Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, but my OC's are mine.
Chapter Five
There was something about emptiness that got under Ira's skin. It was mostly the quiet that the emptiness brought. Around the manor, there was an obvious cloud looming over her family, and it filtered in and around the grounds like a ghost. The atmosphere weighed down on her while she walked outside to breath in air that didn't suffocate her. It hadn't been a week since Ira got home from Hogwarts, and already she could feel the depressing state of her family getting to her.
The snow crunched beneath her feet and the cold weaved its way under her jacket. She sniffled suddenly, wondering why she was outside when she should've been inside helping with Christmas decorations. The family ball would be there by the end of the week, the Eve before Christmas day. House elves did most of the work to make all the precise details, but Ira liked to help where she could. Yet, here she was abandoning her word and walking across the snow-barren lawn in search of nothing but something.
Perhaps it was her thoughts she needed to collect, or maybe the need to be alone. She wasn't sure.
Walking to the forest behind the Soares manor, Ira pushed through overgrown shrubs and fallen branches. She loved exploring. She loved the beauty of nature and the possibilities that waited among the verdure, especially now that the trees glistened white and the leaves had all but gone from their branches. It looked magical, a true winter wonderland.
Casting a quick warming charm, Ira walked along a path that she memorized as a child. Now covered with snow, it was harder to maneuver over but she managed well.
Ira lost track of time while taking twists and turns in the middle of nowhere until she made it to her destination. Above ground and covered in thin sheets of precipitation, were several headstones. Ira pushed open the gate without a proper hinge attached to it, barely keeping it upright. Everything about the area was ancient; it was a surprise that the headstones were still standing given how old they were.
Ira didn't know what possessed her to be there. It was a haunting sight despite how beautiful the backdrop may have been. Maybe it was the fact she was around several of her ancestors that gave her some sort of…comfort? Was that the word she was looking for? It was odd by all means, but it was a quiet and private place for Ira to gather her thoughts without stranding too far from the manor. Undoubtedly, her father would be home soon and she didn't want him to find her poking her nose around a graveyard, especially one that he didn't like her visiting for his own reasons.
Ira didn't mind, though. Although many of her ancestors were buried in the exact spot she was standing, she didn't feel a strong connection to many of them. She didn't know them, besides her grandmother and grandfather on Sigrid's side.
She walked around headstones that were hard to read, but she knew who lay beneath the ground easily. She passed her great-uncle Ozwell Soares III, his predecessors on either side of him. Out of all her ancestors, Ozwell III had a great story to back his name. He was Gellert Grindelwald's closest ally and greatest friend – both dark wizards of their time. As story goes, Ozwell was just as power-hungry as Gellert, but he didn't let hunger overshadow loyalty. He'd do anything not to throw Gellert under-the-bus despite his own reasoning's for pursuing an interest in ruling the world. Their friendship followed after the break of Gellert and Dumbledore's relationship, a story Ira never heard of but bits and pieces. Ozwell was a nice addition to Gellert's command. However, Ozwell disappeared amongst the chaos Gellert successfully created. He was found dead years after Gellert's imprisonment. Rumors circulated over the years as to what happened, but they were never confirmed or debunked. Ozwell was the darkest wizard from Ira's family tree by far. She frowned at the thought.
A lot of the Soares family was dark, unfortunately. Ira never understood why, but she always joked that maybe her family was cursed or something. She just hoped never to fall to the faults of her ancestors.
Ira stopped short while reading a headstone of a family member from the early 19th century. Some ways away, there was a large monument that wasn't there before. It was freshly carved and looked like it had just been put there recently.
Ira looked around suspiciously at each headstone, noting that they all remained true since the last time she visited. She took a cautious step towards the new piece and felt tears prick at her eyes. The engraving was her mother's name – Pierrette Soares-Greenfeld. She hadn't died though. She was still at St. Mungo's hospital being treated with hopes of survival.
Why? Why was a grave even existent?
Ira ran a finger over the engravings and shot forward towards the stone as something pulled her in.
Then, she fell back. This time, in the same setting, only there was no snow on the ground. It was still cold, however, and she shivered as she held a hand to her numb forehead.
"Erm, I don't think we're going to find anything here."
