Confrontation and Consequences (Alfie and Helena)

[Melkor 'Alfie' Valenceus]

Alfie knew that no matter how he carried himself that this encounter would be rough. At her age, Alfie had been much more optimistic than she was now. It landed him with a dead wife and a son he had to abandon or kill. He had turned to the Dark Arts in desperation, for revenge and out of fear. Regardless, Alfie was aware that his conduct in the past twenty years would not give him the purest reputation. Rowena had obviously somehow ignored the rumours about his deeds.

Alfie grinned and burst into laughter. He would have given anything to be as young as Helena again. He found it amusing that amongst other Dark Wizards, Alfie was seen as mild. Yet among people like Helena, he was considered the darkest of the lot. Most other dark ones hated Alfie, most likely for not using the Elder Wand to fight. "Of course, Salazar must have donated his copy to the library. There are more than a few other Professors who might have the book as well. A few of your fellow students have probably inherited a copy too."

Alfie made a note to ask Helena if she knew a Peverell when Rowena left them alone. He was certain the Peverell's daughter had got away with the cloak. But he did not see that name in the school's lists. He guessed she was a Gryffindor though and that Godric himself was involved in hiding her. Alfie gave Rowena a suspicious glance, wondering if she could be helping hide her as well. He saw a copy of the book in the Peverell's living room but couldn't know if she had ever inherited it at all. "Enough of such a dreary subject. The book is a boring read anyway. I only brought it to see about destroying it anyway. Since you've seen it, I imagine you know what a horcrux is?" Alfie winced and grabbed his head as it throbbed with pain. He felt angry suddenly.

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

Rowena looked at her daughter and returned the smile, rather unwillingly. She still had a feeling that Helena didn't particularly like Alfie, but couldn't blame her for that. There was no-one who could take her father's place and Rowena hoped that Helena knew that. It would be too much if she expected her daughter to immediately like her lover; she was polite to him and that was enough, at least for the time being.

"Perhaps I didn't let you see me reading that kind of books before." she said gently. Rowena was glad that Helena didn't consider Alfie unworthy, but she wanted to change the subject. Helena was too young to talk about that kind of magic. "Alright, enough about... you have been to the restricted section?" Rowena looked at her daughter, shocked. However, she had no right to scold her, not after saying the statement about what being truly wise meant.

Rowena glanced at Alfie when he laughed "Salazar also had the copy?" she asked with a frown. Of course, she wasn't surprised, Salazar's father was a dark wizard and Salazar was often considered dark himself. Rowena on the other hand, thought of Salazar as misjudged, just like Alfie. She had heard rumours about Alfie's deeds and her father used to tell stories about a dark wizard Alphard Valenceus, the most powerful and the most feared wizard in Scotland. Rowena believed that it was Alfie's father. She hadn't spoken to her father for years, but it was possible that the old lord would send someone to poison his only daughter if he knew that she was in love with the son of notorious Alphard Valenceus.

The word horcrux brought Rowena back to reality. She turned to Alfie, frowning at his words. She didn't want to discuss the subject of horcruxes in front of Helena. Rowena took a deep breath, of course she'd read books about horcruxes and knew what a person had to do in order to make it, but she could never make herself think of Alfie as a murderer or a person who had split his soul. She was about to scold him for talking about the horcruxes while her daughter was around, but then she saw Alfie wince in pain. "Darling, what's the matter?" she asked, leaning towards him, thinking that he was in pain because of the potion.

[Helena Albertyne Ravenclaw]

Lord Valenceus laughed and Helena smiled in amusement. She nodded in agreement. There was no doubt that any parent with a limited edition book like that would hand it over to their children. It was honor after all. “It was nice of uncle Salazar to donate his copy.” She could not help but comment. Salazar Slytherin could have kept the copy for himself or for his future children if he had desired.

Helena smiled at her mother’s tone. “I don’t think there is anything wrong with reading dark books, mother, you don’t have to hide them… such books add knowledge to the reader too. However, when one uses that knowledge in a way that is harmful to others… that would be when it becomes a problem.” She said calmly, looking her mother straight in the eyes meaningfully. The shock she saw on her mother’s face made Helena grin at her mother. The fact that she did not start scolding her for it made her feel triumphant. Announcing to your mother that you just broke one of the rules she had written herself was all about good timing. Helena would not have admitted that if her mother just did not say what she just said. “Yes, I’ve been reading some books there for quite a while now.”

