Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, but my OC's are mine.
Chapter Twenty
There are some things one can't change about their past. That's inevitable. It's the future that's able to be manipulated—only if one can see it.
For Ira Soares, her gift is something she chose to suppress despite several attempts to unlock what she knew from personal sessions with Professor Trelawney. Her visions come as they please, mostly at night when her mind is shut off from a day's worth of exhaustion. Her vulnerability is laid out in the open, able to be touched by a wisp of future telling. Even for the smallest details and irrelevant things, her mind wanders to the future where things may show up days or years later. It's hard for her to tell after waking up in a groggy mess when certain pretenses will happen. She deals with the remembrance of her dreams and wants nothing more than to keep them far back in her mind, covering her curiosity with homework or talks with her friends.
When Harry told Ira that Sirius considered her father to be the one to put Harry's name in the goblet, the first thing Ira did when she got back to her common room that day was try to bring her visions to the surface. Underneath weeks of trying to forget things, she was trying to find something that would give her a clue as to what her father was up to. Of course, Ira already suspected her father put Harry's name in the goblet. But now that Harry knew—or almost did—she wanted nothing more than to help him out of whatever grasp Sigrid was trying to hold him in.
"Sirius said Sigrid used whatever he could to keep himself out of Azkaban," Harry had said. "Apparently, he promised to be a spy if Voldemort ever rose again. That's how he kept his job and himself from serving time."
Ira almost laughed when she heard that. The people at the Ministry were fools to believe him.
"Your father wasn't just any ordinary Death Eater, Ira. He was Voldemort's right-hand-man."
That had wiped the small smirk from her face. Her anger towards her father only amplified by that single sentence.
Ira gnawed on her bottom lip as she paced the common room. For once, the place was empty, and she could think clearly without distractions.
Closing her eyes, Ira tried to pick apart her thoughts until her mind was one clear wall of nothing, a translucent shadow veiling her thinking. Trelawney taught her to summon her visions by using this technique, yet it never worked before.
As the fog disappeared, Ira could make out a picture in her mind, and her body fell slack, falling backward on one of the sofas. It was blurry for a moment before clearing up. Ira stood in the foyer of her family's manor, the dusk from outside casting an eerie dimness throughout the home.
Ira watched as she walked across the marble floors, each tile a pristine white that held a glare during daylight hours. Her heels clicked with each step, making it hard to go unnoticed to those occupying the manor.
Ira wore a look of determination as she rounded a corner into a hallway housing her fathers study. Growing up, the doors were to remain locked at all times—no prying eyes or interested ears allowed to find whatever he had behind the large oak door. However, it seemed Ira didn't care about that strict rule anymore. She reached into her back pocket and retrieved her wand, waving it over the doorknob with grace—
Nothing happened.
She deflated and let out a silent curse.
A hollowed voice sounded from the direction she just came from. Its inaudible words caused Ira to roll her eyes and move quickly to the other end of the hall around the corner, sticking around to listen in on the conversation.
Two men spoke to each other in low voices. One of them was clearly her father—although his voice sounded weaker and strained—and the other was unfamiliar.
As the footsteps disappeared into Sigrid's study, Ira backed up into something solid. She nearly squealed if someone hadn't clamped a hand over her mouth. She relaxed when she turned to find Theodore standing with her in the hallway.
Ira grabbed his arm and steered him in the other direction. That's when her vision ended.
It told her absolutely nothing.
Grinding her teeth in frustration, Ira took off upstairs to her dormitory. Walking in, she spotted Daphne and Pansy present, the two girls painting their toenails bright pinks and blues. She glared at their presence, nearly stomping over to her bedside to retrieve a book she borrowed from the library.
"Off to have another snooze fest?" Pansy snickered.
Ira shut her bedside drawer and moved to her trunk. "If you consider studying a 'snooze fest', then we clearly know what your priorities are, Parkinson."
"You're so boring, Soares," Pansy said with a sigh. "Do you ever just sit back and relax at all? You're so pent-up."
"Thanks for the concern, but I prefer it that way."
Daphne snorted. "Nobody likes a stick in the mud, Soares."
Ira rubbed her temples. Did they ever stop talking?
Pansy smirked, looking at Daphne. "Why do you think Nott and Perks stopped being friends with her?"
"Ooh, right!" Daphne giggled.
Ira tried not to listen to them while rummaging for the book. Although she didn't care about what the girls had to say, it still hurt to know that Ira lost two friends so easily. Depending on how the future unfolded, the two very well could still be in Ira's life—hence seeing Theodore in her vision earlier—so things might work out for them in the end. One could only hope.
She wouldn't admit it, but Ira did miss Theo and Sally. They were two of her best friends, and they meant a great deal to her. It wasn't as pleasing to know she didn't mean the same to them.
Ira snapped out of it, her hand grazing over a leather-bound book that she knew collected several pictures taken over the years. Something stopped her from opening it. Besides pictures of her friends and she, there were also clippings of her mother within the pages.
Slowly, Ira picked up the large book and ran a finger over the cover, feeling the ridges of the Soares family emblem underneath her fingertips. There were times where she considered looking through the book to reminisce about happier times, but she always faltered when the tears began collecting in her eyes and the knots formed in her stomach. The only time she got a glimpse of her mother was when she'd place a new photo inside. A second's worth was all she needed before placing the photo album back inside her trunk, underneath other books and knick-knacks that really held no value.
Not this time, however. Ira kept the album in her hand while grabbing the book she originally intended to find. Perhaps the pictures could help Ira understand something—maybe help her mind in the direction of answers.
Ira didn't spare the girls another look before she exited the dorm. She had more pressing matters to get down to, and petty fighting was the last thing on her mind.
She dodged students in the common room on her way out. Walking up the stone steps under a torch-lit dungeon, she came to the entrance hall where she made a beeline for the North Tower staircases, walking up each one until she made it to the trapdoor where the Divination classroom was. Hopefully Professor Trelawney was in. What else did the old woman do on the weekends?
The classroom was empty—not a soul in sight besides an older woman hunched over her desk. Her large spectacles still made her eyes appear bigger than they were, and she still wore gypsy-like clothing that hung from her skinny body. She didn't say anything at Ira's appearance, allowing the girl to move closer when she got her footing.
"I didn't think we had a session planned for today," Trelawney said as she looked over paperwork.
"I know," Ira said. "I just…needed some help, is all. I managed to conjure a vision on my own, but it wasn't the one I was looking for."
Trelawney eyed her. "You conjured a vision?"
The small excitement in her tone didn't make Ira to feel the same way. She felt fruitless in her efforts, unable to get anything right where her Third Eye was concerned.
Ira nodded. "Yes, but it wasn't what I had hoped for."
She pulled out a chair and placed her books down. Trelawney rounded her desk and approached, looking at the photo album lying by Ira's arm.
"What's this?"
Ira touched the spine and sighed. "I thought it would help me."
"Looking into the past isn't something Seers are capable of."
"I'm trying to figure out where it all went wrong," Ira said with a tinge of sadness. "Like maybe a picture will spark something inside me."
Trelawney clasped her hands together. "It's possible, I suppose."
Ira chewed on her lip. "Will you help me?"
Trelawney gave her a smile. "Of course."
Ira, satisfied, opened her photo album onto the first page, resisting the urge to shut it instead. Pictures of her mother, father, and siblings were placed on the pages, each one moving in time with one another. She swallowed and continued scanning each one, flipping page after page until something caught her eye in the corner of one of the photos.
Her mother smiled away from the camera, her eyes wide and full of light. She was casting a spell, Ira realized, and could make out a shimmering blue within the background of the picture.
Curiosity gripped her, and she turned to the next page, finding another photo that resembled the same hand motions. It was a glittering hummingbird that escaped the tip of her wand, flying overhead and into the air.
Ira's jaw nearly dropped.
"What is it?" Trelawney asked, alarmed.
That single picture alone gave Ira so many answers to so many questions racking her brain. Stupid, stupid, stupid, she mentally chided. How could I have been so clueless?
