Chapter 6: Of sisters and forgiveness
I was walking back from my Charms class on Wednesday with my sister, as a distinct sense of being watched overwhelmed me.
"Hey Mells" I called, stopping a couple of steps before the turn that led left to my common room. "I forgot my book back in the classroom. I'll see you later alright?"
Melody gave me an odd look, surprised that I would forget something in a classroom, but she nodded none the less, and I turned away from her, making my way back through the castle.
I climbed a set of stairs up to the third floor, and as I turned to the Charms corridor, I pulled out my wand and with another step forward, I spun about on my heel, aiming at a darkened part of the hallway, where a human figure could be made out.
"I know you are there" I spoke, aiming my wand at the figure. "Come out, or I will hex you."
"I know you would " spoke a male voice, and the figure made a couple of steps forward, stepping into the light.
I raised my voice slightly as I recognized the figure.
"Sneaking about in the shadows," I spoke, a sneer twisting my mouth "is this how you plan to get even Zabini?"
"No Rosalind " spoke he, and I noticed that he was for once, completely serious. "I've come to apologize."
"Come again?" I asked, unsure of what had just transpired.
"I found you in order to apologize." Repeated he, raising his hands up, palms facing forward, towards me. "I am really sorry."
"For what?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. I wasn't sure if he was serious or not.
"For having Rebecca spy on you. It won't happen again." Responded he, with a small, apologetic smile.
"Alright…." I spoke, and he grinned at me.
"Good" responded he "I'll see you around Roseycheeks."
I stared after him, uncomprehending, and as he had made a couple of steps away from me I called:
"Zabini!"
He turned around to face me with a grin."Yes, Rosey?"
"Why are you doing this?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.
"Why do people normally apologize Rosey?" responded he, grinning like an absolute fool at me. "I'm sorry for what I did". He turned serious at the last part. "I truly am."
"If you could be serious for a second." I spoke, "And pay attention. I'm not asking you why people in general do this, I'm asking you why you are doing this."
"And I'm not people?" asked he, smirking.
"Of course not." I snarled. "You, unlike them, have an endgame. I just can't seem to think of one, because you know that nothing you do could possibly sway me and make me give in to your ridiculous flirtations."
"I do have an endgame" smiled he, turning to leave.
"What is it Zabini?" I demanded, but he only waved at me; saying :"I'd tell you Rosey. I really would. But I don't think that you'd understand."
"What are you implying Zabini?" I demanded at his retreating back, but he only laughed in response "Zabini!" I called, but he didn't respond, and I observed as he disappeared behind a turn in the corridor. If the blasted boy was implying that I was stupid, I would make it seem as if the humiliation he had suffered two weeks ago was nothing but a child's play.
I swore to myself as I turned to head in the opposite direction. The man only started talking to me minutes ago, and I already regretted allowing him to apologize.
A week came and passed, and we seemed to be making some progress towards finding a way to get into the trunk. Clo had been rather helpful, finding a spell that would enable a non-magical object, a piece of jewelry for example, to retain magical properties, such as opening doors, and teleporting people from one place to another. The only problem that remained was to find charms that would enable us to teleport into a locked trunk from a distance, to make it so that only each of us could use each of the artifacts, and to prevent them from suffering miscellaneous misfortunes, such as being stolen or lost. Once we had that covered, Arielle and I agreed to charm the objects, since we were the best in the subject, and we would be good to go.
The week seemed peaceful, and most things seemed to settle into their usual routine. Classes were mostly tedious and long, meals always so noisy and crowded, my friends always so very…. Sociable, my house always so cold and Zabini always so persistent and annoying. I would not admit it to anyone, but it was good to be back in the same routine.
But the peace, or any resemblance of one, would not last.
It was Wednesday afternoon, and I was standing in front of the Charms classroom, surrounded by a group of snakes.
I had a frown on my face, as I halfheartedly listened to their discussion concerning the colours to be worn in the oncoming winter. Most of my attention, however, was taken up by the noise that surrounded me.
The most of the noise was not, as per usual, coming from the group of chatty Hufflepuffs that we were forced to share a class with, instead it was provided by a member of my own house.
