Chapter Twenty Nine: A Journey
Albus had just left The Burrow. There he had left Emalia in the capable and safe hands of Molly and Arthur Weasley. He could breathe easy for a while; he had felt incredibly guilty having to force Emalia to cancel her friends visit to their home. So, when Molly suggested that Emalia visit The Burrow, he was relieved. He had no expected Moly to suggest it, but he was glad that Emalia could spend time with her friends.
He would not have to leave Emalia alone and she would get some more time to spend with her friends. At that moment though, he had not realised how precious that time was. He sighed as he waited for the clock to strike 12:41pm. A very specific and precise time, but that was what he was instructed. He had no idea where he was meeting her but he trusted that she had Emalia's best interests at heart.
He had been in contact with Celeste in the past week, writing to her about how Emalia's condition had deteriorated considerably. She had replied to his letter with just one sentence.
'Wednesday, July 10th, 12:41pm, fireplace. -C'
He had not received any other communication since then. A couple of seconds before the named time, Albus stepped into the fireplace. Right on cue, the fire roared to life and transported him.
Albus stepped out of a rather grand white marble fireplace into a spacious ballroom. Around him were statues of gold, jewels and marble. The room glittered from the sunlight that was shing through the massive windows that allowed copious amounts of sunshine to billow through them. He walked forward, alert to his surroundings, keeping his eyes on the shadows to see if anything moved alongside him. It would not be unusual for the shadows to move; sometimes sinister things hid in the shadows waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
He had walked three steps before stopping and chuckling to himself. The door to the ballroom flung open and in walked Celeste, behind her two other women. They were tall in stature and emanated a soft silvery glow. One of the women had dark hair and even darker eyes and was looking at Albus as if he was trespassing, the other had white hair and emerald green eyes, which was in contrast to her dark skin. She exuded beauty and grace and Albus's eyes were drawn to her before Celeste's voice shook him out of his daydream.
'Albus, welcome. I am sorry about the cloak and dagger approach, but we would prefer if the Bulgarian Ministry did not know of your arrival here.'
Albus raised his eyebrows. Celeste sighed 'The Bulgarian Ministry, and every other Ministry in the world do not know about this place. It is a safe haven for all Veela and those of Veela lineage. It is where we keep our history, our heritage. Our magic.'
Albus mulled this over 'And you hide this because often times those in charge can view magical beings outside of witches and wizards as less than?' he asked. Celeste nodded 'Unfortunately yes, though in recent years things have been improving.' Celeste turned and gestured to Albus 'Please follow me. We have much to discuss.' Albus made to move towards Celest, the dark-haired woman hissed at him. 'Adhira my love, please he means us no harm' cooed Celeste gently as she placed her hand on Adhira's arm.
The darkness disappeared from Adhira's eyes, revealing aqua coloured eyes. A small smile crossed her face 'I apologise, I am very protective of Celeste. She is my world.' She sighed apologetically.
Albus nodded 'I mean no one here any harm, I just wish to find a way to save the life of someone who means everything to me.' Adhira's features softened and her smile became more genuine. 'I wish to speak to Albus alone' said Celeste to the other two women, as she turned to walk out of the room.
Albus followed her to another part of the building, which turned out to be a library. Celeste gestured for him to sit down. Once they were both seated Celeste began to speak.
'Since our last meeting, I have been working with others here. Together we have been searching for information about the curse put on Emalia. At first our endeavours were not fruitful; we encountered many dead ends and we had all but lost hope. That was until we came across a manuscript.'
Celeste hesitated before continuing 'All those of Veela blood are welcome within these walls, it is where we keep our history, our heritage and traditions, and the secrets of our magic. When Aven was working on her first book she came here to research. She had requested it from the elder council, though due to her status amongst our people it was merely a formality. While here she started working on another manuscript. One about blood curses.'
Albus opened his mouth to speak but Celeste held up her hand to stop him. 'Unfortunately, Albus, I have not finished with this story. She was not the only one to work on this manuscript. She had a partner. Corisande Guinevere. We figure that is how she knew about this blood curse; she had learned about it during her time here researching with Aven.'
