"That's tough... So, who are you going to give it to?" Bellatrix asked, bouncing in her seat after a few moments of silence.
"Bellatrix, seriously? You have the sensitivity of an aching tooth." Narcissa muttered, as she thwacked the back of her head as she passed her.
"Oh, come now. I was only trying to distract her..." She said, rolling her eyes at her pouting sisters.
"...fat lot of luck that did..." Narcissa quipped, patting my feet and giving me a sympathetic smile.
I began to feel a strange warmth radiate from the crown of my head to the tips of my fingers and toes. I felt as if something was being extracted from me, my mind began to blur. I found myself being able to remember certain things that I couldn't remember. Everything I had seen, every image that I had ever seen before my eyes, or dream I had ever had.
I could feel myself stiffen as images of the serpent-like man with an elongated torso and limbs, bloodshot red eyes, and claw like finger nails laughing menacingly. I felt a gasp escape me as I realized who it was, my head began to shake wildly as I felt my eyes begin to roll to the back of my head. Waking up, for what felt like a few moments later with my mind feeling a pin prick, nothing more or less.
"Anna?" I heard someone call.
I lifted my head from the pillow and turned to the direction where I heard the timid voice calling my name. Before propping myself up into a sitting position on the cot.
"Newt." I greeted smiling warmly at him, as he slowly walked closer towards the cot I was sprawled on.
"I heard you were feeling sick, I just came to see how you're feeling. Since you've been here for a while." He explained, a small flask in his hand.
"Oh? I-I'm fine now I th-think..." I replied, looking at his face. 'be cautious as to who you trust' Seamus' voice rang in my head as I looked at the timid boy sitting before me.
"I'm glad to hear that. I-I got you something- from, you know—oh, i-it's a calming draught. To-to help you sleep. You seem tired since the last time I saw you." He explained, when I looked down at his hand and scrunched up my nose in confusion.
"Thank you. Would you mind if I ask you something?" I whispered, making sure no one was near hearing range.
"O-of course. Is something wrong?" He wondered staring at me with wide blue eyes.
"No, of course not. I'm just wondering if I can trust you. You know to keep a secret, or hold something for me." I said in the same low voice.
He tilted his head to the side before looking up at the ceiling, thinking for a moment before looking at me again. He nodded his head nodded his head once in response.
"Great, I-I need you to hold this for me." I said, bringing my hand up to my neck.
"What exactly is that? If you don't mind my asking?" He inquired, rising an inquisitive brow at me.
"It's-it's something extremely important to me. Or at least it will be later." I said, evasively.
"Interesting." He replied, nodding his head at me.
"How long have I been here?" I asked suddenly, feeling as if I missed something.
"Two days. From what I heard from Andromeda, they were here when you fell unconscious, you hadn't woken up since then. Not to worry, not a lot of interesting things have happened around here. Well, just two students from my house accidentally blowing up the Potions lab, but Professor Slughorn managed to get everything back in order for today's lesson." He explained.
I nodded, lost in thought. "That means I can give you my medallion right now to hold. Do not lose it please, make sure no one else know you have it, for it can be the only key we have in the future." I said as I reached and unclasped it, gathering it in my left hand before I handed it to him.
He looked down at the medallion, his eyes going blank for a moment before he nodded in response, and put it in his breast pocket.
"It'll be safe,. I promise." He vowed in a low voice, looking at me for a moment before he stood up to leave again. "I have to get to class now, I hope I see you back in class soon." He said, giving me a half smile before he departed.
I smiled back in response and looked back up at the ceiling tiredly, drifting back into a tired sleep.
I was released later that afternoon by Madam Noelle, who smiled at me after she checked everything, giving me a clean bill of health before sending me back to the Slytherin dormitories to rest for the rest of the day.
The next few days passed without incident, classes became rather dull as I ignored Tom, still feeling the stinging after overhearing the conversation between him and Leilah. It wasn't until that very weekend that I began to regret ignoring him.
Come Saturday afternoon, Tom and our friends gathered in the Slytherin common room, discussing something in hushed voices, from the tense atmosphere I gathered that it was either about me or something having to do with me. I quickly decided that if I was being excluded from said discussion then it wouldn't be my problem.
I quickly ignored the activity happening in the common room and walked past it towards the exit, automatically beginning to walk in the direction of the library, ignoring the fact that I had been hearing four pairs of rushing footsteps behind me since I had walked out of the Slytherin common room. I quickly decided to ignore whomever it was that was following me and briskly walked into the library and headed in the direction that I knew I would find the person I was looking for.
"Artemis," I whispered, watching as he snapped a book closed, raising the book in the air before it began floating towards the top shelf.
"Sophie." He whispered back, curiosity etched on his face as I stepped closer to him. "This is the second time this week you've looked for me. Is something wrong?" He asked, concerned.
