The Dark Inheritance

Secrets in the Shadows

Yours,

Ariana Draggonmirof

The letter slipped from my fingers, my mind racing. What did she mean, “betrayal most foul”? And why was she revealing this now? I stared at the words, feeling a heaviness in my chest, like something dark had been unlocked.

Frejya was standing in the doorway now, her curiosity almost palpable. “Natasha, what does it say? What happened ?”

I could feel the walls inside me harden. No. I am not tellingher anything.

I stood, walking to the window and staring out over the expansive grounds of Silesia School, the landscape stretching out into the distance. My thoughts swirled, and the sense of dread deepened. My parents’ death had always been shrouded in secrecy, wrapped in a veil of lies. But now I knew—there was something far darker beneath it all. And aunt Ariana was trying to tell me something. Something important.

As I looked out over the horizon, something caught my eye. A shadow moving swiftly across the grounds. The trees were too still, the air too quiet, but there it was—a flicker of movement that didn’t belong. A figure, hidden among the shadows, darting between the trees near the edge of the forest.

I squinted, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared.

"Everything okay, Natasha?" Frejya asked softly, her voice tinged with concern.

I looked back at her, my expression unreadable. "Yes, Frejya."

She didn’t seem convinced, but I didn’t care. My mind was elsewhere, focused on the letter, on the shadow in the forest, on the hidden truths I could feel just beneath the surface.

Third person POV

Over the following days, Natasha found herself consumed with thoughts of the letter, the dark secrets her aunt had revealed, and the dangerous forces that seemed to be circling her. Her magic was growing stronger, and with it, her awareness of the undercurrents of power and influence that rippled through the school.

She began to notice things that had previously escaped her attention—whispers in the corridors, nervous glances from the staff, and an undercurrent of fear that seemed to be spreading among the students..

It wasn’t just the students. Natasha had begun to hear rumors about the wizarding world—strange rumors that spoke of dark forces gathering in the shadows, of ancient alliances being tested, and of an impending war that could change everything.

The school itself had become a hotbed of tension. The professors whispered among themselves, avoiding Natasha’s gaze when they thought she wasn’t looking.  Even the Headmaster, Stoneville, had become increasingly distant. Natasha didn't know anything. She had to ask her aunt about this.

And then there were the letters. More from Ariana. Each one more cryptic than the last, each one feeding Natasha's growing unease. Her aunt spoke of a war—one that had been brewing for centuries. Of families that had once been allied, now torn apart by betrayal and ambition. And always, the shadow of her parents’ death loomed over every word.

Natasha's POV

Late one evening, as I was walking back to my dormitory after an especially grueling class, I felt it again—the faint sensation of being watched. I turned sharply, my eyes scanning the shadows. The hallway was empty, the light flickering faintly from the torches mounted on the walls.

But I felt it—someone, or something, was following me.

I quickened my pace, my senses on high alert. My hand hovered near my wand, ready to defend myself.  But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. That someone had uncovered my secrets, or was at least beginning to.

And then, as if answering my unspoken thoughts, I saw a shadow at the far end of the hall—a tall, cloaked figure who disappeared around the corner before I could even get a good look at them.

I stood frozen for a moment, considering my options. But before I could move, a soft voice from behind me made me freeze in place.

"Natasha, a word?"

I turned slowly, my pulse quickening. It was Professor Hemlock. He stood in the doorway of a nearby classroom, his sharp gaze fixed on me with an intensity that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

"Of course, Professor," I replied, my voice steady despite the rush of adrenaline.

"I think we need to discuss your progress," he said, his lips curving into a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "There’s more to you than what meets the eye, Natasha. And I’m beginning to think you’ve got a lot more secrets than you’re letting on."

I nodded, my gaze locking with his. Secrets—I had so many. And I knew that I would have to be careful. If I was going to claim my place at the top, I had to tread carefully. The lines were blurring. The web of power was tightening.

And Natasha Draggonmirof wasn’t going to let anyone stand in her way.

Breaking my train of thoughts, Hemlock started blabbering about the dangers lurking around the corner for me. He advised me to stay away from dark arts. But did I care?, No. Obviously not Hemlock is just another person who is just jealous of my progress. He was envy of me, because I surpassed him.

And of course he is telling me this because he thinks that I am a danger, a threat to the wizarding world.

"Is your lecture over, Sir?" I asked him sarcastically. " I think I am being late to bed, Sir" I told him.

"Of course, of course. Please think about this, Natasha" he pleaded to me.

Keeping aside the satisfaction to get a adult professor begging me I decided to retire for the night.