The Beginning of an End Solo Fin

TRIGGER WARNING: this solo thread contains death, murder, injury, illness, and is overall a sad thread. please do not read the following text if this might cause some unpleasant feelings for you. although there will not be graphic description of any sad things mentioned, I just do not want to upset anybody.

august 14, 2021
springhall heights, york
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She didn’t know what had happened, nor did she want to. Huddling in the armchair and holding her cat Napoleon tightly, Lindsey couldn’t help trembling. Large chocolate brown eyes gazed at the man sitting beside the table earnestly, but clearly with fear. Words echoed in her head, repeatedly and unstoppable.

He was back.

Edmund moved his chair nearer her some paces from the door side, and soon Lindsey felt a warmth on her hand. He did not speak, nor did she. The siblings only sat there, quietly together, and eyes focused on the man. He was relating his experience to their parents. It was sad, sadder than any story she had heard before. Listening quietly, Lindsey made an effort to control her tears, but they still fell down. Napoleon felt his owner’s teardrops, and reached a paw up to swipe them away.

“…and you are acquainted with everything that had happened afterwards.” the man sipped the last drop of tea in his cup and said, marking the experience as finished. Uncle Nathaniel seemed much older than Lindsey had last seen him years ago, when he suddenly went MIA. Eyelids were rather red due to the poor sleep during the last few days, and his beard was messy. Years had passed. And everyone had changed.

Everyone.

It felt like a nightmare, but everything was yet true. As it turned out that the couple that passed away two days ago were not her biological grandparents, Lindsey felt dizzy. The evil murderer was controlled, under the force of her great-grandfather, who arrived at the scene as soon as he could. But it was too late. The Lord and Lady Linfield could not be saved anymore. Even her great-grandfather himself was seriously injured, and left them - forever. Uncle Nathaniel was healed luckily, and his son Perseus remained unharmed. It was somehow the best results like her father had remarked.

She still couldn’t believe it. Her mother bore the last name of Mecmillan, yet she was adopted by the Linfields - the best friends of the Mecmillans - almost as soon as she was born. But her ethnicity - it remained the same, as the late Mrs Mecmillan was a Chinese just like the Lady Linfield. And her maternal grandparents - she referred to the Mecmillans now - had a debt of blood remaining, even if they were not alive anymore. And it turned out that this certain creditor’s mother was the original wife of her great-grandfather, while her grandfather came to life as a bastard. The one who caused so much sadness and trouble to her own family was the daughter of this creditor, who was unfortunately a Metamorphmagus and showed up as her aunt Dorothy, murdering the real Dorothy years ago when Perseus was young, and bearing the name of Hellman.

Indeed from hell.

She felt Edmund’s hand grabbed her own one tighter. Her mother Carolyn was weeping, her father trying his best comforting her. “Nathaniel. So it’s all over now, I hope?” Fitzwilliam inquired, anxious eyes fixed on the man. “I do think so. She is taken away, and I believe there’s little chance for her to come out again.” Nathaniel answered. Then, lowering his voice, he whispered to her father. “You know, she had caused the death of Carol’s parents, Dorothy, my parents, and the Duke Springhall. Six in total. That’s a large sum.”

Fitzwilliam did not reply. Clearly he was deep in his thoughts, and Lindsey was scared of it. Whenever her father was in thoughts, something disastrous would happen afterwards. Edmund was thinking about the same thing, for he suddenly let go of her hand and stood up. “It has been a long day for you, father. Why don’t we all go for a walk in the garden? Uncle Nathan must be tired as well.”

Her father nodded, giving his consent in silence. Lindsey was forced to hurry back to her own room and get her parasol, or she knew that her mother would scold her for getting sunburnt. Weird, the sun was shining bright outside, but people were feeling low inside. She hurried down, finding everyone other than her had gotten ready. “Mom…I brought your parasol as well.” she made up a pretty smile, but her mother just nodded, tears still in her jet black eyes. “Thank you honey.” she finally said, undoubtedly making an effort.

The troop ventured into the large garden that the Springhalls possessed. Her father and uncle were exchanging opinions in a low voice, and were soon far beyond them. Edmund remained by her side, while lending a shoulder for their mother to lean on. Edmund, being fifteen already, had already grown taller than Carolyn, aiming to beat Fitzwilliam as well. Lindsey was busy taking care of Napoleon, who was meowing and overall confused by everything. None of the three had spoken a word. The quietness made her thoughts ran wild, and Lindsey had to calm herself down a bit.

Miss Imogen was on holiday back in her hometown somewhere in Ireland with her daughter Lilian these days, and Lindsey was exceptionally glad of her absence. James, on the other hand, had been taking care of the Duke when he was injured badly in St.Mungos. After the Duke passed away due to his serious wounds, James decided to remain in London, as he wished to see if there would be anything that he would be able to help on the family business set up by her great-grandfather. He was as good and trustworthy as always.

She forced herself to think about other things. Happier ones. But, unexpectedly, she failed. Although always having a exceptionally good self-control, Lindsey knew that it simply wouldn’t work today. Losing three loved ones within a few days - she had decided to put the Duke into the list of “loved ones” regardless of how much she hated him before. She now understood everything. Every single “cruel” thing that her grandfather and great-grandfather had done to her. They sent her to York from London to better protect her, and they prohibited her to go out without permission in order not to get unexpectedly attacks. And she had to admit they were right. Maybe it was just this certain kind of protection alarmed Hellman, which made her decided to begin her revenge earlier than what she had originally planned - Hellman used to aim to murder them all, including herself. A shiver went down Lindsey’s back. Best results. Indeed.

