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s i x t h y e a r
ADELINE can feel her own body decaying.
She's felt it for some time now; the fatigue that never seems to wash away, the pallor of her complexion, the energy it takes to wake up every morning.
It's been shadowing her for most of her life and now it has finally made its appearance. Her knowledge of why it's happening may not have always been present, but she understands now.
Adeline has too much magic, too much war inside of her and it's taking its toll.
Perhaps Alexandre is to blame, with his whispering and wounded wisdom. But it does not rest on his shoulders alone; she too will be her own undoing. Perhaps they will go down together.
Arthur had told her once that her magic was unfathomable and the consequences of such a thing are unknown. There have been others in their lineage, of course. Those who had the ichor-tainted blood and who could wield the seas and the skies. Those who couldn't hold all of their tricks and abilities, those who had lost control.
He had advised her so cautiously and clearly, always wanting to help and to aid. Arthur was one of the few people, perhaps the only one, who had never wanted to harm her.
He had been so lively once. Always ready to fight, to be the first to take a stand against his family and to do the right thing. Arthur's the best person Adeline has ever known. Her heart wilts at the thought of him now, of all he has suffered.
She itches to grab for her quill and write to him but she knows she cannot. If not for the surveillance she finds herself constantly under, but for the knowledge that she does not want to alarm her uncle.
She so hopes he has taken himself outside and looked up at the sky. He'd like that.
Adeline knows he'd like to see him too.
It takes great effort to walk down to the dining hall for breakfast. As always, she sits at the end of the Slytherin table while people throw unnerved and heated glances toward her, spitting fire under their breaths as they speak of her terrible, horrible deeds.
Adeline tries to eat but the food on her plate grows cold and her body ignores its own fatigue.
The professors come and go, taking what they need before striding back to their classrooms. Dumbledore is nowhere to be seen but that surprises no one.
Adeline couldn't recall if their Headmaster had ever stayed at the school for the entire year. Always running off and taking care of his plans, leaving four-eyes in confusion with his red-haired acquaintances running amuck.
The only conversations Adeline had ever had with Professor Dumbledore were not ones she likes to recall. They all involved her family, her magic and those around her.