Albus was silent, processing the information that Celeste had just given him. She looked at him and continued 'With that information we continued the search for information, but the only thing we could find was a phrase written in Aven's hand, it was in Latin-'
'De sanguine matris et animam pueri' murmured Albus. Celeste looked taken aback 'Yes. How did you know?' Albus looked directly into her eyes 'Emalia told me. She had a dream and when she woke up she said those words.' Celeste rose from her chair, worry in her eyes. She wrung her hands together nervously, pacing slowly.
'You know what those words mean then' she stated. 'I do' replied Albus calmly. Celeste stared at him, trying to read his expression. She knew that whatever odds Emalia had in surviving this curse were dwindling rapidly, though whether Albus accepted that was another thing entirely. 'Then you realise that the cure for this curse is impossible' she said sadly. Albus shook his head refusing to believe it. 'When Corisande cursed Emalia, she called her Aven. Aven was the intended target, the hurt and betrayal that Corisande felt was directed and focused on Aven. Emalia was never supposed to receive this curse, and it is affecting her by draining her of her life. Only Aven's blood can save Emalia, that way the curse can be moved from Emalia to its intended target.'
Albus stood up and walked over to her 'I refuse to believe that this is the only way to save her. We will find another way.'
Celeste put her hand on his arm to comfort him 'Albus, there is no other way to save her. Aven is dead. Emalia does not have much time left Albus. Be with her, let her be with her friends. Let her pass on happy, loved and around those she loves most.' Albus looked at Celeste fire and fury in his eyes, before storming back to the ballroom and into the fire where he became engulfed by green flames once more.
When Emalia returned from The Burrow, Albus could see how happy the little girl was, but he also noted how exhausted she looked. She had asked to go straight to bed, not even wishing to discuss her day with him, which was highly unusual. However, seeing how drained she was Albus agreed that it was the best option for her. He would share what he learned with her tomorrow, he owed her that much. Celeste may think this is the end, but Albus would not give up. He couldn't.
The next morning Albus woke early. He walked to Emalia's room and looked in on her. She was still fast asleep in her bed. He smiled sadly to himself, mulling over his thoughts as he made his way down to the kitchen. He looked at the clock that hung on the wall. 'Six am' he thought to himself 'Emalia will not be up for another couple of hours.'
He busied himself by preparing a cup of tea and began to look at the various nominations for Prefects, Head Boy and Head Girl that he had received from the Professors. There was some general consensus in most of the nominations, but others were much more difficult to assign. He decided to assign the clear-cut nominations to their respective roles but made a mental note to discuss this further with his staff when they met to discuss the next school year next week.
Looking at the clock once more he noted that it was nearing nine in the morning. He put away the letters and nominations and proceeded to make breakfast. He decided on French toast with helpings of fresh fruit, bacon and some fresh orange juice. Once he had everything prepared, he went upstairs to inform Emalia that breakfast was ready. He frowned when he entered her room, she was still fast asleep, which was unusual for her.
He walked over to her, and gently pat her arm 'Good morning Emalia, breakfast is ready' he said cheerily. There was no response. No flutter of eyelids, no movement, no noise. Albus's frown deepened. 'Emalia' he said shaking her now. Still no response. Dread started to fill him. He bent down to check and see if Emalia was still breathing, which she was.
'Rennervate' he said, pointing his wand at Emalia. Nothing. He tried numerous other spells for a number of minutes before he realised that nothing was going to wake her. The curse was evolving, trying to find a way to sink its claws deeper into Emalia until it claimed her.
Albus quickly gathered Emalia into his arms, turned on the spot and disaparated, leaving the food he had prepared lying on the table downstairs.
'Hi! Welcome to St Mun-' began the Welcome Witch, her eyes widened with shock when she saw the grave look of Albus's face and the little girl lying motionless in his arms. She jumped out of her seat and motioned for Albus to follow her. Leading him to the fourth floor and to an unoccupied room, the witch went to find healers who were familiar with Emalia and her curse.
