Arc II: part II
In 1650, a brother and sister born in the village where Alexa had recently moved vanished into the forest. Despite the fact that all the other individuals who had disappeared from the area gave no sign of life, the siblings returned after two months spent in the woods. Their reappearance was greeted as a beacon of hope for the safe return of others who had disappeared or at least to uncover the mystery of what was happening in the area. Unfortunately, when asked about their experience, they remained tight-lipped, providing no insight into their disappearance. Their father, however, was not so reticent. A frequent patron of the local tavern, he would recount a tale of how an evil witch had abducted his children, held them captive, and how they managed to escape by pushing her into her own cauldron. Despite the father's story, no one in the village believed him, but no one disappeared again after the siblings returned.
Several years later, the siblings left the village when they were eleven years old, only to return fifteen years later. During their absence, rumors circulated about them. Some claimed they were sent away to work on a farm, while others accused them of being responsible for the disappearances, which had ceased when they left. There were also whispers of witchcraft and rituals being performed in their yard, with some even accusing their mother of being a witch. When they returned to the village, the villagers greeted them coldly.
Gradually, however, the villagers came to appreciate the positive impact the siblings had on the community. During their fifteen years away, they received training in various fields, including medicine, agriculture, carpentry, and astrology. Their knowledge and skills were instrumental in improving the living conditions in the town, which attracted new inhabitants from all over Prussia. The stories told about them were merely the result of rumors passed down from generation to generation by families pejoratively labeled as "muggles" by the newcomers. Over time, the newcomers assimilated into the community, forming new families, and a peaceful life took root. Unfortunately, in the past, the villagers had ignored warnings, but perhaps they had learned their lesson.
During a meeting with an employee of the German Ministry of Magic, Alexa first discovered her magical powers and learned about the wizarding world. The emissary went on to reveal the existence of several institutes and schools that catered to young wizards and witches. Throughout Europe, there were three highly esteemed institutions - Hogwarts in Scotland, which only accepted students from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales; Beauxbatons in France, which admitted students from France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Luxembourg; and Durmstrang in Germany, which exclusively accepted students whose parents were wizards or witches. Unfortunately, Alexa's parents did not possess magical abilities, rendering her ineligible for admission. Fortunately, there were numerous other lesser-known options available to her. Throughout Europe, a multitude of smaller academies and institutes had been established to provide opportunities for non-magical families.
In Germany, for example, there were three schools, but none of them offered housing. The largest of the three was located in the German Democratic Republic near Leipzig, but it was impossible for Alexa's family to move there due to the Iron Curtain. The second school, situated in Bonn, had tuition fees that were too expensive for her family to afford. However, the third option was more affordable and offered the same curriculum as the other European schools, although it required leaving behind non-essential belongings and moving to the country's other extremity.
The Academy's origins can be traced back to a remarkable tale of two children. Fleeing from the clutches of a nefarious witch, they embarked on a perilous journey that led them to a lake they were unable to cross. As they stood there, shrouded in darkness and despair, a magnificent swan emerged from the shore and carried them safely to the other side. The children ran tirelessly until they were reunited with their mother's loving embrace.
Fast forward twenty years, and the two children, now grown, decided to establish an Academy. To pay homage to their miraculous swan savior, they adopted a white swan as their emblem. The crest features a young boy and girl, astride the swan's back, both wielding their wands and pointing towards a radiant star shining above them.
Located in a valley just a short fifteen-minute distance from the village, the Academy's building stood tall and proud, fitting in perfectly with the region's architectural style, save for its imposing size. The structure, crafted from stone, was comprised of four stories, topped with a hipped gable roof. The ground floor was designated for first and second-year students, the first floor for third and fourth-year classes, the second for fifth and sixth-year students, and the third floor was reserved for seventh-year classes. Meanwhile, the fourth floor housed the teachers' offices and the headmaster's office.
To the right of the main building stood the greenhouses, where herbology classes were held. A little further down the valley, near the forest's edge, an enclosure provided the setting for the care of the magical creatures' class. Connecting the main building, the greenhouses, and the enclosure was a vast circular park that enveloped a central fountain. The fountain was enchanted to remain perpetually green, warm, or cool, depending on the season. This park was the perfect spot for students to take a break or engage in recreation during their lunch hour.
