(Pensieve) Seer by Birthright

[hzp5050]

Note: Jenna has graciously volunteered to take my head of house dear ole professor Sprout. At this point, Roxanna is thirteen and she's having her first visions.

She refused to go to lessons, not because she liked to skip lessons but she was worried about putting others in danger mostly her classmates. She'd been more than sensitive the last couple hours and her friends have had the idea to stay away, which was good. She closed her eyes and curled up by the lakeside. Her cane lay carelessly next to her and her Tarot cards were in a box that was laying on the other side.

As she started to feel the first drops of rain, it hit her.

At first she heard it.

"Roxanna get inside and lock the doors, do it now"
"Taunt Marie...what...why..."
"Crucio"
"Protego, Roxy, do it now sweetheart, go inside!"

The first glimpse of her past was herself, ten or eleven running into the house and the door had locked after her. She had been too young to realize that her Taunt had did that to keep her safe. She watched as her Taunt and her father shot spells at each other, exchanging half a dozen insults and swear words in the process, it made sense to her now what they were saying, it hadn't back then. How could it, she had been only ten.

The yelling inside her mind and the flying of spells she saw in her mind's eye just gave her a lot of headaches but she was forced to watch it, she wanted to pull herself back but she couldn't do that either. She finally cried out when the flash of green lights hit her aunt, her body went limp and fell to the floor on the wet grass, it had been raining mere hours before. As soon as that happened, the lock on the front door broke and her parents tried to come for her. She tore out of there and ran until she ended up throwing out her wand arm, by accident and she finally was able to get out of the vision.

Now she curled up soaked in the rain crying her eyes out and as she heard footsteps she grasped her wand and yelled. "Expelliarmus!" whatever the person had been holding would go flying.

[Chase Connors]

Pomona Sprout was heading down to the greenhouses to do a bit of pottering before her next class of the day. She was in quite a jolly mood and the weather was definitely helping that. Actually, she though this might be a very good time for a walk down by the lake... The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and there was hardly a cloud in the sky, even though not long ago it had been overcast and rainy. It was a nice time to be out, and not in a roasting greenhouse.

Someone sat beside the lake and Pomona had the feeling that the girl looked familiar somehow. It wasn't just the blonde hair that she could see, there was really something that made her wonder whether she was a girl in her own house or not. She moved closer to get a better look.

There was something wrong... The girl - was it Roxanna Lewis? - was making odd movement, jumping, jerking... like her body was responding to something internal. She cried out, yet there was no one around her, no one else outside. No one was touching her or anything, there was no obvious reason for what Pomona was seeing.

Roxanna fell to the grass and Pomona let out a sharp gasp before setting out a jog to get to the girl's side as quickly as she could. She was a student in her house and Pomona needed to find out what was wrong with her.

The girls arm was thrown out in front of her and in that moment something happened. It was like something changed. Whatever had been going on inside her mind had suddenly stopped and Roxanna was left curled on the ground, crying and soaked by the dampness of the grass. The poor girl, she was so young... Pomona remember quite clearly what she'd been through in her first year - what with her aunt and all.

Roxanna raised her wand and cried expelliamus. It was lucky for Pomona that she didn't have anything in her hands at that moment, and she'd chosen not to pull her wand from her pocket before then. "Miss Lewis? It's Professor Sprout... Is everything okay, Sweetie?" She shouldn't sound so personal, but it was hard not to seeing the broken state the young girl was in at that moment.

[hzp5050]

She looked up about to throw another spell but she was caught completely off guard by her Herbology professor and her head of house. "I'm fine" she said shakily. She fumbled on the ground in front of her finding her cane and her tarot cards. Shoving the case of cards in her pocket she shook her head. She was tear stained she still remembered her aunt clear as day, the fight itself as it had been yesterday, and to someone who did not know her, she might have had this encounter yesterday she was acting so distraught. She cried again as she was completely out of it.

"Please don't worry about me" she pleaded with her. "it's okay...I'll be okay, it'll all stop when I'm dead won't it...." she was now literally talking nonesense, she didn't really want to die but what she had just seen made her want to shoot herself with the killing her, she missed Taunt Marie so much she couldn't stop crying.

"I'm...I'm sorry I couldn't stop it...I mean....I was right there, the door was locked...I tried to break it I'm sorry, my parents murdered her and I just let it happen" she fell on the ground again still in tears.

