Chapter Two: The Task
"We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy." -Albus Dumbledore
Azalea looked back at Harry and Ron one more time, before stepping out of the carriage to enter the school. They entered the castle surrounded by a tsunami of other students, making their way to The Sorting Ceremony in The Great Hall.
The Sorting Ceremony was specifically for sorting the first years, into one of the four founding houses, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Slytherin and Gryffindor. Each house had its own personality traits that the founders found essential in a successful Hogwarts student. Ravenclaws valued intelligence and independence, while Slytherins admired ambition, determination, deceit and cunningness. Gryffindors represented bravery and courageousness, and finally, Hufflepuffs stood for loyalty and patience. The first years were sorted by a very old tattered hat, and that hat determined what house that child would go to based on their personality.
The Great Hall was a large room, in both length and width with stone walls, all around the room were portraits of men and women all chatting quietly amongst themselves. In The Great Hall were four long tables going vertically down the room. This is where students of each house sat at during mealtimes. The table furthest to the left was Slytherin, their table was decorated with a forest green cloth, and silver trim delicately traced around it. The table to the right of them had a scarlet cloth, with a gold lining instead of silver, this is where the Gryffindor sat. The next table had a dark blue cloth, also with silver trim painted along the outline, this was where the Ravenclaw house was to be seated. Lastly, furthest to the right, was a table with a canary yellow cloth, and black trim that was dramatically outlining the Hufflepuff's table. Looking further ahead of the student tables was another long table laying horizontally. This was the staff table, where the entire Hogwarts staff sits. In the centre of the table, was a golden throne-like chair where the current headmaster or headmistress sat. The ceiling of The Great Hall was scattered with brightly glowing candles that illuminated night sky but Azalea knew it wasn't actually the night sky, it was a charm to make the ceiling look identical to it. She had read about it in the History of Magic book a while back.
The Golden Trio made their way to the table with the scarlet red cloth and the gold lining, waiting for the sorting ceremony to commence. Not long after, Azalea heard the grand doors of The Great Hall swing open. Professor McGonagall walked in while leading a parade of first years to the front of the hall to get sorted. The first years were obviously horrified, that much of evident by the look of sheer terror that washed over their faces. The noise in The Great Hall decrescendoed rapidly as the first years took their final stride to the sorting hat, before the whole hall fell completely silent. Until having the sorting hat break the silence by bursting out into a song about the houses and the four founders.
"One thousand years ago this story starts.
There were four sorcerers with strong and wise hearts.
Bold Gryffindor from wild moor.
Fair Ravenclaw from glen.
Sweet Hufflepuff from valley broad.
Shrewd Slytherin from fen.
They had a dream to teach all that they knew.
Witches and wizards came far and it grew.
'Til a castle stood tall by the shores of a lake.
And a thousand years later the magic remains.
Old Hogwarts sorting hat sing me a song.
Speak in my head tell me where I belong.
And when things look bad and there's no where to run.
Unite all the houses and we'll fight as one.
Brave Godric Gryffindor favoured the strong.
Those who had courage and knew right from wrong.
And Rowena Ravenclaw taught only the best.
So kind Helga Hufflepuff would teach all the rest.
But Salazar Slytherin had his own plans.
He thought the muggle-borns didn't understand.
The subtleties of magic and so he devised.
The chamber of secrets with a monster inside.
Old Hogwarts sorting hat sing me a song.
Speak in my head tell me where I belong.
And when things look bad and there's no where to run.
Unite all the house and we'll fight as one.
Old Hogwarts sorting hat sing me a song.
Speak in my head tell me where I belong.
And when things look bad and there's no where to run.
Unite all the house and we'll fight as one.
Unite all the house and we'll fight as one."
-J. K. Rowling
The hall erupted into a loud round of applause. Everyone seemed to enjoy the sorting hat's song immensely, except the first years who looked even more pale then they did when they entered. It didn't faze Azalea anymore since she had listened the hat sing for six years, although it had been a different song every time. The sorting hat had nothing better to do between the annual sortings other than compose a new song each time.
"Now, before we begin," Professor McGonagall's voice called out, pulling the first years attention back on her, "Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words."
With that, Professor Dumbledore elegantly arose from his throne like chair. "I have a few start of term notices that I wish to announce. The first years please note that The Dark Forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also, our caretaker, Mr Flitch has asked me to remind you that the third floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to those who do not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you." He finished, gracefully sliding back down into his chair.
All the first years looked at each other in freight and disbelief at the words that just came out of the professor's mouth. Azalea couldn't help but give a slight giggle at the terror-stricken first years, knowing Dumbledore purposely tried to frighten them. She remembered he did the same to them when they were first years, now knowing how silly she must of looked to the older years.
