The Hogwarts Emerald

Chapter 114 Bad News

Mr. Weasley sent a letter, but Professor McGonagall was not looking for the twins, but Ada. Even if Professor McGonagall didn't say anything, Ada could guess the reason.

Ada had always kept the fact that she was a witch a secret from Lady Mary, fearing that as a nun, she would not be able to accept the news. This fact was too shocking, so Ada never used an owl to contact Lady Mary.

Since she had to hide it, she had to hide it thoroughly. Ada sent letters to Lady Mary through the post office, disguising herself as studying in a Muggle school with strict management.

During the Christmas holidays, Ada sent a letter to the orphanage through the post office in St. Catchpole Village, telling her not to worry about her as she was spending the holiday at the home of a teacher named Weasley. Ada also specifically asked Mr. Weasley for help.

If Lady Mary wanted to contact Ada actively, she could only send the letter back to the original address. Mr. Weasley would receive the letter and then send it to Hogwarts by owl.

It was a bit troublesome, but it was really useful. Lady Mary and the people in the orphanage still didn't know that Ada was a witch.

Although Ada has always wanted to make a break with the past, she still feels sad when she thinks that something might have happened to Lady Mary. The kind-hearted Lady Mary has taken care of this body for twelve years, and this love cannot be given up just like that.

Ada felt her nose was a little sour. She tried hard to control her emotions, but she still trembled uncontrollably when she spoke. She asked, "Professor, is something wrong with Madam Mary?"

The only reason Ada could think of was that she was hurriedly called out of the classroom. Moreover, during the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, the illusion created by Hinkepunk had shown that Lady Mary was sick.

For some reason, Ada had the attribute of a crow's mouth. Good things never worked, but bad things worked. This made Ada even more convinced that something must have happened to Lady Mary, and Xinkepunk's illusion was a sign of this.

And the fact was just as Ada thought. The people in the orphanage wrote a letter to Mr. Weasley, Ada's so-called teacher, telling him the news that Mrs. Mary was dying and hoping that Ada could come back to see Mrs. Mary for the last time.

Professor McGonagall looked at Ada, who was trying hard to hold back her tears, with a distressed look on her face. She said softly, "Go pack your things now. I'll take you there..."

In the Gryffindor girls' dormitory, Ada changed into Muggle clothes, put her toiletries into her schoolbag, and packed a set of black clothes. Apart from that, Ada didn't bring anything else.

After leaving the History of Magic classroom, Professor McGonagall had not spoken a word. She knew how it felt to lose someone important in one's life. At this time, any words were so pale and powerless. Professor McGonagall also knew that no matter what she said now, she could not comfort the little girl in front of her, but would destroy her last bit of strength. Instead of that, it was better to say nothing.

After packing up, the two left the castle and walked towards the school gate. Ada tightened her clothes. It was already May, but she felt a little cold. The sunshine she usually loved was not warm.

The two stopped outside the school gate. Professor McGonagall would use Apparition to take Ada directly to the orphanage. Professor McGonagall knew about the orphanage's relocation, so she would not take Ada directly to London. However, she did not know where the new address was, so she asked, "Where is the new address?"

Ada told Professor McGonagall the address. After hearing the address, Professor McGonagall asked curiously, "Surrey?" After getting Ada's confirmation, she said seriously, "Hold my arm tightly, don't let go!"

Ada obediently grasped Professor McGonagall's arm, and then there was a sound like an explosion in the air, and also like the sound of a Muggle car backfiring. The figures of Professor McGonagall and Ada disappeared from the open space outside the school gate.

There really is no comfortable means of transportation in the magic world. Apparition feels like being forced through a very tight rubber tube. Many people vomit when they Apparate for the first time. Although it is not very comfortable, Apparition is indeed a very convenient means of transportation, and it can also be used in combat to catch the enemy off guard. Of course, Apparition also has its drawbacks. If used improperly, it may have disastrous consequences. There are also restrictions on distance and location. The farther the distance, the greater the danger. You can't go wherever you want.

Two women, one old and one young, suddenly appeared on the empty street. They were Professor McGonagall and Ada, who had officially Apparated. Professor McGonagall had never been to the new orphanage, so she couldn't take Ada there directly. She could only take Ada to a place in Surrey that she was familiar with.

The houses were neatly rowed on either side of the street, a model of neatness and beauty, and a road sign read: Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey.

The new site of the orphanage was near Little Whinging, not too far from Privet Drive, so the two of them could just walk there. Ada didn't bother to observe the houses and streets here, and didn't even look at them when she left Privet Drive. But Professor McGonagall stared at a house for a long time before leaving.

After walking for about an hour, the orphanage finally appeared in front of the two. The orphanage here looked much better than the one in London. The yard was surrounded by trees and flowers. The entertainment facilities in the yard were also very complete. A large group of children in uniform were playing, and three young women were taking care of the children.

Not far from the orphanage, Professor McGonagall was saying goodbye to Ada. She held Ada in her arms and told her, "Dear, I will send an owl over. If you need anything, please feel free to write to me and I will come as soon as possible."

"Thank you, professor." When Ada first learned the bad news, her emotions were indeed a little out of control, but now she has been able to control her emotions a little.

What Ada didn't know was that her current appearance would make people who saw her feel even more distressed.

"Go do what you should do." Professor McGonagall stroked Ada's long hair and continued, "When you have dealt with things here, I will take you home."

After saying goodbye to Professor McGonagall, Ada walked into the orphanage alone. Several children from London in the yard recognized Ada and immediately gathered together to whisper something, saying such meaningless words as "monster", "cold-blooded", "what is she doing back here", etc. These words also made those children who didn't know Ada more interested, and they all cast curious eyes on Ada.

Three young women stopped the children from talking. The one who looked like the leader walked towards Ada and asked, "Hello, who are you..."

"Hello, I'm Esmeralda Drizzt. I used to live with Lady Mary." Ada said, "Is she... is she okay?"

"Come with me, the dean and Lady Mary have been waiting for you." The young woman led Ada into the building and took her to meet the dean and Lady Mary.

As soon as the young woman and Ada entered the building, the children in the yard started talking again. The children from London kept saying bad things about Ada, describing her as a freak, a jinx, and a bad person who did all kinds of evil.

Outside the orphanage, after parting with Ada, Professor McGonagall did not leave immediately, but kept paying attention to the situation in the yard. She naturally heard the children's discussions in the yard. She had heard these things from Lady Mary a long time ago. Professor McGonagall also knew that Ada was not a freak, nor a bad seed. She was just a fourteen-year-old girl with a tragic fate.

Watching Ada disappear in front of the building, Professor McGonagall disappeared with a popping sound, leaving only a whisper before she left in the air: "Hogwarts is your home, where you have Fred and George, as well as other classmates. You won't be alone anymore."

(End of this chapter)