Dear Seraphina,
Are you alright? None of us have heard from you since the start of the holidays and we are all growing very concerned. Please, write back soon.
Your friend,
Athena
Seraphina,
I hope this letter finds you well. You have almost successfully driven Hesper and Athena mad with your silence. Even Alvis and I are struggling to pacify them. They are threatening to break the Statue to find you. I don't know how much longer we would be able to hold them back. Please reply soon.
Your friend,
Arcturus
Seraphina Astrum!
I am really concerned now. Is everything fine? Stupid question, obviously it's not. Where are you? Do you need me to rescue you? I may not be able to fly a broom, or use magic legally, but I will apparate around London and blow up your horrendous orphanage if you don't reply! They can't hold their own against me! We both know that! Please write back soon! You are driving me mad with your silence. This is not like you! What happened to my friend who refuses to take the limits in magic? Who will even challenge my ideas anymore? Please, even if you don't want to talk about magic, send me a note, just a single word, anything. Please let me know that you are alive.
Your closest friend,
Albus
I stared blankly at the howler, the dozenth, which was ripping itself apart. Albus's bird, Hermes, stared back at me with its large eyes. Then it hooted, flapping its wings, it landed on top of my head. It was then, I noticed the dozen birds around me, dragging on my clothes. Hermes had helped by somehow organising the rest of the mail owls into literally dragging me to my desk by my hair as well. All twenty of them, staring at me with their large eyes.
I sighed as I sat down, quite literally dragged by the birds. There was a large pile of letters, all of them stacked chaotically. The blood and ink had dried into a sticky gel on my desk.
Hoot!
I sighed as I stared at the large eyes of Hermes, who was hopping impatiently, the icky gel sticking to his feet, and stamping itself everywhere on my desk. I waved my hand to vanish the mixture, only to be met with no reaction.
"Right, blood." I muttered.
The bloody bird took that second to yank on my hand. I yelped as it pulled a chunk of disgusting glass loose. Wincing as I saw the damage. My hand was still covered in ink, some of the cuts were healed, others still had glass in them, with a disgusting and foul smelling ooze leaking out. I winced. I had really not been paying attention to anything in my stupor.
The bird yanked another piece of glass out of my palm, earning another groan from me as the sharp pain and fresh fountain of blood sprayed out from the wound. I glared at the bird, who was staring back at me with the most unimpressed expression I had ever seen. It was so ridiculous that I couldn't help but laugh.
Hoot! Hoot!
The owls hooted as a few of them pushed the pile of letters towards me with a nudge of their heads. I blinked as I stared at the massive pile.
I had let myself go completely in my grief. What was I grieving for anyway? I had known that I had no way back since I first got here, why did I go almost catatonic when I finally got my confirmation?
Then it hit me. Confirmation. It was the confirmation which caused the breakdown. Some part of me had hoped beyond hope that there was a way back. Back when I was a child in this world, I had never had time to actually process the fact that I was stuck here. It was the reality of my new world that had caused me to snap. Ever since I first saw the Leaky Cauldron, some part of me had always assumed that this world was temporary, that nothing I do here would affect the real world.
Well, ironically, this is my real world now.
I was done with sulking. I was done with longing for a life that I could have had. I need to live. I have been given a second chance. I would be an idiot not to use it. My old life has ended. This is who I am now. Seraphina Antares Astrum. Daughter of the late Selena Astrum. Heiress to the Astrum family and best friend of Albus Dumbledore. I am the unofficial leader of Slytherin, and a Seer, with the power to change the whole world.
And I'll be damned if I let myself sulk like that ever again.
The holidays went in a blink of an eye. I wrote to my friends once a week after I let the mail pile up while I was…in lack of a better word, sulking. After that, I made up my mind. If I am stuck here, I am going to make the most out of it. My previous life was gone. I was dead. Even if I do not remember my death. I am going to live. Not surviving, not reminiscing and grief about what never could be, I am going to live. I am going to be a force to be reckoned with. I have Seen how bad the world would be during the world wars. If I need to, I am going to drag the world, kicking and screaming into peace. I am not going to sit there and let the world destroy itself. The birds helped. Hermes somehow managed to stop any of them from leaving until I was picking the pieces of myself up again. It was then that I realised that I had spent over half of my holidays crying and sleeping. By the time I looked into a mirror, I had to take a double take. I was thin before, but now?
