Morning, Broken, Part 2 (D'rorah, Dylan, Caitlin)

[Bridget O'Neill]

Bridget walked through the door to her domain, leading a mixed group of students. The older students were all hovering around Katherine like worker bees surrounding a queen. The poor youngster still appeared to be in shock, clutching the sword so tightly her knuckles were white. Bridget was getting more worried by the moment. Who would do something like this to a student? She knew Katherine had only gone home for her Maman’s birthday celebration and some additional family time.

Bridget waved her hand absently, turning several of the desks and chairs into a group of couches. She didn’t want Katherine sitting alone. That would feel more like an interrogation than comforting. They had to ask her some questions, but grilling her could send her over the edge. Once everyone grabbed a seat, Bridget sat too, directly opposite Katherine, but only a few feet away. If needed, she could comfort the youngster immediately.

“Katherine, I hate to try and get you to talk about this, but we all need to know what happened.” Bridget included D’rorah, Dylan and Caitlin in that group, given that Professor Archer had told her to trust them. “When you left Friday evening, you told me you were going home to celebrate your Maman’s birthday. I wouldn’t think this would be the aftermath of something that simple, so I’m sure there is more.” Bridget took a deep breath, and then cast a Silencing Charm on the walls of the room. “Katherine, what can you tell me about what happened to you this weekend?"

[Katherine Knightswood]

Katherine’s eyes focused on her Head of House as Professor O’Neill asked her what had happened. She sat on a warm sofa with her fellow Lightfighters around her like an honor guard. The young girl looked at Professor O’Neill, and was surprised to see honest concern and alarm written in the frown on the face across from her. Curiously, Katherine reached out with the new sense that had been coming to her, the one that seemed to let her read a bit of the emotions of those around her. There truly was nothing but worry immediately underneath the Professor’s surface. Katherine reached a little further, extending a sort of mental hand, and touched an anger that startled her. Was it anger at her?

“If you’re angry at me for not coming to you sooner, well, I don’t think it was my fault that I didn’t, because I trust you, Professor.” Katherine’s voice sounded small and frightened, even to her. “I think my family Obliviated me, trying to keep me from remembering so I would be safer. I remember Nana saying something in French and touching my forehead with her wand before she shoved me through the Floo. I don’t think they realized it would break down when I received this.” Katherine patted Virtue where the sword leaned against her leg like a faithful hound.

Katherine took a deep breath and plunged on into her narrative. “Things were fine when I came home on Friday night. Papa was away on business, but that’s normal. But when he came home on Saturday . . . well, he seemed distracted. We usually play Wizarding chess every chance we get, but he wasn’t up for it. That surprised me. Nana and I made Maman’s birthday cake instead, and we had the party on that night. I remember even Maman seemed subdued. But everyone had fun, including the cousins and the Aunts and Uncles.”

Katherine around at everyone sitting there, her eyes bleak. “On Sunday, I was packing my bags up for school when I heard someone arguing with Papa and Maman downstairs. It was a man, one whose voice I’d not heard before. He left, and Maman came upstairs not long after and told me to find Nana, that she and Papa had to go to an emergency meeting of some sort. I was walking to Nana’s rooms when everything went mad. I heard a sound, a large hollow boom, and then my Papa was yelling to Maman, and then she was yelling to Nana in French so fast I couldn’t understand her. Then Nana was dragging me down the halls to the Library, where our main Floo point is. I heard loud arguing and some strange noise, and then the sounds of people casting spells. Several people. Then I . . .”

Katherine gulped and went white as a sheet. “I heard someone cast the Killing Curse. Papa and Maman had told me about the Unforgivables, so that if I ever heard someone casting them, I could tell. I’ll never forget how horrible it sounded. Never.” A tear slid down Katherine’s cheek, unheeded. “I heard Maman scream my Papa’s name, and then I heard another Killing Curse cast, by a woman this time. I tried to grab my Nana and bring her through the Floo with me, but she tapped her wand on my forehead, and then the next thing I remembered was breakfast this morning.”

