Chapter Twenty Eight: Summer Begins

'Please return to your Common Room, immediately' said Professor McGonagall as she ushered Fred, George, Lee, Alicia and Angelina out of the Hospital Wing. Albus walked over to Emalia, and looked at her arm, it was covered in deep talon marks.

Madam Pomfrey was bustling around gathering ingredients for a salve to sterilise and close the wounds. Albus's face had darkened considerably when Professor McGonagall had returned.

'De sanguine matris et animam pueri' he muttered to himself. 'The life blood of the mother and child.' McGonagall looked at him a bewildered look in her eyes

'What does that mean Albus?' He did not answer, he was mulling the words over in his mind, trying to make sense of what this dream meant. 'I am not sure' sighed Albus.

Emalia woke up screaming when Madam Pomfrey placed the salve on her arm. 'You'll have to put that on my back as well' she muttered weakly. Madam Pomfrey nodded tersely, pity in her eyes as she helped Emalia onto her side and applied the salve. This time Emalia did not scream, she gritted her teeth and grimaced as the salve knitted her flesh back together.

'Emalia, what happened?' asked Albus worriedly. Emalia sighed and sat back in the bed, she hissed in pain when her back touched the pillow that cushioned the back of the bed.

'I have been having a recurring dream – a nightmare. I am in a bright room, and at the end of the room sits a woman looking out of a window. Behind me is darkness, shadowy figures moving behind me.' She paused, Albus was regarding her curiously.

'As I move towards the woman she whispers, and I could never make out what she was saying. But as soon as I move forward the darkness and shadowy figures moved torwards me. Eventually a harpy would break out from the darkness and try drag me back with her. But I always woke up. This time I got closer to the woman than I ever did before. I heard her whisper that in Latin'.

Albus walked towards and sat beside her as she continued 'But this infuriated the harpy, and she dug her talons into me. That's when Fred woke me up and brought me here.' She sat looking at Albus, trying to read his face.

He looked at her solemnly deep in thought. 'This curse seems to be evolving and manifesting in different ways. Maybe we should give you a potion to have a dreamless sleep, that way the dreams will cease, and we keep our efforts focused on removing the curse.'

Emalia's face fell, more potions. 'Albus-' she paused 'I don't want to continually take potions every time some new problem presents itself.' Albus sighed 'I know, but right now if the curse is manifesting itself in your dreams, we have to take that platform away from it before it can take root.'

Emalia nodded and agreed begrudgingly to take another potion. The only upside was that she would only have to take this potion once a month. Emalia sighed; she had a bigger problem ahead of her. What was she going to tell her friends?

Madam Pomfrey permitted her to leave once she saw that the salve had stitched Emalia's flesh back together. She had just made it past the Great Hall when out popped two boys with ginger hair.

Emalia smiled when she saw the two of them, they looked tense but relaxed when they saw her up and about. Fred and George walked with her back to the Common Room, Emalia explaining to them what happened and that she would have to share her secret with the others.

When Emalia walked into the Common Room, she was nearly bulldozed by Alicia who launched herself on top of Emalia and hugged her close. 'Emalia, are you ok?' Emalia could see the concern in Alicia's eyes. She could see it in all her friends' eyes.

'I have something to tell you' she said as she gestured for them to sit on the couch. Once they were all sitting, she began her story. The story of how she was cursed and how this curse was changing, but that she was fine.

'Well everything makes sense now' stated Angelina when Emalia had finished her story. 'I understand why you didn't want to tell us Em, but you're our friend. We are here for you no matter what.' She got up and hugged Emalia. Everyone looked at Angelina in surprise, she was the last person to go in for hugs.

'Blimey Angelina, did you hit your head on your way to McGonagall's office?' teased George. The group dissolved into laughter as Angelina chased after George to hit him, a grin on her face.

The last few days of term came and went, exams were over and done with and on the second last day everyone was lounging outside in the courtyard enjoying the sun. 'Guys' said Emalia, her head was on Alicia's lap. Alicia was braiding her hair as they had a discussion about the summer holidays. She sat up 'Give me your addresses so I can write to you over the summer. There's no one my age living near me, so I'll be bored if you don't write to me.' Emalia jumped and took out piece of parchment and a quill and passed it around to everyone.

