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　　 𝐄𝐃𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐃'𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐂𝐇 𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 nerves to see Victoria again. His ears only picked up about half of what Suncloud had to say on their way to the meadow between the Thicket of Nightmares and the Western Woods where the camp resided. He'd forgotten how to walk properly the closer they got, the nerves involuntarily cramping his muscles together.

When she came into his sight, his mouth fell open in awe. The nymphs had taken her under their wing after her recovery, Edmund could tell. She was clothed in the finest dress he'd ever seen. The fabric fell off her shoulders and flowed down her body. It was only tightened around her waist with a corset. Its deep colours seemed to be taken from the purple irises and blue hibiscus flowers that she was surrounded by in the field.

The nymphs had given her many gifts in the form of jewellery. She was wearing a tiara, made from delicately entwined twigs that blossomed with small leaves, underneath which her rich, auburn hair came down to her waist. It was the first time Edmund had seen her hair be anything besides straight and he caught himself following the wave of her hair while he looked at her.

As she walked through the meadow, he could see that something was intricately weaved around her feet and lower legs. He wasn't sure what it was made of, but he'd remember seeing something that closely resembled it within books he'd read on fairies—or well, the books he'd seen Susan read.

Suncloud called out Victoria's name and she turned her head to look at him. She swallowed when she saw everyone at the edge of the Western Woods and tried to keep herself from sobbing out her relief like she'd done before.

'My lady Victoria,' Suncloud repeated and bowed for her. 'This is not another vision. They have returned.'

Victoria didn't move, not allowing herself to fall for another trap that her mind had set upon her. It wasn't the first time she'd seen them since she'd been saved from the Thicket of Nightmares. After one week at the camp, Victoria had awoken with a scream that woke up the entire camp. The nightmares had seemed to have followed her, at least, that's what she thought. Until her visions were no longer just nightmares.

Alexis let go of Peter's hand that she'd unknowingly grabbed upon Suncloud volunteering to bring them to Victoria. She ran as hard as her legs could carry her for and didn't bother to slow down before she crashed into Victoria. 'You're alright, oh thank Merlin, you're alright,' she mumbled into Victoria's hair as she embraced her.

Out of everyone, Alexis had known Victoria the longest. Victoria's father was known as arguably the best wand maker in the world, and coincidentally, the Kingsley family was known to manufacture some of the best quality broomsticks in the world. Their parents knew each other even before the two girls were born and after, the families kept up their regular visits to each other. Alexis' family went to visit the Ollivanders just days after Victoria was born and while the witches can't remember it, that was the day they met.

Alexis had always known that there was something about Victoria that was hidden away from her. It was something that she had once overheard the Ollivanders and her parents talk about, but unfortunately she could only hear some phrases and an extendable ear to eavesdrop from afar hadn't been invented yet.

They spoke in forbidden whispers after a visit the Ollivanders had had from the Ministry of Magic. Even though Victoria seemed completely the same afterwards, there was still something different that Alexis couldn't put her finger on.

Chrys happily ran after Alexis and wrapped her arms around the two of them. 'They said you'd died and then we came here and you'd almost died, and Florence said you were basically dying in the mountain, and it's been a lot of you pretty much dying and it had me worried sick and you're never, ever, ever, ever allowed to stay behind on your own. Do you hear me? Never.' She couldn't stop babbling on and on about how worried she was and how relieved she was to see that Victoria was doing well. Even at the speed that Chrys was speaking, the quaver in her voice was unmistakingly there.

Though too stunned to move at first, Victoria had embraced the two witches as well. Once Alexis didn't run right through her, Victoria realised that it was indeed not another vision she had created. Chrys' incessant talking would normally exhaust Victoria—or anyone for that matter—but she couldn't hear enough of it now. Her lips softly curled up as she listened to Chrys rambling and let Alexis take a good look at her.

The three witches hadn't heard Kiano approach them, until his shadow was darkening their world. His eyes glared down at Victoria, his jaw clenched as always when he was angry. 'What did they do to you?' he asked as calmly as he could, feeling the rage that was bubbling up in his throat heating up his cheeks.

'Nothing as bad as what I did to you,' Victoria whispered, the guilt and regret swimming through her irises.

'We're all here because of you, we figured out that much. The only thing I don't understand is why,' Chrys said as she brushed her fingers through Victoria's hair. She'd expected Victoria to look terrible, to grasp onto life on her deathbed, but she was wrong and she was really glad she was.

Victoria hummed and softly nodded her head, the sudden pressing feeling on her heart returning to her. She looked over to the group, the pressure relieving shortly when she locked eyes with Edmund, though the comfort that she felt around him was tainted with Tom's torture.

The moment she'd dreaded to come had arrived, but a part of her was pleased that she managed to keep the secret instilled in her. The unbreakable vow she'd made to herself—though she'd promised under the most pressure she'd ever felt in her life—she was thrilled it was over. However, she wasn't sure if anyone would stay.

