Daydreaming Finished

First week at Hogwarts

What a week it had been ! Between his sorting, the first few classes, meeting new people and getting used to his new academic life, Augustus didn’t have much time for himself. However, he wasn’t complaining. Hogwarts, at least for now, had been everything he had hoped for and more. His mother didn’t lie when she said it was the best school in the whole wizarding world. The castle in itself was beautiful, full of history and secrets awaiting to be discovered. Full of life also. Augustus spent the first few evenings he had free to simply roam around. He met so many different people from different houses. At that point, he had met duellists, quidditch players, broom racers and many more. From the height of his eleven years of life, he could only hope to join of these cliques once he would be a bit older and bit more competent with magic. He was determined to give his best in his studies so that he could be a great wizard one day. However he couldn’t yet decide what he would strive for. Would he try to be a great duellist and be the pride of his house ? Or on the other hand, he could focus on flying and become a quidditch player, defending the honor of Gryffindor on the pitch against the other houses. For now though, it wasn’t very important. He was still getting accustomed to the school anyways, and he would have more than enough time to figure out his way to glory.

It was a lovely Saturday evening. The air was getting crispier by the day and the winds of autumn were being felt all around the grounds. After a hearty meal at the Great Hall with his new Gryffindor comrades, Augustus decided to retire for a moment in his dormitory, where he sat on his bed and started quickly going through the pages of Hogwarts, A History. The night prior, he had been struggling to sleep so he thought he would read a little bit of the book, just to get ahead. During his session, he stumbled across a mention of something called the Trophy Room, where the great students had been immortalized for the achievements.

- Ah, there it is. So third floor it is.

As quickly as he took it out, he put the book in his drawer and headed out for the room in question.

Upon arrival he was absolutely mesmerized. An imposing fireplace was roaming at the end of the room, but mostly, all around, all sorts of trophies, medals, plaques, etc. Augustus couldn’t help it but be overwhelmed with a sincere feeling of respect and admiration. He started walking across the room, scanning the place, reading as much plaques as he could and, obviously, daydreaming that one day his name would be there too.
Last edited by Augustus Faris on 30 Dec 2023, 21:17, edited 1 time in total.
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Alis wandered through the corridors, her steps echoing faintly against the stone walls. She had a destination in mind- the Trophy Room. Her father, a proud Ravenclaw prefect and skilled duelist in his day, had spoken of the room with reverence, sharing tales of his victories & accomplishments, as well as that of his closest school friends. Following an entire summer of Alis's father indulging in light-hearted banter and so many Dad jokes about his numerous triumphs, and given her inability to trust the good-humored nature of all three her older brothers & Dad, all of whom think nearly every moment is an opportunity for amusement, she was determined to validate his bragging rights.

As she approached the third-floor corridor, Alis felt a tinge of anticipation. Adjusting to her class schedule, & life at Hogwarts in general, had taken more effort than she had anticipated, and she hadn't yet found the time to explore. The door to the Trophy Room creaked open, and she stepped into the realm of history and legacy.

Golden autumn light spilled in through the windows, illuminating the room and casting a soft glow over the numerous trophies, plaques, and medals adorning the shelves, walls, & tall glass cases. Alis's eyes eagerly scanned the room, sifting through all manner of Ravenclaw memorabilia. She marveled at the dazzling array of awards, each representing a magical, academic achievement. A testament to the greatness that graced the halls of Hogwarts for centuries.

Finally, she found her target, and her heart skipped a beat. There, amongst other silver plaques, and detailing his accomplishments, was a name that filled her with immense pride- Jareth Nyx, her father's. Alis ran her pale fingers over the glass behind which the Nyx name gleamed. Feeling a deep connection to the magical heritage coursing through her veins, she couldn't help but imagine her father in his younger years, proudly earning his place among the distinguished wizards of Hogwarts. She was so much like him that she had resigned herself to a Ravenclaw’s fate, but the Sorting Hat had destined her for Gryffindor, aligning with her mother's legacy.

Lost in her daydreams as she marveled, it was then that Alis noticed a fellow Gryffindor @Augustus Faris peering about with awe. She admired his sun-kissed skin & dark curls as she momentarily observed him, seeming lost in his own reverie. Alis wondered if he was imagining the day he earned his own recognition on these hallowed walls. She didn't usually strike up conversation, but he seemed curious & kind, and possibly young enough to be in her year. Her first week, starting with the Sorting Ceremony, had been a whirlwind, and she could hardly remember all the students that had been alongside her- not even those placed in her own house. The desire to (hopefully) make a new friend suddenly struck, prompting Alis to speak-

"Hi," she greeted gently, offering a friendly smile and subtly entering his view. "Is this your first week too?" she asked, taking a shot in the dark. Though not adept at small talk, the need for practice pushed her forward, and well, at least she wasn’t talking about something mundane like the weather… yet. "I'm Alis, by the way," she added, extending her hand for an introductory shake.

