Mia had woken up a few days ago, and at first glance, she seemed fine. However, Theo and Jace couldn't help but notice that something was off. Her smile appeared strained, and her eyes held a weariness that hadn't been there before. Concerned, they decided it was time to confront her.

Mia was engrossed in a book when Theo decided to take action. He slammed the book shut, startling her. "Teddy! What the fuck? Give me my book back!" Mia protested, her irritation evident.

Theo held the book just out of her reach. "Not until you tell us what's going on, Star," he said firmly, his brow furrowing with worry.

Mia's eyes welled up with tears, and her voice quivered as she replied, "I'm fine, Theo. Just let me have my book."

Jace, who had been watching quietly, finally spoke up, his tone softer and more concerned. "Princess, you look like you haven't slept in days, and your smiles... they're not reaching your eyes. You don't seem like yourself. You look like an Inferi"

Mia shot a glare at Jace,her frustration and fear bubbling to the surface. "Wow, Jace, you really know how to win a girl's heart," she retorted sarcastically.

Jace's mouth snapped shut, hurt evident in his eyes as he retorted, "That was a low blow, Mia." He spun around abruptly and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Theo briefly glanced in Jace's direction before returning his attention to Mia. He folded his arms, a stern look on his face. "Mia, was that really necessary ? Jace is trying to get over you, and it was low of you to throw his feelings in his face like that."

Mia slumped down, burying her face in her hands. Her voice was muffled as she admitted, "I don't know what's wrong with me."

Theo's tone softened as he approached her. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and said, "But Jace is right. Something has been bothering you since you woke up."

Mia hesitated for a moment, her fingers trembling as she wiped away a tear. Then, in a hushed tone, she asked, "Can I tell you a secret, Theo?"

Theo nodded, concern evident in his eyes. "Of course, Star."

Mia took a deep breath, "I'm not my mother's daughter."

Theo furrowed his brows in confusion. "What do you mean you're not your mother's daughter?"

Mia explained, her words rushed and emotional, "After I fell unconscious, I had these strange dreams. It felt like I was seeing someone's memories, and in one of them, I saw my mother's brother, Evan, giving me to her."

Understanding dawned on Theo's face, and he offered Mia a comforting smile. He reached out and squeezed her hand. "Mia, even if your biological mother isn't my Aunt Izzy, she raised you as her own. You're her daughter in every sense. Don't be angry at her for keeping that information from you."

Tears welled up in Mia's eyes again as she admitted, "I never asked because I thought I was a perfect combination of my parents."

Theo pulled her into a comforting hug. "Mia, no matter who your biological parents are, for Jace and me, you'll always be Mia. You'll always be our girl."

Mia pulled away from Theo and exclaimed, "Jace, oh my god, I need to find him and apologize."

Theo and Mia's worry for Jace drove them to search the New York Institute from top to bottom. They moved quickly through the corridors, their footsteps echoing in the dimly lit hallways. In their haste, they accidentally bumped into someone.

"Sorry," Mia said, her voice full of urgency.

Theo added his apologies, "Yeah, sorry about that."

But when they looked up, they realized they had collided with Jocelyn.

"Jocelyn, have you seen Jace?" Mia asked, worry evident in her tone.

Jocelyn replied smiling, "Yes, I saw him go into your room."

Relief washed over Theo and Mia, and they hurriedly thanked Jocelyn before rushing off towards Mia's room.

They barged into the room, their eyes scanning for any sign of Jace. However, Jace was nowhere to be seen. Instead, they spotted two neatly wrapped presents atop the bed, each with a letter attached.

Theo couldn't contain his excitement as he shook his present, tearing at the wrapping paper. "Look, Mia!" he exclaimed as he revealed an 11.81-inch purple saber.

Mia chuckled and asked, "What does the letter say?"

Theo picked up the letter and began to read. "It's Jace's Yule present, and it says that the saber only answers to me because Jace managed to link it to my wand."

Theo then turned his attention to Mia, encouraging her to open her gift. Mia carefully unwrapped it, revealing a necklace case with the name "Cartier" written in golden writing. Inside rested the most beautiful necklace she had ever seen—a golden Cartier Café au Grain necklace. She delicately placed it on the bed and picked up the accompanying letter, which had "To my girl" written on the envelope. With a smile, she opened it and began to read.

