Fate's Curses and Gifts
Well chapter two is written. There are many answers to the many questions created in chapter one. Also I will not be attempting any French as I don't want to accidentally butcher the language. I will start to develop the other characters after this chapter, but I just needed to set the scene and plot.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: All of Harry Potter and related topics belong to J.K. Rowling
Chapter 2 - Unexpected Revelations
Fleur. D POV1
I ran. I ran away from it. I ran away from him. He was right. After everything I've been through and how other people have treated me I had acted just like them. Judgmental. Not willing to understand the entirety of the situation and jumping to a prejudiced conclusion. And then the second incident flooded back to me. I winced as I gently rubbed my now thoroughly bruised cheek, trying to reason with the absurd. Mother always said that magic worked in mysterious ways that no one could predict or decipher; known as fate.
I continued my hasty journey back to the carriage well aware that my family is awaiting the verdict of the goblets choice in the form of a letter, however a flu call seemed more appropriate. I hustled down the currently deserted hallway before reaching my room - sanctuary - labelled with F. I. D near the upper frame.
Then a sudden and dread filled coldness overwhelmed me as life faded from view.
I stood in a pitch black room that featured a small window and a spotlight which focused on a woman. She had what probably used to be silky blonde hair though now it was ridden with dirt and lack of cleaning. Deep bags poured under her eyes; revealing a mournful expression full of anguish. It was fear.
I knew not who this woman was, but I remained transfixed upon her appearance. Every detail, crease and freckle. Her fear was directed towards me and I pitied her, but there was also something foreign about these emotions.
"Where is Dominguez Miguel?" a male voice interrupted coming out of my mouth.
The woman looked terrified as she replied, "I don't know who you're talking ab..bout."
I strode over now overflowing with anger and heaved her worn body off the floor by the scruff of the neck.
"DON'T YOU DARE LIE TO ME! I PERSONALLY SAW YOU LEAVING HIS APARTMENT YESTERDAY!"
"Please. Please. Don't hurt me."
"WHERE IS HE?"
She merely whimpered in reply, "Matthew please don't do this."
Matthew?
"WHERE IS HE?"
"I don't know, Matthew."
To my surprise I pulled out a muggle firearm and rammed it upon her cheek.
"Don't make me do this Sofia. Please."
"No."
The anger seemed to boil back to the surface as I could only watch on in horror.
"You sold our parents out. For what? Did he promise to let you live?"
"He would've killed me," she muttered, barely above a whisper.
"I pity your soul, but I need to know where he is now. Please. For them."
She hung her head low in sorrow as realization apparently dawned upon her.
"I heard that he might be going to..."
Pain. Agonising pain throbbed from my right shoulder as a dark curse leapt from near the window and collided with me. Every shoulder bone cracked in an instant, temporarily blinding my vision. My firearm left forgotten in the shadows.
Once the pain slightly receded I opened my eyes to be meet by a silhouetted person towering over my wounded body. He then turned to the currently silenced Sofia who had fallen back onto the blood stained floor.
"Such a pretty thing," he calmly muttered to himself before speaking words I would never forget.
"AVADA KEDAVRA."
Her now lifeless body slumped against the floor as everything backed out.
My eyes slowly opened and what met them took me by surprise. I was lying on my bed with my mother and father looking down on me with concern written upon their faces.
"Fleur dear, how are you feeling?" my mother gently spoke, while forgoing to conceal the worry that became more evident. I opened my mouth, but could not find the words to describe it.
This time my father spoke up, "Fleur?"
I did not reply. I could not reply. Not after witnessing those horrid events. With what strength I could muster I brought my knees to my chest and simply hugged them in self comfort. My parents merely sat beside me before departing in hopelessness. What had I seen?
Matthew. G POV1
Not once would have I imagined myself researching in the library will after curfew. After the champion selection panic had set in forcing me to relive some of my more unpleasant memories. I shuddered at the thought.
With a deep sigh I turned another dusty encrusted page in hope of an explanation, but at my expense nothing even mentioned such an occurrence. I always knew that magic was unexpected, but this personally affected me. I wasn't in control.
"I don't believe you'll find what you're looking for Mr. Glenn," a grandfatherly tone pierced the silence.
I almost flew of my chair in surprise before latching upon the desk.
"Worry not about the curfew. I doubt you'll want many people to hear of our coming discussion."
I looked on quizzically; awaiting for Dumbledore to continue.
"If you'll follow me to my office," he spoke before turning on his heel and leaving the library.
I followed. What choice did I have if Dumbledore truly understood it. We passed many a classroom; each as empty as the other. Not a soul was to be seen as we traversed the corridors.
The gargoyle statue became visible as we turned the corner and it moved aside granting us entry. I entered and the familiar sight of various globes and instruments littered the shelving. In my minds distraction Dumbledore had sat upon his 'throne'.
"Take a seat Matthew," he spoke as he gestures towards a vacant chair. I accepted the offer, but was well aware of the tension that lingered on the air.
"I know you would rather I just cut to the chase so to speak," he began and took a laboured breath, "I believe that you and Ms. Delacour share a magical bond."
