The Cursed Soul

Chapter 11

ÍROAS

No sooner, we arrived at Hogsmeade Station. The night is still young and all Hermione and I had talked about is how we are going to tell Ron and Harry the truth since they already saw me with wings. And the fact that we are terrified of what they are going to say didn't help ease our worriedness. But if they decide to get mad, we'd understand it. Deceiving our best friends is not something to be proud of after all.

"How about your interactions with the Greek Myths? And your reincarnation thing?" she asked suddenly. I heaved a great sigh before looking at my friend's skeptical yet worried face. I knew she's still having a hard time believing those, especially the only proof I could give is my words and nothing else, but I knew she's getting there, I hope...

"That too." I could already imagine Harry killing me with guilt with all the piles of secrets I kept from him. Although, I couldn't really blame him for that. If I were in his shoes I'd definitely feel unhappy for sure.

Hermione and I came out last from the train, me still holding the two small bags in my hands, one with the golden drachmas and the other with the Gloves for this friend currently walking beside me. – "And the drowning incident? The curse or whatever that is, that makes you suddenly want to jump down in the water?" I halted. At once, panic and uneasiness crawled through me. One of the things I hated the most is making them worried over me, especially Harry. But I already owe them a lot of explanations. They wouldn't be too happy if I keep another secret do they? UHG! Why did I even make things complicated at the very start?

"Iro, they need to know. They are your friends, and they will help you no matter what, just to resolve that. We all will." I gave her a smile and simply nodded. Maybe she's right...

"Hello there Hermione, Iro," A familiar voice suddenly chimed from behind. As we turned around, a man, almost twice as tall as a normal human and at least five times as wide, smiled at us with excitement.

"Hey Hagrid! How's summer? What about Blackjack? You didn't respond to my last letter. Is he still whining for more doughnuts? " I quickly said.

"Summer's fine, so is Blackjack. Blimey Iro, your Pegasus –" he lowered his voice when he mentioned the creature, "– always wanted doughnuts. I needed to restrain him once just to stop him. But I think he just misses you." he answered, "And sorry for not responding, I was too occupied back then, well, still now. There's too many to prepare for the upcoming school year. Anyways, where's Harry and Ron?"

This time, Hermione speaks, "Oh! Uhm... they are somewhere. Doing something." Fortunately, Hagrid didn't ask more questions.

"Hmm... Very well, tell them I say Hi. – I needed to go and accompany the first years to the lake. You know, Hogwarts traditions." He quickly said and left us. Every year, Hagrid escorts all the new students to sail in the Black Lake to reach the castle. Just like what we did last year.

And the memory I had back in the lake came flashing in my head.

"Hey Iro!" Hermione suddenly said, cutting me out from my thoughts, "We need to go now." I nodded and followed her along with the rest of the students. As we moved off along the platform and out through the station, it hadn't been long since I noticed Hermione's constant fidgeting, biting her lip, and looking back and forth at me and somewhere else.

"Okay Hermione, spill. Whatever I did, even though I really don't know what I did. I'm sorry okay?" But she just scowled at me, "You did nothing, Iro. Hopefully, you won't do anything." I rolled my eyes, "What is it then?"

"Iro, we're too close in the Black Lake now. Aren't you even afraid of your curse suddenly... I don't know, activate?" Only by then, I noticed the body of water to our left a few meters away from us, reflecting the brightness of the moon and the blanket of stars from the night sky. The lake I should say is a bit calmer at this time like. On cue, I felt some tingling sensation inside me. Very weak. Not as strong as before. It's very faint, I could barely notice it.