On Sunday morning, seated on the passenger seat of her dad's car with her feet on the dashboard, Alexa was enjoying the last day in his company during a short improvised car ride the day before. The idea was to make the city's journey to the health center where her mother was on duty that day. The two weeks of Christmas and New Year holidays had gone at lightning speed. She wore a big smile as her fists and head clenched to the rhythm of her father's voice, singing like a goose, David Bowie's starman.
They drove for half an hour on a country road before arriving in a residential suburb, a suburban area with beige brick one-story houses and dark brown gable roofs as far as eyes could reach. Alexa wiped the mist from the car window with the sleeve of her oversized woolen jumper to see the Christmas decorations, which at that time should have adorned all the houses. Unfortunately, she did not see any of them, even though on closer look it seemed to her that she could not see any light or movement inside the houses, strange considering that it was soon lunchtime.
"No one has lived here for many years, my dear, for decades ..." Said her father, who had stopped singing and was now speaking in a deep voice that she didn't recognize to him.
"Really? Do you know this place? "asked Alexa, who had sat up on her seat looking at the road.
"No! I've never been here before...". Her dad replied.
"Where are the people who used to live here?" Asked Alexa.
"Many died, others managed to escape in time, and some were captured... Poor people...They met a fate worse than death..." said her father in a sad voice.
"I can't believe that people could have been so cruel..." said Alexa as she watched the houses.
Her father nodded his head affirmatively before stopping the car in front of one of the houses and turning off the engine. Alexa pulled down the window of her car door and looked outside, expecting to see the clinic, her mother on the door waiting for them. But she saw nothing of that, only a house, identical to all the others. She turned her head towards her father to ask him why he stopped but found the seat in front of the steering wheel empty. He had disappeared. She took a look at the back seat, thinking it was a joke, but again she found nothing. Squeaky noise from outside caught her attention, the front door had opened, and the lamp hanging above had started to flicker.
She hesitated for a moment before opening the door and getting out of the car. She slammed the door, wrapped her scarf around her neck, and started walking towards the entrance. She peeked inside; past the frosted glass front door, there was an open hallway onto a kitchen to her right and an empty living room to her left. She entered the hallway, sifted through the place, watching for the slightest sign of life or danger, her hand clasped on her wand in her coat pocket. Her attention was drawn to the gaping door of a small cupboard under the stairs, a slight golden glow gleaming inside. She approached it slowly, her wand pointed at it and opened the door carefully. On the floor, her eyes landed on a small golden cup, the only object she had seen since she had entered the house. She crouched down in front of the item, scrutinized it with her eyes before picking it up. Alexa put her wand back in her coat before she started to turn the object in her hands. Looking closer, she noticed that a symbol was engraved on it, a badger. Alexa grazed it with a finger, and immediately it began to transform. Its legs merged with its belly, its head flattened, and its neck began to lengthen until the badger turned entirely into a snake. At that moment, the house started to shake, cracks appeared on the walls on both sides, she dropped the cup and began to run towards the front door. However, as soon as she moved, the walls closed in on her, crushing her body, suffocating her, and then the floor on which she was standing disappeared, and felt herself falling into the void. She felt herself falling, shouting with all her strength in the darkness before her fall suddenly stopped, finding herself suspended in the air while the darkness around her vanished slowly, giving way to a starlit sky. Alexa floated in the air, breathing slowly before feeling herself slowly descending, then landing gently on her feet, on the stone ground.
Alexa raised her head. In front of her, an impressive castle was on fire, the fire reaching the highest towers. The castle's grand entrance gate laid on the ground, in pieces, while above its frame, a large black banner was unrolled, flanked by a dark green skull with a snake coming out of its mouth, replacing its tongue. She watched the castle burn for a while before she saw that on the highest step of the staircase leading to the entrance to the castle stood a large hooded silhouette. Alexa immediately felt a danger like never before, and she reflexively pulled out her wand just as she felt a hand behind her resting on her shoulder before hearing her mom's soft voice murmuring in her ear.
