A/N: Lookie here! I had a little extra time and was able to finish this chapter up! Good Job Henny!
I had a little bit of fun with this one! I hope you do too!
Happy reading!
Henny, that lucky Penny!
Blind Faith
To answer Draco's question, I took a long pull of air through my nose and ignored my shaky muscles. While they did protest my movements, I was beyond caring. With my palms pressed on the floor, I pushed myself to my knees. After the world stopped spinning and my stomach stopped flip flopping, I stumbled to my feet. My arms were held out wide to find my balance.
I heard someone mumble something along the lines of 'mental' and ignored them. I really had no choice, but ignore them. I was using most of my concentration to keep from throwing up. The pounding in my brain was not helping matters. I willed my mind to stop spinning and my chin to lift up. I am not weak. I am not helpless. I do not bow down to those who merely think they are better than I am. I most certainly do not let anyone, and I mean anyone, tell me what to do. I do not tolerate misuse of magic. And I do not tolerate misuse of power.
A manic sort of smile played across my features.
"I suppose you will have to kill me then." I said softly, still smiling like a crazy person, "Because you will not get me to stop. You will not make me do anything that I do not want to do. And you most certainly will make me bend to your will." I cackled gleefully. I think I just lost my fucking mind.
In my peripheral vision, I saw Zabini take a step away from me. And when my gaze found Draco's, he looked uncertain. Good. Be afraid. Because from here on out, I will make your life a living hell.
I let my laughter fade, but kept my creepy smile. I was starting to creep myself out.
"Do you know what happens when you push a person to the brink?" I asked softly. I was met with silence, "Oh that is alright. Don't be shy. Who knows what happens?" I looked around the room. I felt it coming before it happened. My neck twitched so hard to the left, my neck popped as my head jerked to the side. Everyone jumped at the motion and the sound, "Well?"
"Crazy happens?" Pansy ventured. I snapped my attention to her. Her dark eyes darted around nervously. I waited for her gaze to lock on mine.
I started cackling again. I have no idea what is so funny, but I had to get it out. Of course, when I am cackling, my whole body is shaking, so that might be why I have not burst into random spasms leftover from the curse.
"Oh, you poor naive girl, that's what happens when you are pushed beyond the brink of madness." I cooed softly to her, "When someone is pushed to the brink, they don't exactly snap. But they are never happy about it. Rage, darling, that is what happens." my lips curve into a heavily dark smile. I felt it in my eyes. I held no happiness and no joy. I have rage and hopelessness.
I drew my wand slowly, still holding her scared gaze. I felt everyone tense. I heard the sound of wood on fabric as other wands were drawn. I sent her a wink before I broke our connection to look down at my eleven inch Dragon heartstring Ivy wood wand with love. I could feel our bond as I fingered the end lightly. I felt the wood singing to me, so I hummed the song back to it.
"Henria?" Draco asked cautiously. I twirled my body around and focused on his face, "What are you doing?" I stopped humming and sighed softly.
"Well, if you must know, I was trying to picture how I was going to get out of here." I replied calmly. My creepy smile was still in place, "You know what Ivy wood is good for?" I took a slow, measured step towards him.
"No." he licked his lips nervously. I am beginning to wonder if he feels he mayhap pushed too hard with the crucio. Do I detect remorse? Probably not, but I do like seeing him squirm.
"Ivy is good for spells." I supplied with a soft voice. I took another slow, measured step. I gently touched the tip of my wand to his chest and he winced hard. My wicked smile grew bigger, "Do you know your greatest mistake tonight?" A tiny shake of his head, "Want me to tell you?"
"No." he whispered so softly, I almost did not hear him.
"Good. Because I was going to show you." I saw the confusion in his eyes, "Incarcerous!" I growled. Magical ropes sprung around his body as I shoved him down. The sound of moving robes had me ducking as three different spells shot over my head, "Protego!" I hissed and the second volley came. I stumbled a little as my shield fell down.
I assessed who my biggest threat was. Between Zabini, Goyle and Parkinson, I figured my attention should focus on Zabini. He may have hesitated long enough for me to act in the classroom with the Ravenclaws, but his cold dark eyes were calculating. He would give me the most trouble if I did not watch him carefully. My narrowed eyes were stuck on his form as I stood up from my crouched position.
"Now that I am done taking a trip in crazy Ville, do you really want to witness another exchange of magic with me? I assure you, it will be brief." I growled. My grip in my wand tightened. No one said a word, "Good. Now, I am going to sleep in my little secret hidey-hole." and I strode to the exit and left without another glance.
