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Legacy

Chapter 6: Riddikulus

Ron weasley fanfic

context: Harry Potter and the prisoner of azkaban

words: 2.2K

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The quill hovered over the paper, its ink nearly covering the entire parchment, but finally, with a sigh, Sienna crumpled it tightly and tossed it to the floor. There, it was met by Morrow, who, ecstatic with his new toy, began to bat at it.

New paper, quill dipped in ink; back to the beginning.

If she kept up this pace, she'd soon need to buy more parchment for her classes. Frustrated, she dipped her quill once more and tried again.

“Dear Dad,

I hope this letter finds you well. I realize I shouldn't bother you; I know you're very busy with work.

I need a favor.

I know this might sound strange, and I truly hope you don't feel bad about it, but I think it's time we talked about my mom. I understand this must be a very difficult subject for you; I know you’ve suffered greatly from her absence. But recently, and honestly, always, I've felt the need to know more about her. It's a gap in my story that I desperately need to fill, to understand what’s there.

I would truly appreciate it if you could tell me something about her. What she was like, what she enjoyed, how you met, if she had friends, if she was happy.

Any answer you could give me would mean so much.

I love you, Sienna”

She read the parchment again, once, twice, even three times. She could only imagine the negative repercussions. She clutched it tightly, almost tearing it again, but finally, with a sigh, she folded it carefully and slipped it into the pocket of her robes.

Perhaps, if she could muster the courage in the morning, she would take it to the Owlery. Gathering all her belongings, including Morrow, who was now hanging lazily from her shoulder, she headed to her room, where her roommates were already asleep.

When her head finally met the pillow, she couldn't help but review every word she'd written. She envisioned every possibility: being ignored, anger, sadness. But deep down, very deep down, maybe she would receive the answer she needed—the one that would clarify all her doubts. A loving story that would fill the emptiness she felt in her chest and might even bring her closer to her father.

The next morning dawned calmly. Sienna dressed quietly and returned to her bed; she felt exhausted, as if the previous night had brought no rest. Anwen, meanwhile, was experimenting with a huge Hufflepuff-colored bow in her hair.

"What's wrong with you today? You seem down," Anwen asked, twirling around, causing her bow to wobble.

The letter, still folded in her pocket, felt like a ton. It was as if it consumed all her energy. "I didn't sleep well," Sienna excused herself. "Come on, it's late."

The two hurried off to their first Defense Against the Dark Arts class. The halls were nearly empty, everyone already in their lessons. However, when they reached the classroom, there was no sign of the new professor.

"Let's hope he hasn't run away," Anwen joked, taking a seat. "That might be a new record."

Sienna pulled her books and quill from her backpack just as the professor entered the room. He was nothing like they had expected; disheveled, he contrasted completely with their previous, impeccably dressed teacher. He placed his battered briefcase on the desk and offered the students a warm smile.

"Good afternoon, I'm Professor Lupin," he greeted. "Don't bother taking out your books; today's lesson will be practical. Just keep your wands handy."

The two friends exchanged confused glances; practical defense classes hadn't had a good track record. With a deft flick of his wand, the professor moved the tables and chairs to the edges of the classroom.

Then, a large wardrobe came into view, shaking roughly every few seconds. Everyone remained silent, attentive.

"No need to worry," he said calmly. However, the wardrobe shook violently, almost toppling over. "There's a Boggart in there." No one responded. "Boggarts like dark, enclosed spaces, like a wardrobe, under the bed, or a kitchen cupboard. This one arrived yesterday afternoon, and I asked the Headmaster if we could use it in today's class. But what exactly is a Boggart?"

Hermione raised her hand. "It's a shape-shifting being," she stated. "It can take the appearance of whatever we fear most."

Sienna felt a shiver trace its way down her spine. What was it that she feared most? What would this creature transform into?

"But stay calm; there are many of us in the classroom, which means the Boggart will have a hard time deciding which form to take."

Professor Lupin calmly explained the spell they should use to defend themselves: Riddikulus. Everyone repeated it, practicing the wand movement.

"Very good," Lupin praised. "Neville, you'll be the first. What are you most afraid of?"

"Professor Snape," he replied bluntly; laughter rippled through the classroom.

"I think that's perfectly valid," Anwen whispered. But Sienna wasn't paying attention, unable to tear her eyes from the increasingly violently shaking cupboard.

Professor Lupin leaned in to whisper something in Neville's ear; he nodded nervously, and finally, the cupboard creaked open. From the pitch darkness, the thin figure of Professor Snape appeared before the group. Nervous, Neville stammered a Riddikulus, and the imposing Potions professor instantly transformed, now clad in a frilly dress and a ridiculous hat topped with a stuffed bird.

The classroom erupted in laughter; Professor Snape stood bewildered by their mirth.

Crack!

"Right, you've got to think of a way to make something that terrifies you so much turn into something that makes you laugh. All right, who's next?"

A Gryffindor girl was next in the impromptu line; a mummy covered in bandages appeared before everyone. "Riddikulus!" the young woman shrieked, and one of the bandages unfurled, sending the mummy sprawling face first onto the floor.

Crack!

The Boggart continued to transform as the line moved forward. Sienna felt as if her heart was about to burst from her chest and flee; she was far more terrified of not knowing what it would transform into than what the final form might be.

Crack!

"Penrose, step forward!" Lupin announced. Anwen let out a dramatic sigh before beginning. In the blink of an eye, a tall, thin figure appeared. A man with wolf-like features howled, filling the classroom. Everyone took a step back, including the professor.

"Riddikulus!"

The creature shrank considerably, becoming the size of a teacup, with a huge bow identical to Anwen's adorning its neck. It barked, trying to sound frightening, but everyone burst out laughing.

Crack!

Before she knew it, it was her turn. Her breathing was rapid, just a few steps from the wardrobe. Terrified, Sienna instinctively stepped back, colliding with Harry Potter, who, confused, found himself suddenly in front. In a flash, the creature expanded and transformed into a tall, hooded figure. The classroom turned icy in an instant. A Dementor.

Professor Lupin acted swiftly, stepping between Harry and the Dementor. The Boggart, confused, shifted into a giant, silver coin.

"Riddikulus!" the professor managed to utter wearily. And it transformed into a deflated balloon of the same dull color.

Her heart still pounding, Sienna gathered her bag without looking at anyone. She hurried out of the classroom, her steps quick. She wasn't sure what scared her more: the Boggart... or what it could have been.

Professor Lupin awarded five points to each of them for facing the creature. Ron stretched, unable to hide his smile. "That was amazing," he commented to Harry.

His eyes wandered around the emptying classroom; beneath a desk lay a Defense textbook. He reached out to pick it up. "Hermione, isn't this yours?"

"No," she replied quickly. "Check if it has a name."

Ron examined the book with some discomfort. It was as good as new, perfectly bound, and with its owner's name engraved in black ink on the front page: Sienna Eagles.

"There you go," Hermione confirmed. "I didn't see her when she left."

"So what do I do with this?"

"Give it back," she replied as if it were obvious.

"No, you do it." Ron extended the manual toward his friend, but she sidestepped him, heading for the exit.

"I can't, I have to go to Ancient Runes," she excused herself. "Do it yourself."

"But... but I don't know where she is," he hesitated nervously.

"She can't be far," Harry shrugged. Dean and Seamus, listening in the distance, didn't miss the opportunity.

"Hey, Ron!" Seamus joked. "Now you have the perfect excuse to ask for a kiss as a tip. Don't be shy."

"Yeah," Dean added, stifling a laugh. "And don't forget to look her in the eye. Girls love that."

Harry couldn't help but laugh, slapping Ron on the shoulder as he blushed crimson and muttered insults. "Don't take it so seriously," he tried to calm him down.

Ron pursed his lips, freeing himself from his friend's grasp. He held the book tightly under his arm before leaving the classroom without replying.

