A/N: This chapter will be a bit lengthy, but I hope you will enjoy it none the less. For the first time, I wrote a bit from Blaise's POV. Also, there will be some swearing so don't read his POV if it offends you. Let me know what you think.
Chapter 33: You could have
*Blaise*
My breathing was ragged and I slowly reached up, pressing my hand to the skin of my check, feeling it sting.
She slapped me.
She raised her hand, and she slapped me.
If it weren't for this sting, this burning sensation in my skin, I wouldn't have believed it. This was… What was this?
Somehow, the idea that she slapped me because of him didn't sit well with me. Not only because I had the urge to take his bloody blond head off of his noble shoulders, but there was something odd about her action. She never used physical contact to punish, no matter what I said, or about whom I said it. Not even for that muggleborn friend of hers, not for the halfblood, not for her own sister.
So why now? Why use her hand?
There was something infernally odd about it.. something, something close.
She was angry, but why… Maybe-
My thoughts were interrupted as Daphne appeared in the room, worry written across her face.
"Blaise!" exclaimed she, quickly surveying me for any sign of physical damage. Astoria trailed in behind her, and I felt a pang of pity for the girl. This was not her fight, but she stood by Rose none the less. She knew Rose was worth it.
The girl was pale, her hands were still shaking and my eyes focused on the bracelet around her wrist. Oh Merlin's pants. I fucked up.
"What happened?" asked Daphne, circling me, examining me, looking for any sign of confrontation.
"Nothing." I spoke, turning and stepping past her, walking over to the chair I was sitting on minutes ago.
"Blaise.." tried Daphne, but I didn't respond, focusing on buttoning up my shirt.
"You really should have been more careful about your appearance." She spoke, observing me with her brows furrowed.
"I was in a hurry." I responded, looking over to her.
"You looked like you had just come out of a broom closet." She countered "It's natural she jumped to conclusions."
"Really?" I snapped at her, but apologised as I saw her eyes darken. "I'm sorry Daph. I'm tired alright? I wasn't even sure I was going to come until the last moment. And when I decided that I was, well, I didn't have much time."
"She was waiting for you." Spoke Astoria, and I glanced at her, but made no move to respond, instead turning to my chair and getting my wand.
"Linda was disappointed when you didn't come." Added Daphne and I felt cold sweat wash over me. I fucked up bad this time.
"Blaise.." started Daphne, but I interrupted her.
"I need to think Daphne, please, give me some time." I asked, needing to think about this. If she was waiting for me… But still, why does she push me away ? What was I supposed to think?
"Come love" said Daphne, taking her sister's hand in hers and leading her towards the doors. "Go, I'll be there in a moment."
I heard the doors closing and as I turned towards them, I saw Daphne observing me.
I knew that look.
"I'm not giving up on her Daphne, I don't need the spee-" I started, really not in the mood for her pep talks.
"Do you love her?" interrupted she, surprising me. She knew I cared about Rose, but this was the first time she asked me if I loved her.
"I.." I spoke, afraid to voice the answer "I.. I don't know."
"Find out." She said, and turned on her heel, opened the doors and disappeared.
I sighed, running my hand across my face. Love… Is there really such a thing? And if there's not, what do you call this? I'd die for her. Without a moment of hesitation.
What the fuck was this? And why me, out of all of the people in the world, why must it be me?
A hiss startled me out of my thoughts, and I looked down, only to see Serpen folded on the floor a couple of steps away from me. I hadn't even realised he stayed behind.
I walked up to him, crouching near him and reaching a hand to pet his head.
"What are you doing here little snake?" I asked, noticing that he was guarding something "Shouldn't you have followed your mistress?"
Another hiss, and I moved him a bit, only to find that he was guarding the third bracelet. My heart stopped and I reached forward, taking the bracelet in my palm, still absently petting Serpen.
"Your mistress left it behind didn't she?" I murmured to the snake, and he hissed in confirmation. "Quite a moody woman she is."
Another hiss.
"She's asking for my life little snake" I murmured to him, and unclasped the bracelet.
I looked at the emerald eyes that observed my every move and offered. "Want to ride on my shoulders?"
He gave a hiss and moved instantly, as if he had been waiting for precisely this. He slithered upwards up my arm and settled his head on my shoulder.
I placed the bracelet around my wrist and whispered to the snake.
"How cruel… " I murmured to him and smiled, the irony clear in my mind. "You know little snake, I think I needed this slap to realise this. I'd always come for her. Because I think I do little snake, I think I do love her."
He hissed, and I had the sense that he agreed with me. "How about it, do you think it will work is she's not here? Well, I have to try.. Rosey, I hope that you know, you will always have my loyalty. I swear."
The bracelet shone purple and I sighed, walking out of the room, wishing to sleep for at least two days, Serpen already napping on my shoulders.
*Rosalind*
How dared he?
