Dear Magenta,
Hey, how have you been, little one? Things at home have simply not been the same without you. It's so quiet in the house. Wow, now there's something I never expected to say.
So, how is Hogwarts? Everyone is treating you well, right? They better be. Things here are quiet. The Order has been busy lately. Some idiot in Montana thinks he has the power to override the Ministry. I've been there quite a bit lately.
Everyone at home misses you. The Kernals across the street ask about you all the time and Mrs. McJackson is apparently knitting you something. Not sure what. Also, Micaela Williams misses you, she comes by everyday looking for you and is almost to tears when I tell her you aren't home. I must say, I agree, I miss you a lot as well.
The bookstore is going well, lately. Lots of business these days, I have to get a new clerk. Speaking of the shop, Patsy and Jake say hi.
So, Magenta, now for the big question: What house are you in? You haven't told me yet. And, who are you hanging out with these days? Who's your favourite teacher? Favourite subject? Are you hating having to wear a uniform yet? You had better write soon, or I may have to come up there myself.
Well, sweetie, I have to go, business calls. I wish I could write more. I'll be expecting a reply...
Love,
Aunt Viv
Dear Maggie,
Magenta Lillith Bellona Coldren where have you been? You promised to write me! Its Cordy! I've been waiting for a letter! Oh well, too late now, I'm writing you anyways. Okay, how are those Brits treating you? Or, are there any Americans there? Hmmm...
Well, OK, how have you been? I'm fine... So is my family. I hope you are as well. There has been nothing interesting here without you, Maggie.
Well, I gotta go finish homework. Don't know why, but my parents aren't letting me go back to magic school for another year. Darn. Well, I'll be expecting a reply. Talk to you soon!
We love you, Maggie, me and Josh and... and Clara.
Love,
Cordy
Magenta smiled at her letters until Cordy's last words registered with her. She frowned. Clara.
Josh, Cordy, Clara and Magenta had all gone to Moor Castle together, and had been friends to the last. Clara had been killed in the Moor Castle massacre, and the three remaining friends thought of her everyday. Things would never be the same.
Magenta wiped a tear from her eye and looked up at the clock. It was 11 P.M.. She resolved to write them in the morning. Yawning, she stood and headed up to bed.
I'll write them in the morning. In the morning... she thought as she drifted off to sleep...
Chapter 82: Cassandra SerenityWalking through the bitter cold of the late November morning Cassandra couldn't help, but feel a pang of doubt inside of herself. The holidays were coming and she just wasn't sure if she wanted to return home yet. So many things had changes since she was last there. She had friends now who were just like her, well not just like her, but human and her own age. These were the first human friends she had ever had and it felt wonderful to be part of their group.
However, at the same time Cassandra worried she might do or say something that would make her friends angry. Because she had never had friends like this before, Cassandra always felt a bit like she was there, but not at the same time. Alone in a crowd of people she thought to herself as she walked with her friends to the great hall for breakfast.
Daniel and Magenta were talking animatedly about the recent Quidditch game and their friends on the team. Alondra and Erin were joking around with Oliver Wood on the other side of the table. Cassandra sat in the middle of it all with a soft smile on her face and a feeling of only somewhat belonging.
Looking to her left Cassandra saw Harry, Ron and Hermione chatting quiet between themselves. They had been doing that a lot lately she noted to herself. Just as she was looking away two emerald green eyes caught hers. Harry was staring right at her with a questioning glace. They both seemed to be feeling the same sort of inward loneliness and could see in each other a person just like them. The two stared at each other for a moment or so sharing their silent moment before they both looked away, being pulled into the conversations around them.
"What about you Cass?" Magenta asked while tugging lightly on Cassandra's arm.
"Um, what?" was the only reply Cassandra could give.
"What Quidditch team is your favourite?" Daniel added in after Magenta.
"I don't really have one." Cassandra replied to the two of them before once again pulling away from the conversation.
It wasn't that her friends didn't include her in their conversations because they always seemed to be trying to pull her out from within herself. Still sometimes Cassandra wondered if she really had a part in their little group. Or did she just skirt to the fringes of the group. There, but somehow removed as well.
Taking another sip of her pumpkin juice Cassandra started to think about the up coming holidays. They would be upon them all soon and with them came a few choices. Should she go back home to Tranquillity Grove or stay here at Hogwarts? Both had their own points to them.
Going home would mean seeing her mother, which was a chaos of emotions for the young girl. Juliet, Cassandra's mother, was only a shell of a person really. After the last war and the death of her husband and closest friends she had retreated in on herself. Now she moved through life a ghost of a person. Juliet's dull lifeless green eyes that never acknowledged anyone or anything staring out from beneath a pale, frail, body of a woman Cassandra called mum.
As if this wasn't enough for Cassandra to take, but now she might have to share the holidays with a cousin that she had only recently met through letters. Ray seemed nice enough and Cassandra enjoyed the letters they shared together, but a fear was deep in Cassandra that Ray would mock the only family Cassandra had even had.
"Cass, can you pass the butter please?" Alondra asked with a smile, breaking Cassandra from the thoughts that had gripped at her heart.
"Sure" Cassandra mumbled as she handed Alondra the butter with her usual soft smile pulling at the corners of her mouth.
Alondra began talking again to Erin and Oliver with the occasional glace and comment for to Cass, Magenta, and Daniel. The latter two still engorged in their animated conversation though the topic had shifted from Quidditch to classes. The world around her a buzz with motion and life, Cassandra could only hear bits and pieces of things as she thought about events that had happen to her recently.
Only last night she had, for the first time, been able to perform the Disillusionment charm without error. It had taken her nearly nine weeks to get it correct, but she was very pleased the first time she had made a goblet full of pumpkin juice go invisible. Bringing it back had been even simpler, which was a relief to Cassandra as that she didn't want Quistle upset at her for making his dishes disappear.
A spark of joy lit up in Cassandra as she thought back to the weeks following Halloween. Hermione had been very changed by her experience with a troll because she no longer gave Cassandra resentful looks when they both did well in class. Actually, the two had been studying together off and on for the last three weeks. Quizzing each other and trying to stump the other with impossibly hard questions. Their other friends thought both of them mad, but their enjoyed the good intellectual challenge that they posed for each other.
"I'm planning on going home for the holidays" Magenta said with a smile. Cass knew how much she missed her aunt back home and thought it was a wonderful idea for Magenta to see her again.
"Not me, I'm staying here. Nothing really to go back to anyways" was Daniel's reply.
"Cass you'll probably being going home too, huh?" remarked Magenta casually.
"Oh" taking a moment to pull herself back into the conversation Cassandra blinked her eyes and gave a sigh. "I don't really know yet. I haven't decided." she answered with a soft and frail tone. Both of her friends gave her questioning looks.
"Well why wouldn't you? You have a nice house and family you can spend time with." Daniel didn't understand the reasons behind why she felt scared of going home. But that wasn't his fault, Cassandra had never told any of her friends about her mum.
"I know, but I just don't know yet." Was the only reply Cassandra could really think of right now without going into everything at home. Daniel gave a shrug and turned his attention back to Magenta. Magenta, however, was watching Cass for some sign of what was going on. All she saw though was Cassandra's normal soft smile and two blue-grey eyes that held no extra meaning behind them.
I should tell them Cassandra thought to herself, but then the doubts of what they would say or how they would react crept into place again. Would she lose her only friends because of her family? Or worse yet, would she lose them when they found out she had been keeping things from them?
