- Rating:
- PG
- House:
- The Dark Arts
- Genres:
- Drama Angst
- Era:
- Multiple Eras
- Spoilers:
- Philosopher's Stone Chamber of Secrets
- Stats:
-
Published: 02/20/2003Updated: 09/21/2003Words: 4,119Chapters: 4Hits: 1,729
The Day I Died...
Fawkes101
- Story Summary:
- What if your death day was fast approaching? And what if you remembered exactly what happened? How you died, where you died and why you died.
The Day I Died... 03
- Chapter Summary:
- The day I, a Hogwarts ghost, died, relived in my mind, through my memories.
- Posted:
- 09/16/2003
- Hits:
- 285
- Author's Note:
- Thanks to my beta-reader Night Zephyr and to Fantome for giving me inspiration. Also thanks to Kathryn Lasky, author of Elizabeth I, for giving me the idea of the poison and to botanical.com for providing me with information about poisons. The queen is this fic is based on Queen Elizabeth I, though no name is given.
February 14, 1990- Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
The Grey Lady floated down the hallway towards the library. Today was Valentine's Day at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and she would see couples sneaking off into empty classrooms. She always smiled when she saw them going off in pairs; it reminded her of her young life, a happy time. It also reminded her of her death day, four hundred years ago today.
February 9, 1590- Cambridge, England
Lady Abigail Grey, perched on her windowsill, gazed outside to see the courtyard, with snow piled in its corners. It was a dull winter day and Lady Abigail had nothing to do. She sat by the window, a book on her lap, thinking about the upcoming St. Valentine's Day banquet her father would be holding. It was something to look forward to. Her musings were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"My lady, may I come in?"
"Of course, Kate." She opened the door to her maid, Kate. Kate was holding a tray, which seemed to have breakfast on it. "Is that breakfast Kate?"
"Yes ma'am, it is."
"Good. Please bring it here," Lady Abigail ordered. Kate brought the tray to the windowsill and sat it down.
"Would you like anything else, ma'am?"
"No, you may go, Kate. Just come back to collect the tray."
"Yes ma'am." Kate curtsied and left the room.
"Now for breakfast," Lady Abigail said aloud to herself. She sat and ate her breakfast, thinking about what she could do after breakfast. An idea struck her, just as Kate entered to collect the tray. "Kate, if anyone asks where I am, tell them I've gone horseback riding."
"Yes, ma'am." A true servant, Kate never questioned her mistress's orders. "May I take your tray?"
"Yes, do take it," Lady Abigail put on her cloak and headed out the door. She went to the stables and got her horse Blanche. She saddled Blanche up and hoisted herself up. "Come on, girl," Lady Abigail whispered, patting Blanche gently.
Blanche started into a trot, going as Lady Abigail directed her to. First left, then right, then straight for a time, one could never predict the direction they were going in. That was Lady Abigail's idea. She didn't want to be tracked easily for she was heading somewhere she ought not to have gone.
Suddenly, she pulled the reins. "Stop, Blanche!" Blanche halted obediently in front of a mansion. Lady Abigail got down from her horse and tied Blanche up in the nearby stable. Lady Abigail hurried to the house and knocked on the door.
A servant appeared at the door. "Lady Grey, he is expecting you. Follow me please."
Lady Abigail followed the servant into the house. He led her to a room and knocked on the door.
A voice from inside called, "Yes?"
"Sir, Lady Grey is here."
"Send her in at once."
The servant turned to Lady Abigail. "You may enter." Lady Abigail entered the room and saw Richard, her lover.
Richard turned to his servant, "Leave us!" The servant bowed and left the room.
"Abigail! I'm so glad you came. I missed you very much. Do your parents know you're here?" Richard extended his hand towards her.
"No, Richard, of course they don't. I wouldn't tell them. Does your father know I am here?"
"No, darling, he doesn't. If he found out... oh, how we'd get into trouble. But that doesn't matter now." He leaned over and kissed her. Just then he heard a knock on the door. They sprang apart. "Yes?"
"Son, I must talk to you."
"It's my father, Abigail, hide somewhere." Abigail saw a door at the other end of the room and ran to it.
She entered another room, this one empty. She hovered by the door listening to what was going on inside.
"Son, how are we going to handle the situation with the queen?"
"What do you mean Father?"
"How are we to oppose her? She is strong and has many allies. She will not let the Scots gain refuge. I do not understand her."
"Opposing her? That is a difficult thing to do Father. I need to think about it."
Lady Abigail bit her lip. She'd better leave. Her father was a staunch supporter of the queen and Richard knew that. If she stayed... she didn't want to think what would happen to her. Quietly, she tiptoed to the door at the opposite end of the room, the one that led to the hallway. She opened it, as slowly as possible, to prevent it from squeaking. Creeping into the hallway, she saw the door leading outside. She then ran to it and out of the house.
"Come on, Blanche. Let's get out of here quickly!" She urged Blanche to a gallop and headed home as fast as she could.
February 14, 1590- Cambridge, England
"Abbey dear, are you ready? The guests are arriving soon."
"Yes, Mother. I'm almost ready." Lady Abigail smoothed her dress, a red one, and then went to the banquet hall for the St. Valentine's Day banquet. The hall was decorated in red and everyone was wearing something red, even if it was something small. She looked around at the guests, seeing who had come. A look of surprise came to her face when she saw Richard and his father near the kitchen door. What are they doing here? She thought. I am sure they were not invited. Father would never have invited them. I hope they are not here to talk to me. Oh my, it's very scary. Lady Abigail swallowed her fear and tried to enjoy the revelry.
* * * *
"Kate." Lady Abigail was back in her room.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"Would you please bring me some ale? I feel rather faint."
"Of course, ma'am. Right away." Kate left and went to get the ale. Lady Abigail lay down in bed. She was very tired from all the revelry and eating. "Here you are ma'am," Kate said, handing a glass of ale to Lady Abigail.
"Thank you, Kate," Lady Abigail replied, taking the glass. She put the glass to her mouth and drank the ale. She slowly leaned back against the pillow, eyes shut. She would never wake again.
February 14, 1990- Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Back in the present day, the Grey Lady sighed. She had later found out that it was Richard who had slipped the poison into her ale. The poison, she had also found out, was from the seeds of the yew tree. Treachery had killed her. Her own love, Richard, had killed her. She was sure his father put him up to it. Political rivalries had killed her. How she hated politics now. And because of politics, she was a ghost at Hogwarts, a mere shadow of what she once was. Sighing, the Grey Lady entered the library, knowing there was nothing she could do now. All she was, was a shadow of the late Lady Abigail.