Healer Strout and Healer Bonnie rushed into the room minutes later. Albus began to explain what had happened. While Healer Strout was able to maintain her composure, Bonnie was not. Her hand clasped over her mouth as a gasp escaped her while Albus was explaining. Healer Strout frowned a little at the unprofessional behaviour of her inferior, but let it slide considering the delicate nature of the patient and the relationship that had been cultivated between the two.
Bonnie kept her eyes firmly fixated on the little girl in front of her. At first glance, Emalia looked as if she was sleeping peacefully. However the longer you looked at the sleeping girl, the more that façade broke down.. Her skin had taken on a grey-ish hue, her bones became more prominent underneath her skin, dark circles enhanced the sunken look of her eyes and her hair had become straw like.
Emalia Potter looked as if she was dying, and if the healers here could not help her, there was a strong possibility that she would. Bonnie made a silent vow to herself that she would do everything in her power to save the little girl lying in front of her.
Emalia had found it strange; she had heard Albus check on her the first time, but she was still so tired that she let herself drift back off to sleep, but later when she decided to get up, she could not open her eyes. Try as she might her eyes would not budge, nor would any part of her body. She tried to open her mouth to shout for Albus, but she found that she could not do that either. She was trapped inside herself; panic and fear began to grip her, dragging her to the darkest recesses of her mind where she relived her worst memories and fears.
Some time later, though she wasn't sure how much time later, Albus came back up to her door. 'Please help me Albus' she pleaded in her head, trying to project her thoughts. She had read about Legilimency and Occlumency in a book in Albus's library, though she was struggling to remember the information on both. It was magic that was beyond her capabilities which frustrated her, she hated being helpless.
Albus called her for breakfast and when he got no response, he gently tried to shake her awake. She could hear him recite through a variety of spells and she knew he was trying to awaken her from this waking sleep that had claimed her. Suddenly she felt herself being lifted out of the bed, her head lying against Albus's chest, she could feel how rapidly his heart was beating, he was worried.
Her body flapped around limply, she tried to use the momentum of her limbs to move them towards Albus to give him a sign that she was awake, her brain was sending the signal, but her body was not receiving it. A sensation of being tightly squeezed engulfed Emalia, and she knew Albus had apparated with her. Logically her mind told her she was going to St. Mungo's.
Once Albus had explained everything to the two healers they rushed out to consult with others. Albus was left sitting beside Emalia, holding her hand and humming gently. Emalia lay there staring at the back of her eyelids, it was all she could do. 'Maybe…' she thought to herself, Albus was an accomplished Legilimens, Emalia focused her energy on reaching out to Albus, calling out to him, maybe he could hear her.
'Albus' she called 'Albus, please hear me. Please tell me you can hear me, I cannot move, but I'm aware of everything that is going on.I am awake, what is happening to me? Am I dying? Please help me, I am so afraid.' She paused, but there was no reaction from Albus.
He continued his humming as if nothing had happened. Emalia wanted to cry, but she couldn't, but she also could not feel anything. She felt like she was in limbo, and it scared her. It was as if her body was slowly severing itself from her conscious, and she did not want to find out what would happen when that connection was severed completely.
It had been over a week since Emalia had been at The Burrow, and Fred was getting antsy. He had written to her three times, and she had not responded. George had at first teased his brother about Emalia not responding, but eventually he too began to worry. Emalia had promised them that she would always respond to their letters. The twins had written to Alicia and when she confirmed that she had not heard from Emalia in over a week, their worry doubled.
The next morning Mrs Weasley was sorting through the post when she noticed a letter addressed to her. She opened it and gasped when she read its contents.
Dear Molly,
I am aware that Fred and George have been writing to Emalia over the course of the week, and I have received the letters and have read them to her. You will recall that I shared with you the nature of Emalia's condition and I fear that it has taken a dire turn. I contemplated writing this letter sooner, alas my focus has been solely on her. I figured though that Fred and George would be anxious to hear from their friend, Emalia is currently in St. Mungo's, unconscious and has not been conscious for the past week. I hope you can convey to your sons that everyone is working diligently to help Emalia. If they wish to visit, they are more than welcome to. She is on the fourth floor, room 417. Molly, you may not wish to let them visit and I understand. Situations like this are complicated and can frighten even the bravest of us and we wish to protect our children and those we love from the horrors of the world. But I implore you Molly, if they want to visit, let them. I cannot be with Emalia all the time and knowing that she would be around people who love her, would comfort me and her greatly.
