13 Mar 2023, 02:19
❝ In the pursuit of magic. ❞
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. . .
==== Wilhelm was enthusiastic— no, downright excited. Throughout his life, he had grown up hearing about the unusual and peculiar adventures that took place during his parents’ time at Hogwarts. The fantastical stories filled with countless brave wizards, daring witches, and ferocious yet grand-like creatures seemed to only reside within the confines of the magical school and made it all the more surreal for Wilhelm to believe in. However, for a young wizard that was as intimate and familiar with magic as he was— naturally, these were all things he wanted nothing more than for himself to be a part of. And now, at last, his dreams would soon become a reality.
====The mere prospect alone sent him into another giddy frenzy as he eagerly rocked on the soles of his shoes at the entrance of King’s Cross Station.
====The station itself was bustling with all kinds of different crowds, families and friends alike, but Wilhelm paid them little mind as he peered around at everything with avid curiosity. An older woman in a long mauve-tinted dress quickly captured his attention and wore a hat with a wide brim. She looked quite elderly, and her appearance reminded him of one of his many grandmothers on his mother’s side. When she stopped in front of him with a friendly smile, he felt compelled to reply in kind.
====”Guid morn, ma’am!” he chirped, his voice a little higher and his accent thicker than usual. “How dae ye dae on thes bright an’ cheerful day?”
==== The old woman laughed softly, “I’m well, thank you very much.” Her eyes crinkled at the edges, and when she did so— they glinted merrily at him. Then, she continued, “And what are you doing alone, chłopak?*1 I see you looking around. Mayhap some company would do you good?” She gestured vaguely to the people who passed between them, their heads ducked, and bodies bent towards their respective destinations. Somehow, the crowd had managed to flow like a river, making sure not to collide with each other or trip over themselves.
====From Wilhelm’s perspective, all he could see were a bunch of blurry blobs waddling about.
====If he closed his eyes entirely and thought hard enough, the masses now looked like a herd of Hippocampuses dancing in pink tutus.
====Wilhelm shook his head and lifted his heavy trunk by the handle for her to see. He was about to say something else when an equally elderly-looking man dressed entirely in black came out of nowhere behind the woman.
====“Och, na litość boską,*2 we have no time to play around with lost children,” he said gruffly before giving Wilhelm a stern look. “We’ve got a train to catch in fifteen minutes, boy. You don’ want tae make your mother wait any longer, do ya?”
====He shrugged helplessly. “Nay, tha’s fine. Been waitin’ for mah fowks thes whole time since I got a bit tay hasty an’ left them behin’.” Wilhelm paused, a toothy grin decorating his features as he added cheekily, “an’ it’s always nice ta be a wee early anyways!”
==== He tilted his head in Wilhelm’s direction, impatiently tapping his foot as he did so. “See? Kid can handle himself just fine. Chodźmy!*3”
====“Ah, hush, you old goat!” the lady scolded to her companion before turning back to Wilhelm with an apologetic glance. “I’m so sorry, dear. It seems our schedule is too tight, and we truly cannot afford to delay a moment longer than needed.”
====”Take care of yourself, chłopak.*4” With that, she turned and proceeded into the station with the grumbling man in tow, leaving Wilhelm to gaze at the retreating backs of their figures for several moments before he was brought out of his reverie by the sound of matching squeals and the calls of his name from afar.
====He began turning around. That must’ve been the wrong move because he was soon met with two rivaling forces barreling head-first into his stomach.
====“—Merlin!” His breath caught in his throat from the impact.
====He staggered back, narrowly avoiding a collision with an unfortunate passerby. Two identical voices beginning to ring in his ears, “Wilhelm! Ye’ dunderhead! Ye’ waur way too fast! Why’d ye’ leave us? Mamă an' Tată*4 waur worried! / Wil! Wil! We saw ay’ muggle daein’ card tricks, ye’ shooed’ve seen it! It was so cool! Hey, did ye’ see any witches or wizards yet?”