"Alexa...Wake up, sweetie, it's time. »
Alexa slowly opened her eyes, she felt exhausted, but at least she was safe in bed. She quickly drove her dream away from her thoughts and gave a glance at her watch, resting on her bedside table before hiding under these blankets.
"Mommy...It's barely half-past three in the morning...".
"I know, sweetie...But your dad has to get on the road early...He has a long way to go in a day...He wants to see you before he leaves."
Alexa jumped out of bed, surprising her mother, and stormed out of her room and down the stairs. She found her father outside carrying his suitcase and threw herself on him, hugging him tightly in her arms, his face buried against his belly. She didn't cry, even though the moment he should go back on the road haunted her every moment for the last two weeks. He ran his fingers through her hair before sitting on the trunk of the car. She climbed up to sit next to him, and he put one arm around her shoulders.
"I'm going to miss you both. »
"We are going to miss you too, dad...do you really have to go now? Before breakfast? "she asked.
"Yes... I have an eight-hour drive to do... I have to go back to work tomorrow, and I'd like to arrive a little early so I could get some rest, an entire night of sleep...".
"I understand...I wish you could have stayed a little longer. »
"Me too...But we'll see each other again soon. I'll be back for the Easter holidays...I promise! "He said.
"April is too far away..." Alexa said, sulking.
"It will pass very fast... Until then, please take care of yourself and your mother... And keep on training. I'm sure that one day you'll be a great witch, famous all over the world !... "Said her father.
"I promise you! Dad, next time we see each other, I'll have way better things to show you," Said Alexa, but her dad didn't listen and just kept talking.
"...You'll be rich. And your mum and I will be living off you in the Bahamas! Then you'll buy me a Dragon that I can tame, and I'll be allowed because people will be embarrassed to say no. After all, I'll be the father of a celebrity who knows important people! " went on her father. Making her giggle.
"Dad, you're really impossible ... »
"Let me dream! "He said to her, ruffling her hair.
"Are you going to put her in the trunk too? "Said Mrs. Acker, who was coming out of the house and walking towards them, a large picnic basket under her arm.
"Don't you tempt me! "replied her father as he stepped out of the trunk.
" Well, I've made you lunch and sandwiches in case you get hungry on the road... I've also added a little surprise... " She said, putting the basket in his hands.
"Thank you, darling..." he said, putting the basket on the passenger seat before coming back to kiss her.
"You haven't forgotten anything? Did you have your car's brakes checked? "She asked anxiously.
"Everything's OK, Lea! I checked everything this afternoon! »
"Drive slowly, I am begging you... Yesterday they said on the news that it was going to snow around Frankfurt. »
"I know, sweetheart, I was watching it with you. »
"And call me every two hours! That way, I'll be sure you stop at the rest areas. I'm off duty today; I'll be home all day." She ordered him inquisitively.
"I promise ...Don't worry, you know I don't mess around with these things".
"You'd better! »
She hugged him tightly, reached out to Alexa, and dragged her towards them for one of their big family hugs. They hugged each other silently for a long time, none of them daring to break the moment. Alexa would do anything to make this moment last forever. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. Her father let go of them, wiped a tear from his eyes before kissing Alexa on the cheek, then his wife, before getting into his car and turned on the contact. A moment later, he started the car and drove off. Alexa and Lea Acker stood hand in hand on the pavement in front of the house, watching him drive away, and once the car's parking lights disappeared into the night.
"Come on, sweetie, let's get inside before we catch a cold. "Her mother said to her softly before taking her inside the house with her.
"Go back to bed, my darling, you can still sleep four hours before breakfast, and it's back to school today."
Alexa nodded her head, kissed her mother, and went up to her room. She got back into bed, pulled the blankets over her, and started to think about her father, who was driving at the same time, reluctantly, on the deserted roads of Baden-Württemberg. Alexa was too worried to fall asleep. She turned over several times in bed until she heard a half-asleep voice addressing her.
