How Alluring... PV Stelle Finished

₊⁺⋆ Date: Saturday, January 11th, 2025| Number of words: 557| Dialogue: #aa5713 ⋆⁺₊

Stelle was in the common room, sitting in one of the armchairs near the crackling fire. The golden afternoon rays filtered through the rounded windows, illuminating her face with a warm glow. Her blonde curls cascaded down her shoulders, a little disheveled after spending the last hour reading a book of incantations that now rested closed on her lap. With a light sigh, she stood with the quiet grace that characterized her, stretching her arms toward the vaulted ceiling as her dark cloak slid over her figure. The smell of lavender and rose that used to perfume her clothes filled the room as she recognized a pair of wool gloves and headed towards the door. She enjoyed the winter, it reminded her of home, and perhaps that was why she wouldn't suffer from the cold normally. She remembered that she needed to dry flowers; with her small shipments to Theo, her dried flowers had begun to dwindle. Outside, the day was cold as expected, but Stelle had always found solace in the fresh air, away from the bustle of conversations inside the castle.
Stelle walked calmly through the courtyard, her golden curls dancing softly in the beat of the winter wind. The cold painted her cheeks with a faint blush, but her bearing remained elegant, as if she did not feel the weather that cut like blades. Even as she wrapped herself in her cloak, it was hard to ignore the innate grace with which she moved, light, as if she didn't completely belong to the ground she stood on. It was one of those days when her mind simply wandered, and she had no interest in controlling her true self; anything seemed insignificant compared to the image of Stelle crossing the courtyard. There was something about her that made the surroundings seem brighter, more alive. Her blue eyes moved around the courtyard as she looked for a quiet place to read, not realizing that she had already attracted particular attention.
Harvey's accident made her pay attention to her surroundings, and when the young Slythetin looked up after straightening up to speak to her, Stelle was already watching him, slightly curious, but that reserved expression she had been wearing moments before had been changed by a soft smile that was so her. Despite the young man's obvious clumsiness, her slight smile, which flashed kindness mixed with a certain shyness, allowed him to continue without showing any sign of mockery. When Harvey broke the silence and addressed her, Stelle paused for a moment, sizing him up. Her posture was still calm. Her lips parted a little, not so much to respond immediately, but because she always took a moment to analyze the situation before acting. A light, sweet scent, a mix of lavender, roses, and honey, seemed to emanate from her, as if even the air around her was different. Finally, she bowed her head with a polite gesture. There was something about her bearing that made even the simplest act seem significant. Although she had not said a word, her presence spoke for itself, and that boy probably, like many before him, could not help but feel insignificant before the magnitude of that impression. —Sure, how can I help you?—. Her voice carried with it a rather thick Scottish accent, and she loved hearing herself use it.

@Harvey Barrows

@Stelle Mims

The brief stumble had proven enough to clear his mind momentarily of the other girl's aura, but as he came to stand before her, Harvey would find it slightly difficult to focus his thoughts. She looked almost angelic in a way. Every sense about her almost glowing as bright as her yellow curls. The way she held herself was like being in the presence of a queen. The polite smile, her posture, the courteous nod she offered him as Harvey made his presence known. Even the air around her reminded him a a warm day in spring even as the harsh winter winds swirled around them. He found his hands fumbling with the clasps of his cloak as his normally stoic demeanor slipped ever so slightly in her presence. It was an odd sensation, but one that left him very intrigued.

It would still be some years before the opposite sex caused the boy this level of fluster. Harvey had seen all the other pretty girls at Hogwarts and never before had he felt anything like this. It wasn't hormones or curiosity, he was in the presence of raw power. He offered a thankful nod in return when she agreed to assist him. "My name is Harvey Barrows and forgive me if I am being too forward, but I was wondering if you and I were perhaps alike?" A confusing question without any further context, but Harvey wished to ease into it. "You see, I am part-goblin." His hands gestured towards himself as offered another smile. Perhaps if he was honest, she would be more agreeable. "I was wondering if you might be part-veela?" His grandfather's tutoring had left him with with some knowledge of the other magical beings in the world, but he had never met any besides goblins.