Samuel Mcculiber, son of a known Death Eather, was ranting on and on about blood purity, "mudbloods" , "bloodtraitors", and "cleansing the society of such filth"
This was the kind of talk that could be heard more and more often throughout my house, and I would have paid it no mind, were it not that a bad feeling settled in my chest.
And as he raised his wand, my eyes followed its aim, and as I found his target, I felt rage overpower me.
The boy was too slow, and I stepped forward, my wand in my hand, an incantation on my lips, pronounced with the second step I took.
"Petrificus Totalus!" I sneered, and the entire student body seemed to freeze alongside Samuel.
I stepped forward, coming to face the boy, whose terrified eyes followed my every movement, and starting to walk around him in a slow, elaborate circle.
"This boy" I spoke, raising my wand, whilst tipping it downwards a bit, "Is a Slytherin." I spoke, knowing that I had the attention of the entire student body. "It is known that I do not attack my own. But I attacked him, because he" I said, stopping in front of him and gently pulling his wand from his dead fingers. "dared use his wand" I continued, raising it slightly for the entire student body to observe "to harm my sister, and just for that, Furnunculus!"
The boy's face was covered in blistering boils, and I knew that they were extremely painful for the victim, excruciatingly so if one was as skilled as I was in casting curses.
My sister tried to approach me at that, but stopped as I gave her one warning glance.
"That was a rather foolish thing to do, wouldn't you say? "I asked, addressing no one in particular. "And for that, Tarantallegra!"
The boy started dancing uncontrollably, in a sight that would have been hysterical in any other set of circumstances. In this case, no one dared laugh.
I was not afraid of anyone here, and despite the angry, that is to say, furious glances my sister sent my way, I was sure that I was doing the right thing.
"Let this be a warning to all, Melody Kersey is under the protection of the Slytherin Queen. If anyone dares to even think of harming her, I promise you magic worthy of the darkest of wizards."
Silence ensued after that, and I noticed people were moving at the back of the crowd, than in the middle, as if someone was pushing their way through.
I heard the squeaky sound of professor Flitwick's voice, asking people to move out of his way politely, before he emerged in the front lines of the crowd. He stepped forward, gaping at the frozen boy.
"Who-who did this?" stuttered he and I looked down at him, speaking clearly "I did ,professor."
He then turned to gape at me, unable to believe that I would do something so cruel. He obviously did not realize just how far I would go to protect those I held dear.
"Miss Kersey, I .. I never- Relase the boy!" demanded he and I did so after a second of contemplation. The boils, sadly, were not banishable.
"Detention Miss Kersey, tomorrow night, seven o'clock, with professor McGonagall." Spoke he , and walked off to the classroom with one more disapproving glance my way.
"Yes professor " I responded, following him.
My sister passed me, without sparing me a glance, and I knew that she was cross with me for using so much force in handling the matter, and for stepping in at all. She liked to believe that she could defend herself, and be that as it may, I made a promise. And I would honor it. Nothing bad would happen to her while I was around.
"Knight to E5" I spoke, observing the board as my knight moved forward, decapitating Daphne's pawn.
She frowned at that, but stayed silent, trying to think of a way to get her queen out of the way of my bishop.
"So…." Started she, and I immediately put up my guard. "You hexed McCuliber today."
"I did" I spoke, still eyeing the board warily.
"Any particular reason?" asked Daphne, adding "Queen to A5"
"I am sure that you are aware of my reasons Daphne, as is the entire house. I am certain that I made myself quite clear concerning that matter." I spoke, thinking in parallel of ways in which I could trap her queen, without posing danger to my own king.
"So it is true he tried to hex Melody?" asked she, her eyes never moving from the playing board. "What a fool."
"I agree." I responded, adding "rook to B1".
"Well, your reputation has been affirmed " spoke she, her voice thoughtful "you are feared amongst us, even in these…. Changing times."
"That is how I wish for things to be." I replied, "I would rather they fear me, and act out of that sentiment, than underestimate me, and what I will do. And you do know that I would kill for my sister don't you?"
"Queen to B3" responded Daphne.
