The Before Times
I feel weird...
Gross, some warm, sticky, wet stuff is all over me...
That feels like blood...
Wasn't I just out shopping..?
This is why I don't like going out.
I can't feel anything... Am I dead?
Maybe I am...
God, if you exist, can the next life, or whatever comes next, be more interesting or at least less horribly stressful? Maybe a bit of both...
Please..?
_____
"Oof!" I exclaim as I hit a hard stone floor. I take a deep breath, trying to regain my bearings and I hear the echo of my voice coming back to me, the room is large, but silent. And warm. I start to blink my eyes open and I see the bright, star-filled sky, then I look around a bit more and- dear God that is a lot of kids. I sit up very fast and my head swivels around. Oh shit. This is familiar... and there are wands pointed at me. Of course. Teachers. I'm a safety risk. Right.
"Who are you and how did you get in?" A female voice to my right. My head snaps over and I scan her. I know who she is by the posture and stern voice, but she is vastly different from her screen portrayal. Still a stern older lady she may be, she now is standing in front of me with black hair with only slight streaks of gray. I stare at her in silence for a moment, contemplating whether I should work with these people or scare them or just annoy the shit out of them. In that moment of thought, I feel an odd sensation and my focus is shifted. There's a warm movement in my chest, it feels like it's under my skin, soothing all aches. It's heavy, but also airy and comfortable. Like it was always meant to be there. Like a second heart that pumps warmth and comfort instead of blood. I focus on it, it's calming, grounding. I notice a glow emanating from where I focused and some confused murmuring erupts from the students around. I know exactly what that feeling, that second heart is. Magic. I have magic.
"Answer me, miss, or we'll have to stun you. We cannot risk the students' safety." I hear the same stern voice speak up. Minerva McGonagall. In the flesh. I really hope this isn't a dream.
"My name is Valerie. Valerie Noct. Pleased to meet you, Professor McGonagall." I look up at her, she seems disturbed by something when I look up and I can see what it is in the reflection in her eyes. My eyes have always been a light shade of green, only a bit of gold around the rim of my pupils. Now, they are a bright, glowing emerald. I can't help myself and I grin widely.
"This is one hell of a gift. I hope you don't mind my dropping in. I will likely be staying for a bit."