Chapter 4
[TW: Mention of loss of spouse and parents, alcohol consumption / suicide]
***
The entirety of Hogwarts was decorated head to toe due for the expected visitors coming today. Dumbledore did state they will be from two wizarding schools. Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. Anything to impress the guests when you're the host.
With that given moment, students swarmed outside the corridors to see a huge carriage in the air carried by pegasus. Aoife included was amazed by the sight.
Ginny joined her side. "Looks like they're finally here."
"Yes, I guess they are," Aoife nodded.
People were getting out of the carriage as Dumbledore approached a woman. And with the woman stepped out a tall girl who plastered on a haughty expression. The girl observed Hogwarts as Dumbledore seemed to commented on something to which she laughed.
"No one's making you stay," said Hermione bitterly.
"Me-ow, Hermione," Ginny teased. "What did she even do?"
The others around snickered. Except for Hermione who just creased her eyebrows.
Ron interjected. "She likes to have personal bone to pick with people at any given chance. Isn't that so, Hermione?"
He then nudges her. In response she sighed and shook her head.
"Look, a ship!" exclaimed suddenly Lee Jordan.
Everyone reverted their attention back out to see a ship submerged out from the waters. Good thing Aoife had one of the better view to catch such a sight. While other students shoved one another to at least get a decent sight.
"Not something you see every day," crept in a voice, pointing at the ship. Trying to scoot forward for a closer observation.
The person almost toppling over that they grabbed her arm for support. That person ended up being George Weasley once again.
"Oh, sorry!" he apologized. "Seems like we keep having this little run ins,"
"Seems so," Aoife said shyly.
George eyed on the SPEW badge pinned on Aoife's robes. "And looks like Hermione forced you on her little organization as well, huh?"
Aoife pursed her lips together. "I wouldn't say force ..."
"I can help turn that into a Weasleys' Wizards Wheezes badge if you want," he offered.
Before Aoife can utter a reply, her eyes shifted to his hand still holding onto her arm. Her cheeks flushed a twinge of pink. By the sight of it, George also took notice. His mouth hung open, but no audible words came out.
Except for maybe a soundless, 'oh'!
"S-s-sorry," his face also a flush of red as he let go of her arm.
"It's okay," she reassured and rubbing her arm in a discreet manner.
Not that it hurt or anything, which it didn't.
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Anyway, about the badge -"
"Oi, Georgie," hollered a voice that belonged to Fred. "What did I say about flirting with the customers?"
George scoffed, shifting his attention to his twin. "I was not! I was only ..."
The rest of his sentence became muffled when Aoife slowly moved away without getting noticed again in the same discreet manner. While rubbing that arm with her other hand.
"Oh my God, it's Viktor Krum!" someone shouted.
Aoife was able to see him. Viktor Krum right here at Hogwarts.
~~~
Once everyone was seated in the Great Hall, the students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang made their way in. They appeared different from the students of Hogwarts. The Durmstrang students were all serious and might one say, disciplined? While the Beauxbatons students were more poised and polished.
"These look new," said Luna, who sat across pointed at the foreign dishes placed in front of them.
"It's probably to make them feel welcome," Aoife suggested.
One of the Beauxtons girls, the same girl Hermione had a disdain of sat right next to Aoife. "Hello," she greeted. Her silvery blonde hair was set free now alongside piercing blue eyes to match.
"Bonjour," Aoife braved.
The girl giggled. "Oh, you are so cute. Like a doll, and your hair is so pretty."
She twirled Aoife's hair around with her forefinger
"Thank you," Aoife stammered a little.
Noticing the boys around the table ogling at the girl, who happened to pay no mind.
"I'm Fleur by the way," the girl introduced herself.
"I'm Aoife," she returned. "and this is Luna."
"We hope you enjoy your stay," added Luna.
Fleur just smiled. "Ahh, bouillabaisse!" and started filling her bowl with the soup filled with variety of fish and clams.
Luna helped herself to some Shepard's pie, while Aoifa filled her bowl with potato leek soup, topping off with some roasted vegetables that were also served. She looked at the SPEW button Hermione gave her. She's definitely making a huge protest about not eating the meals prepared by the elves. Harry and Ron tried their best to convince her to eat because she can't just starve herself to prove a point.
The elves might take it as an insult if a student refuses to even eat anything prepared by them.
Aoife took the first taste of her soup. Delicious.
***
It's been a full week since Aoife had complete bed rest. Dianne gave the okay she can walk around a bit. As exploring the rest of the house, Aoife observed the cleanliness feel that nothing's been touched. Once she got into the sitting room and welcomed to a nice roaring fire. Aoife sat right in front to take in the warmth.
"Nice to see you up and about," said Dianne entering in with a pot of tea on a tray.
"It feels good finally to do so," Aoife responded, helping her set tray on the table. "Where are the others?"
"On their daily tasks for the day," Dianne poured herself tea into one of the cups.
Aoife noticed a picture of a man and a woman with Isaac, Hazel and Magaly as children.
"That's Mr. and Mrs. Goodwind with the three of them when they were little," Dianne said.
Aoife turned back to Dianne. "Are they still ..."
Having a feeling that they aren't. Not one word was spoken of the pair.
