Magic is might. It was such a simple phrase, and yet it described so well the core beliefs of the wizard world. Even those who had half-blood or muggle friends gave silent homage to those words, convinced that their power was what set them apart from the rest of humanity. They were words which every young witch and wizard were taught from the cradle through the vehicles of story and song, until they became an integral part of their philosophy. The phrase possessed a long and complicated history, stretching back to the times when muggles hunted them out of fear. In times of war it became a battle cry, especially in the numerous conflicts between wizards and the goblin nation. Some even said that the phrase was coined by Merlin himself.
But for Ariana, these words couldn't be further from the truth. To her magic was something to be feared, and she would have gladly forsaken it if only it was possible. It hadn't always been so, for she still recalled the days where she had been praised for any incident of accidental magic. She had been so excited then, eager to learn all she could of magic and longing for when she too would go to Hogwarts like her clever older brother. Many cold winter evenings were spent in front of the drawing room fire, as she devoured all of Albus's first year texts. She had been so determined then, to learn all she could and excel at Hogwarts, so that she could be worthy of the most noble and ancient house of Dumbledore.
She never imagined that all of her hopes would be destroyed in a single afternoon, or that the most tragic event of her young life would also bring her a friend and the strength to face the greatest fear of mortals with courage worthy of Gryffindor.
It began on a hot July morning, when not even the strongest cooling charm could keep the house comfortable. Ariana spent the morning trying to distract her mind with a book, while Kendra had gone off to brew potions in the family's well stocked lab. Only Aberforth did justice to the assortment of cold foods which their house elf offered for lunch. The noon meal over, Ariana decided to practice the few spells she knew in the garden. Knowing that none of her family would lend her their wands, she chose a slender branch which she hoped would serve her just as well.
Hesitantly she spoke the first spell taught to all wizard children with little expectation that anything would happen.
"Lumos." No one was more surprised than she when a small ball of light blossomed from the end of her branch. Encouraged she tried another spell, and was rewarded by the sight of a clay ornament rising into the air. For more than an hour she remained focused on her work, unaware that she was being watched by three muggle boys.
It was the eldest one's exclamation of astonishment which alerted her to their presence. Immediately she lowered her branch, comforted by the knowledge that the front door was only a few paces away. Drawing herself to her full height, Ariana eyed the three boys with what she hoped was haughty indifference. She must be careful with her words, attempt to think of some plausible explanation which would satisfy the Muggles. But all thoughts of logical reasoning fled her mind when the first boy stepped forward.
"Show us again how you did that."
The second boy joined in. "Yeah that was a neat trick, and we'd like to know how you did it so we can show our friends at school." When she still remained silent the third one squeezed through the thick hedge until he was standing before the young witch.
Ariana stared back at them with defiance written clearly upon her young face. "I can't show you how to do these tricks, because they're meant to be kept only in the family." Thinking quickly she improvised. "My family are performing magicians, and how we do our tricks is no one's business but ours. It's been that way for centuries." Despite her fear Ariana was proud of her story, for it possessed just enough truth to make her explanation sound convincing. Still the boys pressed her, and when she refused to do as they asked they closed in around her in a menacing circle. She fought, or at least she tried to, for one girl against three boys who were stronger and quicker were hardly fair odds.
Alerted by her calls for help, her father rushed out of the house, and quickly ordered the boys off of his property with the warning to never return. Then he turned upon Ariana, delivering a pointed lecture on why she should never practice magic where Muggles might see her, and the punishment that she would be sent to her room without supper.
Shaken and indignant, Ariana bent to collect her precious branch, for she wasn't about to let her father take away the object which had helped her to perform her first bit of accidental magic. And it was just as her fingers closed around it, that she noticed a small book lying forgotten in the grass. Curious she opened it to the first page, but she had scarcely read the first sentence when her father's impatient summons reminded her that she was under punishment. Hurriedly Ariana concealed the book within her robes; at least she would have something new to read while she was shut up in her room.
There were few things she had in common with Albus, but one thing which they shared was a love of books and learning. She read long into the night, fascinated by the tale of a muggle boy who met the mysterious and wise North Wind. Muggle books were a rarity amongst her family's vast collection of magical knowledge, and she welcomed the opportunity to learn more of the world which existed so close to her own. It wasn't until she began to read that Ariana realized that this story was a fairy tale, like the ones which her mother used to read to all of her children at bedtime. Ariana's favorite had always been The Fountain of Fair Fortune, while Albus had often begged for The Tale of The Three Brothers. Abe had simply enjoyed whatever story their mother chose.
But this muggle story was in Ariana's opinion a thousand times better, for it spoke to her in a way no wizard story had ever done, causing her to reflect upon the questions which the hero of the book had asked his mysterious friend. .
After her father was sent to Azkaban for cursing the boys that had attacked her, she often found comfort in rereading the intriguing Muggle story. The simple yet profound wisdom within its pages gave her much to think about; especially when her mother decided that she would take her children and move far away from the place which constantly reminded them of the recent tragedy.
