Madam Angabhut stood there in a calm and composed manner as the Rotten Brains scrambled to their feet. By now, the trees had stopped hurling their fruits. Aurelia would never forget the first impression she had on her on the first day of her school.
It was the first day at Little Bees High School. The school had arranged a magic show for the welcome of the new kids. She had clapped her hands in glee when she saw the cards change their number of diamonds and spades.
"That's not magic," Madam Angabhut had stood beside her with a stern look, her hand clasped tightly behind her, "It's an illusion."
Illu-what? She had flapped her eyelashes, hoping that it would catch her attention and that she would explain what she had said. But she never glanced back at her. And she never took any of there classes until the third grade. Even if she took that handful of classes, she seemed to ignore her all the time.
"I thought I asked you something," her calm voice was enough to send shivers down the boys' spines, "After all, the trees would never hurl their fruits even if someone waved their wands meticulously." She darted a look at Aurelia, making her purse her lips. Then, she glanced at the boys.
Madam Angabhut was wearing a blue dress robe over a white underdress. She pulled out something from within them. Aurelia feared that it could be her wand. But it was not.
"Here, take this," she extended the thing towards her, "I thought that you would need one. And I was not wrong about it." Aurelia took it from her with surprise. It was a thick book, a heavy one with a red leather cover. On it was written in bold golden ink, SPELLS FOR EVERY OCCASION BY Maggie Goo. Her eyes went round. This was considered a rare book, a costly one. She looked at Madam Angabhut. But, as usual, she was ignoring her.
"Don't lie to me," she added with an icy voice. Aurelia felt the glares Tony was darting at her. Since she had used the trees' help to defeat the rotten brains, it was obvious that she was not on the wrong side. It was very hard for someone to make the trees help them. And it was obvious that the rotten brains were in the wrong.
Aurelia turned her attention to the book. Grandpa was supposed to bring her the book when he would go to Espejismo, the city of illusions. And he did... But, he never returned. Aurelia sighed loudly.
"I assumed that you would be at home by now," Aurelia looked up to see Madam Angabhut staring at her with a nonchalant face, "Now that you have the book in your hand that you expected from your Grandpa."
Aurelia widened her eyes. How did she know about it? Perhaps, sensing her surprise, she glanced at the boys, "I want an explanation. Head back to your homes. I will be there by evening."
The Rotten Brains hurriedly hopped on their bicycles and paddled away shivering in fear. Aurelia felt her lips parted and a crease formed on her forehead. Madam Angabhut looked at her and said, "You must hurry home, Miss Swan. I expect great things from you and so did your Grandpa."
"How?" it came out in a whisper, "How did you know my Grandpa?"
"Since when are the teachers answerable to the students?" Madam Angabhut stared at her face, "I must leave. I have to visit the boys."
She hurriedly walked towards the car, her dress robe fluttering in the wind. Aurelia stared at her retreating figure. Her eyes were filled with confusion. She could know who her Grandpa was. But how she knew that the book was what she anticipated from Grandpa. Already shaken, Aurelia decided to go back since her work was done. She would rather focus on her practice for the event. But for now, she had to take her mind off from the events from earlier. She reached for her phone inside her backpack. The screen lit up. She attached the earphones and hopped on her bicycle. a soothing melody filled her ears, an easy distraction.
Gusts of wind got upset with the weather today...
As the bumblebees looted the brilliance of flowers
today the way of life has changed a little bit
Taking that as an excuse, why I too not make my heart feel better,
Why shouldn't I too pamper my heart...
The verandas are old, but the sunshine I see is new...
Whose beauty is that is knocking at my eyelids...
The one, who makes mischief,
forgetting the veils,
How do I call him by name?
All these cuckoos have become postmen,
In their cuckooing, they read letters like jokes...
Tell them not to hide,
and tell me clearly who has written [the letter]
I'll remove the effect of the evil eye for him...
I'll adorn myself, and my heart...
By the time, the song reached its final note, Aurelia had reached the foot of the hillock of Prahelika. She hopped off the bicycle and sighed. It was broad daylight. But the canopies of the jungles were eerily quiet. She led the bicycle to the shed slowly. Only the rustling of leaves and cracking of dried twigs could be heard under her feet. She securely locked the bicycle and this time, she put on the Locking Charm. The stillness told her that something was off. She could not hear the chirping of birds or buzzing of insects.
The wind had suddenly stopped rustling among the shady trees. The still silence was creepy enough to send shivers down anyone's spine. Aurelia's rapid breath whispered in her ears as she ascended the seventy-eight stairs to the manor.
The manor was in ghastly stillness, a scene straight out of a horror movie. Aurelia felt her breath quicken as her steps slow down. The air stunk of spells and charms. Magical energy was surging through the atmosphere.
"Aurors are never afraid to fight; even if they are empty-handed," Grandpa had told her once.
Aurelia slowly walked up to the manor. She intended to press the bell. But the door creaked open at her presence. Her breath hitched, fearing something worse had happened.