Better than Binns

Section I, Chapter III- Rowena Ravenclaw

Third Day of the Sixth Month of the Year

I finally discovered it! I have that power and my witch of an aunt can't prove it against me. But let me tell it all properly.

I am eleven years old today and finally have discovered the magic in me. I always knew I had it, as my father had it himself. I just hadn't discovered it yet. My parents both died when I was very young and I was left in the care of my aunt... that evil thing. My father had the magic in him... my mother didn't. Yet my mother accepted my father for who he was. My aunt is my mother's sister and disliked my father because of his abnormalities. She put up with him though, because my mother is older. Anyway, my father gave his power to me and I have it. And now I can use it! And my aunt can't do anything about it. This is how I found out.

I was in my room reading a book when my aunt came in.

"Rowena!" she bellowed.

"What is it, Aunt Daria?"

"What did you do with the cat?"

"I didn't do anything!"

"Then what is the cat doing in the attic? He is lame... he cannot walk up there."

"Oh... I don't know. Honest!"

"Don't lie to me, Rowena!"

"But I'm not!" I hate it when she does that. She always blames me and half the time I didn't do anything. She was standing there, fuming on my neck. My anger began to rise. Her breath smells horrible... I don't need it on my body. I wished that a kerchief would suddenly block her from breathing on me... but would keep her alive, of course.

Suddenly I heard a gagging noise. I turned around and, low and behold, there was a kerchief blocking her mouth. I bit my lip to contain my giggling, but it didn't work.

She grabbed the kerchief and threw it on the ground. She faced me, raging like a mad bull. "Rowena Ravenclaw! I have had enough of you and your antics! Your father was enough... but you... you and this magic. I will not stand for it any longer. You are to go to the convent tomorrow!" And with that she stormed out of the room.

I gulped. A convent? I was in trouble. She had threatened me with it before... but never in seriousness. I hate her... I really do. She's never treated me right. I've had food, of course... but emotionally... nothing. Perhaps it's a good thing that I am going... yes... perhaps it is. I suppose I'd better pack.

I've been at the convent for a while now. It is boring here. I read for the most part. I'm required to go to prayers twice a day. Those are boring. I do try and concentrate, but that is difficult. The prayers are always in Latin. I am also required to learn Latin and how to sew. Most of the time, I'm sitting inside this stuffy old building. Right now, I've escaped to the hills. I'm only allowed out of the gates once a day... with supervision right near. They take us, every young girl enslaved here, on a walk and let us wander. It's our only moment of freedom. We are being taken inside now. Must stop writing.

Twentieth Day of the Sixth Month of the Year

Today was actually an interesting one... contrary to normal. I met Helga Hufflepuff, a relation of mine.

I was sitting in my room, reading a book I'd found on a dusty library shelf. It was a pretty good book and I needed some entertainment after that sewing lesson. I cannot sew! It is so hard and tedious. I was halfway through the book when my door was thrown open. I saw the head abbess standing with a young girl, about my age. She had shoulder-length brown hair and wore traveling clothes. Her face showed confusion and disappointment.

"Rowena,

"Hello," I said

"Hi," she replied. Then, there was an awkward silence.

"Well, girls, I shall leave you to get acquainted with each other." The abbess turned and left. We were now alone.

"Your name is Helga Hufflepuff, did you say?" I asked.

"Yes, it is. And you are Rowena Ravenclaw, I guess."

"Yes I am."

"I have heard of you. My father is related to your aunt... cousins I think. Is it true that you are magical?"

I was startled by the sudden outburst, but answered her regardless. "Oh... yes I am. I know where I heard your name. You are magical too? There's another one like me? Finally! You don't know what it's like here without someone else like me. I feel like a loner." I spilled out my thoughts like I never did before.

She seemed surprised by it and I don't blame her.

"Is it that hard to be magical around here?" She asked.

"Yes. It is harder than you can imagine! You have to hide it, and that is hard to do. I know we are not the only people who are magic however and that keeps me going most days." I told her what I had been feeling for all my time here.

"Wait... how many other people are magical?" She seemed perplexed by this statement.

"Many. More than we know. Magic is everywhere... in places we see and in places we don't. It is hidden for the most part because of fear."

"Fear?"

"Yes, fear of those who hate magic. And yes, Helga, people do hate it."

Already we had developed a sense of trust and bonding. We continued this conversation for a few hours, skipping meals. I told her about what I did to my aunt and she told me her tale of the ink drying without a mark. I've finally found someone to talk to, to confide in. To have someone who is like me in so many ways is a miracle. Life can get better at this dismal prison of a convent. I am rather tired now and must go to bed. The abbess is going to be cross if I'm not asleep soon.

Note to reader: The next entry was found ten years after the previous one was written.

Ron was amazed at this. Rowena was very different from all the Ravenclaws he knew. He couldn't wait to get to Salazaar Slytherin. He would be an interesting person to read about, considering that he created the Chamber of Secrets. Next up Section I, Chapter IV- Salazaar Slytherin.