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Chapter 5: The Beautiful Oppressor

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"I saw him with my own eyes."

"Yes. The next one who becomes corrupted by the darkness will potentially be the next pawn for him in getting closer to her."

"Be rational, sisters. I'll keep an even sharper eye on her should anything run amiss in our haste."

The sphere of crystal light floats to the seer orb, that reflects the worried faces of Charlotte and her friends, wondering over Epel being frightened and running away from them so suddenly.

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The sound of singing filled my ears as I was lifted from the blackness into the Dreamscape.

The Dark Mirror stood before me, and I saw a familiar figure....

"Magic Mirror on the wall,

Who is the fairest of them all?"

The face in the mirror materialized.

"Famed is thy beauty, Majesty. But hold, a lovely maiden, I see. Lips as red as the rose, hair black as ebony, skin white as snow." He replied. The Queen tensed before anger filled her body, and she said the name with venom,

"Snow White!"

And there was the mentioned girl, looking down in the wishing well, singing her cares away as the Prince joins her in harmony, proclaiming his love for her as she stands on the balcony. But unknown to both the Queen was looking down on them, and she disappears in a flash.

I already had a bad feeling about this....

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Charlie has woken up renewed that day. Save for the fact that her hair looked like a bird's nest. Naturally, our heroine freaked out and proceeded to brush her hair to tame the tangles before presenting herself.

She was focused intently on her hair that she barely noticed her uniform changing in the corners of her eyes.

But then, she went slack. Her arms rested at her sides as she stared uncomfortably at the mirror, different things flying by in her head.

'These visions have been going on for a while....I know all their stories by heart. But....I guess the others aren't aware of what they truly are in world....should I tell them or let them continue living lies...?'

She felt at war with herself. She knew she shouldn't be getting other involved with these visions when it came to the Seven, but then again, they've helped her out when her third eye kept showing macabre accuracies of the future....so....it couldn't hurt to tell them...right?

"S-So cold! I wanna go to school wrapped in a blanket!!" Grim shivered as he unfurled from his spot on the bed. He expected to hear Charlie say something, but looking over he saw she was unresponsive, an indecisive look crossed her eyes as she kept staring into the mirror blankly. "Huh? What's up? You're staring at that thing intently..."

As if she heard him for the first time that morning, Charlie snapped out of it and looked behind her to see Grim staring at her. She shook her head to cover her lack of response.

"Oh! Uh, sorry...I was fixing my hair and then, uh...." she left off, unsure of herself.

"Well, it looks fine to me. Now let's move!" He pushes her. She nods and runs to the bathroom to finish getting ready. But the burning question remained in her mind like a flame.

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We walked down the street as the wind nipped at our faces. It felt like no time had passed at all when we got back in session.

"Mornin' Charlie! Grim!" I looked over to see Ace and Deuce walking up to us, smiles evident on their faces.

"Morning. It's so cold today...." Deuce shivered a bit.

"Tell me about it." I giggled, pushing a few loose hairs out of my face. But when I turned to the side, my eyes fell over the Evil Queen's statue, and I felt myself go frozen all over.

And that question came back to my mind as if it never left.

I didn't even feel Grim run into my leg.

"Ow! Don't just stop right in front of someone! I rammed my nose right into your leg!" He shouted at me.

But my eyes never left the statues as I felt myself grow colder, and not because of the weather.

"Hey, you okay? You've been looking at the Great Seven for a while...." Ace's question just went in one ear and out the other....

I stare at each statue with fear.

The Queen of Hearts....Scar.....Ursula....Jafar....

I knew since my third eye was awakened, I've gotten help from my friends these past several months. But I know I can't drag them into every situation I have! Some things just needed to be dealt with personally...I can't have everyone know about my problems....and if I drag them into it, I'll feel like I'm the burden...it happened before, so I can't let it happen again.

I know. I'll just give them the small details and keep the rest to myself until I find more pieces of the puzzle. For myself, for the Coven, and for the Great Seven. The last thing I'd need is for a major bomb to drop on them when a new year's begun.....

"Can I be honest with you guys?" I look at them nervously. The guys nod, urging me to continue.

"These people...." I motion to the statues. "...have been appearing in dreams lately...."

"Is that why you've been spacing out just now?" Deuce asked. "Are you sure you're alright?" He looked worried for me.

"She's been acting strange since this morning!" Grim inputs.

"Eh? Did something happen over the break?" Ace looked confused.

I felt myself get even colder as memories flashed through my mind.

The fight in Scarabia, being held prisoner, Jamil overblotting....

And....and....

"Y-Yea....something...." I nodded unsurely. This was another thing I shouldn't let them in on until then!

