Chapter 10 – David's Letter
Liz nearly swallowed her tongue. "A—about me?" she gasped, trying hard to end her coughing fit.
"Yes, about you," said Dumbledore. "Don't sound so surprised, Elizabeth, you are the daughter of the Boy Who Lived. I don't remember the exact wording, but it said something about the daughter of the Boy Who Lived connected to the Ancient Runes, which said something about an unharnessed magic, both a blessing and a curse, that would never stop and responded either randomly or according to her feelings. It comes at the thirteenth year. You felt different the minute you turned thirteen, am I correct?"
"Yes, but I didn't think much of it afterwards."
"You should have. I presume this power has been both a blessing and a curse?"
"A curse, mostly."
"But it might come in handy someday. Remember that."
"I believe this little meeting is over," said McGonagall, irritated that she had little to do in the matter. "As for your punishment, since it was involuntary, there will be none. But Winnie Chen, she stole another's private property out of a rival dorm. I'll need to consider a possible detention for her after she heals."
Liz couldn't keep the grin from spreading across her face. Dumbledore noticed and smiled sagely. "You may leave now, Elizabeth."
It really was bizarre to talk to a portrait, as Liz decided later. "Thank you, sir, Professor McGonagall. I'll try to be more careful in the future."
"You may try, but it will be no use," said Dumbledore. "Goodnight."
Liz hurried out of the office, very confused even though one of her mysteries had been solved. Her feet carried her all the way to the Gryffindor common room, where Rachel and Michael, among a few other stragglers, were waiting.
"What happened?" Michael said as soon as he spotted her.
"Well, Winnie is in the hospital wing and she might get a detention," Liz said, the uncontrollable grin on her face again. "I'll tell you tomorrow."
Liz was as good as her word. In the morning, as she went to McGonagall's office to retrieve Sunny, she explained each and every detail of the previous night to Rachel and Michael. They were stunned at the news of the prophecy. "But that means whoever stole the thing knows about your powers, don't they?" Rachel said.
"True. I never thought of that," said Liz.
The next lesson for Chris was scheduled for the dawn of December. Liz told Chris all about the ordeal before they started. He seemed amazed, not by the prophecy, but by the fact that Liz had spoken to Dumbledore, even in picture form. "Hagrid goes on and on about how he was the greatest headmaster Hogwarts ever had, followed by McGonagall, naturally, and how it's a pity he passed away some years back."
They then began the lesson. It was on the Tripping Charm. Chris had tried it before, but he had a hard time getting it.
"You remember the incantation?" said Liz.
"Yes."
"All right, go!" she said, bracing for the worst.
"F-fallosa!" Chris stammered.
Instead of tripping, Liz flew into the air, close to the top of the nearest tree. "Help!" she cried. Rachel, Michael, and Chris gathered under her, staring up. "Get me down! Before Hagrid sees!"
"Hang on, we'll find a way," Chris called.
"Oh, gosh, I didn't think about that," said Michael. "Hagrid will see you up there."
"I know that! Now get me down!"
"Um, um, what will we do?" Rachel said, dancing around frantically. "Liz, do you know any spells?"
"Not that I can remember from up here!" Liz called back. Couldn't they think any faster?
"I can't think!" Rachel moaned. Michael nearly pulled out his hair in frustration.
"Wait, I've got it!" said Chris. He brandished his wand and cried, "Wingardium Leviosa!" Liz felt herself being lowered slowly to the ground. She landed neatly on her feet.
"Well," she said shakily, "at least we know you can do that charm."
"Are you okay?" Rachel asked.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine." Liz looked up at Chris. "We'll work on it. Just a little more practice—"
"But not today," Chris countered. "Maybe this lesson is over."
"If you say so," said Liz. "I—I guess we'll see you later. Tell Hagrid goodbye for us."
Rachel added, "But not anything else."
They waved as they headed back up to the castle. Liz looked up at where she had been in the air and winced. Chris was improving, however slowly. But how slowly could one person go?
