Hey everyone!

Can we just say that the final quarter of 2022 sucked for me? My nan has had to have a transfusion and operation in a week so it's been super crazy the past 3 weeks. The great news is, although I never reached the 50k, I did manage to get some parts written. I have a lot of time off before I head to my dad's and actually feel like writing again! I promise to do better next year and get back to normal as I do love writing all these stories for you. Thank you for baring with me with everything going on.

Have a magical holiday time and I will see you in 2023.

Lots of love always,

LSH xxx

Sisters Divided – Part 3:

Tine just stared at the Professor as she tried to process his words and she bit her lip standing awkwardly at Queenie's side. Her eyes looked at Lally and it was hard to read her mind as her best friend had a neutral expression on her face.

"Do you think they knew about it? Grindelwald and Rosier? I can't imagine they did…" Tina asked as she looked at her sister, not surprised to see the same look of worry she wore.

"It is possible that they did know and that would explain why she was taken in the first place," Dumbledore said as he looked at Tina, "if they do know they could try and force her onto their side… or they will keep her until she makes up her mind what she wishes to do."

"But her not having a side is why she was taken?" Queenie asked.

"No Queenie," Lally said, "she was taken because Grindelwald believes that Flora is the witch the prophecy is talking about. The fact that she doesn't have a side only adds fuel to the fire as she could be forced to go either way and that will not help her at all. All it does is make her position worse in a way."

"What in Merlin's name have I done? This is all my fault because of what happened when we were younger," Tina asked as she looked at nobody in particular, "she was snatched and it wasn't her choice and who knows how they are treating her now? She surely cannot be safe with them, can she?"

"Gellert will keep her close and alive until he knows if she is the witch the prophecy is referencing," Dumbledore said, "if there is more at work and he does care about her then she'll be safe no matter what happens. The risk will come when we get her back because he will come after her, especially if he discovers who the prophecy is talking about."

Tina began to pace the room and nibbled at her nails, much to Queenie's annoyance, as the truth began to sink in. Her sister could be at the centre of the war against Grindelwald and she was currently stuck on the wrong side of the war. Tina felt helpless. Despite her feelings about her youngest sister, Flora being trapped with Grindelwald was not helping her at all and she couldn't take a shred of comfort from that at all. She sighed and twiddled her necklace around her finger.

Lally could sense that Tina was a swirling cloud of emotions and she walked up to her best friend and rested her hands on Tina's upper arm.

"We will get her back Tina. I don't know how but we will," she said as she rubbed her friend's arm, "what Flora would not want is you to feel guilty about what has happened to her. Nobody knew that she was going to get snatched like she did and that is the end of it. Now we have to get her back and remember that Grindelwald can predict our future moves."

"How will we defeat him then?" Jacob asked, reminding everyone that he was still there.

"Confusion," Karma said.

"Sorry… what? How do you confuse a guy who can see the future?" Jacob asked.

"Countersight," Karma spoke.

"Exactly. The best plan being no plan," Newt added.

"Or many overlapping plans," Lally continued.

"Thus confusion," Newt finished with a cheeky smile.

"It's working on me now," Jacob said.

"Luckily you all have everything you need," Dumbledore said, "once Karma is in Nurmengard he will be able to check on Flora and keep an eye on her. A spy in the midst."

"I will lose any memories of Leta for a while," Karma said, "but I will have them back when this is all over and I cam come back to you all."

"Karma…" Tina started but stopped.

"It all makes sense and he will be able to keep an eye on Flora," Theseus said as he'd been silent for the longest time, "Grindelwald will use Flora to test him and, of course, she knows what happened to Leta after Grindelwald sent her to Nurmengard with Rosier. She isn't going to tell Grindelwald the truth even though she will be able to read his mind as she will hopefully understand his thoughts as well."

Tina nodded. She wasn't happy bit needed someone to keep an eye on Flora and Dumbledore knew what he was doing… didn't he?

Nurmengard Castle:

Vinda had left Flora's room and instantly headed for Credence's where he'd retreated to after his altercation with Flora.

"You need to stay away from Flora unless you wish something terrible to happen to you," she warned Credence.

"Why is she so special? Why is he wanting nobody to go near her expect him and you? Why is that?" Credence asked as he looked at her and waited for a reaction and she smirked at him.

"Do you not like someone having more attention then you?" she asked with a smirk as she crossed her arms, wand in her hand, "Grindelwald's orders are to be followed and if they aren't then I would not like to be in your shoes if anything happens to Flora at your hands. I am the only other person allowed to care for her. You have something in common with her. Her mother died when she was young and you never had a proper mother."

"Why are you telling me this?" Credence asked.

"It is a warning… that Flora holds the key to this War and if she is hurt Grindelwald gets angry and who knows what he will do…" Vinda warned, "nobody is allowed near her except Grindelwald and myself," she said as she held her wand in her hand.

"I will find out and then you all will be sorry. I'm the one who can take down Albus Dumbledore, not her. I'm the special one," Credence said as he looked at Vinda.

"You can take down Albus Dumbledore but you are not the special one as you wish to say," she said before watching him, "stay away or you'll get hurt," she warned before leaving Credence's room and heading to her own.

Flora was curled up in a chair by the window with a book, half reading and half watching the snow falling outside. She'd seen snow before, of course, but not like this. Her peaceful bliss was shattered as the fireplace suddenly sprang to life and soon a warm and comforting glow appeared. She jumped to her feet, the book falling to the floor and she turned, finding herself face-to-face with Grindelwald.

"Gellert," she said as she watched him, wondering what he was doing in her room.

"Are you fine? Did he hurt you?" he asked as he crossed the room to check her over. His hand cupped her face and he looked into her eyes and checked her over.

"Vinda already did the checking over. I am fine, a bit shaken but unharmed," Flora said as she looked at him and sighed softly, "I think that he doesn't like me because you and Vinda pay me so much attention and won't let anyone near me," she said before sighing as she picked up her book, placed her stars and moon bookmark in the book and put it on the chair.

Grindelwald stroked her cheek gently and she shuddered at his touch as their eyes connected. She couldn't understand why he had an affect in her as she stared into his eyes. They held a power that others couldn't see clearly. She had a thousand questions and, yet, her voice was not there. She couldn't speak; it felt like she wasn't breathing at times. She just couldn't understand.

"All you need to know is you are safe here as long as Vinda and I are around," Grindelwald said as he looked at her and he kissed her forehead, "now… get some sleep as it will be a busy day tomorrow," he said before leaving and closing her door.

Flora sighed as she resumed her spot by the window and stared out watching the snow falling into the courtyard light. She thought of Tina and Queenie and how they must be regretting not treasuring the time they had together. She began to get lost in her thoughts and sighed softly. She wondered why the Dark Wizard appeared to want to protect her. There clearly was a reason and she wanted to know and yet, at the same time, the thought of knowing terrified her.