Welcome Back Everyone!! Errand Closed

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Honestly, the month away from school had been...well, interesting. It had been nice being away from school for the first week, until she realized she preferred to the school to her home. What a strange thing to say, for someone who disliked school as much as her. It didn't help she didn't get to see any of her friends, except for Oliver when she had stayed overnight. Somehow over the summer, maybe even before that, she had developed feelings for Oliver. And that's what she was thinking about when her best friend tackled her. Well, not tackled, but ran over and gave a large hug. Ava laughed softly, her cheeks turning pink. She didn't even have a moment to speak, because Charlie was talking and dragging her towards the great hall for something.

She didn't have a choice, but if she was given one she would've followed Charlie to the ends of the world. She would trust Charlie with all her secrets, even her life. It had been rocky at times, but of course shoving each other in the lake had fixed the problem. Ava had learned that if she wanted a steadfast friend, she couldn't hide things from her, even if it made Ava feel awkward.

When they entered the hall, Ava saw what the commotion was for. A welcome, or a welcome back party. Ava couldn't really believe that she was already a second year. She still felt like a second year. But maybe she was a little more mature. Her experiences had changed her greatly from her first year, but she hadn't lost three things. Her sense of humour, her need to rebel, and her great ability at becoming embarrassed.

They were supposed to write letters about their summer, and Charlie made a great show of wondering whether they should do it or not. "We should do it, obviously." She rolled her eyes. They were in agreement, and they both moved to sit at a table. Charlie grabbed a pen and ink and began writing, but Ava got up and scanned the room. She could see groups of students, including Colin and his...she had to peer, but it appeared to be two Colin's. It must've been a younger brother, because Ava would've known if there were two McCoires running around the school.

Shaking her head, she moved to grab some food. She had one hand holding a plate full of meat and cheese, and balanced two butterbeers between her other arm. Quite the feat, if you thought about it. She returned to the table and saw Charlie still working on her letter, so she handed Charlie a butterbeer and set the plate between them.

She took one last look around the room before setting to work on the letter. It was hard work, as she was more focussed on the food, but eventually she made it most of the way through.

She was still working on finishing up when Charlie finished, and Charlie said that she was going upstairs, handing her a letter. Her name was written on it, and she was reminded of the letters she had found over the summer. Charlie would not be met with a farewell, and instead Ava stared at the letter for a long minute. Charlie didn't wait, and when Ava turned, she could see ravenclaw robes floating out of the great hall.

Ava tucked the letter in her pocket, and made a note to give Charlie her letter later, which she also tucked in another pocket. She decided to clear up the dishes before leaving, and she took the butterbeer glasses and the empty plate up to a table where other empty dishes were. She had no clue who had organized the event, but she was more than willing to help clean up afterward.

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Reducio

Dear Charlie,

I found some interesting letters over the summer, which has had me focussed on them instead of school lately. I'll tell you more about them later, when we're actually with each other. In private. I've only read one of them, but it's been very interesting so far. IF interesting means...my whole life is a lie.

And Charlie, I found out I have a crush on Oliver Brown. I don't know when it happened, but I stayed over at his house over the summer once. I don't know how to feel about that, and I don't know if he like-likes me back. And like--half the girls in our year like him too! How can I compete with that?

I've been studying transfiguration more, and i saved up and got a the third year transfiguration book. I've been working on some of the spells, but I feel like this is the only class I'm actually good at.

- Ava

Word Count: 660/400

Colin lost track of everyone for a few moments. He was staring at Clair. He loved watching her move. The way her eyes took everything in. The way they were still blue like the sky! The way her dark hair rustled when she shifted her position. Even the softness of her breath. Colin thought for sure she had grown over the summer! He knew well that he had! And not just taller, but bigger in the heart too.

He felt a thump on his leg and a low, sharp hiss.

Liam.

His head was cocked all funny and the earnest look in his eyes was largely overridden by the smile that played about his face. He whispered two short words, very softly but very urgently. "[color=# 3a2bc6]Clair! Letter![/color]" He nodded his head towards Colin's girl.

Colin blinked several times. Why were reveries so hard to come up out of? He heard Simon say something about getting something to drink, and then it struck him!

"CLAIR!! OH!!"

