Author's Note: Hello all! I have a slighter shorter chapter for you all today! It would've been longer but I just couldn't help myself and decided to give another cliffhanger haha. Anyways, I hope ya'll like it and don't forget to review! =)
Disclaimer (Repeat): I don't not own anything in the Harry Potter universe, just the story/OC I came up with.
Chapter 13
Now we go back…back to reality and it makes me long for that last night we had at the Burrow. It was already mid-April, where had the time gone? Looking outside, it's as if that glorious Winter never happened. And instead of sunny Springtime, all I was feeling was woe; it was a calm before the storm type of feeling. Bad luck seemed to follow wherever and we couldn't have any more of it after that Quidditch loss against Hufflepuff but things can always get worse.
I had been on my way to visit Harry in the Hospital Wing since thanks to Cormac McLaggen, he ended up knocking Harry out during a Quidditch match due to his arrogance thus costing us the game. Now we were out two players and a captain for the rest of the season but at least Katie will be returning back; maybe she can tear Cormac a new one.
Both Ron and Harry have been 'taking turns' being in and out of the Hospital Wing. A month ago, Ron got drugged by someone named Romilda Vane. Actually, she intended to drug Harry since she was jealous that I was with him and attempted to give love potion through some candies; that wasn't even the worse of it.
When they brought the infected Ron to Professor Slughorn and attempted to reverse the problem, Ron was poisoned further with mulled mead from Madame Rosmerta. Ron was in a coma for a few weeks thus bringing in McLaggen. And now that Ron got out a day ago, Harry's been stuck since.
And all he's been doing in that Hospital Wing is either sulking or coming up with new conspiracy theories against Draco; I think that blow to the head made him worse. A clock chimed somewhere in the castle signaling an hour's passing. It was a late visit and I hoped Madame Pomfrey was on some sort of break so I could get some time with my boyfriend.
Before I entered the doorway, a double set of cracks emitted from the inside. Trying to be stealthy, I entered as quietly as possible. It was dimly lit aside from Madam Pomfrey's office and a light beside Harry's bed at the end. He was currently hunched over the side of his bed, whispering.
"While I'm here, I need you both to keep an eye on Malfoy for me…he's up to something." Harry said.
"Oh yes Master Potter! Dobby would be glad to assist!" A high pitched voice spoke. "We both will!"
Another voice was present but only grumbled in response. "Kreacher, this is a direct order."
"Yes Master Potter…Kreacher will assist in your blood traitor task." Harry sighed in response before sending them off. The same double crack I heard moments before happened again and I saw that is was from the elves apparating. Waiting a few moments, I escaped the shadows and headed towards Harry. But should I ask about what I just heard?
"Hey love, feeling any better?" I asked and Harry jumped at my voice.
"Bloody Hell Emma! How long were you there?" Harry snapped, looking shiftly between me and where the elves were standing.
"I just got here." I responded before sitting down on the edge of the bed. Harry scooted away from me. He was trying to give me extra room or he just didn't want to be near me…he has grown increasingly distant over the past few weeks and I worry over it every day. "Are you ok Harry?"
He didn't answer right away…just continued to stare into space, eyes darting around. Something wasn't right. It could be a variety of things and one of them was partially Dumbledore's fault…with the lessons and getting him to retrieve something from Slughorn. But what made me wonder was why couldn't he do it himself? Is it true that Dumbledore needs others to do his dirty work?
"Harry!" I finally yelled and that seemed to get his attention.
"What? Is something the matter?" He asked, as if seeing me there for the first time. I was so angry but Harry's behavior, I could feel sparks emitting from my fingertips.
"Is something the matter?!" I shouted back getting louder with each word. For a second, it looked as if the lights dimmed slightly. "Oh, something is the matter Potter! I have been sitting here trying to talk to you and you can't so much as pay attention?"
"Emma, I-"
"No, I don't want to hear it! Your behavior lately has been inexcusable! I am sorry you are in the Hospital Wing and I am sorry that nobody seems to hear your theories but that is NO reason for you to shut me out!" The lights were flickering now; so much even that Harry took notice.
"Emma, calm down please." Harry said before getting up, hands in front of him like a shield. Before I could continue, doors busted open and Madam Pomfrey comes rushing into the room.
"Emma Pendragon! It is past visiting hours and near curfew! And here you are shouting at a patient!" She yelled before moving towards Harry and pushing him down. "You should be lying down Potter and not allowing yourself too much exertion." I was silent for a moment in attempt to slow my heavy breathing.
"My apologies Madame Pomfrey, you won't be seeing me here" I paused as I glanced at Harry. "Again. I will be off now." I finished before turning on my heel and exiting the Hospital Wing without so much as a glance back. I heard more screams from the angered nurse as I headed into the corridor.
I was fuming. And angry. No, I was just completely and utterly pissed off! But I also felt something else, foreign almost…I felt raw power building inside me and it was dying to get out.
"Oh bloody hell."
Besides the power that I felt, there was something else pumping in my system: adrenaline. I was running. Fast. Running throughout the corridors has been a normal occurrence for me lately. Lucky for me, I passed no soul whether alive or dead on my way to Gryffindor Tower.
