May 17th - Marauders' Dorm
It was late in the afternoon, and the marauders, alongside Nephera, Tony, Lily, Alice, and Marlene were all sitting in the boy's dorm, studying. Apparently, Tony and Lily enjoyed bonding over forcing the rest of them to work on their upcoming exams, much to the dismay of their other friends.
No one was really paying attention, barring Lily and Tony, who were sitting on James's bed, while James, who was laying on the floor next to them, was occasionally answering a question or two, mostly for the sake of not having Lily be mad at him.
The rest were sprawled across the room. Marlene was sitting on the floor, her head leaning on Alice's shoulder, fighting to keep her eyes open. Peter and Ellie were sitting in Peter's bed, drinking hot chocolate and gossiping amongst themselves about the most recent drama that had taken place at school, something about Amos Diggory's girlfriend cheating on him.
On the bed next to them, Remus was working on Herbology and sometimes correcting Peter whenever he got a rumor wrong.
Nephera was lying on Sirius's bed, leaning against the headboard with the raven-haired boy between her legs, his back on her chest. She was really tired, the many sleepless or nightmare-filled nights had finally begun catching up to her due to Pomfrey refusing to give her any more of the Dreamless Sleep potion.
The girl could very easily brew some herself, she had brewed harder and more complicated potions, but something about what the mediwitch said stopped her from doing so.
You will become dependent on it.
Nephera Winchester was never one to rely on anyone, or anything else, the mere thought of it terrified her. So, she did not brew any more of the potion, and had simply taken to not sleeping in order to avoid her nightmares.
That's how she found herself struggling to keep her eyes open, her fingers playing with Sirius's hair as a means to distract her, while the boy was smoking a cigarette, sometimes lifting his arm up so she could take a drag as well. They were both aware of how uncharacteristic the position was, but they were also too comfortable to move.
The others noticed it as well but said nothing since they found it far too entertaining to see the two guarded teens be so soft around each other. The marauders, especially, were absolutely shocked at the fact that Sirius was sitting there, letting someone touch his hair repeatedly.
"Winchester," said Lily "Dates of the Goblin Rebellion,"
Nephera groaned, "Which one? There were three," she pointed out, focusing on making small braids in the boy's hair
"All of them," replied Lily, her patience wavering
"1612, 1752, and 1863," replied the Slytherin
Luckily, Lily accepted the answer and moved on to Peter and Ellie since she had just gotten wind of the fact that the two weren't paying attention.
Sirius took the cigarette from his lips and blindly raised his arm up, letting Nephera take a drag.
"I like your hair," she commented, undoing some of the small braids
By that point, the Gryffindors had been brought to a space between consciousness and unconsciousness, so he could only muster a nod of his head. He felt the girl laugh behind him, the vibrations of her chest passing onto his back.
He felt her stifle a yawn, and he slightly turned his head, looking up to her in question.
"Evans is boring me to death," she mouthed, taking her hands out of his hair, to which he whined and shot a hand up, bringing them back to where they were
"Lils, honestly, can we just stop?" asked Marlene "You and Tony can go on all you want, but the rest of us are currently contemplating suicide,"
Alice made a noise of agreement next to her, keeping her eyes closed.
"These exams are important!" insisted the Ravenclaw "How do you suppose we will find jobs later on?"
"We won't need to find any jobs if we kill ourselves out of boredom," added Peter
"As much as I hate to say this," continued Ellie from her spot next to the boy, "This is starting to feel too much like a hostage situation,"
"I don't know about hostage situation," mused Remus, not being able to resist the urge to throw a jab at the two purebloods, "Pads and Neph look awfully comfortable over there,"
The only response the werewolf got was a pillow straight to the face by Sirius.
"How do you expect to get through exams if you don't study?" inquired the redhead
"Luck," muttered Sirius "If you believe it, you can do it Evans!" he said sarcastically
Everyone laughed at that statement, while Lily and Tony were rolling their eyes at the boy's silliness.
"Come on, love, we've been at this for two hours now," tried James "And exams are two weeks away anyways,"
The Ravenclaw and the Gryffindor looked at each other, realizing that there would be no way to convince the rowdy group of teens to settle down and study.
Nephera tensed as she remembered that she was supposed to meet with Dumbledore, "Crap, what time is it?"
"Nine thirty, why?" asked Peter
"I have to go," she stated, practically having to peel Sirius off of her and gathering her books
No one asked where she had to go, because everyone already knew, Dumbledore's office. They did not talk about it anymore, not after Nephera and Tony's argument, but it still bothered all of them. Most of all, it bothered Sirius, who was currently missing the feeling of the girl's cold fingers on his scalp.
