Under the surface
Everything was cold around her. Her body ached so much, but she could not move to soothe the pain. Agnes felt her eyes itching. She tried to open them, but water entered it at once, not letting her see anything, and she closed them again.
She was under the surface, in the water.
It was icy. Her members were aching from the cold and seemed paralyzed. Slowly, she started to come back to her senses. Her head did not hurt anymore, but she was deprived from all her strength. She wanted to grab her wand, to help her get out of here. Or use her elemental magic to reach the surface, but she was unable to move at all.
Everything hurt so bad. Was she dead? Would she feel pain as a dead person? Perhaps not. Or maybe she was in hell, after all.
So cold.
Her body was floating, and she realized she was moving with the current.
How could she still breathe underneath water? How was it possible?
She tried opening her eyes again, and this time, it was manageable. The light from the surface brightened her vision and she could finally see around her. Her body was indeed immerged in water, and she was led where the current was headed. How long had she been floating like this? She tried taking a deep breath but her chest was aching and she started coughing from the cold and the water entering and expulsing from her mouth. Her pulse was really slow. Too slow to function properly. Her fingers started to move but with some difficulty.
It hurts...
After a few minutes of consciousness, the current started to accelerate, and she tried to turn on her front, but before she knew it, her body was thrown out of the river, and her leg scratched onto rocks, leaving an intense pain on her thigh. Agnes tried to scream, but ended up actually swallowing water this time, as if her immunity against drowning was over.
A waterfall.
She was falling down, and felt the shock arrive before it had even happened. At once, her neck slapped onto the water once again and she knew she had probably broke a few ribs as well. How bloody painful, was the only thing she could think.
Gathering all the remaining strength she had, Agnes tried moving her legs into reaching the surface. She needed to breathe air. Or she would faint again, and stay unconscious for god knows how long. After a few instants, her face finally emerged from the water and she started coughing uncontrollably. She tried to breathe but there was still water remaining in her throat. After a moment, she opened her eyes wide to catch the daylight and get a hint on her surroundings. Around her, the horizon was bright and clear.
She was no longer in a river. But in the sea. The horizon was only a blue color with no lands. Behind her, further than she had thought, a large hill showed the waterfall she had fallen from, and the only land she was close to. She had to go back there, or she would be led in the middle of the ocean, and she had no will to swim all the way back.
She took a deep breathe, the first one since god knows how long. She was not dead. And if she had been given another chance to live, she had to get use of it. The young witch's hand came into a fist, gathering the purest will still remaining in her heart, warming up her body at once.
Slowly, water around her started to push her in the opposite direction. She felt her body being led towards the shore, like a gentle hand in her back. In a few minutes only, she was back on the land. The waves helped her get back on the sand, leaving her drenched but a little less cold than earlier. She could not stand up, and just lied there for a moment, looking back at the sea. She was now on a small beach, surrounding by huge rocks and hills. Her eyes caught on the current of the waves crushing onto the land and heading back and forth.
Her fingers were completely wrinkles, and she knew she must have stayed in the water for a while. The sun came caressing her face, and at last, she was relaxing a bit. She lied down a bit more, enjoying the fact she was still alive.
Why was she, though? She should have drowned. She should not have survived the fall.
Oh that's right. She had fallen from her broom. But she could not remember what had happened before that. WHy was she even on her broom? She recalled the night around her, the cold wind pushing her in all directions. She was usually able to control the elements, so why had it seemed like the air was attacking her, or pushing her away... She had been unable to control it, and everything in her head had hurt and she had fainted, eventually falling into the river.
Agnes came back to her senses when a hand came shaking her on her shoulder.
- Miss! Oh my god, don't be dead, please. Such a young lady. Let me call someone for help. Oh, dear, oh, dear.
It was an old woman's voice. She had a storng british accent. Agnes was too tired to open her eyes, and only stayed on the sand, giving up on trying to respond to the person who was now heading back to the hill.
Yes, she did not need anyone. She just needed to sleep. Just a little bit.
After what seemed like hours, Agnes emerged from her sleep, feeling comfortable and cozy. She was resting on a warm bed with a thick blanket up to her nose. It was so nice. She turned around a few times before coming back to her senses. Where was she?
Her hair and body had been washed and cleaned, and she was wearing clothes that weren't hers. At once, she stoop up, leaving behind the nice bed she had just slept in. Agnes caught her hair in her fingers and brought it to her nose. It smelled like vanilla and clean soap.
- Oh, you woke up! Good. Come and eat something, darling, you must be starving. Said the same old woman's voice she had heard at the beach.
