Irene M. V. Williams

Chapter 23

The figure on the other side of the room hadn't seen her just yet, as it was to focus on the mirror. Irene turned her head with a tight smile only to see Neville lying on the ground unconscious, partially leaned against a wall of stone, but thankfully alive next to her. Bending down she put a silencing spell upon her surroundings then lifted her friend. Focusing on her magic once more, she visualized both of them back in Professor Sinistra's office.

The gasps that sounded in front of her let her know she made it back safely. Opening her eyes she hefted her friend over to a chair, thankful for the physical training she also went through in the Underground and also thankful for her friend's slight frame.

"Irene is he ok?!" 

"I think he's just unconscious." Turning her head toward her Professor who looked at her with a shocked expression, "He may still need medical attention. Please keep this quiet though, if you must..." Summoning a crystal, she handed it to her Head of House who looked at it with wariness. "You may use this and ask for a healer, by Lady Irene's request." Turning quickly to Hermione, "If the healer comes remember the rules I taught you."

Summoning her magic once more, "I'll be back." 

Hermione's last words to her breaking apart as she left once more, "But you can't apparate..."

Once more back in the stone chamber, she summoned a crystal that she transfigured into a throne-like chair that resembled Jareth's before lounging in it. Her knees crossed, her back straight but head slightly tilted to the side.

"I was going to let you go, you know."

The turbaned man in front of the silver mirror jumped, before swirling in pace his eyes widening as he saw her in the place of his captive.

"Oh, but then you just had to go after one of mine." She let out a disapproving sigh, "I'm ever so disappointed in you."

"Where's the boy?"

"Oh you mean the boy you kidnapped. The boy you were going to use to get whatever you are after. I got him to safety, and now you will have to deal with me."

Before he could stop himself, Quirrell had flinched as light in the form of a glowing ball of fire raised itself above the girl upon the throne. Her eyes blazing in an angry emerald fire, her teeth glinting sharply in that oddly goblin-like grin.

Quirrell stilled as the shade whispered for him to appeal to the girl, to use the girl instead.

"You will do as well, I suppose. Come and look in the mirror and tell me what you see."

Irene was silent but rose from the throne and walked regally up the small dais where the mirror sat. Keeping Quirrell in the corner of her eye, she looked into the mirror. It was merely her reflection but it smiled eerily before showing her red stone and then with a wink put it in her pocket. The weight registered itself on the real side of the mirror. Irene smiled and turned toward Quirrell.

"What did you see?"

"Myself putting a red stone in my pocket." She grinned as the professor's eyes widened at her truthful answer. Turning her wand quickly in her hand she changed the throne into a normal stone chair, much more unyielding. As she expected, as soon as she stepped away the Professor cast an Expelliarmus toward her; her wand flying to his hand. He let out a cruel laugh, but she only smiled in turn. Her thumb caressed the bottom of her Wyltt heirship item that was at the moment a ring upon her middle finger.

He held out his hand, "Give me the stone."

"Nah, I'd rather not." She smiled at him, her head tilted to the side.

His eyes turned crimson and he bellowed as he pointed her wand at her, "Give it to me, you insolent brat!"