────────────────────────────────────────────────

GRANDMA WOULD TELL HER stories ever since she was born. It's tradition.

Cedrella couldn't remember the faded memories of her early days. The only proof of the past being old photos in her mother's magical scrapbook she made for each of her children However, the youngest Blythe knew her grandmother had always been there, by the fireplace, smiling with an old, dusty book in her hands.

Despite being a busy woman—traveling all around the world; exploring cultures, meeting people, and so, so much more—, Roisin would make sure to find some time in her schedule to be with her family. Twice a year she'd apparate right in front of the Blythe mansion, or jump out of the Knight Bus, carrying her luggage with a gentle, excited smile on her wrinkly face, wearing crazy outfits made specifically for her by designers from all over the globe. She'd bring some new adventures to the mansion, and gifts, too. (Mostly candy).

After dinner, grandmother would run her hands through Cedrella's hair, and gently call her to the fireplace. There, the girl would sit down in the cushions, or lay on the sofa, with her head resting on her grandmother's lap, depending on how sleepy she was on a scale of zero to Bartolomeo with a full stomach.

Roisin would pull out a different book every time, and read until she fell asleep. Most of the time, Cedrella would wake up in her bedroom all alone. But there were times she'd open her eyes, still half-asleep, and see the shape of her grandmother stepping out of her room, careful to close the door; silhouette appearing thanks to the warm lights from the corridor.

Smiling at the thought, Cedrella looked down, a slight flush coming to her cheeks once more. Playing with her hair, she shrugged, trying so hard to act cool; like having a celebrity in her family isn't a big deal. "Yeah. Roisin Blythe... I don't know if you've heard of her. She writes children's horror books? I guess that's how I could describe them. She's great."

When the other moved to look out the window, Cedrella ran her sweaty hands through her trenchcoat. She admired her grandmother like no other, yet, it's still difficult to talk about her to others. When she was younger, the girl would brag about it, until the day a boy laughed right at her face. During one of her very first visits to Diagon Alley, she stopped right outside Flourish and Blotts, and this little witty, blonde boy that was talking to her laughed at the mention of her grandmother's name, saying all her books were nonsensical and stupid, and that his father was a much better writer.

The worst part was when her mother came out of the bookstore and introduced Cedrella to the wizard she'd been talking to. The boy's father. One of her favorite writers. It had embarrassed her to death, and since that day, Cedrella rarely bragged about her grandmother's career. Instead, settling to recommending her novels to other wizards and witches she'd met.

Haley Rose let out a comment that brought Cedrella's eyes back to her. The Blythe's eyes widened, as she had imagined the redhead as someone who'd like to a be Quidditch player, or an Auror, anything other than a writer, really.

"Me too..." blurted Cedrella before she could stop herself, too, tucking some strands of hair behind her ear. "I've written a few stories myself. Short ones, of course. But I want to be a writer when I grow up. Or at the very least, a journalist, or something like that."

────────────────────────────────────────────────
word count: 600+ words
with @Haley Rose

talking about the future@Cedrella Blythe

Haley wondered what her family was like, if her grandmother was as loving as her own. She smiled at the thought of her grandmother. They had had a close relationship since they knew each other and Haley was overjoyed that the family had found each other again. She could imagine Cedrella having a similar relationship with her grandmother and imagined the two of them sitting in front of a fireplace while her grandmother read her latest stories.

I was tingling, she would like to know more about the still unknown girl, about her family and her stories. But there was a danger that she would also have to talk about her own family, and Haley hardly knew anything about her family. That was one of the biggest things that annoyed her. No matter how many times she had tried to learn more about her own family history, her questions remained unanswered and she continued to be in the midst of her unknowingness. But she wouldn't give up, her goal was to finally find out more and she didn't know why, but she had a feeling it would happen soon.

"Rosini Blythe." She repeated the name and thought for a moment. But she didn't know the name, which didn't surprise her. Most of the books she read that weren't textbooks were Muggle books but she made an inward note and decided to read a book of hers at some point. "That sounds really great, I'll read one when I get a chance." She smiled at Cedrella and wasn't just saying that to be polite.

She fixed her gaze back inside and smiled broadly as Cedrella spoke of her dreams. She herself never had the typical "I'm going to be a/one someday" wish. She didn't know what she wanted to do for a living. She wanted to write and she enjoyed it but she didn't know if she wanted to do it professionally or what she wanted to do at all. She had to laugh at her thoughts and shook her head slightly, "Sometimes I wish I had such a clear view of my future too." She began to explain her behaviour, "But I don't have the typical career aspirations that most people have. I don't really know what I want to do someday." She stopped for a moment and looked uncertainly at her hands. Was it weird that she was like this? Probably but she had always been different from the others. Crazier.

