Hello readers and happy new year! Thank you for all of your reviews once again. Sorry for the late update, I found it strangely hard to write this chapter. Anyway, 2 chapters at the most left and then it is off to sixth year! All usual disclaimers apply, happy reading and please review!
Chapter 11- Krad Cigam
Cold. That is how I would describe the days after my reducto rampage. From the stares, to the reactions, to the remarks. I would say I was coping with it well...enough. It is difficult waking up the next day as wanted criminal. Eli wasn't talking to me and I didn't blame her. She did become even more clingy to James but he didn't seem to mind. His glances were chilled and full of malice and I quickly remember to hide my face behind my book whenever I see them.
The only shining lights in my dire situation was Madison and Prim. They made it very clear the next morning that they knew I didn't know any of my family's...experiments for lack of a better word. It is funny how trusting these two girls were giving that I have only known them for the good part of seven months. It made me have a warm feeling inside of me knowing they were on my side.
Even some of the teachers were unprofessionally cold towards me. Professor Slughorn took this in his stride however and made sure the class knew all about my potions failures. Professor Longbottom, however, made sure everyone knew that my essay on Self fertilising shrubs was excellent. He probably thought this would cheer me up,
I got rewarded with a scowl from James.
But today it doesn't matter. Because today it is my sixteenth birthday. I am up pretty early today and quickly head to the bathroom. The shower is very relaxing and almost therapeutic. Knowing that I'm not going to get any expensive vases from my mother is a relief. Imagine a package from my mother on the middle of breakfast. I shake off the thought, get out of the shower and start combing my hair. When I am all freshened up, I go back into the dormitory and see everyone is still sleeping soundly.
My eye catches some vivid purple and green wrapping paper at the bottom of my bed. Presents? Now that James and Eli are not talking to me I wasn't expecting any from them. And even though Rose and Albus say they are not holding it against I can tell they do not appreciate my company anymore.
I pick up a small green parcel first. A red tag was attached to the parcel. To Orianna it read. I quietly unwrap my present looking around nervously. If this is a present from Prim, than it could be very unpredictable. If this is a gift from Madison is could be very...loud.
In the parcel though is a lovely, long silver necklace. Attached to the chain is a small, but beautiful, silver owl. I try to rack my brain for information on this present, but then a note falls out from the packaging.
This is called the Sillico. It's not just a pretty necklace. Simply stroke the top of the owls head and it will come alive. This owl is a voice messenger made to carry short and quick notes by voice. All you have to do is call the owl and it will come to you. Say the message clearly and add the name and address of the person you would like to send it to. The bird will replay the message to the recipient. Hope you like it.
-Prim
"Cool" I whisper out and I stroke the tiny owls head. Immediately, it begins to come alive and flap its little feather. I unlock it from the chain, so it whizzes around the common room. It lands in my palm again, moving around excitedly. "I think I will call you Silvia" I say to the owl. Silvia hoots in agreement and goes back to flying around the room again.
The next present was wrapped in a shimmering violet and is bottled shaped. I open it , a little more confident that nothing is going to happen unexpectedly, and I'm pleasantly surprised when it's a perfume bottle.
Radiant Smiles is all it says on the ruby red bottle. It must be good if Madison bought it. I shrug and spritz some on me. The perfume was exotic and fruity. I would never wear something like this. It is too...opulent? Almost immediately I feel myself standing more upright and smiling slightly. Its my birthday, I'm sixteen and I'm not going to let anyone make my feel upset, ashamed or embarrassed. I look in the mirror and see my Teal blue hair turning into neat curls. I smile to myself. This is going to be a good day.
I get changed in a flash with my new found enthusiasm for the day. I put on my diamond earrings and some pale pink lipstick and head out to of the room while the other begin to wake up.
I head to the library remembering that I have potions first today. The draught of peace would be a tricky potion to make, so I little bit of theory revision wouldn't hurt. I leave the library twenty minutes later more confident that I won't burn a hole in the bottom of my cauldron.
The corridors are much more busy now with a students. Some still give me cold stares while others just look at me in amazement. I can understand them as for the past couple of days I have been looking (and acting) like a moping mess. My head is held high and my fruity fragrance stuck to me is a complete contrast.
I enter the great hall and some students eyes linger on me longer than usual, but I continue my stride the Gryffindor table. "Happy Birthday Orianna" both Madison and Prim choruses when sit down by them.
"Thanks you guys!" I say back, flashing a smile then pulling the into a tight hug.
"It looks like you have been using the perfume I bought you"
"Yep! It's like it gives me...freedom! It sounds weird right but-"
"Stop your blubbering Orianna!" Madison exclaimed shoving a bowl of porridge in front of me. I give her a grateful smile and pick up the spoon to eat when I realize I don't want porridge. No, I want a bacon sandwich. "Orianna, is everything alright?" Madison asks eyebrows furrow.