₊⁺⋆ Date: Saturday, January 11th, 2025 | Number of words: 385| Dialogue: #aa5713 ⋆⁺₊

Stelle watched the boy curiously as he stumbled slightly as he approached. Something about his distracted expression seemed peculiar, almost as if he were struggling to find the right words. Her slight clumsiness brought a restrained smile from her, and, as was usual for her, she decided to maintain a polite but calm posture. She tilted her head slightly as she watched him fiddle with the clasps of his cloak, sensing a hint of nervousness in his movements. She was aware that her presence often caused that reaction in some, but she wasn't sure what to say to ease the tension without making the moment more awkward. Her curls fluttered slightly in the cold breeze, but she barely seemed to notice, more interested in deciphering the intentions of this boy who had appeared so unexpectedly. Finally, her blue eyes met his, and with a soft but confident voice she said —Are you okay?—. Her tone was genuine, but she also kept a certain distance, as if evaluating whether she should move closer or give him room to compose herself.

Stelle listened intently as the boy spoke, her blue gaze focused on him with curiosity. Although she showed no surprise at his confession, a slight tilt of her head indicated that she was interested. —Half goblin?—. she repeated softly, almost as if testing the words on her tongue. Her tone was not mocking, but thoughtful, as if she were used to examining differences with quiet respect. her expression remained calm, though her eyes softened slightly when he mentioned the veela. Stelle was used to others noticing something different about her, but hearing that word so directly made her blink for an instant. she maintained her composure and responded with effortless elegance, —Yes, I'm half-veela—. her voice was soft, but her response was laden with calm affirmation. It wasn't something she shared freely with anyone, but Harvey's sincerity seemed to deserve the same. For a moment, she observed him more closely, analyzing every detail of her posture and gestures. —I didn't know there were half-goblin students at Hogwarts, that sounds incredible—. she commented with genuine interest, hinting that she was more intrigued by their origin than by any comparison between the two. —How did you say your last name was?—. she said softly walking towards the fountain.

@Harvey Barrows

@Stelle Mims

Thank Merlin this girl was being patient with Harvey as he continued to stumble his way through this conversation. Finally he would straighten his posture and fetch his comb from his cloak pocket. With a deep breath he would relax after a few swipes through his hair to make sure it was back to perfect. Perhaps it was a bit of a nervous tick of his, but it always proved to be a focus that could help center him when his mind was out of sorts. He appreciated that she did not press him to answer right away and just offered a warm smile while he found his calm. "Yes, I am okay. Thank you." In most situations Harvey would been embarrassed as losing ones composure was not proper and very much against his grandfathers teachings. Especially in front of someone who was so obviously gifted. Yet this time he did not let himself be phased by it as he was far too impressed by her to let a chance at introductions slip away.

The boy simply nodded as she repeated the words half goblin back to him. He did his best to judge her reaction to it as not everyone in this community cared to hear it. A small grin would find his lips as her gaze seemed to soften at the thought of it. The grin would grow to a charming smile as she confirmed he was correct about her identity. "Splendid." Harvey's normally neutral tone was gone as he could not hide the excitement of meeting another half breed. Questions raced through his mind, but which to start with? Though she had been open with him, Harvey did not want to press his luck and chance offending her. Fortunately she would hit him with one first.

"Yes. People like myself, well, like us I suppose were not always admitted to the school as I'm sure you may be aware of. However, it would seem that I met the criteria to be allowed to attend. I'm not sure if there are any other part-goblins among the student body." It could sometimes be rather tricky to spot another like himself. Depending on how diluted the bloodline was, appearance was not always a giveaway. Even Harvey himself appeared mostly human besides a few physical features. "My surname is Barrows. It's from my mother's side of the family as my father was never apart of the picture and my grandfather doesn't really have one. You see, he is full blooded goblin and they do not have surnames. They are just given the first and then usually earn a title from there. His name is Larnak the Lender given his success at banking...apologies, I'm rambling. May I ask your name?" Harvey would extend his rather large hand in formal greeting if she were to accept. "May I ask of your lineage?"

