Phoebe Ellory, a talented pureblood witch, grapples with her burgeoning powers and the internal conflict between light and dark. As she navigates her studies, Phoebe's life takes a turn when she discovers her late mother's unfinished research on the...
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Phoebe
Hogwarts experienced a thick layer of snow this morning, and was expected to continue for the next two months. November was a few days away from ending, and despite the uncomfortable cold, students still went out to the courtyards to play with the snow in between classes. Eventually that didn't last long because Umbridge came around and spoiled the fun like always. As soon as I finished my classes for the day, I set out for the library alone. Luna had been constantly disappearing, so I'd been doing research on my own for now.
I chose a seat next to the window, dropping my textbooks and mum's journal on the writing table. With the hectic past week it was sort of hard to crack it open. Although, I didn't know why I kept reading through it when I've already memorised every word she wrote. I suppose it's my way of feeling close to her. All these years I was filled with doubt over her death. At eight-years-old I didn't understand the concept of death, let alone why and how it happened to her.
My dad made sure to keep me in the dark about things. Maybe to protect me, or to protect himself from reliving that night. Either way, we dealt with the loss similarly, but on our own. Him in his world, and I got stuck in mine which seemed to always be on autopilot. If he's not going to give me answers, then it's up to me to get them.
Why was this so important to my mum?
What did the Last Swan mean to her?
What is the Last Swan?
The three questions pondered my mind and it bothered me that I still didn't have the answers. Almost three months with no results, but I knew there was no room for discouragement. I can't give up now when I'm just getting started. It was time to give this one more try. I headed to Madam Pince. She was behind her desk going over the logbook with the name of students that checked out textbooks. I reckoned she was checking the overdue books. No doubt my name will be on there with a red x marked next to it.
"Madam Pince?"
"Come here to return books?" Madam Pince didn't bother to look up.
"Uh — no," I frowned.
"Why not? You have three books that are long overdue and I want them on my shelves by tomorrow." She said sternly.
"Yes, I know and I promise I'll have them here on your desk early in the morning." I guarantee. "Madam Pince, is there anything in the library about — the Last Swan..."
I whispered the last part. She probably wouldn't know anything about it, but I had to give it a try. Madam Pince finally looked up straight-faced.
"I don't have time for your pranks, Miss Ellory." She grew impatient. "Please make sure to get the textbooks."
"But it's not a pra—" she cut me off, dismissing me back to my seat.
Reluctantly, my feet ushered the other way. I thought she was the bearer of knowledge. For once she's proved me wrong. She doesn't know everything. Someone out there needed to know something! As I approached my spot, I noticed a folded paper laying on top of my Transfiguration textbook. This wasn't here when I left. I didn't hesitate to pick it up. My fingers fumbled to unfold the paper that seemed to have been a missing page from a book. The torn and rough edges gave it away.