"As I would kill for Tori and you. Bishop to C4." I said, and as she looked up in surprise I added. "Checkmate."
She blinked at that, but smiled none the less. "You know, I honestly thought that maybe, this one time, you'd lose if I got you talking" laughed she.
"Oh Daphne," I smirked in response," you know that I will use any means necessary to achieve my end. On a more serious note though", I spoke and my smirk disappeared. "I will protect you. Just like I do Melody."
"I know" she repeated, and just as she was about to say more, a loud clapping noise from my left interrupted her.
I looked up, only to see Zabini, clapping and approaching us with a smirk.
"A wonderful game ladies" spoke he, casually taking a seat next to me.
I could see that Daphne, like her sister, found this matter most amusing.
"It was, until a certain annoying git interrupted us" I responded, standing up and walking up to Daphne's sofa, and taking a seat there.
He totally ignored my comment, adding one of his own.
"I heard you hexed McCuliber today Rosey" said he with a grin.
"I did," I replied, "What's it to you Zabini?"
"Oh, nothing Rosey" responded he, but added "I merely wished to offer to get Pansy for you."
"What ever would I want Pansy for?" I asked, not entirely sure what the prat was talking about.
"Target practice of course" replied he, grinning from ear to ear.
"Oh" I replied, smirking "I assure you, my aiming skills are in no need of improvement."
"Fun then?" asked he, smirking "you are ever so cruel when you are in need of entertainment. Although… I would be more than happy to help you out in that aspect."
"In your dreams Zabini" I replied, standing up. Daphne and Zabini mimicked me and the latter replied, "Oh Rosey, how ever did you guess?"
Daphne blushed a little at that, but I ignored him completely.
"Rest well Daphne" I spoke and she smiled in response "You too Linda."
"Sweet dreams Rosey" called Blaise, as I had made a couple of steps away from them.
"My name, Zabini, is Rosalind." I spoke, turning to him "If you insist on addressing me, use that name. Your nicknames are rather annoying and ill placed."
At that, I turned leaving the room without waiting for a response, frankly too tired for any discussion with a git.
I approached the office, and raised my fist to knock on the wooden doors. Just as my fist neared the wood of the doors, they swung open on their own accord.
I lowered my hand slowly, raising my chin up and stepping through the threshold. Professor McGonagall seemed focused on the papers before her, but as I approached her desk she spoke up; " Good evening miss Kersey"
"Good evening professor" I replied, my voice void of any emotion, as I was careful not to let me dislike of the professor show openly in my side of the conversation.
The room was silent for a couple of more moments, until professor McGonagall finished her reading and waved her wand, having the papers before her levitate slightly above her desk for a second before moving to the side and lying, one on top of the other, in a small tower.
Professor McGonagall looked up at me, raising her hands and interlocking her fingers before her, leaning back in her chair. She observed me for a couple of seconds, before looking up to my eyes, her own narrowed.
"Your task will be to clean the trophies in this room." She spoke and halted, trying to gauge my reaction before continuing "without use of magic."
I nodded in acceptance of her declaration but she didn't seem to be done yet.
"Good. You will be joined by two Gryffindor students who are also serving detention tonight. You will only be together for a half an hour. Please try to refrain from hexing them in that limited time." I remained silent at that, choosing to irk her more by my lack of response. I already had a pretty good guess as to who the two Gryffindor students would be, and I decided that I could indeed find it within myself to refrain from hexing them for half an hour.
"The cloth you will be using is here" spoke she, opening the closet behind her with a wave of her wand, and I looked over to see a rather ragged piece of cloth, that seemed to have been used for this task since the time professor McGonagall was a student here herself.
I stepped towards it, but stopped upon hearing the woman call my name again.
"Miss Kersey" called she, and I turned, to see her looking at me over the rim of her glasses.
"Yes Professor?" I asked, unsure of I could have possibly done to disobey her order by taking a step to the closet.
"Your wand" called she, stretching her hand and motioning to the part of her desk that was left barren of papers.
"My wand?" I repeated, arching an eyebrow. I had been in detention before, of course, completely innocent of the charges, but not one person had asked me to hand them my wand. Then again, I never had to clean trophies without magic before.
