Chapter 3
Mum and Dad wouldn't want her to come where they are. At least not yet. Aoife felt as though, she's in a state between half reality and half a dream. But which one is which when you're in a place of total oblivion and void?
No! Aoife scolded herself. Must get up!
Then to her relief, she saw her parents. Walking off in the distance. Aoife ran after them. Calling out for them. It was futile, but she kept trying. Begging them to wait for her. Until her legs gave up and Aoife plopped to the ground. Her hand reaching out for them as they faded away completely
That's when she shot up awake, and into a new surrounding. Aoife inhaled and exhaled rather hard. She's alive and back on earth. Aoife observed the place. A Victorian style bedroom adorned with dark oak furniture and flower paintings mounted on the faded pastel blue walls. From the tiny hint of ray entering from the window, it must be dawn. Where is she exactly?
Aoife jumped at the opening of the door. Only to see an older woman, slightly plump built entering in.
"Oh, goodness! You're up," she exclaimed. "Stay right where you are. I'll go fetch the others."
Not a moment too soon, the three people from before came in. They must be if remembered correctly, Isaac, Magaly and Hazel.
"Thank heavens you're alive," said a tanned woman with dark brown hair that was pulled back into a sleek bun. "When Isaac brought you in, you were pale as the dead."
Isaac, a young man, whose stature made him appear taller than he was made an uneasy face. As running a finger through his ash blond hair.
"That's enough, Hazel," he said and took an empty chair and placed it by the bed and took a seat. "Can you tell us who you are?"
Aoife opened her mouth to speak. However, halted herself. Not wanting to give away any sensitive information.
"You don't have to worry," assured the second woman, Magaly with an olive complexion and black hair pulled into a side plait. "We too come from a line of wizard-kind."
Aoife sighed in relief and finally spoke. At least she doesn't have to keep one thing hidden from them. "Let's just say I have traveled a long way to start afresh a new life."
Isaac narrowed his blue eyes. "Are you British?"
"You - you can say that," Aoife replied hesitantly.
Of course her figure of speech would sound foreign to these people. As she is now in a new country. Hell, a totally different continent so to speak.
"Hmmh, wait until you meet Andrew," Hazel smiled. "He is too. Though the Cockney accent not so much prominent anymore."
"Be that as in may," Magaly continued. "You can tell us your name, so we can address you properly."
Aoife thought. Should she give her real name? Thinking of the outcome of everyone back home. No! Why should she care now? But still, in order to avoid discovery.
I'm sorry, Daddy, she silently said to him.
"My name's Aoife, Aoife Branson," hoping it came out as confidently as she could've mustered. Deciding to keep her first name.
Going forward, she is no longer a Braithwaite, but a Branson.
***
Word traveled through the corners of Hogwarts about the upcoming Triwizard Tournament taking place. Only students at least seventeen years of age can enter. Many of the younger students weren't happy about this arrangement, while the older students who were of age seemed they couldn't care less. Though the ones who did care were coming up ways to enter. Ways to get past the age line.
Fred and George especially are eager to enter, since there is a prize money involved. Which would help them with their inventions and products. The two were still young, but of course that won't stop them from coming up ways to enter the tournament.
Then in other news, there was a new DADA teacher. Aoife was sure going to miss Professor Lupin, but she was curious to see how good of a teacher a former auror is going to be.
Her thoughts come to an end when there is a commotion in the outside corridors. Aoife goes over to see what's happening. A crowd gathered around. As usual, it's Malfoy taunting Harry, Ron and Hermione.
Malfoy unfortunately noticed Aofie. "Ahh, nice of you join us, Braithwaite. It's ashamed your mum loved fooling around with that scumsucker father of yours. That pretty much makes her ascumsucker's whore, right?"
His useless cronies laughed along. Hermione put a hand on Aoife's shoulder. Mum came from a family of pureblood elitists. But since she defied their very beliefs, even worse sorted into a different house, her parents disowned her by the time she finished school.
Harry didn't hold back for whatever attack he was going to throw on Malfoy. Before he even can, Malfoy got turned into a ... ferret.
Students looked to see it was Mad-Eye Moody.
"That's enough out of you!" said Mad-Eye. Using his wand to move Malfoy up and down and all around. "And for the rest of you, let this be a little demonstration."
