Chapter Five
A/N: Sorry it took so long to update than usual! I watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 a few days ago and am suffering mild writer's block. Sorry! :S My mind is just BLOWN! Ok, back to the story.
Five years later...
Thalia's POV
The Sorting Hat appeared in front me.
"You are brave and loyal, and a little rebellious; unlike many of your father's relatives. You are not the first of your father's side tonight to defy tradition, though he himself was not Sorted here." My heart pounded faster. It was repeating the same words it spoke to me the night I got Sorted. "You are also clever and cunning when the occasion arises. And the occasion will arise soon enough when a threat will loom over the wizarding world. You and your acquaintances will not only save the wizarding world, but you will find answers." My mind reeled. Every time I heard those words, I interpreted less and less what it meant. The Hat disappeared as it yelled, "GRYFFINDOR!"
I was suddenly in a clearing in a forest. There was a man there, with his back turned to me, black robes billowing in the wind.
"Hello? Where am I? Who are you?" I asked, my voice trembling. The man turned to me and I gasped. He had a mask on, the same one in our History of Magic textbooks. He was a Death Eater.
The man laughed a cold, shrill, sound. As if reading my mind, he said, "Been reading your books, have you, kiddie? Yes, I am a Death Eater."
"B-but, isn't V-Voldemort dead?" I asked, reaching for my wand. To my horror, it wasn't there.
The man sneered. "Oh, isn't Voldemort dead?" He mocked me in a squeaky voice."Of course he is, you stupid little girl. But that's why he has Death Eaters to finish his job off." Seeing my shocked expression, he laughed again. "Yes, Death Eaters are still active, my dearie. They have been for over 20 years now. And we will kill anyone who gets in our way."
Taking a couple of steps back, I said, thinking of my mum, Gran, Grampa, Rose, Albus, Scorpius, and the whole Weasley/Potter clan I'd come to love over the years. "You won't hurt anyone I love. Never."
He sneered. "Your father's family has gone soft after the War. That's why we were reluctant to let your grandfather back into the Dark Lord's doings. At least he as the guts to come back." He raised his wand, and I could feel the electrical power it was radiating from where I was standing, warming up so it could shoot out the telltale green jet of light, as the man was saying the infamous incantation.
"Avada Ke-"
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
I groaned, turning over to press the snooze button on Rose's Muggle alarm clock. It was 8:30 on a Monday, with classes starting at 9:00. Whoop-dee-doo.
"Hey, Ro! Rise and shine!" I shouted, getting up and making my bed. I grabbed a towel and headed to the bathroom. Turning on the water, I took off my nightgown and relaxed as the warm water ran down my tired body. My thoughts drifted off to the dream. My head was still foggy, and I recollected the words the Sorting Hat had spoken to me. Ever since Sixth Year started about a few weeks ago, my dreams always started like that, and I learned to memorize them. I thought about the second part of my dream. For some reason, the second part of my dreams were always something Death Eater related and then it-the object, which was a Death Eater in the case of my latest dream-would always mention something about my father's family. I'd tried to shake off trying to figure who my dad is, but ever since these dreams started to haunt me, the impulse has been coming back to me. I'd tried to convince myself that I didn't need to find out who he is; that I was perfectly happy with my life, but I felt like there was this big, gaping hole in my heart where it should be filled. I'd tried to get my grandparents to squeal, but to no avail. The only way was to spike their drinks with veritaserum, but I decided against it, because: A) it was wrong, B) they're both seventy year old highly trained wizards; Grampa is a retired Auror, and Gran was a skilled potioneer back in her day. So I gave up on that idea.
I sighed, stepping out of the shower and drying myself. Summoning my robes into the bathroom, I put them on and dried my hair with a Drying Charm. When I got out, Rose was already dressed.
"Morning, Lia!" She greeted me. She looked fresh, except for the dark circles under her eyes. Well, I was sort of the reason for that. We stayed up late last night, telling each other secrets and gossiping, which ended up in a loud pillowfight, waking up the other girls-Jenny Armstrong, Tiana McLaggen, and Rita Myers- and resulted with them joining in our fierce pillowfight at midnight. I'm sure even the Hippogriffs outside near Hagrid's hut heard us.
