A couple of days passed since Ophelia managed to do something with earth.
It wasn't much but she now more than before understood that you couldn't just expect the elements to come to you. It had to be forced.
Rowan and Elsbeth had both been surprised at the quick realization. Even if you would perform the thing Fila did, it wasn't a guarantee that it would do anything. Most wizards and witches go their entire life with feeling anything.
Rowan and Elsbeth, for their part, regarded the whole matter with a mixture of curiosity and careful restraint. Rowan had questioned her thoroughly at first, his tone measured, probing every detail of what she felt, what she thought, what she might have done differently. Elsbeth listened with softer interest, asking questions Rowan did not think to ask, the emotional edges rather than the technical ones. Both of them knew well that Ophelia's experience was unusual. Many witches and wizards spent their entire lives without sensing anything beyond the structured boundaries of spellwork. Elemental resonance, as Rowan called it, was unreliable, temperamental, and often absent altogether. The fact that Ophelia had brushed against it so early did not guarantee mastery, nor did it promise anything beyond occasional flickers of progress. Still, neither of them dismissed it. Rowan adjusted her lessons subtly, weaving in discussions of magical theory that he might otherwise have saved for later years, while Elsbeth encouraged balance, rest, and the occasional reminder that not every step forward required exhaustion.
The manor itself seemed to welcome the calmer rhythm that followed. Winter continued its slow reign outside, snow reshaping the clearing day by day, while inside the rooms held a steady warmth that made even long study sessions bearable. Ophelia drifted easily between practice and leisure, mornings filled with wand work, afternoons spent revising potions under Rowan's exacting eye, evenings claimed by books, conversation, and the comfortable laziness that only home could provide. She did not speak of the book. That secret remained tucked neatly behind casual smiles and ordinary complaints about homework. Yet it was never far from her mind. Sometimes she would glance toward her room during tea, already anticipating the quiet exchange of thoughts and ink waiting upstairs.
Her attempts with the elements grew less frantic now, shaped by patience she did not entirely realize she was developing. Instead of dramatic efforts that left her dizzy and shaking, she experimented in smaller, almost playful ways. She lingered near the fireplace not with desperate focus but with idle curiosity, watching the flames twist and settle. She stood by open windows, letting the wind tug at loose strands of her hair while her thoughts wandered. She knelt in the garden where snow thinned against stone borders, fingers pressed lightly to the sleeping ground. Most days nothing happened. And strangely, that no longer frustrated her as it once had. There was comfort in the routine of trying, in the quiet possibility that something might answer when it chose rather than when she demanded.
Ophelia began to notice other things too, details that might previously have slipped past her. The way the air shifted before snowfall. The subtle difference between the warmth of enchanted fire and natural flame. The faint, almost imperceptible stillness of the earth beneath deep frost. These observations did not feel like breakthroughs, and she did not treat them as such. They were simply… interesting. Pieces of a puzzle she was in no particular hurry to solve. Even Rowan seemed faintly pleased by this change, though he would never phrase it that way. His corrections grew less sharp, his silences less heavy. Elsbeth, meanwhile, watched Ophelia with quiet satisfaction, recognizing something Rowan pretended not to see: the girl was learning not just magic, but how to sit comfortably beside uncertainty.
And at night, when the manor softened into its familiar hush, Ophelia would return to her room, curl onto the bed or settle cross legged on the floor, and open the book with an ease that would have startled her weeks ago. Their conversations wandered now. Not always lessons. Not always questions. Sometimes observations, sometimes arguments, sometimes stretches of companionable quiet where the page remained blank and Ophelia found she did not mind. The urgency had faded into something gentler. A steady curiosity. A growing sense that whatever path she was walking did not need to be rushed.
But the book hadn't been quiet, it had kept giving her lessons to improve herself. Even making Fila to ask Elsbeth to help her mature. This wasn't that well received by Elsbeth, but she agreed. To lessons in manner and how to talk became a normal.
As for spells casting, it was going great. She could throw spells at Rowan and see him struggle more than before. sure he could wipe her of the face of the earth if he wanted, but seeing him smile at her improvements made her feel good. Her favorite spell to use right now was bombarda, it could be used in many different ways. Both as a direct combat spell but also indirect, like blowing the ground behind someone to make them fall forward.
'you are making steady strides towards becoming a formidable witch, but you need more. One you come back for summer break, you will be ready for more extensive training' the book had given her pointers on how to improve her spells. Even making her do silent castings now. It was limited, but there were improvements over all.
The holidays ended quickly. For Fila who had been learning the whole break, she was rather disappointed that she didn't rest more. But she also knew that it would mean more rest in the school, as everything would be easier for her.
On the last night before going back to Ilvermorny. Fila sat in her room, the book laid in her lap. She had been talking with it for a bit now, going over what she had done and learnt.
'Will you still give me lessons in school?'
The words faded and an answer soon emerged. 'of course, I did say I would teach you'
As the book closed, calmer this time and not with the heavy thuds it had been before.
