Hogwarts stood over her. In her ancient glory. Despair finally fled Gina's lungs. The despair which came with being apart from the one you loved. She had gone through quite a bit to come back home.

___

A shock ran up her arm. It panged so deeply, a cry escaped her mouth. A group of students snickered in the back. How was pain something to revel in? She gritted her teeth against the oncoming tears.

This was the fourth shock today. All Gina had done was answer the question wrong. People make mistakes. She had been distracted by the obviously loud comments made about her in the back of the class.

She 'earned' her first shock when she forgot to speak Bulgarian. Four days back, she began learning Bulgarian. She picked up some words from around her and did her best to get along with her teachers. Still, they didn't excuse a slip-up.

The second shock came with speaking out of turn. Gina couldn't help it. The boy had said something insanely misguided about the use of charms. To her, charms were useful and non-violent. Apparently, that's what was wrong with charms, according to the boy. It wasn't violent enough.

Her teacher had pretended Gina had the audacity to consider that it wasn't. Cue to the third shock.

She could admit there was something compelling about a bit of old-fashioned aggression.

Still, this school ran rampant with it. Where these violent ideals had hailed from? Bulgaria was peaceful as far as she had seen. Was it just this school and its obsession with the dark arts?

At the end of the day, she told herself to tread lightly. These walls were too hostile for her to be herself within them. This was a school which fostered darkness. Gellert Grindelwald himself had gone to this school. She had to be silent. She didn't want to be but she had to.

This plan of hers didn't go as smoothly as she had predicted.

Her teachers must have some kind of union where they discuss the most helpless students. Because the next day, she had more shock treatments. They purposefully goaded her. She didn't fall for it. They took this as her being vindictive and shocked her anyway.

After classes, she curled up on her bed. Except her, there was no one there. She wished for the comforting faces of her friends in this dark room. For their words of comfort and 'fuck them'.

She braced herself for the next round of punishment and the next. And the one ensuing that. It kept going for a week. She holed herself in the room each night. Nursing her reddened skin where the wand touched it.

She wanted to tell her parents to come back. She would right away. Sadly, sending letters weren't allowed until the weekend. Which was a day away. How long will it take for them to rescue her; days, weeks? She couldn't take it any longer.

The next day, a girl her age arrived with more surprises. She came in before breakfast, telling Gina to come to the Headmaster's Office. Fear had tainted Gina's head with the most terrible thoughts.

She was to be punished for being rebellious. Maybe she will be given something worse than little shocks. Her skin twinged in reply. Gathering her wits and her courage, she walked to the office.

Two familiar figures waited in the chairs outside. Her parents. Her mother with her hazel eyes and her father with his warm grin. Their faces broke out in smiles. Gina wanted to sob in their arms.

She settled for hugging them.

"Mum, Dad, what are you doing here?" she asked.

"Your headmaster called us here," her father answered. "Do you know why he did? "

She did. Right when she was about to open her mouth, the door opened. A woman wearing horn-rimmed glasses gestured them in. They entered a wide room with a large set of doors on one side and the secretary's desk on the other.

By themselves the doors swung open. Showing a thin man standing in front of his desk. His black beard had wisps of white in it and it curved around his cold smile. Headmaster Karkaroff.

He shook hands with her parents and asked them to sit. She expected Karkaroff to sneer at her. Like the others at this ridiculous school. Only for him to treat her as she was a fly on the wall.. 

She pondered how long it would take for that beard to burn away.

"Mrs. and Mr. Santiago, your daughter has been disrespectful to the faculty of the school," he stated.

Hopefully the beard would burn slowly and painfully.

Her parents shot her confused expressions. Fortunately, they didn't immediately fall for his lies. Gina released a relieved breath. Karkaroff went on about how she didn't fit the values of this school and she kept on insulting their authority.

Her father raised his eyebrows. "Gina isn't the type to do that. She was a very well-behaved student at Hogwarts," he turned to her. "Gina, what do you think?"