I was basically just skin and bones.
My hair was matted and very much a mess. My eyes were sunken and puffy, there were rings of violet, which gave the impression of a black eye from my splotchy sleep and crying. I fought back a wave of revulsion. This was not me. I checked the calendar. I had three weeks until I was back in Hogwarts. I am going to fix myself, no one will ever see me like this. Not now, not ever. Not even myself. But first, I need money.
My housing in the muggle world prevented me from casting spells with a wand, due to my underage status. So I wrote articles. They paid well. Four galleons per article. It gave me something to focus on, to help me move on. I threw myself into my work with vigour. Trying to escape from my depression. It's funny how the Ministry laws contradict the Gringott laws, like the two are making them out of spite. My situation also prevented me from playing my violin, since the strict landlady downstairs hated any disruptions. But this is the cheapest I could find in a safe neighbourhood, with free breakfast.
By the time I was back in Hogwarts, I was a lot better. My appearance was back to the way it was before my meltdown. The vigorous potion regime I had adopted certainly helped. I had snuck into the Hardy Swordsman, a tavern in Knockturn, before fixing my hand with necromantic healing. No physical scars remained, no evidence of my experiment. I am the only one who knew of it. And it was going to stay that way. Forever.
I entered the deserted Slytherin common room. While it is unconventional, there is no rule stating that a person cannot miss out on the opening feast. I missed playing my violin, and my stupor caused by my experiment had taken the excitement I had for life out for a few months. Now that I am back at Hogwarts again, the magic filled me, like a warm embrace or the kiss of life, I feel the need to play again.
Taking out my violin from its case, I played a few experimental notes. There was no protest from the portraits, so I carried on.
I lost myself to the tune. I am adrift, a single feather lost from the flap of the wings of a bird. None noticed my departure, I flew around, in search of belonging, only to lose. Finally, I drifted down into a field. The rain pushed me gently along. For years I laid there, alone, clipped down by a rock, until another bird came along. In search of materials for its nest, it picked me up, weaving me in. I am a part of something big again. I have a job to do. A place to be. Suddenly, a cobra took me in its mouth, and the nest, balanced so delicately, crumbled.
I savoured the last note. The magic of the castle fit perfectly with my song. Harmonising, and accentuating my story, told through the notes. Slowly, I opened my eyes. To my shock and horror, a sea of faces stared back.
I had played in front of my whole house.
Shit! I had an image to maintain! Cold, aloof and untouchable! I can't be seen as a lowly performer! Breathe. Stop your face from reddening. And ignore the gaping mouths of everyone in the room. Clip the bow into the case then the violin. You can deal with this later. Keep the facade of this being deliberate. The fall out would be less severe.
"H-How did you do that?" Barnabus Lestrange asked.
I turned around and faced him, not impressed, while my heart raced, thanks for breaking my rythme! "I played the violin?"
He shook his head. "I have heard the violin before, but I have never heard anything so…vivid. I could feel the emotions and see this image in my head from just your song! How did you do that?"
Well…oops. I didn't mean to cast any spell on anyone. Time to make it sound like you know what you're doing!
"I play my song with my hands, heart and soul." Great. Good job! You sound so cliche! But Arcturus took out a copy of the Magical Journal of New Discoveries.
"So it was you! I had thought that there was another Astrum alive who wrote the article!" Arcturus exclaimed.
…Crap.
I had not planned for anyone to read what I wrote. Now that they are all clambering over Arcturus, I will have no choice. Wait. This is a good opportunity, actually. By showing that I actually am more powerful than they thought, I might be able to gain more power in the Slytherin hierarchy.
"I wrote the article. It was just something I happened to discover during my research." I answered nonchalantly.
