Aine's eyes bore ahead, her mind floating away into a train of thoughts as reality becomes fainter. She couldn't stop herself from thinking about Draco and why he hasn't turned up for the past two lessons, let alone inform her about his absence and she had to hear it from his friends instead. She pondered about the lie he had told her when he lied about helping their potion professor and it only increased the unsettling feeling within her. Was she overthinking things after all? Could there be a rational reason for him to not turn up or was there a problem that he had faced that he couldn't tell her?
Deep down inside Aine, she couldn't help but feel a little sad. Did Draco not trust her enough to tell her about what he was going through? She heaved a sigh, recalling when she had asked Blaise and Cyrus about his 'duties'. They did seem to be acting strangely when they told her Draco wasn't coming to class, fidgeting awkwardly as if they were hiding something.
At the end of the day, he was a prefect and perhaps he was simply busy with his prefect responsibilities which was probably why he was unable to make it but Aine had a gut feeling that it was something more than that. She knew of his tasks fairly well since Hermione and Ron were prefects too, but she couldn't understand why he wouldn't tell her.
Hermione calls out to her, but she was being too preoccupied in her mind that the girl's voice could not penetrate her bubble of thoughts. She turns to Ron who shrugged, equally puzzled. Harry had finished explaining their exercises today and it was Aine's turn to start the rest of the training they were going to have but the girl simply stood rooted to the ground. Her eyes stared blankly at the floor.
Harry cleared his throat, hoping that the girl would snap out of her senses but the longer she stares at the ground, the more quizzical looks she was getting from the rest of her friends. The boy stepped closer to her and nudges her shoulders, the sudden touch made her flinch and broke free of her thoughts. "Are you alright?" he whispers to her and she raises a brow at him.
"I'm fine," she replies and he smiles, urging her to go on.
"Right! Sorry about that!" Aine lightly chuckles, shaking away the uneasy feeling. She went on to explain the exercises they were going to do today. The mass was split into two groups, one practising the use of defensive spells while the other will be going for a short duel before swapping with the opposite. Hermione and Aine took the honour of doing the former while Harry and Ron takes the latter before switching.
The first duelling group to start was Collin, Cho, Ernest, Hannah, Justin, Katie, Lavender, Leanne, Nigel, Neville and Susan along with Harry and Ron.
While the next group was comprised mainly of Angelina, Dean, Ginny, Katie, Lee, Luna, Michael, Seamus and the Weasley twins.
To make sure no one gets hurt during duelling, Aine casted a small protection bubble on one side of the room. Whatever's contained within the sphere couldn't harm anything outside and she made sure that it could be undone with a simple enchantment. That is if you know the enchantment of course. She made sure Harry, Hermione and Ron knew of the spell besides her if things were to go horribly wrong. Though it was highly unlikely that anything will happen, it was just a precaution.
Aine and Hermione's group began to train again, revisiting the spells that they had learnt throughout a couple of weeks. When it was everyone on the first team had finished their little duel thankfully without sustaining any major injuries besides being nudged around, it was the other team's turn.
The group started by finding their partner to battle with, drawing lots until everyone got a pair including Hermione and herself. It started with Hermione and Luna, followed by Angelina and Katie, Dean and Michael, Seamus and Fred, Lee and George, and last but not least, Ginny and Aine.
"Lovely," George commented sarcastically, hating to battle against his close friends. He was actually hoping he'll get anyone besides his own blood and close friends like Lee or Aine but guess he had run out of luck.
Fred patted his brother's back, wishing him good luck while he silently prayed that his twin will win against Lee.
"This is going to be fun," Ginny squeals, rubbing her palms as she looks at Aine, determination in her eyes. It was going to be the first time she'll be going against Aine in terms of fighting physically, or in this case, going in offence and defence simultaneously. It was going to be a memorable experience for the redhead girl, knowing how strong her friend was. She couldn't stop herself from getting fired up from the duel though they were the last to go.