Christmas was approaching. On the last day before the break began and all the departing students left, Liz, Rachel, and Michael exchanged gifts. They had decided to do it before the latter two left, so as not to strain the owls with too many large packages.
"I'll go first," said Rachel, picking up Liz's present. She shook it tentatively, and then she ripped into it. It was a bulging bag of a sweet called Canary Creams, the second highest-selling treat at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, preceded only by a delightfully horrific one called Ton-Tongue Toffees.
"Feed them to the twins," said Michael. Carla and Theresa Yates were exchanging very rubbery, bouncy, loud gifts with their friends elsewhere in the common room.
Liz opened Michael's next. It was more sweets from the store Honeydukes in Hogsmeade. "Thanks, Michael," said Liz. "Your turn."
Michael picked up the only gift labeled to him. "How come I only get one?" he said. "Who's this from?"
"It's from both of us," said Rachel.
Michael weighed it in his hands, seeming to be considering what would be the best way to open it. Then he shook it so whatever was inside rattled around violently. "Don't!" Rachel cried. "It's fragile."
Michael raised an eyebrow, shrugged, and tore into it. He pulled out a Wizarding Wireless. "You guys really didn't need to do this."
"But we did," said Rachel.
"Now we know what to get Rachel for her birthday," Liz said, grinning.
"Thanks," said Michael. "Who's next?"
"Me!" Rachel and Liz cried simultaneously. "Okay, we'll both do it together," said Liz.
Rachel picked up the one from Michael and Liz picked up the one from Rachel. Rachel pulled out a hair accessory that flashed different colors. "Oh, Michael, I love it!" she exclaimed.
Liz's was an inkpot that she never had to refill. The supply of ink just replenished itself. "Thanks," said Liz. "This'll be good for my Quick- Quotes Quill in History of Magic."
"I thought you'd like it," Rachel responded, beaming.
"You know she just got it for you so you can let us borrow your notes," said Michael.
"Not a chance," Liz grinned.
The next morning, both Rachel and Michael left on the Hogwarts Express with most of the student population of the school. Liz saw them off, and then she went upstairs to do some extra reading for Potions, in which she had her lowest mark yet. That wasn't surprising, naturally, but Liz was determined to prove to Snape that she wasn't as much of a dolt as he made her out to be. She had checked out a pile of books from the Restricted section of the library with Professor Weasley's signature.
She finally finished them on the day of Christmas Eve. So that was how the theory of Veritaserum worked. She had read an article about it while researching Love Potions, and she had wondered about it ever since. She still had to send her Christmas cards. She'd better get started.
She pulled out a quill and began. She wrote one to the Smiths, one to Hagrid and Chris, one to the Yateses, one to the Weasleys, and one extra she planned to keep: to David Hannigan. It wasn't embarrassing; it said hello, how are you, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and things like that. She stowed it away in her desk next to her mother's letters. Writing it was one thing, but she would never send it. She wished she could send it, but she could never work up the courage.
She set all the present by the letters they went to. Before she headed up to the Owlery to fetch Luna to send them all, Liz looked at the letter sitting in her drawer, never to be sent. It looked fancy on her one piece of green stationery. She sighed and headed out of the dorm.
It was if Liz's owl could sense the holiday excitement in the air. She bounced around, and Liz had to retrieve her from atop a tall statue in the middle of a corridor, with many passersby eyeing her as if she was crazy.
She reached her dorm and gave all the letters and packages to Luna, who struggled with the weight. "Just give them to whomever they're addressed to," Liz said, placing her on the window. She went to go make sure David's letter was safe.
But it wasn't there.
Oh, no. She had wished she could send it! Liz rushed to the window, where Luna had just taken off. She was too far away to call her back now. Among all the normal letters was one piece of green stationery.
Stupid powers! They were making Liz's day-to-day life near impossible to live. Now David might suspect that she liked him, especially since the two had never said a word to each other. This was bad. This was really bad. What in the world was she supposed to do?
