The Card of Ashes- Marked for Bombay

Dear Diary,

Last night was strange. I couldn’t sleep at all. My eyes were wide open, staring at the dark ceiling. The room felt too quiet, too still. I thought about getting up and visiting Professor Xorki’s nook. So, I got out of bed and walked toward my chair to grab my cloak. But just as I reached out for it, my eyes caught something outside the window.

It was the owl.

Not just any owl. The same owl I saw in Windrush Hollow. It was perched on a tree near my chamber, staring right at me. Its eyes glowed in the moonlight. A strange shiver ran down my spine. Was it watching me? Was it following me? I stood frozen for a moment, then quickly pulled the curtains shut. My plan to visit Professor Xorki changed in an instant. I suddenly felt too uneasy to leave my room. Instead, I took a deep breath, drank some water from the table jar, and forced myself to sleep.

Morning came too fast. The sun shone through the window, and I realized I had overslept. I jumped out of bed and rushed to class. Lilith and Albert were still nowhere to be seen. Where had they gone? I wondered if they were alright, but there was no time to think about it.

After class, I went to the Lores Main Library. The big, old library always smelled of dusty books and ink. As I walked in, I saw Nexy sitting alone on a shelf. She looked upset. Her face was pale, and she kept looking around nervously. I hurried over to her.

“Nexy, what’s wrong?” I asked.

She sighed and looked at me with worried eyes. “It’s Remy,” she said. “He was here last night. We had another fight over a book. He got really angry and stormed off. Since then, I’ve been searching for him everywhere, but I can’t find him.”

My heart skipped a beat. Remy missing? That wasn’t normal. He loved books too much to just disappear. I wanted to help Nexy search for him, but I had another task — I had to visit the Headmistress’s office.

When I reached the Headmistress’s office, the door was slightly open. I stepped inside quietly, and there she was — searching desperately through the drawers of her large wooden desk. Her hands moved fast, pushing papers and objects aside as if she had lost something important. I knew that drawer. It was the same one where I had once seen Sir Reynard’s ring.

I hesitated, standing on the lower step of the three that led to the main floor of the office. The Headmistress finally stopped searching and sat back in her grand throne-like chair. Her hand was wrapped tightly in cloth, and I could see dark red stains seeping through. She had been hurt, but she didn’t seem to care.

She turned her sharp eyes toward me. “Welcome, miss Hawthrone” she said, her voice calm but distant.

I swallowed and took a step forward.

“Take the card,” she instructed, pointing to a shelf near me.

I turned and saw an old, dark card sitting there. It was strange — thick, rough, and carved with eerie patterns. It looked like it was made from something ancient, something almost… burnt. Maybe even ashes. I shivered but picked it up carefully.

The Headmistress, still distracted with her drawer, spoke again. “Do not lie to the Ministry,” she said without looking at me. “Else your father won’t be able to protect you.”

Her words sent a chill through me. What did she mean? Why would I need protection?

I turned the card over. On the back, there was a name: Ms. Tara Lure. Below it was some address written.

“After you reach Bombay Central Station, she will guide you to the Wizarding Jury in Bombay” she said.

I clutched the card tightly, my mind full of questions. Bombay? The Wizarding Jury?

I held the card in my hands, staring at it, when the Headmistress spoke again. Her voice was steady but firm. “Professor Morphagen will take you to London, and from there, your journey begins.”

I swallowed hard. My journey begins? It felt like everything was moving too fast. My hands tightened around the card, my mind spinning. Then, as if she knew my thoughts, the Headmistress added, “And remember, your royal identity will be seized. If they find out you have hidden anything from them, they will probably send you to Carcerix.”

Carcerix.

The name alone made my stomach twist. My heart pounded. The Headmistress looked at me with sharp eyes. “So be true to them,” she said again, her voice a warning.

I nodded slowly, but inside, I felt cold. I had never lied, but something told me they would ask questions I wasn’t ready to answer.

Then it hit me.

I wouldn’t be at the Grand Jamboree.

The realization crashed over me like a wave. The grand celebration at my palace —an event I had power to change the reality of my existence and this world. My friends would be there. Master would be there. And I wouldn’t. Plan had to be change, and I had to inform them. They needed to know.

I was lost in thought when Professor Morphagen arrived. His long robes flowed as he stepped into the room. I looked at him, and in that moment, I knew — this was it. From here on, my journey would be mine alone.

The evening came faster than I expected. I packed my essentials from my chamber, folding my clothes neatly, making sure to take my journal, my wand, and a few personal things that made me feel safe. Every step felt heavy. This wasn’t just a trip. It was a turning point.

When I was ready, I made my way to the office paths near Barrel’s Hut Bellybowl. The lanterns flickered in the dimming light as I walked. The air smelled of damp earth and old wood.

Barrel was there, of course. His thick arms crossed, his usual grumpy expression in place. His pet, Thud, sat beside him, his large, sleepy eyes blinking up at me. Thud let out a small grunt, as if he knew I was leaving.

Professor Morphagen stood next to them, his hands tucked into his robes. He gave me a small nod, and without another word, my journey began.

Until tomorrow,
Zoe