Helena was contemplating about what the future held for the three of them when Lord Valenceus suddenly mentioned the word horcrux. The young Ravenclaw eyed her mother and surprise. “Yes, in fact, I just did a research about that recently. Why?” She asked, trying to sound innocent. A question suddenly popped up her in her mind but before she had the chance to voice it out, Lord Valenceus suddenly groaned in pain. She kept on eyeing Lord Valenceus and cringed at the pain he must be feeling.

[Melkor 'Alfie' Valenceus]

Alfie shook his head. He brought himself back under control. His anger subsided but did not disappear. Alfie turned to the clock quickly, ignoring the pain that the poison caused with the movement. It was miniscule compared to when he'd first been affected by the poison. Now it seemed someone was trying to force their way into his mind. Though it definately wasn't through the Imperius Curse, so Alfie didn't suspect anyone close by. "Dark arts, is tame-" Alfie paused and seemed deep in thought though he was still feeling pain in his mind. It wasn't physical. Alfie wondered if the kid that killed him had put some curse on his soul. "Uh. Dark arts is merely a children's story when compared to the practice of pureblood prejudice. That's what my father taught-" Alfie trailed off again, now aware of who was in his mind. Why else would such a thought have occured to Alfie?

Alfie couldn't concentrate on one thing. He was not past suspicion that Morgana was ignorant of this effect. Alphard Valenceus' voice rang clear in Alfie's ears, as though the man was standing by the bed Alfie sat at, "Stupid girl knows nothing. Unworthy son, you lost the wand. I should never have trusted you with it. Should have killed you as you slept. Instead of blessing you with such a gift. Should have known your unworthy mind would fail to the first Witch you met."

Alfie ignored the speech. He tried to listen to what Rowena and Helena were talking about instead. It was difficult, knowing the old man was still alive somewhere. "Dark arts are a dangerous tool. You should have a stout mind before tackling such a subject. You should not read any more from that book. Salazar may have donated it, or someone else might have. Either way, I doubt they set it there by accident. You should be examined to be sure you haven't been cursed. And we should examine that book as well."

Alfie nodded solemnly. He had never trusted the dark arts while his father lived. It was only after Alphard died did Alfie finally create his horcruxes. Now that the man was now alive, Alfie was determined to destroy the horcruxes. He wondered if he could trust Rowena with the task? Of course, she would need Salazar's help. Alfie rubbed his chin with one hand. Thinking that he'd better do it himself. At least he spoke, "We'll need Salazar and your Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor." Alfie was still unaware of the Professor's death. Even though it was his own fault. Oh, Alfie was cursed alright. He had thought the enemies would disappear with the wand. But then, the wand had not actually disappeared yet.

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

Rowena's face went pale as she kept her gaze focused on Alfie. She was worried about him, it looked as if he was dealing with some kind of demons inside his own head and the only thing she could do to help him was to stay by his side. Rowena frowned at her daughter's words. "Salazar is never nice. He does everything for a reason." Rowena wasn't too happy with the fact that her daughter spent hours in the library reading the books about the dark magic. She tried to keep her voice level when she spoke to Helena. "I am glad that you understand the significance of not using the dark magic, but would be even more pleased if you stopped reading that kind of books." Rowena crossed her arms and turned to Alfie, annoyed with the way Helena grinned at her.

Rowena took Alfie's hand, still feeling worried and almost frightened by his strange behaviour. It didn't seem to be caused by the poison he had taken. Rowena felt a small twinge of guilt, Alfie had taken the poison because of her silly mistake. He had already died once because of her mistake and it almost happened for the second time. Rowena had to wonder if she was really so arrogant as the other people said she was.