"There are some who are trying to sleep..." said Sirius.
"If I am bothering you, you can always leave MY room and go sleep in the hallway. "answered Alexa.
Sirius got up and sat down on the edge of the bed.
"What's going on? Is it because of your father? "He asked her.
"Yes... He just left... on the road... Almost 800 km in the middle of the night, in winter! "Alexa replied, straightening herself up in bed, "How can men be so careless! "She added, her teeth clenching.
"I'm sure it must tear him apart to bail and leave you behind...".
"I know! But that doesn't change the fact that I'm worried! What if something happens to him? What if it starts to snow, and he gets stuck on the road all alone? What if he was attacked? "She asked him, panicking.
Sirius let out a long sigh as he looked at the cozy little corner near the radiator where he had spread out a blanket and had got used to sleeping in.
"Nothing is going to happen to him, Alexa. "He said to her.
"How can you be sure? "She asked him in an exasperated tone.
"Because I'm going to follow him to his home in Hamburg, and then when I'm sure he arrived home safely, I'll come back here..." He answered
"What? How? Can you fly without a broom? You're going to turn to a dog and run behind the car," she asked curiously.
"No, but I can apparate..." He replied.
"Apparate? What does that mean? "She asked.
"Basically, it's disappearing from one place and appearing in another, instantly..." Sirius replied.
"Ohhh...I thought it was just a rumor... "
"No, it's possible. Well...You wouldn't have a map of Germany to lend me? »
Alexa got out of bed and rushed to her desk; she opened a drawer to take out a map, which she unfolded on the carpet in front of Sirius.
"Perfect..." said Sirius as he studied the map.
"How are you going to follow him? "Alexa asked curiously.
"I'm not going to follow him but his path. "He replied by running his finger over the road from their village to Hamburg. "I'm going to appear every twenty kilometers and wait for him; as soon as he passes in front of me, I'll appear twenty kilometers further on and so on...".
"Oh...Sirius, you don't have to..."
"It's going to knock me out, but if it makes you feel any better, I promise you that your dad will arrive home safe and sound. "He said to her.
"Thank you, Sirius! »
"He hasn't been away for too long... He must be in this area. "Sirius said as he put the tip of his index finger on a spot on the map. "Alright, I'm going there… Tomorrow, after school, come straight home...I think when I come back, I'll be too tired to train you... " He said to her as he opened the window and stepped over the edge.
"Yes, Sir, you got it! "said Alexa.
"See you later, my love! "Sirius said softly, looking at the radiator. "And you, go back to bed now! "he added, addressing Alexa before disappearing in a crack.
A few hours later, Alexa stood in line in front of the charms class. She could barely stand. Her sleep had been shaky; the strange dreams she had started to have recently seemed far too real to her and were followed by a feeling of deep uneasiness that could last all day and could keep going the following days. Dreams are plural and most often confusing; she had read in one of her mother's books that dreaming is the royal road to her unconscious. A priori seems completely absurd, meaningless, and presents itself as a chain of events with no apparent links. However, dreams have meaning, but he is the key to understanding and interpreting them. Dreams are composed of two elements. The manifest content, which represents the dreamer's scenario as it appears in the dreamer's memory of it, is often confusing and absurd for adults. The second element is the latent content, composed of a set of repressed thoughts at the origin of the dream but of which the dreamer is not immediately aware. The latent content is restituted from the manifest content through the free association of ideas; therefore, the manifest content's meaning. Thus, the manifest content is explicitly about the dream; the latent content is the set of thoughts and desires that seek to become conscious but censored by repression. However, Alexa may have thought about it; she could not find any element in these dreams that could have a link with her, let alone these "repressed desires." Arriving at the classroom door, Professor Vogts stopped her.
''Miss Acker, you are summoned to the Headmaster's office. Please report there without delay; you are expected. "She said to her before closing the classroom door to start her class, without adding a single word.
