The Daughter of Valancaire

The soft light of early morning filtered through the curtains as Jessa stood in the middle of her room, hands on her hips, staring at the large, open trunk before her. Clothes. So many clothes. Dresses, robes, skirts, blouses—everything her mother had insisted she needed for her first year at Hogwarts, as though she were heading to a grand ball rather than a school of magic.

Her trunk was filled to the brim, and yet, it still seemed like there was more. As she tried to fold a delicate lilac gown for what felt like the tenth time, she sighed in frustration. There was no end to it. How could one person need so many clothes for a single term?

She picked up a dress—a velvet, deep red one—and held it up to examine it again. She could feel her mother’s eye for detail in every stitch. It was beautiful, undoubtedly.

As she bent down to pick up another set of robes, she heard a soft knock on the door.

"Jessa?" Her father’s voice, low and steady, drifted through the door. There was a hint of hesitation in it, as though he wasn’t entirely sure if he should intrude.

She paused, setting the robes down. "Come in, Father," she called, her voice a little softer than she intended. 

The door creaked open, and her father entered. He looked as composed as always—dark hair neatly styled, his tailored robes giving him the air of someone who commanded authority without even trying. But his expression, softer now, betrayed the concern he was feeling. 

He paused in the doorway, studying the scene for a moment, taking in the chaos of her room: the clothes scattered on the bed, the trunk nearly bursting, and Jessa standing amidst it all, clearly overwhelmed.

“I see you’ve been busy,” he said with a faint smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. 

Jessa gave a half-hearted laugh, the sound a bit hollow. "It’s ridiculous, isn't it? I don’t know how I’m supposed to fit all of this in here. I think Mum bought the whole store."

Her father chuckled softly, but there was something more to it—something weighed down with an unspoken worry. He stepped closer, sitting on the edge of the bed and looking at her with a mixture of affection and concern. “I know. Your mother... well, you know how she is. But it’s just her way of wanting you to be prepared. She wants you to feel like you belong.”

Jessa didn’t say anything immediately. She didn’t know if she felt like she belonged. She didn’t know where she belonged. It was hard to explain, especially to him, who had so much faith in their family’s legacy. 

“I’m sorry, Jessa,” her father said quietly, breaking her thoughts. His voice was thick with emotion now, a rare crack in his usually steady demeanor. “I know this is all a lot for you. You’ve had so much taken from you already... so much to catch up on. It must feel like the world is moving so quickly, and you’re still trying to find your place in it.”

Jessa looked down at her hands, suddenly feeling small. She wasn’t sure how to respond. She had never expected to feel so lost in her own family, in her own life.

“I don’t know if I’m ready,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to be anymore...”

Her father’s gaze softened, and he reached out to gently lift her chin, bringing her eyes back to his. “No one is ever truly ready for what comes next, Jessa. Not really. But you’ve always had the strength to face what’s ahead, even when you didn’t know it. Your mother and I—we’ve seen that strength in you, even when you were just a little girl.” 

Jessa swallowed, a lump forming in her throat. She hadn’t felt strong for a long time—not after everything that had happened, not after the years she had lost. The last thing she wanted to do was disappoint him.

“I want to make you proud,” she whispered.

“You already do,” her father said, his voice thick with emotion. "And, Jessa... you don’t need to be anyone other than who you are. You are part of this family. No matter where you go or what happens at Hogwarts, we will always be here for you. You will always be our daughter. And that’s what matters most." 

His words wrapped around her like a blanket, warm and comforting, and for the first time in a long while, Jessa felt a sense of calm settle over her. She had her father’s strength, and her mother’s grace. She didn’t have to carry the weight of her legacy on her own. Not now. Not ever.

“I’m sorry I’m so worried about everything,” she said, her voice thick. “I just... I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Her father smiled, though it was tinged with sadness. "You don’t need to apologize. But I’ll say it again—no matter what happens, know this: you are loved, Jessa. By your mother. By me. By your brothers, even if they are miles away right now. You don’t ever have to carry any of this alone."

Jessa nodded, her chest tight with emotion. Her father reached for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze before standing up. “I know this is overwhelming. But we’ll take it one step at a time, alright? And remember—no matter where you go or who you become, you’ll always have a place with us.”

