A bag, a case, a journal and my trinkets. That’s what I’ve brought with me. I think it was a week ago when a ring of the doorbell made my kinfolk and kindred spirits in the air. My Madre found a small barn owl with a soft blink in its eyes and a ruffle of its feathers carrying a letter with my name! It was almost humorous to have such a small mail man- well, it was humorous. To think such a little thing could carry such a polished envelope without damage was weird to madre. She sat at the kitchen table as I looked over curious, and I saw Ari’s name in the letter! It was so rare to hear from him when he was in school. “Is Ari coming home early ma?” I chirped. There was a furrow to her brow as she spoke.
“…Maggie Lou my love,” she croaked softly,”do you like school?” The question made my head tilt confused. Of course I did, it gave me something to do, a place to like things I liked. I answered,”well, yeah ma, is Ari going to school with me?” She sighed and looked away into the window for a moment, the street gray and yellow with the soft litter patter of rain. “Do you miss the weather in Scotland, my Lou love?” She seemed melancholy at the moment, like there was a fuzz building behind her eyes.” I do, but I love you ma. I really do,” my voice croaked as I hugged her tightly and she laughed, wrapping an arm around me and petting my hair.” You’re a very smart girl Maggie Lou. You’re my very smart girl.” She sighed before guiding me to sit, gently holding my hands.” Remember that silly thing your fadre sent you here for? To make sure you didn’t get scared?” I nodded, my stomach churning as she thumbed over my knuckles.” Well…the letter says there’s a school where you can learn to control that. Where you don’t have to, “stick out” so much. It says Ari recommended you join him.” I perked up a little as I squeezed Madre’s hands, a wheezy gasp coming out,”Really! Ari wants me to go to school with him? You’ll let me ma?” She laughed and shook her head, looking across the street and nodding. “….i want to talk to the neighbors about it first, but, it could be good for you. I really think so Lou love.”


Needless to say, I am at the station, nervous, side by side with my madre, unsure of where to go as I look for a big man with a bushy beard. It’s what the letter said at least.

He nodded as he heard the beckoning call of his two fathers waving goodbye and telling him to be careful. Seeing as they were still on the platform, he called them over with a simple wave and began to speak. "Hey dads, I know you're worried about me but please don't be concerned. At the very least, I am safe, I promise you. Look, please send me an owl if you think I'm not brave enough to spend my fifth year as someone tough."

Without giving them a minute to speak, he shot them a smile and turned his back on them as he walked away. That wasn't fair of him to do so, but he was 15! He wasn't the wimp he used to be! He wouldn't allow nonsensical rumors be said about him this year, there was no way he hid in the walls to evade someone he thought a bully.

He walked further down the platform and saw a girl. His head bobbed back and forth as he pretended he was one of those people who looked weird walking down a muggle sidewalk on the side of the street with that white thing in their ears. Its okay if he looked like a fool. It was a new year, a new Noah.

@Magladeen Greivance
Banner Credit: @Prat Pass

Amidst the bustling crowd and folks alike, i was a bit confused and muddied at first. Madre told me not to draw attention when the neighbor dropped me off. She told me they knew from personal experience with their own child how the station worked for kids like me. Mr Gwild helped me step into the station, and then there were fractions, and different people all around- I stopped in my tracks, I found myself perking up when I saw someone in similar attire walking around the station. They had school bags and bobbed their head in a cheery manner, their face expressive as they treaded along. I approached in a short hurry of excitement and worry, leaning forward as I walked beside them, waving a hand awkwardly as I laughed, pulling the old letter out of my pocket as I kept it closed tightly with sweaty palms, a timid tone touching my teeth as I spoke up, hurriedly walking,”um, excuse me-“ I cringed as my voice squeaked, eyes fluttering a few times as I shook my head and hands, continuing on, “Do you know an Ari Gwild? Or platform 9 and 3/4ths? I’m looking for a way to school and I’m a little lost.”

Another summer flown by, another trip to King's Crossing. The London train station was familiar territory to Ari and his family. They knew where to go, what to look for, and anyone else who they happened to run into was an extra bonus.

