Challenged Love

Chapter 27

Of course, I could not fly all the way to Hogwarts by broom. My first stop was Gringotts, but before I could enter, I had to use my wand to temporarily disfigure my face in order to be unrecognizable to the public. I made my eyes slightly wider and changed their color to green. I also changed my hair color to red and extended its length. In addition to this, I made my nose larger, made my eye brows thinner, and completely got rid of my bangs.

As I walked into Gringotts, I repeatedly went over the story in my head that would explain why I was withdrawing money out of someone else's bank account. However, as I approached the goblin working at the front desk, all I had to do was hand him the bank title, and I was allowed full access to the money.

That was much easier than anticipated.

I used the galleons I had collected to purchase a ticket for the Hogwarts Express. I bought it under my fake name that I came up with, which was Ruby Evergreen. Except, I was asked questions about if I was enrolled in Hogwarts and why I was arriving days late while I tried to buy the ticket. I then had to quickly formulate a story on the spot, telling them I transferred from Beauxbatons last minute and decided to attend Hogwarts instead. Thankfully, they bought the story and let me on the train.

It felt remarkably odd boarding the Hogwarts Express by myself. I was so used to struggling and pushing against people just to get on the train, but now I merely stepped on like it was nothing. I was never too excited to ride the train due to all the noise and compacted space, but for some reason I found myself missing the rush. It was haunting how empty and dead silent it was.

Occasionally, I would see newly hired Hogwarts staff members and the trolley lady pass by my train compartment, but for the most part, I was alone. I was not sure what I was even going to do once I reached Hogwarts. I had not quite thought it all through. I also hoped that Lara's parents would not come to collect me once they discovered my letter. Maybe I should have lied about where I was going. But why was I traveling to Hogwarts? To finish school? To let everyone know I was alive? To find Draco? Maybe it was a mix of all these things, but I suppose I mostly acted out of spontaneous motive. Besides, there no was purpose in staying idle, so I knew I had to take some sort of action.

Don't just exist, but live. Live for Kasper.

He was my motivation. If I did not do it for myself, I had to do it for him.

To pass the time, I decided to flip through my photo album, which quickly proved to be a mistake. As I cracked open the photo book, the first photo I laid eyes on was the picture of me and Kasper at our first Christmas at Malfoy Manor in 1993, which was almost three years ago. He had his arms wrapped around my neck and his cheek pressed to my face as I held the camera with both of my hands. I proceeded to remove the picture from the book then flipped it around to discover me and Kasper's signature on the back. I carefully traced my finger over his signature, longing for just a few more minutes. I also gently ran my fingers over another photo that Kasper had taken without me knowing. It was a photo of him making a silly face, the camera tilted upwards. I felt a soft laugh escape my lips then instantly let the smile fall my face. How could I laugh without him? How could I live knowing he wasn't?

I studied the photo of us at Christmas for a while, afraid of forgetting his face. I never wanted him to be fully gone, even if he just existed in my memories.

Hours later, the train came to a stop, causing my heart to race. I checked my face in the reflection of the window to make sure the magic in my features had not worn off. I then made the necessary adjustments with my wand and took off.

"I didn't know we had any students on the train!" gasped a young lady wearing a Hogwarts staff uniform.

"What's your name, dear?" asked another lady, who appeared to be much older. She had gray hair slicked back into a bun and wrinkles outlining her facial features, while the younger lady had long, blonde curls and beaming blue eyes.

"Ruby Evergreen," I replied, trying to remain calm and not give myself away. "I transferred from Beauxbatons to go to Hogwarts."

"Ah! I used to work at that school back in the day," the old lady remarked.

"Why don't you ride with us in the staff carriage?" the younger lady suggested. "That way you won't be all by yourself."

I ended up riding in the carriage with them along with five other workers, making small talk as we went along. They would ask questions about my personal life, to which I would have to respond with a quick lie. I told so many fake stories that I almost forgot I was Holly Rosewood. I played the part so well that I even had myself convinced. If anyone asks, Ruby has three other siblings at Beauxbatons and her parents own a small shop in Hogsmede.

The carriage then suddenly came to a stop, bringing me back to reality.

Everyone was going to know I wasn't dead.

"I'll forward a message to Dumbledore to let him know you are here. You can just wait by the front doors until then, dear," the elder lady told me.

"Thank you. Have a lovely day," I said as I waved goodbye and officially parted ways.

My heart was pounding heavily against my chest, and adrenaline was rushing through my veins. However, I had no time to waste. I could feel the magic wearing off my face, so I had to act quickly.

At the time I had entered into Hogwarts, school had ended, and everyone was rushing to return to their dorms. I trudged through the bustling corridor with my broom in one hand and my wand in the other. Eventually, I noticed as a few people glanced at me and had to do a double take. I also watched as realization slowly appeared on their faces, grabbing the attention of everyone else around them.Whispers began to spread. Gasps emerged from the congregation. Gossip proliferated through the multitude, and I had many questioning the Daily Prophet article from yesterday. Yet, I did not take the time to study the surrounding crowds as they called out my name in question and gawked in surprise.

Despite what was happening around me, I kept my gaze forward as I continued advancing through the corridor. People cleared a pathway for me to walk through as I did so, in awe of my return. My eyes stayed transfixed on the path ahead of me, paying no attention to the commotion happening around me.

"Is that Holly Rosewood?"

"Didn't she die?"

"How is she here?"

I let the chaos unfold around me, sparking curiosity and wonder in the air. Finally, Professor Dumbledore appeared around the corner, taken aback at the sight of my existence.

"Miss Rosewood?" he surmised, his expression proposing to be shocked.

I felt a smirk form on my features. "I'm back."

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A few moments after, Dumbledore brought me into his office.

"I always figured there was more to the story," he admitted.

"How?" I asked.

"First, tell me what really happened and how you are still here."

I explained the entire story to Dumbledore, telling him how the Death Eaters were at Malfoy Manor and wanted me and Kasper to be join them. I also mentioned how my necklace saved me from the avada kedavra spell one of the Death Eaters had shot at me.

"And what of Kasper?" he inquired.

I paused, preparing myself to revisit a horrid memory. "They killed him."

It hurt to say aloud, but it was more of a numbing pain. I almost felt nothing at all, which sort of terrified me. I began to feel as if I were trying to hold onto the last bit of sanity I had.

I think I'm mental, Kas.

"I'm so terribly sorry, Holly," Dumbledore lamented. "That makes me so frustrated and saddened to hear. I always knew you and Kasper had an undesirable connection to Voldemort, which made me skeptical of the whole 'falling off a broom' story. Nothing good ever comes from Malfoy Manor either. Until we can stop Voldemort, you need to remain at Hogwarts. You are the safest you will ever be here, and you can finish school while you are here too."

"Thank you, Dumbledore, but I do just have one specific request."

He raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly might that be?"

I took a deep breath. "Could you find a way to bring my parents here? I don't want them thinking I'm dead."