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Date: September 1st 2024 | Outfit: X | Speech: Italian, English, Other Speaking
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─────Strangely enough the daunting feeling in his chest had begun to ebb from his first year. Once a cumulative wall of nervousness that was so daunting and steep it seemed impossible to climb over. Trapped on the side with the shadow always looming over him. Back then in Nico's first year, when that irrational nervousness was at its peak. It reminded Nico of the summers spent at the family home in Italy. Looking out the manor window seeing children play in the city street as parents watched and conversed with each other from the sides. Nico wanted nothing more than to run out the manor and join them out of sheer boredom. But despite the manor being in the eye of the public it was still isolated, the surrounding gate keeping the non-magical world out and them in. Apparently from Nico’s understanding of it all, the muggles simply thought their family was “old money” and avoided them and the manor due to that.

Besides there was also the fact that his Nonno would tear him a new one if he so much as asked to go out and play with them. Apparently there were terms and conditions in how their family treated muggles and muggle borns. Not directly going out of their way to be rude or cause drama but also deliberately limiting all interactions with them as much as they possibly could, as they were “unclean.” In both a literal and figurative sense. When the entire Romano family gathered at the manor during summers they stayed there the entire duration not venturing out the manors gates unless given permission, or a trip was planned and overseen by the current head of the family. Even then a majority of the time children under the age of thirteen stayed back for “developmental” reasons.

That wall of nervousness he felt his entire first year reminded him of the slow lonely summer days. Knowing he was close to companionship but held back by that unclimbable mountain. Now as his second year was officially about to begin that well had majorly changed and shrunk. A complete degradation and fool compared to what it once had been. It was no longer debilitating, he could finally see over the top. It finally seemed attainable, and that in itself filled Nico with hope for the new year.

“Yes grandpa, I know. I’ve known since last year.” Nico tried to reassure his Nonno, blazing past his questions to get on the train faster. “I will stay on top of my grades, and I always write back at least once a week I promise.” The deathgrip on his shoulders barely relented as his grandfather's face stayed relatively expressionless at Nico’s words. As if he was untrusting of the boy even after Nico stuck to his word all of last year. Worry crossed Nico’s mind at the thought he had now lost his grandfather's trust somehow during summer. The thought felt worse to Nico then a punch in the gut. Nico felt like he was going to be sick.

“Stay safe,” the Italian words brought Nico back into reality, “I don’t need you getting hurt, your nonna would have my head.” He was just worried, Nico could tell. The look on his face was still an intimidating cold but the slight change in his tone of voice was all Nico needed. His grandfather still trusted him, he was just alarmed for his well being. Even if he was too prideful to say it himself instead of hiding behind the wants of his wife, Nico’s grandmother.

“I promise Nonno,” Nico spoke relatively softly. The grip on his shoulders was loose enough for Nico to move and give the older man a short-lived hug. It wasn’t returned, it usually never was, his grandfather wasn’t big on touch. But at least he didn’t push Nico away like he did with everyone else besides his own wife.

“Now I’m off, I don’t want to be late.” Already walking up the train steps he turned to give his grandfather one final wave. “I’ll write to you and Nonna tonight!” Nico exclaimed before finally boarding the train. Rushing down the narrow hall to find an available compartment that wasn’t taken just yet. Sure the nervousness had died down quite a bit compared to his earlier year and his goal was to make friends. But that didn’t need to go into effect until he was at Hogwarts. He had only done this twice before, when going to and leaving Hogwarts but it already felt like muscle memory. Opening a compartment, stowing his trunk away carefully up above, sitting down and looking out the window. With his body kicking into action on its own, it gave Nico plenty of time to be lost in his own thoughts. Excitement and wonder on how the new year would go, nervousness setting in to meet new people and how well he’d do in his classes, and the hope that he’d meet his goal and make friends this year.

Spotting his grandfather on the mass of people in the platform waiting for the train to leave before leaving themselves Nico waved. Even if the man could or couldn’t see him. It was only polite and the right thing to do anyway, especially for family. Nico could just hope the man saw and continue with the rest of the day. Resting his head back against the leather of the red seat he made a mental reminder to change into his school robes somewhere along the duration of the trip. For now he had already come a long way, maybe he could get in a quick nap, or see if someone curious and lonely enough decides to give him company. Nico wouldn’t be against having one or two people for company in the long train ride. Talking always did help pass the time, and who knows maybe it would lead to an early friend?

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| 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒉: N/A | 𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈: @Marco Rinaldi|
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TIME | Evening DATE | September 1st INTERACTING | @Marco Rinaldi

“ Beautiful Boy ” by John Lennon 00:22⠀── ◉ ────────⠀04:02

X | OUTFIT English | DIALOGUE N/A | MENTIONING

Head turning to face the by, Nico gave him a small smile. Beckoning him in with a wave. He knew all too well what it was like to be alone, and if this boy was asking for his company he was probably alone as well. Maybe he was a first-year, maybe not. Whatever the case, he was polite enough to at least ask first before just barging in. The least Nico could do was at least let him in and give him some company on the long train ride to the school.

"Nope, all alone I'm afraid. Feel free to come in I don't bite, promise." He said with a laugh trying his best to lighten up the atmosphere to not make the boy feel awkward. He seemed younger than him, he likely was a first year now that Nico thought back on it. He couldn't help grimacing at the thought, thinking back on his own first-year experience. How isolated he had been the entire year all because he was too intimated and to shy to really introduce himself to anyone. This year he'd make sure that wouldn't repeat, and hopefully, he could make sure his new companion didn't as well.

"My name is Nico, what about yours?" He asked, head slightly tilting to the left in a questioning manner. This year was going to have a good start, it had to. Besides he was already starting to talk with someone, well introduced but still. That had to be a good sign it just had to be, he wouldn't take it any other way. He refused for it to be anything but a good omen, because if the year got off on a bad start what did that say about how the rest of it would go? It would be like setting off a trail of domino one toppling after another until all the hard work of setting it up was absolutely decimated in just a few short seconds. Sure maybe he was being a tad bit dramatic but his point still stood and it absolutely terrified him. Just the thought of experiencing that sort of loneliness again even when he was surrounded by people? It made him feel like he was trapped even though he could clearly see outside, and he absolutely hated it. So if all he could do was make small talk and hope to Merlin he could make a friend here; then Nico would without a second thought

"Say this is random but are you a first year? You just seem a bit younger than me is all and I'm a second year myself. Or I'm just completely wrong, and if that's the case I'm sorry." He said rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly looking almost everywhere else to avoid making eye contact with Marco.

"Sorry, I really don't mean to assume I just.." Trailing off with a heavy sigh he rubbed his face tiredly. "As you can tell I'm not the best with small talk it seems." He said with a small laugh.