A Legacy of Pain: Rising from the Ashes

Chapter 25: The Day of Arrival

Last Time: Amit and Elizabeth practiced their dueling skills on an island in the lake before deciding to take a break. After Elizabeth loaned Amit a book from her collection to learn some spells that might help with the event the two flew off towards the castle, Elizabeth learning that Amit's parents had received their invitations weeks ago while hers had not. Annie, Nyxia, And Gwen finished History of Magic class before making their way to the Great Hall in time to see Lizzy running off somewhere. After grabbing their lunch the trio made their way to a new location Nyxia wanted to show them. After being shown the Undercroft and seeing the pensieve there that was so similar tot he one in Lizzy's study; the first years happily ate their lunch together. Later that day Poppy, Constance , and Anne exited Herbology to find that Elizabeth was crying beneath the tree in the greenhouse. Upon speaking with her they learned that the Wilsons had been excluded from being invited to witness her compete and that instead the Greys had been invited. While Poppy tried to comfort Elizabeth; Anne suggested she might have a solution. Imelda and Sebastian were practicing for the Festival before breaking once they were happy with their results. On their way out of the dungeon they ran into Lizzy, Anne, Poppy, and Constance. When the group explained what was happening, a furious Sebastian offered a solution after a little prodding from Anne. Thankful for the help; him and Liz made their way to Professor Weasley's office to make the Wilsons his guests for the event.

***Trigger Warnings** Light Hallucinations, blood.

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Elizabeth's nerves were a mess as she sat in her conjured chair sipping her favourite tea and munching on some pumpkin pasties she had taken from the common room before departing the castle ahead of breakfast. The day of the first event had finally arrived and thanks to Sebastian and Vice Headmistress Weasley; her parents would be arriving around half past noon. She was eternally grateful to the slytherin for allowing her parents to use his invitation to attend. But now that their arrival was so close; the ravenclaw couldn't help but be nervous about their impending visit. Headmaster Black's prejudices against muggles were certainly a concern, but more than that she was worried about the fact that her birth family would also be present. The ravenclaw didn't think they would try anything when there were so many eyes on all of them; but with Callista she was never certain how far the witch would take anything.

When a heavy sigh escaped her lips a light chuckle originated from a few feet away from her. "Lass, if something is bothering you; there's no need to keep it in. These ears may be old, but they can still listen." Agatha chimed in from her rocking chair where she was working on the blanket she had been knitting during Elizabeth's last visit. The dark grey and violet bundle of fabric was now considerably larger and the pattern Agatha was stitching into it was nearly complete. Though Elizabeth could make out enough to tell the pattern was violet while the background was the dark grey; she couldn't make out any further details due to the way the older witch was holding it.

Elizabeth finished the pasty she was eating and set down her tea on the nearby table before taking out her wand. "I am just nervous about the upcoming event today is all. My parents will be visiting and I worry about them. The wizarding world can be a dangerous place for muggles, even if they have magical families." She explained while leaving out the specifics of why she thought it so dangerous. "And what if I disappoint them? This will be the first time my parents get to see me compete with my magical abilities. What if I fail horribly and let them down?" She asked with another sigh, only realising how deeply she cared about that once she had spoken the words aloud. Wordlessly, she waved her wand and practised a silent levitation charm to lift a new log onto the dying fire in the fireplace.

Agatha gave her a look of sympathy before smiling reassuringly at her. "Hogwarts has many good professors; they'll ensure your parents are safe while they visit. And Lass, from what you have told me of your parents, they would be proud of you simply for having been selected." The old witch rocked gently in her seemingly favourite chair while continuing to work on the blanket. "I am sure that as long as you do your best and don't get yourself hurt; then your parents will be happy for you. There's no need to be nervous about such silly things. If your family loves you then they will accept you no matter how you do." The kind old woman's smile widened. "But Lass, you are a talented and determined young witch. You'll do just fine in the Festival. It is bound to be quite the sight to see. If I could be there I would, but I'll simply have to hear all about your victory from you afterwards."