With those questions pulling at her heart Cassandra remained as she was. A young girl with a soft smile on her rose red lip. Sitting there with friends all around her, but feeling truly alone in the world.
Chapter 83: Alondra Bracho & Sebastian Stirling"So I can breathe...Ohhhhhh it seems like I can finally rest my head on something real...I like the way that feels...Ohhhhhhhhh it's as if you know me better than I ever knew myself, I like how you can teeeelll...Ohhhhhh I love how you can tell," Alondra sang heartedly to herself.
She was busy scribbling some Potions homework; she frowned and massaged her temples. She should have stayed in the library with her friends, but she needed air. And out there she felt calm and free. It was a habit for her to be singing to herself constantly. Her papa had always told her she had the gift of song flowing through her. She smiled happily remembering her parents and brothers. Sighing she placed her parchment aside and stretched lazily on the grass under her favourite Oak. She realized just how much time she tended to spend there now. It was her sanctuary and secret place to think, study, and daydream...
Despite the cold weather and light snowfall, she loved being outside. She loved cold and snowy days, it reminded her a lot of Harmony. The wind rustled through the bare branches, it talked to her, soothed her, and the fluffy white clouds took on different shapes and sizes in the grey sky. She had tied her long blonde hair up in a high pony tail that morning and now with the wind's touch, a few locks escaped and adorned her rosy cheeks angelically.
"Alondra!" a voice called and Alondra turned to see Sebastian looking to her, surprised and relieved. She smiled sweetly and waved.
"Hi... stranger. Merlin, Seb! I feel like I haven't talked to you in so long!" Alondra told him and motioned for him to sit next to her. Sebastian ran a hand through his neatly combed dark hair and hesitated, but eventually sat.
"I've been looking for you, Alondra. I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately, it's just that...well, I've... err, been adjusting to my place in Slytherin. Like I'm sure you have been in Gryffindor." Sebastian replied softly and avoided her eyes. Alondra furrowed her brows and eyed him curiously. Sebastian looked jumpy, unsure and shy...not like himself at all. Alondra cleared her throat.
"So, how did you know where to find me? ESP?" Alondra teased and shoved him playfully. Sebastian looked to her and chuckled lightly, though the smile didn't reach his eyes like usual. Alondra smiled but bit her lip, worried.
"I've been looking for you, Alondra. Your friends... err, Cassandra and Magenta were in the library and they said I might find you out here." Sebastian spoke up and played with a few strands of grass in his hand.
"You were looking for me? Really? Did you need something? Is everything ok at home with your parents?" Alondra rushed to ask, her delicate features full of concern and care. Sebastian looked to her, and shut his eyes painfully. He shook his head, amazed at how much she cared for him. Always asking if everything was all right with him, being protective and tender at the same time.
Alondra was watching him worriedly, he was acting so strangely. His eyes looked a little hollow and icy. His face had a uncomfortable expression and not once had he maintained eye contact with her...it was very strange for him. Alondra felt a wave of thoughts rush into her mind. She winced and put a hand to her forehead. They were all Sebastian's thoughts...
'Would you just tell her!' 'Be a proud Slytherin, say it and just walk away... DO IT!' 'If I don't do this now, I won't get another chance...she's constantly with her little friends...and now that bloke of a Hufflepuff follows her everywhere' 'Oh yea, that pathetic git!' 'Father will explode if I don't tell him it's done with in my next letter' 'I'm sorry, Persephone'
Alondra breathed heavily and then snapped her eyes open.
"Damn it, Sebastian!" she exclaimed angrily and stood up abruptly, dusting off her robes impatiently. Sebastian looked to her and noticed the familiar haunted look in her caramel eyes. He exhaled heavily and stood up, turned to her and crossed his arms over his chest.
"You have no permission to read my thoughts, Alondra Bracho!" Sebastian snapped at her seriously. Alondra gaped and then shook her head rolling her eyes. She placed her hands on her hips.
"You better than anyone know I can't control my powers well! And when you come here looking so unsure and avoiding eye contact... Well, your thoughts scream louder at me than anything!" Alondra defended herself. Sebastian smirked and rolled his own eyes.
"Fine, whatever Alondra! If you know what it is I wanted to tell you, then I can go." Sebastian retorted and turned to walk away. Alondra gasped at his insensitivity...he just was not acting like the Sebastian she had known for years.
"Sebastian! You can't just leave and not explain why you think we can't and shouldn't be friends anymore!" Alondra argued frustratingly taking a hold of his arm. He slowly turned to face her and felt his heart break at the sad and pleading look in her eyes...it surprised Sebastian however that she had not tears in them. He shook his head and yanked his arm out of her grasp. Alondra gaped at his harshness and Sebastian looked up to the sky and closed his eyes.
'I have to do this...there is no other way..' he told himself hastily and hoped Alondra hadn't heard that. He breathed in deep and looked down at his best friend. Gathering every ounce of courage, he narrowed his eyes at her angrily and stuck out his chest pompously.
"I simply don't want to be your friend anymore, Alondra! Face it we're too different! Doesn't the fact that we're in different houses with different attributes tell you anything? You're the heroine and I'm the villain... you're the m...m..." Sebastian spat but stuttered at the end. Alondra shook her head defiantly.
"Look at you, you're shaking! You don't mean any of this madness! Why are you lying, Sebastian? We're best friends...I know you!" Alondra yelled at him, Sebastian looked to the ground and flinched. But he willed himself to finish it. Clenching his fists at his sides he looked to her and glared at her defiantly.
"No, Alondra. You don't know me...you know the me you wish I was! You've never truly known me. We're as different as night and day. I mean, how much clearer can I make this! Damn it, Alondra, look at me! I'm the pureblood and you're the mudblood! And people of my status with the people of yours can never be friends...never! So listen clearly and read my flapping lips… as of this moment on we are no longer friends, not even acquaintances," Sebastian drawled in a low voice. Alondra was looking at him steadily, as the words sunk into her like a cold sudden splash of water hit her full on.
She cried out angrily and her eyes darkened. A strong gust of wind picked up around her and flew at Sebastian at full force, making him stumble back. He fought back the tears that threatened to sting his own eyes. He steadied himself arrogantly and swallowed hard.
"How convenient are those freaky little powers of yours, Alondra. They fight for you... of course I'm not surprised you never could stand up for yourself anyway. What's gonna happen to you, when they exhaust? Well, I guess your pathetic and freaky little Gryffindor gang will have to come to your rescue...time and time again. How sad," Sebastian said bitterly, a cruel smirk on his face. Alondra was breathing heavily and then tilted her head to one side and glared at him through a wicked smile. She looked up to the sky abruptly and a sudden streak of lightning hit close by Sebastian. He flinched and gaped at the burned grass so close to him. He looked to Alondra, pale and shocked.
"Go back to your cruel and arrogant Slytherin crew, Sebastian. I used to think you were different from them...but just now you proved how much you and they are one of a kind! Oh, and don't you dare think for one second that I'm gonna cry and wail and let you have the satisfaction of putting me and my friends down. Just be careful, Sebastian Stirling. Because I may not know how to manipulate my freaky little powers just yet, but I will someday soon...and if you bother me or any of my friends… there will be hell to pay! And I agree, as of this moment on... we're enemies. Let your father know he won," Alondra drawled, in a voice unlike her own. Her stance was proud and firm. She smirked bitterly and went to pick up her things and pushed past him roughly and was out of sight instantly towards Gryffindor Tower.
