Life Goes On

Chapter 11: Ghosts That We Loved

"Good morning Ophelia, are you ready for your first day of middle school?" My mom walked into my room and opened my curtains. She had helped me pick an outfit for school the night before, and she promised to help me do my hair. 

"I'm a bit nervous mom," I told her as I sat on the toilet in the bathroom so she could do my hair.
"Everything will be alright honey, you'll see. You'll make new friends, find teachers you like, it'll be fun. I know you'll do great."

Her smile gave me warmth. She was always so gentle and caring.

"I made you a lunch, it's waiting downstairs with your breakfast. Come down when you're ready." She said sweetly leaving me alone in the bathroom.

I looked at myself in the mirror, I puffed my cheeks out and blew the air out sharply. I splashed my face with cold water before heading down to the kitchen.

Mom and dad were already sitting at the table, having their breakfast and coffee and reading the newspaper. 

"Hey kiddo, you excited?" My dad asked I sat down at the table.

"Yeah, I guess so, just kind of nervous." I said as I plopped on my chair.

My dad chuckled "Aaaah it'll be alright you'll see!"

I simply nodded and ate my toast and eggs.

My parents dropped me off at school before heading to work, my dad called out from the window as I started walking up the front steps of my new school.

"Ophelia, your mom and I will pick you up right here when you're done, give them hell kid!"

After school I waited on the steps for mom and dad to show. I sat there, waiting for three hours, before great aunt Cleo showed up. Her face and eyes were red, I still remember the smell of her shirt when she hugged me, she started crying on my shoulder.

That morning, was the last time I ever saw them, the last time I heard their voices, the last time I said goodbye to my parents.

***

"She's waking up! Ophelia, darling, are you alright?" I heard Ominis say followed by loud steps running towards us.

I slowly opened my eyes, my head felt like it was going to explode as the light hit my pupils.

"Oh thank Merlin you're alright!" I heard Sebastian call out followed by a crushing pain as he threw himself at me to hold me.

"Sebastian you idiot get off her!" Ominis exclaimed.

"Mr. Sallow, please move aside I need to check on her." Sebastian let go of me and moved out of the way for nurse Matilda. I then noticed professor Weasley and Madame Kogawa standing by the foot of the bed. We were in the medical wing at school.

"How did we get back here?" I asked feeling very confused.

"Ominis managed to successfully apparate himself back to school," Sebastian started to say.

"Yeah, luckily all the non verbal spell practice paid off," Ominis scuffed as if it wasn't impressive.

"Yeah, I'm sure desperation helped a lot." Sebastian added with a chuckle.

"Desperation or not," professor Weasley cut in, "I am glad that Mr. Gaunt was able to find Madame Kagawa and I and get us to you so we could bring you all back to school."

"The three of you are very lucky, what were you even doing out there? So far from school grounds? I would expect better from our head boy and head girl." Madam Kagawa added.

I felt my face turn red.

"Ah, well at least her blood flow seems to be working properly." Nurse Matilda cut in. "Now, if everyone wouldn't mind, I have procedures to follow, you can all catch up over tea later.