The Cursed Child (Original Plot)

Chapter 4 - Earthquake Beneath the Sea

Daisies represent the sun, our main source of heat and light.

Marigolds represent the flames, symbolism taking shape, and nothingness getting personalities.

When they're together, they represent Isabelle, a girl of brightness and warmth... And of a fire caught alight, not burning forever but never going down without a fight.

A Tsunami is building, determined to put her out, and the fight is about to begin.

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The girl was pretty in an innocent way. She gave off a sweet and untouched aura; not perfect, not without flaws, but simply, naturally, gorgeous. Her sheet of vivid red hair, long for an eleven-year-old, would not be unlike flames should they be exposed to the sunlight she hid behind the curtains not long after Madden came in. Despite the odds, the deputy headmistress still caught sight of Isabelle Cassidy's head looking like a torch set alight, flames licking her face, the brief instant wind whistled through the window along with the sunlight that showered her.

Then the curtains ruffled and the fire was once more harmless hair, not tamed enough to be called tidy, but too smooth to be truly called wild. The girl's eyes had the shade of green only the sea shared when they met Professor Madden's abnormal yellow gaze- made so by a potion explosion- and Ophelia Madden was immediately reminded of that inhumane grin the same oh-so-demure face introduced her to several heartbeats ago. As they talked, young Miss Cassidy lounged on the sofa, taking up as much space as her exquisite body made it possible for her to. Every time Madden convinced herself the occasional scarlet glint in the girl's eyes never existed, the eyes in question would give that dangerous flash again, usually with a malicious smile keeping it company.

She was reminded of another person with bright scarlet eyes, a wizard that still haunted many nightmares even when he was long gone. His eyes, unlike the girl's, were constantly that vicious taint, but Professor Madden wondered if sometime in the future Isabelle's eyes would not flash back.

As if hearing her thoughts, the girl smiled.

'I am exactly who you think I'm like, Professor.' Said Cassidy in a dangerously sweet voice at odds with the impression she gave.

'Who?' For the first time since over a decade ago, Madden felt that fear, that lack of hope, again, 'Who do I think you are?'

'The Dark Lord? Master of Occlumency and Legilimency? A man still feared by all?' The girl's eyes flashed the colour of fresh blood again.

Madden was praised for her intelligence, for her broad knowledge, but none who met her had seen any courage or bravery or courage in her at all. In other words, she was a coward, ridden by fear and did anything to avoid pain or death, perhaps both. Even if it meant something worse for the rest of humanity, as long as she was alive and well, she would only mourn, only feel guilt, but if she had the choice again, her answer wouldn't change.

She was never in a situation when such a decision was required of her, but she knew all too well what she would choose, though it must be so heroic to say otherwise. Madden would do anything for herself, she knew that, and it seemed, so did The Dark Lord.

As if hearing her thoughts, (maybe he did, who knows?) the Dark Lord in that poor little girl's body laughed. 'I do value bravery, Ophelia, but fear was never unnecessary, even in my best plans. People scuffle among themselves in fear, and I thrive on them.'

That mad grin alone was enough to make fear spike, but it being on the pure girl's face challenged the rules of everything.

This could be a nightmare, Professor Madden thought, It must be another nightmare of someone too afraid of the past. It has to be.