"Yes, your wand" smiled she ever so coldly. "I want to be sure that you will refrain from using magic. I trust you understand, standard procedure."
"Of course " I replied, smiling back, my smile equal in coldness with hers.
I walked back to her desk, taking my wand from the left sleeve of my robes. I held it gently and my eyes traveled down to it, regret barely restrained. I hated parting with it, but I would do so none the less.
I lowered the wand slowly to the wood of the desk, my finger uncurling from the wood of the handle. I turned around then, without glancing back at the wand I had left and approached the closet, taking the rag I was appointed and beginning to clean the trophy closest to me.
A knock was heard on the doors half an hour later, and both Professor McGonagall and I looked up, only to see that two read headed boys entered the room, two identical mischievous grins on their faces.
Their smiles faded slightly upon noticing me in the room, but I ignored them, and the conversation with professor McGonagall that followed, having no interest in two boasting Gryffindors.
My interest, however, along with my attention was awoken when professor McGonagall left her office, leaving the three of us alone without a word. Quite a risky move on her part, especially since my wand was still on her desk, exactly where I had put it a while ago.
"Lookie who we have here Gred" called one of the obnoxious twins.
"I see Forge" replied the other one, and based on their ridiculous manner of addressing each other, I concluded that this one was Fred.
"The little Slytherin got herself in detention" taunted the other one, George and I turned around to face them, the trophy I was cleaning still in my hands.
"Who did you hex, oh great Slytherin Queen?" Taunted Fred, his brother by his side, the both of them facing me, smirking. "A poor, defenseless Hufflepuff?" asked the prat, his face twisting in mock sorrow.
"Or a smart Ravenclaw?" asked the other twin, "poor them, they must have gotten better grades than the legendary snake. Are you really that stuck-up oh, Queen?" at the title, he pompously bowed, grinning from ear to ear.
"But Forge," added Fred, "it may have been a Gryffindor". Saying this, he was turned towards his brother, but as he turned I noticed a hint of malice in his eyes. He would have made a fine Slytherin. "Nah… that's not it, is it Snake? Arielle would eat you alive, now wouldn't she?"
I bit my tongue at every insult they had thrown my way, something rather atypical for me, but when they mentioned Arielle and how "she would eat me alive", I overstepped the barrier that kept me from replying. As if Arielle could ever win over me. Please.
"Arielle, eat me alive?" I asked, the corners of my mouth twisting into a sneer "Get a grip Weasley and remember who you're talking to. The most she would do is set a couple of dungbombs inside my common room, or die the hair of some unlucky Slytherin." I stepped closer to the two of them, raising my chin and glaring at the two of them, letting them know how low exactly it is that I considered them to be. Arielle would, truth be told, turn downright murderous if I sent her little cub in the hospital wing, but she was not evil. Perhaps malevolent at times, cruel, even, but not evil. I was. She could never win against me if we went all out and she knew it.
Just as George opened his mouth to retort the doors swung open and professor McGonagall marched in, looking extremely cross, and I guessed, rather correctly that she had been in the Hospital Wing.
"To show such cruelty towards a member of your own house, " ranted she, and the twins turned to gape at me "I have never seen such a thing. Even from the Slytherins." She seemed to turn ever more cross but my lack of response. "The boy will be in the hospital wing for a week!"
"I am truly sorry professor" I droned "I was aiming for two." I then turned away from her, continuing my work on the trophies, but not before I noticed two matching grins on the faces of the twins.
I jumped a little as the doors to professor Mcgonagall's office were slammed open, Arielle entering, practically screaming in her rant.
"Oi Linds," called she, in her hurry completely disregarding the fact that professor McGonagall might be in her own damn office. Moron. "Are you done yet? We need to go blow up some toilets!"
I rolled my eyes at her and glanced towards her head of the house , turning her attention on the professor. She grinned like a maniac, which she obviously was, trying to charm her way out of the mess she had made for herself. "I was thinking more sinks, that sort of thing" smiled she "my sister asked to be sent one, you know, as a souvenir. "
For once, I approved of the old professor, who didn't seem to be swayed in the slightest by the charm displayed by my obnoxious friend.
