17 Aug 2024, 16:05
The Early Birds
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King's Cross Station was nothing like what Mamori had seen. The very great number of Muggles going up and down and being all so very busy was in itself interesting. While his father had cautioned him that the station might be a little too much, Mamori felt confident about it all with both his parents around. Walking towards Platform 9¾, there seemed to be some air... something he could not tell... but which hinted quietly at excitement, and he found himself hurrying slightly as a result.
His motherᅳ usually so composed and focusedᅳ seemed more relaxed today. Maybe because it was a Sunday, and no work loomed over her. His father, on the other hand, was clearly in his element after having spent much of his life straddling both worlds. He offered Mamori a reassuring smile, one that told him everything would be fine.
“Now, remember,” his father said, leaning in slightly as they neared the barrier, “just walk through it confidently, like we practiced. It's really no different from Floo Network, just… less messy.”
Mamori nodded and held his cart with a firm grip. His heart was thumping, though not out of fear but out of anticipationᅳ the first real step towards Hogwarts. Taking in a deep breath, he moved the cart trolley forward into the barrier without looking back for even a moment alongside his parents.
He stepped onto the platform andᅳ at least in his eyesᅳ back into the past. It could not be more different from the sleek, ultra-modern trains he had been catching on the Muggle side. The Hogwarts Express shone like a relic from the past. White steam spiraled up all around it as students and parents jostled past excitedly talkingᅳ then owls hooted here and thereᅳ mixed with a light smattering of human whistling. His parents' explanations were correct in every detail.
He glanced at the large clock hanging above the platform entranceᅳ10:00 AM. Mamori and Corvinus had agreed to meet at 09:50 AM sharp so they could find an empty and comfortable compartment on the train. His dad had mentioned that trains usually opened for boarding about an hour before departure, so arriving early was key to securing a good spot.
So where was Corvinus?
Mamori pushed his trolley noisily along the platform, darting in and out between groups of students and their families. All his mind was engrossed in right now was locating his bestie. The two had been mailing each other for close to a monthᅳ writing almost twice every weekᅳ pouring out everything from what each considered their favorite pastime to spilling all their eagerness and apprehensions about starting Hogwarts. It felt like they'd known each other for ages and he couldn't wait to see her again.
He looked at the crowd, running his eyes over many strange faces until he noticed a figure standing toward the far end of the platform apart from the rest. She stood stiffly with her eyes cast down, trying to melt into the background. It was Corvinus; that cautious, timid air of hers was unmistakable even in a bustling crowd.
He pushed his trolley forward and quickened his pace. “Cor! It's me, Mamori!”
He arrived in front of Corvinus and took a moment to breathe after his mad dash through the crowds. The noise of the platform seemed to melt into silence as he regulated his breathing, trying to discern her reaction.
Mamori's father, who had been standing at a respectful distance, finally caught up with them, his usual calm and reassuring smile in place, offering Corvinus a polite nod that conveyed a gentle, almost effortless warmth. His mother, arriving just behind with an energetic stride, beamed broadly, clearly delighted that her son was was getting to know his new friend better.
“Didn't mean to take so long to find you, this place is even busier than I thought. But I'm glad I spotted you."
Last edited by Mamori Anezaki on 21 Aug 2024, 09:00, edited 1 time in total.
| iNPC: Ilya Voronov |
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#D2445E |
18 Aug 2024, 02:05
The Early Birds
August 18, 2024
Interacting with: @Mamori Anezaki
They've been waiting on the platform for quite a bit now— since Corvinus' nanny; her aunt, insisted they'd arrive at least 20 minutes before the appointed meetup time.
The closer the time comes, the more increasingly agitated Corvinus became. She holds onto the letter Mamori had most recently sent her, hoping she got none of the details wrong. For all she knows, she could've read 9:30 as 9:50, or maybe he's already boarded the train and—
"Corvie.. Corvie-" The witch; Corvinus' mother— gently prodded a lollipop at her daughter's cheek. Her mother's expression contradicted her own. She seemed a little more excited, more thrilled than her daughter, who's actually going to Hogwarts.
"You want a lollie?" Her mother smiled, a lollipop popped in her own mouth.
"I guess." Corvinus mumbled, re-reading the letter in her hand for the last time, absolutely ensuring she's got the time and place right.
Her mother removes the wrapper of the small lollipop and prompts it into Corvinus' mouth, which the latter quickly takes.
She hides behind her mother, eyes trained on the ground. She certainly wasn't appreciating how there was more and more people coming as the time passed. With so many students and their guardians coming through with their pets and trollies, how on Earth was she supposed to find that pink haired—
That voice!
Corvinus' head jerked upward, all the timidity and apprehension leaving her as soon as she recognized the very person she was waiting for. "There you are!" She greeted Mamori, but silenced herself yet again as she saw his parents following right behind him.
Her mother followed suit and grinned, giving the young boy a smile that could easily brighten up a hundred frowning faces.
"Oh, you must be Mamori! I hope you like cookies! Corvinus here had been pushing her aunt around all weekend, trying to get her to make extra for you both!" She wholeheartedly laughed, subtly nudging Corvinus so she isn't so hidden from view. Her mother then turned to his parents, who aren't very far behind him and gave them too, a smile.
