A New Journey Closed

Date	:	September 1st, 2024
Color code	:	Written|Thought|Said

Sere just raised both of her eyebrows when the sandy-haired girl, Amira, told about what her mother said about Hogwarts houses, followed by Illowy replied in the same topic. Too bad, I don't have a wizard Mother -or Father- who can tell me anything about the wizarding world. At times like this, she felt something heavy inside her heart regarding her muggle-born status. "Yeah, every house is so special, unique in their own way. At least that's what I've seen during the past year as someone new in this magic world."

The Gryffindor girl took a deep breath when she heard the reply from the girl named Avis, 'the genius' in language, "Right, I said some wrong dictions, and I'm sorry for disturbing you." She then turned to Illowy, "How do you know she is a first year? Guessing?" Sere didn't see Avis, with all that attitude and words that actually made Sere's mood worse, as younger than herself at all.

Again, Sere turned to Avis, "I think you will fit best in Ravenclaw." Sere folded her arms, saying that things suddenly indeed seemed like out of context, but Avis's words gave such a patronizing impression, making Sere remember some super-genius Ravenclaws who had acted similarly. Then she looked at Amira Wilkins next to her, super kind although a little bit shy, friendly but not annoying, which form a first impression of Hufflepuff in her over-analyzing point of view.

Sere's eyes moved across the entire compartment and accidentally saw a violin case on the luggage holder over Illowy, "You're playing musical instruments? Just violin or you can play some others too?" Her obsidians then gazing Amira, "How about you? Any instrument you can play? As for me, I think I have zero talent in music and arts." Sere glanced at Avis, has no intention to ask anything this time as she sure that talking to that girl will only ruin her mood even more. "I remember that there is a Rehearsal Room and Ballroom at Hogwarts, but I have never been there. So, I haven't got a chance to see any talented musicians during my first year."

Interacting with : @Amira Wilkins & @Illowy Magnard & @Avis Marlong

Amira listened as the two older girls spoke, nodding in agreement. She was sure that whatever house she was sorted in it would be the best fit for her. She was excited thinking about the different possibilities.

When the other girl introduced herself to as Avis, Amira tried to give a friendly smile but the atmosphere turned a little sour with the interaction between her and the girl to her side. Amira was grateful that she changed the subject, steering it away from the awkwardness. She turned her attention to the girl across from her, Illowy as they spoke about instruments.

When she was asked about playing any instruments, Amira shook her head and looked back at Sere. "I sing a little but I never learned any instruments. I did do some plays though at my school back home with my friends." She said and smiled, thinking back on her friends suddenly missing them all now that she was going to be away from them all.

"I was wondering though," She spoke up again and looked at both of the older girls, hoping they wouldn't mind the sudden question. "Did you have any advice you can give me? I just feel like everything is overwhelming right now since I didn't even know I could do magic until a few years ago." She knew there were probably others who didn't know much about the magical world like her but it was still embarrassing almost to admit it to others still.

Bloody holden. They were talking about music. The only thing Avis would have willingly enjoyed talking about, they decided to talk about, and now she couldn't join the conversation. She loved music. She only played three instruments, (five if you counted tenor and bari), but she would have played more if she could. She wondered what the other girls played, (she did not notice the violin case) and whether any of them played piano or trumpet or sax. She was itching to join the conversation, but that would ruin the stoic look she was trying to pull off. Her posture stayed upright and defensive, but her eyes cast down to the floor. Hostility only works if you continue the hostility. Breaking character never helped anyone. Besides, she needed to get through this quickly. 

She heard the other first-year ask for advice. Avis had advice. Don't look at people, don't talk to people, don't make friends. After all, friends that you don't have can't betray you.

She pulled a book out of her cloak, The Chocolate War, and opening it, began to read.  She wanted to lose herself, to pull herself into this other world, where she could ignore the people around her, and ignore all the things she wished she could see, wished she could do.

Avis will be reading her book for the rest of the ride unless someone asks her a question or something intriguing or exciting happens, so no need to wait for a response from Avis, she will probably be reading.

