New journey, new friends PV • Avery Gray Finished

Interacting with: @Lyanna Oak Mentioning: N/A Date: 09/01/24

Word Count: 200

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"I would love you to come visit me! It would be so much fun!" Avery was excited. She had finally found someone that shared similar interests to her! She couldn't wait to get to Hogwarts, so she would be able to hang out with her friend. "I completely agree! I barely know anyone that also reads a lot." Avery was glad that she finally had someone to talk to about books. She sometimes felt lonely because she was rarely ever able to talk about her favorite book series. "You have a Gryffindor parent too? My parents were both in Gryffindor, so I hope to get into that house too. I feel like it's the only house that would suit my personality. At least, that's what my father says. I don't think I even though about joining Ravenclaw or Slytherin. Since my parents were Gryffindors, it's pretty much the only house I really know a lot about." Avery was finally happy. She had finally found someone to talk to, and someone she could hang out with that was actually interested in the same things as her. She knew that this year was going to be amazing. Especially with her new friend!

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Interacting with: @Lyanna Oak Mentioning: N/A Date: 09/01/24

Word Count: 238

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Avery smiled. She had always wanted to know someone that had traveled a lot of places. Avery hadn't really traveled anywhere besides back and forth to Wales when she was younger. She hoped to travel more when she was old enough because she really wanted to see the world. "That would be so awesome! Maybe we could visit each other's hometowns someday! That would be so much fun!" Avery was getting even more excited. This train ride was getting better and better! "I love crawling under a blanket with hot chocolate with a book on rainy days! Of course, living in London, that happened a couple times a week. Though, reading outside is my favorite. Especially in the fresh mountain air!" Avery sighed. She loved spending time outside. Especially at her grandparents house where she felt free. "I agree! I really hope I get Gryffindor, but Hufflepuff would also be a fun house! Also, that would be awesome if we get in the same house! But, even if we don't get in the same house, we should absolutely hang out! This train ride has been so much fun!" Avery was getting very excited now. She was finally making a friend! Something she hadn't tried doing since her best friend had died a couple years before. "Oh! I think I'm most excited for Transfiguration. I'm not sure why, but it just sounds really fun! How about you?" Avery asked.

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OOC Note: Sorry for the late response!

Interacting with: @Lyanna Oak Mentioning: N/A Date: 09/01/24

Word Count: 230

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Avery smiled. This was already her favorite birthday. She had finally met a new friend, and she was on the train to Hogwarts! Her dream school! Avery then thought for a moment about Lyanna's question then said, "I was mainly homeschooled since I live in the wizard part of London, though most of the time I just read books about my subjects. What about you?" Avery's eyes lit up when Lyanna mentioned the British museum. She remembered going there when her family had first moved. She couldn't quite remember what it was like, but she did remember parts of it. Avery was also excited that she wasn't the only one that loved reading outside. Avery closed her eyes as she listened to Lyanna talk about the mountains and running through the grass. It reminded her one her real home. The one she had to leave behind. "That sounds amazing. I loved running around outside with my cousin at our grandparents house when we lived in Wales. It was one of the only times that I actually felt. . . free." Avery smiled. Yes. That was the word for it. Free. Free to be herself and not have to worry about accidentally showing her true identity of being the daughter of a wizard and witch. Free to roam the woods and not worry about her parents taking her back to London. Just free.

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OOC Note: Sorry for the late response!

Interacting with: @Lyanna Oak Mentioning: N/A Date: 09/01/24

Word Count: 232

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Avery nodded as she listened to Lya talk about her life. It sounded a lot more fun than Avery's. She at least had a sister to talk to even though Avery had the feeling that something had happened. Though, she didn't want to pry. She knew that Lya would tell her if she was ready. Avery was the same way. She had so many secrets pent up inside her that she wasn't ready to share. Not yet. Not when they constantly reminded her of what she had lost. She also knew what constant change felt like. Every day something different happened to her. Some days good, but she also had her bad days. Though no matter what she knew that life wouldn't stop and give her a break anytime soon. That's why she always stayed strong and progressed thought the constant pain and suffering she felt. "I understand the constant change of life. It's almost as if every day is different." Avery voiced her thoughts out loud. Avery was surprised that those words came out of her mouth. She hadn't expected that. She had always been a closed off book. Unless she trusted someone. Then she would finally open the cover and let loose her true feelings and thoughts. She was really beginning to trust the girl. Avery felt. . . at peace. Like she understood the girl across from her whenever they talked.