"Morning, Ro! Gosh, you look terrible." I said, indicating the circles under her eyes. She rolled her blue eyes at me and laughed. "I wouldn't be talking if I were you, Lia. Did you look in the mirror this morning?"
I scowled. Well, in my defense, I was sort of thinking about other stuff than the bags under my eyes, thank you very much, Rose Ginevra Weasley! "Come on, let's go." And we set off to the Great Hall, past the Common Room, through the portrait, past other portraits, narrowly missing Peeves, the poltergeist, and finally reaching the giant doors. Opening them, we tried to look nonchalant, as we were pretty sat down across from Albus and Scorpius and dug into our oatmeal and pumpkin juice.
"Stayed up late, ladies?" Albus asked us cheekily.
I rolled my eyes. Rose scowled. "Shove off, Albus."
"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed," Scorpius put in.
Rose groaned. "Seriously,Scorp?"
"Well, someday I hope it you'd wake up from mine," A voice said between me and Rose. My skin crawled and Rose blushed the same shade as the scarlet on her uniform.
I turned around and glared. It was Arnold Swelder, the sixth year Hufflepuff creep. He was practically stalking Rose every chance he got. Sure, he wasn't half bad looking- with brown eyes, sandy blond hair and a built Quidditch figure-but he was the womanizer of Hogwarts. He must have been with every girl, gotten drunk with them, and did who knows what else with them-that is, except for me, Rose, Lily-Albus's little sister; she may be a flirt, but she wouldn't go as low as Swelder-and anyone below second year. He'd tried to get Lily to date him multiple times, and finally gave up on her when she gave him a good kick up the arse into the lake. And, of course, he started going for me in third year, but gave up in fifth year when Albus duelled him to get away from me and sent him to the Hospital Wing with popping boils all over his body and his mouth spewing out slugs. I guess I owe Al. Anyway, now he's going for Rose, but-thank GOODNESS- she keeps turning him down. Albus, Scorpius, and I have already offered to hex the oblivion out of the bloke, but, well...Rose is TOO nice when it comes to things...especially creeps. She thinks that he'll just leave her alone after a while, so we wouldn't have to do anything rash. I believe that as much as I believe Scorpius will turn ginger on his birthday.
Scorpius stiffened considerably. "Get away NOW, Swelder." He growled. See, Scorpius is SUPER protective when it comes to guys ogling Rose, now that she's turned MEGA gorgeous. Albus and I tell him that he fancies her. Scorpius tells us to sod off.
The Hufflepuff sneered. "And what are you going to do to make me, Malfoy?" He spit out the word Malfoy as if it was a bogey-flavoured Bertie Blott's Bean.
Albus stood up. "He's going to hex you like I did in fifth year, Swelder, remember that? I've been teaching him that hex for a while now, just in case he needs to save some damsels in distress from a certain arse-ugly dragon." He winked an emerald eye at me and I blushed. He's the only one that can make me blush like that.
Swelder sneered again. "Protecting Malfoy, are you Potter? Why? What gives? I'm sure your daddy will be mad about you fraternising with the son of a Death Eater." He said and smirked.
I have no idea what happened next. All I know is one second we were all sitting down, except for Al and Swelder and the next instant he was on the ground, clutching his nose and roaring in pain, with Rose standing over him. I looked up at Al, and Scorpius, their expressions mirroring mine exactly. I stared at Rose. Blowing a hair out of her face, she said calmly, "That felt good." Looking at us and the rest of the Hall, who were gaping at Rose Weasley, the good girl, who had now just punched Arnold Swelder in the face. "What? He was insulting Scorp! Oh, for goodness' sake, let's get out of here! We're going to be late for class!" She told us, running out of the Hall with a new spring in her step. I looked at Al and Scorpius. Their mouths were still in perfect 'O's.
"Come on, guys, let's go. Commander Rose Weasley has left the building!" I said, in mock salute and ran after Rose, following her to Defence Against the Dark Arts, with Al and Scorpius on our heels.
