They had eaten an early dinner after visiting her Mother' grave. Gwen had taken notice that he had been quieter than usual, avoiding bringing up anything in regards to their conversation they had prior to her returning after Christmas break.
They retired to the sitting room, the same one that she and Sirius had kissed in. Her father sat in his chair, drinking firewhiskey as he read a book, and she sat on the floor in front of the roaring fire, reading her own book as she sipped tea. It was all relatively quiet in the room. The portrait that hung above the fireplace sat a woman, smiling as she knitted but kept her eyes on them.
"You're reading Pride and Prejudice," he didn't even glance at her. "You've nearly read that copy down."
Gwen hummed, "it is our favorite."
Her Father finally looked up from his own book, his eyes softening at his daughter. "You are your mother's daughter," he murmured.
Gwen smiled, a mixture of sadness and warmth flickering in her eyes. She closed her book gently and set it aside, the flames in the fireplace casting a warm glow on the room.
"I miss her, Father," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. Her father put down his own book, and the somber atmosphere seemed to settle between them.
"I miss her too," he replied, his gaze distant as memories of her mother flooded back. "But you bring a piece of her with you every day, Gwen. Your love for books, the way you quote lines from Pride and Prejudice just like she used to... It's like she's still here, in a way."
Gwen nodded, grateful for her father's comforting words. The crackling of the fire provided a soothing backdrop to their shared silence. After a moment, her father stood and walked over to join her by the fire, sitting down beside her.
"She would be proud of the person you've become," he said, his hand gently resting on hers. "You have her strength, her kindness, and her love for life."
A faint smile played on Gwen's lips, and she squeezed her father's hand in return. The room felt filled with a bittersweet warmth as they sat together, finding solace in each other's company and the memories of the woman they both dearly missed. The woman in the portrait smiled down at both of them, having paused from her knitting to watch them.
Declan felt guilt as the way his daughter stared up at him, her dark blue eyes wide and big. Unwavering trust and adoration in her eyes shone. It only made that guilt nearly consume him for the lies and half-truths he had fed his daughter to protect her. He couldn't bear to see the innocence in Gwen's eyes clouded by the shadows of deception. He gently withdrew his hand and looked away, staring into the dancing flames as if searching for answers.
"Gwen," he began, his voice tinged with regret, "there are things I haven't told you. Things about your mother, about our family... things that I thought were best left unsaid until you were old enough to understand."
Gwen furrowed her brow, a mix of concern and curiosity evident on her face. "What things, Dad? Why haven't you told me?"
Declan hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "There are dangers, Gwen, things that could put you in harm's way. I've tried to shield you from the darker aspects of the wizarding world, thinking it was for the best."
She tilted her head, a slight frown forming. "Dad, I'm not a child anymore. I can handle the truth. Whatever it is, I can handle it."
He sighed again, realizing the truth in her words. However, he knew in regards to how she reacted to her Mother's passing, how she couldn't control her magic due to how emotional she had become, the constant need for her to down sleeping draughts night after night, how he practically had to drug his own daughter to keep her from completely breaking down.
Declan met Gwen's gaze, "Gwen, it's not just about the dangers of the wizarding world. There are aspects of our family's history, your mother's past, that I've kept hidden to protect you, not only from external threats but from the weight of our own legacy."
Gwen's frown deepened, and she leaned in closer, a determined look on her face. "It can't be that serious…can it?"
He sighed once more, grappling with the decision to share the painful truths. "Your mother, she had a gift, a powerful but unpredictable magic. It was tied to her emotions. After she passed, I noticed similar tendencies in you. I wanted to spare you from the struggles she faced, the toll it took on her. That's why I've been so cautious, so protective."
"Take a seat," he started. "As you know, I was best mates with Alphard Black. When we graduated, he informed me that your Mother would die."
"You claimed that you haven't seen him for several years."
"Which is true," he took a deep breath. "Your mother did not die by natural causes, she died because she was killed. Before her passing, she suggested that you take sleeping draughts to dull your powers."
Gwen's eyes widened with realization, and the pieces began to click together in her mind. The gravity of her mother's legacy weighed heavily on her, and she took a moment to absorb the revelation.
"So, the sleeping draughts..." she trailed off, her voice soft
Declan nodded, a somber expression on his face. "I couldn't bear to see you suffer the way she did. But I understand now that keeping these secrets has only caused you more pain."
"HOW COULD YOU?!" Tears cascaded down her face as she sobbed heavily.
Declan raised his hands up in surrender, "you were young and your mother and I agreed that we would keep it a se–"
Her eyes shot towards her Mother, who stood in her frame, sympathy and sadness in her eyes but she didn't care. "You lied to me about Mum! You continued to lie even after I had told you about Tom Riddle!"
"Allow me to explain," her Father sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat.
"You had several chances to explain and yet lacked the courage to do so!" She began to pace, attempting to calm down as her breathing was becoming erratic and she could feel herself about to hyperventilate. Gwen's voice wavered as she continued, her anger and confusion mixing with the overwhelming surge of emotions. "Explain? What is there to explain? That my entire life has been built on a web of lies?"
Gwen was struggling from keeping it together. Her emotions were all over the place and her magic was going haywire in response and now she was on the verge of having another meltdown.
Declan winced, realizing the gravity of the situation. "Gwen, please, just hear me out. There were reasons, circumstances that led to these decisions."