"And give her a kiss for me!" Ron managed to hear Seamus before laughter erupted in the classroom.

Still flushed, his book tucked under his arm, Ron continued through the corridors, searching for any sign of a yellow Hufflepuff robe. But there was no sign. He considered going to the Hufflepuff Common Room and leaving it there, or even putting it in a lost property box. But the thought of having to explain himself to the prefects made him lazy.

He passed a couple of empty classrooms and turned into a quiet gallery when he saw a figure sitting on one of the lower steps. Sienna was perched on a lower step of some stone stairs. Her head was slightly tilted, her gaze distant as she played absentmindedly with her wand.

Ron hesitated before approaching. "Uh..." he muttered. "You forgot about this."

Sienna's head snapped up. Ron noticed her eyes were glazed, but he didn't say anything about it.

"Oh, thank you very much... I hadn't even noticed." She took the book from him.

"Yeah... It's so perfectly new, I was afraid I'd ruin it on the way here," Ron tried to lighten the mood.

Sienna laughed softly, without much enthusiasm. Silence fell between them; neither knew quite what else to say. Ron rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably and took a step back, intending to leave.

"Ron."

The redhead stopped, turning around again. "Yeah?"

"I'm really sorry about what I said to your brother," Sienna murmured. "I didn't mean to cause trouble, or embarrass you... I just..." She paused. "I got really nervous explaining what I was looking for... Anyway, I promise I'll get this straight."

Ron was taken aback. The last thing he expected from her was an apology. His cheeks flushed red again. "Don't worry, it doesn't matter... My brothers can be stupid. I tried to tell them the truth, but they're not very good listeners..."

"Well, I'm sorry anyway."

The Gryffindor nodded, not knowing what to do with his hands, and hid them in his pockets. "Well," he thought for a moment, but finally tried to crack a joke. "Don't be scared if an owl from my mom comes tomorrow telling you she's knitting you a sweater with your initial on it." Sienna let out a genuine laugh for the first time. Ron felt emboldened by the fact that he had made her laugh and couldn't help but notice that her eyes weren't so irritated anymore. He moved his hands inside his pockets until he felt a metallic wrapper; without thinking twice, he took it carefully before holding out his hand. "Here..."

Sienna looked at him curiously before taking the candy he offered her. "Thank you very much."

"It doesn't explode or anything," Ron was quick to explain. "But they help me out on bad days."

The young woman couldn't stop her heart from squeezing, carefully tucking it into her spare pocket. Before she could answer again, laughter sounded from the top of the stairs.

"Kiss her! Where's your Gryffindor courage, boy?" A red-haired head peeked out from the top of the stairs.

"Hufflepuff!" shouted the other twin. "Mum already asked your size! She's a fast knitter!"

Both boys' faces turned as red as the Gryffindor crest.

"Shut your mouths!" Ron managed to bellow. "I'd better go," he muttered, and without another word, he stumbled away through the gallery.

Ron made a vague gesture with his hand under his brothers' watchful eyes and walked (or ran) until he was far enough away from their gaze. Once the twins' banter had died away, Sienna carefully unwrapped the candy and brought it to her mouth.

It was a simple, strawberry-flavored treat, but it managed to lift her spirits a little. She reached back to the pocket where the letter lay. With renewed energy, she sped off toward the Owlery. Before giving the message to the bird, which was eagerly awaiting a treat, she scribbled her father's name and address on a plain envelope. Holding her breath, she watched the animal fly out one of the windows until it disappeared into the clouds. There was no turning back now.

[holysmokesblog]

Legacy

Chapter 5: Hasty confession

Ron weasley fanfic

context: Harry Potter and the prisoner of azkaban

words: 2.8K

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It was almost dinnertime when Sienna entered the library. The vast hall was half-empty due to the schedule. Ever since her conversation with Hagrid, the thought of her mother had been on her mind. She was desperate to check the Potter album, but she had barely exchanged a word with Harry, and she didn't dare ask about something that was perhaps very personal.

Sitting in a hidden corner between crowded shelves, Hermione hid her nose behind a thick-bound book, completely absorbed in her reading. It was almost unnerving to interrupt her.

Taking a deep breath, Sienna silently gathered her courage and cautiously approached the corner where the young Gryffindor was sitting, but Hermione didn't even notice her presence. Unsure of what to do, Sienna gently cleared her throat, gaining her attention.

Hermione looked up from her book with some annoyance, but when she realized who it was, her expression changed to surprise.

"Oh, hi Sienna," she whispered, trying not to attract the librarian's attention. "How are you?"

"Hi Hermione," Sienna felt her palms sweat with nerves. "Do you have a moment? I need to talk about something…"

Hermione looked at her blankly, but full of curiosity, she closed the thick book. "Sure, whatever you need."

"I know this might sound strange, but… The other day… My family… It's a bit of a long explanation." She sighed in frustration, having no idea how to broach the subject without it being awkward.

"Right," Hermione tilted her head. She could sense the nervousness easily. "Just breathe, it can't be that bad."

"I spoke to Professor Hagrid," she declared finally. "He mentioned that Harry had an album with old photos of his parents. My mother was in the same year as them, and he said that maybe she could be in some of the photos… Anyway, I wanted to ask if you could speak to him so I could see those photos."

Absorbing the information, Hermione remained silent for a few seconds. "Wow… How interesting. I had no idea… I'll talk to Harry. I don't think there'll be a problem."

"Thank you very much, Herm… I really appreciate it."

"You're welcome," she replied with a smile. "I'll go right now."

Sienna nodded, a little more relieved, although her stomach was still churning with nerves. The young Gryffindor touched her shoulder affectionately before leaving the library, carrying a heavy bag of books.

Finally, Sienna also stood up and headed towards the Great Hall. The sweet aroma of food floated in the air, and as she approached, the general murmur grew louder.

As she passed through the giant doors, Anwen waved her arms from her table, calling for her attention. Sienna took a seat next to her. The conversation among her classmates was loud and full of laughter, but she could barely pay attention; her mind was still thinking about the album.

She was about to retire to her room when a small paper butterfly gently landed on her empty plate. She carefully unfolded the figure to find a message.

"Sienna, Harry agrees. We'll expect you in the Gryffindor common room at 12 o'clock. The password is: Greater Fortune."

A wave of emotion ran through her body from head to toe. She tucked the small piece of paper into her robe pocket and headed to her common room.

The minutes ticked by with agonizing slowness; Sienna could swear the clock had never moved so slowly.

"What's wrong? Where do you have to go at this hour?" Anwen looked at her curiously from her bed. Morrow was lying at her feet, annoyed that his owner kept tossing and turning on the mattress.

Sienna looked at her companions' beds, checking that they were asleep. "I have to go to the Gryffindor common room."

Anwen looked at her blankly. "What? Why is that? Do you have a boyfriend and you haven't told me?"

"Shh," Sienna gestured to the other beds. "Nothing like that, just that I think Harry might have some pictures of my mother and he agreed to show them to me."

"Harry? Who? Potter? Why would he have a picture of your mother? That's weird."

"I don't know if he does, I'll find out later." She got out of bed. Morrow groaned in annoyance before curling up again. "I'll tell you when I get back."

Before closing the bedroom door, she could hear, "Good luck!"

With the message in hand, Sienna began the long trek to the other common room. The winding, twisting stairs didn't make her task any easier. Luckily, she hadn't encountered any prefects or teachers.

The Fat Lady's heavy snores could be heard in the distance, which told her she was close. She cleared her throat a little loudly, waking the painting guarding the door.

"Oh," the woman commented somewhat sleepily. "I'm sure I haven't seen you around here before."

"Good night," she answered somewhat timidly. "Greater fortune."

The Lady looked at her for a few long seconds, trying to guess her intentions, but finally she stepped aside and the portrait opened, revealing a door. "I hope you don't do anything strange, girl."

