A/N: I somehow found a way to speed things up a bit. Hm. YAY.
Luna Lovegood is amazing. Umbugular Slashkilter! Haha.
Shit hits the fan in this one. If I confuse the hell out of you, I meant to. We're getting to the area where I REALLY REALLY wanna be in the story. I had these pieces pictured in my head from the prologue. You should be freaked out towards the end of this. I really think you should be.
This is the first time I really swear in this.
IT'S MY BIRTHDAY! YAY! I'm eighteen now. Although, I'm kinda sad... Seventeen is my favorite number, so I liked being seventeen.
The Scribe's Resurrection
Part Five: Chapter Thirty-five
Sunday, October 9, 1995
Nighttime
"I'm sorry I couldn't come," Alrescha said upon entering the girls' dormitory. Hermione shrugged upon seeing her friend with a multitude of bags. Referring to the interest meeting, Alrescha added, "Can I still sign up?"
"Of course," Hermione looked at Alrescha weirdly and produced the sign-up sheet for the Defense Against the Dark Arts meeting they'd had the day before. Alrescha signed it without hesitation and returned to unpacking her things.
"People keep giving me gifts," she muttered. "Asking me to be the face of their companies and such. No matter how much they ask, I'm not going to speak for their makeup company. George already asked me." She pulled out a full set of Madame Xander's Skincare Potions. "Do you want this?"
"Sure! Er, are you sure about that?"
"Better you than Parvati or Lavender…" Alrescha mumbled, setting the package on Hermione's bed.
"Thanks." Hermione inspected her gift.
"Ugh…" Alrescha collapsed on her bed and soon fell asleep.
---
The Next Day
Everyone was tense, courtesy of Dolores Jane Umbridge. Harry's secret meet had been found out; Quidditch was disbanded. Alrescha had decided not to get involved in the situations, only because she was too stressed out about everything else. And the Slytherins weren't helping, mouthing off about everything. Alrescha was convinced that the Slytherins were receiving special treatment because they were all pure-bloods- Umbridge hated 'half-breeds.' So everyone was tense, and it was just a matter of time until someone snapped. And because of that, Alrescha wasn't surprised when Neville almost leaped on Draco Malfoy in a fit of well-earned rage while on the way to double Potions. Malfoy had decided to harp on about people whose brains had been magicked into insanity. Neville Longbottom deserved to be pissed off about that, Alrescha knew.
It didn't help that Umbridge was inspecting Potions, either, but it amused Alrescha to the core- she wanted Snape to slay the woman with words. Snape never got onto Alrescha like he did Harry, Ron, or Hermione, and she knew why. It was the same reason why Snape got along more with her adoptive mother Selena than anyone else on staff. Snape and Alrescha had a truce. So, of course Alrescha smirked at Snape's curtness towards Dolores Umbridge.
Even with all of the stress of school (scratch that, Umbridge made it more like a prison), the Twins and Lee still found a way to make everything more amusing. And they were brilliant, showing off their new Puking Pastilles. It'd taken a long while to perfect them, and Alrescha was so proud of them, to be honest. So when Hermione said that it was "useless work," she got a little ticked off, and replied that Hermione couldn't possibly know how to do the stuff they did, even with all of her book smarts. Hermione scowled even more.
Later that night, when she saw her father almost get caught in the fire, Alrescha was devastated and consulted her mother, even though it was two in the morning. Her mother was still up, and on the subject of Sirius, Selena looked melancholy about it, of course, and Alrescha confessed to her mother that maybe Sirius was going crazy inside that house, that he was living vicariously through Harry and Ron and Hermione and Alrescha, that maybe he was being a reckless git. And Selena confessed to her daughter, quietly, that Sirius was like a caged bird with perfectly healthy wings who could see the sky but not fly in it, that Sirius would never, ever be the same man he was before James and Lily's deaths, and that Selena wanted so badly to save him. Sirius Orion Black had a taste for danger.
And it didn't help that a Ministry owl came in the dead of night to deliver Alrescha's preliminary Healer's meeting letter. It was on the twenty-first of December, which meant Alrescha had to somehow sneak out of Hogwarts. This only heightened her stress level.
October 11, 1995
Quidditch Practice
Quidditch practice was invigorating, but it still bothered Alrescha that Dumbledore had to intervene on the Gryffindor team's behalf. Umbridge had considered not reinstating them.
"I take it back," groaned Alrescha after going into the changing room, sopping wet. "I don't want Quidditch practice."
"I know," grumbled Harry. "Too much rain."
"Does it work?" Ron inquired of George. "The Fever Fudge?" The wind outside intensified. Alrescha snickered at the idea of "drugging" Angelina into not having practice.
"Oh yes, it works," replied Fred. "Your temp goes right up-"
"-but you get these massive pus-filled boils too," said George. "Don't know how to get rid of them yet."