She scoffed bitterly, wiping away the tears that stained her cheeks. "Reasons? Circumstances? I don't care about your excuses. I care about the truth, about knowing who I am."
Her mother gave her a hard stare, but she snorted at it. "I'm glad you can't speak right now, I have a right to be upset and you know it."
Her Father attempted to calm her, "Gwen, darling, we love you. We never wanted to hurt you. There were things we thought were better left unsaid."
Gwen's gaze shifted from her father to her mother, betrayal etched across her features. "Love? Is this what love looks like? Keeping secrets, pretending everything's fine while everything I knew was half-truths and pretty lies ?"
Declan sighed deeply, choosing his words carefully. "It's not that simple, Gwen. There are forces at play, dangers we tried to shield you from."
Her magical aura flickered and sparked, reflecting her inner turmoil. The room seemed to shudder with the intensity of her emotions. Declan took a step forward, a desperate plea in his eyes. "You don't know the full story."
She shook her head, her anger simmering beneath a layer of hurt. "Whose fault is that? Certainly not mine."
The room fell into a heavy silence, only broken by Gwen's uneven breaths. The weight of the revelations hung in the air, and the family stood on the precipice of a truth that could either shatter them completely or pave the way for a painful, but necessary, reconciliation.
It was all too much for her.
Turning on her heel, she left the sitting room and didn't stop walking until she made it back to her bedroom.
Alone in her room, Gwen clung to the only comfort she could find – the softness of her pillow. The sobs escaped from deep within, muffled by the fabric pressed against her face. The weight of the lies, the betrayal, and the shattered illusions pressed heavily on her chest.
The room, once a haven, now felt like a cage of painful memories. She buried her face deeper into the pillow, as if trying to escape the reality that had unraveled before her. The walls echoed with the sound of her anguish, a symphony of heartbreak that seemed to reverberate through the very foundations of her existence.
Her mind replayed the scenes, the conversations, the years of deception. Each revelation cut through her like a knife, leaving wounds that no amount of apologies could heal. The images of her parents, once pillars of her world, now crumbled in her mind, their credibility shattered.
As the minutes ticked by, the waves of emotion continued to crash over her. The pain was visceral, a raw and unrelenting force that threatened to consume her. The warmth of her tears seeped into the fabric of the pillow, a silent testament to the storm raging within.
In the solitude of her room, Gwen grappled with the fragments of her shattered reality. The familiar surroundings felt alien, as if the very essence of her existence had been called into question. The echoes of her cries lingered in the air, a poignant reminder of a daughter betrayed and a family in disarray.
Tom Riddle's time at Hogwarts was marked by both extraordinary accomplishments and a dark undercurrent. His intelligence, charisma, and magical prowess set him apart, earning him respect and admiration from many. As a student, he excelled in his studies and displayed an uncanny ability to manipulate magic, which drew the attention of both peers and professors.
During Riddle's years at Hogwarts, the Chamber of Secrets was rumored to have been opened. The atmosphere at the school grew tense as students were mysteriously harmed, and the legend of the chamber loomed large. The situation escalated when a tragedy occurred—Myrtle Warren, a Ravenclaw student, lost her life. The circumstances surrounding her death remained shrouded in mystery, fueling speculation and fear within the Hogwarts community. Several other students had been harmed. They were all muggle-born, it was the only thing they had in common.
Despite these ominous events, Riddle's reputation soared. He was not only an exceptional dueler but also took on roles of responsibility, serving as a Prefect and later as Head Boy. His charm and intellect allowed him to form connections with influential families, earning him a place among the wizarding elite.
In 1957, he had applied for the teaching position at Hogwarts to become the Professor for Defense Against the Dark Arts. It was then that he had met her Mother and had fallen in love.
She closed her blue leather journal, tossing it on the other side of her bag window, she leaned back.
"Mistress," her house elf, Minky popped in her room. "It is time for lunch."
"My Father sent you?"
"Yes miss," the elf looked up at her.
Gwen clicked her tongue, "I'll be down then."
Minky, cast her hesitant longing look before disappearing with a snap of her fingers. Looking towards her journal, she noticed that the photo of her Mother during her Hogwarts days had slipped out. Pushing the photo back inside, she left to head down for dinner.
Declan was already sitting at the table, the food already prepared as he waited for her to join him. She silently took her seat and began to fill her plate, not bothering to spare a glance at him. m. They ate in silence during most of the meal, it wasn't until it was cleared away and they began to eat dessert.
"Gwen–"
She interrupted him, "I received a letter from grandmother that they will be coming tomorrow to check in on us."
This seemed to make her Father angry, "she never told me this."
Gwen shrugged, "I only got it this afternoon and didn't open it until two hours ago."
"Insufferable woman…" Declan began to curse under his breath, which only made Gwen arch an eyebrow.
For as long as she could remember, her Father had never gotten along with her maternal side of the Family. It was only during Mother's funeral did they act civil with one another but it wasn't much since they were never in the same room as one another other than dinner. From what she could remember is that her Grandmother had only come to visit during Christmas and when she did. She would hardly look at Gwen, barely spoke to her other than polite conversation.
Yet since the passing of her Mother, she hadn't come. Had bothered to even respond to her letters. Only on her birthday had she sent her a package, it was jewelry and a small note that said "Happy Birthday." There was no sense of warmth or affection in the two words.
