A Wardrobe to Another World

Prologue (678 words)

The snow crunched under the dancers feet. Fawns danced in circles with two young children. As they spun the smiles grew and the beat picked up. However before the dance was finished, sleigh bells were heard in the distance. "Take the kids and run." A young woman with beautiful blonde locks and blue eyes told her husband. The sleigh bells neared, everyone but the young family were gone. "Go! I'll hold her off!" The husband kissed her before he took the young kids and ran. The kids' cries of "mama" echoed in the cold night air, but it was too late their mother was killed in front of them. "After them!" The order was clear: the kids ran after their father who gave them a letter. "Come on, we'll be fine. I promise. Just keep running." The boy told the little girl who showed signs of wanting to run back and help her father. She visibly winced as a wolf jumped at her father's throat.

Eventually the kids reached a clearing with nothing but a lamp post. "Take this letter and go through those trees. You'll be safe there." The eldest ordered the little girl, handing her the letter her dad had handed him. "What about you? I'm not leaving you! I love you, Theo!" She cried, tears streaming down her face and freezing in the cold. "You must. Take this letter and give it to the man who waits on the other side. It will explain everything. Now go, Hael! I'm not losing you too." Theo answered, tears in his eyes. Before he could turn around the young girl threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "Stay safe." She ordered. "Yes, ma'am." The boy jokingly replied. The girl gave him a look. "I love you." She whispered. "I love you too." The boy whispered back. The girl unwillingly let go of her brother after he nudged her in the direction of the bushes, turned and headed into the trees. Only turning around when she was well hidden. Gasping in shock when she saw her brother's stone form in the clearing. Stepping back to try and hide she let out a scream when she fell backwards through what seemed to be a door, her dress tangling around her feet.

She jumped to her feet immediately and tried to go back through the door. "It's alright you're safe now." A voice spoke behind her. Turning quickly she saw an old man dressed in the strangest clothes she had ever seen standing before her. "I'm Professor Diggory Kirke." The man, now known to be Diggory, said. "Nice to meet you Professor. I'm Hazeline, Hazeline Kirke. But most people just call me Hazel." The girl replied, knowing her parents would want her to use her manners even though she was thoroughly confused and scared. "Are you the Hazel mentioned in this letter?" The Professor questioned holding the letter. "I-I don't know. I've never read the letter. It's from my father." Hazel replied quietly. "Ah then you must be. In that case it is lovely to meet my grandchild though the letter says there are two of you. Unless my eyes are playing tricks in my old age, there is only one of you." Hazel was silent for a moment, eyes filling with tears as everything she just experienced and heard sunk in. "Yes there's only one of us in front of you. But you're my grandfather?" It was Hazel's turn to ask the questions. "Yes, most certainly. But where is the other?" "He-he's g-gone." Hazel choked out, letting a tear fall. "Oh my little Hazelnut. You don't have to tell me about it unless you want to. How about we get you into a warm bed. Then tomorrow we can get you settled in and get you some new clothes." The professor offered. "Oh yes, please! I'm very tired." While that was true Hazel wasn't sure she'd be able to sleep at all. "Well then let's go." The professor wrapped an arm around Hazel as they left the room together.