Sienna chose not to answer and passed through the doorway into the living room. The space was quiet, barely lit by a fireplace that was just enough to warm everything. The predominant colors were red and gold, like their house crest.

Harry was standing next to one of the red armchairs with what appeared to be the album under his arm. Hermione accompanied him with an attentive expression, and Ron was lying on one of the sofas, feeding his pet some treats. The three of them looked at her intently.

The first to greet her was Hermione. "Sienna, for a second we thought you weren't coming."

"I thought so too; the stairs are a bit treacherous," she joked.

Somewhat shyly, Harry smiled softly. "It's good you're back."

An awkward silence fell over the group, as Sienna continued standing, not daring to move from her spot. "Harry," Hermione nodded.

As if coming out of a trance, Harry reacted. "Oh, yeah, sure. I brought the photos; I hope they help."

Timidly, Sienna took the album and placed it on the table in front of her, sitting on the floor. Harry and Hermione positioned themselves on either side of her to also observe. Even Ron, behind them, who had remained silent until that moment, leaned slightly to also look.

Very gently, Sienna carefully opened the aged cover, which creaked softly. The first photograph was of who she assumed was a young Harry and his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Potter were smiling at the camera and trying to get their tiny baby to wave.

After a few images of a Harry who couldn't have been more than a year old, came images of James and Lily, increasingly younger, laughing and enjoying themselves with friends.

The atmosphere was tense; no one dared to say a word. She continued flipping through images slowly, searching among unfamiliar faces, but no one looked familiar until Harry placed his hand on one of the pages, stopping the page from turning.

It was a group photo, taken during what looked like a picnic. Lily and James Potter stared at each other intensely, unable to hide their smiles. There were other people in the photo.

"Could that be her?" Harry asked, pointing at one of the young women at the far end of the photo. Sienna felt her heart skip a beat; it was like seeing herself in a mirror, only a few years older and with shorter hair.

"If that's not your mother, it must be a relative, because they look identical," Ron said, watching intently. Sienna watched him, not knowing what to say.

She turned her gaze back to the moving photo. The woman who was apparently her mother was bursting into laughter, almost audible. Behind her, a tall, black-haired young man hugged her from behind and rested his head on her shoulder, pointing at the camera.

"Wow! And that's your dad!" Ron exclaimed again, leaning forward to get a better look.

"No…" Sienna replied after a pause. Her mother and the stranger continued laughing for the photo. Scabbers, who was dozing on Ron's lap, shuddered and let out a high-pitched squeal, leaping from his owner's hands and landing on the floor. Crookshanks, Hermione's cat, who was resting on top of the fireplace, didn't hesitate to jump down from his perch to chase him.

"Hermione! Control your pet!" Ron shouted, leaping from his spot to chase after them both.

"Ron! Don't hurt him! He can't help it!" Hermione also stood up to intervene. The rat climbed the thick, heavy curtains with the cat following close behind. Before reaching the top, it jumped onto a table piled high with notes and books. Crookshanks followed suit, knocking a lamp over, which shattered on the floor.

Sienna and Harry watched, unable to intervene, as the chaos of the chase between the two pets and their owners erupted in the common room.

From the corridor leading to the boys' room, a slender, stretched figure interrupted the scene just as Ron had managed to capture Scabbers.

"What's all this commotion?!" Percy Weasley, his shiny prefect badge pinned to his pajamas, trudged down the stairs. "You should all be in bed!" he pointed at the Gryffindor trio. "And you!"—This time at Sienna—"I'm sure this isn't your common room!"

"Percy, we're not doing anything wrong," Ron excused himself.

"I don't care what you were doing! In fact, I don't want to know!" he snapped indignantly. "The rules are very clear. This is a very serious infraction. I could deduct points from all four of you!"

"She was already leaving," Hermione added, trying to calm the situation.

"I'm really sorry, it's my fault, I asked you for this favor," Sienna said, ready to leave.

"So the Hufflepuff students want to come and wreck our common room?" Percy spoke with an air of smugness. "How did you get here, Miss? Did no teacher see you?"

"Oh come on, Percy! Don't be so dramatic!" Ron complained.

"Shut up, Ronald! Your behavior as my brother is unacceptable!" Percy roared. "You can't have visitors at this hour just because… you're seeing someone! Mum's going to find out!"

His brother's accusation made Ron's face turn as red as the tapestry on the armchairs. His fists clenched around a frightened Scabbers. The tension in the air was palpable. He stammered, completely consumed by nerves. Before he could reply, Sienna stepped forward.

"I'm really sorry, Prefect Weasley!" Sienna shouted, trying to ignore the red rising in her cheeks. "I was really looking forward to seeing Ron… I… I missed him, and I couldn't wait until tomorrow. Please, I'm so sorry. I promise it won't happen again."

The unexpected confession left Percy completely thrown off. His frown relaxed slightly, and his expression of fury turned to surprise. He didn't seem to know how to respond to that apology. Ron, for his part, looked at her as if she'd grown a second head, and although it was hard to believe, the red on his cheeks deepened.

"Well… yes," Percy stammered, somewhat awkwardly composing himself. "It's late, Miss…"

"Eagles," Sienna added.

"Eagles needs to return to her common room immediately. And to avoid any further detours," he puffed out his chest with renewed authority, "I'll escort her personally… As for the three of you, off to bed immediately."

Ron, who had remained frozen in place, was dragged towards the stairs by Harry, who seemed to be trying to contain his laughter.

"Good night," Sienna said. "And thank you very much." Harry and Hermione nodded in agreement. She gave one last glance at the album in Harry's hands before crossing the threshold.

Percy opened the exit door and with an imperious gesture indicated that she should leave the portrait.

The difference in temperature between the common room and the stairs was noticeable. For a moment, she felt goosebumps rise on her skin.

The image of her mother kept going around in her head; that young woman full of laughter was not what she had been told. Percy walked briskly, his back perfectly straight. The silence was absolute, save for the echo of his own footsteps. Finally, they reached the barrel guarding the Hufflepuff entrance. Percy stopped like a soldier. "Good," he said firmly. "Make sure you go straight to bed and don't leave until morning."

"Sure," Sienna murmured.

"And Miss Eagles," he stopped her. "I hope your behavior improves these days. Ron doesn't need any more bad influences in his life."

Sienna's face immediately reddened, realizing the consequences of her excuse. She could only nod nervously before entering her own common room and throwing herself into the first armchair that came her way.

The thought of her laughing mother, cuddled with a stranger, mingled with the embarrassment she felt at that moment. Unable to help it, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

It was morning when Anwen woke up frightened. Her classmates were still asleep, but Sienna's bed remained empty. A pang of fear gripped her. What if she'd gotten lost in some corner of the castle? She hurriedly dressed in her usual uniform and rushed out of her dorm. Some students had already occupied the common room, all of them staring curiously at the young woman resting uncomfortably on one of the armchairs. Anwen felt relieved to see her.

"Sienna! Get up!" She approached her friend, who only grunted in response. "Come on, let's get ready!" She took her hand to try to pull her off the sofa. Morrow, completely unaware of her intentions, climbed onto her back before beginning to massage her back with his paws.

"That hurts," Sienna managed to murmur into the cushions. "Morrow, stop!" The animal, oblivious to her request, continued with its task, forcing the young woman to get up. Sienna blinked, feeling the weight of sleep on her eyes and the emotional hangover from the previous night. "What time is it?" she stammered, trying to sit up.

"Just the right time for you to bathe and have breakfast!" Anwen declared. "You have to tell me what happened last night, urgent!"

She was dragged to the showers, still empty at that hour. Sienna undressed and allowed her body to relax under the hot stream of water. If it were up to her, she would stay there all morning, but Anwen's knocking hurried her from outside.

With her hair still wet, she was dragged at full speed toward the Great Hall. "Too late if we want to get toast," she complained.

They took a seat at the Hufflepuff table, which had just been restocked with breakfast. Anwen pounced on one of the trays, serving a generous slice of strawberry shortcake. "Well?" she inquired. "What did you find?"