All heads swiveled to her, giving her more attention than she wanted. She opened her mouth to be interrupted by Professor Karkaoff. "Well, she will just lie to you! You can't know what she is saying!" he exclaimed, mustache twitching.

Gina tried not to glare at the man who was vilifying her in front of her parents. The nerve. She had the perfect response on her tongue. Leaning forward, she suggested. "Perhaps, we should get some Veritaserum. You must have some for these types of situations.

She didn't know where this bravado had come from. Was it from the first week at a school which despised her? Or she wanted to be free of it so urgently. Both, it must be.

"Well...I don't waste...such resources..." he gave a meaningful look to her parents. "The word of the faculty must be more important than a student. They generally tell lies, don't they?"

Her mother's slitted eyes darted between him and Gina. She was catching on. "I don't know about you, Professor Karkaroff. But, I respect my child's word," she tipped her chin up, an act of defiance.

Gina concealed her grin.

"I would like Gina to tell her side," her father spoke, smiling at his daughter.

Gina wanted so badly to tell them everything. The shocks. The barely veiled hatred. How she felt like the worse could happen to her if she stayed here. It felt overwhelming to think about saying it. Especially with Karkaroff as a witness. She settled for a simple statement. "I don't feel safe here."

Karkaroff scoffed. Like she was being a bratty teenager. "Your staff is very vicious," she added.

"You don't know what is vicious, my child," he replied, teeth bared, garnering gasps from her parents.

They stood up in a hurry, pushing their chairs back. Her mother placed a hand on her shoulder. Without a word, they left the room. Forsaking it. Steam flew out her father's ears. He clenched and unclenched his hand.

"Go pack your trunk, Gina," her mother spoke, anger burning in every word. "We'll take care of your transfers."

They didn't have to tell her twice. Gina sprinted up to the dormitory. On the way she bumped into the girls who had approached her at the beginning of the week. They fixed her with sneers, resembling a group of snakes.

"You got into trouble with Karkaroff," the blonde girl stated with a haughty laugh.

"Yeah, I did," Gina's bravado returned at full force. "And I am very happy about it."

She moved closer to the group, so they could notice her fear was absent today. She lifted her chin up. Mirroring her mother's from moments ago. The girls backed away. Their mouths poised in a snarl. "You're a fool. A big, worthless fool from nowhere. Not powerful. Never ruthless," the blonde girl spoke.

Gina pulled out her wand. She pointed it at them. The tip crackled with red as her boldness. "You want me to prove it?"

The blonde girl's lip quivered slightly. She scowled and spun on her heels. Her friends followed her out. Not before glaring at her one last time. Gina smirked at their disappearing fur coats. No one gets to mess with her and get away with it.

___

Amara was bored out of her skull. In spite of the piles and piles of homework and lessons perched next to her. She wanted to drift along the school grounds. Visit the library. It was a shame she had spent hardly anytime there.

Madam Pomfrey informed her that she was getting better. She might be out of here this week. She was desperate to leave this wretched bed behind. She missed Athena. Cats were not allowed in the wing unless they were hurt.

Forlorn, she stared out the window. The sun was high in the sky. Her friends were still in class. She would do anything for some excitement. By some ridiculous coincidence, an owl hit the window. It slid down the glass. Amara winced.

She glanced around and checked if Madam Pomfrey was there. She wasn't. Creeping towards the window, she used her wand to make the window click open. The owl flew into the room. It's flying wobbly and feathers in disarray.

It landed on the floor and fell sideways.

"Oh, dear," Amara giggled, helping the owl back onto its feet.

Amara retrieved an envelope from its beak. She turned over the envelope to see who it was from. Zane Shacklebolt. With no hesitation, she tore it open. She was about to send the owl on his way when another owl swooped into the room.

Except this owl was larger. In its beak hung a large wicker basket. Merlin's beard, her father must have sent her a care package. She thanked the owls, watching them shoot into the blue sky.

Her fingers quivered as it unfolded the letter.

