In honor of July 31st being Harry's Birthday, I have posted chapter 11, and have started writing chapter 12. Be proud readers. I'm being productive. Sprry that it's been so long without an update!
I don't own HP or it's characters, but I do own Vespera and co own Jaelah and Erikk.
To the Reviewers: As of August 1st, 2015 I have decided to stop replying to reviews VIA the top of the next chapter. Instead if you sign in and review on fanfiction, I will reply to your review via fanfiction website itself. If your review is on anon/ you don't log in, I will post the review on Vespera's tumblr page. However, if you ask a question regarding something in the chapter or in the writing, I will answer it in the bottom of the next posted chapter. Thanks 3
ON TO CHAPTER 11!
Ryan slithered out from Jaelah's sleeve, and began hissing at her, saying, "You are a fool. I might eat you," looking at Jaelah.
Jaelah smiled, as he curled on top of her head telling him,"Good Ryan."
Then I had to do something, "Behave Ryan. Do not eat Jaelah." He looked at me and nodded his head.
Jaelah looked at me, her mouth gaping open, "You're a bloody Parselmouth and never told me?!"
I nodded, "Snape told me not to tell anyone, especially now with the events happening in Hogwarts."
"How long have you known?"
"Since first year, right before the death of those two boys. I had detention with Snape, and he told me. I mean, I've been having conversations with snakes for a while, I just thought it was a normal wizard thing." Jaelah looked like she was going to go crazy, "Are you okay?"
She shook her head, "You're the heir of Slytherin aren't you? You're the one going around freezing the muggleborns?"
I glared at her, "Unlike some people, I can actually stand the mudbloods. I don't like them all that well, but why would I go around petrifying them? I wouldn't do a half wit job if I did. I would actually kill them. With only petrification, they'll wake up and tell whoever is doing this to them. I wouldn't want to be caught. Heck, if i did it, I'd be going to the Hospital Wing right now, and killing them in their sleep. I'm not dimwitted."
Jaelah rolled her eyes, "Good point."
"Now can I go to sleep, or are you going to tell me that being a legilimens is also a rare thing?" I sighed and laid back into my bed, closing my eyes.
"Vespera, are you a legilimens?"
"Go to sleep Jaelah."
"You are aren't you? Why didn't you ever tell me any of your gifts! You know how much more awesome this makes you?"
I took my pillow and covered my head, "Good Night Jaelah."
I heard footsteps, then she grabbed my pillow and yelled, "GOOD NIGHT VESPERA!" Throwing my pillow at my head.
I quickly ignored her, pulled my curtains shut, and went to sleep.
I woke myself up in the middle of the night, screaming. I peaked open my curtains, and laid back again, when I realized all the other girls were asleep still. I had suspicions that one of them had put a silencing charm on my curtains, but never wanted to ask them.
The nightmare, was the same. The same one I've had for months. Ever since the attack.
It is the same as the attack, except this time no one hears me, no one saves me, and I die for real. I have to watch as all of my friends and family mourn losing me, but I'm a ghost and I'm yelling at them to look up.
I guess I'm just not lucky enough to come back as a ghost who can be heard by others.
This yelling, is what I always wake up to.
The healers hoped that I would be able to overcome this nightmare, that it would go away, but it still hasn't.
I laid back on my bed and pulled out a book, I knew sleep wasn't going to happen for the rest of the night.
It was 5:30 and I got up, and woke the others up at 6. Jaelah looked at me, "You look like you've barely slept Vespera, again. Are you sure you don't want to ask Snape for a dreamless sleep potion?"
I shook my head, "I'm fine Jaelah. Nothing to worry about. Go on and get ready. Unless you want to be late for class."
She nodded, then left. I rolled outside, and saw a notice on the board, saying herbology classes had been canceled.
Which was actually fantastic, because it meant that after breakfast, we could take a nap. I also looked on the board, and was shocked that it had Draco written on the list of people who would be staying over the break.
I decided to take my extra time, and write my parents.
Dear Mother and Father,
I hope the morning treats you both well, and you both have a wonderful day today.
I was looking upon the notice board, and saw that Draco's name was on the list of people to stay at Hogwarts over break. I was curious if I needed to be put on that list as well. Also, why is Draco on the list? What do I not know that he does?
Thank you very much,
Sincerely,
V. A. S-M.
I stuffed it into my bag, to mail when the owls arrived with the morning post.
When the others came out, and we went to breakfast, eventually the post came.
Sending my letter, turned out to be unnecessary because I received a high pitched, "VESPERA YOU'RE COMING HOME WITH ME!" right in my ear.
I laughed, at Jaelah, as I opened a letter from my parents.
Dearest Vespera,
We previously informed Draco that he was to stay at school, however, we fear for your safety, and made arrangements for you to stay with the Phantomhives over Christmas. They have agreed, and you will be going home with them when you arrive at King's Cross.
I hope the first half of the year has treated you well, we don't hear from you nearly enough.
Much love,
Narcissa Malfoy
I nodded to Jaelah, "It does appear that I will be going home with you. It'll be an interesting Christmas indeed. I get to spend the entire break with you and Harmony. She'll bloody love that won't she?"
Jaelah laughed, "Oh I have plans to keep her busy over break. Come on, let's go hang out in the common room, because we don't have class until later!"
I rolled back to the common room, with Jaelah skipping ahead of me, both of us joyous about the break that was soon to come.
I was sitting in the common room, waiting for it to be time for the last class of the semester before break. I heard the door slam open, and Snape came in with his billowing robes, everyone turned and looked at him. His eyes made contact with mine and he said, "Salazar-Malfoy. My office. Now," he then walked just as swiftly back out the door.
