SHARING THE SUNLIGHT WITH THE FREE - THE DAWN
Chapter Two
'It's a Muggle. Kill it.' The voice was cold, unfeeling.
'Salazar!' A softer voice. Horrified.
'A Muggle - the very people who persecute us and our kind,' Salazar stated. 'They attempt to destroy us. Why should we not do the same?'
'Because, then, we would be no different.' There was a tone of finality in the voice.
'She is but a child,' cried the gentle voice.
'Godric.' Another voice, sounding nauseous. 'Godric. Look.'
She knew what they would see. The ruins of the village. People dead.
'May the gods be merciful,' gasped the gentle voice.
The cold-voiced stared at her, through narrowed, slit eyes.
'Her - this girl?' The gentle-voiced was shocked.
'Little girl, what is your name?' Godric spoke to her.
She was silent. Afraid of him.
'Why are we wasting our time here? We must be leaving, we still have far north to go. Leave her. Leave this pathetic Muggle being,' snarled Salazar.
'Salazar, if she is responsible for this, she is not just a Muggle being. She is one of us - and I would wager anything that once trained, her powers would be as great as any witch or wizard ever lived! We cannot just leave her here, with no knowledge of how to use her magic!'
Witch!
'Not one of us. With magic, perhaps, but born of filthy Muggle blood! Leave her. Let her die - even better if she destroys more of the Muggles!'
'Salazar! You know that is wrong! It is completely unethical!'
'I say we take her with us. We will educate her as well, and she will help us to realise our dream.'
'Well-said, Rowena,' approved Godric.
The gentle lady scooped her up.
'My name is Helga,' she said. 'You will be safe with us.'
Salazar scowled.
'I disapprove,' he said, 'but I see that the three of you have your minds clouded. I warn you, though, I will have my way one day.'
~
'Miss Bland!'
'Present, Professor!'
Professor Slytherin eyed her, with that gaze that gave her the chills.
I will have my way one day.
Finally, Professor Slytherin turned away from her, and finished with the roll-taking. He looked up, turning his sharp, cold glare on all.
The seventh-years were an assorted bunch - seven students ranging from students a year younger than Aurelia, to Kière, the oldest at twenty. All had already spent seven years sitting through each teacher's first-day welcome speech. At least, in Professor Slytherin's case, what was meant to be a welcoming speech.
Professor Slytherin was by far the strictest of the four educators. Long and lean, with sleek black hair and a stern, scowling face. He was always frowning, except on rare occasions when something pleased him especially. And then, he would be smirking, a smile that struck Aurelia as sadistic.
Most students dared not even fidget in Professor Slytherin's classes, he had such an effect on them. It was pure fear, what Professor Slytherin worked on them. The other Professors held the students attention well enough, and were loved and respected so much that although the classes were never completely silent, work was done and the students knew their work perfectly well. Potions, which Professor Slytherin taught, was very different. Due to their constant worry of erring and earning for themselves a harsh punishment from Professor Slytherin, the students seemed to be clumsier, more forgetful and less steady than usual. As a result, Potions was a living nightmare.
There was, among the pupils, a few favourites of Professor Slytherin. These pupils, of course, remained a model of perfection during Potions, and never dissolved into the nervous state that the others did. There were two in the seventh-year, and this year, they appeared even more cocky than ever.
The first shock came in the middle of the lesson. It was Kière's fault, actually. He and Aurelia were always partners, and worked over the same cauldron. She could feel Professor Slytherin's hard stare on her as she handled a fragile vial of liquid. Gritting her teeth, she willed her hands not to shake, holding them steady.
Kière never meant to, but he was far from the most careful person in the world. Turning to fetch something, he accidentally jerked Aurelia's elbow.
Her arm was stiff. Unable to absorb the shock, Aurelia loosened her grip momentarily, and the vial slipped from her fingers, breaking into a million pieces upon hitting the ground.
All seven students jumped. Professor Slytherin's eyes glittered.
'Mudbloods, how expected,' sneered Hoff Darby, shocking everyone. Darby was a favourite of Professor Slytherin, always on the mean Professor's good side. Yet, he had never spoken up in class before. Everyone was shocked. Even more so at his choice of words - Mudbloods was a singularly uncouth word.
Professor Slytherin, however, was undisturbed by Darby's comment.
'Darby, please concentrate on your own cauldron,' he said, his tone neutral. Then he turned to Aurelia, sarcastic now. 'Miss Bland, if you are unable to control your body movements, I suggest you head for the infirmary. Can you or can you not brew a potion without spilling or breaking anything?'
