If Only//Harry Potter [4]

2

In just twenty hours, Autumn would be with her best friends getting ready to see the World Cup. Of course, Autumn knew a little about Quidditch, seeing as her best friend, Harry Potter, was the seeker. Not to mention first year he told her all about it. None the less, she was excited.

Autumn already packed her things away multiple times in excitement. But one things Autumn wasn't ready for was for them to see Autumn. Sure, she looked the same — same eyes, hair, and face and maybe she grew a bit, but her skin was pretty much purple, black, and blue at this point. She only had a small bruise and cut on her face, but it was new, so Autumn knew it was sticking around for a while. 

The most bruises were on her stomach, so she had nothing to worry about.

Maybe Autumn should take some of Miss Clementine's makeup to hide it? It's not like they can treat her any worse or something. If everyone hated Autumn, she surely got the message by now.

Sighing at her new idea, Autumn ran up the stairs, glad that everyone else was shopping. She walked into Miss Clementine's room and walked to her vanity. Autumn carefully opened the drawers and found a bag — big enough to store the makeup she was going to take, small enough to fit in Autumn's trunk with the rest of her things.

She opened another drawer and found the familiar things that Vanessa showed Autumn just a few weeks before. Autumn grabbed a few of the familiar things — including lipstick, eyeshadow, foundation, and mascara. 

Once Autumn thought she had everything that she needed, she packed it away in her trunk.

>>>

Autumn, now more bored than ever, was sitting on the couch, staring at the paper she had to sign to get into Hogsmeade. She'd try to get Miss Clementine to sign it later today.

Autumn just realized she had been spinning the ring on her finger.

The ring?

Autumn completely forgot about the ring. It never disappeared, but Autumn got so comfortable with it, she didn't feel it anymore.

She quickly sat up, trying to slip the ring off of her finger. It didn't budge. Autumn hoped Dumbledore was right when he said the ring would come off in due time. But for now, it was stuck and Autumn wanted to see her Norace again.

Autumn looked at the scar on her wrist. It spread from her wrist to mid forearm and looked like roots from a tree, extending themselves around Autumn. She touched the scar and winced when it burned. Autumn then touched the ring again.

"Alright, Norace. Whenever you're ready. . ."

A bright light flashed and Autumn was confused when she didn't see Norace.

"Hello? Norace?" Autumn asked, looking around. All she saw was white. She then realized that she was wearing a long lilac dress that reached the floor. Autumn's hair was curled and the front pieces were pulled back into a half-up half-down up-do.

"Hello?" Autumn called out once more. "Is anyone there?"

"Amelia, I swear—" 

Autumn quickly turned to face the noise, but there seemed to be no source.

"—there is no way I will join him. I swear on little Bailey's life." A deep voice said.

"We are not naming our child Bailey."  A female's voice rang.

"I think she deserves a strong name."

". . .She?"

"Surprise!" 

"Why do you know before me!?" The female's voice sounded stern.

"Because I—"

The light surrounding Autumn began to close in quickly until she realized she was back in the orphanage. Autumn breathed heavily, trying to catch her breath.