Final day
The feeling among the thunderbird during the last night before graduation was as special as last year. The seventh years were all huddled together talking with each other, reminiscing about memories.
"Do you remember when you fell down right into a pile of hippo shit?!" one of the seventh years exclaimed ah he remembered when his friend tried to impress a girl in the early years of his school time. the boy didn't find it as funny and tried to hide his embarrassed face.
These sort of stories were a doubled sided knife. On one side of the knife, it was a happy memory about something funny they experienced, but on the other side. It made them realize that these were only memories. Things that wouldn't happen again, moments that had been left behind as they grew older. But that's also a beautiful thing, know that you got to experience that beautiful thing is also something you should cherish.
The common room had that perfect, sleepy glow that only happens on the last night of term. The fire was roaring, and the giant carved Thunderbird above the mantel seemed to watch over everyone with a kind of quiet pride.
Fila pulled her knees up to her chest on the big, overstuffed sofa, listening as the seventh years laughed and groaned over their old stories.
There was something so bittersweet about it. Listening to them talk about hippogriff mishaps and botched levitation charms made her realize just how fast the time was moving.
"They're going to be fine," Theo said softly, appearing from the shadows of the staircase and dropping into the seat next to her. He was watching a tall seventh year try to act out a disastrous flying lesson. "And so are we."
Fila looked at him, then back at the laughing group. "I know. It's just weird to think about. Next year, we're the ones getting even closer to that door."
"Yeah, but we've still got plenty of time to make our own embarrassing stories," Milles chimed in, suddenly appearing with a floating tray of half eaten snacks he'd scavenged from the party. "I'm personally planning on falling into something much more dignified than hippo dung. Dragon dung, at least."
"You would, Milles," Calla laughed, shoving his shoulder.
June smiled, her eyes reflecting the firelight. "I think it's beautiful. Knowing you got to experience something so great that it hurts a little to leave it behind. That means we're doing Ilvermorny right."
Fila didn't say anything, but she reached down and touched the coarse, familiar fabric of her robes. She had spent so much of this year fighting to prove who she wasn't, that she had almost forgotten to just enjoy where she was.
She looked at her friends, the small circle of people who didn't care about her last name or what the Headmaster whispered in training halls. They just cared about her.
"Yeah," Fila said quietly, a small, genuine smile tugging at her lips. "I think we are."
Fila however weren't going to let the seventh years leave without a show this year either, just like last year she wanted to make the tower into something special. Last year she had made the common room filled with flower and hung flower from vines in the ceiling to make a atmosphere unmatched. Maybe she should try something different but also the same this year.
"Maybe a forest…" she mumbled for herself as her mind focused on the surrounding walls and floors. Her magic surged out.
Slowly, the edges of the room began to blur. From the cracks between the stone slabs, thick, velvety emerald moss began to carpet the floor, cushioning the feet of the seventh years. Slender, silvery birch trunks sprouted from the corners, their branches arching gracefully across the high ceiling to weave a living canopy overhead.
Small, glowing white flowers, the ones that didn't break anymore, bloomed in the moss, casting a soft, starlight glow over the couches.
The seventh year who had been acting out the broom mishap stopped mid sentence, his mouth falling open. He looked down as a gentle vine wrapped loosely around the leg of his chair, sprouting a cluster of soft, glowing blue bellflowers.
A collective gasp rippled through the tower, followed by a sudden, reverent silence.
From the tip of the branches above, a soft fall of translucent, shimmering leaves began to drift down like slow motion snow. They didn't make a mess; they simply dissolved into warm sparks the moment they touched a student's hair or shoulder.
The room hade become a forest with birch trees, moss, flowers and even some small bugs and butterflies she had found hiding between the floorboards and walls.
"Whoa," Elliot breathed, holding out a hand to catch a falling leaf. "Fila, you really outdid yourself."
June was looking around with wide, shining eyes, her hand over her heart. "It's like being inside a dream."
Fila opened her eyes, leaning her head against the back of the sofa. She felt a little drained, but looking at the amazed, happy faces of the graduating class made it all worth it. The heavy, suffocating feeling of the past few weeks was completely gone, replaced by something steady and calm.
She had given them a piece of her own forest.
One by one, the seventh years turned to look at the quiet girl with the black hair on the sofa. There was no fear in their eyes. No one was thinking about dark wizards. They just saw Fila, their fellow Thunderbird, who had given them the most beautiful goodbye they could have asked for.
A tall girl from the graduating class walked over, her eyes a little wet. She didn't say anything, she just leaned down and gave Fila a tight, fierce hug.
