Anything that rings a bell belongs to JK Rowling

Chapter Seven: Salazar's Secret

"Toffee Flies." The Gargoyles moved aside. Ky went up the spiral staircase and was about to open the door when she thought it better to knock. Nonno, unlike Sev, maintained a social schedule and might be in a meeting or something. It was 8 o'clock in the night, but who knew what business hours were in the Wizarding world.

Ky knocked at the door. And after hearing the "come in", did so.

"Ah, Kyrianna. I wasn't expecting it to be you."

"Is this a bad time, should I go?"

"Oh no not at all," her grandfather said closing the book he was reading. "Maybe I should have phrased that with more taste. I wasn't expecting it to be you, because you knocked. But I am glad to find that it is you. Come, sit down."

He pointed at the front of his desk, and there stood a modern office chair, the nice leathery kind that spins and you can adjust to your height. Ky smiled up at him, how did he know of her fondness of chairs that allowed you to fidget in style?

"I noticed that you tend to turn to the left and right when you sit, that you can't keep still."

"Sorry." She said, with a slight blush.

"Nonsense, there's nothing wrong with being whimsical and a little fidgety." She laughed; the word fidgety coming out of his mouth was too weird. "Why if I wasn't so fidgety in my youth, I might not have discovered some of the uses of Dragon's Blood. Hot chocolate?"

"Yes please. Some of the uses? I thought the card said you discovered all twelve uses."

"I did, but who's to say there is only twelve. Why they could be hundreds of uses, it could be a source of fuel to drive a car. Numerous possibilities that I didn't venture into. It's amazing how life does that."

"Does what?"

"What starts as just a pet project to impress a girl, turns out to become one of your finer accomplishments."

"You were trying to find the uses of dragon blood for Nonna?"

The headmaster smiled affectionately down at her.

"Well, technically I would never have found the uses if it were not for Bella. You see your grandmother was quite an accomplished witch. She never attended Hogwarts; she was being home schooled in Naples. We met when she was on holiday in England, she was living with a neighbour of mine. Of course, I was completely infatuated with her at the start. She came from a noble, rich, Italian pureblood family; I had no hopes with a girl like that. We were sixteen at the time."

"So how did you make your move?"

He laughed at the way she phrased it. "I didn't. Knowing, as the youth so eloquently put it, that she was 'out of my league', I didn't approach Bella. And then one day, as I was walking though the village, a loaf of bread hit my head. I turned around and found her glaring at me, unabashed at her unprompted attack. Of course, I did the obvious thing. I chided her for throwing food. She shrugged her shoulders and said, 'Well my mother said food was a way to a man's heart, so I thought I'd have a go. Did it work, are you in love with me?' I laughed at her, knowing just what was happening. You see, when your grandmother was younger, she was quite the egomaniac. When she came to the village, all the boys were in quite the dither over her. And of course, she completely ignored them. That was the way of Belladonna. Naturally she took my lack of interest as a personal attack on her being and sought to rectify it."

"So, what did you tell her?" Ky was practically off her seat, so invested in his words, "To get off her high horse? ThattheDumbledore doesn't just trip and fall in love with bread wielding ladies?"

"As cool as that may sound…No. I told her yes."

"What? You gave in, just like that? You didn't even pretend to be immune to her beauty just to get under her skin."

"The thought crossed my mind, I must admit. But you will see in time, and hopefully a good few years from now, there are moments in your life in which nothing short of the truth will suffice."

Ky straightened in her chair, so excited to hear this story and learn a bit about the love she came from, "What did she say then?"

"She told me to prove it. 'Make a statement so bold that I can do nothing less than love you back.' I asked her, what would you have me do, slay a dragon? She looked me in the eye and said, 'Funny you should mention that, but that is just what I will have you do.' "

"You slayed a dragon!" She screamed in amazement, "Sweet Salazar that should have made it on the chocolate frog card!"