Jessa stood, feeling the weight of everything that was ahead. But, for the first time in a while, it didn’t feel quite as heavy. There was something grounding about the certainty in his words, about the simple truth of family. 

“I’ll do my best,” she said quietly, meeting his eyes. 

And for the first time in a long time, Jessa felt like she just might be able to. 

Just as her father gave her a final smile and turned to leave, the door swung open again, and her mother walked in. She was carrying a large bundle of shoes, and her face lit up with that ever-present warmth. "Jessa, darling, I think these will be perfect for your school wardrobe," she said cheerfully, carefully laying them out on the bed.

Jessa’s eyes widened, seeing the mountain of shoes her mother had brought. "Mum, that’s... that’s enough shoes to last me three years!"

Her father chuckled from the doorway, his eyebrows raised. "I was just thinking the same thing," he said with a playful grin. "In fact, I’m starting to wonder if your mother’s preparing you for a fashion show, not Hogwarts."

Her mother rolled her eyes but smiled all the same. "A girl needs options, dear. You never know what the weather will be like at Hogwarts. Or what kind of ball they'll have."

Jessa couldn’t help but laugh, despite the overwhelming weight of everything else. With a sigh, she closed her trunk and gave her mother an affectionate look. "Well, I suppose I’ll have to make room for all of this."

Her father gave her one last reassuring look before leaving the room, leaving Jessa to her mother’s packing mission.

As her mother busied herself, carefully arranging everything in the trunk, Jessa glanced out the window, the weight of the day lifting ever so slightly. With her parents by her side, and the love they so freely gave, maybe—just maybe—Hogwarts wouldn’t be so daunting after all. 

---

It was two days before the Sorting Ceremony, and the atmosphere at the manor was thick with bittersweet emotion. The house, usually so vibrant with the sounds of life, felt unusually quiet. The ticking of the grandfather clock in the hallway seemed louder than ever, a constant reminder of how little time was left.

Jessa stood by the window, looking out at the overcast sky, the rain softly tapping against the glass. Her trunk—one of many that had been packed with the countless robes, books, and supplies—had already been sent ahead to Hogwarts. As her mother had pointed out, there was no reason to take everything in one trip. But still, even with her trunk packed and all the necessary things for her first year at school ready to go, Jessa felt a heaviness in her chest.

Her mother had been a wreck for the past few days. Every time Jessa saw her, there were fresh tears, a new wave of emotion as she realized that her only daughter—her baby—was leaving for Hogwarts.

It was a contrast to her father's calm, steady presence. He had always been the rock of the family, and now, more than ever, he seemed to be the one holding it all together.

She could hear her mother’s quiet sobs through the hallway, and her father’s soothing voice trying to console her. “We knew this day would come, Veronica,” he was saying softly, though his voice too seemed tinged with a quiet sadness. “She needs this. You need to let her go.”

Jessa hesitated for a moment before stepping out of her room and down the hall, her heart heavy with the knowledge that her mother was struggling more than she was letting on.

As she neared the sitting room, she found them there—her father, standing tall and composed as always, his hand gently resting on her mother’s shoulder. Veronica’s eyes were red from crying, her golden hair disheveled in a way that Jessa had never seen before.

“It’s only for a term, Veronica,” her father said, his tone soft yet firm. "We’ll visit her. And we’ll write often. You know we will.”

But her mother shook her head, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “It’s not enough, Alaric. I can’t bear the thought of her being so far away. I’ve spent her whole life keeping her close, keeping her safe. How can I just let her go?”

Jessa felt her heart ache at the sight of her mother so vulnerable, so lost in her own sadness. She had never seen her like this before.

"Mother," Jessa said softly, stepping into the room. Her voice trembled slightly, but she was determined to make her mother understand. "I will be alright. I promise. Hogwarts is where I need to be. It’s where I can learn, grow, and—"

But her mother turned to her, her face streaked with tears, her eyes wide with that all-consuming love that only a mother could possess. "I know you’ll be fine, darling. But I don’t want to miss a single moment of your life, not one. The thought of not seeing you every day, of not hearing your laughter—" Her voice broke, and she buried her face in her hands.

Jessa crossed the room in two quick strides and knelt by her mother’s side. "Mum, it’s not forever," she whispered, reaching out to take her mother’s hands gently in hers. "I’ll be back during the holidays. You and Father can visit me at Hogwarts. And I’ll write. I’ll write to you every day if I need to."