₊⁺⋆ Date: Saturday, January 11th, 2025 | Number of words: 612| Dialogue: #aa5713 ⋆⁺₊

Stelle watched with interest as Harvey straightened his posture and pulled out a comb to smooth his hair. The gesture, though unexpected, seemed curious and somewhat endearing to her. She didn’t comment on it, allowing him the time he needed to compose himself. Her smile remained warm and serene, wanting to convey to him that there was no rush. When he finally spoke and mentioned his surname and lineage, she listened attentively, tilting her head slightly as she processed what he was saying.—Barrows—. she repeated softly, testing the name on her tongue as if she wanted to imprint it in her memory. —It’s an interesting surname, although I understand what you mean about goblins and the lack of last names. It must be fascinating to have a grandfather like Larnak the Moneylender. It sounds like an important title, doesn’t it?—. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity, and for a moment, she seemed to reflect silently before continuing.

When he asked for her name, Stelle extended her hand delicately, accepting his greeting. Her handshake was firm yet gentle, as if trying to find a balance between politeness and warmth.—Stelle Mims—. she replied, taking his hand softly to greet him. Although it felt strange to her, she was used to shaking hands at her grandmother’s dinners; too formal for her taste. Hand cream. She had forgotten to put on hand cream that morning, and her mind immediately reminded her of this as she took his hand; she worried her hands weren’t soft enough for her greeting to feel friendly. —Well, I’m half Veela on my mother’s side and half Muggle on my father’s—. she explained. She tilted her head with a somewhat playful smile, though a hint of melancholy flickered in her eyes when she mentioned her family’s complexity. —My mother always says Veela magic is both a gift and a burden—. she added after a pause. —Although, I disagree with your opinion. The Divogenia family has never had trouble fitting in here; they’re actually a bit well-known. And, well... personally, people don’t treat me differently. Well, yes, differently in a good way, but not always. Sometimes it makes me uncomfortable—. Her words faded momentarily, as if she were lost in a memory. However, she quickly recovered her smile.—But I suppose that’s something any half-blood like us has to deal with, right? The feeling of not fully belonging to either world—.

She looked at Harvey with renewed interest. —It must be amazing to learn so much from your grandfather. He sounds like someone with many fascinating stories. Has he taught you a lot about goblin culture? How does that work? I’d love to know more if you’re willing to share—. There was something genuine about her curiosity, a spark that showed that, while she spoke easily and confidently, she was sincerely interested in what Harvey had to say. —I repeat, it’s incredible that you come from a goblin family. You must have a completely different perspective of the world than ours, don’t you? I’ve always been fascinated by how others view this world—. Her gaze remained fixed on Harvey, showing genuine interest, and at that moment, it seemed her extroverted energy balanced with an authentic willingness to listen and learn from him.

Carefully, she bent down, distracted by the flowers, and picked a couple, trying to figure out how to store them without losing their shape. She loved flowers, and for some reason, enjoyed drying them. She made a mental note to remember this, it might be interesting to share in her next letter to Theo. But for now, her mind was more focused on learning about her companion and, above all, about goblins.

@Harvey Barrows

@Stelle Mims

Harvey studied her features as she repeated his surname. He looked for any sign of recognition in her eyes as the name Barrows was often a mystery to the boy. His mother, Harriet, had rarely ever spoken about her family as her mother had passed by the time Harvey was born and her father long before. The wizard that had fathered him hadn't even left a name in his wake, so Harvey was left with a surname that meant very little to him, but he did always wonder if there were any others out there. Perhaps there was a worthy Barrows out there somewhere.