Alexa felt her heart racing. Why had the Headmaster summoned her? Her grades were average at the beginning of the year, but they had improved considerably in the following months. She took the path to the grand staircase that led to the upper floors, then climbed the steps until she reached the top floor where the Headmaster's office was located. She hesitated for a moment before knocking timidly on the white fir door. As soon as the sound of her fist against the door was heard, a deep voice invited her in.
She opened the door and entered the room. It was the first time she had visited it. It was a spacious room. Well-stocked bookshelves occupied the entire surface of the right wall. On the left one was carved out of stone, a chimney which must have been wide enough for several adults to stand in. In front of her, opposite the door, was the Headmaster's desk, sitting on an armchair; behind his back was a large bay window that must have had an unobstructed view of the academy's park. However, it was the other people present that caught her eyes. Janna and Rhea were seated on the chairs on the right-hand side of the desk, opposite to a well-built blond man with blue eyes that gave his gaze a palpable coldness, scanning her up and down. He wore a black wizard's robe; his chest was pinned a silver badge flanked by the German's ministry crest on his right. On the other hand, the Headmaster was a bald man, who at first glance, looked like a bon vivant if you only looked at the opulence of his belly. But it cannot be said often enough that its cover should never judge a book; Professor Leupolz, even at the age of eighty-five, continued to collect victories in dueling competitions worldwide, notwithstanding his role during the last war.
"Miss Acker, thank you for joining us...Please take a seat," said the Headmaster, showing the chair in front of his desk, on which Alexa hastened to sit, without looking at the other girls or the other man. "Miss Acker, allow me to introduce you to Mr. Elsig, an Auror ... mandated by the Ministry of Magic for the sake of an investigation " By extending a hand towards the man who nodded at her. Alexa began to panic, an Auror? Was he on Sirius's trail? Had he been spotted? "And you know Miss Rahn and Miss Wiegmann well, of course. »
"Yes, Mr. Director. "Alexa replied, casting a furtive glance at all three of them before redirecting her attention to Professor Leupolz.
"Well...The reason why I have summoned the three of you is related to a series of disappearances. "Said the Headmaster.
"Professor Leupolz, if I may..." said Auror Elsig.
"Yes, of course..." said the Headmaster.
The auror turned towards them and spoke to them coldly. "The Auror Office has been receiving reports of disappearances since October... To this day, two students have disappeared without leaving a trail... »
Alexa interrupted him firmly: "What's that got to do with me?
"I beg your pardon?" Asked Elsig, surprised.
"I'm not friends with those two..." replied Alexa, pointing at Janna and Rhea with her thumb, " ...Nor with Yuna or Kaia. That's what I said to Mrs. Naumann when she came to look for her at my house. »
The auror stared at her a moment before answering. "I don't remember mentioning that Mrs. Yuna Maier was one of the two girls who disappeared."
Alexa was caught short; she glanced at the Headmaster who looked at her, his face impassive, before turning towards Elsig.
"Mr...I just assumed ..." tried to explain Alexa before being interrupted by the auror.
"Miss Rahn and Miss Wiegmann say that the last time they saw her, she said she heard your voice in the forest and went to join you...".
"I...No...the last time I saw her was here! At the academy! "Said Alexa, before turning to Janna and Rhea. Giving them a dark look, " You! Did you hear me? »
Janna and Rhea glanced at each other and then shook their heads. Alexa turned towards the Auror.
"I don't hang out with anyone from the academy outside...and I have no idea where those idiots are," said Alexa firmly as she holds Elsig's gaze.
"Idiots...Do you have any particular reason to...show such animosity towards them? "He asked her.
"No..."
"However, one student told me that you often had problems with them.''
"What kind of problems? The administration has not received any complaints? Answer! "Ordered Professor Leupolz to Janna and Rhea, looking at them, angry.