Rowena was sad and worried about Alfie, but she had to smile at his words about the dark arts. "Take it back to the library, along with other dark art books that you've taken." Rowena said gently as she glanced at Helena. Perhaps she wasn't the best mother in the world, but she knew her daughter. "No, bring it here first, so that we can take a look at it and then you can take it back to the library." Rowena raised an eyebrow, turning back to Alfie. Perhaps the poison had effected his mind, he kept saying strange things and now he needed Salazar. "Salazar?" she asked "Why would you need Salazar's help?" At the mention of the other professor Rowena stiffened. "Perhaps Godric could help?" she suggested. Rowena sighed sadly; at least it wasn't her fault that professor Fletcher was dead. However Rowena had killed enough people. She had never cast the killing curse herself, but she had the strange talent for killing the people she cared about, first her husband, then Alfie and she could only hope that nothing bad would happen to Helena.

[Helena Albertyne Ravenclaw]

Helena just nodded at her mother’s words. She always liked the founder of Slytherin house but even she knew that her mother was right. Salazar Slytherin would not do something without reason. Lord Valenceus’ words snapped her out of her reverie and Helena cringed again at the pain the lord must be feeling. The young Ravenclaw did not know him but she suspected that he was acting rather strangely and she could not help but worry about him. Yes, she did not like him but her mother would be hurt if he died or something. The young Ravenclaw was starting to think that he was wrong about the poison. May it was potent enough to kill somebody. Maybe Morgana Gaunt wanted her mother dead. She tried shaking away that thought along with Lord Valenceus’ proclamation about the dark arts being a toy.

Helena sighed in resignation and nodded. “Okay,” She said softly. She was not going to argue with her mother when her mother was being nice to her. She obviously was just concerned for her and Helena could not make herself feel angry because of it.

Helena’s suspicion that he had been acting strangely only moments ago was confirmed when he said that the dark arts was a dangerous subject, the exact opposite of the subject being a toy. She frowned, it was obviously the poison acting or the lord was insane. Deep within she knew he was right so she sighed. Was she cursed? She did not feel cursed… Before she had a chance to speak, her mother surprised her by speaking as if she saw what she did a few days before that day. “How did you… Okay, okay I’ll bring it all here. I don’t think any of it was cursed though.” She sighed again, she hated feeling like a child. Unfortunately, she was a child.

Helena, like her mother, stiffened upon hearing the name of the dead professor. She did not like Natalie Fletcher but she did not want her six feet below the ground. In fact, she was kind of puzzled by her. Not all professors have the guts to curse students, especially the children of other professors. But still, she knew that what Natalie Fletcher did to her was unforgivable and it was the reason why she still disliked the deceased professor. “Professor Fletcher would not be able to help you, Lord Valenceus. She would not be able to help anyone anymore.” She muttered absently, her tone sad.

[Melkor 'Alfie' Valenceus]

Alfie was no Occlumens expert, but he knew the basics well enough. It was a simple matter to close his mind. All he'd needed was time, though he was afraid he might have repeated some nonsense that the other mind was trying to convey to him. Alfie closed his eyes and focused on expelling the baleful influence from his mind while Rowena and Helena conversed. Alfie succeeded and reduced the pain of the invasion to a minor headache. Alfie opened his eyes and glared at Rowena, he wished that she and Helena had not been there to witness him in such a state. Alfie looked to Helena and her face told him that he had said something very foolish in his struggle.

Alfie drew breaths at an increased rate as he grew angry. He was growing annoyed with Rowena's need to ask questions, he was so used to people simply following his orders immediately. Alfie threw his feet over the side of the bed and stood up. The pain he'd hesitated at before now seemed as though it were a merely causing slight muscle stiffness. "I see. Perhaps I should just call Gordon. I doubted Salazar would have let me manipulate his pets for my own purposes anyway. I only used that as an excuse to visit you. 'Safest place in the Isles,' Gryffindor is such a fool." Alfie looked felt his pockets quickly, searching for his wand. He groaned, feeling the pain of the poison growing steadily.

Alfie looked down at Helena, feeling angry at who she was to Rowena. And even angrier that he was forced to watch his tongue in front of her. Alfie had never been much for discretion. "Your perception is the least reliable in the matter of your own cursing." Alfie kicked the side table with the side of his foot and ignored the pain afterward. "Gryffindor the nitwit, could not help a monkey eat a banana. Let him go help old ladies across the street, its all he's good for."