Aurelia's face reddened, but she nodded, biting her lip.
'And, Miss Bland, surely you do not believe that another student will be cleaning up your mess. Or perhaps you are waiting for me to clean it up for you?'
'N-no, sir,' whispered Aurelia. Trembling, she reached into her robes for her wand.
'I doubt the Mudblood could even cast a proper spell to salvage that mess,' scoffed Darby.
'Hold your peace!'
The second shock of the day, Kière bolted straight up from his seat, temper flaring fully.
'Sit down, Banning,' ordered Professor Slytherin.
'I am sorry, Professor, but perhaps you should reprimand Darby there as well,' Kière objected, his eyes flashing. 'To speak out in class with such a word! Why, Darby, you are no better than a - a prejudiced Muggle!'
'Silence, Banning!'
'Besides, Darby, it was my fault she dropped it, I knocked into her -'
'Oh, sticking up for the Mudblood, are we?' Now Darby joined in.
'Why you -' Kière lunged for Darby.
'KIÈRAN BANNING!' roared Professor Slytherin. 'You will cease this unseemly behaviour at once!' He raised his wand and pointed it as Kière. 'Expelliarmus!'
Kière shot away from Darby, and landed against the stone walls of the classroom.
'Kière!' gasped Aurelia.
He struggled to his feet, glaring at Professor Slytherin.
'Wipe that look off your face,' warned Professor Slytherin. 'Detention for you, young man. And leave now, I have had enough, I do not wish to see you again today.'
Still fuming, Kière stormed back to the table he shared with Aurelia, collected his books, and stomped out of the classroom, leaving behind five gaping classmates and a smirking Darby.
'The rest of you!' barked Professor Slytherin. 'Back to work!'
~
'You should not have!'
'Aurelia, you should have stood up for yourself! How could you just stand there and let that creep call you - call you - well, you heard it!' Kière had both hands on her shoulders and was shaking her.
'Kière, stop it!' Aurelia backed away and faced him, hands on her hips. 'There would have been no point in me retaliating. It would have accomplished nothing, just like your outburst accomplished nothing besides getting you detention.' She shuddered - detention was no joke. Hanging by your ankles for a night was certainly not her idea of fun.
'That is not the point, Aurelia.'
'What is the point? Losing your temper over small things that you cannot change?' she retorted.
'Small things? You call that a small thing? You -'
'Shut up, Kière, there are worse things, and you know it.'
'Like what?' He glared at her defiantly.
Like being burnt at the stake for being a witch.
Her breath caught in her throat suddenly, as she opened her mouth to speak. She closed it again, shaking her head.
'Forget it. Oh Kière, I just feel guilty, that you have detention.and because of me!'
'Aurelia, it will be all right,' he laughed grimly. 'I can survive it.'
'I hope so,' she said, touching his arm lightly. She had succeeded in deflecting his attention. Good. 'Shall I meet you after your detention?'
'Where? Now that we have House Dormitories and House Common Rooms.and we are in different Houses.'
'I have a place.' Aurelia tried not to think about the fact that she was in Professor Ravenclaw's house, and Kière in Professor Gryffindor's. The two had expected to be together, so the split had come as a shock. However, the fact remained that she was the sole pupil that knew nearly everything about the school - from secret classrooms, moving passageways, forbidden corridors.after all, she had lived with the four Professors since she was a tiny girl. She had been there when the castle was constructed. And she was the only student that remained behind every holiday. 'We built a new Astrology tower this holiday, Professor Ravenclaw and I. It is not actually completed, so it is still out of bounds.'
Kière's eyes sparkled.
'Out of bounds, did you say?'
'A nice place, though,' finished Aurelia.
Kière smiled.
'Show me.'
~
Aurelia had watched as Professor Ravenclaw built the tower, which was meant to one day hold Astrology classes in. Sadly, she would not get to attend such a class, but Aurelia meant to use the tower anyway. Somehow she knew, while helping Professor Ravenclaw with its construction, that the tower would serve her many a purpose in the coming year.
Kière moaned softly, rubbing his ankles as Aurelia gazed out of the windows at the stars and planets. She turned to look at him sympathetically.
'Detention must have been a disaster.'
'To say the least,' muttered Kière. 'Hours of hanging upside down by the ankle. Professor Slytherin really knows how to torture people!'
Aurelia shook her head.
'Forget about it now, Kière. Come, look.the view is magnificent!'
