The Daughter of Valancaire

The morning sun streamed through the windows, casting a soft golden light across the breakfast table. The scent of fresh bread, eggs, and fruit filled the air, grounding me in the present moment. I was still adjusting to the rhythm of this new life—the feeling of being part of a family again, the sound of my father’s voice, and the weight of the legacy that followed me wherever I went.

As we ate in relative silence, my father cleared his throat, drawing my attention. He had been unusually quiet this morning, his expression pensive. He placed his silver spoon down on the edge of his plate, his dark eyes studying me with a mixture of pride and concern.

"Jessa," he began, his voice steady but layered with thought, "you’ve made remarkable progress in just a short time. But there are things I cannot teach you. Not all of it. Some lessons, you will need to learn at Hogwarts."

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of the school. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where my twin brother, Jace, had been attending for years.

I felt a mix of excitement and hesitation. The idea of being in the same place as Jace—of finally being reunited with my twin—was enough to stir something deep inside me. But then, a rush of uncertainty followed. What would it be like to walk through those halls after everything I’d been through? Would I be accepted as the *same* Jessa Lia Valancaire, the girl who had been lost to the world for seven years?

Before I could voice any of my concerns, my father continued.

"I know you’ve already heard about your brothers. I’ve told you about your older siblings, and your twin, Jace—well, he’s been asking about you almost every day since he first learned you were awake. He’s eager to see you, to know when you’ll be joining him at Hogwarts."

His gaze softened as he looked across the table at me. "But... your mother and I are reluctant to let you go so soon, Jessa. The world outside these walls is vast, and it’s changing. There are forces at play that we are still learning about. And Hogwarts, well... it’s a place for students to grow, to learn about magic and life. But it’s also a place where things happen—things we can’t always control."

I nodded, the weight of his words sinking in. My mind raced with all the things I still didn’t understand. The curse. The magic that ran through my blood. My family’s past. And now... Hogwarts.

"Are you saying I shouldn’t go?" I asked, trying to keep my voice even, though the question trembled on the edge of my lips.

"No," my father said firmly, though there was a touch of hesitation there. "I’m saying it’s a decision that must be made carefully. There’s a lot to consider, Jessa. But we can’t shield you forever. The start of the new term is coming soon. And while we are not entirely ready to send you out into the world, I believe it would be good for you to socialize. You need to meet others—other witches and wizards, some who might help you understand what you're capable of."

My heart clenched. The idea of going to Hogwarts was both thrilling and terrifying. I wanted to know who I could be there, wanted to see my brother again, but something about the idea of stepping into the unknown—of walking the halls where so much had happened while I slept—made me feel unprepared.

"You’re not just any student, Jessa," my father added softly. "You are a Valancaire. And as much as we want to protect you, we also know that you need to face the world—your world—so that you can figure out what role you are meant to play in it."

The silence that followed hung heavy between us. I could feel my mother’s gaze on me, her concern mingling with the love and hope she held for me. She had been quiet this morning, allowing my father to speak, but I knew she was just as invested in this decision.

She broke the silence then, her voice gentle, but filled with conviction. "Jessa, darling, your father’s right. Hogwarts is a place of learning and growth. Yes, there are dangers, but there are also friends to be made, lessons to be learned, and memories to be created. It’s where you’ll find your place in the world. Not just as a Valancaire, but as *you*."

The idea of leaving the safety of the manor—the comfort of my family’s home—was daunting. But I also knew that if I didn’t take this step, I might never be able to grow into the person I needed to become.

"And Jace," my mother added, a smile tugging at her lips as she spoke of him. "He’s been waiting for you, Jessa. Every day, without fail. He’s excited to have you there with him, and I think you’ll both benefit from that connection. You’re twins, after all."

I looked down at my plate, my hands slowly coming to rest on the smooth surface. Jace... *my twin*. The thought of seeing him again, of standing side by side with him at Hogwarts, was a beacon of hope in the midst of all the confusion.

I finally spoke, voice quiet but filled with emotion. "I’m not sure I’m ready."

My father’s gaze softened as he reached across the table, his hand settling gently on mine. "No one is ever ready, Jessa. But sometimes, you have to take that first step. You don’t need to have everything figured out. Just trust that we’ll be with you, every step of the way."

I felt a rush of warmth from his touch, grounding me in a moment that felt too big to process all at once. The weight of my legacy, the curse, the expectations—it all seemed so overwhelming. But I wasn’t alone. I had a family, a twin, and now, a chance to start again.

"Okay," I said finally, my voice firmer than I felt. "I’ll go. I’ll join him at Hogwarts."

My mother’s smile brightened at my words, her eyes filling with pride and tenderness. "You’ll do wonderfully, darling," she said, her voice full of belief.

"We’ll arrange it," my father said, a glimmer of approval in his eyes. "But take your time. We’ll prepare you for what lies ahead."

And so, the decision was made.

The new term at Hogwarts was on the horizon, and with it, a new chapter of my life. A chapter where I would face not only my family’s past but my own future—my own identity—and the world of magic I had so much yet to learn.

