9.2
Hidden Truths-
It's two days after what happened. My girls had woken up a few hours after I was pushed out of the hospital Wing. John met with them soon after, but they refused to tell me what they talked about or what had caused them to pass out that day. It's just after the last classes on Wednesday when John texts me, telling me to meet him in his office as soon as possible. Following orders, I exit The Room, where I was with my two girls, and head towards the DADA class. The hallways are filled with students, which makes my walk longer than it should have been.
I don't knock when I enter his office. I see him at his desk, surrounded by loose papers and large books. He looks up and motions for me to sit. As I do so, he starts to speak.
"After I got the girls' version of what happened and you told me about your vision, I was quite sure what happened, but before we continue, I want to ask you a few things." He leans back in his chair and lets out a sigh. "Would you say your hearing is better than before you turned sixteen?"
"I guess?" I don't get what he's getting at.
"What about your vision? Just how clear was the vision you had?"
"It was clear as day. Not like how I see while in my cat form." My brows furrow. "What are you getting at?"
"I'll make this quick." His eyes are sincere. "I and Dumbledor believe you may be a banshee." My mind goes blank. A banshee? Are those even fucking real? My confusion is evident on my face, making him talk further.
"There are certain families of witches that carry the gene that develops into the girl becoming a banshee. It is rare, not unheard of, for a male to become a banshee if both parents carry the gene." I stare blankly at him; my thoughts are going a mile a minute. "Banshees have multiple different abilities. Enhanced hearing, visions of death, being proficient in divination." John stands and rounds his desk. He leans back on his palms on his desk while maintaining eye contact with me. If he didn't look so serious, I would think he was playing a trick on me.
"So-So you're saying I'm a motherfucking banshee?" Are the first words that come out of my mouth. I don't take them back as I watch him look away from me and to the book on the top of the pile beside him. He holds the grey leather-bound book towards me. I grasp it and read the title. The Lives of Supernatural Witches and Wizards. "What am I supposed to do with this?"
"Read it. There aren't many books on the subject as many don't believe that banshees and the like are real." He crossed his arms. "I want you to read everything you can about banshees and your family ties to them. Maybe even send a few letters to your parents about the subject." The last part of his statement was softer than the rest. He knows how shaky my relationship with my parents is.
It's silent for a beat until I look back down at the book in my hands, and a question comes to mind.
"Did you check the restricted section? If not, then that's where I will start." His eyes narrow at me.
"You have access to the restricted section?" I cock my head back and laugh.
"I'm Irma's favorite student; of course, I have access to it." He cracks a grin and chuckles at my casual bragging.
"Guess I'm not the only faculty member who lets you call them by their first name," I smirked as I shrugged. I stand with the book in hand. My mind goes back to a more important subject. I steel myself before reaching out my hand.
"Thank you for the help. If it weren't for you, I would have never come to this conclusion." His face turns somber as he shakes my hand.
"Anytime, Leon."
—
I get to the library and am greeted by Irma with a smile, like always. I approach the librarian and asked her to lead me to the section on banshees in the restricted section. She does so without question. We stroll to the back of the large room and enter the restricted section. She leads me past two bookcases before stopping in front of a line of books.
"From here," the older woman points to the first book on the shelf before moving her hand to point to the middle of the bookshelf. "To here are the books on banshees. There aren't many, but they will prove to be useful for whatever you need them for." She then stalks away and back to her spot in the front of the library, leaving me alone and surrounded by books.
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