How bloody well dared he?
To accuse me of such behaviour, him of all people! I should have cursed him then and there.
And me? He was a bloody imbecilic teenage boy, but what was wrong with me?
I knew this would happen, I bloody well knew it. These, these, I raised my hand and snatched a fistful of my shirt on my chest as I walked, these feelings, they were nothing but poison!
I needed to cool my head, and since Arielle claimed that there is no way of getting rid of these feelings, I needed to bury them deep inside, until they would surface no more. Did I completely forget that there was a war coming my way? That people would die? Did I forget that I was going to die?
Suddenly, a wave of urgency swept across me, and I faltered in my steps, taking deep breaths. I was going to die. I didn't have time.
My hand reached upwards and I grabbed a fistful of my hair, pulling sharply so that the pain sobered me and cleared away the panic that settled in my mind.
They had to be ready. I had to make them ready, because when I died, they'd have to continue fighting, they'd have to live. I'd take out the Dark Lord, but I could not be sure how many of his Death Eaters would remain behind.
I needed to get away from him, I needed to let him cool off. He'd get over this stupid crush of his, and he'd find someone else. It was best for all of us. It was best for him.
It was best for me.
And thankfully, his spite was useful for once, and he did not take the oath. My hand reached into my pocket, where I was sure I had left the bracelet, and my heart stopped when I found that it was empty.
No.
"Accio bracelet!" I spoke, and as soon as I did I felt heat on my left wrist, and there, with the two marks that appeared as the girls took their oath, appeared a third, faint pink line.
No.
That's impossible, I thought, staring at the third line.
He was so angry, so jealous. Why did he swear? He knew what was at stake, this couldn't have just been some jealous fit of his. He swore for his life.
He couldn't have been serious. He couldn't really… could he?
Does he?
Somehow, I was happy with the thought. If he does.. if he wasn't taunting me.. Then..
I'd still have to push him away. And this only complicated my life further.
But still… With this wild, impossible idea, with this dream… I was happy.
The weather was getting slightly better now, but also horribly wet. The snow was starting to melt, and the blasted rain would not stop falling. Thus, it is surely no surprise that our stay in the trunk, however unplanned and disruptive it may have been, came as a sort of relief for me.
Time slowed in the trunk, and two months were just enough time to organise my thoughts, just enough time to train and just enough time to think. And I did not appreciate my time being taken up by pointless issues, one of which must have surely arisen now, midway through our stay in the trunk.
Arielle Hayes, ever the drama queen, summoned us four to the common room of the trunk, saying that she had to talk to us about something horribly important. If she wished to report on something Potty achieved in their training, I was going to hex her red head off.
"Well?" I spoke, glancing around the room, "Have you any plan of actually disclosing this horribly important news to us?"
I was seated in the armchair facing the fire, and had turned my head right to see Arielle, who alone managed to occupy a three seat couch. Well Shadow and her, but same difference.
I had naturally assumed that this was something trivial, but by the look on her face as she turned towards me, I knew that I was wrong. Something serious was about to happen.
"I wouldn't call it news." She spoke, her eyes focused on Claudia who sat on the opposite couch. "I'd call it fact."
Her tone was calm, collected… cold. And honestly, she had me sitting at the edge of my seat, prepared to hear anything. Because Arielle wasn't dangerous when she was yelling. She was dangerous when she was calm.
Shadow gave a purr, probably encouraging her to get on with it, a sentiment I mirrored.
"Claudia needs to learn Dark Arts Healing." She spoke, and my first thought was that I must have understood her wrong.
Claudia? Learn Dark Arts Healing?! Surely Arielle wasn't this damn stupid!
My sister jumped to her feat, exclaiming "What?", and having her falcon land on her shoulder, focusing his keen, predatory eyes on Arielle.
It wasn't possible that Arielle had said that.
"This must be a misunderstanding" I spoke, a smirk pulling on my lips "you can't be suggesting that Claudia-"
"I can. And I am." Spoke Arielle, and lifted her chin, turning to face me, ignoring the now deathly pale Raven opposite her. "She is a good healer, but she is lacking in the scope of her abilities."
She assumed a regal tone, a regal posture, one she had no business assuming.
"No! How can you-" started Melody, spreading an arm before Claudia, wishing to shield her friend.
"It must be done." Interrupted Arielle and I jumped to my feet, the heels on my shoes clacking as they met the stone of the floor, waking Serpen from his slumber.
He gave a distressed hiss, but I could pay him no mind.
"And whom do you suppose to teach her?" I snarled, all the more irked by the impassiveness of her stare, "Salazar? You know as I do that he will force her to cast until she is on the brink of death and she still won't be able to produce one single Dark Art hex! She doesn't have a dark bone in her entire body, she has no capacity and Salazar will know! He won't tolerate such disrespect!"
