Months had been passed. No wand, no patronuses, no letters coming from her friends or even Draco. Maybe they're just busy, said the tiny voice in her mind. She ignored her inner monologue and went downstairs. The girl tried and tried to contact them in many ways she could possibly do, but her parents is always on the way, blocking everything.
As she finally descended downstairs, she saw her parents wearing an unusual black set of clothing. Her mum's long hair was now tied up in a neat bun hairstyle. Meanwhile, her father's beard was now invisible to everyone's eyes.
Odd, she thought to herself.
She stopped and stared at them for a minute or so. Y/n internally asked herself, "Where are they going wearing in a full black clothing?" No one seems to noticed her questioning look plastered on her face. And so, her parents carried on, prepping themselves before they leave.
She walked towards them, as she eyed everything in their hand. Ellora was clutching on her wand whilst her father Proteus was trying to read something on a tiny piece of parchment. He muttered something to his wife, but she stared at him back, hesitating and now giving in.
"You're probably wondering about where are we headed," Proteus asked y/n. She nodded quickly in response. "We can't tell you, but your mother and I have decided to give back you wand- ahh, this wand is for your safety. It is not for doing any stupid stuffs, okay?"
Proteus arched his right brow, showing that he was serious. Right before she could say yes, she realised that her father mentioned it 'for her safety', and that made her curious.
"For my safety? Why?" she asked.
Ellora went stiff as a stick and minded her own business whilst she leave that question to her husband. She cannot explain into words to her daughter, it brings a heavy feeling to her chest. Proteus took his time, as he picks up the right words to deliver the explanation.
"We now face a new challenge before us and we must be careful. In these days, you must protect yourself," said Proteus before adding it in whilst also adding a long airy sigh, "You mustn't put yourself in danger."
"I must go with you," said y/n. Her father knew it that these words will come from her mouth. He knew right from the very beginning- with or without the houses, He knew. He knew he raised a daughter so brave than him or his wife combined. She has the heart of what every people wanted to have: courage.
Even though she and her parents drifted apart, each of them still cared for each other or at least that's what he thought. He reached out his hand to hold her hand. It was the first time in years to show affection to her since the "you can't go with your friends or you should go back to your old school" incident. It was genuine, not forced or even faked.
"No matter what happens. Remember our family motto: courage sans peur."
And with that, he let go of her hand and reached out his wife's hand instead. Her father gave one last look before disapparating. In the back of his head, he could've say something if ever something went wrong. He was guilty, but now her daughter had changed him. It doesn't look like it, but sooner you'll understand.
Y/n don't know what exactly to feel. She was happy that she received her wand back, but in the meantime, she was curious about their secret destination. Y/n looked at her wand, she remembered her father's words. 'For your safety' she wondered around.
What danger she could possibly face?
Nevertheless, she ignored her father's wise words and headed to Linus' bedroom. She stood up and rapped the door. Linus immediately opened the door, thinking that something bad had happened.
"What happened?" he asked in a haste manner.
"They give me my wand back... and now they're headed somewhere. They didn't let me come."
"Then you should listen to them. What if they were right?"
She stared at him, incredulously.
"Are you serious? What if we something bad happened to them? What if... What if it's too late?" her lips quivered. Even though she hates her parents at some certain day or point, she have this warm feelings for them. Linus began to think, as he tries to put himself on her shoe. If he was more like y/n then he could've done something for his father, but like y/n said, it was too late indeed. For a minutes or so, Linus found himself agreeing to y/n.
It was risky. But maybe this is day where they have to risk everything- be it life or death.
After doing some unnecessary things because of Linus' constant change of mind. He was finally done with himself. Y/n stood up and clapped her hands together. The first place that popped in her mind is Hogwarts. It was an obvious choice that they could be possibly be in there. Not long after, they apparated their way to Hogwarts.
