Blank Sheet

Tying up loose ends

Medea woke up very self-pitying, for her chest still hurt, the idea of knowing her real family and being a half-vampire still gave her a headache, her confusion about Dean and Ron, next to whom she fell asleep, and her tiredness didn't make the whole thing better. She got up quietly so she wouldn't wake her friends. On her toes, she sneaked out of the Gryffindor common room, ignoring the Fat Lady's calls.

Through the castle she made her way to Dumbledore's office, not caring about the early hours of the day this time. He had known her last name wasn't Lane, she was sure. Medea had not noticed before how he had hesitated to call her by that name, how he had sent her looks from the side. The old wizard had known at least something more than she had and she was furious he hadn't told her. When she arrived at Dumbledore's office, she this time refrained from breaking in and knocked (though she did that very forcefully), wishing it would be heard no matter the staircase. As she waited, she realized she didn't even know if Dumbledore slept in that place. Maybe he was at the other side of the castle right now. On the other hand, it wasn't that early. Luckily, Dumbledore turned out to have been awake and in the office already and the door opened as well as the staircase took the girl up.

"How nice to see you today. Are you alright?" Dumbledore welcomed her. Medea did notice how he elegantly avoided her last name. He looked happy and carelessly, the common twinkle in his eyes shining as bright as ever as if what had happened in the forest wasn't special at all. Though, after further consideration, it probably wasn't. Not for him, at least. The girl had read (well, had heard Hermione talking about what she had read) about Dumbledore's accomplishments. He was a busy sorcerer, a little encounter with Voldemort was most likely nothing if nobody died. And no Harry Potter was involved, she thought bitterly.

"Professor, I want to talk about what happened. And what you know about it," she said, her voice sharper and more hurt than she had anticipated. He sighed.

"As I have told your friend Harry: the truth is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution."

"Are you trying to say you won't tell me anything? - Professor Dumbledore, with all respect, it is my life, my future and my past. I deserve to know what you know." Medea's voice was growing louder. Still, Dumbledore seemed not surprised nor intimidated (though that would have seriously surprised Medea). "I demand to find out about your knowledge. I have the right to know what you know about me, my family and my vampire-part."

She had struggled to accept that vampire thing about her for a long time but eventually noticed there was no reason for Voldemort to lie and she had heard about 'The Colourful Vampires' living in the Black Forest, which would explain the green strand of hair. Also, she always had been pretty strong and fast without training. Not exceptionally, but a little above the ordinary.

"You are a strong girl, Medea. The longing for knowledge should not cloud your judgement. - The truth will inflict more pain than something left in the dark will." He seemed to carry a great weight upon his shoulders as he sat down slowly. "But for you crave so much to know, I will tell you. - Your mother, Theodore's mother as well, was a Death Eater back in the First Wizarding War. She was, as he did not completely trust her anymore, sent by Voldemort to the vampires in the Black Forest. She was pregnant by Theodore's father and begged to be allowed to stay. She wasn't.

'She went there with a great fear herself or her baby would be inflicted any pain. So she, very cleverly, decided she needed a few connections. And as the opportunity was given to her, she started an affair with the chief, a very powerful and dark vampire. Once she came back and gave birth, there were two babies, not one, as predicted by the doctor before her travel. As quick with the head as she was, it didn't take her long to figure out you were the chief's daughter. - And in great danger. Vampires are solitary people, they stay among themselves. So not only did you have to fear them, since they wouldn't want you to reveal the vampires' secret weapons, their abilities, to the world, but also Voldemort, who was cruelly extirpating half-bloods, especially those of only half-human blood. She gave you away to protect you and soon died for keeping your whereabouts secret.

'However, there is no need to fear, for those vampires were hunted into extinction during Voldemort's reign. You are also way more human than you may think. You have grown up with witches and wizards around you, your extraordinary abilities are strongly underdeveloped and will completely die out in a matter of years. You have no need for blood and are certainly not undead, so much is for sure. Other than that, I can't entirely tell you what the vampire blood in your veins does, but you've come far with it, so I see no need to panic." At this point, Dumbledore finally paused and let the young girl sort her thoughts. Medea was once again feeling lonely and threatened, no matter the headmaster's appeasement attempts.

The old man could probably sense her confusion, for the eyes are said to be the windows to the soul and Medea's windows had always been very wide open. Dumbledore didn't even need that for his abilities went far beyond figuring out somebody's pain by looking in their eyes. She shielded her face with her shaky hands and tried sorting out what her headmaster had told her. Without another word, she got up and left. Medea was still in complete confusion.

The following hours she spent in the Forbidden Forest, testing her speed, strength and night vision. Every time she successfully beat a normal girl's accomplishments, the fact of being a half-blood settled a little more in her mind. Eventually, she could comfort herself knowing that Professor Flitwick was one as well, and he had a job and everything. Dinner was the first time she went up to the castle again when she had sorted out a few things. She had decided to stay away from her family. She had not been a wanted child, and not Theodore nor his father were likely to be happy to hear she was the reason Mrs Nott died. She entered through the great doors to find her friends devastated and looking for her.

"Merlin's pants! Medea, we thought - we thought... - Well, you're fine. And you're here," Hermione shrieked and hugged her tightly. Ron and Harry looked very relieved. Dean came running and stopped shortly before her.

"You're alright," he smiled. Medea returned his smile and hid her troubles behind a mask again. She grabbed his hand and they commonly went to the Gryffindor table. 

***

Okay, that was it, the book's done. Phew. I can't believe it.

Thank you so much to everyone who stayed with me through the journey and who commented and voted for this book over and over again.

I'd love to hear your overall thoughts on Blank Sheet, areas in which I should improve or things you liked a lot. 

<3

-Tonks