"Thank you, Ophelia," the girl whispered. "We won't forget this."
The next morning came, the forest remained and would remain until she left the school grounds. But now, the thunderbirds had collected themselves in the tower and were ready to walk together to the great hall for the last feast of the term.
"Alright everyone ready?" the headboy asked as he took position at the front. "Lets go." The doors swung open and out came the birds.
Fila walked near the middle of the group, flanked by June, Calla, Theo, Elliot and Milles. She felt a bit tired from keeping the living forest active back in the tower, but the sheer look on the faces of the other houses as the Thunderbirds entered the Great Hall was the perfect cure for her fatigue.
The doors swung open, and the crowd of birds flowed into the hall.
The Great Hall was already buzzing with students from Horned Serpent, Wampus, and Pukwudgie. As the Thunderbirds took their seats, conversations died down and heads turned. Word had already spread about what Fila had done to the tower. When the graduating seventh years took their spots at the table, a few of them looked back at Fila and gave her a small, grateful wave.
Fila took her seat, pulling her hands into the sleeves of her robes.
The golden plates were piled high with all the end of term favorites. There were roasted meats, bowls of buttery corn, and of course, a massive array of pastries.
"Look," June whispered, pointing with her fork toward the dessert platters. "They brought out the sour raspberry pies again. Just for you, Chipmunk."
Fila gave her a glare, she had been a little mad about still being called chipmunk. But since they are an extremely cute little animal she let it go.
Fila looked and saw the deep red, tart pastries sitting right near their section of the table. A small smile touched her lips. "I take back everything bad I ever said about the school kitchens. They clearly know who runs this table."
"Don't let the Headmaster hear you say that," Milles joked, though he kept his voice low as he reached for a slice of ham. "He's been staring at our table since we walked in. I think he's trying to figure out why the seventh years look so calm."
Fila glanced toward the High Table. The Headmaster was indeed watching the Thunderbird table, his expression unreadable. But Fila didn't look away this time. She took a bite of her sour pie and held his gaze for a second before turning back to her friends.
After eating the main course, a couple of taps came from the professors table at the front.
And the headmaster stood, all eyes were turned to him. But Fila didn't, she had gotten her hands on most of the raspberry pies that had been put on the thunderbird table. She really looked like a little chipmunk collecting food for the winter.
"Another year has passed." Headmaster Fontaine began.
"And as we stand on the threshold of another summer, I look out at you all and see the future of our world."
Headmaster Fontaine's voice rolled through the Great Hall, measured and calm. "To our seventh years, you leave these mountains today not just as students, but as pioneers. You carry the spirit of Ilvermorny with you."
The speech was long this year. But soon cut to the famous award ceremony.
The award ceremony at Ilvermorny was always a huge deal. The Great Hall grew quiet as the golden and silver pins and certificates were lined up on the High Table. Professor Ward stepped forward, unfurling a long scroll.
"As is tradition, we honor those who have shown exceptional skill, dedication, and character over the past academic year," Fontaine announced, his voice carrying easily over the quiet crowd.
Fila tried to look nonchalant, popping a small piece of tart crust into her mouth, but she couldn't help but sit up a little straighter.
They went through the standard house awards first. Wampus took the prize for physical magical defense, and Horned Serpent naturally swept the academic theory category. Then came the individual medals.
"For exceptional mastery and innovation in Herbology, the Silver Leaf is awarded to... Ophelia Grindelwald."
A loud cheer erupted from the Thunderbird table. Milles whistled loudly, and June bounced in her seat, clapping furiously. Fila stood up, offering a polite nod to Professor Nyra, who looked genuinely proud.
But the big one was still to come. The medal for the top academic ranking in her year.
"And finally," Fontine continued, his eyes scanning the scroll. "For achieving the highest overall marks in the third year curriculum, despite an... extended medical absence." A light, good natured chuckle rippled through the hall. "The scholar's medallion goes to Ophelia Grindelwald."
The Thunderbird table didn't just clap this time; they erupted. Milles and Elliot were banging their hands on the wooden table, and even some of the seventh years she had gifted the forest to were cheering her name.
Fila walked up to the front to accept her medal.
The headmaster hadn't talked to Ophelia since that day when he basically told her to throw the towel during the duel tournament. So there were a little bit of awkwardness each time she went up to take her reward. But she did so with grace, knowing that he couldn't stop her from becoming the best version of herself, someone that she wanted to be.
