Knowledge is power

Chapter 10:

Mag's 3rd year rolled around, and only a few things changed to mark it as particularly different than her 2nd year. The first was that another childhood friend of hers began at Hogwarts. Millicent Bulstrode was 2 years younger than Mag, but their parents were friends, having gone to school together and working at the ministry for magic if in different departments. The next thing to mark the 3rd year as special was that Mag was allowed to take 2 new classes that she was very much looking forward to. Arithmancy and ancient runes were things she'd studied privately at home with rare books from her family's library, but she knew she'd get more hands on exposure with those brands of magic at Hogwarts.

She felt a bit more grown up this year and that was exciting. On the train she read and tried to ignore Nightshade's panic attack as he sat wide eyed and unblinking on the bottom of his cage. She wished he'd taken the sedative her mum had offered him but he'd objected to that as well which was annoying. Last year and the year before she'd tried to speak to him soothingly but he'd either hissed profanities into her mind or ignored her so she assumed he wanted to be left alone. She could relate to that.

She wasn't surprised when Millicent was sorted into Slytherin and clapped just as she had for Kereston last year. Millicent went to sit with the first years and Mag couldn't help but notice her friend was acting strangely around Draco Malfoy and that lot of goons he was hanging with. She didn't know him, but the Malfoy name was admittedly prominent if not particularly impressive in the wizarding world. Well some were impressed just not her or her family.

As the sorting continued, Mag returned her attention to the book she was reading, for books were always far more interesting than whatever people happened to be doing. She couldn't help but look up eventually when everyone began making a fuss about someone named Harry Potter, though. He was an odd looking kid with glasses, and had just gotten sorted into Gryffindor. Mag's opinion of Gryffindors was a low one. She felt they often confused bravery for stupidity, so she didn't see why this Potter was so impressive.

Talk around her soon told the story though. Apparently he was a big deal because Voldemort hadn't been able to kill him. She was sure, like most things that were made a big deal of, that some part of that story had to be missing. A part that would likely detract from the glory of the situation. Besides, Voldemort was dead. With an annoyed sigh she returned her attention to the book she was reading.

She didn't think about Harry Potter again until the troll got into the school on Halloween. She rather liked the idea of trolls and found them fascinating. Especially bridge trolls, but this one wasn't a bridge troll. It was a mountain troll if she was correct and not at all friendly, approachable, or interested. Mag tended to find creatures more interesting than humans and less trying as well, but not if they would try to kill her if she got in their way.

It was disturbing that a troll had gotten into the school, because, as her parents and so many others claimed, Hogwarts was the safest place on earth. She was beginning to doubt that and this doubt only grew on the last day of term when Professor Snape called her into his office just after breakfast. His face was so grave she found herself wondering just what she'd done, because she couldn't remember doing anything amiss.

"Sit down, Miss Westcraven," he said, the door to his dungeon office shutting with a resounding slam. Mag moved to do so at once, unable to keep from speaking as she did. "Did I do something, Professor?"

She gave a sigh of relief when he gave a brief shake of his head. "Not at all. I merely wished you to be aware of something...and for your parents to be aware of something. I am asking that you tell no one else other than your parents and that you ask them to keep it to themselves unless they feel there is someone they can trust who may benefit from being made aware."

What on Earth could this be about, Mag thought, curiosity rising as she nodded quickly. "Of course, Sir."

Professor Snape drew up a chair across from her and sat before speaking his shocking words.

"It appears that lord Voldemort is not precisely dead. Have a care. Take no unnecessary risks and be careful who you trust. If you tell the wrong person any of this, I could very well end up dead. Do you understand?" Stunned, she nodded.

"But what does not precisely dead mean? He is or he isn't?"

"Were that only the case, but when enough dark magics are used the lines are blurry. Unfortunately I know no more than this, so I am not being intentionally vague," he explained. "I'm only telling you because you remind me very much of myself at your age and at that time your parents were kind to me. This is my way of doing the same. Tell them we're even."

She nodded dumbly again, mind still reeling with shock and the implications of this revelation.

"He could be anyone new, anyone not so new for all we know, so just have a care. His methods of disguise are numerous and he's far more talented that he's given credit for which says a great deal."

If he was trying to frighten her it was working.

"I am sorry this is so vague, but it's all I have."

She nodded again and that seemed to end the conversation. He rose and opened the door to his office, wishing her a safe summer. She did the same for him, still not sure how to think or feel. With such vague terms the situation felt too uncertain, so...

/Tread carefully I guess,/ Nightshade said into her mind from the padded right shoulder of her school robe The padding had been placed there just for him and his claws.

/Yes I suppose that's all we can do,/ she thought back, hoping her parents may be able to shed a bit more light onto the situation. Unfortunately they could not, and their concern only made hers worse.