Petals from the Ashes

Just what kind of situation is this? Was Great grandma a witch?

“Great grandma?” she asks. “You’re my- My great granddaughter?”

I nodded. Wait did she just read my mind?

“I did. You- You’re a witch” she said. “How intriguing, to think the magical gene resurfaced after two generations”

“You’re a witch?” I asked trying to stare in great grandmas bright green eyes that remind me of Lily.

She then stared at me right into my eyes her bright green eyes met mine and said-

“You’re trying to read my mind.” It wasn’t a question. “You might’ve managed to while I was having a nightmare but trying to while I’m fully aware is futile”

“I’m- well... I have many questions”

Then suddenly I felt like my mind was suddenly opened for the world to see as my lives quickly flashed before my mind. My lives, there was more than one.... more than two. It suddenly felt like the world was spinning and I felt my body sway around.

There was too much to see, my head hurts. What-?

Before my body fell a bony hand had grabbed both of my arms as I slowly regain my balance.

“Interesting” great grandma says as she peers into my eyes. “I’m sorry it must have been confusing seeing all that”

“Did you just looked into all of my memories? Are you- Are you also like me?”

“A Legilimens that I am” she then sits me at the bed “You’re not just a witch. You’ve lived more than one life, like I did”

“Like you did?”

“Unlike you I remember them all”

“Unlike me? But I also remember my past life”

“You don’t” she says without a doubt. “Not all of it”

“That’s- that’s not-”

“That’s not what’s important right now”

“What? If that’s not important then what-”

“You- You’re from the same time- the same world as her, as him. A world where this world was written off as a book”

“How did you-”

“Quite peculiar indeed” a grin appearing in her wrinkled face then was suddenly replaced with grimace. “Leave”

“What? Wait- I still have some things to ask!”

She then waved her hand then I felt my body float and quickly flew out of the room.

“Wait-”

The door then shut quickly and I could hear a distinct sound of a door locking.

-

The next morning came and I’d barely slept even when I did fell asleep I had a nightmare where I was engulfed by something red. I felt fear like I’d never felt before. It was barely sunrise as it was still a bit dark outside

“Tuney, what’s wrong?” Lily asked as she got up rubbing her eyes. Waking up from her dream of chasing dragons.

“It’s nothing, go back to bed Lily” I said as I closed off the curtains and laid back down in bed.

“Did you have a bad dream?” she asked trying not to doze off.

“It’s fine, it’s just a dream” I said unconvincingly.

“Then!” she says as if a lightbulb appeared in her mind “I’ll hold your hand while we sleep” she declares grabbing my hand and tucking herself back in.

I giggled at her antics, I always held her hand whenever she was scared or nervous which rarely happened now.

You sure have grown, Lily.

Falling asleep didn’t give me nightmares this time.

-

At breakfast there was the whole family, even the gardeners here but great grandma was nowhere to be found.

“Is great grandma not coming for breakfast” I asked curiously.

“Great grandma’s not feeling well so she’ll be eating up in her room” said Aunt Holly looking a bit anxious at my question. ‘For some reason grandma had been sick since she heard Iris’s family is coming over, does she not want to see them? Why?’

So she was feigning sickness so she doesn’t have to meet us, why though?

“How about we do bake some cookies today” grandma interjected.

“Cookies! Yes! I want to!” yelled Lily.

“I also want some!” added Quill.

“Petunia, do you want to help out?” asked grandma.

“Yes, I’d love to.”

-

The day went on normally as we baked some cookies with grandma and played outside with Lily and Quill. Mum and Aunt Holly went to town for some shopping as Dad and uncle Dorian helped Mr. Emerson tend to the small farm backyard.

Now, it was nighttime once again and I’m on my way to great grandma’s room. I can’t help but want to know more, after all this means that I wasn’t the only one reincarnated here.

As I slowly walked through the dark corridors I’m slowly trying to rearrange my thoughts- questions I’d like to ask. First, just who is this person that was the same as me? Second, just who is great grandma?-

As I ponder over what questions to ask first I had reached the large door once again. I knocked, no answer. I knocked once again this time speaking.

“Great grandma? May I speak with you?” I asked. There wasn’t any answer but I still persisted “I- I just wanted to ask about the person you said that was like me, would that be possible?”

There wasn’t any answer, no matter what I asked.