"Ah, it's a bit long to explain." She paused. "But I found a photo of my mother… She… She's not how I imagined her."

"How did you imagine her? I thought they were similar."

"Yes, that's true… It's just that she's different compared to what they told me, the little they told me."

At that moment, a shadow loomed behind Sienna. Somewhat confused, she looked up to see two identical faces. Fred and George Weasley sat down, leaving her in the middle.

"How's our new sister-in-law?" Sienna felt the piece of toast she was chewing get stuck in her throat. Her cheeks turned crimson, and her gaze shifted toward the Gryffindor table, where she could see Ron slumped in his seat and all his friends staring in her direction, unable to hide their smiles.

Anwen, for her part, couldn't hide her surprise. "Sister-in-law?" She managed to ask with her mouth full.

"Yes," one of the twins affirmed. "Sienna Eagles, the next new member of the Weasley family."

The twin on her right laughed. "Our mother is dying to meet you. We always thought Ron would be the family spinster."

"How's that for Ron?" Anwen couldn't get over her shock, while Sienna felt herself burning with shame inside.

"A nighttime infiltration of the Gryffindor common room," the one on the left said.

"For love," the one on the right clarified.

"No, no, no!" she tried to excuse herself, waving her hands with desperation. "It's not what you think!"

"There's no point in being shy anymore, dear. By the way, I'm Fred." He shook her hand.

"And I'm George." He took her free hand to shake it too.

"What can we say? It was a pleasure meeting you, dear?" asked George.

"You're much more than we expected," Fred joked.

They both smiled knowingly before walking away, leaving Sienna feeling like one of the strawberries decorating the cake she'd been eating earlier. Some of her companions sitting nearby couldn't stop watching and commenting on the situation with amusement or amazement.

"I need more details! I thought you didn't want a boyfriend this year!" Anwen exclaimed, her eyes shining with curiosity and excitement.

Maybe it was the warmth in her face or the fact that everyone was watching like a spectacle, but Sienna had lost the ability to respond. All she could manage was to rub her face in her hands, wishing that this morning was a dream.

[holysmokesblog]

Legacy

Chapter 4: Lost Footprints (or not)

Ron weasley fanfic

context: Harry Potter and the prisoner of azkaban

words: 1.8K

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Sienna could barely make out the shapes. Her nose was emitting heat as if a dragon had taken up residence inside. Someone, probably Hermione, was barreling down the corridor, while the person holding her right arm tightly—probably Ron—was muttering something about vomit and blood and how he wasn't cut out for this. "Careful, it's slipping!" "Don't you dare drop it, Ron," muttered the person she assumed was Harry. "No way! I'm not stupid." Before he could finish speaking, he stepped on his own robes, making the three of them stumble. Someone she could make out as Anwen let out a high-pitched scream, following them closely.

"Push that door," Harry ordered, already reaching the hospital wing. The group stumbled into the hospital wing. "For Merlin's sake!" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed. "Put her in there." She pointed to an empty bed. "What happened this time? Explosion? Spell? It wasn't your brothers, was it, Weasley?" "It was a hippogriff," Hermione explained. "What a mess... And you," Harry and Ron turned to her. "You're not Healers, that's for sure. It looks like you dragged her all over the castle." "Almost, in fact." Firmly and skillfully, Pomfrey cupped Sienna's face, examining her closely. "It's not that bad, Miss Eagles, but it's certainly a shock. You'll stay tonight in case you feel unwell." With a flick of her wand, her nose creaked sharply, returning to its normal shape. A handkerchief was thrust into her hand to wipe it. "Is she going to be all right?" Anwen whispered, holding back tears. "Don't be dramatic, Miss Penrose." Madam Pomfrey rummaged through the shelves until she pulled out a bottle of thick, brown liquid, which she poured into a spoon. "Drink this, my dear. It will help you rest tonight." "Now, all of you out," she ordered Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Anwen, who were still huddled near the door. Her tone brooked no argument. "Miss Eagles needs her rest." "But..." Anwen tried to protest. "Out. You'll see her tomorrow." Sienna took the spoon and gulped down its contents in one gulp. It tasted bittersweet and was unusually warm. She immediately felt every muscle in her body relax on the stretcher.

It wasn't long before the door swung open. Draco shuffled in, holding his injured arm. "It hurts!" he declared loudly, looking at Madam Pomfrey with pleading eyes. "It's serious! There's bound to be scarring!" "Go to bed, Mr. Malfoy," Madam Pomfrey replied firmly, without looking up. "And don't make so much noise, there are other patients here." Draco settled into one of the spare beds, muttering something about his father and the safety of the school. Madam Pomfrey was quick to apply a spell to his arm. Sienna's eyelids were already feeling too heavy, and she was struggling to stay awake. "My father already knows about it," Sienna heard Draco say to one of his friends. "He'll probably call for an investigation. Hagrid won't be teaching another class this year, I can assure you." Before she fell asleep, she couldn't help wondering if her grandmother would also find out about this incident.

The mysterious potion had knocked her out within minutes, but it only lasted a few hours before incoherent dreams and an incessant sound woke her. Tac, tac, tac Sienna looked around in confusion. Everything was dark and silent, save for a few candles on Pomfrey's empty desk. She brought her hand to her slightly sore nose, but everything seemed to be in order. Tac, tac, tac Sitting with difficulty, she approached one of the windows that seemed to be the source of the sound. As she drew back the curtain, glowing yellow eyes watched her impatiently. Somewhat clumsily, Sienna pushed open the glass, letting in the grayish owl, which flew across the room before sitting on the railing of her bed, dropping an envelope. It was a thick, scented envelope with her name written on it in elegant, sharp cursive. Unmistakable. She took the envelope very delicately, as if it might explode, and it took her a few long seconds to dare to open it. With a sigh, she carefully tore the seal and unfolded the parchment.

Sienna: I have been informed of the unfortunate event that occurred during one of your classes. I'd like to say I'm surprised, but I am not. This type of event only confirms my concerns and reaffirms the imprudence of you attending this year. It only proves that I was right, again. I have exchanged letters with Lucius Malfoy; we agree that this situation is worrying and requires a strong response from the Ministry. We are already taking the necessary measures; you will receive more news soon. Please, I beg you to stay away from this type of situation that endangers your safety, for you and your family. I trust your common sense. There are worrying rumors circulating, and I will not hesitate to leave if the situation becomes unsustainable, and I won't care what your father thinks about it, as he's already been notified. I await your response; otherwise, I'll have to go confirm your condition myself. With love, Cirse Eagles

She couldn't help but sigh; that letter had only left a very heavy knot in her stomach. Her grandmother's control and her father's silence hurt more than the blow to her nose. Outside, the sky dawned a pale gray, and for the first time, Hogwarts no longer offered her peace.

Without wasting any more time, she took a quill and parchment from Madam Pomfrey's desk and quickly began to draft her reply. She hadn't finished signing when the owl snatched the message from her and flew at full speed through the same window it had entered.

About an hour passed before Madam Pomfrey entered the infirmary, yawning. "Good morning, dear. How did you wake up?" "Fine, it doesn't hurt anymore." Pomfrey came over to inspect her face more closely. "I suppose you can go," she commented lightly. "Take the rest of the day off and try to eat something, you're a bit tired."

Sienna left the hospital wing, just as some students were beginning to fill the corridors toward the Great Hall. However, she couldn't help herself; her steps led her toward the castle grounds.

