It was a quarter to midnight and Hermione couldn't believe that the time has finally come. She cast a quick glance at her reflection and stepped out of her room.
Always the light sleeper Draco awoke, hearing a noise coming from the common room. Slipping out of his bed he went to the door of his room and opened it just a bit, however it was enough to see Hermione climbing out of the portrait hole fully dressed, with a cloak draped over her arm.
'What the hell…?' He thought to himself. Discarding the idea of following her, knowing full well he would be discovered, he decided to look into it later.
Meeting her friends near the gargoyle Hermione was about to enter the headmasters office when she was halted by Harry.
'Mione, is Dumbeldore going to bethere with us?' He asked hesitantly as if only pondering out loud.
'Of course Harry, after all he is my guardian, and Sebastian's as well. He's been waiting for her arrival with almost as much anticipation as myself.'
Being used to receiving shocking news at this point, the three friends merely exchanged surprised glances and followed Hermione into the office.
The room was warm and brightly lit due to the fireplace and the candles scattered around. Dumbledore turned to greet the children with a smile as they walked in.
'Well, well… I'm glad to see you spoke to your friends Hermione. Come on in, all of you, make yourself comfortable, Sebastian should be here in about fifteen minutes.'
As the rest sat down, Hermione began pacing around the room.
Casting a worried glance at her friend, Ginny also got up and walked towards Hermione. 'What is it Mia? Is something wrong?'.
Hermione contemplated her next words and then slowly started speaking.
'I'm really nervous Gin, I'm scared. What if she's changed? I haven't seen her in so long, what if she's not who I think she is? After all, how much can you really tell from letters?'
It was clear that Hermione was beginning to seriously panic. Ginny was a bit confused though. 'Wait a minute, you mean you've never seen her since you've turned 12? Not even during the summers?'
Hermione was about to speak but Dumbledore's voice was heard before she began.
'I believe Hermione has told you that Silvestris differ from regular humans in physical symptoms. The shape of the eyes and the ears just to name a few. Well those differences only become noticeable once a Silvestri begins to practice magic and is in the company of its own kind. So you see, once the girls started learning magic we couldn't let them near each other even for a short while since the changes would have taken place rendering them recognizable and vulnerable.
So once it was decided that Sebastian is to be sent away, I contacted an old friend of mine, Étienne De la Ferre, a descendent of an old European pureblooded family, and asked him to take care of Sebastian during her stay in Europe.'
'But didn't anyone ask questions about the 12 year old child suddenly appearing at your friends house', Ron asked, speaking for the first time since they've arrived.
'Well, Étienne and his wife never had children of their own, and they spent their time traveling all around the world, so when they suddenly appeared and enrolled their 12 year old daughter to Durmstrang, no one suspected a thing, since they were hardly ever seen in Europe for the last 20 years. Only seldom arriving at one of their mansions in France or Germany for a nights stay.'
This time it was Harry who decided to ask a question.
'There is one thing I don't understand though, why Durmstrang? That school is known for its association with the dark arts, wouldn't have Bauxbattons academy been a better choice?'
Hermione often wondered the same thing however she never came up with the courage to ask as to why the dark school was chosen for her sister. And so now she was eager to hear the response.
Dumbeldore sighed, it wasn't very noticeable but the headmaster was also nervous, and this reminiscing session only increased his nervousness by reminding him thehard decisions he hadmade so long agoand often doubted.
Spotting the look in Hermione's eyes, he addressed the girl.
'Calm down Hermione, it wasn't your sister's personality that made me choose Durmstrang. The only reason Bauxbattons academy was ruled out is the fact that both your parents studied there, and since I didn't want anything allowing you to be connected to them, I Had Sebastian placed in Durmstrang.'
The relief was evident on Hermione's face however this brought on questions that her friends could no longersuppress.
'What do you mean by 'her personality wasn't the reason'? What was it about her that might have made her right for Durmstrang?' Harry asked.
'I think it would be better if you answer this one', Dumbeldore told Hermione as he sat down into his chair.
The room was completely silent; her classmates were all fast asleep. Sebastian cast a glance around the room. This has been her home for the past six years, and it was time to leave it behind. She felt no regret; there were too many bad memories, too much pain she had to endure within this castle's walls.
Sebastian sighed and whispered a small 'goodbye'; it was time to open a new chapter in her life. She only hoped that Hermione would accept her as she is.
César left for Hogwarts a while ago and she knew that her falcon was already with Hermione. In a few moments she was about to join them as well.
'Look guys, though Sebastian and I are twins we were always pretty different in our behavior and personality. Sebastian, well… she was always, for a lack of a better word, intense. Even at the age of 12 no one dared to mess with her, even the bigger kids. Except for my company she usually tended to keep to herself and hated it when people interfered in her business. Her powers actually started to develop earlier then mine, and she was always very strong. I guess that was the reason she was the one to be sent away, it was obvious that she will be able to take care of herself while I always needed her help and guidance', Hermione finished with a sad look in her eyes.
'I always felt guilty about that, I only hope that she…'
A sudden flattering of wings interrupted Hermione, everyone turned to look at the bird that just flew in through the window. It was a beautiful white falcon. AsIt landed on Dumbledore desk Hermione rushed to the bird.
'César! You're here! But..', Hermione stopped and looked at her watch, it read five past midnight. 'Oh god, she should be arriving any minute! Sebastian should be here soon!'
'Actually Mi, I'm already here', announced a soft voice and everyone turned to the darkest corner in the room. There stood a tall figure in a cloak, the hood pulled on completely concealing the witches face from curious eyes.