I nodded, stepping closer to where he stood, stopping at his side before reaching over and placing my fingertips on the back of his hand, closing my eyes before I pushed myself into his mind.
Artemis, there are at least half a dozen books that have most if not all of findings and other things, I need you to keep those too. I thought, opening my eyes to watch his reaction.
Much to my surprise, he simply nodded, before looking in back of me.
"Sophie, what are you doing here with this bloke?" Bastian asked, suddenly appearing at the end of the aisle.
"I was just talking to Newt... about-about the herbology homework. I was helping him." I declared, feeling as Newt began stepping back, as if to hide himself.
"Hmm... now why would you be helping a Hufflepuff?" He asked, curiously walking in our direction, forgetting the book he had left on the desktop.
"Because unlike our 'lovely' friends back in the common room, I'm well aware that they've been formulating something, and it has to do with me. I'm not daft Bastian, I've heard what they've said, and seen what they're planning. No amount of preparing will stop what's to come, believe me I've tried." I said, looking down.
He sighed, shaking his head at the ground before he looked up at me. "I told them it wouldn't work. Sophie, you must understand that everyone in the house including those who hardly know you, are simply trying to protect you. We all love you, some more than others, never forget that." He said, giving me a sincere smile.
"Nothing they try will work. I tried all summer Bastian, nothing is working! Now, please just let me be. I need to be alone. Spread the word around please. Yes, that includes the Blacks and Evangeline." I said, shaking my head.
I watched was he walked back to the desktop, picked up his book and left. Newt, who was still standing there, turned to me and gave me a small gentle smile.
"Everything is going to turn out great, don't worry." He whispered, before picking up three books, and beginning to leave.
"I'll get the books to you." I said, nodding towards him.
He nodded and disappeared in the same direction that Bastian had disappeared not a few moments prior.
I spent an hour or so reading Hogwarts: A History, once more, looking closely at Slytherin and Gryffindor. Leaving when the lunch hour started, and began making my way towards Hogsmeade, with a group of students who were heading in the same direction.
"Anna," I heard someone call me, causing me to jerk to a stop and turn quickly in confusion.
I watched as Seamus pushed through the crowd, slowly making his way towards me. I noticed a small, scrawny girl with pigtails, trailing behind the group, people who passed her occasionally shoving her.
"Who's that?" I asked him, watching as he turned and looked in the direction I turned to.
"Hmm? Oh, that's uh..umm.. Oh, Myrtle Warren. She's in your year I think." Seamus said as he began walking again.
I nodded, and made a beeline in her direction, feeling people's gazes as I did so, and Seamus following me.
"Hello." I greeted, watching as the frail girl flinched before looking up at me.
"H-e-llo." She stuttered.
"My name is Annamarie, this is my uncle Seamus. I'm in Slytherin, no I won't do anything to you. My uncle is in Ravenclaw like you." I told her, watching as she straightened a bit, keeping her head down.
I smiled gently at her and began pulling them both in the direction of Hogsmeade. Quickly reaching the small township, I lead her towards Honeydukes, buying a bag full of sweets, quickly pulling out some sweets and handing them to her.
"Oh, thank you. I-I'm not hungry." She uttered, shaking her head timidly at the handful of sweets.
"Take them. You look starved, it'll help you feel better." I said, pushing them into her hand.
"I'm going to the bookstore over there. I'll see you two back here in a few minutes." I said, smiling as I walked in the opposite direction.
Without realizing I lost track of time, and ended up staying in the book store longer than expected. I quickly bought what I need to buy and headed out the door in the late afternoon. The sky had darkened significantly, and the slight breezy in the crisp air had now turned into chilling, biting wind.
I didn't mind walking by myself in the late afternoon, it was later than I thought, I quickly realized as I stepped into the school grounds. It was just before dinner time, that much I knew since my stomach began grumbling in hunger as I walked in different direction.
"Anna!" I heard a familiar voice call me, I turned to see Tom and Leilah, along with Laura Parkinson and a few others walking briskly towards me, both their expressions emotionless.
"Leilah, something wrong?" I asked, confused, as I held the leather satchel I had purchased earlier, my hand pulling out a piece of caramel, quickly unwrapping it and throwing it into my mouth.
"Yes, the entire house of Slytherin and then some of the other houses are looking for you." She commented, looking down at her ebony hair.
I nodded, chewing through the piece of caramel, before swallowing. "Hmm. Excuse me. Why is that?" I asked, confused, as I slowly walked aimlessly.
"W-well, I-I think Headmaster was looking for you. Something about a request you made." Laura said, giving me a gentle smile.
I smiled back in response and nodding, already knowing what it pertained to and what was going to happen as began walking in the familiar direction of the ancient Whomping Willow. My heart began to race as I realized that my time in the house of Slytherin had suddenly expired, an ache began to seize my heart before I shook my head, clearing all the thoughts and continuing towards my path.
"Aren't you going to go see Professor Dippet?" Leilah asked.