"I can't see any boils," Ron said, staring at Fred and George.
"Well, no, you wouldn't," Fred said darkly, "they're not in a place we generally display to the public."
"-but they make sitting on a broom a right pain in the-" Alrescha looked them, thoroughly horrified and partially amused. She told them lionfish parts would do that.
They practiced in the pouring rain anyway. They returned even wetter, cold to the bone, and quite peeved.
"This isn't good for my voice." Alrescha unstrapped her gloves. "What if I get sick?"
"At least you can walk," said Fred. "I think they've ruptured."
"You should get it looked at." She waved her wand, blowing hot air on her hair.
"Are you mad?" Fred asked.
"Well, at least try and use paste that reduces the size of them."
"Who put your knickers in a twist?" grumbled Fred. "Usually you'd just say you're sorry about it and offer to fix it."
"My knickers are fine, Fred. I told you not to use lionfish."
"Oh, shh." Fred rolled his eyes, wincing when he pulled up his uniform pants.
---
Alrescha loved D.A. meetings. She told Selena all about them, on Harry's request. She couldn't make it to every one, though, and Harry thought that was perfectly fine as long as she promised to help others when she did come. Alrescha had her mother's adeptness with Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Harry thought that had something to do with the reason why he gave her that phoenix feather. Alrescha and Harry had a deep understanding. On the same level as Snape and Alrescha's, but different.
Early November, 1995
First Match of the Season
"We're gonna be amazing!" Alrescha pumped her fist into the air, ponytail swishing. So pumped was she about the Gryffindor-Slytherin match that she stared down Miles Bletchley when he'd come to psyche out Ron, and he was the first to look away. She also commended Luna on her lion's head hat, saying that it was a beautiful piece of work. No one had the heart to tell her that she probably wouldn't be able to play, as she was a reserve and not a starter. Then again, she was the only reserve player they had.
"Why are you so happy?" Ron asked queasily on the way to the Pitch.
"Because we have the most kickass Keeper there is!" She clapped his back. "And insanely fast and beautiful Chasers, two wily, skilled Beaters, and a dedicated, awesome Seeker!"
"YES!" Katie high-fived her friend. Harry shook his head at his godsister. To be honest, Alrescha was just so happy to focus on something that wasn't music or school.
"You're mistaken." Ron trudged into the changing room, sighing unhappily.
"Don't rain on my parade, Ron! C'mon, cheer up! It's a beautiful day for a match! Not too sunny, just enough cloud cover, no rain."
The match went on dismally on the Gryffindor side. Ron kept missing goals, which only made him lose confidence and miss more goals. Alrescha cheered as hard as she could from the sidelines by Madam Hooch, but she was drowned out by the Slytherin horde's kitschy song. However, Harry caught the snitch. Alrescha thought everything was okay until a Bludger got him square in the back after the whistle had gone off. She rushed onto the pitch, seeing if Harry was okay.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Harry said.
"Good. We won!"
"Yes!" They hugged and tried not to listen Malfoy's biting commentary, talking about how Harry saved Ron's neck. Alrescha saw Ron in the distance, not celebrating but going back to the changing rooms.
"We wanted to write another couple of verses!" Malfoy called. Katie and Alicia hugged Harry, who was trying to ignore the sore loser. "We couldn't find rhymes for fat and ugly though, to sing about his mother, see." Alrescha tried to engage the twins so they wouldn't hear.
"Sour grapes, much?" Angelina looked disgusted.
"We couldn't fit in useless loser either, you know, for his father." Fred and George whipped their heads around and started to advance.
"Leave it, Fred, he's just mad he lost, that's all. Little prat-" Angie took Fred's arm.
"George," Alrescha warned.
"-But I guess when you've been dragged up by Muggles, even the Weasley's hovel smells okay, huh, Potter?" Harry held George back, while Katie and Alicia assisted Angie in holding Fred down.
"Knock it off, Malfoy!" Alrescha stepped in front of George.
"And you, lapping up every bit of that Weasley- my dad told me all about your mum- that Mudblood prostitute, you probably love the Weasleys' bin, reminds you of the brothel you grew up in, no wonder Umbridge wants your mum's head on a silver platter-"
"Leave her alone!" Harry and George yelled.
"Aw, Potter, I know you like the Weasleys' hovel, probably reminds you of what your mother's house stank like-" Harry released George, and both of them sprinted for Malfoy's throat.
"You fucking prat!!"
"Don't you talk about my mum!"
"Harry? HARRY, GEORGE, STOP!"
And it all went downhill from there. When Madam Hooch halted the scuffle, Malfoy was whimpering on the ground with a bloody nose, George had a bloody, swollen lip, and Harry was out of breath.