Upon arriving at the Academy, the bus came to a halt at the entrance, and Alexa quickly disembarked, accompanied by her new companion. As her furry friend made a move to follow her inside, Alexa knelt down beside him and affectionately patted him on the head.
"Unfortunately, pets are strictly prohibited inside the building and in class," Alexa whispered to the furry friend, her voice tinged with regret. She then gestured towards the enclosure and suggested, "Why don't you go and play with the other animals or perhaps go for a nice walk while I attend my classes? We can catch up during lunch break. And if you're feeling hungry, Professor Strauss might have a treat for you." The dog let out a small whimper of disappointment, but Alexa continued, "I know it's unfair, but rules are rules. Please behave yourself while I'm gone." She gave the dog a quick hug before dashing off towards the entrance, prompted by the ringing of the bell signaling the start of the classes.
As Alexa made her way into the building, she fell victim to an unexpected stumble. Something had caught her foot, causing her to tumble to the ground with a loud crash. Her classmates turned to investigate the commotion, some snickering while others seemed hesitant to offer a helping hand.
Slowly getting back on her feet, Alexa felt her face flush with embarrassment. She could hear giggling coming from a group of girls perched on the stairs, the same ones who had given her trouble in the forest just the day before. Though one was missing from their usual gang, they didn't hesitate to blow kisses and wave at her before scampering off to their own class. Ignoring the jeers, Alexa apologized to the professor for the interruption and made her way to a free table at the back of the room. With her head down, she focused on the day's assignment, eager to leave the humiliating experience behind her.
Alexa's day was dragging on, with Transfiguration and History lectures taking up the morning. So she decided to grab her lunch bag and retreat to the park in search of a quiet spot away from the students who had witnessed her humiliating fall earlier. As she sat on a secluded bench, she couldn't help but feel relieved when she saw the delicious meal her mom had packed for her. Savoring every bite, she eventually lay back on the grass, closing her eyes and soaking in the sun's warm rays.
Suddenly, she gasped as something grabbed her ankle, jolting her out of her peaceful reverie. She opened her eyes to find herself surrounded by four girls, all of them upside down with one of them pointing her wand right at her. A shiver ran down her spine as she wondered what was about to happen. Alexa tried to grab her wand from her robe's pocket, but another girl was faster and shouted, "Expelliarmus!" causing her wand to fly towards the girl, who caught it. "Hey, Alexitita! We've been looking for you for at least... five seconds, or is it seven, Yuna?" Janna asked. "Five... Alexa, we thought you'd like to have lunch with us!" Yuna said, smiling at her. Alexa was vainly trying to free herself from the spell, waving her arms in every direction, while blushing even more as she felt her skirt fall on her belt. She tried to call for help, but another girl took out her wand and shouted, "Silencio!" As hard as she tried to scream, not a single sound came out of her mouth.
"Why would you scream? We're just friends having fun... I mean the four of us, not you," Kaia said.
Helpless and muted, Alexa started to cry. At first, it was just teasing that she ignored, then it progressed to being jostled in the hallways and followed after school. She feared reporting them to the headmaster, as it would be her word against the five of them. What if she was the one to get in trouble or be expelled? What would her parents, who had already risked everything for her, do?
"Anyway, did you eat well?" Yuna asked while Kaia searched her bag and pulled out an apple. "Someone is eating healthy! Are you tired of looking like a piglet?" Kaia asked, showing the apple to the other girls.
"I also heard she's been industrious in class... So, who thinks Alexa deserves some chocolate for dessert?" Janna asked the other girls, who raised their hands.
"Motion voted unanimously!" Kaia said.
Alexa's world turned upside down as the spell holding her suspended abruptly broke, causing her to crash onto the ground. She scrambled to her feet, desperate to reach the safety of the building or the greenhouses, but Janna had other plans. With a vicious tug, Janna grabbed Alexa's hair and slammed her face into the muddy earth. To make matters worse, she twisted Alexa's right arm behind her back, causing excruciating pain that only intensified as she struggled to fight back.