The atmosphere in the room grew tense as Gwen observed her father's reaction to the impending visit from her maternal relatives. She couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity and concern about the strained relationship between her father and her maternal grandmother. With a cautious tone, she probed further.
Why do you and Grandmother have such a strained relationship, Father?" Gwen asked, her gaze unwavering.
Her eyes cut to his from across the table, meeting his hardened stare but it wasn't directed at her. It never was. "We have never seen eye to eye since your Mother and I married."
Gwen narrowed her eyes, suspicion and slight guilt as she knew that he was hiding something from her. She finished her dessert quickly and then left before they talked anymore.
A tall slender older woman with bright white hair, narrowed blue eyes, and pursed pink lips walking in a circle around the large living room. For a witch her age, it hardly showed that she was fifty-five, by her dress and speech. She stared down at Gwen as she eyed her from every angle.
"You have yet to properly mature," she noted.
Gwen kept her mouth shut.
"Tell me of your studies girl," she spoke in a snide tone.
"I am the top student in my year," she looked forward, noting how her grandmother made a tsking noise when she lowered her chin rather than keeping it raised high.
"A lady of your standing should have proper posture," she paused in front of her, walking towards her, she grabbed a tendral of her hair. "Your hair is short. Why?"
She blinked, "I am becoming a lady. A lady is to reflect the trends to stay relevant and in fashion."
"Ladies keep their hair long and beautiful, a sign of femininity and innocence," she let out another tsking noise. "In order for you to have a proper match, you must attract the kind of wizard who is an upstanding gentleman."
Gwen's grandmother continued to scrutinize her with a critical eye, seemingly unimpressed by her responses. The older woman released the tendril of hair and resumed her pacing around the room.
She continued to keep silent.
"A lady is not measured solely by academic achievements, my dear. There's more to refinement than books and grades," her grandmother remarked, her tone cutting. "Proper posture, fashionable attire, and the ability to carry oneself with grace and dignity are essential qualities."
Gwen remained composed, though her patience was being tested. This was the most interaction she had received from her Grandmother and she did not know what to make of it exactly. She was well aware of the expectations placed upon her as a member of the pure-blood wizarding family, and her grandmother's traditional views only intensified that pressure.
"I will arrange for a few social events during my stay. It's high time you start mingling with the right circles," her grandmother declared.
Gwen's eyes flickered with a mixture of reluctance and defiance. "I am in no mood to socialize and entertain others."
Her grandmother's stern expression deepened, "Education is important, but social connections are equally crucial. You may be the top student in your year, but you clearly lack refinement and the ability to obey and to hold one's tongue."
Gwen bit her lip, choosing her words carefully. "I believe in achieving success through merit, not just through climbing rank."
Her grandmother's icy gaze bore into her, "Success is multifaceted, my dear. A well-rounded individual excels not only in academics but also in society. You'll learn that as you mature. And one day you will thank me"
As the tension in the room escalated, Gwen couldn't help but feel the weight of her grandmother's expectations pressing down on her. The clash between tradition and modern values within the family was evident, and Gwen found herself caught in the middle. The visit promised not only to expose family secrets but also to challenge Gwen's perception of her own identity and place within the wizarding world.
"Where is that house of yours?" Her grandmother sighed, "it is tea time."
"Minky," Gwen called. The small house elf appeared smiling, "please bring tea into the sitting room along with sandwiches and cakes and prepare the room for us."
"Yes mistress," the elf disappeared.
The tension in the room lingered as Gwen's grandmother continued to assert her expectations. As they moved to the sitting room for tea, Gwen couldn't shake the feeling of being under scrutiny, and the presence of the house elf added an additional layer of formality to the situation. Upon entering, she took her seat in her plush chair. Taking note of how her Grandmother sat on the chaise where the tea and food were already prepared.
Lost in thought, she was interrupted by the house elf, Minky, who had returned after starting the fire. The house elf brought a beautiful teacup of hot tea to her, "Is there anything Minky can do for you, mistress?"
Gwen hesitated, then replied, "No, thank you, Minky. You've done well."
Bringing the teacup to her lips, she closed her eyes, inhaling the strong scent of peppermint and honey. While sipping her tea, Gwen contemplated the dynamics between her mother, grandmother, and father. Questions about her mother's relationship with her grandmother and the strained connection between her parents swirled in Gwen's mind.
She originally had been in here, reading as she waited for the arrival of her Grandmother. As soon as she had allowed the older woman into the manor, she immediately grabbed her wrist, forced her to stand in the middle of the living room and began to scrutinize and comment on her. As if she were no more than a prized animal.
Did she treat Mother like this?
Is that why her Father despised the older woman?
Or had something else happened?
Whatever it be, she would find out before she returned to Hogwarts, and perhaps her relationship with her Father might begin to repair.
Gwen took a glance towards her Mother's portrait, to find her missing from it. Perhaps she was in her portrait in the study, waiting for her Father to come home from a work emergency. He was supposed to be returning before dinner. Gwen wasn't sure if it was a genuine work assignment or he had left just to avoid seeing the woman.
The young girl shifted her attention back to her grandmother, who seemed to be studying her in silence. The weight of the unspoken family history pressed on Gwen, and she knew she couldn't let this opportunity pass without seeking some answers. Especially before her Father came home and they would begin to fight.
The older woman's face remained composed, revealing little. "Your mother and I had our differences, but that's not for you to concern yourself with. As for your father, well, he chose his path. The tension, my dear, is a result of choices made long ago."