Everyone stared in awe at the exhibition in front of them. Aoife and Hermione exchanged glances.
"You're okay?" Hermione asked.
"I'm fine," Aoife assured. "Malfoy's all talk after all."
Hermione nodded in agreement. "Just wish he'd leave us alone."
"Unfortunately, bullies don't," Aoife pointed.
The two girls then returned their attention back to Malfoy's ferret ride.
And in the exact same time, Professor McGonagall comes rushing in. "Professor Moody, what in the name of are you doing?"
"Just a little lesson," he said nonchalantly.
"If that's a student, I demand you change him back," ordered Professor McGonagall. " We never use demonstrations on another student!"
Professor Moody sighed and changed Malfoy back to a human. Malfoy, cowering from a ball got up and ran away. Crabbe and Goyle followed after him. Not caring if the students around to witness guffawed at the scene.
"You okay, Aoife?" Harry asked.
"I'm fine," Aoife replied. "He never learns anyway."
"No, he doesn't," followed Ron. "We really shouldn't mind him any attention. Since he's pigheaded as always."
That statement alone about earned a chuckle from the group.
~~~
School work began to pile up as the days went. How can anyone find any time to at least complete one assignment? Also in other news, Hogwarts was expecting visitors, so staff were making sure everything was in tip top order and clean. That must be with the Triwizard tournament.
Aoife went the library to return a few books. She found Hermione in there as usual. Hermione this year was starting an elves rights campaign. Despite the protests from the students telling her the elves actually like working here, she still wanted to advocate for them.
"Hey, Hermione," Aoife greeted. "How's the research?"
"Oh, hi, Aoife," Hermione responded back. "It's no simple conjuring spell, but I'm really determined to help these creatures lead a better life."
Aoife twiddled her thumbs. Not that she disagreed with Hermione, but the elves seemed happier at Hogwarts. Dobby especially. Hermione won't even hear a word of it with from anyone telling her otherwise.
"Will you join?" Hermione asked hopefully.
Aoife thought. Anything for a good cause. "Why not? And if I may suggest, why don't you talk to the elves themselves? But don't make it obvious."
"Good idea," Hermione considered. "If only everyone could at least understand what I'm trying to accomplish."
Aoife again thought. This time searching for the right words to say. "I guess it's because those of us who were born and brought up in the wizarding world have a different or rather a fixed perspective from what muggleborn would? Not everyone here tends to see things diversely."
Hermione nodded in agreement. "Well, I'm about to change that. These creatures deserve better."
"And that they do," Aoife returned.
***
"So, Miss Branson," began Isaac. "Do you have parents, family we can get in contact with to let them know about your whereabouts?"
Aoife winced at her new chosen name. It's going to take a while for her to get used to it. "I don't. I lost my parents in the war."
"Oh, that's right," said Magaly. "We've all heard about it across the seas. Good heavens he's no more or who knows what would have happened."
"We're very sorry about your loss," added Hazel.
Aoife didn't say anything. What can you aside from the usual thank you or it's okay? Not to mention to a group of complete strangers. Seems like the news of The Battle of Hogwarts made its way all over the globe by now. Magaly is right. What would happen if Voldemort did win?
"All right, you three," began the older woman, Dianne. "I'm sure Miss Branson doesn't want to revisit a painful moment. Why don't we let her eat? She obviously hasn't eaten in days."
Aoife stared at the meal placed on the bed-tray. Butternut squash soup and sliced toasted batard.
"I told Dianne to make it," smiled Magaly. "You strike Hazel and me as a vegetarian."
"Not that they were playing a game with your identity," commented Issac.
The two young women glared at him. Though he shrugged them off without a care.
"No matter," said Dianne. To Aoife: "Please do eat up, Miss Branson. And afterwards we can discuss your plans."
Aoife took dainty sips of the soup. Not sure if it's the hunger, but this was the best tasting soup she's ever had.
Magaly moved Aoife's hair out of the way by tying it up in a ponytail. "It's good, isn't it? Dianne makes the best dishes."
"And we've told Andrew about you," Hazel added. "He seemed pleased to hear about another British person. I think you two will get along great."
Aoife can only wonder from the inkling of sheer thought.