Lyla sat in the clearing that she called home. A huge tree positioned behind her, harvesting her very own tree house. It melded its way through the tree, making different entries and exists to the place. It was where she spent most of her time, when she wasn't wondering the forest. It was Saturday, fourteen days since the last Saturday, he came. And like always, on this day, she waited in the clearing, for someone who is her teacher and carer…
He appears before her, wearing a sparkling blue robe, his white beard almost reaching his toes… Dumbledore.
But she cannot help notice the fact one of his hands is blackened and shriveled. It had been like that since the start of the year. He's never told her why.
But then...he didn't need to.
"Hello Lyla," he said what he always says, in the exactly same tone of sweetness. Never had he failed to say those words.
"Hello," she answers back.
He smiles.
"I've brought you some more cloths," and with a wave of his wand freshly pressed clean cloths appear out of thin air. "Now…what seems to be troubling you?"
He always knows. Ever since she was little and he use to come by more frequently, he always knew.
"…the future…"she whispers.
He answers, "The future will always be troubling, it is always natural to feel it."
"But…"Lyla begins, "I dream…of people dying…" Images of Sirius Black falling through the veil enter her mind. Even shaking her head, wouldn't send the images away. They are stuck there like a limb on a body, apart of her.
He smiles sadly, "They are your visions Lyla, but you must remember that the future can be changed. It may follow what is meant to happen, but small changes can be made, through the most tiniest of choices."
She looks deep into his eyes and sees…regret.
"How much longer must I stay in the forest for?"
She had asked this question many a times, but he had never really answered and she still persisted to ask him. It was also why she was so surprised when he actually answered…
"Only so much longer Lyla…But you must promise you will not leave until it is over, then you'll be safe." Dumbledore said.
Lyla understood and so nodded in response.
"Dumbledore?" she asked, "Why must it be Harry?"
He studies her carefully before answering. "You already know the answer."
"Yes, but-"
"You cannot help him."
She hated it when he knew what she was going to say.
"He must figure this out all himself. You already know that." Dumbledore said. "He won't be entirely alone. Miss Granger and Mr Weasley will endeavour to join him, I should think."
A twinkle escaped his eye.
"Yes, but Harry's stubborn." She counteracted.
"I do not know why we are having this argument, when you know I will not change my mind."
"I still will feel better for trying…" Lyla grumbled.
Dumbledore smiled. "It is one of your many personality traits that will always will make you much more than him."
Him. Lyla had had more terrible nightmares. And they weren't about the future.
"But…what if? I am…I mean…I'm just…"
"Scared?" Dumbledore said.
Lyla nodded.
"You have no need to be scared." Dumbledore said calmly. "You can never become him. You are similar, but you are very different. Fearing that future just shows your hatred for it even more. You see…sometimes our hatred shows our true fears. And our fear can show what we really hate. You are not him Lyla…always remember that."
"But will people…ever accept me?" This had been a question she had always wanted to know. One of the reasons she accepts from refraining any information regarding it.
"If you show them where your true loyalties lie…then people will eventually accept. But always expect the worse. Especially in this situation."
"Can you tell me...my mothers name." Lyla said, treading carefully.
Dumbledore's eyes meets hers head on, and yet, she can't decipher their true meaning.
"Her name was Jean Alexandria Foy." He said. "You will promise me something?"
"Yes," she said, "what?"
"Promise me, you won't go looking for her. Not until it is all over." Dumbledore said. "For she is not who you remember as."
Remember... Lyla could remember her. Holding her, talking softly being like any mother, but she was always crying.
"I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry..." she would whisper so many times, it was now glued to her mind, apart of her. Lyla didn't know if seeing her would ruin the memories she had. They weren't good memories, but they were enough to make her feel...content.
"Now, I must bid you goodnight…" But there was no cheerfulness in his voice, as he rose up, towering above her. His face sadden and Lyla so wanted to see the twinkle in his eye, so desperately."Goodbye Lyla…"
He disappeared with a faint, pop!
He never ever said goodbye…
And she knew why.
The next night, Lyla looked up at Hogwarts. She hid in the tree branches gazing up at the sky above, a single tear running down her cheek. For a skull, made of the surrounding black clouds, was poised in mid-air, looming over the castle, a skeleton snake winding its way around, green light filtering through.
And she weeps…for she will never see him again…and she has known for a long time now.
It was Sirius all over again.
"Goodbye…Dumbledore…"
Yes...it is a bit short, and depressing, but I didn't see the need to add too much. I only needed to show you guys Dumbledore's and Lyla's relationship a bit more.
Reason for lateness was simply my teachers decided it would be a good idea to drown us in homework (Not something I'm happy about, I can tell you). The next chapter will be up very soon, I just have to got through any spelling and grammar errors.
Please review, I do love hearing what you guys think.