The article was just about the tie between souls and magical power. How the soul is the core, and the idea that magicals have a subtly different structured soul compared to muggles, exactly like our biology. I mentioned using a Gubraithian Flame not keyed to a person as a way to measure the strength of one's power as potential evidence, since the Gubraithian Flame is famous for being the visual representation of the soul, and published the arithmancy required to create such a flame.
I sat down in one of the armchairs facing the fire, signifying the end of this conversation. A lot of students clambered around Arcturus to read his journal. Alvis, Hesper and Athena sat down around me. Seeing the green and silver badge on Hesper's robe, I smiled. Perfect. Hesper would be actually a good fit for the job, her or Lestia, Athena is not confident in herself enough to do a good job.
"Congratulations on making prefect." I nodded at her.
"Thanks!" Hesper beamed.
"Where's Lestia?" I asked.
"She got married to Peter Flint." Hesper replied.
Peter Flint. The bully who got kicked down the hierarchy because of me. I winced.
"Yeah, I have no idea how she is." Alvis said in response to my wince. He exchanged glances with Arcturus across the room. This is interesting. There is something they have discussed beforehand, but are still considering presenting their idea to me.
"So, have you considered becoming Slytherin Queen?" He asked in a very forced nonchalance, like it was the most normal thing in the world.
"Slytherin queen?" I questioned. I have heard of Slytherin Kings, but no Queens.
Alvis looked a bit abashed. "Well, yeah. I mean, look, you have basically already got the entire house under your beck and call. Why not make the title official? And well, you are a girl, so I changed the title from King to Queen."
"There has never been a Slytherin Queen though." Athena interjected.
I smirked. Official power when I already have a phantom hold over the house? Why ever not? It's not like I can get up and leave this world anytime soon. "Well, I say it's time there is one."
The three of them nodded.
"But there's one last requirement you need to fulfil to establish Court, duel and win the current top of the hierarchy, in this case, Barnabus Lestrange." Arcturus interjected as he walked into our conversation.
Said person was currently reading my article, with the calm demeanour expected of any pureblooded heir. I held back a smirk.
Time to negotiate with Lestrange.
Two months later
"Barnabus Lestrange, as the second most likely candidate for the Slytherin throne, I challenge you to a duel. As is required to establish a Slytherin Court." I said in the middle of the common room, modifying the traditional words slightly. Originally it was candidate for the Slytherin King, but I am female.
He tilted his head. "I accept your challenge."
This was all basically a farce. Not that we will be pulling punches, but Alvis had already told Barnabus about my wish to form Court. Barnabus acknowledged my power, and knew that he would likely lose. So in exchange for the opportunity to duel, I was to make him a lieutenant of my Court.
I agreed to do so if his fight impresses me.
This fight was just a show, an officiation for the rest of the house. I think it started ages ago as a proof of power? Politics and power grabs are odd.
Arcturus, as member of the most politically powerful house present now that his brother Sirius has graduated, officiates the duel.
"The terms are as below; no killing and no unforgivables. There shall be no seconds and no interference from anyone else. The duel ends when one of you surrenders or is disarmed without the ability to rearm yourself within one minute. Are these agreeable to the contestants?"
"Yes."
"Indeed."
"Erect the duelling wards. You may begin…Now!"
Barnabus and I circled each other. Hmm…I think I might take off his arm and put it back on. It would be a good show of skill and power.
A bright red light flashed inside my mind while he circled. Okay. Stunner. He moved to cast the stunner. I tilted my head. The spell harmlessly crashed against the duelling wards. That was stupid, aiming for my head. He began casting a spell chain. Wow. Cutting, dicing, ooh, rotting! Levitating, dancing, tickling, nose bleeding, bludgeoning. Wow, you are really not playing nice, are you? I performed the counter for the rotting spell. It's basic, borderline necromancy. Fun! Dodged most, redirected the dancing, tickling and bludgeoning, it would be hilarious if it hit. He dodged his own spell frantically. I transfigured the arrows he was trying to send me into a flock of bats and sent it straight back at him. I could have just sent the spears straight back, but this is more fun. He dodged frantically again, trying to avoid or vanish the mammals. Great! Time to retaliate. I conjured water, throwing water cannonballs at him. He shielded himself. Yes! Exactly what I wanted! The spheres of water broke through his shield and splashed all over him.
