Heirs to Something Greater (d.m)

1: Scared of Something that Doesn't Exist

I could never understand why wizards abandoned muggle technology. I couldn't even imagine a life completely devoid of modern music, TV, and cars... but I suppose it's from living with two muggle-born parents. In my first year at Ilvermorny, I had made a fool of myself when I asked where the washing machines were because I had spilled pumpkin juice on my skirt the evening before. 

Of course, being a half-blood who lived in the muggle world did not help the whole "understanding magic" situation, but I still don't see why the idea of a machine doing work was more silly than house-elves. Poor things... most of them are treated so horribly by their "masters". 

I cringed at the word... it didn't sit right with me. I was going to continue the thought when the new addition to my playlist and yanked me back into reality.

I sang along to the new song that I heard in the car last night, "Sunflower" By Pauline Zoe Park. I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I sounded pretty good, I was really vibing too. 

"You are the sun and I'm your sunflower, so I look to you and overflow," My voice was beginning to rise as the song quickened its pace.

 I got up from my desk where I was beginning my letter to the headmaster of Ilvermorny, I was hoping to take an extra defense class in light of the recent rumors of... well you know who, but that could always wait. I turned up my speaker and song at the top of my lungs, dancing around the room with joy. Adeline always said that this genre of music fits my personality well.

I pictured the team captain of the Horned Serpent's quidditch team spinning me in a circle to the song. Sure he only glanced at me one-time last year AND he's like 3 years older than me but his hazel eyes were like a curse, I couldn't get them out of my mind all summer. 

My curls swung around my shoulder as I swung my body around my tall bedpost, performing a dance routine that I'm sure looked quite silly considering I was making it up as I went. I made my way to my full body mirror and watched my movements. 

I started to swing my hips in a circle but immediately stopped because it made me look like a 40-year-old trying to do a TikTok dance, yikes. I quickly decided it was better not to face the mirror and continued my parade around the room.

Suddenly, a green light burst out of the living room as I heard the familiar flume of floo powder. This was exciting, the last person who traveled here by magic was a representative of the Ministry of Magic, and if it's as liberating as last time... it was going to be a good night. I ran over to turn down my music but paused as I heard a gasp from my mother.

 "Charles, bring your wand. Quickly! Merlin, what happened to you?!?!"

"Death eaters." A deep voice came from the living room, I could recognize it immediately and my heart dropped. I turned to my bed table and grabbed my wand. My breath quickened as I ran out of my bedroom only to see the Finleys in my living room. Their hair was all over the place and their breath was ragged, but it didn't look like anybody was hurt. 

I sprinted down the stairs quickly only to see Mr.Finley lean into the couch doubled over clutching his arm as Mrs.Finley ran over to the sink, wetting a washcloth. It was only then I saw the blood when the white cloth turned a crimson red in Mrs.Finley's shaking hand, and it wasn't just coming from his arm. My heart was beginning beating faster as I had realized that I hadn't seen her yet.

My eyes scanned the living room frantically to find Adeline, our eyes made eye contact and she rushed towards the end of the stairs. I ran towards her and hugged her tightly, "Thank Merlin," I muttered.

She smelled of smoke, floo powder, and dust. Her hair sprung out of her ponytail every which way and her body trembled in my arms, we stayed in a hug for a few minutes before she pulled back with a sigh.