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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHiR2JlaPS
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“What is it, Minerva?” He asked, noticing her expression.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa1QxuHcT0
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She only handed him the letter and waited patiently for her colleague to give the announcement.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsPD61hQqz
Dumbledore read the letter slowly, his blue eyes not widening once at the containment.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfwlS7CTyf
1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JjjNqJcD8
Dear Professor Dumbledore,1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeFwg9nXrO
1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T56K3dL7M
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. 1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDDY2v3gsB
1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSJ1tWv6AT
I have returned what is not mine and I consider that is the best place to hide something so powerful. 1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUn1I8vipP
1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdODmUMIlI1
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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFw3GJbSP2
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Please, don’t let her get entangled into his web. Ophelia should never know who her father is. Never. 1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5Ed5ax8Nf
1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2G84oHlmnw
Lillian Gaunt1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCfRaaRoqn
1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzLeWGw4Ff
Once he read everything, Dumbledore rushed out of his office, Minerva following closely.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHA4E5NkUH
1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZadljhZ0D
“What should we do now? The child, he can’t get the child.” She said in a hurry.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrnx3uXYXp
1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvtct4YG10
Dumbledore walked out and turned to her before he smiled sadly.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKp1rHOwyl
1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqq1fPLrE2
“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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazlSvu32X7
1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYugoLMr6W
“What is that supposed to mean? Albus, he can never find her. She’s his opportunity for-“ She stopped, shuddering at the thought.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93ij5PnGqE
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Dumbledore placed a comforting hand on her shoulder before turning around and leaving.
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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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRKTUqr1KU
1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGb6k0m6Eig
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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX32ZGabWrd
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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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsg7jlPGhM
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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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YofGemX73
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“Ophelia, my name is Albus Dumbledore. I will help you but you have to promise me something.” He started.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkVNnSidJA
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Ophelia seized him up before nodding.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ntYXpZyzL
1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJD8ShIPdh
“Forget the man you saw today. Forget everything and look forward to a better life. You have to trust me, alright?”1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouuOIACHdY
1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTaaSDmrXq
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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjM9kGn7py
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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.
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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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Q11mLL7fQ
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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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWs2shbbWF
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After a few more minutes, Dumbledore looked down at her and smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcUIL6J0Zw
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“Trust me, alright?” He told her again.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgjmYvYftM
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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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuROs0NURtA
1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFkns2DTb8
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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd06avu4pKX
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Much like Dumbledore asked, Ophelia avoided thinking of the man that killed her mother and slowly forgot how he looked or sounded.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiZRciYNkt
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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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzMVX1xL3K
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Then, during a fieldtrip to Aviemore, something happened.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFPLT6lnqD
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“I bet you don’t have the courage to enter the forest.” One boy taunted his friend.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0vaRhgdiF
1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdwdjHN4h0
“They say it’s haunted. Not even you can enter, Paul.” A slightly shorter and more fragile looking boy combated.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4I6YDUEnZ
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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.”1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGgc1JCzLL
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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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoy0EFyrTX
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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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtY6NBaSDI
1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MmpgvuYcW
Ophelia was worried, especially with her roommates whispering about the worst kind of stories.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjl1KeJty8i
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“Maybe the ghosts ate him.” Rosaline, the girl owning the bed next to the door, said.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7qnGn0smy
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“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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PnvCoKYaN
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“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.”1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEYDEIlvA3
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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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBggBcVqpu6
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“But-“She stopped when Miss Glenmore came over and ushered them towards the car.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEJaG2ssRp
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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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIiRh9BRj5
1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF3datGKmZ
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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2n8cGLwfNI
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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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraLwpzc8zC
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“Pheli? Ophelia! How did you find this place?!” Paul screamed from a few feet towards left.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRYzC9qgt0
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“I just walked and found myself here.”1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgG3o3Wmj5
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Paul’s eyes widened, sparkling with joy and curiosity, “Right?! It’s like a force leads you in here. It’s amazing!”1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q6zz9pfgx
1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIhdp3LMSR
“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.”1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX73IiIAlov
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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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt88kr2MQrw
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“We have to go back. Miss Glenmore is probably searching for us right now.”1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XR4fKvApL
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“I don’t know how. I don’t know which way I came from.” Paul answered simply.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTa9MtZuf6
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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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvy1NeDuAW
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“How do we get back?” She wondered out loud, fear crawling up her spine.
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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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WhoeGPaEg
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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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuk5O3zfEB
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“Maybe it’s Miss Glenmore?” Paul asked innocently.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAC7VR9j2fJ
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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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuzPu7bjjV
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“Wait! The scream came from-“She stopped, another scream coming from a few feet from them.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXpsRsNULf
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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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmL1tZgh3R
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“Maybe there are ghosts and fairies in here.” He mumbled, his face pale and hands shaking.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQWHpJIOIA
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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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuJUoLGTh8
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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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYTFO9TBTm
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“Ophelia!”1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXL5NCRM0K
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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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dyUZNP1Pq
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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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b4Mq9nX8D
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“Forget the man you saw today. Forget everything and look forward to a better life.”
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Ophelia woke up in the hospital, in Stirling. She was dizzy and couldn’t remember what happened.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibwRx6iXAZ
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“Dear child, you’re fine. Thank God, you scared everyone.” Miss Glenmore started relief all over her face.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLekOD9dE68
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“What happened? Where are the others?” Ophelia asked confused.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdWrZDdKPY
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“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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6WwSLQb4M
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“What man?”1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BfqjW9e01
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“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.1060Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrKqCwKWLQ
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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.
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