She took a deep breath in, held it and exhaled slowly, as she mustered up the courage to reveal what had silenced her. 'A month or two after you'd come to my father's shop, I heard a noise downstairs at midnight. My parents were fast asleep, they hadn't even noticed the commotion. I went down to the shop, thinking there were thieves trying to break in, until I stared into my own eyes. . .'

She remembered that night all too well. At first, she'd thought it was some sort of prank. An invisible mirror that she was staring into, until she saw that her reflection had aged. She'd marched forwards and without a second thought, she'd slapped the reflection. Her mind had gone from it being a prank to it being a trap and she would not be trapped that night.

That was until she saw Dumbledore peeking up from behind the reflection and a grand lion. She stumbled backwards against the damaged wooden desk that had been made into a self-made counter, the familiar touch of the soft wood sliding against her fingertips calming her nerves. She'd stuttered Dumbledore's name, her eyes fixated on herself.

The reflection smiled kindly upon her, though there was pity too. The pity she had for her younger self and the betrayal she'd gone through only months prior. She'd commented on the familiarity of the wood which piqued Victoria's interest. Her natural curiosity was as quickly gone as it had come when her reflection said the words; "I know you still love him."

That night, the lion, the witch and the wizard had taken Victoria on a time traveling adventure. It was something that Victoria had wished to forget, but never would. They had a list of things they had to show her.

The rise of Lord Voldemort in the 1970s. She'd witnessed Tom starting what he'd tried to make her join. She could barely watch the green flashes coming from his wand and his determined face ready to perish anything and anyone who was in his way. Dumbledore had introduced her from afar to the Marauders. James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin. And Lily Evans. As time sped up once more, she saw them fall. One by one, they all died in front of her, until she was on a joyous day.

Hogwarts Graduation of 1999. When Dumbledore had pointed to Harry and told Victoria that he was James Potter and Lily Evans' son, Victoria had burst out into tears. She should've made sure Tom would've never been able to cause the things he'd done and she hadn't. She'd walked away in the hopes that he would've changed his mind, that everything was just a terrible nightmare.

1968. Victoria was promised that this would be their last stop. They were in an incredibly uncomfortable spot to watch through windows into a house. In the quiet of the night, Victoria wished for this to be over soon, however, a part of her knew it wouldn't be when her reflection took hold of her hand. She was so distracted by the sudden gesture that she'd almost missed what they were there for to see.

And what she saw would change her perspective drastically. She recognised her own auburn hair and straight posture and she swallowed when Tom's face emerged from the darkness of the streets. She could hear him give herself one last chance to join him and when she refused, the pair ensued in a fight that shook the house. Her heart was aching in her chest and she grabbed onto it when the Killing Curse hit her heart and she collapsed onto the floor.

Tom stood over her and screamed out as though he was in pain. He crashed on his knees beside her and held her hand. She couldn't hear what he said to her, but she could somehow feel the light squeezes in her hand. He moved her body, brushed through her hair and caressed her cheek, before placing a rose and her wand in her hand. She told herself that he must've remembered her love for wands and the smile that was plastered on her face whenever he gave her a green rose, which is why he left her those two items.

However, when he retrieved the diary she'd given him and had bewitched for him, and put a part of his soul within the object, she felt her stomach turn. He'd used her once more to befoul her like he'd done with his family heirloom.

Victoria was brought back home, standing eye to eye with herself again as she tried to figure out their intentions for her. She hiccuped a gasp when the lion had begun to speak.

"My child, the stars have aligned and the centaurs have seen a vision of great terror in Narnia. A terror cast in Narnia and Earth that you are all too familiar with. You have seen with your own eyes the wounds this terror has caused and shall cause if we do not listen to the heavens' answer. Answer the stars' call, my child."

The lion and Dumbledore had explained so little in quite some time, and yet, Victoria knew that if she kept doing nothing, she'd come to regret it. Another squeeze in her hands jerked her out of her thoughts when she was afraid it was Tom, but she gazed into her reflection's eyes.

"We cannot afford any mistakes," she told Victoria, her voice an echo of the past and the future. "I need you to promise me that you'll do everything you possibly can to stop. . . him. And only tell the ones we sent along with you when the time is right. . ."

Victoria had argued with herself when she learnt that she couldn't tell Alexis, Chrys or Kiano, which was the longest discussion Victoria had ever had. It turned out that arguing with yourself wasn't as easy as it sounded, but eventually, it was Victoria who buckled and agreed. Her fate was sealed.

Victoria stood before the others, her head held high, her chin up and her breath slightly trembling as she exhaled. 'So before the rise of dawn has come, you all have a decision to make whether or not you want to go to war. I will not plead with you, I will not beg you and I most certainly will not blame you for leaving. The decision is yours to make. . .'

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　　 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐍 𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐎𝐖 in the blazing colours of the sunset. The fiery shades always brightened Victoria's hair and lit up her eyes like embers in the dark. She was rather far from the camp, not wanting her presence to influence the others' decision. They'd all scattered into the forest once Victoria had told them the news.

She was hoping and wishing they understood what she'd done to them, but she would never hold anyone accountable for any decision they'd make. She was riddled with secrets after all.

'You really didn't want to be found, did you?'

