In a quiet wizarding pub tucked away in the heart of Belgium, the warm golden glow of lanterns cast soft shadows over the faces of Madame Maxime and Elijah White. They sat at a corner table, both cloaked in silence—one thoughtful, the other tense. Elijah leaned forward, his fingers curled around a cup of untouched tea, his brows furrowed in frustration.
"You haven't felt any trace of her batch?" Maxime asked, her voice low but heavy with concern.
Elijah shook his head slowly. "No. Not a whisper. If Eira was ever in this country, she's long gone."
Before Maxime could respond, the door creaked open. A senior French Auror strode toward their table, his expression grave but laced with urgency.
"Sir, Madam," he said, stopping before them. "We've just received word from the French Ministry. Miss White has been found."
Madame Maxime rose from her chair so quickly it scraped the floor. "Where? Where was she found? Is she safe?"
"She is," the Auror assured. "She was discovered in a remote region of central Germany. After confirming her identity, the German authorities transferred her to their Ministry. From there, she was given a Portkey and transported directly to the French Ministry of Magic. We've just been informed that she insisted on returning to Beauxbâtons at once."
Elijah exhaled, his entire frame relaxing. "Thank Merlin," he muttered, then stood. "Madame Maxime, we should return to your school at once."
As they made their way toward the exit, the Auror added, "She was found with the help of one of the German field agents."
Elijah offered a nod. "Then be sure to pass along my thanks. And please inform your superiors—I'll be making a donation to both your Auror department and the German Ministry. You've all been more than helpful."
The Auror smiled. "We appreciate your generosity, sir."
With that, Elijah and Maxime stepped out into the night, already preparing their return to Beauxbâtons.
⸻
Meanwhile, within the quiet Portkey receiving chamber at Beauxbâtons Academy, a faint blue flash signaled the arrival of a girl. Eira White stumbled slightly as her feet touched the floor, exhaustion written across her features. She lingered for a moment, letting the warmth of the room seep into her bones. Then, slowly, she turned and made her way outside, toward the quiet garden where, hours ago, she had vanished.
The sky was overcast, the breeze soft. She reached the hidden isle in the garden, the very spot where Anna had tricked her. Her gaze swept the area, and there, resting in the grass—untouched—was her wand.
With a gasp, she darted forward, dropped to her knees, and clutched it in both hands. "Oh, thank Merlin," she whispered. "I missed you, girl ." She pressed the polished wood to her lips, then a gentle sigh came out of her lips .
Later, Eira returned to the Ombrelune dormitory. The hall was buzzing with life—students laughing, chatting, going about their day. No one looked at her strangely. No one acted like she'd been missing. She furrowed her brows. Did they even know I was gone? she wondered. Perhaps Maxime never announced it.
Shrugging off the thought, she climbed the stairs to her room, grabbed a towel and fresh clothes, and made her way to the baths. Nearly two days in captivity had left her grimy and sore. She stood under the steaming water for what felt like an eternity, scrubbing away every trace of fear, of grime, of memory.
Clean and composed, she changed into a fresh uniform and headed straight for Madame Maxime's office. She had to inform them. Let them know she was safe.
As she crossed the marble corridor, a voice called out behind her.
"Little bunny!"
She turned—and saw Fleur.
Eira smiled. "Fleur. Long time no see."
Fleur rushed forward and threw her arms around her. "Where were you? We searched everywhere!"
Eira returned the hug gently, activating her Occlumency to suppress the swell of emotions threatening to rise. "I'm alright," she murmured.
Fleur pulled back, looking her up and down with worry. "Come to the Hospital Wing. Let them check you."
"No, I'm fine. I just want to let Madame Maxime know I'm back."
"Alright. Let's go together."
They reached Maxime's office and knocked twice. No reply came from inside it looked like she wasn't in her office . But then, from inside, came the flickering sound of flames—the unmistakable whoosh of the Floo Network and then they heard the noise of conversation so Eira knocked again.
A few seconds later, a commanding voice rang out. "Entrez."
They stepped inside.
Madame Maxime rose from her desk, eyes wide. "Eira!" she gasped. "Mille tonnerres—we were so worried!" She wrapped Eira in a warm, protective hug.
"I'm fine," Eira said softly.
Then she saw him—her grandfather, Elijah White, standing tall behind Maxime. He walked forward and gently patted her head.
"I'm proud of you, Eira," he said. "You're safe now . That's all that matters, you were brave ."
She smiled and softly nodded. "Thank you, Grandfather."
"Sit," Maxime urged. "Tell us everything."
Eira obeyed, settling into the armchair by the fireplace. She recounted it all—how Ana had deceived her, the use of metamorphmagus magic to disguise herself, the betrayal, the abduction, and how she had escaped. Every word, every detail—except one. She said nothing about what she had done to the two men in the cottage.
As her story ended, silence settled over the room.
Elijah stood, eyes burning with cold fire. "I will find that woman," he said. "Whoever she is, whatever her background—I will find her."
Madame Maxime nodded. "For now, Eira, go rest. You've been through enough."
Eira rose, thanked them both, and walked out with Fleur.
⸻
Hours later, Elijah and Maxime arrived deep in the forests of central Germany. They followed Eira's description until they came upon the charred remains of a barn. Nothing remained but ash and bone.
Maxime murmured a spell, and the debris cleared away. Beneath it—two scorched skeletons.
Elijah stared for a long time. Then he laughed.
Maxime looked at him sharply. "Why are you laughing?"
"Because," he said, "she didn't tell us what she did. But now I know , I am very proud of her. And now I'm relieved. She's no weak-hearted girl. She can lead the White family. She has strength in her."
"She's a child," Maxime said coldly. "An eleven-year-old child. This… will scar her."
Elijah scoffed. "They were monsters. She did what had to be done. It's good she has that will. Because the world is darker than she knows, and worse is coming. Better to know she can handle it."
The headmistress glared at him. "Even strong girls deserve to be children. Don't rob her of that."
They fell into silence, gazing out at the dark waves of the sea beyond the cliff.
Then Maxime asked quietly, "What about that woman called Ana?"
"I'll find her," Elijah said. "I'll hire the best mercenaries. I'll contact Karkaroff. She was a student at Durmstrang. A witch without a hand ,Metamorphmagus? Easy to trace. Someone helped her forge her way into my granddaughter's school. I'll find out who—whether in the Ministry or beyond. No one lays a hand on my family and walks away."
Maxime's voice softened. "I'll have Fleur stay close to Eira for now. Help her cope. She's been through more than most."
"No," Elijah said firmly. "She doesn't need coddling. She's proven that."
Maxime turned sharply. "She is a child. Whether she acts strong or not, she needs care."
They both looked out across the coastline, the air between them heavy.
The waves crashed silently against the rocks below.