First Day of My Life Solo

Illowy killed the engine of her motorbike as she came to the address she'd been looking for: Number 13 Tutour Drive. It was the nicest flat she could afford with her trust fund, and the witch who was renting to her was sweet and was the aunt of one of her neighbors back home in Dublin. Even better was that the woman didn't have much opinion about what Illowy did with the place, so long as she took care of it.

The woman shoved her hand in her pocket to retrieve the set of keys she'd been given as Killian whined from the backpack carrier she wore, "Be patient." she muttered, finding the keys before she unstrapped her suitcase from the back of her bike. She'd be embarrassed to admit to the nerves she felt climbing up the steps to hurriedly opening the door.

The late morning sun lit up the flat warmly. There was still some old furniture covered in dust sheets, spars as it was, but the witch had said she could keep whatever she wanted, and whatever was left could be stored away. With as little as Illowy was bringing in, she was grateful that she wasn't going to have to go buy anything or rummage through the family cottage to see if any of the old furniture in the attic was still useable.

She dropped the bag in the door way, nudging it closed with her foot before carefully pulling Killian's bag off her back and releasing the old glorified feather duster into his new home, "This is it, lad. Our new home. No more Ireland, no more father's guest room. No more unruly children running around the Common Room, or giggly, gossipy girls in the dorms..." she could hear her voice get steadily sadder as she spoke, going to the windows and throwing them open to let some fresh air into the stuffy place, "Just you and me now..."

Illowy mauled that thought over in her mind as she wandered about the flat, removing dust sheets and shifting furniture around to better suit her liking. Ideas for how to make the space her own floated through her mind. After all, she had plenty of time to settle in before she'd have to inevitably start work.

Wandering into the bedroom, she opened the window and went to work removing more dust covers. The furniture here was all so old, yet she couldn't help but be charmed by the vintage feel of it that in so many ways reminded her of the old, ornamental style of Slytherin House... she'd keep it all as it was for now.

Distantly, she thought how she might invite some of her friends to visit once the place was ready. Especially since her new landlord said that the old fireplace in the front room was connected to the Floo Network. Plus, there was a spare room that she'd passed coming to the master bedroom. Albeit a small one, but guest rooms didn't have to be very big so long as it could fit the basics.

Illowy dropped her suitcase on the floor by the foot of the bed, unzipping it as she began the task of unpacking -- truly the most invaluable spells she'd had by this point was the Expansion Charm and some well placed Levitation Charms. It felt most practical to unpack in the bedroom, since most of her things would be stored here given she didn't have much else. The first thing to be pulled from the vastness that was the suitcase was her Hogwarts trunk; which sent a pang of sadness in her chest.

Slowly but surely, the contents of the bag was unloaded and taken to at least the general vicinity of where would become their permanent place. Soon, late morning faded into evening before Illowy finally allowed herself to collapse on a freshly Scourgifed sofa, with Killian wasting no time hopping up on the cushion beside her. The witch ran her fingers through his fluffy fur, "I think it's time for some dinner, Killian." she spoke aloud, mostly to fill the silence she wasn't accustomed to after seven years living amongst so many other kids, "I think I saw a Chinese food place a couple blocks away. It'll be like in those movies Bridget showed us." she cooed, thinking back to all those summers ago when she'd spent days of her Holiday learning about Muggle things. Maybe she'd write to Bridget and ask her how to fill the silence... maybe she'd get one of those Muggle music boxes to fill the silence for her.

Giving a final scratching behind the cat's ears, she hoisted herself from the overstuffed sofa and picked up the keys from the coffee table she'd discarded them on that morning, "I'll be right back. Best behavior." she called to the kitty over her shoulder, receiving a small meow as she closed the door behind her.