After reaching the front and taking her pin she was stopped by the headmaster. "Please stay for a bit, there is more." He said.
Fila paused at the top of the marble steps, her fingers closing tightly around the cool metal of her newly acquired pin. She didn't like being kept in the spotlight, especially not by Fontaine after their last conversation. She shifted her weight, maintaining a calm, graceful posture as the Great Hall fell into a curious, expectant silence.
Headmaster Fontaine turned back to the scroll on the table, his expression unreadable. He cleared his throat, his voice projecting easily across the sea of blue, green, red, and yellow robes.
"This year has been an unusual one," Fontaine began, his eyes sweeping across the room before briefly settling on Fila. "It is rare for a student to face the kind of challenges that Miss Grindelwald has encountered. To return from a five months-long coma and not only catch up with her peers, but to surpass them entirely... that requires a level of resilience that we must acknowledge."
He reached into a small velvet box on the table and pulled out something that made the crowd lean forward. It wasn't another pin or a standard certificate. It was a silver bracelet, thin and delicate, shaped like a twisting vine with tiny, dark green emeralds acting as leaves.
"The Thunderbird Tower commendation for exceptional fortitude," the Headmaster announced, holding out the delicate silver bracelet. "It is an honor awarded not for grades or dueling, but for strength of character. Congratulations, Ophelia."
Fila stood there for a beat, completely caught off guard. She looked at the bracelet as he handed it to her. It was beautiful, and far more personal than any of the other academic awards.
She took it with a steady hand. "Thank you, Headmaster," she said quietly, ensuring her voice carried just enough for him to hear.
As she turned and walked back down the steps toward the roaring applause of her house, she felt a strange mix of pride and relief. He hadn't publicly acknowledged her name or her lineage, but he had acknowledged her.
When she slid back onto the bench next to June, her friends immediately mobbed her to inspect the new jewelry.
"That is gorgeous!" June squeaked, gently grabbing Fila's wrist to look at the emerald leaves. "A custom commendation! You're officially legendary."
"I told you," Milles grinned, stealing a stray piece of her tart while she was distracted. "Top of the class, even when you're sleeping. You're a cheat code, Fila."
Theo didn't say anything, but he caught her eye from across the table and gave her a slow, approving nod. He knew exactly how much that moment of recognition meant to her after everything that had happened in the training hall.
Fila reached into her pocket, she had felt something tug at it before while standing in the front.
The thing she pulled out, a letter. Folded a couple of times but with a short message she recongnized. 'would you mind turning the hall into one of your forests?' the message came from the headmaster. Just like last year he wanted the other houses to experience the magical displayed she had shown her seventh years.
Fila stared at the folded parchment in disbelief. She had to read it twice to make sure she wasn't hallucinating. The Headmaster, the very same man who had told her to hide her strength and lose on purpose just weeks ago, was now asking her to put on a grand display for the entire school.
A small, amused huff escaped her lips.
"What is that?" Calla asked, trying to peek over her shoulder.
Fila quickly folded the letter and slipped it back into her pocket, a secretive smirk playing on her face. "Just a special request from the boss."
She looked back up at the High Table. Headmaster Fontaine wasn't looking at her directly, but he was holding his golden cup and waiting.
Fila stood up from the bench, letting her fingers brush against her new emerald bracelet. If he wanted a show, she was going to give him one he'd never forget. She didn't pull out her wand. She didn't need it.
Closing her eyes, she reached out with her mind, connecting to the ancient stone foundations of the Great Hall, letting her magic flood out in a massive, warm wave.
At first, there was only a low, rhythmic thrumming sound, like the heartbeat of the mountain itself. Then, from the corners of the massive room, thick vines of green ivy began to race up the walls, weaving around the floating candles and pulling them into living chandeliers.
From the center of each of the four long house tables, massive, twisting roots pushed gently through the wood, sprouting into beautiful, glowing white birch trees that arched over the students.
The gray stone floor beneath everyone's feet transformed. Velvet-soft moss covered the ground, and thousands of translucent, glass-like flowers bloomed in an explosion of color.
A collective, breathless gasp filled the Great Hall.
But Fila wasn't done. She pushed a little harder, and from the tip of the branches high above, a gentle rain of glowing petals began to fall, drifting lazily through the air. The small, white butterflies she had found in the tower earlier fluttered out from the leaves, dancing around the amazed faces of the students from all four houses.
The Great Hall had been completely transformed into a breathtaking, living forest.