As her gaze fell back to the landscape passing them by, she began to speak further. "But what I do know is that someday I want to explore this world. I want to travel. To see the world and not just what's right outside my door." She imagined how she would travel the world someday. Travelling to different places, meeting new people and cultures. New animal creatures, magical and non-magical and eventually come back and be richer than she could ever be. Rich in experience, knowledge and memories.

This time it was Haley who looked sheepish and a little embarrassed. "Does that sound silly?" she asked, giggling a little.

────────────────────────────────────────────────

NODDING TO EVERY WORD coming out of the girl's mouth, Cedrella made an effort to be nicer.

Nice, however, isn't an adjective one would use to describe Cedrella Blythe. A "polite, but quiet girl" was the best she ever got, no matter how much effort she put into coming out of her little shell, or smiling. It seemed that it didn't matter how softly she spoke, or how much she tried to engage with others, people always stared at her weirdly.

This time, then, given her records of being silently judged by older witches and wizards, the youngest Blythe kept a straight face as the other spot, eyelids almost falling in front of her eyes, lips pressed in a thin line; the resting face Cedrella was well-known in her neighborhood for.

While she couldn't quite understand what would motivate someone to leave behind their home, in order to explore the unknown world around them, Cedrella felt how much of a real dream that was for that Haley girl. Letting her frown soothe, she tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear, and nodded, darting her eyes towards the window, staring at the blurry images passing by.

Cedrella enjoyed routine and feeling secure. She found comfort where most spotted boredom and emptiness. It's usual for her to even step a foot outside the mansion, and when she did, she'd walk down the same pass, down to the same pattern, and nothing would stand in her way, because she knew it like the palm of her hand.

She had traveled once before, however, and the memory hadn't been as unpleasant as she had envisioned. It's possible for her to change her mind in the future, but for now, Cedrella couldn't see herself following a similar path as Haley. Still. That didn't mean she couldn't see the appeal the other saw.

Cedrella said, simply, "Perhaps some would find it silly. Adults, most likely," Playing with her fingers, she continued, as gently as she could. "I do not see what's so unusual about it, even though I cannot relate. Writing comes to me as naturally as breathing, so, of course, I'd like to follow a career path where I can explore it. You, on the other hand, are curious. It's that eagerness that comes naturally to you. So, traveling is what you wish to do. It's a dream much like any other, at the end of the day,"

────────────────────────────────────────────────
word count: 400+
with @Haley Rose

Hogwarts is near @Cedrella Blythe

While Haley was watching the girl, she guessed that she found her ideas and wishes silly. At least she would not do the same, Haley was almost sure, but it did not bother her, after all, it was important that people are just so individual. Still, she kept pondering, because she had never had such a hard time understanding a person as the girl sitting in front of her with her almost expressionless face. It drove Haley crazy that she couldn't place her reactions and expressions and it made her insecure. Still, she tried not to let it get to her and continued to smile slightly at her.

She distracted herself a bit with her thoughts. The many countries and continents she would eventually travel to. The people and cultures she would meet. The creatures she would discover. All of this warmed her heart and even though wishes and dreams often change throughout life, she was sure that she would keep this one. Her thoughts carried her further and further away and she saw herself on an adventurous safari in Africa. Her long red hair under a hat and an elephant not too far away. The next moment she finds herself diving in an ocean, with fish, dolphins and whales all around her. Together with a group, they eliminate ghost nets and save a small part of the marine world.

Before she could lose herself in further adventures, she was brought back to reality and for a millisecond looked in shock at the mouth from which words were again coming through to her. But she laughed briefly and nodded in agreement to Cedrella. Adults rarely had any understanding of the wishes and dreams of children. "I guess you are right." Haley Replied, while still thinking about her words for a while. "But that's what I think is so important, that we are all so individual and live out our individuality and let others live." She now repeated her previous thoughts aloud.

Her gaze wandered toward the window, as it had so often during this trip. "I don't think it will be long before we get there." Haley remarked, but of course she was not sure. But some time had already passed and somehow she also hoped that the arrival would not be too long in coming. Not because she wanted to get out of this situation as soon as possible, she felt comfortable by now and liked the conversation with Cedrella, even if she wasn't sure if it was mutual. Still, she was so excited to finally see the castle. To be sorted to one of the houses and begin a new phase of her life. She wondered for a brief moment if the two girls might end up in the same house. But laughing inwardly, she was sure this would not happen. They were as different as day and night, surely the sorting hat would recognize that.