[Caitlin Collins]

As they finally came to the floor of Professor O’Neill’s office, Caity walked quickly enough to keep up with the others but maybe just a step behind. They entered the office and after a short pause, she took a seat in one of the chairs offered, watching Katherine as she did so. She wasn’t sure so many people around would be a good thing in relieving some of the pressure and making the first year seem at ease, but it was a bit late to be having doubts about it now.

She listened in silence as Katherine detailed her visit home, which had apparently turned into quite the nightmare. Her family life before this had sounded quite pleasant though... like hers had used to be when she was younger. In India, she had gotten on so well with her parents and brothers. But then after moving back, everything had fallen to pieces. With so much stress going on in her life anyway, she had so little patience with her brothers’ antics and parents’ nagging. She shouted back at them and when she was at home for the time she’d been taken out of Hogwarts, she had spent most of the time in her room. First so they wouldn’t see just how broken she was, but also so she could avoid more arguments that weren’t directly to do with returning to school.

But even so, an attack like that... she wouldn’t wish such a thing on anyone. So she might not get on with her family, but she still loved them and didn’t want them hurt. Her heart went out to Katherine as she saw the single tear slide down her cheek, but still said nothing. She remembered from previous experience that ‘sorry’ or similar phrases did absolutely nothing, at least for her. Saying ‘it will get better’ was even worse, because when she had been in the throes of the first crushing grip of grief it did not seem like it would ever get better, nor even why it should do such a thing.

[D'rorah Philosophy]

D'rorah followed along with the others as they made their way to Professor O'Neill's office. A million thoughts were racing through her head as she planned for what she might do with whatever information Kat passed along. As usual, D'rorah was planning and contingency planning, and even planning for contingencies on top of the contingencies. Not knowing enough about the professor to feel that she could be trusted added an additional layer to her planning... the woman had arrived at Hogwarts so recently that it was difficult to feel comfortable in any assessment of her. Though, her background and general demeanor suggested that she might be trustworthy, even helpful, to the Lightfighters.

Standing behind the chair in which Caitlin chose to seat her self, D'rorah's hands rested lightly on the seatback as she listened to Katherine relay what she remembered of the weekend. It did certainly sound like an obliviate spell had been used on the younger Ravenclaw. Of course, memories that were so powerful would have been much more difficult to hide behind a mental barrier than a hastily-cast obliviate.

D'rorah couldn't help but feel guilty... she had been incredibly upset and angry with Dylan for bringing the girl into the circle of the Lightfighters by having her assist with translations. While she agreed that the outcome with this war would affect everyone, there was still something about seeing such pain in one so young that ate at her. Like D'rorah, Katherine now had no family... except for her fellow Lightfighters. And D'rorah had come to feel that her new surrogate family was rather dysfunctional, all in all. As Katherine finished speaking, D'rorah took a deep breath.

There was little doubt in her mind that whatever had happened was related to the Shadow Wars. Dark Phoenix was the only one evil enough to order an attack that would wipe out an entire pureblood family. Sure, there were people who would gladly wipe out a family of muggleborns or even of mixed-blood wizards... but she couldn't think of anyone other than Dark Phoenix who would perpetrate such violence on a family as old and respected as Katherine's. "[blue]Miss Knightswood, I am deeply saddened for your loss,[/blue]" intoned D'rorah seriously. "[blue]I had hoped, upon learning that Mister Cooper had brought you within the circle of our cause, that your involvement would be virtually unknown to our enemies. Though, given the background of your family, there is at least some possibility that they were working with us secretly anyway and that that is why this has occurred. Though I am unsure of the causation, I am quite certain that the impetus behind this attack was the Shadow Mage and those who serve her.[/blue]"

As D'rorah spoke, part of her attention was on Professor O'Neill, gauging her response to D'rorah's words. She could be helpful as an ally. Katherine already trusted her, and D'rorah had yet to find reason to withhold trust from her. Though, she knew she would have to take swift and decisive action should she see any indication that that trust was misplaced.

