CHAPTER TEN

I awakened to bells ringing loudly. It was after breakfast, so I knew that it was likely for class change. I couldn't tell which one, and I honestly didn't care. My restless dreams had been filled with nightmares, and the nurse finally slipped me a sleeping potion after I awakened screaming more than once.

A feeling of great doom filled me, but there was nothing I could do about anything. I ate some breakfast, flipped through a book Snape had delivered, and sipped some tea while life went on outside the hospital wing, whose doors were still closed.

The book seemed like a useless read at first, but then I remembered the section I had failed on my placement exam. This book was a history of that subject, and I immediately began rereading it to better grasp the subject.

Hours later, Dumbledore arrived with my lunch tray. I closed my book and nodded to him as he placed the tray over my lap.

"Professor Snape has left the campus for the day, but he promised me you were in good hands," Dumbledore smiled, eying the book I had just closed. "It's a difficult subject, but I imagine it shouldn't take you long to master it. It took me a few years of classes here, but I feel you are more advanced than even me."

"I can neither dispute nor agree," I murmured. How does one respond to such a statement, I thought, picking at my bread as he chuckled lightly.

"You are such a modest witch. We don't receive too many prodigies here at Hogwarts, but the ones with the most potential are the ones who refuse to admit it. It is the meek and modest that inherit greatness, which you will in time," he smiled. I didn't know how to respond, so I intentionally shoved a huge piece of bread into my mouth and chewed slowly. "I did receive Professor Snape's message containing your real name. It is an interesting name, one with strange origins. But I have been searching for it since he delivered it to me. I've found nothing, but I did find a few books in the library that reference your name. I take you have strange experiences with the wind?" he asked.

I shook my head: My aunt's element may have been air, but mine was definitely fire.

"Well, I thought I'd ask. You know, you shouldn't be ashamed of any connection you have to the American witches. Some of the greatest witches I've met in my travels have ties to that country. Many of their abilities started here and in Germany many, many years ago. Did you know magic had origins?" he questioned. I shook my head again. "I'll have to retrieve some special books on the subject from an old friend of mine. He's a collector of strange texts, and his rarest pieces cover the history of magic itself.

"You see, since it comes from many places, a lot of the histories were lost when civilizations were fell or conquered. Many were also lost in transport due to pirates or other thieves. But a few survived, and I know that friend will have them if they exist," he chuckled. He sighed, letting his smile remain on his face. "I'll allow you to finish your meal, but I want you to move around again today. I've asked the nurse to allow you to walk around more. I've heard it will increase your strength faster."

"And you said Professor Snape is away?" I asked quietly. He nodded, his eyes hinting at something I wasn't supposed to know. He actually didn't verbally respond: He continued replacing his stool in its regular space, and he left the hospital wing without more than a polite nod.

I finished my meal quickly and covered my clothes with a robe. I tucked my wand inside, and went to the nurse. She knew what I was doing and gave me an anger-based gesture to continue on. I smirked as I entered the hallway: She may've been unhappy, but I certainly wasn't.

But I was very uneasy. I quickly made my way to Amelia's portrait, using my memory of the hallways to lead me to her, which was quite hard. I was so used to merely appearing wherever I needed to be that my mental map of Hogwarts had faded. I scolded myself for this, but I knew I'd likely return to my old ways as soon as my powers reappeared.

Amelia was napping when I found her. I tapped her frame quietly, and she gently awakened.

"Oh, Breeze! How are you, dear? I heard you weren't doing so well," she chattered. Despite the serious look on her face, a chuckle still welled in her throat and she was still quite cheery.

"I had a little blunder, and my powers are a little weird, but that's not why I'm here," I whispered quickly. She nodded, her face growing more serious.

"The professors have been wandering this school with distinct missions for the past few nights. It all has to do with the outside world, but it's all still very important," she murmured, glancing around to make sure we were alone. I instinctively did the same. "Apparently, a dark force is out there, and He has some troubling plans. He's already done a few terrible things, but He's supposedly gearing up for a doozy within the next few nights.

"But the juiciest rumor has to do with that new potions professor, Professor Snape," she grinned. "Apparently he's involved with this guy, and he's going to try to stop Him from doing his deeds."

"That's what I thought was going on," I murmured, sinking to the floor quietly as a feeling of weakness overcame me. Amelia moved closer to me in her frame, and she peered down with a concerned look on her face. "My premonition ability has been coming through. I think he's going to get caught in a storm tonight."

"Oh there's no doubt about that. It's already quite ominous outside. There must be one hell of a storm front out there," Amelia chuckled. "You shouldn't worry about him, Breeze. He can take care of himself, and you should as well. Head back to the infirmary and keep yourself busy. Things are out of your hands, and you'll only weaken yourself further by letting this take over."

"But I can't help myself," I whispered, my voice cracking.

"Breezy, dear, don't cry!" she exclaimed. "Take my advice and go back downstairs. He'll be fine: I just know it!"

I obeyed, standing and making my way for the stairs. I couldn't help but notice her stern gaze as she watched me leave. That was the first conversation we'd had where I didn't have to wait for her to quit laughing, which made me more uneasy.

The other portraits didn't help: Many were missing from their frames or in the wrong frames. They were just as uneasy as the professors, which made me feel worse.

By the time I returned to the hospital wing, I was pale and dizzy with fear. The nurse noticed and started huffing at Dumbledore under her breath. I shook my head at her: This wasn't because Dumbledore wanted me to move around, it was because I knew things were changing.

I immediately began reading again, but the words danced on the page. My thoughts also kept getting interrupted by visions of a raging storm, and a man standing in it. I tried shaking them off, but each one made me feel worse.

By dinner time, I had developed an excruciating headache. I barely touched my food, which was delivered by a house elf from the kitchen. This made me more nervous as Dumbledore usually was able to deliver my meal. If he was unable to, then horrible things must be happening elsewhere.

By sunset, I heard thunder in the distance. My head pounded violently, and visions began coming almost nonstop.

As the clock chimed the hour, my head seemed to explode. I screamed from the pain, and I felt myself fall into a deep blackness that came into my forethoughts.

But I soon realized the scene wasn't black: It was merely very dark. Whatever was going on was very violent, and I heard screaming, crying, and fighting taking place. When it ended, there was a massive explosion. It reverberated through me, and I lost consciousness.