Janna cleared her throat and replied to the Headmaster calmly: "That's a lie, Professor, Alexa, and we have never had any problems, and we get along very well. »
"Janna is telling the truth, Sir; indeed, Alexa doesn't join us outside the academy, but we are friends. I do not doubt that even if she doesn't show it, she is worried about Yuna and Kaia. "added Rhea looking at Alexa, raising an eyebrow briefly, dissuading her from contradicting her version.
Elsig's gaze wandered from one girl to another; he remained silent for a moment before speaking again.
"Do you confirm Miss Acker? "Elsig asked, staring her in the eyes.
"Yes..." Alexa replied, it was half right, she had to admit that she had been a bit shaken by her brief encounter with Kaia's mother, and now Yuna had also disappeared. It was really, very strange.
"I take note of this...Another thing Mrs. Acker...Some villagers say they see you go to the forest every afternoon after school and come back only at night...".
"My mother and I have adopted a dog; he spends the whole day at home alone...When I come home after school, I take him out to the forest so he can exercise and play...". Alexa replied.
"It's true, Mr. Elsig, we've seen him... He's even accompanied her here a few times. "Said, Janna. "An adorable dog. »
"Of course... I understand... He must feel very cramped in your garden... Which must cover about a quarter of the park of this establishment..." said Elsig.
"What are you getting at, Elsig? "Asked sharply the headmaster, who had hardly intervened until then, except to question Janna and Rhea, merely listening.
"Nowhere, Mr. Director...I just noticed a...small inconsistency..." Elsig replied, who seemed to weigh these words while he was addressing the Headmaster.
"Indeed...I think this discussion is going nowhere. If you don't have anything to add, I believe these young ladies should return to class. "Said Professor Leupolz.
" Sure...just one more thing Mrs. Acker...If you allow me, of course, Headmaster. "Said Elsig.
"Be brief. "Says the Headmaster sharply.
"Can you explain to me, Acker, where do you and your dog disappear to every afternoon? "Elsig asked Alexa, staring her straight in the eyes before turning to Professor Leupolz, who cleared his throat loudly.
"I ... I don't disappear anywhere, sir, I'm always in the forest," replied Alexa.
"You see Miss Acker, the German ministry of magic, as a result of a European convention on the preservation of the status of secrecy, imposes on the Wizards and Witches minors, a trace... "
"That triggers an alarm in the improper use of magic department when magic is used by a minor... If you don't detect anything around Miss Acker, it means that she respects the law, nothing more. "The Headmaster interrupted him.
"Yes, very well explained, Professor...It's true, But unlike other European countries, the auror office keeps a register where all the wands issued and used on our territory are listed. More interesting, in the case of underage citizens, we can locate a wand and, therefore, its owner at any time. "Said Elsig.
"This is a violation of international law! You have no right! I assure you that the International Confederation of Wizards will be informed! I will personally write to Dumbledore! " shouted the Headmaster angrily.
"Yeah, be my guest..." Replied the Auror with a sneer. "You see, Professor...There is, in this case, what is called a legal void...We are certainly obliged to lift the trace when someone comes to age; it would keep triggering anyway...But no law forbids us to locate a wand...To get back to your case Miss Acker, we can't locate your wand between 4 pm and 8 pm every day. I wonder why... And your friends' wands were all located for the last time in the same forest where you go every day, at the same time you are there...Er...Walking your dog. »
"That's enough! " said the Headmaster in a sharp voice as he stood. "Mr. Elsig, when you asked to speak to my students, I was far from expecting that you intended to interrogate them. These girls are underage, and you have no right to talk to them without the presence of their parents. "He said to the Auror before turning to Janna and Rhea, "You two can go back to class, that will be all...Miss Acker, please stay a moment... Mr. Elsig, you know where the door and the fireplace are. "He said to the Auror, drying himself while sitting down.