The room was quiet. Her things ready and packed. There was a feeling of not wanting to go back to school. Yet she did miss her friends and the boring conversations in the dorm room.
Theo had written to her during winter break. He had been training and said her would be better than her in charms.
Foolish she thought, he wouldn't be better in a lifetime.
Fila laid back on the bed, letting her body sink into the soft mattress. Her eyes began feeling heavy as she thought about the things she had learnt and done during break. It felt good to be where she was. No regret about actions or decisions.
The next day she stood in the familiar alley in the bustling city of new York.
It wasn't as busy as the first time she was here, most students didn't bring their parent and family this time when going back. Fila turned towards Rowan and Elsbeth who stood behind her.
"I quess I'll be going then. I will write to you" she said while looking at the two.
Elsbeth had a smile, almost like a sister kind of smile. Warm and filled with kindness. "You have too, and don't rush things. They will come to you when you are ready for them." she hinted that her impatience needed to calm down.
She just nodded then looked at Rowan.
"Don't go hurt anyone too bad." He just said. Rowan knew more than anyone what Fila had achieved in the training ground. She stood her ground in duels, sure she wasn't even near the level of Rowan. But against first years she wouldn't break a sweat, she could probably handle a second year as well.
Fila gave him a look but didn't say anything.
She turned to the sign post, and lightly tapped it.
The world turned and twisted, soon it was gone. Only the sensation that she didn't like at all, and she wasn't the only one. The feeling of warping or apparition wasn't pleasant. The way to describe it was, imagine if you were torn apart and put back together really fast.
Still it was a feeling she had gotten used to. But the students who had never felt this before were almost afraid of it. and with good reason.
Ilvermorny emerged from the distortion with its usual quiet grandeur, winter wrapped firmly around its towers and rooftops. Snow clung to ledges and curled along the edges of stone pathways, the grounds bright beneath the pale afternoon light. The familiar mix of voices, laughter, and mild complaints filled the air almost instantly as students regained their balance and composure. Trunks thumped onto the ground. Greetings rang out. A few exaggerated declarations of "I will never travel like that again" drifted through the crowd, despite everyone knowing perfectly well they absolutely would.
Fila adjusted her grip on her bag, scanning the gathering faces with growing recognition. It felt strange how quickly the school reclaimed its sense of normalcy. Only yesterday she had been wrapped in the warmth of the manor, moving through quiet halls and steady routines. Now she stood among the lively chaos of returning students, the shift so abrupt it left a faint sense of disorientation that had nothing to do with magical travel.
"Fila!"
She turned.
Theo pushed through the cluster of students with his usual determined energy, dark hair slightly windswept, expression already carrying that competitive spark she knew far too well. He stopped in front of her, eyes narrowing with theatrical scrutiny.
"You look annoyingly well rested."
Fila smirked. "You look exactly the same."
"That is deeply insulting."
"I meant it kindly."
The two walked together into the school. Past the wooden statues they had stood before just a couple moths earlier. Students filled the corridors as they made their way towards the Thunderbird tower.
From behind her she felt a tap on her shoulder, she turned and saw a familiar face.
"Hi June" she said while dragging the girl into a warm hug.
June smiled brightly, she loved hugs. "Hello Thunderbirds Flower" she greeted back. The nickname Flower had gone around the thunderbird students.
This was because she was often seen making flower grow in the common room, and her often stopping just to look at the flower and plants in the hallways. It was also kind of cute, she didn't mind.
"I'm also here" Theo said from beside Fila.
June shot him a glare while still in Filas embrace, she waved her hand as to say go away, half as a joke. "Yeah, hello to you too." She said reluctantly.
Theo placed a hand dramatically over his chest. "Such warmth. Such appreciation. I can feel the love."
June finally released Fila, though not without one last squeeze, and turned to him with a perfectly unimpressed expression. "You'll survive."
"I barely did over the break," Theo replied. "No one to admire my brilliance."
Fila snorted softly as the three of them resumed walking, slipping easily into step with one another as the corridor carried its usual tide of returning students. The castle felt alive in that distinctly Ilvermorny way, not loud exactly, but humming with overlapping conversations, footsteps, laughter bouncing off stone walls. Winter clung stubbornly outside the tall windows, pale light reflecting off snow covered grounds, while inside scarves, robes, and trunks created a shifting tapestry of movement and color.
"I missed this," June admitted, glancing around. "Even the chaos."
"You say that now," Theo said. "Wait until assignments start raining down."
June waved a hand dismissively. "Details."
Fila listened with half a smile, the familiar rhythm of their voices settling something inside her she hadn't realized was slightly off balance. Home had been warm, calm, steady. School was… this. Energetic, unpredictable, filled with small social storms that had nothing to do with magic. And oddly enough, she liked the contrast.
They passed into the Thunderbird tower, where the atmosphere shifted again, softer somehow. The common room welcomed them with its usual warmth, enchanted lantern light glowing gently, cushions and chairs already claimed by early arrivals. A few students lounged near the fireplace, while others compared winter break stories with animated enthusiasm. Someone had already conjured a cluster of tiny glowing birds that fluttered lazily near the ceiling beams.
