Taking a trip down the frosty memory lane PV Zephyr Complete

Zephyr had been wandering again, but thankfully not lost this time, just walking for the sake of it. After a week full of classes, homework, and castle corridors that seemed to move when he was not looking, he needed a break. The air outside was cold enough to make his fingers numb, but it was good to breathe fresh air instead of the dusty smell of old books. After hearing about Quidditch matches, he's been thinking a lot about it lately. Every time he saw the older students zooming past the castle on brooms, he couldn’t help but stare. He wanted to try out so badly. Growing up, he’s been good at climbing, running, and balancing, all things that he thought probably helped in Quidditch. But being a first year, he's still not confident with his flying skills.

That’s what brought him to the pitch, his curiosity. He followed the path from the main grounds. Looking up, he noticed the sky was dull grey; it was hard to tell if it was afternoon or nearly evening. He pulled his coat tighter around himself and shoved his hands into his pockets. It's getting colder and colder these days.

When he reached the stands, he slowed down. They were massive, taller and wider than he expected. He smiled at the thought of playing for his house someday. Maybe next year, he told himself. While walking closer to the stands, something caught his eye, a figure sitting high up. From a distance, he thought it was strange anyone would be out here in this cold weather. Most students stayed in the warmth of their common rooms once the temperature dropped to this level.

He was about to turn back and leave her be when she suddenly stood up. Before he could call out or say anything, she jumped. “Oi...!” He stopped dead in his tracks. The girl landed on the ground like it was nothing, one hand still holding a mug. Was that as tall as a giraffe? And she did it with grace?! His gaze went to the cup and didn't notice anything spilling. Woah... staring for a second longer than he meant to.

“How…?” he started under his breath. When she approached him, he got a better look. She looked confident and not bothered by the fact that she just jumped that high as if she knew exactly what she was doing out here. She held out her free hand and introduced herself to him. “Uh, hello. Zephyr,” He shook her hand quickly before looking down at her mug. “You just jumped and didn’t spill a thing?” He looked back up at the stands, eyebrows raised. “How did you manage that? Some kind of spell?”

He wasn’t sure whether he should be impressed or concerned, perhaps both. Either way, she had his full attention now. Remembering why he came here in the first place, he nodded toward the empty field behind her. “I, uh, was just looking for the Quidditch pitch. First time seeing it up close.” He paused, glancing around again. “Didn’t expect anyone else to be out here in this weather.”

@Ada Hawkins

Zephyr was still a bit stunned that she had jumped from that height while making it looked like it was just a step off a porch. She explained she grew up around cliffs, and it suddenly made sense to him. That explained everything, even with her balance, and the way she held her tea, and the fact she didn’t even blink after landing. “Cliffs? That's nice. I grew up on the farm." He was also surrounded by mountains, cliffs, open fields, and a variety of natural features, including animals. He was more impressed than anything; not many people he knew could jump like that without breaking something.

The wind picked up suddenly he had to hide his chin down into his collar. Ada didn’t seem bothered. She pulled her coat tighter, but she looked comfortable in the harsh wind. It reminded him of home in its own way, of afternoons spent helping his dad on the farm in late autumn, his hands numb, his cheeks burning, his breath fogging in the cold air. He glanced at her properly this time. Her hair whipped behind her in streaks of auburn and dark brown. He found it easier to be around people who also appreciated the quiet environment.

When she told him he could walk the pitch if he wanted, he looked at her in surprise for a second, taken aback by the offer of company. He didn’t want to bother her, but her tone was genuine, so he agreed. "I would like that, and the cold’s fine. I grew up in Wales, so this feels normal.” He walked beside her toward the pitch, the massive goal hoops loomed overhead, taller than he ever imagined. He slowed his steps, taking everything in. “Wow… it’s huge. Bigger than I thought.” His voice had a kind of awe in it that he couldn’t hide. He looked up, watching the hoops disappear into the thick grey clouds. “I’ve only seen it from a distance before. My housemates keep talking about matches. Some of them want to try out next year.” There was a smile at his lips. “I’m thinking about it too, maybe be a chaser or a beater one day. I’m still learning how to fly properly right now.” He glanced toward her in curiosity. “Do you know how to play Quidditch? I’ve been wanting to see a real match since the day I got here. Do you watch Quidditch?”