"Mr. and Mrs. Anezaki, I presume? A good morning to you both!"
19 Aug 2024, 07:05
The Early Birds
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At the mention of cookies, Mamori's eyes lit up. "Cookies! I have been thinking about them nonstop!" he exclaimed with eager enthusiasm. “Cor, thank you for not forgetting! It was rather disappointing, though, when we couldn't figure out how to send the cookies by owl without squashing them.”
Catching Mrs. Schröder's eye, Mamori shifted slightly to stand up straight. He changed his excited tone to a more composed one as he addressed Corvinus' mother, playing grown-up with all the seriousness he could muster. "Mrs. Schröder, please thank your sister for the cookies. I've been waiting to taste them ever since Corvinus mentioned them in Diagon Alley," he said with eyes sparkling in genuine thanks despite the sudden overtone of formality that had crept into his voice.
As he bowed slightly in respect, his freshly re-dyed pink hair stood out vividly against the station’s backdrop. Just a couple of days ago, he had touched it up, noticing the color beginning to fade— he wanted to look his best for the first day at Hogwarts.
Mamori then glanced back at his parents, who were already exchanging greetings with Corvinus' mother. He noticed that Mrs. Schröder also seemed to recognize his mother and remembered that both of them worked in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, although in different divisions.
"Oh, I think our moms might know each other from the Ministry," said Mamori to Corvinus, dropping his voice slightly into a rather conspiratorial tone. "Perhaps different departments but same floor? You mentioned in your letters that she's an Auror, right? My mom is a Hit Wizard."
| iNPC: Ilya Voronov |
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#D2445E |
21 Aug 2024, 07:33
The Early Birds
August 21, 2024
Interacting with: @Mamori Anezaki
Corvinus smiles and nods, glad he's eager to try out her aunt's cookies. "That's okay, you get to try them out in person now." She whispered, seemingly a little more wary or.. sheepish because of his parents standing behind him, despite seeing them as friendly people.
Her mother on the other hand, seeing his formal play, gives Mamori another small smile. "Such a gentleman. I'll be sure to tell my in-law if I find her in a good mood.. Which is usually never." She chuckled to herself, pinching Corvinus' cheek, which caused a grumble from the latter.
Once the adults started talking among themselves, Corvinus listened to Mamori and the small theory he's got going on. Popping her lollipop back into her mouth, she put her chin on her fingers in a thinking stance, as if to play detective.
"Hmm, yeah but.. I don't know.. My parents aren't usually home, they come back whenever I'm ready to go to sleep so I don't really talk to them often. But when I do interact with them on their day offs, they don't really talk about work. They usually brush it off as if they're office workers."
"I.. I'll find out if they ARE in the same department once I become an Auror! You want to be a Hit Wizard, right? Let's work together and find out if your theory is right!" Corvinus quietly exclaimed, preferring to wait 7 years over just.. asking them in person.
"But when do we actually get in the train? There are more and more witches and wizards coming through the wall.."
21 Aug 2024, 08:53
The Early Birds
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Mamori's eyes lightly widened at Corvinus's ambition of becoming an Auror. "Wow, Auror? That's ambitious as hell, " he said, impressed but also a bit worried. "My mom told me it was insanely difficult. She herself was once an auror-in-training but later switched to hit wizard because the job was so demanding." He lowered his voice, leaning in slightly. "Even that is quite tough. I mean I am aiming for it as well but…" he briefly looked at his father with a wistful smile tugging his lips "if it doesn't work out, I might follow Dad's footsteps and work with magical creatures. It would be splendid too."
Upon hearing Corvinus eagerly speak of getting on the train, Mamori paused, suddenly aware of the growing crowd around them. He mentally chided himself for not noticing sooner how uncomfortable Corvinus seemed amidst the bustle.
He cleared his throat before nodding and wearing an apologetic grin across his face.“Oh right, Cor. Let us get in,” he said, his tone gentle and understanding. “I'm so sorry; I got carried away talking. I wonder if we can find one with a good view of open country side or maybe just a quiet place where we can chill?” he suggested and began wheeling his trolley toward the direction where the shiny scarlet Hogwarts Express stood waiting.
As they moved, Mamori mentally noted to pay better attention to Corvinus in crowded situations. He had noticed her timid temperament when they first met in Diagon Alley, and their subsequent letters had only confirmed it. Now observing that unease of her own being in the very living chaos of Platform 9¾ made him realize the weightᅳ and hence the importance of making some comforting ground for his friend.
Mamori looked once more at his parents, a mix of anticipation and fleeting nostalgia crossing his face. "Well, I guess this is it," he spoke in a voice that was half-excited about something new, half-sad in reminiscence, then gave his parents a quick tight hug. "See you at Christmas, Mum, Dad!"
He then gave a polite nod and a warm smile to Mrs. Schröder. "Thank you again for the cookies, Mrs. Schröder. It was lovely to meet you."
With a final wave to all the grown-ups, Mamori beamed at Corvinus. “Ready to take our first step towards Hogwarts, Cor?” he said, already walking toward the sliding door of the train. "Let's go find our spot!"
Mamori leaves the thread
| iNPC: Ilya Voronov |
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#D2445E |