Days at Everridge Manor solo finished

The ride back to London was quiet, the train being much less full than it had been on September 1st. Not all students go home for Christmas, and the extra space yielded an empty compartment. Dora used her privacy to her advantage, opening up a textbook for one last bout of studying.

It was Uncle Harris who fetched her from the platform, taking her suitcase and leading her back to a black carriage. This was the less regal of the two, the more ornate carriage being reserved for special occasions. Knowing her grandmother, it was likely being polished by the house elves at present. Still, a warm feeling entered Dora's chest as she regaled the thestrals at the lead. She can't understand how some wizards and witches fear such majestic creatures.

The flight home was short, and soon Dora stood in the foyer of Everridge manor. The black and white checkered marble floor, two curving staircases sprouting up from it and meeting on the second floor, framing a large pine tree. Enchanted glass ornaments and silver tinsel adorn its branches. Her eyes fall on a glass buck, trotting on air.

The familiarity wraps around her, and a shiver goes down her spine when she hears a voice from the top of the stairs.

"Isadora." Her grandmother states, "You're back."

Reducio

Dora's Gifted Dress for the Dupont Ball:

"Good morning, Merry Christmas." Uncle Harris greets as Dora comes down the stairs. She's still tired from the night before, but thankfully the Dupont party tonight will be closer. Dora offers her uncle a small smile. "Good morning."

"There's tea and biscuits in the parlor." He offers an arm, and she takes it as he walks her in. She lets go as they arrive, seeing Grandfather inside on his chair. Bradley comes in a moment later, yawning. "Did we have to get up so early after a round-trip to Finland?" He mutters to his father, who pats his shoulder sympathetically. "Don't complain, now. Take some coffee."

The two sit together on the chaise lounge. Dora walks up to Grandfather, surprised to see him out of his room. "Good morning, Grandfather. How are you feeling?" She asks quietly.

It takes a moment, but he turns his head and squints his eyes in recognition. "Isadora, there you are. How are you liking Hogwarts?"

"Very well, thank you."

"Did they change the trick to get into the common room?" He asks and her heart deflates, "When I was in school, it was always-"

"Dear, Isadora's not in Slytherin, remember?"

Everyone goes silent as Ramona Everridge walks in, her black cane tapping against the floor with each step taken. Grandfather pauses in confusion for a moment, before muttering. "Ah, yes, yes.."

"Merry Christmas, Mother." Uncle Harris stands to greet her, leading her to sit in an armchair by the fireplace. "Merry Christmas." She wishes in that calculated way of hers, slowly turning her gaze about the room until she spots Dora. "Isadora, fetch me some tea, would you?"

Dora complies, making it the way she knows her grandmother prefers. As she hands it carefully over, Uncle Harris speaks up again. "We have a few gifts for you two." He says, referring to her and Bradley. "Here are mine."

Dora and Bradley each get a black box from him. Bradley rips his open in no time, revealing a set of silver Gobstones. Dora opens her own as the family fawns over him, finding a simple looking book inside. Flipping it open, she finds the pages blank. It's a journal, or perhaps a sketchbook. She makes eye contact with her uncle, quietly thanking him for the thoughtful gift as Bradley opens another gift.

It's only natural her cousin receives a few more things than Dora. He's younger than her, and she's already been gifted with so many school supplies this year. Besides, it wasn't as if Dora had anything to give to them either. There was just no time for shopping since she's returned.

"Here." Her grandmother hands her a large parcel, her gift. Dora opens it carefully, pulling out a large black dress. Her cousin snickers at it, and her grandmother nods to it. "That will be your dress for tonight."

"Thank you, Grandmother." She replies. It doesn't matter if she likes it, it's a gift and she should be grateful.

Reducio

Dora's Fall Ball Dress:

"How could you do this to my dress?!"

Dora stands stock still as her grandmother picks up Dora's Fall Ball dress, the one whose style Damion White had altered, tossing it on the bed. "You insolent child, and after I so graciously gifted it to you, you ruin it!"

She wants to say it's not ruined, it's pretty. Instead, she remains silent.

"And blatantly lying to me about it in your letters..."