Liam just stood and shook his head, probably hoping that he wouldn't be quite as dopey as Colin would when he found a girl to like.

Colin clambered back up into a crouching posture on the wooden bench. Greebo looked on with interest as he took up rummaging in his satchel again. "Drat!" he said as his arm reached deep inside. "[color=#3a2bc65]Need to learn accio! Oh! Here it is! Right where I left it![/color]" He looked up with a smile of triumph. Liam was gone, but that was okay, the letter wasn't for him anyway! Greebo nudged Colin's arm as if to say good boy! You found the letter! Now give it to the girl and get me a treat!

He pressed the letter into Clair's hands, brushing them with his fingers. He blushed slightly. "Um! It's a little short. The letter! A lot happened, and we really need to talk!" Colin bit his lower lip. He'd managed to clean up most of the spilled ink anyway! He was in fact quite proud that he hadn't blobbed any of the green and blue ink!

20 August

Dear CLAIR!

So many things happened already this summer! Full Moon was awesomé! It's so hard Changing at school. I wish they would let us out so we can run! In stead, we're always put into the Shack. Yeugh! I honestly think one of the first years widdled all over the corridor last month. It's so much better at home, because --- wait. Um. Don't tell anyone Clair! I don't want to get in trouble, but we figured a way to get out of the stone cottage at home. It was so much fun to get out and run free! You have to come over some time during the Moon. We can race!

Oo! I got in a fight with my older cousin Hamish! --- He's such a git. --- He called you a Mudbl I mean! He called you a bit Er. I can't even write the words Clair! They were so horrible! I wanted to kill him, right there in the road! It wasn't like getting zinged in duelling club. He might be stupider than a Troll, but he can really hit hard! But I got him! Sliced his hand clear off his arm! Anyway, I woke up in a ditch by the roadside and he was gone. I reckon he just picked up his hand and went back to London to have it stuck back on!

He's such a stuck up prick. I hope they stick his hand on backwards!

Whoa. I miss you so much Clair! You really did save me with that whole hit letter thing. Honestly! You and Fyre Angel nailed it! Aunt Agatha! She was behind it all right! And Da and some of mates went to take care of her. (I'm smirking right now by the way, cos I'm being ironical!) Hah! They "took care" of her alright! I heard from one of the lads that there was a right battle! And she tried to turn Da into a Ferret! But somehow he bounced the transfig back onto her.

I'm sure she was one mad little ferret! But they got her and --- well, I'm not really clear on how long they were in her house, but it seems that the Ministry hauled her off, and she's going to be in a whole heap of trouble, and not just her!

But the best of all Clair! Is that when they were there, they actually found

Wait. No. Forget that. I can't write that in a letter. A couple other things happened, Clair. I'll need to show you when we get back to Hoggys!!!

X - X - X - X - X - X - X
COLIN

P.S.
WHOA! I forgot the Os!!

X-O-X-O-X-o-X-O-x-X-O-X-X

Colin

P.P.S.
I think I think I did that right.
Drat.
Nope!

grrr

And before Colin had a chance to recover from his blush, it seemed that everyone had returned from visiting other friends. A glass of water thumped down on the table next to Colin, followed by Liam's own.

His twin raised his right eyebrow. "Seeing as ye were staring so hard at me Housemate, I reckoned you weren't paying any attention at all to Simon! He's going to make a toast lad!"

Colin blushed deeper. Liam would have to say all of that right in front of Clair! "Liam McCoire!" he whispered hoarsely. "Can't you shut it!?"

A wicked grin stole across Liam's face as Simon began his toast, and the two boys took on a more sober expression, befitting the occasion. Colin was surprised at the mention of St Mother Teresa. He'd learned about her from Mamó. He wondered if Simon were Catholic too. He gave Clair an inquisitive look. It would be something he'd have to find out about!

As they all clinked their glasses, and cheered for Simon's toast, Colin caught sight of a patch of dark red approaching. "Trouble at six o'clock lad!" Colin said to his brother.

"What!? It's not six o'clock ye halfwit! It's only ---!" Liam gave Colin a confused look.

