Yekaterina's childhood had been lonely.
People came up with all sorts of ways to fight loneliness. Yekaterina had chosen to make friends with simple animals, innocent spirits, and even the flowers, grass, and trees that stood motionless around her.
That also explained why those plants and trees always caught her eye and made her stop.
"Kalyana, doesn't Yekaterina have even a single pet?"
Standing beside Madam Kalyana, Professor Flitwick frowned and asked the question quietly, concern written across his face.
With a pet to keep her company, Yekaterina surely would not have developed her current disposition. The young witches and wizards at Hogwarts, for instance, lived at school far from their families. To keep them from feeling lonely and afraid, every student brought a pet when they enrolled.
"I was worried that losing a pet would make her problems worse, so I never dared buy her one!"
"The school rules are very strict, too. Apart from toads used for testing potions, no pets are allowed!"
"Now it seems I've been a terribly inadequate great-aunt. Why didn't she ever tell me?!"
Realizing what she had overlooked, Madam Kalyana looked utterly dejected and guilty.
She did not blame the Koldovstoretz School of Magic. Instead, she took all the blame upon herself.
"Now that we know how to solve the problem, stop blaming yourself, Kalyana!
"There's an old Eastern saying: it's never too late to mend the pen after losing a sheep. Let's think about what sort of animal friend we should introduce to Yekaterina!"
Seeing Kalyana on the verge of tears, Professor Flitwick grew flustered and hurried to comfort her.
The group made their way through Mezhola Forest, following the Birch Tree Elder's directions in search of the legendary Witch, Baba Yaga.
While Professor Flitwick comforted Kalyana, Li Wei and Hermione felt