====Wilhelm blinked rapidly, trying to process both sets of words. “Giv’ me a warnin’ next time; swear I was gonnae get mangled by a pair of Imps.” He let out a bewildered laugh. His face was amused, although pained, while he rubbed the sore spot on his midsection. “Ye’ really need ta’ stop doin’ that fer my poor ribs, ye’ know?”
====Ornella rolled her eyes playfully and flipped her auburn-colored hair for extra flair. “Whatever.” She sniffed disdainfully with a small simper.
====Calytrix backed off from Wilhelm’s embrace and gaped, offended, “I am not an’ Imp!”
====“Even if I waur’ one…” Her brown eyes grew large with indignation, then narrowed dangerously. The unspoken promise hidden behind layers of champagne and amber made it apparent for Wilhelm to choose his following words carefully.
====“Which I’m not!” She clarified.
====“‘Course, mah’ bad,” he replied lightly, holding his hands up in mock surrender to try and quell Calytrix’s wrath, “didn’ mean ta’ hurt yer’ feelings like that, soră*5.”
====She didn’t seem remotely pleased with the apology. It was a poorly made one, in her own opinion. Instead of replying verbally, she stared at her brother with a flat, unamused look.
====Wilhelm sweetly smiled and batted his eyelashes innocently at her.
====”Well,” Calytrix huffed, ”If I’m an imp, then you’re a big, nasty, and smelly troll!” She stuck her tongue out at both of them in a childish manner.
====Ornella attempted to hide the fit of snickers that erupted from her mouth with her hands. The action was not amiss to Wilhelm, who looked at her in pure betrayal.
====He brought his hand to his chest and pretended to gasp. “So cruel… How could ye’? Ye’ wound th' heart! No respect wi' yer frate mai mare*6, whatsoever!—”
==== “—Copii*7,” came a stern but gentle voice, laced with a hint of warning and reprimand, “What have I told you about discussing our… personal life in muggle places?”
====The three siblings halted in place upon hearing it’s owner speak. A short distance away stood their mother, standing with her arms crossed and wearing an expression akin to a mixture of fondness and disappointment. Their father stood not too far next to her, suddenly finding Wilhelm’s other luggage very interesting. He, Calytrix, and Ornella exchanged sheepish glances for a while, then at their parents, and finally back at each other.
====”Sorry, Mamă. / We won’t dae’ it again.” They chorused in unison, bashfully.
====Forysthia shook her head at their antics and observed the surroundings cautiously. Noticing there weren’t enough witnesses close enough to hear the conversation, she cleared her throat and strode forward with purpose. Her gait was refined and practical from years of practice, befitting for a pure-blooded witch her status. She casted an expectant look at her children, waiting for one of them to start talking.
====When neither of them said anything, she snapped, “Well? The baggage isn’t going to carry itself!”
====Of course, Calytrix was the first one to break by making her disapproval out loud, “But Mamă! It’s Wil’s stuff! Why dae’ we have to dae’ it?” She whined petulantly, throwing her hands up in frustration. She pointedly glared at her older brother, clearly expecting him to do something.
====Their mother raised her eyebrows and turned her gaze to Wilhelm.
====After a few seconds of hesitation, he groaned, defeated.
====“Trunk? Your quills and parchment? What about your coat and robes? Don’t forget your hat! Wilhelm, do not avoid wearing your glasses. Seeing is better than healing in the infirmary. Don’t look at me like that, I know how you are. Are you sure you have everything? Recheck it—“
====”—Mamă, I've checked everythin’ twice now. There’s naethin' missin' in mah’ bags.” Wilhelm interrupted her tirade with an exasperated sigh. “I even checked th' books if that makes ye’ feel better.”
====”Good enough. And your wand?” Forysthia inquired worriedly, looking over his robes for any abnormalities.
