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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadKUYRmAgc
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNouiLPBHnO
“What is it, Minerva?” He asked, noticing her expression.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvA6mCvssdy
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEEI34fDKy
She only handed him the letter and waited patiently for her colleague to give the announcement.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMm6ttYSYB
Dumbledore read the letter slowly, his blue eyes not widening once at the containment.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIe57DlZbq
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8ABBv3EFY
Dear Professor Dumbledore,1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIS5WFurQlE
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Oz0HtCgEe
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. 1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpNX797s5k
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANvYEyjS3g
I have returned what is not mine and I consider that is the best place to hide something so powerful. 1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUj8KpaoFZ
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTUcW4K8Hn
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVIJvpuplU
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgpJHGYn6I
Please, don’t let her get entangled into his web. Ophelia should never know who her father is. Never. 1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpABTZXOoDV
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FMT0K97NG
Lillian Gaunt1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGU0R2fpWe
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rsi8I58ov
Once he read everything, Dumbledore rushed out of his office, Minerva following closely.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEbxslFSXD
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW72nfXowK
“What should we do now? The child, he can’t get the child.” She said in a hurry.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLPrFhHZP8
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0OndBqNtS
Dumbledore walked out and turned to her before he smiled sadly.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnQ4NzALdF
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgig3jQymoC
“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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NOzv8aXPc
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVuux4vCrb
“What is that supposed to mean? Albus, he can never find her. She’s his opportunity for-“ She stopped, shuddering at the thought.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2VtLoSIit
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfX2WGDM6r
Dumbledore placed a comforting hand on her shoulder before turning around and leaving.
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05YHSAVpgV
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16q9y8n9Mo
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j47GWCzTw
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASE7U4V1hT
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVSL5wYMDS
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjGvIpkpEq
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkEUWVozs9
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIhH2ZSgrL
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsM3gXxUz6O
“Ophelia, my name is Albus Dumbledore. I will help you but you have to promise me something.” He started.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqwxzE3Blg
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6tUpbQfv3
Ophelia seized him up before nodding.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwvQlsFO6O
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlrMhL29hc
“Forget the man you saw today. Forget everything and look forward to a better life. You have to trust me, alright?”1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhUkkkLFUd
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxIIVUUuM7
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWqdj9fI4J
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvPbw9OKji
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.
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKFVlW44f2
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXms3Q0HGn
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzze6D1Ljp
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYk8lmwmz4
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E2vASS9H6
After a few more minutes, Dumbledore looked down at her and smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1kpV7f2OS
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfi72kYMk3
“Trust me, alright?” He told her again.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8qczo68TG
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC18mbEYqHX
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTV1AeXRdH
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XirFkjzqZ
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs4hXdJUTQ
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD00UL5atRp
Much like Dumbledore asked, Ophelia avoided thinking of the man that killed her mother and slowly forgot how he looked or sounded.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFRh7xpRtA
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2uCgNm4US
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2i0XKFRDwM
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCmwLeJXCv
Then, during a fieldtrip to Aviemore, something happened.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRpufnaEam
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIljynDhls
“I bet you don’t have the courage to enter the forest.” One boy taunted his friend.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ReD3W7Ept
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGS3BDn6hR
“They say it’s haunted. Not even you can enter, Paul.” A slightly shorter and more fragile looking boy combated.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOqCLRNsHT
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIMLCTGanW
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.”1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PLt4PGqAy
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPK38n9A5M
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZx0DLD4jt
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5S4UoeJIE
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKWsxvGkTA
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCKfSfHGSy
Ophelia was worried, especially with her roommates whispering about the worst kind of stories.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMKi4IsgeP
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpBV67yHTC
“Maybe the ghosts ate him.” Rosaline, the girl owning the bed next to the door, said.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufv8R9wHId
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVf6YFfZcXQ
“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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiTNdG5p76
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUD9Z4hH2K1
“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.”1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERrKjZWKGz
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35lhiA4wVh
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc96riVcUI
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqklse63cHU
“But-“She stopped when Miss Glenmore came over and ushered them towards the car.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqA2vAESzhu
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxh9oTpkqr
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8zCYs5G6u
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdA5vwcmmhs
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2k8QQVXmK
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tzv7UFreO
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPbTM2EjRD
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQciGxA2l8
“Pheli? Ophelia! How did you find this place?!” Paul screamed from a few feet towards left.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaI6ux1Xnsd
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCqwQTjpvY
“I just walked and found myself here.”1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmB8oXTToy
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBY8KJnPYl
Paul’s eyes widened, sparkling with joy and curiosity, “Right?! It’s like a force leads you in here. It’s amazing!”1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU99k6Txv3
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9i0Lu80VQ
“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.”1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlVRlSaUwR
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXjdbirogc
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwYDl0zR1J
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWO3sVJ7iI
“We have to go back. Miss Glenmore is probably searching for us right now.”1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlRe4ngqlS
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqEnu7LNOD
“I don’t know how. I don’t know which way I came from.” Paul answered simply.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRoSm26EIT
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6qgBpWaFE
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPYwAO6109
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡva3s3vTn8l
“How do we get back?” She wondered out loud, fear crawling up her spine.
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZjTJsYMiR
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtj2Sdq7XOq
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iGRfiQNbE
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWmVSi7s39
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9V6aMMIAL
“Maybe it’s Miss Glenmore?” Paul asked innocently.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Lud3idhnQ
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9hexg5zAG
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbQBiEtmBJ
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8f9SkoAm2
“Wait! The scream came from-“She stopped, another scream coming from a few feet from them.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXj1I9WH2u
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNRZO6jQMO
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYecybNpKpX
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjbblp4pVs
“Maybe there are ghosts and fairies in here.” He mumbled, his face pale and hands shaking.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkH6JW9mDTH
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j25njxo7Z
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWOk8wjotb
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhyRGl7Cb8
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXSnqnRrrS
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hlpek56Uj
“Ophelia!”1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMU4pjDNqya
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk98hUXUNu
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKbHY6T7NP
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5WLujTNbL
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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVPSPe8ilE
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCYHWya9Nw
“Forget the man you saw today. Forget everything and look forward to a better life.”
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPpeoyaYs4
Ophelia woke up in the hospital, in Stirling. She was dizzy and couldn’t remember what happened.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GSg40Cp3V
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7fPlsGLRu
“Dear child, you’re fine. Thank God, you scared everyone.” Miss Glenmore started relief all over her face.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDGOIDlnKq
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMiJu6Vwpp
“What happened? Where are the others?” Ophelia asked confused.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMi9HO8Xgg
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pVjFfcyMG
“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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe5sWxMgVR
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfg85AwlDV8
“What man?”1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKg086Jn1n
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzcqYnwHae
“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.1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZcyLFffOx
1092Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaDXVmd0eP
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.
and then Add to home screen.