The next day Emalia waved everyone off from the platform, smiling at her friends but also tears in her eyes as she would miss them over the summer. She knew however that Grif would have a fantastic time delivering her letters though, and she made a mental note to ask Albus to allow her to get dead mice to give her faithful little owl as a reward.

Later that evening, Albus and Emalia made their way back to their home. Emalia missed this house, it contained fond memories for her. A safe space with the most comfortable bed she had ever slept on.

She stepped into her room, cleaned it and tidied away her school things for the summer. She had been given a fair amount of homework over the summer, which she planned on tackling over the next week.


The first week of the summer holidays dragged by slowly, Emalia had gotten a majority of her homework done and was in the middle of her potions essay summarising the uses and brewing of the girding potion. Her concentration was interrupted by a sharp tapping on her bedroom window.

Emalia looked to her left and saw a large grey owl hooting from her window ledge. She hurriedly opened the window and helped the tired old bird into her room. She took the letter from his leg and placed him in Grif's cage.

Grif hooted happily with the addition of a new friend. Emalia smiled as she saw her name scrawled across the front of the envelope, recognising the writing right away. She ripped into the envelope and started reading.

Dear Em,

I decide to write to you first, didn't want you missing me too much. I need you to settle a bet between George and I, ok? Have you all your homework done yet?

We haven't gotten up to much at home, played a few pranks on Percy, driven Mum demented but that's normal around here. Charlie is anxiously waiting for his NEWT results, well he trying to pass off that he isn't nervous, but he wants to go to Romania to study dragons. Mum is trying to persuade him not to, to take a job with Dad in the Ministry.

Anyway, I hope you're doing ok, I will talk to Mum and Dad about you coming to visit sometime. I hope Errol gets this to you in one piece. George says hi by the way.

-Yours, Fred.

P.S. I accidently spilled Bulbadox powder on the letter, sorry.

Emalia laughed as she saw boils break out all over her hands. She immediately ran to the potions closet in the bathroom and looked for the light blue bottle that held a cure for boils, gently spilling some out and massaging the concoction into her hands.

Emalia ran down to Albus, who reading a piece of parchment, 'Albus? Can I ask you something?' Albus looked up at her and smiled 'You already did, but feel free to ask me something else.'

Emalia rolled her eyes smiling at his response 'Can I invite some of my friends over?' she asked sweetly. Albus chuckled 'Of course, how about next week. After that I shall be quite busy, and you have an appointment in St. Mungo's the week after next.'

Emalia nodded, albeit a little confused. Albus picking up her confused look sighed 'Emalia, it takes a lot more than a spell for me not to notice how the curse is effecting you and seeing as you are no longer within the confines of Hogwarts and you cannot use magic, the spell you cast is waning.'

Emalia blinked shocked, she had not considered the fact that the spell would be wearing down. Emalia's eyes widened with realisation 'Albus-' he walked over and sat on the purple couch and patted the seat beside him, gesturing for her to sit. 'If the spell is waning, that means..' Albus pulled her close to him to comfort her 'Hush my dear, I promise you everything will be fine.'

Emalia pushed away from him and ran up to her room, locking the door behind her. She ran to the mirror and looked at her reflection. What she saw frightened her. Her skin was no longer healthy looking, but took on a grey sickly look, her hair no longer glowing but looking as if it would fall out. Her eyes had sunken into their sockets; a dead look in them.

The spell was waning. It was waning because Emalia was being drained of her magic and her essence.

Emalia walked over to her desk took out her quill and her parchment and began to write a letter to the Weasley twins.

Dear Fred and George,

Thank you for your letter, and the boils, but I got rid of them quick enough. Remind me to get my revenge on you soon, Fred. I was talking to Albus and I was wondering if both of you would like to come over to the house next week? Ask your Mum and Dad to see what they say. I hope you can come.

-Yours, Emalia.