The Headmaster didn't need to repeat his words; Janna and Rhea cleared themselves and headed towards the door. As for Elsig, he remained seated, looking at Professor Leupolz with an evil look before getting up, and without a glance at Alexa, he headed towards the fireplace. He threw what seemed to be a powder and, under Alexa's surprised eyes, entered the fireplace and disappeared amidst green flames, leaving behind him a cloud of ashes that fell back onto the office floor.
The Headmaster walked around his desk and approached the fireplace, where he made the ashes that had soiled the floor disappear with a slight wand move. It was at that moment that Alexa first noticed the banner hanging on the wall above the fireplace. It was dark blue, but what caught Alexa's attention was what was sewn on it. It was a kind of door or alcove that looked very familiar...It was very similar to the one she had seen in the dream she had had a few months before. Before she could examine it more closely, Leupolz turned to her, smiling.
"Miss Acker, I am sorry for what happened. »
"Oh...It's nothing, Professor...People are maybe hurt, I understand," Alexa said politely, moving her gaze away from the banner.
Professor Leupolz nodded, smiled at her, then slowly walked to his desk and sat down on his armchair.
"Miss Acker, I must apologize to you for several reasons. First of all, Auror Elsig's attitude earlier was deeply embarrassing...I give you my word that a formal complaint will be addressed to his department's head and that his attempt to intimidate you will be sanctioned. "Leupolz solemnly told her.
"Er...Thank you, Professor...I don't intend to complain, however...Professor, I honestly have nothing to do with the disappearances of Yuna and Kaia...I can explain why... "
"Acker," interrupted her, Leupolz making a gesture with his hands to calm her down. "I believe you...There are no more chances that you are really friends with these girls than you are involved in this story. "he said with a smile.
"How? "Alexa asked, confused.
"You don't become a champion in dueling without a certain skill in legilimency." He replied, pointing to the golden trophies on the fireplace. »
"Legilimency professor? "Alexa asked curiously.
"A technique that consists of penetrating a person's mind to extract or pass on thoughts, memories, or emotions. You can predict what your opponent is about to cast at you and retaliate more effectively in a duel. "He explained. "You can also detect when someone is telling the truth, and when someone is lying...Like Miss Rahn and Wiegmann, when they said you were friends...".
"Oh...I see..."
"I'll forget about the magic outside the establishment ... Yes, Miss Acker, I would like to point out that I have access to your qualifications, and your progress couldn't be explained only by your assiduity in class... "He said, not looking upset. "If you clarify to me the nature of your relations with Miss Rahn and Wiegmann... I noticed that earlier... Everyone was ready to say anything in front of Elsig and me to escape from any suspicion or punishment. »
Alexa breathed slowly; what's the point of lying to a man who can read your mind. "In the beginning they were...particularly troublesome. But that's all in the past now; I like being here, Professor. "Alexa said,
The Headmaster stared at her a moment before rubbing his hands and said, "Fine...but if you have any kind of problem...Come to me; I'll help you in any way I can. »
"Thank you, Mr. Director, I would not fail to do so. "Said, Alexa.
"Please...I understand your situation. "He said to her calmly. "I am myself muggle-born. I remember how excited and at the same time scared I was to join this new world...". However, before going any further, flames suddenly burst over their heads, and a scroll of parchment with a golden feather fell on the desk. Professor Leupolz picked it up, opened it up, and quickly read the message before putting it away in a drawer.
"Mrs. Acker, I won't keep you any longer. Thank you for your time, and please feel free to come directly to me if necessary. "He said with a smile.
"The pleasure is mine, Professor, I would not hesitate to do so. "Said Alexa as she stood up.
As she walked towards the door, her gaze fell once again on the banner above the fireplace. She hesitated for a moment before turning to the Headmaster, who was writing on a scroll.
"Professor...Excuse me for bothering you, but...What does this banner represent? "she asked, pointing her index finger at the banner.
The Headmaster raised his head, and her eyes went from the banner to her.
"It's a legend...I imagine you're familiar with the story of our establishment's foundation? "asked the Headmaster.