A Patronus—that's what's been following Ira around. She was no stranger to the entity—she witnessed Harry cast one only the year before—and could remember her mother being distinctly good at casting them as well. But Ira completely forgot what her mother's Patronus was. Now she knew. It was a hummingbird.
Ira slammed the book shut and shook her head. "Nothing. This isn't working how I thought it would."
"You've hardly given it a try."
True as it was, the revelation that her mother's Patronus was around her—watching her—kept Ira's mind from focusing on anything else. Was it even possible for the dead to use magic from six feet under? Ira didn't know, but she did know that magic continued to surprise her each day.
She opened her textbook and slid the photo album away. That would be used another time. For now, she let Trelawney distract her from the other thoughts inside her head and listened intently on how to summon the right visions.
"If you keep biting them, you won't have any left," Lily reminded Ira for the fifth time that day as lunch came around.
Ira had been biting her nails in an anxious fit. "I can't help it. I'm nervous."
"Potter'll be fine," Lily said again.
But Ira couldn't think positively. After Harry told her what was going down in the first task, she felt the pit in her stomach growing with each passing day. Now that it was Tuesday—and the day of the first task—Ira was on the edge of her seat. She couldn't join in on the excitement coming from her peers. She had to share the same jitters as Hermione, who Ira noted was just as nervous as she.
"There's going to be a time when he won't be," Ira said grudgingly.
"Well, with that attitude…"
Ira glared, and shoveled down her food.
They lapsed into silence as their housemates continued their chatter. Some of them, Ira realized, were placing bets on who they thought would win the first task. Many of them avoided choosing Harry. Actually, they all avoided choosing Harry. The only person in Slytherin that had some hope in him was Ira. But as she thought about a fire-breathing dragon pummeling down on him, that glimmer of hope wavered.
Lily nudged Ira with her elbow. "Potter's leaving with McGonagall."
Ira frowned and watched the boy walk out of the Great Hall with everyone's eyes glued to him. It dawned on her that she hadn't had time to wish him luck at all that day.
Soon after the champions left, the rest of the student body was herded outside to the Forbidden Forest. A large enclosure appeared out of nowhere, with massive stands magicked to overlook the task. As her house took their seats, Ira pulled Lily aside to whisper in her ear.
"I'm going to find Harry," Ira said.
"What? You can't. Snape will have your head if he notices you're gone."
"It'll only be a few minutes. If he gets suspicious, tell Snape I went to use the loo or something."
"Is it really that important?"
Ira fixed her with a pointed look. "Yes."
Seeing as though Ira wouldn't budge, Lily complied and let her leave.
The walk to the tent on the other side of the enclosure wasn't a short one. Ira had to maneuver past curious stares and staff members to get to her destination, which caused some problems. Eventually, she made it to the cream-colored tent pitched near the opening of the enclosure. She walked around to the back of it, the drapes moving against the chilly fall air.
Ira peeked inside and found Harry standing nearby, alone and looking queasy.
"Psst."
Harry looked around curiously for where the sound came from.
"Psst."
Finally, he moved closer to the tent's wall.
"Harry?" Ira said.
"Ira, what are you doing here?"
"I needed to wish you luck before you went out there. I know you'll do great."
"I don't feel great," he said quietly.
"You'll be…" Ira gulped. "Amazing, then."
"You say that with such certainty."
"Hey, I'm nervous too. The last thing I want is to attend a funeral for one of my best friends," Ira said with a shaky laugh. "Have you got a plan on how you'll defeat the dragon?"
"I've been practicing the Summoning Charm since Sunday," he said. "Hermione's been a help."
A crease appeared between Ira's eyes. "A Summoning Charm?"
"Yeah. According to Moody: use a nice, simple spell that will enable you to get what you need. Oh, and to play on what I'm best at."
"So, Quidditch? Are you—what—going to summon a bludger and attack the dragon with it?" Ira joked. "Or maybe a quaffle for extra effect?"
