The Scars We Leave Behind

Chapter 18: It Was Just a Nightmare

Samantha fixed her very basic black dress uncomfortably as she heard the click of cameras. It was an itchy dress and she realized just how spoiled she was to Augury feathers. It wasn't a dress made by her mother, she'd bought it from a muggle store to have a more simple look. She had paired it with a simple black suit jacket that her mother had made for her.

Samantha would rather be anywhere else at this moment. She wanted to run away back to her apartment and throw her blanket back over her head. Her hands were shaking intensely, why did they have to be shaking today of all days? She didn't want the world to see her shake, how embarrassing would that be? It would make her look under qualified and broken.

Kingsley was addressing the Ministry and Cuffe was to speak next. He looked how Samantha was supposed to. He was stately and put together. Samantha felt like she was young and inexperienced, like she wasn't ready to put on that notable mask.

"You alright dear?" Gerta, her assistant asked as Samantha continued shaking. She fixed her hair, tucking a curl back into the low bun at the back of her head.

"Of course." Samantha lied but felt the blood leave her face. She pulled her hands behind her back. No one should see her break. She had to pretend she was fine, she had to show everyone this was what she wanted.

"I'd be a nervous wreck." Gerta admitted before helping Samantha fix her suit jacket and the little gold medal that was pinned to it jingled. "But don't worry too much. I've heard you practice enough times, you will be great!"

She could hear Cuffe begin speaking and she felt her stomach jolt. She could taste bile on her tongue. He was talking about the Daily Prophet leaving the troubled past behind it and making strides towards a better future.

"So, as we look to the future of this respected establishment, we also look to new blood to carry us into the twenty-first century. For sometime, I have been considering retirement, but I made it a point not to appoint one until I found someone truly worthy." 

He looked back to Samantha who was behind a curtain. "Someone who has not only proven a range of merit on the page, but also off the page, in times of crisis. A member of the Order of The Pheonix, Dumbledore's Army and the highly respected radio program Potterwatch. Her accolades include the Order Of Merlin, Third Class and The Distinguished Witch Or Wizard In Writing for the years 1999 and 2000. She's spent three years under my tutelage and I believe she will be the youngest Editor-In-Chief in the Daily Prophet's long history."

Samantha felt a push on her back, Gerta had pushed her to the stairs leading to the little platform.

"Introducing, The new Editor-In-Chief of the Daily Prophet, Miss Samantha Ayinthine Fyre." Samantha tried ignoring the fact he said her middle name wrong and stepped forward to shake hands first with Kingsley, and then with Cuffe who stepped aside from the podium.

She smiled nervously and looked out to the crowd of people. She put on a smile and pretended she wasn't about to fall over.

"Hello." She said strongly, looking at the paper in her hand. She couldn't falter, she couldn't show her fear. "Thank you Mr. Cuffe, for that lovely introduction."

Her heart jumped into her throat as she saw her mother. Her mother stood beside Professor McGonagall who also smiled in a composed way. Lee was also in the crowd with everyone from the WWN. She had wanted her father there, but he wasn't allowed as a muggle, to attend. 

She looked at the paper in front of her and suddenly felt like she was a first year student struggling to understand her Herbology homework. She wasn't qualified for this job, she wasn't good enough, she was only twenty-one. She just learned how to pay her own bills a few years ago. She wasn't ready to balance an entire company.