We finally reached Defence Against the Dark Arts with Ravenclaw. As we sat down-me next to Rose and Scorpius next to Albus- Professor Goldstein introduced our topic for the day.
"Today, class, we are going to learn about the Unforgiveable Curses." He flicked his wand and a piece of chalk began writing Unforgiveable Curses on the chalkboard. Everyone whispered excitedly. It wasn't until sixth year that the students of Hogwarts got to learn about them, since they were a great reminder of the war, the staff weren't too thrilled about younger students learning the Unforgiveables. "Now, who can name one of them?" Rose's hand shot up first-as always-and he called on her. "Yes, Miss Weasley?"
"Crucio. It causes the person whom it is cast on excruciating pain." She answered straightforwardly.
"Excellent, Miss Weasley. Ten points to Gryffindor." He flicked his wand again and the piece of chalk began to write Crucio and its definition. "Now, who else knows an Unforgiveable?"
A boy from Ravenclaw raised his hand. "Yes, Mr. Corner?" I recognized Tyler Corner.
"Imperio, sir." He answered.
"Very good, Mr. Corner. Can you give the definition of this particular curse?"
Tyler squirmed in his seat. I knew that it was an uncomfortable subject to talk about, since the war was where all three of the Unforgivable Curses had been used, and a lot of students' parents had experienced cases where peers around them had been killed, tortured and who knows what else. "When properly cast, the person whom it had been cast on is under complete control of the caster."
Professor Goldstein nodded. "Good job, Mr. Corner. 10 points to Ravenclaw." With another flick of the wand, the piece of chalk kept writing. "Now, what's the last Curse? This one should be easy. Anyone?" He asked, looking around the room. Many students looked uncomfortable. They all knew what the answer was, but they were all afraid to say it, in fear of bringing the terrible stories of the war back. "Anyone?"
Someone finally did. I was surprised to find it was Albus, the one who never answered a question unless called upon. Also, because his father had experienced this particular curse being cast onto many people he loved, and even had it cast twice upon himself by Voldemort, but escaped both times alive. "Yes, Mr. Potter?" Even Goldstein was surprised.
"Avada Kedavra," He whispered. "Avada Kevadra, the Killing Curse." I felt a pang of sympathy for Al, since he'd even experienced his father's memories firsthand; because one time when Scorpius, Rose and I went over to Grimmauld Place-where the Potters lived, his dad's godfather had once owned it- Al found Harry Potter's Pensieve and he'd put his head into it. Apparently it held everything from when Voldemort killed Al's grandparents to when the Battle of Hogwarts. So, when Al was done viewing his dad's memories, he was pale and shaking. I think he's been emotionally scarred ever since, and we were all twelve back then.
"Good job, Mr. Potter. 10 points to Gryffindor." Professor Goldstein answered, with slight worry evident at Al's expression. It was pure, pure fear.
Goldstein told us to write the notes that were up on the board and began explaining their origin, but I wasn't really paying attention. I kept glancing at Al, who was as pale as parchment and his quill hand was shaking. I worried for him, since he actually experienced these memories through his father's Pensieve. I could only imagine how scarred Mr. Potter was. When I first met him, I totally idolised him-along with Rose's parents, I think I followed Hermione Weasley around the Burrow at Christmas break for nearly an hour. I think she was too polite to shake me off, but she also seemed flattered. Oh, yeah and I think I followed Ginny Potter (one of the-former- Holyhead Harpies' Chasers) for nearly two hours- and he had SO many stories to tell. He was also cool and level headed. Living all of those tales and probably more, I wonder how long it took for the aftershock for him to wear off.
After class, I ran up to Albus, who was still looking pretty pale, probably living all of those memories again and again in his own. Cue another pang of sympathy. Rose and Scorpius also caught up to him as we headed down to Potions.
"Hey, mate. You okay?" Scorpius asked the eye-glazed Albus.
Rose hit him on the arm. "Of course he isn't! Don't you remember his expression when he took his head out of the Pensieve in Second Year?"