@Ada Hawkins

Zephyr followed beside her while trying not to look like he was worried about slowing her down. The girl walked fast and he had to lengthen his steps to keep up. She didn’t seem annoyed, but she didn’t seem thrilled either. It was hard to tell which is which. She said she preferred seeker, “Why Seeker if you don’t mind me asking? I thought you’d be a beater with how you just—” He stopped himself before he said jumped like a mountain goat. That sounds very rude. “—with how you move. You’ve got balance for it. I don’t mind the bats and the hitting, but I’m not sure I will be good at aiming yet. Chasers get to just fly fast and think quick. That sounds more like me.”

Ada sped up again just as he tucked his chin down into his collar, the wind slicing across his face. He watched her hat fly off and she caught it midair like it was nothing. “Impressive.” He commented lightly. He didn’t mind the silence that followed, he grew up with long quiet mornings in the fields. But he didn’t want her to think he was following her like a lost puppy. He took a careful breath and said something, anything, just to make sure he was not making things weird. “I’ve never been to a match before,” he admitted. “Not even outside school. I didn’t know I’m a wizard until recently.” He kicked lightly at a patch of frost as he walked. “I only started getting interested when I saw the teams flying around.”

He glanced sideways at her again. “I bet games with your dad were fun, if you said you’ve been to a lot.” He was not sure if that was the right thing to say. Ada’s answers were quick and simple, so he kept his own the same. He didn’t know if she wanted more talking or less talking. She walked like she didn’t need company, but she didn’t send him away either so he tried something again, “Aside from quidditch, what else do you like to do?” Is that even the right thing to ask? He really sucks at this!


@Ada Hawkins

Zephyr had a habit of paying attention to pauses as much as words that were spoken out loud. Like now, the girl was probably weighing her words and based on that assumption, he slowed down his steps without realising it.

When she said she played the flute, his head turned toward her before he could stop himself. “Flute?” With more energy in his voice than before. A genuine smile appeared, revealing the dimple in his cheek. He rubbed one hand against the other, a nervous habit, but it came with excitement instead of worry. “I play the tin whistle at home, outside mostly. It sounds better there.” He particularly likes the tin whistle because it fits easily into his way of living and thinking. It is small and simple, which he can carry in a pocket while helping on the farm or walking outside without having to plan around it. He learned that it sounds best in open places where the wind doesn’t drown it out, but in fact, moves with it.

The mention of climbing totally made him stop on his track, especially when she said places she shouldn’t go, his smile widened even more. "I like climbing too. I climb trees, barns, hills,” he said. “My parents always said not to go up there, which usually meant it was safe enough to try.” He shrugged as a chuckle came out. "If you want, we can do that together here. In case you want to climb trees, for example." He's found his favourite hangout place already, and that was a big willow tree near the great lake.

The wind pushed at them again, and he didn’t hide in his coat as much. He was warmer somehow because the space between them didn’t feel so uncertain anymore. Though they weren't friends, it's okay. Friendship was not something you rush.

@Ada Hawkins

Zephyr doesn't easily smile, but when the girl suggested playing music together, it came out automatically. “Sure would love that.” He was nervous as the thought of sharing his music with someone else. He'd never done that before. He mostly plays alone, where no one can hear him. But he was also excited at the prospect of playing with someone else, who could actually be fun.

At the mention of the tree by the lake, his mind immediately jumped to the willow he already liked. Wait, is she talking about the willow tree? It was the first thing he imagined. There were other trees around the great lake, but that one was his favourite.

He liked climbing it because the branches were low enough to start, but high enough that you could get a good view once you made it up. The branches were strong and spread wide. Anyone would have seen that it would be encouraged to try. He liked climbing in general because there's freedom in it, as if nothing or no one could reach him up there. It was peaceful and quiet, offering him a place to think away from the crowd.

“Why not? Show me the way then.” His guess was right; she's not actually annoying. Maybe he just came here at the wrong time. Maybe he can trust her not to be all bossy about it. Still, he was surprised by the offer to climb together.

"There was also a tree I liked climbing. The branches are easy to get onto, and it’s high enough that you can sit and just think or look around. It's hard to explain it until you’ve done it.” But she already knew that since the girl said she liked climbing too. If it’s the same tree they're talking about, then color him surprised.



@Ada Hawkins