-

It was now the third night ever since I’ve started asking things to this large door. I would usually spend an hour or two just standing and asking questions from time to time.

“We’d be leaving in two days” I said. “Please, would you at least answer three questions of mine?”

There still wasn’t any answers. Or even a sound coming from this large door.

Does she hate me or something? I haven’t been able to sleep properly since then. I keep having odd nightmares. Least she could do is help me out.

I sighed as I turn back to my room.

Lily was currently sick with a fever so I have the room all by myself. It felt lonely and empty as I fell asleep.

Burning red flames.

That was the red thing that kept engulfing me in my nightmares.

There was distinct smell of ashes, gunpowder and iron overwhelming my sense of smell.

[It hurts.]

Just what is this?

[It hurts.

It hurts.]

This pain that I’m feeling.

[It hurts.

I’m sorry.

I... I’m sorry.]

Am I being burned alive?

[It’s painful.]

But what is this?

Why do I feel so much regret?

Why? My chest, it hurts more than my burning skin.

I could see flashes of green. Green lights, green eyes, they were smiling at me then they suddenly turned sorrowful... as if they were about to cry, begging.

[Please... please don’t go]

Was it the voice of a man? A woman? It’s so far off I could barely hear it.

The smell of burning skin continued to whap off my nose.

“Wake up” said a distant voice. “Wake up” I heard as I open my eyes.

There, there was an old woman shaking me awake. I could clearly see her green eyes staring at me. She had a disheveled appearance the lines on her face clearly visible. She was tall and willowy her white hair tied to the side, she was looking into my eyes worriedly.

“Great grandma? What-” I said as I try to stand up realizing I was in her arms. “What?”

“Careful!” she said raising her voice. “You! You had a bout of accidental magic!” she declared worriedly. “You almost burned yourself and this house to ashes!”

“What?” I asked dumbly as I looked around the room. The bed that I was in was black and its surrounding furniture also blackened. I felt the pain when I moved, I looked down at my hands and saw that it looked like my skin was peeled and large blisters had appeared.

“I stopped the fire before it got any worse” she said as I hear running footsteps down the corridor. “Well, don’t worry those aren’t something magic can’t heal” she says calmly.

“I- I’m sorry” I said trying to hide the pain that I could feel not just in my hands but also in my face and feet. “I- I didn’t mean to! It hurts... ugh” I stuttered and could no longer help myself and started bawling my eyes out.

“Petunia!?” my dad yelled from outside the door. “What? It’s locked? What’s wrong Petunia? What this smell? Petunia? Petunia!?” he had started yelling. “Iris! get the key!” he yelled as he rammed his body at the door.

Great grandma looked at me then at the door and sighed.

“Seems like I can’t hide what I am anymore.” She said solemnly yet seemingly oddly refreshed. She then raised her hand then the door swung open, Dad hurriedly entered the room.

“What?” he said as his eyes fell onto the blackened bed and me, held in Great grandmas’ arm. “Petunia!” he screams as he sits beside us, he looks as if the world is falling apart. I could hear his chaotic thoughts running in his mind.

“Dad!” I said as I reached unto him. He then carefully took me in his arms while I was crying my eyes out. “I’m sorry, I- it’s going to be alright” he then got up and quickly tried to leave the room while carrying me in his arms.

Mum entered the room looking shocked when she saw me, she looked as if she would fall. She was followed by Grandma and Uncle Dorian while Aunt Holly was with Quill and Lily just outside the door.

“What happened!?” Mum cried out rushing to my side.

“We need to go to the hospital now” Dad said hurriedly.

“There’s no need” said great grandma blocking our path.

“Grandmother! She got burned! Just what are you saying?” Mum asked hysterically.

“I can heal her” she declares confidently.

“What-”

“It’s alright Harold” grandma interjected.

“Mother! Just what-”

“My mother can heal her” said grandma as she looks at both father and mother.

-

I laid there on a new bed in a different room as great grandma used her wand muttering something to heal my wounds. Everyone except grandma was shocked at the sight of my burns disappearing as if it was magic.

Well it is magic. I dumbly thought to myself. I could also hear the dumbfounded thought of everyone here. Dad, Mum, Aunt Holly, only Grandma was calm about it, while Lily and Quill where with Uncle Dorian on another room.

When Great Grandma finished healing me that’s when they all started asking questions

“Is Petunia going to be alright?”

“Just what happened?”

“What caused the fire?”