"No! That's what the muggles say, lad!" Colin grabbed his brother's long hair and turned his head just as the patch of dark red, Lily and her dark red hair that is, snuck between Liam and Clair and gave the twins a huge hug! The boys gave Lily a big smile. Colin nodded towards Maverick. It seemed to Colin that all the horrible troubles that started last year were just melting away. And it struck him that all his friends here had played crucial parts in his struggles the last year. He was truly grateful for each and every one of them.

Liam smirked and bapped the side of Colin's head. "Well? What have ye got to say now?"

Colin looked around at his friends, at Clair, and lastly at Lily. "Er. This is Lily, I --- I'm sure you remember!"

"Get on wi it lad! We all know she got herself eaten by the hag doll last year!" Liam rolled his eyes at Colin.

"Shut it Liam! I'm getting to that bit!" Colin gave his twin a very short lived, narrowed eyed glare. "Well, yes, the hag doll thing. But there's more. So, you all know Lils and us are cousins, right. Well, she had a spot of trouble her own this summer. Her parents were out driving and, well, there was a crash. A --- bad crash." Colin could empathise, but could barely imagine the sorrow she must have felt. Must still be feeling. "They didn't make it. And, since all she has, really, for close family is muggle relations, and because we're kind of distantly related, Ma and Da decided that, because me and Liam don't already have enough sisters, we'll be taking Lily in!"

At this point, Colin could barely contain his excitement. "And it turned out that she's not just going to live with us, they actually chose to adopt her! So now Lily is officially our sister! Lily McCoire!"

Colin smiled as he leaned over to whisper into Lily's ear: "This doesn't mean I have to stop teasing you, lass!"

WC = 1363
@Clair Fernandez | @Lily Isobel McCoire | @Simon Kincaid | @AngelFyre McCubbin | @Bailey Glade

September 3rd, 2023

@Fang Yun-Xin

Dear Mum,

I know we never really discussed me sending you and dad letters to keep you updated on what’s been going on at magic school, but I just really wanted to put pen to paper. Or quill to parchment, I guess. It’s only been three days since I’ve arrived and I don’t think I could even describe in words how insane everything’s been. It’s magical, obviously, but there’s so much more to it. I can’t believe that this whole world has been under our noses this entire time, with its lengthy history and captivating stories, and we’ve just been living as normal. ‘Muggling it up’ sounds like something wizards would say, I don’t know.

Anyways, how has home been? I mean, I’ve only been gone three days so I’m sure that nothing has really changed. Has the off-season hit yet, or are the guests still swarming in? This past summer was really hot so I can imagine that there are a few tourists who extended their stay. Spending time in the hotel during the off-season is pretty fun, but I don’t think it’d live up to what’s happening here. I suppose the bellhop is happy for my absence.

I’ll send you another letter at the end of the week, or maybe the end of the month. I’m sure I’ll have more stories for you then, along with the time to write. Though, the way some of the older kids are talking, exams here sound like no joke.

Love you,
Pyx.

Pyxis stood nearby the entrance to the Great Hall, letter in hand. He read it over and over again, and kept finding problems with it. He had half a mind to turn away from the event entirely so he wouldn’t have to send the piece of parchment home. Or he could find a way to enjoy the party festivities without being roped into subjecting one of those poor owls to a flight all the way to Eastbourne.

The young wizard would have never written home, especially not this early in the school year. His parents probably didn’t care to hear from him. He could imagine them getting lost in their work, finally without a child to take care of, despite the fact that they never really spent time taking care of him. As much as he resented that hag of a nanny, she had done more for him than his parents had. Pyxis considered tossing the letter away and writing a new one to his nanny, but he had even less of an idea about what to say to her. Hi, boarding school is going well. People are super into magic tricks here.

Still, he felt like he would have been able to write a heck of a lot more if his nanny was the recipient of the letter. But it’s not like he could just reveal the wizarding world to her. And he couldn’t write to any of his friends for the same reason too. Or the people his parents called ‘Pyxis’ friends’ anyways.

As people brushed by him to get into the hall, he shoved the letter into his robes and walked through the doors. He’d avoid even mentioning the exercise and hopefully escape having to send it. He stood at the threshold and observed the goings-on of the party, eyes immediately falling to the buffet table. Oh, he could have some fun there. But he should be polite and greet the people he knew first. He walked through the room, saying quick hellos to the classmates he’d gotten to know a little bit better over the past three days.

