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"Melody, Melody, wake up! Melody!"
"Wha-?" I yawned and rubbed my eyes. I was so sleepy! Kientra seemed like a blur. "Mmf... leemeealone... " I mumbled, pulling the covers up higher. "But Mel... " she protested, pulling them down with her teeth. I groaned. "Iwantastayasleep... " I pulled the covers up again and turned on my side, irritated.
Kientra's patience (if she had any) ran out. "It's my mother, you idiot!" she hissed.
My eyes flew open. "My dear Nixus... " I whispered, "What did you say?"
"My mother's outside!" she rasped. "She's come to get me!"
I sat bolt upright. The most beautiful realisation ever had dawned on me like a holy light. "Does this mean... " I whispered, "that you'll finally be going off?"
Kientra rolled her eyes, muttering . "Yes. Now if you... "
"Hallelujah, the Lord loves me!" I cried, jumping out of bed . Kientra looked absolutely horrified . "Shh!" she hissed, frowning. "Sorry," I grinned, taking a quick look around to make sure I hadn't woken anyone up. My eyes had started flashing from one colour to another, indicating how excited I was.
Kientra looked at me. "Well?" she demanded. Snapping out of my happy reverie, I stepped up to the window, which was beside my bed, trying my best to be silent. I clutched my wand tightly. Even in my happiness, I couldn't help but pray to God that her mother wasn't as horrible as she was... or worse.
Both of us peeped out. The pale, silvery moonlight was shining bright and radiant onto the peaceful land below. Not a soul was seen, not a shadow moved. All of Hogwarts was silently slumbering. And then I saw her.
A magnificent adult Nixus stood on the grass below, gently fanning her powdery grey wings. She was looking up at us with a gentle expression on her face, and her shiny white mane gleamed radiantly, like a pearl. Such majestic form... I was entranced.
My eyes (which weren't flashing anymore, by the way) followed her as she flew, silent as an owl, up to the window. She stopped at our level, hovering not a foot away from my face. I stared in complete awe. I realised then that this was the horse that the boys had spotted in detention. No wonder Anya seemed confused when I gave her that lecture earlier on! Great, now I felt guilty...
A light breeze billowed around my head as Kientra, with a big sigh of relief, flew past me and hovered beside her mother. "What took you so long, mother?" I heard her whine.
The adult Nixus slowly turned to look at the little one. "Hush," my child," she whispered in a voice so willowy and gentle, like an elfin queen. The ethereal quality of her voice amazed me. She turned to me. "Melody Snow," she said softly. "You are much respected and honoured among us creatures of the magical wild, my lady. I feel I am not worthy of such an honour." She bowed her head low. Kientra merely rolled her eyes. "Mother... " she hissed through gritted teeth, "Isn't this a little... degrading?"
Her grumbles were simply ignored. The mother lifted her head and continued speaking. "It is my great pleasure to thank you, my lady, for guarding my young one," she said.
"Oh no, no" I stammered, finding my voice again, "she wasn't... er, much of a problem." I found myself staring at my feet, bewildered that I might say something wrong. Goodness knows could happen. Baby Nixai are one thing, but adults...
The magnificent creature gave an amused laugh. "I know, my lady. Many times have we tried to cure her of her spitefulness... to no avail." She shot the 'young one' a frosty look. Hehehe...
She turned back to me, her long nose so close it made me jump back in alarm. "My lady," she began, "I feel my gratitude is not complete until I give you a few things."
I was surprised. "Things?"
Kientra groaned. "Mother, this really isn't necessary," she muttered again.
"You will answer to your father later, young lady," the older Nixus said calmly, not turning her gaze away from me. Doom crossed Kientra's face . Hehehe...
"Now, my lady," she continued, "if you would just outstretch your hand." Blankly, I did as I was told slowly, wondering what in the name of pygmy shrews was going to happen.
Slowly, she lowered her head, the gleaming white horn pointed at my hand. In a moment of pure frightened reaction, I pulled my hand back with a gasp of dismay.