Word Count: 488

────────────────────────────────────────────────

TIME FLIES BY when you're not trying to make it pass quickly, or when you're not awfully bored, Cedrella knew.

Whenever she found herself with no fun activities to do, time would drag on, and a minute would turn into an hour, like under a Transfiguration spell, or something of the sorts, while the opposite happened when she enjoyed herself. It had happened far too many times where Cedrella would look to the clock, right above her desk, and notice she had spent more than two hours inside her private office upstairs.

Once, Cedrella accompanied her mother to work, for the woman wanted to show her how things were done. After getting permission from her boss, Annelise tugged her by the hand and showed her every corner of her office building... Cedrella didn't know how long it took until they got out of there, after exploring hallways that looked the same and meeting people with similar features and voices.

But, she did remember how tight her shoes felt, and how swollen her feet had become at the end of the day, as Cedrella tiredly took them off, sitting in her bed, finally back home, as the sky turned black and purple.

Cedrella snapped out of those memories at Haley Rose's remark on their arrival. Looking outside of the window, it didn't look quite as blurry as before, and the sky had already fallen into a light violet and indigo, with a few stars painting it slowly the more the locomotive moved.

"So," called Cedrella, simply, playing with her hands, bringing her eyes back to the girl in front of her, surprised to have enjoyed their exchanges to the point of actively looking for more conversation topics. It didn't happen often. Actually, it didn't happen, at all. "Hogwarts. Do you have an idea which house you'd fit best?"

────────────────────────────────────────────────
word count: 300+ words
@Haley Rose

Talking about the sorting with @Cedrella Blythe

Even though Haley was not sure and had no idea where they were at that moment, the passing landscape confirmed her suspicions. The now dark blue sky passed them by, with purple clouds here and there. With what felt like every minute it got darker and the bright spots in the sky brighter. The more time passed, the more the sky was lit up by the stars and the moon. Excitement was building inside her, soon she would be crossing the lake with boats and many other new students under the starry sky, finding her way into the castle and taking her place under the sorting hat. She could hardly wait, but was more than nervous.

Cedrella made Haley think twice with her question. She would be lying if she said she hadn't asked herself that question. Because in fact, she had. Probably like every other first year but she had asked herself that question not once and not only twice. Many times she had thought about it and until today she had no clear answer to this question. As soon as she had learned about this magical world and Hogwarts, she had tried to absorb as much new knowledge as possible. Of course she knew the four houses and their characteristics, but she never came up with a final guess and wish.

"My mother was in Ravenclaw." She began to tell and started to giggle, "I definitely don't see myself there." Haley continued. She had quickly been sure of that, nor could she see herself as a Hufflepuff. She had developed an enthusiasm for Slytherin and Gryffindor early on and hadn't been able to shake it to this day. It was unusual, because it was not unknown that these two houses in particular had the most rivalries with each other. Haley, on the other hand, didn't make a big deal of it; for her, Slytherins weren't universally evil and Gryffindors weren't universally the heroes. Out of both houses came great wizards and she was simply drawn to both.

"I don't have a definitive guess on which house I'll end up in, but I hope it's Slytherin or Gryffindor." Haley now answered her question. What Haley didn't know, however, was that it wasn't unusual for her to feel a certain attraction to Slytherin. Haley knew little of her family history, which would soon change, but all of her ancestors were once in Slytherin. Except for her mother, she had been the first who wasn't and Haley would be the second.

"Do you have any guesses?" she inquired curiously, thinking about where she would place Cedrella with the knowledge Haley had about her.

────────────────────────────────────────────────

THERE HAVE BEEN bets inside her household on which house Cedrella would end up in.

Most, if not all choices and their reasoning came from a place of bias. It was impossible not to happen as all four other members of the Blythe family had been sorted into one of the four houses; perfect matches. Father had been a proud Gryffindor, that shone in Hogwarts thanks to his brilliant grades and looks (something, he certainly didn't brag about to this very day, as a fully-grown man).

Mother, however, had been sorted into Hufflepuff, which best suited her delicate nature, never mind the stubbornness and wits. Bartolomeo and Bennedict ended up in Ravenclaw and Slytherin, respectively, and if father didn't brag enough, those two certainly did; always commenting on how quickly the Sorting Hat had come to its conclusion of where each belonged.

