Loraine Hawks is a young woman who lives with her aunt and uncle in a small village in the south of Scotland. Her life has always been a torment, until one day, a strange, silver-haired man of elegant bearing appears at her door. With a voice that...
The week passed in a heartbeat. Loraine had transcended the limits of her training and, despite the praise lavished on her by Professor Fig, a shadow of unease hung over her, a cloak of panic that intensified as the days passed. The prospect of entering seventh year, backed by the prestigious recommendation of the Ministry of Magic, weighed on her shoulders like an inescapable burden of responsibility. Expectations were high, and she had to live up to them. In the midst of this whirlwind of emotions, Loraine found fleeting relief in her clandestine escapades. She would take advantage of the moments when Fig was immersed in preparation for the upcoming lessons, locked in his room, to slip outside and lose herself in the streets of the city. Her favourite destination was the peculiar Muggle goods shop that had captured her curiosity on the first day. There, among unfamiliar and fascinating objects, Loraine could forget, if only for a while, about that responsibility.
From the moment they arrived in the city, an unsettling feeling had gripped her, a quiet whisper that assured her she was not alone. Despite the constant vigilance she felt, every time she turned, expecting to find a figure, she was met only with emptiness and nothingness. She had never shared this unease with Fig. The idea of confessing to him that she was venturing alone through the Elderwoods, especially after all the talk of goblin rebellion, seemed unwise.
One morning, Fig and Loraine wandered through the cobblestones of the city, intent on finding a cosy corner where they could indulge in a hearty breakfast, following their pre-workout tradition. As they wandered, Loraine's curiosity was captivated by the allure of a fashion boutique window and she approached, almost magnetised, to inspect in greater detail: The mannequin, sleek and elegant, wore an exquisite strapless dress adorned with a delicate pattern of mauve flowers that seemed to dance on the fabric. Loraine sighed deeply, a sigh born of deep longing. She remembered how her aunt often wore similar attire to special celebrations, though such luxuries were rare, given her modest means. Eleazar caught the glint of desire in her eyes and gave her an understanding smile.
—Would you like to come in and have a closer look? —he suggested in a kindly tone.
Loraine hesitated, her cheeks a delicate shade of pink.
—It looks like an exclusive shop, not just anyone can come in... —she murmured, with her eyes fixed on her own reflection—. But yes, I'll have a quick look around.
Loraine hesitated, her cheeks a delicate shade of pink.
—It looks like an exclusive shop, not just anyone can come in... —she murmured, with her eyes fixed on her own reflection—. But yes, I'll have a quick look around.
As they crossed the threshold, the interior of the boutique unfolded before them, much more spacious than its modest façade suggested. Each garment was displayed with the precision of an artist, and the quality of the materials was evident even to the naked eye. Eleazar watched, with a mildly amused twinkle in his eye, as Loraine's initial shyness gave way to childlike wonder. She reminded him of Miriam, his deceased wife. It was a bittersweet comparison, one that brought both joy and a pang of nostalgia to his heart.
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