The Rightful Heir of Slytherin (Year 6 - Book 1)

Ch19: Alone Again

I awaken to the sound of voices, shouting back and forth between various familiar yet strange sounds. Opening my eyes reveal nothing but blurry shadows moving frantically to and fro and it's a moment before my brain manages to make sense of the garbled nonsense being tossed its way prior. 

Bagnold: I don't care what the rest of the world thinks! My daughter, adopted or not, was attacked by a member of the magical community working with or using muggle police to eliminate her.

????: Now, Minister, aren't we being a little irrational-

Bagnold: Irrational? You do not want to see me irrational!

Dumbledore: We won't find out what led to the attack by fighting.

Bagnold: The time for diplomacy has long since passed. I will see to it that those responsible are hunted to the very ends of the world.

????: Minister, there are more pressing matters to attend to.

Bagnold: What?

????: Your "daughter" used forbidden magic, didn't she?

Alastor: The little Miss' wand was already investigated and she didn't use any of the Unforgivable curses. Given the circumstances surrounding her, I doubt she'd even know how.

????: Yet the attacker was killed in a single stroke of her wrist. She must answer for her crimes! Seize the girl!

Valentina: I will kill any of you that dares try to come close.

The familiar hum caused by Valentina's lightning spell activating puts my mind at ease but not for long as its melodic tune is soon disrupted by mother's fury. Like a raging inferno, her presence devours everything in the room until all eyes are steadily focused on her.

Bagnold: I will only say this once. Go after my daughter and you'll find nothing but death.

The threat is blunt yet effective as the man immediately withdraws from the room, apologising profusely as he does. Others also leave the room, but mother remains, coming over to sit by my side. She hasn't realised that I'm awake so I keep up pretences, even as she takes my hand in hers.

Bagnold: I'm sorry I wasn't able to protect you.

Tears fall from her eyes and almost involuntarily, my hand rises to wipe them away. The move catches her by surprise and for a moment it seems as though she'll vanish and it'll prove nought but a dream but after a pause, she smiles.

Kissing my fingers, she pulls my hand to the side of her face. Leaning into my touch, she seems almost at peace before she catches herself and stands abruptly.

Bagnold: How much of that did you hear?

I try to speak but my voice fails me so I merely manage a nod. She smiles yet again and though it is pained, she makes every effort to comfort me with it before leaning over to plant a kiss on my forehead. 

Bagnold: Rest now. I will let Valentina know you're awake.

I close my eyes, falling asleep to the sound of a sweet lullaby.

<=>

I awaken to the sound of voices, shouting back and forth between various familiar yet strange sounds. Opening my eyes reveal nothing but blurry shadows moving frantically to and fro and it's a moment before my brain manages to make sense of the garbled nonsense being tossed its way prior. 

Reaching forward, I find myself stuck within some kind of wooden enclosure. It is a familiar space with most of the cover being made of glass and yet I can't help the feeling that something is amiss.

The cover opens to reveal the ceiling. Sitting up, I find I'm in an open room with many paths leading away in all directions. The room itself reminds me of the same room I woke up in when the teachers from Hogwarts and the Minister found me...wait, this has happened before?

Trying to ignore the ever-growing feeling that something is definitely amiss, I will myself to stand and after considerable effort, manage to do so. With added height, it becomes easy to identify a tunnel that looks different from the rest. I begin making my way towards it and as I do, familiar voices travelling with the wind reach my ear.

Valentina: What's happening to her?

Madam Pomfrey: Don't worry child, it will pass.

I try calling out to them but the voices fade away into nothingness as my vision goes black.

<=>

I awaken to the sound of voices, shouting back and forth between various familiar yet strange sounds. Opening my eyes reveal nothing but blurry shadows moving frantically to and fro and it's a moment before my brain manages to make sense of the garbled nonsense being tossed its way prior. 

It takes my eyes a while to adjust but soon I find myself resting with my head in Emilia's lap. She's smiling down at me and behind her, Merula waves energetically as though we're the closest of friends. Valentina lounges nearby, reading a book as she lunches on a bunch of grapes. 

It doesn't hit me immediately but something is definitely wrong with this scene. However, as I try to stand and separate myself from my peers, their heads all snap audibly in my direction. Merula is the first to speak and though her neck is twisted and warped by her head's sudden shift to face me, her voice is as clear as ever.

Merula: Why not stay?

Emilia: Come...stay with us!

Valentina: You'd dare attempt to leave me behind again?

I reach for my wand but gain no response so I take off running. I don't manage to get far before being cut off by Valentina. I should have known that this was a foolish plan. I couldn't possibly outrun her.

Valentina: Naughty, naughty.

I feel something wrap around my waist and look down to see the floor vanish beneath me revealing perhaps the largest Devil's Snare plant in all of wizardom. I struggle and thrash against its vines but my efforts are futile. Just before I vanish under its canopy, however, a single word reaches my ear.

Valentina: Cassandra!

<=>

I awaken to the sound of voices, shouting back and forth between various familiar yet strange sounds. Opening my eyes reveal nothing but blurry shadows moving frantically to and fro and it's a moment before my brain manages to make sense of the garbled nonsense being tossed its way prior. 

Something's definitely wrong here.