After the first years were sorted into their houses Dumbledore stood up once more. "Let the feast...begin!" With that, hundreds of golden plates and goblets were set on each of the four houses and food magically appearing on the empty plates, while the goblets filled up with beverages, prepared by the house-elves working in the kitchens below. On the table before them was a wide variety of foods varying between roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops, lamb chops, sausages, bacon, steak and plenty more. Azalea didn't even know where to begin.
Azalea eagerly began to dish out her food. She knew Harry was just as hungry since her Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia made them go a week without any meals for magical mishap that happened with their git of a cousin, Dudley Dursely. Let's just say it had something to do with a prank that a certain pair of red-headed Weasley twins pulled. Azalea and Harry had found it tremendously hilarious, however, Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon didn't seem to share the same perspective.
Without hesitation Azalea happily consumed her food. She payed no mind to the people around her until she heard; "hey Harry, isn't that your owl?" Azalea tuned into the conversation considering it involved her too, since she and Harry shared the owl. She looked up to see Hedwig soaring high above their heads before diving down and swiftly landing on her head. She heard chuckles all around the Gryffindor table and received questioning glances from the tables around them, as he made obnoxiously deafening squawks. "Bloody bird's a menace" she mumbled incoherently under her breath. She felt something plop onto her lap as the spotted owl spread its wings and took flight. Ignoring all the curious stares directed towards her, Azalea delicately picked the parchment off her lap and un-scrolled it, making sure no one was watching her.
On the parchment was a note written in neat, cursive scrawl. The parchment read:
Dear Little Lady Potter,
After you have finished settling in would you please head down to my office. I have a rather vital affair I would like to discuss with you.
Sincerely,
Albus P.W.B. Dumbledore
After reading the letter Azalea looked up to the head of the staff table to see Professor Dumbledore looking at her intently before getting up and casually exiting The Great Hall. "Who's that from?" Asked her brother, as he strained his neck in a futile attempt to get a glance at the parchment she was holding in her hand. "A letter congratulating me at being at the top of all my classes again." She said letting the lie diligently roll off her tongue. Azalea did feel bad about lying to her brother but she knew Dumbledore wouldn't of called upon her for no reason. Harry seemed to buy this, as he engaged in yet another conversation with Ron. She got up from the table in hopes that the conversation that her brother was indulged in would distract him long enough for her to slip undetected out of the hall. Luck, however was not on her side as she heard the voice of her brother. "Where are you going?" Harry asked curiously. Azalea needed to think of a lie and quickly, she didn't want to keep Dumbledore waiting. "The library, need to study for the N.E.W.T.S" she said, as she quickly rushed out of the hall to avoid being interrogated further. However, Azalea didn't leave quick enough to not overhear their conversation. "Why does she need to go to the library, she was studying all last week?" Said Ron. "Because that's what Azalea does. When in doubt, go to the library." Considering turning around and scolding them both about the importance of studying, she decided against it. She mustn't keep Dumbledore waiting for much longer.
Just like The Great Hall, the hallways too were lit with torches and candles guiding her way to Dumbledore's office. Azalea couldn't lie, she was nervous. She had only been called to the office once for dying Malfoy's hair red and gold, the Gryffindor's colours.
Making her way down the long, narrow hallway Azalea finally reached her desired destination. Unlike all the other professors' offices, The Headmaster's Office was concealed by a giant, stone griffin on the third floor. Azalea hadn't been to The Headmaster's Office much, but she had been enough to know that the stone griffin would step aside in response to the set password. Beyond the griffin was a grand staircase, leading to a double mahogany door. Azalea stopped directly outside of the door before knocking on it consciously. On the other side of the door she could hear the strangled voice of Dumbledore inviting her to enter.
"Ah, little lady potter, at last you've arrived." He said, as she infiltrated the room. In Azalea's eyes The Headmaster's Office was definitely the most intriguing room in Hogwarts, second to The Room of Requirements. All around the room were portraits of all the prior Headmasters and headmistress, all seemingly to be asleep. On a self in far right corner was the sorting hat, it was sitting motionlessly and didn't give any reaction to her being there. She paid no attention to it either, since she was almost positive that the hat extremely disliked her.
"Yes professor, I'm finally here. It was harder to disburse from Harry and Ron than I previously thought." Dumbledore chortled to himself and looked at Azalea with amusement twinkling in his crystal blue eyes. Dumbledore was a tall and slim man, he had silver hair and a beard so long it would put Hagrid's the shame, and a long nose that looked like it had been broken more than once. He also wore half-moon spectacles and a colourful robe, ranging from purple to blood-red.
"Won't you take a seat, Ms. Potter?" He said while gesturing a hand to a black chair with golden patterns creeping up the legs of it. Azalea sat down in the chair that was precisely positioned parallel to Dumbledore's desk.
"Now ms. Potter, I'm sure you're curious as to why I summoned you here today, correct?" He asked, his playful and mischievous overtone disappearing, only to be replaced by stony-faced look.