Fila opened her eyes and looked around. Students from Wampus, Horned Serpent, and Pukwudgie were standing up, reaching out to touch the glowing petals with looks of pure wonder. There was no fear. No prejudice. Just pure, unadulterated magic.
She looked up at the High Table. Professor Nyra was smiling broadly, and even Professor Hale looked thoroughly impressed. Finally, she looked at Headmaster Fontaine. He raised his cup to her in a silent, private toast of genuine respect.
She had shown them her forest. And it was beautiful.
The group of friends now stood at the famous portkey point outside the school. Elliot and Calla were hugging like they were never going to see each other again. June had started crying for the same reason it seemed. Theo and Milles were discussing what to do during summer.
Fila stood a few paces back from the main group, the heavy leather straps of her trunk resting against her legs. The portkey point was buzzing with activity, a circle of ancient, weather worn stones where groups of students were disappearing in small, controlled pops of blue light.
They were her people. The ones who had stood by her when the school whispered, when she woke up from the dark, and when she decided to show everyone exactly who Ophelia Grindelwald was.
Fila felt the heavy weight of the emerald vine bracelet resting securely on her wrist, a physical reminder of what she had accomplished this year.
"Group hug!" June suddenly squeaked through her tears, lunging forward and pulling a startled Calla and Elliot toward the center.
Milles didn't need to be asked twice, diving right into the pile with a laugh. Theo looked at Fila, offering a small, resigned shrug before stepping in to join them.
Fila hesitated for only a second before she stepped forward too, letting herself be swallowed up by the warmth of her friends. For a girl who had spent so much of her life feeling like an outsider, standing here on the edge of the Ilvermorny grounds, she had never felt more at home.
"We are definitely writing to each other," June insisted, pulling back and pointing a finger at every single one of them. "Every week. No excuses."
"I'll send owl updates on my dragon dung research," Milles promised solemnly.
Fila couldn't promise if she would write back. She had gotten a response from Elsbeth that she would go to her grandpa directly after she arrived back in new York. She regretted asking to be trained now since she wanted to relax but what is done is done.
The official portkey for their region was starting to glow with a soft, pulsing blue light. It was a rusted old lantern sitting in the center of the stone circle, and a teacher was calling out their names to step forward.
"That is us," Milles said, his joking demeanor instantly replaced by a wide, excited grin. "See you on the other side, losers."
June gave Fila's arm one last, quick squeeze, her eyes still a little shiny. "Don't forget us when you're off doing cool, top secret genius stuff this summer, okay?"
Fila looked at June, then at Calla, Elliot, Milles, and finally Theo. "I won't," she promised quietly. And she meant it. Even if she was headed straight for a summer of brutal training under her grandfather's watchful eye, these were the people she would be fighting to get back to.
They stepped into the circle together, each reaching out a hand to touch the cold, chipped metal of the rusted lantern.
"On three," the professor instructed, raising their wand. "One... two... three."
A sudden, violent tug behind Fila's navel yanked her forward. Her feet left the grass of the Ilvermorny grounds, and the mountain air vanished. In its place was a rushing, swirling vortex of colors and wind as the group was pulled through space.
After finally arriving at the familiar alley of new York she found her caretaker, Elsbeth and Rowan.
"there's out little flower." Elsbeth said as she pulled Fila into a hug.
Rowan just tapped her back.
"Are you sure you want to go?" Rowan asked as he held the portkey towards her. Holding it towards her made it feel like she didn't have a choice, she did but she knew it would be for the best to go.
Fila looked at the small, dull looking object in Rowan's hand. It was just a regular old pocket watch, but she knew exactly where it would take her.
She took a deep breath, the heavy, humid air of the New York alley filling her lungs. It was a sharp contrast to the crisp, clean mountain air of Ilvermorny. Looking back at her friends one last time, she saw them already parting ways with their families, laughing and waving. They had a whole summer of fun and relaxation ahead of them.
And she was about to go to a private prison in Austria to train with one of the most powerful dark wizards in history.
"I'm sure," Fila said, her voice steady despite the slight flutter of nerves in her stomach. She reached out and touched the cool metal of her new emerald bracelet. If she wanted to protect the peace she had found with her friends, she needed to be strong.
She reached out and placed her gloved hand on the pocket watch.
"See you in a couple of months, little flower," Elsbeth said softly, her eyes full of a mixture of pride and worry.
Rowan nodded solemnly. "Make us proud, Kiddo."
Rowan tapped the watch with his wand.
Instantly, that familiar, violent tug behind her navel returned, pulling her away from New York, away from her caretakers, and toward a completely different world. Almost.