there is thunder in our hearts ♡
Daydreaming Finished
The Great Hall was swarming with students. Augustus could hardly focus beneath the screams, the applause and the praises fusing from all corners of the huge room. Atop the pedestal, where the teacher’s table usually was, proudly stood the Headmaster, Solomon Lear, looking directly at Augustus, a satisfied grin on his face. He was wearing a shiny armor, as he had the habit of doing during important events. While making his way towards the front of the Great Hall, the young Gryffindor was welcomed with warm encouragements and kind words of admiration. His house’s table, particularly, was in awe. Keeping his head high, he kept smiling at the crowd while returning a few handshakes that were presented to him. At the end of his walk of pride, he finally reached the Headmaster, whom also presented him his hand. After a few private words of congratulations, Augustus was made to face the admiring students. With a hand on his shoulder, professor Lear then proceeded to hand over the Triwizard Cup to the young wizard. Without a second thought, Augustus kissed the trophy and then lifted it in the air, beneath a deafening sound of applause. He had represented not only his house, but the entirety of Hogwarts and had triumphed ! He vanquished all the other champions from the other schools and became an icon and a celebrity at the best school in the wizarding world !

- Hi , he heard.

Augustus was instantly brought back from his daydreaming. He had been mesmerized by a Triwizard cup, standing tall behind its glass case. So mesmerized in fact, that he started fantasising about his future (or not) exploits. He actually didn’t notice the person standing in front of him at all. Was she there before him ? Did she get there while his was ruminating in his mind ? At the thought of it, Augustus face turned red and he was swarmed by a feeling of awkwardness. He was persuaded he had been alone all along and the idea of someone observing him while he was in a ridiculous daydream embarrassed him. His only hope now was that it didn’t show.

The person who had interrupted his train of thought was actually a girl. She had deep blue grey eyes and wavy dark blondish hair. He snow skinned face was sprinkled with freckles and she seemed very young, which hinted Augustus that she might be in the same year as him. As a matter of fact, she was a very pretty girl. Also, she proudly wore his house’s color and was then a fellow Gryffindor. He wasn’t used to being approached, as he usually made the first steps towards people, so there he was, caught a bit off guard. With a shy smile, the young boy shook the hand that was presented to him.

- Hi Alis !, he answered with a little bit more enthusiasm then he would’ve liked. It is my first week too as a matter of fact, he pursued to answer her question. My name is Augustus. I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there, I was quite … he paused for a moment, looking for his words, focused on all these great witnesses of past achievements, he finally said while vaguely pointing towards all the trophies surrounding them. He paused again, not sure how to pursue the conversation. So … how are you finding Hogwarts so far ?, he asked. What a poor attempt. He usually tried to avoid small talk, but at this point, he was ready to do anything to make sure he didn’t seem like an oaf.
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Alis observed Augustus's initial surprise with a knowing smile, recognizing the glossy-eyed look of someone lost in their thoughts & dreams- the very same look she often wore. The Trophy Room had a way of captivating minds and transporting students into a world of legacy, and the fact that Augustus had been caught up in its spell only moments before made her feel a sense of camaraderie. It was comforting to know that others were navigating this new magical sphere with the same sense of awe and wonder, and she suddenly found herself enjoying his company, noting his sincerity.

Returning his handshake with a gentle grip, Alis listened as the young Gryffindor boy introduced himself. "Augustus," she repeated with a nod, committing the name to memory. "Nice to meet you!" His apology for not noticing her earlier was met with a dismissive wave from Alis, who shrugged slightly and offered a playful smile. "No worries, I tend to sneak up on people. Comes with being a bit too quiet sometimes," she admitted, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
While she often found herself more prone to people watching than engaging in conversation, there was something about Augustus that exuded warmth and invited a sense of ease. His question about her first impressions of Hogwarts opened a door to a more comfortable avenue for conversation that Alis couldn’t help but feel grateful for. Her gaze momentarily wandered to the gleaming trophies around them before she turned her attention back to Augustus. "It's been... overwhelming, but in the best way possible, you know? There's so much to explore, and the magic here is unlike anything I've experienced. Classes have been great so far, though I'm still getting used to it all," she confessed, her eyes lighting up with a mixture of excitement and curiosity. In truth, she was just happy that she hadn’t become entirely lost amidst the labyrinth of corridors- even though the shifting staircases often appeared determined to mislead her. They certainly had a mind of their own, and while the promise of adventure always appealed to her, she was still acclimating to her new schedule, and the last thing she needed right now was to end up somewhere she absolutely should not be.