Emalia looked at the cage and noticed that the owl Fred has sent was frazzled. When Grif laid his eyes on the letter in Emalia's hand he started hooting happily, trying to whiz around the cage.

Emalia let Griff out of the cage and attached the letter to his leg. He hooted happily as she opened the window and allowed him to fly off into the sky. She turned around to where Errol was sitting in Grif's cage. He hooted wearily. She went over and put some dead mice into the cage for him, and some fresh water. He hooted gratefully, and Emalia turned to finish her homework.

Grif arrived at the Burrow the next morning. Fred eagerly read the letter and rushed to his mother. 'Mum.' He said as Mrs Weasley supervised Ron and Ginny folding the laundry. 'Mum, Emalia has invited George and I over next week. Can we go?' He looked at her expectantly. 'If it will get you out of my hair for the day then yes you can go.' She said swatting her hand. Fred grinned 'Thanks Mum' he chorused as he ran off to send his reply to Emalia.

When Emalia received Fred's reply she was delighted. She was trying to muster the energy to get out of bed. She had been feeling more and more drained recently, it scared her, but she tried to push those thoughts from her mind. Albus had promised that he would ensure that her and the Weasley twins would be completely entertained when they visited.

Her excitement and joy was short-lived. Albus came into her room his face betrayed him before he even opened his mouth. 'When?' asked Emalia tersely, her demeanour rigid and angry. 'I'm sorry Emalia, I have to go, it is important and urgent.' He apologised 'We will have to reschedule your friends coming over.' She nodded and turned her back to him. He stood waiting for a minute hoping she would talk to him, but he realised that she needed space.

When Albus left, Emalia forced herself out of bed and walked over to her desk and composed a letter to Fred and George explaining that she would not be able to have them over this week after all. She sent the letter with Grif and watched forlornly as he disappeared from her vision.


Fred wasn't expecting another letter from Emalia, but when he saw her writing on the envelope addressed to him, he was delighted. That was until he read its contents. 'Who is the letter from?' asked George as he walked into the kitchen. 'Emalia. She can't have us over, Professor Dumbledore has to leave to deal with an important matter.' Sighed Fred, his words dripping in disappointment. Even George looked disappointed that he would not get to see Emalia.

Mrs Weasley, who overheard the conversation between her sons and noted disappointed looks spoke up 'Well invite her over here. I would love to meet her, and I am sure Professor Dumbledore would feel much better if Emalia was not left alone all day while he is preoccupied.' Fred's face lit up 'Really Mum?' Mrs Weasley smiled at her son 'Of course, now go write back so she knows she is welcome to come here.'

Fred ran up the stairs, three steps at a time to go write back to Emalia. George bound up excitedly after him. He scrawled what Mrs. Weasley had said on a piece of paper before running back down the stairs to send it back with Emalia's owl. George was laughing at him now, but Fred paid him no attention, he didn't care, Emalia was hopefully coming to visit.

When Emalia received Fred's letter her heart leapt.

Mum said you're more than welcome to come to The Burrow on the day and time you suggested. If Professor Dumbledore agrees. Let me know as soon as you can.

-Yours Fred.

Emalia showed the letter to Albus, who agreed that it seemed like a good idea for her to visit her friends. Emalia asked to use Fawkes to reply, poor Grif was exhausted and Fawkes would be much quicker at getting the letter there and back.

'I will get the letter there my dear' he said as he took her reply. Emalia smiled, and then quickly yawned. 'Get some rest' he said softly.


The next morning Fred woke up to George throwing a pillow at his head. 'George what the fu-' he began angrily. George waved a letter in front of his twin's angry face 'Emalia is coming!' he laughed as he ran away from his brother who was scrambling after him to rip the letter from his hand.

Finally, the day of Emalia's visit to The Burrow had arrived. Fred and George had helped their mother scrub the house from top to bottom. 'Maybe you should invite Emalia over every week. I don't think I have ever seen the two of you clean as much' said Mrs Weasley laughing.

At twelve o'clock the fire in The Burrow roared to life. Out stepped Emalia Potter closely followed by Albus Dumbledore. Fred's eyes widened when he saw Emalia, he looked over to his brother who looked equally perturbed by what he saw.

