A/N Luckily for all of my loyal readers that my favorite computer game: The Sims, is not working right now and I can't play it. (Weeps uncontrollably) So, unfortunately, I can't play it, and, fortunately, I can type up this chapter because it is already two days later than deadline. (I should have said the 17th anyway, as I had an AIDS benefit on Friday night and last night was my winter dance… no time, no time. Plus, fanfiction. netwas down that day) So, here we go again! Hope you enjoy!
And thanks to all of my reviewers, I love ya!
DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all associated names and places belong to J. K. Rowling, as much as I would love to claim them as my own. I can claim Monique, Flop, Vietsvar, and Catrine as characters out of my very own mind!
Harry Potter and the Sacred Soul of Vietsvar
Rated PG-13
By: Handsofftheshinyshirtitsmine
Chapter 5 The Sacred Soul of Vietsvar Part 1
Monique was released from the infirmary that evening, following a thorough examination from Madame Pomfrey. She had never been quite so relieved to see the portrait of the Fat Lady, or consequently, the Gryffindor Common room, as she was that night.
"Monique!" Ginny was the first to notice as the petite, dark-haired girl strode through the portrait hole. She looked tired, but otherwise completely healthy and happy as she smiled brightly at her young friend.
"Hello Gin," Monique responded, flipping her heavy hair over her shoulder and looking about at her surroundings. From a table near the fireplace, her cat meowed at her loudly, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione swept towards her, their manner anxious and slightly reserved.
"Monique, we're so glad you're alright! How are you feeling?" Hermione asked, at the same time drawing her into a tight embrace. Monique grimaced, struggling away before she replied.
"I'm fine, Hermione, thank you." She turned her smile now on this friend, and then looked at Harry. "Thank you so much for the flowers." She commented, "They were lovely." Harry blushed furiously, and immediately averted his gaze to his feet, mumbling something to the extent of 'It was nothing'. Monique ignored the stammering boy and made her way over to pick up Flop, whom she hugged protectively to her chest.
Ron and Harry retreated to the table where they were obviously doing some last minute homework, while Hermione continued to converse with Monique.
"Do they know why you fainted, Monique? Last time I'd heard, they hadn't a clue." She reached forward and began to stroke the fur between Flop's ears, not pressing an answer from the other girl. After a moment, Monique shook her head.
"No. Dumbledore says that they really can't tell." She responded quietly, before executing a swift subject change. "What did I miss in classes?"
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She was still finding it difficult to concentrate on Thursday when she entered transfiguration, her thoughts preoccupied with her recent fainting incident. She took her seat by Hermione, instinctively pulling her wand from her bag, and emitting a rather loud sigh. Professor McGonagall looked at her sternly over the rim of her square glasses, and then began class. "Today, I wish to begin discussion concerning a rather complex and little-known aspect of Transfiguration, known simply as 'transfiguration Diaspora'." Hermione and Monique exchanged a look, and then readied their quills and parchment. "This form of transfiguration is always deadly, as it causes an individual's soul to escape from their body. However, there is a recent belief that there may someday be a way in which to harness the freed soul and return it to the un-transfigured body."
The end of class arrived in a rather unhurried fashion, finding Monique bored and uninterested. As she began to pack her things, Professor McGongall cleared her throat.
"Miss Es," She said. Monique jumped and fumbled with her bag, cursing under her breath as a jar of ink rolled from it. She shook her hair from her face, and placed the jar back into the bag before looking up at McGonagall. They were the only two people remaining in the room.
"Yes, Professor?" She stood, tightening the strap on her bag, and walking to where McGonagall stood at the front of the room. The aging woman leaned herself back against her desk, and smiled gently at the teenager standing before her.
"How are you feeling, Monique?" She asked quietly.
"I'm alright, thank you. Still a bit out of sorts, but I think it will go away eventually." Monique responded sincerely. McGonagall nodded.
"Yes, I did notice that you weren't yourself today." Monique raised an eyebrow.
