The Unknown

Chapter 22: Parents and Snakes

When the DA met the following Wednesday, many were confused by the symbol burned into the floor, many of them never having seen it before but Justin said, "isn't that a symbol of the devil?"

Hermione, obviously, rolled her eyes and said, "you watch too many horror movies. The Pentacle is the best representation of nature. Each point represents earth, air, fire, water, and divine spirit. In some cultures, the Pentacle is actually a symbol of protection from an unseen evil and is also a talisman for power. It protects you against negative, evil energies and against spirits and demons".

Justin looked down sheepishly, not knowing much about the symbol outside of the movies he saw at home. Dahlia was thankful that she didn't have to explain the symbol and thanks to Hermione's vast knowledge in almost everything, she has the perfect excuse for why it was on the floor, clearly not having thought about a reason beforehand. Dahlia said, "I burnt it into the middle of the room as a symbol of protection. After all, that's why we're all here. To learn how to protect ourselves, so I thought it was appropriate...now, last time we were practising the expelliarmus spell, I wanna see how each one of you can do it up close".

A metal toy-looking Death Eater then appeared in front of them with a wand and Dahlia had each student line up to see how good their spell was.

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Parents weekend, as everyone was calling it, had finally arrived. It was in November just like it was suggested by the Avengers, but in the middle of the month. It fell on the weekend of 15th and 16th, where first to fourth year's parents would come on the Saturday, while fifth to seventh years was on the Sunday. If you asked any of the students, they would say that the best part of parent's weekend is that the Professors gave them no homework as they all knew preparations for the weekend and not having time to mark work would put them behind. For the first time, Muggle parents were allowed to come onto the premises and there were teachers that collected them, seen as they had no form of transport to Hogwarts, unlike others who could Apparate beyond the gates or use the Floo Network. Just for parent's weekend, they had to lower certain barriers around the school in order for the Muggle parents to be able to see the school itself, and it was one of the first times in history that so many Muggles walked the halls of Hogwarts.

For Dahlia, it was good that everyone was distracted, as most students were acting responsible because their parents were around; but when the parents came, the looks and the whispers started like the beginning of the year, many of the parents finally seeing the famous Girl-Who-Lived, or Girl-Who-Lied according to the Daily Prophet. The Saturday wasn't that bad because it was the younger years, who were more nervous about their results, so not much attention was drawn to her. She did, however, bump into the Creevey parents, who seemed relatively normal and didn't fanboy over Dahlia like the Creevey boys did when they first met her. She also met Luna's dad, Xenophilius, who seemed just as free spirited as Luna. He made it quite clear, however, whose side he took when it came to the is or isn't Voldemort back debate, and even offered to write it into the Quibble if Dahlia would do an interview. Dahlia was honoured but just wanted to keep her head down as not that many people read the Quibbler or took it as a serious source. For the rest of the day, she stayed in the Room of Requirement inside her box, practising more spells until the parents left.

The Sunday wasn't much different to the Saturday but this time, parents were arriving and Dahlia knew some of them were Death Eaters and she still couldn't believe that Dumbledore would allow them into the castle. She knew she simply couldn't hide like the day before, she needed to keep an eye out in case they tried anything. It wasn't just keeping on an eye on them either that was the issue, she needed to show them that she wasn't to be messed with. That they couldn't simply come into her school and expect her to hide. She would have her head held high and would walk around the castle and not show any fear to any of them, she wouldn't let them make her look weak. She was a Lokidottir, just like her sister, she would do the name proud and wouldn't bow down to anyone who tries to harm her.