AMELIA LET OUT A SHUDDERED BREATH on seeing the woman in front if her. She has seen her in her father's boggart two years ago. What is this woman doing here? Lookalike?

     "I know my mum is wierd but not that wierd Amelia" Estella whispered in her ear playfully bringing her out of trance.

     "Hello Mrs. Hale" Amelia repeated swallowing a heavy lump in throat. Only if anyone knew her head was spinning.

      "I am glad you will spend here christmas Amelia, also Stella told me its your birthday too, we will celebrate nicely" Estella's mother said with a sweet smile. Amelia hesitantly smiled back. Aryl led all of them in telling she jas readied separate rooms for both Estella and Amelia. Amelia went to the room assigned to her and collapsed on the couch after locking the door.

     How is that possible!? Thats the dame woman!? She knew she remembered that woman's face correctly. In Sirius' boggart her face was burned from sides and Estella's mother's isnt. She took deep calming breaths, maybe she is just hallucinating– No! Thats the same freaking woman!

     Amelia jumped on hearing a knock on the door and with slightly trembling hands opened the door and gasped inaudibily when found Estella's mother standing there with a smile.

      "Amelia if you get ready please come downstairs for lunch" Estella's mother said.

     "Okay Mrs. Hale–"

     "Call me Aryl" She interrupted softly. Amelia nodded with a hesitant smile. That face was making her sick.

     "Come quick" Aryl said and left.

***

       Amelia descended down the stairs after getting ready and found Estella already sitting there on the lunch table. While her mother must be in kitchen. "What is with that face!?"

     Amelia looked at Estella who was staring at her with squinted eyes, Amelia quickly put up a smile shaking her head "Nothing, just thinking"

     "Where is you mum?" Amelia asked sitting beside Estella.

     "Kitchen, god knows what is she preparing" Estella said lightly groaning. Amelia nodded.

     "Mom, its rude to keep guests waiting–" Estella yelled.

     "Hey its fine" Amelia interrupted hastily.
 
     "Oh keep quite or she will take hours in there, I am starving" Estella said to Amelia.

      "Have some table manners Estella, atleast in front of guests" Aryl said playfully taunting coming out of kitchen with a bowl in hand as Estella was sitting hugging her knees to chest on the chair.

      "Amelia aint guest mum– she is the sweetest girl remember I told you she makes wolfsbane for me every month" Estella said.

      "Oh yes– I must thankyou for that Amelia, thankyou so much for taking so much care of Stella" Aryl said coming forward holding Amelia's had warmly. Amelia smiled, she stood close this time and seeing her grey eyes gave another sickening feeling to her.

     "Your welcome Mrs. Hale anything for Estella" Amelia said smiling ignoring her stomach's churning. Aryl's eyes which were also boring in Amelia's with an unreadable look made it worse.

     "We will carry this emotional drama later, first lets not starve ourselves" Estella called playfully from behind Aryl. Aryl chuckled letting Amelia's hand go and sat at the head of the table. Estella started serving for Amelia.

     Aryl prepared pancakes for everyone, just by taking the first bite of it Amelia's stomach dropped even kore. The taste was so familiar. Her mind kept ranting she was going insane. What was happening to her!? Why is all this feeling so wierd!?

     "So Amelia, you transferred from Hogwarts right?" Aryl began with a small smile. Amelia nodded.

     "The hogwarts' headmaster was murdered last year, they say ut is really chaotic going on in hogwarts right now" Aryl said in a low tone.

     "Mrs.– uh Aryl where are you from?" Amelia asked a bit nervously.

     "From here, America" Aryl replied simply. 

      "Did you ever get a chance to visit Scotland or met anyone from there?" Amelia inquired. Aryl stared at her for a brief second before replying.

      "No– my whole life is spent over here– and also I never met anyone from there– just heard about them in news and Potterwatch" Aryl said.

      Amelia pursed her lips on the mention of Potterwatch, she knew it was a radio programme run by Lee Jordon with a different name and he invited several people and updated everyone about what was going on in hogwarts and etc. She never heard anything from that radio program, as the hate for all of them increased within her day my day.

     The lunch ended and Amelia got up thanking Aryl, Estella led her out in the freezing garden saying they had some decorations to do for christmas. Amelia tried to distract her mind from everything and work but couldnt help thinking about Estella's mother.

     "Is Mike coming over?" Amelia asked to push the other thoughts away.

      "On christmas eve for dinner, and for your birthday too!"

      "I am not doing anything on my birt–"

     "Oh shut up! I have decided we will go to movie theatre in No-Maj world"

     "What!?– why?"

      "Duh it your birthday."

      "I dont care"

      "Gosh– you are such a I–dont–want–to–have–fun girl, last time Lory took you to a stupid restaurent on your birthday but this time you'll know what actual birthday celebration is like in America" Estella said with a wink. Amelia huffed continuing her work.

     "Confettio" Amelia turned to Estella who used an unknown spell caused sparkles to come out of her wand while decorating the christmas tree.

     "Wow– I never heard of that spell ever" Amelia said intrigued. Estella let out soft chuckle before replying.

