Minerva McGonagall was preparing for her Transfiguration lesson when a cute white owl entered through the window and landed straight in front of her. The owl was familiar but it’s been a while since Minerva has heard from that particular student of hers. Nonetheless, the owl was there and he looked panicked. He jumped closer to the professor and looked up at her with what looked to be teary eyes. In that moment, Minerva knew something very wrong happened, snatched the letter from the owl and rushed out of her office. Her face was contorted into an expression of shock and pity and by the time she found Professor Dumbledore, she was already tearing up.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1bPtz1Xg2
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLtnaFPrRC
“What is it, Minerva?” He asked, noticing her expression.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCZsCiRe4K
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKe7QRbkEUE
She only handed him the letter and waited patiently for her colleague to give the announcement.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6K6dFF2vRV
Dumbledore read the letter slowly, his blue eyes not widening once at the containment.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN7X9yKIF3
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM5aSrex4a
Dear Professor Dumbledore,1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8tx09uHmU
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzYvCU1Hs3
By the time you get this letter, I will be already dead. I have lived a life under constant watch but I treasured it and treasured my family to some extent. 1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zLxSpC7wA
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFSRG95nBX
I have returned what is not mine and I consider that is the best place to hide something so powerful. 1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOtGEdORzN
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mUbI7Zdjp
I would appreciate if my daughter could be looked after by you not by my cousin. I’m sorry I couldn’t say my farewells in person but circumstances wouldn’t let me.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdA2vV5IYY
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JvqqnP3Ye
Please, don’t let her get entangled into his web. Ophelia should never know who her father is. Never. 1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkV1k7osF7
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbFRpyaWGg
Lillian Gaunt1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW46RTNxTkF
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCc3a0Gkqs
Once he read everything, Dumbledore rushed out of his office, Minerva following closely.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmng7ZvbAG
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Qq3e1IT8G
“What should we do now? The child, he can’t get the child.” She said in a hurry.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIeiAwHyY3
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoj7mJMb1s
Dumbledore walked out and turned to her before he smiled sadly.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdd3u9t6YU
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx7wVZNkKK
“Our priority is her safety. If Tom will ever find her, I’d like it to be at an older age when she can decide for herself.” He said softly, though very worried.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7Qq5wdNs7
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOJN7mGNys
“What is that supposed to mean? Albus, he can never find her. She’s his opportunity for-“ She stopped, shuddering at the thought.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0adHTU7vc
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNueM52szvx
Dumbledore placed a comforting hand on her shoulder before turning around and leaving.
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVcrBBtjpo
Before Dumbledore got to Ireland, someone else apparated in the house. Vernon Peverell found Lillian’s dead body first and gave a loud cry. He loved her more than she ever knew and seeing those beautiful eyes lifeless was breaking his heart.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcghp5XzeHP
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpuVvm566z
His ears perked when he heard light movement in her room and pushed it open. He came face to face with a crying and scared Ophelia and followed her to her mother’s side. The young girl cried even more at the sight of her mother’s corpse and took refuge next to her body.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifaciqGDI4
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpKQWt9thG
When Dumbledore entered, he found the house in a bad state. It was obvious someone searched wildly for something but he couldn’t find it. He looked up and licked his lips nervously. Dumbledore knew what was up there and that sentiment of anticipation was cringing.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Zb6nn70Jp
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nIKK5SMlU
Crouched next to a dead body was a scared little girl who didn’t know who to trust. Dumbledore walked towards her slowly and bent in front of her. His eyes first fell over Lillian feeling conflicted with the way she died. However, she was such a smart and sly witch that she didn’t give him the stone but placed it back where she took it from. Next, he turned towards the child. Ophelia looked like a chubby version of her mother, extremely cute yet her eyes were giving off a different vibe. Dumbledore looked closely at the girl, a bit reluctant to help her. That was Tom’s child and there were high chances for her to follow her father later on; those eyes were a sign. But Dumbledore couldn’t find it in himself to leave her in misery.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JQckkKjsk
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLtEOS99ho
“Ophelia, my name is Albus Dumbledore. I will help you but you have to promise me something.” He started.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQp7Yj6f9v9
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlobsxxv0rh
Ophelia seized him up before nodding.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINjsEpbBzV
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWoOYChGn2
“Forget the man you saw today. Forget everything and look forward to a better life. You have to trust me, alright?”1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbTebDFUGk
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyemn6SPM0Q
In that moment, Dumbledore’s comforting presence was the only light that she could see in the house. He was the only one there, helping her in her most miserable moment of her life. Dumbledore reached his hand out for her and she grabbed it tightly.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP55Xp5YRlD
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQPH1sOWy6
As Dumbledore disapparated with Ophelia, a black kitten with bright green eyes remained by Lillian’s side. That kitten watched Ophelia walk away from his life and he looked down at his paws, disappointed. The little glimpse of happiness he had left just vanished before his eyes.