- Who are you? Asked Agnes, surprised to see a little chubby woman enter in the room.
The young witch was still smelling her hair, it was comforting.
- My poor child, I found you unconscious on the shore this morning! What happened to you? Your body was cold as a dead one, almost thought I'd have to report it to the police! But thank god, my husband Robert helped me take you back here, and you were alive all right! Just looking really filthy and drenched.
- I.. fell in the water, I think. Agnes said, understanding the woman was not a threat.
After having eating some food, Agnes had listened carefully to the woman. It was apparently the wife of a fisherman working in the area. She was often searching for some shells on the beach to make jewerlies she sold at the market in town. Her name was Adeline and she was about fifty years old.
Agnes could feel her kindess and sincere goodwill. It read on her face she was the nicest muggle she had perhaps ever met.
- Where do you come from, dear? Asked Adeline.
- London. The young woman said, not wanting to give too much information.
- London?! How far is that.. My god, you must be all lost here. We're far from the city! Is there anyone I could call?
- I.. Err.. Well.. No, it's fine. Thank you, you've done so much already. I feel much better!
- Oh.. Darling, take some more rest and I'll ask Robert to drive you to town so you can grab a train home. Your parents must be worried sick!
Agnes grinned awkwardly at the woman. She could not tell her she had fallen from a flying broom, had ended up under water for god knows how long, and she had found her way back to the land thanks to her elemental powers. It was better to just nod and follow along.
Her neck and broken ribs still hurt like a bitch, but she felt way better than before. She'd just have to grab a few potions in the nearest wizard village she'd come across.
She had slept the whole afternoon, and when Robert had finally come home from work, he had accepted to drive her to town in his truck. Agnes thanked Adeline multiple times before the old woman had hugged her and wished her luck for the rest of her trip. Robert and Agnes had not talked the whole time, and she assumed the man was not the type to be cruious about others, nor invading one's privacy into asking about the reasons of their presence in the area. She appreciated it.
He dropped her off in front of a the town's church located in the center. She thanked him and the man drove off almost instantly. The town looked rather small and only a few people were walking home. It was very cold outside.
Too cold for an autumn night.
She entered the church to get some warmth but it was not really helpful. It was empty, and a strange perfume Agnes had never smelled before was sticking to the walls. It was the first time she had entered a muggle church. She had heard of them but had never tried to see it for her own eyes. An old man appeared from behind a large wooden door.
- May I help you in any way, child?
- Oh, hello. I- eer.. Sorry, I was just cold and..
- The house of the Lord will forever be open for those who seek shelter. Please, come forward.
The old man looked slowed down by the age, but seemed wise and calm. She liked the atmosphere he gave off. She sat near him on a bench, and he lended her a blanket to warm herself.
- So, is there anything on your mind, child?
- I- .. hm.. A lot, I guess.
She did not know what to say. There was so much on her mind, yes, but nothing she could truly talk about.
- Take your time. Please, know that the Lord is not judging His children's choices and situations. He is here to love, and to help you find love and lead you to share it as well.
Agnes smiled.
- I have moved in this country what seems like a long time ago. I thought I'd hate it, but it turned out I feel home here. I met people who helped me believe in myself and in a bright future. But there were other people against this peace, and created chaos. I lost some of my friends and comrades. I lost my way, and ended up separated from everyone. Here I am, talking to you, and I have no idea where I am, nor where I should be going.
She was surprised at how much she had talked and opened to him. He had been staring at her, nodding and evaluating her words, trying to understand what she meants, and read between the lines.
- My child, you're young and full of life. The hardships you encountered and may still encounter because of others' choices in life should not deviate you from your own goal and dreams. The people you met along the way constitute the family you will long for if you don't join them in the seek for peace.
- I should go back there, shouldn't I? Agnes answered, a little smile on her lips.
The old man returned the smile, his wrinkle eyes pressing on his skin. He seemed to know so much, although she had barely told him about her story. He adjusted his robes and stoop up, concluding their conversation. She handed him back the blanket.
- Thank you, father.
At that, she glanced one last time at the statue of a man in the middle of the church, cruscified on a cross. He had suffered as well. Yet had not given up on his peers. And so should she.
She hurried to the nearest shop and asked for the train station. Happened a train was heading back to London in a few minutes. The last one for the day. Agnes ran as fast as possible and jumped on the train who was just departing. She had no money nor time to buy a ticket, and only managed to use a Geminio charm (to duplicate a ticket). It wasn't perfect, as she had lost her wand. Indeed, Adeline had assured her she had nothing on her when she'd found her on the beach.
