The shadows of dusk crept through the stained-glass windows of the Great Hall, casting eerie hues across the stone floor as Faith sat, anxiously tapping her fingers against the table. The tension in the air had thickened since the previous night, each student acutely aware of the dark forces stirring outside the safety of Hogwarts. Her thoughts drifted back to the journal, still locked safely in her trunk, and the dangerous secrets it harbored.Faith's eyes scanned the hall, landing on Draco and Mattheo at the Slytherin table. Draco caught her gaze, giving her a slight nod of reassurance. Though they had gathered their group last night, the sense of urgency had only grown stronger, and Faith knew they couldn't wait much longer to act. But how? What was the next move?
Her attention was drawn to a familiar figure approaching—the unmistakable presence of Professor McGonagall. Faith stiffened. The headmistress had been watching the students more closely than ever lately, her usually stern expression deepened by concern.
"Miss Carter," McGonagall's voice cut through the ambient noise of the hall. "A word, if you please."
Faith's stomach flipped, but she nodded, rising from her seat. She could feel the eyes of her friends on her as she followed McGonagall out of the hall and into a quiet corridor. The flickering torchlight made the narrow passage feel all the more ominous.
"What is this about?" Faith asked, her voice steady but her mind racing.
McGonagall turned to face her, her sharp eyes studying Faith closely. "I am aware of the... events involving Professor Snape and the journal in your possession. You've chosen to delve into something that could be incredibly dangerous, Miss Carter."
Faith swallowed hard but met the professor's gaze. "I didn't ask for this. But now I'm involved, and I need to know the truth. My family—my mother—might be connected to whatever is happening."
McGonagall's expression softened slightly. "I understand your concerns, but this is no ordinary schoolyard mischief. What you're dealing with could have consequences far beyond these walls." She hesitated for a moment, then leaned in closer. "There are forces at play, Miss Carter, forces that even the Ministry may not fully comprehend."
Faith's breath caught in her throat. Was McGonagall implying that something even darker was on the horizon? The headmistress was not one for exaggeration. Faith gripped the edge of her cloak, her mind spinning.
"We believe that what you found in that journal could be linked to dark magic—magic that may have roots in the darkest corners of wizarding history," McGonagall continued, her voice low and urgent. "You must be careful, Faith. Do not take this lightly."
Before Faith could respond, the distant echo of hurried footsteps reached them, growing louder as someone approached. Tom appeared around the corner, his expression tight with urgency. "Faith, we need to talk. Now."
McGonagall raised an eyebrow but stepped aside, her eyes flickering between Faith and Tom. "Very well, but be cautious. There are forces beyond even your control. And remember, you are still a student at Hogwarts. Don't forget the rules."
With that, she swept down the corridor, leaving Faith and Tom standing in the dim light.
"What's going on?" Faith asked, the knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach.
Tom's eyes were dark with concern. "It's the journal. We think it's not just connected to dark magic—it might be part of something bigger, something ancient."
Faith felt her blood run cold. "What do you mean?"
"We've been researching the ritual that was mentioned in the book we found," Tom explained. "It's not just any dark magic ritual. It's something older than the Dark Lord, older than Grindelwald even. It's tied to ancient bloodlines—powerful families that practiced the darkest forms of magic. And from what we've uncovered, it looks like your family might be involved."
Faith's heart raced as Tom's words sank in. Her family? Her mother had always been secretive about her past, but this... this was beyond anything Faith could have imagined.
"Are you sure?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Tom nodded grimly. "We don't know everything yet, but there are old records—whispers of a prophecy linked to certain families. The Carters are mentioned more than once."
Faith felt the weight of the world pressing down on her shoulders. Her mother had kept these secrets hidden for years, and now, they were unraveling in the most dangerous way possible. If her family was tied to ancient dark magic, what did that mean for her?
"We have to go to McGonagall," Faith said, her voice shaking with urgency. "She needs to know about this."
Tom shook his head. "Not yet. We don't have enough evidence. If we go to her now, she'll shut us down before we can figure out the full story. We need to be sure before we act."
Faith knew he was right, but every second they waited felt like time slipping away. They were dealing with forces far beyond their understanding, and the danger was growing by the day.
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**Later That Night**
Faith paced the Slytherin common room, her mind racing with thoughts of the journal, the ritual, and her family's dark past. She hadn't been able to shake the conversation with McGonagall from her thoughts, nor the revelations from Tom. If what they had uncovered was true, she was standing on the edge of something monumental—and terrifying.
Draco entered the room, his face set in grim determination. "We need to act soon, Faith. The longer we wait, the more dangerous this becomes."
"I know," Faith said, her voice heavy with frustration. "But what can we do? We can't just go barging into the Ministry or confront these dark forces head-on. We're students, Draco. We're outmatched."
Draco stepped closer, his expression softening. "We're not alone, Faith. We have each other, and we have allies. Snape didn't give us that warning for nothing. He believes in us."
Faith looked up at him, her eyes searching his face for reassurance. Despite everything, despite the darkness closing in, Draco had become a pillar of strength in her life. She trusted him, more than she had trusted anyone in a long time.
"I'm scared, Draco," she admitted quietly. "This is bigger than us. Bigger than anything we've faced before."
Draco placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch warm and steady. "I know. But we'll face it together. We've come this far, Faith. We're not backing down now."
Faith took a deep breath, steadying herself. She knew Draco was right. They couldn't afford to hesitate any longer. Whatever was coming, they had to be ready.
"We'll gather the others," she said, her voice firm with resolve. "It's time to take the next step."
Draco nodded, a determined glint in his eyes. "Let's do this."
As they left the common room, Faith couldn't help but feel the weight of the decision they were making. The storm was coming, and there was no turning back now. Whatever darkness lay ahead, they would face it—together.
YOU ARE READING
Shattered Bonds
FanfictionFaith Riddle thought she could leave her dark family legacy behind, but the past has a way of catching up. As the half-sister of Tom and Mattheo Riddle, her connection to the Dark Lord is undeniable, but she wants more than a life bound by shadows...