Harry managed to laugh, and Ira warmed at knowing their little talk was easing his nerves. "No, I can't say since I don't want someone stealing my idea—but just know it's almost something like that." He paused as Ludo Bagman called them to the center of the tent. "Hey, I have to go. I'll see you afterwards, okay?"
"Good luck, Harry," Ira smiled, wishing to pull back the drapes and give him a tight hug. She didn't want to get herself or Harry in trouble, however.
She turned on her heel and started back to the stands. Halfway there, she was stopped by a glaring Professor McGonagall.
"Ms. Soares, what are you doing out of the stands?" she asked.
"I had to use the loo," Ira lied, moving to walk around her Transfiguration professor.
"Then why didn't you tell your Head of House this? Five points from Slytherin," she said.
Ira could only imagine how Snape would react when she got in the stands. She could picture his probing glare already and her surname rolling off his tongue in an indifferent tone. He wouldn't be happy.
And he wasn't.
"Soares," he drawled when she sat down next to Lily in the stands.
"Professor," Ira replied, moving her gaze from him to the enclosure.
"Where were you?"
"Places."
He raised a brow but ended up saying nothing as the first champion came out of the tent and into the enclosure. It was Cedric, looking greener than ever. Everyone cheered for him and most of the Hogwarts students held up banner and signs for encouragement.
They all watched as Cedric transfigured a rock into a dog. Initially, his plan worked, and the dragon was distracted—but only for a few minutes before realizing Cedric was going for her precious eggs. Somewhere in the chaos, Cedric got badly burned after retrieving a golden egg and was taken to Pomfrey right away.
Next, Fleur came out. The beautiful blonde Veela from Beauxbaton's first used a charm that made the dragon tired. Her spell worked, but the loud snoring coming from the dragon resulted in flames sputtering from its nose. Ira cracked a small smile when the flames attacked Fleur's skirt. Lily shot her a look and told her it wasn't right to laugh. But a few minutes later, a smile broke out on her face, too, and the two girls ceased into quiet laughter.
Krum was more successful than the first two. A flash of something came from his wand and hit his dragon in the eye. This caused the dragon to stumble around the enclosure in pain, the stomping making the stands vibrate. Ira had to grip her seat with her hands to keep herself still. Krum retrieved the egg like it was nothing.
Finally, it was Harry's turn. The nervousness came back full force as Ira watched him face down his dragon. What was his plan?
"Accio Firebolt!" Harry shouted.
Ira gripped her seat even tighter, a smirk tugging at her lips. That was what he meant by using Quidditch to his advantage. She liked where this was going.
His broomstick flew through the air to where Harry stood. He mounted it and took off instantly into the sky, the dragon flailing its head back and forth to watch him as he left the ground.
He came right back and swerved over the clutch of eggs hidden behind the dragon for safe keeping. The dragon hurled a stream of fire towards him, and if he hadn't swerved just in time, it would've charred him to dust.
"Great Scott, he can fly!" Bagman yelled as the crowd shrieked. "Are you watching this, Mr. Krum?"
Harry circled around the dragon. It mimicked his movements, following every dip and glide that came from him. Ira wanted to continue smiling, but as soon as the fire left the dragon's snout once more, it fell from her face. He dropped lower again, this time the dragon's tail ripping at his robes as it moved in the air.
The crowd gasped, and Ira felt a small scream leave her mouth as she witnessed it. He would undoubtably have an injury by the end of the task.
Now, as Harry flew a bit higher, he baited the dragon into leaving the ground. It raised its large head into the sky, following Harry more closely now. That's when he plummeted back to the ground, his hands reaching out for the golden egg
He captured it, and everyone cheered.
"Look at that!" Bagman yelled. "Will you look at that! Our youngest champion is quickest to get his egg! Well, this is going to shorten the odds on Mr. Potter!"
Ira applauded and felt giddy with excitement. Lily shook her head from beside her.
"I can't believe he did that!" Ira gushed. "I have to go see him!"
Lily groaned. "Do you have to?"
"Yes, and you're coming with." Ira didn't give Lily much of a choice because she latched her hand on Lily's arm and dragged her down the wooden steps of the stands.