By the time I reached the portrait entrance, I puffed out the password and earned a curse from the Fat Lady. I ran into the common room and up the stairs to the girls' dormitories ignoring whoever I passed. Once inside and taking a quick glance, I was alone. I muttered a quick spell to lock the door and began a search.
"Where is it…" I murmured as I tore apart my trunk. "Aha!" I squealed, finding the book Hermione gave me for Christmas. I hate to say it but I haven't brought myself to opening the book; part of me was afraid of what I found but this book may hold a key to what powers may have passed down to me.
I skimmed through the intro of 'the Pendragons' and a brief excerpt then paused at the contents. Woah and here I thought Hogwarts, A History had a lot of pages. And strangely enough, it was very updated; the last thing noted was about my parents and them having a child. Nope, have to go back farther.
King Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries who led the defense of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. During his reign, Arthur established an empire over Britain, Ireland, Iceland, Norway and Gaul. Arthur the 1st appeared in History as a great warrior defending Britain from both human and supernatural enemies alike. At one point before he became the future king, he was an apprentice to the great and powerful Merlin. According to legend, it was said that Merlin was the first wizard who had power to control the elements and conjure the impossible with simple words.
Another important character in Arthurian history was the appearance of Morgan le Fay or 'Lady of the Lake', an equally powerful sorceress who played a role in leading King Arthur to Excalibur and later assisting on the quest of the Holy Grail. She also played the role of Merlin's lover and eventual downfall. It was said that Morgan le Fay originally assisted to Merlin and King Arthur as well as his court.
But with Merlin's origin of Light magic was quickly followed by Morgan le Fay's practice with Dark magic. It was learned that for Dark magic to exist, one had to sacrifice their soul in exchange. It was unknown for centuries what type of specific ceremony took place but after it is completed, the soul was used was taken and warped in the darkest of ways as if it was ripped away entirely. To this day, it is unknown if-
*BANG BANG*
I jumped at the sound, lost in the book. Then I heard it again along with a few voices. "Yes?" I called out.
"It's getting late Emma and we all have to get up early! Why can't you do this tomorrow since its Friday?" A voice shouted on the other side of the door. I leaned over to my bedside table and pulled out my old pocket watch. It was near eleven o' clock. Where had the time gone?
Closing my book, I got up and headed to the door to unlock it. I opened the door, letting my dorm mates inside. Before I could exit myself, I felt someone grab my arm and I turned to see Hermione with a sad expression.
"Hey, is everything alright?" Hermione asked softly. A few answers crossed my mind: 'Of course! My boyfriend is going crazy, I found out I'm not only related to Merlin but Lady of the Lake and Voldemort is out to get me! Oh, I haven't done any of my class work that's due tomorrow but all is peachy!'
"No but it will be once I finish my work for tomorrow." I responded with a sigh. Hermione looked like she wanted to ask more but a yawn escaped her instead. "Sweet dreams Hermione." I said before giving her a quick hug and heading downstairs.
The room was deserted and the fireplace was cackling away. I sat down on the rug with my back resting against the sofa. I opened my book and quickly scanned the page to where I had last left off which was difficult due to lack of light. At one point, I thought I heard someone coming down the stairs but when I glanced up, only shadows danced across the walls. Or so I thought.
"Hello? Emma, is that you?" A voice whispered in the darkness causing me to jump up and whip out my wand. My wand lit up immediately and I pointed it again into the darkness. Standing before me was Katie Bell.
"Oh my goddess!" I gasped and ran toward her, enveloping her in a hug. Katie stiffened a moment before returning the gesture. Not a second sooner, another person entered the common room: Professor McGonagall.
"Good Evening Miss Pendragon. Shouldn't you be in bed? It's near midnight." Professor McGonagall said in her usual curt voice.
"Oh, I'm sorry Professor…I had a few assignments to finish." Which was true but I haven't exactly gotten to the 'finished' part. She nodded at my response.
"Well, be sure to finish promptly and try to get some rest. And since you are here, would you be so kind as to escort Miss Bell to her dorm?" Before I could answer, McGonagall smiled and turned away.
When I looked back at Katie, she had a faraway look on her face but she moved along. Her dorm was one level above mine and keeping my word to McGonagall, I was planning on heading to bed and hopefully finished my assignments. At her door though, Katie wouldn't budge and then I leaned in for a quick hug.
"I'm really glad you're back." I whispered and stepped away only I didn't get far. Katie was still attached to me and for some reason that worried me. "Uh, Katie? Could you-"
"Listen to me closely! I have to tell you this before it's too late!" Katie said in an urgent whisper. I stood still and nodded at her words. "I used to have nightmares at St. Mungos and I said some…things. Nurses ignored what I said and played it off as to the curse I was under but I know what I'm talking about! Before I left, I was given a special potion to help me 'get past it and forget' but I must share this before I fall into sleep! It's important that you listen."
I let out a shaky breath and nodded once more like I had a choice. "Go ahead, I'm all ears." She took a breath too and continued.
"I know who cursed the necklace I touched…I saw his face before I saw the darkness and horror." His? Did she see Voldemort?
"Who was it Katie?"
"Draco Malfoy."