Hey everyone. I am so, so sorry for not updating for so long. The thing is, I started a new story, and have been putting a lot of time into that story instead. (My first Hunger Games fanfic!) I am really pumped about that one and was putting off finishing this chapter because I was afraid of writing about all the hard emotions I need to wrote about. So, I compromised by giving you all an, albeit shorter chapter than usual, update to the story. This is kind of what I call a bridge chapter, it bridges the plot together and brings you some new information and story. Not sure when the next update will be, like I said, I am really pumped about another story, so my focus is kind of going towards that right now. Sorry my lovelies.
Elizabeth followed Dumbledore out of the library and through the corridors. Where was he taking her?
They walked through the school, and it was darker than usual, as the moon was covered by clouds. After walking for a few more minutes, they arrived at his office.
"I'm sure you're curious as to why we are in my office." Dumbledore said.
"Maybe a little." Elizabeth replied.
"Well, that is because what we need is only found in my office." he told her, walking over to a large basin.
"This is the Pensieve. It allows you to view memories as though you were really there." Dumbledore explained.
"So, someone in my family may have put their memories in here? And I could see them?" Elizabeth asked, hope creeping into her voice.
"It is possible. No one knows when it was created, so it could be entirely true that someone in your family created it, and stored some of their own memories here." the headmaster told her.
"But how would I find them? And how do I know if they are even here? We don't know if they created this, or if someone else did. What if this is all just a wild goose chase, and I never get answers?" The words tumbled out of Elizabeth's mouth before she finished thinking them. She could feel a lump in her throat as her panic increased.
Dumbledore's face remained calm, and he looked towards the Pensieve before speaking.
"I'm afraid I do not know the answer to your questions, but I do know that if you never let yourself have hope and try, you'll never know whether or not you were right to hope. The question is, what do you truly want?" Dumbledore asked.
This caught Elizabeth off guard. She hadn't been expecting him to ask something like that. Frankly, it was surprising enough that he was willing to let her use something so ancient and important. But, after everything he had done for her, he must care about her a little. So, he must care what her answer was. And since he was willing to do so much for her, he deserved her answer.
"I want to know what happened to my family… but I'm scared that I won't like what I find out. What if Slytherin didn't just hurt me, but he came back to hurt my father, or my mother or brother? Or one of the other founders? And, even if I don't learn something terrible happened to them, I know that I'm going to have to confront how exactly they died. And that, it makes me feel so alone." Elizabeth said, staring at her feet to avoid making eye contact.
"I know I have people who love me and care about me, but they didn't know them. They don't understand how I feel when I think of them, how I avoid thinking of them because it hurts so much. It hurts because I miss them so, so much, and they're gone. They're gone, and I never got to say goodbye."
Tears rolled down her face, and she hastily wiped them away.
"Death is a cruel, cold part of life. Although our lives are vastly different, Miss Gryffindor, I'm afraid this is something we share." Dumbledore said.
"How?" Elizabeth asked.
"My little sister. I too never got to say goodbye. To this day, her death is still a mystery, and I never dug deep to explore what ended her life. Even now, I don't think I could face what I learn." Dumbledore explained.
Elizabeth was stunned. She had never known this part of Dumbledore, and now that she did, she understood completely why he kept it to himself.
"I'm so sorry." She said quietly, looking up from the ground for the first time in minutes.
"Don't be. I have been able to get through my life, even with her loss, and the pain and the mystery it brings me. Perhaps that is why I want to help you so that you do not have to endeavor to do the same as I."
"Thank you, Professor." Elizabeth sincerely told him.
"You are most welcome." Dumbledore replied.
Elizabeth stared at the stone basin containing so many memories. Could her family really have created it? Tucked away memories for someone to find one day?
Did they think she was that someone?
"I think I want to find their memories in here." She said, touching the Pensieve.
"Then, I think a little magic is in order for you to find them." Dumbledore replied.
Elizabeth nodded and set her sights on the basin. Fear flooded through her.
But this was about her family. Gryffindors. Her father had always valued bravery and had taught her to be brave.
And bravery was doing something even if you were scared.
This was her only chance.
She had to try.