Rebirth of Lady Morgana

Dumbledore's Plots, Exams and Explanations, Everthing Clicks

The first year at Hogwarts seemed to have passed in the blink on an eye. The castle had changed with the seasons, from the golden hues of autumn to the icy stillness of winter, and now to the vibrant bloom of spring, as the heat now prepared to move onto summer. But with the thaw came the inevitable - exam season. The tension in the air was almost palpable, the whispers of students revising their notes or cramming in last-minute details filled the corridors they moved between classrooms. Soon enough they'd all be back on the train to London, the year behind them, and the summer ahead. But for Morgana and Anthony, the year was over just yet.

Morgana and Anthony walked alongside their friends as they all traversed the now familiar (at least to the rest of the group) Stone corridors. The Group was an unusual sight. Slytherins, with even just one Gryffindor as well as both an Eagle and Badger. Though now none of the other students dared to comment on it anymore. Draco, Blaise and Theo were deep in discussion about their potions exam, while Daphne, Pansy, Tracy, and Millicent were pulling Hermione into a fashion debate and trying to help her find something to tame the friz and natural curls she had. Neville was deep into a book he had found about rare kinds of magical herbs. Though the entire group was concerned about the Serpent Queen. She'd not spoken in almost too hours just staring ahead blankly. They were all concerned.

Anthony glanced over to his sister, noticing the now pensive look on her face rather than the blank unseeing eyes that had been there. "What are you thinking about sister?" He asked, calling the attention of the rest of their group as he nudged her slightly with his elbow.

She blinked, pulling herself out of her thoughts, now noticing her worried friends. "Just... everything. she replied vaguely before she gesturing into an empty classroom and they all filed in behind her. Once they were all inside she quickly raised all the privacy wards she could. "This year's been... eventful, hasn't it?"

They all snorted, though it was Anthony that replied. "That's one way to put it. I still can't believe everything that's happened. Firste-year was supposed to be about learning the basics, not dealing with the Dark Lord, and an overly manipulative headmaster that has been trying to trick us into doing what hea wants all year."

Morgana smiled faintly at that, though her thoughts drifted once again at the mention of the Dark Lord. Tom. I promised to help him. But with Everthing going on, I haven't been able to much else other than the Cerberus research at Yule. Now we still have yet to figure out Dubmbledore's plans for the year completely. And now... that bothersome trapdoor...

As they all shared quiet smiles, the group prepared to head to their next exam. Turning a corner they were all caught off guard by a portrait calling out to them, almost urgently. "Here, over here!" was all they heard and quickly Draco pointed out his ancestor Phineas Nigellus Black, a previous headmaster of Hogwarts waving at them to come closer.

The dour face of one of the previous Black Lords appeared disheveled (if a portrait can be disheveled that is...), his dark eyes sharp in their urgency.

"Hello children." His voice was polite but curt. "I just need a word with Morgana and Anthony, privately if you would please." Taking the hint, Draco told them he'd get the rest of them to the exam, and that they could catch up once they were done hearing what Phineas needed to say.

Quietly watching as the group left further down the hall, Morgana discreetly raised a silencing ward to ensure they weren't overheard by anyone else be they person or portrait. "What is it Phineas?" She asked once they were protected, her voice low and cautious.

Glancing around, Phineas ensured that no one would see them speaking, even if they can't hear what was to be said. Once he was certain that they were alone, he began to speak. "I've overheard something in that goats office, that you must hear. Dumbledore and that insufferable shrew of a woman Molly Weasley, are plotting. It seems they are planning something... something involving you and your brother."

Morgana and Anthony both felt cold shivers run down their spines. Anthony was the next to speak "Plotting? What are they planning?"

Phineas learned closer, his voice dropping to but a mere whisper. "They seem to think you two are meddling in things you shouldn't be. Dumbledore mentioned a trapdoor on the third floor, and some kind of enchantment against the mind and a mirror. The Weasley shrew was going on about how 'necessary' it might be to... intervene and alter where your lives are heading, for 'the greater good'."

Morgana's heart began to race. While she is strong in occlumency, she can't fight of everything yet. Exchanging a highly alarmed glance with with Anthony who looked like a ghost had passed though him. "We have to do something," she said urgently. "We can't let them interfere in anything, especially not our lives."

Nodding his head, Anthony's expression hardened. "We need to get through that trapdoor though, you know that Ana. Whatever Dumbledore and Mrs. Weasley's planning, it can't be any good." Morgana's face was grim. She knew her brother was right, she also knew that if their friends found out what they were going to do, they'd never let them go alone.

"You know they won't let us go alone brother. We'll have to tell them everything."

"I know Sis, but they're our friends. They'll have our backs." He reminded her, knowing there was no argument about it. Their friends would always have their backs.

A strange feeling overcame Morgana's heart. She knew that she would always be grateful for Anthony and their friends, but when the overwhelming feeling of love and acceptance grew within her, Morgana just didn't know how to feel.

With the positive however, there is also negative. Dread settled in her mind and gut, knowing how dangerous this would be. This wasn't going to be just another one of their school adventures, this was shaping up to be a serious threat. Especially if Dumb-ass-a-dor and the shrew were to be involved.

Unfortunately, there was no more time to waste. Bidding a quick but polite farewell to Phineas Black, the Potter Twins turned and hastened their way to Snape's classroom, for their final exam for the day, silently communicating with each other about how to ask their friends for their help.

--A few Hours Later--

After the exam was finished, Morgana and Anthony pulled their group aside and explained everything that Phineas had told them. They hadn't had a chance to even ask for help before all of their friends were volunteering to join them on the journey through the third floor. Morgana was terrified. All of the people she cared for (save a few) were willing to go on a dangerous and potentially life threatening adventure. Opening her mouth to try and dissuade them, Draco cut her off. "No Morgana. at least two of us are going with you. No chance are we letting you both go alone."

"Very well. But a few of us need to stay behind, just in case we need a cover."

Neville was the first to step forward, "I'll stay back, they won't think twice about what I tell them. No-one'd believe that I'd lie to anyone," Blaise was the first to pat him on the back. Smiling like a cheshire cat, "I think you guys should take Hermione and Dray, the rest of us can cover for you."

Nodding in exceptance, Morgana, Anthony, Draco and Hermione left together, quickly making their way to the third floor. Together the slipped through the corridors as quietly as possible, until finally they were in front of the pristine door in the middle of a ruined corridor.

As they approached, Morgana's mind raced. 'Tom. I promised to help him, but I never expected things to escalate so quickly like this. What if we're walking into a trap? What if... What if we're too late...?'

Taking a deep breath, Morgana cleared her thoughts. She knew that what stood behind the door was going to test them. She could only hope that they all came back in one piece...

TBC