"Isn't it obvious? The streaks of red in Orianna indicate rebelia. She is fighting with her thoughts" Prim says in her usually dreamy voice, but with a mysterious smirk.
"Hey, what bird is that?" Madison was pointing towards a bird that looked as like a eagle. The students of the Hall followed the bird that landed in front of me with a clatter. Tied around one of it's leg was a rather large package. Eagle seemed to be getting annoyed with the students staring at it in awe. I hastily untie my package from the eagle and it quickly soars away.
"What is it?" Madison asks excitedly. I realise that many Gryffindors are staring at the parcel as well. I even catch James catching a glance at the parcel before turning away. I still feel Eli's eyes staring at me though as I rip through the brown paper.
Krad Cigam was the title of the ancient book in front of me. It seemed to have a unfriendly presence and a mysterious dark spots in the middle. "Krad Cigam? What's that?" Madison say voicing out my very thoughts. Prim, however takes a uncharacteristic sharp breath. "Prim?" I say, but she just shakes her head and mumbles something about the colour black. Who would want me to have a book like this? I feel like I should open it alone, so I stuff the book into my bag.
We finish our breakfast and head towards the cold dungeons my mind still on the peculiar book.
"Okay I think I have talked long enough. You may begin potion making" Slughorn orders the class and the students start busying themselves with ingredient collecting. I stay behind, conscious that my confidence was radiating. Eli gives me a side glance and looks like she wants to say something. James, however, quickly places his arm around her shoulders and leads her to his counter. I let out a sigh and collect my ingredients.
After a while Professor Slughorn does his routinely check on the class. His shadow looms over my cauldron.
"Well, well well Miss Anderson"
"It's Andrews sir" I correct Professor Slughorn, but even the mention of my surname causes whispering.
"Well Andrews, I do not appreciate cheating in my class"
I look around cauldron confused. My concoction was now a pink, which it should be after adding powdered Unicorn horn.
"Sir-"
"This sheet Andrews" he was pointing at a piece of parchment which had all my notes from the morning.
"I wouldn't consider cheating sir, I just did some research" I reply calmly.
"I say what is cheating and what is not, Miss Andrews" and Professor Slughorn picks up the sheet and rips it up in my face. Some Ravenclaws and Gryffindors snigger, but I keep my face held high.
"Now continue your potion Miss Andrews. And with any luck you won't burn several holes in your cauldron" and he walks away.
Calm down Orianna, calm down Orianna, calm down Orianna. I take a deep breath and continue stirring my cauldron. I didn't really use the notes, it was just reassuring to know they were there.
"Time is up. Put a sample of your potion into a vial and then bring it to my desk. I scoop up some of my egg white concoction and pour it into the vial. I look over my shoulder to see the rest of my classmates potions. Madison's looks a bit grey, Prim's is a pale violet, Eli's is a pure white (which it should be), while James's is a peachy colour.
When I approach the his desk Professor Slughorn gives me a weird look which I interpret as shock. "Luck is a rare as a well made felix felicis potion Miss Andrews" is all he says to me but I know what he means. I give him a smug smirk and make my way out of the dungeons with Madison and Prim.
The rest of the day went stress free. Today I wasn't wallowing in my own self pity. Actually, I felt more self-assured and positive. I answered all of the questions in charms which surprised Professor Fawcell and the in transfiguration, Professor Hawthorne threatened to take five points away from Gryffindor because I was making Madison laugh by changing my nose into various different animal's. But it didn't matter, I felt like on top of the world!
The three of us sit together at dinner and start eating when Madison gets up suddenly "Just a moment" Madison says excitedly and she leaves my side. I roll my eyes and continue eating my potato salad.
"A lovely shade of red you know"
"What was that Prim?" I ask.
"You seem to have a different glow about you today"
"Well that's a good thing...right?"
"Almost certainly! I mean Eli has a been showing glimpses of forgiveness in her face today"
"Well I know all of this has something to do wit that perfume Madison got me. I just feel more..."
"Confident" Prim says.
"How do you-"
"Your natural colour balance is way off. You seem to have a startling presence of scarlett today. The perfume Madison gave you is actually a confidence spray. Weird concoction, but it should bring your inner confidence out"
"Ooookay?" I didn't really know how to feel now. It feels like I have been putting on a facade all day. Even if I did have that confidence inside of me, it must have been buried really really deep. But it also felt liberating having all of that confidence and expressing myself. Yes, it was a good thing. Now you can stop hyperventilating. Now that I thought about it, I was hyperventilating a little and I spot Prim looking at me concerned. I shake my head in a don't worry about it kind of way and continue eating.
"Oriaaanaa" Madison says drawing out my name I look up from my food and see Madison holding a tall glass filled with honey coloured liquid. "Butterbeer?" I say amazed taking the glass from her hand. I frown. "How did you get this?"
"Well James always brags about the secret passage to Hogsmede. I think his friends, Damon and Matthew, were sneaking to there today. Anyway, I just quietly tagged along and tada!"
"And what about the Professors?"
"Well It seems like Peeves let in some Nifflers in the dungeons. Half of the professors are there, look" she nods her head towards the High table and she was right. The only Professors left at the table were an aging Professor Sinatra, Professor Trelawney and Professor Ebsworth , the teacher who got married to a muggle.
"Thanks Madison!" And a a take a large gulp of the warm beverage while Madison just giggles.
I hear a stern tut tut behind me and see Eli looking down at me.
I roll my eyes and turn my back to her. I continue to drink my Butterbeer at a fast pace while Eli is making obvious attempts to catch my attention. I finish off my glass and turn to Eli so sudden that it seems to catch her off guard.
"I-I think that will be ten points from Gryffindor"
"What!" I say standing up. We are so close to each other I'm sure she can feel my annoyance radiating.
"I said ten points from Gryffindor for sneaking out of the school grounds"
"But it was-" Madison was trying to explain but I jumped in.
"Was it ten points from Gryffindor when you and your boyfriend came in drunk after a drinking session?" I exclaim loudly catching the attention of half of the Gryffindor table.
"Don't try to turn this on me" Eli replies.
"What do you think your better then me? With your prefect badge and quidditch star boy friend" I spit at her, slinging my satchel over my shoulder.
"It isn't my fault this happened to you Orianna! So, don't try to act like the world hates you"
"But its true though isn't it" I say hating the way the voice wavered. "You try almost killing one of the golden trio and see how you feel" and I push past her.
I walk quickly out the hall, knowing full well that my hair is changing. Why did you have to blow up like that! I take a peek at my hair which...still teal? Probably something to do with the spray... "Orianna!" Madison calls. She runs over to me, with Prim not far behind, with a concerned expression. What I don't need is sympathy.
"Orianna are you-"
"Fine Madison, just fine" I put on my most fakest smile. I see Prim giving me a reproachful look and my smile falters a bit.
"I need to go to the library for the Care for Magical Creatures essay"
"But is only half a roll of parchment" Madison says.
"Extra credit isn't a bad thing Madi" I say with an almost genuine smile,
"Let's go Madison, it seems like Orianna has many conflicting colours around her" Prim says ushering Madison up a nearby staircase.
I take a deep breath and take the long way to the library. I think it's time to find out what Krad Cigam is.
"Good for you mate!"
"I knew he was going to pull through anyway"
"Yeah, he is Harry Potter!"
"Are you sure she isn't here already"
"No, Andrews always stays in the library late'"
I stiffen. I am standing in the shadows in the Gryffindor Common Room. Why does he want me? I try to think of all of the possible reasons, but they all don't add up. Well you can't hide in the shadows forever. I take a deep breath and walk into the centre of the common room.
As I had guessed James was there with Matthew, Damon and Nick Simmons, a beater on the Gryffindor quidditch team. They all seem to turn at me when I walk in, but soon there black expressions turn into nasty grins.
"Well, well Andrews" James says stepping closer to me.
"Potter" I try to say in my most confident voice but it shakes.
"Well I have some good news for you Andrews"
"Really? I mean, what good news?"
"My father is out if St Mungo's. He got out of the coma yesterday"
"Well that's great James! Like really great, tell him I hope for him to have a speedy recovery" I say with a genuine smile. I try to walk towards the stairs, but James blocks my path. Something crosses his eyes for a moment. Sympathy?
"James-" I begin to say but Matthew, a lanky blond interrupts.
"Unfortunately, life isn't that simple Orianna. Ever heard of something called redemption?" He says it so maliciously I flinch.
"C-course I have"
"Well let's say that your road of redemption won't be a easy on...DAMON, NICK NOW!" The two boys appear in front of me and throw a bucket of something over me. I'm covered in a smelly, gooey substance. It's cold and starts to droop down my back. I stand there shocked. The aromatic fragrance from the morning is gone and so was my confidence.
Their mocking laughs rings in my ears as I make my way to my dormitory. The girls seem to be having a cozy conversation as when I enter, but I quickly pass their confused faces and lock myself in the bathroom.
I slide down the door and pull my legs into my chest. Frogspawn, yuck! I stay in that position for a long time, my hair giving me a headache. Some lone tears make my was at down my cheeks, but I don't wipe them away.
After a while I reach out for my satchel I flung across the floor and take out the Krad Cigam. The librarian wasn't any help in this book which I was surprised about. Inside the book was sickening examples of dark magic. The dark spots was almost certainly blood.
As I make my way through this book this time though I realise some neat notes in the margins. The when seems familiar and I analyse the notes carefully. Excruciatingly painful for the victim, Sacrifice, blood-lust was just some of the notes. I carry on carry on , flipping through the pages, until I make it to the end. My mind is filled with many questions, but my heart skisp beat when I see a tiny scribble at the bottom on the book:
This book belongs to Selena Andrews and Eliza Alkaev.