====”Yes, ma'am. ‘m carryin' it under mah’ arm right thes’ minute." His reply was quick and curt as he fidgeted with the sleeves of his robes. His patience was already waning, and he wanted to get this whole ordeal over with. After all, he didn’t want to waste his entire first day standing on the platform being scrutinized by his mother. He could board the train any second now and meet new faces!
====Thankfully, his father intervened and tried to reassure his wife by soothing her shoulder. “Come 'en, Tia. It’s not like he’s gonnae’ get into an’ accident as soon as he gits’ there. Look at him. He’s dyin' tae’ go already.” Malcolm chuckled good-naturedly and ruffled Wilhelm’s hair.
==== “Oi!” Wilhelm yelped, trying to smooth his hair to no avail. His curly hair looked even more disheveled and tangled now.
====Forysthia took a deep breath and released it through her nose, allowing herself to ease. She nodded in agreement. It has been a while since Wilhelm ended up with injuries, and that was only when he was much younger and more reckless. Since then, he always came out unscathed in all his escapades. Still, she couldn’t help but…
====She stepped away and studied her eldest son with a mournful expression, finally noticing how tall he had grown over the years. It was as if it was just yesterday when he could barely reach the level of her hips. And now, he was almost the same height as her.
====He was growing too rapidly for her liking.
==== Forysthia wrapped her arms around him into a bone-crushing hug. Resting her cheek against the top of his head, she cradled him gently as if he was a baby again. "I love you." She murmured delicately, brushing back his curls with her fingers.
====“Love you too, Mamă.” Wilhelm hugged his mother back just as tightly. He shut his eyes as he heaved deeply into her shoulder, trying to fight down another wave of emotions that threatened to overwhelm him. Wilhem was a bit surprised, though; his mother was always an uptight and stern woman, rarely feeling the need to be affectionate when her words could suffice, especially in public. He guessed today was an exception.
====Out of the blue, three more bodies came crashing into him from all sides. They all embraced him warmly, almost suffocating him in one effortless move.
====It was… kinda cozy, actually. Maybe Wilhelm could stay here for a little while longer.
====The mere prospect alone sent him into another giddy frenzy as he eagerly rocked on the soles of his shoes at the entrance of King’s Cross Station.
====The station itself was bustling with all kinds of different crowds, families and friends alike, but Wilhelm paid them little mind as he peered around at everything with avid curiosity. An older woman in a long mauve-tinted dress quickly captured his attention and wore a hat with a wide brim. She looked quite elderly, and her appearance reminded him of one of his many grandmothers on his mother’s side. When she stopped in front of him with a friendly smile, he felt compelled to reply in kind.
====”Guid morn, ma’am!” he chirped, his voice a little higher and his accent thicker than usual. “How dae ye dae on thes bright an’ cheerful day?”
==== The old woman laughed softly, “I’m well, thank you very much.” Her eyes crinkled at the edges, and when she did so— they glinted merrily at him. Then, she continued, “And what are you doing alone, chłopak?*1 I see you looking around. Mayhap some company would do you good?” She gestured vaguely to the people who passed between them, their heads ducked, and bodies bent towards their respective destinations. Somehow, the crowd had managed to flow like a river, making sure not to collide with each other or trip over themselves.
====From Wilhelm’s perspective, all he could see were a bunch of blurry blobs waddling about.
====If he closed his eyes entirely and thought hard enough, the masses now looked like a herd of Hippocampuses dancing in pink tutus.
====Wilhelm shook his head and lifted his heavy trunk by the handle for her to see. He was about to say something else when an equally elderly-looking man dressed entirely in black came out of nowhere behind the woman.
====“Och, na litość boską,*2 we have no time to play around with lost children,” he said gruffly before giving Wilhelm a stern look. “We’ve got a train to catch in fifteen minutes, boy. You don’ want tae make your mother wait any longer, do ya?”
====He shrugged helplessly. “Nay, tha’s fine. Been waitin’ for mah fowks thes whole time since I got a bit tay hasty an’ left them behin’.” Wilhelm paused, a toothy grin decorating his features as he added cheekily, “an’ it’s always nice ta be a wee early anyways!”
