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──────────────────────────────── 𝑵𝑬𝑽𝑬𝑹𝑬𝑵𝑫𝑰𝑵𝑮 ✰ To be frank, there was a chance Aodhan may or may not have belonged at the Hogwarts Express that day. Cirrus had invited him to spend their break together a few weeks prior, and that was indeed more than enough time to contact his parents and ask for permission. It was also more than enough time for them to generate a response, considering letters done through magical means were not instantaneous, but also not dreadfully slow. So, what did he do instead? Well, he forgot to ask. And because he just so happened to forget, he sent out a letter to his parents merely two nights ago, the day before everyone was officially set to leave Hogwarts and head home for the summer. If his mother were to have any say in the matter, Aodhan belonged nowhere near the train dropoff by himself, trying to navigate the crowds to find this friend of his. That was exactly why he sent a letter explaining everything to just his father instead. That man, with his happy-go-lucky attitude and airheaded tendencies, would enable the young lion's irresponsible behavior for sure. Then his mother would try to argue back just to be consumed with work obligations, eventually forget about the matter, and punish Aodhan upon his return because that would be when her memory would re-spark. Foolproof. Completely and utterly foolproof. Due to having such a wonderful plan in the works, he moved with full confidence towards the designated meeting spot, dressed in some of his favorites clothes with a pair of shades settled over his eyes. Upon spotting his friend—wow, an actual friend... that would take some getting used to—the young wizard quickly returned the wave with enthusiasm. He smiled his bright, typical smile until he could feel Cirrus's arms wrap around him, causing a stream of laughter to escape his lips. It was genuine, airy, and slowly getting choked up since— "Okay—OKAY! Bro, let me go, PLEASE!" he barely got out, his voice strangled due to how tightly the hufflepuff clung to him. Seriously, why was he getting lifted off the ground?! Once again, the inconvenience of his short stature was getting shoved into his face. Once he was finally dropped, he brushed himself off and readjusted his sunglasses. Then adjusted his sunglasses again, because they weren't quite right. Then he watched curiously as Cirrus moved onto the next victim, and it was honestly someone he had never seen before. Her skin? Too pale, even for Scotland. Her stare? Way too empty. Her vibe overall? Gorgeous but something he'd spot in a horror movie, if he was to be honest. Vaguely, he was reminded of a certain girl he met during the Fall Gala, all sweet and courteous despite being so overly composed, so wrong. But at least this one had the decency to be upfront about her oddness. Mimicking the cool, older teenagers he often saw in movies, Aodhan used a single finger to tilt his shades downwards, just enough for his eyes to be seen as he inspected this stranger. "Panny, who is this? You're making friends with zombies now?" he questioned. ✰ 𝑵𝑶𝑻 𝑶𝑹𝑫𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑹𝒀 ────────────────────────────────

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──────────────────────────────── 𝑵𝑬𝑽𝑬𝑹𝑬𝑵𝑫𝑰𝑵𝑮 ✰ The Walking Dead seemed to take his comment as an invitation to approach him. If Aodhan didn't know any better, he likely would have raised his hands into the air, in combat position like he often saw video game characters do. But he did have an inkling of restraint sometimes, so he refrained from doing so and allowed her to get closer. But then she touched his hair. Then she started playing with it, and— "You're quite cute..." Huh? "Huh?" he questioned intelligently, jaw going slack. The boy stood there, frozen, trying to process what the hell was happening to him. Consequently, her words saw no landing; they merely went into one ear and out the other, while the racing thoughts in his head took precedence. To be honest, he was used to being called "cute," mainly from good-natured adults of the grandma variety whenever he had the misfortune of stumbling upon them. His own growing ego also screamed that he was appealing in some way. There was no way for him to move with confidence if he couldn't even appreciate the view in the mirror. However, to have someone his own age refer to him like that? Openly, and from a girl no less? Aodhan smiled. Next, he giggled, high-pitched and a bit hysterical while he rubbed the back of his head. "Me? Cute? Hehe. I mean, you said it, not me," he babbled, eyes crinkling at the edges as his cheeks reddened. The youth proceeded to clear his throat, all in an attempt to ground himself. No time to be bashful, now was the time to perform. "Nice to see you have eyes! I am super cute, huh?" Thankfully, Cirrus spoke up and introduced the peculiar girl as Hana. Then something something tents, something something tea parties. Since when did Hogwarts host tea parties? There was a subtle tug at his memory, but nothing came up, so Aodhan quickly decided he had no business knowing and ultimately ignored the detail. "Well, I like her already!" he declared, crossing his arms and nodding his head, "A bit creepy, but she'll have to do. Both of you get a certified Aodhan Stamp of Approval." Only soon afterwards did Cirrus speak his usual Scottish gibberish, which Aodhan would be eternally grateful for understanding, movie reference and all. While playfully rolling his eyes, he quickly grabbed his own luggage and followed after his exuberant friend, sprinting his way through the wall like he did a year ago, on that fateful September morning. Near instantly, he was met with an older, more feminine Cirrus, complete with the brown hair, the perpetual look of wanting sleep, and... what the hell. Were they clones? Or were their genes that strong? He squinted at them, suspicious. Still, he waved excitedly in the woman's direction, showing off one of his usual, toothy smiles. He didn't even bother properly presenting himself, trying to go with the flow as they were guided into a minivan, which—woah. It had been at least half a year since he last rode in a car. "Sae whit's it like i magic school?" "It's okay! Could be better, though. Not nearly enough fire-breathing dragons like I thought there would be. We just get screaming ghosts and plants instead," he answered quickly, "And, like, none of our usual tech stuff works there! I almost thought it was a prison." Suddenly, a lightbulb seemed to go off in his head. Speaking of "muggle tech"... The youth quickly pulled out his phone, pressing the power button with bated breath. "... Guys," he blubbered, watching the apple logo appear through increasingly tear-blurred vision, "Guys, our phones work again. I... I can play games and listen to actual music again..." Dramatically, Aodhan sniffled. Thus far, this may have been the best day of his entire year. ✰ 𝑵𝑶𝑻 𝑶𝑹𝑫𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑹𝒀 ────────────────────────────────

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