Alfie walked around the bed and took the satchel of horcruxes from Rowena, "Have a good day, dear." Alfie then turned and walked toward the door. His legs seemed unsteady and he barely held his head upright. When Alfie got to the door, he looked back. "You should be more concerned for her. No one could kill me who I didn't allow to." Alfie knew he'd been lucky with the poison but he knew he would have detected its stench quickly if it was more lethal so he felt confident in his boast.

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

Rowena just nodded her head, keeping her gaze focused on Helena. “I’m glad we’ve finally agreed on something.” It was quite amusing to see the surprised look on Helena’s face. “We just need to make sure the books weren’t cursed.” Rowena gently patted her daughter’s dark hair, smiling. “Godric has taken Fletcher’s place as the Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor.” Rowena finally turned away from Helena and looked at Alfie. The way he glared at her startled her and it reminded her of the night in his inn in France, when she’d been certain that he would have cursed her. It was so strange, he usually made her feel safe and happy, not intimidated by his strange behaviour. There was something terribly wrong with him and it had nothing to do with the poison.

“Alfie, what are you doing? You’re supposed to stay in bed.” Rowena spoke to him gently when he stood up. “Stop acting so childish and get back to bed. Please.” Rowena winced when she looked up at him and saw the look on his face. He seemed to be in pain and angry, angrier than she’d ever thought he could be. She was obviously annoying him. “I guess you should call him. Perhaps he’ll make you stop acting so foolish.” Rowena closed her eyes for a brief moment. “We both know that you can come and visit me whenever you want.” She said in a low voice. Rowena frowned when he mentioned Godric. “If you still want our plan to work, you should start paying more respect to people directly involved in it.” She said coldly.

Rowena looked at Alfie with narrowed eyes. “You will not talk to my daughter in that tone!” She gently squeezed Helena’s hand, giving her a signal not to say anything. Rowena took a deep breath, trying to calm down. “Enough! We have already had this conversation. Godric is more capable than you care to admit and we’ll need his help.” The tone of her voice was cold, yet calm. Alfie’s arrogance and stubbornness started to annoy Rowena. She was wondering if she was so annoying and arrogant sometimes.

“Alfie?” Rowena called after him when he took the horcruxes and started walking towards the door. “Alphard, get back here!” Rowena stood up and walked towards him. She stopped only a couple of inches away from him and looked him straight in the eye, crossing her arms. She was taken by surprise; had Alfie actually allowed Viktor to kill him and why would he do that? Rowena gently placed her hands on his. “Darling, please... you can’t go anywhere until you feel better. I will curse you if that’s the only way to get you back in bed. Please don’t make me do that.” Rowena could never curse him and Alfie probably knew it. She only wanted him to stay. Of course there was another way to make him stay, but Rowena would never do that in front of her daughter. “Alfie, please stay here.”

[Helena Albertyne Ravenclaw]

Helena muttered the words ‘me too’ softly and smiled, glad that for once in her life, she and her mother had an agreement. She kept on smiling. She loved talking to her mother while her mother was being sweet and gentle. Moments like that made her forget about their strained relationship. Her heart warmed when her mother touched her hair. “Uncle Godric sure knows how to defend himself against dark arts and having him teach us that would be wonderful.” Helena smiled at her mother.

Her warm heart froze when she noticed the way the dark lord glared at her mother. Helena eyed the dark lord with furrowed brows, wondering what really was wrong with him. He was acting like a damaged psycho. If he was showing his true colors then, he was far from gaining her trust. But surely he did not treat her mother like that normally. Her mother would not have loved him if he did. At the back of her mind, Helena wondered if Lord Valenceus loved her mother back at all. She knew her mother loved him but the way the dark lord was treating her mother made her question his love for her mother. What if her mother was in love with a man who did not love her back? The mere possibility of it troubled Helena.