'Just some stars. We see them every night in the Dinner Hall, Aurelia,' grumbled Kière. He was very obviously not in a cheerful mood. Not surprisingly.
'Nicer from here,' insisted Aurelia. She dragged him to the window.
'Wow - Aurelia.actually.it really is something!' Kière admitted. It was indeed a breath-taking view of the cosmic universe, unblocked by any pillar or turret. A clear view of the heavens and its movements.
'Professor Ravenclaw says that every movement of the planets signifies something. This world is closely intertwined with the heavens, and if you have the gift, you can See the past, present and future.'
'Amazing,' breathed Kière. 'What would I not give to be able to See.'
'Divine Sight,' said Aurelia thoughtfully. 'It is a rare gift, I should think. I am not very sure about it.'
'Professor Gryffindor should know. Perhaps we should ask him.'
'Oh, Professor Gryffindor may know of past-acclaimed Seers, but he will never acknowledge them. He believes not in Sight. And Professor Ravenclaw believes that Seers are a lost breed.'
'Well, I don't blame them,' Kière decided. 'It is rather hard to accept. After all, to be able to See the past, present and future? It would be scary, I should think.'
Aurelia nodded, staring out at the twinkling night sky again. The planets were in tune, in their celestial dance. Not a single step out of place. Except.
A wave of cold descended on her for a second.
A knock on the door. A hooded figure stands there.
'I am here to cleanse the place. This school must be purified.'
'Who are you?'
'I was sent by your Professors. This school must be purified.'
'But who are you?'
'You know who I am.'
The hood lowers.
'Aurelia! Come back to earth!'
A chill, down her spine.
'Is something wrong?'
Aurelia shook her head, trying to force the vision away. She forced a laugh.
'No, nothing.I must be tired.starting to dream already.'
'Oh.' Kière looked concerned. 'Perhaps we had better get to bed.'
'Well, all right. Enough star-gazing for today,' agreed Aurelia.
'Good night, Aurelia.'
'Good night, Kière.'
They each headed off for their respective dormitories, Kière in his quiet, steady pace, Aurelia tiptoeing along softly, lingering a while at the foot of the tower.
This school must be purified.
It meant something. But what?
Pushing the thought away, Aurelia made her way through the maze of halls and stairs back to the Ravenclaw girls' dormitory.
Chapter Two
'It's a Muggle. Kill it.' The voice was cold, unfeeling.
'Salazar!' A softer voice. Horrified.
'A Muggle - the very people who persecute us and our kind,' Salazar stated. 'They attempt to destroy us. Why should we not do the same?'
'Because, then, we would be no different.' There was a tone of finality in the voice.
'She is but a child,' cried the gentle voice.
'Godric.' Another voice, sounding nauseous. 'Godric. Look.'
She knew what they would see. The ruins of the village. People dead.
'May the gods be merciful,' gasped the gentle voice.
The cold-voiced stared at her, through narrowed, slit eyes.
'Her - this girl?' The gentle-voiced was shocked.
'Little girl, what is your name?' Godric spoke to her.
She was silent. Afraid of him.
'Why are we wasting our time here? We must be leaving, we still have far north to go. Leave her. Leave this pathetic Muggle being,' snarled Salazar.
'Salazar, if she is responsible for this, she is not just a Muggle being. She is one of us - and I would wager anything that once trained, her powers would be as great as any witch or wizard ever lived! We cannot just leave her here, with no knowledge of how to use her magic!'
Witch!
'Not one of us. With magic, perhaps, but born of filthy Muggle blood! Leave her. Let her die - even better if she destroys more of the Muggles!'
'Salazar! You know that is wrong! It is completely unethical!'
'I say we take her with us. We will educate her as well, and she will help us to realise our dream.'
'Well-said, Rowena,' approved Godric.
The gentle lady scooped her up.
'My name is Helga,' she said. 'You will be safe with us.'
Salazar scowled.
'I disapprove,' he said, 'but I see that the three of you have your minds clouded. I warn you, though, I will have my way one day.'
~
'Miss Bland!'
'Present, Professor!'
Professor Slytherin eyed her, with that gaze that gave her the chills.
I will have my way one day.
Finally, Professor Slytherin turned away from her, and finished with the roll-taking. He looked up, turning his sharp, cold glare on all.
The seventh-years were an assorted bunch - seven students ranging from students a year younger than Aurelia, to Kière, the oldest at twenty. All had already spent seven years sitting through each teacher's first-day welcome speech. At least, in Professor Slytherin's case, what was meant to be a welcoming speech.