Breakfast was an amusing affair. Albeit, an exhausting one, but still amusing. I spent most of the morning awake, convulsing on the couch of the Gryffindor Common Room. I did manage an hour or two of sleep before I was being shaken awake by concerned baby blue eyes. I had Seamus gather Neville from the dormitory and I recounted everything from the day before as I changed uniforms. I had to forgo a shower and tied my hair back in a severe bun. I felt grimy and tired.
When I entered the Great Hall, I entered with my head held high. Like I have always done, I strode to the Slytherin Tables and ignored the pointed looks and quiet murmurings. This morning, however, there was a palpable tension amongst the older students. I saw nervous glances and fearful looks. The seventh years all shifted away from me as I sat down with them and started piling my plate with eggs, sausage and toast. I gave them an amused smirk as I sipped my pumpkin juice.
My good mood diminished significantly when I was summoned to the Headmaster's office. I had no escort and no one met me at the guarding gargoyle. I was slightly suspicious, but very cautious as I repeated the password that was handed to me on a slip of paper. I regretted eating so much food as my stomach started twisting into knots. The feeling of dread seeped into my bones and made me feel cold all over. The emotion was making me miss my owl.
I had been refraining from thinking of Denali since I learned that they were monitoring the owl post. I did not want to imagine him being chained to some post and made to eat moldy owl treats. I did not want to envision him shivering in the cold and hooting weakly. I highly doubt my bird would ever let someone chain him up, but because of the lack of contact, I could only imagine the worst. Sweet Circe, I miss my baby!
I swallowed the rising emotions in my chest and knocked on the door. I heard a grumbled response and slowly pressed the door open. I started breathing through my nose to keep my breakfast down and stepped into the threshold of Headmaster Snape's office.
But no one was there.
Did I not just hear someone tell me to enter?
I closed the door softly behind me and ventured slowly into the space. It was massive and felt cold. I normally do not examine the walls as I am too focused on trying not to panic about my lot in life. They are bare looking with empty frames. I got curious as to what was housed in the frames. As I stepped closer, I saw little plaques. There were names on the plaques.
Headmaster Armando Dippet?
My eyes widened and I quickly searched for a familiar name. As my eyes descended upon my target, my chest hitched in sadness and I had to stifle a sob with my hand. My other hand slowly came up and lightly touched Albus Dumbledore's name. I felt along the divots of his letters. Where is his portrait?
"Dwelling on his death will do you no good, Miss Sownbinder." an almost bored drawl came from behind me. I spun around and brandished my wand, aiming for his face, "Put that away, you silly girl!" he hissed in irritation.
"No." I said clearly. I am doing well in the hexing department, why would I want to stop my reign of terror now?
"What if I were to promise a meeting with his portrait? Would that make you want to keep from cursing me?" his features portrayed nothing. I could not tell if he was lying.
"Prove it." I snarled. My wand followed his movements across the room.
He reached a cupboard and opened the doors. I saw him pull out a rectangle shaped package wrapped in sturdy paper. My arm dropped slightly as I watched him curiously undo the string holding the paper in place. As it was pulled away, periwinkle robes and a tall wizarding hat appeared. I could see a long, white scraggily beard and half-moon spectacles. My Uncle Albus Dumbledore was sleeping in his portrait. I felt like I could not breathe.
If I were a weaker person, my wand would have been dropped to the ground. Instead, I stowed it in my school robes and watched as Snape placed the painting on his chair. After he moved away from it, I slowly approached with wonder as I examined his face. This was really my uncle.
"Uncle?" I tried breathlessly. The painting version jumped slightly at my voice and roused him. His painted eyes blinked bleary sleep from them and he focused his attention on me. A small smile made his eyes twinkle.
"Hernia Aislinn, my dear, what a lovely surprise." Albus Dumbledore said softly. I felt the hot tears fill my eyes before they rolled down my cheeks.
"Uncle, oh, uncle! How I've missed you!" I cried. I will admit it. I cried like a newborn babe. Sobs and tears and a runny nose. I cried the whole nine yards.
"Shh now, my dear. We mustn't waste any time." He soothed my sobs and if he could, he would have dried my tears. I took a few calming breathes before I composed myself, "Now, I need you to listen to me. Are you listening to me?" he pressed on me. I nodded my affirm, "Good. Now, I need you to listen to Professor Snape and do exactly as he tells you to do it."
"No." I stated firmly. I was not going to listen to that fucker.
"Henria Aislinn, I need you to put some blind faith into me. I need you to put some blind faith into Severus. I need you to trust my words." he went on, almost as if I did not just answer him. I rolled my eyes.
"Well, in that case, hell no!" I exclaimed. A soft smile spread on Uncle Albus' lips. I do not know what he finds amusing about all this, but I am starting to get angry.
"Now, Henria Aislinn, you told me you were listening to me." his soft voice was not helping my rising temper.
