Only The Beginning

Head Underwater

Her breath was ragged as she picked her body off the floor of the round platform, remnants of the pensive guardian spread around her, stone still faintly glowing. She felt lightheaded as she pulled herself together just enough to make the trek into the room that held the pensive, the power of the newly absorbed ancient magic becoming overwhelming.

The pensive sat in the middle of the room, a statue looming overhead as if it was looking deep within the water. Olive approached, ready to witness the memory held inside. As she braced her hands on either side of the bowl, a tear formed in the eye of the statue, the memory dropping into the pool. It swirled about becoming murky as images flashed across the surface, slowly she lowered her head into the water.

The memory showed Professors Rackham and Rookwood along with 2 others greeting Isadora at her home in Feldcroft. She spoke enthusiastically, excited to show them what she had learned on her travels. Isadora poked her head into the next room and called her father asking him to join them. He was a solemn looking man, eyes sunken in, skin dull, he looked lifeless as he sat in the chair by the fireplace.

Isadora stated that her father hadn't spoken since her brother died, but her travels had proven her theory, that they as keepers had the ability to remove pain. Olive felt herself grimace at the thought as Isadora sat beside her father, pointed her wand at his chest and slowly extracted the angry black swirling ball from him. The professors gasped in horror as the face of Isadora's father changed from one of great sadness to shock and surprise as if he was woken from a deep sleep.

Isadora looked at the ball with wonder, before casing it in the jar. Her father gripped her hand tightly, thanking her for taking the pain away while the professors whispered to themselves about what monstrosity had just been unleashed. The memory faded and Olive gasped for air as she pulled away from the pensive.

"Oh my god... She'd done it." Olive spoke quietly to herself as she grabbed the artifact that was left hovering over the pool, feeling a chill creep down her spine. This type of magic felt dangerous, to take away someone's pain is to take away their being. Humans were too complex for this sort of thing.

Still in a daze, she walked through the frosted glass portal leading her back to the Map Chamber where Fig and the Keepers were awaiting her arrival. Fig was pacing back and forth, brows knit together as he muttered how Olive had usually come back by now, his mind thinking the worst. As he heard the click of her boots on the glass floor, his head whipped to her, relief flashing on his features.

"Olive, there you are. I was worried that... Well, no matter, you're here now." He pat her arm

"Good to see you made it through, Miss. Whitlock. I trust you didn't have much trouble?" Rookwood asked her.

"What was that? The memory, was it actually-"

"Pain. Yes, it was quite a shocking moment for us all really. The further we go with these trials, the more you will understand child." A new voice came from another portrait, a woman who stepped into the frame. She was beautiful, red hair twisted carefully into braids circling her head.

"Miss. Whitlock, might I introduce you to Niamh Fitzgerald, former Hogwarts Headmistress and one of the Keepers." Olive remained silent.

"I can't say that I'm surprised to hear a student is the one who has been chosen to complete these trials, but to be so young is astounding, you should be proud of all that you've accomplished so far. I have no doubts that you'll be able to pass my trial, however, I need time to prepare the location, it's a little troublesome with that self-centered and difficult man who is now Headmaster." Fig let out a stifled chuckle "I had hopes that when the time came, I could rely on my successors to assist, but I'm afraid I must do it on my own, which will take some time. I will call for you when it is ready." Professor Fitzgerald stepped out of her portrait, wasting no time to begin preparations.