I'm late! Well, only by a day but still. I know I left ya'll with a cliffhanger last month so hopefully this will sooth all of ya'll! :D
Chapter 21: Freedom is Overrated
Meissa adjusted her tie uncomfortably, unintentionally loosening the knot from her neck and giving her some breathing room. Her right arm and shoulder was still stiff but she had finally been discharged from the hospital - although she was having a bit of difficulty sensing anything. She could barely register being touched along her right arm and Madam Pomfrey later mentioned that the brief moment she could register being touched was when she had literally pinched her.
Madam Pomfrey barely gave her the permission to return to classes and it was only with promises from Hermione - who had visited her shortly before the Great Hall opened for breakfast - that she was permitted to leave from the hospital wing.
"Here," Hermione mutters before she was readjusting the tie until it was just right.
"Where's Daphne?" she takes the opportunity to ask - it hadn't really escaped her notice that she hadn't seen the blonde since she went looking for Blaise. She doesn't think that the other Slytherin would ask of a personal favor from Daphne - not when she's already personally in his debt from the potion.
"Meissa… I don't know how to say this," Hermione whispers quietly.
"Just say it," she interrupts - she didn't want to beat around the bush about this. Not when it concerns Daphne.
"She - She seems like she's turning emotionally cold."
Meissa frowns - was Daphne cutting herself off from everyone again? "Do you know if Blaise did something to her?"
"Um… I don't think so but they were alone in the dungeon for a bit while I went to get samples from you."
"You left two Slytherins alone…"
Hermione gave her a sharp look. "You're acting like I should've known better but you're forgetting a simple fact. One of us had to stay with him to make sure he's not putting something odd in the potion."
Meissa sighed to herself - she knew what Hermione was saying, she could understand it and she had no doubt that it was Daphne who had that worry in the first place. It was something Hermione wouldn't really consider - not when she hadn't really been exposed to the darker side of the Slytherin house yet. Meissa saw the Gryffindor girl as someone who had an easy life - someone who wouldn't really understand the politics of the pureblood families until she's been thrown in without warning.
Something she didn't want to do to the other girl.
"I'll talk to her later, see if I can sort out what's bothering her," Meissa decides quietly after Hermione had taken a step back to take in her appearance.
The Gryffindor girl looks up at her for a long moment before nodding her head. "Breakfast is going to end soon, we should go before the food's gone."
The Black heiress made a face at the reminder of food and was actually going to say something about preferring to skip the meal when her stomach growled - loudly. With a blush on her face she looked away from Hermione's knowing face.
"Did you eat dinner last night?"
"Um… I honestly don't remember."
"Meissa!"
"Mione!"
The Gryffindor huffed as she crossed her arms at her friend. "I know you had a lot going on yesterday but you shouldn't be skipping meals!"
"Mione, you and my godfather tell me this every day -," Meissa starts to say.
"Then you should be listening to us!"
"But that doesn't mean that I had an appetite at the time," the Black heiress finished stubbornly.
"You should try eating regardless if you're hungry or not."
"You can't really force yourself to eat when it just doesn't taste like anything," she retorts.
"But what are you going to do if you become too weak to cast spells?"
"I'll never actually -."
"You'd never know, Meissa!" Hermione cuts her off.
The two girls looked at each other for a long moment: Meissa's expression blank and unreadable while Hermione's was pleading.
"I'll make more of an effort to eat," Meissa mutters lowly - the only concession she was willing to make regarding this. "Let's go."
Meissa walked out of the Hospital wing with Hermione following after her, quickly falling into step next to the raven haired Slytherin.
"Meissa?"
"Mm?"
"Is it usually dangerous during Walpurgis Nights?"
The Black heiress turned to look at her with a frown on her face. "It's a night where magic in its purest form comes back. It doesn't come without risks."
"So it is dangerous."
"You have to remember, 'Mione, that families of any alliance will have their own agenda - it just so happened that last night I encountered someone who either wanted revenge against my mother or wanted to test me."
"Which one do you think it is?"