     "Because Dearie– this spell is a secret, only my mum and I know about it– she made this spell herself in her school years and decided to keep it with herself" Estella explained, Amelia couldnt help but gawk on how cool that sounded.

     "But you used it in front of me" Amelia interjected.

     "Its quite alright– You can learn it too– just flick your wand this way and say Confettio" Estella indicated and Amelia copied her wand movement.

     It took a quite a few tries until Amelia got to use it properly. "Wow Thanks Este– its amazing!"

     "Say that to my mom"

      ***

      Today was christmas Eve and Mrs. Hale was dying to meet her daughter's boyfriend who was running charmingly late. Amelia stayed quite most of the time around the woman because her face really did make her sick. She still couldnt comprehend how she saw the same woman in her father's boggart.

      She has to find the truth out!

     "Amelia dear will you help me with arranging the table?" Mrs. Hale called and Amelia went to help her. Its been two days since living here and Amelia has grown polite and friendly with the woman.

     "What is Stella doing? Amelia" Aryl asked arranging glasses on the table.

     "She just right now adopted a dozen puppies to send her friends as a christmas gift"

      Mrs. Hale shook her head at her daughter. Amelia quitely joined helping her. Being alone right now with her, Amelia did not want to miss the chance to ask what she desperately wants to know.

     "Mrs. Hale?"

     "Hm?"

     "Where did you grow up?" Amelia asked warily and saw the woman looked up staring at her longingly with a small frown. Amelia was internally freaking out for god knows why.

     "In a orphanage, in America" Mrs. Hale said with practically no emotion.

     "Oh– how was it?– growing up there?" Amelia asked trying not to sound nosy. The older woman again looked up, but she was staring in air. Is she thinking? Does she not remember?

    "It was pleasant, I guess" Aryl said after a long pause of thinking, and still wasnt sure with her answer, as she held a small frown looking down.

     "And what about Estella's f-father?" Amelia asked further cautiously and could feel the woman near her struggling, she held a large frown as she was drowning in her own thoughts. Amelia widened her eyes when the woman inhaled sharply clutching to her head.

    "What happened Mrs. Hale?" Amelia exclaimed worried.

     "Mom!?" Estella yelled coming in from the door and ran towards her mother holding her. "What happened Mom? Are You fine?"

     "Just– I just felt like– I dont know– I cant think" Mrs. Hale said between deep breaths, Amelia worriedly handed her water and let Estella comfort her. After a while when Aryl was calm Estella told her to go straight to her room and rest.

     "I am sorry Estella– I dont what happened to her– we were just talking and I asked her about your father–" Amelia ranted worried.

    "What!?– Oh god!– did she say anything?!" Estella exclaimed.

     "No– she didnt– but why?"

     Estella let out an exasperated sigh slouching on the couch, shutting her eyes. "She is sick Amelia"
  
     "What?– what happened to her?"

     Estella sat up straight with a sad pained look. "When you asked about my dad– she must have freaked out or something– because she doesnt remember any of it– when I was barely a year old, My parents had a car accident and my dad died in it, and Mum– she lost her memory– she doesnt remeber anything from her past"

     "But– But she said she grew up in a orphanage and had a pleasant childhood" Amelia said with a confused frown.

    "No one knows where she grew up– she thinks she grew up in some St. Mary Orphanage, but when I went there once secretly there was no records of her living there, I searched in every nearby orphanage and found nothing–  She just doesnt remember her past Amelia" Estella said with slight tears brimming in her eyes but her tone dry.

      Amelia approached her bringing her in a warm hug "I am sorry Este"

     "Its ok– now let me get ready– Mike's gonna come soon, I smell like dogs right now" Estella said with a soft laugh pulling away. Amelia nodded with smile herself going to her room getting ready.

    Mike arrived shortly after and everyone sat at the dinner table happily. Mrs. Hale stayed glued to Mike getting to know him, while Amelia and Estella fondly finished the chocolate cake made by Mrs. Hale.

     Everyone exchanged their gifts that night, Amelia got a set of gloves from Mike and gave him a chocolate box, Estella gave her a beautiful woolen scraf and Amelia gave her a set of earrings.

      "I wish I could take them, but these are charmed and I cant wear anything else" Estella whined holding up the box of earrings Amelia gifted her and indicated to her own blue emerald earring.

      Amelia held a confused frown Estella's earrings looked so much like her own necklace, they had the same type of stone in them, coincidence maybe. "Why are they charmed?"

     "Dunno, I am wearing them since birth, amlnd they dont come off, and you know Mum's condition– I cant even ask her why" Estella said with a pout.

     "Its ok, I'll get you something else" Amelia smiled. Estella denied she doesnt need anything but Amelia insisted.

      "Oh chill!– I have lots of money in my account to spend" Amelia said waving her hand off. After Sierra's dead her money was automatically transferred to Amelia, and even after all these years, there was a great amount of money in it, which Amelia barely got any chance to spend.

***

  Amelia woke up on her seventeenth birthday early in the freezing morning, it was even colder in America. Today's whole day plan was fixed and she just had to get ready for it. As soon as she opened the door of her room after getting ready she was greeted by a loud Estella who was squealing birthday wishes to her.