"Try to do that miss Hayes, " warned she " and you will see another detention, possibly with professor Umbridge."
Arielle frowned at that, twisting her features in a look of disgust typically found on a child and responded "I would rather have detention with Filch or Snape."
Professor Mcgonagall walked forward, presumably to leave her office yet again, and as she walked she spoke "That can be arranged miss Hayes."
The last sentence she spoke was addressed at me , and the distinction between her sentiments towards the two of us was clear to my ears "You are done Miss Kersey, I hope this will not be repeated."
"As do I, Professor." I replied, as she stepped over the threshold of her office, closing the doors of her office. I walked up to her table, retrieving my wand and placing it in my left sleeve, for easy access.
The obnoxious twins then used the chance to hang themselves on Arielle, each taking one arm and grinning wildly at me.
"ARI dearest" called Fred, almost shouting her ear off "Where have you been hiding this wonderful creature?"
Arielle seemed to do a double take as I turned around, gaping and turning her head in turns from the twins on one side, and me on the other side. It was clear they were referring to me and I rolled my eyes in annoyance. Idiots.
"What in the name of Merlin did you do to them?" asked she, obviously concerned for the mental well-being of her friends.
"This time, surprisingly, nothing" I responded, walking towards the doors. "They simply found out that I used magic to harm a member of my own house."
"Ah that, " nodded she in acceptance, prying the twins off of her person and walking to join me "I heard about that. Melody isn't happy with you at the moment, in fact, I'd say she was rather cross."
"Irrelevant, " I spoke, halting in my steps and turning to her, meeting her eyes with determination. "Nobody hexes my sister. And that's my final word on that matter."
"Yeah yeah" muttered she in response "that's all nice and dandy, but we need to get to the girls. Wouldn't want another attention because we're out after curfew, now would we?"
"I can think of no greater misfortune" I droned, rolling my eyes at her statement. As if being out after curfew ever stopped the likes of Arielle Hayes in pulling some childish prank.
The two of us walked into the room and the two girls already occupying the room raised their head and Clo smiled in greeting. My sister however did not smile, partly out of anger that I could still see in her eyes, and partly out of worry. She was a coward by no means, but she was the kind of a person that chose to see the world as it really was, and then opt to look at its bright side. Therefore, she found it hard indeed to believe that a story, despite being known to more than three quarters of the children attending Hogwarts through this medium or that, could be true at its very essence.
Arielle walked past me and stopped in front of one of the empty tables in the abandoned classroom, taking a bracelet, similar to the ones the three of them were wearing and turned towards me grinning.
"Here ya go grumpy" spoke she, throwing the bracelet my way and as I snatched it from mid-air, she smirked "Nice reflexes."
"I know " I smirked back, examining the bracelet I had caught. It was made of sliver, that much I was sure of, as I felt the heaviness of the metal in my palm. The chain was made of two interlocking strings, twisting in a snake like manner, towards the plate that stood in the middle of the bracelet, upon it engraved a single word. Ambition.
"Custom made I presume" I noted ,my fingers unclasping the bracelet and placing it around my right wrist.
"Of course" replied Arielle, her stupid grin still in place.
I nodded mutely at that, taking out my wand and taping the bracelet with it, clasping it around my wrist.
"They're unique" continued the Gryffindor, "Soul heirs only, specially made for each generation."
"I feel privileged" I responded, rolling my eyes at her.
"As you should" responded she, moving to stand by my side, and patting me on my back, receiving a glare in response. "We are, after all, legendary."
I raised my eyebrow at that but said nothing, turning to my sister who was still observing the bracelet with mistrust.
"And this is supposed to transport us to the trunk?" asked she, a slight frown on her face as she glanced up to us, distinctly avoiding my eyes. "Are you sure that this is going to work?"
"Of course we are" I replied, and she glanced up at me shortly, before remembering that she was cross with me and looking away stubbornly. "The spells originate from Arielle's mother herself, and the idiot and I charmed the blasted things personally. There is no chance of failure."
"I don't know… this all seems a bit far-fetched to me" she responded, biting down on her lip, as she often did when she was nervous.
