Ancient: The Legacy of Slytherin

Power/Knowledge

Arabella POV

The second Pensive Guardian I fought as part of Charles Rookwood's trial was no joke. I was tired, panting, and out of Wiggenwelds. Oh, and my ancient magic was depleted. With a heavy sigh, I pulled myself up from the ground and wiped the blood from my nose.

In the next room was a similar pensive to the one I found after Rackham's trial. Who in the bloody hell carved these monstrous statues of them? Rookwood's was so accurate it even had his damn beret.

I took the artifact floating above the pensive, placed it in my bag, and watched Rookwood's memory play out. As it ended, I was thrust into the past when Rookwood said:

"Power without knowledge is dangerous indeed."

Third Person POV

1890. September. Eight months before the Goblin Rebellion of Hogwarts.

"Shouldn't we be out using it? Trying to control it?"

"No. You need to understand it first. Keep reading."

Arabella sighed. She had only known about her ancient magic for a month- hell, she had only known about her magic period for a month. She was impatient and stubborn.

"Miriam, I don't understand."

"Care to elaborate, child?"

"Even after all of the research you've done, there still is no answer. How does no one in the history of the world know where ancient magic comes from? Or how to control it?"

Miriam sighed. Arabella was a fast learner with an insatiable hunger for information. Too hungry for her own good. And she was bloody stubborn. Miriam smiled to herself as she caught an intrusive thought:

This is why I don't have children.

But she cared for Arabella, despite the short weeks that Arabella had been in her and Eleazar's care.

"Well, for one, record keeping back in the days of the founders was abysmal. You know why? Because men were in charge."

Miriam chuckled, the sound of her laughter filling the room. It made Arabella laugh too.

"So let me practice then! Let me go out there and try some things, like trial and error-"

Miriam approached Arabella and placed a sturdy hand on her shoulder.

"What do I always say?"

Arabella sighed. "Power without knowledge is dangerous."

"That's right. Why?"

"Because we can't ever hope to control the things we know nothing about."

"Correct. I've worked my whole life to obtain the knowledge written between these pages, Arabella. I never dreamed I would actually meet someone with the ability. You're gifted. Gifted. Not cursed. But there is still more for you to understand. We will practice soon enough. Read a few more chapters of my journal."

"Alright. I'm sorry."

"Whatever for, child?"

"Being impatient. And stubborn." A sad smile crossed Arabella's lips as Miriam crouched down in front of her chair.

"Never apologize for being yourself. No matter what happens, never apologize."

Arabella nodded and turned her attention back to Miriam's journal. Her eyes drifted up as Eleazar entered the study with scrolls and other various writings in his hands. Miriam smiled as Eleazar kissed her on the cheek, and Arabella hoped to herself that one day, she would find a love like that. With a smile, she continued reading: