Chapter 87

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Rebekah was exhausted by lunch, going back in time to just before they went to the party and went to sleep. She didn't have the energy to get any of her work done.

She wanted to sleep alone, or as alone as one can get with Emperor engulfing her, Enyo nestled in the crevice of her bosom because the little Dragon found the heartbeat comforting, Fidele more or less wrapping himself around her scarred thigh because he knew she didn't like the sight of it. Hedwig wasn't a big fan of pile sleeping, referring to sleep on the nest egg thing that hung above the base of the bed.

Hogwarts was very accommodating to those who respected her.

Rebekah did not want to be forced into another dream vision, whatever it was called.

The room she appeared in was curtained and lit by only a single branch of candles. Unlike last time where she was Nagini, and much like the diary past, Rebekah was a version of herself that couldn't be seen.

Voldemort sat in the chair, bony white fingers dug into the leather arms as another man in black robes kneeled before him. Head down and back straight, he was probably a Death Eater.

"It seems like I have been badly advised," Voldemort said, voice cold and pulsing with contained anger. He tapped a finger absently, containing his boiling rage.

The man before him trembled and Voldemort found a certain satisfaction in it, the way he could force fear into someone by simply being angry. Rebekah didn't want that kind of power, she wanted to be feared because it would protect her. She didn't want those close to her fearing her anger, she wanted them to be amused by it. Unless she was angry at them, then they could be scared.

"Master, I crave your pardon…"

"I do not blame you, Rookwood." Voldemort tilted his head one way and the other, knowing he wasn't being watched. He stood from the chair, coming to stand before Rookwood and look down at him with a height that was unusual. "You are sure of your facts, Rookwood?"

Rookwood nodded frantically. "Yes, My Lord, yes… I used to work in the department"

"Avery told me Bode would be able to remove it."

"Bode could never have taken it, Master… Bode would have known he could not. . . . Undoubtedly that is why he fought so hard against Malfoy's Imperius Curse. . . ."

"Stand up, Rookwood,"

It took him almost falling before Rookwood could get up, face pockmarked and scars silver in the candle light. He didn't straight his back completely when he stood, staying in an almost bow to show respect before his master.

"You have done well to tell me this," Voldemort said tonelessly. "Very well. I have wasted months on fruitless schemes, it seems… But no matter… We begin again, from now. You have Lord Voldemort's gratitude, Rookwood…"

"My Lord! Yes, My Lord!" Rookwood's voice was hoarse with relief at not getting anger aimed at him, or Voldemort's wand.

"I shall need your help. I shall need all the information you can give me."

"Of course, My Lord, of course… Anything!"

Voldemort didn't let the disgust of his desperation show. "Very well… You may go. Send Avery to me."

Rookwood had to walk backwards to get out of the room, scurrying with his bow before disappearing out of the room.

Rebekah had stayed next to the chair, a step behind it.

Voldemort turned back around so he could make his way back to his chair, pausing as he saw her. A curl of a surprised smile went onto his lips, though it was less smile and more a baring of teeth. He inclined his head at her, a mock of a bow only to let a cold laugh out at her.

Rebekah realised he could see her. She grinned, the type a predator would do as they saw their prey, before putting up her right middle finger, letting her family ring shine.

"What do we have here?" Voldemort said, walking until he was circling her. "Little Miss Potter, in my mind. How?"

"Well, funny story," Rebekah clicked her tongue, crossing her arms loosely. "I was asleep. You project when you're angry. As entertaining as it is to know what you have planned for the future of the Magical worlds, I don't actually care."

"The Girl-Who-Lived doesn't care about the future of the Wizarding World? How disappointed would they be to know?" He said, eyes narrowing with humour.

She just gave him an are you serious? face. "You tried to kill me when I was one. Tried to get your body back when I was eleven. I had to deal with diary you, he was just as arrogant as you are now. Nothing third year, thank the gods because I had enough to deal with that year. And then you decided you wanted your body back last year. What's next? Try to kill me again, or maybe one of my family?"

"You are a lippy one," He said.

"I'm angry."

"I can tell."

"What did I do to you to be tormented by you and your goons?" Rebekah shook her head in disgust.

"You are an abomination,"

"Look who's talking,"

"You were supposed to die that night, but your mother's sacrifice saved you. It won't save you again." He stepped until he stood a foot away from her, looking down at her with glaring red eyes. "I want you dead."

"And I want you to leave me and mine alone!" Rebekah almost snapped, her own eyes glaring in response. "But I guess we won't get what we want. Control your goddamn anger and let me sleep!"

She jolted up in her bed.