==== He tilted his head in Wilhelm’s direction, impatiently tapping his foot as he did so. “See? Kid can handle himself just fine. Chodźmy!*3”
====“Ah, hush, you old goat!” the lady scolded to her companion before turning back to Wilhelm with an apologetic glance. “I’m so sorry, dear. It seems our schedule is too tight, and we truly cannot afford to delay a moment longer than needed.”
====”Take care of yourself, chłopak.*4” With that, she turned and proceeded into the station with the grumbling man in tow, leaving Wilhelm to gaze at the retreating backs of their figures for several moments before he was brought out of his reverie by the sound of matching squeals and the calls of his name from afar.
====He began turning around. That must’ve been the wrong move because he was soon met with two rivaling forces barreling head-first into his stomach.
====“—Merlin!” His breath caught in his throat from the impact.
====He staggered back, narrowly avoiding a collision with an unfortunate passerby. Two identical voices beginning to ring in his ears, “Wilhelm! Ye’ dunderhead! Ye’ waur way too fast! Why’d ye’ leave us? Mamă an' Tată*4 waur worried! / Wil! Wil! We saw ay’ muggle daein’ card tricks, ye’ shooed’ve seen it! It was so cool! Hey, did ye’ see any witches or wizards yet?”
====Wilhelm blinked rapidly, trying to process both sets of words. “Giv’ me a warnin’ next time; swear I was gonnae get mangled by a pair of Imps.” He let out a bewildered laugh. His face was amused, although pained, while he rubbed the sore spot on his midsection. “Ye’ really need ta’ stop doin’ that fer my poor ribs, ye’ know?”
====Ornella rolled her eyes playfully and flipped her auburn-colored hair for extra flair. “Whatever.” She sniffed disdainfully with a small simper.
====Calytrix backed off from Wilhelm’s embrace and gaped, offended, “I am not an’ Imp!”
====“Even if I waur’ one…” Her brown eyes grew large with indignation, then narrowed dangerously. The unspoken promise hidden behind layers of champagne and amber made it apparent for Wilhelm to choose his following words carefully.
====“Which I’m not!” She clarified.
====“‘Course, mah’ bad,” he replied lightly, holding his hands up in mock surrender to try and quell Calytrix’s wrath, “didn’ mean ta’ hurt yer’ feelings like that, soră*5.”
====She didn’t seem remotely pleased with the apology. It was a poorly made one, in her own opinion. Instead of replying verbally, she stared at her brother with a flat, unamused look.
====Wilhelm sweetly smiled and batted his eyelashes innocently at her.
====”Well,” Calytrix huffed, ”If I’m an imp, then you’re a big, nasty, and smelly troll!” She stuck her tongue out at both of them in a childish manner.
====Ornella attempted to hide the fit of snickers that erupted from her mouth with her hands. The action was not amiss to Wilhelm, who looked at her in pure betrayal.
====He brought his hand to his chest and pretended to gasp. “So cruel… How could ye’? Ye’ wound th' heart! No respect wi' yer frate mai mare*6, whatsoever!—”
==== “—Copii*7,” came a stern but gentle voice, laced with a hint of warning and reprimand, “What have I told you about discussing our… personal life in muggle places?”
====The three siblings halted in place upon hearing it’s owner speak. A short distance away stood their mother, standing with her arms crossed and wearing an expression akin to a mixture of fondness and disappointment. Their father stood not too far next to her, suddenly finding Wilhelm’s other luggage very interesting. He, Calytrix, and Ornella exchanged sheepish glances for a while, then at their parents, and finally back at each other.
====”Sorry, Mamă. / We won’t dae’ it again.” They chorused in unison, bashfully.
====Forysthia shook her head at their antics and observed the surroundings cautiously. Noticing there weren’t enough witnesses close enough to hear the conversation, she cleared her throat and strode forward with purpose. Her gait was refined and practical from years of practice, befitting for a pure-blooded witch her status. She casted an expectant look at her children, waiting for one of them to start talking.