Professor Slytherin was by far the strictest of the four educators. Long and lean, with sleek black hair and a stern, scowling face. He was always frowning, except on rare occasions when something pleased him especially. And then, he would be smirking, a smile that struck Aurelia as sadistic.
Most students dared not even fidget in Professor Slytherin's classes, he had such an effect on them. It was pure fear, what Professor Slytherin worked on them. The other Professors held the students attention well enough, and were loved and respected so much that although the classes were never completely silent, work was done and the students knew their work perfectly well. Potions, which Professor Slytherin taught, was very different. Due to their constant worry of erring and earning for themselves a harsh punishment from Professor Slytherin, the students seemed to be clumsier, more forgetful and less steady than usual. As a result, Potions was a living nightmare.
There was, among the pupils, a few favourites of Professor Slytherin. These pupils, of course, remained a model of perfection during Potions, and never dissolved into the nervous state that the others did. There were two in the seventh-year, and this year, they appeared even more cocky than ever.
The first shock came in the middle of the lesson. It was Kière's fault, actually. He and Aurelia were always partners, and worked over the same cauldron. She could feel Professor Slytherin's hard stare on her as she handled a fragile vial of liquid. Gritting her teeth, she willed her hands not to shake, holding them steady.
Kière never meant to, but he was far from the most careful person in the world. Turning to fetch something, he accidentally jerked Aurelia's elbow.
Her arm was stiff. Unable to absorb the shock, Aurelia loosened her grip momentarily, and the vial slipped from her fingers, breaking into a million pieces upon hitting the ground.
All seven students jumped. Professor Slytherin's eyes glittered.
'Mudbloods, how expected,' sneered Hoff Darby, shocking everyone. Darby was a favourite of Professor Slytherin, always on the mean Professor's good side. Yet, he had never spoken up in class before. Everyone was shocked. Even more so at his choice of words - Mudbloods was a singularly uncouth word.
Professor Slytherin, however, was undisturbed by Darby's comment.
'Darby, please concentrate on your own cauldron,' he said, his tone neutral. Then he turned to Aurelia, sarcastic now. 'Miss Bland, if you are unable to control your body movements, I suggest you head for the infirmary. Can you or can you not brew a potion without spilling or breaking anything?'
Aurelia's face reddened, but she nodded, biting her lip.
'And, Miss Bland, surely you do not believe that another student will be cleaning up your mess. Or perhaps you are waiting for me to clean it up for you?'
'N-no, sir,' whispered Aurelia. Trembling, she reached into her robes for her wand.
'I doubt the Mudblood could even cast a proper spell to salvage that mess,' scoffed Darby.
'Hold your peace!'
The second shock of the day, Kière bolted straight up from his seat, temper flaring fully.
'Sit down, Banning,' ordered Professor Slytherin.
'I am sorry, Professor, but perhaps you should reprimand Darby there as well,' Kière objected, his eyes flashing. 'To speak out in class with such a word! Why, Darby, you are no better than a - a prejudiced Muggle!'
'Silence, Banning!'
'Besides, Darby, it was my fault she dropped it, I knocked into her -'
'Oh, sticking up for the Mudblood, are we?' Now Darby joined in.
'Why you -' Kière lunged for Darby.
'KIÈRAN BANNING!' roared Professor Slytherin. 'You will cease this unseemly behaviour at once!' He raised his wand and pointed it as Kière. 'Expelliarmus!'
Kière shot away from Darby, and landed against the stone walls of the classroom.
'Kière!' gasped Aurelia.
He struggled to his feet, glaring at Professor Slytherin.
'Wipe that look off your face,' warned Professor Slytherin. 'Detention for you, young man. And leave now, I have had enough, I do not wish to see you again today.'
Still fuming, Kière stormed back to the table he shared with Aurelia, collected his books, and stomped out of the classroom, leaving behind five gaping classmates and a smirking Darby.
'The rest of you!' barked Professor Slytherin. 'Back to work!'
~
'You should not have!'
'Aurelia, you should have stood up for yourself! How could you just stand there and let that creep call you - call you - well, you heard it!' Kière had both hands on her shoulders and was shaking her.
'Kière, stop it!' Aurelia backed away and faced him, hands on her hips. 'There would have been no point in me retaliating. It would have accomplished nothing, just like your outburst accomplished nothing besides getting you detention.' She shuddered - detention was no joke. Hanging by your ankles for a night was certainly not her idea of fun.
