Four whole months had been more than enough for Misha to change—and for the entire orphanage to change with her.
Life at St. Lucia's Orphanage had improved dramatically.
Misha's clothes had been replaced. The new outfit was bigger, made from some thick, soft animal fur that made her feel warm and comfortable.
A happy little smile sat on her clean, pale face.
"Misha—" A small child burst through the door. "Sheen wants you! She looks really excited, like she has something important to share!"
Sheen—full name Sheen Middle—was the little princess who lived near the orphanage.
St. Lucia's was only a fifteen-minute walk from the Middle family home.
Sheen had another identity: she was Tom's student.
"I know. You kids go to bed first. I'll be back soon." Misha ruffled the heads of the two children beside her and left the orphanage.
After Tom left, someone had to step up. That someone was Misha.
She had to take care of all the other children now. Tom's burden had become hers.
Only when she was with Sheen could Misha be her old self again.
…
Middle Family Home.
"Good evening, Misha." Sheen wore elegant noble clothes. She closed her book and set it on her lap, smiling at the girl who had already grown noticeably prettier. "An owl brought news. Professor Tom is doing very well at Hogwarts."
"God bless." Misha let out a relieved breath, hands clasped together. "Thank you, Sheen. Thank you for always asking your friends to send us updates."
Misha didn't know how Sheen got the information—she seemed to know several Muggle-born wizards.
Those wizards had already entered Hogwarts and occasionally reported back about Tom.
"No need to thank me. I'm curious about Professor Tom's life at Hogwarts too. Please, sit. Would you like some red tea?"
Misha's face went white instantly. "No! Last time I drank red tea I couldn't sleep all night. Could I have honey water instead, please?"
"Of course."
The servant quickly brought Misha a cup of warm honey water. In the British winter, a hot cup of honey water always brought a gentle warmth.
"Professor Tom and Miss Hermione are doing wonderfully at Hogwarts—truly wonderful. They've become very powerful wizards and are highly respected.
Especially Professor Tom. He's grown so much stronger than he was four months ago. They say he's been called a genius. You don't need to worry about him, Misha. And next year you'll be going to Hogwarts yourself, right?"
They had discovered traces of magic in Misha—she was a little witch too!
"What about your magic… I mean that unpleasant thing. Has it still not left you?"
Misha looked at the wriggling black shadow on the floor and smiled bitterly. "It doesn't interfere with my daily life, so it's fine. Once I get to Hogwarts it'll definitely get better."
Only after hearing that did Sheen nod, relieved.
"About Christmas—Professor Tom is going to the ball with Miss Hermione."
Misha's small hand pressing against her chest finally relaxed.
She let out a long breath.
Good. If Tom didn't have a partner, he would've been so sad.
"There's one more thing. I heard… Professor Tom has two people he's particularly close to. I mean… he might get married after he becomes an adult."
As Sheen delivered the shocking news, she quietly watched Misha's face, hoping to catch some surprised reaction.
But Misha wasn't shaken at all. "Tom is so outstanding. Of course he'll find a suitable witch partner. I'm not surprised."
The two girls fell silent for a moment.
"Fine, I do care," Misha coughed. "So which annoying person earned Tom's praise?!"
"Hermione Granger."
Sister Hermione?
Misha recalled that face.
Tom was her family. He still needed to be tested. Books always said that outstanding young men who were new to things could easily be tricked by pretty girls.
Hermione was very pretty. She might trick Tom. That absolutely could not be allowed!
"Who's the other one?"
"Severus Snape. That's what the students are saying. I don't know if it's true."
Boom—
A dull thud sounded beside them. Both girls turned, but saw nothing unusual—just a book that had mysteriously fallen from the shelf.
Severus Snape?
Misha remembered that name—Tom had come back once and brought a professor with him.
Tom had called him… Professor Snape.
"That's impossible!" Misha's voice rose without her realizing. "It's a rumor! A stupid rumor! Professor Snape is a gentle person. Tom once secretly told me Professor Snape could become his godfather. Who's spreading such nonsense?!