Her mother sniffed, looking down at her daughter with a mixture of love and sorrow. “I know, darling. I know. It’s just—everything is changing so quickly. I didn’t hear your voice for seven years, Jessa. Seven years. And now, just when I finally have you back, I have to let you go again." Her words came out in a shaky breath, and Jessa could see the deep ache in her mother’s eyes.

The thought of her mother being without her for so long—of all the time they’d lost, all the silence they’d endured—made Jessa’s heart twist painfully. It was hard to imagine that seven years had passed since she was taken away, and now she was leaving once more. 

She took her mother's hands in both of hers, squeezing them gently. “Mum, I know this is hard. But I’m still here, and I always will be. We’ll write. We’ll visit. And I’ll make sure you know everything that’s happening. I won’t leave you behind, I promise.”

Her mother’s lips trembled as she leaned forward to embrace Jessa, holding her tight. “It’s not the same, darling. I’ve spent so much of my life waiting for this, and now, I have to send you off again. And after everything we’ve been through...” Her voice trailed off, too choked with emotion to finish the thought.

Jessa wrapped her arms around her mother, trying to be strong for both of them. "I’m sorry, Mum. I don’t want to leave you either. But it’s something I need to do."

Her father, who had been silent until now, knelt down beside them, placing a comforting hand on Veronica’s back. "She’s right, Veronica. We’ve prepared her for this. She’s strong, just like you. And she’s ready. We both know that."

Her mother nodded, though it was clear that the sadness hadn’t fully left her. "I just wish it wasn’t so soon," she murmured, wiping her eyes once more.

"I know," Jessa replied, her voice soft but filled with quiet resolve. "But it’s happening. And I’ll make sure to keep you both a part of everything. I’ll never forget where I come from, no matter how far I go."

Her father smiled, his expression softening as he stood and stepped back, allowing Jessa and her mother a moment of quiet togetherness. “We’ll all be fine,” he said quietly. “It’s just one term. And then we’ll be together again. Soon.”

Jessa nodded, trying to push down the lump in her throat. “We will.”

She glanced at the many trunks stacked by the door—already sent off to Hogwarts, ready for her to unpack when she arrived. It was all happening so fast, and the weight of it all was still sinking in.

But with her family by her side, and the promise of visits and letters, maybe—just maybe—she could begin this new chapter without fear.

After all, it was only two more days before the Sorting Ceremony. Only two more days before she would step into the world that had been waiting for her. And no matter how much her mother cried, no matter how much they both wanted to keep her close, Jessa knew that she was ready.

Or, at least, she would be.

-----

The morning sun had barely risen when Jessa stepped outside, her heart beating a little faster than usual. Today was the day. Today, she would leave the safety of her family’s estate and head to Hogwarts. But as she made her way down the steps to the courtyard, she was greeted by a sleek, black carriage awaited her at the end of the courtyard. Its polished wheels gleamed in the soft light, and the pair of thestrals pulling it stood motionless, their eyes gleaming with an eerie intelligence. It was an unusual sight, but perhaps not entirely unexpected. After all, this was her first time traveling to Hogwarts, and everything felt just a little bit… different.

Her mother, Veronica, stood beside the carriage, her eyes red from yet another bout of quiet tears. She gave Jessa a small, strained smile as her daughter approached. “It’s time, darling.”

Jessa hesitated, glancing back at the manor. “But… I thought I was supposed to take the Hogwarts Express? That’s what it says in A History of Hogwarts,” she said, her voice laced with confusion. She’d read that book cover to cover and expected to join the other students for the traditional journey to the school.

Veronica sighed softly and walked closer, her voice gentle but firm. “Next time, Jessa, when you have your brother with you—or perhaps friends who can accompany you—you’ll be able to travel by the train, just like the others. But for now, we need someone who we trust to take you safely.”

Jessa turned to the carriage, her curiosity piqued. She had never seen thestrals up close, and their eerie appearance made her both nervous and fascinated. But her attention quickly shifted to the figure standing beside the carriage. A tall man with greying hair and a kind but serious face, wearing dark robes and carrying a leather satchel. He stepped forward, offering a small bow as he introduced himself.