Rubbing his probably bruised arm, Scorpius nodded. "'Course I do. I was just trying to make conversation. Chill, Rose." He smirked at her playfully. She turned red, probably a mix of anger and embarrassment. Scorpius's smirk grew wider, leading into a glaring contest. I rolled my eyes. Those two may be prefects, the top of their classes, and looked upon as role models for the younger students by the teachers, but they can be SO immature sometimes.
"Anyway," I said, stressing the word, "It's okay Al. We're here for you and always will be." I put my arm around him-just like he did to me back in first year when we were riding in the boat across the lake to Hogwarts-and he instantly snapped out of his reverie. I tried to reassure him as best I could by patting his arm with free hand. I also tried not to notice Al's dumbfounded green eyes darting from me to my arm around his shoulders, him turning a slight shade of pink, and Scorpius and Rose passing knowing glances to each other. Yup, I tried to ignore it all.
The rest of the day passed as uneventful, with Potions, then Care of Magical Creatures, Transfiguration, lunch, followed by Muggle Studies, Charms, and Scorpius and Rose going to Arithmancy and Astronomy (don't get me wrong, I LOVE gazing at stars, but I didn't feel like naming constellations, predicting faces of the moon, and who knows what else. Al seems to agree.)-do they really need to be on top of every single class, especially if it's boring?-which left me and Al two free periods to ourselves. Most of our week was with me and him having two free periods and we spent our free time doing what we both loved-Quidditch.
Heading out to the pitch with our Firebolt 50s, the afternoon was perfect. It was something between afternoon and sunset. With the orange-blue sky bright, we took off from the green turf and we began tossing the Quaffle back and forth, doing crazy antics in the air before expertly tossing it back to the other. I was a Chaser, Al Seeker. If you're wondering how bloody good Al was at throwing and catching the Quaffle,-which he is-it's because he's a natural. He said that it was because his mum was one, too and played that position for the Holyhead Harpies. If you're also wondering why in Merlin's pants is Al Seeker for Gryffindor-which he is also bloody brilliant at; his record is five minutes, against Hufflepuff in Fourth Year-it's because he said that he was destined to be Seeker, not Chaser. Scorpius told me that Al had told him the real reason was so that I would make it on the team as Chaser, as I was only good at throwing, passing, and shooting that particular ball in Quidditch. I told him to bugger off. Thinking of it now, I'm thankful and a little bit flattered.
"Hello? Earth to Thalia!" I saw Albus waving his hand in front of me, his other hand holding the Quaffle. His jet black hair was windswept, making it even more attractively untidy. And his eyes, they were so green; there was no denying he was handsome, even his hand was, toughened from years of Quidditch practice-
"THALIA!" I once again saw Albus shaking me out of my reverie, but this time he was literally shaking me by the shoulders.
"Okay, let go, Al! I'm awake! Yeesh, easy on the shoulders." I scolded him. He rolled his eyes.
"And I thought I was the one with the glazed eyes today." He snorted and I bumped him with my broom.
"Let's just play, okay?" I said, "Pass the Quaffle here, Potter." I teased.
After a few tosses back and forth, Al asked me, "Are you excited for the first Quidditch game?"
"Yeah! First game: Gryffindor versus Slytherin! We're going to beat them so bad they're going to be crying to their mothers!" Al grinned at my enthusiasm. I was one Quidditch fanatic, alright.
"You bet we will! With a particular Chaser in mind."
"Roxanne?" I joked, knowing who he actually meant.
"No, you, Thalia." My stomach did back flips when he said my name. I hid it with a friendly smile. "Why, thank you, Albus. And also with a particular Seeker in mind."
He tried to do the same thing I did. "Now who on earth would that be?" I swatted him, almost falling off my broom in the process. Al started laughing and he almost did, too. After a long fit of giggles, we both recovered.
"I think we should be heading back now. Rose and Scorp might be looking for us." I said.
"Alright. After you, my lady." He teased. Rolling my eyes, I got off my broom and walked alongside him.
Yeah, that was just a normal day in my life. But, of course, when you go to Hogwarts, nothing's ever normal.