closed A wonderful night out

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Night finally settled in at Hogwarts, stars twinkling overhead, the distant full moon shining bright in the sky. All the students had already fallen asleep, or at least were trying to. Well, except Emmy. Emmy was wide awake. There wasn't anything exciting or stressful going on, but she just couldn't sleep. She'd been tossing and turning in her bed for hours. Emmy sat up, staring at the clock next to her, squinting through the rays of moonlight. It read 11:46pm. Trying not to wake the others, she tiptoed lightly, slipping out of her dorm. Her grades were okay. She had a pretty good reputation, so why not have some fun?

Emmy strode past the fire, and threw her robes over her pajamas to keep her warm. Putting her ear to the door, she made sure no one was around, and exited the common room. Hogwarts was so different when the usual bustle wasn't happening. It was a dank and cool silence. Emmy wanted to explore. Maybe she could see things that she never could have noticed before.

Emmy took many staircases, taking in the heavy silence. Finally, she could get a breath of fresh air. As she ventured through the courtyards, there were tall columns of stone and gravel, with unruly vines wrapped around them. Moss was growing on the floor, as spring was imminent. Emmy let her eye travel over the beautiful courtyard, with some chirping crickets every so often. Something caught her eye in the center of the courtyard. Was it a pile of mud? A human? She inched her way closer. Yeah, that was definitely a human. Tilting her head from a safe distance, she examined the body. The human suddenly perks up her head and starts walking in Emmy's direction. She narrowed her eyes at the looming figure, drawing herself up to its height.

She tried getting her feet to move, but they were planted on the solid concrete floor, either out of excitement or anxiety. Her heartbeat settled when she realized it was another girl.
"Hello! A beautiful night for a walk, huh?" the girl asked, "What's your name? I'm Bree Grey."

Astonished, Emmy tried to find her words. What was she doing awake? Well, what was Emmy doing awake? Maybe they were both having the same problem. Emmy, this is your chance to make another friend. she thought to herself. Or another enemy..

"I'm Emmy. Emalyn Waverly of Hufflepuff," Emmy responded with confidence.

Emmy looked Bree up and down. It was by instinct. She hoped it didn't seem like she was judging Bree. Really, she just had wandering eyes. It was a habit. Usually, Emmy was a judger, but she couldn't find anything wrong with Bree.

Bree was pretty, Emmy couldn't lie. She had a perfect nose and long brown hair. By her posture and the way she introduced herself so quickly, Emmy could tell she was a Gryffindor. Or maybe a Slytherin in disguise? Emmy looked down at her own stance and clothing. What did most people think when they encountered her?

I smile at her as she says her name. Emalyn Wavery. Makes me think of a story book. And shes also a hufflepuff. I notice after she tells me her name she looks me up and down. I grin. A habit that a lot of girls have.

"Nice to meet you, Emmy. I like people from all houses. There shouldnt be any rivalry. That just makes everyone hate each other and no ones happy. Im a gyrffindor by the way." I smile brightly at her, "What brings you out on such a fine night? And your name is pretty. Is it a nickname for something?"

I look around checking to make sure there isnt any professers out as i listen to her answer. I look back at her and smile, "Since we're both out we should do something. Any ideas? Maybe we could lay down on the grass talk and look at the stars. Theyre so pretty dont you think?"

I smile at her again and suddenly find myself grateful for the company. Maybe we could become friends. I hope we do. Or even best friends. That would be even more awesome. She looks like a person that would be a great friend. I find myself suddenly praying that we wont become enemies. That would be such a shame

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The moon was now at its peak, its strong rays illuminating patches of grass and stone in the courtyard, allowing Emmy to see more clearly. She glanced up at it, its white contrasting with the dark skies, surrounded by stars speckled around it. Realizing she was getting distracted by the beautiful landscape, Emmy looked at Bree, listening to what she had to say. Bree was talking about how she liked people from all houses and there shouldn't be any rivalry. Emmy nodded, agreeing with this.