-Yours Albus Dumbledore.
Mrs Weasley sighed, tears in her eyes. She said a silent prayer for Emalia Potter as she wracked her brain on how she would break this to her sons. They were outside with Ron tagging along and she could hear Percy huffing upstairs in his room, so they were obviously up to something involving him. 'Fred, George, can you come in here please?' she called through the window.
Thirty seconds later the two boys ran into the kitchen, the grins on their faces looking anything but innocent. Their demeanour changed however when they noticed the grave look on their mother's face. Fred and George looked at each other before sitting down opposite their mother.
'I have news to share with you' she said gravely 'Emalia is currently in St Mungo's. She is unconscious. Professor Dumbledore sent me a letter this morning. He wanted you to know.' Fred and George were shocked. 'Before you ask, I will talk to your father tonight about going to visit her soon.' Continued Mrs Weasley. The boys nodded and walked back outside silently; their prank left unfinished as they worried for their friend.
Emalia lay in her bed, unmoving but aware of everything going on around her. She could now tell who was in her room by their breathing or by their footsteps, it was a game she had created for herself to keep her mind focused on the here and now. She still could not open her eyes and she had given up on calling out for Albus with her mind. It tired her out, the constant crying for help. Plus, she had no idea how it worked; she made a mental note to figure it out if she ever got out of this situation.
She had forced herself to remain positive, being negative did not help her situation. Though often times she found herself succumbing to the darker thoughts that skirted her subconscious, she often felt hopeless. It was in these times of hopelessness that she focused on the things and people who were important to her, Albus, her friends, the cousin she had yet to meet, and Fred. Most of all Fred.
Emalia had no idea how long she had been at St Mungo's but it had been a while and she was starting to get restless. Albus had started having conversations with the healers outside of her room and thus she was no longer aware of what was happening to her. She was currently alone, she could hear the hustle and bustle of the hospital and was passing the time the only way she could, by counting how many different people passed her room. So far, she had counted fifty-six different people.
Emalia heard multiple footsteps approaching her room, footsteps that she had not heard before. She heard the door of her room being opened quite roughly followed by two voices shouting 'Hello Emalia!' This was closely followed by another voice exclaiming 'Boys! There is no need to shout, we are at a hospital, be quiet!'
'Sorry Mum!' chimed two very familiar voices. Emalia's mood improved greatly, and if she could move in any way a huge smile would have lit up her face. She could however feel the twins fight over the chairs near the bed. Mrs Weasley took the chair over the other side of the bed.
'Hello, Emalia dear, I brought Fred and George for a visit' she said quietly. Emalia could feel her inch closer and take her hand 'We all hope that you will get better soon' she finished as Mrs Weasley gave Emalia's hand a gentle reassuring squeeze. Emalia felt relieved, that small gesture that Mrs Weasley had made, gave her a sense of hope.
Fred and George had launched into a variety of jokes, which had Emalia laughing inside her head. She loved her friends and the effort they were putting into keeping things light-hearted. About an hour into Fred and George's joke routine, Mrs Weasley left to go get a cup of tea from the tearoom 'I will be back in half an hour and then we will head home. Fred. George. I am trusting you both so do not pull pranks in this hospital.'
Fred and George acknowledged their mother's request. When Mrs Weasley had left though, the ceased with their jokes. 'Em..' began Fred 'Please try and get better soon, we miss you.' He took her hand and squeezed it, sending shockwaves up her arm and radiated throughout her body.
George moved to where his mother was sitting and took her other hand 'Yeah Em, focus your energy on getting better, Fred and I will provide the jokes.' Emalia wished she could have smiled at them, to be able to do something to alleviate their concern and worry. As much as she hated what was happening to her, she hated that it affected those she loved.