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By late afternoon, the Crown lounged around the Chamber.

Pansy sat with her back against the couch, Daphne behind her, giving her a shoulder rub as Pansy wouldn't stop complaining about her bad posture causing back pain. Next to Pansy, Blaise sat with fox Tracey in his lap as he ran his fingers through her fur. Draco sat next to Daphne while Theo and Logan took up the other couch. Rebekah had the chess board set up, playing black against white with Astoria.

Rebekah had to discuss the vision conversation with them. Even if she wanted to keep it a secret, they would know she was keeping something from them. Why would she keep things from them when they could help her? They were born and raised in the Wizarding World, they knew things she would never have the time to figure out.

Draco had to admit that he knew nothing of his father's part in Voldemort's plans. He wasn't able to know because he, like the others, had spent the holidays away from home. He was in contact with his mother but his father didn't respond as much.

With the minimal information Rebekah received from the dream vision, it actually gave them a good starting point.

Voldemort was after something from the Department of Mysteries, which all of them didn't really know a lot about. Rookwood used to be part of the department and knew of what was inside. It was a good thing for Voldemort.

From what they knew, there was a weapon inside the department and Voldemort wanted it. But besides that, there wasn't enough information at the moment.

They all just wanted Voldemort and the Death Eaters good and gone because they wanted a childhood. Rebekah wanted to be a teen and have fun with her friends and not have to worry about a madman trying to kill her or her friends or her family.

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"Afternoon, Miss Potter," Umbridge greeted as Rebekah walked into her office the next Monday during lunch, gesturing vaguely to the table. "Tea?"

"Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge," Rebekah said, soon sitting down at the table and tucking herself in. "How has your monday been so far?"

"The lessons have been wonderful so far, after the initial disapproval for proper, ministry approved courses,"

"We don't like change," Rebekah said. "But sometimes change is for the better."

"Yes…" Umbridge poured the tea into two teacups, both adorned with tiny kittens in portraits. "How was your Valentine's day?"

"It was good." Rebekah reframed from smiling too fiercely.

"Teens date at your age, don't they? Did you go on a date yesterday?"

"I did,"

"With whom, may I ask?"

Rebekah prayed to whoever was listening that Umbridge wasn't a homophobe or there would be more problems in the future.

"Cho Chang, a year above in Ravenclaw,"

"Chang, hmm." Umbdrige looked sincere for a moment. "Good family. Good, strong family. I believe her parents work in the Ministry."

"I believe so,"

"Will it turn serious?"

"No," Rebekah sipped at the tea, refusing to allow truth serum to leak into her system as she clamped down her mental shields.

"Pity…" Umbridge stayed silent for a second, taking in Rebekah's appearance. The young Witch wore a shirt a little too big for her but it could have been the latest fashion, Umbridge wouldn't know. She stared over her teacup before asking, "You wear a lot of jewelry, Miss Potter, don't you? Do you not think it's a little much for school?"

Rebekah did wear a lot of jewelry

Three rings (all crests,one on each middle finger and on her left thumb), a bracelet, a watch, two necklaces (TimeTurner and golden locket hidden under her shirt), Basilisk earrings (from Vibora), and a septum piercing.

"I don't think so," Rebekah said politely. "I wear three crests because I am heir or head of those Houses. My bracelet and watch serve purposes, and I wear the Time Turner at all times, as advised by the ministry. And my earrings and nose piercing."

"Hmm, that nose piercing. Did your guardian agree to you having it?"

"Yes, I asked before getting it done,"

Umbridge didn't seem happy with that but hid her displeasure.

For now.

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"What a bitch."

By order of

The High Inquisitor of Hogwarts

Students may not have any facial piercings, Muggle or Magical, or any extra piercing besides earrings. Earrings are limited to two per ear. Students may not have their nails or hair altered from natural colours by any Magical means.

The above is in accordance with

Educational Decree Number Twenty Seven.

Signed:

Delores Jane Umbridge

High Inquisitor

"Ain't gonna stop us." Tracey laughed, sticking her tongue out. "Just change our nailpolish that the Muggle kind 'Bekah likes."

"Hmm," Daphne said, admiring her french manicure that she found she really liked. "Yes, Muggle means aren't included. And your hair?"

"Can't do anything about it," Rebekah shrugged, simply flipping the septum piercing up so it was hidden. "My nails are real and done with Muggle polish, and my hair dyed before the school year. She wants to complain, she can complain to Sirius."

Logan snorted. "That would be entertaining."

"He'd look at her for a second before letting Remus take over," Rebekah laughed.

"Or hex her."

"True." The Crown agreed.

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