Chapter 14 - Fitzgerald

The new term had begun and although Christmas was a special time, the mystery of the prophecy was weighing heavy on my shoulders. The whispering voice was more prominent than ever before, and it seemed to have a knock-on effect. The nightmares had also returned in full force, thankfully I didn't wake up screaming anymore, but I hadn't managed to get a restful night's sleep in days. I asked Professor Sharp to increase my dosage for the Sleeping Draught explaining the nightmares had returned and shortly after I received a letter.

Miss Dagworth,

Considering recent circumstances, Professor Weasley has asked for a progress update on your Occlumency lessons. She was surprised to hear we had not yet progressed further than the theoretical aspects of Occlumency. She has asked that we move further along now that we are almost halfway through the school year. As such, please report to my classroom after class next week Thursday. We will begin with our first practical lesson. I encourage you to get as much rest as possible the days preceding.

Regards,

Professor Sharp

Professor Sharp was relaying information back to Professor Weasley. Great. I guess I shouldn't be surprised after what happened in Headmaster Black's office. I was called to the headmaster's office on the first day back of the new term. Both Black and Professor Weasley wanted to speak to me about Ominis and how his sight had been restored. Ominis and I had discussed our cover story. I thought of telling Professor Weasley that it was me who had healed him with my ancient magic, but I didn't know what the school policy was on practicing magic on other students, so I thought it best to keep it to myself. As I stood in front of Black's desk, I recounted the story as I had rehearsed. Black seemed whole heartedly disinterested as he sat back in his chair looking bored at the conversation. Professor Weasley stood next to me as I spoke, I could feel her eyes surveying me for any signs of fault.

"The phoenix tears worked and Ominis had his sight restored, in all honesty it was all thanks to our homework assignments." I concluded my story with a touch of an appreciative tone.

"Well, it all seems reasonable, Professor Weasley here has corroborated your story with the house elf Deek, and the healers at St. Mungos have also confirmed that phoenix tears could've very likely healed Mr. Gaunt's blindness at birth, were they in possession of such a treatment."

Black was opening letters as he spoke, evidently, he had more important matters to deal with.

"Headmaster, if I may?" Professor Weasley jumped in. "While this is indeed a miracle and I'm sure Mr. Gaunt is most pleased to have his sight, it goes without saying that students experimenting on one another can prove to be quite dangerous. I'm surprised that you, Miss Dagworth, would indulge in such activities."

I was prepared for Professor Weasley to be my biggest critic.

"I was only trying to help Ominis, Professor."

"Be that as it may, what you did was against school rules, and we cannot tolerate such behaviour. As noble as your intentions were Miss Dagworth, I'm afraid there are consequences to your actions. Under normal circumstances this would mean expulsion."

I stood there in shock, this had escalated quickly.

"However, considering your academic record and that this is your first offence, I think detention will suffice." She aimed her question at Black, who had zoned out of the conversation a while ago.

"What? Uh, yes very well." he said barely lifting his eyes from his letters.

"In which case I'd suggest three months detention every Saturday in my classroom and one hundred points from Slytherin." Anger had started to build up within me. I knew Professor Weasley was likely to reprimand me and perhaps give me detention, but it felt like she was looking for an excuse to keep an eye on me. I decided not to argue.

"Yes Professor, I understand."

It was at this point Black decided to renter the conversation after he had finished reading a letter which had a wax seal of the Ministry of Magic.

"One hundred points? Surely that is a bit extreme Professor?" I didn't realise Black cared about house points, but perhaps because it was Slytherin he felt like he needed to intervene. "Ten points from Slytherin I'd say is reasonable and perhaps one month detention will suffice, yes, quite."

Professor Weasley looked taken aback at this. "Headmaster Black, based on the seriousness of the situation I'd say that my decision is warranted." She said crossing her arms, at which point Black rose from his chair quite suddenly.

"Matilda, can we have a private word? Outside?"

I don't know who was more surprised, me at the fact the Black seemed to be standing up for me, or Professor Weasley being addressed by the headmaster on a first name basis.

"Uh, very well. Miss Dagworth, please wait here for a moment."

