The Forgotten Prophecy [Book 2]

XXVIII. Whomping Willow

      Gellert Grindelwald steps forward. "It's a shame you hide who you truly are.. Magic blooms only in rare souls," he says, pointing to me. I hold my wand steady. Do it, Ellie. "R-Rid-," I stumble to say the word. "I don't understand what you're afraid of. You should be proud of who you are. Proud of who we are," he continues. "I'm not you," I state firmly. "No, you could be better. You are a Grindelwald. No one can hold us down," he says. Get yourself together, Ellie. I grip my wand tighter. "Ridd- riddikulus," I say softly. Nothing happens. Gellert Grindelwald smiles at me. "If you don't put your heart into a spell, how will it work?" I swallow nervously and take a deep breath. Think of something funny. You can do this. "Riddikulus!" The spells sparks and turns the boggart of Grindelwald into inflatable giant bear. I slowly lower my wand, relaxing my body. 

There's a knock on the trunk. "Are you alright in there, Ellie?" Professor Lupin asks from outside. I stare at the inflatable bear rocking back and forth. I close my eyes, exhaling. I open my eyes, climbing out of the trunk. Professor Lupin watches me. I smile at him. "Easy," I tell him confidently. He peers behind me into the trunk and sees the inflatable bear. He smiles proudly. "Excellent work, Ellie." I nod and head out of the classroom. I place my hand over my racing heart. It was just a boggart, Ellie and you were able to overcome it. Now relax. I sigh, climbing onto the ledge and sitting down. I think back to what the boggart had said. I'm a Grindelwald. I stare at the blue sky. It's who I am and there's nothing I can do to change it... It's time I take advantage of it and stop being so afraid. I get off the ledge and look up at the sky. "Don't worry mum and dad, I'll make you both proud." 

      The Great Hall fills with excitement for the exams are ending in the afternoon. Everyone is happily chatting except for Harry, Ron, Hermione and I. I twirl my fork in my hand, thinking about the boggart and telling everyone the truth. "They're really going to kill Buckbeak." I look up at Harry who is quietly staring down at his plate. I look over at Hermione who hasn't touched her food as well. "They can't possibly kill him.. It's not fair.. They wouldn't. They can't." I turn over to Ron who is glaring down at the table. "I should have went at it with Fudge. They can't do this! This isn't justice." "So Fudge and the executioner are here?" I ask them, already knowing the answer. Harry nods slowly. "The appeal is at two o'clock," Hermione informs me. I nod quietly. "Come on! Time for the last exam!" Seamus shouts excitedly. 

We bid our goodbye to Hermione as she goes to take her Muggle Studies exam. We head up to Divination class. "She's seeing us all separately," Neville informs us nervously. We sit down next to him. There is a long line of students waiting to be called up. "Neville Longbottom," Professor Trelawney calls him. Neville climbs up the ladder. After a few minutes, he returns. His face is pale. "How did it go?" I ask. "What did she ask?" Ron asks him. Neville looks at us nervously. "She says the crystal ball's told her that if I tell you, I'll have a horrible accident!" Neville squeals. He then hurries away from us. "Well that's convenient," Ron says. "You know, I'm starting to think Hermione was right about her. She's an old fraud." "Yeah," Harry agrees. The line begins to get shorter. I glance over at Harry's watch. "It's 2," I tell them. I hope Hagrid is okay. "I wish she'd hurry up," Harry says. 

Parvati climbs down the ladder, skipping over to us. "She says I have all the makings of being a true Seer. I saw loads of stuff... well good luck!" She continues to skip towards Lavender who is waiting for her by the spiral staircase. Ron rolls his eyes. "True Seer," he mutters, shaking his head. Finally, there's only three of us left to be tested. "Ellie Bane," Professor Trelawney calls me. I look over at the boys. "Wish me luck," I tell them. "Good luck," Harry says. Ron gives me a thumbs up. I climb up the ladder. I enter the dimly lighted room. Professor Trelawney sits at a table with a large crystal ball in front of her. I walk over to the empty chair and sit down. "Good day my dear. If you could look into the Orb and tell me what you see," she directs me calmly. I stare blankly at the crystal ball.