"What's she doing with Dumbledore anyway?" asked Marlene, who was not informed of the fact that they weren't supposed to talk about it
"She won't tell us, but according to Minnie, it's not her choice," answered Ellie "It's up to Dumbledore whether we know or not,"
"She could still give us a hint," sighed James "We all know that the reason she's not telling us is that she doesn't want to. I mean, I can't be the only one who believes it's something dangerous?"
Lily spoke up, ending the heated discussion before it began, "I don't know her as well as the rest of you, but Winchester always has a reason, and it's typically for the best."
Meanwhile, Nephera was hastily walking to the statue of the gargoyle, feeling slightly chilly now that she didn't have Sirius close to her. She knew they had questions, and she knew that they were growing suspicious of the nature of her meetings with Dumbledore, but she wanted to keep them in the dark for as long as possible. It was no question that they'd want to join the Order as well, and the brunette was determined to not allow them to become child soldiers controlled by Dumbledore.
"I know I'm late," she said once she finally entered the office "But Evans had us all trapped and studying for exams,"
"That is quite alright, Mrs. Winchester," replied the Headmaster "Take a seat,"
The girl did just that, and looked at him, waiting for him to continue, "We need to talk about Easter, and I know there is something that has been bothering you about what happened that day,"
Nephera sighed, the old wizard was right. The question of why Voldemort hadn't killed her still rang in her ears, and no matter how hard she had tried to answer it, she couldn't, "You think you have an answer so as to why he didn't kill me?"
"I do," he mused "Are you familiar with the Imperius curse?"
Panic started settling inside Nephera. That was the first thought she had when she woke up at St. Mungos, that he had imperioed her without anyone realizing, but Sirius had talked her out of her spiral. The raven-haired boy wasn't there right now, though. Schooling her expression into one of certainty, she stared at the wizard in front of her.
"I'm not under the curse," she stated
"I know you aren't, I suggested it first thing at St. Mungos', that they do a test on you while you were unconscious," he spoke calmly "But it is in my opinion that Tom wishes to place you under it in the future,"
The Slytherin frowned, something wasn't adding up still, "I don't know about that. I mean, the curse turns someone into a puppet, he wouldn't risk it just for another mindless follower."
"Perhaps you are right, but measures must be taken nevertheless,"
"Measures like what?"
"I need to train you to resist it," he said, knowing that there would be opposition
"I still don't trust you, Headmaster," she mused "Why would I allow you to perform a curse that lets you control me?"
"Because you know, as well as I do, that me controlling you is a risk worth taking if it means Voldemort won't be able too,"
"I don't know about that. History paints you as some kind of Saint, savior, but I can't help but wonder what those scorned by History would say about you, or what those who died fighting at your side would say,"
Dumbledore fought to keep his expression neutral. There was no possible way that this girl knew about his past with Grindelwald, he had made sure it was buried.
"Are you declining?" he asked instead
Nephera, however, picked up on the slight tension in his jaw, and couldn't help but ask what the man was hiding.
"No, I'm saying that I will do it, but only if there is someone else here present,"
"And who do you suggest? Perhaps one of your friends?"
At the mention of her friends, the girl leaned forward and fixing him in a glare, "You will keep them out of the Order, they don't need to get mixed up in any of this," she sat back again "Professor McGonagall,"
The wizard smiled, "Very well, I will send for Minerva to come here. We are starting tonight,"
Nephera only nodded in response and watched as the Headmaster instructed one of the portraits to go to the witch's office and tell her to come there. A few minutes later, McGonagall walked into the office.
"What can I do for you, Albus?" she asked
"I have reason to believe that Voldemort is planning to place Mrs. Winchester under the imperius curse," he spoke bluntly "She needs to be trained to resist it, but she refuses to do so without another witness, to ensure that-"
Nephera interrupted him "To ensure that he doesn't turn me into a puppet of his own and takes advantage of the fact that I am about to let him into my mind,"
The older witch couldn't help but be concerned. She did not like the idea of the Dark Lord targeting a specific student, one that she had frown to be so fond of, especially. On top of that, she also knew how intense and exhausting it was to try to learn how to resist the curse. Aurors had to learn how to do so when they wanted to be promoted to hit-wizards.
