Another Episode
Feeling just a little bit better, you had some conversations and went to the dungeons for double potions. You had settled in and awaited the teacher. In the meanwhile, you heard snide remarks from various Slytherins. Things like “I can't believe she’s actually enjoying ruining her family! How much more selfish can she get!” or “I heard her parents threw her out because of it, and I mean I don't blame them! I would have done the same!” You hated hearing these things, but urged yourself to just continue. You hadn't even realized that the professor had entered, until you got a nudge to your ribs by Ava. “Celeste, tell me what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel with an infusion of wormwood?” the professor scornfully queried.“The Draught of Living Death. It’s a highly potent sleeping potion.”you replied sassily, not liking his attitude. “Five points from Gryffindor for the inappropriate attitude, however one point for actually doing the reading.” he said. He then shuffled away and continued on explaining the ingredients and what they do for a potion you would be making later that week.
You had only been half-listening when you heard “Mrs. Malfoy, if it seems vital for you to not listen to the instructions, I have no doubt you can explain the correct stirring patterns for aconite fluid?” he said in an attempt to confuse you, unbeknownst to him, you already finished the entire year’s worth of the potions book. “You don't stir, you steep like you would in other infusions. In case you were wondering, I had my full attention on you. You had been talking about the course description, then the extent we would face before our exams. You also mentioned that for those who wish to pursue their potions career, there are opportunities in later years that you can take.” you finished feeling very confident on the subject. “Very well then,” Snape said and returned to the lesson.
After the lesson had finished, and Snape had not called on you, you followed George, Fred, Violet, and Scarlette into the Great Hall for dinner. Trying to have a calm and collected mind, you joined a conversation. “My family has a tradition where every holiday, we always have a quidditch game. Any traditions with you all?” Ava had started. “Mum knits the family sweaters for Christmas,” Fred and George had joined in. Violet said “My dad was from a pureblood family, so you can only guess the pureblood shenanigans he regales from his side of the family,” “Same over here, just more complicated. Mostly just a mix of muggle and wizard holidays to say the least.” Violet added to the conversation.
As you sat and listened to your housemates talk, you had a bad feeling that you were going to have another attack. You excused yourself from the table, and went into the hallway in search of a bathroom. You almost made it, but then you dropped to your knees as the waves of pain and relaxing started to begin. Your breathing stopped, and your vision got foggy. The fog lifted, and was replaced with a scene of a black dog and two birds running in a raining and heavily dense forest. You saw two doe’s following from a greater distance. You heard someone talking, and soon the scene was replaced with darkness. You couldn't sense your surroundings, and soon you fell into complete darkness.
You saw a small light in a void of wet darkness. It was very dim, but you got up and raced towards it. It seemed to want to stay away from you, but you ran as fast as you could and after what felt like forever, you caught the little bundle of light. It buzzed brighter and did its best to get out of your palms, but you just clamped your hands tighter. Your vision was clouded with a bright light, and then you saw a younger version of someone you seem to recognize. You saw him holding a little baby and twirling to David Bowie in an older apartment. He had shoulder length black curly hair and sharp features. “Oh, my beautiful, beautiful baby Letta,” the man said before being enveloped in a hug by another man with short sandy brown hair, and pleasing features. “How are you? And my little Pup,” the second man cooed. “Scarlette has been doing good, however she is doing better than her father… ” he said, adjusting to hold her for the both of them after holding her in the air. Again a bright light flashed and filled your vision. Another scene popped up. There was a woman holding a small baby talking with the same two men in a different setting. A girl with glasses and curly brown hair was talking to the two of them. “I can't believe how hard that must have been for the both of you to decide that, but Remus, that’s amazing! Congratulations Sirius! Have you picked out a name yet? It took a while for me and Reg to pick out Cassiopeia,” the woman said. “Well, we have an idea,” the brown haired man said. “For one, nothing after any of my relatives,” the black haired man added. “Well, Sirius and I were thinking about Scarlette Lyra Lupin,” the second man said while holding presumably “Sirius’s” arm. “Aww, you gave her my middle name! I’ll have you know it was supposed to be a surprise until Cass was born, but we were thinking that since Cerise is closest we can get to Sirius… Well, she needed a middle name, and we just sorta…” Lyra had said. The cloud suddenly lifted and you were able to breathe again.
“Celeste…” you heard your name faintly being called. “Celeste…” you heard this time, a little louder. “Celeste?” you heard as you took in a giant breath and you were able to finally take in your surroundings. You felt a bed under you and saw the curtain pulled around you. Both Dumbledoor and Madame Pomfrey were there as well as Professor McGonagall. “Celeste, are you alright?” you heard the Professor ask you. Your breathing was heavy, though you still replied with a nod. She gave a worried nod back, and informed you “You have a few visitors waiting for you, if you would like to see them.” Taking a deep breath in an attempt to regulate your breathing, you told the worried witch “That would be fine.”. “Very well,” she said before going out of the curtain with Dumbledor.