She opened her mouth to respond, but I was just getting started "Or will it perhaps be you?" I asked, my lips pulled up in a sneer "With your vast knowledge of the Dark Arts? Don't make me laugh Arielle!"
She looked back unflinchingly, her panther giving out a low growl, voicing the anger she refused to show.
"Actually" spoke she, "I was thinking that you should be the one teaching her. We all know that you're a skilled user, and I believe that you will have the methods and the knowledge to teach Claudia, despite her disinclination."
Serpen rose from the floor, swaying from side to side, sharing my rage, hissing.
"You'd have me do your dirty work?" I snapped at her, seeing Melody place a comforting hand on Claudia's shoulder, said girl seemingly scare d out of her wits. "You'd have me taint her soul? You'd have me plant whispers in that innocent mind? You'd have me dirty her hands with blood that doesn't wash off? "
I took in a breath at that, trying to calm myself in order to stop my magic from overflowing "The Dark Arts are called Dark with a reason Arielle! They should not be used by those who haven't the capacity to employ them! I am not ripping her soul apart Arielle! I refuse!"
The last word was pronounced as a hiss and I pulled out my wand raising it at her. "And I'm not letting you do it either! Her soul will stay as it is as long as I live! Attempt to teach her and you shall have to outduel me!"
"Don't be dramatic." She responded, her eyes appearing as impenetrable walls, allowing me to read little if anything at all "I have no intention of duelling you today. But if you insist that she is not taught what she needs to learn, I suggest taking a good look around the room. Each of us is-dead."
"You fi-" I started , my anger getting the best of me, my hand raising my wand.
"Linds!" called my sister, her eyes wide, warning me, stopping me. "I don't want Clo to learn that foul art either, but you are doing us no favour by attacking Arielle. Please, just hear her out."
I sneered once more, in their general direction, but otherwise remained quiet, counting to one thousand in my mind.
"Thank you Mells" allowed Arielle, and I turned on her, chanting all of the Dark Arts I knew to calm myself "and I'm sorry Linds, but what I said is true. If Linds had not stepped in that night, I would not be speaking to you tonight. She saved my life when Claudia, the best healer of the group, could do nothing."
I glanced at Claudia, and noticed that she was shaking and had a single tear fall down her face.
"And you know, as do I, that you will not be able to step in every time. You are our best dueller, what if you get struck down by some Dark Arts? Who will heal you? Who will heal me, or God forbid Melody if we fall on the battlefield and you have to fend off a dozen Death Eaters? You'll die trying to be on two places at once!"
"No!" I hissed at her and she simply stared at me.
"It's not our call Linds and you know it, it's hers." She spoke, turning her eyes on Claudia "Is that what angers you so? Or is it perhaps the fact that you know that I am right?"
"Clo…" I heard Melody whisper, seeing that the girl seemed shaken to the bone.
"This is what you do isn't it?" I asked, rage picking my words for me, noticing that Claudia's marten stayed with his head buried in her lap, shaking with fear as well. "You Gryffindors. You manipulate your own, you twist and you turn until they are ready to die for you, for your twisted ideals!"
"Is insulting my house going to help you deal with your pain?" asked Arielle, still observing Clo, still using that horribly cold voice of hers.
"There will be no pain!" I hissed, feeling the weight of what she had said , the truth of it, suffocate me.
I didn't see Claudia stand up, but she suddenly spoke up, her voice muffled for some reason.
"I'm sorry Linds." She spoke, her hands shaking, and holding her small familiar "But Ari is right. It's my choice, and I-I-I" she stopped there, visibly swallowing, Melody casting me worried glances behind her back "I need to learn this. I'll go a-a-ask Salazar."
She was walking past me and I felt my heart being broken in a thousand little pieces. With her small shoulders and her long black hair flowing down her back, with her hunched frame, Claudia looked like a child remarkably. Like a child walking into the snake's nest.
"Claudia." I called and she stopped in her steps, still shaking.
"If you have to learn the Arts, than you will learn them from me." I spoke, closing my eyes tightly, feeling like I was casting a killing curse on her with every word I spoke "You made this choice, but I will take responsibility. I will tolerate no whining and I will have no pity. You brought this on yourself."
I opened my eyes, and spun on my heel, walking past the girl with Serpen on my heels. As soon as I was in the hallway, I allowed my rage to surface waving my wand and sending a vase flying through the air, revelling in the smashing sound.
Curse It all!
I slammed the doors of my room shut behind me, not bothering to turn on the light, finding the dark comforting to my strained nerves.
Why was everything going so wrong? Why couldn't I grasp the reins over my own life? Why do they push and push and push against that fragile hold I have over my own damn sanity?
Serpen slithered past me, and the sense of tiredness that simply radiated from him towards me was overpowering. I too was so tired, so very, very tired.
Which helped my anger not in the very least, and as I remembered Claudia's face, the fear, that was rightfully there, I felt the control I had over my emotions slip past me, as if it were water gathered in the palm of my hand.
