A/N: wow, bet some of u thought u'd never see me again. dw, i though that too! well, hehe, i'm back after a long year of writing absolutely nothing, so ha take pity on this retiree. im dipping my toes in writing bc i also joined the ql so uh do expect more of me, dear readers. hope u guys like this and that u are staying safe! wash ur hands pls and thank u!
i did take some creative liberty with divination.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Aquatic Studies: Types of Sharks: Task #6 - Thresher Shark: Write about someone who appears to be innocent but isn't at all. / Writing Club: Disney Challenge: Lilo and Stich: Songs: 4 - Devil In Disguise: Write about someone being misleading
Wordcount: 1030
could i trust you with my thoughts, or would you hold them all against me?
"Are you okay?"
A ridiculous question, the man thought, as he watched the corners of her mouth turn down. She closed her eyes, the teacup in her hands trembling slightly as she brought it to her lips. She took a sip, then another, and set it down.
With a small exhale, she opened her eyes, and everyone seated at the table couldn't look away even if they wanted to. Reflected in her eyes was a river; gone was the gentle flow of crystal water on a summer's day, and in its place the dark water crashed harshly onto the rocks, dangerously close to flooding. "I'm alright," her voice was light and airy, "I'm used to hearing it."
"You shouldn't be! I can't believe the nerve they have," his wife exclaimed, and the others murmured their agreement. "Just say the word and I'd fight them for you! If anyone should be called crazy, it should be me. I'm crazy enough to curse some sense into them."
"Oh, no, I could never ask that of you." She shook her head, her blonde hair swaying with the motion. A small smile graced her face. "You know I appreciate the thought, but don't dirty your hands at my expense. You have sponsors and endorsers looking at you, not to mention your adoring fans. You'd ruin your name for something silly."
"I'd call it justice," his best friend grumbled, waving a hand at himself and at him. "We're Aurors. We can keep it quiet if they come running."
They would never abuse their power like that. They'd taken an oath. He knew his friend's words were nothing more than empty promises spoken in good spirit.
"No, no. They were customers, after all. They still paid for the service, even if they didn't agree with the assessment." She picked up her teacup and took another sip. "Look, here." She showed them the leaves inside her cup. He forced himself to stifle his sigh. He could never make out any shapes in the leaves. They all looked like blobs to him. To her, however, there must've been something worth seeing because she giggled. "The spirits will handle it. I'll leave it in their hands. They're always watching out for me, so it's okay, really."
They all reluctantly agreed. They could never say anything against the stars. They didn't believe in it, yes, but to voice their opinions to their gentle friend would make them just the same as the rude customers who would hurl their insults and disbelief once the moon predicted their grim fortunes. They moved on from the topic onto more light-hearted subjects such as their friend's new ministry position and if it was as taxing as it seemed, and how was the joke shop these days now that the shop was back in his brother's hands. All too quickly their visit had come to an end, and they parted on pleasantries. He made sure to hug her tight and tell her that she could always confide in them. She laughed his worries off and smiled brightly from her door until she disappeared from his sight.
He smiled. She would be fine. She was strong.
"He's always so worried," she mumbled once they finally left her property. She went back inside, sighing as the door slammed shut behind her.
They were such good people. The friends she always asked the stars for. That's exactly why she told them she'd be fine. See, if the stars above could provide such good friends for her, they'd surely keep her safe. They would make sure nothing could be traced back to her.
She walked towards her potions room where a concoction had been brewing the entire time. She flicked her wand and the cauldron began to simmer down. Its color was a murky gray with bits clumping together. She reached into her robes and pulled out a very small pouch. She clicked her tongue and carefully levitated the hair fibers out and into the mixture.
She pointed her wand at the potion and smiled. The spell slipped out of her mouth like second nature. Well, it practically was if she really thought about it. She'd lost count of just how many pathetic and ungrateful wizards and witches she cursed with the spirits of death. If only they hadn't disrespected her craft.
There was no denying the pleasure she took when they came running back, their hands twisting in desperation and their voices pleading guilty for her to help them. It brought a sick heat throughout her body when they fell onto their knees with their heads lowered, asking for the stars to forgive them.
She was their savior, their angel.
How foolish they were. They should be asking for her forgiveness. But she had always been a little soft-hearted, she played an angel of mercy perfectly. They were none the wiser.
They'd sing praises upon praises about her afterwards. An angel among muggles and wizards alike, that's what they called her, an angel with divination skills granted by the stars and moons and gods themselves. They'd whisper about the softness of her hands and the warmth of her smile when she helped them onto their feet and enchanted the shadows away from them. They'd go on and on about the clouds in her eyes that resembled the heavens.
Who was she to deny him?
If one were to ask her, she wouldn't consider herself an angel. They were much too childish and pure for her, and she refused to be the useless child back in Hogwarts believing the lies her father spun. She was a young woman more than capable of dealing with the wicked and filling up her Gringotts vault.
With a hop to her steps, she retreated to her room. It wouldn't take more than a couple of days for the last customers to seek her again. And she would be here, waiting for them to come crawling back.
She briefly wondered what compliment they would come up with this time. Her favorite had to be the one who swore he saw a halo above her head, her eyes reflecting a gentle current in quiet existence.
