The Secret Twin: Chapter 11

The rest of the year went by in a flash. I spent most of my time studying for next year, when I was supposed to do my OWLs. Me and Selena had become fast friends, usually going down to the Black Lake with Ivan in our spare time. Selena had a slight crush on Ivan and I knew that Ivan fancied her as well. I had once tried to convince Ivan to ask Selena out, but he denied that he even had feelings for her. When he told me that, I simply threw back my head and laughed. All and all, I had a pretty good year, but one day, everything changed. That day, everything started out normal. I woke up and headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast, before rushing off to my lessons. When I got back though, there was a letter lying on my bed. Strange I thought. Post never arrives this late. It must be important. Curious, I picked up the letter and read who it was from. My eyes widened as I found out who the sender was. Bellatrix. It was from Bellatrix. Excitement surging through me like a tidal wave, I tore open the envelope, but as I read the words, my face well and I began to cry. No, it can’t be I told myself. Selena, who often visited me in my dorm, stepped into the room and noticed me hunched over on my bed, sobbing. “What’s wrong Bella?” she asked, a concerned expression on her face. “I-it’s my parents,” I replied, my voice shaking. “There was a fire at our house a-and they’re g-gone.”

“Oh Bella, I’m so sorry,” she said, wrapping her arms around me. “I lost my grandmother last year so I know how it feels. It’s hard, but eventually you just have to move on.” I tried to take her words in, but my mind was racing. It was exactly like my dream. This had to mean something, but what? “I need to go,” I said and dashed out of the room. I heard Selena calling my name, but I ignored her and rushed straight to the headmaster’s office. When I arrived at the stone gargoyle, I cried “Cockroach Clusters!”. The gargoyle didn’t budge. The password must have changed I thought. In desperation, I began shouting out all the possible passwords I could think of. “Chocolate Frogs! Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans! Liquorice Wands!”. At last, the gargoyle slid out of the way to reveal the spiral staircase. I ran up it, tripping several times. When I got to the top, I swung the door open. Professor Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, writing a book. I managed to glimpse the front cover. It was titled The Twelve Uses of Dragon Blood. “Professor, I need to speak to you about something,” I stated. He looked up from his book and beckoned me over to sit with him. I obliged and took my seat in front of his desk. When I was comfortable, he asked “My dear girl, whatever is wrong?”. I told him about my dream and the letter from Bellatrix. By the time I had finished, tears were streaming down my face. “I-I know I should stay and study for my OWLs, but I feel that I must return home now that this tragic event has taken place,” I finished. The thought of facing my siblings made my heart sink, but I knew I had to. “I understand how hard the death of a family member can be. I myself have felt the same way you did when I lost my sister, Ariana,” he said. “So, you may leave to go and visit your remaining family, though whether you return to Hogwarts or not is optional.” I thanked the Professor for everything then ran off to pack my bags for the journey ahead.