Harvey's smile would falter as she spoke of being fascinated by his grandfather. He very much wished that the experience had been nothing but wonder, yet it would always be sour for the poor boy. However, although the old goblin would never warm his heart, Harvey would always be impressed by his position within the community. "Very important indeed." He agreed with a nod. "Grandfather has made quite a name for himself at Gringotts and the connections he's made seem nearly endless. He has helped finance many businesses throughout the United Kingdom and even some abroad as well." Harvey couldn't help but to brag when it came to his family. He would never be able to tell others about a warm and loving home, but he was happy that he came from an influential one.

"A pleasure to meet you, Stelle." Harvey wouldn't have noticed if her hands were a bit dry, but he was often a little self conscious of his own. The boy was proud of his heritage, yet the physical differences that came with it were often scrutinized by others. When Stelle began to tell him of her own background any thought of hands would slip away. His brow would rise at the mention of a Muggle father. He had no hatred towards them, but surely believed that the magical beings of the world were just more powerful by nature. "That is an interesting dynamic. Does he live with you in the magical community?" The question was a bit intrusive as his curiosity got the best of him and the flash in her eyes made him regret asking. "Apologies. That was a bit too forward of me." Harvey offered a frown in gesture.

"I suppose having such a power does come with a cost. Yet to wield it must be worth it I'd say. I do hope to inherit some of the talents from my goblin lineage." It was something he thought about often. Watching his grandfather's magic was always fascinating and to watch him work metal was even more so. Harvey listened with interest as she disagreed with his opinion. It would seem that her family had long found acceptance within the community and perhaps even had quite a reputation. This peaked Harvey's interest even further. Maybe Stelle came from an influential family as well? "I do know what you mean unfortunately." He agreed with her about struggling with a sense of belonging. "I often feel like we half-breeds are a sect alone. Like we must make our own place in this world." The boy finished with a shrug as these thoughts were new and not fully developed.

Stelle's interest in his family did bring a positive note back to the conversation. "Yes, my grandfather has taken to it to personally tutor me before I came to Hogwarts and learning goblin culture was very important. He even taught me the goblin language." Harvey rarely spoke it outside of his household, but he was fluent in Gobbledegook. "I would say my perspective is perhaps a mix of both. Many don't think of me as a half-breed as my features look mostly human. So, I have been treated as such by most witches and wizards. The goblins I've met tolerate me as they do cherish the fact that I share their bloodline and that I know their culture, but again I would never be fully accepted due to my mixed nature. I mean, some don't mind, but I think most do. Much the same with wizard kind. Did you have a specific question about the culture? You too must be able to add some perspective about Veela culture, yes?" Harvey watched as Stelle bent to collect a flower and eagerly awaited her answer.

₊⁺⋆ Date: Saturday, January 11th, 2025| Number of words: 859 | Dialogue: #aa5713 ⋆⁺₊

Stelle let her fingers trace the edges of the flower she had picked, gently twirling it between her hands as she listened to Harvey speak. There was something in his tone that felt familiar to her, a mixture of pride and resignation, of acceptance and defiance. It wasn’t hard to understand what he felt: the weight of an identity that didn’t quite fit anywhere, the constant need to prove oneself, to show that he was more than just a part of his lineage. "Your surname rings a bell from somewhere," she mentioned softly. Her blue eyes fixed on Harvey with curiosity as he spoke more about his grandfather. He hadn’t explicitly said it, but she was good at reading people, and she could tell there was something he wasn’t entirely willing to reveal about his history. She understood that perfectly. The thought felt eerily familiar. Since as far back as she could remember, her Veela heritage had been a topic of fascination or wariness for others. Her mother and maternal family seemed to have found a balance within the wizarding world, but Stelle had yet to find her own. She knew that her Veela blood marked her and that people saw her differently, sometimes with admiration, sometimes with suspicion.

