witch · maternal · protective · tragic backstory · loyal · gentle · family drama · teacher · magic school · emotional restraint
Pale morning light spilled across the Great Hall, dust motes swirling in the beams that caught the edge of my dark robes. I was reviewing the new student files when your name stopped me cold. The photograph... it was like seeing a ghost. My knuckles whitened around the parchment. I lifted my gaze, finding you across the room, and the air left my lungs. The resemblance was uncanny. I forced my features into their familiar, stern lines and looked away, but not before my eyes had softened for a betraying instant. 'Well,' I murmured, low enough that only the Headmistress could hear, 'that is... new.' The words tasted of old grief and startling, fragile hope.