"Come on! Don't hold back on me!" He yelled, taunting.
I smirked. You have no idea that I am just taunting you so far.
"If you insist."
Jerking my wand in a circle for show, I conjured an extreme form of elemental fire…Lightning. It whipped in the air, wild and fizzing, gathering around my wand. Barnabus' eyes filled with dread, as he realised he spoke way too early. I pointed the wand at him.
Instantly, his whole body sized as the lightning flew across the air from my wand into his body, he jumped around, not in control of his actions. Lightning does that to people. I cut it off before he could gain permanent damage. Somehow, he still clutched his wand. Well, time to bring out my signature move. I whipped my wand in a small smooth circle in the air. Blue and green flames pouring out like liquid. Slowly, Barnabus crawled up. He took one look at me and went on attack. His silent spell chain was quite nicely done, and would have even put down most people!
Except I am not most people.
Wandlessly, I conjured a shield, using one hand to deflect or transfigure his conjurings into other hilarious stuff while simultaneously continuing to produce my flames. His tickling jinx hit him straight in the stomach and his Serpensora exploded into a wriggling mess of worms. I considered transfiguring his hair pink for giggles, but I can't humiliate him too much, it simply would not do if I turn all of his allies in Slytherin against me. The flames spun in a double helix above my head, eventually fusing into a whip, spitting gold, black and white sparks. I am very proud of my whip, it flows so much more smoothly now, since I mastered water elemental magic as well as fire. I used the properties of water and applied it to fire to make the movements smooth. It took me forever, since I had to convince myself fundamentally that water and fire are similar in order to do that, redefining what I thought I understood about flames into pure energy.
But the way that the flames pour out like dramatically burning alcohol is so worth it. I snapped my wand out. The whip followed suit, hissing and snapping eagerly. I pointed the wand towards Barnabus. In fear, he conjured a stream of water. The water turned to steam upon contact with my whip. He dodged, or tried to anyway, slipping in the puddle of water at his feet. The whip changed directions, slicing his right arm off with a clean hiss.
He clutched his stump and screamed.
I vanished the water and my fire whip with a sharp snap and a crack. Everyone was silent. I looked at Arcturus expectantly. Afterall, I disarmed and defeated Barnabus. His arm is literally displaced from his body!
"Seraphina Astrum wins. All hail the Slytherin Queen." Arcturus announced, his eyes wide.
There was a slight murmur as the Slytherins reacted, slowly, following Arcturus's lead, one by one, they bowed.
"All hail the Slytherin Queen."
I surveyed the room, an odd pride rising in my chest. This was the meaning of being the true leader of Slytherin. These are the people whom I will lead. These are my people.
"Rise." I commanded.
Without waiting for them to react, I strolled forward, and picked up Barnabus's served hand.
"You have fought well, this is your reward." I pushed the hand back onto the stump, ignoring his hiss in pain. Grabbing the ambient magic in the air, I murmured lowly, too low for anyone to hear, waving my wand in an intricate pattern, casting the necromantic healing spell on him. His bones knitted back together, followed by his nerves, blood vessels then muscles. Finally, the skin closed. I left a tiny silver scar on his inner forearm on purpose. A beautiful memoire.
"T-thank you! My queen." Barnabus choked out. Flexing his hand in disbelief.
I nodded. Time for my speech.
"I am honoured to be your new queen. I aspire to lead Slytherin beyond its former glory. To Slytherin!" I toasted.
"To Slytherin!"
Time to define the hierarchy! And to fulfil my promises.
"Barnabus Lestrange, you have fought bravely. I now pronounce you as Lieutenant of my court." I turned to face Athena, "Athena Greengrass. You have been a true friend to me, I pronounce you as my right hand."