Helena wondered who Gordon was. Maybe he was like Lord Valenceus, someone obsessed with the dark arts. If that was the case, he was someone she would rather not meet. Lord Valenceus’ next words came to her as an insult. Godric Gryffindor was an honorable wizard and Helena liked him a lot. Anyone who disrespected him in front of her must be ready to be cursed. She trembled as she fought for control, knowing that Lord Valenceus was her mother’s new love. Plus he was probably not himself. She was able to control her temper but, unfortunately, she could not say the same for her facial expression.

The young Ravenclaw was still fighting for control when he provoked her again by speaking to her in a tone that made her feel stupid. She knew he had a point. Her opinion will not determine if she was cursed or not but the way he said it made her open her mouth to say something that she will never know for her mother stopped her just in time. Helena did not like her mother’s new lover at all. Not even one bit of him. He just disrespected her mother, her uncle Godric and her all in a span of three minutes.

When Lord Valenceus headed for the door, Helena couldn’t be happier. She had to fight the urge to push him out of the door. The fact he was her mother’s new love saved him once again. She slumped on the bed beside Lord Valenceus’ former bed and ran her fingers through her hair as she listen to her mother call him back. She did not like the way her mother asked him to stay. Ravenclaw’s don’t beg or plead. Never. “Mother, if he wants to go, don’t stop him.” He isn’t worth it anyway. She was tempted to add.

[Melkor 'Alfie' Valenceus]

Alfie looked at Rowena. Being called childish had woken him from his anger. Indeed, he should have kept his mouth shut. He was not angry with anyone present but with his father. Alfie had to contact a friend as soon as possible. Gordon and the horcruxes could wait a few more weeks. He may actually need them if Old Alphard Valenceus had a plot in the works. Alfie could not be certain if his father was alive now or if he was still bodiless yet. Alfie and Davian had been thorough in their cleansing of the old man's lackeys. Or so Alfie thought they had been.

"Rowena," Alfie pleaded. He rubbed his eyes, regretting giving into his father's anger. "More has happened tonight than a mere poisoning. And if the poisoning is connected to this new threat, we may have more enemies than a mere boy." Alfie moved closer to Rowena and whispered to her, he did not really mind if Helena heard him. Though he expected Rowena did. "My father is still alive, it seems. He tried to overtake my mind in its weakened state from the poison. Since it was I who killed him, I doubt he will let us live without disruption. He must be answered as soon as possible. My horcruxes must be preserved until he is dealt with." Alfie took Rowena's arms in his hands. "I cannot stay. If father kills me, not even Gordon will be brave enough to associate with me."

Alfie looked to Helena again. He was sorry how he had reacted to say the least. He went back to her and kneeled before her. "You are right, I should not speak of Godric so harshly. I am distressed." Alfie peered into Helena's eyes. He was a bit sad about what she had said; it felt as though she would have kicked him out herself. "You must understand, we are in peril. The three of us. Yet you both seem to make light of it. I got angry. Forgive me." Alfie stood and gazed at the ground. He now regretted ever listening to his father. He felt he should have died with his first wife.

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

Rowena was glad that Helena was smiling, even if it was only a fake forced smile. "Yes, he does." she said and nodded her head. "He is the best duellist in Britain." Rowena smiled, wondering if it would be a good idea to arrange a meeting for Alfie and Godric. She noticed a frown on her daughter’s face and it made Rowena sad. Alfie might have actually scared Helena with his behaviour and the way he spoke to her. The saddest thing was that Helena had never met him before and that she would probably think of him as a crazy, unstable person. However, she was glad that Helena didn’t say anything. It would only make things worse.

Rowena kept her gaze focused on Alfie. She was staring at him in silence, without even blinking or moving. It seemed as if her words had woken him up from some kind of a trance. Rowena glanced at her daughter, sad that Helena wanted Alfie to leave. However, she couldn’t blame her for that, it was quite understandable. She sighed, feeling a bit humiliated, since she never begged or pleaded for anything. It didn’t matter, however, if she managed to make Alfie change his mind.