There was never a lot of pressure for any of them about which house she should fit in. It'd be incredibly hypocritical of them to choose one, given them all falling into different zones, with different qualities, colors, animals, and whatnot. Cedrella knew a bit about each of the houses' founders, their reputations, and brilliant names that marked the hallways; celebrities that represented each house better than anyone else.

Despite it all, Cedrella never gave much thought to it. Maybe once or twice, but not like some other students did. Haley seemed to be one of those, based on the excitement in her voice and body language, Cedrella noticed, not at all surprised at the mention of Gryffindor and Slytherin being the two choices the red-haired girl had. (Though Cedrella saw more of a lioness in her. Perhaps that was because she saw Slytherins as either her brother or like evil people, which was ridiculous, to say the least).

The clear options were very, very obvious. Cedrella knew herself, she knew which traits were highlighted the most in her way of acting and talking to others, and it wasn't so hard to put two and two together.

When Haley threw the question back at her, she already had a few comments ready.

"Definitely not Hufflepuff and Gryffindor, that's for sure," said Cedrella, voice falling a bit on the judgemental side of her coldness. Seeing the excitement that flashed on Haley's face given the mention of the lions, the youngest Blythe explained herself. "I'm not brave, nor adventurous. Honestly, not very friendly or impartial either, so, unless the Sorting Hat takes into account my stubbornness and loyalty, I don't see why I'd fit into those houses,"

"Ravenclaw or Slytherin are my bets,"" she continued. "Those are the ones I'd feel more comfortable in, I suppose. Though, I'm more inclined towards Slytherin. I'm not a problem-solver, nor am I wise, so. Yeah,"

Cedrella shrug, because at the end of the day, she didn't really care.

────────────────────────────────────────────────
word count: 480+
@Haley Rose

arriving with @Cedrella Blythe

The whole subject of which house to be sorted in was of course always present, Haley wouldn't deny that, yet she didn't want to waste too much thought on it. (Which she probably did anyway) She would be happy with any decision, as long as it was Hogwarts, yet she had her favourites. She shrugged at Cedrella's answer and thought for a moment. On balance, she agreed with her, but in the end, she didn't know her well enough to really have an opinion about it, "In the end, we can't influence it anyway." Haley remarked, and glancing outside she noticed that the landscape was beginning to pass them more slowly.

"And I think we'll find out soon too." She continued and with her words the whole train seemed to grow more restless. A few students walked past her compartment, obviously back to their original seats. Their arrival was near and it seemed like the atmosphere around them was getting more restless by the second. "I think we should prepare for our arrival." Haley spoke, unconsciously pulling both corners of her mouth up a little. Excitement rose in her and she packed her book back into her suitcase.

A few seconds later she was back in her seat, excitement evident on her face and Haley's gaze fixed outside. It was hard to see anything in the darkness, but she didn't want to risk missing anything. The locomotive seemed to be slowing down and a loud rumble made her glance startledly in the direction of the aisle. The first students were now shuffling through the aisle towards the door with their luggage. Haley couldn't suppress her shake of the head and smirked to herself. "And I thought I was impatient." She joked, now looking back at Cedrella, knowing that their paths would now part at the sorting ceremony at the latest, but probably already at the track.

"It was a, um, nice train ride with you." Haley smiled warmly at her, "Maybe we'll meet again soon, I can't wait to see where the hat takes you."

────────────────────────────────────────────────

AS THE LOCOMOTIVE SLOWED down, Cedrella was quick to move and grab her luggage, running her hands over her outfit. It wasn't the excitement that had her moving like this, but rather the need to get to her feet and get going before the crowd of students crossed the hallway and crushed her like a bug.

She watched Haley Rose momentarily, surprised at how their pleasant conversation all the way to the wizarding school had managed to deviate her attention from the fish-out-of-water feeling she had been experiencing since the moment she stepped a foot at King's Cross. Cedrella saw the other smile and couldn't help but do the same, a small grin taking over her features; softness in her eyes.

"Yeah. It was a pleasure meeting you," said Cedrella. "May we meet in Slytherin or something. That would certainly be interesting,"

The locomotive fully came to a stop, and Cedrella watched as the students pushed each other, and laughed, and talked, making their way out. She waited briefly, before joining the last few heads that trailed out. With one last wave towards Haley Rose, Cedrella joined a taller group of first-year boys, masking herself in the middle of the students, and waited until they were guided to the boats.

Finally. The year was about to begin.

────────────────────────────────────────────────
word count: 200+
@Haley Rose