"Arcturus Black. You have been a fair and proper judge and a prefect. As such, I shall not compromise your position with forced loyalty towards me, and therefore pronounce you the continued judge." This is a political move. As the judge, Arcturus will be able to have power equal to my right hand, but without the complications. We had agreed upon this arrangement previously.
"Alvis Rosier, you have been a wise adviser to me all these years. I pronounce you advisor to the court." Basically giving him the same power as Athena.
"Hesper Gamp, you have been a true friend to me. I pronounce you my left hand." That's the most power I can give her seeing as she is a prefect as well. The left hand has less power and less affiliation than the right, but it was necessary.
"You five shall compose my inner court. We shall uphold the standards of Slytherin, for as long as we shall reign."
"We are honoured, our queen." The five bowed.
This is all ceremonial. It weirds me out a bit, but it really gives me a lot more power in the eyes of everyone else. My reattachment of Barnabus's arm should be enough to gain his loyalty, but like hell I am not keeping him at an arm's length, no pun intended. We are barely allied with each other after all.
Albus POV
I walked into the great hall with Elphias.
"You know, you should publish some of your great ideas."
I raised an eyebrow at Elphias. "What brought this up?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "Just saying, if Astrum can get her crazy theory about magic and soul published, why can't you do the same?"
I frowned. I knew Seraphina's theory was all based in reality. Afterall, I have meditated with her and seen what she described, not to mention her fire. Although Elphias had a point, why shouldn't I publish some of my work? Nicholas Flamel and I have discussed some very interesting ideas in Alchemy, especially on the use of dragon blood. It is unbelievable how powerful that substance is, and yet no one seemed to use it at all! Not to mention how it would be beneficial for me after I graduate as well…
"Elphias, have you got any plans for when we graduate?" I asked.
Elphias shrugged. "I don't really know yet, but Pa said he went and travelled the world with his friends as soon as he finished Hogwarts. I might do the same, you know? See the world before I settle down with a job. Say, Albus, why don't you join me? We will have so much fun!"
It did sound tempting, a chance to travel with a companion. "Certainly."
"Great!" Elphias clapped me on my back.
We sat down and ate our meal, yet the atmosphere in the hall was odd. I don't think the air has had this tension in it since…first year? My eyes searched each table for anomalies.
It was the Slytherins again.
My eyes searched for Seraphina's distinctive black hair. She was sitting in the middle, as calm and collected as always. But to her left, sat a tall figure with dark hair and eyes. Lestrange. Barnabus Lestrange. He met my eyes across the hall and frowned, leaning down to whisper in Seraphina's ear. Seraphina's lips twitched upwards as she turned to face me. Bemused.
A few days later
"Seraphina, wait." I called out after Arithmancy. She paused, Hesper and Athena stopping beside her. It took me a while to track her down, given how much extra duty I have as a prefect. I half expected Seraphina to be made a prefect, too. But I guess, judging by her casual disregard for bending rules, that may not have been the best idea.
"Yes, Albus?"
"Did something happen in Slytherin?" I asked, I heard rumours, something about how the Slytherins are behaving oddly, and whispers of a court?
Athena and Hesper exchanged glances, while Seraphina's lips twitched up again.
"No, not much." She replied, a mischievous twinkle entering her eyes.
I raised an eyebrow. Just as I was about to question her further, a Slytherin first year ran up to us.
"My Queen! Barnabus Lestrange sent me to deliver this message to you!" He bowed while handing Seraphina a bound note. My Queen? What is going on?
Seraphina nodded. "Thank you. You may leave now." She took the note and read its contents. Shoving it in her pocket.
"My Queen?" I asked, raising my eyebrow. It sounds a bit ridiculous.
Seraphina sighed. "If you must know, check the book History of Slytherin for Slytherin Kings."
Then she left, her robe whipping around in the air as her friend followed her silently, leaving me alone and befuddled in the corridor.
I sighed, slightly exasperated and amused by her theatrics.