Amelia Merlin

Part Fifty: The Box

A/n just so you know, the courses magical art and ancient studies are both offered as extra curricular courses, Different from elective courses, which are like divination, ancient runes, etc. I did the research and it's all accurate stuff! Don't forget to comment! :)

When Easter break arrived, Amelia had never been more glad. The teachers had assigned lots of homework which was a nice distraction from everything that had been going on. Akkedis had only sent her three notes in the past few weeks, all with the same message on it, and frankly, it didn't scare her anymore. But she still didn't want to think about that, or about Lavender. Her friend was still angry with her, and Amelia felt badly for what she had said, but she was much too stubborn to apologize. She was back on good terms with Fred though, they never stayed mad at each other for long. He was even helping her pick courses for next year.

"You should definitely do Care of Magical Creatures, you'd be so good at that," he fumbled with the leaves of paper. "And this-" Fred brandished one in her face. "Magical Art: In this course, you will study a variety of types of Magical Art. You'll learn about both the historical aspects, and how to make artwork of your own. No prior skill or knowledge is necessary for the art projects, as you will primarily be graded on effort. Sounds perfect for you!"

"Yeah, but that's extra curricular, I need two more elective courses."

"True! What about Divination?"

Amelia made a face like something horrible smelling had been shoved under her nose. "I'd rather light myself on fire."

"Fair enough." Fred chuckled. "Although you don't have to do any real work for that class, you just make shit up."

"I'd rather actually learn something." she flipped through the descriptions of each of the courses.

"Yeah, except a classroom is just about the worst place to do that."

"I suppose you have a bit of a point there. But I do want to take interesting classes. I think I'll do muggle studies, and care of magical creatures. What'd you think?"

"Your funeral." Fred mumbled.

"What was that?"

"Nothing!" He looked around innocently and Amelia laughed. Just as she was writing down all the courses she intended to add, (muggle studies, care of magical creatures, magical art, and ancient studies), Lavender walked by with Parvati, giving Amelia a glare.

"You should apologize." Fred said matter-of-factly.

Amelia was offended. "What? You're taking her side?"

"No, Amy, I'm taking your side. I'll always take your side. But you should apologize." He shrugged.

"Fine!" She growled and stood up and tugged at the wolf necklace around her throat.

"Be nice!" Fred chuckled, receiving a glare from Amelia. "Don't forget to smile!"

She sighed heavily then went to where Lavender was sitting. "Can I talk to you?" She gave a small nod and Amelia sat down beside her. "Look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said those things. It was out of line."

Lavender beamed and grabbed Amelia's hands, her eyes were glassy. "I know! Me too! I'm so sorry I called you a whore! You are not a whore!"

Amelia laughed. "I called you a twat!"

"You should've heard what I called you behind your back!" Lavender giggled.

The two girls hugged and Amelia had to wipe her eyes, from the small tears that had gathered.

"Can you braid my hair? It's driving me crazy. Keeps getting in my face." Lavender agreed and started on the braid. They giggled and whispered to each other for hours about all the gossip Amelia had missed, since she hadn't had Lavender as a friend.

The next few days were splendid for Amelia. She was back hanging out with her friends, she had so much work to do, so there was no time for thinking of anything else. She hadn't been having the tunnel visions anymore and Amelia hadn't seen the wolf for a while either. Nightmares still happened regularly, of course, but she just had to say  aperire animo once or twice a night, and she would be alright.

And Cedric was being an absolute gem. Even though he had fourth year exams coming up, he still helped Amelia with her astronomy homework. Even though it was hard for her to concentrate with those chocolate eyes looking at her.

Amelia said to Fred one day, "I don't think anything could bring me down right now!"

But unfortunately, she spoke too soon.

Amelia had come to be wary of the post arriving, she had received a few messages from Akkedis, always the same, but nothing like the eye, at least, that was until now.

Morris flew in with a brown parcel around his leg and crashed headfirst into a plate of fruit, sending apples flying.

"Get that fucking bird some flying lessons!" A fifth year boy yelled as an apple hit him in the face.

"Piss off!" Amelia shot at him, she was very defensive of Morris. She opened the note attached first.

To Miss Amelia Merlin,

Akkedis sends his regards, and hopes you enjoy his gift.

Amelia felt a small panic rise in her chest. She ripped off the paper on the package and saw a beautiful wooden box, with pictures carved into it, about the size of a throw pillow.

The disturbing part was, she recognized the carvings. Amelia had etched the very same ones into the tree in her back yard.

"Oooh! That's pretty!" Lavender praised.

"Yes, it is." Amelia said quietly.

"What's inside?" Parvati chimed in.

Amelia took a deep breath and opened the box. There was no eyeball or any other bloody body parts. It was so much worse then that.

Inside the box, made from Amelia's tree, were several items. She pulled out a bouquet of sweet peas, her favourite flower. Next was a black t shirt, with the band Firewhiskey in your Asshole on it. There was a book of poetry, and a page corner was folded over. She flipped to the marked page and saw the poem.

and you fall from the sky
with several flowers, words spill from your mouth
in waves, your lips taste like the sea, salt-sweet (trees
and seas have flown away,
I call it
loving you)

Lavender and Parvati were bewildered by the contents, and chattered to Amelia, who wasn't listening, about who had sent it.

Amelia couldn't register anything, because what lay in the bottom of the box terrified her more than anything else.

It was the necklace that Jeremy had given to her, the one with the wolf on it, the one she never took off.