"Did you need something, Professor?" She inquired, her tone slightly harsh and irritated. McGonagall ignored her slight attitude and nodded.
"Yes, Monique. I regret having to do this to you, but you are not going to be allowed to attend this weekend's Hogsmeade outing. Your father and Professor Dumbledore feel it is necessary to have a discussion with you and have determined that to be the most opportune time."
The upcoming weekend, only two days away, was eagerly anticipated as a Hogsmeade weekend. Students talked excitedly, pondering what they were to buy and where they would go. Monique's friends were included in this conversation, and it seemed to her that that was the only topic of conversation as of late.
Monique's frown deepened.
"…what exactly do they wish to discuss with me?" She asked, drumming her slim fingers angrily on her thigh. McGonagall smiled gently.
"I do not entirely know." She answered, not entirely honest. "But…" She continued, upon noticing Monique's unhappy expression, "it must be important. Professor Dumbledore and your father would never intentionally take that privilege from you for frivolous reasons." She mused, attempting to calm Monique.
"Of course not." Monique responded curtly. "Is that all, ma'am?"
"Yes, Miss Es. You may go now."
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Monique left the room, her face set in a scowl. Not surprisingly, all of her fellow students had already made their way to their next class, including her friends. Monique sighed again, and started off for ancient runes.
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Saturday morning found the castle a buzz of excitement. Monique made her way through the throngs of excited students quietly, tuning out the shouts of plans through the common room, and sat dejectedly at the Gryffindor table Her eyes traveled across the head table, searching for the face of a teacher she wasn't angry with. She found none.
"Monique, don't look so glum!" Ron quipped at her, as her three friends took their respective seats. Monique looked at him somberly, and then at Harry.
"I wish you could come along." He commented with a sad smile. She shrugged.
"Dumbledore thinks it best if I don't leave the castle grounds until they can understand why I fainted. They don't want to take the chance of my having another attack while I am in Hogsmeade." She lied, in a tone so convincing that none questioned it's truth. She pretended to fully agree with, and accept, the reasoning she had given, as she cast them a sorry look and took a sip of her pumpkin juice.
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Monique watched as everyone filed out the great, looming castle doors, waving half-heartedly to her friends as they left for Hogsmeade. She remained standing in the middle of the staircase until the only people that were left to mill about her were first and second years, and staff members. She turned and began to climb the stairs to the common room, bored. She didn't know when she was supposed to talk to Snape and Dumbledore, and decided to get a head start on her homework beforehand. Monique counted the stairs as she walked up. "…25…26…27…28" Her mind wandered, and she failed to pay attention to where she was wandering, suddenly smacking roughly into another individual.
"Please do watch where you are going, Miss Es." Snarled a familiar voice from above her as she stumbled backward.
Monique regained her balance and looked up into the dark and frigid eyes of her father. Her brows fell together.
"Pardon me, sir." She muttered, smoothing her hair and avoiding his gaze. "If you will excuse me…" she made her way around him silently, without looking back.
Snape glanced about himself and then called after her.
"Monique." His voice was oddly tender and the sharp edge it held even when speaking to her was startlingly absent. Monique took a few more small steps, and then stopped, though not turning to face him. He called again. "You cannot avoid me forever. You have to know what Dumbledore and I wish to tell you, and now is as opportune a time as any." She turned and looked at him. "Come now, let us get this over with." Her father offered gently, extending his hand.
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Snape regarded the sleeping infant in the crib beside him, an amused expression playing on his sharp features. Black hair, just like his own, straight and already full, and a nose that he knew would develop much like his own when given time. He wondered what color her eyes would be when they lost their baby blue tinge. He hoped they would be like Catrine's, small and bright amber, a legacy of her mother. Deep inside, he understood that she would not be returning.
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A/N Well I realize it is short but I want to keep all of the basic information that she is going to receive in it's own chapter or two, so those will be next!! Sorry about the bit of a cliff hanger, especially to you cumbacksirius, but I promise things will clear themselves up in Chapter 6: The Sacred Soul of Vietsvar, Part 2, up before the end of January!!