"No, I did not slay a dragon. I told her, 'mindless destruction such as that would bring me no happiness, and maybe I have no right liking a girl that delighted in such things', and walked away. But afterwards I found out why she made such a peculiar statement. It seemed that it was customary for your grandmother's family, the Tiberions', to choose a suitor for marriage by said suitor slaying a dragon. Quite barbaric, but it seemed it was an age-old tradition. The competition was set for a week from the day she spoke to me. So, I portkeyed to Italy, and while all my 'competitors' went off, trying to find a dragon heart to bring back, I walked up to her father and placed a jar filled with blood on the table. Her father looked at me, with all the mirth an Italian pureblood could muster while simultaneously turning up his nose at me. He asked me what in Jupiter's name I was doing, leaving a jar full of blood on his table. I told him that it is my way of saying I wanted a chance at his daughter's hand in marriage. He said that I knew what I should do then, and fly off with the rest of the suitors, and he walked off."

"What did you do then?"

"I left. Went back home. Unlike her father, Bella knew that the blood that I brought was that of dragon. Back before its uses were discovered, you could not buy it. You had to achieve it the 'old school' way. She told me, 'I thought mindless destruction brought you no happiness.' I told her she was right. I slayed no dragon, its heart was perfectly intact, albeit a few pints short on blood. I thought the purpose of this challenge was to judge who was brave enough to face a dragon for the one he cared about. She said yes, that was the challenge. Her father's challenge. A challenge she did not intend to stand by if a victor emerged. She said that her personal challenge I had accomplished a week ago. That was one of the few times; forgive me, that I was completely baffled. Bella said, a week ago I told you, 'Make a statement so bold that I can do nothing less than love you back.' I told her I remembered, and that's why I spent the last few days climbing mountains searching for a dragon. She laughed and said, 'Serves you right for walking away from me. Do you remember what you had boldly stated just before doing so, 'mindless destruction such as that would bring me no happiness, and maybe I have no right liking a girl that delighted in such things?' Foolish men follow the instruction of the subject of their infatuation without contest. It takes a brave man to stand up and deny his love. I've found that I quite like being in love with you Albus and let that be the last time you walk away from me.'"

Ky could tell it was difficult for him to relay this story, his face held an expression of sadness, but also love…it was confusing. She thought back about the dreams she was having before Linus' wedding day…that was Nonno she was dreaming about saying he regretted his romantic choices…perhaps he regretted the choice to let Nonna go…

She appreciated him very much for telling her this story, she never met their Nonna, and the boys never liked speaking about their parents, so she was grateful to learn a bit about her life through him.

They fell into a comfortable silence, both mulling over his words, her sipping her hot chocolate, her grandfather staring off into space.

"May I ask you a question, Kyrianna?"

"Nonno?"

They spoke at the same time and laughed at that coincedence, "You go first." Ky insisted.

"Thank you. I was just curious about the dream you said you had about me." Ky swallowed uncomfortably, she didn't want to make the conversation go sour by mentioning that she knew he regretted how he handled things with Nonna, it felt awfully private information to possess about someone, "Has that happened before?"

She was happily surprised he didn't querry about the contents of the dream, and she thought about his question for a few moments, "No, never." She glanced down, a bit guilty, "I mean, part of me did wonder whether it was just my imagination, saying things that I wanted."

"That you wanted?"

She didn't want her grandfather to think she was this spiteful, but she also didn't want to lie to him, "I didn't want Linus to marry Nessie. I used the dream as an excuse to voice things that I thought for years." She heaved a sigh, looking at a sleeping Fawkes so she could avoid his eyes, "And now they've postponed the wedding indefinitely, all because I didn't want things to change, and now…" She looked around the room, it was incredibly selfish that she was alright with change as long as it was on her terms. "You must think I'm pure evil."

"Oh, no. no. Not even a little bit." His voice was soft, coaxing her to look at him, "I think it's important to tell the people we love how we really feel, and to trust them to be able to decipher our intent."

"But what if my intent was just selfish. I don't like Nessie, she makes my brain cells take suicidal plunges when she speaks." Her grandfather didn't smile, but he also didn't reprimand her for the unkind comment, "But, Linus really likes her. I can tell. I don't understand why, she's the most…" Ky looked up at the ceiling, reliving her frustration of having Nessie in her life all these years, "Vapid. Superficial. Simple-minded."

Nonno cleared his throat to cut off her mean tangent, "Perhaps the Agnes you see, is not the Agnes Linus sees."

Ky groaned, "Okay, I get it, she's hot."

Her grandfather laughed, holding a hand up, "I don't doubt she is beautiful, but that's not what I meant. I meant some people take a bit of time to become themselves. And I think part of loving someone is seeing that potential, even when nobody else sees it."

