The Destroyer

Prologue

Y/n's POV

The shrill sound of my alarm pierced through the hazy veil of sleep, dragging me unwillingly from the comfort of my dreams into the stark reality of another day. With a groan, I fumbled blindly for the source of the noise, my hand finally connecting with the small, rectangular device perched on my bedside table. With a swift motion, I silenced its insistent wails, but the remnants of its intrusion lingered, dispersing the remnants of sleep that still clung to my consciousness.

As I blinked away the remnants of drowsiness, my gaze wandered around the familiar confines of my bedroom, taking in the muted hues of the walls, the scattered remnants of last night's activities strewn haphazardly across the floor. With a resigned sigh, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and pushed myself upright, the cool embrace of the morning air sending a shiver down my spine.

With a sense of purpose born from years of routine, I made my way across the room, the soft carpeting muffling the sound of my footsteps. My hand reached out instinctively for the worn towel hanging on the back of the door, its familiar texture a comforting presence against my skin as I draped it over my shoulder.

With deliberate steps, I crossed the threshold into the bathroom, the soft glow of dawn filtering in through the frosted windowpanes. The room was filled with the gentle hum of the morning, the distant sound of water running in the pipes mingling with the rhythmic beat of my own heart.

As I turned on the faucet, the steady stream of water cascading into the basin, I couldn't help but marvel at the simple beauty of the everyday rituals that shaped my life. In the midst of the chaos and uncertainty of the world outside, there was a strange sense of solace to be found in the quiet moments of solitude, the gentle cadence of my morning routine serving as a tether to the familiar amidst the unknown.

And so, with the steam rising around me, I immersed myself in the comforting embrace of the morning, letting the warm water wash away the remnants of sleep and usher in the promise of a new day.

As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I found myself face to face with my father, his figure silhouetted against the soft glow of dawn filtering in through the kitchen window. There was a quiet intensity in his gaze, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken bond that tied us together as father and child.

I offered him a sheepish smile, the guilt of my tardiness weighing heavily on my conscience. It seemed that once again, I had managed to be the last one to the breakfast table, a familiar pattern that had become all too common in recent weeks.

"Morning, Dad"

I mumbled my voice tinged with a hint of apology as I slid into my usual seat at the table. He returned my greeting with a nod, his expression unreadable as he poured himself a cup of coffee, the rich aroma filling the room with its comforting warmth. There was a sense of familiarity in the air, a quiet understanding that spoke volumes without the need for words.

My brother's enthusiasm was palpable as he leaned across the table, his eyes shining with excitement as he addressed me with his question. 

"Sister, it's your 3rd year at Hogwarts now, isn't it cool and exciting?"

I glanced up from my plate, a mixture of annoyance and amusement flickering across my features at his predictable enthusiasm. With a quirk of my eyebrow, I regarded him in silence for a moment, his expectant expression met with nothing but the sound of my fork clinking against my plate as I began to eat my breakfast.

His smile faltered slightly at my lack of response, a hint of confusion clouding his features as he attempted to gauge my reaction. Undeterred by my silence, he pressed on, the excitement in his voice undiminished. 

"Come on, you've got to admit, it's pretty amazing being at Hogwarts, right?"

I sighed inwardly, resisting the urge to roll my eyes at his persistence. Leave it to my brother to find wonder and excitement in even the most mundane of conversations. With a resigned shake of my head, I finally relented, offering him a begrudging nod of agreement.