Great grandma then raised a finger to her mouth gesturing them to be quiet. She then took a vial of what looked to be a potion out of her sleeves and made me drink it.

Ah! Maybe it was that kind of potion! The one that makes you not dream at all? What was it called again? It sure taste funny!

Great grandma sighed as I felt myself getting drowsier and drowsier and let myself fall into a deep sleep.

-

It was already noon when I woke up, Mum was sleeping at the side of my bed. I looked around the room and Dad was sleeping at a chair by the window.

“You’re awake” said an old woman’s voice. It was Great grandmother drinking tea in the corner of the room.

“Great grandma?”

“Yes?” she replied curtly

“Will you answer my questions now?” I asked without hesitation. “I think this outburst of magic was because of those memories I saw- I remember, so shouldn’t you be taking responsibility?” I asked with an innocent smile on my face.

Great grandma sighed as she peered into my eyes.

“You’re right, it’s my fault” she replied without hesitation

Wow, I wasn’t serious about that. I mean it’s also my fault for losing control even though I’m an adult, at least my mind is.

“I’ve decided, I’ll teach you”

“Wait- what? Teach me?”

Just what is this person thinking?

She laughs “You’re magical ability is quite strong and there’s also the fact that you’re a talented legillimens but you hate hearing everyone’s thoughts and memories yet you love having all the information you could get from someone”

“Well- that’s, of course having information about others is pretty useful”

“But you can’t hide your own thoughts and memories against others” she says condescendingly.

“Are you going to teach me Occlumency?” I asked curiously.

“Yes, you wouldn’t want people seeing all those odd information in your mind especially dark wizards” she said with a dark look.

“Dark wizards? Right, those information about the books and a lot more other things. But why aren’t you surprised? And about the last time, what do you mean a same world as her? Him? And why are you a witch? You weren’t supposed to be-”

“First, you weren’t the first one I’ve met. Second that person was the same as you. Third, I was probably also a witch in those books but I probably would’ve died earlier. After all I’m only here because of my past life’s memories” She says monotonously as she stands up walking up to the door.

“Wait! I still have a lot of questions! Please-”

“Come at my room at night, we’ll discuss it at that place.” She then left the room quietly closing the door behind her.

“Petunia! My dear!” Mum screamed grabbing me in for a hug. “I’m glad you’re alright, I didn’t know, I’m sorry for not being able to help” she cried hugging me tight

“Petunia! You’re awake!” Dad cried out running to my side. “I’m sorry! Daddy couldn’t protect you! I’m sorry” he cried out hugging the both of us tightly.

“Mum, Dad... I’m sorry, it was my fault... I- I couldn’t control it properly, that’s why I almost burned everything” I cried. “If Lily- if Lily had been there, I- I would’ve hurt her”

“Oh, Petunia. We know you would never hurt any of us”

“Don’t worry, grandmother- your great grandmother would be helping you with this- magic that you have”

“We’ve heard what it is that you can do and we’ve agreed to receive help from grandmother regarding this so don’t worry dear, I know you won’t hurt anyone nor would we allow yourself to be hurt anymore.”

“I’ll do my best, so I won’t hurt anyone.” I replied through my sobs.

-

Night fell and everyone was already asleep. Lily and I were currently sleeping with our parents. The room was dark and quiet as I carefully got up and left the room without making any noise.

I’d arrived at the large door that I had been talking to for the past few nights. And different from the past few nights when I knocked it slowly opened revealing a well-lit room where Great grandmother was sitting in one of the leather chairs in the corner of the room.

“Follow me” she said as she got up and walked up to face an old looking wardrobe.

“Wait, I’m a bit impatient. I’ve been waiting for answers for a while now so-”

My pleas was unheard as she opens the wardrobe and entered. It was quiet, the wardrobe was still open. I could feel wind coming from inside somewhat blocked by the coats hanging on it.

What- What?! Did she just- What’s happening!!??

I quickly run up to the wardrobe. The breeze coming from it was warm and smelled like flowers. I then slowly climbed up navigating my way through large heavy cloaks as I heard the wardrobe doors closed behind me.

What is this? Isn’t this the wrong book? A wardrobe, really?

As I slowly moved forward I could see the light I then felt warm sunlight. The sky was clear and bright. There was a clearing in front of me littered with different kinds of flowers and floating shining orbs surrounded by blossoming trees of different shades of pastel colors. I looked behind me and the wardrobe was there but it was closed and facing me.