Hey princess,

I hope you really like the present, and before you can protest, I want you to have it. I know it's going to look amazing on you.

I love you. Always and Forever.

J.C.B.G

Tears of joy filled Mia's eyes as she clutched the letter to her chest. Theo, with a soft grin, wrapped his arms around her in a warm embrace, "Don't worry, can't stay mad at you and you know that, you're his 'll see him when we get back to Durmstang"

Jace's sudden apparition in the gardens surrounding the Prince's Palace of Monaco echoed with a loud crack. The soldiers guarding the palace's main door immediately snapped to attention and bowed, opening the door for him without hesitation.

"Thank you," Jace murmured quietly as he entered the palace.

It didn't take long for him to locate his grandmother, Queen Sophia. She was engrossed in tending to her rose bushes, her gloved hands carefully pruning the delicate flowers. Upon seeing Jace, she removed her gloves and approached him with a warm smile.

"Jace, my dear," she greeted him, her voice filled with both surprise and affection.

Without hesitation, Jace threw himself into his grandmother's arms, tears streaming down his face. Queen Sophia, startled by his emotional outburst, led him to a nearby bench, allowing him to cry freely.

"There, there," she comforted him, patting his back gently. "Everything will be alright."

As his sobs began to subside, Queen Sophia gently brushed away his tears and smiled sadly at him. "You are so much like your grandfather, you know."

Jace managed a small smile through his tears. "You always say that, Grandma."

Curious and concerned, Queen Sophia asked, "Why are you crying, my dear?"

Jace sniffled and answered, "I gave Mia my Yule present."

A knowing glint danced in Queen Sophia's eyes as she asked, "And what did you get for Mia?"

Jace's face flushed with embarrassment, and he looked away. "I gave her the Cartier necklace."

His grandmother's eyes widened in surprise, and she let out a soft gasp. "Jace, that necklace is a betrothal gift. I thought you told me that you and Mia were not in a relationship."

Jace lowered his gaze, his voice filled with a mix of sadness and frustration. "We're not, Grandma."

Queen Sophia softened her tone, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Then why did you give her such a meaningful gift?"

Jace met his grandmother's gaze, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Because I wanted to, and I knew Mia would take care of it."

After a few minutes of silence, Queen Sophia, Jace's grandmother, broke the quietude with a somber tone. "Jace, did you know that your grandfather never truly loved me? At least, he was never in love with me."

Jace's eyes widened in disbelief, and he protested, "But Grandma, both of you always looked so deeply in love."

Queen Sophia shook her head slowly, her gaze distant with memories. "Your grandfather cared for me, yes, and he loved me in his own way, but he was never truly in love with me. I, on the other hand, was head over heels in love with him."

Jace, curious and a bit apprehensive, quietly asked, "Then, Grandma, who was Grandpa in love with?"

Queen Sophia's eyes softened, and she began to reveal the family history. "Your grandfather was in love with his childhood friend, a girl who was not deemed acceptable by your grandfather's parents."

Alarmed, Jace asked, "Did Grandpa ever... I mean, was he unfaithful during their marriage?"

Queen Sophia was quick to reassure him, saying, "No, my dear. Your grandfather was never unfaithful. He never tried to contact the girl or cheated on me. He made a promise to me that he would care for me, love me in his own way, but he would never be in love with me."

Jace pondered this revelation and then asked, "Why didn't you try to find another husband, someone who could return your feelings?"

With a soft smile, Queen Sophia replied, "The answer is simple, my dear. I loved your grandfather with every fiber of my being, and perhaps, just a little bit, I was selfish." She chuckled softly at the end of her statement, a bittersweet expression on her face.

Intrigued by his grandmother's story, Jace asked, "Grandma, when did you know you were in love with Grandpa?"

Queen Sophia considered the question for a moment before she answered, "I knew I was in love with him because I was ready to let him go."

Jace furrowed his brow, puzzled by her response. "But why would you be willing to let go if you loved him so much?"

His grandmother, with a tender smile, gently caressed Jace's cheek and explained, "It's for the same reason you're letting go of Mia, my dear."

