Hogwarts Emerald

The next morning, Eda went to find Professor McGonagall to hand over the Galleons. Learning from past experiences, she felt uneasy about suddenly finding a sum of money in her trunk, even though the pouth had her name on it.

Professor McGonagall carefully examined the small pouch and the Galleons inside. She didn't find anything unusual—neither the pouch nor the money was dangerous, and it wasn't some kind of prank item.

Based on the name on the pouch, it was clear that someone had indeed sent this money to Eda. Though it wasn't a large amount, it could still help improve her dire financial situation.

However, Professor McGonagall, being cautious, decided to temporarily confiscate the Galleons.

She believed it was best not to spend money that came from an unclear source. Once she figured out where the money came from, she would return it to Eda.

After leaving the office, Eda met up with the twins. Today was the day they were leaving Hogwarts.

Hogwarts didn't allow any students to stay over the summer holidays, so Eda had no choice but to return to the orphanage. Eda had no emotional attachment to the orphanage, aside from Mrs. Mary, and felt no particular longing to be there.

But there was nothing she could do; she had to go back and live there for the time being. She promised herself that once she had enough money, she would get her own house, even if it meant being saddled with a mortgage.

On the way to the station, Eda told the twins about the Galleons and shared her thoughts.

The brothers both agreed that the money was likely from Dumbledore. Dumbledore had prevented The Daily Prophet from publishing Eda's name, so this might have been his way of privately compensating her.

As for the possibility that Snape had sent the money, the twins completely dismissed the idea.

They believed Snape had no reason to do such a thing and lacked the conscience to feel guilty enough to give Eda any compensation.

Eda thought to herself: Since I can't figure out who sent the money, there's no point in stressing over it. The money isn't even in my hands anymore—better to leave it to Professor McGonagall to handle. I'll get it eventually... right?

On the train, the six of them squeezed into a compartment together. The twins and Lee Jordan sat on one side, while the three girls sat on the other. They spent the journey playing cards and laughing, just like they did when they first arrived.

The countryside outside the window grew greener and tidier as they passed through one Muggle town after another. As the scenery became more urban, Eda and her friends changed out of their wizarding robes and into Muggle clothes.

When the train finally pulled into Platform 9¾ at King's Cross Station, the students poured out, their excitement to return home dulling the sadness of saying goodbye.

It took them a while to get off the platform. An old, shriveled guard stood by the barrier, allowing only two or three people through at a time so that a large crowd wouldn't suddenly emerge from the solid wall, which might draw the attention of the Muggles.

Eda exited the passageway with the twins.

"Here! Come quick!" Mrs. Weasley, along with Ron and Ginny, was waiting there, waving at them.

Ignoring her own twin sons, the plump Mrs. Weasley smiled warmly at Eda and said, "Dear, you must come to our house during the holidays. I'll have Arthur come and pick you up."

"Mom, Eda's not your daughter—Ginny standing right next to you is!"

"We're your sons! We haven't seen you in half a year!"

The twins sounded a bit jealous, but neither Eda nor Mrs. Weasley paid them any mind.

"Thank you for the invitation. I'm really looking forward to experiencing life in a wizarding family," Eda said, embracing Mrs. Weasley as if they were mother and daughter, while the twins seemed more like the neighbors' kids.

Eda didn't linger long with Mrs. Weasley, as she still had to make her way across half of London to get back to the orphanage.

Dragging her suitcase, Eda took Muggle public transportation to the neighborhood where the orphanage was located. Even though it had only been a year, the area felt strangely unfamiliar to her.

She followed the path she remembered, one she had walked many times, so there was no way she could have made a mistake. But when Eda finally stood in front of the orphanage, her mind went completely blank—the orphanage was gone!

"My orphanage? Where's my big orphanage?" Eda muttered to herself. "Did I go the wrong way? No, I didn't!"

Eda rubbed her eyes hard, but nothing changed.

The orphanage wasn't playing hide-and-seek with her; it was really gone, leaving nothing but a pile of rubble.

Looking around, she noticed that some houses near the orphanage had also been torn down.

A group of construction workers was lazily working over the ruins, indicating that the demolition had taken place some time ago.

Even though Eda had never been particularly fond of the orphanage, it had been a place that sheltered her from the elements. Now that it was gone, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of bitterness.

The sky was already darkening, so there was no point in staying here unless Eda wanted to sleep on the streets.

After taking one last, long look at the ruins of the orphanage, Eda turned away, dragging her suitcase behind her. She decided to check out the neighboring street, which was still standing.

Eda entered a small, modest café, a place where the locals often gathered due to its low prices. She had been here once or twice before.

Sitting in a corner of the café, Eda ate a meat pie while eavesdropping on the conversations around her.

However, all she heard were people boasting or discussing football—nothing of any real value.

After sitting for a while without picking up any useful information, Eda was about to leave when a familiar voice suddenly spoke near her.

"Esmeralda Twist?"

Eda looked up and saw a man standing in front of her. His voice was familiar, and so was his appearance. Unsure, Eda asked, "Mr. Kirk?"

"It's me." Mr. Kirk glanced at the suitcase on the floor and asked, "Did you just get back?"

(A/N: The one who dropped her at the station in the initial chapter... I Think..)

"Yes, sir. We're on summer break, but when I got back, I found out that the orphanage had been demolished."

Mr. Kirk took a pen from his pocket and began scribbling something on a napkin. "The orphanage's block was torn down after Christmas," he explained. "They're planning to build a commercial area there."

"This area is known for being less affluent, practically a gathering place for the poor. Building a commercial district here—aren't they worried it will be a total loss?" Mr. Kirk continued.

"And what about Mrs. Mary?"

"Ahh! She and the children were relocated to another orphanage, one that's in much better condition than this place," Mr. Kirk said, handing Eda the napkin with the address written on it. "Take a look; this is the address of the new orphanage."

Eda took the napkin and frowned slightly as she looked at the address.

"Mrs. Mary couldn't get in touch with you, so she asked a few people in the neighborhood to give you the address if they saw you," Mr. Kirk continued. "The place is in the countryside near Surrey, not too far from here."

"Yeah.. My school is very strict, and I've been very busy with my studies, so I haven't been able to contact Mrs. Mary."

Eda had only sent one letter during Christmas, which Mr. Weasley had mailed for her, but she hadn't left any contact information. Mrs. Mary was a nun, and Eda was a witch, so she had never shared this fact with Mrs. Mary, fearing that the older woman wouldn't be able to handle the shock.

"Do you need me to take you there?" Mr. Kirk offered kindly. "I visited the place once."

"There's no need to trouble yourself, sir. I'll take the train myself," Eda replied evasively. "I think I should get going now."

Mr. Kirk glanced at his watch and then said, "Be careful on your way. It's getting late, so if you're on your own, it might be best to go tomorrow instead."

"Thank you. I'll stay at a classmate's house tonight."

After bidding farewell to Mr. Kirk, Eda left the café and went to buy envelopes and stamps.

She had no intention of going to Surrey, but she at least felt obligated to let Mrs. Mary know that she was safe.

After dropping the letter into the mailbox, Eda pulled her suitcase and left the neighborhood. As the sky grew darker, she knew she needed to find a place to stay.

Where would a witch think to go when she needed a place to stay? Eda thought of the Leaky Cauldron. It might look shabby, but it was her first gateway into the magical world.

Eda's shadow stretched long and thin on the street as she walked away. Everything had started at the orphanage.

It was there that Eda had first encountered the new world, and there that she had met Professor McGonagall for the first time. But now, the orphanage was gone.

With no place to return to, the only option was to move forward.

Perhaps this was the mysterious way fate worked(?)

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