(W.H.I.P) First Exploration: the Great Lake Open

✹

✹

✹

Surprisingly to Juliana, her second year at Hogwarts taught her that winter could be beautiful. Despite her hatred for the biting cold, the snowy landscape had a strange allure, pulling her out of the cozy library and into the crisp air with no mercy. She walked carefully along the path, her black skirt swishing slightly over her warm tights. Her white jumper, snug beneath her brown coat, was thick enough to keep her warm, but the cold still nipped at her cheeks, turning them a soft pink. She adjusted the Ravenclaw scarf around her neck, its blue and silver stripes neatly arranged.

Juliana wasn’t sure why she’d ventured toward the Great Lake. Maybe it was the rare sunlight making the snow glisten, or the idea of capturing the winter scenery in her notes. A sketch or two might be nice. Or maybe it was just an excuse to escape the hum of chatter in the common room. Oh how much she hated crowded places. Spending a little time alone will do me good. "But just a little, then I need to do the —"

Her thoughts were interrupted by an unexpected fall ahead. A figure tumbled down a snowy slope, near the frozen lake. Juliana froze, her hand clutching her satchel. She wanted to rush forward to help but hesitated. Should I? What if the person snapped at her for intruding?

Finally, with a deep breath to calm her nerves, she approached cautiously. Her boots crunched softly against the snow, and her heart raced as she drew nearer. The unknown girl was furiously brushing snow off her leather satchel, noticably muttering under her breath. As usual, Juliana stood awkwardly a little above the fellow witch, her fingers red from the skin-biting temperature as she held her satchel close to her body. My presence could possibly be another reason for her to grow even more upset.

Juliana’s gaze jumped over the scene, taking in the other girl’s snow-dusted coat and slightly disheveled scarf. She couldn’t help but notice the determination with which the girl attempted to compose herself. The sight made Juliana’s lips twitch with an almost-smile, though she quickly brushed it off. Her own awkwardness made her hyper-aware of others, and the last thing she wanted was to come off as a stalker. Instead, she lingered quietly, feeling her own shyness creep back as her mind began its usual overanalysis. She doesn’t look hurt, at least. That’s good. But . . . Should I just walk past? That seems rude. Maybe she’d appreciate company?

Juliana’s thoughts spun as the other girl — clearly a Hufflepuff from her scarf — sat down on one of the boulders near the lake, her leather satchel now safely perched beside her. Juliana noticed a book she pulled out. She’s studying? Out here? In the cold? Juliana’s curiosity piqued, briefly overriding her nerves. Maybe she’s preparing for something. Or maybe she just likes the quiet too. The idea of someone else seeking solace in the snowy expanse made Juliana feel a little less strange for her own escape.

Adjusting her satchel on her shoulder, Juliana glanced around the deserted area. The glistening lake stretched out like a painting, its frozen surface reflecting the pale winter sky. For a moment, the serene beauty grounded her. If she doesn’t mind my presence, this might not be a bad spot to settle for a while. Taking slow, measured steps down the slope, Juliana approached, careful not to disturb the Hufflepuff’s focus. Her boots left faint imprints in the snow, and she clutched the edges of her coat, more for comfort than warmth. She stopped a few feet away, unsure whether to announce herself or simply sit.

Juliana hesitated for a moment, her breath visible in the cold air as she debated whether to say something. The girl’s focus on her book seemed unwavering, and Juliana worried that speaking might disrupt the peaceful atmosphere. But the memory of the tumble down the slope lingered in her mind. It felt odd not to acknowledge it — almost impolite to just sit there as if nothing had happened.

She shifted her weight, her boots crunching faintly against the packed snow. She might think I followed her if I just stay silent. Juliana cleared her throat softly, more to give herself courage than to grab attention. “I, um . . . saw you fall earlier,” she said, her voice hesitant but gentle. Juliana immediately wondered if she’d made a mistake by mentioning it. I should've just stayed quiet. Now she probably thinks I’m some nosy bystander.

“I mean . . .” Juliana began again, fidgeting with the strap of her satchel. “You seem fine now, but I thought . . . well, just in case you weren’t.” Her words tumbled out in a hurried, slightly disjointed flow, betraying her nerves.

✹

✹

✹

✹

✹

✹

Juliana Allen had never thought that someone could be thrown off by her presence the same way as the Hufflepuff girl. She blinked, confused by her own decision to ask such a, in her head, stupid question. Juliana's grip instinctively tightened on the strap of her satchel as she made sure her back was straightened. A little voice in her head told her to apologize to the poor startled girl in front of her, yet she unconsciously pursed her lips even tighter, almost as if all the vocabulary had left her brain. Nothing left her lips. Not even a word.

As Juliana noticed the intense gaze of the girl, she felt a flicker of self-consciousness light up at the bottom of her stomach. Especially when the Hufflepuff's eyes seemed to scan her hair and posture. It wasn’t often that Juliana felt noticed in this way. Usually, she was the one quietly observing others from the background. Her cheeks warmed, though whether from the cold or the unexpected attention, she couldn’t say.