Aine gave Hermione and Luna an encouraging nod as they stepped into the ring before she cast the hemisphere protection around them. "Remember, only use defensive spells that we've learnt. I don't want any of you getting hurt from this, alright?" she announced to the group who gulped, nodding their heads furiously. There was no hiding that everyone was equally nervous about this, having to go against their friends for the first time and that even included Hermione and Aine. She repeated the duelling exercise rules once more, making sure that everyone got the message clear. She didn't want anyone getting injured and making the trip to Madam Pomfrey, Aine mentally cursed, she could already imagine seeing the matron's face in disbelief as she bombards them with a million questions if something does go terribly the wrong way.
~~~
It wasn't long until it was down to the last group and the victors that emerged so far were Hermione, Angelina, Dean, Fred and George. Although it was a tough match and everyone showed improvements despite winning or losing.
The girls approached the ring and Hermione cast the shield around them, heaving in a mouthful of air as she looks around. Students were slowly getting distracted and were becoming interested in the fight between Aine and Ginny that Harry had to remind them to focus on their spells.
Ginny gave Aine a nod, stretching her limbs slightly as they prepare to duel. Their friends divided over who would win and the twins even smirked at the two of them, each betting on a different person. Aine rotated her wrists, gripping onto her sleek wand as she watches Ginny pin her hair up so it wouldn't get in the way.
"Ready, Gin?" Aine asks her and her best friend's pupils flared up with a resolution to beat her. It was even making Aine compelled even though she wasn't feeling so an hour ago. Everyone knew that both girls were competitive beings who didn't like to be defeated.
"I was born ready," Ginny simpers back boldly, making Aine impressed.
"Remember, you two! Only use the spells that you were taught and learned in this room! Nothing more!" Hermione reminded firmly and Aine gave her a thumbs up while Ginny nodded.
They took their stance, their backs facing each other, counting down as they walked a few steps before turning. Aine places a steady foot forward as she points her wand at Ginny, taking a deep breath to compose herself and stabilize her racing heart. She couldn't help but feel a little tinge of excitement running through her blood, slowly pumping her with adrenaline and hype.
With a blink of an eye, Ginny was the first to attack. She launched herself forward at such a speed that even Aine almost jerked, confidently throwing a few spells at her opponent, fiercely itching to win over. There was a smile on the redhead's face as she constantly fires away the spells that they have learnt, she was pushing Aine into a corner of the ring before she blasted her, "Flipendo!"
"Finite," Aine mutters, swiftly waving her wand to cease the attack. She jumps backwards, landing softly on her toes, neatly dodging the jinxes that Ginny had shot in her direction. She heard her friend click her tongue, disappointed that she had missed the chance to take her down. "Don't be so impatient, Gin," Aine stated, still defending herself easily. They were just getting started.
However, as time went on, the battle between the two started to get even fiercer. Ginny was becoming hot-headed after realizing she hasn't properly inflicted a spell on Aine. She started to grow impatient, her smile fading to a frown as her energy soon depletes. The girl grunted as Aine repelled her body-binding curse, she was about to inflict another attack when Aine swept her off her feet, sending her levitating into the air. "Oh—! Holy sh—" the girl nearly cursed, kicking about trying to break free before Aine drops her down.
"Language!" Ron interrupted, shooting his sister a glare which she ignores.
"Nice try," Aine complimented with a wink. She watches as Ginny scrambles to her feet, but not before attempting to take her out while she was off guard. With another wave of her wand, "Glacius," she cast and a carpet of ice emerged from the ground, sending Ginny to slip from the slippery glassy floor. The girl once more, cursed under her breath, not intending to hold back the words as she rubs her bum.
"Cheap move," Ginny teased, trying to not lose her head off but clearly, it was rather obvious when she slams the icy ground, shattering it into a million snow dust and letting off some of her steam. Aine shrugged it off, a smile on her face when she watches Ginny get back to her feet, sending her attacks after attacks.
It was remarkable to see how much Ginny had grown, Aine knew that her friend's stamina was off the charts and that her magic was powerful and it really showed in the vicious duel they had. To the point that Hermione and Ron felt anxious looking at them both since they were so violent, making the battle even more intense. They were leaping and lunging about, dodging and attacking at the same time and anyone could tell that they were both having fun. Even Harry had to stop teaching for a moment, just to spectate the fight like the rest of the group whose mouths had hung open in awe.
