WINTER HAD SUCH A PECULIAR WAY of setting its presence at Hogwarts. Like a usurper of the unknown seas, he changed Life without demands. But he wasn't cruel.
He painted the sky black so the water could reflect its real nature. Like a caring father, he let his children sleep without any concern to face. Like a devoted lover, he covered the beauty of his muse to protect them from other's sins.
He embraced his students, invites them to be warm. To love the simplicity of caressing a hand, to hug a stranger and discover yourself. Sometimes, he was so full of love that he would paint life white. A color that gave the illusion of returning a child: pure and innocent. Because winter loved Life, he was ready to hold the grunge of death for her- Because she despised Death, and so does he.
And he happened to despise Michelle too.
For Michelle, winter always chooses to impose himself inside her. To violate her, without consent.
As if she was dead as well, or as if she was nothing from the beginning. The girl's heart flew colder. A warm hand could not help the unsettling feeling she had. Freezing... from the inside.
But at least she could sleep.
«The professors were questioning your presence.»
But not for long.
«You were not at the lecture and we also had Duel, remember?» Julie didn't even bother to demand why Michelle was still on her bed, under her sheets. God, am I that predictable? She walked inside her friend's room, closed the open window and cleaned a little bit of her mess. She didn't touch the bra hanging on her lamp, remembering Michelle's explanation about it.
«..I want it to stay there. It's symbolic. If I disappear, one day, the bra is going to testify that a woman once lived in this room.»
«That's tragic to say! What reason would you have to disappear?» Julie complained, years ago.
Julie always had this strong presence, with her firm voice but just a bit worried. Michelle never fully understood why. The raven girl mumbled something incomprehensible and suffocated her head in the pillow. «Are you sick, Michelle?» The friend asked, moving closer and throwing away the blankets.
«I'm fine..» Michelle said, a complaining tone as Julie forced her to turn around.
«I don't believe you. Is something bothering you?»
«Nothing.. just sleepy.»
«Are you sure, Michelle?» But she only gained silence in return. The girl looks around the room, struggling to convince her friend. «You should be more cheerful today.. Aren't you excited for Halloween?» She then asked. Michelle felt a sense of anticipation. She actually had completely forgotten about it. «I forgot-»
«How? You have always loved Halloween since our first year! We won't only see the ghosts but also the dead spirits- Come on!» Pandora said with a high tone, forcing the raven girl to stand up.
To her displeasure, Michelle had to abandon her sweet and innocent bed, leaving an empty spot for him to fulfill. She looked around, unable to interpret her surroundings. Her body simply worked on its own, walking toward her wardrobe to get her uniform. «Do you want something to eat? I brought you some cake and cherries from the kitchens.» Pandora asked, showing the stolen food wrapped around a soft tissue.
«It's fine.. I'm not hungry Julie.»
«Are you sure? It's quite late, you should eat something..» Julie insisted, standing from Michelle's bed and putting the food on the table.
«Why? What time is it?»
«Four in the afternoon.»
What. «What-»
