The Girl Who Disappeared (Harry Potter Fan-fiction)

*Chapter 16*

A few weeks into Maurelle's training, and she's been catching on quickly, just like her parents. But she still has a long way to go. Early in the morning, Maurelle drags herself out of her bed for training. She walks into the kitchen, looking disheveled and groggy. Augustana is making their breakfast, also in her pajamas.

"Usually, you are dressed up at this time" Maurelle said as she rubbed her eyes.

"Yes, but I have decided that we should have a break. You still have much to learn, but it's important to rest. You've worked hard these last few weeks, your body needs it" Augustana charmed her pan so that it flips itself while she makes herself some coffee.

"But I want to keep training." Maurelle complained, "You said it so yourself, I am still far behind. How can I relax when it is clear I need to improve?"

Augustana sighed, "You are definitely like your father." she mumbled to herself.

"What was that?" Maurelle asked.

"Nothing. Now, if that is how you feel, go ahead. But I need a break." Augustana said.

"Who is going to teach me?" Maurelle said.

Augustana thought of the perfect person to teach Maurelle, "I know. Ava. But she won't be as forgiving as me. She is a perfectionist."

"Good. That is who I need." Maurelle said.

"I do need to supervise her though." Augustana thought out loud.

"Why?" Maurelle asked.

"I'm afraid she might kill you. Unintentionally, of course." Augustana made Maurelle's eyes wide, "Just exaggerating...or maybe not." she joked.

Augustana called Ava and within an hour, Ava apparated to their place.

"Ok then." Ava said, "Let us see what Augustana has taught you."

Maurelle and Ava stood about 10 feet away from each other. Augustana just sat by her porch, watching the two.

Maurelle started off, "Stupefy! " light flashed out of her wand and towards Ava.

Ava blocked it with ease and non-verbally casted her spells.

Maurelle couldn't keep up and was hit with Ava's spell. She flew back and hit the ground, tumbling as she went. 

 Augustana, still on the porch, "I told you she might kill you!" she yelled.

Ava slowly walked over to Maurelle, "Disappointing. That was only three spells I casted and you are already down? Are you sure you are the daughter of the most powerful witch? And the daughter of the most feared Dark Wizard? Tsk. Why do you keep trying? Why don't you just give up already?"

Maurelle couldn't take it. As Ava continued to berate her, she gripped the ground hard that she started to pull the grass. When she finally stood up, wand in hand, she furiously pointed her wand towards Ava. A red light appeared out of the wand and directed at Ava. Ava was sent flying, gasping for air the moment she met the ground. Augustana ran to Ava's aid. When she arrived, Ava was no longer in pain.

Augustana glared at Maurelle, " What in the bloody hell were you thinking using a spell like that? I know I said that she might kill you, but I was only joking."

"I-I don't know what I did. I just got so mad at Ava for telling me those things, I don't know what got over me." Maurelle said.

"It's all right, Augustana." Ava finally had the strength to speak, " I haven't felt that pain in years."

"What did I even do?" Maurelle said.

"That was one of the Unforgivable Curses. What you performed on Ava was the Cruciatus Curse, 'Crucio' . When performed you mean to cause your victim in enormous amount of pain. In order to cast it so effortlessly without hesitation, the castor must want to feel joy in their victim's torture." Augustana said.

Maurelle was shocked. She didn't mean to intentionally hurt Ava, or did she? At the moment she felt good about it but felt remorseful soon after.

"Where did you learn to do that spell?" Augustana said.

"I don't know. I wasn't thinking when I casted it, I just did it" Maurelle said.

"I think that's enough practice today. Maurelle, why don't you take a quick nap. Clear your thoughts" Augustana said as she helped Ava walk her inside the house.

Maurelle went to her room and slightly left her door open just to hear Augustana and Ava's conversation.

"This isn't good." Augustana said as she frantically cleaned the kitchen from making breakfast earlier. The sound of her moving pots and pans, and the sound of the sink magically washing the dishes matched her frantic energy.

"She'll be fine." Ava brushed it off as if it wasn't serious.

"Ava! She is only 11 years old! Why would an 11-year-old child perform Dark Magic?!" Augustana said.

"And Iris didn't?" Ava said.

Augustana's mood changed, when Iris' name was mentioned. Her tone was softer, "All I am trying to do is to prevent Maurelle from making the same mistakes her parents did."

"You can't hide her from everything, not for long. Let her decide whether she wants to make the same mistakes as her mother. Or even follow the path of her father." Ava said.

"Are you crazy?! With her father?! We promised Iris that we wouldn't let her go near him." Augustana said.

"I said 'of her father', not join him. Besides, didn't we fail her when she was dealing with the Sorcerer's stone at Hogwarts? Let alone be in the same vicinity with her biological father or at least part of him" Ava said.

"You're right" Augustana sounded defeated, "then again, I believe what Iris meant was when he is in his full and able bodied state." Augustana said.

"Yes, but that won't come anytime soon, Augustana. All I'm trying to say is that she needs to figure out stuff on her own. Make her own decisions. Let her feel guilt, remorse, regrets...shame. She HAS time. If Iris were here, I am sure she would have done the same. How will she know what's right and wrong if she doesn't experience them herself? If we coddle her, she won't understand the world out there." Ava said.

Maurelle stopped listening, she didn't want to hear anymore. She laid on her bed with her thoughts all over the place, eventually she'd fall asleep.

Augustana checked up on Maurelle and found her asleep on her bed. She gently closed the door and returned back to Ava. She casted a silencing spell around them just to be sure.

"So how is...Iris?" Augustana asked Ava.

"Well, she is pretty much the same, just as she has always been for the last 50 years or so" Ava said.

"I want to see her." Augustana said.

"You know you can't, Augustana. You are not authorized. If there is anything happening with her, you know I will tell you." Ava said.

" If only we knew what was going on with her body." Augustana said.

"Her body slowly gets warmer. Every decade her temperature increases. Still, no pulse." Ava said.

"What happens if she does come back?" Augustana said.

"Augustana-" This wasn't the first time Ava had to tell Augustana time and time again that that would be impossible. But she was cut off.

"What if, Ava?" Augustana said.

"I don't know, Augustana. Just like I've been saying to you over and over. Let her be. Let her rest in peace. Think about it this way, she has Nicollete." Ava said.

Augustana let out a weak smile, "Nicollete. She must have been lonely up there."

"Fleamont, he's there too. Septimus, Arcturas, and a whole bunch who are beside her. They are all in a better place. All together." Ava said.