Illowy allowed a shadow of a smile to crack her stoic demeanor when Sere asked how she knew how to tell if someone was a First Year, "Well, when you become an old and decrepit Seventh Year, you learn the tells." she explained, admittedly, a bit cryptically. First Years all had a similar look; even the one's who tried to act hard and aloof. They were all shiny and new looking, with an air of innocence that was difficult to describe, but noticeable once it was tarnished by the brutal reality that was the kind of world they all belonged to; regardless of blood status.

When her violin case was noticed, Illowy simply gave a small nod. It didn't seem pertinent to answer verbally as thte younger girl seemed more then happy to go on chattering to the blonde in the cabin. And chatter she did. Illowy couldn't help but amuse herself with the wonder of if the lass had any filter at all; and if she did, what was it that she didn't say compared to what she did.

Amira seemed to have a more level head on her shoulders, she observed. She seemed to be less of the idle chatter type as the words she spoke tended to seem less trivial as she posed her question of advice. Circe, did she have a plethora of advice. Even she wasn't sure where to start.

Don't go into the Forbidden Forest, its called that for a reason. Illowy learned that the hard way First Year and still had the night terrors to prove it. Don't trust an independently moving shadow, it actually might kill you. Don't wander the school alone at night, you don't know what else is wandering there too. Don't trust your Head of House to have all the answers, shockingly they don't know everything. Actually tend to your friends, else you won't have any. Look up from your schoolwork once in a while. Join teams and clubs and groups of friends for dances and parties... there were a lot of things Illowy Magnard would have done differently if she could redo her whole experience at Hogwarts.

"Take care of your House, because your Housemates are your second family. For some people, its their only family. Let yourself depend on your friends because being alone here is hard. And for Godric's sake wear the damn ugly earmuffs when you do mandrakes in Herbology." she advised lightheartedly.

Though, truthfully, some solemn advice had to be given, "And be careful. Don't do anything actually stupid. In Muggle school, you don't follow rules and you might get detention, but this is the Wizarding World." she explained, "Wonderful things happen here and you'll learn how to do them. You'll tend to magical creatures like massive winged horses, turn snails into teapots, fly on brooms, and all sorts of things. But this world can be dangerous and you shouldn't take stupid risks. Stupid can get you killed." she didn't want to scare the girl, but it would be a disservice as an older student not to give fair warning, "And I don't mean that to scare you, or feel like you're in danger. I only mean to give you fair warning because I have done plenty of stupid things that nearly got me killed. But I imagine the lot of you will be wiser then I was."

Date	:	September 1st, 2024
Color code	:	Written|Thought|Said

Sere listened to the answers about their ability in music while watching Avis' actions as she took out a book and started reading. That would be really fun. She wanted to do it too, but no, Sere had decided to get to know more people starting from her second year. Besides, she could also 'read' by interacting with other people. Another term that seems to be difficult to understand; but the main point is that we can get information, knowledge, and even interesting stories in every interaction; and this is similar to what we get by reading actual books.

"That's all true, one hundred percent accurate." Sere agreed with all of Illowy's advice because everything felt so right. Too bad Sere didn't get to hear all of that earlier. The Gryffindor girl hoped that Amira would have a better first-year because of the input from the seventh-year. "Yep, including the fact that we could be killed at anytime. I've experienced it some times, not as many as her, for sure." Sere also agreed with that considering that she, who was rarely injured in the muggle world, had been unconscious for who-knows-how-many-times and ended up in the Hospital Wings. What an unbelievable life transition.

Sere cleared her throat, "It seems like all the advice has been given. Well, maybe I'll just tell you about some interesting things. We have such a huge and complete library, a breath-taking view of the Great Lake, and also some interesting events here." The girl spoke as if she was a part of the school's promotional team, "There are Summer Camp, Spring Ball, and the closest one is Fall Ball. There will be students from another wizarding schools in those events!" The Gryffindor girl fixed her hair, "I suggest you to come. Many people say that it's really fun." Sere turned to Illowy, "Right?" She asked for the Slytherin girl's approval because she herself actually had never been to any ball in her first year, but the last Summer Camp she attended was indeed really fun.

Interacting with : @Amira Wilkins & @Illowy Magnard
Mentioning : @Avis Marlong