Not content to let the conversation be one-sided, Alis turned the question back to @Augustus Faris, hair catching the sunlight as she tucked a loose strand away from her view and quirked a brow subtly. "How about you? What's your take on Hogwarts- and being in Gryffindor? Anything particularly exciting happen during your first week? Did you find anything interesting in here?" she inquired, both pondering what he had been imagining before she interrupted his thoughts & internally scolding herself for blurting out so many questions at once. Still, she hoped that sharing their experiences might help break the ice a bit further. Perhaps, if all goes well, we could explore the castle & grounds together…, she mused as she considered what classes they likely shared.

there is thunder in our hearts ♡
Daydreaming Finished
- Oh yeah, no I totally get it, blurted out Augustus with a tone of relief as the young girl admitted that she felt positively overwhelmed. It felt good to know he wasn’t the only one completely bewitched by Hogwarts. It’s the same for me, he pursued. My mother told me so many things about the school, it was hard to believe at first. But now that I’m here, I understand her enthusiasm.

Augustus couldn’t help himself but smile. First contacts were always something he found to be awkward, but this time, it felt quite natural to interact with the fellow Gryffindor. He couldn’t tell exactly what it was, but the lady had an aura of warmth, something welcoming that made you feel comfortable talking with her. He hoped really hard not to spoil it.

- Oh you know, I’m very proud !, he said, answering to her question about his feelings towards his house. I’m sure you are too, he continued while pointing at the red and golden lion crest embroidered on her robe. After all, it is very well known that we are the best ! He was careful to wink at the girl and use an overly exaggerated teasing tone with his last statement. It might have been a poor one, but it was his attempt at humor. Even then though, he wanted to make sure he was not perceived as a self-obsessed arrogant idiot. I’m joking of course. Still, I’m happy about my sorting. I wasn’t sure how this was going to turn out, as my mother was a Hufflepuff and my father … he paused for a moment, not sure if he was oversharing or not, well my father didn’t attend Hogwarts you see, he is from Algeria. How about you ? Proud to be a lion ?

He then proceeded to look around when his interlocutor asked him if he found anything interesting in the Trophy Room. He hesitated for a bit, not sure if he should point out to something in particular, when his attention went back to the Triwizard Cup he was so intensely admiring a bit earlier. He started walking towards it, inviting Alis to follow him with a smile and a nod. After all, why lie, when she had clearly seen him almost drooling over the famous prize.

- Well, no nothing special happened … yet !, he exclaimed, to answer her question about his first week. However, I can’t help myself but admire this, he continued while pointing at the trophy in question. Can you imagine what it would be like winning of those ?, his eyes lit up as he asked his question. Fighting through thick and thin to defend Hogwarts’s honor against other schools … how exciting it must be !
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As Augustus expressed his Gryffindor pride, Alis couldn't suppress a laugh, charmed by his teasing tone and playful banter. "Oh, absolutely!" she chimed in, responding with an infectious bright smile. "Gryffindor pride and all that. Undoubtedly the best house!", she remarked, her playful nod adding to the light-hearted exchange. She continued, "Actually, I'm so much like my father that I was convinced I'd follow in his footsteps and be sorted into Ravenclaw. But fate had other plans, and here I am, a lioness like my mother! It was a surprise of course, but a welcome one," she shared, her expression reflecting a mix of amusement and contemplation. She briefly wondered if Augustus's mother was the source of his lovely complexion and features as he mentioned her.

Alis listened intently as Augustus shared details about his father and Algeria, appreciating the openness of their conversation. "Oh, Algeria! That's fascinating, and do you visit often? Did you grow up there?" she inquired with a sense of wonder.
Her fascination with various magical communities and cultures surpassed even her love for getting lost in storybooks and daydreams, which occasionally led her to be a tad less studious than she probably should be. Continuing with a hopeful tone, she added, "I've always wanted to visit myself." Alis briefly questioned whether her enthusiasm might come across as overly chatty, realizing it wasn't her usual way of interacting. "Dad works for the Ministry of Magic in the Department of Magical Cooperation, leading to frequent travels. Sometimes my brothers and I get to tag along, but I imagine those adventures will become rarer now that I've started school. Still, I do love to travel!" she confessed, a glint of excitement in her eyes. "Did your father attend Uagadou?" Her voice trailed off slightly, recognizing her curiosity might be verging on nosiness. It was just that her father's vivid descriptions of the prominent magical school in Africa had left her yearning to see it for herself one day. She paused, gently clearing her throat before attempting to casually add, "It's the largest wizarding school in the world... and here I've been a little worried about getting lost in Hogwarts." She resisted the urge to fidget with the hem of her sleeve, sarcastically musing about her ‘smooth socializing skills’ and ‘lack of nervousness’.