[Chase Connors]

Pomona could see the recognition dawn on the young girls' face as she spoke and, thankfully, there wasn't another spell sent her way.

Roxanna reached around her and picked up her things, and Pomona moved cautiously closer to her. "Are you sure dear? Do you want to talk about it?" She had no doubt from the distraught look on the girls face that whatever she'd been remembering - if it had indeed just been remembering - was something very bad, and most likely the events that occurred before she started school.

Tears continued to flood down her cheeks and Pomona crouched down beside her, not sure what to do. She didn't want to touch her in case she frightened her more, but at the same time, she didn't want her to feel alone in her already darkened world.

Shock flashed over the professors face. 'It'll all stop when I'm dead won't it...' What was she saying? "Roxanna..." Usually she called students by their surnames, but not in this moment. The thirteen year old was talking and crying at the same time and she was sending herself into an hysterical state. Pomona couldn't hold back any longer and she reached out, rubbing a hand comfortingly over the child's back and shoulders, hoping that she would trust her enough to tell her what was really going on.

"You couldn't stop what, Sweetheart?" She listened as Roxanna retold the story of what happened with her parents and her aunt - a story that Pomona had been made aware of the moment the young girl was sorted into her house.

"Oh, Roxanna... It was just a memory, darling. Just a nasty memory. You couldn't do anything." Her words were softly spoken even while the watched the teenager crumble onto the floor in tears again. She wished she knew what to do to help this poor girl, but she couldn't even begin to imagine just what it was she was feeling right now.

[hzp5050]

She shook her head. She couldn't hold back anymore she had to tell someone about her visions and if she didn't she had a feeling that in her distraught state after these events, she would do somethign regrettable and she'd never forgive herself if she hurt someone because she wasn't able to be controlled. She shook her head and wiped her tears with her sleeves. Coughing an couple times to make her voice more like herself she said shakily.

"P-Professor please understand me...I....I'm not just remembering...I just...saw" she didn't know how much she would be believed, after all it was an odd thing for someone to have visions, heck her Taunt had never told anyone about them except perhaps Dumbledore and that would be a big maybe. "I...I just had a vision of that night..I saw it all over again..." she told her as she tried to keep herself from bursting into more tears. She needed self control.

"I'm S..So sorry....about the spell...I hadn't...m-meant it" she stammered out. It was true, she hadn't. When she had cast it she had thought she was still in the vision somewhat, she calmed though, the soothing touch was doing what her Taunt Marie's touch did. It calmed her and made her think and talk clearly well, as clear as it could get. "P-Professor I'm a Seer" she finally said. She fumbled and brought the tarot cards out, they wouldn't be harmed by the rain or anything else. "I have visions and I can read Tarot cards...and I don't know what else...my Taunt was a seer too...only I never found out about her visions till after her death..."

[Chase Connors]

"No, no, that's nonsense dear. Don't worry about that silly spell, no one was hurt. Now come on, tell me what's going on?" Roxanna was stammering and crying even as she tried to wipe the tears from her face. She was still in a nearly hysterical state and Pomona was quite at a loss for what to do. She wasn't trained for things like this, this was something Madam Pomfrey would know how to deal with, but not her. Her specialty was plants, not people.

All Pomona could think of the do was rub the crying girls' back and show her a reassuring touch, and hope it worked. It seemed to. Roxanna calmed somewhat, though she was still clearly upset.

"A seer?" Now there was something she didn't expect to hear... Sure she'd seen Roxanna with her tarot cards many times but she hadn't thought much of it. She didn't even know what the point of the cards were really, for a girl who couldn't even see them. But maybe this was the explanation... though... It still didn't make anything clearer...

"Have you talked to anyone about this? Been in touch with any others?" How could she not have known that she'd been living with a seer all the time that she had? Well, she was still a child then, seeing as she'd still only been around ten when the woman had been killed. "Maybe the school can do that for you dear. They could find some one who can explain it all too you - help you understand your power and harness it and use it the right way."

Heaven knew what might happen if this girls powers went untamed and uncontrolled.

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She shook her head as she sighed. "I haven't...apparently it runs in the family, my Taunt taught me to read cards...but the seer thing wasn't something I discovered until after she had died...." that was true. She shook her head as she was now getting a massive headache.