As Alondra climbed up the steps, she let a few tears escape her dark eyes. She held back a sob and buried her face in her hands.
"Why? Why can't we be friends anymore, Seb! I'm gonna miss you so much," Alondra mumbled into her hands and finally let that impending sob escape her.
And outside, thunder roared and lightning stroke. Sebastian looked up to the sky sadly and breathed in raggedly.
"I'm sorry, Persephone...I'm so sorry," he whispered to himself, as he angrily wiped away a few tears that had fallen down his cheeks. Sebastian scowled angrily and stomped away to his own Slytherin Dungeons.
And there, where two best friends once stood only a wilted rose and a burnt piece of grass remained.Chapter 84: Alondra Bracho
Alondra groggily felt the warm dawn rays of a hazy sun hit her face warmly. She slowly blinked open her eyes and looked around at her surroundings confused.
"Miss Bracho! Oh, you have awakened! How do you feel?" Professor McGonagall asked concernedly by her bedside. Alondra turned her head and managed a small smile and nod. Professor McGonagall half smiled, but then a serious stern look followed.
"Miss Bracho... what were you thinking running into the middle of a storm like that? You were hit with a strike of lightning... Merlin, knows you could have...been seriously injured and maybe even died! What could have possibly made you take such a drastic decision?" Professor McGonagall scolded and Alondra frowned deeply. She slowly sat up and poured out her story to a sympathetic Professor McGonagall.
"Miss Bracho, as much as friendship is a terrible thing to lose... you never should have done what you did out of rage. You could've died, Miss Bracho! Imagine the heartache and suffering you would've caused your family and friends! Amazingly however, your body suffered no consequences... in fact... I have to be honest Miss Bracho, it seems like your body welcomed the strike?" Professor McGonagall mentioned and suddenly Alondra felt a shiver up her spine and she squinted as a flash of what happened the night before invaded her mind.
BOOM!
Everyone in the Great Hall turned. Alondra gaped and stared at the scene before her.
Draco, Sebastian, Crabbe, Goyle, and a girl with short black hair and black eyes were laughing loudly at one of their fellow Slytherin's. A boy with messy ashy blonde hair sat staring amazed at his blown up goblet. Alondra frowned as she noticed Sebastian look arrogantly at the poor boy and whispered something into the girl's ear causing her to giggle like crazy and shove him playfully away. Alondra flinched and tears stung her eyes. She slammed her hands furiously on the table and got up abruptly. A clasp of thunder echoed outside and she dashed out of the Great Hall. Her friends called out to her worriedly, but Alondra was already out of hearing range.
As she reached her favourite Oak, she sank to her knees miserably. A heart-wrenching sob finally escaped her tiny frame and a flood of tears followed. She angrily buried her face in her hands. Suddenly another lighting bolt stroke and a heavy down pour of rain fell from the sky. Alondra felt the strong and heavy rain droplets surround her and soak her to the core.
"It's not fair...it's just not fair! Sebastian's just dandy after our little fight, and me? I'm out here crying my eyes out for him and how much I miss him." Alondra managed to say through her raspy breath. She stared at her hands and noticed a strange blue aura around them. She blinked and gasped. She got to her feet worriedly and looked to her hands once more.
"What the? What's going on? Ugh! Great, another freaky little power to add to my list, " Alondra scowled. "You must find this very funny, huh?"
She looked up to the sky, and the rain fell on her face harshly. She glared daringly at the dark patch of clouds above her.
"Then if I am destined to have these gifts...help me! Help me develop and control them... I want to be a better person because of them... I want to be a heroine, like Sebastian put it... I can do this, I just need guidance...Grand-Mama! That means you!" Alondra screamed angrily, she breathed shallowly and a strange feeling washed over her. Her eyes suddenly turned a dark deep brown and she instinctually spread her arms out beside her. A roll of thunder and lightning began to strike near her. She heard her name being called frantically, but she ignored it. She was in a complete trance... she blinked... and then...
A sudden silver and gold streak of lightning struck her, yellow light flowed through her. Never hurting her, only consoling. She smiled lightly; a new energy was awakening within her. A scream pierced her ears and her legs sank from under her. As darkness surrounded her, she saw the outline of her grandmother's facial features, they smiled to her.
"Blessed be," she whispered and Alondra knew no more.
Professor McGonagall looked to her mysteriously as Alondra snapped out of her very real flashback.
"I'm...I'm so sorry, Professor. I didn't mean to frighten anyone," Alondra piped up in a scratchy voice. Professor McGonagall sighed.
"Don't ever do something like that again, Miss Bracho, please." Professor McGonagall told her lightly. Alondra smiled and nodded once more. A genuine smile graced the Professor's usually stern features.
"There is one thing however, Miss Bracho, that happened to you as a result of the strike," she mentioned and went to reach for a small antique mirror that was on the bedside table. Alondra bit her lip afraid, and trembling she took the mirror from Professor McGonagall's hands. Fearing the worst, Alondra breathed in deep and looked into the mirror abruptly. Alondra let out a little surprised scream.
"Miss Bracho, please calm yourself. It… it really isn't a drastic change, well, it is drastic...but it suits you quite nicely," the professor said encouragingly.
Alondra shakily reached up to touch a strand of rich intense mahogany brown hair.
"But how? Why?" Alondra asked beyond confused and mesmerized at the same time. Her hair used to a golden sun kissed blonde and now was so dark...
"I wish we could answer that for you, Miss Bracho. But even Madame Pomfrey was at a complete loss." the professor replied. Alondra exhaled loudly and gently put the mirror aside. She closed her eyes for a brief moment and then looked to Professor McGonagall and beamed happily.
"I love it!" she said and smoothed her hair out proudly. Professor McGonagall let out a dainty little laugh.
"Miss Bracho, how are you feeling?" Madame Pomfrey suddenly asked walking to the room.
"I feel... reenergized Madame Pomfrey! May I be dismissed now? I don't want to miss any of my classes...especially Potions," Alondra requested sweetly. Madame Pomfrey smiled at her warmly and looked to Professor McGonagall. The professor smiled and nodded.
"Well, you certainly seem better, Miss Bracho. I think I can agree to your request, as long as you come later today for a quick look over,"
Alondra giggled and clapped happily.
"Thank you! I will I promise," she responded Professor McGonagall handed her, her clothing and both elder woman stepped out and closed a white curtain around her bed. Alondra smiled and spread her clothes before her. She breathed in deep as she began to change hastily. She slowly got to her feet, strapped on her shoes. And then brushed her hands through her hair carefully.
"Merlin... this is gonna be easy to explain to my friends... but my parents will go crazy when I let them know..." Alondra told herself. She took a piece of her intense mahogany brown hair in her hands and sighed.
"Well, this is what I asked for... to start over and feel stronger within myself...maybe this will be a good change for me. Good-bye, weak, oppressed, and clingy Alondra, Hello ME! Oh dear, I'll never hear the end of it from Cassie and Magenta though..." Alondra giggled and went to bid her final thank you and farewell to Professor McGonagall and Madame Pomfrey.
Chapter 85: Magenta ColdrenMagenta sat in the bleachers. The Quidditch Pitch had long since been abandoned after the second match of the season. She was sitting on the top row, gazing at the sunset.
I wonder if I'll ever make the Quidditch team, she thought wistfully. There had been a Quidditch team back at Moor Castle, but she hadn't been old enough to make it on the team. Daniel and Harry are so lucky.
