I heard voices, they were all around me. They were very distant and confused but I heard them. That must mean that I hadn't died, I was still alive through some miracle of life. It was so confusing, so horrible; my last moments passed like a sigh drowned in madness. The night of Saint Meh had been a night of suffering and torture. I will never forget the stench that came from the macabre ingredients of it, nor Kevin's smile when he saw the few minutes that Darla and I had left, they were the most painful minutes of my life.

Madam Pomfrey came to my side and gently took my pulse. He knew it was her because of her unmistakable scent, scent of clean bandages and syrup. '' She's fine, she'll wake up shortly '' she said calmly, then her footsteps faded away until they faded away and instead I heard a light breathing next to me. It was very constant and barely audible but it was there, I didn't know who was by my side, waiting for me to wake up. Because I was asleep, aware of everything but somewhat dazed. Everything was spinning in my mind, the same scene of satyr terror and the same murderous eyes looking at me; quenching her thirst until waiting for the culminating moment and snatching our lives. I opened my eyes slowly, the morning light hurt me and made my headache. Half closed and sleepy my eyes could hardly see the face of the bearded headmaster of Hogwarts.

―Pro… Professor Dumbledore. ―I said tired and trying to smile.

Professor Dumbledore smiled seeing that I was already conscious. He moved his chair a little closer to get a better look at me, which I didn't think was necessary as I would look horrible. He asked me affably how I was to which I only made a slight groan, considering a "fine". I felt like I had been beaten up. Darla had been there too according to Dumbledore, but she had recovered long before I had. In my hands I could feel the stinging of some wounds, under the white bandages that wrapped my wrists. I was able to get up and felt everything hurt, which was not surprising.

―Oh yes. You must get up because the train is about to leave. All your things are packed, Elinor Rosenberg. Have a good trip home.

Saying this he smiled, got up from his chair, put his hands behind his back and sang out of the room. With the word in my mouth I hurried to get dressed to catch up with him and ask him everything that had happened. Perhaps he had simply gone out so that I could get dressed. I quickly located my clean clothes, a white sleeveless top and some short jeans, at the foot of the bed some pink ballet flats were waiting for me. I quickly braided my brown hair and washed my face with a little water that was next to my bed, next to the water in the tub some lemon candies rested. I bolted out of there, waving goodbye to Madam Pomfrey. I went down the stairs with agitation and without hope of finding the director, he was as elusive as a mouse. But there he was, he was on his way to the staff room with his distinguished robe dancing down the hall.

―Professor Dumbledore!

I ran happy to have found it without wasting much time. The aforementioned turned around slowly, as if knowing who was calling him. I approached him full of doubts, and nervous about missing the train home, and that was also something I didn't fully understand. But what he most wanted to know was the outcome of the previous night and how he had gotten to the infirmary.

―Professor, what happened last night? I don't remember anything... ―I said with vibrant eyes.

―Well, you will see, my dear student, terribly last night three students from this school were found in the middle of the act of the well-known spell of Saint Meh. Luckily they did not finish the act. And right now they are in the hands of justice from the ministry of magic. There will be serious consequences this time for them, Miss Elinor.

His half-moon glasses reflected the light from outside. And I thoughtfully, the ministry? Serious consequences? Yes, they had been caught just in time. Dumbledore had saved us just in time.

―And the book of Saint Meh?

―In the hands of the ministry, I'm afraid...

―Are you afraid of it? Why?

Dumbledore laughed quietly and looked at me with tender eyes, as if he were a good boy. I knew he was hiding something from me, but perhaps the wisest thing to do was let it go given the situation.

―You're going to miss your train, Miss Rosenberg. Don't worry, in two weeks they'll be able to resume their classes, and I heard it's your birthday soon.

―Yes… I'm afraid. ―I smiled mischievously ―One more thing professor, who found us in the forest? It was you?

He narrowed his eyes and held up a hand to stop my rushed question.

―I must tell you, you and Miss Darla are here today thanks to Professor Snape. ―he said looking at me over the half-moon glasses. ―And now if you'll excuse me, business requires me.

―Goodbye Professor Dumbledore.

The green landscape that was enjoyed through the compartment window was fading as the speed of the train increased. Perhaps it was its irregular movement or its scattered sounds that invited me to meditate on what happened last night. I leaned my elbow on the edge of the window trying to endure the long walk home. Snape... He had saved us. I couldn't stop thinking about him, or imagine how he would have acted while I was unconscious and tied up. I would have liked to say goodbye to him before catching the train. In two weeks I wouldn't see him, and just thinking about it made me sigh in the window pane. Sarah Harris noticed my sorrow, her gaze fell on my sighs. She was sitting across from me, next to her were Vanessa and Gisselle, expressively speaking her opinions about last night and the hunt for the killers. Beside me Fiona Lee looked at them and from time to time she talked with Sarah about the rescue of Professor Snape. My heart sank every time his name was pronounced, but my face remained serene. We arrived at King's Cross Station just as the conversation was getting more interesting. We all got off at the station, the bustle of parents and first-year children was what made the most bulk. I watched in the distance as Isobel and Susan walked through the brick wall together, Izzie used to ride home in Mr. Wells's car, the ones I now knew were Death Eaters. I always came home walking with the trunk on my back. Sarah put a hand on my shoulder seeking my attention.