"In my opinion, Lady Zabini was interested in testing me. If she wanted to kill me she could have chosen a curse that would have a more immediate results."
"Why does it feel like I have landed in the middle of a cold war?"
"A what?"
"Uh… that'll take a bit to explain."
"A muggle thing?"
"It would require filling you in on many things."
"Fun. May we tackle that at a later time?"
"If you want to."
~MJB~
Meissa was glaring at the toast sitting innocently on her plate with some butter smeared onto one side. Her stomach growled at her but the inside of her mouth tasted like ashes. She hadn't managed a bite of anything yet - not even a sip - and already she dreaded the prospect of eating.
"Meissa…" she hears Draco mutter, nudging her ever so slightly to try and encourage her to eat.
It struck her funny that both Draco and Hermione would have similar concerns over her eating habits and yet both of them get along like fire and water.
"I'm not hungry," she whispers to him, ignoring the rumble her stomach was making. Shouldn't it be revolting at any ideas of eating? Not demanding for food that she knows should taste delicious.
"Meissa, I can hear your stomach from here," he retorts.
"You're also sitting next to me," she throws back. "It'd be more impressive if you could hear it from the Gryffindor table." The Gryffindors were seated as far away from the Slytherins as possible - she could only hazard a guess that the school wished to minimize any fights between the two houses during meals.
"Why would anyone want to be around the Gryffindors," Pansy gripes - cutting into the conversation at Meissa's comment. "They're so arrogant and they never follow the rules!"
Meissa arched a fine brow at her, "I believe," she drawls lazily - though Draco knew she was up to something when he saw that her eyes had a dark glint in them, "you just described yourself."
Draco knew immediately that she had just poked a hornet nest and distracted Pansy just in time to prevent her from retaliating - his cousin taking this chance to slip away in the chaos.
The pale haired boy glanced up from the conversation he had engaged in with Pansy to see Meissa leave the hall and - as much as he hated the fact that his cousin has made friends with Gryffindors - was a bit relieved to see Meissa's friend slip out shortly afterwards.
He glances over to where he knows Daphne Greengrass is sitting - it was difficult to separate Meissa from Daphne, unless they were having one of their tiffs. Except he couldn't remember them having a fight recently. He knows that Meissa hadn't been to any of her classes the day before but it wasn't that unusual for her to skip school the day after Walpurgis Night back when they were in Primary.
From what he had understood she was profoundly sensitive to all forms of magic - be it Light or Dark - and the days leading up to, as well as the day of, tended to leave her on edge for the entire week.
He knows that as the son of a Black and a Malfoy he should be as sensitive as Meissa is but for some reason he could only sense when strong Dark magic was used. He just didn't have that sensitivity to magic like Meissa - though he wasn't sure if he wanted to have that same level.
So he hadn't considered it to be odd that she was gone from class all day. It was only when Daphne and Hermione failed to show up for their afternoon classes that he thought that something might be up. Thinking about it he realized that Blaise had gone missing around that time too.
Mm, seems like he missed out on something yesterday.
~MJB~
Meissa was not happy by the time lunch time came around - Daphne had gone completely stone cold to everyone, not just to her. It was disheartening trying to break through her friend's walls to get to the heart of the issue.
She knows that it has something to do with the curse - she wasn't sure if it was because Daphne felt guilty for leaving her alone to talk to her mother or if Blaise and her had struck a deal.
Both was a possibility in her opinion and she wasn't sure which one she would prefer. She knows that if they had struck a deal she would have to respect it - even if she hates what they have agreed upon. If it was a guilt thing - she didn't see this one being the lesser of two evils at all.
Either way she knew that she'd have to talk to her friend about this. They hadn't gone through a whole year struggling to find a balance between themselves just for it all to go pear-shape in one day.
It was not acceptable in Meissa's mind and she was not about to sit back and let it lie.
Her first instincts were to corner Daphne in a room and just talk things over with her - but she had a strong feeling that if she tried that this time around she would probably end up in a duel with the other girl.
The blonde was that cold to approach.
