Star-crossed picnic PV Marcella Di Angelo

The long, spiralling staircase requires stamina and dedication to climb, and by the end of it, Marcella was a panting mess. "How in Hades are you not out of breath?" She said, chuckling, as her best friend buzzed with excitement. Marcella wasn't much of a stickler for rules. So when they had plotted this plan, she was beyond excited. This was their first-ever act of mischief. They had planned to feast while stargazing. Marcella was well-versed in the celestial wonders of the space beyond. They fascinated her like no other. Marcella had always loved sneaking out to stargaze back at home. Sometimes to think, and sometimes to adore. But all this is always better when you have company. And Marcella was happy that she and Ava had taken to coming here.

Her dopamine levels were skyrocketing as the view from the tower hit her in full force. It was breathtaking. No amount of flowery words could describe its beauty. It was inexplicable! "I know, right!!! Gosh, the view is just amazing!" she said. "Let's hope we don't get caught", she chuckled, imagining themselves stuck in detention. She went straight to the balcony of the tower, and the view showed the empty flying grounds.

The sky was clear, in contrast to the drizzle that had happened in the morning. Marcella sat next to Ava. The cool air gently caressed her cheeks. The evening star was visible in the sky. "Have you ever read the poem 'The Evening Star' by William Blake?" Marcella asked as she turned to see Ava.

Ava turned towards Marcella, "No," she said, shaking her head, "I don't read much poetry, but I did read his poem on London. It was quite sad." The seer looked at her friend, letting her continue.

"Would you like to have some tea, my lady?" Ava said, putting on her most sugary voice, pulling out a ceramic teapot that she got from their dorm rooms, with her pinky finger sticking out. They laughed out, as she also started taking out tea cups and dishes of packed food she stole from dinner. "Oh boy, I really love these fudges"

She moaned as she stuffed her face with food. "By the way, are you going to go visit your family this weekend?" Ava wanted to go home so badly that she sent multiple letters home, convincing her parents to let her come. She enjoys Hogwarts a lot, but she can never be homesick enough."I have decided to go! I miss my family so much
! Especially the food, I mean, these are good, like really good. But homemade wood is still the best," Ava said dramatically, acting like she was fainting because of how delicious the food can be. If Ava could, she would have taken Marcella back to her home, but she didn't even know where she was from.

Marcella nodded, "Unlike Blake's darker and sadder works, 'To the Evening Star' represents a delicate, quiet moment when day turns to night, using celestial imagery. It's a very serene poem. The Greek Goddess, Aphrodite, is also known as Venus, which is her Roman form. So since the planet Venus was named after her, they frame her as the divine guardian of piece" she said. Poetry was one of the many things she loved.

"Of course, dear madam. The delicacies are just mouth-watering!" she said, in a similar sugary voice. "For real!! These fudges are to die for!"

"Yeah, I really miss my family a lot. I want to come visit you, though. Would I be able to come?" she asked, looking at Ava. "Oh, yes, the food! My grandma Vallerina makes the best cakes. I should bring some back for us to munch on!" Marcella was glad she had decided to join Ava on the train two months ago. It was the best decision in her life. That very decision had blessed her with a best friend.

“Where do you live, by the way? I live all the way in London. It’s very busy throughout the day. I had gone to this summer camp when I was 9, and I befriended this guy, named Manal Smith, and I’m pretty sure he goes to Hogwarts too, but I haven’t met him yet.”

"Obviously! You are always welcome to come to my home," Ava said, excited to know Marcella also wants to visit. She smiled as her best friend talked about her grandma; she wished she could have the same relationship with her father's family, too. But some things can only be wished for. The seer gave a big smile, hearing the other Ravenclaw talk about bringing back food.

"I'm from Cotswolds, more like, Lower Slaughter, it's a bit far from Londom, but like 140 kilometres," she said, remembering her journey in the car from home when she first boarded the Hogwarts Express. "I still remember being in the car for almost 2 hours. It was cool in the start, but I did vomit at least once." She listens as Marcella tells her about her life in London, imagining what it would be like if she could visit her too.

Ava never asked Marcella if she was a pureblood or halfblood. It doesn't really matter, and in the 21st century, who even cares about that? But the seer still wondered, was she grown in a house full of just magic, even if Marcella is pureblood, does she use Muggle technologies? Does she even have a phone at home?