Chapter Sixteen

Maggie stood in the Hogwart's kitchen, mixing her cake mixture briskly. Pieces of hair coming loose, as the wooden spoon turned round and round the bowl.

She was making Gwen's birthday cake, ready for the big day tomorrow. Although the celebrations would be sombre since Gwen still hadn't woken up yet.

Nancy and her had been by Gwen's side everyday for the past 3 days but the little girl had remained cold and motionless.

As thoughts of Gwen crawled into her head, tears began to well up in her eyes but she brushed them away fiercely.

Gwen wouldn't have a salty birthday cake.

***

"News?" Voldermort said, tapping his fingers on the table.

Wormtail sidled up to the table, "nothing yet. She's still...unconscious."

Voldermort's eyes filled with rage and he slammed his fist onto the table, causing Wormtail to jump with fear.

"This is not going according to plan!" the dark lord screamed.

"I'm sorry, master," Wormtail said pathetically.

"What do you have to be sorry about? It's not your fault...for once."

"I...," Wormtail stuttered.

"Shut up, I don't care. Anyway, moving onto more pleasant things, how are our guests?"

"They're fine," Wormtail replied, fiddling with his robe.

"Bring them here."

Wormtail scurried off quickly before re-entering with two figures.

Both bound and gagged.

"Carrie, Annabelle, how nice of you to come," Voldermort said sweetly, a glint in his eye.

***

It was quiet and still, as Gwen entered the room.

Where was she?

The room was filled with colourful banners and at the top of the room were two armchairs.

Gwen could already see a body in one.

"Come sit," the body called.

Gwen obeyed and quickly sat down, taking in the other person.

He was an old man, maybe about Dumbledore's age. He had short, white hair which was covered by what seemed to be a red night cap. His face seemed so familiar but Gwen couldn't quite remember.

"So, how have you been?" the old man asked, his face crumpling into a smile.

"Not bad...where am I?"

"Does it matter?"

"Yes. Am I dreaming or am I awake? Where is everyone?"

"Well, you're not exactly dreaming but you're not exactly awake," the old man said, chuckling to himself.

Gwen peered at the man, completely confused.

"Gwen, look there isn't much time. So please just listen," the old man said, suddenly becoming serious.

Gwen felt her head becoming light and the only thing she could was nod.

The old man then looked at the girl and smiled, "my name is Merlin...."

***

Sirius stalked silently through the school, searching for the hospital wing.

Through back alleys and idle gossip, he'd been able to piece together what had happened to the merlin.

She was in trouble and he had to help her.

He didn't understand why, all he knew was that she reminded him of Vicky and that was reason enough.

Victoria Aldan, the only girl he'd ever loved. The only person in the world that understood and now she was gone.

He wanted to cry for her but every inch of sorrow that he felt was instantly replaced by the rage and hate that had consumed him for the past years.

Vicky had been his guiding light and now she was gone, he was left in the dark, feeling it and being it.

As he tried to push his turmoil away, he smelt the merlin and turned into the hospital wing.

The coldness of the room hit him as he transformed back into his human form.

He edged closer to the bed where the girl was lying and the likeness between Vicky struck him.

He hadn't really noticed it that night but now, it was overwhelming. The dark hair, the oval face and the pale skin.

Sirius could hardly take this living memory and leaned in towards the girl, running a finger through her hair.

As he did, he heard in the distance, the toiling of a bell. It was midnight.

Then he saw it, the flickering of her eyes. She was waking up.

Sirius started to panic. He turned to run when Gwen grabbed him by the hand, clutching it tightly.

***

Gwen opened her eyes and saw the outline of a figure in front of her.

Her vision was still a bit blurry but the person seemed so familiar.

Then her eyes and head suddenly became clear and she knew everything. She could see it all, in front of her.

Merlin, her mother, the future......it was all so bright.

But then things started to darken and she saw another face, Sirius Black.

He looked scared and lonely and then.....a surge of pain and fear filled her being.

It was so over powering, she could hardly breathe.

What was happening?

***

Harry opened his eyes and sighed. The Sandman had passed him over tonight.

Then he heard, the piercing scream of someone in pain, in trouble.

It was Gwen.