Juliana frowned once she heard the audible wince and noticed the girl's change of stance. “I didn’t mean to startle you. I just—” She hesitated, unsure if she should add anything more, but the Hufflepuff's flustered movements as she crammed her book into her satchel caught her attention. There was something almost endearing about it. She couldn't say if that action had been caused by the unexpected appearance of Juliana Allen, or by the urge to hide something.

When the Hufflepuff spoke again, brushing off Juliana’s concern with a huff, Juliana tilted her head slightly, studying her. The girl’s flushed cheeks and hurried movements betrayed her embarrassment, and Juliana’s instinctive shyness urged her to step back, to leave the interaction before it grew more awkward. But something about the other girl — her fiery defensiveness, perhaps, or the vulnerability beneath it — made Juliana linger.

“You’re sure you’re fine?” she asked gently, her tone more thoughtful than probing. Her hand drifted to the star-shaped earring at her ear, an instinctive reach for comfort. Her eyes flickered briefly to the girl’s knees before returning to her face. “It looked like quite a fall.” She offered a tentative smile, hoping to soften the moment.

Juliana shifted her satchel to her other shoulder, the strap digging slightly into her coat. The girl’s flushed face and hurried movements reminded her of herself — awkward and desperate to deflect attention. She understood that feeling all too well, and perhaps that was why she stayed, despite her usual tendency to avoid prolonged interactions.

For a fleeting moment, she considered walking away, giving the Hufflepuff her space. But instead, she stood her ground, allowing the crisp winter air to fill the silence as she waited, patiently and quietly, for the other girl’s response. Something within her made her reach out her hand for a handshake. Juliana extended her hand, hesitating for just a fraction of a second, her fingers tightening briefly as if to ground herself before speaking. "Sorry, I suppose I should introduce myself." Juliana cleared her throat, making sure her voice wouldn't betray her. "I'm Juliana. Juliana Allen."

✹

✹

✹

✹

✹

✹

The completely unexpected interaction with the young, slightly snappy witch — though not entirely to Juliana's taste — made her realize, slowly but surely, that she couldn’t be happier in this moment. Just the thought of having a real conversation with another student made her insides flutter with joy. Comfortable or not, she was standing in front of someone who actually answered her question instead of ignoring her. Juliana felt like she was finally making progress in her social life. Whether she had done it with the right approach was a story for another time.

“Do I look like I broke a bone to you? I'm not screaming right here, am I?” Hearing the Hufflepuff’s tone made Juliana freeze. Maybe it was the piercing, unforgiving weather sending shivers down her spine, or perhaps it was simply her instinctive response to such behavior. After all, her father often spoke to her in a similar manner. The key difference was crystal clear: her father did it with intention, while the young witch clearly hadn’t meant any harm. Juliana tried to shake off the discomfort, sliding both hands into the pockets of her coat. As her fingers brushed against the smooth surface of her wand, she gripped it tightly — just in case. Was it for comfort or something else? Defense, perhaps? No, of course not. She was clearly being paranoid.

“I’m sorry. I'm just frustrated with the weather. I have a quest, you see. I do not mean to take it out on you.” Great, she could let go off her wand now. She was safe. But should she respond with something to show she didn’t blame the girl for her mood? After all, who could possibly be cheerful in weather like this? Juliana swallowed the lump forming in her throat and sniffed slightly, the cold taking its toll on her nose. God, she wished she could see herself. She must have looked identical to Rudolph the reindeer.

“I’m sorry again, Allen. I'm Aurelia, Aurelia Valentine.” Oh God, such an authentic name for such an authentic girl. Juliana's mind raced when she realized the name wasn't entirely unfamiliar. She’d read about it. Of course, it meant beauty, brilliance, gold — or something like that. Maybe she was mixing it up with another name, but if not, she could hopefully impress the girl with her knowledge.

"Pleasure to meet you, Aurelia." Even the way the name rolled off her tongue felt satisfying. Wait, was she starting to sound weird again? But who could blame her? Aurelia was a mesmerizing name. Memorable. Letting go off the Hufflepuff's hand, Juliana's gaze shifted back to Aurelia's eyes. She just now noticed that they are deep brown, just like hers. "I think I've read about your name before. I can't quite remember its origin, but if I’m not mistaken, Aurelia means beauty, gold, or brilliance, right? It’s such a beautiful name."

Juliana bit her tongue. Stop talking, stop talking, for God's sake. You're being weird again. She momentarily glanced down at her shoes, feeling the soft crunch of snow beneath them. Taking a deep breath, she let out a sigh that indicated on the turmoil inside her head. She really needed to stop rambling. Looking back up at Aurelia, she finally managed a smile, though it felt slightly forced. "But um . . . It's okay. No need to apologize. I understand that it's unfortunate to meet under these . . . Circumstances."

Juliana cleared her throat, adjusting her now damp wavy hair, trying to act casual. She didn’t want to look like she was overthinking every little detail. "Especially when you're trying to get something done. What's your quest about, if you don’t mind me asking?" She was genuinely curious, though she couldn’t ignore the faint unease still prickling her skin. She couldn’t decide if it was the cold or the conversation — maybe both. Either way, she wanted to keep talking. It felt . . . New. But in a good way. It was strange, how easy it was to slip into a conversation.

✹

✹

✹