The only other idea she had was to approach Blaise and figure out what the hell is happening - if they had made a deal. It would also give her the opportunity to find out what she can do to repay Zabini the life debt she now owes him - even if it was his mother who had placed her in that situation in the first place.
And on top of all of that her magic still had that sick slimy feel to it - and there was an itch in the back of her mind - to do some more blood magic. To actually explore the limits of the branch. She knew that some forms of magic - of any branch that has the label Dark - had the potential of being addicting and luring the unsuspecting wizards and witches into the darkness that is Dark magic.
But she had not suspected that the blood runes she had used would be enough to trigger a thirst to learn more.
In hindsight she suppose that her family's history of practicing Dark magic would have made her more susceptible to being drawn by it.
The things she realize after she has made her choices.
Glancing at the food she had picked for lunch she realizes that she wasn't hungry - again - and left without taking a bite. She had not seen Blaise at the table and hazarded a guess that she would be able to find him in the library, studying.
As much as she wanted to talk to Daphne about things she thought it would be best to speak with Blaise and get an idea of what's been happening since she was cursed.
Although she probably should see if she kept the ability to use her magic. So far the classes they've had that day required no spells so she had yet to embarrass herself in front of her peers. The added bonus of this that it meant she wasn't likely going to expose a potential weakness of hers.
She considers for a moment which way she should head - she wanted to find Blaise as soon as possible but realized that if she was to get into a fight with anyone she would be defenseless. Because she wouldn't know if her magical core has been damaged to the point where attempting any kind of magic would endanger not only herself but everyone around her.
With that thought she realized that she would be better off testing her magic in an empty room first before going to find Blaise.
With that course of plan in her mind she sets off to the second floor - she knew of a room that would be empty with most if not all, aside from her, present in the Great Hall for lunch.
~MJB~
Finding an empty room was not hard at all. But thinking of a spell that would not blow up in her face if her magic truly has been damaged turned out to be harder than she thought. She needed a spell that would not cause too much damage - to herself or to her surroundings.
She was tempted to do a simple levitation charm - the only reason why she hasn't was because she couldn't think of any possible backlash the spell would have if her magic was indeed damaged.
When nothing came to mind she settled for a spell that they had learned earlier on in class. "Spongify!" she snaps out, moving her wand in the correct motions as she intended to soften the seat of an old rickety chair.
Instead what happened was her magic backfiring on her, blasting her back at least two yard - not quite throwing her against a wall but it had came fairly close to it. Wincing at the sensation of having her magic rebound against her she shook her hand out, sliding her wand back into its sheath.
"So I still have it," she mutters quietly to herself, wriggling her fingers to shake off the aftereffects of her failed spell. "I wonder if it'll be safe to use my magic in a few days," she thinks to herself, trying to determine the possibility of her magic.
She rubs her fingers across her knuckles, trying to dispel the lingering sense of magic in her hand.
"Right, I should go find Blaise," she mumbles, trying to think of a way where she can avoid having this weakness of hers exposed. She doesn't suspect that she'll be needing any forms of magic in Potions - spells could have an adverse effect on the potions while they are being brewed. And it would be the last class of the day.
For the rest of the week she has no idea how she'll avoid having her secret exposed. She's aware that she has transfiguration, charms, and DADA.
She could probably get out of having to cast a spell in DADA - the professor was rather pathetic in her opinion. She couldn't take him seriously due to his stutter.
But for Charms she knows that they were due to demonstrate a spell that they have been reviewing in class. And in Transfiguration they needed to transfigure a quill into a cup.
All of which required her to be able to use magic - magic she doesn't seem to be able to use for the moment.
All she could think of is how interesting things promises to be for the rest of the week.
~MJB~
"Zabini."
It had taken a bit longer than she had liked but she was able to find Blaise - just before they had to head down for Potions.
"Ah, Black, it's good to see you back on your feet," the dark skinned boy remarks with a laid-back grin. It was a kind of smile that that spoke volumes of his confidence.
He was fully aware of the fact that she owes him a twisted form of a life debt.
