Nearly four months had passed—long enough for Misha to change a lot. Or, more accurately, long enough for the entire orphanage to change a lot.
Life at St. Radia's Orphanage had gotten way better.
Misha's clothes had been replaced; the new ones were bigger and made from some kind of thick, soft animal fur that felt cozy against her skin.
A little smile lit up her pale, clean face.
"Misha!" A kid burst through the door. "Sienne wants you to come over. She's super happy—like she's got something exciting to share with you."
Sienne—full name Sienne Middle—was basically a little princess who lived near the orphanage.
It was only a ten- or fifteen-minute walk from St. Radia's to the Middle family home.
Sienne had another identity, too: she was Tom's student.
"Got it. You guys go to bed first—I'll be back soon." Misha ruffled the hair of the two kids clinging to her and headed out.
Ever since Tom left, someone had to step up. Misha became that someone.
She took care of the other kids; Tom's responsibilities had landed on her shoulders.
The only place she could really be her old self again was with Sienne.
…
At the Middle house.
"Good evening, Misha." Sienne was dressed like proper nobility. She closed her book, set it on her lap, and smiled at the girl who was starting to look genuinely pretty. "An owl brought news—Professor Tom's doing great at Hogwarts."
"Thank goodness," Misha breathed, clasping her hands together. "Thank you, Sienne. You've always gone out of your way to have your friends keep us updated."
Misha had no idea how Sienne got the info—she seemed to know a few Muggle-born wizards.
Those wizards were already at Hogwarts and occasionally sent word about Tom.
"No need to thank me. I'm curious about Professor Tom's life there too. Have a seat—would you like some black tea?" Sienne picked up her very British teacup and took a dainty sip.
Misha's face went pale. "No thanks. Last time I drank tea, I was up all night. Could I have some honey water instead? Please?"
"Of course."
A servant quickly poured her a steaming cup of honey water. In the middle of a British winter, it spread a gentle warmth through her whole body.
"Professor Tom and Miss Hermione are doing really well at Hogwarts—really well. They've become powerful wizards, and everyone respects them.
Especially Professor Tom. He's gotten so much stronger than he was four months ago. They're calling him a genius now. You don't need to worry about him, Misha. And next year, you'll get to go to Hogwarts too, right?"
They'd discovered traces of magic in Misha—she was a little witch!
"That… magic stuff you hate… is it still there?"
Misha glanced at the wriggling black shadow on the floor and gave a wry smile. "Yeah, but it doesn't mess with my daily life. It's fine. Once I'm at Hogwarts, it'll get better for sure."
Sienne nodded, looking relieved.
"For Christmas, Professor Tom is going to the Yule Ball with Miss Hermione."
Misha's hand relaxed over her heart.
She let out a long breath.
Good. If Tom didn't have a partner, he'd be heartbroken.
"There's one more thing," Sienne continued. "I heard… Professor Tom has two people he's really interested in. Like… he might get married once he's of age."
As she dropped that bombshell, Sienne sneakily watched Misha's face, waiting for some kind of shocked reaction.
But Misha stayed calm. "Tom's so amazing—he'll definitely find a great wizard partner. I'm not surprised."
Silence hung between them for a moment.
"Okay, fine, I'm totally jealous," Misha admitted with a cough. "So—who's the annoying jerk that caught Tom's eye?!"
"Hermione Granger."
Hermione-nee?
Misha pictured Hermione's face.
Tom was family—she had to vet this properly. Books always said handsome young guys fresh on the scene could get tricked by pretty girls.
Hermione was pretty. She might trick Tom. That could not be allowed!
"And the other one?"
"Severus Snape. That's what everyone at school is gossiping about—I don't know if it's true."
BOOM—
A muffled thud echoed beside them. They both turned, but nothing seemed out of place—just a book that had mysteriously fallen off the shelf.
Severus Snape?
Misha remembered that name. Tom had come back once and brought a professor with him.
Back then, Tom had secretly told her that Professor Snape could even be his godfather.
"No way!" Misha's voice shot up without meaning to. "That's gossip—total lies! Professor Snape is a gentle person. Tom told me in confidence that Snape could be his godfather. Who's spreading this stupid rumor?!
