Forgotten - Queenie Goldstein

Chapter 17 - Casting curses

Gellert

I'm hidden well , a demiguise and a well guarded brain.
If she thought once that she would be able to hear my thoughts as long as they were about Jacob she would assume I couldn't be hiding in the very room she is in. It wasn't a mistake I let her hear my mind that once.
It was so I could cast my spell. The metal tears were because of me.
I knew given that  chance what she would write and who she would send it to . And I also know one thing she doesn't- that the metal is cursed and she, his desperate lover, will kill him.
She seems though so desperate and emotional that although she must know most people don't cry metal she doesn't even seem to question.

I watch her stand and follow the shimmers to the window and reach out and stroke the shimmers as they disappear. That's when I feel fear and something moving, the curse. She knew and she was prepared to die to save Jacob. That melts my heart as I remember the closest I ever came to love. But I realise she didn't knew about the curse. She can't have done. But then I hear not a thought but a word. Spoken out loud as she licks every door in or out of the apartment.
"Gellert. I though you were gone?"
I don't dare to breathe from where I'm hidden behind the chest of drawers so I don't see her send an owl out of the window with a hastily scribbled note in its beak.
She speaks again. "Gellert. There's no point in hiding. I've already sent an owl ahead". I step in front of her .
"Who did you send the owl to." In urgent, I need to know, it's unlikely but still not a risk I want to take.
I have never believed in luck or fate or god just in strength of mind but right now I'm praying.
"An English contact of my friend along with that friend of course."
"English?" I breathe
"Yes" she tells me. I can see her shaking and the fear in her eyes. She knows I'm trying to hurt her and Jacob and she's afraid but she knows for his sake she can't let me go. It's hard for her and she doubts every second.
"He's a very powerful wizard and the last person anyone wants to cross."
Everything she's said has suggested it could be him but I don't know. I must know but I also need this time desperately to make my escape. I still stay though.
"Who?"
"A hogwarts professor" she says and I start to relax but then I realise I have no idea what he does now. It's unlikely but possible...
"His name's Albus.." She sees me panic and I don't even bother to hide and keep this just in my head. It's too much and no one is strong all the time.
"What was his surname?"
I can hear her thinking. She wants to keep me talking but she's worried about how it will affect me.
"Dumbledore"
I breathe.
"Albus Dumbledore. Albus...."
Concern crosses her face. "What's wrong. Albus is a nice man and he's fair  I promise you."
I nod vigorously "Yes I know he is that's the problem. Otherwise it would make it easier for me to hate him but it's not. I can't hate him but I need to. Do you understand my problem?"
Queenie sits beside me her hand on my knee. "I'm sorry I don't understand " she tells me gently biting her bottoms lip.
Do I tell her? She's a gentle soul, it might help but I barely know her. It's too much so I open my mouth and spill everything out.
"Dumbledore was a friend of mine when I was younger. A very good friend but now I stand for everything he opposes. We had plans Queenie. Dreams we shared and a future together. But all of that has fallen like an ancient crumbling castle. It's not fair to him or me for this to end in a fight."
She smiles sadly at me, an odd yet understanding look on her face. Then slowly she points her wand at the door and the handle slowly turns and unlocks. "I know how you feel. I had everything, a future and dreams with one man and he's gone. I won't stop you Gellert but please don't touch my Jacob." I see tears well up in her eyes at the mention of him but they don't spill out onto her cheeks in front of me but they will when I leave. I'm sorry for her but not enough to regret all my actions that ultimately lead to it.
"The pain will pass, you know. Don't let this be the end of you."
She gives me a weak smile and I know that now I need to go and fast. So I do thanking Queenie over my shoulder and with one goodbye I leave her behind.