"[blue]You will be protected as best we are able. And, I assure you that I will do everything within my power to see that this reign of terror is finally ended so that our realm will once again be safe. It will be important to ascertain why this attack occurred in hopes of finding information that will lead us to the Mage and her sources. In the face of this devastating travesty, you are faced with the choice of whether to continue on and be drawn deeper into a cause you know only the surface elements of, or to withdraw for the time being and seek haven for yourself. It is not much of a choice, but it is a choice open to every one of us... everyone here serves of their own free will.[/blue]"

She lifted her eyes to Professor O'Neill. "[blue]I regret to inform you that you have stumbled into a dangerous struggle. The choice is yours as well. We have already lost many good people in a fight against one who wishes perpetual darkness and decay for our entire realm. Every ally increases our hope of success in this campaign... a war which has been building slowly for more than a millenium. My entire life is committed to this cause, and I will succeed at all costs... in truth, there is little left for me to lose.[/blue]"

She turned her eyes back to Katherine. "[blue]No matter your decision tonight, I assure you that I will do everything in my power to see that those responsible for your loss are brought to justice. My heart, such as it is, is with you.[/blue]" They may not have been the most comforting words, but they were words of action. They were the sort of things D'rorah herself had wished she would have heard from anyone after the deaths of her own parents, the only family she had in the world. Master Xiu had been the one to offer what reassurance he could to D'rorah... but had placed the responsibility for the fight, ultimately, in her hands. He had tasked her with finding the other Lightfighters and with bringing them together to fight. Except for Dylan, this fight was all she had left... so she would continue to fight until it was impossible to do so any longer... until she was dead. Winning was the only way she could bring any meaning to their deaths, and so it was what she would do... whatever the cost.

[Bridget O'Neill]

Bridget looked around the room, her gazes resting briefly on each student as D’rorah spoke. Katherine, Dylan, D’rorah and Caitlin. All from different years, although mostly from the House she was supposed to watch over. She sighed, thinking over what Professor Archer had said about good contacts at the school. “Certain Prefects, namely, especially those of your own house. Miss Collins of my own house you also might want to lightly reach out to.” She’d had vague precognitions about all four of the students here now, and she decided to act on that. As she listened to D’rorah continue about the Shadow Mage and some evil woman named Dark Phoenix, she sat up straighter.

Here at last, was the answer she’d been looking for ever since she walked through Hogwarts’ doors. She waited until D’rorah had finished explaining, and was about to speak, but held her words at the quiet passion behind the Ravenclaw Prefect’s closing words. Here was a fellow warrior, a woman dedicated to doing the right thing, no matter how much it hurt. Bridget’s respect for the young woman went up several notches. The young teacher made her decision, and spoke.

“I don’t know exactly what’s going on here at Hogwarts except that it’s not good,” Bridget said calmly. “It looks like it’s bleeding over into the personal lives of all of you. I’ll be honest – I’ve had indefinable premonitions about all four of you, mostly along the lines of needing to talk to you about something vitally important.” The older woman sighed. “I’m betting this is why. Professor Archer hinted at some kind of fight against something evil going on around here. I would guess all of you are involved. And I would also bet that I need to be involved. Why else have a Divinations professor with a law enforcement background?”

The Professor stood and walked over to the window, the one in her Tower that overlooked the grounds best. She stood there for a moment, looking out into the gloom of the overcast March Monday. “I came here and took a job that only involved teaching students about Divination, at least at first. Then the Headmistress asked if I would become Ravenclaw’s Head of House. And that job entails helping to protect my charges. But as far as I’m concerned, all of you students are my charges.” The red-haired professor turned and gave then all a calm and measured look. “It sounds like you need both my skill sets. And I’m willing to give you what you need.”

Bridget was quiet for a moment, wondering just how much of her past she should give. Would it be too much information to volunteer? Should she protect herself? Or did these students need to truly understand why she was committing herself to a cause she barely understood? Bridget worried at her lower lip with her teeth for a moment. What would Sean have done? Oh, Bridget knew. He would’ve sided with the youngsters immediately. He hated anyone who used or abused people. And if what had happened to Katherine wasn’t the worst sort of abuse imaginable . . .

