Destined to be

THIRTEEN - THE DREAM

"So you are engaged?" Leala breathed out in surprise when we were finally able to speak alone.

"I guess so," I sighed heavily, still couldn't believe what happened just few days ago.

"You don't look very enthusiastic about it. I remember you were speaking about him a lot during summer and always in a good way."

"Don't get me wrong. Ominis is great. He is kind and sweet. I know I can trust him with my life. He is my best friend after all. But we are talking about arranged marriage. About pure-blood pact. If we get married there will be twice as many vultures circling about our heads all the time. We would be in a cage forever. It may be the golden cage but still a cage."

"That doesn't sound really nice. But the idea of marrying a best friend isn't that bad. You know love is not just about finding the right person, but creating the right relationship. It is not about how much love you have in the beginning but how much love you build till the end. And the way you described him to me he looks like an easy person to fall in love with," she smiled at me, trying to find something positive in this situation.

"How are you this smart?" I chuckled.

"It's a gift I supposed," she joined my laughter and winked at me cheekily.

"So tell me, Miss 'I know everything about romance', how do one tell if he is in love?"

She let out a thoughtful hum. "Maybe when he occupies your every thought when you are awake and doesn't leave your mind even when you are dreaming. When you always want to prioritize his happiness over yours. And when he touches you feel butterflies in your stomach. You always feel safe with him and can't imagine life without him. And in the end when both of you feel the same...you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams," she finally said dreamily.

"That sounds really lovely. But really, how do you know all of this?"

"I read a lot of books. As I said your uncle sometimes forgot I'm working here. And I spent a lot of time dusting the library," she giggled. But her smile disappeared quickly. "That reminded me actually. When I was hidden behind the bookshelves I saw him locking a book and some papers into the desk. I am completely sure I saw your mother's initials on that book. It looked kind of like a diary" she whispered.

"Well I guess I have to find out," I said mischievously.

"I heard yesterday that your uncle will be traveling tomorrow. Your aunt almost never goes to the library. But I am afraid you will not have enough time to read through it. There are still the other servants and they love to snoop around."

"I am a witch and I am quite used to sneaking around, unnoticed," I winked at her.

* * *

When I arrived at the library no one was around. The house was completely silent. It made me more nervous but on the other hand it gave me an advantage. I could hear footsteps if someone was heading my direction.

For a moment I just walked around the bookshelves picking randomly a few books so I had an excuse if someone found me here. When I approached the desk I found a small drawer Leala talked about.

"Alohomora," I whispered almost inaudibly, hoping that my uncle didn't secure it with some stronger charms I wasn't able to break. But almost immediately I heard a soft clicking noise.

I waited a few seconds and listened to the surrounding silence. No footsteps, no voices. I quickly opened the drawer and saw a few letters, a diary and one envelope. It wouldn't be a wise idea to take it with me so I quickly casted Doubling Charm on it and tucked the copied documents between the books I took earlier.