Completely different than what I had expected.

A stone path divided the garden leading up a hill with an old giant wisteria tree planted on top of it.

I slowly walked through the stone path trying to take in my surroundings. The flowers were all mismatched of different kinds and colors and yet they were pleasing to the eyes. The trees looked to be a collection of cherry, plum, peach, apple and all sorts of fruit trees all on their full blooms. The light orbs were floating whimsically around sometimes dashing from flower to another.

As I approached the top of the hill I couldn’t help but gape at the sight. The wisteria was ginormous, it encompasses the entirety of the small hill forming what looked like a glowing purplish blanket in the sky.

I slowly climbed up the hill and reached the top. I could see a small house right below the tree which wasn’t even the size of a half of the trees trunk. There was my great grandmother standing by the porch.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

I had no words to describe this place except for-

“Magical.” I said staring into great grandmas eyes.

“It is” she says satisfied with my word of praise or fact. “It was- is my life’s work, a tribute to that person.” She says reminiscing about something. Whatever it was it brought a gentle smile on her face and yet there was sorrow in her glittering eyes.

“Great grandma, why did you show me this place” I asked wondering why she’d show me such a special place.

“I have decided” she said resolutely. “I’ll pass it on to you, my child who’d suffer through the same fate as us”

“The same fate as you?” I asked even though I already knew what she meant.

“You will live through this world with your memories, memories of what had happened but will no longer happen.” She stops and turns and sat down “You feel compelled to change your fate but fate is a fickle thing. Would you be able to save the one you love? Or would they suffer the same fate you feared?”

I started to feel dread. Fate? What bullsh*t. Just I existing already differs from what was written. Fear?

“I fear? I doubt Lily’s fate would still be the same. The war won’t happen! Voldemort can’t exist! Tom, he- he was born out of love! As far as I saw-”

“Good cannot exist without evil.” She says calmly “Although your little friend might not be the cause of it, there would always be someone with an intense desire for something that they would trample on anything, anyone to gain it.”

“That does not mean-”

“Child” she exclaims “I will protect you and give you the means to protect what’s dear to you” she declares.

“Why would you do that?” I asked suspiciously.

“I am merely trying to abolish my regrets through you” she replied truthfully.

“That’s quite honest of you, to admit that you’re just trying to use me”

“Correct, this is not of goodwill but more of an impulse, a whim of an old person seeing an opportunity. And I ought to admit my true intentions to you rather than prolonging things” She says looking up “Please do have a sit”

I sat down trying to process what’s happening. There’s too many things coming at me at once that I don’t even know what to ask anymore.

“I have lived more than one life and yet after all the chances I had I am still filled with regrets. I wish to pass on what I can in order for you not to suffer the same.”

I sat there staring at the teapot pouring me some tea while cakes are floating towards my plate. I picked up my cup and drank hastily.

“Was it not because you felt guilty about what happened” I said curtly.

“There was also that.” She replied. “But I wasn’t the one trespassing someone’s room in the middle of the night.”

“I’m sorry”

“I’ve decided now that you’re my successor that I will provide you with teaching to prevent what happened from occurring once again”

“Your successor?”

“That’s right, swearing upon your name in agreeing to become my student will make you my successor and would be my heir to my knowledge and possessions. And it would also mean that I would solely be the one to decide what I would pass on to you whether it be knowledge, an artifact or a responsibility”

“Wait, aren’t you going to fast with this? Why would you want me as a successor?”

“Swear upon your name that you agree to become my- Morgan Collin’s successor” She said glaring at me behind her pair of rimless spectacles.

“I- uh...” I could see myself in her faded green eyes. This was an opportunity, an opportunity to learn magic earlier. I thought to myself and steeled my resolve.

“I, Petunia Evans accepts becoming Morgan Collin’s successor” I said looking into her eyes. Then I suddenly felt like something inside was tugged as if a snake made of chains coiled itself in my heart.

What?

“Idiot girl” said great grandmother.

“Let this be your first lesson.” She stood up and looked down on me.

“Never swear upon something without properly understanding the concept an oath” she said, a smirk appearing in her wrinkled face. “Now, shall we begin?”

Well that was quite a first lesson. I dumbly thought to myself trying to not cry out of my stupidity. Bloody hell, this grandma is batsh*t crazy.