Gwen furrowed her brow, frustration and curiosity bubbling within her. Before she could press further, her father's voice echoed from the doorway.
"I would do it all again." he blinked. "Evelyn, you arrived."
Gwen turned to see her father, Declan, standing there, a stern expression on his face. The room seemed to freeze as three generations of the family confronted each other, the unresolved issues and family secrets hanging heavily in the air.
Her grandmother frowned, her eyes narrowing at her Father. She kept her mouth shut, only stuck her nose in the air and drank her tea.
This was already showing signs that she should have stayed at Hogwarts rather than come home.
That night, she had retired to bed after a tense dinner. However, she couldn't sleep. She spent a better part of the night, tossing and turning, unable to do anything more than be trapped with her thoughts.
Slipping out of bed, she had made her way to the library. Perhaps a good book might help her take her mind off things. As she walked past the sitting room, she saw the door was cracked, light filtering out of it as two distinct voices could be heard.
Creeping closer, she pressed herself against the wall, and glanced through the crack to see her Father, drinking as he stood away from her Grandmother, who sneered at him.
"She is becoming of age!" She snapped, "she will need to be married before she graduates otherwise no suitable match will want her when she becomes old."
Gwen's eyes widened at the mention of an arranged marriage, a fate dictated by her family's pureblood traditions. Her father's response, filled with determination, resonated with her.
Declan downed his crystal glass before refilling it, "she is still a young girl. I assure you that she will not be entering any arranged marriages, she will marry for love, and nothing else."
"I have looked into the pureblood families here," she stomped her heeled foot. "There are many suitable matches for her! She is our heir just as she is yours. It is her responsibility to marry and bear an heir just as Roselyn did."
Declan threw his crystal glass at the wall, it shattered, falling to the floor in slivers. "We married for love," he growled. "Our daughter will marry for love as well."
The clash of values, tradition versus personal choice, unfolded before Gwen's eyes. The revelation that her grandmother wasn't just a stern matriarch but had intended to control her life and future stung deeply.
Evelyn's insistence on the responsibility Gwen held as an heir and the expectation to bear an heir herself weighed heavily on the room. Declan's defiance, his declaration that Gwen would marry for love, fueled the tension.
Evelyn snorted, "she is my granddaughter, I have a say in her future as well. As her godmother, she will obey and marry a pureblood man and bear children."
"You are not her godmother," Declan chuckled darkly, the flames flickering across his face. "We lied to you to ensure you went home to America."
The woman stared at him with cold fury in her eyes, "how dare you trick me?"
"It was Roselyn's idea."
This seemed to set her off as she began to throw objects at him, due to his Auror training and her weak throw, he had been able to easily dodge them.
"You stole my daughter from me! You will not take my granddaughter away from me too!"
"You treat her just as you treated your own daughter," he sneered. "You will drive her away as you did Roselyn."
Her grandmother clenched her jaw, her eyes became glassy as she stared Declan down. The brief moment of weakness passed, she sniffed, a mask of indifference falling over her features. "I have already accepted a proposal from Abraxas Malfoy, he is willing to have Lucius wait for Gwendolyn to graduate and marry her when she is of age."
Declan snapped.
The revelation hit Declan like a sudden, unexpected storm. The news of the accepted proposal from Abraxas Malfoy, a pureblood wizard with ties to a prominent wizarding family, caught him off guard. The emotional turmoil, the betrayal, and the weight of the lie unfolded before him.
"You accepted a proposal without consulting me? Without considering Gwen's feelings?" Declan's voice rose, a mixture of anger and disbelief. "I am her Father!"
Evelyn maintained her composed facade, her cold eyes betraying no emotion. "It is a strategic alliance, Declan. You know that this is the best for her. Gwen is our heir, and this match ensures the continuation of our bloodline. You've made your sentiments clear; it's time to prioritize the family's legacy. "
Declan's face contorted with frustration, his fists clenched at his sides. "You can't decide Gwen's future without her consent. She deserves the right to choose her own path, her own partner."
Evelyn's indifferent demeanor faltered for a moment as she regarded Declan with a hint of triumph. "The Malfoys are a respected pureblood family. This is an opportunity for Gwen to secure her place in society, to fulfill her responsibilities as our heir."
Gwen, still hidden in the shadows, listened with a mixture of shock and anger. The revelation of an arranged proposal, especially without her knowledge or input, ignited a fire within her. The clash between tradition and personal choice played out vividly in the confrontation between her father and grandmother.
Declan's frustration reached its peak, and he spoke with a bitter edge. "You're repeating the mistakes of the past, Evelyn. You're pushing her away just as you did with Roselyn. Gwen deserves better."
Evelyn's eyes narrowed, the mask of indifference returning. "Sometimes, sacrifices must be made for the greater good. You may not understand it now, but this is for Gwen's future."
"Out of all the wizards to choose from, you chose a man that is nearly seven years older than she? She is a child and he is a man."
As the words hung in the air, the rift within the family widened. The truth had been laid bare, and Gwen's fate seemed to hang in the balance, caught between the expectations of tradition and the desire for personal agency. The shadows in the room seemed to grow darker, mirroring the uncertainties that loomed over the future of the family.
"If you continue to interfere in her future, then I will have no choice but to remove you from it permanently."
She sneered at him, "you can't keep me from her forever."
"I can until she is of age." He laughed bitterly, "by then she will understand just what kind of person you are."
