The next morning, Lys woke up with a slight toothache, probably from forgetting to brush her teeth again the night before. She shrugged and settled down patiently by the kitchen window.
Where is Mother? Why hasn't she returned yet?
As if answering her thoughts, a woman in a black cloak suddenly apparated outside the garden. She stumbled in, clutching a large bag, and rushed into the area protected by magical wards. After thrusting the bag into Coco's arms, she raised her wand to her chest, checking the integrity of the protective spells and alarm records.
Only after completing all these security measures did she stride into Lys's father's bedroom.
Her amber eyes didn't spare even a glance for little Lys, but the girl didn't mind - she was well accustomed to such treatment.
She just hoped her father would remember to mention the school matter to her mother, preferably arranging for Coco to accompany her shopping. She had never been out with her mother before, and though she yearned for it, she suspected it would be terrifying.
The next morning, watching her mother don her cloak while instructing Coco about father's new potion regimen, Lys knew her hopes had been dashed.
"Mother, I apologize for interrupting, but I need you to allow Coco to take me out. To purchase my school supplies."
Lys gazed at her mother with hopeful eyes.
"School?" Senna's voice dripped with contempt. "Where did you get such a preposterous idea? To learn to use tools like gorillas at some Muggle school? You must have picked this up from those Muggles in the neighboring village. I forbid you from associating with them! What school could you possibly attend?"
Senna paused, staring at the little girl whose eyes had lost their sparkle. "Disgraceful! You should be grateful you have food to eat in this house. How dare you make demands!"
Perhaps it was her mother's raised voice, or perhaps because her father always watched when her mother left - who could say? Either way, he noticed the scene and magically amplified his voice, though the effort clearly weakened him.
"Senna, I need you upstairs."
Standing in the courtyard, Lys felt her fingertips growing numb. If Mother wouldn't let her attend school, would she at least be allowed to keep the letter?
Storm clouds were gathering. Her left leg and arm always ached before rain. She wondered if Coco had left any laundry on the roof. The fruits she'd picked from the tree recently were somewhat sour, but their unique taste made them special. Perhaps she could gather a few more.
Rain began to fall, cool droplets landing on Lys's rusty red mess of hair. The sensation snapped her from her reverie, and she hurried inside. She couldn't risk falling ill - sickness always lingered far too long.
"Coco, find her something presentable to wear, quickly! We only have half a day!"
Senna emerged from her husband's bedroom. She could hardly believe that this harbinger of disaster, this disgrace could actually be a witch - it was an insult to Merlin himself!
Perhaps she shouldn't have allowed her to reach eleven...
A Death Eater's associate, and an old enemy - these might have been sufficient reasons.
But no, Noah hadn't spoken to her at such length in ages. He had entrusted her with this child's care - their child.
Senna's gaze fixed on where Lys had stood, her wand hand twitching slightly before lowering again.
After wrapping both their heads in black cloth, ensuring not a single strand of Lys's hair was visible, and casting several Notice-Me-Not and Confundus charms, Senna apparated with her daughter to a shop entrance in Knockturn Alley.
Double-checking the list Noah had given her, she pulled Lys through a grimy, dark alley.
The already narrow passage seemed even more constricted with merchandise and cages displayed outside the shops.
But little Lys didn't mind at all - she even reached out to touch a small snake in one of the cages.
Before she could get bitten, Senna yanked her into a shop, having confirmed their destination.
Senna extracted several crystal vials of potions from her robes and placed them on the counter. "Your last order, as requested."
After weighing the proffered money pouch, Senna nodded in satisfaction and removed the tracking charm with a wave of her wand.
The bandage-wrapped shopkeeper made a mock bow. "Looking forward to future business. Here's the list. Anything else for the little gentleman?"
Senna shot Lys a displeased glance. "Lovely? Little gentleman?"
Lys paid no attention to their exchange - she was practically diving headfirst into a barrel of mysterious slime.
After leaving Knockturn Alley and counting their remaining funds, Senna efficiently led Lys to the second-hand shops in Diagon Alley, where they purchased nearly half the required items.
These included school robes and textbooks, among other necessities.
Lys glanced back at the corner where the two streets met. Just around that bend, the previous alley had been dark and filthy, with sinister wizards skulking about with malicious intent, sending chills down one's spine. Yet this street was bright and welcoming.
Like two entirely different worlds.
Senna reviewed the list - now only the wand remained. Yes, the true passport to the wizarding world -
A wand.
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