Chapter 1
It had become too much for Cecile to take.
Maybe if she knew something was waiting for her in the future, she might be able to carry on. Maybe if someone loved her, cared for her. But there wasn’t. How could there be?
After years of being scorned for being put into a house she didn’t want to be in, the only thing waiting for her afterwards would be more pain. Nobody wanted to be friends with a Slytherin, and no Slytherin who didn't want to join You-Know-Who would survive anyway, least of all a Muggle-born one.
At least this way she could be at peace. At least this way she would be forming her own path. At least this way there would be so, so much less pain and suffering. It wasn’t like she was going to be missed.
The wind whipped Cecile's flowing locks of hair backwards as she looked out at the sky. It was nighttime, there should be stars. But there wasn’t. Everything was covered up with fog and clouds. Even the sky wasn’t happy. Even the sky had lost hope.
With that last thought, she took a step forward and jumped, ready for sweet release. Even if it was only bittersweet.
The sky was dark and cloudy tonight, just like Athalia’s brain. She had decided to go for a fly tonight and see if it would help clear her mind but was unsuccessful so far.
The breeze was stronger than usual tonight and there was a sinking feeling in Athalia’s gut as she decided to take another last loop around the courtyard. Then she saw the figure falling off the Astronomy tower.
She rushed forward, adrenaline kicking in. The next few moments were a blur and it seemed like she was only watching herself cast charms to help with the person’s fall when she realized that she couldn’t make it there on time. After being frozen in shock when the girl hit the ground, she flew down to check for a pulse. Fortunately, her charms were strong and the person survived the fall. Unfortunately, she now had a passed out Slytherin girl in her hands- her crush, nonetheless- and no clue what to do.
“E-enerverate” Athalia's voice quavered as she realized that there was little chance of the fall being accidental. “Enervarate!” She tried again. “Enerverate! ENERVERATE!” She screamed, desperately battling both the wind and her rising emotions. “ENERVERATE! Enerve-verate! Enerverate!”
“Wha- what? Wh-where am I?”
"H-Hogwarts” She said, wiping away a tear. “You’re still alive”
"I-”
"You are injured though. I-I’m going to help you get to Madam Pomfrey.”
"Okay." There was a pause as the words seemed to sink into Athalia's brain
"W-WAIT NO! YOU CAN’T TAKE ME THERE! It’s- it’s not safe for me! No one can know of this! Promise me you won’t! Promise me!”
"A-alright. I-I promise I won’t force you to Madam Pomfrey while it remains against your will. I will help you though. I may not be a professional healer but you deserve at least some help. I-ll take you to a room I know where no one else will be. A-and we can talk from there. I’m Athalia. What should I call you?”
“C-call me Cecile.” She replied cautiously, still shaken up from the events of that night.