I pulled out my wand and flicked it at a nearby pillow, having it levitate towards me, the silver fabric shining in the false moonlight. I made a violent move upwards, and a gash appeared in the pillow, feathers pouring out of it. But it wasn't enough. It wasn't nearly enough.
"Transfodio Millia Culter!" I hissed, making a small, elaborate circle in the air and creating a beam of white light that cast light on the dim room, headed for the pillow. As it made contact, the pillow burst into tiny, snowflake sized bits, that rained upon the carpet at the foot of my bed.
Serpen watched the tiny flakes fall, and he turned his emerald eyes towards me, giving out a hiss.
He was worried about me, I knew, and honestly, I was worried about me as well. I needed to gain control over the events around me again, it was imperative.
And destroying pillows wasn't going to help.
I closed my eyes, relaxing my too tight grip on my wand, and took a deep breath. Then one more. And one more.
I opened my eyes and walked up to my bed, took off my heels and climbed up on the bed, sitting next to Serpen who moved immediately so that he encircled me, placing his head in my lap.
What a protective snake he was, I thought as I reached my hand, stroking his head.
"What do I do now my friend?" I asked, my voice lowered to a whisper "How do I destroy a soul so pure? How do I wash that blood off my hands?"
He didn't respond and I figured that he was asleep.
I don't know how much time passed like that, the snake silent on my leg and my hand on his head, but I know that that time allowed me to settle down, to control my rage. It would prove most fortunate.
Serpen suddenly stirred on my leg, giving out an angered hiss, his head turning towards the doors. I reached for my wand at this and as my fingers curled around the wood, I heard one loud determined knock.
Serpen moved instantly, freeing me and enabling me to move off the bed. I completely forgot that I was barefoot, and I walked forward until I stood on the carpet that was now cowered in bits of my pillow that stuck to my toes.
"Enter." I spoke, feeling Serpen slither up to me, his head raised, swaying in an obvious sign of anger. I knew who knocked.
Nothing happened for a second or two, and then the doors slowly opened, letting in small rays of light from the lit torches on the walls. Despite not being able to see her clearly, I knew it was Arielle that walked in even before Shadow followed suit.
She turned and closed the doors, a moment I used to put away my wand in the pocket of my blazer.
The room was suddenly much darker, and my eyes needed time to readjust to the dim setting of my room. I could make out Shadow only as a form that was slightly darker in the room, and saw that she was milling about beneath Arielle's feat. She was nervous.
It was long since we both adjusted to the darkness that either of us spoke. I found that it was hard to speak when you have so much to say.
"Strangers." I spoke, and she flinched, raising her head up, seemingly surprised that I was the one that broke the pregnant silence. "Coworkers. Neighbours. Teachers. Yourself. All of these people you can sacrifice."
As I spoke, I fought to keep my voice levelled, but my control slipped at the end of the sentence: "But you never sacrifice family!"
She didn't respond, she simply stared at me, provoking my anger all the more.
I couldn't stand it, I couldn't stand that bloody silence of hers, and as she opened her mouth to speak, I beat her to it.
"I thought you were capable of better Arielle Hayes, I thought you were capable of so much more." I spoke and I could see anger bubble in her eyes "I am disappointed in you."
"You are disappointed in me?" she demanded, her voice turning ice cold "Do you honestly believe that this was easy for me? That I wanted to do this? That if there was another way, that if I could take her burden that I-"
I couldn't stand her self-pity, I couldn't stand her reasons, I couldn't stand her selfishness.
"That is no excuse!" I hissed at her, Serpen joining me in my display of anger and Arielle made an angry step forward, only to be stopped by her panther.
"You are right Rosalind, I'm not capable of much better." Spoke she and somehow I felt like by admitting that, she managed to turn the rebuke on me. "If I was, if I was as talented a healer as Claudia was, I would never have asked for her to do it. I would have learnt the Art myself, and I would have been the one subjecting myself to that torture. But I am not."
Strained silence ensued between us, neither willing to back down, both having a point and unwilling to admit that of the other.
"Don't think.." she murmured, and I somehow sensed that she was tired "that there is anything, past or present, that I would put before you lot. Before my sister. Before family. But sometimes, the very worst choice for you is the very best for someone else."
Serpen settled down on the floor, and I watched as he slithered across the floor towards Shadow.
She gave out a low growl at him, but he paid her no mind. He simply raised his head and looked up at her. Arielle too turned to our familiars, and we both watched as Shadow suddenly collapsed, lying down on the floor. Serpen slithered up at her, coiling between her paws and settling his head on her front paw.
"It will be easier for her if she learns from you." Spoke Arielle, still observing the familiars. "If she has to learn, and believe you me, she has to, I know you will make it easier for her. Linds-"
She stopped suddenly and looked up at me "I trust you. Won't you trust me?"