Her eyes stared deep into mine as she shook her head slowly. "My lady," she whispered gently, "know only that by no costs, be it treasure or all of the great Lord's heavenly powers, would I ever harm you. No, I would never bring myself to do so." She fixed me with a warm, trusting look that somehow completely banished my fears.
I let out a long breath and nodded. "I trust you."
That seemed to please her very much, for she smiled broadly and gave a soft, happy neigh. "How wonderful it is," she smiled . She lowered her head again, horn pointed. This time, I felt no fear, just curiosity. What was she going to do?
I saw her flash me a quick, warm glance. Then she shut her misty blue eyes tight. It looked like she was concentrating fiercely on something, focusing hard. Her horn... it started to glow brightly, shine with all the radiance of a thousand moons, the purity of a thousand doves, and all the sparkle of a thousand stars. Completely indescribable. I was dazzled, not being able to look away from it, my hand still outstretched. It felt slightly warm and quite pleasant.
My already wide eyes grew wider as I watched the heavenly light grow smaller and fade away... until only the tip of the long, pointed horn shone. And just when it seemed like it was going to vanish... it poured out.
For a while, the room was filled with beautiful bluish-white light, that grew dimmer until it was only bright enough for us to see what it was in my hand; Frosty blue 'things' that looked like liquid stars, pleasantly warm. I let out a gasp at the feeling of pure peace and bliss I felt when they touched my hand, growing as more of the light poured out and sparkling mystically. I couldn't say a word; my voice had been lost again.
The Nixus raised her head. Her horn had stopped shining. "My lady," she said, still hovering in the still night air, "I now must ask you to close your hand." Her face was illuminated slightly by the blue light, as was Kientra's, who was staring with a tiny bit of interest.
I did so, covering the light, and felt the liquid stars harden. They seemed to take shape into something. When I opened my hand, I could not believe my eyes . I staggered a few steps backwards in amazement and dropped my wand, hearing it clang when it hit the floor. The Nixus said something, but in my stunned state, I couldn't make it out, except that I could keep it or something like that. "Thank you," I whispered breathlessly.
Kientra groaned again. "Are we done, mother?" she whined. "The mark, Kientra. Be patient," was the reply. The little one started grumbling again, but considering what was now in my possession, I couldn't have cared less. But then the older Nixus said something that surprised me.
"There is one more thing to give, my lady."
I looked up. "One more thing? But... but... " I stammered, "You... have done enough. There's no need, really. D-Don't trouble yourself," I babbled stupidly. It didn't discourage her. She smiled . "All the great treasures of man nor nature can never be enough to repay a kind deed done purely from the heart, my lady," she said.
"You really don't have to," I mumbled, feeling guilty again. 'A kind deed'? 'Purely from the heart'? Unlikely.
Suddenly, I realised that her horn had started glowing again, this time with a soft, pearly shine. "I do not tell untruths, my lady," she said, "This will hurt, but indeed, it will be a small price to pay for what comes with it. I pray you will forgive me."
I gulped. That's a horn, for God's sake! I thought to myself . She leaned closer. As much as I wanted to squeeze my eyes shut or run away screaming, I simply couldn't. I stared, terrified, at the sharp tip pointed right at the very middle of my forehead, inching closer... closer...
This time, there was no feeling of bliss; just a spark of pain at first, which grew into a horrible rush of dizzying pain, banging down on me so hard I felt like my head had exploded. I squeezed my eyes shut, feeling myself gasp and tremble uncontrollably. My head started spinning and the pain travelled throughout my whole body. My breath felt like it had been knocked completely out of me; like someone had punched me straight in the chest. Repeatedly. I felt a tiny stream of blood run down my face, trailing between my eyes. Another rush of pain banged down on me. So intense it completely blurred my vision of the two Nixai and everything else. Everything was dimming... there was almost nothing I could see or feel, except the horrifying pain. I knew it; I was going to die.
I let out a long, painful scream and blacked out.