"I'm going nuts having these...I mean they're random....and sometimes I know what's happening but more often then not I do not...and this vision was something I hadn't seen in years...in about three years" she shook her head as she stood up still shaky. As she did she held on tightly to Professor Sprout not sure if she could keep her own balance or not. She took several deep breaths before she asked. "What do you want me to do, I refuse to tell anyone...I mean, I don't want to be different" she said as she shook her head. The thought of others knowing what she could do just terrified the living daylights out of her.

"I'll...be...fine...and sorry" she apologized again she really did sound distressed. As she closed her eyes she said. "W...What do I do now?" she asked as she pulled her hair out of her eyes.

[Chase Connors]

If that was the case, then why hadn't in been in her record file when she'd started the school? Usually things like that were listed. But then, Roxanna's home life hadn't exactly been smooth sailing over the years, had it?

She could see Roxanna trying to stand as she spoke and Pomona quickly moved to help her up, keeping a secure hold on her as she swayed unsteadily on her feet. Maybe she should take her up to the hospital wing just to get checked out? Madam Pomfrey might have something that would help calm her down a little... maybe she could do with a mild sleeping draught and a little nap right about now?

Roxanna asked her what to do and there was unmissable distress in her voice as she spoke. She really needed to calm down somehow but her state just seemed to be getting worse, not better. "None of the students need to find out about it. It's not their business. But there are plenty of other seers out there who I'm sure would be willing to help you learn and understand what you can do."

Pomona still held onto Roxanna to keep her upright as she shook and wobbled, in such much distress that Pomona's heart went out to her a she wanted nothing more than to just remove the pain and fear from her.

"Come on, dear. Let's get you inside - you're all damp off the ground. Madam Pomfrey can whip you up something to calm your nerves a little, how does that sound?" Pomona was good enough at her own magic to be able to summon the cane that Roxanna used off the ground and into her waiting hand with out the use of magic or even words. She place the cane in front of the girl and steered her hand towards it so she could get hold, then Pomona gently started to steer her in the direction of the castle and away from the edge of the lake. "Then how about I talk to Professor Dumbledore and see if he can get in touch with someone who can teach you, how about that?"

She kept her voice soft and reassuring as she steered the third year back in the direction of the castle.

[hzp5050]

The girl nodded. She needed help, dearly. If she didn't get ahold of it soon she was sure this would end up with either a suicide or a homicide. She shook her head as she took the cane still shaky not from cold but from the vision itself. She let Professor Sprout steer her inside. She heard the hustle and bustle of the students and smiled, the castle gave her a sense of comfort she had not felt since she had left her Taunt's. She never went back but she was sure if she ever did, the house would stand right where it had been standing, that house would stand to protect the inhabitents inside, suddenly she thought her Taunt should have taken her own advice and ran inside with her but the way she had fought made her realize it was love for Roxanna herself that had kept her fighting there, after all....who knew what evil magic her father was capable of doing, while the magic of the hosue would keep the inhabitents protected, she was not sure what it would do against death eaters.

She steered herself to the direction of the hospital wing letting the cane guide her and trying to clear her thoughts. The vision had been scary, what she had done after ward was scarier and the scariest part was that she had been so shaken. She had visions when she saw the cards but she had never, ever had a vision like that, were there others like her? would it get better? or would it get worse. Thousand and one questions clogged her mind as she shook her head spraying bits of water everywhere as her blond hair flew wildly back and forth.

Coming through to where she knew the hospital wing to be she smiled as she heard a groan from an older Hufflepuff.

"Hello there Marcus, another fight with a Slytherin?" she giggled trying to ligten the mood. The boy groaned in response and she just shook her head. "He keeps going like that he's going to end up in St. Mungo's" she mumbled as she sat down on a bed finally calmed down just a little bit more then she had been.

[Chase Connors]

Pomona walked with Roxanna up to the hospital wing. It was only the first floor though, which was quite a relief. She didn't imagine all these stairs were very easy for someone who couldn't see, though she had the feeling a lot of it would be down to repetitive counting and memorizing... still, she just couldn't imagine being in that position herself - it must be really hard, especially for someone who used to have sight.

Roxanna was silent on the walk up and Pomona was sure that there were a thousand and one questions racing through her mind at that moment, which was all the more reason for her to take a quick trip down to the Headmasters office after she made sure Madam Pomfrey saw to the young girl, and to get the ball rolling on things straight away.