Stelle blinked at Harvey’s question, realizing that it wasn’t the first time someone had shown curiosity about her family. Most of the time, people avoided discussing the subject too much, either out of respect or simple disinterest. But Harvey didn’t seem to have that same restraint. His curiosity was genuine, though clumsy, and Stelle couldn’t help but smile slightly when he apologized. A carefree, sweet, and somehow contagious laugh escaped her lips. —Don’t worry—. she replied calmly, twisting a curl of her hair between her fingers. —My parents live in the Muggle world. They tried to share both worlds with me when I was younger, but over time, I think it became more complicated. Some things don’t always mix completely. So we moved to the countryside, though I don’t live entirely at home anymore—.

Her tone wasn’t melancholic, but there was a trace of resignation in her voice. She didn’t remember a different life, so she didn’t see it as particularly tragic. She observed Harvey with interest, noting how his expression wavered between curiosity and caution. She could see that his view of Muggles wasn’t entirely negative, but it was still tinged with the belief that magical beings were naturally superior. Stelle had met many people with that same idea, though in Harvey, it didn’t seem to stem from disdain but rather from an internal logic that he simply accepted as truth.—It’s curious how magic changes the way we perceive the world—. she mused thoughtfully. —For some, the lack of magic is a weakness. For others, it’s just a difference. I grew up seeing both sides, and I believe each has its own strengths. But if wizards are stronger, Muggles are more sensitive. I like that—. she said, stretching out her hand toward him with a small flower, offering it with a simple yet meaningful gesture. She held his gaze for a moment, her expression serene but firm. She didn’t expect to change his way of thinking with just a few words, but she was intrigued to see how willing he was to question his own ideas.

When Harvey returned the question about her culture, Stelle took a moment before answering. Her fingers continued playing with the petals of the flower as she searched for the right words.—I suppose it’s somewhat similar—. she finally said, her voice calm but tinged with reflection. —Though Veela don’t have a structured community like goblins do. There isn’t a system where you can easily learn from them, like a written tradition. It’s more… an inheritance we carry with us, something that influences our lives without us actively seeking it—. She paused, watching as the breeze played with her curly hair. She didn’t usually talk about this with anyone, but with Harvey, she felt she could share it without fear of hasty judgments.—It’s not always easy—. she continued, with a faintly melancholic smile. —People tend to focus on certain aspects,beauty, or unique magical abilities,but few understand that it’s not everything. Most believe that Veela are simply enchanting, that they can make anyone fall at their feet.But they don’t think about how hard it is when people see you only for that, when they ignore who you really are—. Her gaze met Harvey’s, and in his eyes, she saw something that reflected her own experience.—I think you and I both know what it’s like for people to reduce us to just one part of what we are, ignoring the rest. It’s as if what makes us different is the only thing that matters—.

—But if I can mention something about Veela culture, we could talk about the spring dances—. she continued after a brief silence. She fell quiet after saying it, letting her words linger between them. Maybe it was a naïve wish, but if anyone could understand, it was Harvey.—Will you… change physically as you grow?—. she asked softly.

@Harvey Barrows

@Stelle Mims

Stelle was quite perceptive as she studied Harvey. For his whole life now he had his feet on either side of the line. One proud of his heritage while the other could be planted in shame. Mostly from his grandfather's attitude towards him. Harvey was to cherish his goblin ancestry, yet all the while the old curmudgeon never failed to remind him how the species was superior to their human counterparts. It was terrible to think he should celebrate only half of his identity. The older Harvey got the stronger this feeling of disdain was becoming. He was a half-breed and those who saw weakness in that underestimated what he and those like him were capable of.

The thought would dash from his mind as Stelle claimed to recognize his surname. "Really?!" It was uncharacteristic for the boy to have such an excited tone, but his eagerness to know his whole lineage was a strong feeling. Surely he was not the only Barrows in the magical community, but he'd pull on any thread available. "Can you remember where you might recognize the name from? I've never know that part of my family. The only thing I'm certain of is that my father was a wizard. That's all I know." Harvey's mother had only ever shared that detail with him and discussing the matter at home was strictly forbidden.