She dropped that tone of hers, that awful, bloody annoying tone, and I could see the toll this was taking on her. She knew, as did I, that I'd share her burden. That's what friends were for, I think.
"Would you like some water?" I asked, turning on my heel and ignoring her question. What in the bloody hell did she think I was doing here? Why did she think I didn't hex her red head off? I trusted her, enough to do as she asked.
"Sure." She spoke, and I could hear that she was moving. I realised from the conversation with her how I would be able to take the reins over my own life again. If someone had to do the dirty work, I would do it. I would kill in their stead whenever I could, I'd save them. I'd take their burden, I could carry it.
The glass was cold as I grasped it and I poured some water into it, this time not using any magic at all.
I turned around and walked back, setting the water before Arielle, and observing it.
"I came here to ask you another favour." She spoke, her eyes focused on mine, making me realise that I wasn't going to like it. And that she'd find a way to ask so that I couldn't refuse. Should have been a bloody Raven.
I remained silent, turning left, rising my head to observe the moon.
"I want you to teach me some Dark Arts." She spoke, her voice quiet, but I was listening intently. I could hear the plea in her voice.
"Why?" I asked, still observing the bewitched moon outside my window.
"If I am going to win against Dolohov-" she started, but I knew that part. I was expecting it for a while, since she lost from him in fact.
"Why won't you let me save you?" I asked, interrupting her, knowing the rest of her explanation by heart. "I tried, Merlin knows I tried to help you. I'm pushing you away from that darkness inside of you, I believe in the very best in you. Why are you so intent on destroying yourself? Why won't you let me fix you? …. Why won't you let me die at ease?"
I didn't turn towards her, but I knew she had turned towards me.
"You're trying to fix something that cannot be fixed Lindsy." She whispered and I turned to see her observe Shadow and Serpen, but she suddenly turned her head towards me. Towards my wrist to be exact.
"You wear it." She said, sounding slightly surprised as she noticed the bracelet she had given me shine in the moonlight, positioned on my right wrist.
Another moment of silence and she continued. "I know that you are empty, that you are hurt. But Linds, I am broken. In so many little pieces… they cannot be glued back together. No matter the glue used. But peace, safety… that's a start."
"Linds…" she said, and I met her eyes, seeing those pieces reflect in them "If you won't teach me, I'll ask Salazar. But I came to you first because I know that you will teach me just enough. Not too little, not too much. I came to ask my best friend first."
"But if you won't…" she said, and stood up, waiting for a moment before turning and leaving for the doors.
I felt my heart sink in my chest, and I chose to put another burden on my back. I knew they could carry more.
"That's an old game Arielle Hayes." I spoke, and she stopped, "Playing on my emotions. You know very well I have none."
"But?" she spoke, turning to me with that crooked grin. It didn't quite live up to its standards this time.
"In spite of better judgement, I have to agree. Don't make me regret it."
"Don't ya worry Lindsy! " spoke she, winking at me and forcing Shadow to rise and follow her out the doors.
As I watched them close behind her, and as Serpen climbed my couch and settled on my knee once more, I had already begun to do just that.
"Sleep my friend." I whispered to him, "I'll guard you tonight."
I could hear the sound of heels clicking against the floor, the metal meeting stone, as I slowly walked through the corridors. Everything was so quiet in the trunk tonight, I could even hear myself breathing.
Tonight, I walked through the dimly lit corridors of the enchanted trunk alone, not even Serpen was allowed to come to keep me company. It would be by far too dangerous for him. Naturally, I expected that there would be no serious duels tonight, but on the off chance that there was one, I did not want him in harm's way.
The trunk was supposed to be warmer in this time of the year, I thought, huddling in the leather jacket I had chosen to wear. Perhaps it was disapproving of my short stay.
I had two months at my disposal when I came alone, or alternately, when I was accompanied by the other Soul Heirs. But now, I could only stay for a couple of hours. There was no doubt in my mind that my housemates had noticed my frequent absence in the House, but if it's only me, it could be explained away quite easily. Not that there were many who would dare ask for an explanation.
But the absence of four Slytherins in the middle of the night, at the time where we all had to choose a side, and with the war breathing down on us… explaining this away would take much, much more effort.
There could be no doubt cast over us. It would mean almost certain death.
So, despite the anger of our host, we would only be staying for three hours… which would amount to minutes in real time.
I didn't even notice I had stopped walking, and I willed my feet to start moving again. As I made a couple of more steps, the temperature rose significantly, and I stopped, smiling slightly, and placing a hand on the stone walls.
While it was true that I disliked the trunk on our first couple of stays, and while I was surrounded with some blatantly insufferable oaf headed people, when it was just me… I found a liking to the old magic that coursed through the trunk. It was a legacy, and Salazar had told me that there were more than a few of my ancestors who had filled this position before me.
