Chapter Four
D'YOU EVER GET A déjà-vu feelin'?
That's what I happened to be experiencin' at the moment, what with the poundin' head and hurtin' like hell. But when I opened my eyes, I was in a completely different settin'. For one, this was more friendly and homely-lookin' in a way. I was in a circular, office-type room, and there was tons of various stuff. I was layin' on a comfy couch, covered with a blanket and my head propped up on a pillow.
"How are you feeling, my dear?" the Dumbledore-guy asked, gazin' at me with a friendly face. Wow. What a nice change from last time when I hit consciousness again.
I sat up, too quickly I judged from the poundin' in my skull. "Where am I?"
"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," the man said with a completely serious face.
I burst out laughin'. "Ha-ha! No, seriously, man! That's funny an' all, but I really need to know."
He sighed and leaned back in his chair. "I swear I'm not lying, Evelyn Steele."
"How d'you know my name?" I demanded. He even pronounced my last name right. Most people said "steel-ee", when they saw my last name written, but the final "e" was silent.
"I know many things, Evelyn. And I'm afraid so do you."
"Okay, wait, back up a second, sir. Just lemme get this fact outta the way, please. You said this is a school of witchcraft and wizardry?"
"Yes," he said slowly. "Considering all that you saw yesterday, I wouldn't think it would be that far of a stretch for you to believe."
"I…touché. Fine. Ya got me there. But I just…don't understand, I guess. Why am I here? I sure as hell ain't magical!"
"Right. But because of your encounter with Voldemort—"
"What was with that douche-bag, anyways? He was a royal jackass. Pardon my French, sir."
He laughed quietly. "I'm sure you've already put two and two together, that he wants to get rid of the human race."
"So…a muggle is a normal person?"
"Correct."
"Oh."
"You are here, at the school, not because you possess a magical ability, but because your life is in danger, more than any other muggle in the world. He will be, as you would say, hell-bent on finding you, and he won't rest until he has your life."
"If I remember correctly, though, he said nowhere was safe," I said, tryin' to imitate the guy's accent but failin' horribly as my southern one broke through.
"He did, yes, but Hogwarts is the safest place in the world for you to be, I swear."
"And you and your army—"
"We're not an army, not necessarily," Dumbledore said. "We're just a small group who has decided to take matters into our own hands to try and control and bring down the chaos that Voldemort is causing."
"Huh?"
"There will be plenty of time for you to get involved in politics if you want to go deeper."
"I hate politics."
"You're a smart young woman, then."
"So…I'm stuck here?"
"Basically. But I'll try and not make it seem like you're in prison, because you're not. I don't want you to feel like you're locked up."
"Gee, thanks! I really appreciate it. So I get to wander 'round with a whole buncha witches an' wizards who at any second could blow me to smithereens if they wanted to."
"No. You won't be able to wander around the school. I'm afraid there are too many Death Eaters' family members and students who are currently becoming Death Eaters for you to be able to do that."
"Death Eaters?"
"Voldemort's followers."
"Like that Bellatrix girl, and Walburga and Orion?"
"So you remembered three names?"
"'Course I did! Bellatrix tried to kill me and the other two killed my parents! I'm not gonna forget their names or faces. I just wanna rip their hearts out."
"I don't blame you, but I want you to stay far away from Bellatrix Black."
"She's here?"
"Yes, and she's got lots of other dangerous students with her, and here they won't hesitate to fight as one group."
"Who are the other two? Her parents?"
Dumbledore sighed. "Her aunt and uncle. I really wouldn't worry about it too much; I don't want you to get any bad ideas and go get yourself killed."
"So what am I gonna be able to do?"
"Follow me."
"No offense, sir, but…I don't think a closet is a very good hidin' space," I said as we stood in front of a tiny cupboard close to what Dumbledore had told me were the kitchens.
He smiled. "Just go inside." I shook my head at him, but opened the door and stepped inside anyways. Lights flipped on, and I was in the biggest room I'd ever seen.
I was in a huge livin' room, fit with a couch, a soft carpet, a coat closet, a TV, single chairs, and huge windows that overlooked a strange field that looked like a sport was played there. There were three other doors that led off from the livin' room.
"I thought you didn't want me to be seen," I said, turnin' to Dumbledore, who was watchin' me look 'round.
"You won't be," he said. "I put wards and shielding spells up. You can see out the window, but no one can see in. They won't even know a window is here. Also, you're door is protected, that way no one but I and a select few of my most trusted and closest people will know where you're at and how to get past the wards and spells."
"Why?"
"Just in case something happens to me, that way you won't be completely alone."
"Alright."
"Do you want to look at the rest of your room?"
"In just'a second." I pointed to the playin' field. "What sport's that?"
He laughed. "Quidditch." He held up a hand to stop my questions. "You have tons of books in your library that will explain any and every question you could possibly have about our world. If you still don't get it, feel free to ask me next time."
"Library?" I asked, standin' up straighter.
"You like books?"
"Yes!"
"Good. It's in your study area. I also found that muggles watch TV and use a…computer."
"Yeah…I was tryin' not to stare at the TV. It's nicer than any we ever had. You have a computer fer me too?"
"Yes. We don't have these things in our world, but I wanted to help you feel most at home. On the computer you have…internet…too. Just be careful about what you tell any of your muggle friends or family. Do not reveal our world or anything that you've been through, do you understand?"
"Of course."
"You're study is through that door," he said, pointin' at the farthest right door. "Bedroom is the center door, and the school kitchen is through the left door." Here he took on a more serious tone. "I cannot stress enough that you be careful going to the kitchens. Other students sneak into the kitchens unauthorized, and that's the last thing we need, for you to be spotted."
I nodded in understandin'.
"I have arranged for one trusted house-elf to bring food to you three times a day, and drinks and other things are in the…fridge, over there, in your kitchen area," he said, pointing at a spot I had missed. I didn't even bother about askin' what a house-elf was.
"I will try and come check on you and bring you news every couple of days, but I cannot guarantee my visits will be on schedule."
"Okay."
"I'm truly sorry this happened to you, Evelyn," Dumbledore said earnestly. "No one should have to go through what you did at such a young age."
"You can't change fate," I said, shruggin'.
He nodded. "Well said. You're wise beyond your years, Evelyn."
"I just wish I didn't have to be," was all I could say as the full reality of everythin' hit home.
A/N: More of a filler than anything, sorry, but I must say this chapter definitely was the quickest to write. Everything just flowed perfectly.
Some of you may be wondering why she trusted Dumbledore so easily, but if you remember right, she has nothing left in this world, nothing to lose. And she did help Dumbledore get rid of Voldemort for the time being, and Dumbledore and the beginnings of the Order showed up at just the right time, saving her life. She also really has no choice but to trust him.
There will be a couple of chapters where there really isn't that much action, but that's just because everything is just starting to settle down, giving her enough time to get bored, like, say…next chapter! :)
My thank-you's to reviewers:
LittleMissClumsy123: Haha thank you SOO much for your review! I'm glad you really like it! Hearing that really motivates me with this story. Hope you liked this one, too!
Alright, so, R&R please everyone!
Nike