'That is not the point, Aurelia.'
'What is the point? Losing your temper over small things that you cannot change?' she retorted.
'Small things? You call that a small thing? You -'
'Shut up, Kière, there are worse things, and you know it.'
'Like what?' He glared at her defiantly.
Like being burnt at the stake for being a witch.
Her breath caught in her throat suddenly, as she opened her mouth to speak. She closed it again, shaking her head.
'Forget it. Oh Kière, I just feel guilty, that you have detention.and because of me!'
'Aurelia, it will be all right,' he laughed grimly. 'I can survive it.'
'I hope so,' she said, touching his arm lightly. She had succeeded in deflecting his attention. Good. 'Shall I meet you after your detention?'
'Where? Now that we have House Dormitories and House Common Rooms.and we are in different Houses.'
'I have a place.' Aurelia tried not to think about the fact that she was in Professor Ravenclaw's house, and Kière in Professor Gryffindor's. The two had expected to be together, so the split had come as a shock. However, the fact remained that she was the sole pupil that knew nearly everything about the school - from secret classrooms, moving passageways, forbidden corridors.after all, she had lived with the four Professors since she was a tiny girl. She had been there when the castle was constructed. And she was the only student that remained behind every holiday. 'We built a new Astrology tower this holiday, Professor Ravenclaw and I. It is not actually completed, so it is still out of bounds.'
Kière's eyes sparkled.
'Out of bounds, did you say?'
'A nice place, though,' finished Aurelia.
Kière smiled.
'Show me.'
~
Aurelia had watched as Professor Ravenclaw built the tower, which was meant to one day hold Astrology classes in. Sadly, she would not get to attend such a class, but Aurelia meant to use the tower anyway. Somehow she knew, while helping Professor Ravenclaw with its construction, that the tower would serve her many a purpose in the coming year.
Kière moaned softly, rubbing his ankles as Aurelia gazed out of the windows at the stars and planets. She turned to look at him sympathetically.
'Detention must have been a disaster.'
'To say the least,' muttered Kière. 'Hours of hanging upside down by the ankle. Professor Slytherin really knows how to torture people!'
Aurelia shook her head.
'Forget about it now, Kière. Come, look.the view is magnificent!'
'Just some stars. We see them every night in the Dinner Hall, Aurelia,' grumbled Kière. He was very obviously not in a cheerful mood. Not surprisingly.
'Nicer from here,' insisted Aurelia. She dragged him to the window.
'Wow - Aurelia.actually.it really is something!' Kière admitted. It was indeed a breath-taking view of the cosmic universe, unblocked by any pillar or turret. A clear view of the heavens and its movements.
'Professor Ravenclaw says that every movement of the planets signifies something. This world is closely intertwined with the heavens, and if you have the gift, you can See the past, present and future.'
'Amazing,' breathed Kière. 'What would I not give to be able to See.'
'Divine Sight,' said Aurelia thoughtfully. 'It is a rare gift, I should think. I am not very sure about it.'
'Professor Gryffindor should know. Perhaps we should ask him.'
'Oh, Professor Gryffindor may know of past-acclaimed Seers, but he will never acknowledge them. He believes not in Sight. And Professor Ravenclaw believes that Seers are a lost breed.'
'Well, I don't blame them,' Kière decided. 'It is rather hard to accept. After all, to be able to See the past, present and future? It would be scary, I should think.'
Aurelia nodded, staring out at the twinkling night sky again. The planets were in tune, in their celestial dance. Not a single step out of place. Except.
A wave of cold descended on her for a second.
A knock on the door. A hooded figure stands there.
'I am here to cleanse the place. This school must be purified.'
'Who are you?'
'I was sent by your Professors. This school must be purified.'
'But who are you?'
'You know who I am.'
The hood lowers.
'Aurelia! Come back to earth!'
A chill, down her spine.
'Is something wrong?'
Aurelia shook her head, trying to force the vision away. She forced a laugh.
'No, nothing.I must be tired.starting to dream already.'
'Oh.' Kière looked concerned. 'Perhaps we had better get to bed.'
'Well, all right. Enough star-gazing for today,' agreed Aurelia.
'Good night, Aurelia.'
'Good night, Kière.'
They each headed off for their respective dormitories, Kière in his quiet, steady pace, Aurelia tiptoeing along softly, lingering a while at the foot of the tower.
This school must be purified.
It meant something. But what?
Pushing the thought away, Aurelia made her way through the maze of halls and stairs back to the Ravenclaw girls' dormitory.