"Bond? Sir."
"For once in not going to pretend to be an expert on this, due to the limited references."
"So how does this affect me?"
I could almost hear the cogs working as he sat there deep in thought before continuing.
"You have already seen the sharing of injuries, but this may affect you two mentally as well."
I hesitated as the concept sunk in before asking, "How so?
"I'm afraid I don't know of yet, but I intend to meet with Ms. Delacour on the morrow and discuss my findings."
I absentmindedly shuddered as what little information began to embed itself further and I couldn't help, but reminiscing my past.
"Can you just give me an guess at what this may entail?" I spoke out though the nervousness and fear was clear. No not fear. Get a grip on yourself.
"I believe that as the bond strengthens, you will experience the other's emotions and would became possibly very close."
I just sat there. The one thing I swore never to involve myself in had just been forced upon me. The one thing that could cripple me to near madness. I couldn't get close to anyone. I can't afford to lose anyone.
"Excuse me for a bit," I quietly spoke before shakily opening the door to try and find solace.
Fleur. D POV2
To say I was distressed would be an understatement. In the past twelve hours I had endured two more 'visions', each as vivid as the other. It was undoubtedly Matthew Glenn in each of them. But why? Had these actually happened to him? It would explain his haunted eyes, but has left many more unanswered questions.
The first of which had been him being tortured by an faceless person who had apparently relished in the act. The pain. It felt so real. So agonising that it hurt to relive it in just memories.
The second one was more emotional than traumatic. Just him staring at a grave in longing. A grave that had Sofia Glenn engraved upon its marble surface. Feeling such foreign emotions frightened me. The complete and utter feeling of loss; almost incompleteness.
And I find myself walking on tow of my parents towards what was Albus Dumbledore's office. I had finally managed to share my thoughts with my parents and the concern just became more prominent.
Waking from my thoughts I had absentmindedly made my way up a set of stairs to be met by a great oak door that had no doubt seen and witnessed much. Just as my father was about to knock a voice inside declared, "You may enter."
With that the door swung on its hinges and we entered. The room was not what I had expected from the great Albus Dumbledore. Each shelf littered with gadgets, accessories and artefacts. At the end sat a desk with what appeared to be a 'throne' that was occupied by Dumbledore.
"Please take a seat; Sebastian, Appoline, Ms. Delacour."
Composing himself, my father spoke, "I trust this is not just a meeting of old friends."
"I'm afraid not."
"Well?"
We all looked expectantly at Dumbledore; each as tense as the other.
"Sebastian," he took a deep sigh before continuing, "I believe that you're daughter and Matthew Glenn share a magical bond."
The penny dropped. Any mild shuffling, any ticking of clocks. They all just stopped. Just an inch of movement would have pierced the hypnotic silence that encompassed the room's occupants.
"Pardon? How can that be? What evidence do you have?" my father spoke barely breathing during the expanse of questions.
"No proof unless anything has transpired in my absence." He returned before glancing round at the three of us with a questioning gaze.
"The only thing is I have been experiencing visions," I quietly spoke.
"What sort of visions Ms. Delacour?"
I shuffled nervously; not wanting to relive them. I opened my mouth to speak, however like the previous night no words would come out. My mind had been permanently scarred by them. Every detail, every person, every injury remained imprinted vividly never to release me.
Seeing my immobile form he gently spoke, "Perhaps a memory would just be sufficient."
I mutely nodded in reply and with the permission Dumbledore moved in front of me. With surprising swiftness his old, battered, but potent wand appeared within his grasp. A cold, but soothing feeling overwhelmed me as I focused on the memories to feel them pass through me. I opened my eyes to be met by him standing over a pensieve. Upon further observation I could make out intricate patterns that inlaid the rim and watched him lower his head into it.
We sat in silence. My parents occasionally stealing concerned and worried glances in my direction not aiding the horrifically tense mood. After what seemed like an age, Dumbledore exited the pensieve with a look of understanding ingrained upon his face.
"I believe this confirms my suspicions," he spoke eerily quietly, "And before you ask; Matthew has unfortunately endured all of this."
Shocked silence yet again consumed the room as my family turned pale in unity. Sensing the need to explain he continued.
"When I found Matthew Glenn, he was not the confident and strong individual he is today. To put it in simple turns, he was broken. At the age of 10 he was recruited by a criminal organisation, who use both muggles and wizards, which is why he didn't join Hogwarts until his fourth year. He was taught in muggle and magical combat and yes he has unfortunately had to kill people."
He paused in which time he took a deep breath.
"When his superiors discovered desire to leave they used his sister, Sofia Glenn, to find and murder his parents in retaliation. I never found out what happened after that and between our first meeting, other than the murder of his sister."
His eyes had long lost their twinkle that I had become to associate with him as this story sunk in. No other thoughts could penetrate the indomitable wall of sadness that had erected within my thoroughly disturbed mind.
Author's Note: Please review as any advice and criticism will be taken into account. Also I'm still getting to feel with my writing style throughout this.