Thank you to those who have so far commented on Voices of the Past part I! Please remember everything you recognise doesn't belong to me...

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Chapter Five

Family Traits

Dumbledore had promised to tell me everything once he had been in touch with the Ministry again. It was mid-afternoon before I was well enough to feel like a human being again. I asked Madame Pomfrey about the labor plant, and she grudgingly allowed me to read "Herbs and the Mind" from her collection. I spent most of the afternoon until just before the normal time for visitors reading up and making notes. In the bed to my left I realised was Ron Weasley. His face was still as red as his hair, but he had stopped laughing.

"Ron Weasley, isn't it?" I asked in a casual way. The Gryffindor looked up from a copy of the Chudley Cannons yearbook.

"How are you now?" I asked, despite hearing no reply. To me, looking up was enough of an acknowledgement.

"Out of immediate danger. Although there's still a possibility that if I laugh too hard it'll happen again."

"What do you mean by 'it'?" I asked curiously.

"Eventual suffocation, and if not that paralysis." I winced. His face showed he wasn't particularly thrilled either.

"Do you know who did it?" Ron asked. Full points for noticing I'm Slytherin and taking advantage of a conversation.

"Err… Snape and Sprout suspected me immediately, but it was someone else in Slytherin." Ron nodded.

"That's not surprising." He narrowed his eyes.

"You know who it is, don't you?" I shut up.

"You have to tell me!" He exclaimed, his face angry. I shook my head. Ron frowned angrily. The door opened and Hermione Granger and Harry Potter walked into the hospital wing. They immediately distracted Ron. They went into hushed conversation, and I remembered that Snape had taken the lenimentus audio potion with him and lay back. It was going to be a long afternoon. I just hoped there was something appetising for dinner.

I didn't receive any visitors until evening. Professor Dumbledore found me reading the section on the labor plant for the third time.

"Ah, I should have know that you would be researching Elixa."

"An effort to understand what is going on Sir." I replied before looking up. When I did there was a twinkle in his eye.

"Your mother was the same, always curious."

"Is there news on my parents Professor?" Dumbledore summoned a chair from nowhere and sat down beside my bed. He didn't look happy.

"Elixa, the Ministry is trying its hardest to find your father, and St Mungos is working hard to remedy your mother. I will inform you immediately if there is change." I looked down, trying to hide my sadness. Dumbledore placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Miss Amethyst, can you tell me why the Labor plant died in your hands before you knew of today?" I looked up and nodded.

"Yes Professor." I picked up my bag and withdrew a parcel. I unwrapped it again. I handed the headmaster the enclosed letter and picked up the necklace enclosed.

"The word is Opium." I told him. Dumbledore nodded and spoke the word to the parchment whose letters rearranged to read the message:

Dear Elixa,

We don't have long to write this letter, and you'll know exactly why we're sending it when you see what is inside. The Ministry is aware of the situation, but we need to tell you that this is the most difficult part yet. Just remember we love you, and we will always be with you. Dumbledore will protect you at Hogwarts as he does Mr Potter, just promise us you'll stay there and not do anything out of the ordinary…

Yours eternally,

Mum and Dad

Dumbledore reversed the spell before handing the letter back to me. His blue eyes were tinged with sadness as he looked at me.

"Your parents are truly very brave, especially your father." I nodded. I only hoped I had that side of him in me.

"Am I more like my mother as I was put in Slytherin?" Dumbledore gave a slight smile.

"The sorting hat is experienced in its selection. I think it made a good choice." I nodded.

"Thank you Professor."

"How are you now Miss Amethyst?" Dumbledore asked gently, his eyes showing sympathy. I found it reassuring to be able to read them unlike Snape's.

"Better Professor. Will I be required to take the counter potion again tonight?" Dumbledore shook his head.

"No, I have spoken with both Madame Pomfrey and Professor Snape and we have decided to let you sleep more easily tonight Elixa. Do you remember any of the dreams you had last night?"

"Dreams?" I questioned. All I remembered was waking up in a sweat.

"No Sir. I can't remember dreams or nightmares last night, but I presume I had them due to my condition." Dumbledore nodded. I hadn't really thought about dreams. I was tempted to ask what I could have dreamt about, and why he asked, but the headmaster interrupted my thoughts.

"Miss Alanis has informed a large part of the school in her usual manner. I do believe the most interesting variation has been masterminded by Mr Malfoy, that you are being tormented by the dark lord, and had threatened to kill and pickle him." Dumbledore gave a smile.

"I'll pickle him once I get my hands on him." I muttered.