Xedok coming in outta nowhere and controlling Jamil into stealing my magic was bad enough...but now that the dreading possibility of the Dark Lord coming back from death was equally, if not more, terrifying. I can't risk anyone else getting hurt by him if he comes back....

"H-Hey, uh...can we talk when we get to home room?" I asked nervously.

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Despite the other whispers from the students, I tried to be as vague as possible in the details of my dreams as I spoke to Ace and Deuce. When I finished, they looked at me in amazement.

"You've been having dreams of the Great Seven from the Mirror in the Ramshackle Dorm?!" Ace looked weirded out, but still held surprise in his eyes. "Well, it's not weird since we see the statues daily...."

"But they say dreams differ from legends...." I countered.

"I usually recite names of important figures in my sleep before a history test." Deuce puts in. "But it probably doesn't sound close to what you're going through..."

I just nodded, my mind thinking about Mickey in the mirror the night he revealed himself to me, and my mind started to whirl with a new wave of questions....

"And why is Mickey here of all places?" I slapped my hands over my mouth after realizing I said that aloud. Fuck...

"What?! Scary...wait, who's Mickey?" Ace jumped.

"Never heard of someone like that in school...." Deuce shook his head.

"Wait...was it that night when you stepped on my tail?" Grim asked.

I thought back to that night.....

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It was nightfall before I knew it. After bidding the ghosts goodnight, I made my way upstairs. I fixed my pj sleeves after I rebraided my hair. Walking through the doorway, Grim was already passed out on the foot of the bed.

"That turkey....it's mine...." He mumbled sleepily.

I giggled at his sleep-like state. Time to turn in for the night I guess.

But then, the mirror started to glow again.

Now things were suspicious. I approached the mirror with some caution in case something shocking happened.

But I stepped on something.

"Fgyya!" I tensed up, seeing Grim recoil with his tail under my foot. But he didn't wake up, to my relief. After I heard him let out a snooze, I crept to the mirror and looked inside.

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Yea....that never left me....I'm still trying to question what the hell was happening to me. There's so much going on, I dunno if it's possible for me to tackle it all! My powers, The Dark Lord, the Great Seven......

I heard a cough and saw the three waiting for my answer. All I could muster was a muted nod.

"Well, maybe if it wasn't a dream, were the ghosts do something?" Deuce asked.

"I can see them doing that...they love to pull pranks..." Grim nods, unimpressed.

"Ooh! How about this?!" Ace jumps in. "Next time Mickey appears in the mirror, use the Ghost Camera the headmaster gave you to snap a pic? It's a magic tool that shows the shape of one's soul, right?! Even a ghost should show up with my issue!"

"That's a good idea. If we get a photo, we'll be able to find out who this Mickey character is!"

"And have him give me tuna cans as a co-conspirator in squashing my tail!"

'Yea, I already know a lot about him more than you three eggheads combined......' I thought. But before I could say a word, Ace beat at me to the punch.

"But if nothing shows up, then we'll know she was just hallucinating and seeing things~!"

I narrowed my eyes. Oh, he's getting it now.

"Then tell me if or not you're hallucinating seeing !" I lunge at him, aiming to strangle him.

"Shit!!!" He backed up, fear in his eyes. But I moved back as I felt myself laughing with vigor.

"Oh my god, you're so stupid!" I snickered, hitting the desk, trying to catch air in my lungs.

"Wait...you were playing me?!"

"Like a harp, BITCH!" I smirked. "I wouldn't even think about strangling you!" I managed to get some air and then added slyly, "Not yet, anyways."

I could feel his confusion and fear growing beside me as the bell rang and Crewel entered.

"Take your seats, pups. For home room today, time to put back the leashes and pull the slack you've had over the break. Now I'm sure you're all aware of the National Wizard Board School Joint Culture Festival that's happening mid-February. And Night Raven has been chosen as the host this year."

"Huh? We're having a festival?" Grim asked as other murmurs swept the room out of confusion.

"All you pups sitting there never looked at the calendar back on September? Bad pups!" Crewel whipped the air, sending jumps throughout the room, even me. "It seems that I'll have to do you bad students a favor by explaining it. It's my job to discipline you, after all." He places his hands behind his back. "The National Wizard Board School Joint Culture Festival gathers students from wizard of schools across the nation. For two days, they'll be performances, research presentations, speech participation events, and others that students will be involved in. It is a cultural interhigh! Normally, fourth years are dispatched to various magic-related workplaces for internships and research, but they return to their roots for this one event and share the results of their dedication."

"Wait, now that he's mentioning it...I've not seen any fourth years since starting..." Ace muttered.

