A/N: So as AngelDreamer left me so graciously a cliffhanger that needed some more "cliffing," I was able to create this in return. You will like it, I am sure of it. If you don't, then I think you have a problem… jk རྫ Seriously, if you think something should be changed, REVIEW AND RATE PEOPLE! Or, if you want to shower us with comments (much appreciated), then review and rate anyways, k?
Summary: Scorpia finds herself in a nutshell, when she learns that the best way to keep the most important person near her is to let him go. Also, we view her portion of the dream that answered all of our questions with their mother and left us with more. NEW: another vision of Scorpia's and the shocking impact when Scorpia learns about what her sister has done…
Chapter Seven: Silent Revenge
I guess I can say I've been lovestruck. Those golden sparks, they were no mere coincidence. Is it possible to love someone you can't have? I want to stay away from what's bad, but it keeps attracting me like a magnet. I think I know what I want, but is that necessarily true? I need to stay away from Harry Potter, but he is too intriguing and treasures too many things that I need. Our identity scars, his lightning one and my snake one, really show the value in our history. I am not going fail my mission, but I am not going to sacrifice this. I have given too many things for the benefits of others, and I don't need that anymore. He is of too much importance that I simply cannot turn my back on him. So I will admire from a distance, wonder 24/7 about his thoughts, and take advantage of what I have so far.
Being asleep puts you in a world of nothingness. I feel much rested after a night of nothingness. But I can't control my psychic ability at all. Many would say my psychic ability is a gift, but like most often, I view it as a curse. So my sub-consciousness braced itself for another round of future presentiments…
The blackness, it never grew old. I landed onto a jet black scene with a field of mist. Grey light was up ahead, and like a stupid fish takes the bait, I went to it anyways. But the grey light was simply a mirage: as long as I kept walking towards it, it would stay the same distance and never reach me. So I gave up and simply started heading aimlessly to the direction to where I came from. Then, I hit solid glass.
I was trapped into an invisible box with no escape. The blackness continued to linger, but the mist began to clear up. In a rapid moment, I saw my sister appear into the picture from afar, or at least I thought it was. But the more I looked, the more defenseless I grew and the less the girl looked like my sister. She came into a walking distance from me and just stared. I blinked, froze, and raised my hand in confusion to verify what I was seeing is true: I was looking at my own reflection. Sure enough, the person that stood before me raised her hand just like I did. Before I could even flinch, the glass wall disappeared and the girl came forward; her face and body was altering more into a form I was even more familiar with- my own twin sister.
I could point her out in a room of complete strangers if I had to, because we knew each other inside and out like books. Her violet eyes widened in surprise and as she spoke, I knew she was trapped into this commotion just like me. Funny how I have never dreamed before and her is my first "dream" and I am sharing it with Calypso.
"Scorpia,"
"Calypso!"
Our voices spoke in perfect synchronization and sounded almost as one. Strange enough, I couldn't reach out and grab Calypso, it was almost like something was blocking her from getting to me. The moment passed, and I realized a glass was separating her as it had done to me, but both of us being so close to each other must have broken the boundary. The glass dissolved away as I ran forward and hugged my sister.
"Calypso, I'm scared, where the heck are we?" I asked, as the frightening sensation of not knowing the unknown sunk in. My sister glanced around, taking in the darkness and how it was a façade. We weren't even standing on "ground", nevertheless being in a 3-dimenaional world. Everything was just…obscurity.
"Well, I can tell you that this is a dream," she began slowly. I knew she was picking out her words carefully, since this was new to both of us. ... "but I want to walk around and learn exactly what we're dealing with here. Come with me?" I gave her my consent, but a question flashed in my mind like a red alert. What was what she was doing here. I am psychic one with the dreams, not her. So what has brought her in?
"Okay," I sighed, "I guess I want to know where we are, too." Calypso grasped my hand and we paced around this unreal world. Just when I thought it couldn't get any darker here, it did.