---
"SHE DID WHAT?" Alrescha bellowed. "Educational Decree twenty-five? WHERE DOES SHE PULL THEM FROM? HER ASS?" George, Fred, and Harry had been dished a lifetime ban from Quidditch, direct order from Umbridge.
"She said 'Cornelius' sent it."
"Screw Cornelius Fudge! She just wants to take away Harry's stuff and make George and Fred scapegoats!" Alrescha was furious, much like Angelina was. The others just felt defeated, but Alrescha was boiling. She sighed, simmering down quickly once she saw George's busted lip. "George? You didn't even go to the Infirmary, lemme see-"
"No," he said flatly.
"Don't be daft, show me your mouth." Irritated, George stayed still while Alrescha conjured Maladitape and a cleansing solution.
"You- that's N.E.W.T. level stuff," said Hermione, awed.
"I guess," replied Alrescha, dabbing George's lower lip. "Don't lick it, George."
"I'm not- it stings."
Nearing the End of December, 1995
Something was bothering Harry, Alrescha could see it. Lately, he'd been trying to ask her questions, and failing dismally. She could tell he wanted to ask while they were alone, as when one of the Twins or Ron or Hermione came in, he shifted his attention elsewhere. Now finally, they were alone, walking to the Room of Requirement together for their last D.A. meeting of term.
"Spill it," the grey-eyed girl finally said.
"I have a question for you," he sighed. "This is gonna sound really mad, but, can you see thestrals?"
"Wha-?"
"Thestrals. Hagrid did a lesson on them a few weeks ago, only two other people in the class could see them- Neville and some Slytherin. I can see them, and I was wondering if you could."
"Harry, you can only see thestrals if you've seen someone die. I've never seen anyone die."
"Yeah, sorry, I shouldn't've asked."
"But I'll tell you something, Harry. No one knows, except for my mum." Alrescha's face turned very solemn. Harry's eyes were shining with question; she sighed and divulged. "I've been able to see thestrals since the first day I got to Hogwarts, back when I was nine."
"Wait, how?"
"I don't know." She shrugged. "Mum's been able to see them since I was born, when my mum died. That's the only dying person I've been around, but that doesn't make sense, you know? Technically, you saw Voldemort murder your parents, but how come you didn't see the thestrals before the start of this term?" Alrescha had been puzzled over this for years; she knew why she could see them, but not how.
"I- I don't know." Harry was baffled at this information. But then he realized Alrescha was a very morbid, melancholy person by nature. He saw it after he saw Cedric die, and he saw it was something she desperately tried to hide. Harry wondered how he could see it so clearly, and others couldn't. Harry decided that he'd already known she could see thestrals before he knew he even could, and that's why he gave her the feather. Harry also decided George was good for Alrescha.
"Um, Harry?" Alrescha turned to Harry, smiling. They went through the door to the Room of Requirement. "Take care of yourself, will you? I just, I just feel like you need to take better care of yourself. Mentally, physically- HAHA! What are these?" Giant baubles with Harry's face adorned the practice room.
"Dobby," grumbled Harry.
"Aw, they're sweet." Alrescha read the 'Have a very HARRY Christmas!' and giggled out loud.
"C'mon, help me take them down."
"Alright." They worked silently for the first few minutes, then Alrescha spoke again. "But seriously, Harry. Take care."
"I will."
---
Later that Night
Selena and Alrescha had been sent for by Dumbledore. Within two minutes, they both knew Harry had somehow witnessed Voldemort's snake attacking Arthur Weasley and that Mr. Weasley had been found. Selena found herself becoming increasingly angry at Albus, and once the Weasley children left and McGonagall returned to her post, she exploded.
"Albus, something has to be done. I told you the consequences-"
"I know, I just did not think the situation was this dire."
"Albus," Selena gasped incredulously. She was furious. "You asked me if it was right to put the prophecy there, remember? I knew something like this would happen, even then!"
"Selena, this is not the time-"
"No! It's never the time. It never is. Until it's too late." Selena shook her head. "You're to blame for this- just be honest with him, Albus. You know I would-"
"But you can't," Dumbedore cut her off.
"Albus, I swear-"
"Mummy!" Alrescha tugged on Selena's sleeve, warning her mother.
"Sorry." Selena bit her tongue.
"You care too much," whispered Albus.
"So do you," she spat back. "I told you after Hagrid brought Harry to me the day after Lily and James died that fierce magic had been placed on him. Fierce, dark magic. Now this happens? It's obvious what he is, Albus!"
"Mummy…"
"HE IS A HORCRUX!" Selena bellowed. "He is, he is! He's not just seeing visions of Voldemort's snake attacking people- he is the snake! He is bound to Voldemort, not just by his wand, but through his soul, Albus." Selena had tears in her eyes. "And it doesn't help that you think you're doing the best thing for him by keeping this all quiet!"
"Mum!"
