VII
VII
By early afternoon, Thalia was startled by the sharp crack of Apparition echoing through the grand but suffocating house. Her grandfather strode into his office without so much as a glance in her direction. His robes billowed behind him, and his expression was as severe as ever. Turning sharply, he fixed her with a piercing look.
“I’m expecting company,” he barked. “Do not disturb me or—so help you—I will make you regret it. You are to disappear. I don’t want to see or hear a peep out of you. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Grandfather,” Thalia replied automatically, her voice steady despite the storm of resentment building inside her. She clasped her hands tightly in front of her, the gesture one of both submission and self-restraint.
Without another word, he slammed the heavy oak door in her face. The sound echoed down the corridor, leaving her alone in the oppressive silence of the house.
For a moment, she stared at the door, the ornate carvings swirling under the golden glow of the afternoon sun filtering through the high windows. She turned on her heel and made her way upstairs to her room, her footsteps light on the polished wooden staircase.
Once inside her sanctuary, Thalia flopped onto her bed, staring at the ceiling. The house always felt emptier when her grandfather was hosting visitors, his demands for silence leaving her feeling even more like an unwelcome guest in her own home. Her thoughts drifted inevitably to Hogwarts—the laughter in the Great Hall, the friendly chatter in the corridors, and the warmth she’d found in her time with the Gryffindors.
I wonder what they’re doing right now, she mused, her mind conjuring images of her friends soaring over the Quidditch pitch, their laughter carried on the crisp autumn breeze. She could almost hear Fred’s teasing remarks and see George’s easy smile.
Her chest tightened at the thought of missing out on more memories. Being here, in this cold, silent house, felt like a punishment she hadn’t earned.
Sighing heavily, she forced herself to sit up and grab a book from her nightstand. If she was going to be invisible, she might as well distract herself. But as she tried to read, her mind kept wandering back to the castle and the people who had made her feel, for the first time in years, like she belonged.
Thalia’s quill scratched across the parchment as she diligently tried to finish the last few notes for her Potions class. The dim light in her room made it hard to focus, but she pushed through, determined to keep her mind occupied. Just as she was about to make a note on the properties of powdered moonstone, a series of loud pops pierced the stillness of the house. The sounds were unmistakable—Apparition. Her grandfather’s company had arrived.
The distant voices grew louder, filled with exuberant laughter and loud shouts. She could hear the clinking of glasses and the occasional raucous cheer, no doubt a sign of some kind of celebration involving heavy drinking. She ground her teeth in frustration, wishing the sounds didn’t feel so invasive. It seemed like everything about this house, from the creaky floorboards to the oppressive atmosphere, was designed to make her feel as if she didn’t belong.
Despite her best efforts, the noise seeped through the walls, breaking her concentration. Thalia froze in her chair, her quill hovering over the page as she strained to hear the conversation below. The air felt suddenly thick with tension, the words echoing in the quiet room like a hidden warning.
"Polaris," a strange voice called, carrying throughout the rickety house with a strange reverence. The use of her Grandfather’s first name startled Thalia. She couldn’t remember the last time anyone had addressed him so familiarly, let alone in the presence of others. It felt... disconcerting. Her grandfather was a man who commanded respect, a man who expected people to follow his every word without question. To hear someone speak to him as an equal, especially with the tone she had just heard, was unsettling.
"Your aid and support in these early days will not go unnoticed," the voice continued, booming and confident. "We shall all be rewarded for our loyalty in the days and years to come."
Thalia strained to make out any further details. The mention of reward made her heart skip. What could they be talking about? She didn’t understand the full weight of the conversation, but the seriousness was palpable.
The voice was definitely not familiar—someone new, someone important. But it wasn’t the mystery of the speaker that gnawed at her; it was the words themselves. "Our plan is in action," the voice rang out again, "within the coming months, we will have what is desired, and the answers to help us proceed."
Thalia’s pulse quickened, her mind reeling as she pieced together fragments of what she could hear. Her grandfather had always been involved in shady dealings—his associations, his mysterious trips—but this felt different. The cryptic nature of their conversation made it clear that whatever they were planning, it was something far greater than anything she had witnessed before.
Her grandfather’s voice followed, more commanding now. “This is a delicate matter. We move carefully, we strike when the time is right. Everything hinges on our ability to act without suspicion.”
Thalia's brow furrowed. What was this about? She had never heard her grandfather sound so determined, so... anxious. Whatever they were planning, it was nearing a critical stage.