I nodded and watched them both exit the headmaster's office. I took a moment to browse around the room, I'd been in here before when I snuck in last year to complete one of the Keepers trials. Suddenly a thought came to me, and I quickly glanced over to a familiar picture frame near the top left of the room that I had completely forgotten was there.

There was Professor Fitzgerald's portrait smiling at me.

"Professor! I had completely forgotten your other portrait was in the headmaster's office." I made my way over.

"I see that you have been quite busy since we last spoke. Something makes me think that it wasn't phoenix tears that healed this other student." Her words were one of concern, but her tone made me think that she was interested. Niamh Fitzgerald was probably my favourite of the four Keepers. I felt relief, I had not seen any of the Keepers in their portraits since the defeat of Ranrok. Once they knew the repository was safe it's as if their task was complete and they disappeared from their portraits in the map chamber.

"Where did you and the others go? I've been wanting to discuss my ancient magic further, try to understand it and its origins." My words sounded desperate.

"Our task was to pass on the secret that we kept safe for so many years, once completed our portraits in the map chamber were no longer a necessity. In terms of the origins of our magic that is still a mystery to us. We know that it does pass through the generations, albeit it seems to skip some generations, as you would've gathered from Charles Rookwood. And from what I've just heard you seem to be understanding your ancient magic quite well on your own." Her mouth revealed a slight smirk.

"I'm surprised that you're taking this so well. I would've thought you'd disagree with my actions." I looked down in guilt as Professor Weasleys' words echoed in my mind.

"I have my concerns, but your actions in the caverns proved to us all that you are not like Isidora. I know that you will not be iniquitous with your power. I did agree with Isidora on some aspects, that we should've tried harder to further our magic to help the world. The world is not set in black and white, there is always a delicate balance between good and evil. There cannot be light without darkness, always remember that Riley Dagworth."

Before I could respond Black and Weasley re-entered the office and Professor Fitzgerald disappeared from her portrait. Professor Weasley seemed on edge after her discussion with Professor Black outside. "Right, it's been decided that forty points are to be deducted from Slytherin and two months detention with Professor Weasley to serve as punishment." I could imagine the two of them arguing back and forth to get this final resolution. I nodded. I was leaving with a better deal than what I had started out with. "You are dismissed."

I started to make my way and Professor Weasley placed a hand on my shoulder and gave me a reassuring smile. I half-heartedly gave one back, I was still upset that she was so harsh on me, but her attitude seemed to have shifted since her private conversation with Black. It made me wonder what was in that letter he had received.

I made my way to Charms class, already late, pondering over the behaviour change of both Professor Weasley and Black I started to hear a voice whispering to me.

Come to me.

Free me.

It was the voice I'd been hearing throughout the year, and it was calling to me. I stopped dead as I felt a sudden urge to follow the voice, its calls were tempting. Before I could move again a familiar bubbly voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Already in trouble with Headmaster Black I hear. And it's not even the end of our first day of the new term."

Natty teased as she punched my arm playfully. I hadn't forgotten Professor Onai's request for me to distance myself from Natty, but I had no idea how I was going to do it.

"Oh, yes nothing to concern yourself with Natsai." I don't know why I was so cold with her.

"Ok? What's with you? And since when do you call me Natsai?"

I turned away from her as she spoke, literally giving her the cold shoulder.

"Perhaps you should mind your own business, I said it's nothing to do with you."

The words slipped out of me, almost too easily, I didn't think this was the way I was going to distance myself from Natty, but that whispering voice was still vibrating in my ears.

"Wow, sorry for taking an interest in my friend. Since when do we keep secrets from each other?" I turned to face her again and I could see the hurt in her eyes.

"Let's be honest here Natsai, just because you told me about your dad dying does not mean that I need to share the details of my life in return."

A frown formed on her face and tears started to form in her brown eyes.

"I see. Sorry to have wasted your time then, I'll leave you to it."

She stormed off and I grimaced at my cruel words when she was out of sight. I didn't realise I could say such hurtful things. It felt awful to hurt Natty like that, but I knew it had to be done. I resumed my path to Charms thinking I'd rather have taken a years' worth of detention over hurting my friend like that.