Bridget sat down again and took another deep breath, facing her leap of faith and her students head on. “What I haven’t told any of you, even Katherine, about my husband Sean’s death is that we received threats before it happened and I received a note afterwards. I believe he was murdered because his work in the States would have eventually come back home, to here. Sean was from Ireland, and was a student here for a few years. His work could have helped people driven mad by curses or other means. And that would have helped people fight against the Dark.” Bridget bit her lip, and then finished her thought. “The first note said ‘The Dark will claim you. Eventually’ The last, after Sean’s murder, said ‘I told you. You cannot win.’” Bridget fell silent, her thumb absently flipping her wedding ring around and around on her left ring finger. “I prefer to think that we can win. And I want to help make it so. Count me in, in whatever capacity you need me. Drill instructor, weapons instructor, dueling, bodyguard. Whatever you need.”

[Katherine Knightswood]

(Sorry this took so long!)

Katherine finished listening to everyone speak all the while measuring their words with her head and her heart. While there was a hollow ache behind her breastbone that would never be filled again, the young girl knew she needed people she could count on. She was the last Knightswood alive. If her parents had chosen to fight evil, then it was Katherine’s duty to carry on that fight. She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Professor O’Neill was watching her with an expression that spoke of heartbreak and was full of empathy. Katherine felt the ghost of a smile touch her lips and a spark of kinship stir inside her. This was someone who understood what it was like to lose everyone you loved in one blinding heartbeat. Katherine knew about the Professor’s dead husband, having shared the stories how they came to be at Hogwarts one night over biscuits and tea in the Ravenclaw Common Room. No, she trusted Professor O’Neill. No one with her background, no one who had been the victim of a crime like that would even give in to evil.

D’rorah was offering her condolences, and Katherine focused on her. There was an air of sadness and some other emotion Katherine had trouble pinpointing. The Shadow Mage. The name prickled the hair on Katherine’s neck and she couldn’t suppress a shiver. L'ombre Mage est venue pour prendre son dû. Katherine remembered those words all too clearly. They were the last thing she’d heard her Nana say before the spell that had stolen her memory. “I think you’re right about that last, D’rorah.” Katherine’s voice was clear, if a little shaky. “The last thing my Nana said to me was that ‘the Shadow Mage has come to take her due.’

Katherine watched as D’rorah spoke to Professor O’Neill. A dangerous struggle indeed. Katherine felt a growing anger budding inside her and replacing the grief. The young woman wasn’t angry at D’rorah or Dylan or any of the Lightfighters she was coming to care about and accept as her friends. How could someone do this evil and do it to young people just becoming who they were? That was what made Katherine’s anger boil up. And she knew which side she planned to be on. To hell with not knowing a lot about the mission or the tasks ahead. She’d bloody well learn. Wasn’t that why she was here at Hogwarts anyway?

When D’rorah spoke of having little left to lose it caught Katherine’s attention. She tilted her head to the side listening in that new way for what was underneath the words. Quickly checked grief intertwined with a hint of guilt flavored the words. Katherine’s heart went out to the Ravenclaw Prefect. It appeared they had more in common than Katherine had suspected. D’rorah’s next words cemented Katherine’s decision. "No matter your decision tonight, I assure you that I will do everything in my power to see that those responsible for your loss are brought to justice. My heart, such as it is, is with you."

“I know you will. All of you.” Katherine’s words were soft, but strongly spoken. Her gaze met Professor O’Neill’s. “Professor, you’ve told me about your life and your job back in the States.” Her Head of House nodded, her face suddenly sad. “Will you help me? I need to learn how to defend myself, how to fight to stay alive. I’m the only Knightswood left.” The young woman’s voice caught on that last phrase, but she went on. She lifted Virtue and placed it in her lap. “I need to make a trip out to the Family estates and see if they left the place standing. After the Aurors go through it, that is.” She met Professor O’Neill’s gaze and smiled grimly. “Once I find my Family’s armor and the rest of the weaponry, I’m going to need more training.”

