Chapter 1: The War Has Begun

The war had been going on for 8 years now. Many lives have been lost and the war reached the American continent two years previously. Both the Muggle and Magical community are in chaos. Political leaders are gaining blame, especially the American president for his lack of action towards these "terrorists". Voldemort has gained an ally, the muggle terrorist groups from the Middle East. Even these "natural disasters" which have been occurring are not from Mother Nature. Sadness and sorrow can be seen in the eyes of the people, the third world war had begun.

Amara Dunmore woke up in her dormitory with a start. She dreamed of Lucius Malfoy's visit again. All those psychiatric help her grandmother had made her go through did not help. True, she appeared better now than before. But it still haunts her. Dreams about the war had been haunting her for a year now, she dreams about things she's never seen. Mara had even gone to her school library for books on dream interpretations. But none helped her at all. She looked at the clock, it read 5:30am. 'Oh well', she thought,' might as well get ready for classes.'

She got up and took a shower. After changing to her uniform, a black pleated skirt- with red, green, blue, yellow, and gray lines- a white long-sleeved oxford shirt, a dark forest green sweater, black tights, and Mary Jane's. She began to comb and give herself a side braid. Looking at the mirror, she saw her reflection. A fourteen-year-old teen with shoulder-length wavy auburn-bronze hair and large amber almond shaped eyes. She smiled at her reflection, 'I'm beginning to look like mum when she was younger, but without her round blue eyes.'

"Mornin' Mara." Her best friend, Marielle Sydney Riva, greeted her.

"Morning Ellie." She replied

Marielle had dark brown almost black hair that reached the middle of her back, which had trouble deciding whether to be wavy or straight. She had these gray almond eyes that made you feel that she could see right through you. Her mother was of Asian descent, so she had this exotic look to her. Marielle is one of the few muggle-born witches at Brandeis and knew Mara when they went to school together at Williams, though they weren't very close then. Mara had stayed at Williams until thanksgiving break the year her father died, and then she was homes-schooled for the rest of the year.

She moved in with her grandparents since her mother was no longer capable of taking care of her. Then, starting from second grade, she attended a local parochial school in her grandparents' town.

Narella Dunmore was in a coma for two months after her attack. Amara was also in shock and couldn't talk during the time of her mother's coma. Once her mother woke up, she wouldn't tell anyone what happened and continued to be in a dazed state. Her mind couldn't work properly; it was like she had had a stroke. She remained weak and sad. The only times when she would be happy is when she was with her children and when she received letter from them.

Once the two were dressed they headed down to the Dining Hall.

"So… noticed you were awake pretty early today. Excited about exams?" Marielle asked her.

"Exams?"

"O my gosh! Did you forget? We have midterms starting this week!"

Mara just stared at her best friend…"You're joking…right, Ellie?"

"Nope… Transfiguration first with Professor Minda and then Charms with Professor Nova in the afternoon."

"Shit. I gotta study."

"You were in the library practically everyday last week! What were you doing?"

Mara looked at her friend.

"Oh… dreams again?"

"Yeah, I still can't figure them out."

"Maybe you should talk to Professor Darcy-Giles."

"Divination professor? What? You think they're prophetic dreams?"

"Maybe… your grandmother is known for her abilities...maybe you inherited them."

Mara scoffed at her friend, "Please."

After a quick breakfast, the duo headed for the library to do a bit of studying before their first exam at 9 o'clock.

They got their texts and sat at the far end of the library, where there were two large couches, one navy blue and the other forest green, by the fireplace. It was beautiful library really. Above and around the fireplace were pictures of each graduating class since the school's opening in 1670, they all had gold frames. Behind the couches, study tables lined up and around them were the bookshelves. From where they sat, they couldn't look up to the second floor. But there was another floor that looked down at the study area, a large golden chandelier hung there and gave light to both floors.

Misses' Kristin Vane and Felicity McGregor were the resident librarians. Miss McGregor was the older of the two and had been here for over 40 years. She kept her gray hair in a bob and wore black glasses. Her blue eyes always sparkled and showed her kindness. Miss Vane was a widow and had been here for only 10 or so years. Her brown hair was always up in a high bun, which was ever changing in style. She was a bit more stern, but very helpful to those in need.

The day passed on quickly and soon they had donned on their navy blue outer-robes, black cotton gloves, and striped scarves and were relaxing in the school courtyard.

"What do we have tomorrow, Ellie?"

"Dell, Defense in the morning, History in the afternoon starting at 2. Then Arithmancy for you at 6."

"Ugh… Arithmancy tomorrow?"

"Why you complaining? You signed up for it."

"I know…I know. But Professor Granger decided we needed to know some muggle algebra as well. So know our exams are even more complicated than what Professor Smith had taught us last year."

"Yeah…" Ellie said sadly.

Professor Michael Smith had been Brandeis' Arithmancy professor for 50 years. But he had died while on vacation in Ireland over the summer. Hermione Granger had taken up his place and she was a bit stricter and expected only the best. She had immigrated to the US with her fiancé, Ron Weasley, to work for the American side of the Order. But they also needed other jobs and she couldn't pass up this opportunity.