Someone was talking. Actually, three others were talking.
"We haven't even looked yet," a male said.
A girl huffed. "What do you want us to do, dig up every grave until we find something?"
"Maybe we should ask Ira? This is, you know, her family buried here after all."
Another one joined in, a female voice now concerned and closer to Ira than the others. "Ira, are you alright?"
Ira jumped when a hand landed on her shoulder.
"Whoa, jumpy much?" It was Lily. She was standing in front of her, older and wiser and very beautiful. Her nimble fingers rested on her hips as she looked at her with concern. "Ira?"
Ira blinked and looked past Lily at who she guessed was Sally and Theo. Sally had grown into herself. Her hair was lighter and longer, her face more angled and hard. Her eyes were painted with makeup and her eyebrows were trimmed to make her look much more intimidating than she was.
And then there was Theo. Ira had to keep herself from blushing as he smiled at her warmly, realizing she just came back to reality. His hair was sculpted neatly, his eyes much more vibrant than before. He'd definitely grown out of his younger self with how much more meat was on his bones than the frail boy he once was in first year. Theo was unmistakably handsome.
"Earth to Ira." Sally was snapping her fingers and it caused Ira to stumble back in realization.
"Uh, yeah, what were we, uh, doing again?" Ira tried playing off her confusion. Only, she wasn't a good actress.
Ira zoned out as Theo went into explanation. Her visions, if this was one, were getting vividly real. It was either something she could see into or something she was a part of. Ira didn't know what was happening to her, but it scared her.
Then, Ira was pushed back to the present. She woke up groggily in her own bed, raising her hand to her forehead that was pulsing with pain.
Someone slapped her hand away. "Peeky will help you."
Ira opened her eyes to see one of the family house elves tending to her wound. It was Peeky – a tiny elf that had a knack for medicine.
"Peeky, I'm fine, really."
"Misses has a cut on her head. Misses can get an infection." Peeky poked at Ira's forehead with a bony finger.
Ira winced. That was the wrong thing to do.
Peeky was also a very emotion elf compared to the others and hated seeing her masters in pain. She suddenly jerked back and wailed.
"Peeky is sorry for causing Misses pain. Peeky is a bad elf." She jumped up and started slamming her face into the wall.
Ira, alarmed, ran from her bed to aid Peeky. "Peeky, stop. Stop it!"
Peeky stopped and sniffled.
"You are not a bad elf. My head just hurts. It takes a bit of pain in order to patch something up, right?" Ira nodded her head as Peeky did the same. "How about you go help the rest of the elves with decorations? I've got this."
Taking the order, Peeky Apparated away while Ira tended to her own wound. She still didn't know how she ended up back in the manor. The last thing she remembered was being pulled into another vision, and clearly hitting her head face-first on her mother's tombstone.
Rhys was at Ira's doorway. "You're lucky I found you when I did."
Ira, rolling her eyes, applied a thick salve to her forehead and watched as the cut mended itself together, fading away within seconds.
"You shouldn't have gone out there," Rhys continued. "You could've got lost."
Ira glared. "Or maybe I would've found something I shouldn't have seen."
He sighed. "I didn't know about it either if that's what you're assuming. I found out about it when I found you."
"And you're not the least bit surprised?"
"I was. I think Dad's just arranging things quickly and getting it out of the way."
Ira gawked at him accusingly. "Getting 'it' out of the way? You mean Mum?"
"That's not what I meant." Rhys took a step inside and sat on her bed. "He's being realistic, Ira. Mum's health is deteriorating by the day. She can't even move her head without being in so much pain."
"That still doesn't mean he can't have hope. She can't die, Rhys. She just can't. And for father to believe that her time is near, without even holding out for the possibility…it's horrible." Ira sat back from her vanity while tears pooled in her eyes.
Rhys didn't know what to say. He stayed completely silent for a long moment.
"Why were you passed out anyway?"
Ira didn't know what to tell him, or how to tell him. How would he react? What would he tell their father? She figured it would be best to just lay it out for him in hopes of figuring out what was wrong with her.
"I've been having visions, Rhys."
Rhys narrowed his eyes. "Visions? As in, like, seeing the future?"