Hagrid's silhouette was conspicuous even among the enormous pumpkins he used to plant and cultivate with such care. Sienna hesitated, remembering her grandmother's letter, but finally, she walked slowly in that direction. "Wow, I wasn't expecting visitors so early," Hagrid greeted in surprise. "How's your nose?" "Very well, I even feel like I'm breathing better," Sienna tried to joke. "I'm very glad," he said sincerely. "I'm really sorry about what happened with Aleric. He's a good boy. I didn't think he'd cause any trouble..." "It wasn't his fault, just an accident," she interrupted quickly. "And my nose's back on." Hagrid gave a heavy sigh, thoughtful for a few seconds. Finally, he looked back at the young woman. "Have you had breakfast?" "No, not yet." "I've just put the kettle on. Would you care to join me?" "Yes, it would be a pleasure."

Hagrid's home was a small and extremely hot space, the smell of damp wood and strong tea permeating the air. Fang, his enormous pet, snored comfortably, taking up almost an entire armchair. Sienna felt tiny in one of the chairs, clearly made for Hagrid’s comfort. Hagrid poured two generous cups of extremely dark tea and placed a plate of (apparently burnt) biscuits the size of cobblestones in the center of the table. "I've noticed you're interested in magical creatures. I suppose you must have inherited that from your father," Hagrid commented, munching one of the gigantic biscuits. "Yes, I suppose it must come from somewhere." Sienna couldn't help but smile; she liked feeling they had things in common. "It certainly came from him; he was always a fan of the subject. However, you're identical to your mother." "They tell me that often. Did you ever meet her?" "Of course! She was definitely a remarkable young woman... And with a lot of character!" He laughed with his mouth full. "She was like a storm on legs." "No one had ever spoken to me like that about her before." Sienna felt a deep curiosity. "She died when I was very young; I never got to meet her. Can you tell me more?"

She took one of the biscuits from the table, but when she held it, she doubted her teeth would be able to bite into it. Very delicately (and without Hagrid noticing), she put it back in its place. "Oh well, I suppose your father has a lot more to say than I do." He was silent for a few seconds, thoughtful. "I remember she was a Slytherin, always getting into trouble." He laughed softly. Sienna listened to him intently, trying to imagine her in the castle corridors. "And her and my father...?" Hagrid snorted. "I'll admit I was surprised when I heard they were getting married..." He instantly corrected himself. "I mean... She... He... They were really polar opposites. Eagles was always very quiet and reserved. Just..." Pause. "But they sure made a lovely couple... And you're proof of that." "Yeah, I suppose," Sienna eyed the now-cold contents of her mug. "They never tell me about my mother. I mean... People always tell me I look a lot like her, but sometimes I can't imagine her. I don't even have a picture... My gran says she got rid of them so my dad and I wouldn't have to suffer so much remembering." "I imagine it must still be very hard for your dad." Hagrid's face lit up with an idea. "Last year I sent out owls to everyone I knew looking for pictures. I wanted to give Harry a special present, since he didn't have any pictures of his parents either. I'm sure I've seen your mother in some of those photos. Could you ask for them? At least then you'll be able to stop imagining her." "Really? Do you think she could be in those photos?" "I don't know for sure, but I remember they were in the same year and sometimes got together…" Hagrid's face paled for a second. "Anyway… Maybe they were in a photo together." "Hagrid, thank you very much, really." "It's not little at all. Be careful."

Sienna left the hut, her heart pounding; the possibility of seeing a picture of her mother, even a borrowed memory, thrilled her enormously. Unable to contain her smile, she headed back to the common room. Perhaps she should make a quick stop in the kitchen first; she was starving.

[holysmokesblog]

Legacy

Chapter 3: Feathers and pages

Ron weasley fanfic

context: Harry Potter and the prisoner of azkaban

words: 1.5K

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Chapters

Standing on tiptoe with her arm extended to its fullest, she still couldn't reach the spine of the book with her fingertips. She wasn't supposed to be there—she knew that—but she'd overheard her grandmother talking about her father's new favorite book. That was enough to spark her curiosity. Maybe if she could flip through it (since she couldn’t read yet), she might like it too... and share something with him. At last, she sighed, exhausted. She couldn't do it alone. Glancing around, she searched for a solution—until an idea sparked. Without wasting another second, she placed her foot on the lowest shelf and hoisted herself up a few inches, using the moldings for balance. She repeated the process a few more times, ignoring the height, until she was quite far from the floor. She was getting closer with each attempt, the golden letters gleaming like a promise.

She stretched her arm out one final time, trembling, and accidentally placed her fingers in the wrong spot. The bookshelf trembled as one of the books—dark and filthy-looking—groaned and began to thrash violently. Startled, Sienna lost her grip and fell backwards. The impact was sharp and painful. She tried to stay quiet so no one would notice, but the stabbing pain forced tears from her eyes. She couldn’t hold them back and began to sob loudly, unable to stand. A few books had fallen with her, landing with heavy thuds, probably broken. That made her cry harder—she was hurt, and now she was in trouble.

"What did you do, Sienna?" Her father's harsh voice echoed from the doorway. Mark Eagles strode toward her, staring at the mess in horror. His beloved books were strewn across the floor, some bent at unnatural angles. "Why did you do this? You know you're not allowed in here!" Sienna cried harder, unable to respond. She’d never seen him like this before. He usually ignored her antics, barely noticing what she was up to—but this time, she’d crossed a line she didn’t know existed.

"Why..." he started, then stopped. He took a deep breath, holding back his anger, and looked at the girl still sitting on the floor. "I'm sorry," Sienna mumbled through her sobs. "Are you hurt?" His voice softened. She didn’t answer—just more tears. "Sienna, I need to know if you're hurt." Mark slowly crouched beside her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Let me see—does it hurt?" She nodded between sobs. With some frustration, he helped her up. "I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to—" "It doesn’t matter," he interrupted. "What matters is that you’re not seriously hurt." He gently examined her head—only a bump. "That’s enough, Sienna. You have to stop crying." But the tears wouldn’t stop. It wasn’t just the pain—she was scared he would hate her for ruining his books.

Mark rubbed his face, unsure what to do next. A strange groan from the floor drew his attention. He turned back and picked up the book that had caused the ruckus, sensing Sienna’s gaze following him. "Is this what scared you?" he asked, holding it up. The little girl nodded. "Alright," he said, a bit unsure. "Fine, follow me."

He walked to a corner of the study and sat down on the rug. Sienna approached cautiously, keeping her distance. "This," he began, "is The Monster Book of Monsters... Not exactly age-appropriate. Let’s keep this from Grandma, shall we?" The book shuddered violently in his hands. "Yes, I know. It’s scary—and it can bite if you're not careful," he added. Sienna’s wide eyes stayed glued to him. Her crying had stopped. Mark took that as a small victory. "I’ve gotten a few bites myself... But it’s useful for work. It’s very easy to open, just—" he gently stroked the book’s spine. "—it needs a little affection." The book gradually stopped shaking. He unclasped its snapping mouth and began flipping through the pages. Cautiously, Sienna sat beside him and peeked at the open book. "Can you read now?" he asked. She shook her head. "What a relief," he muttered. He kept turning the pages. "Sienna... please don’t disobey again." She nodded silently. Mark said no more—just turned the page.

Sienna leaned closer; this time, she could read all the text, not just the pictures. "What did you do—offer a finger to calm it down?" Anwen asked with a raised brow. Sienna smiled, gently shutting the book and fastening the clasp. "Yes, but it wasn’t mine."

The distant murmur of students heading toward the hut reminded them of the time. "Come on," said Anwen, giving her a nudge. "If we’re late for Hagrid’s first class, we’ll get the hungriest creature."

The students had gathered at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Hagrid waited, excited. "Hurry up!" he called. "Got somethin’ special for yeh today!... Everyone here? Right, follow me!"

For a few seconds, no one moved. Venturing into the forest was intimidating. Hermione and her friends led the way. The trail kept them within the boundary of the woods, and after several minutes, they reached a small clearing. "Good," Hagrid beamed. "First thing—open yer books." A beat of silence. "How?" Draco demanded. "This thing is dangerous." "Oh, how terrifying!" Pansy Parkinson sneered. She tried to open her book, which growled and hit the ground with a thud. Hagrid's face fell as complaints rippled through the group.