If I were at Hogwarts right now, I'd grab that idiot and rip their mouth off!"
Four months ago, Misha never would've said something like that…
"I'm just passing along the news. We'll see what's true later. When you head back, Mr. Tangie will escort you. Be careful lately—there's someone scary lurking around London.
You've seen his name in the papers, right?
A guy who should only exist in fairy tales—Jack the Ripper. Seven girls have already been killed."
"I'll be careful. No need to send anyone."
Misha finished her warm honey water, gave a polite goodbye, and left the mansion.
The dim streetlamps couldn't cut through the thick fog. Everything ahead was swallowed in mist.
She walked. The shadow at her feet walked too.
Step by step…
"Hey, quit messing around. Just stay put, okay?"
The shadow stopped following.
Then it shot upward, peeling off the ground and standing right in front of her. "Hee hee. You seemed pretty worried when you heard Tom might get married."
"None of your business!"
"On Christmas, Tom's gonna be dancing with someone else."
"I said—" Misha took a deep breath. "Mind your own business! Once I'm at Hogwarts, someone's gonna get rid of you, you annoying thing!"
The shadow shrugged. "What are you talking about? I am you, and you are me. Come on…"
Its hand gently landed on her shoulder. "Friend, in the dark London night, I'm your only friend—the only one you can trust.
Christmas night, Tom won't be with you… but I can keep you company."
"If you say one more bad word about Tom, I'll ignore you for the rest of my life. Take back what you just said!"
Seeing Misha's stubborn stance, the shadow sighed. "Fine, fine, I take it back. But think about it—what if… Tom comes home for Christmas?
You know Hogwarts students get a holiday. If he comes back, wouldn't you want to dance with him?
And me? Friend, I know how to dance. Just follow my steps…"
Snape watched the whole scene coldly from the shadows, wand raised at the dark figure.
"Easy, my friend…" Dumbledore's hand settled lightly on Snape's shoulder.
He'd been tailing Snape the entire time!
Dumbledore had clearly expected something like this. "Don't interfere. That would break a little witch's heart."
"Albus! You know what that thing is! It's evil—a born dark wizard!"
"No, no, no. There's no such thing as born evil. That shadow is just a child too, doing its best to keep a poor little witch company. We can't act.
Maybe leave it to Tom—he's coming back for Christmas anyway, right?"
Snape bit his lip. "So… you dragged me here just to watch this?"
"Isn't it enough?" Dumbledore smiled. "Hogwarts is going to have so many wonderful young witches in the future—kind, gifted ones. It makes me happy. Now, let's head back."
…
Back at Hogwarts.
Ravenclaw dorms.
Lee Jordan was sitting in the room, waiting for Tom to get back.
He was nervous… no, extremely nervous!
What if Tom got mad at him?
Or worse—what if he just ignored him completely?
But for Hermione—no, for the greater, brighter future of the Hermione Fan Club—he had to do this!
Only by doing this could he…
Lee's inner monologue was still rambling when Hermione pushed the door open, aching all over.
"Lee? Why are you sitting there all formal? Merlin, I'm exhausted. I need sleep. If it's nothing urgent, don't bug me tonight." She yawned and flopped face-first onto the bed.
Ugh… maybe ask tomorrow?
No—no way!
Harry and Malfoy both said procrastination is the scariest enemy, the worst nightmare.
If he'd prepared for today, he had to finish the fight today.
It had to be today—only today!
Lee gathered his courage and stood up. "Tom, there's something I need to tell you!"
Hermione, sprawled on the bed, rubbed her eyes.
Can't it wait till morning?
She saw Lee looking dead serious.
And his clenched fists…
This serious?!
Did something huge happen again? Or did that jerk Tom piss someone off behind my back?
"Go ahead," Hermione said, sitting up straight like Lee. "I'm listening."
"I… never mind, go to sleep. I'm kinda scared to say it."
Hermione: "???"
Seriously, are all boys cowards?
Well… except Tom. He's not a coward—he's just a total jerk.
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