⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Professor Flitwick had an anxious appearance or maybe, that was just part of Ryan's imagination. She was too bewildered to be able to distinguish the reality from her imagination yet still managed to notice how the professor's gaze wandered around as they walked towards the headmaster's room. His hold was firm yet gentle around her hand as if he was afraid she would run away or disappear without notice. However, his actions said otherwise, he simply appeared to be worried for her since throughout the long corridor they walked, he kept asking her the very same question:
"Are you feeling alright, Miss Selwyn?"
Ryan wished she was able to answer him. Magic used to be her favourite thing, an ability, something she was proud of to have until her father cursed her. Now, even if she knew he was no longer around, she did not dare to use magic. However, she also failed to understand, what did crack the desk, if not magic? What was that sudden dark wave she felt rising inside her when she found herself locked in a past memory?
Before she could think of an answer, they already arrived at Dumbledore's Office.
"Professor Dumbledore," Flitwick called as he opened the door. It seemed like Dumbledore was not surprised to see them there as if he knew sooner or later Ryan would visit him. That would explain the way he looked at her during the feast.
"Thank you, professor," Dumbledore thanked Flitwick for accompanying Ryan to his office before the professor left two of them to talk.
"Miss Selwyn," Dumbledore called and gestured her to take a seat across him. Strolling towards the chair, Ryan had to tiptoe to sit there before she looked at the headmaster, as she waited for him to say something.
"Maybe he will expel me," she thought. It was not impossible, as at the very first day Ryan was already sitting across him to tell how she failed to do a simple spell. It would only make sense if he noticed it was a mistake to bring Ryan there, however, the headmaster did not expel her. He did not even question why she was so afraid of using magic. Dumbledore only placed a quill and parchment in front of her and asked:
"How did you feel before you cracked the desk?"
Ryan paused even if she knew the answer. She stared at the parchment very briefly before grabbing them to write her answer:
"Free."
It was not a complete lie. When that dark wave raised inside her, for a brief second, she felt free and powerful. She felt like she was finally able to hold what belonged to her and be what she meant to be.