---

The week flew by in a blur of emotions and new information. The morning air was crisp and the sun had just begun to climb over the horizon as I sat by the fire in the sitting room, the flicker of the flames casting dancing shadows across the walls. My mother had come to visit me, her usual warmth radiating from her as she handed me a neatly wrapped package.

"Here, darling," she said, her voice soft and full of tenderness. "I thought this might help you as you prepare for Hogwarts."

I took the package from her, my fingers brushing against the delicate, dark green paper. It was heavier than I expected, and I could feel the weight of something substantial inside. I unwrapped it carefully, my heart beating faster in anticipation.

Inside was a thick book, its cover adorned with intricate gold lettering that read, *A History of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry*. I ran my fingers over the cover, feeling the texture of the embossed letters. The book was old, clearly well-loved, with a leather binding that had seen many years of use.

"Your father and I thought it would be a good idea for you to get acquainted with the history of your new school," my mother explained, her smile warm. "There’s so much to learn, but this will give you a start—a foundation for the things to come."

I nodded, clutching the book to my chest for a moment before setting it down on the table beside me. My curiosity was piqued, but before I could open it, my mother handed me a small framed photograph.

It was Jace.

I stared at the image for a long moment, my heart swelling with a mixture of emotions. The picture was clear and vibrant—Jace was standing in front of a large stone archway, wearing his Hogwarts robes. His face was brighter than any other image I had seen before. His eyes were laughing, full of life, with a mischievous glint in them that I knew well, even though I had no memory of him.

I traced the outline of his face with my finger, marveling at the resemblance. He looked so... *alive*, so full of energy, it made something stir deep within me.

He was my twin. And though I didn’t remember him, I could feel the bond between us, as if it pulsed through my veins, the way it was supposed to. It made me long to meet him, to finally stand by his side in the halls of Hogwarts.

But as I studied the photograph, I couldn’t help

 but notice the way he looked so much like my mother. His golden hair, his verdant green eyes, the shape of his face—it was unmistakable.

I glanced back up at my mother, the thought occurring to me again. "It’s amazing," I said slowly, my voice filled with wonder. "All of my brothers... they look so much like you. But I..." I trailed off, glancing at her and then back at the photograph in my hands.

My mother smiled softly, understanding where my thoughts were going. "Yes, my dear. All of your brothers took after me, in one way or another—at least, in terms of our physical appearance. But you, Jessa... you have your father’s looks. You are your father's daughter in more ways than one."

I touched my cheek absentmindedly, thinking about the differences between myself and my brothers. It was true that I had never truly *fit* in with them in terms of appearance. While they shared my mother’s golden hair and bright green eyes, I had always stood out. My hair was dark, too, but it had a deeper, more raven shade, and my eyes, when I looked in the mirror, were sharp and bright—a clear reflection of my father.

I often wondered why, as the only girl, I was the one who had inherited his traits. But as I studied the picture of Jace in my hand, I saw something else. The same mischievous spark in his eyes—the one I thought I remembered in myself—was unmistakably a reflection of the Valancaire bloodline. I felt it in my bones.

My thoughts turned to Jace again, and I found myself wondering where he was now, what he had been up to all this time. He had been sorted into Slytherin, hadn't he? I remembered hearing whispers about it—how, despite being my twin, he had embraced the more ambitious and cunning qualities of the house. 

I couldn’t help but smile softly at the thought. Jace, always the bold one, the one who thrived in the shadows. I would be seeing him soon, and no matter what house I ended up in, I knew that together, we would navigate this strange new world.

"What house do you think I’ll be in?" I asked my mother, the words escaping before I could stop them.

She blinked, surprised by the question. "Oh, darling," she said, her voice tinged with amusement and fondness. "I suppose it’s something you’ll have to discover for yourself. The Sorting Hat will decide where you belong. But knowing you, I can’t imagine you in any house but Gryffindor, or perhaps Ravenclaw. You’re strong-willed and intelligent, Jessa. But then again..." She trailed off, a playful glint in her eyes. "You’ve always been more than what meets the eye, haven’t you?"

I frowned thoughtfully, unsure whether to be flattered or worried by her words. The idea of being sorted into one of the four houses was exciting, but also a little nerve-wracking. The legacy of Hogwarts houses was vast, and each one carried its own weight—its own expectations.

But, as my mother had said, I would have to discover it for myself. And perhaps, in time, I would come to understand where I belonged—not just in terms of a house, but within this new life, in this new world.

Still, my mind kept returning to the question of who I was, what my place was in this family, and what it would mean to be *Jessa Lia Valancaire* in a school filled with history, magic, and students who had already made their marks in the world.

I looked at the book on the table, the words *A History of Hogwarts* calling to me, and I realized that there was so much about the world ahead that I still had to learn. But for now, I felt something new stir in me—a sense of purpose, perhaps even a little bit of excitement.

"I can’t wait to get started," I murmured, my fingers brushing the edges of the book.

My mother smiled, her gaze filled with affection and anticipation. "You’re going to do wonderfully, Jessa. I have no doubt."