If I were at Hogwarts right now, I'd grab that person and rip their mouth off!"
Four months ago, Misha would never have said something like that…
"I'm only passing on the message. What happens next is unknown. Misha, when you leave I'll have Mr. Don Quixote escort you. Be careful lately—there's a concerning figure in London. He's very dangerous.
You've seen his name in the papers, right?
A person who should only exist in fairy tales—Jack the Ripper. Seven young women in London have already fallen victim."
"I'll be careful. No need to send me."
After finishing the warm honey water, Misha politely said goodbye and left the villa.
The dim street lamps couldn't pierce the thick fog. Mist still swirled thickly in front of Misha.
She walked. The shadow at her feet walked with her.
Step by step…
"Hey, stop messing around. Can you behave?"
The shadow at her feet stopped following.
It suddenly leaped up, detaching from the ground to stand in front of her. "Hehe. You seemed really worried when you heard Tom has a marriage partner."
"None of your business!"
"On Christmas night Tom will be dancing with someone else."
"I said…" Misha took a deep breath. "None of your business! When I get to Hogwarts I'll have someone get rid of you, you annoying thing!"
The shadow spread its hands. "What nonsense. I am you. You are me. Come…"
Its hand gently rested on Misha's shoulder. "Friend, in the London night, I am your only friend—and the only one you can trust.
Come. On Christmas night, when Tom isn't with you, I can keep you company."
"If you say one more bad word about Tom, I'll never speak to you again in my life. Take back what you just said!"
Seeing Misha's stubborn stance, the shadow sighed. "Fine, fine. I take it back. But think about it—what if… Tom comes back for Christmas?
You know Hogwarts students get holiday leave. If Tom comes back, won't you want to dance with him?
And I, friend, I can dance. Just follow my steps…"
Snape watched the entire scene coldly from the side. He raised his wand, aiming straight at the shadow.
"Calm down, my friend…" Dumbledore's hand gently landed on Snape's shoulder.
He had been following Snape the whole time!
Dumbledore seemed to have expected this. "Don't act. It would break a little witch's heart."
"Albus! You know what that thing is! It's evil—a born Dark wizard!"
"No, no, no. Nothing in this world is born evil. That shadow is also a child. It's doing its best to keep a pitiful little witch company. We cannot act.
Perhaps you can leave it to Tom. After all, Tom will be coming home for Christmas, won't he?"
Snape bit his lip. "So this is what you wanted me to see?"
"Isn't it enough?" Dumbledore smiled. "Hogwarts will have many young witches in the future. They're always so kind, always so talented. I'm very happy. Now, we should head back."
…
Hogwarts.
Ravenclaw Dormitory.
Sue was sitting in the room, waiting for Tom to return.
He was nervous… no, extremely nervous!
Sue was worried.
Would Tom get angry at him?
Or… would he just ignore him completely?
But for Hermione—no, for the greater, brighter future of the Hermione Appreciation Club—he had to do this!
Only by doing this could he…
Sue's internal monologue was still rambling when Hermione, sore all over, pushed open the door.
"Sue? Why are you dressed so formally? Goodness, I'm so tired today. I need rest. If it's nothing important, please don't disturb me tonight." Hermione yawned and dove straight onto the bed.
Tired… maybe ask him tomorrow?
No, no way!
Harry and Malfoy had said procrastination was the most terrifying enemy, the worst nightmare.
Since he'd prepared for tonight, he had to finish the battle tonight.
It had to be tonight. It could only be tonight!
Sue gathered his courage and stood up. "Tom, there's something I want to tell you!"
Hermione on the bed rubbed her eyes.
What couldn't wait until tomorrow?
She saw Sue's serious face.
And his tightly clenched fists…
So serious!
Had something big happened again? Or had that bastard Tom offended someone behind her back?
"Go ahead." Hermione sat up properly on the bed, mirroring Sue's posture. "I'm listening carefully."
"I… never mind, you sleep first. I'm too scared."
Hermione: "?"
Seriously, are all you boys cowards?
Oh, except Tom. That one's a bastard, not a coward.