Chương 169: Chapter 169: Brewing Storms (2)
Catherine paused before the door to Dumbledore's office, taking a deep breath. She closed her eyes briefly, steeling herself before finally knocking. The door opened with a soft creak, and she stepped inside, taking her usual seat—bracing for the reprimand she knew was coming.
In the days since the incident, the girl had realised just how foolish she had been. She hadn't intended to put her family in danger, but that was exactly what she'd done. Worse still, she had forced Greg into a position where he had to risk himself to protect her. Compared to that, Carter Thorne's detention seemed almost inconsequential. What truly troubled her now was how the Headmaster would react to her using true fire against her own brother.
She gathered her courage and looked up, only to find the older wizard watching her with a small, enigmatic smile. Catherine felt her face flush instantly. Once again, she was caught off-guard by Dumbledore's behaviour, and she hated the feeling of being at a disadvantage.
"Are you going to scold me already?" – she asked, her voice sharper than she intended.
The Headmaster's eyes twinkled. "Do you feel you need to be scolded?" - he replied politely - "I've always thought scolding students was rather counterproductive. I'm much more interested in understanding why you chose to go to Hogsmeade when the fourth-years weren't scheduled for a visit that weekend. And, perhaps even more intriguingly, how you managed to get there unnoticed."
Catherine hesitated but then sighed. "I used the passage behind the big mirror on the fourth floor." – the young witch admitted - "It leads to the graveyard in Hogsmeade. As for why… I had a lot on my mind, and I just wanted to escape for a bit. I never meant to run into Adrian Borealis. That wasn't on purpose."
Dumbledore nodded, his expression softening. "I'm sure it wasn't." - he said, bowing his head slightly - "Sometimes fate seems to play rather cruel tricks on us. However, I am more concerned about your use of true fire against your brother."
The girl shifted uncomfortably, her gaze dropping. "He used elemental magic first." - she mumbled - "I used true fire to defend myself—it just happened, instinctively. I… I would never hurt Greg on purpose. Especially after…"
The wizard leaned forward slightly, his voice gentle. "After that time when you were both young?"
Catherine swallowed hard, her hands beginning to tremble. "Yes." - she whispered - "I know I messed up. I'll apologise to Greg, and I know Thorne will make me pay during detention. Can we just move on now?"
"Professor Thorne, my dear." – the Headmaster corrected her gently - "I'm not here to torment you for your mistakes. But I do need to understand where all this anger comes from. If left unchecked, it could become dangerous—especially during your training."
"Why are you talking to me like I'm some kind of raging maniac... Sir?" – the girl frowned – "As I explained, I wasn't even angry at my brother."
"What about your father?" – Dumbledore suddenly shifted the topic.
"My father?" – Catherine blinked, taken aback – "What does he have to do with any of this?"
"He mentioned that you had a rather significant breakdown during the Christmas holidays, and again when you encountered him after curfew a few weeks ago." – the Headmaster remarked, seemingly oblivious to the shock in the Gryffindor's eyes.
"I can't believe he came to you to complain about that!"- she snapped.
"No, my dear, he came because he was concerned." - Dumbledore explained calmly - "He wanted us to discuss how best to protect you, considering your tendency to break rules and wander off. As a matter of fact, he left this letter with me. I believe you'd want to read it."
Catherine snatched the envelope, tearing it open. She scanned the contents, her expression growing grim. Without hesitation, she stood and tossed the letter into the fireplace.
"And you ask me why I'm angry." – she muttered bitterly – "Two pages lecturing me about my duty as a McMahon and all the sacrifices made for my sake. Not a single word of apology for coming here every week and never once seeing me."
"So that's what's bothering you." – Dumbledore said thoughtfully.
"Wasn't it obvious?" – the girl snapped – "What kind of father does that?! This is Hogwarts! There were plenty of places we could have met. He just hates being around me, or maybe he's afraid... I don't know, and honestly, I don't care anymore."
"Yet you're still yelling." – the Headmaster noted with a gentle smile – "I think you need to have a real conversation with your father. I can't tell you how to feel about your relationship with him, but I can tell you this: he loves you deeply. In getting to know him, I've seen that you share many traits—especially the tendency to take charge for the sake of your loved ones, regardless of what they think. Isn't that something you've done yourself, on occasion?"
Catherine couldn't find a suitable response and decided to remain silent—not only because her Master of Fire was right, but also because she didn't want to risk exposing some of the measures she had most recently taken for her friends, measures she was certain he would strongly disapprove of.
"I had another dream two days ago." – the black-haired girl said, suddenly changing the topic – "Apparently, I fell asleep in the Common Room. Thankfully, I managed to repair most of the damage before anyone noticed. By the time I woke up, there were torn books everywhere."
Dumbledore listened intently as Catherine gave a detailed report on Yvette McMahon and her fate, his fingers steepled, eyes fixed on the ceiling. When she finished, the Headmaster appeared deep in thought.
"So, I suppose even if I learn Occlumency, it still might not be safe." – the girl sighed, trying to sound casual about the troubling realisation, but failing to mask her concern.
"Perhaps not—but that's assuming Occlumency was the key all along." – Dumbledore said cryptically.
"What do you mean?" – the fourth-year asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"While Occlumency is certainly useful for suppressing nightmares, it may not be the only factor that kept the demon at bay for so long." – the wizard mused – "From what you've told me, Yvette was a Salamander-type Fire Mage."