"What brings you out on such a fine night?" Bree asked.

"Nothing. I just couldn't sleep and I wanted to explore the castle. I thought it would seem better if it were empty," Emmy responded with a casual shrug. "You?"

Bree complimented her name, asking if it were a nickname for something.

"Emalyn? No. Emmy's the nickname for it. Is Bree short for anything?" she answered. It could be short for Brianna, Brielle, and more.

Suddenly, Bree started looking around, and Emmy did the same, wondering if Bree had heard anything. She stayed alert, looking for any sign of movement. Bree just smiled and looked back at Emmy. She's such a positive person. I think that's the millionth time she's smiled. peeped a voice in Emmy's mind.

"Since we're both out, we should do something. Any ideas? Maybe we could lay down on the grass, talk, and look at the stars. They're so pretty, don't you think?" Bree smiled at Emmy once more.

Emmy looked at the sky again, which was adorned with many stars. That would be nice to do, and very comforting. Maybe it would also help Emmy fall asleep. Her main goal was to explore the castle, but spending her time star watching and socializing was what she preferred.

"Of course. As long as we don't get caught," Emmy joked, finding a clean spot on the grass.

Her back on the soft grass, she gazed at the sky with wonder. It was silent, except for a few crickets making their own symphony, and a light breeze blowing.

"Do you recognize any constellations?" Emmy asked, breaking the quick moment of silence, trying to recall her knowledge from Astronomy lessons.

She tells me that she couldn't fall asleep and wanted to explore the castle. I laugh inwardly to myself. Apparently no one was sleeping tonight. I smiled at her, "I couldn't sleep either."

She tells that her nickname is emmy, I bite my lip. That makes sense, "My name? No it isn't a nickname for anything. Just plain old bree."

"Do you recognize any constellations?" She asks. I think about it for a second trying to remember what I learned in astronomy. I silently curse myself for not paying attention in astronomy more.

I point to one, "Theres Leo I think. Im not totally sure," I smile at her, "I don't really pay attention in astronomy but I pay attention enough to pass."

I look up and study the stars, "How about you? Do you recognize any constellations?" I wait for her answer. A silence falls over us. A comfortable silence. I think of something to say after a while.

"How do you like Hogwarts so far? I love it here." I smile thinking about it. It's been awesome here. Although I miss my muggle friend. The friends I have been making here are great! And I love making new ones. Hopefully she becomes a friend. A small breeze passed through. I shiver slightly. It was getting colder the later it was getting.

I turn to her, "Should we head inside? It's starting to get cold."

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It turns out that Bree also couldn't sleep, which is why she had come for her nighttime stroll. Emmy listened as Bree continued to speak. She had a very quiet and soothing voice, which didn't quite match her outgoing energy. Bree also explained that her name didn't stand for anything, which surprised Emmy. Having no more energy to speak, Emmy didn't respond, still gazing at the stars.

Bree also said that she recognized Leo. Emmy searched the sky for Leo's familiar trapezoid-like shape, and saw it somewhere near the top right of her vision. It twinkled against the dark sky, as if greeting Emmy.

"I recognize...Hydra...I think. And I can't tell if that's Ursa Major or not," Emmy responded in a quiet voice, pointing to a cluster of skies to the top left.

The breeze had picked up, leaving small goosebumps on Emmy's skin. She felt as though it was impolite to leave her new friend, so she decided to tough it out instead.

"How do you like Hogwarts so far?" Bree asked Emmy. "I love it here."

Emmy smiled at Bree's eagerness. In her opinion, Hogwarts was nice, especially all the people she had met here. But she missed her friends back at home, and she was wondering how her sick brother was doing. Her mind started to wander, and Emmy shivered again, this time not out of the cold.

Interrupting Emmy's thoughts, Bree asked if they should go inside. "Sure," Emmy responded, "It's getting a little chilly." She was thankful that Bree had said something before she did.