"I hardly think that is necessary right now," she said "Mrs. Winchester, you have your exams to think about, and Albus, she is only a child,"
"A child that has, unfortunately, been placed in the middle of a war," answered the Professor "I am afraid we have to do this Minerva,"
"As much as I hate to admit it, he's right," sighed the Slytherin "Let's get on with it then,"
The older witch still looked uncertain but took a seat in the front of the desk anyways. Dumbledore took out his wand and pointed it at the girl, "Brace yourself, Mrs. Winchester. Imperio, start clapping your hands"
It was nothing like Nephera had ever felt before. She felt as though she was floating, as though her mind was disconnected from her body and she was slowly falling into a deep sleep. She supposed some people might find it enjoyable, the loss of total control, the ability to simply sit back and spectate their own life.
For Nephera, the loss of control was terrifying.
She immediately felt her mind start to panic as her hands obeyed a wish that was not hers. She was a living contradiction.
Her mind told her hands to stop, but they didn't.
She felt as though she couldn't breathe as the panic started to overtake her, yet she could still feel her lungs moving.
Stop clapping.
Nothing, her hands still continued to obey someone else's wishes.
"Albus, that is enough," stated Minerva
"Not yet," replied the wizard
Stop clapping.
The eerie sound still filled the room.
Stop clapping.
Her mind was working too fast, but her body was doing nothing to follow its orders.
Stop clapping.
Her vision started spotting with how hard she was trying to resist, but her hands still wouldn't seize.
"Albus," muttered the witch and the wizard finally relented and took off the curse
Nephera felt her mind return back into her body, and she fell forwards, breathing fast. Her eyes were darting back and forth, as though they were adjusting to everything in front of her. The girl had never felt more terrified, not even when her father had placed the silencing manacles over her.
More than terror, however, she was feeling embarrassed. Embarrassed that two people had seen her acting like a mindless idiot, clapping her hands like some child.
"Nephera," said McGonagall, placing a hand on her back but retracting it immediately when the girl jolted "Are you alright?"
Despite never wanting to feel like that again, she turned to the Headmaster "Do it again,"
"Nephera-" tried to intervene the older witch
"Do. it. Again." she all but growled
The Headmaster raised his wand and repeated the curse. The same floating feeling returned, replaced by panic not too long after.
This time, the brunette was prepared, although that didn't help much.
Stop clapping.
She grew frustrated as her body refused to listen to her mind.
Stop clapping.
The panic seeped even deeper as she began to lose sense of time.
Stop clapping.
Her hands still collided with each other.
Stop clapping.
Stop clapping.
Stop clapping.
To everyone's surprise, Nephera's hands faltered, albeit only for a second before they returned to their usual rhythm.
The idea that she was so close, yet the curse won over her again panicked her even more, and her mind started spiralling.
Why won't they stop?
Break free of the control.
Stop clapping.
Why won't they stop?
"Albus- Albus that is enough," Minerva all but slapped the man's wand out of his arm
Nephera's mind once again returned back to her body, and she slumped into her chair, leaning forwards and placing her head in her hands, breathing heavily.
Her vision was spotty, and she was lightheaded. The sleep deprivation over the past weeks only adding to the exhaustion brought on by the curse.
"I think we're done for the night," stated Minerva
"No, I have to-" panted the Slytherin
"Absolutely not. You need sleep, you can try again tomorrow,"
"Minerva, if the girl wants to-"
"The girl, Albus, is seventeen years old, and will still be here tomorrow. She is done for the night,"
The tension between the two adults could be cut with a knife, and Nephera found it in her best interests not to oppose the older witch when she was so angry.
Without another word, the Professor motioned for Nephera to get up, which she did, albeit swaying slightly, and accompanied her down to the dungeons.
"What time is it?" asked the brunette
"A little past twelve," replied the woman, and could immediately tell that Nephera was starting to panic again
Was she really under the curse that long? It felt like mere minutes, but it was hours with her having no control whatsoever over her mind and body.
"Nephera, look at me," stated the woman "You managed to stop clapping, it might've only been a second, but you being able to do that so soon, and at such a young age, is already extraordinary. You did good, and you should be proud of yourself, because I know I am,"
"I only managed that small bit of control, and at a time where I was expecting someone to imperio me," countered the student "We should've kept going,"
"No, you shouldn't have. You may be in the order, but you are still a child. Please try to remember that."
The Slytherin could only nod as she turned towards the door and muttered the password, slipping inside. As tired as she was, it felt good to hear someone say they were proud of her, and she collapsed on top of her bed, falling into a deep sleep despite trying to keep herself awake, knowing that if she slept, she'd be woken up by nightmares soon enough.
A/N
2.8k words
I want Minnie to adopt me
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