The Lost Black (The Predestined Trilogy - Bk 1) (A HP FanFic)

Chapter 13: Annual Deathly Reminders

 Weeks went by. Between homework, studying for OWLs, taking extra lessons from some of the teachers, mostly from McGonagall, I was having a hard time trying to plot against Pansy and do some of my other shenanigans. There's been plenty of times I wanted to sneak one of the Weasley's sickly sweets to her, but I haven't crossed Fred nor George to commission a box. Although, I had learned the coloring charm from Flitwick and one day I managed to sneakily change the color of her skirt to an ugly, mustard yellow as she walked between classes. I didn't get he chance to see her reaction, but at mealtime later that day, I spotted her scanning the students suspiciously.

Before I knew it, November came and with it, a chill that not only occupied the air but also in my spine. It was like I was anticipating something, but what was I anticipating? Sure there was that day, but nothing else stood out too much.

But the chill in my spine increased when we attended Hagrid's lesson on thestrals. As he had been gone for most of the semester up until a few days prior, Professor GrubbyPlank was teaching the class. Before class started, Harry introduced me to Hagrid and I was greeted with a big pat on the back that nearly sent me into the ground.

"It's great to finally meet you, Hagrid," I grinned. "I've heard so much about you."

"Great to meet ya too," he smiled. "'Though, I thought you'd be with this lot," he jabbed a thumb at Harry.

"We all did," I sighed.

He took us into the Forbidden Forest for the lesson and introduced that we will be learning about thestrals for the day.

When Hagrid asked how many could see them, I was amongst the four that could see them with Harry, Neville, and Theodore, much to my surprise.

"Righ', now who can tell me why some o' you can see them an' some can't?"

I raised my hand. Hermione had also raised her hand, but put it down when she saw my hand and gave me a curious raised eyebrow.

"Yes, Amelia?" Hagrid called out, surprised.

"The only reason we can see them is because we've seen death."

"Correct," Hagrid said, becoming more surprised. "Five points to, er, Slytherin."

"You can see them?" Zendaya murmured with a raised eyebrow. I only nodded and the chill in my spine shivered. She bit her lip, but kept quiet.

However, I should have laughed at the coincidence of the thestral lesson, because the very next day, I was wishing death more than anything. My chest hurt and the willpower to do anything vanished.

I considered skipping my classes and stay in bed all day, but I knew that would hurt me since I'm still catching up on previous years' classwork. After all, McGonagall did give me the green light to continue studying for OWLs for that spring. At least, for now.

Nonetheless, out of all the days of the year, this is the one day that I have always dreaded over these last few years.

Zendaya had somehow convinced me to get out of bed and get ready for the day ahead. I so wish I had my guitar. Perhaps that will help thaw the chill that's been lingering in my spine for the last couple weeks. The weight in my chest was practically suffocating me and it was taking everything within me not to hyperventilate and break down.

"You alright?" Zendaya asked as we made our way to the Great Hall. "You're unusually quiet. You didn't even react when Pansy mocked Granger's blood purity."

"Fine," I quietly answered. "Just tired."

Zendaya frowned, but didn't question more. In the Great Hall, Arthur was already at our usual seating spot and we took our seats next to him. Farther down the table, I spotted Cora and Camila. Camila was smirking with the other students around her, while Cora had a reluctant smile.