella nodded nervously. The way his eyes looked made her extremely uncomfortable
Once the class was over and everyone had cleared out Moody grabbed Abella by her arm and began to lead her out of the classroom. "Professor where are we going?" Abella attempted to free herself but his grip tightened.
"We need to have a conversation about your show in my classroom." Moody stopped as Snape walked into their view.
"And what has Miss Weasley, my star student by the way, done Moody? "Snape glared at the man as his hold tightened on Abella.
Moody looked between Abella and Snape before he released her. "I was taking her to Professor Dumbledore to tell him about a certain set of abilities this child seems to possess Severus. She can do wandless and worldess magic." Moody licked his lips as Abella backed away from him.
"I'm highly aware of what she is Moody, although I didn't expect you to freak out. "Dumbledore smiled as he waved Moody off. "Come Miss Weasley, we have a conversation that must be had. Moody, tell Mr. Ron Weasley and Mr. Potter to bring Abella's things, as well as a fifth year text book to my office." Dumbledore winked at Abella as Moody turned to go back into his room
Dumbledore turned to notice Snape still standing there staring on nervously, his eyes glued to Abella. "Severus, I assure you, Miss Weasley is in good hands, she is still your star pupil." Severus nodded before walking back into his classroom
"Now Miss Weasley let's go to my office shall we?" He smiled down at the young girl before walking off towards his office.
Abella sat in Dumbledore's office, looking around frantically. There was so much to look at, that she wished she had longer to look. Suddenly a flapping of wings could be heard, and Abella looked over to see a giant bird. It cocked its head before flying over to land on her lap.
"Um hello?" The bird rubbed its head against her cheek, eliciting a giggle from her.
"That will be Fawkes, a phoenix, that's amazing, I've never seen affection from him before. "Dumbledore laughed as Fawkes cuddled closer to Abella.
"You needed to speak to me? "Dumbledore smiled at her as he nodded.
"Miss Weasley, what do you know about Free Witches?" Dumbledore sat down at his desk, watching the young girl stroke Fawkes.
"I've been called one by my teachers before, but I've never seen anyone react that way to me before." Abella looked down embarrassed. "Are they bad here?"
"No, my child, no. They are just very rare, so Professor Moody was afraid. The only Free Witches were not so wonderful." His eyes read sadness as he smiled at her again.
"They were Death Eaters, who fought for Voldemort I presume?" Abella ignored the stinging in her head as she spoke his name.
"I see you know more than I thought. Not to mention Voldemort is rumored to possess the powers of a free wizard." He laughed as he watched Abella nod.
"You are the first Free Witch in years." Abella stared at him for a moment before she registered the sadness in his eyes, it was grief. Abella glanced around again, and noticed a picture of a young woman who looked similar to herself on the desk.
"You knew my mother. "Abella smiled at him happily.
"Yes, she was one of my favorite students, mine and Minerva's as well." Abella nodded as she shifted in her chair.
"You two brought me to the Weasley's. "It wasn't a question, because she knew already, she had seen a vision of that night, hundreds of nights replayed in her dreams.
"Yes, but back to the Free Witch matter. I think it's amazing that we have a Free Witch at our school, but please be careful whom you use that power around." His eyes sparkled as Abella agreed. "Now Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley have been eaves dropping for two minutes now, and want to ensure you are fine. Off to class, and please leave Fawkes here, he'll try to follow you I'm afraid." Abella laughed as she kissed Fawkes' beak and promised to come back before running to the door.
When she opened it Harry and Ron fell over, and smiled up at her. "Hello boys." She laughed as they stood up and handed her her book.
"So what was that all about?" Ron said curiously.
"Hmm, you know Georgie and Freddie are right Ronnie." Abella smiled as Harry stifled a laugh.
"And what are they right about Bells? "Ron growled at her.
"You're very nosey come on boys, I'm hungry, and besides you need to tell me about your day!" Abella laughed as she linked her arms with Harry and Ron, forcing them to skip with her down the hall, her heels clicking loudly.