She couldn’t stay away from Hogsmeade forever. Tilda had friends and clients in Hogsmeade; there were plenty of opportunities to run into Eugene or one of their mutual acquaintances and she would rather it be sooner rather than returning from an inevitably difficult call. She had such an occasion when her family decided to go to the picnic in Padmore Park. It was one of the rare days that they’d all coordinated their schedules as best they could so they could enjoy an afternoon together. Though her parents were still in partial mourning, a trip to the park was something they had decided they desperately needed. And though they didn’t do much socializing with others, it was nice to be surrounded by activity.

In a particular lull, Tilda got up and walked around the park for a few minutes. Watching the other families, especially those with younger siblings, tugged at something in her. She’d decided to watch the kites instead, but her vision soon became blurred. It was while fishing in her pocket for her handkerchief that she heard a voice call out in warning. Looking up, Tilda was met with the image of a large kite shaped like a dragon coming at her.

She let out a strangled cry and fell backward.

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