Disciple of darkness

5

The last days of vacation flew by unnoticed. Christina tried to spend as much time as possible with her family, enjoying every minute before returning to Hogwarts. She and Anna played on the beach, built sand castles and swam in the sea. Victor and Elizabeth had several outdoor picnics, which brought a lot of joy to everyone.

One evening, when the sun was already setting below the horizon, Christina sat on the veranda and looked at the sea. Her thoughts returned to her friend's letters, to the replies of Emma, Lillian and James. She felt grateful for their support and understanding.

Victor went out onto the veranda and sat down next to his daughter.

- What are you thinking about, honey? - he asked, hugging her shoulders.

- About Hogwarts, friends and much more, - Christina answered, smiling. - Dad, thank you for these holidays. They were great.

- We are also very glad that you spent time with us, - said Victor. - I know that you have many interesting events ahead, but remember that we are always there and ready to support you.

- Thank you, dad, - Christina hugged him tighter. - I know that.

The last evening before leaving was filled with joyful laughter and warm memories. Victor and Elizabeth had a small farewell dinner featuring Christina's favorite dishes. Anna, as always, was the center of attention, telling funny stories and making everyone laugh.

The next day, packing her things and preparing to leave, Christina felt slightly sad, but at the same time, looking forward to returning to Hogwarts. She knew that new adventures awaited her, meeting friends and many interesting events.

When they arrived at platform 9 and 3/4, Christina hugged her father, promising to write and call more often. She held the suitcase tightly in her hands and looked at the train as it prepared to depart.

Victor leaned over and kissed his daughter on the forehead.

- Be brave and don't forget about us, - he said.

- I promise, dad, - Christina answered, smiling.

With a heavy heart, but with hope for the future, Christina boarded the train. She found her seat and made herself comfortable, looking out the window. As the train pulled away, she saw her family waving goodbye to her.

Christina sighed, feeling a new wave of confidence and determination rise within her. She knew that many challenges and discoveries awaited her ahead, but with such friends and family support, she was ready for anything.

***

Returning to Hogwarts for her second class turned out to be more difficult than Christina expected. The first days of classes showed that the teaching load had increased significantly. Professors became stricter and the demands placed on students increased. Particularly difficult were Potions classes and Transfiguration.

Christina tried to keep up, but sometimes she felt that her efforts were not enough. She often stayed late in the library, trying to understand complex topics and complete all assignments. Her persistence paid off, but she had almost no time left for rest and entertainment.

One of the most serious difficulties was relationships with classmates. Despite the support of Emma and Lillian, Christina increasingly felt alone. Her fascination with dark magic remained a secret, and she could not share her thoughts and doubts even with close friends. Sometimes it seemed to her that this interest separated her from others, creating an invisible wall.