But unlike him she was aware of the fact that unless he actively seeks something specific from her she was free to do what she likes - and if he somehow benefited from it then the debt would be paid in full.
She's not quite sure how she'll do it but she's determined to do it before the second year is up.
"Zabini, I have heard that Greengrass and Granger helped you prepare the potion that saved me," she crossed her arms, sliding her emotions away from her.
"You've heard right."
She wasn't quite sure how to broach the topic so she decided to just dive into it. "What deal did you make with Greengrass in exchange for the cure?"
The slightest twitch in his eyes was her only indication that he had no idea what she was talking about.
Something else was at play here and he was not at fault.
No, that much she was able to comprehend.
"Is all not well between the two of you?" Blaise questions in a low drawl.
"Why would it be your concern?"
"At this point, Black, it's a general consensus in the house that we do everything we humanely can to prevent Greengrass and you from having a falling out."
She blinks in surprise. "Since when is my private business the business of the House?"
"Since the day you had five magical mishaps in one day when Greengrass was giving you the cold shoulder for a week."
"I don't think I -," she tries to protest while struggling to recall this particular incident.
"The point is, Black, that the sooner we can get the two of you back together the sooner the whole house can breathe in relief."
"You mean to tell me that the whole house get all weirded out when Greengrass and I are having a frost out?"
"Just about yeah," Blaise remarks and she got the impression that it was a thing. An issue that the whole House has decided that they needed to handle as a whole.
"I… Does Draco know?"
"I think he's the go to person when it seems like it's an issue between you two."
"I can't tell if I should be annoyed that the whole of the House has decided that my private business is the business of the house."
"As oppose to what?"
"I don't know, I'll have to get back to you on that," she remarks before noting the time. "We best be headed to Potions."
~MJB~
Meissa was among the first to finish their potions - but her potion was one of the few that was of the right consistency and coloring for when they were done.
Daphne had looked like she was a step behind her.
Normally they'd work side by side but like Meissa had suspected the other girl had chosen to sit away. She had actually chosen to sit away in the back where it was unlikely that someone could sabotage her work. Draco was sitting with her. And although his potion was a bit behind it had the right consistency.
She suspected that their godfather would've been severely disappointed if Draco had messed up a simple potion.
"Time's up!" she hears Snape cut through the chatter. "Vials on my desk in two minutes!"
She makes up at least two vials that have been spelled to be unbreakable, pocketing the extra one in her robes. She might have a use for a vial of forgetfulness potion - Pansy has been a bit too quiet lately in her opinion. She doesn't believe for a moment that the other Slytherin was going to stay quiet.
It was better to be prepared in her opinion.
She packs up her supplies and puts them away in her bag while setting the vial on the Potion Master's desk.
"Miss Black, stay behind. We need to speak," she hears Snape call before she could get away from the classroom. That, she knew, did not bode well for her at all.
She glances after the departing students to find Daphne lingering at the door, her cold eyes narrowed briefly before their eyes met. Meissa watched the blonde's eyes seem to warm before something shuttered over them and she was gone.
Before she could call her friend back the dungeon door shuts and she's reminded that she's not here for idle chats.
"You wanted to talk to me?" she turns and looks at her godfather.
"I have the paperwork you asked for," he states simply, producing a thick stack of papers from a drawer, setting them on the desk before her. She nearly made to reach for them when she saw the serious look in his eyes. "I have put in the request for the signet ring to be found," he tells her, "You are aware that if the magic on the ring does not accept you as the Lady of the Black estates it will kill you?"
"I am aware."
"How would I be able to explain to your mother your death if it kills you?"
"Uncle Sevy, the best you can say is that you gave me advice not to do this and I did not heed them."
He sighs softly to himself, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Somehow I suspect that would not appease her."
"Perhaps not. But I think she would value the ability to choose," Meissa remarks before she picks up the thick stack of papers.
"Sometimes I think you Romanized your mother."
Meissa glances up while she was storing away the papers. "I know what mother is," she mutters, threading her fingers through her wild mane. "The whole world can't stop shoving that little fact into my face." Snape frowns at the bitter tone in her voice. "But… I know I was loved, I know that. Despite everything they say about her."