I could barely see the outline of my own sister and the air grew frosty as tingles went down my spine. Calypso squeezed my hand and began reacting to something. "
S-Scorpia, please tell me you hear that!" My mind drew a blank, as I could hear nothing; just the empty silence.
"Hear what Calypso? I'm scared, I swear, don't mess with me."
"I'm not messing with you, I honestly hear a-," My sister stopped talking abruptly. Her gaze left mine and went immediately to what was in front of her. I slowly turned my head, and inhaled a sharp breath.
It was a speechless moment, as we both saw the same thing; a ghostly stature of the most breathtaking woman. Her beauty screamed internal youth and radiance, but her face showed age and wisdom. But what really caught my attention was how similar she looked like my sister… and I.
I could see the common black hair, her length like mine, and her eyes had a peculiar combination of violet and blue irises. Her black robe, unlike our Hogwarts uniforms, took in her best features in her figure and I gasped. Not only did this woman look like an older version of Calypso and I mixed together; she was the same lady that I have been seeing talking to me in my previous future intuitions.
"Calypso! I know her! She's been in my visions before." I gestured to the spirit that stood before us, as an eerie smile of recognition crept on the woman's face. "Oh please, speak to us!" For some reason, Calypso spoke to the lady.
"Where are we?" It was a simple question, and I expected for her to receive the same results as I did. But for once the mute button was turned off and I could hear what the woman had to say. She took her attention from both of us and looked straight at Calypso.
"You are neither in the world of the living, or beyond it," she responded in a surprisingly quiet tone, "I have brought you both here now to share something critical." Her eyes widened dramatically.
"W-who are you?" I asked.
The woman only smiled. "Dear children you know me well," I stiffened at the term as I heard my sister scoff beside me. Clearly, we both thought we have outgrown that term a long time ago.
"Please," my sister challenged, "I think we would know if we've seen you anywhere before." I gave my sister a look of frantic terror, because this lady was telling us less than she was letting on. But the woman, unfazed by my sister's rudeness, proceeded speaking in that beautiful voice of hers.
"Now I ask you please, you know me. I have watched over your lives since birth, and I need your help." No way was I going to respond to that! Being the bold sister she is, Calypso automatically replied. "What could you possibly need our help with?"
"Believe it or not, children, I am your mother." My head felt dizzy from this sudden answer. The person we have been looking for our entire lives was standing before us, but she needed our assistance. I couldn't speak at all, as a million things ran over my mind, each being another question. "You have met me before. I am trapped in another form in your world, and I need my daughters to help change me back. I must go now, your father would not allow this."
She began to disappear, and we frantically shot questions at her to get more resolutions to the biggest mystery that has been on our minds since day one.
"Wait! What are you?"
"Where can we find you?"
Neither of our questions was answered, though, as she dissolved completely. My sister also faded to darkness as I was left all alone. It seems that my first dream wasn't over yet.
A thousand mirrors surrounded me in the veil of darkness, all of different shapes and sizes, and each shattered into a million spiky glass pieces in perfect synchronized order as the glass shards flew in my direction. I shielded myself, but the attempt was useless, as I could feel the sharp sensation of pain digging into my own skin; it felt like someone was stabbing my entire body repeatedly. I saw droplets of blood gushing down my arms, legs, and clumps matted my hair. Alas, one mirror was left untouched as I caught a glimpse of my reflection, until an invisible hand punched right through it and my mirror image was dispersed among the broken glass. And then, I screamed, letting all hell let loose from within.
I thought after some sleep, my morning would be better; but after last night's dream and last night's nightmare, I was as cranky as yesterday. After a late start for school, I managed through the day with my one motivation being that I would be able to crawl under the covers of my warm bed after it was all over.
