Legacy of Magic

Chapter 1

The warm June sun filtered through the stained-glass windows of Hogwarts, casting colorful patterns on the stone floor as Eloise Dawnson walked briskly down the corridor. She'd just been summoned to the Headmaster's office, her heart heavy with anticipation and grief. Professor Fig's death still felt like an open wound, and now, she was about to listen to his will.

She reached the office and paused, taking a deep breath before knocking.

"Come in," came Professor Black's voice from the other side.

Eloise pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was as she remembered, filled with various magical artifacts, the portraits of past headmasters and headmistresses eyeing her with curiosity. To her surprise, a representative from the Ministry of Magic, a stern-looking witch with square glasses and a sharp expression, was already there, along with Professor Black, who looked as disinterested as ever.

"Miss Dawnson, please take a seat," the Ministry witch said, her tone clipped.

Eloise nodded and sat down, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on her, making it hard to breathe.

"We're here to discuss the last will and testament of Professor Eleazar Fig," the witch began, her voice steady and formal. "As you know, Professor Fig left no direct heirs, but he did name a beneficiary in his will."

Eloise felt her heart skip a beat. She hadn't expected to be here for this. She had only known Professor Fig for a short time, yet it felt like they had shared a lifetime's worth of experiences.

The witch opened a parchment and began to read. "To Eloise Dawnson, I leave my home in Marunweem and a sum of 1,000 Galleons, to be used at her discretion. In addition, I leave her this letter, with my deepest regards and affection."

The room seemed to close in on Eloise as the words sank in. She barely noticed as the Ministry witch handed her a sealed envelope with her name written in Professor Fig's familiar handwriting.

"I should also inform you," the witch continued, "that due to the recent events in the repository, the Ministry has decided that it is in your best interest to be placed with a temporary guardian until you reach the age of seventeen. Mrs. Johanna Bickle of Lower Hogsfield has graciously offered to take on this role."

Eloise barely heard the words. Her fingers trembled as she opened the letter, her eyes scanning the lines written in Fig's neat script.

My dearest Eloise,

If you are reading this, then I have not survived the challenges we faced together. Know that I am at peace with this, for I believe I have done all that I could to protect you and the world we both hold dear.
In you, I found a kindred spirit, someone who faced adversity with courage and compassion. You were the closest thing I ever had to a daughter, and it is my hope that these gifts will help you build a new life in the wizarding world. You need never return to that orphanage, Eloise. The world is yours to explore, and my home is now yours as well. May it be a place of comfort and solace for you in the years to come.
With all my heart,

Professor Eleazar Fig

Tears welled up in Eloise's eyes as she read the final lines. The grief she had been holding back surged forward, and she let out a choked sob, clutching the letter to her chest.

Professor Black cleared his throat awkwardly, shifting in his seat. The Ministry witch gave Eloise a moment before she spoke again.

"Miss Dawnson, Mrs. Bickle will be expecting you at the end of the week. You will be safe with her until you reach adulthood."

Eloise nodded, unable to find her voice. She stood up on shaky legs, her heart heavy with a mixture of grief and gratitude.

Eloise returned to the Ravenclaw common room later that afternoon to pack her belongings. The castle, usually bustling with end-of-term excitement, felt eerily quiet. She was going downstairs with her belongings when she turned to see Sebastian Sallow and Ominis Gaunt standing in the doorway.

"Eloise," Sebastian said, his voice cautious. The tension between them was palpable, a lingering consequence of the tragedy that had unfolded during the last school year.

"Sebastian, Ominis," Eloise greeted them, trying to muster a smile. "How did you get in here?

"Samantha let us in" Sebastian answered and an awkward silence filled the room as they stood facing each other. They had been through so much together, but the events of the past year had driven a wedge between them.

"How are you holding up?" Ominis asked gently, his pale eyes filled with concern.

Eloise hesitated, glancing down at the letter still clutched in her hand. "It's... It's been difficult. I just listened to Professor Fig's will. He left me his house in Marunweem, some money, and... a letter."

Sebastian's eyes softened, and he took a step closer. "That's... really kind of him. You meant a lot to him, Eloise. More than you might realize."

She nodded, tears threatening to spill over again. "He was the closest thing I had to family in this world."

Ominis shifted uncomfortably, sensing the raw emotion in the room. "My family has demanded that I return home for the summer," he said, his tone resigned. "I'd rather stay here, but it's not up to me."

Sebastian frowned, his own mood darkening. "I'll be staying with a temporary tutor until my birthday in October. The Ministry's orders."

Eloise looked at him, noting the shadows under his eyes. "And Anne? How is she?"

Sebastian's face tightened, and he looked away. "She's... she's at St. Mungo's. The curse is worse than ever. She still won't see me."

The room fell silent again, the weight of their collective struggles hanging heavy in the air.

"I wish things were different," Eloise said softly, her voice breaking the tension. "But we've made it through worse before. We'll keep in touch, all right? This summer... it's going to be difficult for all of us."

Sebastian nodded, finally meeting her gaze. "We will. And when we get back, we'll figure things out. Together."

Ominis gave a small, reassuring smile. "We're all in this together, even if we're apart for now."

Eloise managed a weak smile in return. "Yes. We'll get through it."

As they said their goodbyes and left the room, Eloise felt a pang of loneliness. But she also felt a flicker of hope. They had each other, even if the summer ahead promised to be the worst they had ever faced.

She looked down at the letter from Professor Fig one last time, then carefully folded it and placed it in her trunk. No matter what the future held, she knew she would carry his memory with her always.