She missed her father. After two months of staying with him, her heart felt sick to be far from him. They had been apart for too long last year. This time around it was worse as it added to the melancholy from not having Madeline around. She knew now she could easily lose someone she loved.

First it was Madeline, with James right behind her.

Madeline. The word was ash in her mouth. The remnants of a fire long gone. Her sister. How come she had a sister ever in her life? With her being gone for months, her past presence ebbed away to the point of Amara wondering if she imagined her sister.

Her face could never appear clear in her mind. No matter how hard she squeezed her eyes shut. All she knew was she had skin brown as an oak tree. And her eyes, brown, borrowed from their father. Her hair were always in these magnificent coils or braids.

Yet the image was fuzzy. Amara hadn't spoken to her in eons. She had been so furious at her for leaving them out of her life and eloping. Worst of all was how she reacted to Amara's sadness. Like it wasn't stone cold grief

She turned her attention to the letter.

'Dear Amara,

I got a letter saying you were severely dehydrated and in the hospital wing. I want you to take good care of yourself. I am often worried about you. Without your sister, I know you feel alone and sad. But I hope you know I love you. 

I didn't only want to check up on you. I tried contacting Madeline.'

Her breath caught. Zane never spoke at length about Madeline's absence. She thought he was going to wait for Madeline to talk to them first. He must have decided the tactic hadn't a thing to show for it.

I didn't tell you because I didn't want to get your hopes up. However, I also want you to attempt contacting her. Because I have been searching the Ministry's database (an idea which I got from you) to find some clue of her whereabouts. Nothing has come up but I don't want to give up hope.

Write her letter and be nice in it. Please.

With that already said, I want to tell you I miss you so much. I am happy that this year you get to come home for Christmas. Emily and I will be happy to welcome you home.

P.S Emily says hi and says she will send cookies to you soon!

Love, Dad'

Amara clutched the letter to her chest. It held the weight of so many emotions. She took a spare piece of parchment from next to her and jotted down a reply. She folded it and set it on her bedside table. Camilla and Rose would send it for her tomorrow.

Now on to the basket! Her father hadn't mentioned it in the letter. She hoisted it on to her lap. It was covered in some gingham patterned cloth. Amara uncovered it. As soon as she did, confetti exploded from it.

All different colours, they fell around her. How magical. Amara noticed the confetti disappearing when it hit the ground. That was a lovely touch. She wouldn't have to clean it up now.

She wondered what other surprises awaited her.

A smile spread across her face.

All her favourite things were in this basket. Licorice wands, two novels, a bar of chocolate, and a get well soon card. The card had a cat walking around the words, "Get Well Soon" on the cover. Amara picked up one of the novels.

Esmelda Coleman was the author of two of them.

How did her father know she liked these author's books? She never owned any of them or told him. She solely borrowed these books from the Hogwarts Library. Esmelda Coleman was a popular witch author who wrote about the lives of Muggles except from her perspective. She wasn't a half-blood or muggle born so it made for an interesting series.

Amara opened the card. Maybe one of her friends had sent it. Inside the card were more cats. All purring and meowing. Amara giggled. How adorable. She searched for a signature but nothing was there.

Well, this was strange. Who sent this to her? It couldn't be her father. He would sign it. Perhaps she should ask her friends. They could have sent it with the assumption she will know it was from them.

___

"We didn't send this, Amara!" Camilla exclaimed, lying at the foot of her bed.

Amara's legs dangled on the edge. She was puzzled. Who would send it? It couldn't be the twins. No way. She didn't know what to do. She couldn't send it back; there was no return address.

"I have no idea who sent it," Amara handed Rose the card, who awed at its cuteness. "I would like to thank them. Or..."

"Or what?" Camilla ogled the licorice wands, holding too tightly to the basket.

"Or give it back!" Amara wrenched the basket from Camilla's grasp. "It could be some creep who follows me around or...or..."

"Or what?" This time Rose challenged her, raising an eyebrow.

"Or a stalker! Would you accept something from a stalker?"