"OI, trust my mother will you?" exclaimed Arielle, slightly affronted by the lack of faith, so unusual for my sister. "She was, as Clo likes to point out, a Ravenclaw."
"We have nothing to lose Mells" spoke Clo by her side "it is highly unlikely that the charms would act up the moment we used them, since they showed no indication of doing so while they were being cast. Besides," spoke she, smiling" we had two very skilled witches charm them. I for one, believe in Linds and Ari"
"Thanks Clo!" exclaimed the idiot by my side and I rolled my eyes at her happiness. Such a simple creature, so very… emotional.
"Good, now that we agree that the bracelets are safe, I suppose we need to choose a time to use them." I spoke, rather impatient to get this entire ordeal over with. If there was one thing I simply abhorred, and chose to avoid at any time, then it surely would be waiting.
"I think it would be best we used them in Saturday morning, " spoke Clo and earned out attention "you know, so that we avoid losing time as much as possible."
"Wouldn't it be better that we used them at night, so that we have the entire night at our disposal?" I asked, trying to think of every possible solution to the problem, and avoid losing time, time we already lacked.
"Yes, but then, there is the possibility that we would lose out on the day after, and I figured that we could just go in Saturday morning, when we have had our rest from the week, and be back by Sunday evening if all goes according to plan."
"Smart" I concluded after a while of careful consideration. "Is everyone free then?"
"I am." Responded my sister quietly, still avoiding my eyes.
"So am I " grinned Arielle to my side and I nodded in acceptance.
"Good. Then that's settled." I concluded, turning to leave before I heard my name being called.
I was slightly surprised that it was my sister who called out to me, since she usually took much longer to get over a fight. I suppose that the difficult circumstances were taking their toll more severely on my sister than I had assumed.
"Can we talk?" she asked and I nodded in response, inclining my head and having her follow me outside the classroom. I turned to walk ahead, but not before I noticed a warning look from Arielle, most likely meant to say "behave". I scoffed at that mentally, like I ever misbehaved towards my own damn sister. Please.
We made a couple of steps in silence, just enough to get out of the earshot before my sister took a sharp turn to the left, in a secluded alcove known to me as a place Hogwarts couples used for privacy, as I had stumbled upon them more often than not as I wondered the Hogwarts halls at night.
" What you did yesterday…" spoke she, looking down at me slightly as she was taller than me by a few inches, "I am very cross about it."
"I know." I replied, looking back at her confidently.
"I know you know" spoke she, frowning slightly "And I know that you do not consider what you have done as something that was wrong on your part."
"Of course not." I replied immediately, knowing that she did not see the situation form my point of view, and blatantly refusing to observe it from hers. "It was necessary."
"Was it Linds?" asked she, "was it really? Because I think that it was not. Do you think of me as weak as to be unable to defend myself from a bully of all things? Do I not deserve more trust then that?"
She ended up raising her voice in frustration by the end of her speech, but it seemed to me that there was no anger in her, or, alternately, that the amount of anger there was in here had receded significantly. She just seemed so …. Sad.
"Is that what this is about?" I asked, arching my eyebrow at her. I was not expecting this." You think that I consider you weak? That I am doing this because I don't have trust in your abilities?"
I observed her as I awaited a response and huffed as she nodded in confirmation.
"Don't be thick Melody" I replied, rather annoyed with her "this was never about power or trust. I know that you are powerful, even if you yourself don't know to what extent. After all, you were able to stop a hex from me. Not many students of this school have the privilege of stating such a thing. And trust… please." I scoffed. "I have always trusted you Melody. You and the two idiots we left in that room."
"Then why?" asked she, seemingly even more confused.
"Because you're family." I responded "You're my only sister. And I will never allow them to touch you, I'll always be watching over you, even when a time comes when you grow beyond my reach. And such a time will most surely come."
"You see Melody, this has always been my own selfishness. I will keep you alive because I cannot imagine living on without you." With that said, I turned around and left my sister to her thoughts, choosing to avoid unnecessary emotional scenes. Emotions, just like compassion, were never a strong point of mine.