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OOC Note: Sorry for the late response! Also, I completely understand! Life's been crazy for me too lately!

[ Hogwarts Express ] [ September 1st 2024 - afternoon/evening ] [ #1d3596 ] [ outfit ]

-------------Friendship was a strange word. Too shallow for what it meant, in Lyanna's opinion. Too undefined. For friendship can mean many different things, and one word does not cover the definition if it. In that particular moment, Lyanna felt the unspoken understanding between them. Avery had things she wasn't ready to share yet, Lyanna could tell by her expression, but she understood. She felt the same way. It wasn't as if she didn't trust her new friend, it simply hurt to remember. Some things were complicated.

To avoid any awkward silence, Lyanna rummaged through her bag and pulled out two little toffee-shaped sweets. "Sticky caramels. Would you like one?" she inquired. Whether Avery would take it or not, Lyanna offered a genuine smile. After all, friends were meant to be understanding of what the other wished to hold back for the time being. And when the time did come, more understanding still.

As Avery spoke of understanding the constant change in life, Lyanna could only nod. She knew what it was like only too well. Silence settled between them for a moment. Not the awkward silence that Lyanna would do anything to avoid (by ranting on and making things even more awkward) but a calm bonding. The forging of trust. In that moment, she stole a glance outside at the beautiful sunset. Oh, how she loved the sun. It reminded her of Icarus. Everyone finished the story with the conclusion of Icarus having made the mistake, but in reality who could've resisted the temptation?

Snapping her thoughts back to her surroundings, Lyanna realized that since the sun was setting they must've almost arrived. As if on queue, their arrival in five minutes was announced. Finally at Hogwarts! The excitement and nervousness Lyanna had had when she'd boarded came back, and all she could say was, "Well, I guess it really is happening isn't it?" Foolish words, of course, but even the most curt of people couldn't have found a more suitable moment to speak those words.

As the train pulled to a stop, Lyanna looked at her new friend one last time, a few last words leaving her mouth before she could stop herself. "It was very nice meeting you Avery. I hope to become better friends with you, whichever house you'll soon be placed in and no matter how tight our class schedules will become." After giving her new friend one last kind smile, she waved and departed with her luggage. Lyanna Oak had arrived at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry at last.

OOC NOTE ║ Again, I'm so sorry for the wait!!! :[ Lyanna will now leave the thread, you can post one last time after which I'll close it if that's okay with you!

Interacting with: @Lyanna Oak Mentioning: N/A Date: 09/01/24

Word Count: 251

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Avery smiled and gratefully accepted the sticky caramel handed to her. She let the rich flavor and stickiness cling to her. Calming her and reminding her of what she had just made. Even though she wasn’t sure yet that she would be in the same house as her new friend, she knew for certain that this wasn’t even close to the end of their friendship. It was only the beginning. “Thank you for all this.” Avery said with a bright genuine smile on her face. Comfortable silence fell between them. It was as if understanding passed between them without words. Avery liked that. Sometimes you just had to voice what you felt in another way that didn’t use words. Avery heard the sound of the train whistle. It’s sound still ringing in her ears long after it sounded. That whistle is what reminded her of where she was and what was about to happen. Avery sat up straight and nervously fidgeted her fingers. It was time to become who she would be and it was terrifying. “It really is happening.” Avery whispered barely loud enough for Lyanna to hear. Avery stood up too. She smiled at her new friend and said, “It was nice meeting you too. I hope everything goes well at the ceremony and that we both get the houses we want. See you soon.” Avery smiled and waved to her new friend before making her way off the train. Ready yet unsure of what was ahead of her.

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OOC Note: Sounds good to me! This was a fun adventure!