"No, I'm not done! His scar hurts him all the time- I see him wincing in the Great Hall. He can feel Voldemort's soul. He told Alrescha that he can feel when Voldemort's pissed off or elated! We can't do this like this, Albus. I can't help Harry, you know that. Neither can Alrescha."
"Alrescha, go get me Severus, please."
"Of course, sir." Alrescha ducked out of the room, leaving the two professors in a hushed silence. Selena pinched the bridge of her nose, getting a hold of herself.
"I'm sorry," Dumbledore finally said. "But I'm going to do what I normally would if you weren't here."
"As it should be. I'm sorry I spoke out of turn. I just- I care now. I can't not care anymore."
"I understand. You should care. A normal human reaction."
"Not normal in my training." Severus Snape came into the Headmaster's Office with Alrescha trailing behind.
"Severus, Occulmency will be needed for Harry. It is as we feared." Dumbledore recounted the events that had just transpired- Harry's dream, finding Arthur Weasley, and sending the Weasley children before Umbridge knew. "He was the snake, Severus."
"I see." Severus sighed. "I will begin lessons when term begins, then. But shouldn't someone else teach him? Someone that he has more of an affinity with-?" Snape's eyes darted towards Selena, then rested on Alrescha.
"She can't, Severus. That would raise more questions than answers, and right now we need answers," Selena said.
"Of course. Although, I can't say that it would take effect if he doesn't pay attention to me. He never listens to anything-"
"Oh Severus." Selena rolled her eyes.
"Can- can I go to London now?" Alrescha didn't want to talk about Occulmency. Or Legilimency for that matter. She felt like she should've gone with George.
"Yes, of course, I'll go with you." Selena looked up. "We're finished, right?"
"Yes. Do not worry about Umbridge."
"Ha, I won't." And with that, Selena Apparated to London, a block away from Grimmauld Place.
They walked in on breakfast, and Alrescha didn't know who to hug first. She decided on George then Fred then Harry.
"How is he?" She looked at Mrs. Weasley.
"He's doing well for now- looks like he's gonna make out alright."
"Thank God," Alrescha said, taking a seat between the Twins. Selena went to Harry first, taking him in her arms. She caught Alrescha's eye; Alrescha gripped George's arm tighter and turned away to grab herself some porridge.
-
The trip to St. Mungo's to visit Mr. Weasley allowed Alrescha to kill two kappas with one stone. When she walked into the hospital, the Welcome Witch immediately recognized her.
"Oh, oh my." She completely ignored the Weasleys. She fixed her hair. "Hello. What can I do for you?"
"Healer Kincade, please. I've got an appointment. For my operation."
"Oh, oh yes. Fourth floor, Flanders Ward."
"Thank you." Alrescha and Selena stepped aside while Molly Weasley inquired about her husband. The pair would visit Mr. Weasley first, and then go on for their interviews.
Mr. Weasley looked well for someone who'd just been bitten by a giant serpent. He dodged the Twins' questions about where he'd been, and Selena thought that was for the best. Alrescha went out with the rest of the Weasley children and Harry when Mrs. Weasley ushered them out, and wasn't the least bit surprised at the information they'd picked up on the Extendable Ears when they eavesdropped on the Order members, that Harry could possibly be possessed by Voldemort. It was like her mother had said- Harry had a part of Voldemort's soul, so of course Voldemort could possess Harry easily.
Alrescha left the Weasleys for a while to talk to the Healers with her mother, and was told that her surgery would take place on the thirteenth of January, late in the afternoon. And then the next day, she would be taken to the Infirmary Wing at Hogwarts where Madam Pomfrey could keep an eye on her. That way she would already be at Hogwarts for the start of term, which was on the fifteenth.
When the Blacks and the Weasleys met up again, they all returned to Grimmauld Place very solemn; Mrs. Weasley couldn't understand why, but the Weasley children and Harry and Alrescha knew it was because of the whole snake possession deal. And when Harry had been sent to his room to have a bit of a nap, Alrescha ducked out a half hour after him. She knew Harry would take this information badly. She found him fuming, talking to Phineas Nigellus' portrait. He didn't know she was there until Phineas Nigellus left.
"Harry, you alright? Don't go, stay here."
"I'm not. Dumbledore wants me to stay. Sent that portrait to tell me." She knew he'd want to run. He was always thinking of others and not himself. He knew he was dangerous while he stayed there at Grimmauld Place. Alrescha remained in the doorway, talking quietly.
"We're not… Afraid of you, you know. At least, I'm not."
"Thanks, but if Voldemort wants you, which he probably does because of your dad, he'll probably use me."
"I don't care about that. Just- I'm always here for you- there're people who care about you here, Harry."
"I know." Harry slouched down on the bed, and Alrescha hesitantly left.
Ending Note: Now what are your thoughts about the ending of the story?