The atmosphere within the manor remained thick with tension, and Gwen found herself navigating the strained silence with a growing sense of frustration. The first two days had yielded no progress in uncovering the mysteries surrounding her family's dynamics. Despite her attempts to break the silence and seek answers, her grandmother remained tight-lipped, enforcing a stern expectation of obedience.
She pretended as though she hadn't heard the argument between her Grandmother and her Father. Internally she was angry and hurt. She had never had a close relationship with her grandmother, and now she knew part of the reason why her parents kept her away from her.
Gwen, however, was not one to easily accept silence as an answer. The more her grandmother insisted on maintaining the status quo, the more determined Gwen became to unearth the truth.
On the third day, Gwen decided to take matters into her own hands. After a restless night filled with contemplation, she woke up with a newfound determination to confront the issues that had long been buried within her family.
She approached her grandmother in the sitting room, where they had been avoiding each other for days. "Grandmother, we can't continue like this. The tension is unbearable, and I deserve to know the truth about my own family."
Her grandmother looked at her with an icy stare, unmoved by Gwen's plea. "Some things are better left unsaid, girl. It's for your own good."
"My name is Gwendolyn, not girl."
The woman narrowed her eyes at her, "how dare you speak to me with such insolence?" Her Grandmother stood, dropping her teacup, she stalked towards her, raising her hand in the process before she struck her across the face. "Your Mother failed in raising you. A child so unruly with a blatant disregard for duty. I knew that girl had become soft. I blame your grandfather for this, he insisted on moving here and enrolling her in Hogwarts."
Gwen felt the stinging pain on her cheek where her grandmother's hand had struck her. The room fell into an uneasy silence, interrupted only by the shattering of the dropped teacup. The weight of the accusation hung in the air, casting a shadow over their strained relationship.
As her grandmother berated her, Gwen's eyes flashed with a mixture of pain and defiance. She rubbed her cheek, a red mark beginning to surface, but her gaze remained steady.
"I won't let you blame my mother," Gwen retorted, her voice filled with a quiet but resolute strength. "She was a kind and loving person. You cannot fault her for valuing compassion and understanding."
Her grandmother's eyes blazed with anger, her posture rigid. "Compassion and understanding have no place in maintaining the honor of our bloodline. Duty comes first, and you will learn that."
Gwen, undeterred by the threat, straightened her posture. "I won't blindly adhere to traditions that are built on cruelty and heartlessness. There is more to life than the pursuit of blood purity."
The older woman's face contorted with displeasure. "You are naïve. Soft-heartedness will be your downfall. Your mother's legacy should have been one of strength and prestige, not sentimentality."
Gwen's resolve strengthened as she faced her grandmother's disapproval. "Strength and prestige should not be built on the suffering of others. I will not follow a path that compromises my values."
"Your mother was a damned fool," she snarled. "You will be reeducated and I will ensure that the weakness will be no more." Evelyn brought her hand, ready to strike her again. Clicking her tongue, Gwen stood her ground, staring up at her, not bothering to flinch. A large pale hand, grabbed her wrist, and twisting it, as she flinched in pain.
Declan's sudden intervention cut through the tense atmosphere like a bolt of lightning. His stern voice, filled with both anger and protectiveness, echoed in the room. Gwen's eyes flickered with relief as her father stepped between her and her grandmother, putting an end to the physical confrontation.
"You will never lay a hand on my daughter again, Evelyn," Declan declared, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "Get out of my house right now, and if you ever show up again, then I will have you arrested."
Evelyn's face contorted with a mix of anger and frustration, but she knew better than to challenge Declan further. With a disdainful glare, she ripped her wrist from his grip, turned on her heel and left the room without uttering another word.
The room, once heavy with tension, seemed to exhale as the older woman left.
Declan turned to Gwen, his expression softening with concern. "Are you alright, Gwendolyn?"
Gwen nodded, a determined glint in her eyes. "I'm fine, Father. Thank you for stepping in."
Declan sighed, his frustration evident. "I should have done it sooner. I won't let anyone harm you, especially not because of some archaic beliefs."
"I'm ready to know the truth," she muttered. "The full truth."
Declan nodded, "give me a minute."
He left the room again.
When he returned, Gwen had been drinking tea. A blanket over her legs as she waited for him to return. Declan took his own seat across from her, a glass of firewhiskey in one hand and the bottle in the other.
"What would you like to know first?"
She blinked at him, the red mark still prominent on her face, he grimaced. "Grandmother," she stated. "Why has she never been in my life? Other than the obvious reasoning."
"Gellert Grindelwald was waging war in the states. Your grandfather, Elijah was an Auror and had been transferred here to help stop Grindelwald. Your Mother was only a fifth year when she transferred. Due to her blood status, she became popular and many of the other families were attempting to court her. Evelyn was beyond ecstatic by the amount of proposals and had almost had her married off to Abraxas had it not been for your Grandfather, who wanted her to be able to find love on her own." He paused, his eyes straying towards the flames of the fire. "By a chance encounter, I had fallen in love with her and courted her. Evelyn was ecstatic that I was a pureblood. She gave her blessing for our union, happy that Roselyn had continued with tradition and married into a pureblood family. Your Mother didn't want you to be raised as she had been, didn't want Evelyn's influence to ruin the life we want for you so after lying to her that she would be your godmother, she went back to America and trusted that we would raise you with the traditions of the sacred families."
