While her mother held her by the waist, Ila tucked her head into her arms, scared.

An Owl was her demise. She knew it. She'd always die like this...

" Please Sunita... Your daughter is a miracle-"

" I know. " Her mother replied sharply to the old lady's earnest words, slowly shifting back.

" You have to go to Hogwarts! " The lady finally called out, she sounded frustrated as well.

That held her and her mother back, their backs to the old lady. Her mother looked down at her. She must have seen the new desperation in her daughter's eyes.

'Maybe papa is there'? Her eyes watered at the thought and she carefully pulled herself out of her mother's arms.

"How do you know about Hog-hogwarts? No one we've asked even thinks it's in Europe. " Ila choked, pushing her hair out of her face. The winds whipped around them, sending chills down her soul. Whispers of the wind echoed one name. Barely discernible.

" I am Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, the school for witchcraft and wizardry. Professor Dumbledore-" But the professor was cut off by sharp laughs of the little girl, who couldn't believe her own ears.

" Witchcraft! Wizardry? Okay ma'am, whatever drama company this is, please understand, I am not interested in acting. "She scoffed as her mother shook her head.

" Come along Ila.. We should go -"

" Please... She's a witch.. She needs proper education.. Otherwise her magic -"

" I'm a what? A witch! " She cringed and the old lady, for the first time till now smiled.

" Yes.. You're a witch.. A strong witch I am sure you will be, with a little training, " She turned to Ila's mother, who had been watching the interaction with rapt attention.

" My dear, " She said, moving over to her mother as she clasped her hands warmly, " I understand this must be hard to digest, but you have to believe me. Your daughter is a witch. Tell me, " The professor said, " Have you even seen strange incidents happen? Ones where you cannot explain what took place? Ones which forced you to think more than was humanly possible? " She implored.

Sunita thought hard and fast. Because the fact of the matter was. Whatever the lady was saying was too unrealistic to be true. Yet the proof lay in front of her eyes. Her daughter... Her daughter was A witch?

She recalled the day her daughter was born..

" That's the last one Sunita. I'm so proud of you. " Her midwife said as they pulled down the hospital bed, the cries of a new soul filled the room with its melody.

" You did it love, " Her husband whispered by her side, pressing a kiss to her forehead. " You're the strongest woman I know. I'm so proud. You gave us the greatest gift of all. "

He gently ran his hands through her hair, massaging softly as the nurses brought in the child, bloody from the tips of her tiny hair to the strong feet which would carry her around the world.

Suddenly, a large spark went off in the room, shrouding it in darkness. However, the child was calm, while the nurses fumbled around the room for torches, he held her daughter.

It would have been a trick of her eyes but she saw her daughter glow, very softly, as soft as a glowbug between hands.

Her husband though, he stared at his daughter in awe. He knew something. He could see it too.

The very next moment, the lights came on, and the baby, not even a few minutes old smiled.

And all was well.

" Does.. Does that mean he was a wizard? " She asked softly and Professor McGonagall looked at her with intrigue. " My husband.. He said he's from Hogwarts too. Is he a wizard? " She asked and Professor looked down sharply.

" Perhaps it is true. But rest assured. You will receive what all to do by post soon. Don't worry.. It'll all be alright. Hogwarts welcomes all those who wish to learn. " She said, gently then turned to Ila.

" Ila, " She said, " Please don't terrify Apollo, he's an on contract owl, we have to return him to The Magic Menagerie... If we don't.. Well they'll stop sending us any owls at all. " She warned as Ila looked over at said owl.

He ruffled his feathers and swooped down to Ila, poking her head as she protested, then flew off.

And then, Professor McGonagall vanished. Vanished!

" Come darling.. We must go... " She ushered her daughter putnof the mall, shock still flowing through her.

She couldn't part with her daughter. She had always lived under her care, her love. With her husband missing, her daughter was her rock. Her job payed just as much as the two could enjoy a comfortable and safe life. She couldn't thrust her daughter into something like this. She wouldn't.

" Mum... Do you wonder if Papa is popular at this Hogwarts? Would he be someone many people know? " She wondered aloud as Sunita raced through the streets, she was grateful there were no police officers around, or else a hefty fine would definitely ruin today.

" I wouldn't know darling. " She muttered back, oblivious to the situation as they finally reached their house, car parked in the garage.

" Mum, do you think they would teach me to fly? " Ila wondered again, but her mother was far too busy searching anything. Any reason to prove this a nightmare. A horror movie come to life.

" Mum do you think -"

" Darling! " She finally said, her voice was pained as she stared at her daughter, who looked at her wide eyed.

She looked hopeful.

" Mum.... I -I want to go. " She whispered, wringing her fingers together. Her eyes flitted across the room, finally landing on her mother, who was thrown aback by her words.

" But darling.. You'll have to live away from me... " Her mother replied, walking over and bending at the knee.

She held her daughter's face in one hand, she choked back the lump in her throat.

" But I'll learn so much mum.. And you're the one who says... Knowledge is precious. It's not as if I'm leaving you and never coming home right... Just as schools do they'll also have holidays.... Hopefully? Otherwise I'll just escape. No one can keep me from my mother. " She giggled and her mother smiled warmly.

Her little girl had grown up.

"Plus, " She said, placing her hands on her mother's shoulders, " What if we find papa? " She said and her mother went still.

" Darling, " She said, holding her face, eyes firm, " Never. Ever put yourself in danger just to find him. Your papa will be back when he can. Neither of us would be able to bear if if something happens to you. Promise me. "

Ila just stared at her mother.

" Alright, " She mumbled, " I promise mum, that I won't do anything that -"

A rapid tapping shook them both out of the conversation, as Apollo sat outside the window, constantly tapping.

" What am I going to do with this owl.. " Ila frowned as she went over to open the window.

He handed her a letter, then...

Then he POKED her hand!

" Ow! " She cried out and her mother laughed behind her.

" He needs something to eat bacha, he must be hungry after such s long flight. Aren't you? " She cooed at the owl, who..

Who was A huge. Backstabber. The moment her mum went to him, he purred into her hands. She didn't even know owls could purr!

" That owl hates me." She huffed and the owl, as if giving her a side eye, tapped her head with its talons and flew back out.

" Well, atleast he brought your letter. Come we'll read it over dinner. "

一一一

So..... Yeah..

Apollo is annoying everyone isn't he.

Or is it only Ila's misfortune? 🤣

Anyways, tell me how it was, do vote please and share it with others if you like it ♥

Meeting our triad tomorrow... Let's see how it goes for Ila. Will she fit in? Or will she make her own mark, as they did.

Much love