June sighed contentedly. "Home sweet tower."
Theo looked around. "Smells like… tea and poor decisions."
"It smells like comfort," June corrected.
"It smells like someone burned toast earlier."
Fila and June went up towards their room.
The door opened before them, and inside Calla was already setting up her things.
June ran into her almost and hugged her like a bear. "HI CALLA" she almost screamed. "I've missed your candy smell shampoo." June said as she took a deep breath.
Fila also hugged her.
The trio settled in their things and sat around the room exchanging stories about the break. June and Calla who both had been away from home during break told the most, Fila didn't feel like talking about shooting spells into the chest of a dummy.
It hadn't even been two hours and just like her nickname, she was making flowers appear from the floor.
"You are really good at that. I understand why Professor Naya likes having class when you are around." Calla said from her bed.
It was true, Professor Naya who was the professor for herbology and the head of house for Pukwudige liked when Fila was in class. The school of Ilvermorny had a lot of different students. But finding one who liked plats and such was rare, and finding one using plants I a unique way was even harder.
Fila glanced down, blinking as if mildly surprised by her own magic, though this was hardly new. "I wasn't even trying."
"That's the impressive part," Calla replied.
June flopped backward onto her pillow with a dramatic sigh. "Honestly, I missed this the most."
"My stunning personality?" Fila asked.
"The free room decorations."
Calla laughed. "It does make the dorm feel nicer."
Fila let the blossoms spread a little further, vines curling gently along the edges of a nearby rug before stopping with careful restraint. She had learned early that there was a fine line between charming greenery and turning the dormitory into a mildly aggressive indoor garden. Rowan's voice echoed faintly in her memory. Control, not enthusiasm. She smiled to herself.
"So," June said, turning onto her side. "Anything exciting happen at home?"
Fila hesitated only a fraction of a second. "Mostly training."
Theo's competitive letters flashed briefly through her thoughts, followed by images she chose not to share. Explosions of snow. Cracked stone. Rowan deflecting Bombarda with infuriating ease. "Nothing dramatic."
They drifted easily back into lighter conversation after that, the comfortable sprawl of three friends reacquainting themselves with shared space. Break mishaps, minor embarrassments, exaggerated tales of relatives and awkward encounters. Outside their window snow continued falling across the grounds, while inside the dormitory the air warmed with familiarity.
Eventually, Calla glanced toward the cluster of flowers near the center of the room. "Do they ever wilt?"
Fila tilted her head. "Only if I forget about them."
The way magical flower made by Fila and normal flowers were different. Normal one needed water and sun. but since Filas weren't normal, she needed to talk with them. feel them and put magic into them from time to time. sure they were happier if they got sun and water, but it wasn't necessary.
She held a tulip in her hand, the tulip almost felt happy.
The next day.
Classes started with a slowness, everyone were still in their break mood. Not wanting to go up early and go listen to a Professor for 3 hours.
Fila sat in transfiguration class, the rest of the class were trying to turn a cup into a vase. She was already done.
Milles groaned from her left and June was trying to make her vase bigger.
She looked at the vase and thought it was boring looking, he wand traced over the surface of the vase. Soon chapes formed, patterns and well nothing surprised but flowers.
Undenounced to her the professor stood behind her looking at the work she was performing.
Professor Merrick who had been teaching transfiguration at the school for a long time was impressed. It wasn't every day a first year would alter the appearance on their transfiguration just because they were bored.
She smiled. A smile that was rare to be seen in this classroom.
The class ended and the students could breathe. First day complete.
The dinner hall was filled with students talking about the first day. Some greeted other house members.
June and Fila were both looking at Calla right now. The ears and eyes of the girl were scanning the hall for a very specific Wampus boy.
"So do you see him?" June asked a little playfully.
Calla didn't answer and just kept looking.
Fila felt a little bad, both her and June teased her too much about Daniel. All in good fun of course and Calla said she didn't mind it.
June waved a hand in front of Calla's face. "Earth to Calla."
No response.
Fila finally nudged her gently. "You know he's not going to vanish if you look away for a second."
Calla sighed, lowering her fork at last. "I'm not obsessing."
June and Fila exchanged a look.
"Of course not," June said.
"Entirely casual," Fila added.
Calla narrowed her eyes. "You two are terrible."
"And yet you love us," June replied.
"That remains under review."
Fila laughed, reaching for her drink. Around them, conversations continued to rise and fall, the comfortable chaos of dinner at Ilvermorny unfolding as always. First days discussed, professors evaluated, predictions made about which classes would prove unbearable by midterm.
Then the hall doors opened again.
Calla's head snapped up so fast it was almost alarming.
June grinned wickedly. "Oh, that has to be him."
Fila turned just in time to see a group of Wampus students entering, Daniel among them, entirely unaware of the attention directed his way. Calla immediately looked back down at her plate with the kind of exaggerated nonchalance that convinced absolutely no one.
June burst into laughter.
Fila shook her head, smiling.
Some things, it seemed, had not changed at all.