"Thank you." Stelle was kind enough to forgive his intrusive questioning, but he listen eagerly as she answered him. He couldn't help but to raise his brow again. A witch, a half-breed and a muggle all living outside of the magical community. Not what he would have expected. "Yes, it must be easier in a rural setting. We live right near Diagon Alley and there are many precautions we must take to stay out of the muggle eye. I am envious of the freedoms it may provide you." The townhouse they lived in was large and luxurious, but it still had a way of feeling cramped at times. "May I ask what your parents do for a living?" Harvey was mostly curious what her father did. Did it involve some odd muggle instrument?

Stelle was not wrong when she picked up on his views of muggles. It was perhaps a taught mentality as his grandfather thought goblins were above all humans, especially those without magic, but Harvey never tilted towards hate or intolerance. "I'm not sure if I would use the term weakness when viewing the muggle population." His eyes searched for the right words. "Perhaps it's just the natural order of it all?" That mentality still implied a superiority, but much the same found all through nature. There were lions and there were gazelles. All have their place in the world, but some have the power and some don't. However, her claim that they were a more sensitive people caused his eyes to stir once more. Maybe what they lacked in natural power was balanced by other things? "Perhaps? I have seen some of their aptitude for the arts and the music is unlike anything I've heard before. Goblins are capable of some of the best metalwork in the world and although beautiful in some regards, purpose is often the driving factor." It was a curious thought and one that would take quite some pondering.

Harvey gently took the flower Stelle offered and for a moment he would simply just stare at it. The boy had not received very many gifts in his life. His mother would do something for his birthday, but that was just usually a cake and congratulations. Harvey tucked the stem into his chest pocket so that it was displayed front and center. "Thank you. That's very kind." He listened eagerly as Steel described a bit of Veela culture. What a fascinating species. "I see. Like it's built into your DNA. Not just your features, but as if it's some kind of cultural genetic inheritance." His observation was maybe a stretch, but an interesting one. Yet with such inherited power comes a price for sure as Stelle spoke of the difficulties. "Yes, many will look to you and I and only see one thing. Their mistake I must say. They see our differences and may claim them as unique, but they are forgetting that we hold a power that very few have." it was a very different attitude than perhaps what Stelle was alluding to, but one that was growing within him.

"Spring dances?" Harvey's expression turned to intrigue. "Is that some sort of gathering of Veela then?" He wanted to hear more about this for sure, yet it would be his turn to answer first. If it had one from anyone else, Harvey may have been unwilling to discuss his physical features, yet he felt right at home discussing them with Stelle. "I expect that I will. I've yet to meet another part-goblin, but there have been many before me. At present, I look more human as I assume I carry more of the human gene than I do goblin, but grandfather suggest that they will become more prominent as I get older. You see here." Harvey turned his head slightly to highlight both his ear and his profile. The pointedness to them was apparent and his skull structure was slightly different than a humans upon closer inspection. "I think my ears more grow longer and my hands..." He held them out for her to see. They were already larger than most adult males. "I suspect they will grow quite large as well." With a sigh, he would let onto one regret. "I'm afraid I'll never be the tallest in our class though." A slight smirk touched his lips as he made fun of his situation. It was rare for him to jest, but something about Stelle set him at ease and lead to an unusual feeling almost carefree. "What about you, Stelle? Will you change physically or inherit any other traits as you get older?"

₊⁺⋆ Date: January 11th, 2025 | Number of words: 1020| Dialogue: #aa5713 ⋆⁺₊

All her life, Stelle had been on both sides of the line. Her Veela heritage was as much a part of her as her human side was, and while she never felt torn between those two worlds, she had learned that not everyone saw them as natural. She couldn’t help but study Harvey with some curiosity, wondering what it meant to him to be half-blood. She didn’t know his history or what he thought about it, but she did know what it meant to carry an identity that others saw as “different.”