Even the clothing I had on tonight was provided for me by the trunk. I had arrived here in my school uniform, knowing that I had to be as inconspicuous as possible, but also very much aware that my school uniform was not the most practical of attires to duel in.
What welcomed me when I arrived in my room an hour ago were black high heels, a sleevless beige coloured top that had an overlay that split in the middle and a stripped, asymmetrical hemline , a pair of leather jeans and a leather jacket. Much more practical for duelling.
I had chosen to arrive before my guests, for there were some preparations that needed to be done to assure that their training would be as safe as possible.
I stopped after a couple of more steps, walking in a corridor that had no doors on either sides, only torches to cast light on the walls. It would not do to train my guests in an existing room, for I had no wish to share it with other Heirs.
And because of that, I would create a new room, one that would suit my tastes, and my teaching methods. Once more, I reached my hand to the stone walls, and closed my eyes.
There was a low hum in the back of my mind, the hum of magic. I knew the trunk was listening.
I cleared my mind of everything, and imagined a spacious room. On the walls were tall windows, reaching to the ceiling, and letting in the sunlight, basking the room with the warm light. There were curtains on them, but at this time, they were drawn back. The floor was not stone, instead I chose wood, for it was somewhat softer to fall on. On the walls, in the corners and on the floor at the back of the room, there were pillows. If they were to be thrown backwards, I wished for them to land softly. And in the centre of the room, there was a podium with markings, the duelling space.
I opened my eyes, and saw what my skin had already told me, that beneath my palm, instead of the stone that had been there a moment ago, now lay wood. There were tall, double, mahogany doors before me.
I lowered my hand gently to the doorknob, pushing and opening the doors, stepping into the room that I had created in my mind a second ago.
I stopped at the middle of the podium and whispered, knowing that I would be heard: "Thank you."
A couple of minutes passed, and I felt a surge of magic around me, bringing forth a gust of wind that met my face, which was this time not sheltered in the least by my hair. I had pulled it up, as a precaution. I simply hated it when it stuck to my sweaty face.
"Welcome." I spoke, raising my chin and observing the three Slytherins that appeared before me, all thankfully dressed in their school uniforms.
Daphne seemed to have been a bit surprised by her transportation, and I must admit that that may have been due to my somewhat vague instructions. They had been told to think of a trunk, any trunk, at two in the morning. Now, some people would have assumed that I had gone completely off my rocker with this request but not this lot. No, these people, these brave people trusted me. I would not let them down.
She was turning around slowly, carefully, examining the room with her analytical gaze.
Tori seemed to be a bit more surprised with the way she had travelled, and blinked once, twice, three times, trying to stop the dizziness I assumed. She too had trouble when she travelled by portkey, and this was not that much different.
And the third person present in the room had decided that he had learned all that he needed to know about the room in which he had suddenly found himself from a very brief survey. Instead, he chose to focus on me, his eyes never leaving my form.
Things had changed between us from our little, talk, in the office. While it was true that he had sworn in, just like my two cousins, and had even attempted to apologise for his behaviour, that did not suddenly erase his accusations, or those vile, vile words. Two rights do not erase a wrong.
He had attempted to apologise the very next day, and I listened impassively, assuring him that I did not care for his words in the least, and most importantly, acting as if I didn't. I was talking to him in a manner in which one talks to a particularly noisy, unpleasant great aunt. And I knew that it was working, that it was pushing him further and further away from me.
But for a reason known only to him, he would not stop trying.
"Linda.." spoke up Daphne, now finishing the small circle around her axis and focusing her eyes on me. "Where are we?"
Ah, I knew that she'd ask. And I knew that I could not reply truthfully. Which did not mean I had to lie.
"I am sorry Daph." I spoke, using the nickname to soften my rejection "But I cannot tell you."
She furrowed her brows at me and seemed to be thinking through her options very clearly, coming to the conclusion, as it was only to be expected, that we had not left Hogwarts.
"Of course not." I replied when she voiced her thoughts. "Only very powerful magic could break the protective barrier that surrounds the Hogwarts grounds."
Or magic of the same origin.
"How will we explain our absence Rosey?" Asked the moron, and I walked past him, coming to a stop in front of my young, very pale cousin. "Four Slytherins gone for hours in the dead of the night… people will talk."
There was a suggestive note in his words, and I knew they were carefully picked out so that they would provoke a reaction from me.
One I would not be giving.
"You will not be gone for hours Zabini." I responded, keeping my tone cold, void of any emotion. I reached up to Astoria's face and gently had her look up, seeing that her eyes were closed with her effort to restrain herself from emptying the content of her stomach. "This place has a different flow of time from that to which you are used to. You will be here for three hours, only to return in mere minutes."
I raised my wand at her sister, and Daphne spoke up, from further away than she would have had she remained in her place. She must have been exploring the room.
"I did not know that there was such a room in the castle." She spoke.