Liz nearly swallowed her tongue. "A—about me?" she gasped, trying hard to end her coughing fit.
"Yes, about you," said Dumbledore. "Don't sound so surprised, Elizabeth, you are the daughter of the Boy Who Lived. I don't remember the exact wording, but it said something about the daughter of the Boy Who Lived connected to the Ancient Runes, which said something about an unharnessed magic, both a blessing and a curse, that would never stop and responded either randomly or according to her feelings. It comes at the thirteenth year. You felt different the minute you turned thirteen, am I correct?"
"Yes, but I didn't think much of it afterwards."
"You should have. I presume this power has been both a blessing and a curse?"
"A curse, mostly."
"But it might come in handy someday. Remember that."
"I believe this little meeting is over," said McGonagall, irritated that she had little to do in the matter. "As for your punishment, since it was involuntary, there will be none. But Winnie Chen, she stole another's private property out of a rival dorm. I'll need to consider a possible detention for her after she heals."
Liz couldn't keep the grin from spreading across her face. Dumbledore noticed and smiled sagely. "You may leave now, Elizabeth."
It really was bizarre to talk to a portrait, as Liz decided later. "Thank you, sir, Professor McGonagall. I'll try to be more careful in the future."
"You may try, but it will be no use," said Dumbledore. "Goodnight."
Liz hurried out of the office, very confused even though one of her mysteries had been solved. Her feet carried her all the way to the Gryffindor common room, where Rachel and Michael, among a few other stragglers, were waiting.
"What happened?" Michael said as soon as he spotted her.
"Well, Winnie is in the hospital wing and she might get a detention," Liz said, the uncontrollable grin on her face again. "I'll tell you tomorrow."
Liz was as good as her word. In the morning, as she went to McGonagall's office to retrieve Sunny, she explained each and every detail of the previous night to Rachel and Michael. They were stunned at the news of the prophecy. "But that means whoever stole the thing knows about your powers, don't they?" Rachel said.
"True. I never thought of that," said Liz.
The next lesson for Chris was scheduled for the dawn of December. Liz told Chris all about the ordeal before they started. He seemed amazed, not by the prophecy, but by the fact that Liz had spoken to Dumbledore, even in picture form. "Hagrid goes on and on about how he was the greatest headmaster Hogwarts ever had, followed by McGonagall, naturally, and how it's a pity he passed away some years back."
They then began the lesson. It was on the Tripping Charm. Chris had tried it before, but he had a hard time getting it.
"You remember the incantation?" said Liz.
"Yes."
"All right, go!" she said, bracing for the worst.
"F-fallosa!" Chris stammered.
Instead of tripping, Liz flew into the air, close to the top of the nearest tree. "Help!" she cried. Rachel, Michael, and Chris gathered under her, staring up. "Get me down! Before Hagrid sees!"
"Hang on, we'll find a way," Chris called.
"Oh, gosh, I didn't think about that," said Michael. "Hagrid will see you up there."
"I know that! Now get me down!"
"Um, um, what will we do?" Rachel said, dancing around frantically. "Liz, do you know any spells?"
"Not that I can remember from up here!" Liz called back. Couldn't they think any faster?
"I can't think!" Rachel moaned. Michael nearly pulled out his hair in frustration.
"Wait, I've got it!" said Chris. He brandished his wand and cried, "Wingardium Leviosa!" Liz felt herself being lowered slowly to the ground. She landed neatly on her feet.
"Well," she said shakily, "at least we know you can do that charm."
"Are you okay?" Rachel asked.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine." Liz looked up at Chris. "We'll work on it. Just a little more practice—"
"But not today," Chris countered. "Maybe this lesson is over."
"If you say so," said Liz. "I—I guess we'll see you later. Tell Hagrid goodbye for us."
Rachel added, "But not anything else."
They waved as they headed back up to the castle. Liz looked up at where she had been in the air and winced. Chris was improving, however slowly. But how slowly could one person go?