Ky reflected on his words, "So she's like a half-baked sourdough, and Linus can smell she's going be really tasty bread at some point in the future?" Ky rolled her eyes, "She's like twenty-three. How are you not done baking at twenty-three."

Nonno laughed, "Oh Kyrianna, I'm a hundred and twelve years old, and I'm still not out of the oven. Anyway, I suspect your brother is giving this good thought. Trust him. What did you want to ask me?"

She wanted to ask him if he loved Nonna so much, why he let her go so easily. Surely if you really love someone you would fight for them, right? She decided not to though, she didn't want to ruin the night with such talk.

"How come Linus and Len were so much better at controlling their magic than I was?"

He glanced at the book he had been reading when she entered, Cast your eye on Control: Can all magic be tamed?

His face was passive, but his eyes were kind, and she thought he may have not heard her as he remained silent for a while. "Your grandmother mentioned in that memory that she had bound the magic of many members of your family. I do have a theory, and of course this is just speculation, that she may have attempted to do the same with your brothers, but the spell I think she was using was something that needed re-casting at what some consider key developmental stages of magic."

"Magic has developmental stages?" Ky's voice was filled with surprise.

"It's poorly researched, but I believe it does. Much like our physical bodies, so if something disrupts development, there might be long lasting effects."

"Like if someone did a bunch of drugs when they're pregnant, that could mess the baby up?"

He smiled, nodding his head, "Candid as always Kyrianna, but yes. Though, in a weird twist of fate, I believe that the binding magic was actually good for your brothers, it helped them tame their power. Whilst you, who were never exposed to your grandmother's spell, did not have that assistance."

"So, it was just a happy side effect of Nonna's spell. Nothing is wrong with me?" She asked, quietly.

His eyes twinkled, and his body shifted towards her, "Oh, but of course, Kyrianna. Nothing is wrong with you. I think that your brothers, in spite of their age, and their circumstances, showered you with such love and adoration, that your magic, whilst difficult to control, always serves to your benefit. Sometimes, one like yourself who experienced difficulty in commanding their power, struggles a great deal more, their magic is more foe than friend to them."

Ky thought about what her grandfather said, and he was right. Whilst it got in the way of her having a normal childhood, she always felt very fondly of her gift. And her abnormal friendless childhood, of private tutors in a fancy Manhattan apartment with two doting brothers, was hardly anything to complain about.

"Unless, you feel differently?" Her grandfather's eyes widened, and a fearful look crossed his face.

"No." She hurried to say, unsure why he was so concerned, "I've always felt comforted by my power. Annoyed with it yes, because sometimes it felt a bit like it possesses me, rather than the other way around." She laughed, sounding silly for voicing an old fear of hers, "I suppose that's why wands are so important! Having one has helped so much."

"Ah yes," She was glad to notice a smile back on his face, "I am glad you and your brothers have taken to yours so well."

"Not that Linus and Len needed them." She couldn't help the small hint of jealousy cloaked in the pride, "They've always had great control, even without a wand."

"I suppose one would have to if one didn't think there were other options. Many wizards in Africa do not use wands, performing magic much the way your brothers do. However, it can be dangerous and very taxing. I imagine they will much prefer this new way of doing things. Though, I agree, your brothers are exceptionally talented. As are you Kyrianna."

She bit her bottom lip, she didn't want to argue but she disagreed. Linus and Len were always on a different playing field to her, and it wasn't just because they were older.

"I do mean it." Clearly her poker face was not very good, "Magic is much more than brute force. There is a light in you Kyrianna, so brilliantly bright that it inspires not just greatness out of others, but goodness. That is far grander a power than I have ever wielded."

Ky wanted to laugh at the outlandish statement, he was being far too nice, but something about his eyes, clear as a summer night, warm and open, made her own turn to liquid. She glanced away, embarrassed and confused at her sudden tears, hiding her face with the warm cup of hot chocolate and trying to regain composure.

Ky was no stranger to compliments, Linus and Len were vocal in both their delight and displeasure, so she was commended as much as she was chided growing up. And rationally, she knew she had only known her grandfather for a few days, that there really was no proof to what he said, but, at the same time, distrusting his words felt disloyal to him. So, instead of objecting, she made a silent vow to try to live up to his words instead.