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSHWPrVH0z
Dumbledore apparated in a dark alley, encouraging the little girl to walk into the street. He led her to an impressively decorated building called Bread of Life Orphanage. It was intimidating, especially when a woman dressed in a blue and white uniform walked to greet them.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExig5pEUpE
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzV55CpU7U5
Dumbledore talked for a while with the nurse and the woman peeked once or twice at the child. It was a bad day and Ophelia felt it in her bones; her father was very angry.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1gQErjW2X
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XruajV6Wv
After a few more minutes, Dumbledore looked down at her and smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbROkEyWLrs
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcikR3h5gia
“Trust me, alright?” He told her again.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2zyFnzZ0A
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNY82DFRs7S
The nurse smiled to Ophelia and grabbed her hand, leading her inside the orphanage. Dumbledore remained outside, watching Tom’s heir enter the building. He felt his heart cringe, knowing Ophelia’s life was never going to stray from dark magic. It was all around her, the snake.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX540W7mTp
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH8NSJCgwF
Ophelia Gaunt has lived her 7 years of life secluded in her mother’s bubble. Safety would always come first, next secrecy and happiness was last. She always found joy in the smallest things: the wind’s breeze on a fresh morning after raining, flowers blossoming under her watch and the little tricks she could do.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqTLM1v1CQ
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbvQurJQKt
Much like Dumbledore asked, Ophelia avoided thinking of the man that killed her mother and slowly forgot how he looked or sounded.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPs8Khvzs6
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3BtjYIVhZ
Unfortunately, peculiar things were happening to her: from time to time, lights would licker in her room or fire would arise from nowhere. It depended a lot on her moods and the way she was treated. The nurses were nice women but very strict while the other children were always messing around. That was how one year passed for Ophelia. Eventless.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6ecdkfTpD
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2EWZvi38c
Then, during a fieldtrip to Aviemore, something happened.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECt4khORrg
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXQuCWBITh
“I bet you don’t have the courage to enter the forest.” One boy taunted his friend.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGXqyb9stO
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbXaqNMZ9r
“They say it’s haunted. Not even you can enter, Paul.” A slightly shorter and more fragile looking boy combated.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVv46Jr0hZ
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDuO96kI7o
Paul raised an eyebrow and bloated with pride, “My father was an archeologist. He died in an expedition in Egypt. Bravery is a family trait, Marcus.”1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc15xcBAIgP
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXUCFbMCgQ
The other children whispered to each other, eager to see who will go in the forest. It wasn’t every day such a competition would arise in Bread of Life orphans. In the end, Paul entered Rothiemurchus Forest alone.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQBc6eKyOd
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjLPgbiX9N
The orphans waited fifteen minutes but no sign of Paul. They waited another half an hour yet nothing. The nurses were already gathering the children to go back to Birmingham and Paul was still gone.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDqUmGRWgX
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmh3o5gtZs
Ophelia was worried, especially with her roommates whispering about the worst kind of stories.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvEsu0b5YH
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzCv9vemZ8
“Maybe the ghosts ate him.” Rosaline, the girl owning the bed next to the door, said.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgWTXiMwFo
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCg8NRJwRaU