-
"Self, welcome home," she mumbled to herself without Linus hearing it. It wasn't the first time Linus has seen this place. In fact, he sometimes visits the place because his girlfriend was studying here or the time when Hogwarts held the triwizard tournament in here.
Outside the Hogwarts exterior looked whimsical as ever, but something feels wrong. They walked around checking rooms after rooms. After what it feels like a decade, they haven't spotted her parents yet. They passed the great hall, it was no longer in her beautiful state. The big window glass pane were broken into tiny pieces.
Tables were stumbled upside down. Some chairs, too, were split into halves. It was no longer the great hall she knew. Everything was chaotic. She observed the place, running her fingers to the broken table, as if she was trying to find a clue from this. Linus, on the other hand, checked out the place. Like what y/n felt, he felt it too.
This was the place where students gathered, eat, or even narrate some ludicrous tales. But it won't be like that anymore. This place may be destroyed or even burn into ashes, but this place will forever in their memories. A happy thought.
As she was still busy from observing the place, she found an old torn picture. A picture of the courtyard filled with laughing students. The way the photo was taken, she knew who took this photo, it was Colin Creevey. Gosh, how she missed that kid even though he was a bit annoying.
She also remembered that he took a picture of her. The trio making her laugh behind Colin.
Meanwhile, Linus took a step outside the great hall, he saw a group of people wearing all blacks, just like y/n had mentioned it earlier. He squinted his eyes; he recognised those people, especially those two person specifically. It was y/n's parents.
He was so sure that it was them. Linus called out her name, but his words drowned when something exploded outside. The ground shook, and Linus came running towards y/n, whose hands were wrapped tight around her ears.
Y/n even thought that her hearing was ruined by that booming sound.
"I saw your parents! They were running with a group of people!" yelled Linus. Y/n let go of her hand and nodded at him. Soon, they were trying to find where they went. Turning right, turning left, and even sprinting straight.
Dust clouded her eyes, causing her to wipe her eyes from time to time. As they finally went out, in the corner of her eye, she saw a massive group of people.
Some even were sobbing and intertwining their hand with someone's hand. She took a break from running and walked slowly behind them. It feels like it was calling her to check it out. She didn't cared if Linus left her.
A loud cry was heard in front, she saw a person laid unconsciously. And someone was clutching the body. She couldn't make out who that person is, but she felt like someone threw a spear right through her heart.
The people lifted their wands, blossoming a light from the tip. She walked slowly, not caring if she bumped a person. She examined their faces, it wasn't just a person but it was a student. Students from different houses were gathered right here.
More and more people started to block her way. Now, she couldn't see who that person is. She bend down and saw a little space, small enough to check it, but now it was clear than before. She could see it clearly. It was Professor Dumbledore who was laid in front, no sign of life from his body, His face was pale, beside him was Harry, crying.
He's dead, she mumbled. Not long ago, dust was clouding her eyes, but now, it was tears.
"Y/n!" hissed Linus, pulling her away from the crowd.
"What?" she cried.
"We gotta go. It's not safe here," said Linus, panting whilst looking at her. He noticed her grieved expression. "What happened?"
She knew who did this, and that made her blood boiled. She knew that it was up to him to do it. It was his task after all. Back to those days, when she heard this task it was unrealistic to her. Now seeing the headmaster with no life at all, it changed her. It is all real. She wasn't in a dream anymore.
Her expression says it all. Linus gave her a short nod, as they exited away from the big groups.
"I couldn't believed it. H-he's ruthless," cried y/n. "When the time comes that he'll look me in the eyes, I will no longer look at him the same way again."
They were in the courtyard, ready to leave the castle. But y/n was nonstop crying. Linus still listened to the sounds of her weeping.
"We should head back. We aren't safe here. Plus, maybe your parents are looking for us," he said to her. Y/n nodded in response.
He lifted his arms, y/n placed her hand on top of it. Before they could apparate, Linus opened his mouth. "If he hurts you, I swear I'll avada him right before he could even say it." The way he said it. It feels like she's talking to Cedric. She let out a soft chuckle and say;
"Yeah right," she snorted. Both of them chuckled.