Jace's frown deepened as he confessed, "I don't understand, Grandma."

Queen Sophia leaned closer to her grandson, her eyes filled with wisdom and understanding. "Because I loved your grandfather so deeply, I was willing to let go. You see, back then, I knew that your grandfather was considering running away with the girl he loved. I was ready to release him from our marriage if it meant he could find happiness with the one he truly loved."

Jace pointed out to his grandmother, "But Grandpa stayed. He didn't run away."

Queen Sophia nodded, her eyes filled with a mix of admiration and nostalgia. "Your grandfather was an honorable man. He understood his duty to his family and the crown."

Jace nodded sadly, realizing the depth of his grandfather's commitment. As his grandmother continued to speak.

"Even though your grandfather was never in love with me," Queen Sophia admitted, "we learned to love each other. He gifted me with some of the best moments of my life and the family I had always dreamed of."

Curiosity tugging at him, Jace asked his grandmother, "Did you ever regret anything?"

Queen Sophia's response was immediate and vehement. "Never, my dear."

Jace, intrigued by her conviction, asked, "Why not?"

His grandmother locked eyes with her grandson, her gaze filled with warmth and sincerity. She softly told him, "Because your grandfather gave me you, Jace, and I wouldn't change that for anything in the world."

Queen Sophia clapped her hands together, breaking the somber mood, and said, "Enough of sad stories, my dear. Tell me about what happened with you."

Jace blushed slightly but nodded, saying, "I confessed to Mia."

His grandmother raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in her voice. "Well, that's certainly not what I was expecting."

Jace chuckled and admitted, "That's pretty much what Theo said too."

With a small smile, Queen Sophia remarked, "I suppose the confession didn't go well?"

Jace sighed, recalling the events. "I confessed the day before the Yule holidays. I told Mia that I was going to get over her because I wanted things to be the same as they were before."

His grandmother inquired, "Why would you say that?"

Jace, clearly embarrassed, admitted, "I had been ignoring Mia for months, trying to get over her."

Queen Sophia lightly slapped his arm and scolded, "That was not a nice thing to do."

Rubbing the spot where she had slapped him, Jace replied, "I know, Grandma. Theo already punched me for it."

His grandmother smirked and quipped, "Well, it serves you right for being a git."

Jace pouted playfully and asked, "Whose side are you on, Grandma?"

With a mischievous glint in her eye, Queen Sophia answered, "I'm on Mia's side. Women have to stick together."

Jace continued with a grin, "I've apologized to Theo and Mia, and we're starting over with our friendship, just like before."

His grandmother hugged him warmly and said, "I'm happy for you, my dear. Although I must admit, I always thought Mia would somehow end up being part of the family."

Jace laughed and replied, "Mia is already part of the family, even if we never marry. And, you know, you dote on her even more than you dote on me."

Queen Sophia chuckled. "Well, she is a remarkable young lady, after all."

As the evening grew late, his grandmother noticed the time and turned to Jace, asking, "Are you planning to stay for dinner, my dear?"

Jace nodded with a smile, appreciating the invitation. "Yes, I'd love to, Grandma."

As they started making their way back toward the palace, Queen Sophia asked with a curious glint in her eyes, "Do your parents know you're here with me?"

Jace shrugged nonchalantly. "I'll send them a letter after dinner. They'll find out then."

His grandmother chuckled softly, pleased to have her grandson's company for the evening.

The wind whistled through the trees, causing Evan's hair to rustle as he walked along the familiar path through Kirroughtree Forest. His footsteps crunched softly on the fallen leaves, and the woods seemed to echo with the sounds of his solitude. It was a routine he had perfected over the years since that night when he had fled his sister's manor.

He had sought refuge at his great aunt's house, a place he had never visited while she was alive. She had been disowned by their family after marrying a muggle, and as a result, Evan had only seen her twice during his childhood. However, when she passed away, a muggle lawyer had contacted him, informing him that her quaint cottage in Newton Stewart now belonged to him. It was a small, cozy place, and it had become the perfect hideout for Evan.

Evan's thoughts wandered back to the past as he strolled through the woods, his footsteps guided by memory. The sound of leaves rustling and the distant hoot of an owl were the only companions he allowed himself. He had become reclusive, avoiding contact with anyone except for his occasional trips to the grocery store.