“Or maybe the faeries of the forest. I heard this is their favorite spot in Britain.” Evelyn, the girl owning the bed across Ophelia’s, added.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ocCcMx7XG
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpUlxawXln
“Or maybe he got lost.” Ophelia finally said, being more realistic than the others. “We should tell Miss Glenmore about him. She’ll know what to do.”1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CJhMQ97fB
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLRN5M20HT
Marcus came over and grabbed her hand, “Don’t. We’ll get in real trouble and we won’t get dessert anymore.” He said, his widened eyes looking at Ophelia with fear.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PMtxaW7bR
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr3IdCT40M
“But-“She stopped when Miss Glenmore came over and ushered them towards the car.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ799yY3rxUv
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU1E0vToGs
They had to get in line in order to get counted. Ophelia knew sooner or later the nurses will notice Paul’s disappearance but what if it was too late by then? She looked at the forest over her shoulder and felt cold air brush her ankles. Scared yet at the same time worried, Ophelia slipped away from the group and ran into the forest.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqQAsjvKZw
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmfjEBUIvs
It was definitely not what she imagined. With all the stories about ghosts and fairies and horror, the forest looked just like any other. Up close, the vegetation was wilder than in other parts but still under human control and the trees were amazingly tall yet not out of ordinary. As she was walking deeper into the forest, she noticed slight changes that weren’t making much sense. The trees looked like they were growing as she was passing them and their trunks were getting larger and darker. Light was dimming and the vegetation seemed to rarefy. It felt like she was entering a different side of the forest, one that was shifting right in front of her.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRNnOsFJGJ
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGgbMEAPku
She walked over one specific branch and the darkness vanished. It was brighter than normally in Britain and it looked beautiful. Her eyes widened as she spun around, gawping at the perfectly sculptured trees and flowers that were sparkling.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebPI3nSOBI
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LdUvJxoXd
“Pheli? Ophelia! How did you find this place?!” Paul screamed from a few feet towards left.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVaryHbEXo
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzOCOdS9S8
“I just walked and found myself here.”1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQkkBFheOM
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZM4y9Q1L4
Paul’s eyes widened, sparkling with joy and curiosity, “Right?! It’s like a force leads you in here. It’s amazing!”1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWyw7lz7qv
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyC6Gr2Ucn2
“But what if it’s the fairies? This looks like a perfect spot for them.” She whispered, her eyes narrowing at everything. “It looks like a place from a fairytale.”1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduC090qzeL
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2D1168fJr
But Paul wasn’t listening. He was explaining everything he found out in that hour he was gone. Now that she thought about it, Ophelia remembered why she got in in the first place.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGXiUBYpmQ
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwQTy53GzR
“We have to go back. Miss Glenmore is probably searching for us right now.”1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqK7d50ckX
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8Xqc1qUcL
“I don’t know how. I don’t know which way I came from.” Paul answered simply.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mc7ooNv2O
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVhTbkyuW8
Ophelia looked around and realized she forgot too. She walked back towards the sparkling flowers but there was a tree now, impossible to pass. The forest was so quiet and the sun was so bright that it looked like a painting from the side.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKiRuskH96
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBmQeSAyit
“How do we get back?” She wondered out loud, fear crawling up her spine.
