Tomorrow came too soon for Bloom, who started her day with yet another nightmare, all the same as before. She dreamt of her parents picking her up from her crib after she'd cried, but every time her mother's face came into focus, Bloom would wake up in a cold sweat, heart pulsating against her chest.

Bloom glanced over at her alarm clock and had a quick stretch and a yawn as she prepared for the day ahead. Her heart; well, it had other ideas. As she strolled down for breakfast, Bloom's heart began to race again, a feeling of uneasiness sinking to her stomach when she caught sight of Maria Lightly. The same feeling washed over her from their first encounter, like seeing a familiar face, but she couldn't pinpoint why?

Why?

"Why, Bloom, are you always staring into space?"

Returning to reality, she noted Stella's frustrated face and paid her the utmost attention, welcoming the distraction.

"Oh, sorry, Stella. Just thinking about Professor WizGiz's test next week," Bloom fabricated, snatching an apple.

Now that the girls directed all attention back at her, Stella again continued her speech about why lilac did nothing for her complexion and, therefore, must be banned.

"Hey, did you talk to Ms Lightly yet? Flora whispered to Bloom.

"Uh-not yet; she seemed busy after class, so I didn't want to bother her,"

Pointing over her shoulder, Flora made a suggestion," Why don't you go ask her now? She doesn't look busy!"

Turning around, Bloom too noticed Maria sat alone, flicking through some magazine. Taking a deep breath, Bloom steadied herself before leaving the table. Her pulse heightened and the same feeling from this morning found its way back to her abdomen.

It's seemed to take her a hundred years to walk 5 metres, and just as Bloom was about to approach the teacher's table, Professor Avalon engaged Maria in conversation. Silently, Bloom was thankful, but she wouldn't get away that easy.

"Oh, good morning, Bloom! Something I can help you with?" Maria asked the fairy as she caught notice of her.

"Oh-um, " Bloom stuttered," I was just wondering when our next lesson with you is?"

"Well, I have to check with Faragonda first but most likely Friday again,"

Bloom left quickly after that, leaving Maria to wonder; hadn't she already told the girl last lesson that class would be every Friday? Maybe it slipped her mind.

"So, how are these lessons of yours going along?" Avalon inquired, flashing her a smile.

"Quite well! I think this year we might get to perform the flight of spring," Maria answered, unable to hide her excitement," How are you getting on?"

Taking a sip of tea, Avalon mused aloud, "Oh, well, the students seem to like the lessons; some even brought me flowers,"

"It's not just the lessons they like," Maria muttered to herself, reddening widely when she realised Avalon had heard her," Oh- I'm so sorry- I meant-eh- have you gotten your bearings yet?"

"No, I'm afraid, all the corridors look the same! Maybe you could show me around and tell me how good I look?"

"I'm so sorry about that," Maria hid her blushing cheeks in her teacup.

Displaying another of his salacious smiles, Avalon offered his hand, "Don't be. I'm glad I've caught your interest,"

"Avalon Chevalier, the smooth operator," Maria commented with a laugh, accepting his offer.

The pair chatted for the whole morning, only departing when the final class bell rang. Now on her own, Maria looked down at the pin stuck to her jacket. Gods, how did it get so complicated? That was the very reason she left Hogwarts, to get away from dark wizards trying to kill her and her family.

"Darkar isn't trying to kill you, Maria!"

The thought didn't seem to calm her nerves any, for what would happen when he found out she had a part of the codex? Shaking the intrusive thoughts out of her head, Maria decided to take a trip to the library to research more about the Flight of Spring ritual and visit her headmistress.

"Faragonda! Just the fairy I was looking for!" Maria exclaimed, linking her arm.

"And what can I do for you, Maria?" Faragonda replied, getting Musa and Layla to carry the books she had in her hands back to the library.

"I just wanted to let you know that my classes are going wonderfully, and the flight of spring will be performed for the first time in 30 years," The fairy commented with the utmost enthusiasm.

As they walked through the courtyard, it seemed that Professor Avalon couldn't get enough of Maria this morning.

"Good afternoon Professor," Faragonda greeted.

Joining the duo, Avalon remarked on a sudden flower theft, "Five roses and eight tulips have gone missing from this garden since this morning,"

"Your cognitive acuity certainly lives up to its reputation," Faragonda praised, leaving Maria and Avalon to chat.

Walking together, Maria cast him a flirtatious smile, "I'm starting to think it's you who has a fondness for me,"

"Maybe the fondness is mutual?" he countered with a smirk," I was wondering if you would help me with a spell? Bloom has asked me to assist her in finding her parents, but a fairy can only do the particular magic I need to cast."

Maria began to pale and stutter her words," What about the headmistress? O -or-" but Avalon cut her off.

"Seeing as I am fond of you and you to me, it's the obvious choice."

A million thoughts raced through her head, almost giving her a migraine. A part of her longed to tell Bloom who she was, but Faragonda's words repeated themselves. She was torn between matters of the heart and the head.

Finally, Maria replied with a weak smile," Alright then, lead the way."

Bloom met the pair after her final lesson, and Avalon commenced the meeting. Holding out a crystal, he asked the younger fairy to call out her name to it as Maria began the tracing spell. It was an old runic incantation, mainly falling out of the public domain as it was notoriously intricate.

One had to have the concentration and focus, something Maria was battling. The more Bloom filled Avalon in on what she already knew; Maria felt a lump in her throat develop.

"What's all that?" Bloom inquired.

"That, Bloom," Avalon began," Is your family tree. This is you right here."

"It is?" Bloom's eyes lit up as she traced the glowing line, "My sister Daphne is here! And my parents-Oritel and Marion.

A soft look of confusion danced across her face as she furrowed her brows," But there's another name here?"

Maria darted her attention elsewhere, her heart pounding violently against her ribs. Avalon brushed past her as he examined the name, causing her breath to hitch along with everything else.

"Yes, it seems that your father has a sister," Avalon noted.

"Maryeth, I've never heard of her before,"

Before Bloom could ask any more questions, Maria made up an excuse and left the room. Heaving a deep breath, she ran down the corridors as fast as her legs could carry her to the one place she knew she would be unbothered: the lake.

Collapsing on the sand, Maria could feel her magic bubbling up inside, roaring to get out. This was all too much- Bloom, Darkar- she wanted to explode. She had never properly dealt with her emotions about her family until now.

Around her, the trees rustled vigorously as wind coursed through their leaves. Waves formed on the lake, creeping up to her before they froze into thick ice. The rain had started to shower down on Maria.

She had been a terrible sister, a horrible aunt. She should've stayed to protect her brother- oh, her mother would be so disappointed. She-

"Maria? Maria! Are you alright?!"

Looking up, the fairy dried her tears quickly with her sleeve and half-heartedly composed herself as Palladium sat down beside her.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine," she replied.

As soon as she said the words, more tears festered into her iris's. Palladium pulled her close, conjuring up a blanket to wrap around her- a trick he learned from their school days when her emotions became too much.

"Shh, it's alright. It's going to be alright," Palladium whispered into her ear, rubbing her hair as Maria sobbed.

"Everything is going to be just fine, I promise,"

~~~~~~~

Happy Christmas!!!t

*The_lost_flower*