22 Sep 2023, 17:52
First Time Exploring Hogwarts
Date: 8th September 2023
Time: Early evening
After their first week here at Hogwarts, Leaf was exhausted from the amount of social interaction that this school required from them. Only on rare occasion could they even stop and relax for a moment. The boat ride from the train to the castle had been both terrifying and amazing: a fear of water meant that the dark depths of the lake felt like they were consuming Leaf, but the view of the caste for the first time was breath-taking to say the least.
The sorting ceremony had probably been their least favourite part of the week. Sitting in front of hundreds of students, all of them looking up at Leaf like they were expecting something from them. After meeting the others from the dorm, they had finally felt like they belonged somewhere here. However, nothing compared to a nice evening walk through nature, all alone and peaceful.
So that is why, on this fine evening, Leaf had chosen to don their fleece and head outside into the calm breeze that swept through the rustling leaves of various types of trees and whistled in their ear. A few other students were outside as well, sat up against trees reading or practicing simple spells with friends on the open fields surrounding the castle.
In their fleece, Leaf carried many things: their father had designed and made it himself so that it was full of pockets of different sizes. They contained books, paper, pencils, paint, and lots of string- string has many uses, Leaf's father had said, Might as well keep some with you at all times. Just in case. Thinking about him made them want to see his face again- but they knew that they wouldn't see him again until the Christmas holidays. They had no family nor friends here at Hogwarts. No friends back home either, though. Their father is the only person in the world who really mattered to them.
As they slowly walked through the woodland, Leaf watched as the rays of amber sunlight filtered between the gaps in the canopy of leaves, casting a glow across the ground. They noticed that though Autumn was approaching, the leaves still shone emerald green as they clung to the last breaths of summer. Soon there would be the satisfying crunch of gold, scarlet and brown leaves on the woodland floor.
The prefects had told them to be back in the common room by what was it? Eight? Nine? But Leaf knew that they wouldn't be staying for long after dark- one look at the stunning Scottish sunset was all they needed to consider this a successful day. The analog watch on their left wrist showed that it was 5:15pm, around two hours until sunset.
Leaf took out their sketchpad and a soft pencil and began to draw. They drew anything they could see- trees, clouds, acorns. Soon the whole page was filled with little sketches and they titled it, 'First Time Exploring Hogwarts'
The walk back to the castle was across a field, with an excellent view of the Quidditch Pitch. Before yesterday, Leaf had had no idea that the sport had even existed- but everyone in the common room had been discussing it and talking about who would make the Ravenclaw team this year. They weren't really bothered about this stuff; sports had never really interested Leaf. But beautiful sunsets did. And the sunset this evening was truly beautiful. The days' last rays of light cast upon the walls of the castle.
As Leaf returned through the courtyard, they looked back, hoping to catch a final glimpse.
But the sun had retreated beyond the horizon.
And the night had taken over.
Time: Early evening
After their first week here at Hogwarts, Leaf was exhausted from the amount of social interaction that this school required from them. Only on rare occasion could they even stop and relax for a moment. The boat ride from the train to the castle had been both terrifying and amazing: a fear of water meant that the dark depths of the lake felt like they were consuming Leaf, but the view of the caste for the first time was breath-taking to say the least.
The sorting ceremony had probably been their least favourite part of the week. Sitting in front of hundreds of students, all of them looking up at Leaf like they were expecting something from them. After meeting the others from the dorm, they had finally felt like they belonged somewhere here. However, nothing compared to a nice evening walk through nature, all alone and peaceful.
So that is why, on this fine evening, Leaf had chosen to don their fleece and head outside into the calm breeze that swept through the rustling leaves of various types of trees and whistled in their ear. A few other students were outside as well, sat up against trees reading or practicing simple spells with friends on the open fields surrounding the castle.
In their fleece, Leaf carried many things: their father had designed and made it himself so that it was full of pockets of different sizes. They contained books, paper, pencils, paint, and lots of string- string has many uses, Leaf's father had said, Might as well keep some with you at all times. Just in case. Thinking about him made them want to see his face again- but they knew that they wouldn't see him again until the Christmas holidays. They had no family nor friends here at Hogwarts. No friends back home either, though. Their father is the only person in the world who really mattered to them.
As they slowly walked through the woodland, Leaf watched as the rays of amber sunlight filtered between the gaps in the canopy of leaves, casting a glow across the ground. They noticed that though Autumn was approaching, the leaves still shone emerald green as they clung to the last breaths of summer. Soon there would be the satisfying crunch of gold, scarlet and brown leaves on the woodland floor.
The prefects had told them to be back in the common room by what was it? Eight? Nine? But Leaf knew that they wouldn't be staying for long after dark- one look at the stunning Scottish sunset was all they needed to consider this a successful day. The analog watch on their left wrist showed that it was 5:15pm, around two hours until sunset.
Leaf took out their sketchpad and a soft pencil and began to draw. They drew anything they could see- trees, clouds, acorns. Soon the whole page was filled with little sketches and they titled it, 'First Time Exploring Hogwarts'
The walk back to the castle was across a field, with an excellent view of the Quidditch Pitch. Before yesterday, Leaf had had no idea that the sport had even existed- but everyone in the common room had been discussing it and talking about who would make the Ravenclaw team this year. They weren't really bothered about this stuff; sports had never really interested Leaf. But beautiful sunsets did. And the sunset this evening was truly beautiful. The days' last rays of light cast upon the walls of the castle.
As Leaf returned through the courtyard, they looked back, hoping to catch a final glimpse.
But the sun had retreated beyond the horizon.
And the night had taken over.