(AN- hey yall, dont know much for half blood prince so this will be very jumpy, and most likely go from the very start of the year to the end. Not much goes on where Arabella could really be apart of it but dw im gonna start updating TONS more after HBP gets done. During this year, i wasnt planning on having any big events happen- giving our girl a break for a bit lolz. hopefully doesnt dissapoint!)
Getting on the Hogwarts Express a day early was incredibly strange, seeing it empty other than a few teachers returning late. The trolly wasnt running and the train was practically silent. The train was to say the least, eerie. Thunder and lightning boomed from outside my window. Pulling out the daily prophet from my luggage, the headline was chilling.
"Bridge collapses death toll rises" and below it in a sub-column "Harry Potter, the chosen one?"
The train coming to a screeching halt, myself and the few other teachers hopped off. Climbing into a carriage for the ride over.
The carriages stopped at the gates, leaving the five of us to get off. McGonagall waited by the entrance for us, pointing everyone in their respective directions until i emerged last.
"Welcome back Bella, We missed you the last month last year. Glad to see you healthy hmm?" She said
"Very glad indeed professor. I cant wait to get started." I said
"Well Im quite excited as well. One more thing though," she said, stopping
"Yes professor?" I asked
"Congratulations on your quidditch recruitment this summer. I always knew you would get somewhere amazing" she said
"Couldn't have done it without you professor" I said, smiling. She led me down a corridor to another small hallway. Three doors spread throughout the hall, very close together, yet giving the impression of large rooms.
"This here is your room, where you'll be staying for this year." McGonagall explained, using her wand to unlock the door to a bland room, bland yet incredibly large for one person.
"Thank you Professor." I said
"Please Arabella, call me either Minerva, McGonagall, or if you would like Minnie. Only my friends get to use that one though." She said with a slight smile. Looking at me with a look of pity, replacing the old look of excitement.
"Dear, please sit for a moment. I just wanted to say sorry, I taught your father as well as his friends and can I just say that he was quite possibly one of the best students I ever had. You are far more talented but he was the kindest, most incredible man I ever had the pleasure of knowing. I'm always here if you ever need anything. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me." McGonagall said, tears prickling at her eyes.
"Thank you McGonagall, I appreciate more than you could ever imagine." I said, my eyes tearing up.
"I understand more than you could ever imagine my darling, I have experienced many losses, friends, family, and surprisingly students being the worst." She said
"I'm sorry-" I started
"Don't be, many died for the things they loved, alike your father. You must remember Ara, to always love, no matter the consequences." She said, before nodding and exiting the room.
NOVEMBER 9TH-
"Arabella, we need you in the hospital wing, now." McGonagall said, rushing to my room and rushing out. Following her and running to catch up, I soon found out what was going on.
"What happened to her?" I asked, seeing Katie Bell, my 6th year friend laying on the cot.
"Some sort of curse, we need you to keep an eye on her while we discuss possible causes and anything serious." Poppy said
"You can handle that cant you Dupont?" Snape said, a scowl on his face.
"I can, and I will." I said, taking a seat next to her.
"Do not make contact with her, or the cot, under any circumstances" McGonagall said before rushing to talk with the other professors. Katie lay unconscious on the hospital bed, her face extremely pale, the memories of us flooding back into my mind.
"Katie, if you can hear me, its Arabella, your old roommate. Hang in there" I said, understanding it wont do much, but feeling as if its worth a shot.
"Arabella? We've figured it out, you can head back to your quarters now if you'd like" McGonagall said, obviously needing my presence gone.
JUNE 30TH-
The air was cold on my legs, the professional robes I had on swaying in the wind of the astronomy tower. My hand over my mouth, trying not to make a noise. Harry and I one story down from the scene that would send the wizarding world into shock.
"Years ago, I knew a boy who made all the wrong choices. Please let me help you" Dumbledore said, his long grey hair flowing dramatically.
"I dont want your help, dont you understand!" Draco snapped, his wand pointed straight at the headmasters head, "I have to do this! I have to kill you, or hes gonna kill me."
Footsteps sounded from the other side of the astronomy tower, Harry inching closer to the crack in the floorboards. 3 figures appearing out from the shadows, staring straight at Dumbledore.
"Well, look what we have here." a voice said, sending shivers down my spine. Without looking I knew, my mother was at Hogwarts. Harry turned to me, a worrisome look on his face.
"Well done Draco, my marvelous apprentice." She said
"Apprentice-" I whispered before getting a glare from Potter.
"Good evening Toussaint, I think catching up is in order"
"Love to, you old bat, but were on a tight schedule here. Do it boy." She said
"He doesnt have the stomach, just like his father. Let me finish him in my own way" Greyback said, snarling his teeth.