She felt the room close in around her as she sat in silence, trying to absorb what little information she could. She couldn’t hear the rest of the conversation clearly, and the more she thought about it, the more she realized how little she truly knew about her grandfather’s life.
Thalia's heart pounded in her chest as her grandfather's voice reverberated again through the walls, the weight of his words pressing down on her. "Before we continue to plan and celebrate, let me enforce complete and total privacy." The finality in his tone made it clear that whatever came next was something she wasn't meant to hear.
She hadn’t even been trying to eavesdrop. She had been studying, absorbed in her notes, but now it seemed impossible to ignore the eerie sense that something monumental was unfolding just beneath her feet. Her mind raced with thoughts she couldn't quiet. What kind of plan were they talking about? What answers were they seeking, and why was it so secretive?
Before she could ponder further, her grandfather’s voice cut through the silence.
"Mufilto."
The sound of the silencing charm was unmistakable, followed by an immediate, oppressive silence. It was as though the world itself had stopped breathing. The echoes of the conversation were abruptly snuffed out, leaving Thalia in an eerie quiet that felt almost suffocating.
She swallowed hard, her pulse still thrumming in her ears. The lack of sound was both a relief and a new source of unease. The magic surrounding her felt heavy, as though her grandfather's control had been extended further than the walls of his office. The silence pressed against her thoughts, muffling everything but the racing beat of her heart.
Her mind continued to churn even as the night wore on. She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep. The shadows in her room seemed to stretch and curl, as though they were trying to whisper secrets she wasn’t meant to hear.
~.~.~
Thalia’s mind was still swirling with unanswered questions as she made her way through the frost-covered streets of Hogsmeade on Monday morning. The chilly early November air nipped at her cheeks, her breath visible in the early-morning light as she walked briskly, eager to get to Hogwarts. She had left the house earlier than usual, deliberately avoiding her grandfather's presence, something she had been doing all weekend. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep this up without him noticing, but the thought of facing him again, knowing that there was so much he hadn’t shared, unsettled her.
Her footsteps crunched on the frozen ground as she crossed the snow-dusted path, the towering silhouette of Hogwarts rising in the distance. She could hear the faint sounds of students already laughing and chatting in the distance, but instead of heading straight to the Great Hall, Thalia took a detour toward the greenhouses. She needed to clear her head and speak to someone she trusted—Professor Sprout.
The greenhouse sat in quiet isolation, the glass panes of Greenhouse 5 shimmering in the early light. Thalia’s heart raced as she walked toward the entrance, hoping no one else was inside. The last thing she wanted right now was to face a group of curious students. She knocked gently on the glass door, her fingers trembling slightly as she waited for a response.
"Enter!" came the familiar voice of Professor Sprout from inside.
Thalia hesitated for a moment, glancing around to make sure the coast was clear, before slipping into the warmth of the greenhouse. The smell of damp soil and growing plants filled her lungs, soothing her a little as she spotted the professor tending to a row of delicate fanged geraniums.
The professor looked up when she noticed Thalia, and her warm, welcoming smile faded into something more concerned. The lines around her eyes tightened as she set aside her gardening tools, standing up straight.
"Ms. Winterbourne, is everything okay?" she asked, her tone gentle but laced with a trace of worry.
Thalia forced a smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. She wasn’t sure how much to share, but the weight of her thoughts had become too heavy to carry on her own. "Yes, Professor, of course," she said, though her voice wavered slightly. She tried to keep it light, but the words she had rehearsed in her head the night before began to tumble out in a rush. "I was wondering whether you would be able to help me with something."
"I will try my hardest, dear," Professor Sprout replied kindly, a soft smile returning to her face.
Thalia wrung her hands together anxiously. Though the greenhouse was warm, the scent of earth and plants filling the air, Thalia felt cold, her nerves eating away at her. "I was wondering whether you might be able to owl home for me. As you know, I live with my grandfather. He’s got me on quite a strict routine, and I was wondering if you could suggest that I stay at school a little longer each day? I need more access to the library, and I’ve been missing out on Professor's extra office hours and study groups." The words spilled out in a rush, and she couldn’t stop herself. "I know he’ll trust your word more than mine, so I was hoping that if you asked, he might understand. Hopefully, it will put his mind at rest, that's all."
The professor’s brow furrowed in concern, and she took a few steps toward Thalia, her expression turning more serious. "Have you tried talking to him yourself?"