She was awoken from her thoughts by a soft coughing noise form somewhere below her. She looked around and saw none other than Oliver Wood, accompanied by Angelina Johnson, heading towards her. Oliver was the good-looking one that Magenta had noticed on her first night. He had dark hair and eyes a lovely Scottish accent. She smiled a bit when the pair reached her.
"Hey you two, what's up?" she asked. Oliver nodded in greeting and Angelina grinned. They both took a seat on either side of the first year.
"Well, Magenta, we have a proposition for you." said Angelina, still grinning. Magenta furrowed her brow.
"What kind of proposition?"
"Well, I saw you helping the girls practice the other day. You're really quite good. We need another reserve chaser still." he said.
Magenta could hardly believe her ears. Was he offering her the spot?
"Magenta, do you want to be the reserve chaser? We'll understand if you don't want to..." Angelina was interrupted by an ecstatic Magenta.
"Do I want the spot? Do you even have to ask?" she almost half-shrieked.
"So, is that a yes?" asked Oliver, grinning madly like Angelina.
"Yah!" Magenta exclaimed. She was thrilled. The chaser reserve!
"Okay, but Magenta, you're going to have to try out. I have to observe your skills more. It wouldn't be fair if I just gave you the post. Tryouts are Wednesday evening, be there." said Oliver. Magenta nodded.
"I'll be there for sure!" she said happily.
Magenta walked down to the Quidditch Pitch, feeling a bit nervous. It was five P.M. Wednesday evening, the night of the tryouts. She had her broomstick, a Comet 260. She was in her lucky jeans, her Gryffindor t-shirt, and a red Quidditch robe Katie had lent her. She didn't have her own uniform yet.
She walked to the center of the field, where several other students stood, along with Wood. When she reached them, she noticed she was the sole first year among them; most of the others were third or fourth years, and even a sixth year.
They were told to stand in a straight line before the Quidditch captain. When they were all in order, Wood began lecturing them about practicing schedules and the game and the like. Magenta was thoroughly bored by the end.
Finally, Wood began to call off names to be tested in no particular order. It seemed like ages before finally he called her name.
"Magenta!" he barked. Magenta jerked out of a half-sleep she'd been stuck in while the others were trying out. She looked around and realized it was almost dark, and she was the last to be tested. She shook herself, tucked her hair behind her ears, took a deep breathe, and, squaring her shoulders, walked determinedly towards the end of the field, where she would be starting.
As she passed him, Oliver winked at her, and she smiled weakly. On her way to her destination, she heard something from the bleachers. She looked up and, to her delight, saw that she had her own cheering section. There was Cassandra, Alondra, Daniel, Erin, Angelina, Katie, Alicia, Fred and George, Ron, Harry and even Hermione. She grinned at them as they called to her, wishing her luck and cheering her on.
All too soon, she was at then end of her walk, and she mounted her broom. She felt the pleasantly familiar sensation of flying as she kicked off the ground and rose into the air. She looked over to the opposite end of the Pitch, where Oliver was poised in front of the hoops. She looked towards the middle of the Pitch. The quaffle floated in the air before her, apparently held there by a levitation charm.
Magenta urged her broom forward. It was an old broom, but careful use had kept it in okay condition, so it still had a good deal of speed within it. She rushed forward, grabbing the quaffle on the way. She narrowly avoided Katie and Alicia, who had taken to the air on Oliver's' command. She zigzagged her way to the end of the field, and then, with a burst of power that she didn't seem to have, she sent the quaffle flying past Oliver, into the hoop.
Oliver almost flinched when it narrowly missed her head, and everyone laughed. Oliver indignantly tried to defend himself, but without success. She had to repeat the same play a few times, then a few different ones as well. Finally, Oliver called it quits and they all landed on the ground. The four were joined by the rest in the bleachers.
"Well, magenta you play a mean game. I just need the opinions of the rest of the team and..." he was interrupted as Fred, George, Harry, Angelina, Katie, Alicia, and even Daniel and Ron burst out with their 'opinions'.
"Well, Magenta, I guess it unanimous. Welcome to the team." said Oliver, raising cheers from everyone. Magenta beamed, and jumped into the air. Three years of waiting, all the way back to Moor Castle, had finally paid off. Even if it was only reserve.
"YES!"
Chapter 86: Rachael JonesRay rolled over and stretched, looking over at her clock it read 05.36am. URGH, why did she have to wake up so early and on a Saturday no less? She had been up all night again last night completing homework she had already done, Malfoy seemed to find it the best thing in the world, to throw her newly completed essays in the fire. She was going to have to look up copying spells so and hide a copy before he got to them.
She got up and got dressed in her gymnastic leotard and track pants and t-shirt, it was a few hours before she was due to meet Professor Snape. She walked out of the dorms and into the common room, sitting down on the leather lounge staring into the fire; it was starting to get cold, actually for her, it was bloody freezing.
Forty five minutes later she heard the first of the early risers getting up, she quickly nipped back to her room and grabbed her warmest cloak and her gym bag, before returning to the common room and heading to the Quidditch pitch.
Walking across the lawns of the school, she noticed Dan who was as usual starting his morning climb up the Quidditch goal posts. He waved, and she returned the wave, setting down her bag and cloak, she started jogging, she had five hours of gymnastics practice today, maybe more if she could talk Professor Snape into it.
She always came down to the Quidditch pitch to jog on a Saturday morning; actually it was strange not to see her down here. It was a part of her routine now, every morning she would wake up hours before the rest of her dorm mates, get dressed, get her school books for the day, and head down to the Quidditch pitch to jog.
If anyone from 'home' were here they wouldn't recognize her, she had gone from a bright bubbly girl, to a shy, study hard fitness freak. Her friends back 'home' would laugh if they were told that she jogged.
Twenty laps around the Quidditch pitch later Ray jogged over to her bag and pulled out her water bottle, god she was hungry, late night studying, little sleep and lots of running made her hungry. Daniel walked past her again, this time heading to the great hall.
"Hey Daniel?" called Ray, "it is Daniel isn't it?" she asked, grabbing her bag and running over to him.
"Yeah, Ray right?" he said.
"Yeah, do you have the time at all? I'm meant to be meeting Professor Snape this morning, but I left my watch in the dorms," she said quickly.
"Sure, its eight am," he said looking at his watch.
"Bugger," she swore, "I gotta run, seeya round Daniel, and thanks," she called as she ran towards the great hall.
"Miss Jones, I'm sure you're aware that I have been waiting for you for," he looked at his watch, "fifteen minutes," he sneered, getting up from his desk he collected his muggle coat and picked up the quill that they had been using as the portkey and ushered Ray out of the room.
"I'm sorry Professor, I was jogging and lost track of the time," she said quickly allowing herself to be ushered out of the room, "it wont happen again."
"See that it doesn't," he said almost cheerfully.
Her ankle wobbled as she landed slightly askew from the backwards walkover she had just completed on the beam, she stopped walked forward and did the move again, and again, until she got it right, every movement in her body had to be right, otherwise she could end up flat on her face on the floor.
"That's good Ray, said her instructor, "you still need to add in the compulsory Pirouettes, and how about we add in a Back Handspring Step-out as well," she added. "But I think that enough for today, your teacher is looking inpatient this afternoon, go get changed then we'll have a quick chat and then you can go," she said sending Ray off to the changing rooms.