"You hadn't," she noted. "Why?"
He refilled his glass, "Alphard Black is a seer. Right before we married, he had a prophecy that your Mother would be murdered by a man named Tom Riddle and that he would come after you. We thought that by hiding you away from the families, from the Wizarding world until you were old enough to defend yourself that the prophecy wouldn't come true. It is why your Mother stayed home with you while I had become an Auror to keep tabs on him."
The pieces clicked for her, some of them at least.
"Why come for her specifically?"
"The woman on your mother's side of the family inherits a special kind of magic. A kind that is ancient. I'm not sure how but he just knew that your Mother had this kind of magic and he wanted to kill her and take it for himself."
She furrowed his eyebrows, "I'm lost."
"He failed with your Mother, as he hadn't realized that due to her complications in childbirth with you that she had lost her magic, not just the ability to have any more children. She had become frail and almost died the very night you were born."
"How did he find her?"
"Your Mother had become a nurse at St. Mungo's, and on her way home from work, he had ambushed her and cursed her. Before he could kidnap her, she used the portkey to get to Scotland, your Uncle and Aunt Liam and Maeve had immediately called for a healer and me. It was no use. Your mother knew that she would die as soon as she had seen him."
"Why me?"
Declan tan a hand through his hair, "after failing with your Mother. He had found out that there was a chance you would have the ability but because nobody knew anything about our location or you, he has been waiting all this time."
"Do I have this ancient magic too?"
"You didn't start to exhibit the signs until your Mother had died," he swallowed the contents of the glass and refilled again. "We thought that it might have died with her as you hadn't shown the signs as a toddler like all the other women in her family had. I suspect that her death might have triggered it, and is why I had ensured that you were sedated with Sleeping Draughts and other potions to not arouse any suspicions now that we were back in the spotlight."
"So, I have this ancient magic, and Tom wants it. But why? What does it do?" she asked, her voice a mixture of confusion and curiosity.
Declan took a deep breath, contemplating how much to reveal. "The magic in your bloodline is ancient and powerful. It holds the key to certain abilities that he seeks. It's a kind of magic that can alter the course of events, grant immense power, and unlock secrets of the past. He believes that by possessing it, he can become unstoppable."
Gwen nodded slowly, trying to grasp the magnitude of what her heritage meant. "And you've been keeping me hidden to protect me from him."
"Why have you not kept in contact with Alphard Black then? Were you two not best friends?"
"He and I had agreed that after the wedding, we couldn't risk having anything used or traced back to her. We did everything in our power to keep you safe, even if it meant sacrificing connections with loved ones. Tom Riddle is a formidable enemy, and we needed to ensure you were prepared to face him when the time came."
It clicked.
"Your approval of my desire to become an animagus was a failsafe was it not?"
Declan nodded, "when you wrote me that letter about Remus' furry problem and your desire to learn to become an animagus, I saw it as an opportunity since your Mother had already died because of him."
Gwen sat there, absorbing the intricate web of secrets and decisions that had shaped her life. The weight of her mother's sacrifice and the dangers that had surrounded her since birth settled heavily on her shoulders. She took a moment to collect her thoughts before speaking.
Her gaze shifted to the fire, lost in thought. "But now he knows I exist, doesn't he? How long can we stay hidden?"
Declan's expression turned grave. "He knows, and he's been waiting. We can't stay hidden forever, especially with his growing influence."
A determined look crossed Gwen's face. "I want to learn how to defend myself. I want to be part of this fight."
Declan nodded, pride evident in his eyes. "I had a feeling you'd say that. It's a dangerous path, and sacrifices may be required. For now, however, continue gathering information from the families and learning Legimens and Occlumency. You are still quite young and a war has yet to be officially waged."
She met her father's gaze with determination. "I understand."
Gwen's emotions were a tumultuous mix of understanding, determination, and lingering anger. She couldn't deny the weight of the revelations and the sacrifices her parents had made to protect her. Yet, the lies that had been woven around her life still stung.
"I understand why you did it, Father," she began, her voice a mix of gratitude and reproach. "But the lies…It's hard to forgive."
Declan sighed, acknowledging the pain he had caused. "I know, darling. I never wanted to keep you in the dark, but circumstances forced our hand. I hope, in time, you can find it in your heart to forgive your Mother and I."
Gwen nodded, the conflict evident in her eyes. "I need time. Time to process all of this."
He reached out, placing a hand on hers. "Take all the time you need. I'm here for you, no matter what."
As the fire continued to dance, casting shadows on the walls, Gwen and Declan sat in a shared silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The journey ahead was uncertain, and the scars of the past would not fade easily. But in the flickering light of the flames, there was a sense of relief and peace now that the truth lingered in the air between them.
Upon returning to Hogwarts, the dueling tournament had begun once more. Students were excited to know who would be a part of the dueling club, to determine who were the best duelers in school.
Before the break, Gwen lacked the confidence of winning her next duel. However, after her Father and she had made up and caught up properly, she had informed him of the dueling tournament for the twenty positions on the club. He offered to duel with her, to teach her some proper spells to use. Which is how they spent the last three days.
She felt better about her next duel. She even had taken up using her Occlumency lessons to duel with Sev at night in preparation as she didn't know who her next opponent would be. Which had been quite the refresher that even though he was superior with his Occlumency skills, she was superior with her dueling skills. . However, she was improving her Occlumency skills now that she had a motivation to keep pushing through.