Thalia hesitated, feeling a knot tighten in her stomach. "I have," she replied softly. "But... he’s very set in his ways. It’s hard to explain, Professor. He’s protective, and I think he feels the need to keep me close. He wouldn’t see it as anything other than an excuse if I asked directly. But with your help..." Thalia trailed off, her voice almost pleading.
Professor Sprout studied her for a moment, her gaze thoughtful. "I see," she said finally, her voice softening. "I understand. It’s difficult when family obligations weigh so heavily. It’s also not uncommon for students to feel like they need more time, especially with the workload you’re carrying. 8 NEWTs! I agree there are resources and people to help you here—like your professors and your friends. You’re not meant to do everything on your own, Thalia.”
The use of her first name made her feel a little more at ease, but the fear that her grandfather's influence would stretch even into the school halls lingered.
"I know," Thalia replied, taking a deep breath. "But sometimes I just feel like if I don’t push myself, if I don’t prove I can handle everything on my own, he’ll just... I don’t know, be disappointed in me." Her voice cracked for just a moment, betraying the vulnerability she had been holding in. She quickly covered it with a forced, casual tone. "I just don’t want to disappoint him."
There was a long pause as Professor Sprout regarded her, her kind eyes softening as she placed a hand gently on Thalia's shoulder. "I’ll make sure to speak with your grandfather, but I think it’s important that you both know you have people here who support you and want to see you succeed. You deserve that, Thalia."
A sense of relief washed over her, even though she knew it would take time to convince her grandfather. But with Professor Sprout’s support, she had a little more hope.
"Thank you, Professor," she said quietly, feeling both a sense of gratitude and guilt for involving her in something that was so personal.
“I’ll write the letter for you, and I’ll make sure it sounds respectful but clear. I’m sure your grandfather will see that you’re working hard and that extra access to the library will only help you." the elderly professor continued.
Thalia’s heart lifted a little, though a flicker of uncertainty still gnawed at her. "Thank you, Professor. I really appreciate it." she smiled.
Professor Sprout looked at Thalia with a mixture of concern and kindness, her eyes narrowing slightly as though she could see the struggle behind the girl’s forced smile. She stepped a little closer, her voice softer now, almost coaxing.
“Thalia, you know you can talk to me if you need to,” she said gently, her tone warm but firm. “Is there anything more you wish to tell me? Are you well?”
Thalia’s heart swelled with emotion, but she quickly pushed it down, unwilling to burden the professor any further. The words that had been lingering in her mind for days—the fears, the doubts, the uncertainty—suddenly felt too big, too heavy to share. Her grandfather’s dark warnings and physical punishments, the secrecy surrounding him and his strange visitors, all of it was suffocating her from the inside. But what if, by telling someone, she was making things worse? What if it led to more trouble? What if she couldn’t protect herself, let alone anyone else?
The lump in her throat grew tighter, and for a brief moment, Thalia thought she might crumble right there in front of the professor. Her fingers twisted together in a nervous knot, her eyes downcast as she tried to swallow the wave of emotion threatening to overwhelm her.
Shaking her head again, more vigorously this time, she forced the words out, though they felt foreign on her tongue. “No, Professor. I’m okay.” The lie stung, but it was all she could manage. The smile she tried to give was weak, almost desperate, and she could see the doubt flicker in Professor Sprout’s eyes, but the older woman didn’t press her.
For a long moment, they stood there in silence, Thalia fighting to hold herself together. The professor seemed to understand that Thalia wasn’t ready to share whatever was truly troubling her, and so, with a soft sigh, she gave the girl a small nod.
“Alright then, dear. I’ll send that letter for you today.” Professor Sprout said, her voice tender. “But know that my door is always open. Don’t hesitate to come to me if you need anything.”
Thalia swallowed hard, fighting the lump in her throat, and gave a small nod in return. “I’ll... I’ll keep that in mind.”
The professor offered a final reassuring smile before she turned to her workbench, gathering the notes and materials she had set aside. Thalia lingered for a moment longer, wanting to say something—anything—to take away the weight in her chest, but she knew she couldn’t. The words weren’t ready to be spoken, and maybe they never would be.
With a final glance at the professor, Thalia felt a small sense of relief wash over her as she stepped out of the greenhouse and into the crisp morning air. The sky was still a pale grey, and the first hint of sunlight was just beginning to warm the grounds. She tucked her hands into the pockets of her robe, trying to calm the nervous flutter in her chest.
As she walked back towards the warmth of the castle, she tried to refocus her thoughts on the upcoming school day. She would have to face the twins, the other Gryffindors, and perhaps even confront her grandfather later. But for now, she just needed to make it through breakfast.
