The Loss of Equilibrium

Chapter 1

Forbidden Forest, May 2nd, 1998

For all these years, having been raised with the ridiculous moniker of the witch who lived, to finally just die for the 'greater good,' as that doddering twinkle-eyed fool would say. There was no longer the sense of wariness she once felt imagining how she would have to live and act after the battle.

It was now just... nothingness.

It was knowing without her death the monster that threatened fate itself would prevail. Trepidation filled her as she willed her long past numb legs to push her forward. Finally, before the monster that had destroyed her life, she ordered any dread she felt to leave herself.

She wondered would it be painless, or would that bastard take relish in her death prolonging the pain. If there was any mercy to be granted towards her by the fates, she anticipated her subsequent death to be painless, as she had accepted the fated death they decreed for her.

"Victoria Potter, the witch who lived... come to die." She heard him utter as he began the insane joyous laughter he so loved to exclaim when mocking her. This insane laugh would be heard by her for the last time he would do so in her lifetime, she supposed.

She barely even felt the energy surge that occurred within the gloomy forest instantly from upon when the curse finally made contact with her.

~~~

Realm Halls

Disoriented and with her mind in shambles Victoria, shakingly began to sit up. Looking down at herself, someone had changed her out of her cousin Dudley's cast-offs, into a white, emerald green trimmed robe, one of the high-end silk ones that only pureblood ladies wore. Feeling overwhelmed she wondered if this would be considered as her best clothes she's worn to date. Her brain began to deliberate again before wondering once more where she was.

Her migraine beginning to subside the witch was finally able to take in her surroundings. Alastor Moody's catchphrase of "Constant Vigilance!," ringing throughout her skull.

The hall she had appeared in seemed endless as she couldn't see the beginnings or endings of it from where she was. It looked to all have been modeled after old cathedrals and renaissance arts from what little history she learned from Professor Binns' class. Overarching ceilings, chandeliers, and gold-leaf littered across the blue-white walls. If she were a Malfoy family member she imagined they would approve of the Hall.

"Ah what an honor it would be for the Malfoy's to approve of the Realm Halls," exclaimed someone from behind her. Had she spoken her last thought? She was sure she hadn't spoken yet, and there was someone else in this idyllic hall.

Still sat upon the marble floors, Victoria turned herself backward to examine the figure who had just spoken. It seemed to be a young man with medium length black hair that seemed to curl up just at the ends, with nearly glowing black eyes. He was dressed within dark forest green robes, trimmed with a mauve color, the cut similar to what she remembered her date, Neville Longbottom had worn to the Yule Ball.

"Who are you?" the witch who lived questioned peering up at him from her seat located on the floor. "Do you know where we are?" she added as an afterthought, so very curious as she rarely was informed of anything.

"My Mistress doesn't recognize me?" The man questioned. What he meant by 'Mistress,' she didn't understand he was an adult. Why would he serve her? Was he perhaps a wizard who recognized her as the witch who lived, but even then that wouldn't be a just reason to call her, his 'Mistress.'

Unless of course, he meant her being his 'Mistress,' in the other way which would be revolting. She gazed up once more and the unnamed young man seemed to be pulling a face.