Gasping for breath under the crushing weight of Janna's body, Alexa could feel the eyes of the other girls upon her, their cruel laughter ringing in her ears. Despite her moans and pleas for mercy, they showed no signs of letting up. Suddenly, without warning, Janna released her grip, allowing Alexa to escape her clutches. With tears streaming down her face, Alexa crawled away from Janna's prone form, wiping the mud from her eyes and nose.
Taking stock of her surroundings, Alexa was surprised to find the four girls lying unconscious on the ground, their bodies strewn haphazardly about. To her left, she noticed the German Shepherd sitting atop Kaia's back, watching her with a calm, unblinking gaze. As Alexa sat weeping in the grass, the dog approached her, sniffing at her hands and licking her tears away. With a sudden surge of emotion, she wrapped her arms around the dog's neck, holding him close as she cried.
Moments later, the sound of the lunch bell echoed across the campus, signaling the end of the break. Alexa took a deep breath, wiping her tears away as she stood up. "Thank you so much! You've helped me for the second time now," Alexa said, planting a grateful kiss on the dog's head.
She let out a sigh of frustration as she realized her clothes were once again covered in mud. It was the second time today, and she didn't want to go to class looking like a mess. All she wanted was to head back home and take a shower. As she made her way to leave, she spotted the four girls lying unconscious on the ground. Although she didn't see any visible injuries, Alexa couldn't help but worry about their wellbeing.
"Will they be alright?" she asked the dog, who turned to look at the girls before casually hitting Yuna's head with his back leg, causing her to moan in her sleep.
Feeling reassured that the girls were not critically injured, Alexa turned to the dog and suggested, "Let's just head back home. Follow me. It's going to be a long walk, though."
As Alexa walked along the side of the road, leaving the Academy's campus for the village, she couldn't believe how quickly the bus had transferred her. It had only taken fifteen minutes on bus ride, when they still had a long way to go, walking. They walked for at least an hour before finally reaching the town and her home. Standing in front of her front door, Alexa paused and glanced down at the dog who had walked beside her the entire time. She wondered how things would have ended if he hadn't intervened for the second time. How did he do it? The first time, he had only shown his fang, and the attackers had run away. But today, he had knocked them out without even touching them. Did they faint at the mere sight of him?
Pushing open the door, Alexa entered the house and tiptoed to avoid alerting her mother to her early return. She needed to change and clean herself before she could speak to her. As she climbed the stairs, Alexa remembered not seeing her mother's car in front of the house, nor hearing any sound from within. The fireplace was turned off too. When she checked the kitchen, it was empty except for a note stuck on the fridge door.
Hey sweetie,
Just wanted to let you know that I got a call from the city and had to step out for a bit. I've left your snack and dinner in the fridge in case I'm not back before you. Oh, and I picked up some dog food for your buddy.
Remember to be careful with the gas and always turn it off after use, okay? Safety first!
Love you lots!
Mom.
Alexa breathed a sigh of relief, hoping she had returned late enough to avoid detection for skipping her afternoon classes. She didn't feel like explaining why her clothes were a mess again. Leaving the kitchen, she followed her dog to the living room where he curled up near the fireplace. Alexa lit a fire for him before heading upstairs to take a bath. After finally removing the encrusted mud from her long brown hair, she changed into her pajamas and grabbed her potions book before returning to the large living room sofa. The warmth from the fireplace, coupled with the dog's slow breaths, lulled her into a peaceful state. She didn't even finish the first chapter of her book before her eyes drooped shut.
When Sirius stirred from his nap beside the fireplace, he shivered as the dwindling fire had caused the temperature inside the house to plummet. With a quick transformation to his human form, he cast his gaze upon the young girl dozing on the couch. Peering out the window, he noticed that night had already descended, and no cars were parked in the alleyway, indicating that the mother had not returned. Observing the peaceful expression on the girl's face, Sirius approached her and gingerly lifted her into his arms. Despite her arms curling around his neck, she did not stir as he carried her to her bedroom and tucked her into bed. Just as he was about to revert to his dog form, he heard her whimper in her sleep, pleading, "No...Please...Stop..."