"How do you know she was a Salamander-type?" – the young witch asked with curiosity.
"The 'puppet' she used to entertain her little brother—it's a basic exercise for those who have full access to their elemental power." – Dumbledore explained. His eyes began to glow a deep red, and a life-sized phoenix made of true fire appeared, perched on his shoulder – "It's like an avatar you can use for different purposes—quite handy at times."
"So, you think Yvette managed to survive as long as she did because she was a Fire Mage?" – Catherine asked, her eyes widening as she watched the fiery phoenix take flight around the room before vanishing.
"I suspect so, yes." – Dumbledore nodded – "Perhaps it was a combination of Occlumency and her elemental abilities, but I believe access to true fire played a significant role in your ancestor's longevity."
"But in the end, she still failed." – the young witch said, her voice heavy with disappointment.
"I wouldn't say she failed." - Dumbledore corrected gently - "She was deceived by Alecto. If anything, this dream serves as a reminder of how quickly desperation can allow the demon to gain the upper hand, even after years of successful resistance."
"So, you're telling me not to be desperate?" – the girl asked with a smirk.
"In a way." – the wizard replied smiling – "But I believe you don't need me to tell you that. You've never been desperate—not even when you were a frightened, friendless girl who feared she might hurt everyone around her if she came to Hogwarts."
Catherine blushed slightly, recalling her first meeting with Dumbledore and how hostile she had been toward him.
"I guess I haven't." – she agreed frowning – "I've always been angry about my fate, but I wouldn't call it desperation. I just wanted to be free, and I was impatient."
"I understand, my dear girl." – the Headmaster said tenderly – "You've always shown incredible resilience. I only want to be sure that if you ever feel overwhelmed or pushed closer to the edge, you will share it with me. You don't have to face this alone—there are many people who would gladly support you."
"I will, Professor." – Catherine promised sincerely, adding with a bitter smile – "Contrary to popular belief, I'd choose to sacrifice my pride in a heartbeat if it meant staying sane and in control of my body and soul."
"There's always a choice." – Dumbledore smiled at his student's doubtful expression – "Even Yvette had a choice in the end. She chose to leave and save her little brother."
"I understand how she felt." – the girl stated calmly – "In fact, after that incident with Greg—when I saw him screaming in pain because of me—I thought about running away from home for a long time."
"Your brother forgave you a long time ago." – the wizard remarked – "Perhaps it's time you did the same. You can't keep living with that guilt."
"I know it wasn't intentional, and I was young, but I still feel horrible." – Catherine admitted, staring at her hands – "Although learning healing magic has helped a little."
Suddenly, with a sharp crack, Fawkes appeared in a burst of flames, interrupting their conversation. The phoenix perched on his owner's shoulder, handing him a roll of parchment from its beak. Dumbledore took it and quickly unrolled it, scanning the contents. His blue eyes widened in disbelief behind his half-moon glasses as he glanced at Catherine a few times.
"Something's wrong, Sir?" – the girl asked, impatience creeping into her voice.
"No, nothing's wrong." - the Headmaster said, gesturing towards the parchment - "But I believe we may have just discovered why your eyes glow green instead of red. You might remember I mentioned that I keep in touch with my Master of Fire's son."
"I do remember you mentioned it, but I was under the assumption he was not a Fire Mage." – the young witch said, her confusion evident.
"He's not, but I contacted him because he's married to the only other female Fire Mage I know." – Dumbledore replied, smiling at Catherine's astonished expression – "I've never met her in person, but we've corresponded over the years. She's a Salamander-type, with remarkable control over true fire."
"So that woman knows why my eyes glow green?" – the fourth-year asked impatiently.
"Indeed." – the Headmaster nodded – "According to her, it indicates the rare healing ability that some Fire Mages possess."
"Like the control over living beings that Slytherin and certain Water Mages have?" – Catherine inquired, her eyes widening with disbelief.
"Exactly." – Dumbledore confirmed – "Control over light and darkness by Air Mages, and powers over plants by Earth Mages, fall into the same category of rare talents."
"Does that mean I can heal people with true fire??" – the black-haired girl asked tentatively.
"In a way, yes, but only after rigorous training." – the wizard explained – "I've never witnessed it myself, but in theory, you should be able to use tiny particles of true fire and guide them through the body to destroy whatever is causing illness. The level of control needed for that, however, is beyond anything I can teach."
"Wait! Then you can't train me?!" – the witch suddenly realised the problem.
"No, I can't." – the Headmaster admitted – "But there's no need to worry. Elena suggested that once you've advanced enough, you could spend some time with her in Bulgaria. She'll teach you what you need to know about this ability."
"Bulgaria, you say…" – Catherine repeated contemplatively.
"Yes." – Dumbledore smiled knowingly – "It will also be an opportunity to learn more about Alecto, especially since the Grimoire where I first found information about her originated there. Once you reach the necessary level of control over true fire, I will arrange for you to visit Elena and her family."
The young witch felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of traveling abroad and learning a rare ability, even for a Fire Mage. She put extra effort into her lessons that day, eager to prove to her Master of Fire that she was ready to learn as quickly as possible.
'It's strange how my life keeps becoming more intertwined with true fire.' – she thought on her way back to the Gryffindor Tower – 'At least I don't feel sick right now. I would much rather suffer in the comfort of my own bed.'
But the sickness did not return.
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