Aria Black and the Battle for Hogwarts

The Truth About Michael

I can't help but feel like a failure. The next morning I don't get out of bed until noon, for fear of vomiting all over. I slowly walk toward the Hospital Wing to get something from Madam Pomfrey.

When I arrive she sits me down and hands me a vile of honey-colored liquid. "Here, you nausea will be gone soon." She says.

I'm the only one in there. I down the potion, and get up to leave. My hand is reaching the handle when the door swings open, smacking me in the face. A bunch of students limp in, wincing at every step.

I recognize Seamus at the front of the group. "Madam, we need a few beds." He says quietly.

Terry staggers in and falls into one of the beds. I stand next to him and examine his injuries.

"Cruiciatus curse?" I ask. I look over at everyone. "All of you?"

"Well, Ginny and Neville are back there getting worse." Seamus admits sadly. "They saw Ginny and Neville fighting Theodore Nott and we all came to their aid."

"The Carrows said Nott was just passing through." Lavender Brown says. "She didn't seem to notice him saying vile things about us and Muggles."

I sigh as Madam Pomfrey coaxes Seamus onto a bed and puts some calming potion into him.

Dumbledore's Army all get on the beds, and I look around for Daphne. She's lying on the furthest bed, away from the others. I head over to her, and sit by her bed.

"Daphne, why aren't you near your friends?" I ask. "They could comfort you right now."

Daphne looks up at the ceiling. "They aren't my friends." She says. "They all think I'm a traitor, and even the ones who don't think that still hate me for my house and family."

I sigh. "People are stupid, Daphne."

She looks at me helplessly. "ARE Slytherins horrible traitors?"

I shake my head. "No. My mother was a Slytherin, and she was loved by so many people."

"Am I a horrible traitor?" Daphne asks.

My eyes widen. "Why would you even think that?"

She looks down. "I'm not loved by anyone at all-"

"Daphne Greengrass!" I exclaim. "Our Astronomy class loves you, I love you! This isn't the time to make friends anyway. You don't like You-Know-Who at all! The only reason you're not on the run is because you're smart enough to keep your mouth shut at the right times. What makes a Slytherin good, bad, or in the grey is what they do with their cunning, ambition, and resourcefulness. You do good with all of those, not bad."

The Hospital Wing has gone silent.

Daphne looks around uncertainly. "Okay, I believe you."

***

After the second-year Slytherin Astronomy class, Michael hangs back. I didn't see him in the Hospital Wing last night, yet he has a large gash across his forehead.

"Michael, what happened?" I exclaim, after putting a Silencing Charm on the door.

Michael sighs. He looks up at me with sad eyes. "I never told you who my mom is."

I raise my eyebrows. "Who is your mom?"

Michael looks at the floor. "Alecto."

I gasp and embrace him. "Alecto Carrow! Oh, Michael. Who is your father?"

"Thorfinn Rowle. I only see him when the Death Eaters come over for dinners at my house." He admits.

I look down at him. "He doesn't know how lucky he is to have a son like you, Michael. Did your mother do that to you?" I point to the gash.

He nods. "I was with the group last night, she just saved me for later. My mom has been doing that for ages. I've learned not to cry out."

"That's horrible." I tell him. "Despicable!"

Michael looks at his feet. "Well, when you find a way to fix it, come find me."

***

Fred and George have always said that if you think too long, your opportunities are passed up. So here I am, trying to think quickly on if I should give Ariel the diary or not. But it's not working! I've reviewed the pros and cons. If I give Ariel the diary, she might fight with us. She told me she would, but I can never trust Ariel. If I don't give her the diary, she won't fight with us, and we might lose the war, but I will still have the diary.

I don't know what I should do.

I flip through the diary, trying to find Ariel's name. Maybe my mother can tell me what I should do.

Here!

14 October, 1974

Dear Diary,

I met a second-year named Ariel Greengrass today. She is dark and mysterious. We ended up in detention together. Ariel is not very talkative, but she has a heart in there somewhere. It's hidden under a layer of pureblood parent pressure. I feel for Ariel, but she hates pity, so I leave my face neutral when talking to her.

Raven says she knows Ariel from family dinners. She says that Ariel comes with her adoptive brother and his wife. Raven thinks Ariel lives with them.

Ariel told me she doesn't go to classes. Why is that? I guess I'll find out tomorrow, because we both earned another detention yesterday for talking. Oops.

{ARIA}

Mum saw Ariel as a mystery to be solved. An intriguing puzzle.

I try to see Ariel as a puzzle. Why does she want the diary? How will it help her? Will she destroy it? Will she read all of it?

She is very puzzling. Very puzzling indeed.