True to her word, Mrs Weasley reappeared half an hour later and bid her goodbyes to Emalia. Fred and George were reluctant to leave, but hugged Emalia and promised her they would be back to visit soon. Emalia felt hollow inside after the Weasley's had left, she was alone with her thoughts once more.
A week later Emalia woke up. She opened her eyes and stretched. She turned her head and saw Albus snoozing in his chair beside her. 'Albus' she said softly, a bright smile on her face, happiness exuding out of her as she could move again. Albus did not react. 'That's strange' Emalia thought to herself. She got up out of bed and went to shake him, but she could not touch him.
Panic began to kick in, and Emalia tried to scream at Albus, but he did not move. She spun around and crumpled when she saw. In her bed lay her body. Emalia started hyperventilating, and then everything went dark.
When she woke, she was still outside of her body, which terrified her. She noted that she walked, not floated and that her body was still breathing. So, she ruled out the obvious, that she had died and had somehow become a ghost. She also could not interact with any object or person. So, until someone opened the door, she was locked in the room with a sleeping Albus and her unconscious self.
Luckily for Emalia she did not have long to wait as Healer Strout came in followed by numerous other healers ten minutes later. Emalia took her opportunity and ran out the door before it shut completely. She roamed around the fourth floor, watching healers and visitors pass by, having hurried conversations.
She continued walking on this floor past numerous wards. Emalia had no real idea of where to go, though she felt as if something was calling out to her, guiding her somewhere. After a few minutes of wandering, she came to a stop outside of a door, and she knew that she had reached where she needed to go.
Unfortunately, the door was locked, and she had no way of getting into the room. Emalia decided once again to wait, her patience paid off as a visitor emerged from the locked ward and before the door closed, she ran in.
Inside the ward sat a number of people. Some patients, some visitors and some were healers. At the end of the room sat a small frail woman, she was staring out the window, unmoving. There was something familiar about her, Emalia could not put her finger on it. She walked towards her. 'Why is this so familiar?' Emalia thought to herself as she continued walking.
When she reached the woman, Emalia looked down at the windowsill and saw her name etched into it. Her eyes wide with wonder and curiosity, she moved around the woman, trying to face her.
When she did, Emalia saw the woman looking at her. The woman was following her movements which bewildered Emalia. 'Who are you?' Emalia whispered to herself. As soon as those words left her mouth, the woman grabbed a hold of her arm, Emalia screamed, and in an instant, she was pulled back to her body. The woman was left grasping at air, a solidary tear fell from her eye.
Emalia was back in her body unable to move. She raged in her head, for the first time in weeks she had control, and now she had lost it again. She was stuck in her unmoving body once more.
Minutes later there was a commotion outside the room, and it was getting louder and louder.
She wished she could sit up and see what was happening, but she felt Albus shift in his seat beside him. The door of the room swung open, in walked a number of healers. "Mr. Dumbledore' chimed numerous voices. Albus stood up 'Yes?' Bonnie stepped forward, 'Professor Dumbledore, could you follow me please?' she asked.
'What does this concern?' he asked curiosity in his voice.
Bonnie hesitated 'It's- it would be better if you see this with your own eyes Sir.'
Albus nodded and followed Bonnie out the door. Bonnie led him in the direction of another ward, 'Alohomora' she muttered quietly as she pointed her wand at the door. The door clicked open and the two of them walked into the locked ward. Bonnie led Albus down to a patient sitting down facing the window. A number of healers were surrounding her, talking animatedly.
When Albus reached the woman he was gobsmacked, the healers all looked at him when he arrived, hoping he may have answers. The woman turned to face him; recognition flooded her face. She was thin and had aged far beyond that of her years. Her silvery blonde hair had turned white, and her blue eyes were dull and had lost their sparkle. She was thin, her cheeks gaunt but her face still held their same beautiful features.
'Albus' she smiled softly 'Where is my daughter?'
Albus looked at her with disbelief, this wasn't possible. 'Aven?'