"Sienna opened hers!" Anwen shouted. "And still has all her fingers!" Sienna froze as all eyes turned to her. Hagrid approached quickly. "You did?" he asked hopefully. She nodded, pressing her lips together. She flipped her copy over and stroked the spine. It shuddered, then stilled and opened obediently. "See? Brilliant!" Hagrid cried. "Well done! What’s your name, miss?" "Sienna Eagler!" "Perfect, Sienna! Five points for Hufflepuff!"

Encouraged, the students followed her lead, and soon, all the books were open. Hagrid, bolstered, raised his voice. "Now you’ve got the info—you just need the creatures! I’ll be right back!" He disappeared into the forest.

"Who’d have guessed?" Pansy muttered. "All we had to do was pet the thing that wanted to eat us." "This school’s falling apart," Draco added. "Shut it, Malfoy," Harry snapped. "Careful, Potter—there’s a Dementor behind you!"

Sienna shuddered. She knew he was joking, but the name alone brought back the chilling memory—the icy emptiness, the dread. "That was amazing," Hermione said, joining her. "It wasn’t that big a deal, but... thanks." "So... how did you know?" Sienna hesitated. "My dad works with magical creatures," she said. "We’ve had this book at home for years... I saw him open it once... I guess I remembered." "The finger story was better," Anwen muttered.

From the trees, Hagrid returned—accompanied by a dozen horse-sized beasts. He stopped near the edge of the clearing, grinning. "Hippogriffs!" he announced proudly. Everyone stepped back. The creatures were massive, with sharp beaks and talons. One flapped its wings, and Hannah squealed. "Listen carefully," Hagrid said. "They’re proud. Treat ’em with respect. No sudden moves. Bow first... and wait for them to bow back. If they don’t, don’t approach—got it?" He tugged one forward and let it loose. "Now... who wants to go first?"

Silence. Then, a hand went up. "Harry!" Hagrid grinned. "Knew I could count on yeh!"

Someone murmured something about a prophecy. Harry stepped forward, bowed. The hippogriff—Buckbeak, Hagrid whispered—stared, then bowed back. "Good! You can ride!" Hagrid beamed.

"Ride it?!" Ron turned pale. Before he could react, Buckbeak took off—with Harry on his back.

Encouraged, students stepped forward. One by one, hippogriffs began exploring. "You’re next," Anwen said. "I’m scared of heights," Sienna said quickly. Hagrid looked around. "And you, Miss Eagler? You opened the book... why not meet a real creature?"

Sienna flushed. All eyes again. She took a deep breath and stepped forward. "But I don’t want to fly," she clarified. Her knees trembled. Hagrid led her to a smaller hippogriff. "His name’s Aleric. Smallest of the bunch—won’t give you trouble."

She bowed, repeating the steps in her head. Aleric blinked, tilted his head… and bowed. She took cautious steps, hand out. Aleric touched her palm with his beak. The feathers were warm, softer than anything she'd ever felt. She smiled. Her father would be proud.

She didn’t notice Draco nearby, bowing to Buckbeak. "This is easy," he scoffed. "If Potter could do it... What a disgusting beast." A sharp screech. Buckbeak lashed out. Draco landed hard, his robes torn.

The commotion startled Aleric, who flapped violently—his wing struck Sienna in the face.

She fell forward, a hot gush pouring from her nose. "Sienna!" someone cried. "You’re bleeding badly!" said a girl’s voice. "I’m dying!" Draco screamed nearby. "Are you going to just stand there?" Hermione snapped. "Harry, Ron! Help me!" Ron blinked. "Uh... Pomfrey?" he said uselessly. "Ron, she can’t talk—her nose is broken!" "Yeah, I figured that!"

"Can you walk?" Harry asked. Sienna nodded, eyes squeezed shut. The pain was unbearable. "Easy now... don’t fall," Ron muttered. Harry steadied her other side.

They began walking toward the hospital wing, slow and awkward. Sienna could barely think, her face ablaze. Behind them, Hagrid’s voice tried to calm the chaos. But class was clearly over.

[holysmokesblog]

Legacy

Chapter 2: Future Plague

Ron weasley fanfic

context: Harry Potter and the prisoner of azkaban

words: 1.7K

Taglist

Chapters

Although the storm had hit hard the night before, the sky dawned calm. A dim light filtered through the windows, casting soft reflections on the stone floor. From her bed, Sienna glanced at the other empty bunks. Her dormmates had left early, claiming the first breakfast of the year was the best. Everyone except Anwen, who was sitting cross-legged on a thick rug, waving a ribbon at a very enthusiastic Morrow.

“I don’t want to start,” she complained, still playing. “After what happened on the train, they should give us the day off… Magical trauma! At the very least. I even heard some boy fainted.”

“And did you see it?” Sienna asked as she climbed out of bed.

Anwen shrugged. “Sort of. I was with Susan and Hannah when the power went out. We didn’t see anything, but it got really cold. What about you?”

“Nothing... It was just strange,” Sienna murmured, avoiding the details. She didn’t want to think about that paralyzing cold against her skin again.

“Well, whatever. I just hope they catch Black soon so those things stay far away from me.” She stretched. “We should go. We’ve got a long day ahead and we’ll need all the energy we can get.”

They left the dorm and crossed through the crowded corridors.

“This year, my goal is to get a boyfriend.”

Sienna gave her a sideways look, amused. “Interesting.”

“It’s the only thing I’m missing. My grades are great, I’ve got new robes… Now I just need a list of candidates.”

The Great Hall doors stood wide open, and students moved freely in and out. They joined the Hufflepuff table, where their friends were finishing breakfast.

Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott passed them their schedules.

“This one’s yours,” said Hannah. “We mostly have the same subjects.”

Anwen unfolded hers and gasped. “Merlin’s beard! When did we agree to take so many classes?”

“You were the one who insisted on Divination,” Susan muttered. “You said it was ‘mysterious and fabulous,’ and that it’d be useful to know the future.”

As the others bickered, Sienna reviewed her schedule more carefully. It was overwhelming. She had a feeling this year would be more draining than the last. But dropping any subjects wasn’t an option. ‘A disgrace to the Eagles family,’ she could already hear them say.

“‘Mysterious and fabulous’ doesn’t sound like something I’d say,” Anwen argued. “But if I see myself failing in the crystal ball, at least I’ll have time to run.”

“Or study,” Susan added, rolling her eyes.

“Between this and the Weasley twins, I’ll need emotional support all year.”

“Emotional support? From the twins?” Sienna asked without looking up.

“Haven’t you seen them? They’re getting cuter by the day! Even Susan agrees.” Susan blushed and buried her face in her mug.

“They’re going straight to the top of my list.”

“What time is Divination?” Susan asked, trying to change the subject.

“Right now!” Anwen jumped to her feet. “Come on, come on—I want to be mysteriously fabulous and not late.”

Sienna barely had time to swallow before she was dragged out of the Hall.

The North Tower felt like it was on another continent. They had to cross the whole castle, and once there, the stairs twisted and groaned, the portraits on the walls appearing gloomier than usual. If not for a group of Ravenclaws heading the same way, they would’ve gotten lost.

At the top of the stairs was a small room, empty except for a trapdoor in the ceiling. Before anyone could speak, it burst open and a silver ladder descended from above.

Everyone exchanged uncertain glances. A Ravenclaw boy finally climbed up first, and the rest followed. The classroom above was smaller than the usual ones, draped in heavy, colorful curtains, dimly lit, and filled with low tables surrounded by cushions.

Sienna barely had time to look around before Anwen pulled her to a free spot. They sat on the uncomfortable cushions, waiting, until a woman emerged through the curtain.

“Welcome,” said Professor Trelawney, her soft voice matching the dreamy decor. Her shimmering robes, huge glasses, and dozens of jingling bracelets completed the effect. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you in this physical plane... Sit, my children, sit.”