“I’m Professor Fig,” he said, his voice warm yet measured. “I’m a professor at Hogwarts. I’ve been sent to escort you.”

Jessa nodded, her uncertainty growing. “Professor Fig… But I thought I was supposed to travel with other students.”

Professor Fig smiled softly, his eyes twinkling with understanding. “It’s not unusual, Miss Valancaire. Your circumstances are... special. Your mother and father wanted to ensure you had the best possible protection for the journey. And so, I was sent to escort you personally.”

Veronica placed a hand on her daughter’s arm, giving it a gentle squeeze. “We’ll make sure to visit, and we’ll write often. We’re only a letter away, Jessa.”

The warmth in her mother’s voice almost made Jessa falter. The reality of what was happening was beginning to settle in, and the weight of leaving her family behind for the first time hit her hard.

“I’ll be fine, Mother,” she said, her voice steady, though her hands clenched at her sides. “I’ll write too. I promise.”

Jessa looked up as she heard footsteps behind her. Turning, she found her father standing just at the edge of the courtyard, his tall form casting a long shadow. His face was unreadable, but his eyes were soft with emotion.

“You look grown up,” he said quietly, his voice carrying the weight of both pride and sadness. “I suppose I’m not ready to let you go. But… we both know this is something you need to do. You’re ready, Jessa.”

He stepped forward, his hand finding her shoulder. The touch was warm, reassuring, yet it didn’t fully ease the tightness in her chest. “Remember, you are part of something much larger than just our family. The world is waiting for you, and so is Hogwarts. I know you’ll find your place there. Just—” He paused, his voice lowering with quiet intensity. “Remember, your mother and I love you. Always. No matter what happens, that will never change.”

Jessa swallowed hard, blinking back the unexpected rush of tears that stung at her eyes. “I love you both, too, Father,” she said, her voice tight with emotion. “And I won’t forget.”

He gave her a small, tight-lipped smile and pulled her into a brief, firm hug. “We’ll visit. And write. It’s not goodbye, just… a little distance for now.”

Jessa nodded, feeling the weight of the moment. She hadn’t realized how much she would miss them until now. The life she had known, the warmth of her home, and the family that had been her foundation.

Pulling away, her father gave her one last glance—proud but filled with an unspoken worry. Then, he turned toward the house, as if needing a moment to compose himself.

With a deep breath, Jessa turned back to the carriage. Professor Fig stood waiting, his expression kindly patient.

Professor Fig opened the carriage door with a soft creak. “Shall we, Miss Valancaire?” he asked.

Jessa took a deep breath and nodded. “Yes. I suppose we should.”

She climbed into the carriage, her heart racing as the door closed behind her. Through the window, she could see her mother watching her, her expression filled with quiet sadness and hope. Veronica waved, her hand trembling slightly. Jessa gave a small wave in return, trying to push back the lump in her throat.

The carriage jolted slightly as the thestrals began to move, pulling the vehicle toward the gates of the estate. As they rolled away from the familiar grounds, Jessa’s gaze lingered on the trees and the sprawling lawns that had been her home.

She felt a mixture of excitement and fear—excitement for the unknown, but fear for what lay ahead. This was her chance to finally discover who she was, to learn about magic and the world she was a part of. And yet, a piece of her was terrified about what she might find.

She glanced at Professor Fig, who sat across from her, his eyes focused out the window as they drove through the countryside. He seemed calm, collected, but there was something in his demeanor that hinted at more knowledge than he was letting on.

Her curiosity got the better of her. “Professor, what is it really like at Hogwarts?” she asked, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness.

Professor Fig turned to her, his expression unreadable for a moment before he smiled reassuringly. “Hogwarts is a place of wonder and discovery, Miss Valancaire. But it’s also a place where you’ll learn more about yourself than you might expect. It’s a place where friendships are forged, and challenges await—both magical and personal. You’ll be just fine, I have no doubt of that.”

Jessa nodded slowly, still unsure of what awaited her. But she trusted that Professor Fig would guide her through this journey. For now, she had no choice but to embrace the unknown.

As the carriage continued on its path, the world beyond the window seemed to shift, like she was leaving one reality behind and stepping into another. And though she felt a pang of longing for the comfort of home, a spark of anticipation flickered inside her.

She was on her way to Hogwarts. And nothing would ever be the same again.