Her friends laughed. Amara slapped Rose's arm. "You don't have a stalker. Someone one must have forgotten to write a name. Or..." Camilla paused, a smirking lifting the corners of her mouth.

Amara stared at her, leg bouncing up and down.

"You have a secret admirer."

"Bullshit!" Amara refuted.

Rose held up her hand, looking far off to the distance. "No, it makes sense!"

Amara slapped her forehead. If Gina was here, she would make some sense. Actually, she was as deluded as them. Forget that. Now she had to listen to her friends' unhinged theories about the basket. What was a thoughtful basket became something she wanted to chuck out the window.

"It can't be George," Camilla's face scrunched up. "Can it be Fred?"

Amara was about to retort however Rose cut her off.

"Definitely not. George is too prideful to do such a thing. James doesn't know this, right?"

"No. Gina doesn't either," Camilla's finger jabbed at Amara. "Unless...Amara, do you know any boy...or girl...who likes you?"

Exhausted with this lunacy, she shrugged.

"Hmm...Shame I don't know how to do the finding spell, yet."

Amara picked up the packet of licorice wands. She bit the top of it, ferociously. She wanted to enjoy the basket without overthinking. Here came her friends, doing it for her. Merlin's beard. She had to stop this.

"Why don't we not care?" Amara offered the wands to her friends, who each took one.

Too taken by this mystery, Camilla protested.

"Amara! Aren't you a bit intrigued by all this? A basket of your favourite things arrive, without a note. Just..." she tapped her chin, waiting for the perfect word to come to her. "Love."

"You're reading too much into this," Amara picked up the book, fluttering through the pages. "It's only a gift. If the person wants to come forward, they will. So, calm down."

Their mouths nibbling licorice punctuated the quiet which followed. Clearly, they had more feelings on the subject. Before they could add anything, Amara changed the topic, asking about what happened in their classes. Nothing much had occurred save for piles of homework and heaps of pressure.

The teachers were keen on letting the students know NEWTS were very, very crucial. Amara knew that. Staying in this hospital wing made this all the more excruciating. She was too tired and unmotivated to do all of the work. She had fallen behind a bit.

Hours later, the night sky announced its presence, painting the sky a deep purple. Rose and Camilla had to leave. She waved her friends off to dinner.

She was unhappy to see them go.

Not many crossed this part of the wing. The one companion she had was the occasional owl which roosted outside her window. She sighed, gazing at the basket. The books' gleaming covers called out to her loneliness. Amara answered back, choosing one.

___

Visions were these pestersome things. They tainted her sleep with reminders. They were an alarm clock you could never shut off. Always ringing. Never failing to remind you that it had more power over you than you did.

The dream began as it always did. The Door hovering in space. Then, more like it materialized. They stood beside each other. Forming a circle. The same words from last time whispered into the air.

Amara thrashed against her mental bonds. She was not going to just watch helplessly. The doors took this as a threat. They started to spin. Slowly, at first. Not unlike people dancing at a wedding. Then, it picked up speed. They spun faster and faster. Becoming a blur she couldn't keep up with it.

Amara pleaded for the dream to stop. She didn't want to do this anymore. Stop. Leave me alone. Go away. The doors didn't relent. They forever spun as her body tossed and turned in the night.

___

Author's note: It's been a long time, readers. Hi. I'm back from the dead. Sorry to have kept you waiting for so long! I actually had these three chapters' first drafts waiting way back in September. But then I kept getting unmotivated because I got sick (Not Covid, thankfully) and personal life stuff. 

But then you guys just came out of nowhere. With your funny and passionate comments. I had to show you guys these chapters! Especially since you guys told me you wanted to read it. So I owe it all to you. 

I hope you enjoyed these chapters! Who do you think the secret admirer is? I think I made it pretty obvious... 

P.S Thanks for adding me to your many reading lists. It makes me so emotional❤❤❤

P.S.S Here's to more Amara and George and the gang in 2021❤❤❤

Love, girlofthunder