The last three students entered the room—Sienna recognized Hermione among them. She offered a small wave as she passed.

The professor began her speech about the class—how it was unlike any other, how they must trust their instincts and open their “third eye.”

“My dear ones, if you possess the gift, your destinies may reveal themselves in something as simple and profound as a cup of tea.”

The class went smoothly—only one cup broke.

Sienna stared into the steaming, floral-scented cup in her hands.

“You have to drink it before you can read your future,” Anwen teased.

Sienna rolled her eyes.

“Drink until just a bit remains,” Anwen demonstrated. “Then swirl it counterclockwise three times. The leaves will reveal more than you think.”

“One… Two… Three,” they counted together and drank. The bitter, sour tea twisted their faces.

They exchanged cups.

Sienna went first. “I see… two paths.” She flipped through the textbook. “It means… you’ll soon have to make a major decision.”

“Between two handsome boys, I hope,” Anwen replied with a grin.

“And… a flower, which means… a minor accident. I guess that’s not so bad.”

“Okay, my turn.” Anwen took a deep breath. “I see… a ruined house… blue fire coming from it… deep in a forest.”

Sienna raised an eyebrow. “Where do you see that?”

“I’m joking.” She turned the cup. “Looks like a cat. Or maybe a dog. Could be Morrow, but chubbier.”

Pause.

“I also see rain. Or bars. You might get grounded…”

“Doesn’t sound great.”

“Don’t interrupt—I’m not done.” She frowned, tilting the cup. Her eyes widened. She grabbed the book.

“This is bad. Really bad…”

Sienna shifted, her cheeks warming from the tea and incense that now clung to her skin like fog.

“You’re in trouble. Or we are. Pest trouble, probably rats…”

“Rats?”

“Or it could mean betrayal…” she said, flipping a page. “Or unexpected news… Stick with whatever feels safest.”

Sienna shifted again. Anwen noticed.

“Don’t worry, it’s not real. Besides, Morrow can handle a rat or two.”

“The Grim, dear! The Grim!” Professor Trelawney’s voice rang out. She was staring at Harry Potter’s cup. “My dear boy, this is an omen! The worst of them… an omen of death.”

Silence fell over the class. Sienna’s stomach turned.

“I don’t think it looks like a Grim,” Hermione countered.

The professor peered at her. “Forgive me, dear, but your aura is faint. Very faint indeed.”

A group of Gryffindor boys clustered around Harry’s table.

“When you’re done deciding if I’m going to die or not!” he snapped.

“That’s enough for today,” the professor announced. “Please gather your things.”

Sienna helped Anwen clean up. The classroom was emptying—her unease grew. She didn’t want to be left behind with a bad prediction too.

“My dear,” came Trelawney’s voice.

Sienna tensed—but she wasn’t talking to her.

“Yes?” Anwen answered.

The professor approached her slowly. “You have an impressive aura, my dear… though untapped.” She leaned in. “When March comes, don’t leave this class. I believe you’re meant for great things.”

“Thank you, Professor.”

Back outside, Sienna inhaled the crisp air with relief. Her body finally relaxed.

“That was the best class!” Anwen declared. “I knew I made the right call!”

“I need the loo,” she added, wrinkling her nose. “I think I swallowed more incense than tea. Wait here, two minutes.”

“I’ll wait…”

A breeze ruffled Sienna’s hair. Despite the sunlight through the windows, cold drafts crept through the hallways.

So focused on the chill, she didn’t notice the footsteps.

Draco stopped beside her and, without a word, handed her a black-and-gold scarf—her scarf, with the Hufflepuff crest.

“You left it in the Great Hall,” he said.

It took her a second to react. “I don’t remember wearing it,” she muttered.

He didn’t reply. No smirk, no gesture. He simply walked away.

“Thank you!” she called, but he was already gone.

First the train. Now this. She didn’t understand him.

They’d once been close. Her grandmother used to dine with the Malfoys. She was expected at those dinners. But after Hogwarts and the Sorting, Draco had slowly drifted away. She thought she knew why, and didn’t plan to ask.

“What happened?” Anwen returned, wiping her hands. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Draco gave me back my scarf. The one I left at breakfast.”

Anwen raised a brow.

“Is that a metaphor or literal?”

“Literal. He gave it to me. Then left.”

“No insult? No comments about your house? Or your Mudblood best friend?”

Sienna stayed silent. She wasn’t sure why it stung—maybe because she’d ignored these things for too long.

“Maybe he’s training to be a politician. Like his father.”

Sienna didn’t answer. She wrapped the scarf tighter and focused on the sound of their footsteps and the crisp autumn air.

They passed through the gates onto the castle grounds. The sun warmed her just enough to ease her nerves. The class was set near Hagrid’s hut.

“Sienna!” Hermione called, approaching with a book in her arms. “I’ve been looking for you. How are you?”

Sienna blinked. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“After Divination…” she lowered her voice. “That Grim nonsense… You looked upset.”

“I’m fine. Probably just overwhelmed by the incense.”

Hermione hesitated. “Well… I wanted to say, if you ever want to study together, we could meet in the library. It was really nice talking on the train.”

Sienna nodded. “Sure. I’d like that.”

“So would I!” Anwen said cheerfully. “Study groups are my thing. Potions especially—Snape’s brutal. I’m Anwen, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you, Anwen. I’m Hermione. And don’t worry, Potions is brutal—with him, anyway.”

“Brutal’s being polite!” Anwen groaned. “Last year, he took points for ‘inexact measuring.’”

Awkward footsteps approached. Ron Weasley looked stiff.

“Hermione… we have to go,” he muttered with a nod.

Hermione sighed and nodded. “I’ll see you both soon, okay? Library meet-up?”

“Sure,” Sienna smiled.

“See you around!” Anwen added.

Hermione smiled back before Ron guided her away, avoiding their gaze.

“What’s with him?” Anwen muttered.

Sienna just shrugged.

“Come on. I don’t want to be late to Care of Magical Creatures.”

[holysmokesblog]

Legacy

Chapter 1: A trip home

Ron weasley fanfic

context: Harry Potter and the prisoner of azkaban

words: 1.6 k

Taglist

Chapters

A crowd of young people thronged King's Cross Station. Sienna weaved her way through them, trying to reach the wall at Platform 9¾ as quickly as possible. Many curious eyes followed her—not necessarily her, but the cat (with unusually large, pointy ears) that sat calmly atop her luggage.

If her grandmother could see her, she would be shocked at how much attention she was attracting from Muggles. But a cold had kept her in bed, preventing her from coming to the station that year. Though she wouldn’t admit it out loud, a part of Sienna wished Grandma Cirse had been there—to say goodbye, or even just to lecture her about her behavior and what it meant to be part of the Eagles family.

Sienna sighed, slightly overwhelmed. The clock was ticking, and she didn’t want to miss the train and have to return home. She picked up her pace and, without hesitating, slipped through the brick wall; the familiar scent of coal and the train’s whistle greeted her senses.

Pushing her way past students and their families, she managed to board the Hogwarts Express. She didn’t want to dwell on it, but she felt a certain sadness at not having anyone there to see her off. That feeling eased slightly when her pet meowed and jumped to the train floor to stretch. This was the first year Morrow had accompanied her. After a long letter full of pleas to her father, he had obtained a special permit for magical creatures. She could recite the document by heart. Losing it would mean trouble. But the crumpled paper came with something even more valuable: a brief note.

“Best of luck this year.”

It was one of the few times—if not the only time—her father had shown even a hint of affection, distant as it was. Morrow, as if sensing the weight of her thoughts, meowed loudly again and darted down the aisle, dodging students.

“Wait!” she called, hurrying after him.

After passing through a couple of carriages, the animal entered an empty compartment and settled onto one of the seats with the air of someone claiming new territory.

