𝔞 𝔴𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔞 𝔴𝔦𝔱𝔠𝔥; 𝔥𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔶 𝔭𝔬𝔱𝔱𝔢𝔯

iii. bones and the stories they tell.

EDGAR GRANGER  — Emmalina's father — gaped in astonishment. For the past few hours or so, Ophelia and Meera patiently explained the confusing fact that Emmalina and Ophelia were witches, and the Wizarding World existed. He felt himself get lighthearted the more the pair went on to explain more about the mysterious world that Edgar had no knowledge it.

His fingers lightly trailed the books for Hogwarts, and his eyebrows furrowed when he saw the subjects; transfiguration, potions, herbology and more. He wondered if this was a form of an absurd prank.

"So, yeah," Meera concluded. "Emmalina is going to Hogwarts to wane her magical skills."

Edgar's head snapped to his wife, eyes as wide as the moon. "What?"

Emmalina cringed at how high-pitched her father's voice became.

"Emma, darling, go upstairs," Meera commanded gently, an exhausted look on her countenance. Emmalina nodded and hurried up the steps. She wondered what conclusion her father would come to. Her father was a practical man — a firm believer of science — and now to learn that magic of all things existed must have his mind swirling like a turbulent storm.

She went upstairs and started to read many of the books she was assigned to read. Her fingers flipped through the pages of a book called, Muggle to Magic; Navigating the Enchanting Realm.

Hours passed without Emmalina's knowledge, brown eyes fixed on reading the book, as more knowledge embedded into her brain. When she finally finished the book, she threw herself on her bed, mind swirling with thoughts and more questions.

Could reading these books really help her? Would she be behind everyone else in terms of studies? Would she really blend in seamlessly in the Wizarding World? Would she even make friends?

Nervousness bubbled in her stomach, stomach tightening in anxiety.

Emmalina immediately stood up, fingers picking up another book titled Unlocking the Wizarding World; a Muggleborn's Handbook.

THE DAY had come. The day to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The day that Emmalina dreaded to her core.

Surprisingly, her father had been very enthusiastic about her going to Hogwarts once he learnt it was the best Wizarding school in the whole world. He was a little perturbed at the fact that he learnt about all this so late but he was happy anyway for his daughter.

Emmalina stared at herself in the mirror. Brown straight hair fell down her back, a slightly dusky complexion that Nepali aunties wouldn't hesitate to complain about, a result of her competitive swimming. Hooded eyes the colour of dirt stared back at her, which the eleven-year-old sometimes wished were her father's icy blue.

"Honey, it's time to go," Meera yelled. Emmalina took in a deep breath before forcing her lips to curve into a smile and approach her mother. She double-checked her belongings, making sure she had her book, wand, and everything else she needed.

Her owl, Hestia, looked up at her with wide begging eyes. The poor owl hated being in the cage that restricted her freedom.

"This is just temporary okay?" Emmalina said comfortingly. "Just have some patience."

"Okay, honey let's go,"

Meera helped Emmalina in the car and Emmalina's belongings and off they began the drive. Edgar glanced at his daughter from the rearview mirror and tried to catch her eye to smile at her in comfort who smiled back, her face paling.

Ophelia, who sat next to the eleven-year-old tried to ease her mind with mindless chatter but Emmalina couldn't bring herself to focus, her stomach churning in anxiety.