Immortal Magic (Book 1)

Chapter Seventeen

Allison's Point of View.

The days following the Christmas holidays were tense. After Harry and I had received anonymous Firebolts for Christmas, Hermione became worried they might have been cursed or jinxed. 

Against Ron and Harry's assurances, she went to Professor McGonagall with her concerns, which ultimately led to both broomsticks being confiscated so they could be tested. Ever since then, the boys had barely spoken to Hermione unless absolutely necessary.

I understood why they were upset. But I also understood Hermione's reasoning. She had only been trying to protect us. Because of that, Hermione and I spent nearly all of our free time together in the library.

Between Quidditch practice, classes, helping Hagrid prepare Buckbeak's defence, and homework from nearly every professor in the castle, we were exhausted. Still, Hermione and I somehow managed to stay on top of everything.

Harry and I had also finally arranged our first proper anti-Dementor lesson with Professor Lupin. Thursday evening. Eight o'clock. History of Magic classroom. For the first time in weeks, Harry actually looked hopeful about something.

Wednesday, January Fifth:

The afternoon air was freezing as Rose and I sat beside the Black Lake. I had just finished explaining everything that had happened over Christmas break.

The Firebolts, Harry and Ron fighting with Hermione, and how awkward everything had become afterwards.

Rose listened quietly before finally nodding. "I agree with you and Hermione," she said gently. "You both made the right choice, even if the boys can't see it yet."

I smiled faintly. "Thanks." Rose brushed a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, and as she did, the necklace around her neck slipped free from beneath her scarf.

My eyes instantly locked onto it. My breath caught. The symbol engraved into the silver pendant looked painfully familiar. Too familiar. "That's pretty," I said slowly, unable to look away.

Rose glanced down before smiling warmly. "Oh. This?" She touched the necklace lightly. "It's the Cullen family crest." My stomach dropped.

My dear, you have a very important family crest in your tea leaves.

Professor Trelawny's voice echoed through my mind. Suddenly every memory crashed together at once.

The drawing I had sketched before the school year started. The symbol in my tea leaves. The dreams. The crest. The same symbol over and over again. And now, the Cullens.

"Allison?" Rose's voice snapped me back to reality. I realised she was staring at me with concern. "Are you alright?" I stood up far too quickly. "Yeah," I said immediately. "I just remembered I need to grab something from the library."

Rose looked unconvinced. "You sure?" "Yep," I replied quickly while slinging my bag over my shoulder. "I'll see you later."

Before she could stop me, I turned and hurried away. The moment I reached the courtyard, I started digging frantically through my bag. Finally, my fingers closed around the folded piece of parchment.

I unfolded it with shaking hands. The drawing stared back at me. Exactly the same. Exactly. My pulse thundered in my ears as I rushed toward the library.

The moment I entered, Madam Pince looked up from behind her desk. "Allison," she greeted. "What can I help you with?"

"There's a book Percy once mentioned," I said quickly. "One that keeps records of supernatural families and covens."

Her expression immediately sharpened. "The one from the Restricted Section?" I nodded. "I need to see it." Madam Pince frowned sympathetically. "You'll need a signed permission slip for that book."

I swallowed hard before quickly pulling out the drawing and placing it on her desk. Then, almost desperately, I explained everything. The dreams. The tea leaves. The crest.

The feeling that somehow all of it connected back to the Cullens. "I just need to understand why I keep seeing it," I finished quietly. Madam Pince stared at me for a long moment.

Then, with a heavy sigh, she stood. "Wait here." She disappeared into the Restricted Section before eventually returning, carrying a massive leather-bound book.

"Don't damage it," she warned as she handed it over. "Thank you," I breathed. Clutching the book tightly, I hurried toward the quietest corner of the library before opening it.

My hands trembled as I flipped through page after page. Finally, I found the page I was looking for: The Cullen Clan. I froze. The words blurred slightly as I read.

The Cullen Clan was established by Carlisle Cullen after his transformation in 1663. I kept reading.

Carlisle Cullen.

Edward Cullen.

Jasper Hale.

Rosalie Hale.

Emmett Cullen.

Esme Cullen.

Then, my eyes stopped. Allison Rose Cullen: Born to Carlisle Cullen and Esme Cullen in 1986. A half-witch, half-vampire child. Dropped on the Weasley family doorstep days after birth.

Everything inside me shattered. I stared at the page in complete silence. I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. My emotions tangled together so violently that I couldn't separate them anymore.

Anger. Confusion. Longing. Hurt. Shock. Questions. So many questions. Why didn't they tell me? Why did they leave me? Why now? The library around me seemed to slow unnaturally.

Voices became muffled. Movements blurred. Mechanically, I closed the book and tucked my drawing between the pages before carrying it back toward Madam Pince's desk.

"I'd like to check this out, please," I heard myself say distantly. Madam Pince looked startled. "Allison," I barely heard her. The world tilted suddenly. Strong hands caught my shoulders and turned me gently around.

Carlisle. He was saying something. His expression looked panicked. But I couldn't hear him properly anymore. Black spots clouded my vision. Tears burned behind my eyes as I looked up at him.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I whispered brokenly. Then everything went black.