Ira nodded.
"That's impossible…well, it's possible…but the only known Seer from our time is Professor Trelawney, and sometimes she's not even good at it," Rhys explained. "It's really rare and it wouldn't make sense for you to be a Seer. Nobody else in our family is one…at least...I don't think so."
"A Seer? Isn't that someone that makes prophecies or something?" Ira didn't believe in Divination from what she's heard of it. She didn't think people could see into the future. She figured it to all be rubbish. But maybe it wasn't.
Rhys shrugged. "More or less. They have visions and predict the future. It's a really complex field a magic so I'm surprised you're…gifted with it."
Ira coughed. "Gifted? I don't think this is a gift, Rhys."
"What? I think it would be cool to see into the future and predict things." Then he stopped, wondering for a moment with a frown. "But…then again…it could be really bad, too."
"Bad? Bad how?"
"People could use you. They could use your power for bad, I guess. It just all depends on who you trust to know this. You haven't told anyone about it besides me, have you?"
Ira shook her head.
"Good. You should keep it that way. People these days will want and want until there's nothing left. And I don't want to see you forced into something that you couldn't get out of."
A shiver went down her spine. She was now truly scared by what he was saying. It all made sense, being used and such. It was a very rare form of magic and if it was in the wrong hands, things could get very messy.
"I don't think I want this, Rhys," she whispered as she stared at herself in the mirror. "It's distracting and I can't stand moving in and out of the future or seeing things in the future that keep me from being in reality."
"You just need to learn how to control it. I think." Rhys wasn't helping that much. "I don't even know if you can control visions. I don't even know anything about this. Maybe you should visit Trelawney when you go back to school. She may be as mad as a bat, but she has to understand what you're going through."
"Maybe." Ira wasn't convinced. She'd rather just keep it to herself than anything.
Rhys forced a smile. "Well, I think we should get to dinner. I heard the elves are making something crazy delicious."
Ira managed a laugh. "Don't they always?"
It was finally the night of the Soares Ball. Everyone who was anyone was in attendance for the nights festivities. This included the Malfoy's, Goyle's, Crabbe's, Parkinson's, Greengrass', and many other pureblood families. Excluded were the Weasley's. Ira's father didn't deal with blood traitors, to Ira's dismay. She would've loved to have Ron or Harry around for the night, or maybe even Hermione. But having a muggle-born in a pureblood atmosphere would cause a lot of heated attention.
Thankfully, Ira did invite Sally-Anne and Lily. Theo would already be going because the Nott's were already invited due to their pureblood status. This surprised Ira when Theo told her this before leaving for break. For years, Sigrid and Theo's father had a lot of hatred for one another. This meant that the Nott's weren't allowed to be around the Soares family at any gathering until now.
The main entrance was beautifully decorated when Ira made her descend down the marble staircase. It looked like the elves had grown a forest inside the manor. Pine trees made up most of the décor, with tinsel and garland wrapped around them and festive red bows on top. Icicles hung from the ceiling and chandelier's while enchanted snow fell from the ceiling. Winter wonderland indeed, Ira thought happily.
She was dressed in a burgundy dress that was tied at her waist. Her hair was straightened for the occasion and pulled into a tight bun behind her head. Thankfully, Peeky felt better than she did days ago and agreed to help her pull her look together.
The main entrance was only the beginning. Ira took a detour through the living area and into the ballroom. That's where most of the entertainment was. Just like the main entrance, it was decorated in all things white and earthy. Everything was covered in ice and snow, with pine trees and fake gifts spread around the room. It was definitely a step up from last year's extravaganza.
Across the room, Ira saw Sigrid talking to Lucius. Draco was there by Lucius' side, chatting with Crabbe and Goyle. As if feeling her eyes on him, Draco looked at Ira, smirking.
Oh, what she'd give to slap that smirk right off his face. She gritted her teeth and ignored him, walking in the opposite direction towards a long table of food.
While placing a piece of food in her mouth, gentle arms wrapped around Ira but tightened to hug her. She choked instantly from surprise.
"Oh, sorry," Sally said sheepishly after removing her arms.
