Secondhand Silver Solo Finished

✰

After dinnertime on October 9th, 2024, Aly Salinger took a trip to the Owlery with tear-pricked green eyes dripping hot tears on the stone staircase beneath her boot-clad feet. Having no owl of her own, she needed to send this gift - this papered-up bundle that meant so much to her and held such a special place in her heart - through the school, partially because she couldn't quite bear to give it in person, but partially because she knew the recipient deserved the excited thrill of it thunking down onto the breakfast table the next morning, of tearing into the brown wrapping and squealing with excitement as she realised what it was... despite probably already knowing. And so, Aly sent it with a heart full of trepidation but also peace; it was on its way to a home it deserved, even if that could no longer be her.

The next morning, the oddly-shaped, oddly-wrapped package reached its destination. It only went a few seats down from its sender, funnily enough, to a similarly curly-haired, energetic young Ravenclaw, though one that was perhaps a bit smaller in size than the original owner. Accompanying the package was a small handwritten note in cerulean ink, addressed to, of course, the one and only @Rebecca Lark:

Oct. 10th, 2024

Dear Bex,

I've got a new broom now, so I think you might make better use of this than me. Take good care of her, okay? She's carried me through many a match and even more practices (and I've fallen off of her more times than I can count, though I hope that little gene doesn't get passed down to you). I used one of my paring knives from my Potions kit to carve my surname into her handle back when I got her in my third year - maybe you could do the same with yours (under supervision... you might be one of my captains now, but I dunno how much I can trust you with a knife)!

Much love and I'll see you tomorrow on the pitch,
Aly

Upon opening it, the mini-me giftee would find Aly Salinger's once-beloved Silver Arrow, carved of course with Salinger in careful cursive upon its argent handle, freshly waxed and polished to a glinting silvery shine so that its surface was almost mirror-like, reflecting brown curls... a different face, perhaps, but no less eager a smile.

✰