The Spellfull Sixties

Chapter Thirteen: The marvelous Madame extrodinaire Trelawney

Beyond the brilliant shop fronts of diagon alley, down the twisting steps between buildings where rats communed to dine on feasts of bread and cheese began the winding path of Knockturn alley. Any sane wizard, with their eyes set skyward, would keep clear of the place. It was known for being riddled with dark magic since Diagon alley had come to fruitation. Angered Animagus hid around corners, and woeful wizards traded dragon eggs for grazed galleons. Some such men pressed themselves within crevasses near a leaky pipes as a set of heels taped the cobblestone steps, and a velvety green hood came into view. They watched with bloodshot eyes, saying nothing, as the figure of a woman glided past, leaving a trail of mystery. The sound of her walking echoed off of the stony walls , drawing attention until it was frightened away by the lifting of a woven wand. She had come to a stop before a worn, purple door. Number 55 Knockturn alley. "Alohamora", spoke a regal voice. 

The door slowly opened with a haunting shriek and she stepped into face a set of wonky steps, decorated with old wind chimes and multicoloured pictures, some of which had been warped by mould and damp. The wooden floorboards creaked and groaned as she sauntered up the steps. There were ten of them, and one missing right by the door at the top near a sign. It was labelled 'The marvelous Madame extrodinaire Trelawney'. She lifted a gloved hand after scoffing, going to turn the handle. As she did a young girl, around the age of five or six, pulled the door open. Her pale blonde hair was matted, and eyes large and blue over a red night dress. 

"Sybill", spoke a crispy womans voice from a distance, followed by a smokers cough, "Bring our guest in". 

Beyond the stairs the ceilings were yellow and green. Golden trimmings lined each of the walls, and thick curtains covered the windows, conceliling the abundance of candle light within. Crystal balls sat on tables dotted around the room, and rocking chairs wobbled in the corners with knitting needles working into wool atop them. There were some mirrors on the walls, some black, some smokey and a green fireplace sat not far from a raised bed. Upon the bed a woman sat wearing draping cloth. Her eyes had a gray glaze, and she had hair much like her daughter, just all done up with crystals and dead flowers. Despite its strangeness, the room smelt like heaven, as though the most luxurious soaps were melting about them. 

In the rooms centre was the largest round table, where cards laid and a cracked crystal ball sat. "Mummy...", the young girl went to speak, but was frightened back by the visiter. 

"Well, well- Back again like clockwork...", the woman stood slowly, "Walburga Black". 

Black brought back her hood, revealling pale glistening skin and piercing blue eyes. Her raven hair sat in a bun, and the ruffled collar of her coat rested up around her long neck. She would have been a beautiful young woman once. But all her beauty had been sold for an undeniable sourness. The young girl then dissapeared through a door, likely into her room. Though it was clear she was listening. Trelawney, also called Sybill like her daughter, stood, making her way over to the chair at the largest table. Walburga came to sit silently across from her, all too accustomed to the following proceedings.

"What is it you want from me, at this hour, on halloween night". 

"Don't be foolish, Sybill- you have been waiting for me". Trelawney woman sneered, revealling a set of golden teeth. She then shimmied forwards in her chair. "Have you seen anything of interest, or should I be taking my business elsewhere...to somewhere more reputable".

"I always see things of interest". She seemed a little offended. But on second thought she knew very well that the woman would not go to any other Seer. She was the best in business, and the woman knew that well. Why that was the exact reason why Walburga continued to return. "...Yet why don't you allow me a moment to...rejolt my memory". Claws of black nails slipped out from beneath her billowing sleeves, settling down on  the crystal ball in the centre of the table. Walburga watched from beneath her dark liner as a ploom of smoke pooled within it. Trelawneys eyes rolled back, and her lips parted. She leaned forwards, listening in to the woman. After a moment, Trelawneys eyes jolted back forwards, and one hand lifted from the crystal ball, grasping onto Walburga's arm. She'd made a show on purpose to try and startle the woman, but Black seemed entirely unphased. Her dark brow raised as a growl of a voice convulsed from Sybill's throat. "Darkness is coming. Bloodshed. Battles. Change. He will come. He will lead. Power. Power to those in the right...Those in the right will win... And the child...dark...a Black...". The last line finally captured a reaction from Walburga. "The child must learn to fight...or they will fall".