Ten minutes later when she returned from the change rooms the gym hall was dark, she could hear whispering coming from within the hall, 'what the hell was going on?' she thought.
"Professor Snape?" she called out into the darkness. "Professor? Are you there?"
"SURPRISE!" came the reply from the hall, the lights came on and there were all of her fellow gymnasts, her instructors and even Professor Snape had party hats on.
"Wha? Me? What's going on?" she stuttered quickly.
"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Ray, Happy Birthday to you, Hip hip, Hooray, Hip hip, Hooray," everyone sung.
"It's my birthday already? It's the 28th?" she asked quickly, "Wow time really fly's."
"I'll just go and cut the cake," said Becky, "how about you open our presents?"
"Presents? For me?" said Ray amazed, "I honestly didn't expect to get anything this year."
Half an hour later, full of cake, Ray finished opening the last present in the small pile, it was the largest there, slowly she pulled back the paper, careful not to rip the paper. The other ten girls were watching with baited breath, although they knew what the present was they didn't know how she would react to what they were giving her.
"Come on Ray," said Lizzy, bouncing up and down.
Ray Peeled back the paper coming to a brown paper box, as she opened the box she noticed the colour coming from with in was a royal purple, her favourite. Pulling the purple thing from the box she realised it was a custom leotard, one made for competitions. The thing that made it more special for Ray was that it had the team logo, on the sleeve, for the last few months, she had been trailing the gym club, not only did they need to make their minds up if they wanted her, but she also had to feel as if she was a part of the team.
She felt the tears well in her eyes, someone had accepted her, this was the first outright sign of approval since arriving in Scotland. She looked up smiling at the group,
"Thank you," she whispered timidly, "you don't know how much this means to me."
"Look again Ray," called a girl up the back of the group, "there's more,"
"More?" she asked hesitantly, as if by speaking the words the gift would disappear.
Ray put the leotard down, and opened the box again. She pulled out not only the full team uniform (tracksuit pants and jacket) but also new wrist guards for the bar, all equipment that she not only needed, but also couldn't afford to buy. By this time she had tears freely pouring down her face, she looked up and smiled brightly at the group.
"Thank you so much, everyone, this is the best birthday ever," she said.
"Well then, everyone, go and get changed your parents have started to arrive," said Becky, sending everyone off to get changed, "Ray, welcome to the club."
Instead of answering, Ray rushed forward and gave Becky a hug; it didn't last long before she heard a soft coughing from behind her.
"Are you ready to go Miss Jones?" Professor Snape asked, in a tone that said he was trying to be very patient, whilst wearing a brightly coloured party hat.
"Yep, let me just put my presents into my bag," said ray brightly giggling to herself. What she wouldn't pay for a camera right now.
"Miss Jones," said Professor Snape after they landed back in his office, "if you have a minute please?" he asked gesturing to a chair in front of his desk.
"Sure," she said sitting down, "Sorry I took so long this afternoon, I didn't know that they had anything planned, hey I didn't even remember it was my birthday," said Ray rambling on, stopping only when Snape held up a hand.
"I did not ask you to stay behind to tell you off," he said, pushing a roughly wrapped parcel across the desk, "I merely wanted to give you this, and to wish you a Happy Birthday."
Ray took the present, it was roughly the size of a book, but slightly heavier than one. She wondered what it was, or even why Snape was giving her a present, how did he know it was her birthday? Did he give a present to every Slytherin?
"Are you going to open it?" Professor Snape asked sounding slightly worried about wether or not she would like it.
Ray pulled off the paper quickly, not only wanting to know what he got her, but also wanting to put Snape out of his misery. Peeling back the wrapping paper she was shocked to find a journal, flipping it open, she noticed it had been written in by Snape himself, 'This was SNAPES journal from his time at school, WOW!' but also in the package was a letter, she pulled it out and read it.
Ray,
Yes, I'm going to call you by your first name in this letter. You may think that the only reason I'm helping you with your gymnastics is because the headmaster has ordered me to. That is not true, it was me who went to Professor Dumbledore and persuaded him to allow you to attend. I know how much it means to you.
When I attended Hogwarts, I was an outcast; Lucius Malfoy (yes Draco Malfoys father) took it upon himself to make my time at Hogwarts hell, although to the rest of the school we were the best of friends, however the within the Slytherin dungeons I was living in my own personal hell.
Lucius, used every verbal insult in the book, every hex he knew, and quite often his fists to humiliate me, now I'm not telling you this for any pity you may have, I'm telling you this because I know his son is treating you the same way. Yes I have seen the bruises, you think you are successfully hiding them, but, when you have used every trick in the book yourself, then you learn to see through cover-ups.
When you finish reading this letter I will tell you the password to my personal chambers, if. No. When Mr. Malfoy resorts to his usual antics again, no matter what time of day or night, I want you to come to me I have potions to help. Don't let me find out that you haven't.
Happy Birthday,
Severus Snape.
"Professor," started Ray,
"In private or out of school, please call me Severus," said Snape cutting Ray off.
"Thank you Profe… Severus, you didn't need to do this for me, but it means a lot," she said getting up and giving Severus a quick hug, before running out of the room.
Chapter 87: Daniel SmithThe trouble began on a peaceful Friday afternoon, after the last class had ended. Harry had not slept well the previous night, so he had moseyed upstairs to Gryffindor to take a quick nap before dinner. Hermione and Ron had disagreed on something or other, and the former had retreated to the library in a huff. The latter had been left by himself, so he had decided to relax by the fire in the Great Hall for awhile.
At length, he was joined by two others. One was Daniel, the smallest of his five roommates, but the scariest, dressed as he usually was outside of class: standard uniform, minus the sweater and tie, with robe open and billowing for effect. The other was a dark-haired first-year Ravenclaw, Matthew something. Daniel spent most of his free time with his fellow Gryffindor's, especially Cassandra and Magenta, but he did like to hang out with Matt from time to time. There were just some things that he preferred to talk with other males about. And, it gave the girls the chance to indulge in girl talk.
The three of them were soon in conversation about various things they had seen at Hogwarts. Matt and Daniel brought up the rumours that were floating around, concerning what might be in the forbidden west wing on the third floor. Matt had heard that it was a basilisk. Daniel had heard that it was an acromantula. Unwisely, Ron let what he knew slip, concerning Fluffy the three-headed dog. And before Ron knew it, Daniel was marching toward the stairs, intent on seeing this odd creature for himself. Matt, equally intrigued, followed him. Ron, in hindsight, probably should have opted out. However, he went along as well, and it was ultimately fortunate that he did.
The initial phase of the excursion went well enough. The staircases, unpredictable as they were, were pointed in the right direction. The hallway was untenanted. None of the trio was adept at the alohamora charm, but Daniel picked up a strip of metal from the floor and slid it through the crack in the door, and it yielded the same effect. He had learned the trick from some of the delinquent youth that he had lived with before.
However, opening the door was pretty much where things went wrong. Fluffy was awake this time, and he was not in the sunniest of moods. Snarling, he struck at the first person in. That happened to be Daniel. Daniel was quick enough to avoid being devoured on the spot, but he didn't get away entirely. The huge teeth on the dog's center head snagged the youngster by the arm, breaking his wrist and separating his shoulder, and a toss of his head threw him over his shoulder. Daniel landed on the other side of the room, with three hungry dog heads between him and the room's sole exit.