Adjusting her jumper over her black skirt, she tucked her wand into her sleeve. Gwen left the girls' lavatory and made her way towards the courtyard, today was practice for the first years who were trying out for next year as well as anyone else who wanted a spot on the team. Today, the Slytherin house had the Quidditch Pitch, and anyone was allowed to sit in and watch.
Climbing up the several flights of stairs, she found herself a spot in the stands. Other students were also sitting and waiting for the practice to commence.
"What are you here for darling?" Tilting her head to her right, she watched as Sirius walked towards her.
"I came to watch Reg," she blinked. "Why are you here?"
Wide eyed, he scratched the back of his neck, "just came to scoop out the competition for next year is all."
She rolled her eyes.
Sirius was here to watch Regulus practice as well. She didn't believe him for a single second that he was merely here for "scooping out the competition". She decided to let him think that she believed him.
Gwen raised an eyebrow at Sirius, a playful smirk playing on her lips. "Scooping out the competition, huh? I didn't know you were the competitive type."
Sirius chuckled, his silver eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, I figure I should know what I'm up against. Besides, Quidditch is always entertaining, especially with the first years trying out."
Gwen nodded, looking down at the Quidditch Pitch where the first years were starting to gather. "True, it's always exciting to see new talent. But you do realize that the Slytherin team is going to be tough to beat next year, right?"
Sirius grinned, a confident glint in his eyes. "Challenge accepted. Gryffindor will give Slytherin a run for their money next year."
As they continued chatting, the atmosphere in the stands buzzed with anticipation. The first years were now on their brooms, and the Slytherin team took their positions on the pitch. Regulus was among the others, his gaze focused on the captain of the Slytherin team. Gwen couldn't help but feel a surge of pride for him, as she watched him interact with the others in the sleek green and silver uniforms. The Quidditch excitement was contagious, and even Sirius seemed caught up in the energy of the upcoming practice.
The air was filled with the sound of broomsticks cutting through the wind as the players soared into the sky, and Gwen couldn't wait to see how the first years would perform.
The time had come for her own duel. To say that she wasn't nervous would be a complete lie. Even though she had trained, she knew there was never a guarantee that she would win. There would always be someone smarter, someone stronger, and someone more tactful. She'd watch a few matches and studied what they had done right and wrong.
Her friends had made it to the next round, they had come to watch her. Which made her nervous, that they would come see her.
Many students were here sitting in the stands or leaning up against the walls, Professor Flitwick stood on a pedestal, his eyes intently watching the two students currently dueling one another.
"You'll do great."
Her eyes snapped towards the person next to her, to find Olivia.
"I'm nervous though," she admitted.
Olivia nudged her with her shoulder, "don't be so nervous, you will do wonderful."
Gwen took a deep breath, "I know you're right."
Olivia smiled at her, "win or lose, use this as an opportunity to learn from your opponents to improve and become a better duelist."
"You always know the right thing to say."
Over the last two weeks since students returned from their Easter break, the number of participants had dwindled from seventy five to forty one participants. She was the last duel before they moved on to round three which would ultimately determine who would be getting a spot.
The duel had ended. The Gryffindor girl, Alice, had won, leaving the Hufflepuff boy, Aero, to leave the ring.
Welp, there goes the last Hufflepuff.
Taking a deep breath, she waited for her opponent's name to shoot out of the cup.
Monroe Preston
Who was that?
Gwen felt a mix of anticipation and curiosity as she heard the name Monroe Preston. She racked her brain, trying to recall any encounters or mentions of this person in her observations of previous duels. However, nothing substantial came to mind.
The crowd hushed as Monroe walked confidently to the center of the dueling ring, his eyes focused on Gwen. He was a tall, slender boy with dark hair and an air of self-assurance. He wore Slytherin robes.
He smirked at her, "let's have fun yeah?"
She blinked, "this is a duel. There is no fun in it."
"Says the rule follower."
If only he knew just how many rules she had broken since she started last year.
As they took their positions, Professor Flitwick raised his wand, ready to officiate the duel.
Gwen's mind raced, remembering the strategies she had observed and practiced during her training sessions. She took a moment to center herself, blocking out the distractions of the watching students and the pressure of the advancing rounds.
The duel commenced with a burst of spells. Hexes and charms flew between Gwen and Monroe, each trying to gain the upper hand. The audience watched in suspense, occasionally gasping or cheering as the two wizards displayed their magical prowess.
Monroe proved to be a formidable opponent, countering Gwen's spells with skill and precision. However, Gwen held her ground, showcasing a combination of defensive maneuvers and well-timed attacks. The duel was intense, a dance of wands and incantations.
As the duel reached its peak, Gwen felt a surge of determination. She couldn't let her nerves get the best of her. Remembering the encouragement from Olivia and her friends, she focused on her training and instincts. The tide of the duel began to shift in her favor.
With a well-executed spell, Gwen disarmed Monroe, causing his wand to fly out of his hand. The crowd erupted into applause as Professor Flitwick declared Gwen the victor.
Monroe smirked, "a pleasure to be beaten by you."
"I find it hard to believe that you are okay with losing."
"Until we meet again Gwen," he bowed, picked up his wand and left the ring.
Relief and pride washed over her as she realized she had secured her spot in the next round. Her friends cheered from the stands, and Olivia gave her a triumphant smile. The victory was not just about moving forward in the competition; it was a personal triumph over her own doubts and fears.