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"Melody, Melody, wake up! Melody!"
"Wha-?" I yawned and rubbed my eyes. I was so sleepy! Kientra seemed like a blur. "Mmf... leemeealone... " I mumbled, pulling the covers up higher. "But Mel... " she protested, pulling them down with her teeth. I groaned. "Iwantastayasleep... " I pulled the covers up again and turned on my side, irritated.
Kientra's patience (if she had any) ran out. "It's my mother, you idiot!" she hissed.
My eyes flew open. "My dear Nixus... " I whispered, "What did you say?"
"My mother's outside!" she rasped. "She's come to get me!"
I sat bolt upright. The most beautiful realisation ever had dawned on me like a holy light. "Does this mean... " I whispered, "that you'll finally be going off?"
Kientra rolled her eyes, muttering . "Yes. Now if you... "
"Hallelujah, the Lord loves me!" I cried, jumping out of bed . Kientra looked absolutely horrified . "Shh!" she hissed, frowning. "Sorry," I grinned, taking a quick look around to make sure I hadn't woken anyone up. My eyes had started flashing from one colour to another, indicating how excited I was.
Kientra looked at me. "Well?" she demanded. Snapping out of my happy reverie, I stepped up to the window, which was beside my bed, trying my best to be silent. I clutched my wand tightly. Even in my happiness, I couldn't help but pray to God that her mother wasn't as horrible as she was... or worse.
Both of us peeped out. The pale, silvery moonlight was shining bright and radiant onto the peaceful land below. Not a soul was seen, not a shadow moved. All of Hogwarts was silently slumbering. And then I saw her.
A magnificent adult Nixus stood on the grass below, gently fanning her powdery grey wings. She was looking up at us with a gentle expression on her face, and her shiny white mane gleamed radiantly, like a pearl. Such majestic form... I was entranced.
My eyes (which weren't flashing anymore, by the way) followed her as she flew, silent as an owl, up to the window. She stopped at our level, hovering not a foot away from my face. I stared in complete awe. I realised then that this was the horse that the boys had spotted in detention. No wonder Anya seemed confused when I gave her that lecture earlier on! Great, now I felt guilty...
A light breeze billowed around my head as Kientra, with a big sigh of relief, flew past me and hovered beside her mother. "What took you so long, mother?" I heard her whine.
The adult Nixus slowly turned to look at the little one. "Hush," my child," she whispered in a voice so willowy and gentle, like an elfin queen. The ethereal quality of her voice amazed me. She turned to me. "Melody Snow," she said softly. "You are much respected and honoured among us creatures of the magical wild, my lady. I feel I am not worthy of such an honour." She bowed her head low. Kientra merely rolled her eyes. "Mother... " she hissed through gritted teeth, "Isn't this a little... degrading?"
Her grumbles were simply ignored. The mother lifted her head and continued speaking. "It is my great pleasure to thank you, my lady, for guarding my young one," she said.
"Oh no, no" I stammered, finding my voice again, "she wasn't... er, much of a problem." I found myself staring at my feet, bewildered that I might say something wrong. Goodness knows could happen. Baby Nixai are one thing, but adults...
The magnificent creature gave an amused laugh. "I know, my lady. Many times have we tried to cure her of her spitefulness... to no avail." She shot the 'young one' a frosty look. Hehehe...
She turned back to me, her long nose so close it made me jump back in alarm. "My lady," she began, "I feel my gratitude is not complete until I give you a few things."
I was surprised. "Things?"
Kientra groaned. "Mother, this really isn't necessary," she muttered again.
"You will answer to your father later, young lady," the older Nixus said calmly, not turning her gaze away from me. Doom crossed Kientra's face . Hehehe...
"Now, my lady," she continued, "if you would just outstretch your hand." Blankly, I did as I was told slowly, wondering what in the name of pygmy shrews was going to happen.
Slowly, she lowered her head, the gleaming white horn pointed at my hand. In a moment of pure frightened reaction, I pulled my hand back with a gasp of dismay.