"I am familiar with the general idea...If I am not wrong, it's the same story that inspired Hansel and Gretel's count from the Grimms brothers, isn't it? »
The Headmaster smiled at her, "Indeed! However, the real story is very different from the one you may have read in muggle children's books or even the one that is known in the wizard's world. »
"How much different ? "asked Alexa.
"There has never been a house made of gingerbread, for example... " He smiled back at her before continuing. "But to answer your question about that archway... It seems that there are portals all over the world between our world and the world beyond and that a mighty wizard managed to crack their secrets centuries ago and created an artifact capable of resurrecting the dead. It is known as the Stone of Resurrection... Two hundred and fifty years ago... " However, he was interrupted by green flames that had burst out of the chimney to let out a tall, slim, silver-haired wizard with a beard reaching down to his waist. He got out of the duct and cleaned the ashes.
"Albus! You shouldn't have bothered! I was just about to send you an owl!" Professor Leupolz said, rushing towards the newcomer with a big smile to welcome him.
"It is always a pleasure to find an excuse to visit you, my dear Thomas! "Said the man shaking the hand of the Headmaster, before noticing Alexa's presence. " I'm sorry... Am I intruding? »
"No, not at all! Miss Acker was about to go back to class...We will continue this discussion another time Miss Acker. "Leupolz replied as he made two armchairs appear in front of the crackling fire in the fireplace and while a liquor bottle was levitating towards them.
Alexa politely bowed to the two men and walked out of the office. She walked down the last two floors and moved towards the third when a hand closed on her arm and dragged her into the toilet, where she found herself back against the wall, the end of Rhéa's wand aimed at her while Janna searched her dress pockets and confiscated her wand.
"What did you say to him when we left? "Janna questioned her in a threatening tone.
"Nothing," replied Alexa calmly.
"She's lying! I'm sure she told everything! "Said, Rhea.
"What did he want? "asked Janna.
"He knows you lied. He wanted me to tell him what happened between us. "Alexa answered.
"And?" asked Janna.
"I told her that today there are no problems anymore. Leupolz didn't insist on finding out more, but he made me promise to come and see him if I had any trouble, and that's what I intend to do as soon as I get out of here. "Said, Alexa.
If Janna took a step backward, Rhea did not hesitate to slap Alexa before closing her hand on her neck, shocking her.
"You think you're clever? You want me to..." Rhea began to threaten her before Janna stepped in between them, forcing her to let go of Alexa's neck, whose face was starting to turn blue.
"Stop it! We're already in enough trouble! "Janna lectured Rhea while Alexa fell to her knees on the floor, trying to take a breath of air.
" Who gives a fuck? Didn't you hear the auror? He is sure it's Alexa anyway! "Said Rhea, angry.
"No, it's the three of us that he suspects! And it's complicated enough as it is; no need to pin Leupolz on us because of her! "Said, Janna.
Alexa took advantage of the argument between the two girls, who weren't paying attention to her, to steal back her wand from Janna's hands and pointed it towards them by surprise.
"EXPELLIARMUS! "and the two wands they had tried to raise jumped out of their hands and landed in Alexa's, who then shouted "Incarcerous" before Janna and Rhea found themselves sitting on the floor, tied up, staring at her.
"If I remember correctly, the last time, you wanted to push my head into the toilet bowl and flush, is that right? "Alexa said coldly, kicking open the door of the nearest cabin.
Janna and Rhea looked at each other before bursting into laughter.
"I'm glad you're laughing. I'll start with... "
"It's OK, stop it... You're not convincing for one second..." said Rhea, giggling.
"Are you going to break our legs afterward? "Janna asked, laughing.
"You're wrong not to take me seriously..." said Alexa.
"OK, do it! Start with me! I dare you! "Rhéa said seriously.
"Damn it! Stop being childish, both of you... Rhea, I remind you that initially we just wanted to talk to her, that's all. Why did you slap her? "Said Janna, looking bored.