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF9FzqUQrm
An hour passed and two 8 years old orphans were lost in the forest. Miss Glenmore called the police and the locals paired up in two searching groups. But for some reason, they couldn’t find the orphans. Two hours passed and Paul’s stomach was grumbling so loud that even Ophelia felt hungry. Three hours passed and Ophelia swore she saw something move from the corner of her eye.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0x8qOj38uq
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWyPBvNOK3
The brunette girl got up and went back in front of the sparkling flowers. She crouched in front of them and plucked one off. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously when the bulb coughed pollen on her shirt and fell limp. Paul walked behind her and gasped. The flowers lost their sparkles and closed their petals. A loud scream filled the forest, coming from distance.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeo0BzBgWh
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSlPMArWKX
“Maybe it’s Miss Glenmore?” Paul asked innocently.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5z7emmcZm
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZXC6QGIZz
Another scream filled the forest, this time closer than before. The wind picked up and the sunlight dimmed. The two children turned towards a particular tree with a dark red trunk. It trembled right in front of them before another scream filled the air. The two glanced at each other before Paul grabbed Ophelia’s hand and ran the other side.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaCWkd6eAu
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLEJFSRWqz
“Wait! The scream came from-“She stopped, another scream coming from a few feet from them.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60U5gUJ3NY
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycs2Pylb00
Paul froze in fear as he searched for a way out. The trees were blocking the paths and flowers were falling limp while the grass became yellow.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO59RRh1BR3
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY658xWJwkl
“Maybe there are ghosts and fairies in here.” He mumbled, his face pale and hands shaking.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjy7bxYE61O
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8eP6aqj4C
Searching for the course of the screams, Ophelia noticed something a few feet obliquely to where they were. She took a few steps and moved the branches aside, aware she might come face to face with something dangerous. Ophelia walked into a clearing that looked pretty much dead. The vegetation was dead and the leaves were rotten, giving off a nasty smell.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgnAeMo3aw
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxKtu4GU4k
Another scream filled the air but it was coming from another side completely. She turned around, ready to run back but something appeared in front of her. Something dark, cloaked, deadly. The air around her became so cold that she could see the vapor from her breathing. Looking at the creature, she felt like she was back in Ireland, hearing her mother die. Then it struck her: the scream was very familiar.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdG8vmc60e
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5QEl1She2
“Ophelia!”1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IDxy2apvH
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqLYNLDGX7
Paul’s voice was faint as the creature flied closer to her and opened a mouth that looked like a hole. She felt the pain surface from the corners of her mind and heart and felt her soul being ripped apart. She opened her mouth and screamed as loud as she could but she couldn’t hear anything.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1zxmDkN7m
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NPMoV5VJG
The pain stopped abruptly when something bright entered the clearing and chased the dark creature away. Her savior was unknown. Ophelia fainted, Dumbledore’s words coming into her mind.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS13bAo2rtN
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7Eyp5qBj8
“Forget the man you saw today. Forget everything and look forward to a better life.”
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQooTTQUSft
Ophelia woke up in the hospital, in Stirling. She was dizzy and couldn’t remember what happened.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchaIMDdV7I
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡye8LKlH2cy
“Dear child, you’re fine. Thank God, you scared everyone.” Miss Glenmore started relief all over her face.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNxNGsc59h
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgTW5XiO38
“What happened? Where are the others?” Ophelia asked confused.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXk5PVFfee
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHVjKWOw9d
“Director Blair took them back to Birmingham. This was supposed to be a fun weekend in Scotland, not a searching party.” She spoke firmly yet softened up when she looked at Ophelia’s drowsy eyes. “Paul is fine. He’s a few doors down, resting. You’re lucky that man showed up. He knew exactly where you two were.” Miss Glenmore added, rubbing Ophelia’s forehead fondly.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SMNDKKu1N
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMo5xyxxokK
“What man?”1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUzgTrOh34
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpKk2f2fj2
“I don’t remember his name but he was very helpful. He led the officers to you and left shortly after. Ah, he did say something! He told me to tell you that he’s concerned for your well being. He advised us to keep a close eye on you.” She continued.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmG8KdrX0s2
1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzrZQJODDT
Ophelia frowned before leaning back and letting her mind wander. Something happened in the forest but she couldn’t remember what or the reason she fainted.