Slightly out of breath, Sienna gave in to the idea of staying there. She didn’t know where her classmates were, anyway. She struggled to lift her trunk onto the luggage rack but failed. Morrow watched curiously, his tail swishing from side to side.

She tried again, gaining momentum, and managed to lift the heavy suitcase—only to lose her balance. Before it crashed to the floor, a pair of arms caught it and effortlessly pushed it into place.

“You should be more careful. That could’ve been a disaster.” Sienna recognized the voice instantly. Draco Malfoy was watching her with a neutral expression. If it hadn’t been for his distinctive hair, she might not have recognized him.

“It’ll be a disaster when I have to get it down again,” she muttered.

Draco gave the faintest hint of a smile. “How have you been?”

Sienna was surprised by the question. Normally, he would’ve walked away by now.

“Fine… I guess,” she replied. It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the whole truth either. “And you?”

“Same.”

They nodded to each other, silently acknowledging this as the longest conversation they’d had in years.

A deep voice echoed from another carriage, calling for Malfoy—someone had found a compartment. He tensed, and the air thickened between them.

“I think they’re looking for you.”

“See you, Eagles.”

He walked off without looking back. A few steps away, Goyle watched him, puzzled. Draco shot him a cold look and muttered, “What are you staring at, idiot?”

His friend didn’t reply—just blinked in surprise and followed him.

Sienna slumped into her seat. Before she could settle in, the train jerked forward, startling Morrow. Annoyed, he jumped up and curled beside her. Slowly, the parents on the platform faded from view.

The journey passed uneventfully. The rhythmic clatter of the train wheels and Morrow’s purring made her eyelids grow heavier. Just as her head leaned against the window to drift off to sleep, the compartment door slid open with a soft creak.

A figure with tousled brown hair appeared in the doorway. “Do you mind if I sit here?”

Before Sienna could answer, the girl stepped inside, clutching a bundle of yellow and orange fur that resembled a cat—though a rather ugly one. Sienna recognized her: a friend of the famous Harry Potter. Her group wasn’t exactly known for subtlety.

Hermione plopped down on the seat across from her, sighing heavily. “Boys are impossible,” she muttered, stroking her cat nervously.

“Are you okay?” Sienna asked, intrigued.

“It’s nothing, it’s just... some people can’t understand the nature of animals.” She noticed Morrow. “You must understand. Cats are hunters by nature. It’s not a choice!”

Sienna looked at her pet, who stretched lazily and lay down across the seat, gently pushing her toward the window.

“Well, they’re not exactly the most considerate.”

“I know. I just think people should be more understanding.”

Silence settled over the compartment. Raindrops began tapping against the window. Hermione studied the other cat in the room until she spotted the book being used as a pillow.

“Oh! Is that Advanced Charms Theory?” Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

“You know it?” “It’s a brilliant book—though the section on channeling magical energy could be better structured. But the defensive charm theory is fascinating! Especially Flume’s take on magical absorption in protective spells.”

Sienna looked genuinely surprised. It wasn’t a well-known book, and it certainly wasn’t required reading for Professor McGonagall’s class.

“I couldn’t have explained it better myself.”

Hermione beamed, and a broad smile spread across her face. The conversation flowed like the storm outside, as if the initial awkwardness had never existed.

“Oh, how rude—I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Hermione. Hermione Jean Granger.” She offered her hand.

“Pleasure to meet you, Hermione. I’m Sienna Eagles.”

As their hands met, a low rumble echoed outside, and the train began to slow down.

“It must be a technical issue.”

Before Sienna could say anything else, the temperature dropped sharply and the lights began to flicker. Morrow curled in on himself, fur bristling. Crookshanks hissed, ready to pounce.

Soft murmurs came from the corridor. Hermione, trembling, reached for the door. But before she touched the handle, a tall, cloaked figure drifted past the window.

Suddenly, a chill gripped Sienna’s body. It was as if her darkest thoughts had taken over. They wrapped around her like an icy blanket she couldn’t escape. An uncontrollable urge to cry built in her chest, but she was paralyzed—unable to speak.

The animals hissed and growled, alert. Hermione froze, her hand still outstretched.

Seconds passed like hours. The cold sank through Sienna’s clothes, through her skin—as if she might never feel warmth or happiness again. Then, slowly, the figure drifted away. The train began to move again, and the air felt slightly lighter.

Hermione blinked back to awareness. “I need to check on the others,” she said abruptly, picking up Crookshanks and hurrying out.

Sienna couldn’t reply. A lump in her throat made it hard to breathe. Her mind still reeled.

Morrow slowly relaxed, but didn’t take his eyes off the door. With a trembling hand, Sienna shut it again. She took a deep breath—once, twice, three times. She lost count of how many it took to feel steady again.

Slowly, she changed into her school robes. The cold lingered in her bones. No matter how much she tried to calm down, the feeling stayed, nestled deep in her chest.

The train came to a stop—this time at Hogsmeade Station. The castle lights shimmered faintly through the storm, and despite everything, it felt like a relief.

Sienna carefully gathered her things and picked up Morrow. He nestled into her neck, finding warmth between her hood and her skin. It was comforting.

She hurried to the carriages. Rain soaked her robes and the wind tugged at her hood, but once she was seated, the wheels creaked forward.

Two older Slytherin girls whispered about the incident on the train and how poorly maintained it was. Sienna blinked, silent, but...

Hadn’t she felt something?

As the carriage neared the castle, warmth slowly returned to her cheeks. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Thankfully, seeing the Hogwarts towers always made her feel safe.

As she stepped into the Entrance Hall, the sounds of conversation and the golden chandelier light wrapped around her. Rather than heading straight for the Great Hall, she took a detour. She quickly made her way down to the kitchens and slipped into her common room. The smell of hot chocolate filled her nostrils, bringing back a sense of calm she hadn’t realized she’d lost.

Morrow leapt down and curled up on the windowsill, staring outside through the rain-streaked glass.

She took the chance to hang her soaked robes over an empty chair. The weight of exhaustion settled on her shoulders.

“Sienna!” a high-pitched voice startled her.

A short girl with dripping wet hair came running toward her. Before Sienna could react, the girl threw her arms around her. Her damp hair brushed against Sienna’s cheek—but oddly, she didn’t feel cold anymore. For the first time in a long while, she felt like she was truly home.

“We have to hurry or we’ll miss dinner!”

With a tug, the girl pulled her out of the common room and into the Great Hall, where warmth, golden light, and the buzz of conversation surrounded her once more.

Had that cold truly happened? Or had it just been a bad dream?

[holysmokesblog]

Masterlist Legacy

Legacy (Ron Weasley x oc)

Chapter 1: A trip home

Chapter 2: Future plague

Chapter 3: Feathers and pages

Chapter 4: Lost Footprints (or not)

Chapter 5: Hasty confession

Chapter 6: Riddikulus

[holysmokesblog]

Legacy

Fanfic Ron Weasley 

Harry Potter and the prisoner of azkaban

"Not all magic is woven with a wand. Sometimes, it lingers in a gaze, in a memory, in the quiet between words."

SIENNA EAGLES, born into a name that carries more weight than glory, begins her third year at Hogwarts—unaware that it marks the start of her transformation.

What should have been just another year of books and expectations becomes the beginning of a deeper journey—one from which there is no return.

Burdened with a legacy long buried, Sienna begins to uncover truths that refuse to stay hidden. Secrets whispered between the cracks of the castle walls clamor to be heard. Forgotten names echo from old portraits, and no spell can keep the past from clawing its way into the present.

Because some bonds are too deep for time to sever.

And sometimes, destiny reveals itself in the quietest of things:

a glance, a gesture, a kiss.

In the end, no one escapes the weight of a legacy.

You only learn to live beneath it.

Masterlist

Taglist

Published: 05/06/25

Finished: --

Hello! This is my first Harry Potter fanfic. I apologize in advance for any spelling or grammatical errors. I'm not fluent in English. I hope you enjoy it anyway.