Mr. Weasley had sent a letter, yet Professonagall hadn't e looking for the twins but for Eda instead. Even if Magall said nothing, Eda could already guess the reason.

  Eda had always kept the fact that she was a witch a secret from Mrs. Mary. She was afraid that, as a nun, Mrs. Mary wouldn't be able to accept such a shog revetion. The idea was simply too much of a csh with her worldview. Because of this, Eda had never used an owl to tact her.

  Since she had decided to keep it a secret, she did so thhly. Whenever Eda wrote to Mrs. Mary, she sent her letters through the Muggle postal service, disguising herself as a student attending a strictly managed Muggle school.

  During the Christmas holiday, Eda had sent a letter to the orphahrough the post offi St. Catchpole, assuring Mrs. Mary that she was doing well and spending the holiday at the home of a teacher named Weasley. For this, Eda had even specially asked Mr. Weasley for his help.

  If Mrs. Mary ever wao tact Eda, she could only send her letters to the return address. Mr. Weasley would then receive them and have them delivered to Hogwarts by owl.

  It was a bit troublesome, but it was effective—Mrs. Mary and the people at the orphaill had no idea about Eda.

  Even though Eda had always wao cut ties with her past, the thought that something might have happeo Mrs. Mary still made her feel sorrowful. The kied woman had cared for this body for twelve years—such a bond wasn't something she could sever just like that.

  Eda felt a slight sting in her nose as she tried hard to keep her emotions in check. Yet, when she spoke, her voice still trembled untrolbly.

  "Professor… did something happen to Mrs. Mary?

  Being urgently called out of css, this was the only reason Eda could think of. Besides, during Defense Against the Dark Arts css, the illusion jured by the Hinkypunk had shown her a se where Mrs. Mary was sibsp;

  For some reason, Eda seemed to have the uny ability to predifortunate events—good things never came true, but bad ones always did. This only made her even more certain that something had happeo Mrs. Mary. The Hinkypunk's illusion had been a warning.

  And as it turned out, Eda was right. Someone from the orphanage had written to her so-called "teacher," Mr. Weasley, inf him that Mrs. Mary didn't have much time left. They hoped Eda could return to see her o time.

  Professonagall looked at Eda, who was struggling to hold back her tears, with a heartbroken expression. In a gentle voice, she said, "Go pack your things now. I'll take you there…"

  ...

  In the Gryffindirls' dormitory, Eda ged into Muggle clothing, packed her toiletries into her school bag, a aside a set of bck clothing. Other than that, she took nothing else.

  Sihey had left the History of Magic , Professonagall had remained silent. She uood what it felt like to lose someone important in one's life.

  At times like these, any words of fort seemed meaningless.

  Magall also khat no matter what she said now, she wouldn't be able to ease the pain of the young girl beside her—on the trary, she might shatter the st bit of strength Eda was holding onto. Rather than speakiy words, it was better to say nothing at all.

  Once Eda finished pag, the two of them left the castle and walked toward the school gates. She pulled her clothes tighter around herself. It was already May, yet she felt cold. The sunlight she usually loved so muo longer brought her any warmth.

  The two of them stopped outside the school gates. Professonagall would be using Apparition to take Eda directly to the orphanage.

  Magall was aware that the orphanage had relocated, so she wouldn't make the mistake of taking Eda straight to London. However, she didn't know the new address, so she asked, "What's the new location?"

  Eda gave her the address. Upon hearing it, Magall asked again in a slightly puzzled tone, "Surrey?" After Eda firmed it, Magall's expression turned serious. "Hold onto my arm tightly—do not let go!"

  Eda obediently grasped Magall's arm. A moment ter, a loud crag sound echoed through the air, somewhat simir to the backfire of a Muggle car. Their figures disappeared from the empty space outside the school gates.

  The wizarding world truly cked fortable modes of transportation.

  Apparitio like being forcibly squeezed through aremely tight rubber tube. Many people vomited the first time they experie. While unfortable, Apparition was undeniably ve, and it could also be used in bat to cat oppo off guard.

  Of course, Apparition had its drawbacks as well. If used improperly, it could lead to catastrophisequehere were also distand locatioris—the farther the distahe greater the risk. One couldn't simply Apparate anywhere at will.

  Snap~!

  On ay street, two figures—one older, one younger—suddenly appeared. It rofessonagall and Eda, having just materialized from Apparition. Since Magall had never been to the new orphanage, she couldn't take Eda directly there. Instead, she brought Eda to a p Surrey that she was familiar with.

  Oher side of the street stood , identical houses. This was a model neighborhood—, orderly, and picturesque. A street sign by the road read: Surrey, Little Whinging, Privet Drive.

  The new location of the orphanage was near Little Whinging, not too far from Privet Drive. It was close enough for them to walk there directly.

  Eda wasn't in the mood to take in the houses or the streets around her, and as they left Privet Drive, she didn't spare it a sed gnce. Professonagall, however, lingered for a while, staring at one particur house before finally moving on.

  After walking for about an hour, the orphanage finally came into view.

  pared to the one in London, this orphanage looked much better.

  Trees and flowers surrouhe yard, the outdoor py equipment was well-maintained, and a rge group of children in matg uniforms were pying happily uhe watchful eyes of three young women.

  Not far from the orphanage's entrance, Professonagall bid farewell to Eda. Pulling her into a gentle embrace, she reminded her, "Dear, I will send an owl. If you need anything at all, write to me, and I will e immediately."

  "Thank you, Professor." When she had first received the bad news, Eda had lost trol of her emotions. Now, she had mao steady herself—at least on the surface.

  What she didn't realize was that the way she looked now, holding back her emotions, only made her seem even more heart-wreng to those who saw her.

  "Go do what you o do," Magall said softly, running a f hand through Eda's long hair. "Once you've taken care of everything here, I will e and take you ...home."

  After bidding farewell to Professonagall, Eda walked into the orphanage alone.

  A few children who had e from Londnized her immediately. They huddled together, whispering among themselves—nothing but meaningless words like "monster," "cold-blooded," and "what is she doing back here?" Their gossip piqued the curiosity of the other small children, who didn't know Eda but now turheir eyes toward her with i.

  The three young women overseeing the children quickly put ao the chatter. One of them, eared to be the leader, stepped forward and approached Eda.

  "Hello, may I ask who you are?" she inquired.

  "Hello, I'm Esmeralda Twist," Eda replied. "I used to live here with Sister Mary. Is she… is she doing alright?"

  "e with me. The headmistress and Sister Mary have been waiting for you."

  The young woman led Eda io meet them.

  As soon as Eda and the woman disappeared into the building, the children in the yard resumed their whispers. The ones from London tio badmouth Eda, painting her as some kind of freak, a bringer of misfortune, an irredeemable vilin.

  Outside the orphanage, Professonagall had not left immediately after parting with Eda.

  She had lingered, quietly the se.

  She could hear the children's cruel words—words she had already heard before from Sister Mary. But Magall khe truth: Eda was no monster, no cursed child. She was simply a fourteen-year-old girl who had endured more than most.

  Watg Eda disappear into the building, Magall finally turned away. With a sharp crack, she vanished into thin air, leaving behind only a soft whisper in the wind:

  "Hogwarts is your home. There, you have your best friends Fred and Gee, and your other cssmates. You will never be alone again."

  ________________

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