"Well, Uncle Albus, for a painting, you are talking some pretty crazy shit." I heard him cluck his tongue in admonishment for my crude language and chose to ignore it, "I'm not sure anyone has kept you up to date about everything that has been happening here, but I cannot trust that man."
"You insolent girl! He is trying to make you look less stupid in front of the students and other professors. You should be listening to him instead of whining." Snape chided sharply. I ignored him because what he was saying was not important to anything that was happening in his office.
"Uncle, please. I can't trust a man on just a word. Yes, I understand that it is your word, but I have seen too much and had too much done to me. I need some kind of proof that he is trustworthy." I began pacing. I do not make it a habit to talk to my uncle so belligerently. I know that this school has not seen a lot of it, but I am a respectful person. Unless you have not earned it.
"Dear, we unfortunately have not been afforded that opportunity. I need you to quit thinking like a child and step up as the powerful witch that I helped raise. I need you to stop playing games and start thinking of the future." he still spoke softly, but his chide was there. I narrowed my eyes.
"Oh! You think I'm playing fucking games? You think I am thinking like a child? I have been bent around the pole and then again! I am not playing around. I am trying to survive. I thought that a war would kill me, no, I was fucking wrong! What is going to kill me is this place! There are Death Eaters in this school who would love nothing more than to get me in a dark corner me and Avad-"
"Henria!" the sudden snap and the crisp tone shocked me into silence. I do not think he has ever yelled at me before, "This is not the time to cast your grievances and it is certainly not the time to joke about children murdering you. I am tired and want to go back to sleep." his tone was hard and I felt like a brat that I brought it out of him, "So, I am only going to say this once. You will listen to Severus. He has been so loyal to me and he will indeed help you in trying to win this war. One day, the final battle will be here. It is only the poetic ending that Tom would think of. So, please, for the sake of the wizarding world, bite your tongue and learn something."
I felt a tear roll down my pink cheek. I was thoroughly shamed and upset that he did not want to talk to me anymore.
"Fine!" I snapped, "I hope you have a good nap. You have earned it."
"Thank you, Henria Aislinn." he replied sleepily. I saw his twinkling blue eyes close and then soft snores followed the action. I turned to Professor Snape and raised an eyebrow.
"What kind of stupid orders do you want me to follow?" I asked coldly.
"I have already caught wind of your spectacular display last night. Wandless magic? Impressive. However, you played your hand too soon." his tone was condescending.
"He-Who-Knows-Jack-Shit already knows that I can do wandless magic. What he doesn't know is that I can do wordless wandless magic. No one bothered to let him know. And I never let anyone know. Well, Draco knows. And now that he is working for He-Who-Knows-Shit, I am sure he will be making a house call soon to come and get me. Either to kill me or recruit me. Futile in my opinion. But that didn't stop Bulstrode from trying to kidnap me to take me to him. Dumb bitch." I muttered the last part.
"Must you be so vulgar?" Snape sneered.
"Unless you want me to burn this fucking place to the ground, I will remain vulgar to burn off my anger. You should try it. It might help loosen the stick up your ass." I crossed my arms over my stomach and cocked a hip out. The Headmaster narrowed his eyes at me.
"Charming. Back to my point, the whole school did not know that you could do wandless magic. I am sure that even your brainless head can wrap around how that might cause a problem." he drawled. I opened my mouth to protest, but he continued before I could, "Moreover, I need you to continue with your patrols. I will let Draco know that he needs to put you on as many as you can so that you can learn to curse properly. But so that you and I are clear, you will do no such thing. I need you to protect as many children as you can from being subjected from the Dark Lord's minions and their kind of punishment. Do you understand?" he bore into my eyes and I held his gaze unflinchingly.
"Perfectly. Just as long as you realize that when I don't do as you say, I get cursed in the Common Room. I will not make it to next week if I have to endure the Cruciatus curse every morning after rounds. So, either take me off rounds or tell them to lay off." I understand that I am supposed to be a little submissive, but I am so tired, I felt like entertaining myself. And watching Snape get angry was entertaining.
"I will relay some kind of warning to Draco so he may pass it down to the others. But honestly, you can't keep your fat mouth shut long enough for someone not to curse you. My warning might be a waste of time." he smirked at me.
"Fine, I will keep my nose clean and out of people's business. And I am not sleeping in Slytherin Dormitories. And I will not be telling you where I am sleeping."
"Gryffindor Dormitories. Like I wouldn't know that you would go to your rightful house and seek refuge. Cried like a little lost child, did you?" his sneer stoked my anger and I knew he was doing it on purpose, but I dismissed that.
I did what a little child would do and stomped my foot. I threw him an angry glare and turned on my heel. I was out of that office faster than a speeding Firebolt.