It was a shame, she really liked her wand. But nothing she couldn't find in the next wand shop she'd enter. At least, she still had her elemental magic. That was that.
Hours later, Agnes was back in London.
King's Cross Station looked just the same. People were wearing winter coats and were rushing to get on their train. A hundred of muggles were walking around, in all directions, all had a point to get to.
Agnes smiled.
Home.
She decided to walk to Diagon Alley. The only place she wanted to go to was the Dunbars. This is where she belonged. Where her family was. Once she'd made it to the wizard's area, she was surprised by the number of people in the streets. The war had made everyone go home as soon as possible after work. How come so many wizards felt safe enough to walk around freely like this?
The young witch's eyes glanced onto the newspapers booth on her right. She opened her mouth in shock when she read the headlines.
"Three months after You-Know-Who was defeated: the ministry shares number of victims and incoming trials."
Agnes was confused. She tried to read the rest of the article but the man selling the papers gave her a dark look, meaning she had to pay if she wanted to get the rest. Having nothing to give him, she continued to walk.
What was that article in the Daily Prophet talking about? You-Know-Who? That was a name she had heard before, when Mrs Dunbar referred to Voldemort. How come it said deafeated? Three months ago, he was still alive, she was certain of it. So what was it all about?
Her broken ribs began to hurt again as she was climbing up the hill towards the residential neighborhood and it blurred her ideas. She had to get some rest and get healed before she could think of anything else. It was a long way from Adeline's cottage at the beach. She did not want to think of the feeling of beign under water anymore. It had been worse than a nightmare.
Soon enough, Agnes arrived in front of the house, holding her ribs in pain. The door was closed, and she decided to knock. No one was answering. She knocked again.
- Cosmey, open! It's me, I'm tired, please.
After a moment, she saw the large door open, and the house elf looking up at her. Her face made a weird expression of shock and she looked as if she was about to faint.
- Mi-miss.. Oh miss Lenoir... Miss Lenoir is here... Miss Lenoir's ghost has come to.. to visit us. Oh, poor miss..!!
- Cosmey, I'm not dead, what's with the reaction? Now, let me in, I need to lie down.
After a few seconds of the elf staring up and down at her, the little creature opened her eyes wider than it already was.
- MISS LENOIR IS ALIVE MISS LENOIR IS HERE !!!!!
Agnes almost screamed from the surprise and managed to balance herself by holding onto the sofa's back in the living room. What was wrong with that elf??!!
Only a moment later, she heard footsteps from upstairs rushing downstairs, and her whole family appeared by the door. Her father and his wife, Mrs Dunbar, Joshua and Jimmy entered the living room, staring at her with a pale face.
- What is it? You all look like you've seen a ghost, really. Agnes said, trying to sit down without pressing on her rib.
The four members of the Dunbar family stood there, before Mrs Dunbar moaned as if someone had just ended her agony, and tears came running down her face as she jumped at Agnes' feet. Soon, Jimmy ran to them as well, his nose and cheeks red from the emotion.
- Oh dear, oh! Oh, Merlin, thank you! You're here, you're safe.
- It's a miracle!!! Shouted Jimmy while holding Agnes' hand.
The young woman was shocked and confused. What was going on?
She looked up at her father who, for the first time, she saw crying. It was subtle, but she could see his eyes getting watery and his eyebrows frowned in a thick wrinkle. Joshua was standing there, holding a hand on his chest to help himself breathe.
- Blimey, Agnes. We thought you were dead. The young man said.
- I- I was away, for a while. But I'm fine. I visited you a little while ago, though! How come you thought I was...
- It's been more than three months!! They found your broom next to the murder scene!! continued Joshua, now a little overwhelmed by his emotions.
- My broom? Wait.. What do you mean three months? I- I don't understand.
- Where were you, child? Asked Mrs Dunbar, stroking her long brown hair behind her ear, in a motherly gesture.
Agnes was so confused, and her side hurt so bad, she could not think properly. She really needed to take a rest.
- I think I broke a few ribs. Can I get something to heal that up, and we can discuss everything tomorrow? I am exhausted. She admitted, holding her sore neck at the same time.
Jimmy rushed to fetch Cosmey who had been crying from both the shock and the joy in the kitchen, and they were back a few moments later with different healing potions.
After having talked a little more with Joshua about where she was coming back from, she was allowed to go to sleep, feeling healed now that she was home.
Tomorrow, everything would finally be back to normal.