"Unfortunately, no," Dianne sighed. "You see, all three of them are adopted. Mrs. Goodwind suffered from a blood curse. Afraid it'll pass down to her own, she and Mr. Goodwind decided to adopt. All three as infants. Magaly and Hazel are cousins and Isaac was found in a cardboard box ashore with a note written, 'unnatural child'."
This poor woman; a blood curse can do so much harm. Especially when it's hereditary. Aoife couldn't imagine the pain and thought of it all.
Dianne continued. "Sadly, Mrs. Goodwind succumbed to the blood curse and poor Mr. Goodwind took her loss the hardest, that he drowned himself in alcohol."
As if it were any more possible for Aoife's heart to sink in any farther than it can. It's so unimaginable the pain of the husband and the children not to mention.
"I'm sorry," she apologized. "I should've never asked. It's too personal for you to share."
Dianne laughed softly. "Oh, no, dear. No need to fret. I've worked with the family for years, and then Andrew came along. Who was a big help. Still is. Not often we get visitors. But what about you, Miss Branson? Hazel and Magaly theorized about you running away from your home due to an unruly marriage proposal or an unrequited love."
Aoife stifled a laugh. "You can say something of that sort."
How right they were, was the amazing part.
"Miss Branson, you're up!" Hazel entered with Magaly by her side. "We're so glad you're feeling well."
"Better now," Aoife assured.
"With Dianne's permission, we'd like for you to have a walk with us," Magaly smiled.
The two sisters including Aoife turned to Dianne's approval.
"I suppose it's all right," she took a sip of her tea. "But make sure to wear something warm. You know how cold it gets around here."
"Terrific!" Magaly clapped and took Aoife's hand. "Come, Miss Branson. We'll show you around Newfoundland."
"I'm quite looking forward to it," Aoife grabbed her cloak. "And for the record, you can just call me Aoife."
More or so having to do with her new chosen name. Something that she needs to get use to. Anything to avoid being found. Then again, maybe he won't do so. Aoife shook her head. Have to work on blocking him from her thoughts from now on.
Magaly smiled widely. "Great! Because I was hoping we'd be in a first name basis."
"Let's get on then, ladies," Hazel urged.
Three then headed on out. Aoife could see these folks lived in what their version of the moors would be. A humble quaint area for what is showcased. Aoife clung tightly onto her cloak.
"So, Aoife," began Magaly. "What brings you here?"
Aoife searched for the most plausible answer she can manage. But should also be the truth in there. "My parents are passed, so I thought I should start a new life somewhere new. And I've got no other family."
Well, Mum's side are still living for the most part. A good chunk of them are in Azkaban, while the rest don't want anything to do with a blood traitor's child. So there's that. And their little theory to top it all off.
"No matter," said Hazel. "We want you to meet Andrew, since you know. You two are from the same place."
"Can't hardly wait," Aoife smiled softly.
"He must be at the sanctuary with Isaac," Hazel suggested.
The two sisters practically dragged Aoife to the sanctuary with excitement. Quite eager they were for her to meet this Andrew person.
"We are here," Magaly declared.
The sanctuary was an old rundown and a ramshackle of an exterior. At the same time not at all broken. Three stories high, surprisingly.
"It's to trick the muggles from going in," Magaly continued to explain.
Of course! That makes sense.
Once the three entered inside, the interior was a different story. Almost resembling an art museum. From the moving pictures replicating muggle paintings and the whole set up looking like a classroom.
"Isaac, Andrew," Hazel called for them. "Isaac, Andrew?"
"In here!" Isaac hollered back.
Aoife, Hazel and Magaly went over to the back room where they saw the two men fixing on some sort of contraption. Isaac stopped on his tracks when he noticed the pair of eyes staring back at him. However, Andrew was still focused on his task.
"Ahh," Isaac paused. "Nice of you to join us, Miss -"
"You can just call her Aoife, Iz," interjected Hazel.
"Well, in that case," Isaac began. "Nice to see you in good health, Aoife."
"Thank you," Aoife responded.
Isaac nodded in return and then turned to Andrew.
"Hey, Andy. Stop being rude," he whacked a rolled up newspaper on his head. "We have a guest, so greet her properly."
Andrew stopped what he was doing and got up at Isaac's command. And there stood a man, about some years younger than Aoife's parents. Tall, about five centimeters taller than Fred and George?
When her gaze met with Andrew's, his smile instantly fell. Mouth turned slightly agape, his green eyes widened; the entire expression showcasing as if he were a muggle who's seen a ghost.
Why is he looking at her like that?
"Andy?" Isaac furrowed his brows in confusion. "Is everything all right?"
Andrew shook his head, running fingers through his wavy auburn hair. Trying to avoid meeting Aoife's face. "Sorry, I ... uumm ..."
Without finishing the rest of his sentence, he hightailed out the door. Not glancing back.
"Andrew, where are you going?" Hazel called out for him. "Andrew!"
Only to earn a response of a slammed door. Making the others jump.
"What the hell was that?" questioned Isaac. "What's gotten into him?"
"I don't know," Magaly followed. "He got all strange when he saw Aoife."
Just as lost as they were. Even Aoife couldn't comprehend what just happened. Why did he just ran out like that when seeing her?