[Prologue 2/3] Family Legacy

A year passed before Adrik and Alona had another child whom they named Serena. Unlike Damien, she had magical prowess, and unlike Lucedio, she would not get ill. She was raised to be the heir and had to give up many things that she might enjoy to be a respectable child of the Thornes.

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The only way to escape was deep within the recesses of your mind. Serena learned that growing up alone with the impossible expectations that came with being a Thorne from a young age. The desire to leave this home, leave her family, filled Serena every day as she gazed out her window into the night. She would look out at the stars, watch them as if they were telling her a story. Reaching out to her, beckoning to come closer.

It was only befitting that she would be given power by those same stars. A power that would allow her to see beyond the walls of the manor. Into fantasies that have yet to come true.

It was Christmas. Snow gently fell, giving everything outside a white, icy blanket. People were arriving, talking, laughing, thanking their gracious hosts for opening their home on this 'joyous holiday.' Serena was stuffed into a dress much too itchy for her, with tights that were hot and uncomfortable and hair that most girls would have cried as it was being made. Serena stuck by her parents as they went group to group, greeting their guests. Mingling.

Serena was bored. There were no children here for her to talk with or play with. The few adults that spoke with her didn't have much to say. Why was she even here? She questioned for herself. She could be upstairs watching the snowfall.

Serena tried to hide her bored face before her parents noticed and got mad. And then, suddenly, a sharp pain entered her head. One hand raised to her temple, the other grabbed onto her father. Her vision started closing. Yet despite this, her head felt like it was expanding. Everything felt like it was opening up as the pain grew larger and larger.

Serena tumbled towards the floor. The music stopped, people stared as uncontrollable words poured from her mouth.

"Twice entangled souls torn asunder

Power stolen by the forgotten

Light and demon rage war

For an existence never truly deserved."

Her voice sounded not like her own. As if the dead had chosen her as a conduit and spoke with her own mouth. When Serena finished, she remembered not what was said. Everyone was staring at her. Someone had dropped a wine glass in pure shock, but otherwise, there was silence all around her.

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 Being a Thorne came first. Family legacy was one of the first things instilled in Adrik as a child. And something he would invest in his daughter. It didn't matter what the individual wanted. They didn't build a fortune and a rapport with the most influential people by doing whatever they wanted. And now, the Thornes were arguably one of the most influential families in England. They had their hands in a lot of pockets. The only reason the Thornes didn't consolidate power was that it was far easier to manipulate other people into doing what they wanted.

"You will maintain a presence," he told Serena, his eyes giving away that he would punish her if she didn't give a respectable aura. "You are a Thorne, and thus you are better than everyone who'll show up. But that doesn't mean you can do or say whatever you want. Your mother will make sure you look appropriate."

He left her room and walked down the stairs to greet the firstcomers. By the time everyone had shown up, the gathering was in full swing. People were drinking and mingling. The topics of discussion were boring for the average person. Still, to the upper echelon of the wizarding world, they were topics of import.

"I can't understand what they're thinking," Adrik was saying as he spoke to several people who were high up on the chain in the ministry. "Muggleborns can't possibly understand our way of life. It would be like expecting a squib to perform magic." As they chuckled, he raised a glass to take a sip. "It would be such a simple thing to manage. Just obliviate or kil-"

The words he was about to say were lost as all eyes turned to gaze at his daughter and the words she was speaking. Was she trying to ruin this for him?

With a snarl, he walked over towards Serena, gripping her shoulder tightly, "Go to your room."

He shoved her towards the stairs before turning around towards his guests, putting up a smile. "My apologies. She's still learning her place in this world. Enjoy the food and drinks. I'll be back. I'm sure we all have a lot to talk about."

He then spun around and walked up towards his daughter's room. "What in Merlin's name are you thinking? Are you trying to ruin the Thorne name?"

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Pamela: While Serena wanted to go upstairs and hide away, this was not the way she wanted to do it. Serena squirmed in her father's grip before being shoved towards the stairs. She didn't need to be told twice. She walked away, and once she was out of sight, she ran away, no, sprinted away.

What had happened? Her mind was still spinning, and the pain was still there, ebbing in the back of her mind. Serena had wanted to be perfect today. She had been wearing her new shoes all day, breaking them in so that way when the party came, she would not trip or fall. She was quiet and perfectly still as her mother prepared her. She greeted everyone she needed to greet, spoke with as much politeness as a six-year-old could muster. She didn't even wrinkle her nose any of the times Serena heard her parents speak ill of muggle-borns.

Serena took off her shoes painfully and threw them against the wall. This was unfair. This was really, really, really unfair! The pain grew larger and larger until Serena moved to her desk as she grabbed a parchment and wrote a poem.

Just as the last word was penned, her father entered, and the pain suddenly ceased. Serena dropped the quill. Her face was pale, and she looked at the floor. "I'm sorry, father," Serena said quietly. "I... don't know what came over me. I don't know what happened."

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Adrik knew better than to ignore what had happened downstairs. While she was undoubtedly responsible for bringing all the wrong types of attention to the Thorne name, she gave what seemed like some sort of prophecy.

Most likely, she was just trying to get some attention, but on the off chance it was real, "Don't tell anyone else about what you said in the hall. At least you're not a squib, but still... a seer?"

He grumbled to himself for several minutes, "One of the most criticized and hated fields?"

He pointed his finger towards his daughter almost accusingly as he spoke, "I've dealt with too many disappointments in this house, and I won't tolerate another. You will hide all of your weirdness and act like the respectable young girl you are supposed to be. I won't have you sully the Thorne name."

He scoffed to himself at the thought before continuing, "One day, you'll take control of the family, and what will you do if our name is sullied? If our allies turn their backs on us? Will you squander our fortune too?"

He raised a brow as if he were expecting an answer from her, "Well?" Instead of waiting for an answer, he shook his head. "You are to make yourself presentable again, go downstairs, and apologize for making a scene. And remember. I will not have a Seer daughter. Keep it under control."