Till the Last Petal Falls / Marcus Flint

0.3 - Truly Magical

"Do you have everything you need?" Madame LaRue was back with Genevieve to escort her to their 'transportation', whatever that meant. Dahlia tried asking how they would be traveling but all she gained was a mischievous smile from Genevieve. The professor looked around once more. She couldn't help but notice the strange looks the neighbors were giving them. They weren't used to traditional wizard clothing at all. 

"Yes," Dahlia readjusted her blue hand. She was instructed to wear her new uniform since the term has started officially and no students were allowed to wear anything other than their uniforms on weekdays and on Saturdays. She figured that it was a strict school but she didn't mind as long as she learned magic. She could be disciplined, she was doing chores with Harry and cleaning most of Dudley's messes all the time. "I just need to say goodbye." 

"Do it then, we need to leave in ten minutes." Madame LaRue waved her hands towards her family, ushering her to rush in her goodbyes. "Miss. Clement, please carry her trunk to the carriage." Dahlia didn't see any carriages around but she didn't have the chance to say anything as Dudley wrapped his arms around her. 

Dahlia had always had a good sibling relationship with both the boys, it had been really hard for her to explain why she had to go to a boarding school for 'special' children. They weren't easy to convince but they got bribed for some foreign candy Dahlia promised to bring back on Christmas. She then hugged Harry whispering to him to take care of himself and send a letter if something bad happens. The boy just nodded with tears in his eyes. He felt alone already. 

"Well, be good and work hard, I guess," Petunia said with a grimace. She still gave Dahlia a hug, putting a bar of chocolate in her pocket without her noticing. Dahlia kissed her on the cheek before jumping into her father's arms. She had always been a 'daddy's girl'. Her father meant the world to him due to the princess treatment she was getting from him since the day she was born. She was the light of Vernon's life and she knew it. She sadly admitted that she would miss him the most.

"Okay, don't ever feel pressured to do anything, my Dahlia flower." he began saying. "I want you to reconnect with your ancestors but you're only eleven, you'll have plenty of time to discover family secrets. For now, just focus on your experience and making good friends. Hold your head high, and be respectful towards your teachers. I'm already so proud of you." He squeezed her once more before letting go. "Don't forget to write to us as soon as you can. I want to know all about your new school." 

"Of course, I will, Dad." She beamed up at him. She picked her shoulder bag from the ground and waved for the last time before following Madame LaRue's lead to where Genevieve was waiting for them. Her trunk seemed nowhere around. Dahlia was confused at first but as they walked closer she began to feel the tingling in the air. It was as if there were a magic flow before them. 

"Show us why won't you, Miss Clemens?" Madame LaRue ordered the fifth-year girl. Genevieve nodded eagerly, remembering the first time she was on a carriage just like this one. "Watch closely, Miss Aveline. All you need to do is follow her lead." 

Dahlia watched, as she was instructed, closely as Genevieve seemed to be going up the stairs, only there weren't any. She went to put her foot into the air once she was on the third step. Genevieve turned to wink at her before taking a step forward and just like that she disappeared into the thin air. Dahlia gasped seeing how she was nowhere in sight. She heard Madame LaRue let out a chuckle at her reaction. 

"Don't worry she is there, just we cannot see her." She explained, putting one hand on Dahlia's back to encourage her to walk forward. "You'll see once you follow her." 

Dahlia, no matter how surprised she felt, nodded, taking a step towards the invisible stairs. She half expected her foot to fall to the ground with a thud but nothing of sorts happened. Instead, she could feel the wooden stairs beneath her feet. Instead of taking her time just like Genevieve did, she ran up the stairs and took the necessary step forward.