"But, I didn't.." Dora tries to defend, but shuts up at the look her grandmother gives her. Didn't she lie? She told her grandmother she'd altered it, but not like this. No, deep down she knew her grandmother wouldn't approve, so she didn't say anything. That might as well be a lie. "I'm sorry."

"Any girls who dress this way have no regard for their dignity or their family's reputation! Is this what you want to be? Like one of those improper girls without any class or decorum?"

"No, ma'am. I'm sorry."

Her grandmother sighs. "Get out of my sight."

Despite the fact that it's Dora's room, it's her grandmother's house. She goes outside for a few hours to calm down. When she comes back, the dress is gone.

"Bring me the Fairy wings."

Dora complies, looking around on the storeroom shelves until she spots a jar of them clearly labeled. The wings are shiny, almost glittery, she notes. Handing the jar to her uncle, she watches as he continues work on his potion.

The mortuary is a grim and quiet place, but then, so is the manor. Dora doesn't mind it so much, and it's nice just to be able to help her uncle. They don't often converse, with him absorbed in his work. So, it's mildly surprising when he begins chatting.

"How's school?"

"Oh- G-Good." She replies, caught off guard. He continues grinding the wings, not looking up as he speaks. "Hufflepuff House."

"Yes?" She waits with bated breath. Does he disapprove? But, just a over a week ago he paid the House a compliment. Though, even if he doesn't think less of the House itself, he may still be disappointed that Dora didn't make their family House. Her thoughts spiral downward as she awaits a response.

"Made any friends?" He finally asks.

"Friends?" Dora blinks. "Um... yes. Tesla Stone. She's also in Hufflepuff."

Her uncle hums in response and asks no further questions. She's somewhat relieved, but also left without knowing just what her uncle is thinking.

"Morning Dew, please."

Dora eyes her meal nervously, sirloin steak. Uncle Harris is late working, so there's not any of the dinner conversation Grandmother would drum up with him. Instead, the four remaining Everridge's eat in silence, with just the clink of silverware against plates.

She dabs her napkin against her lips, eyes moving to another empty chair. All break, Dora's been waiting for her mother. She said she would come visit after New Year's, but now Dora's winter vacation is nearly over. She has to ask.

"When is mother coming?"

Even the clinking of cutlery stops. Bradley shoots her a weird look. "What, Aunt Cassie? Isn't she in Costa Rica?"

Dora turns to him, jaw open. "Wh-What?"

"Cassiopeia took off to find a warmer climate." Grandmother states with disinterest, "She wrote to me just before Christmas, didn't I tell you?"

"I.." Dora looks down at her lap, twisting her napkin between her hands. Her mother isn't coming.

"Honestly, Isadora, aren't you happy enough to see us?" Bradley says in a voice that seems genuine until he sends her a teasing smirk.

"Your cousin's right. Count your blessings. And for goodness sake, sit up straight!"

So she does. But she doesn't eat much after that.

"Epi?" Dora calls out gently, deep into the graveyard behind the manor. She clicks her tongue, looking around the snow covered headstones for any sign of the creature. Finally, a black cat slinks out from behind a statue, and Dora smiles. "There you are. I have something for you!"

She produces the small plate with fish, setting it down with a bowl of water. The cat confidently strides over and begins his meal. Dora laughs gently. "Salmon's my favorite, too."

After taking a nice drink, the cat walks by and brushes his tail against her leg, and she takes that as the signal to kneel down and pet him. Thankfully, he doesn't feel cold. "I was worried." She admits, "But I guess you found a place to hole up."

They stay out there for some time, Dora petting or playing with Epitaph, or just watching as he jumps from gravestone to gravestone. All the while, she tells him about Hogwarts. About her grades, about her schoolmates, about her fears and about the surprisingly pleasant moments. "I wish I could take you with me.." She laments, knowing this to be her last day. "Please stay safe. I hope to see you when I return again."

With that, she begins the walk back to the manor and thinks about Hogwarts. Her grandmother wants her to meet an older student, Ruby Cazares, so she can form a connection with the family. No doubt, her grandmother also wants Dora to associate with more prestigious peers. Will this new semester just be Dora trying and failing to impress distinguished schoolmates? Will she really be able to improve her marks? She needs to.

For the family.