"The Minister of Magic believes that parents would take extreme issue with their children being taught by the ilk of a mass murdering criminal." George repeated the words quietly to Fred while they kept a weather eye on Persephone scathing and stomping down the hall ahead of them. He had never seen her this mad before. She wasn't upset
"What a load of rubbish," his brother replied, "McGonagall put up much of fight?"
"Dunno, Seph hasn't said anything past that…. Just angry grunts." George took a frustrated hand through his hair, "She may have been the one to destroy Moaning Myrtle's bathroom."
Fred gave a raised brow both impressed and concerned, having heard from Lee that all of the mirrors and porcelain sinks and been thoroughly smashed,
"Bloody hell…remind me not to be her sparring partner tonight."
"I think it's about time we start talking about our exit plan Freddie." His tone took Fred by surprise.
"Thought you were chickening out on that so you could enjoy more time with Seph?"
"I think she'll understand."
The twins joined Persephone who was clenching and unclenching her right hand fervently- impatiently waiting for the Room of Requirement to appear before them. Neville joined them,
"Hey guys!"
"Hm." Persephone replied. Neville took his not so subtle hint of 'don't ask' as the door appeared before them. He watched her charge right over to Hermione and Harry. George followed Fred over to Lee who was stirring away at his potions homework.
"She still in a rough mood, eh?" Lee asked looking up from the purple steam being produced by his cauldron. The three friends crowded close to each other,
"We're planning our exit. You in?" Fred asked.
"You two have been saying that since before Christmas," Lee responded pouring a red phial into the pot.
"This time we're 100% Weasley Wizard Wheezes serious." George said. Lee's skeptical eyes morphed hearing the younger twin fully on board.
"My ma would murder me if I left school in my last year, and yours will to. Besides, someone will have to keep the order forms here at school hidden."
"It's decided then?" Fred said eagerly, "Project Dragon is a go?"
"Dragon is go." George replied.
"I don't understand," Persephone tried to reign in the rage that was overwhelming her, "What did I do wrong?"
Umbridge stood poised her bubblegum colored robes, "It's not that you specifically did anything wrong dearie, but I received a reply for my appraisal from Cor- hem, the Minister for Magic he aptly assumed parents would be less than pleased to learn that the daughter of a mass murdering criminal; still on the loose mind you, was teaching their children."
"Dolores-" McGonagall had been standing with Persephone the whole time.
"Bu-bup!," The toad interrupted, "This comes straight from the Minister, so I'm afraid it's final."
Persephone felt an uncontrollable burn in her hand as she tore away from McGonagall's comfort, away from that devil of woman, and away from the classroom that was once hers. She made it to the girl's first floor lavatory before the burning exceeded her control. With a loud guttural scream a blue electric pop flashed from her hand. It bounced off the walls and shattered one of the mirrors.
"You really should learn how to manage that." his voice prickled through her ears. He sat on the bathroom counter relaxed with a slightly sullen expression, "I could have taught you."
She blatantly ignored Fenrir making for the furthest sink, but the running water did nothing to abate the fiery sensation in her hand.
"You need to calm down." his tone oddly gentle. Persephone whirled to face his direction,
"You don't get to tell me what to do!" her avid yell didn't faze him and burning was making her right hand immobile.
"If you want to blow off your hand, be my guest." Fenrir shrugged.
"Get out!" with her snarl came an electric pop emanating from her hand. Another blue pop that crackled throughout the room. It bounced shattering the mirror closest to her. Fenrir watched amused but grew interested as the blue light did not fizzle after shattering the mirror. Persephone narrowed her eyes forcing the ball to fly through Fenrir taking out the sink right next to his image.
"I'll leave before you destroy more school property and get expelled," the french boy sighed as his form faded.
Persephone spent the rest of her day clouded. Clouded by anger and frustration. She ate angry, answered questions in class with a sneer, and ignored Antigone's friendly call from down the hall. George was more than willing to give her space after she screamed at him what Umbridge had said, and not explained any further. She felt bad for that, and would eventually apologize when the boiling heat in her body would calm down. As soon as the Room of Requirement finished opening for them Persephone bolted to Hermione to beg her to not ask what had happened until they were in the sanctity of the girl's dorm.
"Y...yeah of course." her friend agreed noticing that this would not be a fun conversation later, "Harry why don't you get everyone started."