Emalia was obscenely thin, she looked as if she would easily break in two. Her eyes were dull, but they lit up when she saw her friends. A smile broke out on her face, her whole demeanour changed. She looked happier, healthier; she even glowed slightly.

Fred and George quickly replaced the shocked looks on their faces with ones of joy. They ran over and bundled Emalia into a hug. Before the boys could pull her out of the house Emalia turned to Mrs Weasley. 'Hello Mrs Weasley, my name is Emalia Potter. It is wonderful to finally meet you' she smiled brightly holding out her hand. Mrs Weasley smiled back and gently shook the little girl's hand 'It is wonderful to finally meet you as well. Fred and George have told me so much about you, it's nice to finally be able to put a name to the face.'

Fred and George had taken a hold of each of her hands and were pulling her up the stairs to show her around The Burrow. 'I will see you later Albus' she called as pure happiness lit up her face. Albus nodded after her before turning to Molly Weasley.

'Would you like a cup of tea, Albus?' asked Mrs Weasley as she walked over to the kettle, he could see the worry on Molly's face, and the questions that she had. 'I cannot stay long, Molly but I will endeavour to answer the questions you may have.' He contemplated his next words as he heard the three friends running around upstairs.

'Emalia's mother was part Veela, which makes Emalia part Veela. When her parents died, there was a man who died with them. He was the husband of a close friend of Aven Potter's, and she was a Professor in Beauxbatons. When Emalia attended there, it triggered a grief that this Professor had long supressed which caused her to descend into madness. But she ended up harming Emalia. Emalia was cursed, and right now I and numerous other witches and wizards are looking for a way to stop the curse from claiming her life. That is where I am heading today. She has been getting weaker and weaker over the last few months, but while at Hogwarts she was hiding it with magic. If there are any issues, please send a message to this address' finished Albus as he handed her a piece of parchment.

Molly nodded and smiled gently at Albus. She did not need to be a mind reader to know how worried Albus was for the little girl. She could see it written all over his face. He walked into the fireplace and in a flash was gone once again. Molly sighed, she wanted to do something for Albus and Emalia. She turned and busied herself in the kitchen, smiling when she heard laughter above her.

Emalia was awestruck as the twins showed her around The Burrow. 'And then this is where Bill and Charlie sleep' said Fred. 'Pretty boring if you ask us' finished George. Emalia grinned at them. 'Mum and Dad are just down the hall, but all the magic happens on the second floor.' Continued Fred as he and George frogmarched Emalia down to their room.

When Emalia walked into the twins' room she was overwhelmed. There were posters of various Quidditch players and teams plastered on the wall, a strong smell of gunpowder and a variety of deconstructed Zonko products. 'Amazing' breathed Emalia. Fred and George beamed with pride.

Fred and George were in the process of explaining to Emalia what they were doing with the Zonko products when there was a tentative knock on the door, and in walked the twins' younger brother. 'Yes Ron?' asked Fred.

Ron set eyes on Emalia and stared at her with a dreamy look on his face. 'Ron?' repeated George smirking at his younger brother. 'Oi Ron!' exclaimed Fred snapping his fingers in his brother's face to get his attention. Once snapped out of his reverie, Ron's ears turned red and he muttered 'Mum said dinner is ready' before running out the door.

Fred and George laughed as their brother hurdled down the stairs. 'Come on Em, you'll love Mum's food' said George smiling. The two boys rushed out the door, Emalia however moved a lot slower, she grimaced as she walked down to the kitchen. When she reached the first floor she found Fred waiting for her.

'Are you ok Em?' he asked concerned. Emalia nodded 'I'm good just tired.' Fred took her hand and helped her down the stairs, but he made sure to let go of her hand before they walked into the line of sight of his family.

When Fred and Emalia sat down at the table, Emalia was overwhelmed with a variety of delicious smells, her mouth began to water. Most of the Weasley's had begun to eat when Mrs Weasley addressed Emalia 'Emalia dear, tuck in.' Emalia smiled and looked at Mrs Weasley 'This looks amazing Mrs Weasley' and she began to eat. Dinner was full of laughter and conversation. Emalia was busy joking and laughing with Ginny who was sitting beside her when Mr. Weasley appeared in the kitchen.