―Are you well? ―she asked as soon as she was rid of Fiona.

―Yeah, I just have two buses to take and I'll be home for dinner. ―I said smiling.

―Wouldn't you prefer me to take you home? ―She said kindly.

―No, Sarah, I know you live in the opposite direction, and I don't mind walking back.

Little by little the parents and their first-year children were coming out through the wall. Followed by the other courses from different houses. At the exit of the station I said goodbye to Sarah with a hug, and you see that I needed it because the next few hours back home would be spent alone. I walked fifty feet to the bus stop, looking at its next exit. He would be here in about six minutes at the latest; my trunk weighed a little but nothing compared to other years when I was still a kid and barely raised an inch from the ground. During those years, travelers always helped me carry my bags, and even gave me company and conversation. My mother worked the land for a living, she grew all kinds of magical plants, especially mandrakes. That's why she couldn't come get me herself. My father, on the other hand, when he was still with us, worked in a Muggle bank, of course he was one himself, so... The bus arrived on time, I got my belongings up in a hurry. I took out what little Muggle money I had saved and paid for my ticket. All the muggles looked at me curious and impressed by my luggage, they would have rarely seen a witch like me. A lady hugged her son protectively as I walked past her. Did I look that bad? I sat in the back so that no one would be disturbed by my presence and I watched as London disappeared from my sight.

Almost an hour later I went back down in the middle of nowhere, to stay at another bus stop. I looked at their schedules, hoping the vehicle would come by soon, but it would still take half an hour to arrive on schedule. I sighed tired and hungry, I sat on the trunk to wait for the bus. Around me there was nothing but fields and ponds, some country houses in the distance and a dirt road. What would he be doing now? Would he think of me? The loneliness made me feel even more desolate, and the distance made me feel even sadder. Even I didn't know where he lived, and I wouldn't have the courage to go see him. Perhaps he deserved an apology... The day he wounded me with that dagger he hadn't been himself, he was under the magical influences of that thing.

While I was pondering, the bus arrived and I finally got on, and after another hour I went back down but this time I couldn't take any means of transportation. I had to walk about twenty minutes with the trunk in tow to get home. The dirt road dirty my pink ballet flats. On both sides of the road, the ancient trees spoke to each other through the blowing of the wind. The green color of its leaves indicated that the hot summer would soon arrive. Tall stems and immense shade, the trees made the walk to my mother's house cool, where Isobel would already be locked in her room writing to Susan Wells. Suddenly behind me I heard the sound of an engine, it was getting closer. I turned around and cautiously retreated to the shoulder, waiting for the car to pass by. But to my surprise the car in question was very familiar to me. The paint color had once been a stunning cherry red, just as I remembered, but today it was the color tomatoes turn when they're out of date. Mr. Bloomfield and his wife, Claire, were in that car. Immediately, when he saw me, he honked his horn and I smiled seeing him full of vitality. A whole life growing up seeing their friendly faces. Besides being our neighbors they were friends of my mother, they worked in the ministry of magic in the department of control and regulation of magical creatures. Many Fridays they came home to play the card games that my mother organized.

―Good afternoon Elinor, can we bring you home dear?

Mr. Bloomfield told me in a friendly tone. I immediately nodded with a radiant smile, put the trunk in the car and got into the vehicle as I had done so many times.

―How's this year going at Hogwarts, Elinor? ―Mrs. Bloomfield asked me.

Her complexion was white, with a curiously turned-up nose but with a sweet and angelic look. Her blond hair fell down her back in waves over her green jacket. Mr. John, on the other hand, was dark-haired and had a serious look but a kind heart. They were a couple the same age as my mother, probably friends since childhood. We talked for about ten more minutes until in the distance I could see the path that led to my home. Mr. and Mrs. Bloomfield were kind enough to bring me in. I thanked them courteously and immediately got out with my things. I waved as his car swerved down the dirt road to the left and faded into the distance. I eagerly grabbed my trunk and slung the bag over my shoulder. The path ended in about twenty more steps, giving way to the lawn and the stone floor that my father had ordered to be placed towards the house, so that it would be another cleaner and more formal path. A large house stood before the forest of deciduous trees behind. A barrier of bushes with flowers of all colors loomed in front of the house of my childhood and adolescence, and the lamp on the door reminded me of the afternoons when both twins played hide-and-seek in the garden.