"Recreo!" I spoke, aiming my wand at Tori, and faint lime green light appeared from the tip of my wand and travelled towards her like a mist, covering her briefly before vanishing.
"There is not." I responded to her sister and slowly removed my hand from Tori's face.
She blinked once, before giving me a beaming smile.
"Thank you Linda! That's much better." She responded, her sister walking over to us.
I smiled once at her, thanking Claudia once more in my mind for teaching me the spell. I was not a very proficient user, finding that this kind of magic disagreed with my… inclinations.
"I was not aware that you are well versed in the arts of healing Rosey, how curious." Spoke Blaise, and I passed him without so much as glancing his way, although my eyes demanded so. My accursed heart demanded so, pulling on my eyes with such strengthen that it almost overpowered me. However, my mind was stronger.
"I am not." I responded, now once more standing opposite them, my eyes running over their forms, deciding how I would lead this training.
"You came here willingly" I spoke up after a minute of silence. "and you came here to train. To survive."
"I will teach you how to stop a hex" I spoke, raising my chin "capable of throwing a wizard two hundred feet in the ground. I will teach you how to cast a curse that will be… unstoppable. I will teach you how to bring your opponent to his knees, hexes and curses that can be performed by only the most worthy of our kin."
Their eyes were focused on me, and I raised my wand so that they could see it.
"For me to be able to do that… a test is required." I said, and Tori flinched, possibly guessing the test.
"Daphne, dear cousin, would you mind?" I asked, indicating to the centre of the circle that marked the position of the second dueller.
"Not in the least." Replied she, and moved past her sister to stand in the centre of the circle. Blaise approached Tori and took her hand, pulling her backwards, out of harm's way.
But I saw this only from the corner of my eyes, since I had my attention focused on Daphne alone. She had raised her wand, and I noticed that she had a firm grip on it.
"I will cast a hex, and you will attempt to stop it. If you are successful, respond accordingly. I will only use mild hexes if it comes to a duel, while you have no such restrictions. Use the Dark Arts if you so wish." The words sounded oddly familiar to me, and a scene at the lake flashed through my mind, reminding me of a time when things were much different, much more simple. When there was still hope.
I turned my gaze on Daphne and raised my wand swiftly "Impedimenta!"
Turquoise light shone from my wand, and despite the fact that I toned the spell down to the level I deemed appropriate, the spell raced through the air, headed straight towards her.
Daphne had been expecting this, but the speed seemed to have surprised her, and she raised her wand in a reflexive move upwards calling "Protego!"
The spell made contact with the shield and a gust of wind appeared, pushing Daphne backwards as she held her wand tightly with both hands, her strands flying around her face and her shoes slipping backwards.
Suddenly, she lost her grip on her wand and was thrown backwards several feet, landing on her feet but having her wand thrown out of her hand.
She was hunched a bit where she stood, but she managed to stand straight with a smile.
"How did I do Linda?" she asked, and I concluded that I may have used a bit too much force. Still, I was very much proud that her shield had withstood a hex from me.
"Very well cousin." I replied, giving her a smile "Your shield did not break before my spell, most impressive."
She gave me a beaming smile, and then turned, reaching for her wand.
So she had power, but not endurance. Very well, I could work with that.
"Astoria, please." I spoke, indicating to the spot her sister had occupied moments ago, and I saw that my younger cousin paled. Not that I would ever admit it out loud to anyone, let alone her, but I was scared for her as well. She had little to no experience in duelling and I was not certain that she could stop even the weakest of spells from me.
For some reason, Tori made a tremendous effort to seem brave, and as she walked she tried desperately to stop shivering. Why was she trying so hard? She was a child, I would never think less of her for being afraid to duel someone in their sixth year, let alone me.
But, since it mattered so much to her to seem brave, I, in my turn would do all I could to acknowledge that bravery.
I looked at her for a moment, and she met my eyes unflinchingly, and instead of asking her whether or not she was prepared, I raised my wand in a movement identical to that I had done minutes before, calling "Impedimenta!"
This spell was much slower, and I was sure that I had used much less force, but it was to no avail.
Astoria seemed frozen in place, and she raised her wand in a spasmic, reflexive movement just a second too late.
"Pro-" she started, but the spell passed the first glimmers that were to form a shield, and hit her square in the chest. She was thrown upwards, as if some invisible hand pushed her, and turned her horizontally, turning her in the air, once, twice, before her back hit the wall covered in pillows on the other end of the room, throwing her downwards to the floor, which had thankfully also been covered in pillows.
I started moving the moment I knew she had not stopped the spell, and had passed half the distance before Daphne rushed past me, running towards her sister. Blaise was just a blur as he moved past me, easily overtaking Daphne, and arriving first, leaning over Astoria.
Curse him and those accursed long legs of his!