Strangely enough, my sister was released from the infirmary ward, but she disappeared without a trace. In my investigation, I also learned that the last time Draco was seen was when he came to visit Calypso; he vanished as well. I could only shrug my shoulders from the nonattendance of my sister and Draco, because there was nothing I could do but continue searching for places that they might be and pray that they aren't injured in any way.
It had to do with the dream last night, for my sister is known to jump for things as quickly as they came. But Draco missing is a new one. Perhaps something happened when I wasn't present. I hate being left out, but I mustn't leap to conclusions just yet. Clear my mind… breathe in… two, three…out... two, three. Now all I had to do what get through this purgatory.
Nevertheless, I was actually quite pleased with silent hush that ran throughout the Slytherin common room as I was completing my daily set of homework from class today. I could truly concentrate and penetrate my inner knowledge and ponder thoroughly about Calypso and last night's dream. I was still a bit spooked, as this dream was like no other.
It wasn't a premonition; it was a continuation of the mysterious woman- except this time she talked. Time passed by as the sun waned; its brightness dimmed as its colors lit the sky. Before I knew it, the moon replaced the sun and illuminated its white rays through my window. I finished up the last of my assignments and hastily moved it out of my way as a plan formed in my head.
Words swirled around my head as I laid there, thinking about everything. Dear children, you know me well. I have watched over your lives since birth and I need your help. Believe it or not children, I am your mother. I could see in her appearance that her statement was true; a little bit of her was distributed in Calypso and I. But there are never-ending possibilities of who my missing, helpless mother truly is.
So there must also be something my father is hiding, but I don't understand. My priorities right now though are to seek Calypso, because I am certain her lack of appearance is connected to our shared dream, and to research further about the missing existence of my "mother." God, it's really weird to have a reason to use that word, because the only word I know how to use is "father."
The clock seemed to be moving in a snail-paced speed as the small ticker went around, counting down each second. I was so anxious and exasperated with the time that when timepiece chimed midnight, I literally jumped up from behind my comforter soundlessly. After assuring myself that every girl sharing the room with me was sound asleep, I crept to the door inaudibly and snuck to the portrait that blocked my freedom. Now for the more difficult part: I put an immobilizing spell on the sleeping lady in the depiction wordlessly and slipped right past it before she even knew what was going on.
I kept going, down the stairs and racing through the halls in silence, and I kept counting my lucky stars that every noise I heard wouldn't be a staff member armed to turn me in. After endless, bare halls and rooms filled with darkness and the unknown, I was at last where I wanted to be- the locked, front door that prevented me from going outside and blocked everything that was crucial for me to find my lost sister.
With plenty of experienced hacking knowledge, I was able to unlock the front door from all the old magic, but not after slightly weakening my strength. I cringed as the huge door closed behind me with a dull thud, but nothing mattered more than knowing the location of Calypso. I smiled as I dashed to the front gate of Hogwarts, thinking that my sister may be smart but not smart enough. As I disarmed more old magic using immense power from my wand and my concentration, I noticed that how sturdy the protection was around here nowadays.
Dumbledore is brilliant, only a fool would question that, and he of all people knows that my father is gaining more supporters and force. The gates slammed shut, as the magic seeped its way around the perimeter of Hogwarts once again. Too bad I can't whisk some Death Eaters right now to help me, now that I know the loops and flaws in Hogwart's security. I was free here, at last. Within miles, there weren't any gates or walls to stand in my way; I was free.