Katherine looked up at those around her then focused on D’rorah. Her face was tear-streaked but full of angry determination. “I don’t know who murdered my family or why, but I’m very interested in bringing justice to them. Even if it takes all of the years I’m here at Hogwarts.” She handed a piece of parchment to Professor O’Neill, all the while looking at her Head of House. “According to this note I received with Virtue, I’m the Lady of Knightswood now.” Katherine shifted her gaze back to D’rorah’s and her eyes were the cold clear blue of a freezing autumn morning. “Knightswood is with the Lightfighters in the fight against the Shadow Mage. My resources, my home, even my life are with you in this fight. Whatever it takes.”

[D'rorah Philosophy]

D'rorah listened as Bridget spoke, alert for anything that might indicate she was misplacing her trust in a teacher she barely knew. She felt quite certain, however, as she went on that Bridget could be safely trusted. Indeed, it seemed she had already managed to win Archer's confidence as well. She felt interest prick her mind as Bridget mentioned having a law enforcement background, but decided to hold her questions for later. As the story moved on to tell of the death of Sean, Bridget's husband, D'rorah felt an internal pang of regret. Was there no one left undamaged by this war? The name, as she thought for a moment, sounded rather familiar. In fact, D'rorah was almost certain she recalled his name from her days at Falstaff's when she and Professor Eisenberg had been deepest into their work with Unforgivable Curses. For obvious reasons, the research had been kept very quiet, but even so a select few parties had shown interest and had been kept abreast of their developments.

The harassing tone of the notes Bridget had received were odd. It seemed such a blatant thing for one of the Mage's agents to do. But then, she supposed that many of them were anything but subtle. She nodded as Bridget offered her services as an instructor. She had been having everyone train in China... but there was still the rest of the school year to get through before that could happen.

She marvelled at the strength in one so young as Katherine spoke again. Even faced with the destruction of her family, the girl was thinking rationally and calmly for the most part. "[blue]Take care with your definition of justice[/blue]" was the only warning she offered, remembering her own internal struggles after her parents had been killed. Master Xiu had warned her not to let the Mage become her own personal white whale, destroying everything she was in the process of conquering it. [blue]"You may lose everything, but do not lose who you are,[/blue]" she added, echoing her Master's words as they had been spoken so soon after her parents' deaths.

Her attention back on Bridget, she continued. "[blue]Your offer of help is appreciated. I am certain we shall be availing ourselves of it soon. Now, if I may excuse myself, I believe I have several contacts to make before returning to my research.[/blue]" Without adding anything ridiculous like a 'good day', she nodded to those present and turned to make her way from the room. As always, there was much to be done.

[Katherine Knightswood]

(OOC: Should we consider this done? I think it ends well there!)

[Caitlin Collins]

((Knew there was somewhere I needed to post as Cait! I’ll just add a leaving post for her))

Caity continued to remain silent as the conversation continued, unable to ignore the sheer commitment and enthusiasm... maybe that wasn’t the right word... more like... fervour, to help with the cause. When she’d first found out about it all she’d been more scared than anything. Maybe it was understandable for the professor to be willing to help considering her previous encounters as an Auror... or whatever the word was in America. But Katherine? She was only eleven years old! And she seemed so resolute, and she’d only just lost her family! Following her grandmother’s death she hadn’t been any semblance of calm. That was even more true for when news of Mallan’s suicide came through. No angry determination... just brokenness.

It seemed that even Katherine was more ready for this war than she was, adding to her feelings of not belonging in the group of lightfighters. And thinking that just made her feel even worse – she shouldn’t be worrying about how she didn’t belong when this first year had just lost her parents. There were more pressing matters to deal with than her own lack of self-worth. Dee started to leave then, and not particularly wanting to remain in an awkward silence Caitlin stood also as the door swung shut.

[yellow]”I’m going to go too... I’m sorry Katherine,”[/yellow] she added, knowing how little it helped but unable to leave without offering some words of comfort. Perhaps the Ravenclaw girl would be different to her and actually take some comfort from the words. She left the room otherwise in silence, and in an even more sombre mood than usual headed to the Hufflepuff common room.