Quickly spotting the familiar Yun-Xin, his summer camp accomplice, he began the trek over to her table, noting that she seemed to be completing the letter exercise. Oh no. He’d better just say hi and get out of there in case she or anyone else got to asking about his letter. Of course, the girl was not in the know of his complicated feelings and spoke to him kindly. Despite the rockiness of his relationship with his parents, he wasn’t going to be impolite and excuse himself.

“Heya!” He wondered if there was a nickname he could have used for her. Xin, possibly? “Things have been… interesting. I’m not sure how else to describe it. I mean, magic being real is awesome and all, but I haven’t been able to cast a single spell yet. Still cool, though,” he mused, slipping into the seat across the table from the Gryffindor. “How about you?”

Three days into the school year and Dora finds herself attending a party. In other circumstances, she probably wouldn't have decided to come. She's not the most sociable person, and these sorts of events tend to make her very anxious. She doesn't know exactly who is attending, either, or if she knows anyone to talk to. But when she received the invitation for a 'Welcome Back to School' party, she felt that she had to attend for one simple reason: Damion White.

Dora doesn't know if he remembers her at all, but she considers herself somewhat indebted to him. It was near the start of her first year that he did her a kindness. Back when she was panicking about the Fall Ball, and feeling quite lonely at Hogwarts, a stranger came and cheered her up. He didn't have to, but he did what he could to make her feel better. He even magically altered the dress she was embarrassed to wear, like a Fairy Godmother from one of those muggle faerietales.

So, despite not being a 'party person', Dora felt compelled to attend as some kind of unspoken act of gratitude toward Damion. And, maybe if he does recognize her, she'll have a chance to thank him properly.

Stepping into the Great Hall, Dora's relieved that it's not as fancy as the kind of balls she dreads attending. It's much more casual, no elaborate waltzes to perform, no etiquette to keep in mind. Just students chatting and having a good time. Of course, it makes Dora feel rather awkward to be coming in alone with no one to talk to. Does she know anyone here well enough to have a conversation without feeling nervous? She doesn't see Tesla anywhere...

'No, I ought to get better at talking to people anyway.' Dora thinks, but she hasn't worked up the bravery just yet.

It seems a lot of students are writing letters to their friends as an activity. All part of being 'welcomed', she supposes. Taking a seat at the Hufflepuff table, Dora thinks about who she can write to about her summer. Maybe someone she didn't see during that time.. Oh! Coming up with the perfect person, Dora starts her letter.

Reducio

Dear Ruby Cazares,

I hope you had a nice summer. I'm writing this for Damion's 'Welcome Back' celebration to tell someone about how my summer went. I decided to tell you since you helped me so much last year, and I hope you can tutor me again this year if you have time.

I made sure to study a lot over the summer to make sure I know all the Year One materials very well. My goal this year is to try to get a straight O average, so I wanted to make sure I was all caught up. My uncle also took me shopping in Diagon Alley to get some potions ingredients so I can practice brewing. If we try dueling again this year, maybe I can use healing potions to do better? I've been working on not being as scared of dueling. I know I'm safe with you.

My family hosted the Annual Summer Ball in August, and I assisted my grandmother to learn about being a proper hostess. It's too bad you didn't come, but I understand. I'm sure you had lots of very important things to do this summer. The ball was interesting, and surprising, and exhausting. I don't think I can go over it all in this letter. I just hope I made a good impression for my family.

I have a cat now! He's a stray I met years ago, but this summer my grandmother let me adopt him. It's all thanks to my Uncle Harris, he convinced Grandmother to let me keep him. He's a black cat named Epitaph, and I brought him to Hogwarts with me. My cousin is also at Hogwarts this year. He's a first year named Bradley, and he's in your House. Maybe you'll meet him.

Anyways, that's how my summer went. I hope we meet again soon.

Sincerely,

Isadora Ramona Everridge

That's it. Dora lets the ink dry and folds up the letter, planning to let an owl deliver it tonight. For now, she just needs to figure out how to talk to someone. Or, maybe someone will talk to her first. She just hopes she can find Damion before her nerves get the better of her and she retreats to her dorm.