'Oh Arthur! Welcome home' said Mrs Weasley excitedly as she jumped up and planted a kiss on his cheek. She waved her wand and a plate appeared at the head of the table. Arthur sat down and once he did noticed Emalia sitting between Fred and Ginny. 'Hullo there' he said brightly. 'Hi Mr. Weasley, I'm Emalia Potter.' He broke out into a warm smile 'Well of course you are. Welcome welcome' he finished before tucking into his dinner.

Emalia was sure she had never eaten anything as delicious as the dinner Mrs Weasley had prepared for them. Afterwards when everyone was finished, she got up to help tidy away 'No dear,' chuckled Mrs Weasley 'You are a guest, go outside with Fred and George and enjoy the rest of the evening.' Fred pulled her along out as Emalia thanked Mrs Weasley profusely.

They had just gotten outside when Mrs Weasley called for George. George sighed and grinned at his brother 'I guess Percy found his stuff in my drawer' as he turned and ran back to the house.

Fred and Emalia walked down the path, 'I want to show you something' grinned Fred as he took her hand in his. Emalia blushed but fastened her fingers tightly around his. Fred led her down to the back garden, in passed the tree line.

'Welcome to out makeshift Quidditch pitch' announced Fred proudly as they pulled into the clearing. Emalia looked around, there had been hedges grown into a rough layout of the pitch, with homemade goal posts. 'It's brilliant!' exclaimed Emalia. Fred grinned 'Bill and Charlie charmed the place to make sure it stays like this all year round. We usually have to fly quite low, so the Muggles don't see.'

Emalia was amazed 'Next time you have a match you'll have to invite me' she said. Fred grinned, but the grin faltered when he noticed her grimace. 'Hey, Em. Come here and sit, you look tired.' He gestured for her to come sit down. Emalia sighed sadly 'I'm sorry Fred, I haven't been great company today.'

Fred looked at her incredulously 'Are you mental Em? I've been having a great time, I'm really happy you were able to come visit.' Emalia playfully shoved him off the small tree trunk he was sitting on, but Fred had seen it coming. He pulled her down with her, cradling her into his chest so his body took most of the impact. The two of them laughed together and lay there for a few minutes.

'We better get back' said Fred picking himself up off the ground 'But hey, I'll give you a lift.' Fred hunched down 'Hop on and I'll give you a piggy back ride to the house.' Emalia laughed and hopped on to his back.

The two of them chatted as Fred walked them back to the Burrow. Once back inside, George challenged Emalia to a game of exploding snap. They had gotten into quite an animated game, with Ron and Ginny watching with Fred on the side-lines, when the fire in The Burrow roared to life.

Out stepped a rather haggard looking Albus Dumbledore. He made polite chitchat with Molly and Arthur as Emalia and George played their final hand. Emalia emerged victorious once more much to George's chagrin. Emalia got up and said her goodbyes to Ron and Ginny. She had just turned to the twins when they engulfed her in a group hug. 'Thanks for coming Em' said George. 'It's been brilliant' continued Fred. Emalia beamed at them both, she had really enjoyed her day.

Emalia walked over to Albus and Mr and Mrs Weasley. 'Thank you, both of you for inviting me to your wonderful home. I had an amazing day. Thank you' smiled Emalia sincerely. Both Mr Weasley and Mrs Weasley smiled kindly at her 'It was out pleasure dear' said Mrs Weasley 'I hope to see you again soon.' Emalia held out her hand to shake Mrs Weasley's hand but was pulled into a warm hug.

When she was released from the hug, she walked over to Albus who put his hand on her shoulder 'Thank you for your hospitality' he said warmly. The two of them stepped into the fire and were quickly engulfed by green flames.

When they arrived home, Emalia asked to go straight to bed, she was exhausted. Albus smiled at her nodding. He had avoided saying much to her, for what he had learned could destroy her. His heart was broken, and he watched as the little girl he had grown to love as his own disappear from his sight.