The huge dog turned, his center head lunging again at the fallen boy, but Daniel's incredible speed saved his life again: he spun aside, and planted a hard right in the head's eye. The center head yelped and snapped back, and Daniel took his only option: he scrambled up it while it was blind. The right head saw him, and struck at him with a mouthful of teeth. He evaded again, and the right head bit the center head. The center head turned on the right head, and as they squabbled Daniel was diving and rolling over the dog and jumping from its back. Only one problem: the dog was, in fact, taller than Hagrid, even on all fours. He sprained his ankle as he hit the floor. He scrabbled across the floor, but too slow: Fluffy turned, and head number three shot forward.
"Conjunctivitis!" shouted Matt, and a blast of brilliant pink light hit the third head, turning its eyes bright and runny and sore. Head number three yelped and turned away as Daniel scrabbled across the floor on only two good limbs. But the other two heads heard him and decided to put their quarrel aside in favour of dinner.
"Aquafrio!" Ron bellowed, and a blast of ice water hit the other two heads, going up their noses. The dog staggered backward while Matt yanked Daniel out of the room. And then they slammed the door and bolted it.
Matt turned on his stricken friend. "You bloody idiot! You almost killed us!"
"Yeah, really!" shouted Ron. "We should leave you to crawl to the hospital wing on your own!"
They did not actually do that, however: they half-carried him to the stairs, and were halfway up to the fourth floor when they were seen by Professor Flitwick. "What on earth happened here!" the Charms professor squeaked.
Heads down, they told him the truth about their disastrous excursion. Daniel was careful to make it very clear that the whole thing had been his idea, and that his fellow explorers were the only reason he was still alive.
Flitwick considered. "Very well. You two were very foolish to go along, but your subsequent bravery deserves a reward. So, I will let both of you off. You are free to go. I will take this young fool to the hospital wing." He pointed his wand at Daniel. "Wingardium Levoisa."
"What's going to happen to him?" Ron asked, watching his roommate rise, like a bubble caught in an updraft.
Flitwick looked very solemn. "That, Mr. Weasley, will be a decision for his head of house."
Daniel's injuries were painful, but easily fixed. Within two hours, he was released from the hospital wing. He was instructed to report to Professor McGonagall's office immediately upon his release. Knees trembling, he made his way down the three flights of stairs, and knocked on the door.
When he entered the office this time, his head of house fixed him with a glare that could have stopped a clock. "Explain your actions."
Daniel did so. The office was silent except for his voice and the fire crackling quietly.
"Very well. Give me your wand."
Hand trembling violently, Daniel handed it over. So this was how it ended. He was going to be expelled. In a few hours, most likely, he would be on his way back to the boys' home. He wondered if he would remember these few wonderful months, and wasn't sure if he wanted to or not.
Instead of snapping it, McGonagall pocketed it. "Follow me."
Daniel followed her downstairs, then out of the castle and onto a corner of the grounds that housed a tall shed. An odd-looking creature was there, holding a heavy and wicked-looking ax. There was also a hunk of oak there: a chopping block. Daniel whimpered.
McGonagall sighed. "Relax, Mr. Smith. We do not decapitate students: most parents find such methods of discipline objectionable. This is Chonker. He is a house-elf, the one responsible for making sure our fireplaces are adequately stocked."
"Charmed," Chonker said. He was an elf of few words.
Daniel looked around. Sure enough, the room was filled with logs, whole ones on one side and split ones on the other. And while the chopping block was full of axe-cuts, there was not a bloodstain in sight.
McGonagall crisply continued: "For the term of your detention, you will assist him. Every morning at half past four, you will report here. You will surrender your wand to Chonker, and you will use the axe currently in his hands to split logs, and you will do this until breakfast time, when you will be dismissed. The axe is enchanted to remain sharp. You will continue to do this every morning, save Sunday, until I am satisfied that you have learned your lesson. In addition, your idiocy has cost Gryffindor twenty-five house points. Next time, it will be an even fifty. Do you have any questions?"
"No, ma'am."
"Very well," McGonagall said. "We're low on wood now. So you can get a head start on tomorrow. Chonker, if he gives you any trouble, let me know."
"With pleasure, mistress."
Daniel was stupefied with exhaustion by the time he staggered into the hall the next day. Madame Pomfrey had given him something for the blisters on his hands, but only rest would take away the weariness. His plan was to grab some food, then crash out. He was thankful that it was Saturday.
As he was eating a sausage and barely registering its spicy deliciousness, a moldy-looking bundle of feathers came to a crash landing in front of him, dropped a scarlet envelope in front of him. He saw his name on it. Wondering what was up, he opened it. A female voice with an Irish accent, amplified to the decibel level of an exploding grenade, roared from the envelope.
"DANIEL SMITH! HOW DARE YOU PUT MY SON IN DANGER! YOU ARE A FOOLISH AND IRRESPONSIBLE CHILD WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXPELLED AT THE VERY LEAST! YOU ACTIONS WERE UTTERLY STUPID! FROM NOW ON, YOU STAY AWAY FROM MY SON! I DON'T WANT HIM INVOLVED IN YOUR HATEFUL LITTLE SCHEMES ANYMORE. . . ."
It went on like that for what seemed like a very long time. Owls scattered, students cringed, and bits of plaster fell from the ceiling. Finally, the Howler expended itself and burned away to ash.
For the first time since his arrival at Hogwarts, Daniel left his plate without devouring every scrap of food on it, and slunk from the hall amid massive laughter.
At the teachers' table, McGonagall watched him go. "Ugh," she said. "I wouldn't have wished that on him."
"Yes," Dumbledore replied. "Mrs. Weasley can make quite an impression, can't she?"
"Hopefully, he'll toe the line from now on." McGonagall took a bite of porridge.
"Alas, he will continue to keep you on your toes," Dumbledore said.
"I don't suppose you're going to tell me why you invited him here," McGonagall said. "I know that only you knew of him, but I'm sure your friend, Ulysses Grayson..."
"I have my reasons for wanting him here," Dumbledore said. "Let's leave it at that for now." He smiled. "Besides, you wouldn't be nearly as fond of him if he didn't get into the occasional pickle."
Minerva McGonagall sighed. He knew her too well.
Chapter 88: Holly EthersHolly squinted as the sun fell into her eyes. She groaned and sat up, looking at the calendar she had stuck right over her pillow. It was December 5th. "Oh, I forgot it was my birthday. Again," she said.
An owl rapped at the window, and she got up to let it in, shivering in her nightdress against the December morning's cold. It had a package and a letter from her father. God forbid you send it to me at the great hall so everyone knows that you're my family, Holly though grimly. She fed the owl, Aren, and sent it back home with a short thank-you note. Then, she sat back down on her bed and opened the letter.
Dear Abigail,
Enclosed is your Birthday present. Happy Birthday. Grandmother is ill, so you must come home for Christmas. Professor Snape has informed me that you are doing well. He also informed me that you have been partnering with Hermione Granger, a Mudblood. For the sake of our family's honour, I strongly urge you to stop.
Father
Holly scowled and opened her package. A silver winter's cloak, a mirror, and a chess set fell out. Holly smiled. Grandmother must have sent that.
She put the things under her bed, and started dressing as the other girls started to wake up.
Well, she thought, brushing her hair, time for another lonely birthday.
Chapter 89: Alondra Bracho"I thought I'd give you something shiny and new
I tried to find something worthy of you
But I realized, when I looked inside
There's some things that money can't buy!
Oh no!
