A Tradition Unending Solo Character Build Finished

The platform was packed full of other students awaiting to climb aboard with the small Vale Ashwood and her own luggage. And by her side, was her Aunt Burgle, smiling ever so intimidately towards all the eyes that were unfortunate enough to set upon her figure.

But feeble Vale didn't share the same extroverted mindset as her aunt. Instead, a frown was plastered on her face as she watched the world around her move at great speeds in such a short span of time.

"Vale my dear! Why the long face? You're about to go off somewhere grand to explore, and even possibly destroy! How I wish I was in your shoes right now." The woman sighed, patted the back of Vale's harshly. She nearly sent the poor girl flying from her spot due to her petite size. But the smile never left Aunt Burgle's long, unnerving and unblinking face.

"Father and mother couldn't see me off?" She looked up to her Aunt, questioning her family not to willing to come see her off today of all days. "They did saw you off, child!" Burgle's African accent rolled from her tongue, only ever noticeable when she need to speak up.

"They saw you leave back at home!" "B...But it's not the same! I want to see them waving me off, here! At the station!" Vale attempted to be as fast as she could to walk along the platform with her small legs. She was already out of breath going only at least a few meters down the platform. The need to shout above all the noise on the platform and carrying luggage a fair distance was far too much already on the child.

At just the right moment when Vale needed to rest, her aunt pulled her to the side with the luggage cart she had in toll. She pulled them into a more isolated, quiet spot of the platform as best as she could. Vale mentally appreciated the small break as her aunt sat down with her on a wooden bench. "Vale, you know they have work to do." Vale kept a sour expression, despite knowing the full reasoning of her parents watching her only leave from home. "I do know that, Aunt Burgle. I just," Vale looked up to the older woman with her, their eyes matching in both the color brown. ", the last Ashwood going to Hogwarts was grandmama Ida. I thought they would be more willing to watch me go."

Now it was Aunt Burgle's turn to frown. She rested one of her hands on top of Vale's head. "There's other times they'll see you go. Six more, to be exact." The older woman looked out to the people and various other beings and creatures walking across the platform. Vale didn't respond to her aunt's explaination, looking instead now to the solid ground beneath her feet.

"Who knew being an Ashwood was far more difficult than it should be?" The woman made an exagerated sigh. Aunt Burgle looked down to Vale, replacing a small smile on her lips for the moment. "You know, grandmama Isa and grandpapa Hendrick couldn't make it to when I left for school the first time too." Vale blinked her eyes in confusion, and immediately caught attention of her aunt's words by then. "Really?" "Yes. When I used to go to Durmstrang. Your grandpa was at some muggle office job, and your grandma too busy handling dragons. Apparently a dragon was brought in and it was fiesty. Had babies and everything. More important, she said. And deadly. Wanted first seat to experience the flames and everything." Vale, by now, was in disbelief.

For Aunt Burgle to have her own parents have no time to watch her take off was astonishing to learn. "But you know what? It was for the better, for me at least. Ended up having both of them to spend time with during the holidays." Vale kept her eyes up to her aunt, listening to every word of her story. "And my father, well...guess he gotten a promotion to office manager. Not sure what that means, but apparently he gotten a new muggle computer. Other than that, nothing else changes and he comes home crying from exhaustion as usual."

Vale nodded, always finding her grandfather strange in character before his passing, but he was an Ashwood nonetheless. "Then I'll see mother and father during the holidays, at least?"Aunt Burgle stood up, and Vale followed her in her movements. "Of course! And between you and me, your mother plans on making dragon tartare. And Raydon will be there too." "Brother Raydon too?" Vale's eyes lightened up in excitement. Aunt Burgle crackled. "Your father will be inviting over some beings too! Like Uncle Alaric." "I thought Uncle Alaric was on the run for feeding again." "He was! Still is, actually. Have to remind your mother to not add garlic to the holiday meals." Vale made a small giggle. "Okay Aunt Burgle. I understand now."

And finally, once more, they back up to the platform amongst others. Aunt Burgle
sat onto her knees to be down to Vale's height. "Remember the bone game?" "Yes! Mother and father will be sending me bones through owls when I get there." "Good, they say the one they're going to give you is a real kicker. A whole piece of a femur!" Vale turned excited as her luggage was being put away with the help of her aunt. "Thanks Aunt Burgle. You'll send me letters too, right?" The woman made her trademark smile with unblinking eyes, and Vale did the same. "You know I will! Might even send you a whole skeleton if I can!" They ignored the people around them watching in fear and disbelief of the odd behavior near them.

But as per usual, the Ashwood family was aloof to those around them. Vale jumped onto the train, giving one final wave to her aunt, who in return waved back to the small girl. The older woman stayed to watch until the train would leave for Hogwarts, and as she did, she made a small curse to herself. "Knew I shouldn't had that that dragon milk cheese for a snack. What is mama using as a substitute for dragon milk now? Never had that problem before!" Aunt Burgle rushed away with the cart, in hopes of finding a restroom nearby.

And now Vale was alone, looking across the train with a curious glance. To meet kids her age and older, it was a nervous experience even for the youngest Ashwood. But she made a large, sharp-toothed smile with her unblinking eyes.

Loners do not make it far, her mother would always say. And with that thought in mind, Vale went along to find somewhere comfortable for her to settle on her journey towards Hogwarts.