Magique l'Element

Chapter 3-Letters, Conversations and Consequences

The kippers were unusually good that morning. Everything was unusually good. Even Rain was uncannily optimistic that morning, even though there was no due reason for it.

"Ah, good! The mail's here."

Owls of every size and kind came swooping into the Great Hall, dropping packages and letters to their owners. Rain wasn't surprised when her owl Spartan landed beside her pumpkin juice.

"Hello, Spar. Brought my mail from Dad, have you?"

The dark owl gave a hoot. Rain got the letter from his leg and fed Spar some bacon. While she read her letter, she absently stroked her owl.

"To: Airen Weasley, Gryffindor Keeper, Prefect and best little daughter in all of Christendom:

Darling,

I am still the same-red hair, brown eyes, big Beater muscles-though quite lonely without your sunshiny presence around me constantly. Your letters are a comfort to a strikingly handsome old bloke like myself, no matter how short they are, and I thank you for prioritizing me over Snape's essay.

Yes, Rain, we did play during the first ever EISQC. Your mother was the Hogwarts Keeper, and received the Best Keeper Award for that season. Speaking of Alex, are you keeping her Wishkeeper properly? I know you wear it all the time, so don't roll your eyes at the parchment like you're doing now; I just want to make sure. Alex's own mother (your grandmother, Allana) gave it to her. It's an heirloom, darling, so keep it dangling on that silver chain next to your heart.

My love, do not doubt your abilities. You're like your Mum in so many ways (from your fondness of Muggle clothing and hatred of skirts to your appearance), and I believe you've been blessed with her skills as well.

Like your own, this letter will be heartbreakingly short, as I'm scribbling this during a meeting with some investors in France. Fred sends his love, as well as our new batch of pranks when we get to the shop. In the meantime, take care.

I love you.

A big, horrendously wet kiss
(though I know how much you hate them),
Your Father"

Smiling a little, Rain folded her letter again and tucked it into her robes for safekeeping while Spar took off for the Owlery. Words from her Father always made her smile. It was as though she drew her so-called 'sunshiny presence' from him.

"Good morning, Skye," she greeted her favorite cousin as he sat down in front of her.

"Er-yeah" was all he said.

A slight frown creased Rain's forehead. She knew Skye wasn't a morning person, but he rarely looked like this in the morning. The look on his face was filled with dread.

"Alright, what is it you've done this time?"

"Rain, I need to speak with you."

"We're already talking."

"Privately."

Frowning fully now, Rain rose from her seat. Skye was looking from side to side, as though searching for someone. Then, he took hold of her hand and virtually towed her from the Great Hall.

What is wrong with him this morning?

"Where are we going?" she demanded, trying to skirt the Ravenclaw in her way.

Skye did not reply. Instead, he kept on pulling her, out into the Entrance Hall and up the marble staircase, following a path they were both familiar with. Up more staircases, down several corridors until they reached the west wing on the third floor. Skye only stopped when they were in front of the painting of a bald warlock.

"Nufeniel," he said softly.

The painting melted before them to reveal a narrow passageway. Skye pulled her into it, once again, and they made their way to the room at the end of the walkway. They entered. There, Skye let go of her.

This hidden room they had discovered two years ago. It had been used by Skye's parents-for purposes they did not care to expound on or explain. There was a plump loveseat facing the window. In reality, there was no window; it was just enchanted so the inhabitants of the room could see the outside from the west wing aspect.

"Now, kindly tell me what's going on. I don't exactly relish being pulled away from my kippers for no reason at all," Rain spoke, seating herself on the loveseat.

****

Skye remained standing. He felt better on his feet.

"Tell me what's going on between you and Malfoy."

The look of surprise on Rain's face betrayed the fact that she had not been expecting this. However, she quickly replaced it with a look of thoughtfulness.

"What makes you think this has anything to do with Devon? I never said anything about him."

Damn my big mouth.

"I borrowed your Transfiguration book two nights ago, and there was a certain note tucked in between two pages. It was in Malfoy's handwriting."

She didn't even ask him how he knew it was Malfoy's penmanship. Of course, they were Potions partners.

"You read that." It wasn't a question.

"Of course I did. I asked him about it, but he was rather evasive. Didn't answer my questions at all. So now I'm asking you."

Rain seemed to be considering her answer carefully.

"There's nothing going on between us." was all she said, though she seemed to want to add something.

"Are you sure about that?"

He had the distinct feeling that his cousin's sudden silent phases had something to do with Malfoy, but if she said it didn't....

Wait, wait, wait.

"You're keeping something from me again," he said before she could reply.

Her brown eyes narrowed slightly.

"So what if I am? You don't have to know everything that goes on in my life, Skye. I thought we had this conversation last night." Her voice carried something similar to a threat.

"Rain, look. Jon is going to get himself involved in all of this-whatever it is you're hiding. He's going to start being a pain in the arse...even more than he usually is," he added softly.

At this, Rain stood, looking very peeved. She turned to the window, focusing all her attention to it for a few tense minutes. Then, she spoke in a very controlled voice, "And why would he? He has no right to be so protective of me."

"I sort of let it slip to him last night--I wasn't thinking and I didn't realize he was listening so attentively to me..."

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