Maintaining her composure, Alis followed Augustus's gaze toward the Triwizard Cup, observing his evident excitement. Accepting his invitation to join him, she walked alongside him with a curious smile, her focus fixed on the prestigious trophy and all its glory. "Yeah, imagine winning that," she echoed, her eyes sparkling with appreciation for his enthusiasm. She refrained from adding that she felt she would absolutely crumble under that much pressure, with that much attention pressing in on her, assuming it would only sour the positive direction of the conversation. Her inclination toward being more of an "in the shadows" type, except for the occasional startling of unsuspecting Gryffindors in the trophy room (apparently), was a personal insight better shared with friends than new acquaintances. So, she opted to keep the conversation light.

"I think it would be incredible to meet students from such diverse magical backgrounds! And I'm sure you'll make your mark in here," she gestured around the room, encouragingly adding, "soon enough! I hope I do, too. My father," she said, sauntering toward the case just behind them, "made his right here," she lightly flicked the glass in front of the plaque bearing her father's name. "He was, is, rather brilliant. A prefect in his day."

At that moment, a faint pang of hunger reminded her of her dinner plans after exploring the artifacts. The morning had consisted of Alis shamelessly sleeping in a bit as she procrastinated on her potions assignment, and when she finally awoke, she spent the next several hours regretting that half the day was gone, and the other half would be spent playing catch-up. She started by skipping lunch and got to work, recalling for the entire duration that Professor Regan, while fair enough, had a strict stance on preparedness and completed assignments. Wondering about Augustus's plans, she suggested, "I was actually headed to the Hall for a bite in a moment... care to join? No worries if not," she quickly added, sincerely hoping she hadn't made him feel uncomfortable or obligated to join her. Throughout the week, she had shared a meal or two with some peers but generally preferred dining in solitude. While welcoming his company, Alis would be content with whatever decision he made. Distracting herself, she casually picked an invisible piece of lint from her pristine robes as she awaited his reply.

there is thunder in our hearts ♡
Daydreaming Finished
Hearing Alis laugh at his jokes and following up with her own banter about Gryffindor relieved Augustus of some pressure. His fear of looking like an idiot slowly started to fade as he got more and more comfortable. As she continued and shared her ideas about how she originally thought the Sorting Ceremony was going to end up differently, the young wizard nodded in approval. He hadn’t mention it, but he too thought he would probably end up in a different house. Hufflepuff to be exact, as his mother before him. As they walked towards the Triwizard Cup, the atmosphere became lighter and lighter. Then, Alis questioned the young boy about his North African origins, which he was more than glad to talk about.

- Yep, Algeria, he said proudly, as a grin began to appear on his face. Actually I was born over there. But I came to England quite quickly, only when I was four, he pursued, a bit of nostalgia in his voice. I do visit often though ! My whole family on my father’s side is still there. About every two summers I travel there with him. Always a pleasure to see my cousins. And the beaches !, he blurted out. Oh you wouldn’t believe it ! It’s so beautiful. At this point, the pinch of nostalgia had faded to a total tone of amazement. And it’s soooo warm, nothing like here. If you ever actually do, he said to answer the previous interest about visiting that she shared, let me know ! I will tell about the best spots !

At this point in the conversation, Augustus was smiling blissfully. He had made friends over the first few days, but meeting someone new had yet to feel so natural for the young Gryffindor. Alis had a way to make him feel comfortable, to the point he wasn’t even worried about oversharing at this point. When she told him about her father working in the Ministry however, he couldn’t help himself.

- NO WAY, he shouted, with a big smile as he took a step back in surprise and laid a friendly hand on Alis’s shoulder. My mother too ! In the same Department actually ! That’s how she met my father, during one of her diplomatic missions. As he spoke, he quickly retracted his hand. Uh, sorry about that. He had then realized he might have been too tactile and he knew some people were uncomfortable with that. After all he only knew the girl for what ? About ten minutes ? Suddenly, a feeling of shame flooded him and his face slightly turned red. He hoped he hadn’t ruined the moment. He took the opportunity she gave him to quickly follow through by answering her question. He did attend Uagadou yes ! He was a bit weirded out by wands when he first came here, he continued while laughing a bit. Did you know they don’t use wands over there ? Always fascinated me.

As both students admired the trophy Augustus was daydreaming about earlier, Alis redirected him towards another one, a plaque this time, and proudly announced it was her father’s name engraved in there.

- Woah, that’s amazing, said Augustus as his eyes widened. I’m sure you will live up to his legacy, and even more, he proceeded to add on a benevolent tone. He actually believed it. He didn’t know what it was yet, but there was something special about her. He could see it in her eyes and the way she smiled.

After spending a while admiring Alis’s father achievement, she proposed to reach the Great Hall for some food. Augustus gladly obliged as he was getting hungry too, but also because he definitely didn’t want the conversation to end there.

- Yes, I’d be glad to join you ! I’m actually pretty hungry. After which he started to walk towards the exit of the Trophy room. After you, he proceeded to say, with a hand gesture leading towards the door.