As Gwen left the dueling ring, she couldn't help but wonder about Monroe Preston, the mystery opponent who had challenged her. She made a mental note to find out more about him, realizing that Olivia was right, and each duel brought not only challenges but also the opportunity to learn and grow as a wizard. He was rather difficult to face, which meant that she would need to improve if she was going to win her next match.
He was rather handsome.
"You must be joking!" Jackie stomped her foot, her nose wrinkled in disgust. "That is completely archaic of her to just waltz into your life and take control of it!"
The girls were having a sleepover, as they had done the night before they left for holiday to spend some quality time together before they would see each other next.
"It makes sense as to why I never saw her growing up," she let out a large sigh. "I just thought it was because she didn't like living in England."
Toni rolled her eyes, "married to Lucius Malfoy?" She blanched, a shiver going down her spine. "He might be handsome but he is still rather older and is obviously in love with Narcissa Black."
"Not to mention that she would be paraded around like cattle for sale," Pandora adjusted her pillow before leaning back against it.
"I can't get over the fact she hit you," Olivia narrowed her eyes in thought. "From what you said made it sound like she didn't even hesitate and wouldn't either going forward had your Dad not thrown her out."
Gwen numbly nodded, "my Father had said that they didn't want me to be raised as my Mother had. It makes me wonder just what else my grandmother had done to Mum when she was in her school years."
"My heart grieves for your Mother and you," Pandora came over and brought her into her arms. An embrace that felt familiar, warm and safe, and motherly.
Pandora would be a wonderful mother.
"Group hug!" Jackie tossed aside her licorice wand to jump into the hug with Toni and Olivia following.
The group of girls were smiling and laughing as they had fallen into a heap on the floor from Toni and Olivia purposely throwing their weight on top of the other girls. The room erupted into laughter as the girls playfully teased each other. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and camaraderie, a stark contrast to the serious conversation they had just been engaged in.
"I'm going to miss this," Toni sighed, adjusting herself back into her spot. "I'm dreading meeting my Father's fiancé."
Jackie furrowed her eyebrows, "didn't your Father propose to the last one as well?"
"Yes, he goes through relationships within a six to nine month span," she shrugged. "Ever since my Mother divorced him, he has followed every skirt he can find."
Olivia grimaced, "that is gross."
"Tell me about it."
"What does your Mum think?" Pandora spat out Bertie Bott Beans before chewing on another.
"She finds the whole thing amusing," she snorted. "Since he cheated on her, she has found his love life to be more for sport than for seriousness as he so claims them to be."
Gwen grinned, "that reminds me, I place ten galleons that she will be gone by the end of the month."
Jackie clapped her hands, "Oh! Oh! I place ten that she will be gone before your dinner before you arrive home tomorrow night!"
Olivia rolled her eyes, "ten days that she leaves but will come running back."
"You are all wrong," Pandora shook her head gracefully. "She'll leave in the middle of the dinner."
Placing the gold coins into the bag they often used for bets, they each wrote down what they had bet on before slipping it into the bag of money. It glowed a soft blue before dying down. They had enchanted the bag to ensure that whatever gamble won would immediately be sent to the winner.
"Regardless, this woman will be gone soon, and then he'll be bummed for a few weeks before finding his next victim." Toni snorted, before yoinking a handful of Pandora's sweets who shot her a glare.
"At least you have some predictability in your life," Jackie fell back into her own cluster of pillows. "My parents want to take a trip to Australia because Mum has been having the urge to pet Kangaroos. The woman doesn't realize how dangerous those creatures are."
"I think you're more upset because Daniel will be gone as well this summer," Olivia rolled her eyes. "Surely you two can go a week without sucking face yeah?"
Sitting straighter with her back as flat as a board shot her a dirty look, "pot calling the kettle black Olivia."
"What is that to mean?"
"You and Harold are always sucking faces when you're off the Pitch," she stated. "I heard from both Gryffindor and our team that they caught you two in the Changing Rooms snogging."
Olivia blushed a bright red color, but stayed silent nonetheless. This caused the girls to laugh rather loudly as her reaction seemed to be even funnier than the teasing in itself.
The banter continued, each girl taking turns poking fun at the others. Olivia finally regained her composure and retaliated, "Well, if you all are so concerned about snogging, maybe you should try it sometime. It's not as easy as it looks."
Jackie quirked an eyebrow, "Oh really? Are you offering lessons, Professor McGregor?"
"Oh come off it!" She grabbed a pillow and threw it at Jackie, who smacked it away, towards Toni instead, hitting her square in the face before dropping into her lap. "Just wait until you girls all get boyfriends and you snog them relentlessly."
Olivia blushed again, "No, I mean... I just meant it's different when you're actually in a relationship."
Toni laughed, "Alright, alright, no need to get defensive. We're just having a bit of fun."
As the night wore on, the girls continued to share stories, dreams, and laughter. The sleepover provided a comforting escape from the challenges they faced, and the bond between them only grew stronger. They basked in the joy of friendship, knowing that no matter what life threw their way, they had each other to lean on.
A flicker of sorrow took a hold of her heart all of a sudden, a flash of two skeletons appearing before her, replacing two of her friends. It was gone before she could even remember who it had been. Pushing the feeling away, she reached over and ate another sugar quill, while Pandora began to talk about a niffler den she wanted to visit when she went home for the summer.