By time they reached the hospital Roxanna seemed to have calmed down significantly compared to how she'd been outside. At least now her eyes were dry and she didn't look like she was on the verge of bursting into tears.

Another student groaned as they entered the hospital wing and Pomona was caught in between being surprised and impressed, when Roxanna somehow knew who it was just from that groan. Looking across, surprise flitted across her face when she saw that the girl was right, and the boy in the bed really was who she thought he was. That was some pretty impressive hearing, and an even more impressive memory she had.

Settling Roxanna down onto a bed, Pomona headed for the back office where she was sure to find Poppy Pomfrey. She wasn't wrong. After explaining the situation in brief, Poppy assured her she would get the required potions and be out in just a few minutes. Satisfied, Sprout slipped back across to Roxanna's bed, making her footfalls heavy so she wouldn't surprise the thirteen year old.

"Madam Pomfrey will be out in just a few minutes, okay? I'm going to go down and speak to Professor Dumbledore and we'll see if he can get in touch with someone, how does that sound?"

She rested a hand on Roxanna's shoulder and squeezed lightly, then she headed for the door. This was something that needed dealing with straight away, and she wasn't going to waste time.

[Chase Connors]

Poppy Pomfrey had seen a stream of students through today, all of which had got themselves on the wrong side of another student and an uncontrolled wand. It didn't even seem to be that their spells were going wrong in lessons, it was just as much in practice too. Of course, there were still a few students who'd been on the receiving end of a good hexing too, and it was about time they stopped fooling around and started spending more time studying, in Poppy's opinion.

Quite frankly annoyed, Poppy had retreated to her office to get out of the way of it all. Sure it was her job to help these students, but there was really only so much of the same nonsense that she could take.

When Professor Sprout popped her head in, it was for something quite a lot different to what she'd been seeing for most of the day. Now, providing a simply calming draught was a lot simpler than trying to remove a third arm or an outbreak of moles, or something as stupid as that.

Slipping into her supply cupboard she collected what she needed and headed over to the bed on which she could see the blond Hufflepuff sitting. She swept over, her robes billowing behind her and creating a long trail across the floor.

Picking up a glass on the girls bedside cabinet, Poppy filled it with fresh water from a nearby jug. The first potion she wanted to give the girl only needed a few drops, but it was a nasty thing to taste alone. At least dissolving it in water meant that there was little to no taste, and it ensured the stuff got right into the system. It was broken up enough to make it more effective at getting to work, too.

She placed the glass silently into Roxanna's hands before turning back to measure out the second potion. Being only thirteen, she wouldn't need a full dose, but the smaller bottle version wouldn't be enough. This was a thicker, sweeter tasting liquid which left a pleasant, tingling sensation as it spread through out the body. While pleasant, it not only helped to calm the nerves, but also slowed the body's ability to react, which was why it would be important for Roxanna to lie down and stay in the hospital for a little while, especially considering her circumstances.

Poppy placed the potion on her hand too, and took the other glass from her until she'd finished it, then handed it back. "Lie down a while Miss. Lewis. That potion will make you feel a little numb, so it's most advisable you stay put until it wears off." With that, she promptly picked up the bottles and spun on heel, heading back towards her office.

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She wondered how long it would be but considered what had just happened, she rested. Being thirteen, in the hosptial wing, sure she never made a habit of this trip but she had her share of being here several times over. She closed her eyes letting the medication go down her system. That was disgusting. Sure it was not as bad as other liquids and it was better than some muggle medicines she had before but she didn't say nothing. It was rude to say anything like it to the people taking care of you. She was sure professor Sprout was going to return but in the meantime, Madam Pomfrey was right, she needed to relax.

She folded her cane and put it down by her beside and she did the same to her tarot cards. she took several deep breaths before she curled up on her side like a kitty cat. She wondered if she could ever get ahold of these powers. Why hadn't she known it before and how had Taunt Marie hidden it. It seemed almost impossible to hide it if you were having visions sporadically unless there was a way to control when you were having them but was that doable?

She moaned this was ridiculus, why was she born with them. She sighed as she rolled over on her stomach and was laying face down on the bed. She pulled her pillow and put it over her head thsi day, was turning out to be very bizzare and she knew she had to control herself however, she also knew that someone else had to be told, maybe someone who could see things could respond to her one billion and one questions.