"They've both improved so much," Hermione mutters to Harry who stood by her and Ron's side, nodding silently. The duel went on surprisingly longer than anyone had expected and none of the two girls were breaking out in a sweat but instead, wore grins on their faces.
"Got you!" Ginny beams when she held Aine's waist back with a water whip conjured from the tip of her wand.
Aine tilted her head to see the turquoise water whip and with her wand, she secretly cast a jinx in Ginny's direction, "Made you look," she nudges her chin over to the ground where her opponent was standing. Red sparks ejected from the ground, rising towards the redhead's face and knocking her back.
"Oh come on!" groans Ginny, shaking her head to rid the scarlet smoke filling her sight.
"You're overthinking too much into this, Gin. Calculate less, just do it!" Aine addressed, jumping back when her friend stuns her. She bit down her lips when she felt her body hitting back onto the shield, feeling a tiny throbbing sensation on her shoulders when the spell hit her.
"Good job," Aine praises her, straightening out her uniform before she goes at her again.
"Thanks~" Ginny replies sweetly, bashful after hearing a compliment.
The two ended up circling one another, Aine's face transitioned from exhilaration to amazement, she felt almost proud just watching Ginny keeping up with her. Yet, that didn't stop Aine from holding back one bit, in fact, she was even more determined. They took their stance again as if preparing for a second round. This time, Aine had attacked first.
Ginny staggered backwards almost suddenly being pulled by an invincible force, she grits her teeth, trying to break free before snapping ahead to Aine who pounced towards her with her wand pointing directly in her face. Her eyes widened, watching the tips of Aine's lips curl up very slightly. Almost as if out of instinct, Ginny's eyes wandered to Aine's legs, her left foot holding down her frame as she lunges. Then she mustered every strength she has, her arm reaches forward to grab Aine's collar, dragging her down as the girl loses her balance.
Crack.
Aine blinks in confusion. Something had splintered within her abruptly and the sparring vision slowly distanced itself away from her own reality. Her mind narrowed into a tunnel vision, taking over her sight and her consciousness. It grew darker around her even though she could feel herself deflecting the spells subconsciously, and her movement became numb as if her mind had separated from her own body.
She heard her name being called but when she opened her mouth to speak, there was nothing but silence. When she tries to scream, only quietness welcomed her. Everywhere she looked, there was only darkness that greeted her. Aine found herself walking ahead, hoping to find something that could answer her questions. Then after some time, there was finally something she could see; reflective black tiles surrounded her.
Aine couldn't see her reflection, instead, she saw a pale slender hand reaching forward. When her eyes drifted to the ground where minimal light shone, she saw a familiar snake gliding next to the cloaked being, hissing softly and dangerously.
Nagini...
Aine heard them converse in a different tongue, one that she recognized as Parseltongue or also known as Snake Language. When she blinks her eyes, she no longer saw the snake but rather, the dark continues to envelop her and she finds herself plunging deeper into the depths of the abyss. With every step she took, a pungent stench similar to a rotten corpse met Aine's nose and she felt every urge to vomit. A howling gust of wind blew by, sending chills down to her very core when she trails behind the cloaked figure.
She couldn't stop herself from looming behind him. The being she had grown to despise, the man who had caused so many deaths— the monster who had taken countless lives and still seeks the pleasure to kill. Even so, every nerve in her body continued to approach him, luring her into hell.
Aine jumped slightly when she heard a high-pitched creaking sound, the sound of a door opening to an unknown space. Where exactly, the girl didn't know, only for the fact that it led to a sunless room. All she ever knew was that something deep down inside her was telling her to follow it, to get what was beyond the bleak blackness. It was corrupting Aine the more she was closer to it, the desperate instinct of having to obtain the unknown creeping up to her.
I have to get it... I have to acquire that very artefact... It's mine... No one can have it but me...
IT'S ALL MINE..!
Ginny's eyes shot up to Aine, watching the girl buckle to a knee as her smile wipes away from her pale face. She had finally successfully landed an attack on her friend after so long, perhaps there was a chance that she could beat her in this duel after all. Howbeit, there was something about Aine that Ginny couldn't put her finger on. Was it the girl's aura? She felt like something about her friend had changed when she dragged her down with her earlier.