Rowena softened when Alfie spoke her name and rubbed his eyes. After seeing the sad look on his face, Rowena only wanted to hug him tightly. “Alphard... what’s going on?” she asked in a worried tone. Rowena took a deep shaky breath “He can’t be alive.” She whispered, keeping her voice low so that Helena couldn’t hear them. “You took me to the graveyard, I saw his grave... are you sure it was him?” she asked. Rowena believed Alfie, but the thought of his dead father coming back to life and taking over his son’s mind was too frightening. She wasn’t surprised to hear that it was Alfie who had killed his father, even though she could never think of her lover as a murderer or a bad person. Old Alphard Valenceus had been a dark wizard who’d simply got what he’d deserved. “No, you’re not going anywhere, I won’t let you. We will deal with your father together, but until then you’re staying with me. Hogwarts is the safest place for you, as long as you’re here you can’t be touched.” Rowena smiled when he took her arms. “I love you and I won’t let anyone hurt you, not even your father. I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to you again.”

Rowena was surprised when Alfie knelt before Helena and apologised to her. She could only hope that Helena would accept the apology. Rowena looked at her daughter, smiling gently. If only she could give him another chance. Rowena walked to Alfie and took his hand. “Don’t be sad, dear. Everything will be alright.” She whispered.

[Helena Albertyne Ravenclaw]

A frown found its way to Helena’s face when Lord Valenceus was convinced by her mother to stay. She sighed. What in Merlin’s name did he do to her mother? She could not believe her mother fell for someone as unstable as him. He was the exact opposite of the Rowena Ravenclaw she knew. Helena had been positive he was leaving after all the horrible words he just said and now he just turned around to face the two of them like nothing happened. The young Ravenclaw made a mental not to talk to her mother about him.

Helena was busy rehearsing the words she would use to knock some sense to her mother when they had the chance to talk in private, when the lord’s words grabbed her attention. “Viktor.” She stated absently. She did not know if the lord heard her for he moved closer to her mother to whisper the rest to her. Helena wondered what kind of danger lay ahead of them and she wanted to know. Ignorance of the intricacies of possible threats may lead to anyone’s undoing. She observed as the lord and her mother conversed in hushed tones. When the Lord held her mother’s arms, Helena saw her mother’s reaction. Deep within she hoped they would not hug.

The young Ravenclaw was genuinely surprised when her mother’s new love knelt in front of her, looking sorry. Automatically, she looked over to the direction of her mother and when she saw her gentle smile and the hope in her face, she sighed and focused on the lord and his words. Her facial expression softened at his words and her trust in her mother’s good judgment started coming back. Helena merely nodded at his apology and managed to give him a small smile. She could see his concern for their safety. “What kind of peril are we talking about here? More poisoned drinks from Morgana? More people going around under the influence of the imperious curse? More flying desks in class?” She asked Lord Valenceus then she glanced at her mother, a quizzical expression on her face.

[Melkor 'Alfie' Valenceus]

Alfie stood and turned around. He looked around the room. There seemed to be nobody present. Though there was always the spectre in his head. It might have been merely hallucinatory. Alfie could not stand Godric because even worse than Helena had, the man suspected him of the darkest intentions. Alfie was strict in his business, he never order the slaying of someone who was not embroiled in the dark arts themselves. The only people he had killed personally were the men who slew his first wife. It was hardly Alfie's fault that this darkness surrounded him. Alfie was aware that this perception of him was first started by his own father. The man had been ashamed to call Alfie his son so he invented a new son. "

Alfie turned his head to Rowena. there was doubt in his eyes, Alfie thought he had destroyed all of his father's horcruxes. They must've missed one. "I killed father with the help of Davian. He is the only other person that could possibly know what is going on. I know as much as you do. I think I'll have to take the wand back into my possession earlier than expected." Alfie spotted his own wand in the folds of blankets hanging over the side of the bed. He went over to it slowly. He stopped on the other side of his bed and looked at Rowena purposefully. "Forgive me." Alfie reached for his wand and spun it in his fingers so that it was positioned among his fingers to aim. He pointed it at Rowena. "Petrificus Totalus!"

