Chapter 3: The Bright Future of Little Flame

It was a sunny morning in the beginning of May. The spacious garden behind the McMahon's castle was bursting with spring flowers and birds, singing in the branches of the old trees. The artificial pond was reflecting the sunlight, creating a shadowy lace that spread across the small clearing in the little birch forest at the far end of the garden. 

A lanky girl reclined in the fresh grass, surrounded by a colourful bunch of primroses that had flourished there untouched by human hands. Her straight black hair cascaded down her shoulders in the form of two long, neatly-tied braids. She was reading an old-looking book with a concentrated expression. Suddenly the girl closed the book and rolled on her back staring at the tree crowns and sighed. Her pale, gently oval face was covered with freckles that seemed to appear every spring when she started spending most of her time in the garden. With a frown, unusual for a nine-year-old child, she got up from the grass and bent over to take her book on the cover of which fade silver letters were forming the title 'Serpent of Wisdom: Unveiling the Legacy of Salazar Slytherin'. 

"Hey, Flame, where have you been? Mom was looking everywhere for you. Why didn't you at least have breakfast with us? You know mom and dad have a wedding anniversary today, don't you?"

Catherine McMahon turned around and looked at her older brother with annoyance.

"Oh, my apologies, Lord McMahon! It must have slipped from my mind." – she curtsied to the boy mockingly - "Is tonight's ball also dedicated to this glorious occasion? In the kitchen I saw bottles of Crimsonmoon Enchante Fizz and boxes filled with Stardust Infused Luminary Truffles. The mighty House of McMahon never spares gold in order to demonstrate how perfect they are."

"By the bravery of Gryffindor, how can you be so sarcastic this early in the morning?" – exclaimed Greg, looking at his sister's stunningly green eyes and smiling with amusement. 

"By the bravery of Gryffindor? Are you already practising for your role of the triumphant heir of Hogwarts?" – Catherine asked and her pink lips trembled angrily. 

"What? Where is this even coming from? Moreover, you are also going to come and study there pretty soon. Dad said they are going to make an exception for you since your birthday is in November and you can start next year instead of waiting till you turn eleven. Isn't that great?" – asked Greg with a huge grin.

Catherine's face remained ice cold except for her eyes which were sparkling with rage. 

"And did you miss the part where father said I couldn't even use my real name and should take mom's maiden name? Nobody is going to know that we are related. Although come to think of it, this might not be so bad." – she said quietly. 

Greg's smile disappeared. "I didn't miss it." – he said softly – "But even you must agree that this is the safest way. Aristocrats might not look too much into the Hogwarts' affairs but there is no way for them to omit the arrival of two students with the McMahon name in such a short time."

"I am just wondering" – mumbled Catherine – "wouldn't it be better if you lock me up in one of the towers. I already feel like Rapunzel, let's make it by the book."

"Rapunzel?" – asked Greg confused.

"Light, read a book!" – his sister rolled her eyes and walked past the young wizard with the vague idea of going to the old willow tree and climbing to her favourite reading spot among its branches. 

"Wait! Mom wanted…" – said Greg and caught Catherine's hand. A stream of blazing flames erupted in front of the boy's face and his scream silenced the birds. 

***

There were three rules in the McMahon household. First rule: Catherine McMahon existed only inside the family's estate and in the absence of other people (excluding the immediate family and the house elves). Second rule: Catherine McMahon is to control her temper and emotions at all times. Third rule: Catherine McMahon is never supposed to hurt her family. 

The subject of those rules was sitting on the floor of her dark room with her back leaning against the door. The only light, illuminating the far wall of the room, was coming through the window facing the garden, filled with countless luminous balls hanging in the air. The noise of the celebration downstairs was somehow muted and distant. The music was muffled by the voices in her head.

"Greg! Oh Merlin, what happened?" 

"Why did you do that?"

"Why didn't you control yourself?"

"How could you hurt your brother?"

"Don't you love your family?"

"Hahahaha!"

The last one was the laughter she was hearing in her dreams. Catherine hated it profoundly, and now it was ringing in her ears. She knew it was probably related to this demon that she was allegedly carrying inside her, but it was difficult to wrap her head around it. It was true that she could already do a lot with her magic and her anger was quick and violent, nevertheless she felt she had every right to be angry. Because of this so-called demon she had never had any friends, she could not freely go outside her home, she couldn't participate in any celebrations or events, hell, she even couldn't use her own name. 

Tears started rolling down her face. Catherine wasn't sure when she had learned how to cry silently. She was perfectly controlling her breathing and wasn't making a sound. All of her despair and sorrow were trying to escape her soul through the burning hot drops that were now falling on the soft carpet. She preferred it this way, otherwise she would be scolded for failing to restrain her emotions or her mom would be upset and would cry too. 

Inside herself the young witch felt truly ashamed of what had happened earlier today. She was genuinely distressed due to the issue with the names and the upcoming celebration during which she was again to sit quietly in her room. She was not paying attention and reacted instinctively when Greg grabbed her hand. Catherine felt a lump in her throat. 'I did try to help him right away, but I didn't know any healing magic.' – she thought – 'Mom said that if he wasn't a Water Mage, the damage would have been much more serious.'

The girl stood up and went to the bookshelf across the room. The light coming from the lavishly decorated garden allowed her to swiftly find a book called 'Folded Wonders: The Art of Origami Mastery'. She took it and once again sat on the floor, closer to the window. She removed the colourful papers which were attached to the book and started flipping the pages impatiently. In a few minutes the young witch smiled triumphantly and started working.

***

The music and chatter from downstairs covered Catherine's footsteps through the corridor. Her heart was racing, and her head felt light while she took the last turn, opened her brother's bedroom door, and dashed inside. He was sound asleep when the girl reached his bed and looked down at him. Thankfully she couldn't see any scars so apart from the pain there would not be any other remnants of this accident. Catherine took out the little origami lion from her pocket and hold it in her hands. She concentrated and muttered "Livarus Animonstrum." The origami lion shook its paper head and started moving on Catherine's palm. She left the toy on Greg's nightstand and silently exited his room.

"Flame!" – the young wizard mumbled in his sleep.