Rhea let out a long exasperated sigh as she rolled her eyes before answering. "Very well...Alexa...My sweet Alexa, please accept my sincerest apologies for...Er...Treating you like shit all this time. Would you be so kind as to free us to have a discussion based on friendship values and mutual respect? »
Alexa gave her a disgusted look and showed her cheek, which had reddened where she had gotten hit. "No...You stay on the floor...But if that's all you want, we can talk...What do you want? »
"OK...We deserve it...I'll cut straight to the point... Do you have anything to do with the disappearance of Yuna and Kaia? Is it to get your... revenge? »
"For the thousandth time, I have nothing to do with all of this! My life does not revolve around you! »
"It did, not so long ago..."
" Shut up, Rhea! "shouted Janna. "Just before Yuna disappeared into the forest, she said she heard your voice... She went looking for you; she hasn't been seen since. And now, an Auror suspects you... "
"He's following the wrong track..." said Alexa.
"And when he said that you disappear in the same spot as them? "asked Rhea, who had stopped laughing.
"I don't know...There must be something wrong with that place..." said Alexa.
"At least admit that you don't have any argument to defend yourself. "Said, Janna.
" You think it's me? That I'm the dangerous one? While since September, I had to merge in the walls every day to avoid you? You literally made me eat mud! "Alexa shouted at them.
The three of them looked at each other in silence for a moment before Janna broke it. "She has a point..."
"Yes, it's true...We admit that we went too far, several times..." added Rhea.
"No, kidding..." Said ferociously Alexa. "By the way...Why? What have I done to you? I never saw you before I moved to this village. »
"You want a reason?" Asked Rhea.
"Yes, and right now. "Ordered Alexa.
"At first it was Yuna, don't ask why because we don't know... But, I'm not going to lie, at first it was just for fun... "
"If you want to know, we wanted to kill time, have a bit of fun... We weren't going to go on forever, but we kept doing it because...".
"Because what?" Alexa asked.
"Because you let us. "Janna replied. "You didn't go to any teacher, and you didn't fight back. You just let it happen...Why would we bother someone else when we had you? Completely submissive. »
"Listen...We apologize for everything, OK?...But you can't blame us if at that time ...you didn't have any dignity or self-esteem. It's partly your fault too." Said Rhea.
"You'll have noticed that since you've been hitting back, we backed off, right? "Said, Janna.
Alexa looked at them silently for a moment, disgusted... Sirius was right... However, Janna hadn't lied. She hadn't bothered her for months, no reason to declare war now... They were just a waste of time, so she lowered her wand.
"I have nothing to do with what happened to Yuna and Kaia. I honestly don't care... I'm warning you both; forget about me! If you want to fight, I swear you won't come out of it unscathed, and I'll go and complain to the Headmaster this time. I'm fed up with you, so fuck you! "Alexa shouted at them, throwing their wands on the toilet floor before turning around, heading towards the exit.
"Hey!... Wait...Untie us before you go! "Rhea cried at her.
"The ropes will disappear in two minutes...I can't make them last any more time. "She said, slamming the door of the toilet behind her.
Later that evening, after a phone call from her father informing them that he had arrived home safely, Alexa was cozy on the living room couch wrapped in a blanket, a book in her hands. At the same time, Mrs. Acker was busy cooking dinner, her head popping out of the door frame every now and then to tell her about her day. Alexa listened, yawning, fighting the urge to fall asleep; the heat from the fireplace wasn't helping. She resisted for a while, then closed her book and put it on the coffee table. Alexa closed her eyes and fell asleep for a few moments before she was woken up by a crashing noise and a high-pitched scream coming from the kitchen. She threw off her blanket and rushed towards the kitchen. As she reached the door, she found a gruesome scene. Her mother was sitting on the floor surrounded by broken dishes, trembling, with a knife in her hand, looking frightfully at Sirius, who had collapsed unconscious on the kitchen table, bleeding to death.