Nonno had been politely staring out the window as she collected herself.

"By the way," Ky regained his attention, "I've found out how to open that wall-door." He smiled at her.

"Harry is a good teacher, isn't he? I've learnt quite a bit from him over the years myself. Did you enjoy your visit to the Burrow?"

The mood in the office turned light, and she was glad for it, "It was lovely, I met Fred and George and they're just as funny as I thought they would be. I think I will visit again after the exams."

"Do you plan on writing to Molly first this time?"

She laughed, "You heard about that minor technicality did you. Are you trying to distract me? I've won the bet, time to pay up!"

He chuckled, rising from his seat.

They reached the wall, talking all the way down. It was quite an honour picking her Nonno's brain. You know how some people felt like their grandfathers knew everything, well, her's actually did! Well close to everything.

"Now stand a little behind me. Salazar had a knack for nasty surprises."

Ky took a step back, and then started making the hissing sound that Harry taught her. After a few seconds, she was just about to tick the 'fail' box, when there was a deafening screech as the wall slid open.

She heard footsteps behind her, but didn't care to look who it was. Ky took a step forward, but the old wizard stopped her.

In the place where a door should have been, there was a sheet of falling water instead, which blurred the view beyond. She looked up at her grandfather, feeling like she was going to explode if she didn't get to go inside soon. He looked down at her after half a minute of intense staring.

"After you, milady." He said smiling.

"Why thank you kind sir."

Ky walked in, the liquid tickling her but she was completely dry when she reached the other side. Her heart stopped momentarily.

It was a bedroom.

One straight out of a renaissance painting. There was a queen sized four poster in the richest green, and even with the thick layer of dust she could tell it was going to be all kinds of heaven to sleep on. The hangings were silver so shiny it looked luminescent. Ky turned around, wondering why Nonno didn't follow her in.

"Why aren't you coming in?" Just as she said it Nonno and Sev, who must have seen them walking down the corridor and joined, entered.

Sev looked confused whilst her grandfather looked like he pieced the puzzle together.

"It seemed the room recognises you as its owner, perhaps because you opened it. And that waterfall isn't so much a feature as a form of protection. It seems to only let people through upon your request."

Sev was busy trying to touch the water, but it neither wet him, nor could it be contained. It was like nothingness just pretending to be liquid.

Ky walked around the room, looking at all the exquisite features.

The room was large, with a warm rug that spread throughout the floor. There was a grand dressing table, with a huge silver ornate mirror and a plush cushion stool. The ceiling was quite high, and right at the centre there was the most delicate and sparkling chandelier she had ever seen. It glittered with emeralds and seemed to cast the whole room into a greenish glow.

There was a door near the dressing table, and she opened it to find a beautiful, claw footed bath. All she could think was 'Honey, I'm home.'

"It seems Salazar was slyer than we thought. It looks like a bedroom for a lover."

More like a sex slave, she thought. If the door only opened when you spoke parseltongue, whoever was in here couldn't exactly go and come as she pleased. But Ky was sure her grandfather came to the same conclusion, just worded it better.

"Well, we came, we saw, and now we must leave. After milady."

"What, no! We can't go. We've got tons of tidying up to do. I want to stay here tonight so best we get a move on. Sensei you start on the dusting, I'll …"

"I'm very sorry Kyrianna but I am not letting you live here. That is most out of the question. I said that you can choose your own quarters, but it has to be near myself, or Minerva. This is right down in the dungeons, much too far. Anyway, you will only be staying in your bedroom for a few weeks during the holiday. During term you'll be in your dormitory. And naturally you will not be allowed to use your personal space during term as that would be both unnecessary, and unfair. So lavish quarters like these is quite pointless. "

Ky's throat constricted, she wanted to argue. She wanted to stomp her feet and throw a fit. But she didn't. Instead she sighed and left the room quietly. There would be no use arguing, she could tell. There was finality in his voice.

Plus, for once in her life she was afraid of fighting. Ky felt like if she fought or acted like a brat, her grandfather wouldn't like her.

It was a childish thought, but at the same time she knew she couldn't risk it. She couldn't risk losing this newfound relationship she seemed to have stumbled upon, of sipping hot chocolate and storytelling.

She would rather sleep on the floor than lose that.

A/N: Thank you for reading this chapter! It's much appreciated!