What is living life as a hero?

Chapter 3|Lunae et Tonitrui|

The sun was setting over the London horizon as I lay in the bed of Grimmauld place. I had gotten to the old nearly forgotten property a few hours before, and was greeted, after knocking on the door, by the old Black family House elf; Kreacher. I had known him- merely by acquaintance- in my old life, he was mean and grouchy all the time. The moment the old elf saw me, he looked awestruck by familiarity. I stated who i was, and he let me in almost instantly and began asking me question after question as he made me food. I had already sent a letter to Aunt Petunia, via one of the owls that was still at the old manor, the moment I got upstairs. Speaking of upstairs, Kreacher had let me to the room of one Regulus Black- the man I found out I reminded myself and Kreacher of. He was the younger brother of Sirius, a Slytherin, and quite the bright man. But then he went missing some years back. Now I know that he did it for a reason now so futile. I can't help but feel sorrow in that statement. That he sacrificed himself for something that wasn't needed in the end.

But this thought made me remember something. I got off the bed covered in dark green velvet and black silk bedding, and over to the dresser I placed the wooden box on the moment i got here. In the first drawer I opened was the oh-so familiar gold locket with a large weathered emerald embedded in the front, a snake forming a large S on the front. Slytherin's locket.

The moment I lay my fingers on the stone, I feel that warmth I felt when touching those books. It was hot, scolding to the touch. Like stepping into a hot shower after playing in the snow. But yet, I still picked the mesmerizing locket up, pulling it over my head, and under my shirt, letting the heat radiate on my chest. A piece of comfort everywhere I go.

My eyes then locked with the wooden box just centimeters away from my face. I pick it up and I walk back to the bed. I sat down, my box in my lap. I just stared at it. My gaze completely fixed on the simple, yet beautiful box. I opened it a few times to scan the inside to see if I spotted anything.

It took a long while, the sun was fully set and hidden behind the horizon. The sky a dark blue- near black- that was reminiscent of the velvet in the wooden box. The moonlight shone into the dark room creating a cool atmosphere that emitted comfort like the locket around my neck.

The bright moonlight shone its beams onto the box, revealing an elevated carving of a moon, from the way it looked, I guess it was a full moon. The phase when the moon is directly parallel to her counterpart- the Sun- and she's at her full power. From the looks of the way it's carved, it looked like a button. It was directly on the top of the box, in the center of the wheel of the astrological signs.

I let my fingers glide over the button, letting them gently press down. I heard a small click, and saw that a small crack, like the ones on music boxes, was now on the lower left corner of the box on the left hand side.

I turn the small crank a few times, that slight scratching sound radiates in a silent room. But as I try to turn the crank another time, it shoots back into the box. Interesting. I slowly open the lid to the box to see it's still completely the same. Midnight blue velvet lining the inside of the polished wood box, an untouched mirror attached to the lid in some way. I closed the box again, even more confused.

I tried again. I press the full moon shaped button at the top of the box, my touch barely putting any pressure as I hear the same pop of the crank coming out of the side. And I once more turn the crank 'till it shoots back into the box. But this time, instead of immediately opening the box again, I press the full moon button on the top once more, and I heard a small click.

I open the lid to the box once more. I am surprised as I'm greeted with the light sound of swan lake- a music box version of the song- as well as a spinning dancer, on pointe, wearing the white swan costume. The miniature dancer was painted with snow white hair, and the most striking red eyes. Though it was merely a figure, it felt as if those eyes could see through me, into my soul, see every sin I've committed, every wrongdoing I've done. Like it knew all of my secrets, all my fears and dreams. Who could've known such a small thing could express so much.