Christmas was approaching. On the last day before the break began and all the departing students left, Liz, Rachel, and Michael exchanged gifts. They had decided to do it before the latter two left, so as not to strain the owls with too many large packages.
"I'll go first," said Rachel, picking up Liz's present. She shook it tentatively, and then she ripped into it. It was a bulging bag of a sweet called Canary Creams, the second highest-selling treat at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, preceded only by a delightfully horrific one called Ton-Tongue Toffees.
"Feed them to the twins," said Michael. Carla and Theresa Yates were exchanging very rubbery, bouncy, loud gifts with their friends elsewhere in the common room.
Liz opened Michael's next. It was more sweets from the store Honeydukes in Hogsmeade. "Thanks, Michael," said Liz. "Your turn."
Michael picked up the only gift labeled to him. "How come I only get one?" he said. "Who's this from?"
"It's from both of us," said Rachel.
Michael weighed it in his hands, seeming to be considering what would be the best way to open it. Then he shook it so whatever was inside rattled around violently. "Don't!" Rachel cried. "It's fragile."
Michael raised an eyebrow, shrugged, and tore into it. He pulled out a Wizarding Wireless. "You guys really didn't need to do this."
"But we did," said Rachel.
"Now we know what to get Rachel for her birthday," Liz said, grinning.
"Thanks," said Michael. "Who's next?"
"Me!" Rachel and Liz cried simultaneously. "Okay, we'll both do it together," said Liz.
Rachel picked up the one from Michael and Liz picked up the one from Rachel. Rachel pulled out a hair accessory that flashed different colors. "Oh, Michael, I love it!" she exclaimed.
Liz's was an inkpot that she never had to refill. The supply of ink just replenished itself. "Thanks," said Liz. "This'll be good for my Quick- Quotes Quill in History of Magic."
"I thought you'd like it," Rachel responded, beaming.
"You know she just got it for you so you can let us borrow your notes," said Michael.
"Not a chance," Liz grinned.
The next morning, both Rachel and Michael left on the Hogwarts Express with most of the student population of the school. Liz saw them off, and then she went upstairs to do some extra reading for Potions, in which she had her lowest mark yet. That wasn't surprising, naturally, but Liz was determined to prove to Snape that she wasn't as much of a dolt as he made her out to be. She had checked out a pile of books from the Restricted section of the library with Professor Weasley's signature.
She finally finished them on the day of Christmas Eve. So that was how the theory of Veritaserum worked. She had read an article about it while researching Love Potions, and she had wondered about it ever since. She still had to send her Christmas cards. She'd better get started.
She pulled out a quill and began. She wrote one to the Smiths, one to Hagrid and Chris, one to the Yateses, one to the Weasleys, and one extra she planned to keep: to David Hannigan. It wasn't embarrassing; it said hello, how are you, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and things like that. She stowed it away in her desk next to her mother's letters. Writing it was one thing, but she would never send it. She wished she could send it, but she could never work up the courage.
She set all the present by the letters they went to. Before she headed up to the Owlery to fetch Luna to send them all, Liz looked at the letter sitting in her drawer, never to be sent. It looked fancy on her one piece of green stationery. She sighed and headed out of the dorm.
It was if Liz's owl could sense the holiday excitement in the air. She bounced around, and Liz had to retrieve her from atop a tall statue in the middle of a corridor, with many passersby eyeing her as if she was crazy.
She reached her dorm and gave all the letters and packages to Luna, who struggled with the weight. "Just give them to whomever they're addressed to," Liz said, placing her on the window. She went to go make sure David's letter was safe.
But it wasn't there.
Oh, no. She had wished she could send it! Liz rushed to the window, where Luna had just taken off. She was too far away to call her back now. Among all the normal letters was one piece of green stationery.
Stupid powers! They were making Liz's day-to-day life near impossible to live. Now David might suspect that she liked him, especially since the two had never said a word to each other. This was bad. This was really bad. What in the world was she supposed to do?