"I had a feeling they might've been off campus doing work. I'll have to show my appreciation towards them as seniors!" Deuce reminded.

He's right. I read that NRC is based off on US and European College systems, that they go up to four years in terms of education. So why aren't they here...?

"This festival will bring representatives from many fields. The Board of Magic Education, Ministry of Magic, magic corporations, research departments, and celebrities all pay close attention to this event. So any of you pups involved in the cultural clubs need to brush all your fur in line!"

"Aww, it's for cultural clubs only..." Ace whined.

"So I guess any of us involved in sports won't have a lot to handle...." Deuce followed.

I didn't even acknowledge their sadness because I was too excited. An event to show off anything and all events related to the arts?! Count me in!!! Not to brag or anything, but I'm a triple threat when it comes to the performing arts: Acting, Singing and Dancing. This is gonna be awesome!!!

"So, if it's a festival, will there be stuff to eat like back at Magift?" Grim started drooling.

"Geez, all you can think about is food...." Ace sweatdrops.

"So, that's all for homeroom. Today, first period is dedicated to defensive magic. Pups...take your marks!"

But a knock on the door sounded before anyone could move.

"Uh, excuse me? The headmaster needs Charlotte Luchessi for the dorm leader meeting at once!" A student popped in and spoke.

All eyes landed on me before I knew it. I looked at Crewel as he nods and ushers me to go. So I grabbed my bag and started walking towards the door.

"We'll watch Grim for you." Deuce whispered to me as I passed by them. I nod as thanks and made my way out.

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We made it to the mirror chamber before I knew it and Crowley was waiting outside the doors.

"Ah! Miss Luchessi! Thank you for accepting the invitation on short notice." He thanked.

"No, it's okay." I claimed.

"I know you're nervous, being that this is your first meeting, but don't fret! You have me to guide you!"

Uh....sure.....

He turns towards the doors and pushes them open with a grand flourish. Standing in the center of the room are six figures and the floating tablet.

'Deja vu...' I though back to the entrance ceremony.

"Leaders, I apologize for the delay. But since it is a new year, that means a new change. Please help me in welcoming our newest dorm leader, representing the Ramshackle Dorm: Charlotte Luchessi!" Crowley announces.

I walked forward, head up and high, as I smiled towards them warmly. "Glad to be here."

"We're happy you're joining us for the first time, Charlotte." Riddle smiles back as I stand amongst the circle. He looked down and nods. "And I see you've dressed for the occasion."

I looked to see that my uniform was gone and I was back in my casual gear of jeans and boots, and a high ponytail except for one small detail: my blouse had changed. Now, it's a light pink sweater with the shoulders cut out.

"Oh! Y-Yea! Just a little something new for the new year!" I managed to cover for my magicked clothes.

"It looks nice on you." He smiled at me, a blush making its way to my cheeks, before Crowley entered.

"All of the dorm leaders are here?" Crowley scanned the room to make sure everyone, including Charlie, was present.

"Seems like Malleus isn't here again?" Vil asked, eyeing Lilia.

"I apologize. I knew he was up until the break, but he vanished as soon as classes ended." the old fae hung his head in shame.

"Was it on purpose?" Idia asked.

"Nothing of the sort." Lilia answered. "Fae just happen to experience time differently. Well, that and he has this terrible air of luck surrounding him."

Kalim laughed, "I get what you mean! Jamil gets pissed if I forget about meetings too!"

Lilia chuckled softly, "Then will you let me, the vice leader, attend on his behalf?"

"Makes no difference if the haughty bastard's here or not. Let's get it over with." Leona smirks.

"Ahem! Let us begin then." Crowley calls. "Preparation for the National Wizard Board School Joint Culture Festival have been underway for the past two months. Rosehearts, give us the status update, being the executive committee."

"Of course. Please look at the data before you." He passed around a few sheets of paper. "We're in the middle of accepting applications for the presentations and performances from other schools. Due dates for any who wish to sell food and drinks or crafts at a booth has long passed."

"Huh? I get food and drink but what's crafts?" Kalim asked.

"Needlepoint, Ceramics, carvings, art or other things made by hand from cultural clubs. They're displayed and sold. They also show live painting and screen student films." The ginger explains.

"Whoa...it'll be awesome having that stuff!"

"Next, I'll speak about where research presentations and speech performances will be taking place. The plan to set up three separate stages across campus. Red for the courtyard, blue for the gymnasium, and the largest, purple, for the coliseum. Since the announcement, we've received applications from international media outlets as well..." Riddle started to turn sour.

"Eh? What's with the sour face, Riddle?" Kalim asked.