Azalea slowly nodded her head, unsure of where the conversation was heading. Dumbledore stared at her once more, she felt as if his piercing blue eyes were trying to peer into her soul.
"I assume you have heard about Voldemort's rise back into power" he said, investigating every inch of her face, looking for a reaction of any kind.
"I've heard whispers." She responded flatly, her face indifferent.
"Well then, I have a task of great significance for you, Azalea. I need you to, using the time turning, travelled back to 1943 to Lord Voldemort's time, or known as then as Tom riddle." He said, looking into her eyes yet again. It seemed to be a habit he preformed semi-consciously.
Azalea cocked her eyebrow as if she was sceptical about the information she was receiving.
"The First Wizarding War, dark times they were, Azalea." Dumbledore said, with a sullen look etched upon his wrinkling face. "Dark times indeed, you didn't know who was working for him or who wasn't. You weren't only scared for yourself, but for your friends and loved ones. With each week, news comes of more deaths, more disappearances and more torturing. There was nothing but sorrow and fear."
Azalea was bewildered when she noticed there wasn't a trace of humour marked in his appalling information. For the first time she was utterly dumbstruck.
"B-but professor, why me? You are the only wizard Voldemort has ever feared, plus you are far more talented than I," Azalea said, losing her collective façade.
"I fear I cannot, Azalea. Riddle would never open up to me and it would seem quite curious to accuse him of crimes that haven't yet been proven." He stopped to glance at Azalea. "The Wizarding World cannot go through those heinous acts again. So I ask you this ms. Potter, will you accept the task you are being given."
Azalea looked into his eyes, once again speechless. Voldemort had been the one to mercilessly murder her parents and scar her brother, leaving them in the care of her pitiful aunt and uncle. A pregnant pause fell between them, as Dumbledore watched her steadily.
"I accept the task" she said after contemplating intensify.
Dumbledore sent her a toothy grin, before the sullen look returned once again. "I must advise great precaution ms. Potter, even as a child he was an extremely intelligent individual, not easily fooled."
Azalea nodded her head, acknowledging Dumbledore's warning. It wasn't surprising for Azalea to hear, she could image the teenage version of Voldemort roaming the halls with his freakishly loyal band of Death Eaters complying to his every desire.
"I understand the task I am being assigned sir, but I'm still not sure what you expect of me." She said re-collecting herself.
"I want you to go back and lead Tom away from the dark arts. I want you to show him that there's more than just power."
Azalea was very uneasy about going back in time to change the most infamous dark wizard of all time, but it soon settled as she realized Dumbledore would still be there. Just the younger version of him.
"I accept." She said again. Azalea had confidence that she could execute the plan being presented to her.
Dumbledore's toothy grin was graced back on his face as Azalea accepted the task. He knew The Wizarding World couldn't go through the devastation again, with everybody fearing for their lives.
"And Ms. Potter, I would appreciate it if you didn't tell your brother about the information you've aquried tonight. We all know how overprotective older siblings can get, especially yours."
"He's only a year older than me." She grumbled under her breath, which apparently didn't matter because Dumbledore heard it anyways.
"Nevertheless, he's still older. Now off to bed with you, it wouldn't be so wise to have you wondering the corridors so late at night, would it Ms. Potter?"
Azalea responded to him with only a shake of a head, before getting up to exit the curious Headmaster's Office. "Good-night, professor." She bid a farewell to the wizard.
"As to you, Ms. Potter." She heard, as she vacated the premises. Azalea opened the grand, double mahogany doors and descended down the spiral staircase in which she emerged from.
Following the strongly burning torches she finally made it back to The Gryffindor Common Room. Silently hoping and praying that her brother didn't lay behind these doors, she slowly pushed the doors open. She was relieved to see that her brother nor best friend was waiting for her when she entered, in fact the whole room was entirely clear of students. Making her way to her bed chambers, she was welcomed by the sound of barely audible snores, mostly coming from Ginny. She walked to her bed which was the second farthest the the right. Setting her 10", Laurel wood wand that possessed a Phoenix core on her night stand. Looking at her bed, on the pillow to the left side was a baby kitten sleeping soundly with occasional purrs rumbling out of its chest. The kitten was pure black, with a long tail that dragged behind him when he walked and eyes so blue they made you think you were looking at the clearest Caribbean waters. His name was Lumos, after the wand-lighting charm. It was Fred and George who had taken the liberty to name a pitch black kitten after the wand-lighting spell, but Azalea had found immense humour in it, therefore naming the kitten Lumos permanently.
Pulling out the sheets, Azalea plopped herself down onto the bed. Thoughts about the task flooded into her mind like a broken damn that needed immediate attention. 'Harry isn't going to like this, not one bit.' Was her last thought before she drifted into a blissful slumber.
A/N
I'm posting this chapter in dedication to Alan Rickman who passed away at the age of 69. May he rest in peace. Hope you enjoy and comments are warmly welcome, my snowflakes.