Chapter Six - Vida
Vida's POV
Past
The moon was waxing on that night. The night my father died. Or rather, the night I witnessed his murder, seven years ago.
The woman, her matted, frizzled hair tumbling about her shoulders, laughed inanely, glee etched miserably in her face. "I've found you, I've found you, Sirius!" Tattered rags that had once been a dress hung limply from her body, and maniacal excitement, mixed with residual hatred, warred in her eyes. My father, in his animagus form, assumed a defensive position before me, snarling at the mystery witch.
Gripping her wand in a shaky hold, her long fingernails clicking across the wood, she shrieked spells, green, red, and blue shooting from her wand in seemingly random patterns. Yet, each spell was designed to force my father further away from me. When a sizable gap was formed, a small, but mad, grin split her face. "Avada Kedavra!" Green light blinded me.
A sharp exclamation escaped me as I hit the ground, rolling a few feet. My arms and legs bruised, I struggled to a sitting position. My father laid where I had stood, his green eyes open in a look equal parts determination and despair. "...Daddy?" I called, tentatively.
The woman had collapsed in giggles. "I killed him, my Lord, I did it!" Sobering slightly, she aimed her wand at his still form. "Now to check, I must check, I must see his face!" Sniggering lightly, the witch cast her final spell. "Hamanus Reverto!" My father's human form appeared, his dark brown hair streaked with silver. A single tear rolled down his face before falling to the floor. As it impacted the ground, the murderess fell apart.
A scream of rage and horror ripped its way from her throat. "I failed! I failed, I failed! I failed you, my Lord! I put down the wrong dog…" Spinning around, she fixed me with a terrifying look. "The pup is still alive, though!" Crossing to me swiftly, she crouched near me. "Poor little vermin. Bella Lestrange will come back for you! I promise you!" A Body-Bind curse hit her, knocking her onto her side, her wand out of reach. Thrashing on the cobbled street, she screamed out her hatred. "I'll be seeing you again, you bloody half-breed! Disgusting blood traitors! Get your filthy hands off of me-!" One of the two Aurors Apparated away with the madwoman, while the other approached me. Gazing from my father's corpse to me, he knelt beside me, drawing me to him in an awkward, yet comforting, embrace.
That was how my mother found me, leaning against one of the Ministry's best Aurors, exhausted and hiccuping from tears and pain, my small hands latching onto my father's waistcoat. Things seemed to improve until my mother died the very next year.
Rin's hand in mine was warm and pulled me from my dark memories. "Are you sick, Vida-chan?" I realized we were at the Gryffindor Common Room already. Hermione, trying not to be obtrusive, was waiting just inside the portrait of the Fat Lady, who was growing restless. Giving a small smile to Rin, I shook my head and ventured through the portrait.
The first thing to strike my notice was the vibe of the Common Room. It was friendly, excited, and homey; all things I had missed dearly since the death of my parents. Hermione stepped in front of us, pointing out different things and people. The fireplace drew my attention, and my mind skittered mischievously to thoughts of speaking to Remus in that manner. Ron was already seated on one of the couches, while Harry stood, speaking animatedly about something. The word 'dangerous' jumped out at me, and I paid more attention immediately.
"Dobby told me that I mustn't come to Hogwarts, Ron. There was something about some danger…" Harry pressed his hand to his temple, grimacing. "Whenever I think of it, my scar…" Rin breathed in, as though she wanted to say something, but remained silent. Hermione shuffled for a moment, then turned to us.
"So, that's the Common Room! You'll need to choose your beds in the Dormitory. Come on, I'll show you the way." Leaving the boys in the Common Room, I followed Hermione, grabbing Rin's hand as we walked. The stairs curved up, meeting at the entrance of a welcoming room. Large beds, larger than the desecrated house I'd grown in, were clustered in groups of four, branching off to a honeycomb of rooms. Many were already occupied, and curious faces peered excitedly from each entryway. The atmosphere was infectious, and I found myself smiling. An Indian girl sat cross-legged on her bed, organizing her bangles according to size, and a blonde girl Transfigured a pebble into a rose. "Lavender, Parvati, this is Vida and Rin." The blonde looked up in interest, brown eyes glimmering, while the Indian - Parvati, I told myself - simply stretched and blinked open her eyes lazily.
Exchanging pleasantries, I looked around as a scratching noise caught my attention. A delighted gasp escaped me, and I raced towards one of the two unoccupied beds in the dormitory. "Scuffles! I'm so happy to see you!" Careful of his delicate bones and small size, I cuddled my small Screech owl close and kissed his beak. He hooted happily, and gave a small trill when I allowed him to perch on my shoulder. "Was it lonely while you were waiting for me?" Hoot. "Aww, really?" Screech! Hoo-hoot. "What? When?" Hoooooot. I laughed, even though Hermione was giving me a strange look. "Scuffles says hello," I explained, giggling.
Lavender coughed primly. "So, is your owl the reason for those hideous scars on your face?" Rin's mouth dropped open once she translated in her mind, and Hermione blanched. Even Parvati averted her eyes, remaining curious but respectful in her silence. Scuffles nuzzled against my neck, trying to reassure me, and I grit my teeth before smiling brightly. It's nothing new, Vida. Remember what happened last time.
"Oh, it was just Bellatrix!" A half-truth shall suffice, until I know how the truth will be perceived.