"Y/n?!" yelled someone. She squinted her eyes, she saw Ron, running towards them, but it was too late. Linus and y/n disapparated, leaving Ron behind. He questioned himself, "Who was that guy?".
All she could see was black. A void. She felt something in her stomach, it feels like her insides were gushing out of her. They landed- more like Linus landed on his feet whilst y/n was all on fours, vomiting. She's not used to this apparating stuff. Right before them was her house, her parents and a couple of people.
"Y/n, stop vomiting. Your parents are here," said Linus, putting his hand on her back. If she could stop her vomit, then she should've stopped by now. But no, it wasn't like that.
"I don't care. If stopping your vomit was easy then I shoul-" she was cut off by her own sound of puking. "Someone should clean this."
Linus face-palmed. He could feel the second hand embarrassment from this situation. Y/n stood up straight, wiping the corner of mouth. She saw her parent's horrid expression. They were feeling mixed emotions- disgusted to see the vomit and shocked to see Linus and y/n. Her parents noticed that the two of them followed to Hogwarts. Still, they were relieved to see them both alive and in one piece.
"I knew this would happen!" yelled her mum to her husband.
"Tut tut. I said use your wand to protect you, not for some foolish act!" said the father, looking at them in the eyes. "You could've been killed or seen!"
"Are you not happy that I've finally shown some care for the both of you? Well?" she asked to her parents, not giving any attention to the people beside them. None of them answered, y/n glared at them and walked away, leaving the others behind.
"You got an emotional teenager in your household. Maybe, I can toughen her up with a bit of training of mine," Bellatrix laughed maniacally, as she watched y/n went inside the house.
With her wand finally back in her palm, she opened her bedroom door. She was overwhelmed from today's event. Earlier today, y/n saw Ron's questioning look, but she didn't have enough time to greet him because they disapparated right before she could say hello to him. She even saw Professor Dumbledore laid up front with students and staffs crying over him.
She was emotionally tired.
She got no one to lean on.
Well, that's what she thought.
Y/n sobbed uncontrollably as she curled herself in a tight ball. She huddled her legs and buried her face in there. She cried and cried, up until a shadow was seen in her room. The person bent down, placed the hand on her back, comforting her.
"Y/n?"
That voice. That voice was too painful for her to hear. For her, his voice was no longer a voice of an angel, instead, it sounded like an angel of death.
Maybe he was the angel of death. His face was made up by beautiful white pearl stars and he would make the heaven so fine. Yet, he dressed like an omen of death, waiting for a next victim.
"Go away, Malfoy."
She used his surname, not his first name. It's just a small action, and yet he was hurt. Terribly hurt.
"Are you deaf?" she asked him. He saw her face, it was bright red. Her cheeks and nose were painted red. Her eyes were swollen, as if a bee had stung her. "Go away, please. I don't want to see you."
"What happened? Tell me," he asked in a melancholic tone.
"B-because because you killed him," she whispered. "I can't... look at you anymore."
He chuckled softly, causing y/n to bunch her forehead.
"I didn't, y/n. I can't do it myself. He was looking at me in the eyes, disappointed yet he's willing to accept me with open arms," said Draco, holding back his tears. He could already feel the lump in his throat.
"I was hesitating. And so, Snape finished it for me. I didn't killed him, but I'm guilty and full of regret as I was pointing my wand at him. He wasn't doing anything and yet I stood there, ready to.."
And with that he breakdown, showing his vulnerable side to her. It wasn't her first time seeing Draco like this.
"I'm sorry, I was too quick to judge you," she admitted. She also regret assuming Draco had killed Professor Dumbledore without knowing what really happened. "At least, you've kinda done the right thing. You knew it was wrong."
