(NOT FINISHED) Curiosity Mirrored the Black Bird.

Chapter Fourteen

      It was nearly four in the morning before the common room cleared. I felt wide awake — the image of Hagrid sprinting away into the dark was haunting me. The anger I felt with Umbridge, there was no way I could think of a punishment bad enough for her, though Ron's suggestion of having her fed to a box of starving Blast-Ended Skrewts had its merits. I fell asleep contemplating hideous revenges and arose from bed three hours later feeling distinctly unrested. 

      Our final exam, History of Magic, was not to take place until that afternoon. I would very much have liked to go back to bed after breakfast, but I had been counting on the morning for a spot of last- minute studying, so instead I sat with my head in my hands by the common room window, trying hard not to doze off as I read through some of the notes stacked three-and-a-half feet high that Hermione had lent Harry and I.

      The fifth years entered the Great Hall at two o'clock and took their places in front of their overturned examination papers. I was absolutely exhausted. I just wanted this to be over so that I could go and sleep. There were too many thoughts swelling in my head. I knew what was happening and there was no way I could stop it. The Dark Lord promised to keep my father safe. With one last look back at Harry, tears threatening to well up into my eyes, I began my last exam.

      It had only felt like a few minutes had passed, instead it had been thirty before I heard a crash. Harry fell out of his chair, pale white and eyes shut tightly. The tattoo on my forearm moved ever so slightly, I knew the plan was in effect. Harry was visualizing Voldemort holding Sirius hostage in the department of mysteries, where I would have to battle my friends. I closed my eyes, picturing the agonizing pain Harry was witnessing Sirius go through, just for all of it to be a dream. I sat my quill down and watched as everyone crowded him, lifting him to take him to the hospital wing.

      I stood, watching eyes follow me, assuming I'd be rushing to Harry's aid, the gazes of the people not leaving me until I exited the exam room. At first, I was walking gingerly, unable to contain my exasperation anymore, I began to run. Through the halls, down the stairs, past statues, until I made it all the way to Snapes office. My breath hitched as I ran through the door, face to face with the potion master.

      "It has started." I gasped, holding my knees as I bent over, trying to catch my breath.

      "I'm well aware." Snape sighed, his arms crossed over his chest. "The Headmistress has summoned me. They have all been caught entering her office in attempt to use the fire network and contact him."

       "I don't want to do this anymore." I cried, ripping my long sleeve up, the dark mark squirming against my pale skin. Purple sparks cracking against my fingertips, the ancient magic triggering against my will. "I know there's something the lord is not telling me. I --"

      My breathing stopped and my body lurched forward. I felt as though I was being possessed. I watched as Zeusius came flying through the office door, landing on my shoulder. My body felt heavy, like I was floating, suspended in the air, before collapsing into the ground. I felt taller, my hair was longer, I couldn't find my voice, someone else was speaking the words I began to say, I did not recognize the voice.

      "W-What is happening," The voice cracked as Severus reached down, examining my arms and legs. His eyes were wide as my body felt limp on the ground.

      "You have aged. A considerable amount." He spoke softly, his dark eyebrows now pulled together in confusion. "It seems as though your ancient magic is connected to some kind of aging, on top of stress."

      My heart began to race, suddenly a searing painful sensation found the scar on my wrist. The same purple sparks that had covered my fingers earlier, were now etching a '17' into my arm. My body felt unstable, I could feel electricity in my hair.

      "He knew this was going to happen. He knew I was going to age past the underage restriction." My voice shook, I was looking at my hands, unable to recognize the person I was anymore. "He's going to make me fight them."

      Severus grabbed my arm, directing me out of a hidden exit in his office. It felt as though I was walking through a cold translucent waterfall until we were outside. I felt him tugging my arm to keep walking until we reached a marker in the tall fields, where he held onto my shoulder, pulling us into an apparition. I felt my body twirl and tumble as we landed inside of the Malfoy Manor.

       There were death eaters I had never met standing in the dark living room. Most were recent escapees from Azkaban, that included Bellatrix LeStrange, some were new recruits. I turned around, looking for Snape, but he had vanished as fast as we arrived.

      "Hello, little cousin." Bellatrix smirked down at me, twirling her wand in her hair. I swallowed what was left of my voice, my hands shaking at my side. "You're all grown up since I last visited." She teased, an awful decayed smile playing on her lips.

      "Enough, Bella, no need to frighten the girl. She's got a big task at hand already." Lucius Malfoy came striding into the room, his cane grasped tightly into his hand, and a mischievous smile playing at his lips. "Has anyone ever told you of a prophecy?"