Daphne was by her sister's side in a second, and I swore in my mind, cursing the bloody heels I had chosen to wear, cursing myself for not minding my strength, cursing the Dark Lord for making me do this, and everything else that came to mind as I ran the length of the room that now seemed impossibly long.
I could hear voices, but I could not tell what they were saying, the panic in my mind was by far too strong.
I came to a stop a step away from Daphne, almost crashing into her in my rush to get to her sister, feeling my heart stop in my chest a second before I saw Tori who was-smiling.
A quick survey assured me that she was fine, a little shaken perhaps, but otherwise unharmed, and was leaning on Blaise's offered hand to get up.
"I'm fine Linda" smiled she at me, seemingly relieved that she was done with her turn.
She grasped Blaise's arm tightly, and he didn't seem to be all that fazed, putting his other hand on her back to help her rise from the depths of the pillows in which she had landed.
He almost lifted her out and she jumped to her feet between me and her sister, grinning from ear to ear.
Daphne threw herself at her sister, the very worst thoughts passing through her head as she saw her sister fly through air.
"Don't scare me like that again!" commanded she in a strict tone, gripping a fistful of her sister's robes.
I turned my head away from them, and met Blaise's eyes, which were fixed on me. I moved past him knowing that my cousin was safe, yet still with a heavy heart. Because this would happen again, and I could not afford to allow them to stop. And they knew it.
"She's alright." He whispered and I pretended not to have heard the words of comfort, even if I needed them.
"Daphne, Astoria" I called, my back turned to them, my voice cold. "step away from the duelling area."
I came to a stop in the middle of my circle, my back turned to him. I let fear govern my heart for a moment. I could have killed her by accident.
A moment more, and I buried that feeling deep in my heart. I could not give up on account of fear. If I did, they were dead.
I turned to see Blaise standing opposite me, a lazy smirk on his lips.
"Is it my turn Rosey?" asked he, and I raised my wand at him, noticing that he held his between his fingers leisurely, Astoria's fall seemingly having no effect on him.
"Hold your wand properly Zabini." I responded, keeping my voice cold, collected.
"Oh Rosey," spoke he, his smirk growing, "I don't know how. Won't you teach me?"
"As you wish." I spoke, raising my wand for the third time, calling "Impedimenta!"
I had expected a couple of things to happen. I had used the same amount of power as I normally did when I cast a curse at him, and I expected him to be thrown backwards, or at least pushed backwards, but what happened when he called "Protego" in a voice so calm, collected, fearless, I could not imagine in my wildest dreams.
He created a transparent shield, and as the turquoise light of my spell met the magic field, it dissolved, leaving the shield intact.
My heart jumped to my throat, and I could do little more than stare at the boy across from me, who tilted his head to the side, a smirk on his lips.
This could not be. Was there a mistake? Had I used too little power? Had there been another kind of mistake that I overlooked?
But I knew, as did all three of my guests, that there was no mistake, and cold sweat washed over me, my mind playing back every scene in which I had used a hex on him for me rapidly, shock governing over my mind.
"That's impossible" I whispered, staring at him, unable to comprehend what my eyes were seeing. The implications of this were terrible, overpowering.
"Impossible Rose?" asked he, the smirk growing into a smile as if he enjoyed a joke known only to him. "Clearly, it is very possible. Or do you imagine this to be a fluke?"
He laughed at this, bringing his other hand to his face, observing me with so much life in his eyes, as if he was waiting for this particular thing to happen. "Did you really think that I couldn't stop you Rosey? "
My mind took me back to one of the instances where I had cursed him, after Claudia had angered me I believe, and he had not even reached for his wand. How many of those curses could he have stopped? And why didn't he? Why didn't he defend himself?
It's not healthy you know, he had said, keeping all that anger in. It will kill you Rose. That was the first time he called me Rose. I offered to take it out on him and he said… If it would help you.. I'd volunteer.
My heart sank in my chest as I realized, he was serious.
"Why?" I asked, not wishing to state the entire question, more than aware of my two cousins in the room. Normally, I shared my thoughts with them, but this was… private.
I could only hope that I did not look as if a goblin clobbered me.
His smirk disappeared from his face and he turned completely serious.
"And what then?" asked he, and I couldn't help but frown at him "Don't look at me like that, like you think I should have. Because you would have responded Rose, that's why. And it would have turned into a duel, and if by some chance, you lost, I know there's a slim chance of that, or if I managed to surprise you, and my curse hit you… Rose… how do you imagine I'd live with that?"
No. I didn't need this. Not now. Not him.
"How long?" I asked, and he seemed a bit confused that I had not answered him, that my voice turned ever more cold.
"Third year." He responded, walking towards me, and I froze in my place.
"Mine or yours?" I asked, finding that my feet were glued to the floor.
"Mine." He responded, and stopped when he was in parallel with me.
"Besides Rose" he whispered so that only I could hear him "you hate to lose."