He looked at her, laughing. "What good did I do? huh? Telling him that I was chosen and showing him my mark? Tell me!" the voice shook y/n's body, startled when Draco raised his voice at her. Draco immediately apologise afterwards.
"You've done great things. You have accomplished so many good deeds than mine. You're a good guy, Draco. Remember that."
"And you've done great things, too, y/n."
"What is it then?" she arched her right brow. Draco smirked.
-
It was the next day that their headmaster died from the hands of their teacher, Professor Snape. It came to a shock to the three of them. They were on top of the tower, looking at the beautiful scenery that laid in front of them. Y/n would've love it if she was here. Only Harry, Ron and Hermione knew that y/n loved high places.
"When I'm on top of the mountain, I only see beauty, freedom and faith. Not fear."
A quote that y/n made for them so they won't be scared if they ever plan to hike during the summer break.
The three of them had been talking for the past 15 minutes and Ron decided to bring up a new topic, telling them that he saw y/n the night when Professor Dumbledore died.
"Speaking of y/n, I might've cracked up something on her note," she told the two of them. Hermione unfolded the paper.
PUT YOUR TRUST IN HIM.
Those words were still there, not faded. And so, Hermione began to explain things to them.
"I went to the library (Harry and Ron rolled their eyes) and I saw this was a reference from the bible since she's fascinated by muggle religion. I don't know why really, but the more I looked at the paper, I've realised something; trust and faith are merely the same. So, I took out the word 'faith' and resonate with one thing she loves. Mountain or high plac-"
"Can you get to the point?" asked Harry, eager to know the answer. Hermione continued on as if she didn't heard Harry.
"And I stumbled upon this verse: Faith can move mountains. Get it?"
"We don't get it. Care to enlighten us, please?" asked Ron.
"The way y/n was delivering her message to us is not in literally form. But what she was trying to tell us, that whoever this person is or what we call now the ''faith''" Hermione air quoted the word faith and proceeded, "Is that.. This person, will go on top of the mountain- somewhere here at Hogwarts when the war comes. And he or she will do something and all we have to do is put our trust whoever this person is."
Both Ron and Harry fell silent, trying to absorb all the explanation through their head. Ron tugged their sleeves and shown them a piece of parchment. It was the letter that Luna gave him.
"I think I know who's y/n referring to. Sorry to keep this away from you, but when I was decoding this numbers that y/n passed to Luna and gave it me, I thought it would be like coordinates. Guess, I was wrong," said Ron, showing the numbers to them.
"These numbers are equivalent to letters. Once you jot this down, you'll get a name. It was Proteus."
"Her father? What's that supposed to mean?" asked Harry. He understood everything, but he didn't get the part why y/n's father needs to be trusted.
He thought Proteus was a bad guy.
"Meaning, Proteus is the one we needed to lean onto when the war comes. Y/n is trying to tell us to trust him," said Hermione. They started to understand piece by piece.
"... Yeah, but what about the mountain part? Is he going on top of the mountain?" Harry asked them. It was Harry who had lots of questions to ask.
"Just like what Ron told us before. Y/n is up to something. Something that it may come in handy. Maybe the mountain part is really important."
Harry scratched his neck, frustrated and annoyed.
"Why is he becoming good? Why sudden change of heart and mind? Isn't he like the one who kidnapped her own daughter and locked away from us?"
"I don't know. But we have to trust him. That's what y/n told us. A war is coming, Harry. All we could do now is find people who can side with us," said Ron, making a point to what he had said.
The two of them agreed to Ron. They thought the letter that y/n delivered to them was just a normal message. But good thing, Hermione and Ron was here to save the day. They now understand it all what y/n was trying to deliver. Yet, there is one thing where Ron is quite bothered at.
Why didn't y/n just simply write:
'When you see someone that looks like a foe on top of the mountain, don't be alarmed for this person is a friend.'
That would be more easy to understand rather than figuring it all out by reading the Bible and decoding the numbers to letters.
Y/n is indeed a fan of mystery.