I walked underneath a nearby, willow tree: away from the moonlight and perfect for disguising my identity. Plopping down on the damp ground, I crossed my legs, closed my eyes, and relaxed. My mind slowly cleared, and all I thought of was my sister. Her scent, her face, her soulful eyes, her almost-invisible battling scars, her perfection, and her voice were all that I can picture and hear. I've never attempted summoning a foreshadowing of someone purposely, but it was worth a shot. I probed deeper into my mind, replaying everything that I've done with my sister for as long as I could recall. As a happy memory of my sister and me playing in an abandoned park filled my mind, I was tugged into the familiar dark vast of blackness. Then color and images rapidly filled in the empty black as a scene of my sister began…
"I am so relieved I could trust you. I've never felt this way before, except with well, you know my sister. But it's not the same with the bond I sense between me and you." Calypso giggled as she leaned her body beside Draco's. Their feet dangled over a murky pond, but they were safe from any harm. Behind them was Hogwarts, and Hogsmeade was within sight. "Yeah, I know how you feel. Now I know everything about you and you know everything about me. There is nothing to hide anymore. No more secrets, just us and our fulfillments." Draco said with a smile on his face as his hand snaked toward Calypso's and they held their grip together like they were never going to let go.
The expressions on their face were pure bliss, the marks of exhaustion and worries were hidden behind their happiness. "Tonight, whatever happens… let's just keep it between you and me…it'll be our dirty little secret." Calypso flirtatiously whispered as she neared her face to Draco's and their lips met. Behind them, the early hours of dawn were arousing in the sky, indicating that morning was coming, but they had plenty of time to get back to Hogwarts without even being considered missing. I was thrown into black once more, as my surroundings grew hazy and I found myself under the tree with startling news.
This tidbit of loaded information had all the answers that I was looking for. Immense fury built inside my boiled blood, as my fists clenched involuntarily. So this is what it comes down to; the lying, the distrust, the secrets. That particular scene just proved that my sister went against everything she had told me in the past, about keeping our identities safe with no one but ourselves. How she swore she would never fall in love, because it would destroy her whole career. Now even our freak talents were no longer confidential.
I felt exposed, naked. I ran, so fast that if I wasn't so furious I would've been wondering about this new speed inside of me. Past went the forest, the castle, Hogsmeade, until I reached the river. Two faint outlines of a boy and girl were perched over the river side-by-side. So she thinks she can get help from our last night's dream from him? Too late, I am about to crash this party and sink this ship.
"And it was our mother! I saw her with my very own eyes and I still couldn't believe it!" my sister gushed with sickish sounding girly happiness in her voice from what I could see from behind.
"Well, well, well. I still can't get over this new formation either." I angrily snapped, giving up my hiding spot.
"Oh Scorpia! What are you doing here?" I could see the guiltiness in her eyes as the glanced to Draco and back at mine. The angriness inside of me only grew stronger.
"That was just what I was about to ask. Funny how great minds think alike? I just forgot, I only have my own to depend on." I know I was laying it on thick, but my sister had to understand how deep her actions had wounded me. My heart thumped really hard, as my breath was ragged, while my blood vessels felt like they've been slashed in half. Calypso, on the other hand, seemed completely normal, and even rested upon Draco as if to innocently raise my anger level.
"Whatever is that supposed to mean? But I am so happy now that you understand? That's such a relief! I thought explaining this to you would be so hard, but now that you know it will be so easy to finish our goal!" My sister looked at me expectantly with those pleading eyes of hers, but my mind drew a blank. Understand what? Obviously, I was missing something here.
"What do you mean, now that I understand? I thought you knew. What else would have brought you here?"
Draco spoke up, "I am one of you, Scorpia. I am not indifferent; we both have the same priority." In an instant, I got why Draco was missing.
The reason they were here tonight, ditching class, was because Calypso told.
I narrowed my eyes in disgust, still looming over them with my shadow. "What happened to what you preached to me before we came here? About 'no distractions' and how 'falling in love is a waste of time' and most importantly 'not ever revealing ourselves to anyone EVER'?" I said through clenched teeth, putting emphasis on the last word.
"But Scorpia, you wouldn't understand. See, Daddy taught us all wrong. Love is something totally different, especially when you have the right person to share it with." She smiled at Draco, as to show what love truly is. Even more repulsing, Draco returned it with a lovesick smile of his own. Seeing that this argument was going no where, no matter how much persuasion I used, I turned off my thoughts to Calypso again. At last, I could think whatever I wanted to think without the fear of her invading my mind again. Relief.