I feel the magic, whenever you're near
I feel it even more this time of the year
Cuz I love you girl
I always will
And now I know the moment is right"
Alondra shook her head and squinted her eyes shut. That song, it kept invading her mind. She didn't know the title, or the singer. It was obviously someone in a close range for her to hear them, or rather him. It was a boy, a boy singing that lovely song to himself. Perhaps as he wrapped a present for someone. Most likely his girlfriend or the girl he liked, since the lyrics were so beautiful and his voice sounded so profoundly serious.
"You know I'll always be true to you
And you know I'm the one you can turn to
Oh oh yeah
Any time, any place, or anywhere
you know that I'll always be there!
Cuz I've been waiting to give this gift tonight!
I'm down on my knees, there's no better time
It's something to last for as long as you live
Tonight I'm going to give you all my heart can give!"
Alondra shivered unconsciously as the voice disappeared from her mind. She blinked rapidly and then sighed.
"How romantic! Somewhere, some lucky girl will be hearing that song by her ear on Christmas Eve. She'll then receive the gift that the song is mentioning, how utterly perfect!"
Alondra fell back on her bed giggling to herself. Unconsciously she began humming the tune of the song, and smiling she got to her feet and finished wrapping her friends' gifts. Beautifully colored boxes of all sizes were placed neatly by her bed. Each of the boxes downed a lovely and specially knotted silver bow. She was sure her friends would receive many gifts on Christmas morning, and since she would be back home she wanted to make sure hers stood out.
Putting the paper, scissors, tape, and bows away in her trunk. She blew a breath at her bangs, thrilled with her work. She then turned to the note pad by her nightstand table and checked off the number by 'Gift Wrapping'. She read the list; so far that morning she had ate, packed, turned in homework, and gift wrapped her gifts. The last thing on her list before the number by 'Board Train' was the number that read 'Lunch (Say Good-byes :()'.
Alondra frowned and checked that off since she would be on her way down in seconds. She stuffed her note pad and pen in her backpack and placed that by her carry on bag. She had decided not to take her big trunk with her, since it weighed tons and she would only be gone for 2 weeks or so. She then looked once more to her wrapped gifts and hurried downstairs.
She noticed not a single student was in the Common Room. They were probably all in the Great Hall; those going home in a little while wanted to enjoy their last lunch at Hogwarts before heading home for the much-anticipated holidays. And those that were staying were trying to enjoy lunch since they would have to say good-bye to their mates for a little while.
As Alondra was walking toward the Great Hall she began to sing the song that had invaded her mind only minutes before.
"You know I'll always be true to you
And you know I'm the one you can turn to
Oh oh yeah
Any time, any place, or anywhere
you know that I'll always be there!
Cuz I've been waiting to give this gift tonight!
I'm down on my knees, there's no better time
It's something to last for as long as you live
Tonight I'm going to give you all my heart can give!"
She began to twirl slowly and kept singing her favourite part of the song to herself, completely unaware of her surroundings or a voice that called out to her.
"Alondra! Hey, Allie, wait up!"
Alondra stopped abruptly and turned. She smiled brilliantly when she saw Cedric Diggory running up to her, but then she shyly pulled her dark locks behind her ears and her cheeks tinged with a soft pink blush.
"Hello, Cedric! Wow, what's the hurry?" Alondra asked, as Cedric took a hold of her arm lightly and caught his breath hastily.
"Just wanted to know...if you wanted to join me and some of my friends on the train ride home later. I remember you telling me all of your friends were staying?" Cedric questioned and smiled handsomely to the younger girl. Alondra nodded.
"Yes, the majority of my friends are staying here. However, I believe Magenta and Hermione are going home," Alondra pointed out. Cedric shrugged coolly.
"Oh, well, if you three want to join us just know you're more than welcome." Cedric replied kindly, Alondra smiled thankfully and wrapped her arm through his.
"Thank you, Cedric. I'll see if Magenta and Hermione will join me and we'll hopefully all ride together,"
Cedric patted her hand softly.
"Great. So are you headed to get some food and say some sad good-byes?" Cedric piped up, Alondra frowned and nodded. Cedric half smiled and took a strand of Alondra's newly darkened hair in between his fingers.
"You know, I don't think I mentioned to you before how well this look flatters you. You look quite stunning as a brunette, Allie." Cedric told her softly, Alondra looked up to him and managed a melodic giggle.
"You're such a charmer!" Alondra exclaimed sweetly, but the soft pink blush from before now deepened into a crimson shade. Cedric grinned and held his nose high.
"That's not all I've been called in my day," Cedric joked in a low voice and stuck out his chest proudly. Alondra laughed heartedly and she poked Cedric on the arm.
"Well, don't tell me anymore because I think your ego might just swallow us whole!" Alondra teased him lightly and Cedric chuckled. Alondra then felt herself stumble roughly into someone.
"Ow! Oh, I'm so sorry! Are you-" Alondra bit her lip and paled a little.
"Will you watch where you're going! Merlin, you're such a klutz... and you're not even a blonde anymore!" Sebastian spat harshly as he straightened his robes arrogantly and glared at his former best friend.
"Ugh! Now you're going to have to burn your robes, Stirling! You know what they say about mudbloods-" Draco Malfoy began to say as he stepped up behind Sebastian and looked to Alondra disgustingly. Alondra narrowed her eyes hurtfully at Sebastian.
"That wasn't called for Malfoy, and Stirling, I believe Alondra asked for an apology. So, there's nothing more to say really. If you'll excuse us, we're late for lunch," Cedric suddenly said, his deep voice sounding upset and low. Sebastian looked to Cedric and glared at him as well. Draco smirked at the older Hufflepuff.
"You're right, Cedric. Excuse us, we're late to say 'Happy Christmas' to our friends and then get ready to go home to our loving homes and families," Alondra added icily and narrowed her eyes satisfyingly at Sebastian. He looked to her appalled and only stared. Draco scowled and pushed Sebastian to keep moving towards the Great Hall and glared at Alondra and Cedric nastily as he passed.
Alondra exhaled deeply, she couldn't believe she had been so mean as to rub in Sebastian's face the fact that she was going home to her wonderfully loving family, while Sebastian stayed at Hogwarts. Alone, and not having a loving family waiting for him at home. Alondra felt a ping in her heart, she was sorry. She wished she could run up to him and take it back, but she couldn't. Deep down she didn't want to, she was too hurt and bitter to go through with it.
"Allie, you all right?" Cedric asked the dazed younger girl. Alondra blinked and looked up at him, the familiar haunted look lingering in her dark eyes. Cedric frowned.
"I'm sorry about that, Allie. I can tell how much Sebastian's words hurt you still,"
Alondra breathed in deep and only nodded. She felt the tears rise to her eyes, but she blinked them away angrily. She had promised herself no more crying, so she wasn't going to break that promise now. She reached up casually and wiped a lone tear away. Cedric shook his head and suddenly wrapped his arms around Alondra's small form comfortingly holding her close. Alondra gasped lightly when she felt Cedric pull her close and feel the warmth and comfort in his embrace. She shakily wrapped her arms around him thankfully.
"It'll get easier, I promise you it will. For both of you," Cedric mumbled into her hair, Alondra flinched at his words. She then smiled softly, and nodded. She believed him, it would get easier for both herself and Sebastian to deal with one another as something other than enemies.
"Students! Students if you please! The train will begin to board now! Your luggage will be magically transported to the train itself, only back packs and small carry ons allowed with you for now." Professor McGonagall called over the sounds of bustling students.