"No, I already know what his response to my request is." I said, solemnly.
"Really, and...what-what is this pertaining to?" Tom asked, as he began walking beside me.
I decided to ignore his question, deciding that the less he knew the better and safer he'd be in the future.
By this time, I was already near the top of a hill. The ancient Whomping Willow tree's limbs moving erratically in the chilled air. I threw a quick glance at the group realizing that they had all either dispersed or were watching from a distance.
I already know what's going to happen, are you certain nothing can be done? Tom thought, as he grasped my hand with his mildly cool hand.
I'm sorry, Tommy. I-I've tried everything to change the outcome, but it's out of my hands. A force bigger than us wants us all to go through this. I responded mentally, willing my lower lip to stop trembling.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Tom? Can't-can't we delay this any longer?" Leilah asked me, fear clear in her voice.
"No, it can't Leilah. Beside it's going to happen either way, we can't wait any longer, the moon is full tonight... Now, I'm positive. I saw them coming in this direction. I've been studying them since the beginning of last year. They only come here during a full moon. It's very suspicious. Don't you think?" Tom whispered, the pained tome changing into one full of wonder.
"You know, Thomas. You're getting to be rather bothersome. Why didn't you do this with your minions, and leave Anna and I out of your curiosity quests... oh, pardon me, I forgot they're your 'friends'." Leilah quipped.
"Alright you two, be quiet." I hissed at them in annoyance. "Save your bickering for later. We have a-" I said before I was interrupted by a werewolf's howl in close range.
"Oh shit!" Tom hollered, taking a step back, trying to pull me back with him.
In the same exact moment, the growling animal turned in the direction of where we stood. I could feel myself gasp in fear as it quickly turned on its heels and began doubling back in our direction. We all panicked and began making our way, felt as Tom slipped his hand out of mine and quickly pulled me by my upper arm dragging my petrified form back.
Suddenly panicking a ran in a different direction not realizing that it was the direction of the Whomping Willow. Too late I realized that I was now too close to the ancient tree, as I tried to shift ground, I was side swiped by one of the tree's violently swaying limbs, knocking me to the ground before I felt another one of the heavy limbs drop onto me, everything going black and distorting after a loud snap was heard.
"Laura's been hit!" A distorted voice said, panicked.
Pain swirled in my stomach and radiated on every limb of my body, as I tried to push the black lethargic weigh off my body. I wanted to open my eyes, but my lids felt too heavy, the very twitching action occurring behind my lids, as I tried to pry them back hurt my already throbbing head.
Voices, distorted voices could be heard while I was surrounded by the same black waters, the lethargic weigh. I could feel as if the lethargy was lifted off of me like a heavy sack of potatoes. I could hardly recognize the voices. But I knew it was that of two different men and two different women, from the sound of them.
" We have no choice." One of the males said, gravity heavy in his withered voice.
"Doing this would be beyond cruel and unusual. It really isn't their fault that something happened tonight. Armando say something. You surely can't let him do this it's utterly ridiculous." The woman said.
"We have no choice. The prophecy given, it-it all points to them. They must be separated immediately. There is no other choice here, for our safety and their own, it has to be done." The elder man said.
"Surely you are not all daft as to think I will willingly give up all three of my children because of some idiotic prophecy!" A feminine voice I recognized too well said.
"Dabria, I am not trying to tear your children away from you. I am merely suggesting, we adjust their memories for their own good. It is clear that after tonight, things between them have changed." The masculine voice, I now knew was Dumbledore said calm.
"No, what you, Mr. Dumbledore, are suggesting is that we wipe their memories, use a false memory charm to put new memories in their heads, and put them in separate muggle orphanages! I am the child's guardian, and I will not let you do this. That is my final word." Merope said firmly.
" I can assure you that it is only for their safeties, Dabria." He replied, calmly.
"Over my dead body." Merope ground out, her body tense as I finally propped open my eyes .
"Merope." An all too familiar calm voice said.
"Lucy? W-what are you doing here?" She asked, confused.
"I'm here to take you and Leilah with us." My mother explained, emotionlessly.
My mother was about to take Merope and my hand were bound, I can't stop any of this situation. Tom and I were going to be separated.
"What? No! You certainly don't think that leaving them in separate muggle orphanages is a great idea. Lucy, this is madness. They'll think we all abandoned them. Please try to see reason." Merope begged.
"I'm not willing to risk anything or anyone. This prophecy is going to put them in danger, as well as all of us here. We must do this. There is no other option. So, go and gather Leilah's thing, she is going to be attending the Beauxbatons Academy in France, starting the end of this week. Go we don't have time to argue." My mother ordered.
With a final glance at Tom and me, she left quickly to complete the task she was given, her shoulder's shaking as she quietly sobbed. One moment the room was quiet and the next only whooshing sound was heard within the room, before a flash of pale blue was seen all over the room, blinding me momentarily before everything went black.