"No you animal, the Dark Lord was clear. The boy is to do it, prove his worth to the cause." She snapped, "This is your moment, do it"
"Go on Draco" Greyback said
"Now!" My mother snapped once again
"No," Snape said, stepping in onto the platform
"Severus, please." Dumbledore said calmly
"Avada Kedavra" Snape said, swishing his wand at the headmaster, pushing him from the tower. Harrys breath hitched next to me, his eyes swelling. Grabbing his arm, I pulled him down the staircase.
"Arabella, Arabella, hes- hes dead" Harry managed to spit out once we were to safety.
"I know, take your time, but I have to alert McGonagall. Ill be back as soon as possible." I said, hustling out.
Later that night, the students and staff gathered in the courtyard. Dumbledore's body cold and lifeless on the pavement. Harry weeping over his body, McGonagall turned to me, a look of fear on her face.
"The history of this school is in grave danger" She said, the look of fear changing to sorrow. Lifting her wand to the sky, the students and staff held up their wands in honor of our fallen professor.
JULY 1ST - the last day of term
The train ride back to Grimmauld place was the longest train ride I think I ever experienced, even with taking a nap, reading, and catching up on the news.
Albus Dumbledore dead, Death Eaters at Hogwarts, the beloved professor was presumably killed using the killing curse. Students and staff traumatized without their leader to pave the way to success- the paper read
The train finally screeching to a stop at Kings Cross station, my luggage shifting in the overhead rack. Standing to exit the nearly empty train, my heart skipped a beat. I was finally going home, after one of the longest years of my life, I was going home. Hogwarts had changed for the worse this year, and it would never be the same. Making my way off the train I realized something, one thing that would never change was here, one thing I could never drop, Fred.
"Good morning M'lady" He said, grabbing my luggage as soon as my foot hit the platform.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, grinning up at the ginger.
"Had a break in work, heard you were getting home today." He said, a small awkwardness sitting in the air
"I missed you Freddie, this year was, well interesting." I said
"I heard the news, I'm sorry." He said
"Its okay, I have you, and that's all that matters." I said, a small smile on my face.
"Yes, you do, and I have you." he said, grabbing my hand and apparating out of the station and into Grimmauld place.
Meeting everyone back at Grimmauld place and seeing everyones smiling faces was a sight for sore eyes. Losing hope was never an option but was starting to feel like reality.
"Good news Arabella!" Mrs. Wealsey said as we all sat down for lunch
"Whats that?" I asked
"Bill and Fleur are getting married" She said, a slight smile on her face.
"Thats good" I said, the room growing silent and Mollys smile turning sour. After lunch Fred and I apparated to his and Georges appartment.
"Now, we just got it with the space so its not much but its a start. This is my room, Georges is down the hall. Not much but its ours." He said
"I love it Freddie, and Im so glad its so close to everything." i said, finally taking a seat in the living room.
"So about that, I dont know what your plans are for the upcoming year or if you even have any or if you are going back to Hogwarts but, I was wondering, well George and I, we were thinking maybe you move in with us? Only if you want, and you dont even have to work at the shop but the offer still stands but dont feel-" Fred says
"Freddie, if I dont go back, I would absolutely love to come live with you, and ecspecially work with you two. It sounds like an absolute dream for me." i said, cutting him off.
"Oh thank god" Fred said with a relieved sigh
"Oh in other news, does your mum not like Fleur and Bill or something? She didnt seem all too pleased with the marriage." I said
"Dont get me wrong, mum loves a good wedding, and wouldnt put her feelings before Billys but shes not the biggest fan. I guess Gin isnt either, obviously Ron doesnt care, and George and I are really just excited for the bloke." Fred said, sitting in the couch next to me.
"That's so strange, your mum likes me though right?" I asked, suddenly getting worried
"Oh mum likes you more than Georgie and I most days. Talks about you like an absolute angel." Fred said
"That's a relief" I said as Fred and I stood, gathering our things.
"Well either way the wedding is in a few months, and I dont know how Fleur is doing bridesmaids but either way you can be my date." Fred said
"Can I? How sweet of you" I said in a sarcastic tone
"Oh shove off Dupont, How about the cannons, any news from them?" Fred asked
"Some practices here and there, its an off year from the cup for us obviously so were taking it lightly this summer. Think she knows about the issues in the ministry, doesnt want to work anyone up." I said, lacing up my shoes to go downstairs.
"I could see that, I think all we really need now is quidditch" Fred said in a joking tone
"Okay Mr. Oliver Wood, where is that coming from." i said giggling
"You are just the best player out there? How could I not watch you soar like a pheonix!" Fred said, dramatically flopping on the couch.
"I could never imagine! You have nothing else to do now!" I said, laughing.
"Come on, let me show you the ropes of working in the best joke shop ever. If you master this, you can master anything" Fred said, leading me downstairs.
(I know this isnt very interesting or very long but next is the wedding and is already in the process of writing- thank you all for being paitent)