"Oh, I totally get it Calypso. I'm sorry I misunderstood." And you were the first one to get all pissed at me when I expressed my feelings for Harry, but Draco is a totally great exception. Of course, I don't understand love. I've never been given the opportunity to experience it firsthand, you know? You told him everything Calypso- and my dreams are extremely personal. What the hell does Draco have to offer to help us figure out who our mother is? But I am still curious about you Draco, and why my sister chose you.
I finished the rest in my head and bit my tongue in order to hold back the temptation to say that aloud. I expect that I'm going to get treated differently from Draco, but I hate the feeling of being an experiment in a glass home, where Draco can simply dissect the different segments of my life and I can't do anything about it. As if on cue, Draco gave me a once-over with a wary expression before turning back to my sister.
Bleh. "Sure thing Scorpia." My sister spoke halfheartedly, and I glanced at the sky. Damn, it was getting lighter by the second. Dawn was just a few minutes away, and I already know what happens after that. I took this as my indication to leave.
"Welcome to our 'club,' Draco. I think I should leave you two at it. You know what they say, two's a company, and three's the crowd. See you at school?" I silently hoped I would see them at school, so that they would be under my radar.
"Yep. Okay, bye Scorpia." My sister said, and Draco echoed, "Bye Scorpia."
I turned on my heel, feeling their eyes on me as I kept walking. Tears threatened to fall from my eyes, but I won't cry. Those words, goodbye, just severed our special bond, and it feels so empty and hollow. Crying is for weak people, fighting and winning is for strong people. I am going to use this newfound resentment to my benefit.
I think there is only room for two people in this Calypso. Three is a crowd, and it feels claustrophobic. I miss the Calypso that decided that it was enough with just you and me. But you chose Draco, and that's fine. Three people can't do it Calypso; it's too many people. Only two can win.
I'm tired of standing behind my sister in line, done with being good but not good enough like my sister in everything. People automatically assume that everything my sister does is right, and that I should take suit and follow.
But what I'm more furious about is the fact that my sister knew very well that I would find out, she just waited and hoped that I wouldn't. I know that Daddy loves us both very much equally, but I can see that he would pick her over me any day based on what he's done before. So I am going to step out of my sister's shadow and her raven beauty figure and do what I think is right. No more conjoined minds; it's time to make my own decisions.
Unlike her though, I have no problem whatsoever hiding whatever is on my mind from Calypso. I will be the one to finish this mission, seek out the person who is out for my father, and Daddy will see the strength in me alone. It's time to ride solo; I have no more time left to lose. I am officially taking myself off of beta and becoming a whole new alpha. I don't need someone else to take charge, I can handle it myself. I am going to do the right thing and turn my sister in to my father, as soon as I complete tomorrow's classes.
Tomorrow, Friday, a perfect day to map out my formulation so I can take action on Saturday. No one will care where I am on Saturday and Sunday, and that will be just enough time to notify my father. No more being second-best, secondary beauty- it's my turn to shine.
Now that the world's load was on my shoulders, an overcoming sensation of sleepiness hit me. I have to find my mother, all by myself, stalk Harry to find his intentions, further seek what Draco's story is, and kill Dumbledore. Lovely. Luckily, I have two hours tops of sleep to build up stamina that I could catch if I was quick. I made sure I was out of eyeshot and earshot of my sister before unlocking the magic of Hogwarts once more. With my remaining energy I stumbled through the still halls, and nearly collapsed on my bed with exhaustion. My eyes closed before my head hit the pillow and its welcoming sanctuary.
I wake up with last night's events on playback in my head. I have been conned. I was lied to. I have been excluded. I was unworthy of my sister's new movement. There was no way to put this nicely. Thanks to my sister's openness and unsuspecting mind filter, I now had the lock and key to what I misunderstood before. No more confusion, I know exactly what is going on here- betrayal.