There were definitely familiar faces, students eager to run through to Platform 3/4 and find their way back to school on the Hogwarts Express. It was routine for those who had classes there, an exciting ritual of sorts. Ari was no exception. He loved the buzz he would get as he would get closer to coming back to school to learn more magic (and win more broom races). And his parents were just as excited as he was. They were eager for his letters and to hear of what adventures he would go on, who he would meet, what he would do. There was never a reason to not be proud of him as long as he was following his dreams. That was all that mattered to them.

"Yes, yes, I am sure I have everything I need," Ari smiled and patted his dad on the back as he looked over his luggage again. He had grown a little more over the summer, so his dad was getting closer and closer to eye level with him. It was amusing to see, at least to his mom.

"Hey, wasn't Maggie supposed to coming to Hogwarts this year?" His mother, asked, searching for their next-door neighbor, Magladeen Greivance. She and Ari had become good friends since she moved to Barking, and upon learning that she possessed magical gifts, the Gwilds had been more than helpful to her muggle mum. "She's a first year, right?"

"Oh yeah! You were supposed to be helping her, yes?" Ari raised an eyebrow at his dad, trying not to snicker. "I'm positive she is looking for you."

"Then why don't you go help her? You're the one going after all." His dad raised an eyebrow back in identical fashion. "Wait- isn't that her?"

Ari turned in the direction his father was looking and laid eyes on a young girl with brown braids, wearing a very confused look on her face. That was definitely Maggie. The three of them approached her casually and Ari tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention. "Hey, Maggie! Looks like you found your way alright. That's a relief."

He didn't expect to see Noah, his long-time schoolmate and buddy standing there with her, too. He was probably trying to help her for the time being. It was always welcoming to find a familiar face, even if that familiar face was one associated with chaos frequently. Hopefully he wouldn't rope Ari's friend into anything that could lead to trouble. "Fancy seeing you here, Noah. Have you become acquainted with Magladeen already?"

Pings: @Noah Jupe, @Magladeen Greivance

In the midst of his bobbing he heard someone addressing him. That girl he was heading towards was coming towards him too. Well, this was interesting. "Yeah, I know an Ari. I met him a few years ago, last time I legitimately interacted with him though was at some sort of halloween picnic if I remember correctly."

He then heard Ari's voice. "Is that her name? Magladeen? It's a nice name."

"And my dear friend," He paused, making sure he shot her a smile, "You just need to go through the wall in between platform 9 and 10. Like this," Noah started as he left her momentarily to run through the wall with his luggage.

He looked around and smiled as he saw the Hogsmeade Express train lined up, noticing that there were obviously a ton of parents waving goodbye from inside Platform 9 3/4 rather than being out in Kings Cross Station. Regardless, it wasn't that big a deal for him. He turned around and stared at the wall, waiting for the two comrades to go through so he could finally get onto the train without making it seem like he abandoned them like a careless friend who is too highstrung.

@Magladeen Greivance | @Ari Gwild
Banner Credit: @Prat Pass

It was a thing of miraculous luck. Maybe even dumb luck. Ari had found me almost immediately, and the other person had known him as well! It was so nice to meet a friend of Ari’s, quite tall and charming for his age. Ari was charming and taller too now. Is this what the school helped kids learn and practice? Or perhaps it was purely their age and maturity, Before I could ponder more, Ari’s acquaintance, Noah, had spoken kindly to me, then proceeded to run straight through the wall- wait, he stepped through the wall. I couldn't help but stare in total amazement. Whether it was a curtain or a new high-tech door installed for flare, I had heard technology had not yet made it possible at all to do this, really. I looked back and forth between Ari and the mystery cranny as I held my bag more tightly, shifting back and forth on timid feet. Gone in an instant. And without damages. My voice was quiet when I spoke up, as if speaking such a thing aloud would be silly. "You’ve never mentioned anything like this in your letters, Ari. Is it really safe to do that? Is he going to be okay?”