She heard her mother was weeping in a low voice, and Lindsey’s heart was full of empathy. Her mom must be in a deep sorrow. Finding that the “parents” that had brought her up and treating her that well were not her real parents and instead just her biological parents’ friends, while it turned out that both her biological and adoptive parents were killed by the same person - it must feel hurt. Lindsey’s head lowered. What’s the use of her mother inheriting the title of Lady Mecmillan and the Mecmillan Castle in Hertfordshire? All her four parents were gone, and she couldn’t say a last good goodbye to any of them. A tear fell down.

Calm down, calm down… She tried hard, but she just couldn’t. It was the coincidence of coincidence, that these things had happened to her family. But yet everything happened. What did she do? What did her mother do? What did her aunt Dorothy do? What did her grandfather do? What did her family do? Why would all these things happen to them…? She didn’t know. For the first time in her life, Lindsey experienced what was called “blood was thicker than water”. She still loved them - no matter how cruel she once thought they were. And they still cared for her.

Her thoughts were running wild, wilder than what she could control. No. She had to stop, or she would go mad. Lindsey knew that she would give everything in the world to get the old wizard she once hated so much back. Even a minute would do. She wanted everyone here, gathering at the Springhall Heights, all alive and merry. Really, everything, just ask.

Finally, she bursted into tears.

******

Her mother had grown seriously ill. In the past days she was always weeping, and her father had to fetch doctors to see if they could help. But it wouldn’t do. Day by day Carolyn grew worse, and finally all the doctors agreed that maybe medicine wasn’t the key. They said that it’s possible that the patient should leave England and go to somewhere warmer and exotic to recover faster. And, it would be the best to have someone she loved to accompany her, so that she would be able to remain focused.

“Italy? You really think it would do good for mother?” inquired Edmund, while raising up an eyebrow. “I don’t know, but we’ve got to give it a try. The thing is, I might have to ask Nathaniel if he could lend a hand and accompany Carol there - you know, the doctors hope that she could be accompanied by someone she loves, but the Ministry’s work is too busy for me to quit it.” Fitzwilliam answered, rather apologetically. “However, Nathan wishes to stay with Perseus - for he had parted with him for so many years and -”

“Dad, is there’s a chance that I may help?” she suddenly asked, decidedly, an enthusiastic light flash through her brown eyes which looked eagerly towards her father. “You? Sweetie, you have your classes.” her father frowned slightly, paused a second, and finally answered gently.

“But, I may as well study it in Italy.” enthusiastically she answered, eyes still fixed on her father. “Ed’s in his fifth year and taking O.W.L.s soon, but I’m only a third year when the term starts. Electives are alright - I may study them myself. Mama received countless Os during her schoolyears, and thus she would be able to tutor me if I get confused. And, she might recover faster having something to do other than thinking about past things. I may always go back to Scotland for my exams, if mom feels better at that time.” she said earnestly. Although she loved taking classes and couldn’t wait for the electives, her mother was way more important. Lindsey knew what being absent from Hogwarts mean. She would have to withdraw from Quidditch, and wouldn’t be able to meet up with her friends around the castle again. Oh, and Hogsmeade trips that she had longed for since her first year. Maybe she had to put them off a bit now…

“Well, I bet Lynn has a point.” remarked Edmund. “And I would remain in England with dad. Miss Imogen’s going back to Ireland with Lilian, and James has found a new job in the Ministry and will be settling down in London. So it would be only us two, and it seems that I will be the one to cook during vacations.” he smirked, clearly getting merry again by her decision. Fitzwilliam thought for a moment, clearly considering his daughter’s words. Finally he raised up his head and smiled at the Springhall siblings. “It is decided, then. You will set off soon in a few days, when I’ve finished arranging everything remaining.”

Her father left, and so did Edmund. Sinking back into the sofa, Lindsey snatched Napoleon’s ears softly. “You approve of my choice, don’t you, Napp? And you’ll forgive me for spending the year in a foreign country? I know you don’t like traveling, but you have to this time.” the cat meowed in response, while jumping down from her lap, and rubbing his head against her legs gently. “That’s my good Na-paw-leon.” she grinned. “C’mon, bet there would be tons of things to prepare before we leave. Let’s go upstairs.”

******

Her father had finished all the preparing work within days. Fitzwilliam had a habit of finishing up everything days before the deadline, and it was decided that Carolyn and her daughter would set off for Naples before September started. The day was drawing nearer, and Lindsey started to feel a bit regretted. She missed her friends dearly. She missed the Hogwarts castle dearly. And her dear Huffle Quidditch team. Would it be worthwhile to leave her favourite wanderings-around and Quidditch games? Or the school trips? Or her friends? Or even the interesting courses? She spent hours alone with Napoleon, debating with herself. She didn’t know if her choice was right. However, as soon as her eyes fell on her sick mother, Lindsey knew that she didn’t have another option. Go to Italy. And that would be all.

Tears were shed when her father and brother took them to the harbour. Leaving via muggle transport, Lindsey chuckled slightly. Although traveling by a cruise was rather uncomfortable, it was far more better than appariation by all means. “We will miss you and dad.” she whispered to Edmund before boarding. “And of course I’ll write. Good luck with your exams.” the latter nodded, and hugged her tightly. Lindsey smiled a bit. Even though her heart ached for leaving, she was determined. No one would be able to change her mind. To Naples, Italy. She was fully prepared.

Go forward. And don’t look back.