     In midnight she had already cut her birthday cake with Mrs. Hale who prepared it. "HAPPY SEVENTEEN AMY, YOU ARE AN ADULT NOW!"

     "Thankyou Este– Although I dont feel a change, but still thanks" Amelia said while being crushed in the bear hug by Estella.

     "Come down girls– and Amelia there's an howler for you!" Aryl called from downstairs. Both the girls rushed there quickly and found the breakfast table already readied. Amelia was firstly warmly greeted by Aryl and was handed the howler which was from Lory.

     The three woman in the house exchanged smiling glances knowing thats something Lory would definately do. Preparing herself for the loudness, Amelia slowly opened the howler and it began to yell in Lory's voice.

     "AMELIA SIERRA BLACK YOU HAVE TURNED SEVENTEEN- NO BIG DEAL EVERYONE DOES– BUT WHEN ITS ABOUT YOU ITS A GREAT DEAL– I WISH YOU ALL THE LOVE ON THIS PLANET– YOU ARE AMAZING AND I AM GLAD TO HAVE A BEST FRIEND LIKE YOU– I DONT LIKE IT I AM NOT THERE ON YOUR BIRTHDAY, I AM RIGHT NOW SITTING ON THE TERRACE OF A MUSEUM PREPARING A HOWLER FOR YOU– PEOPLE ARE STARING AT ME STRANGELY THINKING WHY AM I YELLING AT A PAPER– BUT YOU KNOW I DONT CARE RIGHT!– SO ONCE AGAIN HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY BEST FRIEND, I LOVE YOU AND HAVE A BLAST WITH ESTE– OH AND DONT FORGET TO CLICK PICTURES!" The letter tore itself off it finished yelling on Amelia's face and everyone in the room burst out into laughter.

      "I love that kid!" Estella said laughing. Amelia smiled brightly, Lory was really a lovely person and she absolutely loved her.

      She exhaled softly feeling good, these people never let her remember that her own blood-family was living their lives happily without her, and she was happy here without them, truly happy. Although a small part inside her always missed and craved for them, but she learned a thing called, moving on.

    She made her mind that she'll be fine even if she never got to see them ever, but thats not how it works.

***

      "Come on girl– dont worry No-Majs wont eat us!" Estella yelled from downstairs waiting there for Amelia ready to leave for the movie.

     "I dont fear No-Majs Este!– I just overslept" Amelia retorted coming downstairs, the reality was she was busy talking to Cedric's snitch.

     "Whatever, come" Estella said interiwining her arm with Amelia's.

     "Take care girls and dont trouble No-Majs" Mrs Hale called.

     "Will do Mrs. Hale!" Both the girls chorused leaving the house apparating to the muggle world. Both went to the movie theatre where Estella had 'bought' the tickets to.
 
      They watched a movie called 'Titanic' which Amelia quite liked just not the ending. After the movie ended, it was nearing midnight and Estella said it was not over yet. Estella led her to a really loud club. And both the girls danced their hearts out.

     Both were slightly tipsy by the end of their little party. But successfully managed to reach home back safely. When they reached Aryl was already asleep, Estella was being very loud so Amelia had to silencio her while taking her to her room.

     "Do you puke after drinking?" Estella asked laying on her bed in a slurry voice. Amelia shook her head with a disgusted face.

     "I do– give me my medicine box– its kept there" Estella said drowsily. Amelia handed her the box and left.

     While making her way to her room Amelia saw something kept on the table of living room, she frowned going towards ut and saw it was Estella's radio. Amelia shook her head picking it up but she pressed on a button by mistake causing it to turn on.

     "Hello Potterwatchers!" Amelia's voice hitched on recognising the voice which belonged to Lee Jordon. "I, the host of the show, River, welcomes you all to the new episode of Potterwatch, The Pals Of Potter. Today we have a very special guest, Mr. Romulus, it is very pleasant to have you here today Mr. Romulus"

     "Thankyou very much River, I appreciate that" Amelia gasped loudly, that voice was of her godfather. She didnt realise just by listening his voice tears pooled in her eyes and lips started trembling.

      "So what you would like to say Mr. Romulus on the present conditions going on around the wizarding world?" Lee jordon asked.

     "At present the wizarding world indeed is dealing with much chaos, and the aurors with the help of several other wizards are trying to track the death eaters down..." Remus continued. Amelia listened to his every word letting his voice ring in her ears, she now realised how damn much she missed her godfather.

     "But at last I would only like to say, all we do is to protect our loved ones, whether they are near or far. I hope those who are listening to it are safe and sound and understand our intentions" With that Remus ended and Amelia was covered in her own tears, she knew his last statement was for her.

     "I want to go back" She muttered to herself wiping her tears.

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Word count:- 2885

Q. What are your views on Aryl Hale?

A/n:- I know guys, your are not finding the chapters much interesting b'coz they are not at Hogwarts, but pls have a little patience, Amelia is about to uncover a really shocking truth, and she just a couple of chapters away to going back to Hogwarts.