Ira turned and giggled, seeing Lily and Theo with her too. After hugging each of them, she invited them to have some food before taking seats at a table by the large windows.
"I can't believe how massive this place is," Lily said in wonder. "It's like a maze."
Ira shook her head and looked at Theo. "When did you guy get here?"
"Sometime before you entered. We've been here since this all started because my father wanted to talk business with yours before people started arriving."
"Business?" Ira questioned.
Theo held up his hands. "I have no idea what about. But your Dad has been meeting with mine for the past week in our study."
Ira guffawed. "He's been visiting my mother in the hospital. I find that highly unlikely."
"Unless he has a time turner, he's been at my house from early in the morning to late at night. I don't have the slightest clue as to why either."
So, that's how Sigrid was passing his time lately? He didn't seem to be visiting with his sick wife like he said he would. It kind of disgusted Ira that he'd lie like that. Shouldn't he be with Ira's mum? Making sure she was okay? Spending his last moments with her? It didn't make sense.
"How is you mum, by the way?" Lily asked through her food.
Ira shrugged. "I wouldn't know. Dad's refused to let any of us see her. Apparently, he doesn't want us to catch whatever she has."
"So, is it a virus of sorts?"
"I'm not sure. Actually, nobody does."
Lily poked at her food, a thoughtful expression on her face. "That's strange."
"I guess so," Ira agreed.
They ate in silence. It was a content but unnerving silence that Ira didn't care for. She didn't eat. She just sat there and watched her father as he spoke to Lucius. Lucius was angry about something – that much was blatant. Sigrid tried to calm him down, but it wasn't working. Ira wondered what kind of conversations could spark such anger. She even wondered what they spoke of that was so private and secretive.
"Ira?"
She looked up at a tall woman, one with bleach blond hair and a ruby-red smile – Narcissa.
"Narcissa, hi." Ira hugged the older woman and turned to her friends to introduce them. "Guys, this is Narcissa Malfoy. And this is Sally-Anne Perks, Lily Moon, and – well, I'm sure you know him already – but Theodore Nott."
"It's a pleasure to meet you all," she smiled. It wasn't a genuine smile by any means, but when she directed it at Ira, it was. "I just wanted to give you my condolences. The news about your mother is heartbreaking."
"Have you visited her at all?"
"Only when I have the time, so, not very much. But I've made sure to make my visits memorable in the little bit of time I'm able to give her," Narcissa said. "She's been my best friend for ages. It came as a shock to hear about her illness."
Ira frowned. "Yeah, I know what you mean."
"I mean, surely the Healers know what her diagnosis is. It's quite sad that they're keeping it under wraps, if that's what they're doing."
"Under wraps?" Ira questioned, sharing a look with her friends.
Narcissa clamped her mouth shut, aware of Lucius and Sigrid walking over to the table.
Lucius wrapped an arm around Narcissa's waist and pulled her in close, glancing at Ira. "Hello, Ira. Are you enjoying your holiday?"
Despite the man's bitter nature, he did manage to be nice to Ira.
"It's going as well as it can be."
Lucius sighed. "I'm sorry about your mother. She is a wonderful woman, and I hope she pulls through this."
"We can only hope," Ira said. She turned to Sigrid. "Dad, this is Sally-Anne Perks, Lily Moon, and, of course, Theodore Nott."
Sigrid shook each of their hands like a respectable host. "It's wonderful to meet some of Ira's friends."
They all were far too shy to say anything in return. Sigrid didn't mind, though, and instead busied himself with other guests that passed by. He would shake their hand, greet them, and then whisper something in their ear. Ira noted this as he walked away towards a hall leading to his study. Lucius forced a smile before following his friend, taking his wife with him.
"Is it me," Sally started, "or is something going on here?"
Ira agreed with a nod. More adults followed down the same corridor.
"Oh, great," Lily said.
Ira wasn't paying attention to what Lily was going on about, she was too busy watching as people followed her father, but in the next few seconds, a blond bully was in her face, staring down his pointed nose at her.
Ira asked him with disinterest, "Can I help you?"
"Show a little hospitality, will you?" Draco snarled. "I'm a guest, you're the host."
"Technically, my father is the host," she corrected. "Are you here to just bother me or is there a point to you being here?"