She wasn't sure if Aine had hit her head except that she became extremely ruthless afterwards. The look in Aine's eyes had differed from the sparkling bright ones that Ginny had loved, replaced by a foggy look as if all light had disappeared. And for one, the expression that the girl wore had made Ginny perturbed. It felt as if her friend had become a completely different person.
There was a hint of menace and coldness to Aine's appearance.
The Weasley girl's breath hitched as Aine lept across the Protego barrier, now firing spells without speaking the incantation or rather, she stopped speaking at all. Her limbs moved to hurl attacks at Ginny, easily dodging and attacking even more when her friend had defended. The raven-haired girl's speed began to increase which was even more shocking especially since it was nearly twenty-five minutes since they started the duel and Ginny was slowly having a hard time trying to keep up. Instead of feeling exhaustion at this point, Aine showed zero signs of tiredness.
Why didn't anyone set a bloody timer for this duel in the first place? Ginny thought to herself. Oh! That's because no one lasted this long! She replied to herself in her mind, full of sarcasm. The girl grunts, feeling her breathing grow ragged. The duel was far much more extreme than her Quidditch training and that was saying something because Aine was actually keeping up. Unlike her friend, Ginny needed a time-out soon and fast.
As Ginny dodges the repeated attacks from Aine using the spells she's learnt, she continued to witness the change in her friend. It was subtle and would no doubt go unnoticed by others, mistaking it as a drive to win against her but it wasn't the case. Or at least, not anymore to Ginny. Something was odd about her best friend, even Harry, Ron and Hermione's expressions had fallen grim as they grow tensed, no longer smiling. They had caught on to the girl's behaviour. Ginny's offensive attacks had become defensive in a blink of an eye, and she was getting overpowered by Aine.
She looks possessed. Ginny shudders, her memories of Tom Riddle and the events of the Chamber of Secrets surfacing and she gulps. The faint recollections of the young man that had taken over her mind during her first year. No..! Don't think of him. she warns herself, not wanting to be distracted. Nonetheless, the girl couldn't help but stare in wonder at Aine who was moving so gracefully and sharply that it almost looked like she was dancing.
Aine continues to tread behind Voldemort, finding herself going deeper and deeper until she could barely see anything ahead. Yet, the Dark Lord's presence remained, or at least she could still sense him though she wasn't sure if he could for her. Despite the darkness, Aine didn't feel afraid of the unknown, it felt as if the darkness had embraced her and she felt more comfort than caution. Her footsteps confidently resume along as she accepts the dark.
Her heart race, feeling herself closing into what she has to obtain. She heard the monster speak again, low and desirous.
Mine... I must get what is mine..!
There was a glimpse of light ahead finally, but before Aine could make sense of what it was. She felt her body being held back, a pair of arms snaking around her body, wrapping her tightly. A shadowed figure behind her back covered her eyes and blocked her sight while another hand tugged across her frame, preventing her from going on. Then, a silvery voice echoed with such gentleness that it nearly made Aine let out a strangled cry.
"Don't."
The sudden familiar voice made Aine tremble, feeling a wash of longing, bitter sadness and rage. She shot back to the real world, her eyes widening with fear and with a swift turn, she accidentally fired a grave spell toward her friend out of reflex. And when she realize what she had done, her golden pupils only grew larger and her face contorted into fear, going into a frenzy as she witness Ginny unable to dodge it on time.
NO..!
Her hand reached out to her friend, while she hastily tries to terminate it with a counter-spell. Please... Please let me stop it on time!
There was a white blinding light, clashing against the dark destructive clouding spell. It was so powerful that no one could keep their eyes open, the wind that swirled across the Room of Requirement and the impact that pushed Aine back from the catastrophe she had caused.
Or at least she thought had caused until she heard.
"PROTEGO!"
─── ⋆⋅☀⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☀⋅⋆ ───
Okay, I cannot stress how fun it was to write this chapter >< Just the idea of dwelling deeper into Aine's character and dropping subtle hints of her identity is just so exciting! What do you guys think of this chapter? Let me know in the comments!
As usual, thank you for reading and until the next chapter! Do upvote and comment! See ya and take care~
- Zeneria