====When neither of them said anything, she snapped, “Well? The baggage isn’t going to carry itself!”
====Of course, Calytrix was the first one to break by making her disapproval out loud, “But Mamă! It’s Wil’s stuff! Why dae’ we have to dae’ it?” She whined petulantly, throwing her hands up in frustration. She pointedly glared at her older brother, clearly expecting him to do something.
====Their mother raised her eyebrows and turned her gaze to Wilhelm.
====After a few seconds of hesitation, he groaned, defeated.
#
====“Trunk? Your quills and parchment? What about your coat and robes? Don’t forget your hat! Wilhelm, do not avoid wearing your glasses. Seeing is better than healing in the infirmary. Don’t look at me like that, I know how you are. Are you sure you have everything? Recheck it—“
====”—Mamă, I've checked everythin’ twice now. There’s naethin' missin' in mah’ bags.” Wilhelm interrupted her tirade with an exasperated sigh. “I even checked th' books if that makes ye’ feel better.”
====”Good enough. And your wand?” Forysthia inquired worriedly, looking over his robes for any abnormalities.
====”Yes, ma'am. ‘m carryin' it under mah’ arm right thes’ minute." His reply was quick and curt as he fidgeted with the sleeves of his robes. His patience was already waning, and he wanted to get this whole ordeal over with. After all, he didn’t want to waste his entire first day standing on the platform being scrutinized by his mother. He could board the train any second now and meet new faces!
====Thankfully, his father intervened and tried to reassure his wife by soothing her shoulder. “Come 'en, Tia. It’s not like he’s gonnae’ get into an’ accident as soon as he gits’ there. Look at him. He’s dyin' tae’ go already.” Malcolm chuckled good-naturedly and ruffled Wilhelm’s hair.
==== “Oi!” Wilhelm yelped, trying to smooth his hair to no avail. His curly hair looked even more disheveled and tangled now.
====Forysthia took a deep breath and released it through her nose, allowing herself to ease. She nodded in agreement. It has been a while since Wilhelm ended up with injuries, and that was only when he was much younger and more reckless. Since then, he always came out unscathed in all his escapades. Still, she couldn’t help but…
====She stepped away and studied her eldest son with a mournful expression, finally noticing how tall he had grown over the years. It was as if it was just yesterday when he could barely reach the level of her hips. And now, he was almost the same height as her.
====He was growing too rapidly for her liking.
==== Forysthia wrapped her arms around him into a bone-crushing hug. Resting her cheek against the top of his head, she cradled him gently as if he was a baby again. "I love you." She murmured delicately, brushing back his curls with her fingers.
====“Love you too, Mamă.” Wilhelm hugged his mother back just as tightly. He shut his eyes as he heaved deeply into her shoulder, trying to fight down another wave of emotions that threatened to overwhelm him. Wilhem was a bit surprised, though; his mother was always an uptight and stern woman, rarely feeling the need to be affectionate when her words could suffice, especially in public. He guessed today was an exception.
====Out of the blue, three more bodies came crashing into him from all sides. They all embraced him warmly, almost suffocating him in one effortless move.
====It was… kinda cozy, actually. Maybe Wilhelm could stay here for a little while longer.
===
=-sta : 8 | eva : 4 | str : 7======-=-=====-====—-——=== ⠀⠀⠀main ency ⠀⠀⠀ ====================== ability | ability | ability
=- ❝ PILLAGE AND PLUNDER, ❞======-==-=========== ⠀ ⠀⠀ ☆ ⠀⠀⠀ =================== ❝ HUNGER AND STRIFE. ❞
=- wis : 5 | arc : 5 | acc : 6 =-=======-=========—--===== ⠀⠀⠀ carrd ⠀⠀⠀ =============-=-=-====-=-=- ability | ability | ability