Dried tears lay on my face, and I realize I was crying last night despite that I said I wouldn't. But just like that quote, keep your friends close, and your enemies closer, I will have to do that. I took one more glance of myself in a mirror before entering the Great Hall and see vulnerability read all over my face. It's time to fix that. A fresh image of my sister and Draco making out fills my mind, and immediately my demeanor changes. I walk through those two doors, beaming with inner self-confidence, and seat myself as remote and away from everyone else.
In Potions, I smugly look over at Harry Potter, finding his concentrated face so adorable, completely oblivious to my dreamy stares. In the meantime, though, and after this Calypso thing was taken care of, I would be able to track down the words exchanged in Harry's secret meetings with Dumbledore, aware that only Ron and Hermione only knew.
It was quite comical, that every time one of them would see me, they would raise their noses in arrogance; I would pretend to succumb in their presence, because in reality, we are much closer than they could ever imagine. All three are protecting the one thing I want to destroy, whereas they want to destroy the one thing I am swore to protect. I am impressed with Harry's advanced knowledge in Potions, but there was something suspicious going on with that book of his. I inwardly investigated the front page inside the cover, noting that it was written to the property of 'The Half Blood Prince.' Very intriguing, I should add. I recall Nagini telling Calypso and me when we were younger stories of Snape when he called himself the "Half Blood Prince", fell in love with Lily Evans (who later became Harry's mum), and later formed the original group of Death Eaters.
So his book must have fallen in Harry's hand?
That explains it.
But Daddy was so sure that Snape was in Hogwarts for him and his power, and that Snape would eventually forgive him for killing Lily. I could see the hatred in his face when he engages with Harry during Defense against the Dark Arts. I wordlessly glanced at my Dark Mark, remembering the fiery tongues of fire that wrapped around two arms when one made the Unbreakable Vow with protecting Draco Malfoy for his life. Leave it to my sister, who most definitely knew the answer since "her Draco told her everything!". I plan on asking her if worst comes to worst, but I'd rather figure it out myself once I get more input on Draco.
Yeesh, watching my sister and Draco say goodbye as if they were never going to see each other ever again was more than I ever needed to see. It's like each survive on one backbone and are joined at hip. Whatever she does, he follows, and vice versa. I want to throw up, but I manage to corner her and demand "alone time." Screw my original plan- this is the most efficient way to get what I want.
"Follow me, Calypso. We need to talk. Alone." Tonight, we are taking a secretive trip down to Hogsmeade, in the Three Broomsticks, and having a nice long chat. Hopefully, I will get all the information I need tonight, and leave tomorrow for Daddy. In our long, dark cloaks, and hidden faces, no one will be able to know who we are.
After hacking the Hogwarts security after dinner was served, we strode down the roads, as rain came down vigorously. Thunder crashed and rumbled in the distance, and it was hard to see anything farther than a yard away. We would have been drenched if I hadn't put my safety bubble charm that kept us from harm's way. We walked silently, no need to talk, our feet slapping against the pavement in tune with the rain.
After safely arriving in the haven of the Three Broomsticks, I ordered a couple of Butterbeers without removing my cloak, and located a corner area where no one was near. My sister caught on, and wordlessly put a silencing charm in the air surrounding us. I relaxed a bit, and then tensed a little when I saw my sister's impatient face staring back at mine. At least some of her real emotions survived the Draco epidemic. I sighed, as the Butterbeers were being placed at our table, waited till the coast was clear, and fired my sister with the burning question which answers had great value to me.
"Sister, tell me everything that you learned about Draco, and your tabs on Harry Potter and Dumbledore in their secret meetings."
My sister narrowed her eyes, and then answered, "I knew you were going to ask something like this soon. The way you've been acting lately is quite suspicious. You don't deserve any explanation, but you are still my sister, nothing you say or do will ever change that. I guess I better tell you everything I learned in the past few days, starting from the day in the infirmary, after you left…"