Sirius hesitated for a moment before pulling up a chair beside her bed, reflecting on an earlier incident he had witnessed. Earlier that day, Padfoot had been roaming the Academy, curious and eager to explore. Unlike the girl he now watched over, Sirius had never had to worry about financial concerns during his own school days, with Hogwarts providing full funding and scholarships to those in need, not that he needed it. But as he thought back to his carefree youth, he couldn't help but acknowledge that his focus had been solely on having fun, sometimes at the expense of others.
As he made his way back to the Academy to locate Alexa, Sirius heard the sound of laughter coming from a group of girls gathered in the park. Among them, a smaller girl was being hoisted upside down, evoking a distant memory of James spotting him after his DADA OWL exam.
"All right, Snivellus?" James said.
Unlike Alexa, Snape was a skilled duelist, so his reaction was swift. But unfortunately, James was quicker to disarm him, sending him flying further across the grass, which made Sirius laugh. Snape tried to reach for his wand, but Sirius cast an impediment jinx at him. Fate had not been kind to Snape, who became the main attraction for all the students enjoying the lakeside, lying on the ground, confused by the jinxes he had just received. He was powerless in front of James and Sirius, who walked towards him with big smiles on their faces, wands pointed at him, and Peter behind them.
"How did your exam go, Snivellus?" said James. "Levicorpus!" Then, Snape found himself hanging upside down, just as Alexa had.
"I was watching him. His nose was touching the parchment," Sirius said viciously. "There'll be quite some grease marks all over it; they won't be able to read a word," making the students watching the show burst out laughing.
"You... wait," Snape panted.
"Wait for what?" Sirius said. "What are you going to do, Snivelly, wipe your nose on us?"
Snape let out a stream of mixed swear words and hexes, but with his wand ten feet away, nothing happened.
"Wash out your mouth," said James coldly. "Scourgify!" Pink soap bubbles streamed from Snape's mouth at once, and the froth covered his lips, making him gag and choke.
Sirius regained his human appearance, grabbed the wand he had stolen from Ryan, and sent four stunning spells at the girls who were tormenting Alexa, stupefying them before regaining his animal form and running to meet Alexa. Until that moment, he thought his only sin had been arrogance and believing himself to be the smartest. Only today did he realize how little he knew about himself. Whenever, before the war, at the Order's meetings, he had never hesitated for a second before sentencing others, deciding who was trustworthy and who should be watched over. But today, Sirius saw himself in those girls. If he hadn't given it any importance back then, now he did. His arrogance led to his best friend's death, and he could add being a bully to his list. How did the treatment Sirius imposed on others affect them? How many lives had he turned to hell for his entertainment? Did Snape also have nightmares because of him?
Thinking about it, why did they hate Snape so much? He tried to recall what could have started their little war but found nothing. At least Snape had done nothing to Sirius. Originally, it was James who hated Snape. What for? He never asked. The first time they met was when Snape and Lily entered their compartment on the Hogwarts Express. Snape had joked about James wanting to be sorted into Gryffindor. That would have been enough to start a feud that would extend for the rest of their lives. However, if James and Sirius became quickly popular in the castle and always surrounded by friends, Snape was more withdrawn and disliked in his own house. During the first four years, Lily had been his only friend as they spent their entire day together, only splitting for meals or when it was time to get back to their common rooms.
James couldn't shut up about it. Was it jealousy? Did James hate Snape only because he was friends with Lily? And why were Lily and Severus friends in the first place? How could anyone be friends with Lily and sit between Bellatrix and Lucius for meals? Sirius shook his head, thinking about how stupid and evil he could have been a few years ago. But that was in the past, and there was nothing he could do to change it, as much as he wanted to. However, he could try to be a better man in the future. No, he had to do better; there was no trying. He could be the godfather Harry deserved.
Suddenly, the room was enlightened when he heard the roar of the car's engine outside. Alexa's mother was finally back home. Sirius heard the front door open, shortly followed by the sound of footsteps on the stairs. Sirius transformed again and curled up on the carpet at the end of Alexa's bed, faking being asleep. Then, he slightly opened an eye and watched Alexa's mother tiptoe towards her daughter's bed and kiss her on the forehead. She briefly glanced at Sirius before carefully closing the room's door behind her.