Harry started discussing the patronus charm; how he was taught, what he did to conjure it, and how it should be used in a real setting. Persephone wasn't listening. Not fully anyway. The burning in her hand had been turned down into a simmer.
"Alright, I think you all have a basic idea," Harry said, "Let's give it a go, shall we?"
Persephone stood in a square with George, Fred and Lee.
"Bet you I get it on my fifth-go." Lee held out a galleon.
"I'll take that on." Fred replied, "Seph, you in?"
"Sure….sure." She replied as each readied their wands. Persephone followed the motion, pronounced it clearly, and even on her 10th attempt- nothing. She watched a silver stream glide out of George's wand and it's form melted the anger simmering in her heart and in her hand. The grey little bird fluttered around the group of friends before dissipating. Everyone handed over a galleon. Harry had stopped at their group on her fifteenth attempt.
"I want you to pick a moment and focus on it. Don't say the words, don't do the motion- just think."
She closed her eyes. Her mind went to the opposite of happiness; straight to tragedy. The cruel lashings from her grandmother, the mirror lined room, and her father behind bars. Persephone's mind stopped at her father. She recalled their very first embrace in the tower. How inexplicably heartbroken she was to know of his innocence and the punishment that was coming for him. While what came after was a relief. Harry's voice encouraged her to really think. She flickered to her moments with George; their first encounter, the subsequent friendship…. their first kiss, and recently George's patronus. Persephone's mind latched on to the little ghostly robin urging her to think of her mother.
Grimmauld Place for a five year old boasted many hiding places. Persepehone had no favorites, in fact, she figured out easily if she used the same space twice Grandmother and Kreacher would locate her faster. She had really done it this time; cut her hair to ribbons.
"GET BACK HERE YOU INSOLENT LITTLE GOBLIN!" Walburga screeched. The old woman was frail but still mobile. Persephone had learned to be quick and quiet. She escaped to into a room full of decay, dust and neglect. Under the sunken in mattress among an army of dead bug Persephone hid. The screaming and cursing finally abated but she knew better than to come out. Among the dead things, and floor boards was a pile of old clothes. What a good pillow it would make. She shifted over to the pile laying her head down only to be greeted by a hard rectangular object.
Her mother's journal- the journal she cherished- the journal that made her feel less alone in the world, even if she couldn't read it fully until a few years later. Her mother was her first friend. The only true happiness of her childhood.
"Give it a go." Harry said.
Persephone filled herself with quotes and images from her mother's book. She opened her eyes giving a destressing exhale,
"Expecto patronum."
As the silver started to emit from her wand the Room of Requirement shook. Her wand hand trembled and the light vanished. The room dropped from the excitement of spell casting to the rasping of breath. It shook and shook until the brick wall started to crumble until the heard a horrid voice said,
"Bombarda maxima."
Umbridge had come for them.
George and Persephone sat in the deserted common room. Long after Harry and the 'ring leaders' had returned from Dumbledore's office. Long after everyone cried and yelled about the consequences of their actions. They sat huddled together on the sofa before the fireplace.
"I …uh have to admit something." Persephone shifted her head from resting under his.
"What's that?" this was the first he had heard her speak in a normal tone all day.
"The last time… I was practicing the spell when it was about to go…I was thinking about my mom…" She looked up at him as if guilty or ashamed that she wasn't thinking of him.
"Well if we're being honest," George replied with a small smile, "I was thinking about Freddie, the time we let loose a sack full of gnomes we'd caught out into great aunt's yard." Just recalling it made him shake with laughter, "It was our first ever successful prank, and it was glorious."
"I wish I had childhood memories like that." She said softly.
"You said you were thinking of your mum," He gave her a comforting squeeze, "What about her?"
"She was my first friend.. in a way. Her journal was like my guide. When I was lonely.. I-I would hug it. Read it late into the night… I did think about you though."
George planted smiling kisses on the top of her head, "I thought about you to. You don't need to feel guilty. Your mum loved you, and you love her."
Persephone stood up then wand pointed outward casting the spell that had been attempted more than she could count. Out of the silver pool came a shaggy dog that made her smile.
"Oh, well now I'm upset." George teased.
Small update, been having a tough time lately, lots of writers block hope you guys understand. Had a hard time with this chapter but I had to push through and just stop worrying so much.
Thank you for all the love still, and I promise a longer chapter soon.