Today, though, something felt different. As he continued his walk, he couldn't shake the eerie sensation that he was being watched. He paused and glanced around, the wind tousling the collar of his coat.

"Is someone there?" Evan called out, his voice carrying through the trees. He received no response, only the continued whisper of the wind.

Brushing off the unease, he resumed his walk, trying to convince himself that it was just his imagination playing tricks on him. But the feeling persisted, and he quickened his pace, his footsteps crunching louder in his haste.

Just as he was about to dismiss the notion entirely, a twig snapped behind him. Evan spun around, his wand drawn and at the ready. "Who's there?" he demanded, his voice now sharp and authoritative.

"Goodnight, Evan," a voice sliced through the silence, sending a shiver down Evan's spine.

A cloaked figure materialized from the trees, their presence eerie and unsettling in the dim moonlight filtering through the leaves. Evan's eyes narrowed as he tried to make out any identifying features, but the figure remained concealed beneath their hooded cloak.

Evan couldn't contain his surprise as he asked, "What are you doing here?"

The cloaked figure tilted their head, the smile beneath the hood taking on a sinister quality. "My, my, Evan. Is that any way to greet an old friend?"

Evan's frown deepened "How did you find me?"

The cloaked figure stepped closer, their movements deliberate and deliberate. "Ah, Evan, always so cautious. It's no fun if I just tell you, now is it?"

Evan's grip on his wand remained firm, his wariness growing with each passing moment. "Cut the riddles. Tell me how you found me."

The cloaked figure chuckled softly, the sound sending chills down Evan's spine. "Let's just say that I have my ways. The world is full of secrets, Evan, and you of all people should know that."

Evan's eyes narrowed further, his mind racing as he tried to piece together the puzzle. "I've been careful, hidden away from everyone. How did you track me down?"

The cloaked figure's sinister laughter pierced the night, a chilling sound that seemed to seep into Evan's very soul. "As much as I'd like to catch up, Evan, I have more important things to do"

"Expelliarmus!" A burst of magic shot from the figure's wand, disarming Evan and sending his wand flying into the darkness."Crucio!"

Intense, searing pain coursed through Evan's body, making him fall to his knees, his screams echoing through the forest. Evan glared at the cloaked figure.

"Where is she? Where is the girl, Evan?"

Evan's voice trembled as he spoke through gritted teeth. "I don't know."

The cloaked figure scoffed, convinced Evan was lying. "You're lying!" he shouted, throwing another Crucio at Evan, intensifying his agony.

Evan's voice remained defiant, though the pain was excruciating. "I don't know!" he repeated.

The cloaked figure repeated the Cruciatus Curse over and over, determined to break Evan's will. But Evan, his voice wavering with each scream, refused to speak.

Growing frustrated, the cloaked figure muttered, "Legimens," attempting to probe Evan's mind and memories. Evan's eyes locked onto the figure's, and he summoned all the strength he could muster to put up his Occlumency walls.

Clicking his tongue in annoyance, the cloaked figure told Evan, "You're pathetic."

"You're no better than me." Evan retorted, "At least people trust me."

The remark seemed to enrage the cloaked figure. "Shut up!" he spat. "You don't know what you're talking about"

Evan laughed, his voice a pained rasp. "That's what's eating you, huh? Nobody trusts you."

In a fit of rage,the cloaked figure, eyes raging, cast the last spell, "Sectumsempra". Evan crumpled to the ground, blood pouring from the deep wounds that appeared across his body.

Despite the pain, Evan smiled up at the figure, blood trickling from his mouth. "You just proved my point."

With that, the cloaked figure disappeared into the night, leaving Evan alone and bleeding on the forest floor.

Evan's gaze shifted to the sky above, where the Sirius constellation twinkled brightly above him. Faintly, he heard the soft pop of apparition, and a distant voice filled with panic tried to stop the bleeding, "Evan, listen to me, you're going to be okay. Don't close your eyes."

But Evan knew that wasn't true. His vision blurred, and his breathing slowed. With his last bit of strength, he looked up at the sky and whispered, "I'm so sorry, Hermione," as a single tear rolled down his cheek.