The Raven's Call

Unexpected Information

"This calls for a specialist's equipment." Hagrid grunts, handing a bucket to Ron as we all take a seat on some of his giant furniture. "Nothing to do but wait 'til it stops, I'm afraid." Hagrid says with a sigh as he joins us in taking a seat. I almost gag as Ron vomits up another slug, Harry rubbing his back.

 "Better out than in.. Who was Ron trying to curse, anyway?" Hagrid asks.
"Draco Malfoy. He called Hermione and Atticus.. well.. I don't know exactly what it means..." Harry tries to explain. Hermione stands up, pacing around the room a little bit. I'm used to the name-calling from Malfoy, but I don't think she's ever been called it before. 

"He called us Mud bloods.." She says, trying not to cry. "He did not!" Hagrid gasps. "What's a Mud blood?" Harry asks. "It means dirty blood. Mudblood's a really foul name for someone who is Muggle-born. Someone with non-magic parents. Someone like us. It's not a term one usually hears in civilized conversation.." I rub the small of her back as she talks.

"See, the thing is, Harry, there are some wizards, like the Malfoy family, who think they're better than everyone else because they're what people call 'pure-blood.'" Hagrid explains. "That's horrible.." Harry mutters as Ron spits out another slug. "It's disgusting..."
"And it's codswallop to boot. Dirty blood. Why, there isn't a wizard alive today that's not half-blood or less. More to the point, they've yet to think of a spell that our Hermione and Atticus can't do. Come here.." Hagrid says, beckoning her over. "Don't you think on it, Hermione." He glanced over at me too. "Don't you think on it for one minute. Aye?" Hermione smiles sadly to him, her eyes watering, Alex places a hand on her shoulder, nodding at me before taking his leave. 

I watch him for that moment before a slug hitting the bottom of Ron's bucket breaks me out of my thoughts. "Oh, shoot.." Harry suddenly speaks, looking over at the time via a clock on the wall. "I have detention with Professor Lockhart. I have to go change..!" He exclaims, sprinting out of the hut. Hermione had sat back down with Ron at this point, and all we can do is wait, so I decide to head to the library. I bid the others farewell, before leaving. The crisp, afternoon air causes me to shiver as I make my way to the library. 

The library is full of books from over the years, and I soon come across an old yearbook from the late 1800s. Maybe I can spot some of Harry's or Ron's ancestors, I think to myself as I take a seat. I flip open the book, heading past the extracurricular teams and into the classes. Funnily enough, a Weasley was head of Gryffindor house and her nephew was particularly good at potions. I can't find any Potters' or even Malfoys, though the headmaster was Phineas Black, and the blacks would eventually marry into the Malfoy family; Asteria and Draco's mother, Narcissa. Then a picture catches my eye, the one with the Weasley who was good at potions. There's three Slytherins that stand out to me, Sebastian & Anne Sallow and Ominis Gaunt. There's something about them that makes me do a double take, something I'm not quite sure about. Then I see it. Anne and Sebastian Sallow. I am the SPITTING image of the boy, except with darker, curlier hair. And then Ominis Gaunt.. That's the one difference from Sebastian, I have the exact same nose. It's just a coincidence, right? I just look like these three MAGICAL students. But, I'm muggle born.. aren't I? 

"Anything interesting?" A soft voice speaks from behind me, causing me to jump. "Ah-! Oh.. Ley Huna..- AH Hey Luna.." I stammer as I close the book. She giggles at me. "Sorry to disturb you, but I thought I'd let you know it's time for dinner." She speaks with that smile that melts my heart. "Oh.. OH! Thank you, Luna. I would've been here all night if you hadn't told me." I chuckle awkwardly as I stand. She nods and skips off towards the great hall. "Oh, Merlin.." I whisper before following after her.

***

I make my way to the Great Hall before hearing the vibrating of my journal, I quickly stop and open it. "He pissed himself! The foul git actually went and wet himself!" Alex wrote. "Huh???" I respond. "My brother?" Asteria asks. "WHAAAAT?!" I write quickly. "ALEX, WHAT DID YOU DO?" He doesn't respond. Rude.

I hastily make it just in time for dinner, offering to Luna to come sit with myself and my friends. She nods as we head over to the Gryffindor table to sit with Alex and Asteria, and I quickly introduce them before we dig in. I can't help but feel uneasy. All this stuff about my possible ancestry is stressing me out, plus with Luna sitting right next to me. I don't eat much, at all. I'm sure the others notice, too. 

Ron and Hermione leave early from dinner, to find Harry, who was probably still in detention. A few moments later, I hear something.. and it isn't the usual chatter of students. I lean in towards Alex and Asteria. "Did you guys hear that..?" "Hear what? The dribble of piss down Draco's leg?" Alex joked in response. "Merlin's beard, how I would've paid to see that..!" Asteria laughs loudly. I roll my eyes as I can't help but chuckle. "No, it was-" I pause, hearing it again. "That.. did you hear it..?" "You feeling alright, mate? You're sounding like a crazy person, and you barely ate. Maybe we should take you to see Madam Pomfrey?" I stand abruptly. "No, I swear.. it's like a whispering voice." I quickly head out of the Hall, following the sound.

I hear footsteps behind me as both Alex and Asteria follow me, but I am fully invested in finding this voice. Splash, splash. The floor is wet here, and who is in front of us but Harry, Ron and Hermione, in front of a hung up, lifeless Mrs. Norris with big red writing on the wall. 'The Chamber of Secrets has been opened enemies of the heir... beware' A hoard of students gather  with professors in tow behind us but a moment later. The whispering voice is gone, all I hear now is just the chatter of students. "Enemies of the Heir, beware?" Draco scoffs from the front of the pack, "You'll be next, Mud bloods." I watch as Alex gives him a look before making a movement like he's going to tackle him, and Draco stumbles backwards, landing on his arse in the water. 

"WHAT'S GOING ON HERE!?" A voice booms from the crowd. "Go on, make way, make way.." Oh, Merlin.. it's Filch. "Potter..? What are you..-" He pauses, seeing his cat strung up. "Mrs. Norris?" I almost burst into tears. "You've.. murdered my cat.." He grumbles, his voice having a hint of sadness but mostly anger. "No.. no.." Harry spoke, in shock. "I'll kill you.. I'll kill you!" Filch hollers, grabbing Potter by his shirt. "Argus!" A familiar voice speaks up from behind us. It's Dumbledore! "Argus, I.." His voice trails as he reads the writing on the wall. "Everyone will proceed to their dormitories immediately. Everyone except.." He points to our golden trio. "You three." 

"Ravenclaws follow me!" The prefect calls out, that's my cue to leave, though I was hoping to talk to Dumbledore tonight. I guess that'll have to wait. "She's not dead, Argus. She has been petrified." I hear from Dumbledore before they are out of earshot. "Petrified? Now, where have I heard that before?"