A lady in her forties came out of the house with a watering can in her hands. On her head she wore a tan hat, her hair was tied in a low bun. She was wearing cloth shorts and a sky blue t-shirt. When she looked up and saw me standing there a few steps away she dropped the watering can on the floor. My mother came to hug me lovingly as I clung to her, equally moved by the encounter. She told me that she looked good. Her blue eyes reflected a lifetime of struggle to get her family forward.

―No mom! Don't worry about the trunk.

―It's no trouble to me, daughter. Now tell me how your school went, I was scared when I found out what happened, Elinor.

Several days have passed since my arrival. My mother insisted that we should celebrate our birthday there with our neighbors and their children. Isobel always winced when she heard it, but it didn't seem like such a bad idea to me because we'd always done it that way. Since we arrived several days ago, Izzie had been going to the farm next door to see Alexander, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robinson. It was a Muggle family that was dedicated to farming, and for my sister to cajole the young man was something very funny, she first charmed him and then despised him in a very cruel way. But I have to say that the very stupid followed Izzie wherever she went as long as she cajoled him. What an idiot.

We slept in separate rooms since we were twelve years old, more or less in those years when we began to hate each other until we could not see each other. My room was nothing to write home about, it followed the rustic style of the entire house. On the wall hung some posters of Muggle singers that I had long since stopped liking. My trunk sat at the foot of my wooden bed, and a photo of the former inseparable sisters rested on my nightstand. They seemed to be happy, hugging each other and smiling. Their wavy brown hair was tangled and their lively eyes gave a feeling of complete happiness.

Above the bedside table was a window, on its sill my cacti were blooming. I opened it in need of fresh air, my window overlooked the back garden of the house. It was a small garden where my mother grew white and red roses. And looking up to the horizon you could see endless green fields and forests until reaching nearby towns.

At last the expected day arrived, my mother had sent invitations to all her close acquaintances. Isobel was in a very bad mood, she reluctantly accepted my mother's request to celebrate our seventeenth birthday in the company of our loved ones. It was truly a great celebration. Music and food were not lacking, my mother had hung balloons with lights in the garden and best of all was the number of gifts that they brought us. After a few hours, only a few of the closest ones stayed with my mother to play cards in the living room. Isobel left for London to spend the night at Susan's, her parents called home and arranged for her to come back the next day.

―Dear Jane, I appreciate you like nobody else but this time I'm going to win the game.

―Not even thinking about it, John. ―my mother replied with a mischievous smile.

They were very focused on the game, their almost empty drinks and their smiles made me feel at home. I had grown up between cards, laughter and many people willing to help me. I picked up everything we left from the party and I brought to the table where they were playing, a bottle of cherry syrup. The only ones there were Mr. Bloomfield, Mr. Wright, and my mother in the background with her glasses on to see better.

―I'm going to sleep, good night everyone.

―Good night Elinor, happy birthday. ―they said in chorus.

As I went up the stairs I heard the wails of Mr. Bloomfield and my mother elated at having won. That woman was unrivaled at cards... The path to my bedroom was dark and lonely. During these days I didn't stop thinking about Severus for a single moment. Severus, argh it was stuck to my brain red hot. I wanted to see him, I never imagined I would miss him so much. Sometimes I surprised myself shedding a tear in the middle of the forest. I liked to walk around, when I was little I would run through the forest with Izzie, like a couple of nymphs we would run to find anything interesting. The door to my room was slightly ajar and I certainly remembered closing it, I always did. I don't know why but seeing it open scared me a little. It could be my carelessness, that I had left the door open... Was I looking for a logical explanation? Like a Muggle? I sighed dazedly and opened the door directly, there was no one inside. The light of the full moon illuminated the room completely, it was a color between blue and gray. I didn't even bother to turn on the light in the room, I preferred to take advantage of the gift that the night gave me. I took off my flowing yellow dress and threw it on a chair. I lay down on the bed in my underwear, grabbed a thin sheet to throw over my legs. I looked at the photo on my bedside table, I missed that little person, who one day had simply left without explanation. In her place she had left me a nasty and cruel being who enjoyed seeing the suffering of others. Was that monster really my sister? Until that moment I had not noticed that on my table there was something strange that I did not know.

I got up from the bed to get a better look and hope it was something my mother had left there. A medium-sized blue box was in front of the photo on my bedside table. It was wrapped in a dark blue bow and with it a note. I didn't even turn on the light out of curiosity, my mother had left me one more gift there and it seemed to be something special. I took the note, it was small and said a simple sentence:

''Happy Birthday''

That was not my mother's handwriting, I knew her very well and I knew it was not her handwriting. But I also knew her well enough to think that she had asked someone to write it for her. I couldn't take it anymore, I removed the silk bow and opened the little blue box. What was inside must have cost a small fortune and Mom wasn't one to buy cheesy things like that. Inside the box was a pendant, shaped like a heart. In its center a moonstone shone that was adorned with small diamonds. My mouth dropped open at the wondrous object before my eyes. That pendant shone with its own light, but... who had left it there for me?