The Girl Who Was Forgotten

Chapter 35.

Chapter 35.

Magnolia angrily paced around the empty classroom Harry and Hermione had pushed her into. The paper was clenched in her hands as she read it, every now and then scoffing. Harry and Hermione were both leaning against a table watching her, Harry had had to stop Hermione intervening a few times.

Magnolia was mumbling under her breath at the article, her blood boiling at the mention of her school mates.

"She can't name them because they're too afraid of what might happen to them!?"

"Mags..."

"Because I'm such a dark witch." Magnolia continued, rolling her eyes.

"That's not exactly what..."

"'Magnolia Potter, you would be forgiven for not knowing the name at all.'" Magnolia interrupted Hermione, "'Her own school friends cower at the thought of speaking against her, due to the dark magic that has kept her forgotten since her parents died at the hands of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.'

"'Exactly what, or who, has been controlling that is still a mystery. Hogwarts students, who can't be named due to their terror of what might befall them if found out that they spoke about the forgotten girl, have told me that during her years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Magnolia Potter has shown a prevalence to the Dart Arts.'

"'Magnolia was sorted into Slytherin, a House historically connected with Dark Wizards; including the very one who left her an orphan. Students tell me she fit into the House exceptionally well, with her own temper and Dark Magical ability shining through on plenty of occasions.'"

"Ok, so maybe it sort of implies it." Hermione shuffled her feet awkwardly.

"She doesn't know what she's talking about Mags." Harry tried to calm his sister.

Magnolia paused mid step at her brother's words, only stilling for a moment before she continued pacing. She wasn't sure that Harry was right; maybe Skeeter was. Magnolia often worried that she had evil inside of her.

"I need to go."

Magnolia quickly left the room, leaving Harry and Hermione shocked in the classroom. She knew exactly where she was going to go. She needed time alone. Time to read and reread the critical article.

Stepping outside, into the cold air, Magnolia took a deep calming breath. She walked down to the lake, sitting down on a log as she watched the water lap to the shore. From where she was, she could see the Castle, but she was well hidden from others seeing her.

Her fury was subsiding now; she had originally been so angry at the article, at Rita Skeeter, at her peers who had spoken to the woman. That anger was changing now, from them to herself. She wasn't sure that Rita Skeeter's article was wrong about her.

Even now when she thought of Tom Riddle, of Lord Voldemort, she didn't think of him with complete fear or disgust or hatred. Her dream the night before had proved that. She hadn't known who she wanted to win the fight. She hadn't known who she had wanted to go to once it was done.

Magnolia sat by the Lake throughout the morning, her mind whirling around the article, until the cold became too much for even her. Reluctantly, she stood up and made her way back inside the Castle.

"Hey! Wolf-girl!"

Magnolia groaned; she wasn't in the mood to deal with them. Months ago, she had let them get the best of her, but she wasn't going to do the same today. Her hand went to her pocket automatically, clenching around her wand.