The Hogwarts Emerald

Chapter 3 Ada's Past

The room was very quiet, the only sound was the clatter of the chair, which was so old, under the weight of its load.

"She used to be a very good child, and she rarely cried even when she was just born. A good-looking child is very likable," recalled Mrs. Mary.

After hearing what Lady Mary said, Mag frowned, "You mean before?"

Seeing Mag frowning, Lady Mary felt uneasy. She didn't know whether she should tell the woman in front of her the story of Ada. She was a little worried. After thinking for a while, Lady Mary said nervously, "Is Ada sure to go to your school?"

"Of course." Mag didn't know why Lady Mary suddenly asked this question, and she began to feel curious.

"No matter what I say about Ada, it will have no effect, right?" Lady Mary cast a questioning look at Mag opposite her.

"Whether or not she can go to Hogwarts to study depends on Miss Drizzt's personal wishes and nothing else." McGonagall affirmed again.

"Okay." Madam Mary let out a long breath, and the worry on her face disappeared. "She is a bit of a weird child."

"Weird? Did you discover it?" Mag asked. She thought that it was Trist's magic fluctuations that were seen by someone.

Seeing that Mag's expression hadn't changed, Lady Mary continued, "We didn't find her. She was originally found by a couple who adopted her."

"adoption?"

"Yes, that was when Ada was four years old. One day Mr. and Mrs. Green came to the orphanage. They had lived together for many years but had no children, so the couple decided to adopt a child," recalled Mrs. Mary.

"They chose Miss Drizzt?"

"Yes, I asked about their wishes. They wanted to adopt a younger child, and Ada was one of them. Ada mingled among the children, not crying or making a fuss and was very quiet, but the Greens still noticed her. It was hard for a girl like a little angel not to be noticed, so they decided to adopt Ada. After completing the formalities, the couple held Ada in their arms and left happily."

"But they finally sent Miss Drizzt back."

"Yes." Mrs. Mary's expression was somewhat painful. "I thought Ada could leave the orphanage forever, but they sent her back three months later. Mr. and Mrs. Green seemed to be terrified. When they sent Ada back, they stood far away from Ada, as if Ada was a monster... I asked them what was going on. At first they refused to say anything. Finally, in order to terminate the adoption relationship, Mr. Green hesitantly told me that Ada was a monster!"

Mrs. Mary took out a handkerchief, wiped her tears, and continued, "They said that since they adopted Ada, the items in the house often changed their locations for no reason; some animals often appeared around their residence; and Ada would unconsciously control some objects in the air; the most terrifying thing was that the couple clearly slept in the bedroom, but woke up the next day to find themselves sleeping on the sofa in the living room. So, the frightened couple decided to send Ada back..."

"Have you seen these situations?" asked Professor McGonagall.

"No, never." Lady Mary waved her hands. "I have never seen such a situation. At that time, I thought that this was just a poor excuse that the Greens came up with to send Ada back."

"What a pitiful child."

"After that, Ada was still a very sensible child. Even though some children bullied her occasionally, she never said anything. When Ada was seven years old, she was adopted again."

"Again?" Obviously, the result this time was still not good, otherwise she should be facing her parents in a house instead of an orphanage. Although Mag didn't have any children, as a woman, she still felt sorry for the little girl.

"This time, the Taylors are both doctors and successful people. They are both obsessed with the occult and like to study various legends. Although, I have never seen such a weird situation, Ada is a suitable choice, isn't she?" Lady Mary said, but she clenched the handkerchief in her hand even tighter. "This adoption lasted for half a year. When the Taylors reappeared half a year later, they were much thinner and looked even more frightened than the Greens."

"I suppose they were frightened by Miss Drizzt again?"

"Yes, but the Taylors said that it was Ada who showed them this ability on her own initiative. And Ada has not been adopted since then, and people who come here usually don't choose older children."

"I think she's trying to please her adoptive parents who are into the occult... Have you never seen her... uh... ability?" Mag asked tentatively.

Madam Mary still shook her head. "No, even after that time I questioned her loudly, she still didn't show this ability. It's just that she, who had always been well-behaved, actually started fighting with the children. Her temper became worse and worse, and she became more and more withdrawn." "It should be that these two adoptions and abandonment hurt her..." Professor Magon said after thinking for a while.

"I have the same idea as you. Maybe the blow to her was too great, and she makes me feel a little strange. Since two years ago, the children in the orphanage no longer dare to bully her. Although I don't know what happened between her and the children, I am sure that something must have happened that made the children very scared." Mrs. Mary said to herself.

Lady Mary wiped away her tears and said solemnly: "No matter what, please believe me. Ada is always a kind child, and she is growing up now... Oh, I think it would be better for you to meet her. She is really a very good child." As she spoke, Lady Mary stood up.

"Sorry for the trouble." Mag stood up as she said this. She came here today just for Ada, so of course she had to meet her.

Led by Mrs. Mary, the two walked out of the office and went up the stairs to the second floor. The children running in the corridor greeted them politely. It seemed that they were well brought up, at least it seemed so.

"This is it." The two walked through the corridor on the second floor and stopped at the door of the last room. Mrs. Mary knocked on the door twice and walked in.

"Ada, this is Ms. Magg. She's here to see you." After saying that, Mrs. Mary closed the door and left, but she didn't go far.

"Hello, Ms. Mag." Ada gave up the only chair in the room and picked up the kettle to pour a glass of water for Mag.

Mag looked at Ada, who was wearing ill-fitting clothes, and had to admit that she was indeed a very pretty girl. Mag had used his Animagus ability more than once to transform himself into a tabby cat and secretly observe Ada.

When you stare into the abyss... No, when McGonagall was looking at Ada, Ada was also secretly observing McGonagall. When Lady Mary said McGonagall's name, he also recognized who the woman in front of him was with her hair combed meticulously and a serious expression - Minerva McGonagall, the deputy headmaster of Hogwarts, was written on the admission notice.

"Hello, I'm Minerva McGonagall." McGonagall stepped forward and held out her hand.

Ada extended her hand and shook it, then placed the water she had poured on the table. "I'm sorry, there's no tea here. I can only offer you water."

"It doesn't matter." Looking at Ada who looked like a little adult, Mag said, "I think you have seen the letter."

"Yes, Ms. Magg, but I don't quite understand..."

"You can tell me your doubts." Mag said to Ada who was standing, and then sat on the chair.

Seeing Mag sitting down, Ada sat down on the bed. Ada put on a puzzled expression and asked, "I see your school is a magic school, but I'm sorry, does this magic refer to magic?" Playing dumb, Ada didn't intend to make herself special, so she asked this ordinary question.

"No, it's just magic. Also, you can call me Professor McGonagall."

"Magic...can you let me see it?" There was anticipation and pleading in his tone.

McGonagall drew her wand and pointed it at an empty cup on the table. The cup then turned into an exquisite snuff bottle, and then into a goblet.

"Incredible!" Ada continued to portray herself as a child who had never seen the world.

"Hogwarts is a school for people with special talents, a magic school that only wizards can attend. If you are willing, you will be enrolled in September." McGonagall returned the goblet and said.

"So some of the weird things that happened around me are also... also magic?"

"I heard something about you from Lady Mary. It is indeed magic. It just usually happens to young wizards who have not yet entered school. Through systematic learning at Hogwarts, you can control this ability and stop it from getting out of control. If you are willing to go to Hogwarts to study, of course, if you are not willing, no one will force you." McGonagall said while observing Ada's mood. However, Ada's expression suddenly changed from excitement to depression, and her pale face made people feel even more distressed.

"I'm sorry, I'm afraid I can't go..."

(End of this chapter)