She kept her gaze stark towards the horizon, ignoring her flourishing heart that sped up at the sound of Edmund's voice. She couldn't stop thinking about the visions she'd had of him and obviously, she'd never tell another soul about them. About the times she needed comfort and he was the only one she could find that with.

Her hands clenched together when he stood next to her, his scent of fresh pine and brisk rain swirling around her. The soft natural fragrance along with dark, warm aromas of wood brought her back to her fairytale fantasies.

'They need to make that decision without me there,' she said and Edmund nodded slowly. 'Have you made yours?'

'I didn't even have to think twice. Narnia is in danger, so are its people. My people.' He glanced over at her and the halo that glowed around her. Just like his brother, Edmund had always hoped he'd come back to Narnia too. Though, he'd never expected to find such beauty in this ethereal world.

The memory of his sister kissing Caspian and what he'd said back then made him chuckle softly. While Lucy didn't quite understand why they kissed, Edmund had said that he didn't want to understand. But looking at Victoria now, he did understand.

He understood her motives and her pain and recognised how she tried to cope with it. He realised that while he'd come to know quite a lot about her, he didn't know if she knew anything about him. 'I've betrayed my siblings in the past,' he blurted out at once. Victoria tore her gaze from the horizon and cocked her head sideways to listen to him. Her genuine curiosity and surprise made him think that she may not have read his mind as much as he'd thought. He didn't hesitate to tell her everything he'd done to his siblings and how they'd forgiven him.

Victoria listened intently, though surprised too. She didn't think he'd entrust her with his secrets after just dumping hers on him, but he wasn't afraid or manipulative. She may have not been reading his mind, but she could still see the signs of truthfulness in his mannerisms.

When he'd grown quiet and she'd had time to think about what he'd said, she stepped a little closer to him. 'Have you forgiven yourself for what you've done?' she asked in a hushed manner.

Edmund remained mute as he went over that question in his head. He knew that she always knew what questions to ask, but he'd assumed that was only because she'd been reading his mind. 'I—' He paused to smile and let out a breath of relief when he realised what his answer was. 'I have.'

'Good,' Victoria whispered and closed her eyes. In the far distance, she could hear the song of the nymphs, the beauty of it fluttering through the grass leaves and flowers to spread over the meadow. 'The nymphs are singing.'

Edmund could hear the song as well, which brought him back to the night of the ball in the Anvard castle, and how he'd stupidly said Florence's name. He saw the same disappointment in her eyes as in her memory, when Tom didn't ask her to dance either. He cleared his throat and held out his hand in front of her. 'I was wondering if you'd like to dance with me,' he said swiftly, focusing upon his hand that kept trembling with nerves. 'Victoria.'

Victoria's eyes glossed over as she took his hand. 'Yes,' she whispered and fought against her heating cheeks when his hand slid onto her waist. She let go of his other hand to slowly wrap her arms around his neck and Edmund wasted no time to pull her closer by her hip.

'Are you sure that you don't rather dance with Florence?' Victoria asked with a soft chuckle.

'I wanted to ask you, but I got so nervous that I asked Florence instead. She's just a friend. It's a lot less nerve wracking to ask for a dance with your friend than with someone you like.'

Edmund twirled Victoria away from him to give him time to figure out any question that Victoria could come up with, but all of his answers came back to the same conclusion; he really liked her, but he wasn't sure if she felt the same way. However, when Victoria was back into his arms and they gently swayed from left to right in the breeze, he was surprised when Victoria didn't ask him anything at all.

Instead, she was so tense that she avoided his face altogether. She felt silly. Gazing into people's eyes, not being afraid to tell them anything, that's what she could do best and yet, with Edmund, she was too nervous. A part of her was also anxious that she would suddenly be able to read his mind and at this moment, she didn't want to find out his answer that way. 'When I was locked up in the mountains with Florence, I told her that I was jealous of her because I thought she had someone like you,' Victoria admitted and held tighter onto him. 'She asked me if I was jealous of the fact that I thought she had someone like you or that she had you.'

She'd never felt this nervous, not even for her N.E.W.T. exams or when she first started to talk with Tom. Her whole life, she knew she could read someone's answer without them ever telling her anything, but now, she wanted nothing more than to not know before she told him.

'And?' Edmund asked, his voice so gentle and caring, it made Victoria's heart burst.

She slowly loosened her arms and pulled away from him until their noses were almost touching still. 'I was jealous that I thought she had you,' she whispered against his lips. 'Because I really like you, Edmund.'

His hands held her cheeks as he kissed her. Her breath hiccuped in her throat while she let herself fall into his grasp. Their bodies pressed together, their hands exploring each other's figure. Victoria could feel his rapid heartbeat whenever her hand rested on his chest and enjoyed feeling his soft lips on hers. The building tension of the last few days and weeks came to a head as they kissed, their desire for each other taking the kiss much further than they'd anticipated. . .

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Hi everyone,

Let's all collectively ignore that it's been over a month since I updated last. Good idea? Okay, terrific, thank you lol

But um yeah, let me know what you think!

Thank you for reading my munchkins

xx Theresa

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