Fallen Manor

On a winter morning after the snow, the sky was blue and vast. When the window was pushed open, biting cold air rushed in. As the saying went, heavy snow left no tracks; outside was an endless expanse of white, without a single trace of anyone passing through. But that did not mean it was completely safe. Heavy snow could also bury the tracks of evil deeds.

Mrs. Harris had prepared breakfast as usual, but not even the rich aroma of milk and cereal could stir anyone's appetite. When Mr. Harris announced his arrangements for everyone at the table, Mrs. Harris could no longer remain calm. "No, Owen. My magic is strong too. I can stay home and face everything with you."

"Father, when it comes to fighting, I think a doctor can be of great help." Daisy did not want to stand by with folded arms, hiding somewhere safe while her blood relatives faced unpredictable dangers. She could not do that.

An argument—or perhaps a debate born of love—was about to unfold. Allen filled a bowl with milk and cereal, took a plate of sandwiches, called Emily, and went upstairs to her room. He believed children should not be made to directly face their parents' quarrels; it would harm their young hearts.

"Allen, why are Dad and Mom fighting?" Emily asked sadly.

"Emily, because there are things that must be done, we all have to be apart for a while. Even though Dad and Mom are arguing, you have to believe that it is all because of love." Allen patiently reasoned with his sister.

"Are we going to be separated?" Emily was a little frightened.

"I'll be with you." Allen continued comforting Emily. When he heard that things had calmed down downstairs, he took the luggage they had just packed and led Emily into the living room. They would be traveling to Aunt Josephine's through the Floo Network.

When Mr. Harris handed his two children over to Josephine, he looked deeply reluctant. "We'll proceed according to the original plan. I hope everything goes smoothly. Allen, take good care of your sister." Mr. Harris hugged his children, then turned and left resolutely.

Aunt Josephine was a stout Witch with bright red cheeks and sharp blue eyes. She wore a dark purple dress, a black silk cloak trimmed with jet-black tassels, and a black hat decorated with purple velvet flowers that trembled constantly whenever she turned her head.

"Oh my, what adorable children." Aunt Josephine swept Emily into her arms. Emily looked helplessly at her brother, but when she saw Allen's encouraging smile, she shyly leaned against Josephine's shoulder.

"Have you eaten breakfast?" After receiving affirmative answers from both children, Aunt Josephine took them to put away their luggage.

This was probably an old, decaying manor. Aunt Josephine led them out of the sitting room with its enormous Fireplace and into the corridor. It was a long hallway that branched into several other passageways. They followed one branch to a flight of stairs leading upward. The staircases continued one after another. Doors lined both sides of the corridor, most of them locked. Many paintings hung on the walls. Some depicted eerie, strange landscapes, but most were portraits of men and women dressed in extravagant silk and velvet finery. Allen walked slowly past, studying each face in the paintings. Those faces were staring back at him as well. At last, Allen noticed something unusual. Unlike the Murals at Hogwarts, these people could move freely, yet they made no sound at all. The silence was unnatural. Emily instinctively edged closer to her brother. For such a young girl, these paintings were indeed quite a shock.

They stopped before a door bearing a portrait of a little girl. The girl wore a red dress woven with raised patterns of gold and silver thread. A dark green toad sat on her hand. Her expression was blank, but her gaze was sharp and curious.

"Miss Clark, these two children need to stay here for a few nights. I hope you will permit it." Aunt Josephine actually bowed to the girl in the portrait.

The toad in the little girl's hand hopped away, leaving the painting. Before long, the girl left the frame as well. "It's done." Aunt Josephine gave the door a gentle push, and the massive door slowly, heavily swung open. Beyond it was an enormous bedroom. Embroidered decorations hung on the walls, while wooden furniture with clear grain filled the room. A broad window was set with large, pieced panes of colored Glass. Beyond it stretched a boundless white wilderness blanketed in thick snow. A wide, soft bed piled with heavy blankets stood before an old mural. Its contents were difficult to make out, yet one glance at it left an unsettling, unfathomable feeling.

"Don't worry. It may look a little gloomy here, but there is no safer place," Aunt Josephine explained, seemingly worried that the children were afraid.

"Thank you, Aunt Josephine. Please rest assured, we can take care of ourselves." Allen bowed in thanks.

"Good. Then rest for a while first. I'll come get you for lunch later. If you get bored, the library is next door. You can go take a look. I remember there are quite a few children's books Miss Clark has read." Aunt Josephine patted Emily's head again before turning to leave.

As Allen unpacked and neatly hung their clothes in the oak wardrobe, he considered how he could get away to search for Albert. If only I were an adult. At least then he would be free to act without being constrained by his age.

Allen found an opportunity soon enough. There was nothing in the room suitable for Emily to play with, so Allen took her to the library next door. The room looked as though no one normally used it. Every book was arranged neatly on the shelves. Aunt Josephine had probably used Scourgify; the room was spotless, without a speck of dust. Emily happily played in front of a low children's bookshelf. She pulled out every book and piled them high, clapping her hands in delight. The stack rose higher and higher, slowly tilting. After Emily placed a thick fairy-tale book on top, the trembling tower of books came crashing down toward her. Allen hurriedly lunged forward and pulled Emily away, but accidentally knocked over the children's bookshelf. The shelf fell against the tapestry behind it, and a section of the tapestry unexpectedly sank inward. Allen righted the shelf and lifted the tapestry. Behind it was a narrow stairway tunnel. Allen was intensely curious, but Emily was beside him. He could not simply ignore her and go exploring.

At last, he found his chance! After a lavish lunch, Emily could barely keep her eyes open and fell asleep in the soft, warm bed. Allen asked Aunt Josephine to watch over Emily, using the excuse that he wanted to concentrate on reading in the library as he went to explore the secret passage he had discovered.