It was two months after the family had moved to Godrics Hollow, that Kendra Dumbledore first noticed something amiss with her daughter. At first it was small things; but soon it became clear to everyone in the house that Ariana's magic was completely out of control. In vain did Kendra attempt to instruct Ariana in the ancient discipline of Occlumency, or Albus offer endless advice gathered from his studies. At one point Kendra even considered sending her daughter to a master healer, for nothing she did seemed to calm the outbursts of raw power. Kendra wasn't known as the brightest of Hogwart's Ravens for nothing. In an attempt to understand what was behind these outbursts of wild magic, she searched through the family's vast collection of magical books, and even dared to ask subtle questions of an old friend who was a talented healer. She couldn't know that Ariana was struggling desperately to keep her magic bound, for she didn't want to bring more trouble to an already tense household.
Unfortunately it was this decision which led to the tragedy which would forever mark Ariana's young life. The day had begun like countless others, with Kendra attempting to coax Ariana to take a little food. Ariana had done her best to please her mother, managing to eat a half of what was on her plate, but eventually she lay down her fork with a frustrated sigh. Kendra picked up the tray wishing that Aberforth was at home, for he was the only one who could calm his sister and get her to eat decent meals. For the thousandth time Kendra cursed those muggle boys and their ignorance, and wished that she could find someone who she could trust outside the family to help her care for Ariana. But there was no one. Not even the famed authoress Bathilda Bagshot; the only friend she had made since moving to Godrics Hollow could offer any help or advice.
For the rest of that day Kendra tried to think of a way to help her daughter without drawing the attention of every witch and wizard in England. A proud woman; she knew all too well what would happen if anyone outside of the family learned of Ariana's illness. She shuddered imagining the articles which The Daily Prophet would print and the hoards of reporters which could descend upon the house clamoring for an interview. At all costs she must prevent that from ever happening.
Kendra was so absorbed in her thoughts, that she forgot one of the most important things whenever Ariana was distressed. Never use magic. It had been hard at first for the family to follow this unspoken rule, for casting spells was as natural to them as breathing. Even their three house elves had been forced to use no magic in the presence of their young mistress, something which Kendra knew brought them much sorrow. Albus had learned this lesson on one of his visits home, when in an attempt to quiet his sister he had cast a calming charm. Ariana's reaction had been quick and violent, and if Aberforth had not come rushing upstairs at the sound of his sister's enraged screams Albus might have sustained serious injuries
Anxiety coupled with frustration had caused Kendra to forget, and instinctively she drew her wand. She spoke the spell with practiced ease, performing the necessary movements with a grace and confidence which many of her fellow students had envied during her time at Hogwarts. On any other occasion her magic would have done her bidding without hesitation, answering to its mistress's will with the strength which she had long become accustomed to controlling. Unfortunately she had forgotten the lengths which Ariana's magic would go to whenever something approached it which it considered a threat. Wild power stirred in response to Kendra's spell.
It hated this witch who was close kin to its mistress, for she possessed a control and grace which it knew Ariana would never achieve. So it lashed out; driven by unreasoning fury and passionate hatred, forcing the older witch away from Ariana and driving her back towards the top of the elegant staircase.
Ariana could only watch; helpless and horrified as her mother fought to keep her balance, knowing that none of the simple spells she knew would slow her mother's fall. Power stirred in response to Ariana's fear, and her already fragile control of her magic snapped.
Distantly she could hear Kendra's voice urging her to stay calm, but even as she struggled to obey she knew that it was already far too late.
Ariana would never forget her last glimpse of her mother's face before she struck the marble floor. For there had been no condemnation or hatred in those dark eyes, only sad resignation and deep affection for the daughter she had never ceased to love. It was this remembrance which would haunt Ariana for the rest of her life, and be at the root of the many nightmares she would experience for months.
Not even the house elves dared to approach Ariana in the hours following her mother's death. Afraid and mourning the passing of their beloved mistress, it was all they could do to send word to Hogwarts and begin preparations for the funeral until the young masters arrived home. Throughout it all Ariana remained as silent and still as a statue, and only Aberforth's patience and gentleness could coax her out of her shock and grief.
Authoress's note: For anyone who has just discovered this story, I've posted the link to an amazing dramatization of MacDonald's classic tale on my page. I highly recommend checking it out as it gives a lot of background information on the character of North Wind.
I'll repost the link every few chapters, as it expires after a week.
How did you enjoy the chapter? My characterizations of Kendra and her daughter?
I was going to have Ariana meet North Wind in this chapter, but figured that would be too much drama.
So look for North Wind in the next instalment, as she tries to help Ariana control her power and deal with the guilt over Kendra's death. The wait shouldn't be too long, as I've got the chapter half written already.
Thanks for reading, and do leave a review on your way out.