Alfie turned away from the two Ravenclaws after he'd performed the spell. He sat on another bed, turning back toward them but looking at the ground. "The gravest peril. While I am here with you, they will not stop hunting you as well. I have done everything in my power over the last few months so that I could stay here with you. I don't think that is possible." Alfie held his wand in his hand and gazed at it. "Viktor? So now I have a name. I spoke to Rowena about having you killed or kept hidden away. I said such things so that she would disarm me. As I will disarm her before I leave. For mastery of the Elder Wand. Then after I kill your student for the wand he carries, I don't think I'll be allowed to return to the castle. But you should be aware that I didn't plan it this way. I was to wait for him to finish school before I killed him." Alfie stood again and went to the door again. He looked back at Rowena and silently cast expelliarmus. He caught her wand and placed it on a nearby table before turning once more to the door.

(Hope you wont mind.)

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

When Helena said Viktor’s name, Rowena turned to her, looking away from Alfie. She was certain that she’d never told him the boy’s name. Rowena knew Alfie too well, so she could easily guess that he would kill the boy when he got the chance. No matter how much she actually wanted Viktor gone, Rowena could never let a student be killed in Hogwarts. However, after he finished school, Rowena might look the other way. She only hoped that Alfie wouldn’t do anything foolish now that he knew the name of his attacker.

Rowena was glad that Helena managed to accept the apology, but unfortunately there was no time for optimistic thoughts. She was about to give some kind of a diplomatic answer to Helena’s questions when Alfie spoke of his father and the wand. She didn’t like the look he was giving her, sad that he obviously still had doubts about her, after everything they’d been through. “What are you talking about? Wait...” Rowena’s eyes followed Alfie’s movements around the bed. She realized what he was about to do only a second too late. She pulled her wand out, but he was faster. Rowena froze in place, holding her useless wand tightly, unable to move, speak, or even blink. However, she could still cast deadly glances at him.

Rowena was annoyed and angry, but also rather confused. Perhaps he realised that she would never let him go, so he had to use the body-bind curse on her, to keep her from following him. If only she could move or say something. Rowena was shocked with his words, but couldn’t express the shock. Suddenly everything started to make sense, why he had said all those things about Helena and why she was so important for his plans. Rowena Ravenclaw had been the first and the only mistress of the Elder wand without knowing it. Alfie had used her weakness in the most devious way, to keep his wand safe until he came back for it. If he had only told her the truth, Rowena would have let him take her wand whenever he wanted. Rowena felt used and betrayed; she looked at her wand as it flew across the room, in Alfie’s open hand. He put it on the nearby table, without even looking at Rowena. She was wondering if her daughter knew a counter-curse for Petrificus Totalus, or she would have to wait for someone else to come and stop the spell. It would be so humiliating. Even more humiliating than being made a fool of by the man you loved.

(No, it's ok)

[Helena Albertyne Ravenclaw]

Helena followed the lord’s movement with her eyes. She still did not feel good about him. She did not have to see auras to know that his was extremely dark. As she eyed him, she wondered what was making him unstable. It was apparent that it was not all about the poison. When he suddenly spoke of murdering his own father, she kept her face neutral and looked like she did not hear a thing. Deep within, she knew she was right. Her mother fell in love with the darkest wizard in town. This was one of the few errors her mother’s good judgment made and Helena concluded that it had to be the biggest.

Helena’s eyes followed the lord’s slow movements towards her mother’s wand. Her eyes narrowed when he apologized. She felt anxious, not knowing what he was going to do now. Helena’s shock was too big to be physically contained as she watched her mother fall flat on the floor, petrified.

When the lord started his villain speech, she found herself too shock to comprehend. She, however, was able to get a few pieces of what he said. Her eyes widened when he revealed his plan on disarming her mother to get the elder wand back. She did not even know her mother had the elder wand. When he said he would kill Viktor, she realized her mother was not the only fool sitting in the room. Helena had the urge to curse herself for the grave mistake. Viktor’s involvement in this mess was only a mere suspicion. Her mere suspicion. And now, he might die because she dropped his name on the table. Once again, she found herself drowning in guilt.

When Lord Valenceus turned to the door, Helena forgot about her guilt. He can’t be allowed to get away. She quickly searched her pockets for her wand. Realizing it was not there, she wandlessly summoned her mother’s wand, aimed it at Lord Valenceus and muttered, “Petrificus totalus!” Without waiting for her spell to hit the lord, she aimed the wand at her mother and unpetrified her.