Suddenly, a loud shout from the stone staircase startled her, and she instinctively froze, her heart skipping a beat. She spun around quickly, a smile automatically lighting her face when she saw Ginny waving excitedly from the landing above.
“There you are! You disappeared all weekend! I was beginning to get worried. You're joining us for breakfast, I presume?” Ginny called out as she descended the stairs, her voice filled with an easy familiarity that made Thalia's heart flutter a little. Before she could answer, Ginny linked arms with her and pulled her toward the Great Hall, practically dragging her along as they made their way through the bustling hallways.
Thalia couldn’t help but smile despite the nervousness bubbling under the surface. “Sorry, I was buried under countless essays and revising for quizzes that are happening this week," she explained with a casual shrug, though her voice was a little too forced. "When I looked up, the weekend was over,” she added with a weak chuckle, hoping the light-heartedness would mask the confusion and unease she was actually feeling. Her eyes flickered toward Ginny, hoping the girl wouldn’t ask too many questions.
Ginny seemed to buy the excuse, but Thalia caught a flicker of concern in her eyes. She slowed for a moment, giving Thalia an appraising look before sighing and offering a good-natured grin. "I wish I had half your brains," she said, her tone slightly envious but affectionate. "I can't even keep up with my own homework most of the time."
"Well, that's what I'm for. Always here to help," Thalia laughed, nudging Ginny’s shoulder lightly, her smile wide and genuine. "It won't be long until you're top of the class."
Ginny chuckled, shaking her head. "I'm sure it'll be a while before that happens," she replied teasingly, but the warmth of the compliment was evident as she watched Ginny’s cheeks flush a soft pink at the compliment.
As they approached the long Gryffindor table, the chatter around them gradually quieted, and suddenly, the twins’ loud cheer rang out, filling the hall and drawing all eyes in their direction.
"There she is!" Fred called, waving enthusiastically from where he sat, his grin wide and mischievous, clearly pleased to see her, “That’s our girl!”
"We thought you'd been eaten by one of the books in the restricted section!" George added with a grin, though there was a hint of concern in his voice that Thalia immediately noticed. His eyes were trained on her, a silent inquiry in them that made her stomach flutter with an unfamiliar sensation.
"Nope, just distracted by work," Thalia replied quickly, brushing off his concern with a carefree shrug as she slid into the spot beside him. Her heart beat a little faster as she sent him a small, reassuring smile. He returned it just as quickly, though the usual playful light in his eyes seemed to flicker with something else, something she couldn’t quite place.
Thalia felt a slight tension in the air as she settled into the space beside George, her shoulder brushing against his. The table, still buzzing with the energy of the morning, seemed to fall back into a rhythm, but for a brief moment, the world felt smaller, quieter. She couldn't help but notice how easy it felt to be near the twins, how their easy-going banter and the shared warmth of their friendship made the chaos of the hall seem distant.
"How’s your weekend?" Fred asked, grabbing a piece of toast and raising an eyebrow. "You disappeared on us. Did you finally find the time to revise, or did you get eaten by the giant squid after a leisurely swim in the black lake?"
Thalia smirked, pretending to think hard. "Oh, you know," she said, tapping her finger to her chin, "just got lost in the stacks. The usual. No time for a leisurely swim."
George chuckled lightly, but his gaze flickered back to Thalia with a slight furrow to his brow, his earlier worry still lingering. He opened his mouth, probably intending to say something, but Fred quickly cut in.
"Well, we had a great practice on Saturday, but I’ll spare you the details—unless you’d like to come watch the next one?" Fred offered, his tone teasing, though there was a note of sincerity in his voice too. "You could join us for the next match. I’m sure Ginny would love to have you cheering her on."
Ginny, who was now seated on the other side of Thalia, caught Fred’s words and quickly interjected, her smile wide. "Absolutely! We could use all the support we can get. Especially if you’re planning on sticking around the Gryffindor team."
Thalia smiled back, feeling a warmth she hadn’t expected. “I’ll see if I can make it,” she said, not quite sure how she felt about the whole idea of attending a Quidditch match but appreciating the offer nonetheless. The idea of supporting the team, however, made her feel like maybe she wasn’t as much of an outsider as she had been just a few days ago.
As the conversation flowed around her, Thalia settled into the rhythm of the meal, savoring the familiarity of her friends' laughter and the occasional playful jabs between the twins.