Frigus . Sirius Black (Mortem BOOK 2)

chapter one

October 2nd - Nephera's Home 

After the catastrophic night that had occurred, the Order had dispersed, everyone going back to their own homes, left to think about everything that had been revealed. Despite the true colors of Dumbledore finally coming to light, Nephera did not feel as satisfied as she should've felt. 

Because Dumbledore lost. 

And she lost. 

And Voldemort had won. 

The brunette could count on one hand the number of times she had felt such self-loathing and disappointment in herself. The first one was when Ellie had gotten marked, and she and Tony had that huge fight. The second, was when Voldemort had captured her, and she realized that she had been tricked into a sense of false security over the summer. 

And now was the third. She knew exposing Dumbledore was a necessity, she couldn't have simply laid down and let the old bastard walk all over her, but she had also played right into Voldemort's game. 

With the Ministry submerged in chaos, due to the Minister's death mere hours ago, and the Order at a standstill after the events of that night, there was no one left to oppose the Dark Wizard, and she was certain that Riddle would take full opportunity of that. 

And so, the young girl with her head hung low and a permanent frown on her face did what she always did, isolated herself. She couldn't bear seeing other people, their disappointed faces, their fear, their comforting words which would do nothing to ease the turmoil going on in her mind. 

The sound of the waves crashing violently on the side of the hill brought her a weird sense of serenity, as though she was in tune with nature, and the Earth was mourning her loss with her. Looking down at her feet dangling off the edge of the cliff she was sitting at, she cursed at herself. 

She should've figured it out sooner. She should've done more. 

She should've been enough. 

"Intelligence can be a big burden to bear, can't it?" came a voice from next to her, and Nephera jumped 

Turning her head, she came face to face with someone she never thought she'd see in that realm, Lady Galadriel. The High Fae Lady had been welcome to her during her stay in Rivendell and had even helped her stop Riddle from forming an alliance with the Fae, nevertheless, the Slytherin was not in the mindset of the woman's vague words at that moment. 

Still, she kept herself composed as always, knowing that she could not afford to lose Lady Galadriel's favor, especially not now, "My Lady," she said respectfully, "I did not expect you here," 

Lady Galadriel smiled softly, and Nephera couldn't help but notice how her presence brought her a strange sense of peace, "You are troubled, but not because of the recent death that took place," she spoke 

The witch knew it was pointless to lie, so she did not, "It is not often I lose," 

"It had to happen at some point, Nephera. No one is invincible," 

She scowled, not liking the response, "I should be. People are counting on me to be."  

The Fae smiled softly, and Nephera felt the need to slap that serene expression off her face. The world was burning up, and she was speaking in half-statements and riddles still, "That is not the only thing that is troubling you, Nephera," 

Well of course it wasn't, how could it be? 

What with the words of the fortune-teller echoing in her ears, promising a future of loss, heartbreak, and betrayal, and the stars which marked the day of her birth and now told the tale of the three true lions nad two true snakes, an enigma which the young girl could not find the answer to no matter how hard she tried.