"Meissa…"
She shook her head - as if to shake away the cobwebs - and looks up at her godfather. "Was there anything else you wanted?"
"Try and have those done by the summer's end. Until the signet ring is found I'm afraid there will not be much to be done since the estates may not accept you as the True Lady of the House without it."
"Of course," she inclines her head ever so slightly before she turned around to leave. She wanted to see if she could find Daphne before supper, talk to her about whatever it is that seems to be bothering her.
"Oh and Meissa," she hears him call after her just before she could open the door. "The funeral for your Aunt Cassiopeia will be held this weekend."
"Professor Dumbledore gave permission then?" she inquires, turning partially to look at him.
"So long you keep up your grades in your classes he sees no issues."
She nods in acceptance to these terms and left without another word.
~MJB~
"How can it be this hard to find one person?" Meissa groans softly to herself, huffing at her bangs, the thick strands flopping back onto her face to her irritation. She couldn't help this thought that she should know where Daphne is - their practice at being in sync with each other apparently don't give her an instant connection with the blonde.
It struck her odd that she's known this person for nearly eight months and she doesn't have an idea where she could find her when they're having one of their out days? Apparently she needs to work on being a better friend to the blonde.
"She's not in the library, Hermione says she hasn't seen her there…" she mutters quietly to herself, thinking. "She wasn't in the common room and it's too early for supper…" She wondered for a moment if she could be at the training grounds, venting on the dummies. It was something she would've done and there's a part of her that wondered if some of her tendencies may have rubbed off onto the other girl.
She doubted that Daphne would be hiding away at the Owlery - the tower was not cleaned often enough to even entertain the idea of being there longer than necessary. And as much as they were okay with working in the Greenhouses she knew that the houses were typically locked and warded against most spells that would be useful in unlocking doors. She doubted that Hermione with her all her smarts would be able to break into a Greenhouse.
Although she should probably refrain from mentioning her thoughts to the Gryffindor girl - she had a bit of suspicion that her words would be taken as a challenge. And she definitely did not want to encourage the other girl into doing something reckless - the boys seemed like they handled that aspect rather well, in her opinion.
"If I was Daphne," she thinks out loud to herself, peering through a window, "And I did not wished to be disturb by anyone, especially someone whom I had considered to be a close friend..." She grimaces to herself and mentally corrects herself, 'Someone I may have considered to be a friend.' "The obvious thing would be to go to places where you've been known to frequent."
It would explain why her godfather and Hermione always know where to find her by the Black Lake. When she needed to recollect her thoughts and her emotions she always retreated to the shores.
"The least obvious," Meissa mutters, forcing herself to focus on finding Daphne and not pondering things like her godfather and Hermione, "would be to go some place where those searching for you would not think of…"
Meissa was fairly certain that Daphne was not close with the other Slytherins in their year or above. If she thought she had an anti-social personality then Daphne was nearly as bad as her - not worse though, she's positive that no one could be worse than her in personality.
She was rubbing her wrist, thinking, when she realized that she hasn't checked the lake - it was a perfect place for Daphne to hide out at. Not only would she be hard to find at such a huge lake it would literally be the last place anyone would think to look for the blonde Slytherin.
With a possibility in her mind she ran for the courtyard closest to the Great Hall - there was no other way to get to the Black Lake. There was the boathouse - it was situated right over the water and was supposedly popular with couples who wanted to snog uninterrupted. Except there was no way to get to the shores without using a boat, something all students were forbidden from doing.
She wouldn't actually know if it was really a popular place for couples - but she has heard the complaints of some of the older Slytherins who would occasionally be busted by Filch for snogging in the boathouse.
~MJB~
Mm... I seem to be picking up a habit of cliff hangers. Sorry!
Oh I want to thank everyone who has reviewed, followed, favorite, etc. Ya'll are like the biggest ego boost in the world! So thank you! Hopefully ya'll will continue to read as we follow Meissa Black and her adventures.