I gulped and looked at Jaelah. She gave me a sad look, then whispered in my ear, "just remember, it's not you." I nodded, and went out the door, and into Snape's office.
Snape turned when the door shut behind me and ran his hand through his hair, "I can't keep this quiet any longer Miss Salazar-Malfoy. I hope you understand this?"
I shook my head, "No sir, I don't understand? What happened?"
"Another student was attacked, and a ghost this time. I have to go to Dumbledore with this, and although I believe you aren't the one doing this, because of your muggleborn status, I have to report you."
I nodded, "Yes sir, I understand."
"Along with this, you need to know, the likelihood is very high, that you will not be allowed to return to Hogwarts, until the true culprit is caught," Snape gave me a pity look, one I had only received from McGonagall before.
My eyes opened wide, "So I should pack now?"
He nodded, "I'm afraid so. I will be speaking to Dumbledore within an hour. By then, I wish that you have all of your trunks packed, and ready to leave. Your next class has been canceled because of the petrification. Do not speak to any other students."
"Can I talk to Jaelah? She knows I'm a parselmouth, she figured it out last night, because her snake wanted to eat her and I had to tell it not to."
Snape immediately looked more stressed, "Miss Phantomhive has a pet snake that wants to eat her? I'm afraid I'm going to have to confiscate that."
I nodded, "Okay, but you didn't hear about Ryan from me."
He shook his head, "You two are going to be the death of me. You may inform Miss Phantomhive of your situation, and also inform her that once you leave, she is to report to my office."
I nodded, "Yes sir. Thank you." I rolled out, tears streaming down my face. I loved Hogwarts, but I was being expelled for something I didn't do. I reached the common room, and everyone looked up, wondering why I had been called out. When they saw me crying, several looked worried.
"Are you okay Vespera?" Gemma, the prefect, came and asked me.
I shook my head, "I... I have to go. I'll be in my dorm." I rolled to the my year's dorm, and began levitating everything into my trunk.
Jaelah came in and slammed the door behind her, "What's wrong Vespera? What happened?"
She came and stood in front of me and I held out my arms. We hugged while I was still bawling, "They're going to kick me out. For being a parselmouth in Slytherin and because I'm not a muggleborn, they'll think I have every reason to be kicked out! Snape is on his way to tell Dumbledore now, and he said I had an hour to get everything packed because I wouldn't be coming back for a while."
"Shhh. It's okay Vespera." she hugged me tighter and rubbed my back, "We know it wasn't you, and it's only a matter of time before they catch who really did this. You'll be back before they even catch the culprit. Do you really think your father will let you stay kicked out of Hogwarts? Of course not. Now, dry your face off." She pointed her wand towards my trunk and shrunk it to handheld size. "Put this in your pocket." I wiped my face, and stuck it in my pocket, "Now you're going to smile, and pretend it's all okay. Because it's going to be okay soon."
I nodded, "Thanks Jaelah." I laughed when I saw Ryan on her arm, "By the way, Snape wants to see you once I'm gone. It's of an urgent potions matter."
Her eyes opened wide, "You don't think he's going to make me retake potions with the second years next year, because of how much I've goofed off during class? That'd be just miserable!"
I shrugged and giggled a little, "Guess you'll just have to wait and see." I rolled back into the common room and earned a lot of strange looks because I looked mostly fine.
"What's wrong Vespera?" Draco came up to me, hugging me. "Someone said they saw you roll in here crying, and came and got me. By time I got out of the dorm, you were in yours."
I shook my head, and whispered, "I'm being expelled." He stood back and looked at me, flabbergasted.
Snape came in at that moment, "Miss Salazar, please gather all of your belongings and follow me." I held my head down, and rolled out, leaving the common room, and a lot of curious faces.
We went in silence to Dumbledore's office and when we arrived Dumbledore gave me a sad look, "I am sad to say, that since we are not allowed access to all public records to the origins of your birth, that you are expelled from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry under the terms of petrification of students, familiars, and ghosts. In addition to writing threats on the walls, damaging school property, and being a parselmouth. You are expected to attend a trial on January 15th. Until then, you have the right to maintain possession of your wand, but are still considered an underage witch, and cannot perform magic. You are to leave Hogwart's grounds immediately. Your parents have been notified, and await you on the other side of the floo, at your place of residency." He smiled down on me, "I'm sorry to see you leave before the school year is over once again Miss Salazar-Malfoy."
I nodded, "It's okay Professor. I hope to return this time, as I did no wrong." I rolled into the floo, and grabbed powder, "Malfoy Mansion!" I was shot into the living room of my house, where my parents were waiting.
Narcissa hugged me, while Lucius was pacing, "Don't fret Vespera, I will get you back into Hogwarts before you miss anything important. The old coot... shouldn't be kicking students out! He should be removed himself for allowing any of this to happen. If we can't get you back in, you will start at Durmstrang or another magical school in January."
I smiled, "Thank you, Father." I looked at Narcissa, "Will I still be going to the Phantomhive's house for Christmas?"
She nodded, "We will take you over there as soon as Jaelah gets home from Hogwarts on Monday."
"Thank you, Mother, I appreciate it. Jaelah had so many things planned to do."
With that, I rolled to my room, where I stayed for the majority of the next few days, only coming out for meals, and only answering to letters from Jaelah.
Would I ever get to finish a year at Hogwarts?
Questions asked in reviews:
"Will [Vespera] talk to Harry?" - MMax
Answer: Wow, I can't believe I hadn't thought about her talking to him! No joke. Thanks for you asking this question, Jaelah and I will try to get some Vespera talking to Harry somewhere in the fanfiction (eventually). It's kinda a really good idea, so I appreciate it :D
Thanks readers, review and I'll post soon :3