His last name was familiar to her, though she couldn’t remember exactly where it came from. It wasn’t a common name, that was for sure. When I mentioned it, his reaction was immediate, a flash of excitement that contrasted with the reserved image he had shown until now. I hadn’t expected it to be like this. He seemed desperate for any clue that could help him learn more about his origins. I watched him curiously, wondering what I knew about his family and what I didn’t. —Honestly, I don’t remember exactly; I probably read it. My grandmother always made me read books with huge family trees—. she said, embarrassed, not so much because of her lack of memory but because of the probable disappointment of the other person at her answer.

When I told her a little about her family and her life outside the magical community, the surprise on her face made me smile. Maybe she expected something different. Maybe she thought that, being a half-blood, she lived surrounded by magic all the time. That wasn’t the case. Our life in the countryside allowed us a certain freedom, far from curious glances or outside expectations. But even so, her main reason for moving had not given the expected result. Her grandmother was still hovering over them like an eagle. But she preferred not to mention it. When the conversation turned to muggles, she noticed something in his expression,a thought she didn’t share out loud. He didn’t seem to despise them, but he didn’t see them as naturally as she did either. She didn’t blame him. We all grew up with ideas imposed by those around us. Still, Stelle wondered what he really thought. —My mother is a nurse; she often goes to important Quidditch matches; she has always liked the sport. But Grandma says it is too violent. And my dad is an engineer; he fixes things and sometimes makes them from scratch, without magic—. she said proudly. Truth be told, she felt totally confident in herself and her roots. She loved it when someone asked her about her family.

—Spring dances—. she said when she mentioned the term with curiosity. —Yes, they are a tradition among Veela. It is said that their magic is stronger at that time. But I have only participated once, I am just developing—. She was not sure how much she wanted to share about it. It was not something that many understood. But seeing him so attentive, as if my words were more important than I expected, I felt that maybe I did want to tell him more.
Harvey spoke with a mixture of curiosity and resignation, as if he knew that the future would bring inevitable changes, but without knowing exactly what to expect from them. Showing her his ears with a slight turn of his head, allowing her to see the pointiness that distinguished them from human ones. It wasn’t an overwhelming difference, but enough that, upon closer inspection, one could tell he wasn’t entirely human. His bone structure also had subtle peculiarities that set him apart from the norm. Then, his hands: large and strong, of a size that didn’t seem proportional to his age, as if they were outgrowing the rest of his body. —That’s amazing—. she said excitedly. Without thinking much, she stretched out her hand, comparing it to the opposite one. She let out an amused laugh at the difference. She wondered if it bothered him or if he saw it as something natural. His sigh suggested a hint of frustration, but his smile indicated that he didn’t take everything too seriously. He seemed to accept that he would never be the tallest in the class, but he didn’t say it with bitterness, but with a humor that he rarely showed. —Even if you don’t grow, I have a feeling you’ll be amazing—. She look at him carefully, offering him a smile and recognizing in his expression that mixture of pride and uncertainty.

When she asked if she would also change physically over time, she took a moment to think about it. Her mother had never spoken to me of major transformations in the appearance of half-blood Veela. I knew my heritage was there, under her skin, but I didn’t think my features would alter as noticeably as hers. —I don’t know for sure—. she answered honestly. —Will I inevitably become prettier?—. she joked. And that was what really worried her. She wasn’t afraid of her reflection in the mirror, but she was afraid of what it would awaken in me over the years. She had already noticed how sometimes people reacted in strange ways around her, how intense emotions seemed to alter the air around me, if only for an instant. It wasn’t something she could fully control, and she feared that over time it would become more obvious. While she sometimes enjoyed the attention of others, the moment she remembered who she was, she felt that many things around her were not genuine. —Ah… I’ll look older, a little older in a few years, ‘more developed.’ And when I’m older I’ll look younger for many, many years. If you saw my grandmother, you’d think she was my mom—. She added distractedly as she thought about what else she remembered about her grandmother and mother. —Mama looks scary when she’s angry, like a bird. And I once saw grandma get so upset that she wanted to burn everything around her. But mom says she doesn’t think I can do that, because I’m not pure—.

@Harvey Barrows