The next morning, I woke up before anyone, just after sunrise. To shower and change into my black long sleeve maxi dress, some tights, and a pair of knee-length leather boots.
Then I slipped on my winter cloak and a knitted hat and scarf before going down to the office of Professor McGonagall's office to ask permission to leave earlier than usual to Hogsmeade.
As I walked in I noticed that she had her usual black and green robes and wore her auburn hair in a neat plait away from her face.
She was sitting at her desk reading from one of the many books on her desk, a pair of spectacles sitting lowly on the bridge of her nose.
"Good morning, Miss. Riel. What might I be able to help you with this morning?" She asked, looking up at me, as she set the book down on her desk.
"Good morning, Professor McGonagall. I was wondering if I could leave earlier than usual to go to Hogsmeade. I would like to go look for a few books that I heard about, on magical beasts that's been recently released... And another in magical artifacts." I explained, hoping the answer would be a yes.
"Oh yes, I want to acquire a copy of that book myself. I suppose it won't hurt anyone if I escort you to Hogsmeade myself." She said, nodding. "Let me just send a note to Professor Dumbledore to inform him." She said, quickly writing on a piece of parchment before handing it to her owl.
I waited patiently as she completed her task, and then felt relieved as we slowly made our way towards the Entrance Courtyard.
We walked silently down the path leading towards Hogsmeade. I was so lost in thought I hadn't realized that the Professor had gone incredibly still beside me.
I turned to ask her if something was the matter when I heard a deep masculine voice, that wasn't there before, speak.
"Now, what are two lovely ladies like yourselves doing out here all by yourselves?" He asked with a sly smirk on his face.
I hadn't realized who he was until my eyes met his polar opposed eyes, one an icy blue and another as deep and dark as night.
His blonde hair sleeked back on top and completely shaved on the back and sides. A cold smirk on his otherwise young face.
"Mister Grindlewald, why would come out of hiding, and to this location, with the risk of getting imprisoned?" the professor asked, cooly.
I inconspicuously lifted my hand to my neck, placing my fingertips on the small tattoo that was hidden under my hair.
I could feel as Tom pushed into my mind, feeling his panicked worry.
'Where are you?' He thought, anxiously.
'Out. Just a few feet away from the entrance of Hogsmeade. Grindlewald is here.' I quickly informed him.
'Get help. Now!' I added, my eyes never leaving his, even though he addressed the professor.
"Now, now. Where are your manners, Professor?" He asked, almost mockingly.
"Let's cut the act here. Why are you truly here, Mr. Grindlewald? You are a very powerful wizard, what is so important to you here that you'd risk getting caught by the Ministry of Magic?" She asked as she stepped before me, placing herself in between me and the otherwise feared dark wizard.
"Recruits. Why else?" He laughed, taking a menacing step towards us. "I hear there are young, skilled wizards here. I've already made myrounds at Durmstrang, Ilvermorny, and Beauxbatons." He added, with a smile.
A series of resounded pops was heard behind him, and dozens of running footsteps were heard. Only they weren't who I'd expected to be.
"Gellert." A familiar voice suddenly said.
Much to my relief, it was Professor Dumbledore along with a few wizards from the ministry.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't my old and dear friend, Albus Dumbledore. How've you been, my dear friend?" Grindlewald mocked, unafraid.
A sudden spell flew towards Grindlewald, he dismissed it with a simple wave of his hand, making me gap at him.
I could feel as his eyes landed back on me as if trying to decipher who I was.
All hell seemed to break loose as spells began to fly from one end to another.
I stared mesmerized as I watched Professor Dumbledore duel Grindlewald, the well known dark wizard.
Familiarity rung in his features as I watched them.
I could feel as Professor McGonagall began pulling me back towards the school.
Three of the wizards from the ministry surrounded us protectively, as we did so.
The Professor pulling me safely behind her as we slowly moved away.
When we finally reached the Entrance Courtyard, I could feel the familiar stirring in my stomach as I waited for the courtyard to disappear before me.
Pushing back the feeling, and ignoring the searing pain I began to get on my left temple.
I let the professor quickly lead me back to the Slytherin common room, a buzzing sound began playing in my ears as stopped before the porthole.
"After you go inside, make sure you seal the doors. The school is as of now, under lockdown until further notice. Professor Slughorn should already be in there informing the other students. Those who aren't in there yet shall be escorted back shortly." She said, before turning briskly on her heals and going back to put up the barriers around the school.
"Mudblood," I whispered, watching as the door slowly opened before me.
The moment I stepped into the common room, I was encased in a pair of warm arms.
Then pulled into another pair. Soon I was being surrounded by Bella and her two sisters, their arms wound around me protectively.
"Oh, thank Merlin, you are alright," Andi said relieved, as they lead me into deeper into the common room. Pushing me into a seat as they all surrounded me.
Before any of them could utter a single word, Professor Slughorn, and the rest of the students who hadn't been in the dormitories rushed into the room, gathering around.
"Now, now. We must keep calm. Due to a sighting of the Dark Wizard the school is under lockdown. I need all of you to keep calm. You may go back to your dormitories until further notice. There is nothing we can do but wait." Professor Slughorn said.
A recollection of groans and mumbling resounded like an echo around the room.
I almost smirked if it hadn't been for the stirring I felt earlier making another appearance, this time pushing past my effort to keep it away.
I watched mesmerized as the present disappeared before me, feeling as my body went limp.
The efforts from this morning to keep any vision away seemed to be wasted, as I sank deep into the vision.
Vision:
I watched helplessly as Dumbledore battled Grindlewald, each opponent fought brilliantly, neither gaining the upper hand.
"This is getting old, Albus." Grindlewald sneered, as he sent a spell that rebounded off a shield the professor had placed, hitting a pile of rocks that surrounded them.
"What are you really here for, Gellert?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
"I came here for the girl, Albus. Isn't obvious? If you hadn't shown up, I would have gotten her." He said, their wands still raised, both poised for attack.
"Now, you know you can't lay a finger on her. Especially here. So, why come? I know you are a bright man. You wouldn't risk coming here unless it was crucial." Dumbledore replied, staring at the blonde man with his head tilted to the side.
"There are far more important things that are worth risking everything for." He asked, smirking at the professor.
"You can't have her, Gellert, not now. Not while she's here." The professor said.
"Are you sure you won't join me?" Grindlewald asked, in all seriousness.
He was met with silence. "So be it. Mark my words, Albus. We will meet again. I won't stop until I see my brother's granddaughter and have her with me. The Riel bloodline isn't going to end, not while I have something to say about it." He said, before apparating, disappearing.
I could feel my blood turn cold as I replayed the last words again in my mind.
'The Riel bloodline isn't going to end, not while I have something to say about it.' I thought, befuddled.
Riel? Why does he even care if my family's bloodline ends? No one would care unless—!!!
How is that even possible? His words sent my mind into a whirlwind.
There are too many unexplained and missing variables here. If what I had seen and heard was, in fact, true then only one person could explain it to me.
Meaning that I had to find Professor Dumbledore and speak to him. Immediately.
The hard part of this task ,was that I knew he wasn't going to be easy to find, especially just after what happened this morning.