One more to go...this time I'm sure...I think...
"Will she be all right, Albus?" A voice asked. I tried to open my eyes but I couldn't.
"Only time will tell, Remus." I drifted back into the world that was total darkness.
My hearing was the first sense I was aware of. Nothing more, nothing less. I could hear the bustle of someone, and the clink of glass against glass. I could hear the snoring of someone. They were close by.
Next came my sense of smell. I could smell the medicinal scent of the hospital wing. I had been there many time before, when I had been escorting someone to the hospital wing. They usually had landed at the end of one of my better curses.
My vision was getting better. I could see big objects. "Madame Pomfrey, she's waking up!" I heard Moony say. Someone flitted over me.
"Can you hear me, Angela?" Madame Pomfrey said. I wanted to say yes, but my mouth would not move the way I wanted it to. "Still not in control of motor skills. I'll get some more anti-venom into her." The shape moved away and I could see light again.
Could you try moving something, Angela? Twitch a finger, maybe?" I concentrated on moving my fingers. I wanted to move them so badly. But they wouldn't respond to my command. I let out a grunt in frustration. Moony laughed. "Definitely got your father's spirit. You should try to rest." I tried to close my eyes, but they wouldn't close. "Stay awake then, if that's what makes you happy." Moony backed away from the bed and let my view be undisturbed. I let myself drift back into unconsciousness.
My eyes snapped open. The hospital wing was dark. I let the darkness wash over me, moving each of my limbs to make sure they worked. They did. I sat up and looked around. Moony was on one side, and Sirius was on the other. I let myself slide back down, and go to sleep.
I woke up to Madame Pomfrey bustling about, muttering about something. I opened my eyes.
"Madame Pomfrey, let the boys bring them. I won't let them be used in the Hospital wing!" Sirius was arguing with Madame Pomfrey.
"No! That is my final answer! Fred and George Weasley will keep those horrid things out of this Hospital Wing!" I let out a chuckle.
"What have Fred and George done now?" I asked. Moony jumped.
"Madame Pomfrey, she's awake!" Madame Pomfrey bustled over. I sat up.
"How do you feel dear? Are you tired? Hungry? Hurt anywhere?" I smiled at Madame Pomfrey's dedication.
"I'm fine. What have Fred and George done?" I met Fred and George when they were held prisoner by my father. I would sneak them food and water in exchange for stories. That was nearly eight years ago.
"Tried to send you the entire contents of their joke shop, that's what!" Madame Pomfrey bustled away, picking up a tray of food and plopping it in my lap.
"That all? I thought they may have wanted to turn the Hospital Wing into a swamp." I dug into my breakfast.
"That wasn't funny! Argus Filch was sick for a week from that!" Madame Pomfrey turned and walked away from us. "Not to say he didn't deserve it, though," Madame Pomfrey muttered. I began choking on my eggs I laughed so hard.
Sirius began to pat me on the back. "I'm fine!" I sputtered between laughs. "They really tried to send me all that?" I asked, once I could stop laughing.
"Yep. Eternally grateful, those two." I smiled at that.
"You two should probably tell Dumbledore about her waking up," Madame Pomfrey called to Moony and Sirius.
"I'll go, Sirius. You stay and keep her company." Moony left the hospital wing.
"What happened to James?" I asked after a couple of minutes. It was bothering me that I didn't really know him anymore.
"We got him last. He was sent to Azkaban, along with all the other Death Eaters there." Sirius lapsed into silence, an angry look on his face.
"All the Death Eaters, period." I played with my food, no longer hungry.
It's not your fault, Angela," Sirius said, as if he could sense what was on my mind. "James was a new Death Eater. You couldn't have known he was one without someone from the inside telling you." I burst into tears. "Hey, don't cry, it's all right," Sirius tried to comfort me.
"It is my fault, Sirius! I am on the inside! I'm the daughter of Lord Voldemort! I know what he knew! It's been that way since I can remember!" I let myself sob into my hands, shrugging away Sirius.
"Please leave us, Sirius," A kind voice said. I could hear Sirius leave. "Angie, it isn't your fault. Your father was going to share all that with you when you came home for the holidays, I bet." I looked up at Professor Potter.
"You don't get it, do you? I've just had my only family killed; my only friend is in Azkaban. There is nothing left!" I began to cry into my hands again.