Draco looked at Goyle and Crabbe, who flanked him. "Do you see this, boys? Clearly someone doesn't have manners. Perhaps that's what happens when a pureblood hangs with the lowest of lows like blood traitors or Mudbloods."
Ira jumped from her seat, defensively taking her wand from her dress. "Don't you ever utter that word again, or I'll have your head Malfoy." Her wand poked into his chest and he gulped.
Crabbe and Goyle, however, had their wands out and pointed it at her menacingly.
This was causing a scene. The adults that didn't follow Sigrid to his study stood around watching in horror as children held wands at each other. The Slytherin students that came with their parents didn't care, really. They just waited for the excitement to hit its peak.
Ira, feeling ashamed, brandished her wand and took a few steps back. Draco raised his eyebrows in surprise. He must've believed she'd actually do something.
"I need to, uh, get some air," Ira muttered to her friends. She flashed a look at Malfoy when she walked from the ball room. He was riling her up, something she promised she wouldn't let happen. But why was it so easy for him to get under her skin? It was the same question she'd been asking herself for years.
Ira walked outside and cast a warming charm over her body. The night was getting darker and stars littered the sky. It was breathtaking.
She didn't pay attention to it, though. She had so much anger inside her that she needed to release. Draco always got the best of her and it bothered her to no end. So much so, that she felt a tear fall from her eye. Ira cried out in frustration. She didn't like crying. She thought it made her look weak.
Out of nowhere, Ira was knocked backwards off her feet into the snow.
A gaggle of laughs came from behind her. Looking back, she saw Draco accompanied by the usual suspects; Crabbe, Goyle, and Parkinson. He just never gave up did he?
"'I need to, uh, get some air'," Pansy mocked in a high voice. "You're such a coward, Soares."
The boys laughed.
Ira stood up and brushed the snow from her dress. "Sorry, but I actually have some decency when it comes to people invited into my home. It wouldn't be appropriate to start hexing each other in the middle of a party."
"A true Slytherin wouldn't have to think twice," Pansy shot back.
Ira growled.
"Ooh, you've got her going now, Pans," Crabbe chuckled.
Ira grabbed her wand. "You guys don't want to do this." Where were Lily, Sally, and Theo when she needed them?
"You're so scary, Soares," Draco joked while circling her. "Should we be worried?"
"I'm telling you all now to get back inside before we all do something we'll regret."
"Who says we'll regret it?" Pansy asked, moving towards her, wand out and ready.
"It's against the rules to use magic outside of school," Ira warned, stepping back as the pug faced girl moved closer.
Draco scoffed. "Knowing our fathers, I doubt we'll be getting into any real trouble." He raised his wand. "Flipendo."
Ira flew backwards again, her back aching in pain. Tears pooled in her eyes.
"Aw, look at that, Draco. She's crying," Pansy sang with a smile.
Crabbe and Goyle laughed as Draco eyed Ira over his wand.
"What in Merlin's name are you children doing?" Narcissa found them and ran to Ira's side. "Draco, what is this?"
Draco was scared now, putting his wand away before his mother saw it. "Ira fell over and I was trying to help her."
Narcissa frowned. "Ira, is this true?"
Ira looked at Draco. He was looking at anything but her face.
There was two ways Ira could go about this; confess and say Narcissa's son is a right prat, or say nothing and let the drama die down.
Ira chose the latter. "Yes. Draco and his friends came outside for some air and saw me so they tried to help me up. I must've slipped on some ice." Ira wanted to cringe. She couldn't believe she was saving Draco.
Narcissa helped Ira to her feet. "If that's so, I'm going to get back to the party, and I expect you all do the same."
Crabbe, Goyle, and Parkinson were the first to leave behind Narcissa. They left Draco and Ira behind. Draco looked like he wanted to say something, but Ira got in his face quickly.
"You owe me, Malfoy. And don't ever think of firing a spell towards me ever again."
That was all that was said. There was so much malice in her words, so much hatred towards Draco. She didn't think she'd ever understand why he was so horrible to her. Maybe it was just the Malfoy nature, or maybe it was something else entirely. For now, she didn't understand. Maybe in time she would.