Alondra placed her large carry on bag by the rest of the heavy luggage and swung her backpack on one shoulder. She exhaled deeply and turned to look for her friends.
"Alondra!" Cassandra called waving to her for direction, Alondra smiled and ran up to them. Her closest friends had accompanied her and she smiled thankfully at them.
"I'm gonna miss you guys! Even if it is only 2 weeks," Alondra told them lightly as tears started to form in her eyes. Magenta sighed.
"Don't start the water works, Alondra. It's just 2 weeks, besides I'm riding with you, remember?" Magenta told her happily, Alondra giggled and nodded.
"Merry Christmas you lot! Don't have too much fun without me, and owl me if you do! I want all the details!" Alondra piped up, Cassandra, Magenta, and Daniel laughed.
"Happy Christmas, Alondra, have a great trip home! Bring us back lots of pictures and don't forget to practice your wand waving even if you can't perform magic outside of school," Cassandra said and Alondra smiled and hugged her lightly. Cassandra was taken by surprise but hugged her back.
"Do we have to get all mushy? Thank you! Well, Merry Christmas, Alondra. Oh, and can you bring me back some American candy? I miss it." Daniel asked hesitantly. Cassandra, Magenta, and Alondra laughed.
"I'll try! I'll sneak it into my bag somehow, ok? Merry Christmas, Daniel," Alondra said and hugged him hastily, a bit worried as to how Daniel would react. He simply blinked and patted her back lightly. Alondra then turned to Magenta who was saying good-bye to Cassandra and Daniel as well. She then felt a chill down her spine and a distinct voice called out to her in her mind,
"Merry Christmas, Persephone."
Alondra gasped and abruptly turned her head, she noticed Sebastian meet her eyes for a brief second and then turn and walk away alone toward the carriages back to Hogwarts. She assumed he had accompanied Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle out. Alondra swallowed hard.
"Merry Christmas, Seb." she whispered, and then felt Magenta pull her into the train. She blinked rapidly and waved good-bye to her friends one last time. She then looked to looming castle in the distance and smiled.
"Merry Christmas, Hogwarts,"
Chapter 90: Rachael Jones
Ray sat in front of the fire in Severus' private chambers; she had been here a few times since he had given her the password nearly four weeks ago. The first few times she had been really fearful that she was going to be disturbing him while doing something important, but every time he had welcomed her almost like she was coming home. And here she was, nearly four weeks later, Christmas Eve, wrapping Christmas presents to put under Severus' private Christmas tree.
Severus was great, the first few times she went to see him was purely to get her injuries healed. But soon she was going there every few days so she could complete her homework, but since the Christmas holidays began, she had spent most days with Severus.
The Slytherin Common Room was basically deserted, most of the students decided to go home for the break. She could still hear Malfoys parting comment.
"Have a good Christmas you parentless little Mudblood," he sneered.
She still got teary eyed just thinking about it, over the last few weeks, because Malfoy couldn't hit her, he had taken to verbally abusing her ever chance he got, when ever he baited Harry Potter about being parentless he made sure that Ray heard, always smirking in her direction… and because she didn't have any friends she took everything to heart.
After the Malfoy comment, she had gone running to Severus' chambers, tears streaking her face, but when she got there she couldn't bring herself to go in. Would Severus want to see her whilst she was being so weak?
She paced in front of Severus' chambers portrait, tears still streaming down her face, Malfoy had touched a sore spot for Ray, talking about her parents or lack there of, was a guaranteed way of making her cry. It wasn't until her father's latest letter, when he had sent over her remaining clothing and personal belongings that it had really hit her.
It wasn't until she walked right into Severus' that she noticed that he was there. Quickly so he didn't have a chance to get away, she pulled him into a hug, continuing to sob into his robes, for the first few seconds Severus just stood there frozen, not sure what to do, apart from the quick hug Ray had given him on her birthday, she hadn't opened up to him much since. Now this.
Coming to his senses, he bent down and picked up the crying girl and carried her to his armchair in his chambers. As he sat down Ray grabbed his robe tighter, not wanting him to let her go, just wanting to hide in his robes for as long as possible.
"Ray? What's the matter?" asked Severus gently, "who did this to you?" he added trying to keep the malice out of his voice.
"M… Malfoy… he called me a… a…" she sobbed harder, Severus was rubbing circles on her back tying to calm her down.
"What did Mr Malfoy call you?" asked Severus as calmly as he could muster.
"a… parentless little Mudblood…" she cried harder after admitting to what he had called her, "and the worst part is its true, my mum doesn't want me because I am a witch, and my daddy doesn't want me because I was sorted into Slytherin, why don't they love me? She sobbed.
"Ray, you don't really believe him do you," said Severus smoothly. "Your nothing like what Mr Malfoy called you. You have your parents, they may not want to claim you, but they do deep down still care for you I'm sure, and you have me," he whispered the last bit.
"Really? You?" said Ray, drawing her face out of his robes to look into his eyes, "you'd want me?" she asked watching for his reaction.
"I think that I've already answered that question, Ray, Do you think I would have said it if I didn't mean it," he said seriously, "Yes Ray, I mean it" Severus answered smiling a genuine smile, and wiping away the fresh tears that had started when he had accepted her.
Ray smiled at the memory, she had had to convince Severus to take her to Hogsmeade after one of her gymnastics classes so she could get her presents for everyone, well, Severus, her cousin Cass, her gran, and she decided to send Daniel a pack of chocolate frogs.
Severus came into the sitting room and handed Ray a cup of Hot Chocolate and sitting down in his leather armchair, sipping at his Hot Chocolate.
"Are there any traditions that you would like to fulfil Ray, ones that you would normally do?" Severus asked, between sips.
"Nothing that I can do here, Severus. We normally go to 'Carols by Candlelight' in the city on Christmas Eve, the have some of Australia's best performers sing different Carols, Santa comes, not that he is real, its normally a really warm night, and we sit around eating ice cream and singing carols," said Ray remembering.
"After its over, you have to fight your way back to the car, and we sing carols on the way home, before getting into bed just before midnight. Mum or Dad would normally read me my Christmas book and then I would fall asleep looking forward to waking up," she said smiling with tears in her eyes.
"Christmas morning, I was allowed to open one pressie from 'Santa' and one from Mum and Dad, before waking them and having breakfast… then we would all sit down and open the rest as a family…" she said, her eyes tearing up, she got up off the floor and sat down on the couch.
"What about you Severus? Do you have any Christmas traditions?" she asked timidly.
"I have already completed my Christmas traditions I can for tonight, otherwise just the dinner in the great hall tomorrow," he said, sensing Ray's next question he continued.
"I always visit the headmaster for tea on Christmas Eve as well as addressing the remaining Slytherin's, I thought due to you being here, that I wouldn't bother to bring you back for it," he said pre-empting her questions.
The next few hours were spent talking about various things, Ray's classes, Severus' potions being a main topic. The clock above the fire place alarmed twelve times telling them that it was now another day.
"Ray, you'd better head back to your dorm, or you will be missed," said Severus coming out of his contemplation, when she didn't answer he walked over to her and noticed that she was fast asleep.
He walked over to a cupboard and pulled out a spare blanket, and gently lay it over her, kissing her forehead gently muttering a quiet 'Happy Christmas Ray' before placing his presents to her under the tree and extinguishing the lights and going to bed himself.