Her eyes stared deep into mine as she shook her head slowly. "My lady," she whispered gently, "know only that by no costs, be it treasure or all of the great Lord's heavenly powers, would I ever harm you. No, I would never bring myself to do so." She fixed me with a warm, trusting look that somehow completely banished my fears.
I let out a long breath and nodded. "I trust you."
That seemed to please her very much, for she smiled broadly and gave a soft, happy neigh. "How wonderful it is," she smiled . She lowered her head again, horn pointed. This time, I felt no fear, just curiosity. What was she going to do?
I saw her flash me a quick, warm glance. Then she shut her misty blue eyes tight. It looked like she was concentrating fiercely on something, focusing hard. Her horn... it started to glow brightly, shine with all the radiance of a thousand moons, the purity of a thousand doves, and all the sparkle of a thousand stars. Completely indescribable. I was dazzled, not being able to look away from it, my hand still outstretched. It felt slightly warm and quite pleasant.
My already wide eyes grew wider as I watched the heavenly light grow smaller and fade away... until only the tip of the long, pointed horn shone. And just when it seemed like it was going to vanish... it poured out.
For a while, the room was filled with beautiful bluish-white light, that grew dimmer until it was only bright enough for us to see what it was in my hand; Frosty blue 'things' that looked like liquid stars, pleasantly warm. I let out a gasp at the feeling of pure peace and bliss I felt when they touched my hand, growing as more of the light poured out and sparkling mystically. I couldn't say a word; my voice had been lost again.
The Nixus raised her head. Her horn had stopped shining. "My lady," she said, still hovering in the still night air, "I now must ask you to close your hand." Her face was illuminated slightly by the blue light, as was Kientra's, who was staring with a tiny bit of interest.
I did so, covering the light, and felt the liquid stars harden. They seemed to take shape into something. When I opened my hand, I could not believe my eyes . I staggered a few steps backwards in amazement and dropped my wand, hearing it clang when it hit the floor. The Nixus said something, but in my stunned state, I couldn't make it out, except that I could keep it or something like that. "Thank you," I whispered breathlessly.
Kientra groaned again. "Are we done, mother?" she whined. "The mark, Kientra. Be patient," was the reply. The little one started grumbling again, but considering what was now in my possession, I couldn't have cared less. But then the older Nixus said something that surprised me.
"There is one more thing to give, my lady."
I looked up. "One more thing? But... but... " I stammered, "You... have done enough. There's no need, really. D-Don't trouble yourself," I babbled stupidly. It didn't discourage her. She smiled . "All the great treasures of man nor nature can never be enough to repay a kind deed done purely from the heart, my lady," she said.
"You really don't have to," I mumbled, feeling guilty again. 'A kind deed'? 'Purely from the heart'? Unlikely.
Suddenly, I realised that her horn had started glowing again, this time with a soft, pearly shine. "I do not tell untruths, my lady," she said, "This will hurt, but indeed, it will be a small price to pay for what comes with it. I pray you will forgive me."
I gulped. That's a horn, for God's sake! I thought to myself . She leaned closer. As much as I wanted to squeeze my eyes shut or run away screaming, I simply couldn't. I stared, terrified, at the sharp tip pointed right at the very middle of my forehead, inching closer... closer...
This time, there was no feeling of bliss; just a spark of pain at first, which grew into a horrible rush of dizzying pain, banging down on me so hard I felt like my head had exploded. I squeezed my eyes shut, feeling myself gasp and tremble uncontrollably. My head started spinning and the pain travelled throughout my whole body. My breath felt like it had been knocked completely out of me; like someone had punched me straight in the chest. Repeatedly. I felt a tiny stream of blood run down my face, trailing between my eyes. Another rush of pain banged down on me. So intense it completely blurred my vision of the two Nixai and everything else. Everything was dimming... there was almost nothing I could see or feel, except the horrifying pain. I knew it; I was going to die.
I let out a long, painful scream and blacked out.
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