Ira spotted Harry being ushered into the first aid tent across the way. She hurried inside after him just as Pomfrey barked about the absurdity of dragons.
"Harry! I can't believe you did it," Ira said, moving to hug him.
Harry winced. "Watch out—my shoulder."
"Oh, sorry," she squeaked.
"It's fine." He glanced over Ira's shoulder. "Moon."
Lily tipped her head forward. "Potter."
Madam Pomfrey came back over to apply a purple liquid to his shoulder and poked it with her wand. It healed almost instantly.
"Now, just sit quietly for a minute—sit! And then you can go and get your score," she ordered.
Harry didn't listen and got to his feet.
Ira's eyes were full of wonder. "Congratulations, Harry. I'm proud of you."
"Didn't you think I could do it?"
Lily walked up next to Ira, smirking. "She nearly gnawed off her hand knowing you were going up against dragons."
Harry grinned.
"Harry, you were brilliant!" They turned to find Hermione and Ron now entering the tent. "You were amazing! You really were!"
The three of them already present got quiet when Harry focused in on Ron. Ira's eyes shifted between the two.
"Harry," Ron said, "whoever put your name in that goblet—I—I reckon they're trying to do you in!"
My father, Ira thought sadly.
"Caught on, have you?" Harry said coldly. "Took you long enough."
Ron opened his mouth.
"It's okay," he said, before Ron could continue. "Forget it."
"No. I shouldn't've —"
"Forget it," Harry said.
And then they grinned.
But Hermione burst into tears.
"There's nothing to cry about!" Harry told her.
"You two are so stupid!" she shouted. Then, she hugged them quickly and left the tent.
"Barking mad," Ron said. "Harry, c'mon, they'll be putting up your scores…"
While Ron informed Harry on how the other champions did, Lily and Ira followed behind them without saying much.
They made it in time to see Harry's scores. Madam Maxime was the first to declare her points. She raised her wand into the air and a ribbon shot out of it into a perfect eight.
"Not bad!" Ron applauded. "I suppose she took marks off for your shoulder…"
Mr. Crouch was next. His was a number nine. Ira glanced at Harry proudly.
Dumbledore put up a nine, and then there was a ten from Ludo Bagman.
"Wow," Ira breathed. "Impressive."
Karkaroff gave him a four, to Ira's dismay, and then it was finally left to her father.
Sigrid Soares took his time in deciding what to give Harry. He scratched at his chin thoughtfully.
Ira gaped when he gave him a three.
"A three?" Ira nearly shouted. "That's absurd! You deserve more than that!"
"It's fine," Harry said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder.
No, it wasn't. Ira wanted to know what he was playing at.
The scoring was over, and Harry and Krum tied for first place.
When everyone started back up to the castle, Harry was called away to the tent with the other champions for a brief word. Ira and Lily departed from Ron who offered to wait for him, and the two resumed their walk.
That's when two people slung an arm around Ira's shoulders.
"Ira," the Weasley twins said together.
"Yes?" Ira smiled.
"Party tonight," Fred said.
"Gryffindor common room," George added
"You're invited," they finished.
"Erm, I don't know."
Fred sighed. "We'll keep Angelina at bay for you if you come."
George gave her a playful punch on the arm. "Come on. Don't you want to celebrate Harry's victory? We know you two have a thing."
Ira blushed. "Guys—"
Lily butted in. "She'll be there."
The boys grinned and removed their arms, walking off ahead of the two girls.
"Why'd you do that?" Ira groaned.
"Because," Lily shrugged. "Why not?"
Ira felt the need to roll her eyes, but a grin tugged at her mouth anyway. She locked arms with Lily and marched into the castle.
Writer's Note: Sorry that I've fallen off the face of the Earth! I have not abandoned this story and I would never keep you guys hanging! I've been busy this past month with work and stuff that I hardly had a time to sit down and write. This chapter was especially hard for me to finish because I definitely wanted there to be more to it, but nothing was sticking. Hopefully, you all enjoyed it anyway and will be here to read the next chapter. Thanks for being great! xx