"Now you know what it feels like. I was in almost the exact same position when I went to school. It will get better. You'll change your name to Morte, finish school, and move somewhere were you'll be known for you, and not for who your father is." I looked at Professor Potter.
"And do what, shoeshine for a living? The best Animal handler jobs are based here, in London." I began to pick at my fingernails.
"You'll have to tough it out, kid. Life's not going to get any easier." Professor Potter left the Hospital Wing. I pushed the tray away from me and lay down, trying to sleep. I slept whenever I got seriously upset. The dreams helped me cope. I closed my eyes, letting sleep overcome me.
"You're a traitor, Angie. I should have put you in the orphanage like Lucius wanted me to."
"Lucius is the traitor, as are you, Tom. And you are no parent of mine."
"We will see about that. Crucio!"
I screamed, falling into darkness.
"Angela! Angela, wake up!" Someone was shaking me.
"James?" I asked sleepily.
"No, it's Remus." I opened my eyes. Moony was standing over me. I sat up, and it felt like I was being stabbed all over my body. I looked at my arms. Cuts radiated along them.
"What happened?" I asked Moony. No, Remus.
"You were having a nightmare. Those cuts just kept appearing." I thought about that, trying to set my mind in motion. A memory came back to me.
"Of course," I said, taking my wand from the nightstand and performing a simple healing spell.
"Of course what?" Remus asked.
"When I was little I would wake up from really bad nightmares cut up. My father told me it was from my powers and that when it would happen to just to come to him, and he would patch me up." I almost started crying again, I missed him.
"Oh," Was all Remus said. "Go back to sleep. Dumbledore would like to see you in the morning." I eagerly complied. I had no more dreams.
I stood in front of the gargoyle that guarded Dumbledore's office. "Sherbert Lemon," I said nervously. The gargoyle sprang to the side to reveal the moving staircase. I stepped up, and knocked on the door when I got to the top. "Come in!" was the muffled response.
I entered, and saw Dumbledore behind his desk. "Ah, Angie. Have a seat." I sat across from the Headmaster, remembering my last visit here. "No need to be nervous. Lemon Drop?" He asked, offering me one. I declined. After breakfast I had eaten some Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, and they had been enough. The prefects had all gotten me something. I didn't even think that they liked me enough to do that.
"Well, then we must start business. First, about that Unforgivable curse you used on Voldemort," Dumbledore pulled out a piece of parchment and handed it to me. It was a letter from the ministry.
Dear Ms. Morte,
At approximately 7:34 yesterday afternoon you performed the Killing Curse. As you may know, this curse has beenoutlawed by the ministry. Ministry officials have been and gone, and have been deterred by Albus Dumbledore from taking you into custody. A hearing is set for December 20, 2005, at ten in the morning, where you will prove your innocence.
Sincerely,
Cornelius Fudge
Minister of Magic
I looked at Dumbledore, unable to express my gratitude. "No need to thank me, Angie. You would have done the same, I presume." I nodded. Dumbledore smiled. "Second issue: Telling the Weasley twins enough is enough! Your room has been filled with gifts that the students have given you, and the Weasley twins filled nearly half of it! They will not stop!" I smiled.
"Good ole' George and Fred. I'll owl them thanking them for the gifts, and put a stop to it." Professor Dumbledore smiled at me.
"Good. Third issue: Draco Malfoy." My heart turned to stone.
"What about him, sir?" I asked Dumbledore. Had he been rounded up with the rest of the Death Eaters?
"Should I turn him in or keep him on as Potions Master?" Dumbledore was grave. What should I do? Turn in the man who has practically raised me, but is guilty of crimes like accessory to murder of Muggles? Or should I tell Dumbledore that he should be given a second chance? I remembered how he had helped me when I was expelled. Would he be like that with everyone, or just with me? "I believe you should give him a second chance, sir," I told Dumbledore. "He is one of the most caring people I know, and I believe he will change his ways if given the chance." I looked into Dumbledore's eyes when I said this, to let him no that I was not lying.
Dumbledore nodded. "I believe you may be right." Dumbledore made some markings on a sheet of paper. "I will see you tomorrow morning for the hearing, Angie," Dumbledore said, as a way of dismissing me. I got up and turned to leave the office. "Angie," Dumbledore said. I turned around. "Consider yourself suspended." I smiled and left the office, my heart both heavy and light.